OWC launches Thunderbolt Dual DisplayPort Adapter for Windows and Mac

When it comes to Mac accessories, OWC is one of the most respected makers out there. With that said, the company's products are not limited to Apple devices. In other words, if you have a Windows computer, for instance, many OWC offerings will work without issue. Today, OWC launches a really cool new adapter that converts a single Thunderbolt 3/4 port into dual DisplayPort. This will enable a compatible Mac or Windows computer to output video to two external displays for optimal productivity. Sadly, due to a limitation of Apple's M1 processor, its newest MacBooks powered by that ARM chip… [Continue Reading]

Hybrid and remote working aren't going away but enterprises are slow to adapt

Within the next two years one in five workers will be remote and more than half will be in hybrid environment according to a new report. However, digital employee experience (DEX) specialist 1E and Forrester Consulting have released data that shows only 34 percent of organizations can currently support their future hybrid and remote work needs. Among other findings, one in five IT organizations say they need to improve DEX practices to meet today's remote workforce needs. 55 percent say they only collect particularly deep data in one or two areas and don't have a holistic understanding of the digital… [Continue Reading]

Business booms on the dark web as cybercriminals cash in

Activity on dark web marketplaces that trade access to compromised networks has increased dramatically in the last year with sales up 50 percent, according to a new report by the threat research team at Lumu Technologies. Criminal gangs are diversifying their monetization vehicles to extract maximum value from their efforts. Where in the past they would have been selling credit card and bank details, now access to mail servers, networks and more is on offer. Access to remote desktop protocols is particularly attractive. In addition seemingly innocuous threats like cryptojacking, malware is increasingly being used by ransomware operators to probe… [Continue Reading]

DNA-based chemical computing could revolutionize the IT industry

As volumes of data grow the resources needed to handle the associated computing and storage requirements are coming under increasing scrutiny, particularly in regard to their energy usage. But maybe there's another way of doing things. Boston-based CATALOG is a leader in DNA-based digital data storage and has just secured $35 million in funding to progress the development of a computing platform where both data management and computation occur through the manipulation of synthetic DNA. Chemical-based DNA computing systems offer 'air-gapped' protection, are immune to traditional electronic security vulnerabilities, have a low physical footprint and consume little -- and in… [Continue Reading]

The NSA and CISA publish advice for selecting and hardening remote access VPN solutions

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have joined forces to publish guidelines design to help people make informed choices when selecting a VPN. In the joint NSA-CISA information sheet, the organizations provide help and advice in a range of areas including not only choosing a reliable, trustworthy VPN, but also how to configure a VPN for maximum security and a reduced attack surface. See also: How to sign into Windows 11 automatically How to install Windows 11 on any computer, even those without TPM 2.0 Most people neither know… [Continue Reading]

Thinking of making the switch from Windows? Get 'Linux For Dummies, 10th Edition' ($21 value) FREE for a limited time

Nine previous editions of this popular benchmark guide can’t be wrong! Whether you’re new to Linux and need a step-by-step guide or are a pro who wants to catch up with recent distributions, Linux For Dummies, 10th Edition has your back.  Covering everything from installation to automation, this updated edition focuses on openSUSE and Ubuntu and includes new and refreshed material -- as well as chapters on building a web server and creating simple shell scripts.  In his friendly, no-jargon style, IT professional and tech higher education instructor Richard Blum draws on more than 10 years of teaching to show you just why Linux’s open source operating systems are relied on to run a huge proportion of the world’s online infrastructure, servers, supercomputers, and NAS devices -- and how you can master them too.   Study the thinking behind Linux  Choose the right installation approach  Pick up the basics… [Continue Reading]

Hackers can use Apple Pay to make large contactless Visa payments with locked iPhones

Researchers from the Computer Science departments of Birmingham and Surrey Universities have discovered a way for hackers to make large, unauthorized payments from locked iPhones by exploiting the functionality of Apple Pay. The academic researchers found that the attack works on Visa cards in Express Transit mode in an iPhone's wallet. They were able to make a contactless payment of £1,000 (around $1,350) without unlocking the iPhone being used. Despite having been reported to Apple a year ago, the issue remains unfixed. See also: How to install Windows 11 on any computer, even those without TPM 2.0 How to sign… [Continue Reading]

Over 90 percent of malware arrives over encrypted connections

Security experts have spent years driving home the message that HTTPS connections are safer, but a new report released today reveals that 91.5 percent of malware arrived over encrypted connections in the second quarter of this year. The quarterly internet security report from WatchGuard Technologies also shows alarming surges across fileless malware threats, dramatic growth in ransomware and a big increase in network attacks. "With much of the world still firmly operating in a mobile or hybrid workforce model, the traditional network perimeter doesn’t always factor into the cybersecurity defense equation," says Corey Nachreiner, chief security officer at WatchGuard. "While… [Continue Reading]

YouTube is finally coming down hard on antivaxxer videos

As is the case with just about any big news story, particularly one relating to health, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a serious problem with misinformation. And as governments around the world try to encourage citizens to get vaccinations, so the antivaxxer movement has been trying to control the narrative surrounding the global crisis. Conspiracy theories abound, and antivaxxers have had a field day casting doubt on the efficacy, purpose and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Social media platforms have been fighting to ensure that incorrect or misleading information about vaccinations are either kept offline, or flagged up with warnings,… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft releases PowerToys v0.47.0 -- download it now!

Microsoft has released an update to PowerToys, taking the utility collection up to version 0.47.0. Although the company has said that this release cycle would be focus on stability updates and optimizations, installer updates, general bug fixes, and accessibility improvements, there's still a welcome change for the Shortcut Guide tool. Perhaps more interestingly, there is also new about the next experimental release -- PowerToys v0.48 -- which will appear just before the rollout of Windows 11 begins. See also: How to install Windows 11 on any computer, even those without TPM 2.0 How to sign into Windows 11 automatically Most… [Continue Reading]

Shopify in 2021: Staying at the top of the online retail game

It’s been a while since the world shifted its shopping habits from offline to online modes. Smart retailers had realized the need to deliver a purchasing experience that was independent of the consumer's location. And online retail stores solved that need. The growth of online retail is nothing short of a fairy tale. Back in 2014, total retail eCommerce sales worldwide reached $1336 billion in value, and it is projected to hit $6388 billion by 2024 at a staggering CAGR of 16.93 percent! And when you dig deeper into this stellar growth of online retail, you will find commerce platforms… [Continue Reading]

Microsoft releases Windows 11 Build 22468

Windows 11 is set to begin rolling out to compatible systems next week, but Microsoft is working on future incarnations of its new operating system Today the software giant releases Windows 11 Build 22468 to Insiders in the Dev Channel. SEE ALSO: Redesigned Windows 11 Paint app rolling out now There are two main changes in this release. When you click a VPN connection in VPN Settings, you can now see some stats about the connection. Added an option to turn off showing recent searches when hovering over the Search icon in the Taskbar. The option is under Taskbar behaviors… [Continue Reading]

Download deepin 20.2.4 Linux distro now

Linux does not belong to any specific country -- the open source kernel can be enjoyed by people all over the world. This includes China, a great ally of the United States. We depend on China to manufacture many of our goods, but also, developers in that country contribute to open source projects. Case in point, deepin is a Linux-based operating system from China that is both beautiful and elegant. For some, it could be a nice alternative to Windows 11. deepin is a miraculous Chinese gift to the open source community. Today, the wonderful deepin developers release version 20.2.4… [Continue Reading]

Why managing your own IT could lead to costly downtime

If there’s one thing that all businesses can agree upon it’s that time equals money. It’s the reason why organizations large and small all over the globe are on the constant lookout for ways to boost productivity and performance -- all while maximizing resources and lowering costs. This is especially true when it comes to your IT infrastructure. Not only is it (probably) the backbone that keeps your business running smoothly and competitively, but it is also a considerable investment in itself. Whenever it isn’t operating, businesses are quite simply hemorrhaging money. Something so important needs more than a metaphorical… [Continue Reading]

Sumo Logic boosts systems observability with real-time data

Today's fast evolving business world means modern enterprises have little margin for error when considering the overall reliability and user experience of their applications and digital experiences. Sumo Logic is using its annual Illuminate user conference to announce an expansion in the breadth and depth of its observability solution with new real-time data sources and integrations to provide deeper insights and value. "Digital transformation continues to accelerate, giving rise to the number of digital services that companies build, rent or outsource to drive their customer experiences and revenue growth. In short, digital businesses are becoming digital service brokers," says Ramin… [Continue Reading]

Time management is key concern for development leaders

Wasting time on tasks that don't deliver value is a major concern for 56 percent of development leaders according to a new study from time management specialist Tempo. Other key issues include the need to up-level capacity with automation (46 percent), using legacy processes that are not reflective of today's tech landscape (42 percent), and a lack of talent or capacity needed to complete necessary tasks (39 percent). To deal with these concerns businesses are turning to automation. The majority of organizations surveyed (79 percent) already augment development and engineering work with automation tools for faster decision-making purposes. However, this… [Continue Reading]

Consumers are becoming more active in protecting their privacy

Almost a third of consumers have taken a more active role in protecting their privacy this year, including leaving organizations over their data practices or policies. The 2021 Consumer Privacy Survey from Cisco has gathered results from 2,600 people across 12 countries and finds consumers are very concerned about the use of their personal data in AI decision-making, and their trust is at stake. Privacy laws are regarded very positively around the world, although awareness of them remains relatively low in many countries. Most people want little or no reduction in privacy protections while supporting broad public health measures during… [Continue Reading]