Internet Explorer 11 gains HTTP Strict Transport Security in Windows 7 and 8.1

Internet Explorer 11 gains HTTP Strict Transport Security in Windows 7 and 8.1

As the launch of Windows 10 draws ever-nearer, we're hearing more about Microsoft Edge and less about Internet Explorer. Edge (formerly known as Project Spartan) may be the default browser in the upcoming version of Windows, but the browsing stalwart that is IE will live on nonetheless.

Anyone using the Windows 10 preview has had a chance to use the HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) in Microsoft Edge, and today the security feature comes to Internet Explorer 11 in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. This security protocol protects against man-in-the-middle attacks and is being delivered to users of older versions of Windows through an update in the form of KB 3058515.

nitropro-200x175

Nitro Pro 10 arrives, gains batch automation tool, PDF Portfolio creation

More than 18 months since its last major release, Nitro has launched a major new version of its award-winning 'Acrobat alternative' tool for creating, editing and converting PDFs, Nitro Pro 10.0.

Version 10 introduces a new Batch Processing tool for repetitive tasks, plus adds drag-and-drop support for creating PDFs and copying pages between documents. It also adds PDF Portfolio creation, PDF/A conversion, and wider support for various cloud-based storage services.

By Nick Peers -
HoneyCam200-175

Build animated GIFs, WebP and WebMs with Honeycam

Bandisoft has unveiled Honeycam, a versatile animated GIF creator for Windows available in both a commercial ($26) and a limited free version.

The program includes an easy-to-use screen recorder. Place a rectangle around the area you’d like to record -- like a video player -- and you can capture up to 10 seconds of activity with the free build, 30 for the full version.

By Mike Williams -
insurance key

How technology impacts the insurance sector

Instead of just adding value to the insurance sector, technology underpins its very growth and evolution. In the last few years alone, the use of mobile devices, GPS, social media and CCTV footage have all impacted hugely upon the way claims are processed and policies assessed.

The analysis and value of "big data" gleaned through customer interactions has become more important than ever, as insurers look to maximize efficiencies and profits whilst keeping customers happy.

By Anand Vyas -
OS X 10.11

Microsoft can only blame itself

Apple has a long history of competitive marketing one-upmanship. Major tactic is the artful leak timed around someone else's major product announcement or event. How many times has the company stolen CES participants' thunder without ever attending the event, for example? Occasionally, the showstopper is accidental, as is the case with OS X El Capitan.

I wonder: What were the Microsoft development and marketing teams thinking when they chose July 29th as Windows 10's release date? It's like stepping off the curb in front of a fast-moving, energy-efficient, gas-powered bus. Apple almost certainly will release the OS X 10.11 Public Preview before Windows 10 drops. The company promises July and has every reason to rub Microsoft's nose in the stink.

By Joe Wilcox -
Ha10_10TB_angle_LR

HGST announces Ultrastar Archive Ha10 -- world's first 10TB hard drive

As more consumers and businesses move towards the cloud, there is less of a need for physical hard drives, right? Sort of. Sure, fewer consumers will have a need to buy large storage drives, but how do you think cloud storage companies such as DropBox store your files? Hard drives, of course!

Today, HGST announces the world's first 10TB hard drive. With a focus on the enterprise, this drive is sure to be a big hit in that segment.

By Brian Fagioli -
Dr Lela Koulouri

Female scientists hoping to beat an app-building world record at Google

Apple’s WWDC keynote was noteworthy for a lot of reasons, but one of those was the fact it featured women presenting on stage for the first time. Usually at such events it’s a male-only affair. The tech industry is still dominated by (mostly white) men, and when women make an appearance it generates headlines -- which is both sad and a little crazy.

On Saturday (June 13) an all-female group of IT experts, engineers and scientists will take over the Google Campus at the heart of London’s Tech City in a bid to not only break a Guinness World Record, but also to challenge preconceptions.

By Wayne Williams -
airplane

Researchers make breakthrough in aviation safety, devise airplane wings that self-heal cracks

The University of Bristol has devised a way that enables flight wings to self-heal the micro cracks they develop, providing a breakthrough in the safety measures in the aviation field. The research university, which has been working on this since 2008, says self-healing airplane wings could be introduced in the next five to ten years.

What’s fascinating about the self-healing phenomenon is that it takes inspiration from how the human body functions. When we get a cut, our body is able to clot the blood and heal the damage completely over time, and the airplane wing is also doing a similar thing. Except it is utilizing a liquid carbon healing agent instead of white blood cells, of course.

By Manish Singh -
XboxOne_1TBConsole

Microsoft announces 1TB Xbox One, new controller, and Wireless Adapter for Windows

As someone who just bought a 500GB Xbox One -- the white Halo edition -- I can attest to the awesome capabilities that the console offers. Not only have I been using it to play amazing games like Ori and the Blind Forest, but for watching movies and TV too. Everybody Loves Raymond full series on Netflix? Sweet!

Today, however my new purchase loses a little luster. You see, Microsoft announces an all-new 1TB variant -- double the storage -- in a new matte-black for $399. The controller is slightly tweaked, featuring a 3.5mm jack, improved audio quality and more. Even PC gamers should be excited, as a wireless dongle for the controller is finally coming to Windows.

By Brian Fagioli -
ransom note

Ransomware sees 165 percent increase in 2015

The first quarter of this year saw a 165 percent increase in new ransomware driven largely by the new, hard-to-detect CTB-Locker ransomware family, a new ransomware family called Teslacrypt, and the emergence of new versions of CryptoWall, TorrentLocker and BandarChor.

This is the main finding of the latest McAfee Labs Threats Report released today by Intel Security. Among other highlights are a 317 percent increase in Adobe Flash malware samples and the emergence of new efforts to exploit hard drive and SSD firmware.

By Ian Barker -
Car alcohol detection system

Future cars will be able to detect your alcohol levels

In the future, your car might decide if you’re capable of driving, or drunk out of your mind and unable to drive 200 metres without looking like a GTA character.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed an alcohol-detection technology that it wants to implement in future vehicles. If the technology detects you’ve been drinking, it can decide not to start the car at all.

By Sead Fadilpašić -
justice the law

Microsoft marshals rivals' support against US Government in cloud database suit

It started as an innocuous order by the US Federal Court forcing tech giant Microsoft to provide an email record from one of its cloud database customers held in a database in Ireland. The issue has not only roped in other tech firms for which data forms the core of operations, but also other interested parties including the government of Ireland.

While battle lines in the technology world are always being drawn between the largest players, this time they have coalesced together to fight for the privacy of their databases. At the forefront are rivals and key players in the industry including Apple, and Cisco, who have filed an Amicus Curiae application.

By Jenny Richards -
Cisco

Cisco announces new embedded security solutions

Networking specialist Cisco is announcing new products to provide embedded enterprise security from the data center out to endpoints, branch offices and the cloud.

The company used this week's Cisco Live conference to announce that it's adding more sensors to increase visibility; more control points to strengthen enforcement; and pervasive, advanced threat protection to reduce time-to-detection and time-to-response, limiting the impact of attacks.

By Ian Barker -
ZTE logo

AVG partners with ZTE to bring security to mobile devices

Mobile security is starting to get attention, but still doesn't garner the same amount as the computer does. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be a concern, only that the average user isn't looking at it that way. However, we're starting to see that landscape slowly changing, with phones coming with built-in security software.

The latest will be devices from Chinese manufacturer ZTE, as the company has partnered with security firm AVG, which has long offered mobile apps to protect consumers.

By Alan Buckingham -
iOS 9 shown on iPad Air 2 and iPhone 6 Plus

How to install iOS 9 beta on your iPhone or iPad right now, with or without a dev account

At the WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple demoed iOS 9. New features include updates to Apple Pay, a News app, improved Notes, a more intelligent Siri, updated keyboard, split screen on iPad, and a new low power mode that promises to deliver up to three more hours of battery life.

If you’re an iOS user, it looks like a great update, and you’ll be able to try out the public beta when it is released in July (the finished version will be released in the fall). But hold on, you don’t want to wait that long? Well the good news is there’s a developer preview already available, and it’s possible to install this with or without a dev account. A word of warning though, don't skip the backup step as according to Apple, "Devices updated to iOS 9 beta cannot be restored to earlier versions of iOS".

By Wayne Williams -
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