AI contributes to a more complex privacy landscape
Despite many organizations reporting significant business gains from using GenAI, data privacy is still a major risk. Notably, 64 percent of respondents to a new survey worry about inadvertently sharing sensitive information publicly or with competitors, yet nearly half admit to inputting personal employee or non-public data into GenAI tools.
The latest Data Privacy Benchmark Study from Cisco, with input from from 2,600 privacy and security professionals across 12 countries, shows an increased focus on investing in AI governance processes, an overwhelming 99 percent of respondents anticipate reallocating resources from privacy budgets to AI initiatives in the future.
AI-driven video is ushering in a new era of collaboration
The shift to hybrid and remote jobs continues to redefine the modern workplace. For the past several years, video conferencing has made global collaboration possible, breaking down barriers that once made a fully remote workforce seem like a far reality. And while this technology will continue to be a core component of day-to-day business, it has only scratched the surface of how video can support increasingly dispersed teams.
In fact, it actually may no longer be enough to sustain remote environments. As workers and employers continue to clash around return to office (RTO) mandates and employee engagement reaches a record low, it’s clear that we need a new approach.
Politically motivated DDoS attacks target critical infrastructure
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks have become a dominant means of waging cyberwarfare linked to socio-political events such as elections, civil protests and policy disputes, according to the latest DDoS Threat Intelligence Report from NetScout.
Throughout the year, DDoS attacks have been intricately tied to social and political events, including Israel experiencing a 2,844 percent surge linked to hostage rescues and political conflicts, Georgia enduring a 1,489 percent increase during the lead-up to the passage of the 'Russia Bill', and Mexico having a 218 percent increase during national elections.
Celebrate Donald Trump’s Liberation Day by finally ditching Windows 11 for Linux
Today (April 2, 2025) has been declared “Liberation Day” by President Donald Trump. This makeshift holiday will apparently mark a rebirth for the USA by celebrating new tariffs. Whether you think this a brilliant move or simply political foolishness, you must admit there’s something to be said about the idea of breaking free from bloated systems. And no, I’m not just talking about foreign trade deals -- I’m talking about your operating system too!
If you’re still using Windows 11 in 2025, you must ask yourself, why the heck is that? Why punish yourself by dealing with unpredictable updates, AI features nobody asked for, and Microsoft collecting your data? I am happy to say there’s a much better way -- you should celebrate Liberation Day by declaring your independence from Windows with Linux.
There is still a way to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account
Microsoft has been gradually shutting down the various ways people found to install and use Windows 11 without a Microsoft Account. The company has made it all but impossible to install the operating system without creating or signing into an account.
With the most recent preview build of Windows 11, Microsoft nixed a script that could be used to sidestep the requirement -- although it can still be manually applied via the registry. But there is still an easy way to avoid having to use a Microsoft Account.
What NIS2 implementation means for enterprises [Q&A]
As cyberattacks across sectors continue to rise, businesses face pressure to enhance their security postures amid budget restraints and operational challenges.
In the EU, the new Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2) is making it mandatory for companies in Europe -- and those doing business with Europe -- to not only invest in cybersecurity, but to prioritize it regardless of budgets and team structures.
Redtiger F17 Elite dash cam with 4K Sony camera and Wi-Fi 6 is a smart way to protect yourself on the road
Let’s be honest, folks -- when it comes to driving these days, you can never be too careful. Between reckless drivers and the growing number of scammers who try to cause accidents on purpose just to cash in on insurance payouts, having a solid dash cam is more of a necessity than a luxury.
That’s where the new Redtiger F17 Elite dash cam comes in. This isn’t some cheap, grainy camera that barely shows what’s happening. No, this is a full-blown video system with three high-quality Sony cameras, full-color night vision, and fast wireless transfer thanks to Wi-Fi 6.
Linux Lite 7.4 is the perfect Windows 11 alternative for older PCs
The developers behind Linux Lite have released version 7.4, and it looks awesome. If you’re stuck with aging hardware or just fed up with Windows 11, this might be the lightweight Linux distro you’ve been waiting for.
Linux Lite 7.4 is based on Ubuntu 24.04.2 and ships with Linux kernel 6.8.0-56. For users with special needs, there’s easy access to alternative kernels in the repository -- everything from 3.13 to 6.14. This makes the OS ideal for breathing new life into computers that Microsoft unfortunately left behind.
Ubuntu Linux 25.10 will be called Quizzical Quokka and yes that is really the name
Ubuntu 25.10 finally has a name, and it’s one that will probably leave you scratching your head. Canonical has decided to call the upcoming Linux-based operating system “Quizzical Quokka.” That’s not a joke. The announcement was made in a tweet from the official Ubuntu account, which you can see here.
The tradition of using animal-themed alliteration for Ubuntu releases is nothing new, but “Quizzical Quokka” might be one of the oddest yet. A quokka, in case you’re not familiar, is a small, marsupial from Australia -- I had to look it up. But what exactly makes Ubuntu “quizzical” this time around? That part hasn’t been explained.
Lookalike domains used to boost effectiveness of email scams
Lookalike domains, crafted to closely resemble authentic domains, enable a wide range of deceptive activities. By sending emails that appear to originate from trusted sources, attackers can effectively conduct a variety of scams from phishing and social engineering attacks to invoice fraud.
A new report from BlueVoyant looks at how cybercriminals encourage their victims to click on lookalike domains, whilst highlighting the critical need for vigilance and proactive measures to counteract these threats.
WhatsApp now lets you add music to your Status update
WhatsApp is primarily about keeping in touch with people, be that friends, family, colleagues, businesses or some other group. But there is also the option to update your Status to indicate what you’re up to, how you’re feeling, or any other number of creative possibilities.
Now WhatsApp has opened up a new option -- adding music to Status updates. This gives you the option of complementing a photo or video Status with a backing track, and WhatsApp says it has millions of songs that you can use.
PowerToys v0.90.0 is here… and it’s a big release with a great new launcher module
We are, slowly but surely, making our way towards the release of PowerToys v1.0.0 -- but in the meantime we have the 0.x.x releases to enjoy. Microsoft has just pushed out PowerToys v.0.9.0, and it is an impressive update this time around.
Just a couple of weeks after we talked about the Command Palette module that was being worked on, this “PowerToys Run on crack” has landed. This is far from being the only change in PowerToys v0.9.0, though. In addition to a raft of bug fixes and tweaks, there are also new features for Peek, New+, and more.
Microsoft is making Copilot+ experiences available to more systems, and that’s great news for accessibility
When talking about AI in general -- including Copilot -- the focus tends to be on the impressive time-saving capabilities and futuristic features. What is often overlooked is the potential for artificial intelligence to improve accessibility.
But this is exactly what Microsoft is doing with the features it has for Copilot+ PCs. And now the company has made many of the Copilot+ experiences available to a wider range of processors, so systems with AMD Ryzen AI 300 series, Intel Core Ultra 200V and Snapdragon X Series chips can feel the benefits. There are huge advances in accessibility to be explored.
Software supply chain threats increase in the AI era
Managing and securing the software supply chain end-to-end is vital for delivering trusted software releases.
But a new report from JFrog finds emerging software security threats, evolving DevOps risks and best practices, and potentially explosive security concerns in the AI era.
Amazfit Bip 6 smartwatch is a cheaper Apple Watch alternative with AMOLED screen and AI fitness coaching
If you’ve been eyeing an Apple Watch but don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on your wrist (especially in this economy), Amazfit may have something worth considering. The newly released Bip 6 smartwatch delivers a bunch of smart features, health tracking tools, and a bright AMOLED display -- all for just $79.99. Yeah, folks, you read that right!
This watch isn’t trying to be flashy or overcomplicated. It’s built to get the job done without becoming a nuisance to use. The Bip 6 sports a 1.97-inch AMOLED screen that hits 2,000 nits of brightness, so you won’t be squinting at it in the sun. The body is aluminum alloy, it’s water resistant up to 5 ATM, and Amazfit says you’ll get about two weeks of battery life on a charge. An Apple Watch, meanwhile, pretty much needs to be charged daily… annoying.
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