Best Windows 10 apps this week


Three-hundred-and-seventy-two 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 will make some classic applications, Notepad, Paint and WordPad in particular, optional in the coming versions of Windows 10. Means: you can uninstall them easily if you want.
What impact will the Cybersecurity State Coordinator Act have? [Q&A]


The US is currently considering new legislation that would require each state to appoint a cybersecurity leader.
The proposed Cybersecurity State Coordinator Act has cross-party support and would, say its backers, improve intelligence sharing between state and federal governments and speed up incident response times in the event of a cyberattack.
Serious sudo flaw could be exploited to gain root access to Linux systems


Details of a nine-year-old security vulnerability with the sudo utility found in numerous Unix and Linux based operating systems have been revealed.
The flaw, which affects the likes of Linux Mint and Elementary OS, could be exploited to give users root privileges on a vulnerable system. Sudo versions 1.7.1 to 1.8.30 are at risk if the pwfeedback option is enabled.
Stress is hurting the health and relationships of CISOs


Landing the role of Chief Information Security Officer might make you think you've made it into a plum job, but 88 percent of CISOs are stressed and it's impacting on their health and relationships according to new research.
The second annual CISO stress report from Nominet shows that 48 percent say work stress has had a detrimental impact on their mental health, almost twice as high as last year (27 percent). 31 percent also report that their stress has impacted their physical health.
Happy 15th Birthday, Google Maps!


When Google Maps was first released, it changed everything. It transformed the way people navigate the world, ultimately becoming an indispensable tool for those needing directions. It has become so ubiquitous in modern times, that there are likely many young people that never even tried using an old-school paper map (which can be impossible to fold). Stopping at a gas station to ask a clerk for directions? A relic of yesteryear -- your smartphone can get you anywhere.
Today, Google Maps celebrates a 15th birthday (where does the time go?), and believe it or not, it is still the best such service. While Apple Maps has gotten considerably better over the years, Google's offering is still better. Quite frankly, I don't see that changing anytime soon -- if ever. To celebrate this monumental birthday, Google Maps is not only gaining some new features, but getting a nice redesign too -- don't worry, it is nothing too dramatic.
Enterprises struggle to implement data sanitization policies


Despite recent legislation placing greater emphasis on privacy and data protection, a new study of data sanitization policies reveals that in many cases there’s a gap between policy and execution.
The study of more than 1,800 senior business leaders by Blancco Technology Group reveals that although 96 percent have a sanitization policy in place, 31 percent have yet to communicate it across the business and 20 percent don't believe their organization's policies are finished being defined.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 19559


The last few Insider builds of Windows 10 haven’t been too exciting, with the focus primarily on fixing problems and making minor changes.
Build 19559.1000 for Windows Insiders in the Fast ring is no different, but it does address a number of stability issues.
Does your car smell bad? Check out SCOSCHE MagicMount Fresché smartphone mounts


Have you ever known someone with a smelly car? Of course you have. We have all experienced a terrible aroma coming from a friend or family member's vehicle at some point in time. I have gotten into many a stank NYC taxi cab in my lifetime. Hell, maybe it is your car that stinks! These terrible odors can come from many places too. For instance, the driver could have forgotten to apply deodorant to his/her armpits, there may be 20 empty White Castle burger boxes in the back seat, or worst of all, the car's owner may be a cigarette smoker -- yuck!
What is to be done about a car that smells so horrific? Well, many people buy air fresheners for their vehicle, such as those iconic cardboard trees that hang from the rear view mirror. For the most part, they work -- by masking odors, at least. Let's be honest though, those things just look tacky and trashy. They also signal to the world that you may have an odor problem.
New solution delivers automated end-to-end security


Many organizations lack the resources to effectively implement 24x7 security operations on their own, and while automation solutions can help, they typically require extensive expertise to implement and manage.
Security automation specialist LogicHub is launching a new automation driven Managed Detection and Response solution called MDR+ to help address this issue.
Search is down for Windows 10 users [Updated]

New strain of ransomware spreads via SYSVOL shares


Researchers at Varonis have uncovered a new ransomware variant that spreads and tracks its progress via SYSVOL share on Active Directory Domain Controllers.
The ransomware encrypts files and appends them with the extension, '.SaveTheQueen' and creates a file called 'hourly' on the SYSVOL share folder.
Popular attack methods decrease as hackers shift tactics for a new year


Researchers at managed security services provider Nuspire have released their latest quarterly threat report which looks at the top botnet, malware and exploit activity throughout 2019, focusing in on the fourth quarter.
Among the findings are that malicious cyber-activity declined towards the end of the year, partly as a result of hectic holiday schedules and vacations with fewer employees around to interact with malicious activity.
How many lightbulbs does it take to put a network at risk?


If it's a Philips Hue bulb the answer to the question in the headline above is just one according to new research from Check Point which has uncovered vulnerabilities that could enable a hacker to deliver ransomware or other malware to business and home networks by taking over the smart lightbulbs and their controller.
Researchers focused on the market-leading Philips Hue smart bulbs and bridge, and found vulnerabilities that enabled them to infiltrate networks using a remote exploit in the ZigBee low-power wireless protocol that is used to control a wide range of IoT devices.
Microsoft products continue to be most targeted by cybercriminals


2019 was the third year in a row that Microsoft technology was most affected by vulnerabilities, with eight of the top 10 vulnerabilities identified targeting its products.
This is a key finding of the Recorded Future annual vulnerability report which also shows that for the first time six of the vulnerabilities, all impacting Microsoft, were repeats from the prior year.
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Excel 2019 For Dummies has been updated to reflect the major changes and features made to Excel and covers everything you need to know to perform any spreadsheet task at hand.
It includes information on creating and editing worksheets, formatting cells, entering formulas, creating and editing charts, inserting graphs, designing database forms, adding database records, using seek-and-find options, printing, adding hyperlinks to worksheets, saving worksheets as web pages, adding existing worksheet data to an existing webpage, pivot tables, pivot charts, formulas and functions, Excel data analysis, sending worksheets via e-mail, and so much more.
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