In 2022, LastPass suffered a string of security breaches which sparked concern among cyber professionals and those impacted by the intrusions. Some called into question the way LastPass handled and responded to the incident. In addition, the situation ignited a wider conversation about the risks linked to utilizing password managers.

A password manager helps users generate strong passwords and safeguards them within a digital locker. A master password secures all data, which enables users to conveniently access all their passwords for other accounts. Password managers even remind you to renew your passwords periodically. For years, security experts have recommended the use of password managers.

Now, in the wake of the LastPass breach, it might be worth revisiting this advice.

In late August of 2022, LastPass announced that hackers had gained entry to parts of the companys development environment through a compromised developer account. This breach gave the attacker access to parts of the LastPass source code and proprietary technical information. After this first breach, the company reassured its customers that they had contained the situation. Apparently, there was no sign that the attack had compromised customer data or the encrypted password vaults.

In September 2022, LastPass announced that it underwent a thorough investigation and forensic review of the breach with the help of incident response firm Mandiant. LastPass stated they discovered no additional indications of activity from the attacker. Also, the unauthorized access was restricted to its development system, which is physically separated from its production environment.

The situation took a turn for the worse at the end of November when LastPass CEO, Karim Toubba, disclosed that an unauthorized individual had obtained access to a third-party cloud storage device, compromising certain aspects of its customer information. Apparently, there was still no sign that customer data or passwords had been compromised. But just before Christmas, LastPass informed its users that hackers had indeed gained access to both encrypted customer information, including username, password and notes, as well as unencrypted data, such as the URLs of customers online accounts.

LastPass stated that the source code and technical information originally stolen in August were used to target another employee. This allowed the intruders to obtain credentials and keys. This gave them access and the ability to decrypt storage volumes within the companys cloud-based storage service. As a result, the intruders were able to exfiltrate customer vault data.

The breach puts LastPass customers login credentials at high risk. Only a users master password potentially protects their credentials, which LastPass does not store. But if attackers compromise the master password, they will be able to successfully decrypt login credentials for all accounts stored in the password manager.

In response to the breach, according to the December statement, LastPass has:

LastPass communicated to all its users that:

Other strong password practices, as per Microsoft, include:

Given the LastPass breaches, should companies abandon password managers? These days, nobody can say they are impervious to attack. Any company might get hacked at any time. However, some feel LastPass could have handled the incident in a more effective way.

Unfortunately, there is no 100% secure password management solution. For example, a device-based manager stores and manages passwords locally on the device. This would avoid the risk of a LastPass-like breach. But if your device is lost, corrupted or becomes inaccessible, you lose all your passwords as well. And the rapid rise of infostealer malware places any device-based password storage at risk.

Overall, experts still consider password managers to be good practice. They not only provide password security but also ease of use. With features like password change reminders, password generation tools and device syncing, password managers still have many advantages. And even passwordless solutions arent without their risks.

Cybersecurity experts generally consider cloud-based password managers to be safe and secure, as they typically use AES-256 encryption, which is very difficult to crack. Its important to choose a password manager that operates on a zero-knowledge principle, meaning the manager should not have access to your data. Also, its best to avoid accessing your password manager on public networks, as your data may be vulnerable to capture.

As no password solution is bulletproof, its important to implement other security strategies, such as multifactor authentication and least-privilege principles. Least privilege means a user that requests access to a resource receives only the minimum necessary rights. And privilege should be in effect for the shortest duration necessary. An advanced least-privilege security environment may have prevented the LastPass intruders from moving laterally. All shields up!

Freelance Technology Writer

Jonathan Reed is a freelance technology writer. For the last decade, he has written about a wide range of topics including cybersecurity, Industry 4.0, AI/ML...

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Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G, two innovative smartphones that advance Samsung Galaxys commitment to designing awesome mobile experiences. These new additions to the popular Galaxy A series will help users shoot steady and crisp videos, see clearly even in bright conditions, and do more of the things they love with a battery life that lasts more than two days.

Cutting-edge mobile experiences are increasingly essential to everyday life, said TM Roh, President and Head of the Mobile eXperience Business at Samsung Electronics. With continuous enhancements to the Galaxy A series, were ensuring that more people around the world can access our transformative innovations.

Take Awesome Day and Night Photographs, Enhanced with Creative Editing Tools

The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G deliver stunning images with clear quality even in bright conditions, making use of Samsung Galaxys leading Nightography and AI capabilities. Whether users want to capture the perfect selfie or connect through super-smooth video calls, the Galaxy A54 offers astonishing detail thanks to its 32MP front camera.

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The new smartphones produce video with amazing clarity, combatting shakiness and blur with improved optical image stabilization (OIS) and video digital image stabilization (VDIS). Even with unsteady hands or when filming on the go, users can be confident about capturing awesome content. For adventures after dark and in low light conditions, Night mode helps users to capture more detail by broadening the cameras pixel size.

Users can also now remove unwanted shadows and reflections for the first time in the Galaxy A series, thanks to the enhanced editing tools.

Experience Awesome Performance with Vivid Display and Long-Lasting Battery

Both devices feature immersive Super AMOLED displays, measuring 6.4-inch on the Galaxy A54 5G and 6.6-inch on the Galaxy A34 5G. Both displays have been upgraded for astounding outdoor visibility, even under bright sunlight. With the enhanced Vision Booster and a 120Hz refresh rate, the displays will keep up with users as they move between different lighting conditions.

Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G also guarantee up to four generations of OS upgrades and five years of security updates. These features allow users to access the latest software and security to maximize the smartphone lifecycle.

Stay Connected Without Compromising Security

Enhanced mobile experiences rely on advanced security. With Samsung Knox, data is kept under lock and key with defence-grade mobile security. The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G give users access to the Security and Privacy Dashboard, which makes it easy to see how apps are tracking data and enables simple ways to stop unwanted data collection. When users want to share important files that contain sensitive or personal information with the ultimate level of privacy and control, theres Private Share. This enables users to share files only to designated recipients within time limits and with screenshots disabled.

The Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G are also compatible with the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem to provide seamless connectivity between devices. Users can get 100GB of cloud storage and easily back up photos to OneDrive with a six-month trial of Microsoft 365 Basic, accessible on the Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G.

Availability

The Galaxy A54 5G will be available in Three color options, including Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite and Awesome White. The Galaxy A34 5G will be available in Three color options, including Awesome Lime, Awesome Graphite and Awesome Silver. Both Galaxy A54 5G and Galaxy A34 5G from March, 2023.

Flex Pay and Screen Repair

With Samsung Flex Pay, you can pay as low as N12,500 monthly to own a Samsung A34 or A54 device and Pay small-small over 3 -12 months Instalments. The screen repair is as low as N16,000

SAMSUNG GALAXY A54 5G

Display: 6.4-inch FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120Hz refresh rate, Vision booster

Dimensions & Weight: 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2mm, 202g

Camera: 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera, 50MP Main Camera, 5MP Macro Camera, 32MP Front Camera

Memory: 6GB Memory + 128GB Storage, 8GB Memory + 128GB Storage, 8GB Memory + 256GB Storage, Expandable storage by up to 1 TB with an optional microSD card

Battery: 5,000mAh (typical)

Security: Samsung Knox

RRP:

6GB Memory + 128GB Storage N288,000

8GB Memory + 128GB Storage N301,000

8GB Memory + 256GB Storage N323,000

SAMSUNG Galaxy A34 5G

Display: 6.6-inch FHD+, Super AMOLED Display, 120Hz refresh rate, Vision Booster

Dimensions & Weight: 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2mm, 199g

Camera: 8MP Ultra-Wide Camera, 48MP Main Camera, 5MP Macro Camera, 13MP Front Camera

Memory: 6GB Memory + 128GB Storage, Expandable storage by up to 1 TB with an optional microSD card

Battery: 5,000mAh (typical)

Security: Samsung Knox

RRP: 6GB Memory + 128GB Storage N236,000

Samsung proudly supports Busans bid for the World Expo 2030.

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at https://news.samsung.com/za/

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This research report provides an overview and forecast of theHybrid Cloud Storage Software Marketfor the years2023 to 2030,includingproduct specifications,technological developments, and key manufacturers. The research explores market obstacles like marketdemand, market share for the industry, CAGR, current market trends, and competitive vendor strategies.The research identifies and manages the severalHybrid Cloud Storage Software marketgrowth factors needed for a successful operation. Thisreport is comprehensively and in-depth examined in the report, focusing on thecompetitive landscape, regional growth, market segmentation, and dynamics.

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This report includesanalyzing yearly business and financial reportsfrom major industry players and conductingin-depth interviews with CEOs, directors, vice presidents, and marketing executives.Secondary sources were used to gather geographic market estimates, which were then cross-checked with primary source variables such askey players, sales partners, and distribution networksthat have an impact on them. This investigation also looks into the scope of each areas research efforts.

Theleading playersanalyzed in the report include:

IBM 45 Drives NetApp Microsoft Azure Qumulo Quantum Vmware DataCore Red Hat StorPool CloudFuze Infinidat

The Hybrid Cloud Storage Software market is primarily split intoProduct Type

Cloud Based Web Based

End-users/Application, this report covers the following segments

Large Enterprises SMEs

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Each part of the study has been carefully designed to examine key aspects of theHybrid Cloud Storage Software market. For instance, the market dynamics examine the globalindustry forits marketdrivers, barriers, opportunities, risks, industry news, and trends.We provide you with an in-depth analysis of the worldwidemarket using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Additionally, we concentrated onPorters Five Forces, SWOT, and PESTLE analysesof the worldwideHybrid Cloud Storage Software Industry to get more refined details. The report provides a detailed assessment ofthecompetitive landscape, challenges, market potential,future demands, andmovementinfluencing them to understand the outlook for the global level.

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The market provides a detailed analysis of several factors such as therevenue models,market assessment, and industry profit estimates.that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, contributing to the markets growth. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies to introduce new products, announce partnerships, and collaborate to contribute to regional market growth.

North America (United States, Canada, and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and the Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and the Rest of South America) Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and the Rest of the Middle East & Africa)

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What is the growth potential of the Hybrid Cloud Storage Software industry? Who are the leading companies in the Hybrid Cloud Storage Software market? Which product segment will take the lions share? Which regional market will emerge as a pioneer in the years to come? Which application segment will experience strong growth? What growth opportunities might arise in the Hybrid Cloud Storage Software industry in the years to come? What are the most significant challenges that the Hybrid Cloud Storage Software market could face in the future? What are the main trends that are positively impacting the growth of the market? What growth strategies are the players considering to stay in the market?

Table of Content

Chapter 1: GlobalHybrid Cloud Storage Software Industry OverviewChapter 2: COVID-19 Impact onHybrid Cloud Storage Software IndustryChapter 3: Market DynamicsChapter 4: Top Company ProfilesChapter 5: GlobalHybrid Cloud Storage Software Market Competition, by PlayersChapter 6: Global Market Size by RegionsChapter 7: Global Market Segment by ApplicationChapter 8: GlobalHybrid Cloud Storage Software Industry Segment by TypeChapter 9: Market Chain, Sourcing Strategy, and Downstream BuyersChapter 10: Strategies and key policies by Distributors/Suppliers/TradersChapter 11: Key Marketing Strategy Analysis, by Market VendorsChapter 12: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 13: GlobalHybrid Cloud Storage Software Market Size Forecast (2023-2030)

Finally, the research discusses the basic challenges that will impact market expansion. They also provide major stakeholders with complete knowledge about the business potential, enabling them to grow their operations and increase revenues in the chosen industries. The study will assist companies that are now operating in this market or those that intend to do so to better understand it before making investments or expanding theirHybrid Cloud Storage Software operations.

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Solopreneurs may be the pluckiest type of entrepreneur there is. They decide to bring their business idea to life on their own without the assistance of a team. Solopreneurs can start their companies as side hustles to develop additional career interests. Or they may go all in, hoping to reap the rewards of flexibility and autonomy.

While complete control can be a huge benefit of solopreneurship, its not a walk in the park. Since owners tackle everything alone, finding ways to streamline all the to-dos becomes paramount. Without essential software tools, tasks may pile up because theyre too challenging or time-consuming to complete alone. Below well dive into four tools solopreneurs can use to make their jobs easier.

Every business sells something. It could be intangible, such as bookkeeping services. Perhaps its something more physical, like a commissioned work of art. Or its a mixture where someone receives a finished product, but services like web development are a part of it.

In each case, a solopreneur has something to offer clients. But managing these relationships usually involves legal agreements, including contracts. Without them, its hard to hold either party accountable. Contracts spell out expectations for performance and payment, giving each side some protection and recourse.

The problem is that not many solopreneurs have a background in contract law. In addition, organizing all the paperwork associated with binding agreements can get messy. Most will find it easier to use a contract management platform to handle this side of the business. With the right app, the processes behind creating and signing contracts become more efficient. Owners can automate repetitive tasks, secure e-signatures, and gain cloud storage space.

Solopreneurship doesnt eliminate the need for invoice management. Whether a business is a large enterprise or a one-person endeavor, it depends on the exchange of money. Funds flow out to vendors and other companies for supplies. More importantly, revenues come in from those purchasing what the business sells.

Money can exchange hands at the point of sale, but many solopreneurs offer services. With this type of business model, revenue usually comes in after the fact. A graphic designer may perform recurring work for six different clients. However, the designer wont receive payment until each client approves the agreed-upon deliverables. This setup requires invoicing, which can become tedious for any business owner.

Its even more cumbersome for solopreneurs, who must juggle projects and chase down payments at the same time. A report from the Independent Economy Council found getting paid is one of the top challenges for freelancers. An astonishing 74% of gig workers say theyre not receiving on-time payments. Unbelievably, 59% say theyre still waiting for $50,000 or more.

Yet 38% are still creating invoices from scratch using word processing tools, and such invoices must be tracked manually as well. Invoicing software saves solopreneurs from having to do this. They can reuse templates, track when invoices go out, and determine which payments are late. Invoicing apps streamline the process of following up with late or missed payments and signal the need for tough client conversations. Also, these software tools automatically make deposits into bank accounts and simplify income tax preparation.

Making to-do lists takes time away from doing the work. Even so, its a necessary step in the planning process. Solopreneurs who devote their attention to every aspect of running a business will find it difficult to succeed without organization. Spreadsheets and word processing programs might seem like a convenient solution. But these software tools are often too simplistic to meet the needs of a busy owner handling it all.

Project management solutions are great for larger companies because they keep teams in collaboration mode. A business with one person may find project management apps too complex. After all, theyre the only ones tracking tasks, creating timelines, and delivering outcomes. Solutions that organize to-do lists are usually a better fit.

These apps let solopreneurs initiate tasks, categorize outstanding items, and establish priorities. They can see whats on their plate each day before it begins. If a deadline needs reprioritizing, its not too difficult to rearrange. A business owner can immediately see how a shift in priorities will impact the rest of their scheduled responsibilities. Furthermore, task organizers will send reminders of critical deadlines so nothing gets missed.

Statistical research shows 33% of marketers spend between one and five hours weekly on social media. While this represents the majority, about 23% dedicate six to 10 hours weekly to social media marketing. This time may seem like a drop in the bucket for larger companies, but it can be more significant to solopreneurs.

Sole business operators arent relying on the talents of a social media manager to post for them. Marketing, including social media posts, is something they must plan as part of their day. Simultaneously, social media may become like a rabbit hole they cant escape. A solopreneurs productivity can take a nosedive if they get too caught up in posting content.

Fortunately, there are apps that can automate posts for owners who want to avoid distraction. Solopreneurs can still engage with their customer base while getting back a portion of their time. Social media software tools let them automatically schedule posts for each week. If business owners have a long-range content calendar, these platforms can execute it. Sudden changes arent a problem, as its possible to cancel or modify automated posts.

Operating a business is daunting enough for owners who have teams to rely on. Those who do it by themselves are, without a doubt, a different breed. Theyre not afraid to face challenges, knowing they can learn to handle whatever comes their way. But it doesnt mean solopreneurs cant gain advantages from adding specific software to their toolkits. Apps that make everyday processes less of a chore can also make running a solo venture less overwhelming.

Featured Image Credit: by Judit Peter; Pexels; Thanks!

Brad is the editor overseeing contributed content at ReadWrite.com. He previously worked as an editor at PayPal and Crunchbase. You can reach him at brad at readwrite.com.

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4 Software Tools Solopreneurs Need in 2023 - ReadWrite

Apple

Smart speaker can sound great depending on the room but is only for those all-in on Apple devices

Mon 20 Mar 2023 03.00 EDT

Apples big, high-quality smart speaker is back for a surprise second generation. But five years since the first model was launched, a lot has changed in the world of voice-controlled home hi-fi. Can the HomePod still cut it?

The speaker costs 299 ($299/A$479), 20 less than the 2018 launch price of its predecessor but more than three times the price of Apples other Siri speaker, the 99 HomePod mini.

The new HomePod has the same design as the old version: a marshmallow-like shape with a light-up disc at the top, fabric-covered body and a small silicone foot. The detachable power cable slots in the back but otherwise there are no ports or recesses.

As with other HomePods, this speaker is for Apple users only. Those without an iPhone running iOS 16 or an iPad running iPadOS 16 cannot set it up, while Android and PC users cannot connect to it at all.

It is designed for Apple Music, though it can play tracks bought from Apple or streamed from the iTunes Match cloud storage service, podcasts, TuneIn and some radio stations from Global in the UK. In the US and Australia it can play iHeartRadio and Audacy, too.

Other services, including Spotify and BBC Sounds, can be manually sent to the speaker via AirPlay 2 over wifi using their respective apps on your iPhone or iPad, but not played natively through voice requests of Siri such as Apple Music. The HomePod does not support streaming to it via Bluetooth nor does it have any analogue line-in.

Apples voice assistant works well for song requests from Apple Music and controlling playback. Its ability to hear you with Hey Siri at a normal speaking volume even when it is blasting music out at 100% volume is thoroughly impressive.

Siri has more limited access to general information than competitors, but performs most tasks, such as timers, calculations and conversions easily. It has access to your personal information, such as calendar, when it recognises your particular voice and your iPhone is on the same wifi network as the speaker.

Dimensions: 142 x 168mm

Weight: 2.3kg

Connectivity: wifi 4 (n), Bluetooth 5.0, Thread, UWB, 4x mics

Controls: top capacitive touch buttons

Speakers: 4in woofer, five-tweeter array

How good the HomePod sounds is more dependent on your room shape and your listening position than any other speaker I have tested. When placed in a large open-plan area, such as on a kitchen island, it sounds great.

It has plenty of well-controlled bass, detailed highs and good mids, with excellent separation of tones. It sounds great with normal and spatial audio tracks, though it can sound a little clean and clinical.

Two HomePods can be paired up for even wider sound. Spatial audio tracks can sound fantastic if the recording has been well produced, though most songs sound better in stereo.

But when used in a four-metre square living room, with the speaker on one side of the room next to the TV and the sofa directly facing it against the wall, everything changes. Sat on the sofa, all you hear is loud, booming and uncontrolled bass that totally dominates the sound. Stand up or sit on the floor in the middle of the room and the sound returns to normal.

The problem is accentuated when used as a pair for stereo and spatial audio from Apple Music, tracks from Spotify and movie soundtracks played from an Apple TV. Moving the speakers left, right or further away from the wall makes no appreciable difference. I found the same problem in two other rooms of different dimensions but similar layouts.

The bass reduction toggle in the Home app does turn it down to less overwhelming levels but also reduces some of the fullness of the rest of the audio in the process. The proper solution is to move the sofa further into the room, but that just isnt practical.

The HomePod contains multiple recycled materials including gold, plastic, rare earth elements and tin. It is generally repairable with an out-of-warranty service costing 239 and has an easier to access design than its predecessor. It draws less than 0.5W when idle, up to 9W at 50% volume and a maximum of 36W at 100% volume.

Apple offers trade-in and free recycling schemes, including for non-Apple products.

The second-generation Apple HomePod costs 299 ($299/A$479).

For comparison, the HomePod mini costs 99, the Amazon Echo costs 110, the Google Nest Audio costs 90, the Sonos One costs 199 and the Era 100 costs 249.

The second-generation HomePod is one of the most inconsistent speakers Ive tested. In large open-plan spaces it sounds great. But sit in the wrong place, such as directly facing a sofa that is positioned against a wall in a medium-sized living room, and the HomePod can sound entirely dominated by baggy, booming bass, which is extremely disappointing for a 299 speaker.

You cannot natively play music to it from Android or Windows, so only all-Apple households should even consider it and it needs an Apple Music subscription to get the best out of it. But if that is you, and you have the right room geometry, the HomePod is packed with neat features and works great with an Apple TV. Siri can hear you extremely well and perform most of the basic duties anyone is likely to actually want from a smart speaker.

For most people, though, there are better options from rivals such as Sonos, Bose and Amazon at similar or cheaper prices.

Pros: spatial and lossless audio, recycled material, improved Siri, AirPlay 2, can be made a stereo pair and used for Apple TV sound, good sound in big open spaces.

Cons: sound quality highly dependent on room geometry, no native Spotify or BBC radio, needs Apple Music subscription to get best out of it, no Bluetooth streaming or line-in, expensive, not cross-platform.

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