PC manufacturer Lenovo sold out its customers in the fourth quarter of 2014. Bloatware is hardly a new phenomenon (and is universally despised) as it allows manufacturers to increase their profit margins by cutting deals to preload their computers with specified software, toolbars, and trials. Antivirus trials are common and get in the way while decreasing the customer's actual … [Read more...]
Microsoft: Windows 10 supports FIDO 2.0 to replace the password
At the White House Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection summit, Microsoft announced its collaboration with the Fast IDentity Online (FIDO) Alliance. They have contributed design inputs which are being incorporated into the FIDO 2.0 specifications. FIDO 2.0 is being incorporated into Windows 10 and is already available in the Windows 10 Technical Preview. This allows … [Read more...]
Looking at four free firewalls
I had a little side project come up for a client that meant I got to spend a little time exploring new software to see what could be accomplished with near-zero budget. I had one or two of the free, open-source firewalls cross my path lately and the feature sets seemed to match one of the low priority items on a long to-do list. The goal was mostly to explore options for a … [Read more...]
White House streaming summit on Cybersecurity and Consumer Protection
Today, the White House is organizing a summit at Stanford University on the topic of cybersecurity and consumer protection. The all day summit includes a Presidential Address, remarks by Apple CEO, Tim Cook, along with remarks, panels, and discussions by many others in the realm of security. Before adjourning, there will be four break-out sessions: Cybersecurity Information … [Read more...]
VirusTotal works with Microsoft to ease antivirus false positives
VirusTotal, the website that allows you to upload a file and scan it against numerous antivirus engines, shared yesterday that it has been working with Microsoft to help solve the problem of false positives. A false positive is where an antivirus flags a file as malicious incorrectly. These can range from mildly annoying to havoc-producing, week-ruining events. If a core … [Read more...]