Tag: Zdnet
Microsoft Says Mac Trojan Becoming Stealthier, More Menacing
Malware hunters at Microsoft are calling attention to a nasty macOS malware family that has evolved quickly from a basic information-gathering trojan to a stealthy backdoor with more powerful capabilities.
Microsoft, Symantec Share Notes on Russian Hacks Hitting Ukraine
Threat hunters at Microsoft and Symantec are sharing notes on a barrage of new cyberespionage attacks from Russia’s spy agency hitting organizations in Ukraine.
Volexity Warns of ‘Active Exploitation’ of Zimbra Zero-Day
Malware hunters at Volexity are raising the alarm for a Chinese threat actor seen exploiting a zero-day flaw in the Zimbra email platform to infect media and government targets in Europe.
Meet the new ways Microsoft will add features to Windows 11
Microsoft said recently that it will be delivering its first real update to Windows 11 this month, including an improved taskbar and a taskbar weather widget. But how it delivers those new features to your PC won't be immediately obvious. A recent blog post, however, provides some clues on what to expect.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 users are used to receiving notices about upcoming Windows feature updates, either within the Windows Update subsection of the Windows 10 Settings menu, or via a popup notification. Microsoft recently said Windows will be one big feature update per year going forward. But there are new, smaller ways in which Microsoft will be rolling out improvements to Windows outside of those milestone releases, too. (Credit to ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley for calling this out.)
In a blog post explaining what's next for the Windows Insider program, Microsoft explained how it would deliver updates to its Beta and Dev Channels outside of new, formal builds. The mechanisms that Microsoft will use were explained in the context of the Insider program, but they can and probably will be used for delivering updates to the stable channel of Windows 11 (and possibly 10, too). They're known as Feature Experience Packs, Web Experience Packs, and Online Service Experience Packs, and you may see all three show up inside Windows Update.
Historically, new features shipped with new releases. Microsoft would ship them both in “service packs” to older versions of Windows, and migrated them to Windows 10 and Windows 11 in feature releases such as, for example, the Windows 10 Creators Update. But Microsoft has tried to uncouple various elements of Windows into their own development tracks, so they can be maintained and updated on their own schedule. A good example of this are some of the built-in Windows apps, which now are typically updated via the Windows Store.
In 2020, Microsoft introduced a new update mechanism: the Windows Feature Experience Pack, which tried to accommodate small improvements that fell in the cracks. “Is it fair to characterize the WFEP as a channel for updating experiences that aren't tightly coupled with the OS, are not apps in the Store, and are not features-on-demand?” one user asked then — and the answer was a simple “yes.”
One example of a new “feature experience” was using the screen snipping experience (Win + Shift + S) to create a snip of your screen and paste it directly into a folder of your choice in File Explorer to save the screenshot there. So yes, something new — but nothing deserving of an entire feature update.
Online Service Experience Packs appeared last October, as part of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22489. Microsoft used the new Online Service Experience Pack to add a “dashboard” to the Windows 11 Settings > Account submenu, showing the status of your Microsoft 365 subscriptions, for example. At the time, Microsoft said that it would roll out the new dashboard to a very small set of Insiders.
“The difference between [Feature and Online Experience Packs] is that the Windows Feature Experience Packs can deliver broad improvements across multiple areas of Windows, whereas the Online Service Experience Packs are focused on delivering improvements for a specific experience such as the new Your Microsoft account settings page,” Microsoft explained. “For example, under Windows Update this would appear as ‘Online Service Experience Pack – Windows.Settings.Account' with a version number.”
That last sentence will be the tell — if you see a notice about a new Online Service Experience Pack within the Windows Update menu, something new and specific will be headed to your Windows 11 machine.
We don't yet know what a “Web Experience Pack” entails, but we can imagine that it will something tied to the Web within Windows. It's possible that we could see smaller representations of Web pages within the Widgets menu, possibly.
This does somewhat undercut Microsoft's plan to move to a single annual feature release for Windows, however, since these small “point” releases could roll out at any time, really. On one hand, those of you who prefer that Windows gets left well enough alone may be upset that there's now an easy way for Microsoft to tweak Windows. On the other hand, individual teams of developers within Microsoft will now have new tools to respond to user feedback more quickly.
What we don't know, however, is how Microsoft will use these new capabilities. Will small point updates become common? Will Microsoft announce them? If you're concerned, our tutorial on how to manage Windows updates may be useful: Simply pause them until you're sure about what Microsoft is rolling out. Otherwise, you should see some new features arrive on Windows 11 in the weeks ahead.
Best power banks: The top portable chargers for devices
Anyone who uses a smartphone knows the importance of carrying a backup battery pack. But try searching for one on Amazon, say, and you're likely to feel overwhelmed by the vast number of options. Besides the various charging specs, ports, and even cables you have to consider, there are a ton of competing brands. How are you supposed to know which ones actually live up to their promise?
We've done the legwork for you, evaluating a wide range of power banks from different manufacturers, costing different prices, and some offering unique features. Our testing is extensive, too, subjecting the packs to real-world usage (read about our testing process in detail below). Our picks below reflect a range of needs. (You might also be interested in our our roundup of USB car chargers if you spend a lot of time in transit.)
Updated 2/1/22 to include our review of the EcoFlow Delta Mini Portable Power Station. More than your typical pocket charger, the Delta Mini is a hefty power source for extended time off the grid, like camping or in an emergency. It's pricey, but it buys you the assurance that all your gear can be charged.
1. Powerstation XXL – Best overall
Building on the success of the Powerstation Plus XL (our previous pick for best overall power bank), Mophie's Powerstation XXL matches its predecessor in efficiency, achieving 92.51 percent of its stated maximum current, plus it's stylish, portable, and affordably priced. It's a no-brainer recommendation if you're in the market for a dependable power source on-the-go.
2. Tronsmart Presto PBT10 – Most portable
Small enough to fit into a coat pocket or the side pocket on a backpack, the Tronsmart Presto is an obvious companion when you're on-the-go. It's a 10,000mAh (37Wh) pack, with two USB-A ports, one with QC3.0 for fast charging.
3. Otterbox Fast Charge 20,000mAh – Best USB-C power bank with Power Delivery
4. Powercore Fusion 5000 2-in-1 Portable Charger and Wall Charger – Best budget option
The combination wall charger and portable power bank format makes the Powercore Fusion 5000 exceedingly convenient. The bank itself can be recharged via either method—power outlet or MicroUSB port. It's limited to two USB-A ports for device charging, but that doesn't dimish its great handiness-to-cost ratio.
5. Sherpa 100AC Portable Power Bank – Best for road warriors
If you spend a lot of time on the road and value device preparedness, the Sherpa 100AC makes a trusty, if pricey, companion. Yes, at $299.95, you're looking at a big investment. But that buys you two USB-C ports capable of fast-charging speeds, two standard USB ports, a Qi wireless charging pad, a standard U.S. 110V outlet, a full complement of cables, and a nifty status display and buttons for controlling various functions of the pack. The pack itself can be charged in just a couple hours.
6. RAVPower Portable Power Station 252.7Wh Power House – Best power station
There are times when a mere power bank isn't enough—the circumstances call for a power station. Say you're spending the weekend off the grid. Or you want to be prepared for a future emergency. The RAVPower Portable Power Station 252.7Wh Power House will get the job done. With a capacity near 252.7Wh, a nice complement of ports, a built-in flashlight, and an included carrying case, this highly portable power station makes a great travel companion for road trips.
How we test
Determining whether a power bank lives up to a company's promise entails more than simply connecting it to a phone and charging. Testing battery packs is done over weeks, not days, and requires extra equipment in order to ensure the batteries work as expected.
1. Upon receiving each battery pack, it's fully charged, using indicator lights as a means to track charge level.
2. Then to track efficiency, we use an AVHzY USB Power Meter in tandem with a DROK Micro Load Tester.
As we use the DROK load tester to drain the pack of power, we are able to test against a battery's stated maximum current, and verify that proper shutdown mechanisms are in place should something go wrong during a charging session (such as a device drawing over the maximum amps).
By using the AVHzY USB Power Meter, we are able to monitor volts and amps, total power throughput, and total amount of time to deplete a battery from full to empty. The meter can create an Excel spreadsheet of the entire process for future reference.
3. Next, we recharged the battery, this time using the AVHzY to track it and chart the amount of time it takes to reach full charge.
The AVHzY meter solves a shortcoming we had with our previous method w ith the PortaPow. Previously we had to use a GoPro camera to track each battery through its charge cycle, as the PortaPow monitor would continue to collect data after the battery was fully charged (trickle charging is normal, and unfortunately interferes with our testing).
If a battery was capable of charging through USB-C, we use that instead of Micro-USB.
4. The AVHzY also has a feature built in that checks a charging port for all of its supported charging standards. We are able to run that test and get an instant readout to confirm support for QC 3.0, for example, without needing to have compatible phones or devices on hand.
Power source and cables
All of our tests were conducted using the same wall adapter and, when possible, USB-C or Micro-USB cable. This was done to eliminate any discrepancies with wall adapters and cable throughput.
What to look for in a portable power bank
Without fancy testing equipment, you never truly know if you're getting what you paid for with a battery pack. Vendors, especially in Amazon listings, like to throw around a lot of terms and certifications.
Here are a few tips to help you make a decision:
- For those with a compatible device, make sure the battery pack is Quick Charge 2.0, 3.0, or PD certified. Depending on your smartphone, this can make a big difference in performance. If you own a QC 2.0 device, however, ask yourself if paying extra for a QC 3.0 capable pack is worth it.
- Don't put 100 percent confidence in a company's claims of a pack being able to charge, say, a Galaxy S8 or iPhone X six times over. Battery capacity and efficiency varies based on a number of factors. Read this Macworld report on USB-C packs to learn more about batteries and capacity.
- Look at the specs of the battery, and ensure that its input isn't limited to slow charging such as 5V/1A. The faster the input, the faster your battery pack rechargers, the faster you're ready to hit the road.
OpenSSF Alpha-Omega Project Tackles Supply Chain Security
Microsoft and Google are throwing their weight behind a new Linux Foundation OpenSSF initiative to address major security gaps in the open-source software ecosystem.
Forget Outlook: Why Windows Mail is one of the best email apps
You've got almost endless options when it comes to choosing an email client. But one of the simplest, best, and most effective is right within Windows itself. No, not Outlook—the native Mail app.
Mail—and its related app, Calendar—don't feature many bells and whistles. I rarely see lists of new features. But when it comes to choosing an everyday mail client, I generally prefer the simple, straightforward interface of the Mail app versus the more complex, cluttered, feature-rich Outlook. Fortunately, if you subscribe to Microsoft 365 and use Windows, you don't have to choose one over the other. Instead, you can use Mail and then move to Outlook for more advanced functions.
Remember, Mail is free and part of Windows 10 and 11; just launch the Mail app to get started. Mail will ask for your email address and password, like Outlook, and will take a few moments to synchronize.
Mail vs. Outlook: The pros and cons
You'll quickly find that Mail strips email down to its most basic elements: an inbox, outbox, and individual messages. You have the option to use Calendar, People, and To-Do; Outlook puts them all under the same heading, rather than separate apps. Of the fundamental differences between Outlook and Mail, there are two that stand out: the user interface, and how Mail forgoes certain advanced functions found in Outlook. The latter's appeal boils down to organization. Outlook offers a few ways to act upon (or delay acting upon) email that Mail does not.
On the other hand, Mail offers a few advantages that Outlook doesn't offer. The first, how Mail handles multiple accounts, intersects neatly with Mail's strongest advantage—the simplified UI.
In Outlook, there's really no obvious way to add an additional email account from your Outlook inbox. To do so, you need to click the File button, which opens the Account Information page, and from there the Add Account button. The capability is there, but it's certainly not intuitive.
In Mail, the accounts Mail manages are prominently displayed on the left-hand nav bar, and adding an additional email account is as easy as simply right-clicking the Accounts button. (To be fair, this could be made more intuitive by adding an “Add Account” button here as well. At least Accounts offers you a good starting point.) Mail simply feels better organized.
Where Mail shines, however, is the absolute elimination of visual clutter. There's no way you can convince me that this Outlook interface (from an edited version of my inbox) is superior to the way Mail presents the same information. Here, Outlook throws tabs, icons and more at you:
Mark Hachman / IDG
Mail, however, simplifies the whole process. Here, the focus is on the content, not the interface.
Mark Hachman / IDG
For me, my workflow often focuses on a single concept or topic, often summed up inside of a single email thread. I tend to organize projects outside of my email, versus trying to keep track of multiple contributions and email threads. Mail does support folders, which helps during major product releases or event coverage. This all means that my workflow is often rather linear, and lines up rather well with Mail's strengths. Modern collaboration can often be messier, with lots of projects bouncing off multiple collaborators at various organizations.
That, to be fair, is where Outlook begins to shine. Collaboration can be complex, and we all use different methods to prioritize tasks, such as using rules to automatically assign email to different folders or recipients. While you can use a hierarchical folder structure within Outlook to organize email, you can also color-code email to create other subdivisions. Outlook also allows you to set flags to follow up at a future time, kicking the can down the road. Mail really only allows you to flag an email or to mark it as unread, an older but still valid way of prioritizing an email.
There's no secret here: Outlook is the email client for power users. The question you need to ask yourself is: Are you an email power user? Do you need to be?
Mark Hachman / IDG
If not, you'll find Mail offers most of what you ask an email client to do. Navigating it is simple. Generally, if Mail doesn't offer what you want on the right-hand rail or the body of the email, you can find it by clicking the small Settings “gear” at the bottom of th e page. That will open up a menu through which you can find common features like setting an out-of-office notification or changing your email signature.
Otherwise, though, you can use Outlook and Mail on the same PC. They'll talk to one another, so that email sent in one client will be “sent” in the other, as well. Still, be aware that some features are the equivalent of a one-way street. While arranging email and creating folders will carry over between Outlook and Mail, you can't see an email that you've color-coded in Outlook with the same color-coding in Mail. That's just one way that Outlook is “sticky,” encouraging you towards Outlook and its Microsoft 365 subscription.
Mark Hachman / IDG
In the future, Mail and Outlook may collide
Ironically, it may not matter which email client you choose, because on Windows, both may be changing. In January, Windows Central reported on Project Monarch, Microsoft's effort to eliminate the confusion between Outlook, Mail, and Outlook for the Web. ZDNet has gone a bit further, noting that we may see Monarch debut sometime in March, with a more formal rollout by the end of the year. Essentially, the goal of Monarch, according to ZDNet, is to add to (or replace?) Mail with a new consolidated Outlook experience—one client to rule them all. It's not clear whether the Microsoft 365 version of Outlook will be replaced by this or not, however. What it boils down to, though, is this: Change is coming.
For now, however, I'm sticking with Mail, dipping my toe into Outlook when necessary. To be fair, we've been critical of Windows 11 and how it eliminates certain features, such as paring down the capabilities of the Taskbar and Start menu. But that doesn't mean that streamlining a workflow doesn't make sense. Mail is an example of how Microsoft has effectively distilled email down to its essence, and you may simply find that it works better for you than Outlook does.
Attack Surface Management Play Censys Scores $35M Investment
The jostling for space in the attack surface management space intensified this week with Michigan startup Censys banking a new $35 million funding round to fuel growth and expansion.
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