Apple, Google, Microsoft and World Wide Web consortium back passwordless sign-in initiative

The three largest computing, mobile, and browser companies are teaming up to back a passwordless sing-in initiative that could remove one of the biggest pain points and security threats today. Weak passwords are responsible for 80% of breaches and hacks, so Apple, Google, Microsoft are leading the charge in a password-free sign-in.

The FIDO alliance will enable users to sign into websites and apps using their smartphones for authentication, removing the need for any password or PIN code. This ostensibly eradicates the need to have multiple complex passwords for varying websites, or the chance that reused passwords leak and allow unauthorized access.

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RING introduces seven integrated outdoor Smart Light products

The nights are getting darker earlier this time of year and we look to illuminate our ways for safety and better view of who, or what, is moving closer to our home at night time. RING recently introduced seven new outdoor motion sensing Smart Lights to the range that not only light the darkest corners in the yards and pathways at night, but they’re also integrated thanks to the new Ring Bridge. When one light turns on so can the rest of them. The motion sensing lights would obviously come in handy for having better lit views of who's approaching the house but they've come in handy these past couple of weeks when the dog needed to go out and do his business. Since there seems to be an increase in skunk and racoon sightings in our residential streets, the new lights have given us fair warning when the troublemakers come too close for comfort before we even unlock the door. With Halloween quickly approaching you can also see who’s trick o’ treating before they even reach the front steps.

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OnePlus 5 to get the 5T’s facial unlock feature

As a Christmas gift of sorts and response to demand by its customers, OnePlus is bringing the facial unlock feature from the OnePlus 5T into the OnePlus 5. The company’s co-founder Carl Pei made the announcement on Twitter. Although he didn’t say when OnePlus 5 users can expect the feature to head their way. The facial unlock capabilities of the OnePlus 5T are considered to be a simpler approach to what the iPhone X does since it just makes use of the front-facing camera. It also means it’s less secure. But if you want to quickly get into your device, this is one way to do just that.

Source: GSMArena

Microsoft Survey: Canadian business leaders are sleeping on security

A recent survey conducted by Northstar in behalf of Microsoft Canada reveals more than three-quarters of Canadian senior executives recogize that they're not fully prepared for a security breach. 

The survey, conducted by Northstar on behalf of Microsoft, asked more than 700 Canadian business leaders about digital transformation and found that 71 per cent of senior executives say implementing a digital strategy is one of their top five business objectives in 2017, with 68 per cent saying they are already harnessing the power of the cloud and 81 per cent stating that cloud solutions will play an important role in executing their digital strategy.

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