After confirming that all Windows computers are vulnerable to a FREAK attack, Microsoft released a patch on March 10 that protects machines against data interception. The announcement was made on the company’s TechNet blog.
“This security update resolves a vulnerability in Microsoft Windows that facilitates exploitation of the publicly disclosed FREAK technique, an industry-wide issue that is not specific to Windows operating systems,” the post stated.
Related: Microsoft now says Windows computers could have a ‘FREAK’ attack
The MS15-031 update, as it’s been named, is being recommended to Windows users for installation. Microsoft has fixed SSL implementations in its software to reduce the chances of a FREAK attack.
FREAK is short for Factoring attack on RSA-EXPORT Keys. When a FREAK attack occurs, hackers have the ability to intercept information that is transferred between an end-user and a website. The attacker begins by injecting malware into the connection that causes the two parties to use a weak, 512-bit encryption key. After this has happened, the weak connection allows the hacker to tap into sensitive data.
Microsoft had originally said that Windows was not vulnerable to an attack, but quickly backtracked with an announcement on its TechNet blog last week.
“Microsoft is aware of a security feature bypass vulnerability in Secure Channel that affects all supported releases of Microsoft Windows,” the company wrote. “We are actively working with partners in our Microsoft Active Protections Program to provide information that they can use to provide broader protections to customers.”
Smartphones and devices that run iOS or Android have been deemed susceptible to FREAK attacks, so Windows users aren’t the only ones with something to worry about.
The absolutely absurd idea of putting a touchscreen display on a mouse isn't exactly new. Turtle Beach already did it with its Command Series MC7, which features a 2.25-inch control screen. But apparently, even that wasn't ridiculous enough for Arctic Fox Technologies. Its new Super Mouse looks like someone took the chunky old Atari ST mouse, slapped a touchscreen and scroll wheel on it, and called it an upgrade.
The result is a rather unusual-looking mouse that is now on Kickstarter, starting at $199. And as ridiculous as it looks, some of its features are genuinely intriguing.
Apple is less than a day away from launching its highly anticipated OLED MacBook Pro with a touch-sensitive screen. But it appears that the upgrade is going to cost a pretty penny. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is reportedly eyeing a starting price of $2,899 for the 14-inch MacBook Pro, while the 16-inch version could start at $3,399 in the US.
"At $2,899, the 14-inch model would mark the highest starting price for a new MacBook Pro model, surpassing the $2,799 Apple charged for a 17-inch version introduced in 2006," says the report. The report claims that Apple is targeting a minimum price hike of $400 for its upcoming redesigned 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models.
I've spent a good amount of time digging into the spec sheet of the new M6 MacBook Pro (14-inch), and for all intents and purposes, this is a classic Apple "chip and connectivity" refresh. It's not a full redesign. The chassis, Liquid Retina XDR panel, speakers, ports, and battery, all of them carry over unchanged.
However, the M6 brings more cores, stronger on-device AI, higher memory bandwidth on the larger configs, and modern wireless. Here’s the practical rundown of what actually improved, and whether those gains are worth your money.