BT increases targets for FTTP rollout

BT has announced that an increase to targets for the rollout of fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) broadband. The increase means four million more homes should be offered FTTP or so-called ‘Full-Fibre’ internet access by March 2021, rising to 15 million by the mid-2020s. The announcement came after the new CEO, Philip Jansen took up his position after the three-month hiatus that followed…

B0r0nt0K Ransomware Threatens Linux Servers – Users Beware

A new ransomware cryptovirus called "B0r0nt0K" has been putting Linux and possibly Windows Web servers at risk of encrypting all of the infected domain's files. The new ransomware threat and the ransom of 20 bitcoins (about US$75,000) first came to light last week, based on a post on Bleeping Computer's user forum. A client's website had all its files encrypted…

How IT Can Defend Against Ransomware

Paying your way out of a ransomware attack can be a viable option, but this route is not only expensive, it's dangerous. A better strategy is to build a successful defence and response plan. Here's how. We all know ransomware is one of the most destructive malware variants out there. You're talking about clicking on the wrong link and having…

New Microsoft tools integrate LinkedIn data directly into Dynamics 365

Microsoft announced some significant integrations between LinkedIn, the professional social network it bought last year for over $26 billion and Microsoft Dynamics 365, the company’s CRM and ERP suite. It was clear that when Microsoft paid that much money for LinkedIn, it had plans to use that data in other Microsoft products. Those ideas began to emerge last summer with…

Microsoft acquires software simplifying future Office 365 collaboration

With the acquisition of innovator Intentional Software, Microsoft looks to improve Office 365 and grant users more collaborative flexibility. Under CEO Satya Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft continues to focus on the enterprise productivity market with its flagship service, Office 365. By emphasizing the need for a modern workforce to collaborate across geographies, departments, disciplines, and even organizations, Microsoft has given Office…

Microsoft’s new version of Windows 10 doesn’t let you make Google your default search engine

Microsoft’s lightweight version of Windows 10 is a bit more locked down than first anticipated. In an FAQ page for Windows 10 S, as the just-announced variant is called, Microsoft notes that its Edge web browser will be the default in the new operating system. That much was known already, as the main thing that makes Windows 10 S “lightweight”…

Microsoft Office 365: The smart person’s guide

Office 365 provides the productivity tools required by a modern enterprise workforce. This guide covers key details, including available applications, system requirements, and subscription options. For just about any enterprise of any size, the productivity of its modern workforce revolves around the basic office suite of email, calendar, word processor, and spreadsheet. But as the enterprise workforce has become more…

Making a voice-controlled robot is now as easy as Pi

Support for voice commands with the Raspberry Pi is here. The Windows 10 Creators Update brought forth an IoT Core with Cortana support to the Pi 3, and now the diminutive computer boards have been hooked up with Google Assistant. This is thanks to a partnership between Google and the makers of the Raspberry Pi, who put their heads together…

What is the internet of things?

Google searches have been filled with questions about the internet of things. What is it and why does it matter? Is it safe? Is it even real? Here are some answers A decade from now, everything could be connected to the internet of things. Photograph: Peter Menzel/The Human Face of Big Data Among its many other cultural and economic assets,…

Warning! when someone emails you a Google Doc link it could be malware!

A nasty piece of malware is going around that pretends to be a Google Doc link, maybe from someone you know. To protect yourself, don’t click on Google Doc links you weren’t expecting to receive. Often, these links are sent by people you know. Here’s an example I received this afternoon. Several of my colleagues have received identical emails. Apparently, if…