Welcome to the latest installment of Ask ZDNet, where we tackle your toughest tech questions because we love a challenge. Think you can stump the Ask ZDNet editors? Take your best shot! Send your questions to ask(at)zdnet(dot)com. In the mailbag this week: How to make Windows 11 more like Windows 10. Every new version […] More
Image: Getty The most lucrative form of cyber crime might not be the one you first expect. While ransomware gets global attention when it takes down vital services and cyber criminals get away with multi-million dollar ransom payments, there’s another big cybersecurity issue that’s costing the world more money, but remains an embarrassing secret […] More
Image: Shutterstock Google has released security updates for Google Chrome browser for Windows, Mac and Linux, addressing vulnerabilities that could allow a remote attacker to take control of systems. There are 11 fixes in total, including five that are classed as high-severity. As a result, CISA has issued an alert encouraging IT administrators and regular […] More
Microsoft is rolling out a new security default for Windows 11 that will go a long way to preventing ransomware attacks that begin with password-guessing attacks and compromised credentials. The new account security default on account credentials should help thwart ransomware attacks that are initiated after using compromised credentials or brute-force password attacks to access […] More
Husqvarna Yes, it’s a marketing gimmick. Sure, it’s kind of hokey. But darn it if this doesn’t unexpectedly pull at the heartstrings. Husqvarna, the maker of autonomous home lawn mowers that look something like RC tactical assault vehicles from Mad Max times, is releasing an unusual software update to celebrate a lonely robot thousands of […] More
Singtel says its standalone 5G coverage in Singapore has exceeded 95%, three years ahead of the government’s 2025 target. The local telco is looking to drive adoption amongst businesses with use cases spanning the public, transport, and tourism sectors. Its nationwide standalone 5G network currently covers more than 1,300 outdoor locations and 400 in-building sites, including underground, according to Singtel. The mobile carrier was awarded the 3.5GHz and millimetre wave spectrum in June 2020, when Singapore’s industry regulator Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) handed out two nationwide 5G licences. An additional 2.1GHz spectrum was issued in November 2021. Singtel’s 5G infrastructure runs on Ericsson equipment, while joint 5G licensees StarHub and M1 have built their networks on Nokia. All three telcos previously launched their respective consumer services, running these on 5G non-standalone architectures. Licensees are expected to obtain at least 95% standalone network coverage by end-2025.In its statement Friday, Singtel said it was looking to drive 5G adoption amongst businesses with use cases that included the public sector. The telco launched a 5G testbed in the southern island of Sentosa last year alongside several government agencies.The Singapore government last October unveiled plans for 5G pilots across various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and construction, with 15 live trials running on Sentosa. It said it was targeting to ramp up this figure to at least 30 by the first half of 2023. Singtel also inked various partnerships with industry players, including Micron and Hyundai to roll out 5G services that aimed to enhance operational efficiencies and decision making. These initiatives would run on Singtel’s Paragon orchestration platform, which the carrier said pulled together essential resources across 5G and edge computing into “one touchpoint” to ease deployment and integration for businesses. In April last year, it introduced a “portable 5G platform” to offer 5G network resources anywhere, with an available power source, on which enterprise customers could deploy and test their apps. Tucked inside a suitcase-sized container, it would enable organisations to experience 5G capabilities and test use cases on-site, in their own premises, Singtel said.”Now that our nationwide 5G coverage is in place, we expect commercial adoption to accelerate,” said its group enterprise and regional data centre CEO, Bill Chang. He added that its 5G infrastructure supported functions such as real-time computing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge, which would facilitate mission-critical enterprise applications that included automated inspection in factories, smart city planning, and connected autonomous vehicles. RELATED COVERAGE More
Pros Reliable and speedy connection User-friendly interface No activity logs Available on most platforms A large number of servers Variety of useful features Cons Not the cheapest Only six simultaneous connections Some features not available for Apple productsNordVPN More
Didi Global has been fined 8 billion yuan ($1.18 billion) for breaching China’s cybersecurity and data security laws. The Chinese ride-sharing operator is accused of 16 illegal practices involving the collection of passenger data. Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said Thursday Didi had violated the country’s cybersecurity and data security laws. The industry regulator pointed to the Cybersecurity Law, Data Security Law, and Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL), reported state-run media agency China Daily.CAC said Didi had illegally collected its users’ personal data, including 107 million pieces of passengers’ facial recognition details as well as their photos and short messages. In addition, the company’s CEO Cheng Wei and president Liu Qing were each fined 1 million yuan ($148,070), in accordance with the respective regulations. Didi posted a statement Thursday on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo acknowledging the government’s decision. It said it would comply with the fine order. The Beijing-based company added that it would conduct an internal assessment and cooperate with CAC to beef up its cybersecurity, data security, and personal data security measures.Thursday’s announcement comes a year into CAC’s probe of Didi’s cybersecurity practices, which had kicked just days after the company made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange. Didi in July 2021 was instructed to remove its app from local appstores, after CAC said it had breached regulations governing the collection and use of personal data. The regulator had put the company under a cybersecurity review to “prevent national data security risks” and safeguard public interest. Didi delisted from the New York Stock Exchange in June 2022. Hackers earlier this month claimed to have access to personal data of 1 billion residents in China, after putting the information on sale via an online forum. They allegedly retrieved the data from the Shanghai National Police, though, the Chinese government had yet to publicly acknowledge the leak. Reports emerged last week that Alibaba had been called in by Shanghai authorities over the breach. According to the Wall Street Journal, which cited unnamed sources, the affected database’s administrative dashboard was left open without a password for more than a year. The data was hosted on Alibaba Cloud. CAC in January this year released draft laws that would require, amongst others, mobile apps to be licensed if they provided news and to go through a security assessment if they influenced public opinion. They also must adhere to cybersecurity guidelines and not endanger national security. The proposed legislation would further regulate services provided via mobile apps and ensure these operated alongside the country’s other laws, including the PIPL and Data Security Law, CAC then said. RELATED COVERAGE More
