Computing

Microsoft is updating its widely used cloud computing technology to make it easier for millions of us to dump our passwords. The tech giant is making passwordless login a standard feature for Azure Active Directory , a cloud-based service customers can use to handle their employees' login chores, the company said at its Ignite conference on Tuesday. The three-day conference, held online this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, is geared for IT and other tech staff who use Microsoft's products. Editors' top picks Subscribe to CNET Now for the day's most interesting reviews, news stories and videos. In another update, Microsoft is smoothing out a potential difficulty of going passwordless with a new technology called Temporary Access Pass , which makes it easier for users to enroll in new services without generating a password. It's a one-time, short-term login code IT managers can send users for their initial login. It's also useful for recovering account access … [Read more...] about Microsoft promises to ease the pains of going passwordless

If you know where to look, there’s a wide variety of Dell laptop deals to be found on the internet, with retailers ranging from Amazon to Walmart to Dell itself offering low prices. Dell laptop deals Find the best Dell laptop deal for you: Cheap laptop deals at a glance 2. Dell XPS 3. Dell Inspiron 3000-Series 4. Dell Inspiron 5000-Series 5. Dell Inspiron 7000-Series However, the difficulty here lies not in finding the best Dell laptop deals, but in finding the right one for you - there are plenty of different models, ranges, series' and configurations to choose from. With so many options, it can be hard to pin down all the best Dell laptop deals in all of these categories and product lines. Head to 3000 or 5000 Series Inspiron laptops for a cheaper everyday experience, or take a look at the 7000 Series or XPS Dell laptop deals if you're looking to splash some cash on a high-end machine. To make all that easier, we’ve taken care of the leg work for … [Read more...] about The best cheap Dell laptop deals and prices for March 2021

Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 has been rumored to be underway since July 2020 , and the latest from the grapevine suggests that it will be a 5G device. The purported sequel to Microsoft’s dual-screen phone – codenamed ‘Zeta’ apparently – will benefit from an improved camera, and will also support 5G connectivity as mentioned, going by a report from Windows Latest . Check out our review of the Microsoft Surface Duo Surface Neo: release date, news and features These are the best 2-in-1 laptops The tech site spotted these details in some Microsoft job listings. One job ad for a software/firmware engineer in Taiwan, which went live back in September 2020 (and is now closed), describes job responsibilities including “designing and coding RF drivers, RF board … including LTE and 5G technologies … mobile operator certifications and PTCRB/GCF certifications on Surface Duo devices.” That certainly seems to indicate that 5G support is something which is planned for the … [Read more...] about Surface Duo 2 could see Microsoft making big upgrades to its dual-screen smartphone

Retailers are stocking the shelves in preparation for Halloween, and the first signs of spooky websites are following right behind them. The science enthusiasts at Life Technologies have created an interactive thriller video called The Foundation that puts you in the director's chair. The video links to a Facebook application, then lets users cast five Facebook friends to play the roles of missing scientists, who vanished under mysterious circumstances. SEE ALSO: World’s Fastest-Growing Facebook App Will Scare the Crap Out of You We don't want to give any spoilers away, but there is a fun plot twist at the end too. According to Life Technologies' leader for video and interactive, Andrew Green, the campaign is part of the growing trend for dynamic, personalized viral video content. What used to require expensive equipment and an entire team of filmmakers, developers, designers and marketers is now becoming more affordable. The video —which claims to compete … [Read more...] about Creepy Thriller Features Your Facebook Friends

The NSA is not the only government agency asking tech companies for help in cracking technology to access user data. Sources say the FBI has a history of requesting digital backdoors, which are generally understood as a hidden vulnerability in a program that would, in theory, let the agency peek into suspects' computers and communications. In 2005, when Microsoft was about to launch BitLocker , its Windows software to encrypt and lock hard drives, the company approached the NSA, its British counterpart the GCHQ and the FBI, among other government and law-enforcement agencies. Microsoft's goal was twofold: get feedback from the agencies, and sell BitLocker to them. See also: Is It the Dawn of the Encryption App? But the FBI, concerned about its ability to fight crime — specifically, child pornography — apparently repeatedly asked Microsoft to put a backdoor in the software. A backdoor — or trapdoor — is a secret vulnerability that can be exploited to break or … [Read more...] about Did the FBI Lean On Microsoft for Access to Its Encryption Software?