One third of retail security breaches come from third-party vulnerabilities
The past year has seen a number of high profile security breaches involving retail businesses and there’s no sign of the trend slowing down.
Security ratings company BitSight Technologies has released some new research looking at the performance of 300 major US retailers over the past 12 months. It shows that 75 percent of retailers that suffered a data breach have improved their security effectiveness.
What to expect from upcoming Microsoft Surface Pro 3 firmware update
Since launching Surface Pro 3 in June, Microsoft has released frequent firmware updates -- mostly twice a month -- to fix bugs, update drivers, increase performance, improve stability, and enable support for new features. The entire changelog is rather long, and it will get even longer once the new firmware update, that should likely come this month, is released.
The new Surface Pro 3 firmware update addresses the Bluetooth, home button, stylus and Wi-Fi drivers, as well as UEFI. Through new home button and Surface Pen drivers, Surface Pro 3 should no longer accidentally wake up from sleep while it is being carried or stored.
Microsoft gives developers beta access to Bing-powered OneNote Search API
Microsoft has launched a beta version of the OneNote Search API. The API is a collaboration between the OneNote and Bing teams, and has led to the creation of what has been dubbed a "personal search engine for your private notes and memories in the cloud". As the API is powered by Bing, it brings the same power and features to those looking to perform searches in OneNote.
This means that searches can be filtered according to relevance, spelling mistakes are overlooked, and more. Personal indexing means that searches are limited to just those notebooks that a user has access to, and developers are invited to sign up for beta access right now.
IObit releases Start Menu 8 v2.0 beta
IObit has released a first beta for Start Menu 8 v2.0, its free alternative Start Menu.
The improvements start with more comprehensive searching. Enter a file name and the program now crawls your entire drive for matches, displaying hits wherever they might be.
Ashampoo HDD Control 3 adds network monitoring, duplicate file finder tools
Ashampoo has unveiled a major new build of its hard drive maintenance and monitoring tool with the release of Ashampoo HDD Control 3.
The new release adds two major new features: support for monitoring up to three PCs over a network, and an addition to the program’s Clean System component, a tool for locating duplicate files.
Fractal Design Core 3300 Mid Tower ATX case -- Quality and value [Review]
In a world of tablets, the art of building a PC is becoming lost. However, while system-building is less popular than years past, many people still do it -- including myself. Sure, you can probably save money by buying an off-the-shelf Dell or HP, but there is something special about selecting each and every component of your PC -- things like processor, motherboard, and case.
The case is the unsung hero of any build -- it houses your precious components, but does not directly contribute to the overall performance. It is for this reason that many people look to save money and go cheap on a case. This is a mistake, as a case is something you look at often; it should be attractive. Also, while the components inside may change, a good case can be with you over several builds, making it a wise investment. Fractal Design is a company that commands much respect in the system-builder community. The manufacturer's "Core" line of cases provide great quality, while also being affordable. Today, I am looking at the Core 3300 -- a Mid Tower ATX case.
Life after Microsoft -- Nokia's new N1 is an Android tablet that looks like an iPad
After Nokia sold its Devices and Services division to Microsoft, you might not have expected to see any great new mobile products coming from the Finnish firm, but you’d be wrong.
Today at the Slush conference in Helsinki, Nokia took the wraps off a new Android tablet -- the N1.
Ultimate Ears goes Dubstep -- releases Skrillex Edition UE BOOM Bluetooth speaker
While I am a fan of all genres of music, I am mostly a Hip-Hop lover. With that said, I have been really enjoying Dubstep and other electronic music lately. Do I go to clubs and dance? Hell no! I consume this music at my computer desk. If you are ever feeling fatigued or having trouble focusing, a Red Bull and some Dubstep will change that quickly -- the beats and tempos act like a metronome for your life.
The man most associated with Dubstep music is Skrillex. If you are a bit older, please know that he looks a bit like Corey Feldman. His music is erratic, crazy and beautiful all at once. Sadly, Dubstep cannot be properly enjoyed on a smartphone speaker; you need more power! No worries, as today, Ultimate Ears and Skrillex are partnering on the Skrillex Edition UE BOOM Bluetooth speaker.
Wearhaus unveils 'social headphones'
If you’ve ever been to a silent disco, you’ll know that listening to music through a pair of headphones doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to shut out everyone around you.
Sharing music with friends that all wear headphones has traditionally been reserved for these kinds of parties, which is something the boys and girls from Wearhaus are trying to change.
Microsoft and HTC offer free Xbox Dot View cover to HTC One (M8) for Windows owners
HTC knows how to make great devices; both the One (M8) and Nexus 9 are looked at favorably by the Android community. However, the HTC One (M8) for Windows is built as equally well as its Android brother, since it is essentially the same hardware. The difference is, the "for Windows" variant runs Windows Phone operating system. Which you prefer is ultimately a personal preference, but I think both are rather great.
Today, however, the HTC One (M8) for Windows get a super-cool exclusive from Microsoft and HTC -- an Xbox Dot View cover. Yes, the super useful and attractive cover is now available with a green paint-job and the Xbox logo. To make things even better it is free! However, like most free things, there is a catch.
How to overcome the hidden costs of virtualization
Virtualization has widely been seen as one of the most cost-saving server technologies to emerge in the last decade. The flexibility virtual machines allow to start up whole servers as and when they are needed, then shut them down when they are not, has in theory meant that general-purpose server hardware can be readily re-allocated from one task to another as necessary.
So there won’t be idle resources wasting money doing nothing, because that particular area has been over-specified. But the theory doesn’t always work this way in practice, as there can be hidden costs that the concept obscures. In this feature, we uncover some of these hidden costs, and discuss the steps a network administrator can take to address the impact.
Apple pushes iOS 8.1.1 update to speed up older iPhones and iPads
It seems that Apple is in update mode today. As well as the launch of the OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 update, today also sees the release of iOS 8.1.1. The focus this time around is not really on delivering exciting new features, or even fixing glaring problems, but keeping owners of older devices happy. Aging iPads and iPhones are in for a treat as there are performance boosts to look forward to.
Pre-iPad 2 owners miss out, but the update is available for iPad 2 and newer a well as iPhone 4s and newer. Apple is yet to publish a changelog for the update, but check for an update on your idevice and you'll see a brief description about what to expect.
ResMed unveils its non-contact sleep monitor
Sleep monitoring usually conjures up images of sensors placed all over the room or even in the bed making you think so much about the devices that you struggle to get off to sleep.
ResMed thinks it has the solution with its S+ system that it brags is the world’s first non-contact sleep system to come onto the market by using a wealth of data to give tips on how to sleep better.
Apple releases OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 update with Wi-Fi and enterprise fixes
It's only a few weeks since Apple launched Yosemite and there's already an update available. Today, Apple pushes out the OS X Yosemite 10.10.1 update to address issues that had been found in the initial release. This is a fairly minor x.1 update, and there are only ten entries in the changelog for most users, while enterprise users have two more updates and additions.
Described -- of course -- as "recommended for all OS X Yosemite users", the update fixes a problem with Time Machine that made older backups invisible. It also addresses issues with the Notification Center, and problems with entering Japanese text. It "improves the stability, compatibility, and security of your Mac".
Want to push 4K video from your mobile device? MHL makes it so, with USB Type-C connector
When USB was first introduced to consumers, it changed everything. The connection standard made adding peripherals and accessories extremely easy. Before it, adding things over parallel or serial ports was tedious and confusing for consumers.
USB has evolved and become faster over the years, however it is slowly learning new tricks too. USB is now capable of pushing high-quality video, but now it goes further. You see, mobile devices will be able to push 4K video over the upcoming USB 3.1 Type-C connection, thanks to MHL's new "Alternate Mode".
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