TikTok bans under-16s from sending and receiving direct messages and introduces new parental control options


TikTok has introduced a raft of new safety measures designed to protect younger users. As well as introducing new options that give parents even more control over their children's account, the company is also implementing a complete ban on direct messaging for those under the age of 16.
The changes are being tenuously linked to the coronavirus pandemic, with TikTok saying that the spread of COVID-19 has accelerated the flow of families moving to the platform for entertainment. The company says that it is adding new parental control features to help ensure a safer experience for users.
The Raspberry Pi-based server that could transform edge computing


Cloud servers, you might think, are big expensive pieces of kit. But you’d be wrong, at least where the Turing Pi project is concerned.
This mini ITX format board costing under $200 allows seven Raspberry Pi systems to be combined into a desktop Kubernetes cluster that's smaller than a sheet of A4 paper.
Apple thinks the new iPhone SE is worth much less than a quartet of Mac Pro wheels


Apple is not a company readily associated with low prices, and its hardware is always markedly more expensive than something comparable from other companies.
Over the years we've become used to Apple phones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops (typically) being relatively expensive -- but where the company really stands out is with the pricing of its accessories. Take the newly announced iPhone SE, for instance. With a starting price of $399, Apple values the phone less than a set of wheels for a Mac Pro, and only marginally more than a set of feet for the same computer.
New tools help automate container security


Containerization is increasingly popular, but its adoption presents challenges when it comes to vulnerability management and protection.
DevOps security specialist NeuVector is launching new features for its platform aimed at enterprise teams.
Zoom releases software update to improve passwords, protect meeting IDs and secure cloud recordings


Zoom has been forced to take a long, hard look at its security and privacy in recent weeks. The company has not only put a pause on new features, it is focusing instead on making existing options more secure.
In an update to the software, Zoom has taken steps to improve the security of passwords, as well as introducing random IDs for meetings. The company has also enhanced password protection for meeting recordings stored in the cloud, and added other key security features.
Hackers are selling two serious Zoom zero-day vulnerabilities for $500,000


Both the Windows and macOS versions of Zoom have critical, unpatched security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers to target users and spy on calls and meetings.
Security experts say -- despite not having seen the actual code for the exploits -- that the Windows version of Zoom is affected by an RCE (Remote Code Execution) described as being "perfect for industrial espionage". The zero-days have been offered for sale for $500,000.
deepin Linux 20 Beta ready for download


Some unfortunate people are so obsessed with COVID-19 coming from China that they forget all the positive things that come from the country, such as almost everything we buy in the USA. Yes, folks, many of the great products we enjoy daily, such as clothing and electronics, come from China, and it is important to remember that. Look, we are all humans, and borders are man-made -- there is no room for xenophobia in the world.
Most importantly, our friends in China have brought us one of the best desktop Linux distributions on the planet -- the Debian-based deepin. The Chinese developers have been teasing the upcoming deepin 20, and the DDE (deepin desktop environment) looks absolutely amazing. Today, I am excited to say we can all begin testing the operating system, as deepin 20 Beta is finally here!
You can buy the revolutionary Apple Magic Keyboard with trackpad right now


Last month, Apple did something consumers have long wished for -- it made the iPad a proper laptop. You see, the company announced an all-new iPad Pro and associated Apple Magic Keyboard. With the iPadOS 13.4 operating system, Apple's tablet finally gets proper trackpad support, and wouldn't ya know it, the aforementioned keyboard has an integrated trackpad. So, yeah, the iPad now functions as an actual laptop.
There was one problem, sadly, that was very much not like Apple. For whatever reason, the company began selling the new iPad Pro before the Magic Keyboard with trackpad was ready. And so, consumers have not been able to properly trial this new laptop experience, instead relying on Bluetooth mice and trackpads to try it out. Well, I am happy to say, beginning today you can finally buy the Apple Magic Keyboard!
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 19608, improves default apps experience


It’s been a week since Microsoft rolled out a new Windows 10 build to Insiders on the Fast ring, and today sees the arrival of another new release.
Build 19608 sports one major new change and that concerns the default apps experience.
Economic uncertainty gives fintech apps a boost


The COVID-19 crisis has led to major economic as well as health concerns and new research from mobile app marketing company Liftoff in partnership with analytics platform App Annie shows more people are turning to mobile apps to manage their money.
The report analyzed 22 billion ad impressions across 382 million clicks, seven million app installs, and five million first-time events in 117 apps for the full calendar year 2019. It shows that the self-reliant nature of contemporary fintech apps has taken precedence over legacy banking apps, a trend that is likely to continue in the current economic climate.
Apple's new iPhone SE is as fast as the 11 Pro, but way more affordable

A post pandemic world: A technologist's thoughts on professional and social change


It’s sometimes hard to imagine life returning to normal. Nevertheless, this pandemic, like those of the past, will eventually recede, but it won’t leave us unchanged. COVID-19 has already had a dramatic impact on our lives and how we interact, conduct business and obtain the products and services we need.
As chief technology officer of a technology service provider, it’s my job to consider how such events will shape business so we can adjust the services we deliver accordingly. Naturally, I have specific thoughts on topics like backup and disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS), but I also have to consider societal changes and the ways in which businesses and consumers will utilize technology moving forward. So, what will a world after COVID-19 look like? Here are a few observations and thoughts.
Save 80% on Windows 10 Pro -- limited time offer


Windows 7 is no more -- or, more accurately, no longer supported. That means no more bug fixes and more crucially, no more security updates. If you’re still running a Windows 7 PC, it’s time to move.
What are your options? You could buy a brand-new PC, but the truth is that your current PC is probably more than capable of running Windows 10. If you’ve no need, desire or budget to buy a whole new computer, then discover how to upgrade to Windows 10 for as little as $29.99 with two fantastic deals.
Cohesity launches mobile app for its enterprise data management platform


Data management company Cohesity's platform allows enterprises to manage all of their data functions -- backups, archives, file shares, object stores, and data used for dev/test and analytics -- on a single platform.
It's now adding to its offering with the launch of a Helios mobile app which allows IT staff to monitor the health and performance of their Cohesity infrastructure, easily manage support cases, and get alerts about anomalies, including potential ransomware attacks to their production environment, while on the go.
F-Secure launches protection and response service to protect remote workers


With a sudden shift to remote working many companies are faced with lowering quality controls and making short term tactical fixes to support their remote workforce, increasing their exposure to threats and cyberattacks.
Security specialist F-Secure has launched a new offering based on its award-winning managed detection and response (MDR) service, F-Secure Countercept.
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