Latest news with #Cybersecurity
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The OPM Mirage: How Online Program Managers Are Eroding Higher Education From Within
Close-up of a mortarboard and degree certificate put on the table. Education stock photo As an educator, I am inundated with daily ads for Georgetown's Professional Masters Programs. They are extensive and they are expensive. They are designed for mid-career professionals looking for training either in their present field or beginning a new one. There are four areas of study. 'Business and Management' has the most degree options, including 'Higher Ed Administration', 'Project Management', and 'Supply Change Management' among others. Technology and Security' has degree offerings in 'Cybersecurity Risk Management' and 'Emergency and Disaster Management' Other areas include Marketing and Communications and Real Estate. Students at Georgetown can access the courses on-line, on-campus or through something called 'executive format.' They all cost around $50,000 and take 2-5 years to complete. I don't know if I could have put together a more thorough and comprehensive list of offerings of training to address the needs of administrative and management professionals in the 21st century. Yet, as Georgetown University aggressively expands its professional master's degrees through OPM giants like 2U, it's worth asking: Are students get what they pay for for on-line programs managed by OPM's OPMs are often presented as mutual collaborators, sharing risk with universities to launch online programs. But this ignores their extractive financial models. OPMs typically take 50–60% of tuition revenue in exchange for upfront marketing and tech investments—a deal that siphons resources away from educational quality. As Ryan Craig notes in Forbe's article "Mastercrash", this revenue-sharing creates perverse incentives: OPMs prioritize enrollment growth over student outcomes. Many of the degrees are in lower paying non-profit professions where the ROI is limited. As reported by Lisa Bannon and Andrea Fuller in a 2021 WSJ article , universities like USC face lawsuits alleging their $115,000 online social work master's—bankrolled by 2U—misled students about career prospects. When OPMs control recruitment, curriculum, and delivery, universities abdicate their educational mission. As I wrote in "The Master's Degree Ripoff", many programs—especially in emerging fields like data science—are designed by OPMs to maximize enrollments. Some OPMs may be expanding access to non-traditional learners, but not without significant cost. These companies target precisely the students most susceptible to debt traps: working adults seeking career advancement. As Marc Bousquet argues in "The Great Master's Degree Swindle", OPMs exploit the "credential arms race," pushing degrees with dubious ROI. In Kevin Carey's article in the Huff Post, The Capitalist Takeover of College, institutions like Walden University (run by OPM Adtalem), graduate from low-value programs and face loan default rates up to 20% . As Lauren Coffey notes in Inside Higher Ed, on-line college enrollment continues to decline to pre-pandemic levels. Universities have begun to reclaim their on-line course as Arizona State and Southern New Hampshire have done. Regulatory enforcement of the 50% rule and prosecuting deceptive marketing—are essential. It is hard to hold the OPM's accountable, for they are providing what the colleges are seeking: Using their brand to extract as much tuition revenue as possible at the lowest cost without a high focus on the expected ROI. Universities are trading their academic reputation for short-term revenue. These on-line masters programs are clearly quite distinct from their traditional masters degrees. Colleges with strong name recognition use this to be able to charge similar tuition and fees for on-line programs as traditional brick-and-mortar courses, at a fraction of the cost. Until schools break this Faustian bargain, the higher education 'ripoff' will continue.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Microsoft Confirms Windows Upgrade Choice—100 Day Deadline Nears
Users must act now as deadline nears. The awkwardness of Microsoft's multiple emergency updates to resolve failed installs continues, with yet another warning of a Windows 11 flaw. But the bigger issue remains the stubborn Windows 10 user base. With little more than 100 days to upgrade or lose support, Microsoft confirms another upgrade choice for those 700 million users. That new update warning, per Windows Latest, is that 'Windows 11 KB5063060 is failing to install due to errors like 0x800f0922, 0x80070002, 0x80070306, and 0x800f0991.' Those issue are hitting PC gamers hardest. You do have the option to uninstall the update, or just await the inevitable fix. Desktop Windows Version Market Share Worldwide (June 2024 to June 2025) After several months of steady upgrades from Windows 10 to Windows 11, last month's data was a setback with those upgrades flatlining, leaving 50% of the user base at risk. The good news for Microsoft and the cybersecurity industry is that June has been much better — thus far. It now looks as though upgrades are accelerating, which is critical. And now, Microsoft is making the transition much easier. Last month, the Windows-maker confirmed 'we're beginning the rollout of a new PC-to-PC migration experience in Windows,' which means 'you will be able to transfer your files and settings from your old PC to the new one during the PC setup process.' Microsoft said this data migration process would rollout 'in phases for a smooth experience,' and now it's turning up on user devices. For the 250-million-plus PC owners who need to upgrade their hardware as a Windows 11 upgrade is not possible given its hardware hurdles, this is a game-changer. 'What if you can't upgrade to Windows 11 because you own an unsupported PC?' Windows Latest says. 'You can use a new Windows Migration feature, which comes with a free 'PC to PC' transfer feature.' This sits within the existing Windows Backup tool, and 'while it's not exactly a new app… it is getting [this] Migration tool.' PC to PC migration tool This forthcoming update was spotted by @phantomofearth on X: 'Unsurprisingly, Windows Migration is coming to Windows 10 to make it easier to move to 11 as we get closer to EoL. The migration flow in the Backup app is hidden in today's RP CU (19045.6029), can be enabled with feature ID 56242779.' Windows Latest says that while 'this is visible in Windows 10 Build 19045.6029, but is hidden,' they 'forced it on, [albeit] it warns that the feature is in internal testing, so it's not supposed to work for regular consumers just yet.' When it is, it will be a good option for hundreds of millions of users with little more than 100 days to upgrade.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
42Gears Launches SureIdP -- Zero Trust Identity and Access Management Solution for Secure, Seamless Enterprise Access
BENGALURU, India, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 42Gears has launched SureIdP, a Zero Trust Identity and Access Management Solution that combines identity verification with device compliance. It enhances enterprise security while ensuring seamless, cross-platform user access. What is Zero Trust Identity and Access Management? A Zero Trust IAM solution verifies digital identities—usernames, passwords, biometrics, and device posture—before granting access. Acting as a central hub, it enables secure Single Sign-On (SSO). For example, logging into enterprise apps via Google Workspace credentials involves Google as the Identity Provider, but access is granted only after evaluating user location or behavior—core to Zero Trust security. Why Modern Businesses Need IAMs With rising digital threats, secure access control is essential. These stats show why SureIdP is crucial: Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) reduces identity-based attacks by 99.9% 76% of breaches result from credential misuse or phishing 71% increase in credential-based cyberattacks year-over-year Insider threats cost firms an average of $16.2 million annually Zero Trust frameworks reduce risk by up to 50% Meet SureIdP Built on Zero Trust Access principles, SureIdP enforces both user and device verification before granting access. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and offers centralized control via a single dashboard. Key Features Device Authentication: Access is limited to compliant devices based on location, network, and policy OS Login & Access Control: Secure desktop login for Windows, macOS, and Linux Single Sign-On (SSO): One login for multiple applications User Lifecycle Management: Easy onboarding/offboarding with group and device-user management Zero Trust Framework: Enforces least-privilege access with continuous validation External Federation: Integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra, Okta, and SAML 2.0 IdPs Core Benefits Continuous Identity Verification to stop credential misuse Device-Aware Access blocks non-compliant endpoints Real-Time Contextual Controls for behavior-based risk assessment Unified Security Management with fewer third-party tools Improved User Experience through simplified login and control Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and more Cost Efficiency by reducing licensing and IT load Industry Applications Finance: Protects digital banking and ensures audit readiness Retail: Secures POS and third-party access Education: Safeguards shared devices and remote learning Healthcare: Supports HIPAA and secures medical data Government: Enables compliant data access and collaboration "SureIdP is a game-changer for enterprises looking to unify identity and device security," said Prakash Gupta, Co-Founder and CTO of 42Gears. "It empowers IT teams to implement strong security policies without affecting user productivity." About 42Gears 42Gears is a leader in enterprise IT management, offering cutting-edge solutions that aim to transform the digital workplace. Delivered from the cloud and on-premise, 42Gears products support all major mobile and desktop operating systems, enabling IT and DevOps teams to improve frontline workforce productivity and the efficiency of software development teams. 42Gears products are used by over 23,000 customers across various industries in more than 170 countries, and are available for purchase through a global partner network. For more information, visit SOURCE 42Gears Sign in to access your portfolio
Gizmodo
4 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Why This Budget-Friendly VPN & Antivirus Combo Is Blowing Up
A VPN is an excellent option for enhancing your online privacy and security. Meanwhile, virus protection is always welcome if you're an avid trouble avoider. While these two rarely mix, when they do, it's always noteworthy. Surfshark, one of the most revered VPNs this year, offers a feature-rich bundle. It features a VPN service with virus protection for all devices for a pocket-change price. The offer is time-limited, so you should act quickly. Get Surfshark + Antivirus At 86% Off VPN + Antivirus at 86% Off With Surfshark Surfshark offers plenty of cost-efficient plans, but one stood out to us as the best. Namely, the Surfshark One plan, which is now 86% off, costs only $2.49 for 27 months. At only $67 for the initial period, it offers a VPN service and virus protection. This plan has been very popular. However, with the recent price reduction and the addition of three free months, it became an even more attractive option. It's no wonder that so many people switch to it without hesitation. Unlike some of its competitors, Surfshark's antivirus works on all devices, just like its VPN. Thanks to unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark allows you to keep all devices in check with one cheap subscription. Even better, the provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, should you decide to back out. This gives you ample time to grab the exclusive offer and essentially test Surfshark for free for a month, without losing a cent. All you have to do is click one of the buttons, pick the Surfshark One plan, and install the VPN on your device. Once connected, you'll enjoy a new privacy dimension, more online freedom, and top-of-the-line security. Spend Less, Enjoy More With this VPN The current promotion leaves no stone unturned. You'll get access to over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, with 10 Gbps ports and top-tier speeds. Surfshark is popular for streaming, while all servers are equipped with P2P support for unlimited torrenting adventures. One of its key aspects is privacy. Surfshark refrains from storing logs and uses RAM-only servers to wipe clean all data with a single server restart. Furthermore, Surfshark has built its reputation on innovative security features. You can expect beefier encryption with Dynamic MultiHop, a kill switch to prevent data leaks, and perfect forward secrecy for enhanced safety. Surfshark's One plan also includes an Alternative ID, which provides a new online identity. Plus, you can use its Search function to browse the web without data tracking and ads. As stated in our Surfshark review, the provider also includes obfuscation via NoBorders, making it a handy option for bypassing censorship. Refresh yourself from the onslaught of the summer heat. Plunge into the cold shower with Surfshark and experience the life-changing VPN + antivirus offer. All this at a meagre $2.49 per month. But not for long. Try Surfshark Risk-Free Today
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Update Windows Now — Microsoft Confirms System Takeover Danger
CVE-2025-33073 can lead to system takeover, Microsoft has confirmed. Microsoft users are starting to get all too familiar with being advised to act now, as confirmation of security threat after security threat is made. A Windows secure boot bypass, and attacks exploiting vulnerabilities against Windows 10 and 11 users both require users to update now. That advice is all too clearly warranted as Microsoft has confirmed yet another Windows vulnerability that demands urgent update attention, and this one can lead to a system takeover. Here's what you need to know about CVE-2025-33073, and what you need to do. Hint: update Windows now! Attaining a Common Vulnerability Scoring System score of 8.8, considered a high severity risk, CVE-2025-33073 has been given an important severity rating by Microsoft itself. Such discrepancies are not unusual, as Microsoft applies several additional factors in arriving at its own assessment. None of which, however, should distract from the primary point here: this is a serious security vulnerability with serious consequences if successfully exploited by an attacker. 'An attacker who successfully exploited this vulnerability could gain SYSTEM privileges,' Microsoft has confirmed. Although there is no evidence of exploitation in the wild as of yet, the vulnerability itself has been publicly exposed, so it's only a matter of time. 'To exploit this vulnerability,' Microsoft explained, 'an attacker could execute a specially crafted malicious script to coerce the victim machine to connect back to the attack system using SMB and authenticate.' 'Even though CVE-2025-33073 is referred by Microsoft as an elevation of privilege,' Wilfried Bécard and Guillaume André, security researchers at Synacktiv who were among those who disclosed the vulnerability, said, 'it is actually an authenticated remote command execution as SYSTEM on any machine which does not enforce SMB signing.' Semantics aside, what is important is that you follow the advice given at the very start of this article and update now. Microsoft has released a fix, as part of the June Patch Tuesday Windows security rollout, which not only applies the fix but, Bécard and André said, 'also removes the ability to coerce machines into authenticating via Kerberos by registering a DNS record with marshalled target information.'
