Tag: windows

First known Mac ransomware reaches the wild

While ransomware has sadly been a reality on smartphones and Windows PCs for a while, you haven’t really had to worry about it on a Mac… until now, that is. Palo Alto Networks claims to have discovered the first known instance of OS X-oriented ransomware in the wild, “KeRanger.” If you install software infected with the code (in this case, a version of the BitTorrent client Transmission ), it’ll encrypt your files after three days and demand that you pay a digital currency ransom to regain control. In practice, you’re likely already safe from KeRanger. Transmission has released a new version of its app that should be safe, and Apple has revoked a security certificate from another developer that KeRanger used to slip past OS X’s native defenses. Even so, this is a not-so-friendly reminder that malware of all stripes can potentially infect any given platform — you can’t assume that your operating system’s inherent security features (or simply avoiding the most targeted platform) will keep you safe. Source: Reuters

Read the article:
First known Mac ransomware reaches the wild

No longer virtual: First impressions—and many hours—with HTC’s Vive Pre

The HTC Vive Pre comes with everything seen here. Some assembly required. Your parents help you put it together. From HTC! (credit: Kyle Orland) For about a year now , we’ve been absolutely wowed by short, controlled demos of the virtual reality tech in the SteamVR-powered HTC Vive. But enjoying a slick demo in a curated show floor booth is one thing. Having a Vive in your house to play with at your leisure is another. Ahead of its upcoming consumer launch, Valve has sent us loaner units of its near-final HTC Vive Pre to test in the Ars Orbiting HQ . I’ve spent a large portion of the past few days immersed in Valve’s room-scale vision of virtual reality, whiling away hours blind to the real world around me and trying not to kill myself walking around my office (which has never been cleaner, to make sure there are no tripping hazards about). We’ll have fuller reviews of the hardware and the most interesting VR experiences as we get closer to the Vive’s early April 9 release. For now, here are some scattered impressions of what it’s like having room-scale virtual reality in your very own room. Read 17 remaining paragraphs | Comments

Read More:
No longer virtual: First impressions—and many hours—with HTC’s Vive Pre

Time Inc buys…MySpace?

MySpace still exists . Crazy, right? The once monolithic social network had faded into irrelevancy until it was relaunched with a little help from Justin Timberlake back in 2013. The fresh coat of paint wasn’t enough to reinvigorate the platform, however, and it’s now being sold as part of its parent company Viant to Time Inc. Yep, that’s the same Time Inc that publishes Time, Fortune , Entertainment Weekly and a whole bunch of other magazines. The company described the acquisition as “game changing, ” most likely in reference to Viant’s broader ad-tech business. MySpace does, supposedly, still have a part to play in that offering, but it’s notable the site was barely mentioned in the footnote of today’s press release . Source: Time Inc. (Press Release)

See more here:
Time Inc buys…MySpace?

Avast SafeZone Browser Lets Attackers Access Your Filesystem

An anonymous reader writes: Just two days after Comodo’s Chromodo browser was publicly shamed by Google Project Zero security researcher Tavis Ormandy, it’s now Avast’s turn to be publicly scorned for failing to provide a “secure” browser for its users. Called SafeZone, and also known as Avastium, Avast’s custom browser is offered as a bundled download for all who purchase or upgrade to a paid version of Avast Antivirus 2016. This poor excuse of a browser was allowing attackers to access files on the user’s filesystem just by clicking on malicious links. The browser wouldn’t even have to be opened, and the malicious link could be clicked in “any” browser. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Originally posted here:
Avast SafeZone Browser Lets Attackers Access Your Filesystem

Intel’s new Atom and Core M Compute Sticks get faster and look better

Andrew Cunningham Intel’s new Compute Stick has a better-looking design. 7 more images in gallery Intel’s original Compute Stick  was an neat idea that ultimately wasn’t executed very well. Any system based on one of Intel’s Atom processors is going to be a little slow, but flaky wireless, inconsistent performance, and a clunky setup process all made it less appealing than it could have been. It had all of the hallmarks and rough edges of a first-generation product. Today Intel showed us its next-generation Compute Sticks, and it’s clear that the company is taking seriously the criticism of the first model. There are three new versions to talk about: the lowest end stick uses a Cherry Trail Atom CPU and is the closest relative to the first-generation Compute Stick. The other two use more powerful Skylake Core M processors—one has a Core m3-6Y30 processor, and another has a Core m5-6Y57 CPU with Intel’s vPro management features enabled. All three sticks share the same basic design. The first-generation stick used a bulky, glossy plastic housing that made it look and feel more like a reference design than an actual shipping product, but all three new models switch to a softer, curvier case that looks more refined. Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments

Link:
Intel’s new Atom and Core M Compute Sticks get faster and look better

MSI’s flagship gaming laptop gets an eye-tracking upgrade

If you’re looking for a big, powerful gaming laptop, the MSI’s GT72 Dominator has always been a solid choice — but it’s never been really interesting . The Dominator is known for a strong build, powerful internals, good speakers and a superb keyboard, but it never offered anything unexpected. Now it does. Later this month, MSI will be updating the Dominator with a fancy new gimmick: an integrated eye-tracking camera. Technically, we’ve seen this machine before: MSI showed off a prototype eye-tracking Dominator in Taiwan last year . It… sort of worked. Eye-controlled gaming can be finicky if not implemented correctly. At the time, we had trouble controlling the Assassin’s Creed in-game camera by just looking at the screen, but logging into Windows with the camera was relatively easy. The technology has potential, even if it only has limited support at the moment. Now that it’s officially available, that support could be on its way. MSI says the GT72S Tobii will be available for purchase later this month, and will ship with a Tobii-enabled copy of Tom Clancy’s The Division.

Originally posted here:
MSI’s flagship gaming laptop gets an eye-tracking upgrade

Firefox is finally 64-bit on your Windows PC

Believe it or not, Firefox on Windows has been a 32-bit affair until now — while Google and Microsoft made the leap to 64-bit web browsing a while back, Mozilla hasn’t been quite so quick off the mark. All’s well after today, though, as Mozilla has released a 64-bit version of Firefox for Windows. So long as you’re running at least Windows 7, the browser can take better advantage of processors from recent years. The software won’t necessarily run faster, but you should get improved security, greater app compatibility (some intensive web apps won’t run otherwise) and other upgrades that come with the added headroom. There’s more, regardless of what platform you’re running. You can now use Private Browsing to block a wider range of web trackers, and you can choose search suggestions right from the address bar. It’s also better about supporting Windows touchscreen devices by bringing up the keyboard when you need it. If you ditched Firefox a while back, it might be worth a second look. [Image credit: AP Photo/Manu Fernandez] Source: Mozilla (1) , (2)

View article:
Firefox is finally 64-bit on your Windows PC