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53% of consumers report being aware of their national privacy laws, a 17-percentage point increase compared to 2019, according to Cisco. Informed consumers are also much more likely to feel their data is protected (81%) compared to those who are unaware (44%).

consumers privacy laws

“Our survey highlights the importance of privacy awareness in building consumer trust in brands and AI technologies,” says Harvey Jang, Cisco VP and Chief Privacy Officer. “Nearly 60% of consumers aware of privacy laws are comfortable using AI. Broadening awareness and educating consumers about their privacy rights will empower them to make informed decisions and foster greater trust in emerging technologies.”

Consumers believe AI can be useful in improving their lives​

The survey reveals that 63% believe AI can be useful in improving their lives​. The use of GenAI has nearly doubled, with 23% of respondents using it regularly, up from 12% last year. However, 44% of surveyed consumers remain unaware of GenAI. While users say they are gaining significant value from GenAI supporting content creation work, they are concerned about safety, potential misuse and societal risks.

“AI’ growing influence in our daily lives brings attention to the need for its responsible and safe use,” says Dev Stahlkopf, Cisco’s Chief Legal Officer and EVPt. “78% of surveyed consumers feel that it is the responsibility of businesses to employ AI ethically, which underscores the vital relationship between responsible AI and consumer trust.”

Focusing on privacy, 30% of GenAI users say they enter personal or confidential information, including financial and health details, into GenAI tools. This is despite 84% being concerned about that data going public.

Privacy and data protection has evolved from relative obscurity to a customer requirement with more than 75% of consumers saying they won’t purchase from an organization they don’t trust with their data. This translates into concrete actions as more consumers are becoming “Privacy Active,” particularly younger ones.

To safeguard their privacy, 49% of consumers aged 25-34 have switched companies or providers over their data policies or data-sharing practices, compared to just 18% of those aged 75+.

Young adults take action to protect privacy

The survey found that consumers aged 25-34 are also most aware of their privacy rights (64% vs. 33% of those aged 65+). It also shows a significant increase (36% vs. 28% last year) in how consumers exercise their right to access, correct, delete or transfer their personal data via Data Subject Access Requests (DSARs). Once more, younger consumers lead the way, with 46% of them taking these actions, compared to only 16% of those aged 65+.

In addition, consumers are leveraging security tools to safeguard their data. In the 12 months prior to the survey, 67% reviewed or updated their privacy settings in apps or platforms. 68% say they use multi-factor authentication, and 61% use a password manager to protect and keep track of their passwords.

“Data is an asset we all must actively work to protect,” says Anthony Grieco, Cisco SVP and Chief Security and Trust Officer. “From using multi-factor authentication to making sure that users know very clearly and easily who can access information as it is shared, we are encouraged by respondents taking action to protect their personal information.”

70% of all consumers surveyed believe that privacy laws have a positive impact, with only 5% perceiving a negative impact. They increasingly favor privacy protections, with 77% of respondents supporting similar rules across countries and regions to ensure baseline privacy protections. In the US, 81% of respondents favor a US Federal Privacy law.

The 6th edition of this research surveyed anonymously 2600 consumers in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, UK, US. ​


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Week in review

Here’s an overview of some of last week’s most interesting news, articles, interviews and videos:

Patching problems: The “return” of a Windows Themes spoofing vulnerability
Despite two patching attempts, a security issue that may allow attackers to compromise Windows user’s NTLM (authentication) credentials via a malicious Windows themes file still affects Microsoft’s operating system, 0patch researchers have discovered.

Black Basta operators phish employees via Microsoft Teams
Black Basta ransomware affiliates are still trying to trick enterprise employees into installing remote access tool by posing as help desk workers, now also via Microsoft Teams.

Google on scaling differential privacy across nearly three billion devices
In this Help Net Security interview, Miguel Guevara, Product Manager, Privacy Safety and Security at Google, discusses the complexities involved in scaling differential privacy technology across large systems.

Phishers reach targets via Eventbrite services
Crooks are leveraging the event management and ticketing website Eventbrite to deliver their phishing emails to potential targets.

How agentic AI handles the speed and volume of modern threats
In this Help Net Security interview, Lior Div, CEO at Seven AI, discusses the concept of agentic AI and its application in cybersecurity.

Lottie Player supply chain compromise: Sites, apps showing crypto scam pop-ups
A supply chain compromise involving Lottie Player, a widely used web component for playing site and app animations, has made popular decentralized finance apps show pop-ups urging users to connect their wallets, TradingView has reported.

How open-source MDM solutions simplify cross-platform device management
In this Help Net Security interview, Mike McNeil, CEO at Fleet, talks about the security risks posed by unmanaged mobile devices and how mobile device management (MDM) solutions help address them.

North Korean hackers pave the way for Play ransomware
North Korean state-sponsored hackers – Jumpy Pisces, aka Andariel, aka Onyx Sleet – have been spotted burrowing into enterprise systems, then seemingly handing matters over to the Play ransomware group.

Simplifying decentralized identity systems for everyday use
In this Help Net Security interview, Carla Roncato, VP of Identity at WatchGuard Technologies, discusses how companies can balance privacy, security, and usability in digital identity systems.

Russian hackers deliver malicious RDP configuration files to thousands
Midnight Blizzard – a cyber espionage group that has been linked to the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) – is targeting government, academia, defense, and NGO workers with phishing emails containing a signed Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) configuration file.

Inside console security: How innovations shape future hardware protection
In this Help Net Security interview, security researchers Specter and ChendoChap discuss gaming consoles’ unique security model, highlighting how it differs from other consumer devices.

US charges suspected Redline infostealer developer, admin
The identity of a suspected developer and administrator of the Redline malware-as-a-service operation has been revealed: Russian national Maxim Rudometov.

How isolation technologies are shaping the future of Kubernetes security
In this Help Net Security interview, Emily Long, CEO at Edera, discusses the most common vulnerabilities in Kubernetes clusters and effective mitigation strategies.

OpenPaX: Open-source kernel patch that mitigates memory safety errors
OpenPaX is an open-source kernel patch that mitigates common memory safety errors, re-hardening systems against application-level memory safety attacks using a simple Linux kernel patch.

Police hacks, disrupts Redline, Meta infostealer operations
The Dutch National Police, along with partner law enforcement agencies, has disrupted the operation of the Redline and Meta infostealers and has collected information that may unmask users who paid to leverage the infamous malware.

IoT needs more respect for its consumers, creations, and itself
It’s past time for device makers to tighten endpoints and implement secure protocols, better authentication mechanisms, and stronger storage at the edge.

Why cyber tools fail SOC teams
In this Help Net Security video, Mark Wojtasiak, VP of Research and Strategy at Vectra AI, discusses where vendors and tools aren’t owning accountability and how SOCs are shifting strategies to improve their attack signal.

OT PCAP Analyzer: Free PCAP analysis tool
EmberOT’s OT PCAP Analyzer, developed for the industrial security community, is a free tool providing a high-level overview of the devices and protocols in packet capture files.

Risk hunting: A proactive approach to cyber threats
Cybersecurity is an overly reactive industry. Too often we act like firefighters, rushing from blaze to blaze, extinguishing flames hoping to keep the damage to a minimum, rather than fire suppression experts designing environments that refuse to burn.

Fraudsters revive old tactics mixed with modern technology
Threat actors continue to probe the payments ecosystem for vulnerabilities and were successful in conducting fraud schemes affecting multiple financial institutions, technologies, and processes, according to Visa.

A good cyber leader prioritizes the greater good
Geopolitical tensions are rising worldwide, attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and nation-state threats on US organizations and critical infrastructure are at an all-time high.

The state of password security in 2024
In this Help Net Security video, John Bennett, CEO at Dashlane, discusses their recent Global Password Health Score Report, detailing the global state of password health and hygiene.

Top 10 strategic technology trends shaping the future of business
The ethical and responsible use of technology is fast becoming part of the mandate for CIOs, as organizations balance the need for progress with the protection of stakeholders’ trust and well-being, according to Gartner.

Adversarial groups adapt to exploit systems in new ways
In this Help Net Security video, Jake King, Head of Threat & Security Intelligence at Elastic, discusses the key findings from the 2024 Elastic Global Threat Report.

Cybersecurity jobs available right now: October 29, 2024
We’ve scoured the market to bring you a selection of roles that span various skill levels within the cybersecurity field. Check out this weekly selection of cybersecurity jobs available right now.

Cynet enables 426% ROI in Forrester Total Economic Impact Study
Cost savings and business benefits were quantified in “The Total Economic Impact of Cynet All-in-One Security,” a commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Cynet in October 2024.

Product showcase: Shift API security left with StackHawk
StackHawk’s platform revolves around three core pillars that redefine API security: API discovery, API security testing, and oversight.

Infosec products of the month: October 2024
Here’s a look at the most interesting products from the past month, featuring releases from: Action1, Balbix, BreachLock, Commvault, Dashlane, Data Theorem, Edgio, ExtraHop, Fastly, Frontegg, GitGuardian, IBM, Ivanti, Jumio, Kusari, Legit Security, Metomic, Nametag, Neon, Nucleus Security, Okta, Qualys, Rubrik, SAFE Security, Sectigo, Securiti, Veeam Software, and XM Cyber.


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Even as Mariah Carey slowly defrosts, there's another sure sign that the holidays are upon us: The slow trickle of cute and cozy movies debuting on Hallmark, Lifetime, Hulu, BET, OWN, and Netflix is soon to become a deluge. Hallmark alone produces 30 to 40 holiday movies—"holiday" typically but not always meaning "Christmas"—in a given year, and they're far from the only game in town.

It's a challenge for even the most dedicated consumer of seasonal movies to watch them all, so I'm trying to narrow down the list to highlight the most promising of the new batch: the biggest, the silliest, the weirdest, and the sappiest holiday movies that generally sound like they'll be the best use of your couch-and-cocoa and present-wrapping time. (For a long time a holiday movie skeptic, I have come around in recent years, so we're going to curl up under a fuzzy blanket and enjoy these seasonal comfort movies without shame.)

Christmas on the Ranch (November 1)

A relationship expert (Jade Harlow) gets stranded at a ranch (thus the title) just in time for Christmas. Is there perhaps a charming rancher in residence who might help her overcome her own hangups and find love? (There is: He's played by Houston Rhines).

Where to watch: Hulu

Holiday Mismatch (November 3)

Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick reunite; they were, of course, the aunts on Sabrina, the Teenage Witch for seven seasons back in the '90s. Here they play a couple of moms—one free-spirited, one uptight—who clash at a Christmas committee meeting but then discover they've accidentally set up their adult kids on a dating app. Now, they're determined to stop that romance before it starts.

Because I've seen a movie before, I'm betting they fail.

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

Meet Me Next Christmas (November 6)

Veteran TV and movie director Rusty Cundieff (Tales from the Hood and Chappelle's Show, among many other credits) helms Meet Me Next Christmas, starring Christina Milian as a woman who finds herself rushing around New York City in search of sold-out Pentatonix tickets (oddly specific, but sure). You see, she met a guy named James last year at Christmas, and they'd agreed to reunite at the concert, An Affair to Remember-style—but wait! The handsome ticket concierge (Devale Ellis) helping her out is pretty cute, too...

Where to watch: Netflix

A Christmas Miracle (November 7)

A family sits on a couch.
A Christmas Miracle Credit: A Christmas Miracle/BET+

A family goes into full-on panic mode to save the local community center over the holidays. Noree Victoria, Blue Kimble, Victoria Rowell, Nadia Simms, and Aaron D. Spears star.

Where to watch: BET+

Santa Tell Me (November 9)

Succesful interior designer Olivia (Erin Krakow) finds a note from Santa telling her that she's going to meet the love of her life on Christmas Eve, and that he'll be named Nick. But then she meets three guys named Nick! And also finds herself drawn to Chris (Erin Krakow) from work! Given that it's a Hallmark Channel movie, I'm guessing that she picks one, rather than inviting them all over for a festive Christmas orgy.

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

Hot Frosty (November 13)

Lacey Chabert leads up the cast in this instantly meme-worthy romance about a recently widowed woman who brings a snowman to life (as you do) to help her through the holiday season. The title and synopsis sound seem a little smutty, but I'm betting we get somethinga lot more wholesome.

Where to watch: Netflix

Style Me for Christmas (November 14)

A woman and man laugh at each otheracross a dance floor.
Style Me for Christmas, BET+ Credit: Style Me for Christmas/BET+

A fashion designer (Raven Goodwin) whose business is barely staying afloat gets an unexpected boost from her newest client, a famous R&B singer (played by one-named crooner Mario), who also happens to be a bit of a playboy.

Where to watch: BET+

Christmas with the Singhs (November 15)

A couple in formal wear stand talking to each other.
Christmas with the Singhs, Hallmark Credit: Christmas with the Singhs/Hallmark

Newly engaged Asha Singh (Anuja Joshi, The Resident) and Jake O'Brien (Benjamin Hollingsworth, Virgin River) are all ready to spend Christmas together, but their relationship is tested when cross-family cultural and holiday traditions clash.

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

Christmas at Plumhill Manor (November 16)

Maria Menounos takes a break from doing those movie theater intros to star as Margot Stone, a woman who inherits an English manor with the stipulation that she stay there for a week. Oh no, how harrowing! Will she strike up a romance with the hot groundskeeper's son? (She will.)

Where to watch: Lifetime

The Merry Gentlemen (November 20)

A Broadway dancer (Britt Robertson) decides to put on a show to save her parents' small-town performance space. Oh, and it's going to be an all-male revue lead by Chad Michael Murray, if you're looking for a little spice in your eggnog.

Where to watch: Netflix

A Wesley South African Christmas (November 21)

Six members of a family in South African dress
A Wesley South African Christmas, BET+ Credit: A Wesley South African Christmas/BET+

Following up 2022's A Wesley Christmas (and its sequel, A Wesley Christmas Wedding), this one finds Todd (Terayle Hill) heading off to Durban for some holiday business dealings—followed, of course, by the entire family. Dorien Wilson and Jasmine Guy return, as do the rest of the Wesley family cast.

Where to watch: BET+

Three Wiser Men and a Boy (November 23)

The sequel to Three Wise Men and a Baby catches up with the Brenner brothers (Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, and Andrew Walker) five years after they overcame their family squabbles and personal setbacks to care for wee baby Thomas. That was Hallmark's most watched holiday movie of 2022, so expect this new one—involving the brothers coming together to save Thomas' school play—to do pretty darn well.

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

Our Little Secret (November 27)

Lindsay Lohan is back in her third Netflix movie, following her big comeback in 2022's Falling for Christmas. Here she joins a stacked cast, including Kristin Chenoweth, Ian Harding, Jon Rudnitsky, and Chris Parnell, in the story of a couple of exes forced to spend the holiday together (her new boyfriend's sister is dating her old boyfriend, and neither of them wants anyone to know). Shenanigans will certainly ensue.

Where to watch: Netflix

A ’90s Christmas (November 29)

A man and women in winter wear look at each other in front of a holiday display
A ’90s Christmas, Hallmark Credit: A ’90s Christmas/Hallmark

Like most every working woman in a holiday movie, busy lawyer Lucy Miller (Eva Bourne) is geared up to spend Christmas alone. At least until a magical ride share transports her back in time to 1999, where she gets to relive the holiday season with her mom, sister, best friend—and her high school crush.

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

Nutcrackers (November 29)

A man talks to a child in a grocery store
Nutcrackers, Hulu Credit: Nutcrackers/Hulu

The cast is the big draw here, with Ben Stiller starring (alongside Linda Cardellini and Tim Heidecker) as a work-obsessed guy who suddenly finds himself in the role of caregiver for his rambunctious nephews. David Gordon Green, best known for his Halloween and Exorcist reboots, directs.

Where to watch: Hulu

Make or Bake Christmas (December 1)

A woman holds up a cookie.
Make or Bake Christmas, Lifetime Credit: Make or Bake Christmas/Lifetime

Vivica A. Fox and Jackée Harry (sold!) star in the story of Leslie (Fox), a lifestyle leader looking to expand her brand by buying out a local bakery owned by Denise Sugarbaker (Harry). Leslie sends one of her employees, Emma (Jasmine Aivaliotis). undercover as a seasonal employee to convince Denise to sell...but Emma soon finds herself drawn not only to the bakery's cozy holiday charm, but also to the owner's son, David (Landon Moss).

Where to watch: Lifetime

Season's Greetings From Cherry Lane (December 5)

Four adults and a child hug
Season's Greetings From Cherry Lane, Hallmark Credit: Season's Greetings from Cherry Lane/Hallmark

2023's clever Christmas on Cherry Lane, involving three lightly-connected stories set over generations at one particular house, gets not one but three followups this season. The first sees couple Mike and Zian (Jonathan Bennett and Vincent Rodriguez III) returning in a present-day story, while a doctor in 1951 tries to make a special Christmas for his wife before shipping off to Korea, and a newlywed couple in 2003 struggle to please their in-laws, and each other, during the holidays.

Where to watch: Hallmark+

A Season to Remember (December 7)

Sports reporter Symone Gibson (Michele Weaver) has a week before Christmas to find the story that might push her career forward—and luckily meets charming, handsome, and driven freelance photographer (Nathan Owens), who can help her out.

Where to watch: OWN

A Very Merry Beauty Salon (December 7)

A woman in a jacket smiles in front of a Christmas tree.
A Very Merry Beauty Salon, Lifetime Credit: A Very Merry Beauty Salon/Lifetime

Sienna (Tia Mowry), owner of Atlanta's most bustling beauty salon, is due to receive a humanitarian award at the annual Tinsel Ball. There's romance in the air when the (sexy) CEO of a prestigious wine brand (RonReaco Lee) takes over sponsorship of the event, but also concern that his new ideas could ruin the traditions that have made the ball so beloved.

Where to watch: Lifetime

Happy Holidays From Cherry Lane (December 12)

Four people stand side by side in front of a fireplace.
Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane, Hallmark Credit: Happy Holidays from Cherry Lane/Hallmark

In the second of three Cherry Lane follow-ups this year, we get a couple taking in a curmudgeonly father in 1960, a first meeting between Nelson (James Denton, returning from the first movie) and future wife Regina in 1998, and a last-minute Christmas Eve wedding in 2015.

Where to watch: Hallmark+

Hanukkah on the Rocks (December 13)

A newly out-of-work corporate lawyer (Stacey Farber) sets out across Chicago in search of the last box of Hanukkah candles, and instead finds Rocky’s, a quirky bar where she meets Jay (Daren Kagasoff), a doctor from Florida, and his grandfather Sam (Marc Summers). What else to do but get a job as a bartender, plan a big Hanukkah blowout, and learn a lesson or two about the value of doing something unexpected?

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

Christmas on the Alpaca Farm (December 15)

Jess (Kirsten Comerford) leaves her big-city, highfalutin' job at a New York fashion label to start her own line. Which requires her to, you guessed it, spend Christmas on an alpaca farm. Luckily there's a hunky single dad (Matt Wells) on the premises too.

Where to watch: Lifetime

Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane (December 19)

A man looks over a woman's shoulder
Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane, Hallmark Credit: Deck the Halls on Cherry Lane/Hallmark

In the final Cherry Lane film for 2024, John Brotherton and Erin Cahill are back as John and Lizzie, providing a sequel to the first movie 1981 segment. A section set in 1966 sees a single's guy's Christmas plans dashed when a neighbor volunteers his house to be used in a TV special, and a couple of friends start to develop feelings for each other in a segment set in 2000.

Where to watch: Hallmark+

Happy Howlidays (December 21)

Jessica Lowndes plays Mia, a webpage editor for the Seattle Tourism Board who finds holiday companionship in a stray dog...and then in shelter owner Max. We don't actually know who's playing the love interest yet, as it'll be the not-yet-announced winner of Hallmark's reality show Finding Mr. Christmas, the lead role here being the prize. Fun? Maybe?

Where to watch: Hallmark Channel

24-Karat Christmas (December 21)

Jewelry designer Trish (Samantha Marie Ware) sends off some wedding bands to the wrong person, so now she and the very cute best man Book (Curtis Hamilton) have to hunt them down in time for a Christmas Eve wedding.

Where to watch: OWN


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iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 have introduced a new Focus Mode called Reduce Interruptions, which allows you to use Apple Intelligence to decrease distractions without disabling notifications entirely. This has been a lifesaver for my workflow, since it lets me focus on writing but still shows me any urgent updates I might need to see right away. If you have an Apple Intelligence capable device, like an iPhone 15 Pro or above, here's how to set up this focus mode to your liking.

How to enable the Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode

On your iPhone, go to Settings > Focus > Reduce Interruptions to get started. Scroll down to set up a schedule or a trigger for this Focus Mode. I prefer to enable it automatically during my working hours on weekdays, but you can set it up however you wish. (Alternatively, you can turn it on manually from the Focus Mode control in the Control Center.)

If you're on your Mac, you'll find this menu under System Settings > Focus > Reduce Interruptions.

Customizing Reduce Interruptions to your liking

Two iPhone screenshots showing the settings pages to configure the Reduce Interruptions Focus Mode.
Credit: Pranay Parab

Reduce Interruptions automatically enables Apple Intelligence's Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing feature (I don't even have the option to turn it off here), which is what Apple's AI uses to decide which notifications are important and which ones aren't. It's a nifty way to get pinged less, but as with all things AI, success isn't guaranteed.

That's why you can also take a few minutes to configure this Focus Mode manually, to help the AI out a little bit. Go to Settings > Focus > Reduce Interruptions and select Options. You can now control which notifications you'll see when this Focus Mode is enabled, which will supersede the AI. I've enabled everything on this page, and set it up to silence notifications when my iPhone is locked. This way, all notification badges are hidden, alerts are sent to the lock screen, and the lock screen is dimmed, too. You can also go back one page and choose how your home screen and lock screen should look when Reduce Interruptions is enabled.

Once this is done, we're at the final stage: deciding which apps and people are allowed to send alerts. Use this to ensure you always see messages from a certain app or person while this mode is active. Select People to configure which of your contacts can reach out when Reduce Interruptions is on. Then, go to the Apps tab and select the apps you want to allow notifications from when you're in this focus mode. To keep things simple, I've set it up to let time-sensitive notifications through, but nothing else. My iPhone does a pretty good job of deciding which notifications are time-sensitive, and that's good enough for me. That's all the setup you need. You may have to tweak a few options in this Focus Mode once in a while, but this should be good enough to get you started.

It's worth noting that other focus modes also now have the Intelligent Breakthrough & Silencing toggle, but you'll need to turn it on to use it with them—it shouldn't be enabled automatically like with the Reduce Interruptions mode. Keeping it restricted to Reduce Interruptions is a good way to be able to toggle AI notification filtering on and off on the fly.


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The Arlo Pro 5S Spotlight Security Camera (three-pack), now down to $249.99 from its usual $649.99, packs some impressive features, making it a tempting option in the smart security market. First off, you’ve got a choice of white or black finishes to blend into your space, and it offers a solid 2K video quality with a 4MP HDR camera that captures clear, detail-rich 160° views. Plus, it’s got an 80dB siren and a motion-activated spotlight for color night vision if you’re after round-the-clock security and high-quality footage. This PCMag review notes that while the nighttime colors aren’t as sharp as what you would get in daylight, they’re still a step up from similar models out there.

It also includes a motion sensor, two infrared LEDs for black-and-white night vision, and a noise-canceling mic with a speaker for real-time interaction. Plus, it supports IFTTT and integrates smoothly with Alexa and Google Assistant, though it's not compatible with Apple HomeKit. Managing the camera is pretty straightforward with the Arlo Secure app. It lets you choose from preset modes like Arm Away, Arm Home, and Standby for quick and easy selection. Additionally, you can turn the camera on and off, check battery levels, adjust wifi settings, control spotlight brightness, toggle the mic, set up motion zones, and more using the app. And for those who want to extend the camera's battery life, there’s a low-power mode that can stretch runtime up to eight months.

The Pro 5S keeps you updated with push and email alerts for any detected movement or noise. But if you’re hoping to store footage locally rather than on the cloud, you’ll need Arlo's Smart Hub, which costs an extra $99.99 (down from $110.46) and works with USB drives. If that sounds a bit much and you’re after something more cost-effective, the TP-Link Tapo C420S2 might be worth a look—it’s cheaper at $125.99 (down from $139.99) and has a built-in microSD slot, so you can skip the hub. And, for those willing to subscribe, Arlo Secure plans (starting at $6.67/month and $10.83/month) give you access to 30 days of recordings for one camera and multiple cameras, respectively. For more advanced features like smart object recognition, professional monitoring, and 24/7 emergency response, you'll have to subscribe to Arlo's Plus or Premium plans, which cost $15 and $20.83 per month, respectively.


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It's hard to justify spending nearly $1,000 on a massive speaker meant to be used for crowds of 250 or more. But if you can find a justification, you'll be glad you did. The Soundboks 4 is overkill for a portable speaker, and most people won't probably use it to its maximum potential, but even using it at 60% of its power made me feel like I'm in the middle of a music festival. This is the fourth version of the third-generation Soundboks speaker and the bigger and less portable version of the Soundboks Go. It is Soundboks' flagship party-size speaker, and it'll make you the life of the party of your block (or get the cops called on you).

Soundboks sent me the Soundboks 4 speaker to review. I've been using it for months to host soccer games and the occasional house party (and one wedding). It's a powerful straightforward speaker, but if you're looking for a less expensive indoor party speaker with more features, I recommend the PartyBox Stage 320 instead.

Pros and cons of the SOUNDBOKS 4

Pros

  • An incredible volume of 126 decibels and a power output of 216 Watts RMS

  • Adjustable EQ and nice signature preset sounds

  • Connection for guitar, DJ mixer, microphone, or instruments

  • Powerful 40-hour battery

  • Replaceable battery

  • Can play music and charge the battery at the same time at half volume (or full volume with accessories)

  • IP65-rated (dust- and splash-proof)

Cons

  • Expensive

  • Only mono audio channel (can get stereo audio if you connect more than one Soundboks speaker)

  • No physical controls for music on the speaker

  • Very prone to feedback when using a microphone at close distance with high volume

  • App can be buggy for Android phones

  • Difficult to carry in one hand

Specs

  • Battery Life: Up to 40 hours at mid-volume and 6 hours at full volume (default sound profile); takes 3.5 hours to fully charge. A removable 99.84Wh, 7.8Ah, and 12.8V rechargeable battery with overheating and short circuit protection.

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 with TeamUP for connecting up to five Soundboks speakers, and a 3.5mm aux input.

  • App: Upgradeable firmware, custom sound profiles with customizable EQ, and Bluetooth PIN code option.

  • Inputs: Pro Panel inputs for guitar, DJ mixer, microphone, or active instruments (2 x 1/4-inch inputs, 3.5mm input and 3.5mm output).

  • Drivers: 2 x 10-inch woofers, 1 x 1-inch compression driver tweeter with 40Hz - 20kHz frequency range, custom pulse reflex port.

  • Power Output: 2 × 72-watt Class D amplifiers, reaching up to 126 dB. Total power output of 216 Watts RMS.

  • Water Resistance: Splash-proof with an IP65 rating for internal electronics.

  • Size: 25.6×17×13 inches (H × W × D).

  • Weight: 35.5 lbs.

First impressions of the Soundboks 4

How the Sundboks 4 compares in size to the PartyBox Stage 320 and the JBL Xtreme 4.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

As soon as the huge, heavy Soundboks box arrived in the mail, I knew it was going to be trouble. The speaker is considered portable, but at 35.5 pounds, I have trouble carrying it around in one hand for more than 20 seconds. It still falls under the category of portable because it can be transported around with a handle and played with a battery, but it is not easy to move around. In fact, it's so big and sturdy I sit on it comfortably when hosting soccer games. Compared to other big speakers I own, the Soundboks looks massive.

The Soundboks 4 is heavy to move around in one hand.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

Like all my portable speakers, I took it to test it with my soccer community—this time, on a street hockey rink to host 15 people playing soccer with Street FC. I was concerned about blasting it at full volume since the rink is across the street from a residential block, but I still did it (purely for journalistic integrity, of course). Even in this setting, hitting the volume to 11 (yes, it goes one level past 10) was too much. But it sounded incredible, and the players loved it. My body felt the thumping of every bass note; it reminded me of being in the front row during a concert. The music did not feel distorted even at the full 126 dB volume and power output of 216 Watts RMS, keeping its balanced and crisp sound just like the smaller Soundboks Go.

Features of the Soundboks 4

The input panel in the back.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

The Soundboks 4 has more features than the Soundboks Go, but for a nearly $1,000 speaker, I expect more features. It has the TeamUP feature that allows me to pair the speaker with up to four other Soundboks speakers to play in sync. Linking it with another SKAA-enabled Soundboks speaker is also the only way to get stereo sound. Once I connect it with other speakers, I can select which speaker plays left, mono, or right channels in the app. There's also a SKAA Pro Mode feature to reduce the latency between paired speakers, but I couldn't try any of these features when pairing.

I can make the Soundboks 4 pair automatically to my phone when I turn the speaker on (and can turn that feature off as well), but there is no multi-device pairing, so I can't switch between multiple devices. The Bluetooth range is also impressive. Soundboks says it can reach 800 feet in perfect conditions, but I was able to go to the farthers point in my home with two rooms and a kitchen worth of walls in between without the sound being affected.

You can charge the battery and connect it to play the speaker at the same time.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

Soundboks has a pin code feature so only those who know the four-digit pin can connect to the speaker, which makes sense for a party speaker meant to be used in a party setting potentially surrounded by many inebriated people. It also has a security setting that completely locks out the speaker from the app by marking it as stolen.

A sideways look at the Soundboks 4.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

The swappable battery means the speaker's lifespan is not dependent on the battery. I was able to play music as I charged it thanks to the T-jack cable that comes with the speaker, but only at level 5 or lower, which is enough for casual listening at home. If you buy The Battery ($199.99), which is a better battery than the one that comes with the speaker, you'll be able to play music at full volume and charge the speaker at the same time. It also doubles as a USB-C power supply.

The only physical buttons on the Soundboks 4.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

Soundboks says you can't leave the battery charging for more than six hours or you risk damage to it. Also, you shouldn’t power the speaker using the charger alone with no battery (although I did it and it worked up to volume 5)—the battery always has to be connected when playing, according to the manual.

The Soundboks 4 has two channels for guitars, DJ mixers, microphones, or active instruments. I only have a microphone, so that's the only thing I was able to test, and I was disappointed the speaker doesn't have a feature to avoid feedback. At volume 6, I could not stand less than five feet away before the screeching sounds of feedback warned me I was too close. For an outdoor speaker meant for big crowds, I expect better feedback technology like the PartyBox Stage 320 offers.

The grill on the Soundboks 4 is replaceable.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

The Soundboks app

The Soundboks app is simple and straightforward, but despite the many long updates I had to make, it was still buggy on my Google Pixel 6a Android phone. There is no way to control your media physically on the speaker other than the volume rotary dial, so I had to use my phone for all media control. It was frustrating that most of the time when I wanted to go into the settings of the app to change the EQ, the speaker would disconnect from my app (but I could still control the music from Spotify and adjust the volume). But this is something that hopefully gets fixed with more updates.

The main menu, EQ, and channel EQ for instruments on the Soundboks app.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

The app lets you control the volume, turn the speaker off, use the TeamUp feature, and change the EQ. The EQ is customizable in real-time, so you can hear the difference when moving the lever in the app up and down (as long as the app doesn't disconnect). The audio really shines with the preset EQ settings, though. You can choose between "Stage," "Dancefloor," and "Lounge" presets, and I found they each have a best-use case.

The three preset EQ settings on the app.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

  • Stage: Best used when outdoors to use the two 10-inch woofers to their maximum potential. It's loud with a thumpy bass. It reduces the battery life to about four hours when blasting at maximum volume.

  • Dancefloor: My preferred mix of bumpy bass and clear mids while still giving you six hours of battery life at max volume.

  • Lounge: Perfect when I'm indoors and don't want to annoy my dog. The sound has less bass and brings out the one-inch tweeter for more high-end nuance for a maximum of 8 hours at full volume.

The default flat EQ is not impressive, although it does give you the longest battery time of up to 40 hours at medium volume. You really get to hear and feel the potential of the speaker when you use one of the three signature EQ settings.

Bottom line

The Soundboks 4 in a soccer rink during a Street FC match.
Credit: Daniel Oropeza

The Soundboks 4 is an impressive, powerful speaker that has its place among the best portable speakers in the market, for the right use case. If you're a DJ, host many large parties or events, the Soundboks 4 will do a brilliant job for you, if you can afford it. The 126 decibels volume is powerful and best used outdoors to get its maximum potential (and it is splash-proof), but you're limited to mono unless you have another Soundboks speaker. I like that they made the battery replaceable, and with a separate "The Battery," you can play music at full volume while you charge. The adjustable EQ and preset sound signatures are nice and change in real time, but the app can be buggy. I wish there were more ways to control the audio directly on the speaker, but if you're using it in a party setting, this might actually be a pro (you don't want drunk people messing with your speaker). The speaker works great as an amplifier for instruments, but if you plan to use a microphone, expect feedback if you get too close to the speaker. If you're looking for a cheaper speaker with more features and better for house parties, I recommend the PartyBox Stage 320. But if you're working with large crowds outdoors, the Soundboks 4 is the winner.


from LifeHacker https://ift.tt/PJOacKg

This is a good point:

Part of the problem is that we are constantly handed lists…list of required controls…list of things we are being asked to fix or improve…lists of new projects…lists of threats, and so on, that are not ranked for risks. For example, we are often given a cybersecurity guideline (e.g., PCI-DSS, HIPAA, SOX, NIST, etc.) with hundreds of recommendations. They are all great recommendations, which if followed, will reduce risk in your environment.

What they do not tell you is which of the recommended things will have the most impact on best reducing risk in your environment. They do not tell you that one, two or three of these things…among the hundreds that have been given to you, will reduce more risk than all the others.

[…]

The solution?

Here is one big one: Do not use or rely on un-risk-ranked lists. Require any list of controls, threats, defenses, solutions to be risk-ranked according to how much actual risk they will reduce in the current environment if implemented.

[…]

This specific CISA document has at least 21 main recommendations, many of which lead to two or more other more specific recommendations. Overall, it has several dozen recommendations, each of which individually will likely take weeks to months to fulfill in any environment if not already accomplished. Any person following this document is…rightly…going to be expected to evaluate and implement all those recommendations. And doing so will absolutely reduce risk.

The catch is: There are two recommendations that WILL DO MORE THAN ALL THE REST ADDED TOGETHER TO REDUCE CYBERSECURITY RISK most efficiently: patching and using multifactor authentication (MFA). Patching is listed third. MFA is listed eighth. And there is nothing to indicate their ability to significantly reduce cybersecurity risk as compared to the other recommendations. Two of these things are not like the other, but how is anyone reading the document supposed to know that patching and using MFA really matter more than all the rest?


from Schneier on Security https://ift.tt/NSCva6K