New index allows companies to measure their cybersecurity capabilities
Cyberattacks are increasingly a feature of everyday life, yet many companies remain unaware of their teams' true readiness to defend against them.
Cyber defense specialist RangeForce is launching a new Defense Readiness Index (DRI), a pioneering scoring system which gauges an organization's readiness to effectively respond to the cyberattacks it is likely to face.
Best Windows apps this week
Five-hundred-and-forty-eight in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 and 11 on the Microsoft Store and elsewhere in the past seven days.
Microsoft plans to retire the Mail and Calendar apps in late 2024. They will be replaced by the new Outlook for Windows app, which is currently available as a preview.
When is an IT risk a cyber risk? And why the difference matters [Q&A]
There tends to be some confusion about where cyber risk ends and where IT risk starts and the terms are often used interchangeably.
We spoke to Gary Lynam, head of ERM advisory at risk management specialist Protecht, to find out more about understanding and managing the different types of risk that enterprises face.
Microsoft listens to feedback and restores options it cut from Windows 11
The Dev builds of Windows 11 are often where signs of Microsoft's experimentation with the operating system can be seen. It is something of a playground for the company to try out new ideas, tinker with settings and determine how changes are received by beta testers.
While it may often be accused of ignoring user opinion, the latest Dev build of Windows 11 illustrates how Microsoft not only listens to feedback, but also acts on it. Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 sees the return of options that were controversially removed recently.
AVerMedia AM350 is the world’s first USB condenser microphone custom-tuned by DIRAC
Today, AVerMedia launches the AM350 -- a new USB condenser microphone custom-tuned by DIRAC. With its exceptional tuning technology and an array of impressive features, the AM350 should appeal to podcasters, vocal performers, singers, and more.
Featuring high-sensitivity capsules and a robust metal housing, the AM350 enables detailed audio capture while ensuring durability. Additionally, its ultra-low noise performance and built-in pop filter guarantee clear and pristine audio capture. Thanks to its plug-and-play USB interface, the AM350 is accessible to users of all levels, providing a professional recording experience without the need for additional equipment.
Lexar launches affordable external SSD and flash drive bundle exclusively at Costco
Today, Lexar launches an all-new storage combo that is exclusively available at one of my favorite stores -- Costco. This USB SSD/flash drive bundle combines two essential storage solutions into one convenient set, catering to the diverse needs of users whether they are in the office or on the road.
At the heart of this bundle lies the 1TB NVMe Portable solid state drive, a storage device that boasts lightning-fast speeds of up to 2,000MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write. Encased in a sleek and durable premium aluminum enclosure with a sandblasted finish, this SSD is not only stylish but also designed to withstand the rigors of everyday use. This SSD provides both professionals and everyday users with generous capacity and speedy performance.
Latest Windows 11 build offers passwordless improvements
Microsoft, like a lot of tech companies, believes that we’re finally edging closer to be able to say goodbye to passwords. The hope is that we will soon be able to use passkeys instead, which are more secure and harder to steal.
Today, the software giant rolls out Windows 11 Build 23486 to users in the Dev Channel and the big focus with this flight is on improving the passkey experience.
Building digital trust to support digital transformation and a distributed workforce
In the UK, we have recently witnessed several issues around trust. These issues center around the ethics and control of data access and use, interaction through the Internet, digital risk resilience and how digital technology has eroded trust. In particular, this applies to trust in the government, whereby politicians have been called into question over their behavior, policies, protocols, appropriate use of technology, and more, especially post-pandemic.
To this point, the current stand-off between the Covid inquiry and the UK government calls trust into question again. In this case, the debate is about the use of appropriate messaging platforms as the government made some of the most important decisions in a generation.
Protect your privacy with public beta of DuckDuckGo web browser for Windows
In an era where online privacy is becoming increasingly more important, finding a web browser that focuses on user data protection is absolutely crucial. DuckDuckGo, known for its privacy-focused search engine, has extended its commitment to user privacy with the release of DuckDuckGo web browser for Windows in public beta. This follows the release of the macOS beta version from last year.
DuckDuckGo for Windows comes with important privacy protections that are enabled by default. For instance, by blocking trackers before they load, the browser ensures that your online activities remain private. In fact, DuckDuckGo claims its desktop browser can consume about 60 percent less data than Chrome, making it a resource-friendly choice too. Additionally, this browser eliminates intrusive ads that rely on tracking, resulting in a cleaner and less cluttered browsing experience. Say goodbye to cookie consent pop-ups with the Cookie Pop-up Management feature, which saves you time and frustration.
Enterprises rush to implement FinOps but aren't yet seeing value from it
FinOps is increasingly being adopted, with 98 percent of respondents to a new survey from Cloudbolt either having a FinOps strategy or planning to implement one. But while 71 percent of companies have expanded funding for FinOps resources in 2023, 99.8 percent say they are still waiting to see any value from it.
In case you haven't been paying attention, FinOps is an operational framework that brings technology, finance, and business together to drive financial accountability and accelerate value through cloud transformation.
Get ‘Learn Microsoft Office 2021 -- Second Edition' (worth $26.99) for FREE
This second edition book covers the new and exciting features of Microsoft Office 2021 for desktop and web apps, helping you broaden the skills from the previous edition.
Using real-world experiences, this book will guide you through practical examples that set off your thought process to boost productivity. To build new skills in each application, the book ensures that you gain a thorough understanding of new functions, such as PivotTables, Dashboards, and data manipulation methods in Excel.
Microsoft confirms Windows 11 File Explorer bug that causes high CPU usage
Windows 11 users who attempt to access Effective Access in the Advanced Security Dialog of File Explorer may be unable to do so according to a new confirmed issue by Microsoft.
The issue affects devices running Windows 11 versions 21H2 and 22H2, in other words all released versions of the operating system. The updates KB5026368 or KB5026372, or a newer update needs to be installed on these devices. Microsoft released KB5026368 and KB5026372 on May 9, 2023 on the May 2023 Patch Tuesday, but confirmed the issue on June 21, 2023.
Leapwork and Microsoft partner to deliver AI-powered test automation
Microsoft and Leapwork are partnering to deliver test automation to Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform users.
Leapwork's platform uses an AI-powered, visual, codeless system that makes it easy for non-technical, everyday business users to build and maintain test automation. This allows continuous, end-to-end testing across applications, minimizing the risk of disruptions during monthly software updates and supporting the delivery of quality software.
You want it darker? Microsoft is testing a black look for dark mode in Edge
The love of gloomier hues -- whether for the sake of being gentler on one's eyes, or for purely aesthetic reasons -- means that just about every piece of software now has the option of switching from light to dark mode.
Microsoft Edge is no different, and the latest preview builds show that things could be about to get even darker. Select users who are signed up for the Canary channel report seeing much darker screen elements, with the likes of the favorites bar and tabs having fully black backgrounds.
Ahead of Prime Day, Amazon is sued for 'manipulative tactics' that trick customers into taking out and renewing Prime subscriptions
The Federal Trade Commission is suing Amazon for fooling customers into "unknowingly" subscribing to Amazon Prime. The company is accused of using manipulation and "dark patterns" to dupe people into what the FTC describes as "Nonconsensual Enrollments".
As well as the accusation of tricking customers into Prime Subscriptions, the FTC's complaints say that the company makes the cancellation process "labyrinthine". The Commission points out that while signing up for an auto-renewing Prime account takes just two clicks, bringing the subscription to an end requires navigating "four-page, six-click, fifteen-option cancellation process".
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