The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock is here
The smart home concept is one of best uses of technology and the internet. Not only do these smart devices provide convenience, they also offer increased safety and protection too. For instance, an outdoor Wi-Fi camera can alert you to intruders that are lurking around your residence. Meanwhile, a smart light bulb can make those same intruders think you are home — even when you are away on vacation.
Another cool smart home product type that offers both convenience and safety is an internet-connected deadbolt. These devices can remotely unlock your door for welcomed visitors, and lock the door when you forget yo do so before leaving home. Today, the much-anticipated August Wi-Fi Smart Lock finally becomes available for purchase. The sleek (diameter: 72mm, depth: 46mm) lock is powered by two CR123 batteries and is compatible with Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.
SteelSeries releases Nimbus+ wireless gaming controller for Apple devices
When the Apple TV 4 was first released, I was convinced it would revolutionize gaming. I even bought the SteelSeries Nimbus controller to play all these upcoming games on the device. My assumption was developers would bring all the top tier iPhone and iPad games to the Apple TV, plus more, making it a legitimate home console. Boy, was I wrong on that! Sadly, the state of gaming on Apple TV has largely stalled. With all of that said, the Nimbus controller I bought was (and still is) wonderful -- I particularly love the lightning port charging.
Today, SteelSeries launches the successor to that aforementioned controller. Called, "Nimbus+," it is compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Apple TV. In addition to significant improvements over its predecessor (including better battery life), the plus variant also comes with a mount for connecting your iPhone directly to it -- for a handheld gaming experience. It is worth noting the Nimbus+ looks very much like a tweaked version of the existing Stratus Duo Android controller.
Slack for iOS unveils a radical new user interface -- once it's been switched on
Business communication tool Slack has just released a major new update to its iOS app for iPhone and iPad. Slack 20.05.10 sees the app get ready for more than a simple facelift, with a complete redesign that brings it into line with improvements unveiled back in March on the desktop.
Be warned though: the user interface is actually a server-side update, which means not all users will immediately feel the benefit of updating -- nevertheless, install the app now and when the new UI is switched on, you’ll be able to use it.
AOMEI makes its cloud management tool free for three months
We've seen lots of companies making their products available free during the current crisis. AOMEI has already made its backup tool available free for a year.
It's now added to that by making the full version of its cloud management tool MultCloud available free for three months.
Hackers favor quieter methods to attack websites
While high profile attacks like phishing scams targeting stimulus payments make the headlines, a new report shows they are actually on the decline.
The annual security report from website security specialist SiteLock finds that quiet attack methods, like backdoor files, are more favored among hackers as they become increasingly sophisticated and turn to methods that can go undetected and deliver the biggest payout.
5 phishing attack methods every business should know in 2020
There was a time when the main tech-based worry for any business were viruses. Large companies spent thousands of dollars on antivirus software, while those that didn’t paid the price when one of their client machines became infected, crippling their infrastructure and effectively grinding the whole operation to a screeching halt. In the modern era, pretty much every computer terminal you can buy comes with some sort of virus protection, which tends to do a pretty decent job so long as the security patches are installed promptly on all machines across the business.
In addition, companies are also taking advantage of the internet. Many now have various components of their infrastructure such as workstations, servers, and web applications that are connected online. Hackers try to breach company networks by exploiting these components. Fortunately, their attempts are now easily thwarted by the use of web application firewalls (WAF) which can block malicious traffic and unauthorized requests sent to these devices.
Jeff Bezos can't lose
Big technology companies have been recently coming under increased scrutiny from federal regulators. Several tech companies are reportedly under investigation, but this column is only about Amazon, which seems to be in regulatory crosshairs in part because President Trump doesn’t like Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos, who also owns one of Trump’s least-favorite newspapers, the Washington Post. Ironically, Trump’s goal of breaking-up Amazon would only make Jeff Bezos at least $35 billion richer.
It’s simple: Amazon is worth a lot more in pieces than it is as a single company.
FBackup 8.7 released with backup plugin support for iTunes and Spotify -- Backup4All 8.7 Professional is 67% off MSRP
We're constantly told to back up our data -- but if we're honest, very few of us actually get around to doing so. There are a number of reasons for this, the first of which can be not knowing quite what needs backing up. The next obstacle is knowing how to do it, which tool to use, and how much it will cost you.
Then, of course, there is the question of carving out time to get a backup configured and schedule updates so you don't have to think about it again. It's little wonder that so many people simply don't bother. To make things easier, FBackup 8.7 is now available and is our recommended tool for backing up your most important data.
Things to do while you're stuck at home thanks to COVID-19
Unless your job is considered necessary like a hospital, nursing home, grocery store, gas station and a few others, then you are probably home now thanks to the current coronavirus pandemic. Maybe on unemployment or perhaps working from home.
So what is there to do while you’re stuck looking at four walls? Well there are a few things to occupy your time.
Das Keyboard 4C tenkeyless mechanical keyboard gets massive refresh
If you are a gamer, writer, our just someone that appreciates a quality typing experience, a mechanical keyboard can be a godsend. Not only are they typically of higher quality than membrane keyboards, but these mechanical variants can sometimes provide tactile and audible feedback to enhance the key presses -- depending on the switch type.
One of the most respected makers of mechanical keyboards (especially with in-the-know consumers) is Das Keyboard. That company makes no-nonsense mechanical keyboards that are not only well-built and highly regarded, but they are quite attractive too. The company's compact 4C keyboard has been one of its most popular for several years, and today, it receives a significant refresh. For instance, this professional-looking tenkeyless (meaning no number pad) model now comes with newly updated firmware, PBT caps, lubed keys, and Cherry MX Brown switches.
Make good use of your lockdown with free 'Learn From Home Day'
If you fancy using your increased time at home to learn some new skills but haven't got around to it yet, you are about to run out of excuses.
This Wednesday, May 13th, sees the launch of Codeacademy's Learn From Home Day a set of interactive classes on a range of different topics, organized in partnership with other enterprises. From 10:45 am to 5:45 pm ET there will be a choice of sessions covering subjects as diverse as coding, drawing, cooking, parenting and more.
Phishing attack evades Microsoft 365 security
Researchers at email protection company Armorblox have uncovered a targeted email phishing attack designed to get past Microsoft 365 security.
The attack is a variant of 'PerSwaysion', a recent spate of credential phishing attacks that utilize compromised accounts and leverage Microsoft file-sharing services to lull victims into a false sense of security.
Thunderspy vulnerability in Thunderbolt 3 allows hackers to steal files from Windows and Linux machines
Security researcher Björn Ruytenberg has revealed details of a vulnerability in the Thunderbolt 3 standard. The security flaw means that it is possible for a hacker with physical access to a computer to copy data even if the files are encrypted and the computer is locked.
The vulnerability affects all systems with Thunderbolt ports that shipped between 2011 and 2020, but some systems that shipped since 2019 have Kernel DMA Protection which means they are only partly at risk. Testing tools are available for both Windows and Linux so you can check to see if your computer is vulnerable.
Publicly disclosed breaches are down 58 percent
The total number of publicly reported breaches in Q1 2020 has decreased by 58 percent compared to the same period last year according to a new report from Risk Based Security.
Despite the number of breaches being down though, the number of records exposed for this quarter soared to 8.4 billion -- a 273 percent increase compared to Q1 2019, and a record for the same period since at least 2005, when detailed reporting began.
Microsoft opens a can of whoop-ass on reply-all email storms in Office 365
When you work in an office, there are many annoying things you must put up with, such as coworkers microwaving stinky fish for lunch, or dealing with people that never refill the paper tray in the printer.
There is probably nothing more annoying, however, than reply-all email storms. This is where one coworker accidentally selects “reply all” rather than “reply” and ends up sending an email to a huge list of people. Then, other people in the organization do the same thing, creating a massive email chain that clogs up everyone’s inboxes. Thankfully, Microsoft is finally trying to end this nightmare in Office 365 (aka Microsoft 365) with the all-new “Reply All Storm Protection” feature.
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