Technology - Google News

Zoom apologizes over security and privacy issues, freezes new features to focus on fixes - Android Central
Zoom calls are not end-to-end encrypted, even though it says they are - TechRadar
All the Laptops Packing the New CPUs and GPUs from Intel and Nvidia to Drool Over Right Now - Gizmodo

Zoom apologizes over security and privacy issues, freezes new features to focus on fixes - Android Central

Posted: 02 Apr 2020 02:06 AM PDT

In a blog post, Zoom CEO Eric S. Yuan has apologized to its users for falling short of the community, and its own privacy expectations, vowing to freeze all new features for 90 days whilst it works on fixing issues.

In the statement he said:

For the past several weeks, supporting this influx of users has been a tremendous undertaking and our sole focus. We have strived to provide you with uninterrupted service and the same user-friendly experience that has made Zoom the video-conferencing platform of choice for enterprises around the world, while also ensuring platform safety, privacy, and security. However, we recognize that we have fallen short of the community's – and our own – privacy and security expectations. For that, I am deeply sorry, and I want to share what we are doing about it.

By way of background, he notes that Zoom was built primarily for enterprise customers who have their own full IT support, and that "thousands of enterprises" have done "exhaustive security reviews of our user, network, and data center layers and confidently selected Zoom for complete deployment."

Zoom does however admit:

However, we did not design the product with the foresight that, in a matter of weeks, every person in the world would suddenly be working, studying, and socializing from home. We now have a much broader set of users who are utilizing our product in a myriad of unexpected ways, presenting us with challenges we did not anticipate when the platform was conceived.

Zoom says that consumer use cases have "helped us uncover unforeseen issues with our platform", and that "dedicated journalists and security researchers have also helped to identify pre-existing ones." It says it takes these issues "extremely seriously" and is looking into "each and every one of them as expeditiously as we can."

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It refers users to training it has offered regarding using Zoom, and also identified what it has done regarding several issues recently raised. It has also published a separate post explaining end-to-end encryption on its service, again apologizing for confusion:

While we never intended to deceive any of our customers, we recognize that there is a discrepancy between the commonly accepted definition of end-to-end encryption and how we were using it. This blog is intended to rectify that discrepancy and clarify exactly how we encrypt the content that moves across our network.

In response, Zoom has stated it will freeze new features immediately for a period of 90 days, rededicating resources to "better identify, address, and fix issues proactively." CEO Eric S. Yuan will also hold weekly webinars on Wednesdays at 10 am PT to provide updates on this to the community.

You can read the full post, including more detail on measures Zoom is taking regarding security here.

In recent days concerns have been raised over Zoom bugs on macOS regarding the installation process, Facebook data sharing and a company directory feature that exposed the personal data of thousands.

It's been a rocky few weeks for Zoom, it can however now be praised for admitting its failings and taking the necessary steps to make it right.

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Zoom calls are not end-to-end encrypted, even though it says they are - TechRadar

Posted: 01 Apr 2020 12:03 PM PDT

Zoom Video Communications has seen usage of its video conferencing service spike as a result of the coronavirus but a new report from The Intercept has shed light on the fact that its claim that its meetings have end-to-end encryption are not true.

On its website and in a security-related white paper, the US-based video conferencing company boasts about end-to-end encryption. However, The Intercept discovered that the service actually uses transport encryption instead.

Transport encryption is a Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol which secures the connection between a user and the server they are connected to. TLS is also used to help secure connections between users and any website they visit with HTTPS protocol.

However, the main difference between transport encryption and end-to-end encryption is that while others won't be able to access your data, Zoom will still be able to.

End-to-end encryption

In a statement to The Intercept, a Zoom spokesperson revealed that the service is unable to provide end-to-end encryption at the moment, saying:

"Currently, it is not possible to enable E2E encryption for Zoom video meetings. Zoom video meetings use a combination of TCP and UDP. TCP connections are made using TLS and UDP connections are encrypted with AES using a key negotiated over a TLS connection."

Basically the company clarified that its use of the phrase "end-to-end" in its white paper is in reference to the connection being encrypted between Zoom endpoints. This means that other people can't access the data shared during Zoom video calls but the company itself still can.

Despite its recent surge in popularity, a number of privacy issues have come to light surrounding the service such as how its iOS app was found to be sending data to Facebook without explicit user consent. Thankfully Zoom recently removed the code that was sending data to the social network.

Additionally a new report from Bleeping Computer revealed that it is possible for hackers to steal passwords through Zoom's Windows client.

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Via TNW

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All the Laptops Packing the New CPUs and GPUs from Intel and Nvidia to Drool Over Right Now - Gizmodo

Posted: 02 Apr 2020 06:56 AM PDT

Illustration for article titled All the Laptops Packing the New CPUs and GPUs from Intel and Nvidia to Drool Over Right Now — Graphic: Gizmodo

Today, Intel and Nvidia announced a new lineup of chips including the long-awaited 10th-gen Core mobile processors and RTX 2070 Super and 2080 Super mobile GPUs. But when it comes to laptop components like these, they aren't all that useful until someone puts them into systems you can actually buy. Here's a roundup of the upcoming notebooks that will be the first to get all that powerful new tech.

Acer

Kicking things off this spring, Acer is updating two of its most popular gaming laptops in the Triton 500 and Nitro 5. While both systems visually appear quite similar to last year's models, in addition, to support for up to an Intel Core i7-1075H CPU and RTX 2080 Super GPU, the Triton 500 is also getting an optional 300Hz display and an upgraded keyboard with per-key RGB lighting.

As for the Nitro 5, its big upgrades are a new 15.6-inch 120Hz screen, bigger fans, and a starting price of just $900, though, at that price, you only get an Intel Core i5-10300H CPU and a GTX 1650 Ti graphics card.

Both the Triton 500 and Nitro 5 will be available starting sometime in May.

Asus

As one of the biggest gaming laptop makers in the world, Asus is overhauling a large swath of its portfolio thanks to the new hardware from Intel and Nvidia including updates to its Zephyrus, Strix, and even its dual-screen notebook families.

With two screens and support for Intel and Nvidia's top-of-the-line chips, the Zephyrus Duo looks like it'll be a real beastly machine.

For the Zephyrus line, Asus is announcing the big new Zephyrus S17 which sports a 17.3-inch 300Hz display with a 3ms response time and Pantone-certified color accuracy. And in case a 17-inch laptop is a bit too overwhelming, there's also the Zephyrus 15 and Zephyrus M15 which are more compact and affordable gaming laptops that can be configured with a range of new Intel and Nvidia chips.

Meanwhile for people who just can't have enough screens even when they're on the go, Asus is releasing Zephyrus Duo 15 which is sort of a beastly gaming/content creation hybrid machine thanks to its bonus 14-inch ROG ScreenPad Plus and optional upgrades including up to an i9-10980HK CPU and Nvidia RTX 2080 Super GPU.

Finally, for people more focused on competitive gaming, the new Scar 17 and Scar 15 include support for all the latest parts but with a more aggressive design and optional 300Hz displays on the Scar 17, or up to 240Hz panels on the Scar 15.

While Asus hasn't provided pricing info on these systems quite yet, they are expected to go on sale later this spring and early summer.

Gigabyte

Out of all the laptops makers refreshing their portfolios with fresh guts, Gigabyte has the by far widest selection of systems to choose from including five new Aorus systems for gaming, and a bunch of new Aero notebooks for content creation.

Gigabyte says the new Aorus 17X, 17G, and 15G are some of the lightest notebooks available that also sport true mechanical keyboard (using switches from Omron), and of course, a range of speedy new chips from Intel and Nvidia.

On the other side, the new Aero series is getting a range of HDR and OLED displays to choose from in both 15 and 17-inch chassis, along with optional 144Hz refresh rates depending on the config. And like MSI's new systems below, the Aorus 17X 17G and 15G will be some of the first laptops out the gate with sales going live on April 15th, with the other models following shortly after in late April.

Lenovo

Alongside support for Intel and Nvidia's new chips, Lenovo is rebranding its Legion gaming laptops going from the current Y540 and Y740 to the Legion 5i and Legion 7i. Same look, but new name. For anyone looking for more affordable gaming laptops, Lenovo's new laptops will immediately jump out as the Legion 5i starts at just $1,000 (including an RTX 2060 GPU), while the Legion 7i starts at $1,200 (for an RTX 2070) with Legion 7i providing the option to upgrade all the way up to 2080 Super.

Lenovo also claims both systems will also be among the first to feature Nvidia's new Advanced Optimus display switching tech which allows the laptops to more easily flip between integrated graphics and their discrete GPUs to help preserve battery life. Sadly, Lenovo hasn't said when the new Legions will go on sale, so stay tuned for updates.

MSI

At launch, MSI is prepping three revamped laptops split between its main gaming line and its Creator series that will include support for Intel and Nvidia's new chips. But even more importantly, because MSI says it was able to shift production around to better weather the impact of covid-19, MSI says its laptops will be some of the first to market with sales going live as early as April 15th.

For content creators and video editors, the Creator 17 boasts either an 8-core Intel Core i7-10875H or 6-core i7-10750H chip along with either an RTX 2070 Super or 2080 Super GPU with Max-Q design. That said, what might be the Creator 17's most interesting new feature is its mini-LED 4K display, making it one of world's first laptops to sport this next-gen display tech, which should allow for an incredibly colorful and accurate viewing experience.

On the gaming side, MSI is pushing out two 15-inch notebooks in the GS66 Stealth and GE66 Raider. The GS66 is the follow up to last year's GS65 and comes with a stiffer, redesigned chassis dressed in a stylish but understated black-on-black color scheme. At just 0.71-inches thick, the GS66 is the thinner, slightly more portable sibling to the GE66, while still offering support for up to a Core i9-10980HK CPU, RTX 2080 Super GPU, 300Hz display, and a 99.9 Whr battery, which is a big as you can go while still being allowed to carry it onto a plane.

Meanwhile, the GE66 offers a similar assortment of components but in a slightly thicker chassis with an eye-catching RGB light bar that runs across the front of the system and larger fans for better cooling.

The Creator 17, GE66 and GE66 will be all be available on April 15th starting at $1,600 for the GS66 and $1,800 for both the Creator 17 and GE66.

Razer

At least initially, Razer is keeping it simple by only refreshing its flagship laptop: the Razer Blade 15. Not only does the Razer Blade 15 comes with full support for Intel and Nvidia's new high-end chips, like MSI, Razer is also adding support for 300Hz displays. Alternatively, if you're concerned more with seeing richer, more vibrant colors, Razer is also making the Blade's OLED display available on the laptop's base config, which is nice since previously you needed to upgrade to the more expensive Razer Blade Advanced to get an OLED panel.

Another small but helpful design change is that for 2020, Razer axed the Blade's mini DisplayPort in exchange for an additional USB-C port with Thunderbolt 3, and on the Razer Blade Advanced, you even get a built-in SD card reader so you can transfer files from your camera to your laptop without needing a dongle.

The revamped Razer Blade 15 will start at $1,600 and will go on sale sometime in May.

And for those hoping to see even more refreshed systems from Dell, HP, Asus and others, while we haven't heard anything yet, we're expecting to see Intel and Nvidia's new silicon make their way into a bunch of other laptops later this spring and early summer.

[Update 10:30 AM ET] Added info about Asus' new spring laptops.

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