In a submission [PDF] to the Senate Select Committee on Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre as part of its inquiry into the sector in Australia, Austrac said social media and other platforms, both mainstream and alternative, offer payment options that continue to be exploited by violent extremist actors as a means of financing. “For example, violent extremists are able to exploit YouTube’s ‘Super Chat’ feature, which gives users the ability to receive funds under the pretext of supporters paying to ask questions,” it wrote....

The only payment application that can access the near-field communication (NFC) interface on an iPhone is Apple Pay, whereas all the other interfaces on an iPhone like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and the camera, are open to any application. Apple has cited security as one of the reasons for holding back the tech. “Host Card Emulation (HCE) is a less secure implementation, which was adopted by Android … Apple did not implement HCE because doing so would lead to less security on Apple devices,” Apple said in response [PDF] to questions taken on notice from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services....

Under the new plan [PDF], people who use ransomware to conduct cyber extortion will be slapped with new stand-alone aggravated criminal charges. A new criminal offence has also been created for people that target critical infrastructure with ransomware. The acts of dealing with stolen data knowingly obtained in the course of committing a separate criminal offence as well as buying or selling malware for the purposes of undertaking computer crimes are also both now criminalised....

In a statement published today, the company said it believed the attack’s purpose was to insert malware into the CCleaner software, similar to the infamous CCleaner 2017 incident. Avast said the breach occurred because the attacker compromised an employee’s VPN credentials, gaining access to an account that was not protected using a multi-factor authentication solution. The intrusion was detected on September 23, but Avast said it found evidence of the attacker targeting its infrastructure going as far back as May 14, this year....

In a statement, the Defense Ministry said it discovered an attack on its computer network with internet access on Thursday. They did not say if it was a ransomware attack but explained that “quarantine measures” were quickly put in place to “contain the infected elements.” “Priority was given to the operability of the network. Monitoring will continue. Throughout the weekend, our teams were mobilized to contain the problem, continue our operations and alert our partners,” the Defense Ministry said....

This expansion has aided Google in its massive and effective data mining activities, through which it collects, sells, and exploits the information of its users. If you browse the web through Google, you will probably notice targeted ads for websites that you have previously visited. In order to accurately provide the relevant ads, Google needs to track your activity on the internet, including each site you visit. Even if you minimize your use of Google services such as Gmail and Maps, if you are browsing through Chrome, Google Ads and Google Analytics will be running in the background to track everything you get up to online....

The electronics retailer delivered third-quarter revenue of $11.91 billion with earnings per share of $2 a share and $2.08 a share non-GAAP. Same-store sales for the quarter were up 2% in the US and 1.6% overall. Those gains were on top of US same-store sales gains of 22.6% in the same quarter a year ago. Wall Street was looking for third-quarter non-GAAP earnings of $1.91 a share on revenue of $11....

But people are increasingly aware of privacy risks associated with using Google services. These risks stem from Google’s business model, which is based on data collection and sharing to create targeted ads. Moving away from Google isn’t easy, but knowing the best Google alternatives makes the process easier. In this article, we provide alternatives to Google’s most popular services, like: Read the article below to learn more about why you should look for Google alternatives and which alternatives to choose!...

A powerful knife sharpener can cut down prep time and enhance your safety, as dull knives can quickly prove dangerous. However, finding the best knife sharpener is easier said than done. Today, there are countless models available from many manufacturers, and it can be challenging to discern which is the best fit for your household. Also: The best chef’s knives on the market You’ll want a reliable and durable knife sharpener, especially if you’ve invested in a great chef’s knife....

Start your research into online colleges in Washington with our rankings below, and find your best distance learning option. Top 3 online schools in Washington: Quick facts The 5 best online colleges in Washington ZDNet’s ranking methodology uses datasets from federal sources and information that is fact-checked. Our data is reviewed by experts to ensure its objectivity, accuracy, and timeliness. Our ranking criteria include academic quality, institutional reputation, and the number of online bachelor’s and master’s degrees....

With more platforms than ever on which to market and advertise products, marketing pros are in demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 150,000 new media and communications positions by 2030 — a 14% growth rate. Marketing involves appealing to people to sell products, services, and ideas. As a marketer, you’ll use research and data methods and strategies to communicate and engage with target audiences. With an accredited degree in marketing, you’ll master skills for the expanding and exciting marketing field....

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the addition of more than 660,000 new computer occupations between 2020 and 2030. An advanced computer science degree can lead to some of the most in-demand positions among them. Master’s graduates are equipped to work in cybersecurity, big data, cloud computing, and software and application development — some of the fastest-growing and most integral IT fields. Here, we rank the best computer science master’s programs in the country....

Also, having an effective work from home setup also means that, when travel reopens and you need to work on the move, you can set up an effective workspace wherever in the world you happen to be. I’ve been working from home – and on the road – for most of my working life, and I’ve learned to make tech work for me. At the end of 2019, I spent six weeks going from country to country and Airbnb to Airbnb by planes, trains, and automobiles, and during that time, not only did I manage to stay working, I honed down my kit to the essentials that gave me the best bang for the buck....

However, a number of financial institutions have taken notice, and they have begun creating credit cards specifically designed for the growing small business. These cards offer not only the typical cashback and travel rewards seen with traditional credit cards, but many have also begun to incorporate shipping benefits to help with your rising shipping expenditures. Using the latest rates and information for today’s best small business credit cards, these are the best small business credit cards for big shipping budgets....

Based on our research and testing CyberGhost is the best VPN for Nigeria, thanks to its huge server network, dedicated streaming features, and user-friendly setup. However, government censorship is only half of the problem. Some websites and apps have blocked Nigerian IP addresses, meaning that you’ll need a foreign IP address if you want to access them – and that’s just what a VPN service does. Short for a virtual private network, a VPN spoofs your location and encrypts your internet traffic, allowing you to use the internet anonymously and securely....

Hackers aren’t the only safety threat to your data. Your ISP can monitor all the data that you send or receive over the internet. If you don’t exercise caution, your information can be stolen. This information can include your personal details, medical history, bank and credit card information, and your photos and videos. Why you need a VPN for online security Why you should use a VPN A VPN creates a safe tunnel for your data to pass through....

The FTC described the payment as a “partial refund” to users who signed up and paid for BetterHelp’s services between August 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. BetterHelp provides online medical health services. The platform benefited greatly from an aggressive influencer marketing program on social media, particularly YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. A 2022 Mozilla report found the BetterHelp app had some of the weakest privacy safeguards in the mental health/prayer category....

There are many cloud service providers out there, but even more corporate data centers. Do all these data centers – with countless amounts of underused compute power – represent an untapped reservoir of cloud compute power that could flatten out the cloud ecosystem? Thar’s the word from Kit Colbert, chief technology officer for VMware, who sees a future that is far more decentralized than currently. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Colbert at VMware’s recent Explore conference in San Francisco last week, where he described the factors that are opening up enterprise computing....

There are two one-hour courses for a quick start if you aren’t already familiar with Powershell. First, “Anybody Can Script | A PowerShell Learning Series” introduces scripting, automation, and other basics. Then, eight lectures in “Essential Tools for Windows System Administrators” teach you open-source tools, as well as the ones already built into Windows that will make you more efficient as a system administrator. “GUI Automation using Python” teaches you how to use Python to automate any GUI more efficiently....

If you’re a GM enthusiast who is always trading up, this card probably sounds like a good deal. Like anything else, however, the devil may be in the details. Keep reading to learn how the My GM Rewards Card works – and why a different rewards card might work better. [This article was first published on The Simple Dollar in 2020. It was updated in March 2022.] Cardholders will earn 4x points per dollar for all other purchases....