Microsoft Band

ntel Optane is being marketed as a drive caching device to speed up hard drive usage. It provides much faster read and write speeds than even the fastest SSD can match, without RAM’s constant power requirement.

Microsoft has launched a $199 USD wearable it is calling Band. It has all the standard features you would expect like heart rate monitor, run/step tracker, calories burnt and a whole raft of smartphone integration: SMS, Call, Email, Facebook & Twitter notifications.

But what could be its foothold in the marketplace is its cross platform compatibility. Sure all these features smoothly integrate with Microsoft own Windows 8.1 handsets but also Android 4.3-4.4 and iOS 7.1 and newer. On top of all this they have managed to beat Apple to market as it is available now in the USA – unfortunately no word on international ship dates yet.

http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-band/en-us

Microsoft has issued a security advisory, warning of a critical zero-day vulnerability (a previously unknown bug for which there is currently no fix available) affecting all version of Windows, except Server 2003.

Its warning states the vulnerability is currently being targeted in a limited number of attacks via Microsoft PowerPoint files. The vulnerability could allow an attacker to obtain remote control of your computer.

Microsoft does not yet have a software update available to address this issue.

You should be cautious about opening files from untrustworthy sources, particularly PowerPoint files (.PPT, PPTX) until an update is released.

There are a number of other mitigating conditions outlined by Microsoft in the advisory. As a temporary solution, until a security update becomes available, Microsoft suggests a Fix it workaround which blocks the known attacks targeting this vulnerability. Microsoft is also preparing a security update to permanently address the issue.

System administrators should evaluate implementing this Fix it for users.

https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/3010060