How ransomware attacks are making the most of the COVID-19 crisis [Q&A]
Ransomware is a business that's thriving in the current climate, but what's behind this and what wider problems do attacks create for businesses?
We had a socially-distanced chat with Chris Morales, head of security analytics at network detection and response specialist Vectra to find out more.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-eighty-four in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on the Microsoft Store in the past seven days.
Microsoft continues to work on the company's Your Phone application. The latest version, released this week to Insider systems, adds support for controlling music on Android devices from within Windows 10.
Microsoft releases 'one more fix' for the final build of Windows 10 May 2020 Update
When build 19041.207 of Windows 10 May 2020 Update arrived, it was thought to be the final, completed build that would be made available to everyone -- but Microsoft has changed its mind, pushing out another minor update.
The latest build for Windows 10 May 2020 Update (or Windows 10 version 2004, or Windows 10 20H1 as it is also known) is now build 19041.208, and it fixes problems that have been found in the previous version.
Zoom claims to have 300 million daily active users... and then backtracks on misleading statement
Much, if not most, of the recent attention on Zoom has been focused on its various privacy and security issues. Understandably keen to change the narrative, the company put out a statement last week in which it claims to have 300 million daily users. One problem: it isn't true.
Zoom may have been eager to get numbers out there that suggested greater popularity than the likes of Google Meet and Microsoft Teams, but the claim to have 300 million daily active users (DAUs) was misleading, and the company has been forced to retract its initial statement.
Forget about Ubuntu Linux, because the superior Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS is here
Hamburgers are wonderful, but there is something even better -- cheeseburgers. Yes, by simply putting a piece of cheese onto a hamburger, you create something different and better. In the Linux world, Ubuntu is a hamburger, System76 is a slice of American cheese, and Pop!_OS is the cheeseburger. Jeez Louise, I am hungry now... but I digress. In other words, Pop!_OS is based on Ubuntu, and System76 (the Pop!_OS developer) essentially makes Ubuntu better by adding tweaks and other improvements.
Today, Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS becomes available for download. This is only a week removed from the official Ubuntu 20.04 release, but System76 has obviously been working on it for much longer. It features some really cool new features, such as "Auto-tiling" which arranges and organizes all of your open app windows to best maximize your screen real estate. There is even improved graphics options plus Flatpak support being baked into the Pop!_Shop.
Check Point uncovers flaws in online learning platforms
Researchers from Check Point have found serious vulnerabilities in the widely-used WordPress plugins that are used for large-scale online learning by top academic institutions and major businesses.
By exploiting the flaws in LearnPress, LearnDash and LifterLMS, students, as well as unauthenticated users, can abuse security flaws in order to steal personal information, siphon money and attain teacher privileges on the platform.
Microsoft releases PowerToys v.0.17.0 bringing automatic updates and more to the Windows 10 tweaking tool
It is a month since Microsoft released an interesting update to PowerToys, adding new features and tools. This was followed by a less interesting but no-less important bug-fixing update which also added telemetry.
Now the company has released PowerToys v.0.17.0 which adds the much-needed automatic update option. This release also brings important updates to FancyZones and more.
Raspberry Pi gains a new 12.3-megapixel camera and interchangeable lenses
The Raspberry Pi can be used for all sorts of maker projects, and the foundation has offered camera modules for it since 2013, adding vision-related functionality.
The first module was a modest 5-megapixel affair that was eventually replaced by an 8-megapixel Sony sensor four years ago. Today, sees the arrival of a new much higher 12.3 megapixel quality camera, and a range of interchangeable lenses.
How businesses can benefit from process automation [Q&A]
As the robotic process automation (RPA) market heats up, more businesses are looking to bring RPA into their business processes, but where do they start?
Enterprises are in the dark about how to integrate bots into their existing processes, and those that go into the buying process without a clear vision will meet roadblocks.
Lexar unveils two new USB card readers
If you are into digital photography, picking a camera is only part of the equation -- you also need to buy a storage card. Nowadays, this is most likely going to be an SD card, but there are cameras that use other types, such as microSD and CompactFlash. If your computer doesn't have an integrated card reader, you may need to get a USB variant -- that is probably the easiest and fastest way to transfer the photos.
Over on Amazon, there are lots of USB card reader models to be had, but many of them are by unknown brands with questionable quality. Trust me, you don't want to corrupt or damage your card because you bought a cheap reader -- your photos are worth more than that. Instead, you should stick to a reputable brand. Today, one such brand, Lexar, unveils two new readers -- one is a 2-in-1 model, while the other is 3-in-1. Neither are revolutionary, but they look to be well-designed and are reasonably priced.
Microsoft's Your Phone app now lets you control music on your Android device directly in Windows 10
If you're a Windows 10 user, and you have a supported Android phone, then Microsoft's Your Phone is a great app to have as it bridges the gap between your different devices.
Microsoft has added a number of new features to the app over time, making it ever more useful, and today it announces it's adding the ability to control your Android music and audio apps using it. In other words, you can access and control the audio apps playing from your phone directly in Windows. Your songs will remain in sync between your phone and PC, and you can switch between multiple sources in the player too.
Evolution of privacy protection over the coming years
The war over data privacy has been raging for 25 years and is far from over. Large corporations, states and criminal networks are improving tracking tools, trying to dictate their own rules, and control and manage people's need to protect their personal data. The issue of privacy is getting unbelievable traction on different levels, including the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act).
The value of personal data is constantly increasing, as it's getting harder to collect, and the possibilities of making money on it are endless. Will users ever be able to decide for themselves what information they are willing to share? To address this question, let's move away from individual cases and look at how privacy protection technologies in general will develop in the coming years.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Insider Build 19619 to the Fast ring
If you’re feeling a little bored in lockdown, here’s Microsoft with a new Windows 10 build to entertain Insiders on the Fast ring.
Well, 'entertain' might be pushing it as there’s nothing too exciting in this new build. It’s mostly just fixes.
Why payroll security is even more essential now remote work is the norm
The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way people work and do business. As governments worldwide impose compulsory community quarantines and lockdowns, many are turning to the internet to continue operating their businesses or doing their jobs. Teleworking is becoming the new normal with everyone expected to observe physical distancing to avoid the pandemic spreading.
Among other systems, payroll is one of the workflows worth examining amidst the changes brought about by the pandemic. As companies adopt remote work arrangements to avoid complete operational shutdown, those that have been manually processing their payroll need to find ways to adjust to the new situation.
Google Meet is now free for everyone, making it a viable alternative to Zoom
It's only a few days since Facebook launched Messenger Room to serve as an alternative to video conferencing service Zoom. Now Google is getting in on the action, making is own video meeting tool available for free.
Google Meet has been opened up to everyone with a Google account -- previously only people with a paid-for G Suite account were able to start calls. From now until September meetings of any length involving up to 100 people are completely free, but at the end of September some restrictions will be introduced.
Most Commented Stories
© 1998-2025 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.