UK gets an easier way to switch mobile providers
If you've ever tried to switch mobile phone providers in the UK you'll know that if you want to keep your existing number after the transfer it involves getting a PAC (porting authorization code) from your old provider.
Obtaining this has in the past involved phoning them up and having them plead with you not to leave while offering you all kinds of special deals to persuade you to stay. Well not any more.
Windows XP pops Cherry at Glasto
When you’re performing live at one of the biggest music festivals in the world, it’s probably not advisable to trust your background visuals to an old laptop running Windows XP.
This is a lesson that Neneh Cherry learned to her cost at this weekend’s Glastonbury when the laptop generating images on the rear video screen decided to reboot unexpectedly during a performance of her hit 7 Seconds.
Mageia 7 Linux distro available for download
Today is the first day of the seventh month -- July. This month is special to Americans, as we celebrate our independence from the treacherous British on July the fourth.
With that said, it is quite appropriate that Mageia 7 -- a high-quality Linux distribution -- is released today. You see, it is interesting to have the seventh major version of the operating system become available for download on 7/1. But also, it is significant because, just like America declared its independence, so too can Windows users by switching to this excellent Linux distro.
EA fixes a 'chain of vulnerabilities' that could have put millions of Origin gamers at risk
EA has fixed a series of security issues on its Origin gaming service which could have been exploited by attackers to take control of user accounts and gain access to personal data.
EA Origin's security flaws meant that more than 300 million gamers were put at risk. Israeli security firms Check Point said that attackers could take advantage of a "chain of vulnerabilities" to attack players of games such as FIFA, Maden NFL, NBA Live, UFC, The Sims, Battlefield, Command and Conquer, and Medal of Honor.
The separation of storage and compute [Q&A]
Business intelligence and analytic projects have traditionally been based on the concept of the enterprise data warehouse, which saw compute and storage combined in a monolithic platform to achieve the performance required for high-performance analytics. More recently, the trend has been toward data lakes, but this was similarly based on the approach of putting all data in a single environment -- initially Hadoop -- for storage and analysis.
We spoke with Justin Borgman, CEO for Starburst Data, on why he believes the separation of storage and compute in the data processing and analytics sector is a trend that will continue to gain momentum.
Linux computer seller System76 is having a massive summer sale
Do you need a new laptop or desktop, but don't know what to buy? Don't worry; this is a pretty common dilemma. While you can, of course, look into a Mac or Windows 10 computer, you should consider Linux too. A computer running, say, Ubuntu, can be great for productivity, education, creation, and more. Best of all, many top-tier Linux programs, such as GIMP and LibreOffice are totally free. And yes, your favorite web browsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome will run on Linux too.
If you are open to the idea of buying a computer running a Linux-based operating system, you should definitely check out System76. Not only are its laptops and desktops of high quality, but its customer service is unrivaled. If you ever need help, you can contact an actual human being that is based in the USA. The support representatives aren't just reading off a script either -- these people are truly knowledgeable.
5 tips to improve your company's IT security
According to a 2018 IBM study, the average cost of a data breach for a U.S. company is $7.91 million, while the average cost of a lost or stolen record that contains sensitive or confidential information is $148. Unfortunately, these figures are only rising.
Cyber attacks continue to not only cost companies more money but have also grown larger and more aggressive because of how profitable cybercrime has become. Despite the ongoing advances in IT security, threats continue to emerge just as fast as security measures evolve. Though cybercriminals will continue to find new, creative ways to gain access to business data, there are simple tactics you can implement to better protect your company.
Only a tiny fraction of Windows 10 users are running the May 2019 Update
The latest Windows 10 feature release, the May 2019 Update, is slowly making its way to users, but after the mess that was the October 2018 Update, Microsoft is keeping a close eye on proceedings.
As a result, it means the rollout is happening at an incredibly glacial pace. In fact, it's occurring at roughly the same rate as its predecessor, which isn't good news.
Warning: In just a few days, the ebooks you've purchased from Microsoft will vanish
It's a little while since Microsoft announced that is dropping the Books category from the Microsoft Store, but a serious deadline is now looming.
If you have bought books or downloaded free books from the Store, you only have a few more days to read them -- so if there are any you haven't finished, you'd better start reading quickly! While no specific date has been announced, Microsoft warns that you'll only be able to read your books "until early July 2019".
Exploring the ethics of AI
Artificial intelligence is appearing in more and more of our everyday technology. But it raises a number of questions about how it will react in challenging situations.
Security education comparison site Cyber Security Degrees has produced an infographic looking at the ethics of AI and how we feel about its impact on our lives.
Best Windows 10 apps this week
Three-hundred-and-forty-one 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.
Windows 7 support ends in January 2020 and many Enterprises fear that they won't be able to migrate to Windows 10 in time. While Enterprises may purchase a support extension for up to three years, it comes with substantial costs.
Do mobile operating systems provide enough protection against cyber threats?
Every year a new iPhone hits the market and there are thousands of different Android devices in circulation. Both Apple and Google are constantly adding new features and functions to incorporate emerging technologies, maintain competitiveness, and cement their reputations as innovators.
Commercial focus typically sits with the clamor of more surface-level, UI related features like Memojis, Group FaceTime, gesture navigation, the features that consumers are drawn to rather than the patching of CVE-2018-4249. It’s all a matter of priorities, people want a device with all the mod cons, a mobile device just needs to be secure enough, meeting minimum expectations. It also doesn’t help that there has been a long held misconception that mobile OSs are secure enough and users don’t need a security solution. Despite mobile OSs becoming relatively hardened, usage is very different compared to traditional form factors, and there are a number of threat vectors that an OS can’t protect against.
A smart retro-look microphone for gaming or conferencing -- MXL AC-404-LED [Review]
We are increasingly using our PCs for communication, whether it's making Skype calls or just chatting to other online gamers.
But while laptops and some monitors have built in microphones they are not always ideally located or the best quality.
Microsoft notifies users whose systems are 'not quite ready' for Windows 10 May 2019 Update
The Windows 10 May 2019 Update (that is, Windows 10 version 1903) has caused problems for a number of people, and there are various issues that stand in the way of getting hold of the upgrade.
Rather than pushing out a problematic update to systems that it knows will not have a great experience, Microsoft has made a couple of decisions. Not only is the company blocking updates for computers with known compatibility issues, it is also starting to notify users that this is what's happening.
Apple and Jony Ive are consciously uncoupling
Apple has essentially kicked Jony Ive out of the company. Well, that's what my gut tells me anyway. Officially, the Chief Design Officer has left voluntarily to form a design company called "LoveFrom." This has sent shock waves throughout the technology community, as it was not at all expected.
Apparently, Apple will be LoveFrom's first client, which is just odd. It means Ive would work with Apple rather than for it -- a freelancer, if you will. This seems like malarkey to me -- the arrangement might just be a cover for all parties involved. Apple can protect its image by not sullying Ive's name through a proper firing, while Ive can continue to be a pompous bloke and retain his dignity. After all, neither party wants bad blood -- it can harm the reputation of both sides.
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