security solutions

Winsage
June 26, 2025
Resilience is now a strategic necessity for organizations, prompting Microsoft to launch the Windows Resiliency Initiative (WRI) to integrate resilience and security into the Windows platform. In September 2024, Microsoft held the Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit (WESES) with endpoint security vendors and government representatives to discuss enhancing resilience. Following the summit, collaboration with Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) partners has increased, focusing on improving Windows security and reliability through rigorous testing and safe deployment practices. Next month, Microsoft will begin a private preview of a new Windows endpoint security platform for select MVI partners, allowing security solutions to operate outside the Windows kernel for better reliability. Microsoft has released the Windows Resiliency Initiative e-book to guide organizations in building resilience. Innovative products introduced under the WRI include: - Quick machine recovery (QMR) for faster recovery from unexpected restarts, reducing downtime to approximately two seconds. - Microsoft Connected Cache to enhance bandwidth efficiency during updates by caching content locally. - Universal Print anywhere for secure printing from any location. - Hotpatch updates for critical security updates without requiring a restart. - Windows 365 Reserve for secure access to a temporary Cloud PC during device disruptions.
Winsage
June 24, 2025
An old PC with a decade-old motherboard continues to perform basic tasks but struggles with gaming and faces the end of support for Windows 10 in October. The user is not upgrading to Windows 11 due to dissatisfaction with its features and customization limitations. They are considering alternatives, including sticking with Windows 10, which feels temporary, or trying Linux Mint. After a trial run with Linux Mint, the user found the transition seamless and appreciated its customizability and community support. As the end of Windows 10 approaches, the user sees Linux Mint as a stable and personalized computing option.
Tech Optimizer
June 23, 2025
A diverse array of endpoint security tools has been integral to cyber defense strategies for desktops, laptops, and other end-user devices for the past three decades. The latest evolution is represented by endpoint protection platforms (EPPs), which combine various security capabilities including antivirus software, visibility and monitoring, and endpoint detection and response (EDR). EPPs continuously log, monitor, and analyze events on endpoints to identify suspicious activities, generate alerts, and neutralize threats. They serve as a frontline defense for devices such as desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, and other user-facing technologies. Leading EPP solutions include the SentinelOne Singularity Platform and CrowdStrike Falcon. Both platforms offer automation capabilities that generate alerts upon detecting events and can act in real-time to thwart attacks. They provide centralized dashboards and reporting features for analysts and incorporate generative AI threat detection interfaces. The EPPs are compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS. Pricing for SentinelOne includes: - Singularity Complete: .99 per device annually. - Singularity Commercial: .99 per device per year. - Singularity Enterprise: Pricing available upon request. CrowdStrike pricing options include: - Falcon Go: [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: A diverse array of endpoint security tools has been integral to cyber defense strategies for desktops, laptops, and other end-user devices for the past three decades. The latest evolution in this realm is represented by endpoint protection platforms (EPPs), which amalgamate various security capabilities including antivirus software, visibility and monitoring, as well as endpoint detection and response (EDR). These platforms continuously log, monitor, and analyze events on endpoints to identify suspicious activities, generate alerts, and, when necessary, neutralize threats. EPPs serve as a frontline defense for a range of devices such as desktops, laptops, smartphones, tablets, IoT devices, and other user-facing technologies. Among the leading EPP solutions available today are the SentinelOne Singularity Platform and CrowdStrike Falcon. A closer examination reveals a comparison of their key features, pricing structures, and performance metrics, along with guidance for organizations seeking an EPP that aligns with their security needs. Key features comparison Both Singularity and Falcon offer a robust suite of capabilities: Automation capabilities. Both platforms automatically generate alerts upon detecting events that warrant further investigation. They can act in real-time to thwart attacks, with options for automated responses such as remediation and rollback when malicious activities are identified. Additionally, human analysts have the flexibility to manually initiate these responses through the platforms. Analyst interface. Each EPP provides centralized dashboards and reporting features that analysts utilize to review correlated event data. Furthermore, both platforms incorporate generative AI (GenAI) threat detection interfaces—Purple AI for SentinelOne and Charlotte AI for CrowdStrike—allowing administrators to query the GenAI agent for deeper insights into the analyzed event data. Supported OSes. The EPPs are compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, macOS, ChromeOS, Android, and iOS. Cybersecurity platform. These platforms feature centralized storage, dashboards, and analytical capabilities for the data generated by their offerings, alongside other cybersecurity and asset information. Pricing comparison As the tools diverge in their offerings, pricing becomes a distinguishing factor, with each platform presenting unique features and add-ons. SentinelOne Singularity pricing options Singularity Complete is priced at 9.99 per device annually, providing endpoint and cloud workload protection. Singularity Commercial costs 9.99 per device per year, encompassing XDR, EPP, EDR capabilities, identity threat detection and response (ITDR), and managed threat hunting (WatchTower). Singularity Enterprise includes comprehensive features such as XDR, EPP, EDR, data retention, ITDR, threat hunting, network discovery (Singularity Network Discovery), forensic data collection (Singularity RemoteOps Forensics), and support services. Pricing is available upon request from SentinelOne. CrowdStrike Falcon pricing options Falcon Go, available at .99 per device per year for up to 100 devices, includes antivirus software (Falcon Prevent), USB device control (Falcon Device Control), mobile device protection (Falcon for Mobile), and support services. Falcon Pro is priced at .99 per device per year, offering Falcon Prevent, Falcon Device Control, host firewall control (Falcon Firewall Management), and support services. Falcon Enterprise costs 4.99 per device annually, featuring Falcon Prevent, Falcon Device Control, Falcon Firewall Management, threat hunting and intelligence (Falcon OverWatch), extended detection and response (Falcon Insight XDR), and support services. Falcon Complete MDR represents CrowdStrike's managed detection and response service, which includes Falcon Prevent, Falcon OverWatch, Falcon Insight XDR, and IT hygiene (Falcon Discover), with options to add firewall and identity protection. Pricing for Complete MDR is available upon inquiry. Additionally, Falcon for Mobile protection for smartphones and tablets can be acquired as a separate add-on for Pro, Enterprise, and Complete MDR plans. Performance and evaluation comparison Feedback from users regarding SentinelOne and CrowdStrike offerings tends to align positively. Verified reviews on Gartner Peer Insights indicate that both EPPs boast an average performance rating of 4.7 out of 5, with 99% of ratings being three stars or higher. In the past year, CrowdStrike's Falcon garnered 724 ratings, while SentinelOne's Singularity received 227. SentinelOne holds a slight edge over CrowdStrike in terms of pricing flexibility, rated at 4.4 compared to 4.2, whereas CrowdStrike excels in the availability of third-party resources, rated at 4.7 against SentinelOne's 4.4. Notably, both platforms were included in the 2023 Mitre ATT&CK Evaluations, which simulated a nation-state attack scenario. In this evaluation, CrowdStrike demonstrated superior attack technique detection, while both platforms exhibited comparable protection capabilities. In the 2024 evaluations, CrowdStrike opted out, allowing SentinelOne to successfully detect all tested attack techniques. Common criticisms of CrowdStrike on Gartner Peer Insights highlight complexities in licensing and insufficient support for hybrid environments. Conversely, SentinelOne users expressed frustration with the Android OS capabilities, which tend to generate a higher number of false positives. Questions to ask when selecting an EPP tool Organizations of all sizes should implement endpoint security tools to safeguard their user devices. Larger enterprises often manage and monitor these tools internally, while smaller organizations may opt for managed services that provide similar endpoint security solutions along with management and monitoring support. Some services even offer incident response capabilities in conjunction with the organization's existing resources. When evaluating endpoint security tools and services, organizations should consider the following questions: How well integrated is the platform? Is there a single agent deployed to each endpoint, or is it a combination of agents? Does the product represent a truly unified platform or merely a collection of services presented under a unified interface? What is the quality of the platform's data gathering, logging, analysis, alerting, and alert prioritization in terms of accuracy, speed, and comprehensiveness? High quality should be the cornerstone of any EPP. How effectively does the platform leverage cyber threat intelligence? What sources does it utilize, and how frequently are they updated? What techniques does the platform employ to analyze events and detect attacks? How adept is it at identifying sophisticated and novel threats? How automated are its capabilities? This encompasses protection, detection, and incident response features. Effective automation that makes sound decisions in real-time can be pivotal in preventing ransomware from affecting multiple endpoints. Karen Scarfone is the principal consultant at Scarfone Cybersecurity in Clifton, Va. She provides cybersecurity publication consulting to organizations and was formerly a senior computer scientist for NIST." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99 per device per year for up to 100 devices. - Falcon Pro: .99 per device per year. - Falcon Enterprise: .99 per device annually. - Falcon Complete MDR: Pricing available upon inquiry. User feedback indicates both EPPs have an average performance rating of 4.7 out of 5, with 99% of ratings being three stars or higher. CrowdStrike's Falcon received 724 ratings, while SentinelOne's Singularity received 227. SentinelOne has a slight edge in pricing flexibility (rated 4.4) compared to CrowdStrike (rated 4.2), while CrowdStrike excels in third-party resource availability (rated 4.7) compared to SentinelOne (rated 4.4). Both platforms were included in the 2023 Mitre ATT&CK Evaluations, with CrowdStrike demonstrating superior attack technique detection. Common criticisms of CrowdStrike include complexities in licensing and insufficient support for hybrid environments, while SentinelOne users expressed frustration with Android OS capabilities leading to higher false positives. Organizations should consider integration quality, data gathering and analysis capabilities, cyber threat intelligence utilization, attack detection techniques, and automation levels when selecting an EPP tool.
Tech Optimizer
June 5, 2025
The Computer Security For Business market is projected to experience significant growth and opportunities leading into 2025. The report provides insights on future trends, growth drivers, consumption patterns, production volumes, and key market statistics, including the compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Notable competitors in the market include NortonLifeLock, Fortinet, McAfee, Avast, Trend Micro, Bitdefender, ESET, Kaspersky Lab, Comodo, F-Secure, and AHNLAB. The market is segmented into various categories such as Network Security, Identity Theft Protection, Endpoint Security, and Antivirus Software, with applications categorized by age demographics (18-30 years old, 30-45 years old, and others). The report highlights factors driving market growth, emerging trends, and shifts in consumer behavior. Stakeholders can benefit from quantitative analyses, Porter’s Five Forces analysis, and strategic recommendations for refining business strategies and conducting competitor analyses. A discount of up to 70% is currently available for the report.
Tech Optimizer
June 5, 2025
UltraAV, an antivirus solution from Point Wild, has introduced significant enhancements to improve threat protection and user experience. Key updates include: - Advanced AV Engine upgrades for faster scans and improved detection rates across versions 12.0, 12.3, 12.4, and 12.7.2. - The ability to scan external USB devices and schedule recurring scans, introduced in version 12.8. - Expanded privacy and identity protections for premium users, including identity theft monitoring and real-time fraud alerts. - Seamless integration with Total Cleaner for premium subscribers, enhancing app reliability (versions 12.7 and 12.7.1). - Self-protection features to safeguard UltraAV binaries from malware (version 12.8). - URL filtering to block harmful URLs for Chrome users (version 12.4). UltraAV is built on over 20 years of research and development, integrating real-time threat intelligence and AI-driven detection. Point Wild, the parent company, provides cybersecurity solutions to over 25 million users globally.
Tech Optimizer
June 4, 2025
McAfee and Norton are two leading antivirus providers known for their robust online safety solutions. Both offer essential security features such as real-time threat detection, firewall protection, identity theft protection, VPN services, password management, and parental controls, but they differ in implementation. McAfee uses advanced machine learning for real-time threat detection but has a higher rate of false positives and shows room for improvement against ransomware and phishing. Norton excels in malware detection and has a strong performance against ransomware, blocking 95% of phishing links in tests. McAfee's firewall monitors incoming threats and protects connected devices, while Norton’s firewall prevents untrusted applications from accessing the internet with extensive configuration options. In identity theft protection, McAfee offers comprehensive features with live agent support, whereas Norton partners with LifeLock for enhanced services, including credit monitoring and up to one million dollars in compensation for identity theft losses. McAfee provides unlimited VPN access with basic functionality, while Norton’s VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling and a kill switch. Both include password managers, but McAfee's lacks some functionalities, whereas Norton’s is user-friendly and supports data import from other managers. For parental controls, McAfee allows website blocking and app restrictions, while Norton offers detailed content filtering and monitoring of online activities. In system performance, both have received high marks, with McAfee showing a superior impact score in tests. User experience varies, with McAfee being more accessible for non-technical users and Norton catering to more experienced individuals. Recent testing indicates both effectively blocked nearly all threats, but McAfee had more false positives. Both brands received high ratings from SE Labs for protection and accuracy. The choice between them depends on individual needs, with McAfee being user-friendly and Norton offering advanced features and enhanced identity protection.
Tech Optimizer
June 2, 2025
Underground cybercriminal forums are seeing an increase in advanced malware tools, including a Windows crypter that claims to bypass major antivirus solutions. This crypter is marketed as fully activated and capable of achieving Full Undetectable (FUD) status against contemporary antivirus engines. It employs advanced obfuscation techniques to evade detection, including code injection methods, entropy manipulation, and anti-debugging features. The tool allows for granular control over obfuscation parameters, enabling customization for specific target environments. The rise of such sophisticated evasion tools poses challenges for traditional endpoint security, making organizations vulnerable if they rely solely on signature-based antivirus solutions. To defend against these threats, organizations should adopt multi-layered security architectures, including behavioral analysis and endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions.
Tech Optimizer
May 27, 2025
Microsoft's Smart App Control (SAC) is integrated into Windows 11 and requires a clean installation to function optimally. It is designed to enhance security by using artificial intelligence to proactively shield users from threats, working alongside existing antivirus software rather than replacing it. SAC aims to anticipate and block suspicious applications before they can cause harm, minimizing system performance impact by avoiding constant file scanning. However, the effectiveness of SAC and its claims of being a groundbreaking innovation have been questioned, as proactive security measures have existed for years, and modern antivirus solutions offer advanced features beyond basic scanning. Users are advised to consider independent testing platforms for reliable antimalware options.
Winsage
May 26, 2025
Microsoft encourages users to adopt the latest version of Windows or a version eligible for monthly security updates to protect against security threats. Older Windows ISOs are vulnerable due to outdated security updates and antimalware software. Microsoft has released an update for Microsoft Defender to enhance the security of these older Windows images. This update includes the latest Microsoft Defender binaries, which must be applied offline to WIM and VHD files for Windows 11, Windows 10 (Enterprise, Pro, Home), Windows Server 2022, 2019, and 2016. The update improves both the anti-malware client and engine, with package sizes of 78.2 MB for ARM64, 128 MB for x86, and 132 MB for x64 systems. Users need a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or later, PowerShell 5.1 or later, and specific modules to implement the update. Regular updates every three months are recommended for optimal security.
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