Latest Technology News

When it comes to computers, there are two things that really get my motor running -- AMD processors and Linux-based operating systems. So when I learned MINISFORUM had begun selling a diminutive AMD Ryzen-powered desktop that comes with Manjaro Linux pre-installed, my heart skipped a beat. It is very exciting to see yet another computer being offered with Linux rather than Windows.

Called "DeskMini UM700," the mini Linux desktop PC is being offered in three configurations -- all powered by the very capable Ryzen 7 3750H APU -- with pricing starting at less than $500. In other words, the tiny computer isn't just capable, but affordable too.

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A new study from IDG Communications finds that more than half (57 percent) of CIOs surveyed indicate the need for security improvements as a top reason for increasing tech budgets this year.

This is followed by upgrading outdated IT infrastructure (48 percent) and investing in new skills and talent (48 percent). In addition, over three-quarters (76 percent) think their involvement with cybersecurity will increase over the next year, along with their involvement in data privacy and compliance (71 percent).

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Four-hundred-seventy-four 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 released several out-of-bands patches this week that address VPN connection issues and other issues.

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Insurance companies exist to offer protection but they're increasingly having to protect themselves against a range of cyberattacks.

A new report from IntSights looks at the threats faced by insurance businesses and why they’ve become a particular problem in recent times.

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There are a huge number of ways to customize, optimize and tweak Windows, some of which involve using third party utilities, while others rely on tools that are built into the operating system -- like Group Policy Editor.

System administrators have used group policies to implement a wide range of settings for a long time now, but there are some that should be avoided. Microsoft has shared information about some of the legacy group policies that should not be used; some because they have no effect at all, some because they have unwanted or unexpected side effects. Take a look through the list and see if you need to make any changes to the policies you have put in place.

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Modern businesses are more than ever reliant on using the cloud, but it's easy to develop an 'out of sight out of mind' mentality to costs when systems are not hosted on site.

We spoke to Archera CEO Aran Khanna to find out about the challenges businesses face with cloud costs and how they can keep them under control.

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We have written about PowerToys quite a lot here on BetaNews. Microsoft has put a lot of work into building a useful collection of tools and utilities for Windows 11 users, and it is incredible to see each new addition and development.

PowerToys is aimed at power users looking to get more from their computers, and now there is a utilities collection designed with developers in mind. Described as a "Swiss Army knife for developers", DevToys comprises 14 outrageously useful tools and has just hit a major milestone.

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Thank God for streaming live television services, which have freed us all from cable TV's stranglehold. While streaming isn't always more affordable than cable, it is absolutely beneficial to have more options. My household uses YouTube TV, for instance, but there are many other streaming TV options too, such as fuboTV and Sling TV.

Speaking of Sling TV, today, consumers get a new platform on which to watch that service -- VIZIO SmartCast. Yes, if you own a compatible smart television from that company, you can watch Sling TV without the need of an external media box, such as a Roku. How cool is that?

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Despite the fact that admin credentials represent a major prize for hackers and cybercriminals, a new report reveals that 65 percent of organizations still rely on shared logins and 41 percent use shared SSH keys.

The survey of 600 DevOps professionals from infrastructure access platform strongDM shows that technical staff at 93 percent of organizations have access to sensitive systems.

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A new, rapidly evolving, series of spyware campaigns attacking more than 2,000 industrial enterprises around the world has been uncovered by experts at Kaspersky.

Although the malware used in these attacks belongs to well-known commodity spyware families, they stand out from the mainstream due to the very limited number of targets in each attack -- no more than a few dozen -- and the very short lifetime of each malicious sample.

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Do you want to make your Microsoft 365 account a productivity behemoth? Do you want to squeeze every last bit of awesome from Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and learn a little more about Outlook, too? Microsoft 365 Portable Genius has you covered.

A seasoned tech expert and trainer, author Lisa A. Bucki shows you how to build Word documents, Excel workbooks, and PowerPoint presentations the right way, as well as how to use high-impact design techniques to make your documents pop.

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The UK government is today launching a new scheme providing small businesses with discounts of up to £5,000 on approved software as well as free advice and support through a new online platform.

Help to Grow: Digital is designed to support smaller businesses and help them to grow. It offers discounts on digital accounting and CRM software from leading suppliers.

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All good things must come to an end, and anyone who has ever used a Google service will be only too aware of this fact. The search giant has just dealt a disappointing blow to people using free G Suite account -- there will soon no longer be a free version.

Of course, G Suite is no longer available, having become Google Workspace back in 2020, but the free accounts lived on. Now Google has announced that these accounts will be closed down at the beginning of July, meaning that users will have to choose a new Google Workspace package -- and there are no free tiers available.

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If you have ever had to change a setting in your Microsoft 365 account, you'll possibly have been irritated by the fact that you have to do so in your browser rather than in Windows. But this is changing.

Last week, Microsoft released Windows 11 Build 22000.466 (KB5008353) to Windows Insiders signed up for the Beta and Release Preview channels. What many people -- including us! -- failed to notice in the changelog, or in the build itself, was an important change to the Settings app that means it is now possible to view and change options relating to your Microsoft account.

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Some of the newest additions to the handy collection of tools known as PowerToys have been mouse-related. Sticking with the theme, Microsoft has just revealed that there are plans for more utilities to enhance the capabilities of mice around the globe.

We have already seen the very useful Find My Mouse and Mouse Highlighter tools in recent versions of PowerToys, and later this month there is going to be yet another member of the family -- Inclusive Mouse.

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