Self-encrypting Western Digital drives have serious security flaws and backdoors
Security researchers have discovered that a number of Western Digital drives -- including many My Passport and My Book devices -- are blighted with serious vulnerabilities that leave encrypted data stored on them accessible by attackers. The self-encrypting drives were found to be so insecure that it was possible to recover data without the need for the relevant password.
A paper published at the end of September provides details of how some Western Digital drives are susceptible to brute force type attacks, and there are even some models which store the decryption key on the drive. Western Digital would almost certainly rather people were talking about its purchase of SanDisk, but people are more likely to be interested in the company's seemingly terrible approach to security.
Baby boomers spend more time online than millennials
It's easy to assume that younger generations who have grown up with the internet spend more time online, but new research suggests that this isn't the case.
The 2015 State of the User Experience report from content delivery specialist Limelight Networks time spent online in the past year has dramatically increased, with 45 percent of respondents spending more than 15 hours a week on their laptop, tablet or phone.
Samsung introduces a new IoT line of SmartThings devices
The Internet of Things can be a mixed blessing. Sometimes all works as planned and sometimes things go terribly awry. Things are getting better, though. The trick is compatibility and we aren't there yet, but things keep improving and moving forward.
Now Samsung is beefing up its line of SmartThings products. This isn't new, but only improved. The company is doubling up its efforts, but others will need to adopt the standard, or any standard for that matter.
Smart reporting and auditing gives businesses improved visibility and control
Business information comes from a variety of sources and it can be difficult to bring all of the separate streams together to extract meaningful data.
Enterprise file services company Egnyte is launching a new Smart Reporting and Auditing service. This allows organizations to build comprehensive dashboards of system-wide analytics around content (creation, editing, viewing and sharing), users, devices, applications, and more.
Microsoft Edge might not get extensions until Windows 10 Redstone in 2016
Since the launch of Windows 10, anyone who has joined the Insider program has been treated to a number of updates in the form of preview builds -- particularly on the Fast ring. Regular users have not been so lucky, but Microsoft's Windows 10 roadmap includes a number of Service Pack-style updates on the horizon.
It is through these bigger updates that Microsoft is expected to deliver the long-promised extensions to its Edge. But anyone who is looking to extend the capabilities of Microsoft's browser could have something of a wait on their hands. The next update to Windows 10 -- known as Threshold 2 -- won't bring extensions. In fact, it won’t be until the Windows 10 Redstone update later in 2016 that Edge gets the feature everyone is waiting for. But will it be too late to claw back users from Chrome and Firefox?
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview Build 10572 to Fast ring
With the first Windows 10 Mobile devices set to arrive in November, there is not much time left for Microsoft to get its new mobile operating system ready for prime time. Development is in full swing, with a new Insider Preview build available now on the Fast ring.
Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview build 10572, just like the one that arrived a week before it, requires users to go back to Windows Phone 8.1 to install it on their smartphones, but it more than makes up for the trouble thanks to all the changes that Microsoft has baked in.
Mac and iOS users warned about Apple support scam
Windows users have long been the primary targets of all manner of security attacks, but now the tide is turning towards Mac users. In recent years there have been more viruses and malware attacks aimed at OS X, and security company Malwarebytes is now warning that Mac owners could fall victim to support scams. iPhones and iPads are also at risk.
It's a story that will be familiar to PC owners: fake technical support agents offer to remotely connect to a victim's computer to fix a (fake) problem, and then take control of the system and wreak unknown havoc. Apple does have its own, genuine remote support system accessible through ara.apple.com, but fraudulent pages with similar addresses are being used to trick people into installing remote access software.
What Back to the Future II got right and wrong about 2015
Today is the day Marty McFly visits in Back to the Future Part II, the sequel to Robert Zemeckis’ 1985 masterpiece "Back to the Future".
Now that we’ve finally hit the day portrayed in the film it’s time to give the producers a report card on the things they got right… and wrong.
Tim Cook: We shouldn't have to choose between privacy and security
In a debate held on Monday, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook argued with government agencies over privacy and backdoor issues once again, stressing that a backdoor is not a good solution.
According to a Bloomberg report, he squared off with NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers at the Wall Street Journal Digital Live technology conference in Laguna Beach, California.
CFOs seek the truth through big data
Chief financial officers (CFOs) want their company data to provide accurate insights and actionable business transformation.
This is one of the findings of a new survey by specialists in cloud corporate performance management Adaptive Insights. The global survey of 435 CFOs focuses on data analytics trends, business collaboration strategies, the top financial mistakes most companies make and 2016 plans and predictions.
Great Scott! Microsoft celebrates Back to the Future day with a cool hidden Easter egg
Today, as you’ll no doubt be aware, is the day that Marty McFly travels to in Back to the Future II. We might not have proper (fully working) hover boards, flying cars or pizza hydrators in this version of 2015, but we do have a lot of technology that would have seemed very futuristic to someone visiting from the 1980s.
Microsoft believes that the future is precisely on schedule and is celebrating Back to the Future day with a cool Easter egg on its website. Here’s how to find it.
D-Link announces 180 degree Wi-Fi cameras (DCS-2630L and DCS-960L)
Having cameras in one's home was once was reserved for the wealthy -- they were expensive and usually required professional installation. Thanks to modern technology, especially Wi-Fi, home surveillance can be achieved by anyone. Of course, not all cameras are created equal -- performance and quality will vary by both price and manufacturer.
Today, D-Link announces two new Wi-Fi cameras that are packed with features, but more importantly, they are affordable too. The coolest aspect? They offer 180 degree recording, something you do not typically see at this price. Of course, you also get D-Link's legendary quality and dependability.
System76 unveils Skylake-powered Wild Dog Pro with Ubuntu Linux 15.10 'Wily Werewolf'
Linux-based operating systems are wonderful for many reasons, such as being lightweight and secure. One of my favorite aspects, however, is the open and customizable nature. Ubuntu, for example, is one of the best operating systems, but if you do not like the default Unity environment, you can simply choose another -- not so with Windows or OS X.
If you are going to use a Linux-based operating system, shouldn't you have a computer that can be easily customized too? System76 makes wonderful Ubuntu-equipped computers, and today, one of its most customizable machines, The Wild Dog Pro, gets refreshed with Skylake processors. This is the company's first computer to feature the 6th generation Intel CPUs.
Nexus 5X first-impressions review
The question everyone should ask about Google-branded, LG-manufactured Nexus 5X: Who is it for? My first-impressions review primarily focuses on the answer. My wife is one person, and I am surprised. Because conceptually she steps down from the Motorola Droid Turbo, which by raw specs is the superior mobile. Budget buyers also should consider the 5X or anyone living the Google lifestyle or wanting stock Android.
The new handset course corrects last year's release blunder, when Google sized up to 6-inch screen with the Nexus 6, leaving many satisfied N5 owners in stunned silence followed by loud complaint. While a N6 fan, I agree: It is a huge phone that is overly large for the majority of prospective buyers. This year's solution is smart. Google released two smartphones: Nexus 6P, which while phablet-class is markedly more manageable in the hands than its predecessor; Nexus 5X, for people wanting something smaller and for N5 owners looking to upgrade.
Steve Ballmer is now Twitter's third-largest stockholder
So what’s Steve Ballmer up to these days, now he’s not at the helm of Microsoft? He’s investing in the tech world, and specifically in Twitter -- indeed he’s bought up a very large stake in the social network, despite its shaky performance in recent times.
Ballmer tweeted: "Good job @twitter,@twittermoments innovation, @jack Ceo, leaner, more focused. Glad I bought four percent past few months".
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