Microsoft turns the screws on Windows 7 users with full-screen upgrade warnings
It can hardly have escaped your attention that yesterday was the day Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 7.
To make sure anyone who was unaware is alerted to the fact that no more security updates will be available, full-screen warnings are now being displayed. Microsoft had previously advised Windows 7 users that this message would appear, and as of today the company is making good on its promise.
Microsoft is rolling out Chromium-based Edge to everyone from today, but it's missing important features
Microsoft-related news over the last few days has been all about Windows 7 reaching end-of-life, but today marks the day that the company starts to push the Chromium-based version of Edge to Windows 10 users after beta testing. For businesses and organizations that do not feel ready to make the transition just yet, there is no need to panic.
Microsoft says there are no plans to push the browser to commercial or enterprise devices, and there's a Blocker Toolkit available to disable automatic delivery of Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, anyway. But for Home and Pro users, there is likely to be disappointment for anyone hoping that the rollout of the stable version of the browser would mean it was feature complete. There are in fact several things missing.
Logitech announces ERGO K860 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard with Wrist Rest
Just yesterday, we shared with you that Kensington had an all-new wireless trackball. New models of that device type are rather rare, so some trackball fans were obviously excited. What makes that new trackball particularly enticing, however, is its ergonomics -- its vertical design should be good for the health of your wrist.
If you prefer mice to trackballs, please know Logitech makes the excellent MX Vertical which can also be beneficial for wrist health. That company also manufactures its own M570 ergonomic trackball, but I digress. Today, Logitech announces yet another ergonomically sound device -- this time a keyboard. Called "ERGO K860," it is a wireless keyboard that allows the user to type with their hands in a more natural position. It also comes with a wrist wrest, making it appear to be a very comfortable and healthy product.
Now you can use your iPhone as a 2FA key for Google apps
Two-factor authentication is a handy means of securing accounts, and now iPhone users are able to use their handsets as a security key for their Google accounts.
An update to the Google Smart Lock app brings the functionality to Apple fans, several months after the feature was made available to Android users. It's a security method that has been welcomed by many as it does not require the use of any additional hardware, just something you always tend to have with you -- your phone.
Majority of workloads will be in the cloud by the end of 2020
Organizations are becoming more comfortable and familiar with cloud technology while recognizing its increasing benefits. 85 percent of respondents to a new survey say they expect to have the majority of their workloads on the cloud by the end of this year, and 24 percent plan to be cloud-only.
The study from cloud services provider AllCloud also shows more than 56 percent of respondents say that at least half of all their cloud workloads are using containers or microservices.
Why secure data exchange is vital for the fintech industry [Q&A]
Over the past few years, we've seen a surge in popularity for both consumer fintech apps, as well as fintech services for businesses.
This shift in the financial services ecosystem has empowered users to take greater control of their financial lives, equipping them with tools to better understand how and where they spend their money, increase their credit scores, prepare taxes, aggregate disparate financial and investment accounts, among many other applications.
Ubuntu Linux 20.04 LTS should entice Windows 7 switchers with new theme
With Windows 7 dead and buried, it is time to begin looking forward. Microsoft would love for computer users to upgrade to Windows 10, and for many people, that is a very good idea. For others, though, a Linux-based operating system makes much more sense. An OS like Linux Mint or Linux Lite are great choices for switchers, as they feature desktop environments that will make the Windows convert feel comfortable.
Not all Windows users are scared of change, however. There is no reason why some of them can't jump into a Linux-based operating system that uses a radically different desktop environment, such as GNOME.
Windows 10 is 'better than ever' says Microsoft, as it issues a patch to fix a major vulnerability
Today, as you’ll know, marks the end of support for Windows 7, and Microsoft is -- predictably -- keen to get as many people as possible to switch to its new operating system.
However, on a day when the software giant has had to issue a fix for a flaw in Windows 10 that the NSA says threatens the foundations on which the Internet operates, there’s something more than a little embarrassing about Microsoft boasting how its new OS "makes you and your organization more productive and secure than ever".
NSA: Windows 10 flaw threatens the foundations on which the Internet operates
Earlier today we wrote about a major vulnerability affecting Windows 10 and Server 2016 which was uncovered by the NSA who duly reported it to Microsoft.
At the time details on the vulnerability were scarce, but now that Microsoft has issued a fix for it as part of its Patch Tuesday updates, the NSA has revealed its worrying findings.
Microsoft releases Launcher Preview for Android
Microsoft Launcher, formerly known as Arrow Launcher, is a popular Android application by Microsoft that Android users may install on their devices to replace the default system launcher. It is quite popular with Android users and updated regularly.
To test upcoming features, Microsoft has just released Microsoft Launcher Preview in early access. It is a development version that users may install to try out new functionality. Microsoft gets feedback and some data in return which helps development.
NSA discovers a serious flaw in Windows 10
The US National Security Agency (NSA) has discovered a major flaw in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 that could potentially expose users to "significant breaches or surveillance", according to the Washington Post.
In the past, the NSA might have simply weaponized the vulnerability, as it did by creating hacking tool EternalBlue, but this time around the organization instead chose to report the flaw to Microsoft, and a fix is expected to be issued as part of today’s Patch Tuesday updates.
Scientists use frog stem cells to create 'living, programmable organisms'
Visions of the future have long featured robots and cyborgs. We've seen robots, and even rudimentary human augmentation already, but now scientists have created the world's first living robots.
American researchers used cells from African clawed frogs to build biological machines from the ground up. Built from different biological tissues, scientists have brought into being "living, programmable organisms" and potentially opened up an ethical can of worms.
How enterprises can improve employee training programs through tech-driven contextual learning
Companies are increasingly leveraging digital solutions to their advantage. 44 percent of businesses have already adopted a digital-first strategy in their operations. As part of this widespread digital transformation, organizations have to reskill and upskill their employees and ensure that their staff are capable of maximizing their technology investments.
Companies are already spending significant sums on the necessary employee training. In 2018, large enterprises spent an average of $19.7 million for learning and development which included instructor-led classroom training, online training, and training-outsourcing.
34% of data breaches are inside jobs
One of the most notable trends of the 2010s was an increase in data breaches. The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse maintains a chronological database of data breaches that stretches back to 2005. Hacks and cybersecurity threats were an issue for companies and organizations even in the 1980s and the 1990s, but a simple scroll through that database will show how much more frequent data breaches have become within the past ten years. Since 2009 or 2010, notable data breaches have occurred virtually every day.
Why are these threats on the rise? One factor is that people are living more of their lives online. Between social media, online shopping, and the growing segment of the workforce that conducts most or all of its business on the internet, there are more targets for hackers and cybercriminals than ever before. This infographic shows how dramatically the production of global data has grown even in the past five years. With so much data out there, it stands to reason that cybercrime is becoming a more significant enterprise. It’s easy to imagine the culprits behind data breaches as keyboard warriors sitting alone in dark rooms, wreaking havoc from afar. What many people don’t recognize: the threat could be coming from the cubicle next door.
Kensington releases Pro Fit Ergo Vertical Wireless Trackball
Back in the day, there were two types of people -- mouse users and trackball users. There were obviously far more of the former, but the latter were very passionate about trackballs. In fact, there are some consumers that buy and hoard them out of fear that their favorite model will one day be unobtainable.
If you aren't familiar, a trackball is a productivity-focused pointing device that allows the user to move the on-screen cursor by manipulating a ball with their thumb. This type of device can be a godsend for those with wrist issues, as you don't need to move your arm like with a mouse. It is definitely not a good choice for gamers, however.