How to check if you're vulnerable to the WordPress flaw
On November 20, WordPress announced a critical cross-site scripting vulnerability in the Internet’s most popular and widely used content management system. Initially discovered by Jouko Pynnonen with the Finnish IT company Klikki Oy, the vulnerability could allow anonymous users to compromise websites running versions of WordPress prior to 3.9.3.
This is an extremely serious vulnerability by virtue of the fact that it impacts millions of websites across the Internet and could allow an anonymous user to gain complete administrative control of these websites and potentially the underlying operating system. According to WordPress statistics, about 86 percent of all WordPress sites were using a vulnerable version as of November 20, 2014. Exploited sites could then be used to attack other users, or if the operating system is compromised, the machine could be used as part of a botnet. Reports indicate that this vulnerability is being actively exploited and that exploit code has been made available on the Internet for others to use and modify.
BBC Sport app arrives on Windows Phone 8
The BBC has finally launched its sport app on Windows Phone, a long, long time after it was introduced on Android and iOS.
Of course, Windows Phone users aren’t exactly unfamiliar with the situation of waiting for an app to arrive, but at least it’s here now for sports fans with Microsoft-powered mobiles. So, what does it offer exactly?
BetaNews giveaway: Hub It customizable sync and charging station
Designed to make it easy to charge up to seven devices at once, regardless of what those devices actually are, Hub It is a clever piece of kit that uses hot switchable cartridges so you can choose which connectors it offers.
By default you get three USB 3.0 ports and connectors for Micro USB, Mini USB, Apple 30 pin and Apple Lightning, but you can opt for any configuration and there are additional cartridges available for other devices, with more choices coming soon. I reviewed it here, and loved it.
New UK tax laws target Google, Amazon and Apple
George Osborne has announced a new tax proposal aimed at multinational firms like Google, Amazon and Apple, normally associated with shifting profits to avoid paying UK tax.
The measure, which has been dubbed the "Google tax", was announced during the chancellor’s autumn statement.
Microsoft's personal assistant Cortana heading to Windows 10 soon
Microsoft is planning on bringing Cortana to Windows 10 in January, or that’s the word on the operating system street, anyway.
This rumor comes from an inside source of Mary Jo Foley’s (C-Net), but it is hardly unexpected, as we’ve heard quite a lot about Cortana supposedly making her (or its, perhaps) way over from Windows Phone to Redmond’s desktop OS.
Cybercriminals steal Bebe Stores customers' credit and debit card details
It's looking like the latest store to fall victim to cybercriminals is women's clothing chain Bebe Stores. Signs of the problem emerged earlier this week when fraudulent charges started to crop up on people's credit cards. What linked each of the victims was the fact that they had shopped in Bebe Stores.
KrebsOnSecurity reports that stolen customer details have been made available for sale on the "cybercrime shop" Goodshop. The timing is interesting as the data seems to have been put up for sale immediately after Black Friday and Cyber Monday -- a period when sales are much higher than normal.
Katy Perry now available in 3D on your smartphone!
When I first heard the song "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008, I assumed that the singer would be a one-hit-wonder. Little did I know that the artist, Katy Perry, would become a worldwide phenomenon. While I may not be her target audience, I love all of her hits. You can often find me singing "Roar", "Firework" and my favorite, "Hot N Cold".
While Ms. Perry is big on the radio, her YouTube views are astronomical too; in the billions. Heck, the number of people following her on Twitter is insane at a mind-boggling 60.9 million. In other words, she is a mega superstar who shows no sign of slowing down. Today, Intel announces that Katy Perry is launching her first 3D avatar for Pocket Avatars! For fellow super fans like me -- also called 'KatyCats' -- this is huge.
Microsoft Azure RemoteApp launches next week allowing for cloud deployment of apps
Microsoft Azure RemoteApp has been available since the beginning of the year as a preview service. It's a relatively simple concept (although the technology behind it is rather more complex) that allows for the deployment of Windows apps to the cloud so they can be accessed from anywhere -- even Macs and mobile devices.
Today Microsoft announces that Microsoft Azure RemoteApp will officially launch as a pay-as-you-go service on December 11. Anyone who is already working with the preview will be automatically moved to a 30-day trial version, and after this time a subscription will be needed.
Intel-GE Care Innovations uses Microsoft's Kinect to prevent injuries to the elderly
As health care continues to improve, people are living longer and longer nowadays. While this is a great thing, it can be problematic, as a need for elder care increases. No one wants to see the elderly get hurt, but not everyone has family to take care of them.
Luckily, the needs of the elderly are not being ignored, as not only is caring for them noble, but a potential money-maker too. Today, Microsoft shares that a new solution has been created by Intel-GE Care Innovations; a joint venture between the two massive companies. What makes it particularly cool is that it utilizes the Kinect sensor, which is commonly used with the Xbox One.
How does cloud computing impact the role of the CIO?
Is the role of the CIO (chief information officer) still intact after the introduction and rapid advancement of cloud computing? According to a report by Advanced 365, cloud computing is one of the 12 disruptive technologies that are changing the nature of business.
The CIO was initially called the data processing manager and then the title evolved to management information system director. Their main objective is to innovate in line to the IT vision of their company.
The rise and rise of OTT messaging services
Snapchat has come on leaps and bounds since it was first introduced to mobile users in September 2011, despite the photo application gaining a negative reputation with its initial release.
By some, it was seen to perpetuate the sexting trend, with researchers claiming its primary audience to be teens who predominantly shared sensitive content that handily disappeared after the app’s timer runs out. However, since those days Snapchat has expanded its repertoire and is now being used for a variety of creative purposes that are not necessarily privacy-related. And the fundamental reason for its use, according to users, is that the application is seen to be "fun and easy to use".
PayPal hackable in one click according to security researcher
PayPal, currently owned by eBay, is one of the most popular methods for moving money online. Of course, as Microsoft knows from Windows, with popularity comes problems. People are going to poke and prod in an effort to find soft spots. Sometimes the intention is to help fix things, sometimes to exploit the problems.
Security researcher Yasser Ali is on the good side, but he still has released details of a vulnerability that shows how easy it can be to hack PayPal. However, before you get all worked up, the payment service fixed the problem before Ali announced it. It also paid him in gratitude for the information.
Creator CI20 is an Android or Linux-powered Raspberry Pi competitor
Small is beautiful, and this is something that the Raspberry Pi demonstrates perfectly. But now there's a little competition. The Creator CI20 is a new diminutive micro-computer which offers more power than an existing Raspberry Pi, as well as a choice of operating systems -- Android or Linux.
The company behind the barebones computer is another UK chip manufacturer, Imagination, and at just $65, it's a perfect stocking stuffer. Or at least it would be if units were going to ship before January 2015. Like the Raspberry Pi, the Creator CI20 is a fully loaded board designed for use in all manner of DIY computing projects.
OpenDNS opens its platform to allow intelligence sharing
As the IT landscape changes and employees are more likely to be accessing cloud services on a range of devices, it's important that they remain properly protected from threats.
Cloud-delivered security service OpenDNS has announced that it's opened up its platform to other security vendors to fight attacks through intelligence sharing.
Enabling a data culture through continuous improvement
Progressive organizations recognize data as a strategic asset and rely upon it for critical decision making. Business intelligence spending has been steadily increasing and is forecast to be upwards of $16 billion worldwide in the next year.
Major investment and effort are spent on data extraction, transformation and load (ETL) from source systems into data warehouses and data marts. Incorrect decisions based on poor data can be disastrous, so how can we ensure that we are utilising the proper data to begin with? In order to do so, we must be able to address the following data quality considerations:
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