ARC ON·EAR brings studio-accurate sound to headphones
IK Multimedia has released ARC ON·EAR, a portable system that corrects the sound of headphones and recreates how music feels on studio monitors. The small DAC and headphone amplifier gives engineers and producers a way to hear an honest mix anywhere, without relying on extra software or plug-ins.
Mixing with headphones can be tricky. Even the best pairs can push certain tones too hard or make the stereo field seem wider than it really is. ARC ON·EAR deals with that by adjusting how supported models respond, creating a balanced image that feels closer to sitting in front of real speakers.
Q3 ransomware attacks up 36 percent year-on-year
New data from BlackFog shows publicly disclosed ransomware attacks continued to set new records in the third quarter of this year, with 270 attacks -- a 36 percent increase compared to the same quarter in 2024 (198 attacks). This also represents a 335 percent increase since Q3 2020, underscoring the continued rise in attacks over the last five years.
Between July and September, publicly disclosed attacks were attributed to 54 ransomware groups. As in Q2, the Qilin ransomware gang was the most active, responsible for 20 incidents during the period. Notably, approximately 40 percent (107) of reported attacks have not yet been attributed to any known ransomware group.
AI delivers time gains but people are still key to productivity
Workers say they are saving an average of two hours per day thanks to AI use. But these perceptions of productivity gains are at odds with the reality experienced by many organisations according to a new report.
A study from the Adecco Group draws on insights from 37,500 workers across 31 countries and 21 industries. It finds confidence in AI usage has surged, with a staggering 71 percent of respondents suggesting that nothing holds them back from using AI, a significant jump from 19 percent in 2024.
Microsoft has broken Active Directory for some Windows Server users
With the most recent security updates released this month, Microsoft has introduced an issue for some Windows Server users. The KB5065426 update was released a few days ago, including not only security fixes, but also new features.
The unexpected payload, however, is the appearance of a problem with active Directory. Microsoft summarizes the problem in an advisory notice entitled “Directory synchronization fails for AD security groups exceeding 10,000 members”.
OPPO unveils ColorOS 16, the latest version of its smartphone software with AI and design upgrades
Chinese smartphone maker OPPO has taken the wraps off ColorOS 16, the latest version of its Android-based operating system which is set to debut with its upcoming Find X9 Series.
The update builds on the groundwork of ColorOS 15, introducing improvements to performance, animation, and design, and adding improved AI tools and multi-device connectivity.
Apple upgrades MacBook Pro with M5 chip, improved battery life, and faster AI performance
As well as announcing a new iPad Pro powered by its M5 processor, Apple today also introduced a new 14-inch MacBook Pro powered by the same chip. The latest model focuses naturally enough on AI and efficiency improvements, blending faster performance with extended battery life and the new macOS Tahoe operating system.
The M5 chip builds on Apple’s push toward on-device AI. It features a 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core and a faster 16-core Neural Engine, offering up to 3.5 times more AI performance than the M4 and as much as six times faster than the original M1.
Apple unveils iPad Pro with M5 chip and major focus on AI performance
As was widely expected, Apple has taken the wraps off its latest iPad Pro powered by the M5 processor, which includes a 10-core GPU, new ray-tracing support, and a 10-core CPU split between performance and efficiency cores.
The new device, available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, offers faster AI processing, upgraded connectivity, and an improved display, while iPadOS 26 arrives with new tools designed to make the tablet better suited for work and productivity tasks.
Gen Z targeted by AI-driven extortion scams
New research looking at high pressure extortion scams reveals that Gen Z is being particularly impacted by AI-powered threats. All mobile users are at risk, however, with one in three having been targeted by an extortion scam, often threatening to expose pictures or browsing history, and nearly one in five falling victim.
The research from Malwarebytes shows a distinct target profile for extortion. 69 percent of victims and 64 percent of targets are Gen Z or Millennial (compared 52 percent of victims and 40 percent of targets of other types of scams). 65 percent of victims and 60 percent of targets are male (vs. 48 percent/45 percent)
Google steps up the fight against scams with new tools and more education
Scams and fraud are an ever present threat on the internet and the rise of AI means that they’re getting harder to spot with the old giveaways of bad grammar and dodgy attachments largely eliminated.
Google is announcing a range of new tools and initiatives to help people remain safe online. These include improved app features, new account recovery tools and better education and awareness programs.
Windows 10 Consumer Extended Security Updates slide into the Microsoft Store
The day has come and gone: Microsoft no longer supports Windows 10 for users who are not signed up for Extended Security Updates. Much has been made of the price and availability of these updates, including the difference between the EU – where they are free – and the rest of the world.
There are various ways to access and sign up for Extended Security Updates (ESU), and Microsoft has just added a new one. It is now possible to access the ESU program via the Microsoft Store – but there is no change to pricing.
Open source malware up 140 percent
The latest OS Malware Index from Sonatype shows a 140 percent surge in open source malware as attackers target data and trusted dependencies.
The index is compiled from analysis of 34,319 open source malware packages discovered by Sonatype across major open source registries including npm, PyPI, Hugging Face, and more. This quarter’s count brings the total number of malicious packages Sonatype has discovered to 877,522 since 2019.
Instagram adopts PG-13 system to protect younger users
Meta has announced major changes to Instagram that it will be hoping will keep regulators satisfied. Like all social media platforms, Instagram has long been under pressure to do more to protect younger users from seeing inappropriate content; with this in mind, Meta says Teen Accounts will be guided by the PG-13 movie rating.
What this means in practice is that teenagers should only be able to “see content that’s similar to what they’d see in a PG-13 movie, by default”. Acknowledging that this will not be enough to keep everyone happy, parents will also have the option of making controls stricter if they feel it necessary or preferable.
YouTube gets a UI refresh and a host of handy new features
Google has announced a series of updates and changes for YouTube, kicking off with a new-look user interface. The updated UI sees various buttons and control elements getting a visual refresh, but there are changes beyond the aesthetic.
An addition that will please many YouTube users is threaded replies. It is now not only possible to reply to comments on a video, but also to reply to those replies and have these comments visible in a tree structure. But there is still more.
Google Wallet gets a handy new nicknaming option
With Google Wallet, Google has helped to lighten our load by reducing the number of physical cards and tickets we need to take out with us. Debit and credit cards, loyalty cards, boarding passes, travel tickets and more can be stored electronically and accessed instantly.
But with the widespread switch from physical tickets, passes and cards, there comes a new problem – identifying individual things contained within Google Wallet. With a new update, Google is taking steps to try to address this by adding a new nickname option.
Recovering and rebuilding trust after a cyberattack [Q&A]
However good your defenses, cyberattacks can still happen. However, in many cases, the aftermath can be worse than the attack itself, as enterprises struggle to calm nerves and reassure staff, customers, and shareholders.
We spoke with Daniel Tobok, CEO of incident response specialist CYPFER, to discuss how organizations can recover from a cyberattack and why the leadership's response is vital.
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