If you weren't keeping track of the trends and news in tech, IT, and networking over the last month, don't worry: we monitor everything!
(With headings like the one above, my title should be "Head Heading Writer"; I'll have a word with my boss).
It's not for nothing that we published a blog article about ransomware last year (along with some tips of how to deal with it): recent studies suggest that ransomware is now the most popular form of malware for cyber attacks. To prove the point, it found its way into countless headlines thanks to some high-profile cases. Most notable was the city of Atlanta, which spent over 2.6 million US Dollars on recovery efforts after an attack. Considering the attackers allegedly requested 50,000 USD in the first place, the cost of not giving in to the bad guys was around 2.55 million USD. Now that's what I call "making a point"!
But ransomware is not the only security issue system administrators need to deal with: cryptojacking is on the rise. While it does not pose a direct threat to devices and networks, it does use up processing power. And that means more "the internet is slow" complaints. Rather the ransomware then, eh? If you're looking for good (and interesting) information regarding cryptojacking (and other security issues), I recommend https://badpackets.net/ as a resource.
Network Buzzwords Watch
If you need an update on the latest network computing trends, you're in luck: this month featured several good posts. Network Computing published 7 things you need to know about Intent-Based Networking, and is a good starting point if you've missed the IBN buzz while doing #actualwork.
When it comes to another hot networking topic, Software-Defined WAN (SD-WAN), there are lessons that can be learnt from early adopters (sometimes it is better to wait, after all).
Finally, although Wi-Fi is not quite a buzzword, it is about to transition from the last standard you couldn't remember the name of, to a new one you won't remember the name of: 802.11ax is coming, and it's going to make things a lot faster - eventually. For now you can just go on using the 802...errr, whatever standard it is you're using.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), a new law that defines how companies must handle data of European citizens, comes into effect on 25th May 2018, and it means companies everywhere are hard at work to ensure compliance. Well, kind of. Deloitte estimated that only 15% of organizations will be fully compliant by the deadline.
GDPR is good news for Europeans, of course, because of better data protection. But an unexpected side effect is that users are already being inundated with mails from dozens of companies asking them to opt in to receive E-mails in the future. Goodbye, uncluttered inbox.
Meanwhile, Mark Zuckerberg, that great protector of data, has stated that such laws would be good in the US, too. It seems Mark is trying to catch a bus that left two months ago...
Speaking of Mark Zuckerberg: you almost certainly had to cringe through him trying to explain the Internet to congress. And while that may have been entertaining for all the wrong reasons, Bad Lip Reading's version of the hearing is entertaining for all the RIGHT reasons! I'll leave you with it.