Backblaze posts annual hard drive failure rates report
Online backup service Backblaze has posted its annual hard drive statistics in which the company shares numbers on failure rates of the nearly 105,000 the company has in its data centers. The company publishes the annual report since 2013.
Posted
Report: Millions of computers run outdated software
Millions of Windows users run outdated and insecure software, according to research from antivirus vendor Avast. The company analyzed more than 163 million computers of which the majority (43%) was running Windows 7. From those Windows 7 users, 15% still used the RTM version of 2009 instead of the more secure Windows 7 SP1.
Posted
Microsoft ends support of Windows 10 Mobile later this year
Microsoft will no longer release updates for Windows 10 Mobile from the 10th of December this year. From then, users with a device running Windows 10 Mobile will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes. The company announced the change on its website.
Posted
Microsoft decouples flopped Cortana from Windows 10 Search
Microsoft will separate the Windows Search functionality from its digital assistant Cortana. The company coupled both features in Windows 10. By separating them it should be easier to develop new functionality for both Windows 10 features.
Posted
Windows enthusiast website BuildFeed shuts down after ‘external pressure’
A website mainly targeted at Microsoft enthusiasts is shutting down and it appears this has been partly caused by pressure from Microsoft. Due some information on the website it became confirmed that Microsoft is working on a Windows version that supports foldable devices. The website administrator has removed all content and replaced it with an explanation of what happened.
Posted
Mozilla to disable Flash by default starting with Firefox 69
Mozilla will disable the Flash plugin by default in Firefox 69, according to a post in the Firefox bug tracker. The release of the 69th version of the browser is scheduled for September this year. By 2020, Mozilla hopes to fully end support of the Flash plugin.
Posted
Malwarebytes users complain about freezing Windows 7 computers after update
An issue with the latest version of antivirus software Malwarebytes causes computers running Windows 7 to freeze and lock-up. When the computer is frozen due to the issue, the only solution is to perform a hard reboot. So far, Malwarebytes has not been able to find the root of the issue.
Posted
Intel combines 3D Xpoint and QLC NAND in new M.2 Optane Memory H10 SSDs
Intel has revealed it will come with solid state disks that combine its QLC 3D-NAND and 3D Xpoint memory in a single M.2 form factor. The new drives are called, “Intel Optane Memory H10 with Solid State Storage” and should become available in spring this year.
Posted
Microsoft to pay $1250 in damages to Finnish user after installing Windows 10 without permission
The Finnish Consumer Disputes Board has ruled that Microsoft has to pay €1,100 ($1250) in damages to a Finish Windows 10 user after he found that his laptop suddenly started to download and install Windows 10.
Posted
Bittorrent protocol extension unveiled that allow users to purchase faster downloads with BTT blockchain token
BitTorrent will start to issue its own cryptocurrency that users can exchange for faster downloads. The currency, or as BitTorrent calls them, tokens, are called BitTorrent (BTT). They are based on TCR-10, which means they make use of blockchain technology developed by Tron, the new owner of µTorrent developer BitTorrent Inc.
Posted
Vidus announces version 1.0.0.0 of new DVD copy/ripper/creator/convertor software
We've received a press release from a new company called Vidus which announces the release of version 1.0.0.0 of its multimedia software that can be used for DVD ripping, DVD creation, DVD copying and DVD conversion. Vidus is available for Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7, 8 and 10. Myce.com readers can get 50% off with a special coupon.
Posted
Samsung introduces 970 EVO Plus series NVMe SSDs
Samsung yesterday launched the Samsung 970 EVO Plus series NVMe SSDs. The 970 EVO Plus series is the successor to the 970 EVO series and many of the specifications are similar. Just like the 970 EVO, also the 970 EVO Plus drives are available in capacities of 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB.
Posted
Test: ‘Windows Defender sufficient protection against malware’
According to tests performed by reputable German computer magazine C'T, Windows Defender is sufficient to protect a system against malware. Microsoft heavily invested in the software the last couple of years and it appears to have paid off.
Posted
Old patch causes error 0X80070643 on some Windows 10 systems
A Windows 10 update package, that is a few months old, is causing troubles for users who have not updated to Windows 10 October 2018 Update yet. When affected users try to install an update for Windows 10 and reboot their PC, Windows shows error message 0X80070643.
Posted
Mozilla to release Send app for Android to send files in safe, private way
Mozilla will soon release an Android app to send files through a safe, private, and encrypted link that automatically expires. While Mozilla announced the app, it's for now unknown when Mozilla plans to actually release it.
Posted
Netflix announces biggest subscription price increase ever – up to 18%
Video streaming service Netflix is raising its prices considerably in the United States. Subscriptions become 13 to 18 percent more expensive, depending on the plan. The price increase is the largest since Netflix launched, twelve years ago.
Posted
Researchers develop 1,000x faster storage tech by combining magnetic storage with laser pulses
Researchers of the Institute of Photonic Integration of the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands have revealed new technology to store data. Their technology uses laser pulses and combines the advantages of light and magnetic storage. The researchers claim their technology is revolutionary and is 1,000x faster than any other currently available storage technology.
Posted
Lexar announces 1 TB SD card that is available right now
Lexar has announced world's first memory card with a capacity of 1 TB. It's a Class 10 SD card with UHS-I and becomes part of Lexar's Professional 633x series . The 633x series also contains SD cards with capacities of 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB. The cards are intended for usage in cameras.
Posted
New attack method uses .ISO and .TAR files to evade security warnings
Cybercriminals distribute emails with files attached in a specific Linux/Unix compressed file format. By using that format they are able to bypass Windows security warnings and infect systems with malware. The attack was discovered by Belgian security researcher Didier Stevens.
Posted
Seagate announces Barracuda 510 and Firecuda 510 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSDs
Seagate has introduced both new SATA and NVMe SSDs at CES 2019, currently held in Las Vegas. The names of the new SSD series might sound familiar, the company has started to use the same names for its SSD lineup as for its HDDs.
Posted
USB-IF announces USB-C standard to confirm authenticity of a USB device, cable or charger
Laptop, desktop and smartphone manufacturers can now add authentication to their products for USB-C cables, chargers and other accessories using a USB-C connector. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has launched its USB Type-C Authentication Program. Certificates are provided by DigiCert.
Posted
Oppo releases firmware update that adds HDR10+ support for UDP-203 and UDP-205
Former Chinese consumer electronics company Oppo has released a beta of a HDR10+ update for its UDP-203 and UDP-205 high-end Ultra HD Blu-ray players. The update shows the company holds its promise of continuing support for its Blu-ray players, which it no longer manufacturers.
Posted
Crucial P1 500GB NVMe SSD Review
The Crucial P1 is the first SSD we have reviewed that uses QLC (Quad Level Cell) NAND. Please read on to find out what we make of the Crucial P1 and its use of this exciting new technology.
Posted
Mozilla appears to be testing ad blocker for Firefox Focus
Mozilla appears to be planning to add an ad blocker to its mobile, privacy focused, Firefox Focus browser. Currently the browser already blocks advertisements with trackers, but the few advertisements that don't use tracking still show up in the browser.
Posted
Anti-tracking extension Ghostery launches paid subscription
Popular browser extension Ghostery has introduced a paid subscription that unlocks new features to help users to “monitor their digital footprint”. Ghostery is an extension for several browsers that blocks trackers, tracking pixels and advertisements. The extension has more than 4 million users.
Posted
Android app with 100 million installs allows attackers to download photos and videos from device
A vulnerability in an Android file manager app that is installed on more than 100 million devices, makes it possible for an attacker to download files, including videos and pictures, from a victim's device when they are both on the same network.
Posted
Windows 7 extended supports ends on this day next year – no more security updates
The many Windows 7 users should probably start to look around for an upgrade of their operating system. The reason? Microsoft will no longer release security updates for the OS from this day next year. Extended support for the operating system will end on January 14, 2020.
Posted
Users complain about network issues after applying this month’s Windows 7 patches
Two updates that were part of January's Patch Tuesday for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 make that users are unable to access shares from Windows 7 clients. Also remote connections over RDP, and access to SQL Server 2016, failed for the affected users.
Posted
Windows 10 Update 1903 will reserve at least 7GB of disk space
In a blog post, Microsoft explains that the upcoming large Windows 10 1903 update will reserve disk space to be used by updates, apps, temporary files, and system caches. Initially Microsoft will start with about 7 GB of reserved storage that can't be deleted and used for anything else. Reserved storage will be introduced on clean installs and preinstalled versions of Windows 10 1903.
Posted
Toshiba announces 16TB hard disk drives
Later this month, Toshiba will start to ship samples of its 16 TB hard disk drives. The HDDs are part of the company's MG08 series. To achieve the high capacity, while still using Conventional Magnetic Recording (CMR), Toshiba uses a helium filled case.
Posted
Microsoft adds ‘login with SMS code’ feature to all Windows 10 versions
Microsoft today announced that all Windows 10 versions will get the possibility to set up and sign in to the operating systems through SMS messages. This way, users don't have to create a password anymore. The company has been trying for some time to eliminate passwords in Windows 10.
Posted
Open-source Thunderbird email client to make encrypting emails easier
Ryan Sipes, community manager of Thunderbird, has announced that this year encrypting emails in Thunderbird will become easier. He also announced that the developers will focus more on privacy and security of the free open-source mail application in 2019.
Posted
Corsair Force MP510 960GB NVMe SSD Review
Today I am taking a closer look at the Corsair Force MP510 960GB NVMe SSD, and when it comes to specifications this drive checks all the boxes. Continue reading to find out more about the Force MP510.
Posted
