The wait is over!

Although these days Apple is putting more emphasis on the Mac, particularly for professional use, the company certainly isn’t ignoring pro iPad users. If you’ve been holding off on an iPad Pro purchase, there’s no reason to wait any longer. Apple introduced a new 10.5-inch iPad Pro that’s just a hair taller and wider than the 9.7-inch iPad Pro it replaces, despite having a larger screen that’s 20% larger. The company also enhanced the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a variety of new hardware capabilities.

All motion on the screens of both iPad Pros will be smoother and more responsive, thanks to a previously unheard of 120 Hz refresh rate. It will make drawing with the Apple Pencil even more fluid. The screens are also brighter, can display more colors, and have low reflectivity. Both models get new cameras that match those in the iPhone 7: a 12-megapixel rear-facing camera with optical image stabilization and True Tone flash, plus a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD camera on the front.

Since professionals care about performance, the new iPad Pros rely on Apple’s new processor, the A10X Fusion chip. Apple claims that the A10X is 30% faster than the A9X used by the previous generation of iPad Pros, and it also delivers 40% faster graphics rendering.

You can buy an iPad Pro with 64 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB of storage, significantly more than last year’s models. The 64 GB 10.5-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi costs $649; jumping to 256 GB increases the price to $749, and going to 512 GB raises it to $949. For the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, a 64 GB configuration starts at $799, with 256 GB at $899 and 512 GB at $1099. Add $130 to any configuration to get cellular connectivity as well.

Although the iPad Pros are available starting this month, you can look forward to them becoming significantly more useful when Apple releases iOS 11 in the fall. That’s because iOS 11 promises to bring a number of iPad-specific features, including:

• A customizable Dock that holds more than six apps
• A new App Switcher that includes split-screen app combinations
• A new Files app for managing documents
• Drag-and-drop capability for moving data between apps
• Instant Notes, which opens the Notes app with an Apple Pencil tap on the Lock screen
• Inline drawing with the Apple Pencil in Notes and Mail
• Handwritten text recognition so you can search what you write

The Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technology offers manufacturing plants the data necessary to improve organizational processes and increase profitability.

Leaders of enterprises spanning every industry are continuously looking for ways to improve organizational processes, reduce spending, deliver quality goods and services, and increase profits. While every business stands to gain from achieving these goals, manufacturers who miss the mark have the most to lose. Every second of downtime puts the entire plant behind schedule, leaving the workforce scrambling to make up the difference. For many, developing a preventative maintenance strategy is the answer to minimizing downtime and optimizing maintenance costs.

The Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technology is at the heart of this solution, making it possible for manufacturers to monitor assets and equipment, develop a routine maintenance plan, and identify issues before they force a halt in production.

Cloud technology and the Internet of Things are making it possible to remotely monitor and diagnose equipment, assess existing scenarios, fix equipment before it fails, and reduce overall maintenance costs.

Harnessing the Power of Data

IoT devices, partnered with facilities management software tailored to meet organizational needs, collects and analyzes data from manufacturing equipment. This information is then used to ensure a higher level of control over the manufacturer’s costs and facility conditions. In fact, a recently published report by McKinsey & Company estimates that the Internet of Things stands to save enterprises more than $4 trillion by 2025.

Manufacturers who invest in these business tools stand to benefit in three ways:

1) Reducing Downtime

A manufacturing plant is comprised of a series of complex machines. There are thousands of moving parts, each adding value to the entire production. If one piece of the puzzle, large or small, fails, production in the entire plant could be halted. This downtime reduces workforce engagement and costs the business both time and money.

Business tools like IoT sensors monitor every moving part, identifying weaknesses and deficiencies early on. Monitoring technicians can plan ahead, fixing the issue swiftly and during slower plant production times. Organizations also have the advantage of developing an automated preventative maintenance plan, scheduling routine maintenance before weaknesses arise. Since reactive maintenance accounts for more than 85% of an organization’s total maintenance spending, investing in a preventative maintenance strategy stands to significantly reduce facility management spending.

2) Increasing Organizational Efficiency

IoT tools can also help manufacturers better understand how the facility is performing and identify any opportunities to improve efficiency. For example, if a portion of the building is only used a few hours a day, is there really a need to keep the lights on all day? Or perhaps the HVAC runs colder in certain areas? IoT temperature and light sensors collect this data, offering management teams real-time analytics for each section of the plant. Once these issues are identified, plant managers can redefine processes, offering a more efficient working environment, at a fraction of the cost.

3) Increased Collaboration and Visibility

Historically, manufacturing plants have relied on IT systems tailored to a specific need. Each system worked separately from the other, making it impossible for the plant to truly run like a well-oiled machine. The Internet of Things integrates and connects each moving part, while still allowing them to perform their distinct, required job. This open line of communication offers management increased visibility and a better understanding of the big picture.

Before the arrival of IoT, organizations had a surplus of data, with no defined way of using it. With the implementation of the right business tools, manufacturers now have access to real-time, relevant data that assists them in making better decisions. Gaining a better understanding of their assets, resources, and facility ensures increased productivity and, ultimately, profits.

Ransomware is malware that either freezes your computer or locks it so you cannot access data and programs that your company normally uses. The criminal that is holding your system hostage, demands a ransom that is usually paid in Bitcoin.

Imagine opening your business one morning, turning your computer on and reading a message that says something like: Attention – Your System is Locked. If you want your data and programs unlocked, you must pay a fee of $800. If you are a new business or a small one, $800 can be a lot of money. It is in effect a ransom payment and is the harbinger that your computer is a victim of ransomware.

What is Ransomware/Malware?

Ransomware is malware that either freezes your computer or locks it so you cannot access data and programs that your company typically uses. The criminal that is holding your system hostage, demands a ransom that is usually paid in Bitcoin. One thing about this kind of criminal is they believe in excellent customer service. Instructions are sent you about how to pay in Bitcoin. Also, the thief or gang of thieves usually do return your computer back over to you – otherwise, most people would not bother to pay the ransom.

However, the ransom is only the beginning of your expenses relating to a ransomware incident involving your business.

What Are the Other Costs of Ransomware?

In 2016, the average cost of paying a ransom demand involving accessing a business’ computer programs and data was $679. It is expected to rise in 2017 to nearly $800. But, that is not the only, nor necessarily, the greatest expense. The other costs attendant to ransomware include:

Regulatory Fines

It is the duty of every business to safeguard the Personal Financial Information (PFI) and Personal Identifying Information (PII) of clients and customers. Regulatory authorities such as the US Department of Health and Human Services (HIPAA compliance) or the Federal Trade Commission for letting PII fall victim to a ransomware attack. Fines can be high (millions of dollars) but are usually not levied if there had been no other prior issues regarding confidentiality. For those firms who had previous breaches, fines can quickly add up to millions of dollars.

A Lack of Productivity

When a computer system is unreachable, your employees are undergoing downtime. Without your business data and programs, they are unable to work and are simply nothing more than another expense due to ransomware. Depending on the size of your workforce is how much this costs. A research study by the firm Vanson Bourne for SentinelOne reveals that it takes 38 man hours to recover from a ransomware attack.

Loss of Customers/Lack of New Customers

When a company is victimized by a ransomware attack, most states require that anyone whose data may have been breached must be advised of the possible breach. Doing so may lead to customers leaving you for another company. Likewise, it is harder to find new clients or customers.

Loss of Employees/Inability to Hire Top Applicants

The situation is similar when it comes to employee retention and new hires – employees want to know their employer has an excellent reputation that is unsullied by a successful ransomware attack.

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Mozilla Firefox users, the HoeflerText malware is back and this time, it’s targeting you.

Several months ago, Google Chrome users were the target of a vicious malware scam. When visiting a targeted website, an official looking Chrome message popped up indicating:

“The ‘HoeflerText’ font wasn’t found. The web page you are trying to load is displayed incorrectly, as it uses the ‘HoeflerText’ font. To fix the error and display the text, you have to update the ‘Chrome Font Pack’”.

Unaware this wasn’t an official message, users clicked the update button and received additional information regarding how to update their Chrome fonts. Malware developers determined this error message was being used by cyber criminals to spread Spora ransomware, which comes with active infection channels, sophisticated ransom payment service, and advanced crypto. The virus was discovered and a “fix” was defined, but not before thousands of Internet users were infected. Well, the malware attack is back again, only this time, it’s targeting Mozilla Firefox users.

What Mozilla Firefox Users Need to Know

The latest malware campaign, as discovered by Kafeine, a Proofpoint exploit expert, especially targets Mozilla Firefox users who have the banking trojan Zeus Panda. Fortunately, the cyber attackers left some easily recognized evidence behind; they kept the HoeflerText font name the same.

Here’s a little bit about how this attack works:

• These attacks only target users visiting websites that have already been compromised.
• The user is then scanned to see if they meet certain specifications. If they do, the web page is rewritten, and the screen looks distorted.
• The “‘HoeflerText’ font wasn’t found” message looks convincingly like an official Mozilla message. Users are persuaded to download and install the latest “Font Pack” version. Once the “Update” button has been clicked, the attack has been launched.

Once the user’s system has been infected, Zeus Panda is set to automatically launch when the user signs in. The command and control center is then notified to forward information regarding the infected device’s firewall and antivirus information. Panda, the online banking trojan, has targeted banks in North America, Europe, and Brazil. Its target is bitcoin exchanges, online betting accounts, bankers, airline loyalty programs, and online payment providers. If these recent attacks have proven anything, however, it’s that virtually everyone is at risk.

To safeguard yourself against this type of cyber attack, it’s critical that you’re careful about what you download from the Internet. If a window pops up indicating a new version of anything is required, go directly to the developer’s site to ensure authenticity. If no updates are found, contact the developer immediately. Additionally, keep your computer’s antivirus software updated at all times. Cyber criminals are becoming increasingly more advanced in their methods of delivery; it’s up to us to exercise caution and protect ourselves.