Netflix wishes they didn't give Aussie ISP quote-free deals

Chris Smith | Internet & Websites | Apr 15, 2015 7:33 PM CDT

If you're on a contract with Optus or iiNet there's a possibility that you've been enjoying watching quota-free Netflix content in recent times, thanks to the online streaming giant signing deals with these ISP's in order to secure unlimited viewership for their customers down under.

In a recent statement, Netflix reflected on these past signing and have commented that "we should have avoided that and will avoid it going forward."

According to an interview with Gizmodo, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings is a strong believer in data cap abolishment worldwide. Claiming "there's no reason for data caps. We want to make the internet unmetered. Period. The capped model is antiquated: we want to make it about speed."

Continue reading: Netflix wishes they didn't give Aussie ISP quote-free deals (full post)

Symantec: Hackers had a great year in 2014, looking to improve in 2015

Michael Hatamoto | Hacking, Security & Privacy | Apr 15, 2015 12:39 PM CDT

Cybercriminals had an extremely successful year in 2014, and are constantly looking for new ways to compromise businesses and users. Last year saw "far-reaching vulnerabilities, faster attacks, files held for ransom and far more malicious code than in previous years," according to the Symantec 2015 Internet Security Threat Report - and information security is becoming more important for companies.

There were 317 million new pieces of malware written in 2014, while ransomware attacks aimed at breaching user files increased 113 percent. Data breaches remained a major problem, with millions of US consumers compromised, as the total number of incidents increased 23 percent.

"The criminals are getting better," said Kevin Haley, director of security response at Symantec, in a statement published on NBC News. "Success breeds success and other criminals want to get into the game, so we need to step up our game in terms of protecting our information and keeping it safe."

Continue reading: Symantec: Hackers had a great year in 2014, looking to improve in 2015 (full post)

Aircraft could be vulnerable to cybercriminals, GAO report says

Michael Hatamoto | Hacking, Security & Privacy | Apr 15, 2015 12:28 PM CDT

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is showing increased concern that hundreds of commercial aircraft are vulnerable to possible cyberattack from remote operators. If done successfully, hackers would be able to possibly install malware on flight control computers, take over control of the aircraft, compromise navigation systems and warning systems.

Air traffic control also is increasing to support Internet-based solutions, giving criminals another pipeline to tamper with flights. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and several senators wish to read over the full GAO report - and expect the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make necessary security protocols mandatory.

"Modern communications technologies, including IP connectivity, are increasingly used in aircraft systems, creating the possibility that unauthorized individuals might access and compromise aircraft avionics systems," the GAO report says. That level of IP connectivity, however, is what could create a link between aircraft and cybercriminals - posing a threat to the aircraft, its crew and passengers.

Continue reading: Aircraft could be vulnerable to cybercriminals, GAO report says (full post)

Dell unveils the Linux-powered version of its XPS 13 laptop

Anthony Garreffa | Laptops | Apr 15, 2015 3:07 AM CDT

Dell has announced the Ubuntu-powered version of its impressive XPS 13 laptop, giving consumers the option of grabbing the Windows, or Linux-based version of its 13-inch laptop at the time of purchase.

The company took to a blog post to announce that since the launch of its XPS 13 back in January, it had the idea of launching a developer-friendly version of its laptop, but it wanted to make sure that it could offer the best possibly product to anyone who purchased one. Dell said: "There were issues with the touchpad and a repeating keystroke that took longer to address than we, and others, would have liked".

Continue reading: Dell unveils the Linux-powered version of its XPS 13 laptop (full post)

Google's ambitious wireless service reportedly called 'Project Fi'

Anthony Garreffa | Connectivity & Cloud | Apr 15, 2015 1:41 AM CDT

Google wants to offer a wireless service to people in the United States, but it looks like their plans of unveiling this as a semi surprise have been popped.

A recent look at the firmware image for the Nexus 6 has teased that there will soon be a service that offers consumers the option of paying for only what they use, with the future service provided with a logo, and a temporary name: Project Fi. Android Police noticed an app called "Tycho" that housed numerous clues to Project Fi, with the app looking to provide the option of activating the service, but giving consumers additional options, too.

These options include putting the account on hole, resuming it, or closing it down completely, without needing the consumer to call a customer care number. Project Fi users can also port their own number to the service, or they can use their number from a separate Google Voice system, too.

Continue reading: Google's ambitious wireless service reportedly called 'Project Fi' (full post)

Samsung can't keep up with the crazy demand for its Galaxy S6 edge

Anthony Garreffa | Mobile Devices | Apr 14, 2015 10:31 PM CDT

Samsung released its Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones last week, but the S6 edge is selling many more units than the South Korean giant had initially expected, according to reports out of Korea.

Before the launch, the Galaxy S6 edge was poised for around 20-30% of the sales of the Galaxy S6, but the numbers are closer to 50% of the Galaxy S6, worldwide. Korean publication Yonhap News reports that the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge sales "have been much higher than expected", with the new smartphones due to real an all-time high when compared to the launch of any of the other Galaxy S smartphones.

We've reviewed the Galaxy S6 edge and fell in love with it, so it comes as no surprise to us that the S6 edge is doing so well.

Continue reading: Samsung can't keep up with the crazy demand for its Galaxy S6 edge (full post)

Project Cars: 1080p on PS4, 900p on Xbox One and up to 12K on PC

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Apr 14, 2015 9:31 PM CDT

Slightly Mad Studios is finally close to releasing Project Cars, which is one of the best looking games this year, and some would even say it's one of the best looking games this year.

We have found out the resolution that it will be rendered at on the current gerneation consoles, with the PS4 pushing it out at 1080p 60FPS, and the Xbox One at 900p 60FPS. The PC, can go magnitudes higher, all the way up to 12K and whatever framerate your PC can spit out at that resolution.

On the PC, you're going to need an Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 or AMD Phenom II X4 940 at a minimum, with 4GB of RAM and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 or ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB of VRAM. The studio recommends Project Cars players to have a Core i7 3770 processor, or an AMD FX-8350. The recommended requirements also bump up the RAM requirement to 8GB, and the VGA card to a GeForce GTX 600 series, or Radeon HD 7000 series card with at least 2GB of VRAM.

Continue reading: Project Cars: 1080p on PS4, 900p on Xbox One and up to 12K on PC (full post)

Forza Motorsport 6 will reportedly feature a DX12 capable engine

Anthony Garreffa | Gaming | Apr 14, 2015 9:31 PM CDT

It looks like we should begin to get excited for Forza Motorsport 6, which according to the latest rumors, will feature support for DirectX 12. The news is coming from a new trademark application for the game, something GameSpot picked up.

Microsoft has told GameSpot that it has "filed a trademark application for ForzaTech, which is Turn 10 Studios' proprietary graphics and simulation engine for Forza". The company will be showing the game off in greater detail at E3 2015 in June, but Microsoft is going to have multiple new titles to show off at E3 2015, which is only going to help the Xbox One. These titles include Gears of War 4, and a few new titles from Rare.

Back to Forza Motorsport 6 and its new visual capabilities, Turn 10 Studios used a new game engine for Forza Motorsport 5 when they released it two years ago now, which was enhanced for Forza Horizon 2. But with increased competition in the graphics department from driving games like Driveclub and Project Cars, Microsoft needs all the help it can get for its Xbox One title.

Continue reading: Forza Motorsport 6 will reportedly feature a DX12 capable engine (full post)

Batman v Superman trailer to drop on April 20, new footage this week

Anthony Garreffa | TV, Movies & Home Theatre | Apr 14, 2015 8:33 PM CDT

With Avengers: Age of Ultron out next week here in Australia and on May 1 in the US, what better time for Warner Bros. to spin up the marketing campaign for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, than now?

We're being told that we're going to see the sure-to-be epic trailer to Batman v Superman on April 20, as it'll be attached to Mad Max: Fury Road, but we're to expect some new footage, as soon as this week. Zack Snyder, the Director on Batman v Superman, will reportedly release a few seconds of the trailer on Thursday, an hour before the new Star Wars trailer arrives during the Star Wars Celebration event.

Snyder will release the footage at 9am PST through Twitter, so be sure to follow his Twitter account.

Continue reading: Batman v Superman trailer to drop on April 20, new footage this week (full post)

Kaspersky Lab helps provide CoinVault ransomware victims more options

Michael Hatamoto | Hacking, Security & Privacy | Apr 14, 2015 5:15 PM CDT

Victims of the CoinVault ransomware have another option when trying to retrieve information - and not paying a ransom to hackers. Cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab has partnered with the National High Tech Crime Unit (NHTCU) of the Netherlands' police, providing decryption keys and a decryption application online.

Using information collected from a CoinVault command & control server, Kaspersky Lab, NHTCU and the Netherlands' National Prosecutors Office hope victims will be able to retrieve files without paying a ransom.

"If you get infected with the CoinVault ransomware, please check noransom.kaspersky.com," urged Jornt van der Wiel, security researcher for the global research and analysis team at Kaspersky Lab. "We have uploaded a huge number of keys onto the site. If we do not currently have records for a particular Bitcoin wallet, you can check again in the near future, because together with the National High Tech Crime Unit of the Netherlands' police we are continuously updating the information."

Continue reading: Kaspersky Lab helps provide CoinVault ransomware victims more options (full post)

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