Microsoft and Dropbox Partner
In a somewhat surprising move, Microsoft and Dropbox have partnered together to streamline the processes of editing and file sharing. Despite the existence of Microsoft’s own cloud service, OneDrive, the tech giant has opened a door for Dropbox to solidify its stance in the enterprise sector..
“We know that much of the world relies on a combination of Dropbox and Microsoft Office to get work done,” says Dropbox’s official blog. “In fact, Dropbox is home to over 35 billion Office documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Soon you’ll be able to access your Dropbox directly from Office apps, and edit Office files from the Dropbox app.”
Currently, you can upload and share an Office file through Dropbox, but the file must be re-downloaded and edited again in office. The two firms have partnered to make this process much more easier and simple for users who can now edit office files within the Dropbox platform itself, and save files directly to Dropbox from Microsoft Office. Most of these collaborative initiatives are to be implemented for the web and mobile applications.
“Today, Dropbox has 300 million users, of whom 70% are international, and a ton of them use Dropbox to get work done,” said Ilya Fushman, head of product for Dropbox and Dropbox for Business, according to the Guardian. “These people have uploaded something like 35bn Office files. Today, they get a great experience on the desktop, but what we’re doing now is taking that experience to mobile and the web.”
The move indicates a willingness from Microsoft to partner with others, while Dropbox can use Office’s prominence to gain its own legitimacy in the enterprise sector.
Apple malware in China
Apple’s iOS operating system has come under fire recently from malware. The virus, dubbed WireLurker, appears to have originated in China and is affecting iOS devices in the country.
The malware derives from certain third-party applications in China. It is believed that apps from local OS platforms such as Maiyadi App Store are infected with the malware, and users who have downloaded them are susceptible to attack. According to Palo Alto Networks, a total of 467 Mac programs on the Maiyadi store were compromised, and those had been downloaded 356,104 times as of October 16.
The malware is unique because it can transfer from a Mac to an Apple iOS device via USB cable. WireLurker first targets Mac computers while hidden in compromised software (like popular games Angry Birds and Sims 3, according to the BBC) and waits for a connected iPhone or other iOS device before transferring the malware over. Once the device is affected, the malware can steal and deliver personal information to hackers, download other compromised apps, etc. Remarkably, it is the first malware that can hack into phones that have not been jailbroken.
Apple is on top of the issue and is proactively preventing the spread of WireLurker. In an email to Reuters, Apple said “We are aware of malicious software available from a download site aimed at users in China, and we’ve blocked the identified apps to prevent them from launching.” Apple will want the problem under control as soon as possible to maintain its reputation in China, the world’s largest smartphone market.
Home Depot Hack Details
Home Depot has come clean with further details concerning the massive security breach of its payment system earlier this year. After previously revealing 56 million debit and credit card details were stolen in the incident, the company has added that hackers also acquired 53 million email addresses.
The new information comes from an ongoing investigation into the breach. Home Depot assured customers in an official statement that all other sensitive information remained safe: “In addition to the previously disclosed payment card data, separate files containing approximately 53 million email addresses were also taken during the breach. These files did not contain passwords, payment card information or other sensitive personal information.”
The company also cautioned customers to be on guard against other “phishing” scams designed to steal personal information, and is offering free identity protection services, including credit monitoring, to anyone who used their credit cards during the time window of the breach.
Similar to the hack on retail giant Target that compromised personal and payment data of 70 million customers, hackers gained access to Home Depot’s network by obtaining a vendor’s username and password through cyber trickery. Once in the system, they installed malware that gathered further information and electronically rerouted that information back to the hacker.
Home Depot’s security reinforcement in the wake of the breach includes EMV chip-and-pin technology and enhanced encryption. Both security upgrades will be fully rolled out in the U.S. and Canada by early 2015.
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