Pixel Watch: All the Rumors We Know Ahead of Google's Smartwatch Reveal - CNET

Google's October event is set to reveal the Pixel Watch's price, release date and other features.

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Researchers have found that Google Chrome's Application Mode can be abused for phishing threats.

Used to offer ChromeOS users a clean, minimal interface for certain websites such as YouTube, when launched, Application Mode brings up a new browser window without the address bar, toolbars, or other familiar elements - even the taskbar displays the website favicon instead of the Chrome icon.

But this mode can be abused, cybersecurity researcher mr.d0x discovered. If an attacker manages to convince a user to run a Windows shortcut that runs a phishing URL with Chromium’s Application Mode feature, the user will only see what seems to be the login form for an app. In reality, though, it would be a phishing page that steals people’s login data. 

Shortcut files 

Ever since Microsoft moved to kill malicious Office files, cybercriminals have been pivoting towards Windows shortcut files (.LNK). 

Cybersecurity experts have since uncovered countless attack campaigns that successfully leveraged .LNK files to deliver all kinds of viruses and malware, from QBot, to BazarLoader, to anything in between. 

Explaining this new potential method, mr.d0x says an attacker could use a shortcut file to launch a phishing “applet” on the victim’s endpoint: 

Read more

> What is phishing and how dangerous is it?

> Everything you need to know about phishing

> Keep your devices safe with the best malware removal tools out there

• For Chrome:
  "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe" --app=https://example.com
• For Microsoft Edge
  "c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\Edge\Application\msedge.exe" --app=https://example.com

There are multiple ways to abuse this flaw, mr.d0x added, including having access to the target device, using a portable HTML file with the “-app” parameter embedded, or using the Browser-in-the-Browser technique to add a fake address bar. Finally, the attack can also be pulled off on macOS and Linux devices, he said. 

• Check out the best endpoint protection services around

Via: BleepingComputer

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How to Download Overwatch 2 and Set Up SMS Protect - CNET

You'll need to add a verified phone number to your Blizzard account to launch the game.

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The latest update to Microsoft Edge is set to deliver some important security feature updates.

First up, the web browser has had a boost to its web defence that Microsoft says makes it “more reliable”. The update uses a rewritten ‘Microsoft Defender SmartScreen’ library, which was first introduced in Edge 103. This feature is exclusive to users running Edge on a Windows machine. 

As part of the improvement, the ‘NewSmartScreenLibraryEnabled’ policy is deprecated in Microsoft Edge 106, and will be considered obsolete in the next major release (107). 

Microsoft Edge 106

This follows the news that Edge will enter an ultra-high security mode when users navigate to less popular websites. The settings to enable this are in ‘Settings and more’ > ‘Settings’ > ‘Privacy, search, and services’, where users can pick from ‘Basic’, ‘Balanced’, and ‘Strict’. 

Microsoft’s developers have also been busy updating the work results feature in the browser’s address bar. 

The number of results that can be displayed has doubled from two to four, which should offer “greater visibility into the work content available to you as you search.” To get work results, you will need to enable the ‘AddressBarMicrosoftSearchInBingProviderEnabled’ policy.

Read more

> We've rounded up the best malware removal tools

> Microsoft Edge News Feed infiltrated by tech support scammers

> Microsoft's latest attempt to get you to ditch Google Chrome for Edge is bound to fail

Other updates to the latest version of Edge 106 include three new policies, two deprecated policies, and two that are now obsolete (‘OutlookHubMenuEnabled’ and ‘EdgeDiscoverEnabled’).

Microsoft Edge 106 is available in the Stable Channel now.

Earlier this year, we reported that Edge is finally on the up following the retirement of Internet Explorer. The browser passed the 10% global desktop market share in April 2022 and peaked at 10.92% in August 2022, however it still trails a long way behind Google Chrome at more than 67%.

Unlike Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge can be installed on macOS and Linux devices as well as the Windows operating system. There are iOS and Android versions of the browser, too. 

• These are the best antivirus software and best ransomware protection tools

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The founder of Raspberry Pi has confirmed that getting hold of the latest models will continue to be a struggle for regular consumers for the foreseeable future.

Contacted by Jeff Geerling, a prominent YouTuber whose videos regularly feature Pi boards of one variety or another, Eben Upton conceded that the problems described back in April are yet to be resolved.

Specifically, Raspberry Pi has suffered from a variety of supply chain issues that have made it impossible to produce boards in high volumes, a situation made worse by the allocation of limited manufacturing capacity to larger players.

Raspberry Pi shortage

In December 2021, we reported on the beginnings of the shortage of Raspberry Pi models. At the time, official resellers were estimating they would be unable to ship some of the most popular SKUs for many months.

In a blog post, Upton said he expected supply chain challenges to continue “throughout much of 2022”, with the problem set to become less acute as more manufacturing capacity comes online and logistics bottlenecks are resolved.

However, the recovery has been hindered by other external factors too. Namely, the shortage has been aggravated by a plague of scalpers, who are using automated bots to scoop up any supply that does hit the shelves, with a view to flipping it for a profit on secondary markets.

Read more

> This is the year I conquer the Raspberry Pi

> Our list of the best laptops for programming

> Raspberry Pi fans have a new distro to play with

A similar problem has made it extremely difficult to get hold of the latest graphics cards and video game consoles, some of which have been sold on at exorbitant prices.

Worse, Upton told Geerling that while Raspberry Pi ringfences a percentage of stock for regular consumers, the priority is currently to deliver on large-scale orders from OEMs and industrial customers. The rationale is that, otherwise, companies reliant on Pi boards might “wither and die”.

As noted by our sister site Tom’s Hardware, the best bet for hobbyists hoping to get their hands on a Raspberry Pi is currently to monitor stock tracking sites (like rpilocator), pay a premium in the secondary market, or opt for a more costly Raspberry Pi alternative. An unpalatable selection of choices, if ever there was one.

• Brush up on your coding skills with the best HTML courses, best JavaScript courses and best Python courses

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Startling NASA Satellite Image Shows Hurricane Ian's Wide Eye - CNET

The powerful storm's eye appeared as a massive swirl of clouds just hours before landfall in Florida.

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A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) examining the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on our working environments has predicted what it calls an “office real estate apocalypse”.

The September 2022 paper found a significant 45% decline in office values during 2020, with a longer term fall of 39%. The NBER places the long run figure at an alarming $453 billion, however among the findings was a hint at how offices can protect themselves against impending doom.

The abstract reads: “Higher quality office buildings were somewhat buffered against these trends due to a flight to quality, while lower quality office buildings see much more dramatic swings.” 

Should I rent an office?

That said, an article on the San Francisco Standard entitled “Turning Downtown Offices Into Housing Isn’t the Solution You Think It Is” suggests that repurposing old office buildings may not be such a savior after all. Not only is a building’s suitability for residential development a sticking point, but renovation costs remain high as the cost of living crisis continues.

Read more

> These are the best conference phones

> Should you switch to hybrid or home working?

> Businesses are feeling more confident about securing hybrid work

As the pandemic was unravelling, an estimated 95% of physical offices were occupied, a figure that dropped to just 10% in March 2020. While many companies are now warning their employees of a return to office, as of September 2022, the figure had just crept up to around half of what it was pre-pandemic, at 47%.

The research suggests that higher quality offices, with more amenities, are performing best, with rents either maintaining or increasing. Meanwhile, less equipped office spaces are facing tougher challenges and are being faced with potentially having to repurpose.

However, the future remains uncertain. Almost two in three (62%) US office leases have not come up for renewal since the pandemic, and NBER’s researchers think that “rents may not have bottomed out yet.” 

There have been mixed reactions to hybrid working routines across the globe, but in the face of challenging rental conditions, working from home may be about to experience yet another boom.

• These are the best video conferencing tools and collaboration software

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Amazon has launched a new shopping hub called Amazon Access, which is still about shopping but, in a twist, is designed to help those living on government assistance.

Amazon Access starts by providing new features and support for alternate payment methods. This means customers can now buy food on the website with SNAP EBT (better known as food stamps) and various higher-priced items through Amazon Layaway. The latter allows people to pay 20 percent of an order’s total cost upfront and then pay the rest over time with no interest or extra fees attached.

Amazon is also renaming its discounted Prime tier to Prime Access while keeping its monthly subscription cost at $6.99. The company states the reason for the name change is to give Prime Access a unique identity thereby making it more visible to customers who need it.

Provided you qualify, the tier gives you all of the benefits found on a regular Prime account, like free games via Prime Gaming plus and “fast, free delivery.”  

Features

Each of the three main features of Amazon Access, has its own focus. The SNAP program, for example, is primarily focused on food products, including vegetables, meat, and non-alcoholic drinks. Not every food product found on Amazon can be bought with food stamps. The company states you’ll need to “look for items labeled SNAP EBT Eligible.” 

Amazon Layaway is designed for electronics (such as computers and TVs) and various household items, including furniture, tools, and appliances. To put something under layaway, you’ll have to check off the box next to “Reserve with Layaway” on the checkout page. Once you place the order, layaway starts and you have eight weeks to make four payments to fully pay it off. But you can always pay it off fully beforehand if you can afford it.

And as mentioned earlier, Prime Access gives you the same benefits as a base subscription from exclusive discount deals, unlimited storage on Amazon Photos, and access to the platform’s streaming service.

Other shopping features were highlighted in the announcement too, but they’re not locked behind a plan, meaning anyone can use them. These include coupons, which have their own page where you can “clip” them, and support for Amazon Cash. The company notes you can also, if necessary, change the site language to Spanish.

US exclusive

According to a company representative, both Amazon Access and Prime Access are exclusive to the United States. This doesn't come as a surprise considering the announcement specifically mentions US-only programs.

When asked about expanding to other countries, they said there’s no information to share, but that Amazon is looking into it. Eligible customers can try out Prime Access as a 30-day free trial. All they have to do is upload an image showing “valid proof of [identification] or government assistance documentation.” 

Amazon claims it created the Access hub to provide “accessible offerings” during these tough economic times. Although the company isn't afraid to hike up prices when it wants to. Back in February, Amazon raised the price of a monthly Prime subscription to $14.99 in the US. And a few months ago, the UK saw the same thing happen with no new benefits. 

It may interest you to know that Amazon is holding a second Prime Day from October 11 to 12. Be sure to read our coverage and see our predictions for what might go on sale.

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'Ironheart': What to Know About the Upcoming Disney Plus Series - CNET

Before Dominique Thorne stars in the Disney Plus Marvel series Ironheart, she'll appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever​.

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet: Every New Pokemon Revealed So Far - CNET

Here's a closer look at some new Pokemon debuting in the upcoming Nintendo Switch games.

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iPhone Battery Meter in iOS 16: Why Apple Is Making a Change - CNET

Apple heard the complaints about the iPhone's battery icon in iOS 16 and plans to release a design fix soon.

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Is Your Android Being Tracked by an AirTag? Here's How to Find Out - CNET

This third-party app from Apple will let you know if you're being followed by a rogue AirTag.

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Nintendo Switch Online's Next Wave of N64 Games Confirmed - CNET

Mario Party, Pokemon Stadium and more classic games are coming to Nintendo's subscription service.

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Sony Orders 2 Million PlayStation VR2 headsets, Report Says - CNET

The video game company is going all in on its new virtual reality headset, according to Bloomberg.

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Cyberattacks are getting more costly for victim businesses, new figures 

Research by Atlas VPN on the destructive potential of virus and malware cyberattacks found that almost a quarter (22%) of victim businesses lost anywhere between $100,000 and $499,999 in such an incident. 

What’s more, 11% lost between $500,000 and $999,999, while 4% lost a million, or more. Overall, 37% lost $100,000 or more, while a quarter (24%) lost between $50,000 and $99,999.

Transparency issues

The exact financial impact is relatively hard to determine, too, as there are many moving parts to consider. Businesses also need to consider brand damage, partner and customer operation, and potential regulatory fines.

“Even though many businesses have invested more into cybersecurity lately, the most critical challenge is transparency,” comments cybersecurity writer at Atlas VPN, Vilius Kardelis. “Companies are afraid to report incidents for fear of losing customer trust. However, that makes cyberattacks more dangerous and prevalent, causing significant damage to businesses.”

Read more

> Cybercrime apparently cost the world over $1 trillion in 2020

> Cyberattacks costing businesses millions each year

> Check out the best firewalls for protection

That being said, Atlas VPN discovered that almost a third (31%) of victim businesses experienced disruption of either partner, or customer operations, as well as theft of financial information. Also, more than a quarter (28%) suffered a tarnished reputation, while 24% were forced to handle the disruption in their supply chains. 

Nearly a quarter (23%) were forced to address trading and business operations obstruction, while 19% experienced loss of business and contracts, and almost a fifth (18%) have straight up had their money stolen. 

All of these things make businesses want to keep potential cyber incidents to themselves and not disclose them to the public. 

In fact, 48% of IT leaders said they knew about the cyberattack against their organization but kept quiet about it. However, not disclosing these things makes cyberattacks even more dangerous and prevalent, and consequently - more devastating, the researchers concluded.

• These are the best endpoint protection services right now

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