Benefits of Using EdTech in Teaching

• Personalization of education. Mastering the material is based on the student’s abilities and does not depend on the teacher’s need to present the entire course in a strictly limited time frame.
• Accelerated learning of the course. The programs of schools and universities are built in such a way that classes in a particular course are held one or several times a week. Thanks to EdTech programs, a student can master the course very quickly ‒ from a week to 1-2 months.
• Availability. Programs developed within EdTech can be easily transmitted over any distance. Thanks to this, the inequality in access to quality education between poor and rich countries is leveled to some extent. Technology Report https://techreport.ngo pays much attention to the use of IT technologies for philanthropic purposes and considers this advantage of EdTech one of the most promising.

Fairy Tales That Become Reality

• EdTech can fundamentally change attitudes towards technical and natural sciences, which are perceived as challenging. Understanding the schemes of complex mechanisms presented in textbooks is quite difficult. But when you can assemble and disassemble various technical structures in virtual reality, learning becomes much easier.
• The same applies to such disciplines as Chemistry or Physics. In a traditional school, the presentation of knowledge in these academic fields is rather speculative. When a student enters a virtual laboratory where one can mix any substances without any threat to health and see the effect of these experiments, the attitude towards Chemistry changes dramatically. No more abstract descriptions of physical or chemical experiments and simplified schemes! In virtual reality, you can conduct all of them personally.
• Geography takes the form of traveling to all corners of the earth with the opportunity to observe them from different perspectives and in connection with other regions.

The development of the EdTech market may become the next crucial step in improving the education of mankind after the mass eradication of illiteracy. A direct consequence of that was the influx of fresh personnel into the field of science and technology. What will happen in the 21st century in connection with the development of EdTech will many times exceed those consequences in scale.

You may not have noticed, but EdTech technologies have already become part of our daily lives

Perceiving EdTech as something out of science fiction, you might think that the time for using such technologies has not yet arrived. However, the https://elsitech.com team is eager to debunk this myth and unveil the mystery surrounding these technologies: both we and our children have been using them for a long time. It’s already a reality that we are planning to encounter in the future.

Don’t believe it? Just take a look at how EdTech solutions are widely applied worldwide. Here are a few examples:

• The world is actively utilizing platforms where educational courses on various topics are hosted. Visit Coursera or edX, and you’ll find countless topics that can help you acquire a new profession, enhance your qualifications, or simply gain a better understanding of specific subjects. These courses are tailored to different user groups and often allow you to study at your own pace and intensity.
• There are technologies available for conducting online lessons, whether individual or group sessions. Popular solutions like Google Meet or Zoom have become standard tools for virtually every teacher and student since the pandemic.
• More and more interesting and useful mobile apps are emerging, helping users delve into required topics through gamified experiences. Even if you’re not intentionally learning a language, chances are you’ve downloaded Duolingo at least once and enjoyed the fun owl that encourages you to earn rewards for successful lessons and reminds you of upcoming sessions. Of course, using Duolingo alone may not take you from zero to fluency, but it’s a great supplementary tool to work on language skills.

These are just examples of EdTech technologies that have already become an integral part of our lives. And these are far from all the examples. There are services for creating and taking online tests and educational games, as well as learning platforms that adapt the learning system to the student’s current level of knowledge. So, EdTech is not a fantasy or something to try in the distant future. These are educational innovations that are available to you today.

The post How EdTech Makes Education Attractive appeared first on Beowulf Underground.

The World of Software: A Comprehensive Guide

Software is a vital component of our lives today, and it has become ubiquitous in our daily activities. From our smartphones to our laptops, software is present everywhere. It is a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do, and it is what makes our devices function. There are different types of software, including system software, application software, and programming software. System software is responsible for managing the hardware and running the computer. Application software is designed for specific tasks such as word processing, gaming, or photo editing. Programming software is used to create and develop software programs. The world of software is constantly evolving, and new software is being developed every day. It is essential to stay updated with the latest software trends to be able to take advantage of new features and functionalities. In conclusion, software is an integral part of our lives, and it will continue to shape the way we live and work in the future.

All about Software: Understanding How Programs are Created, Developed, and Used

Software refers to the set of instructions, programs, and data that enable computers and other electronic devices to perform specific functions. From the operating systems that power our smartphones, laptops, and desktops, to the applications we use to browse the web, edit photos, or play games, software is an essential part of our daily lives.

This article explores the different types of software, their development process, and their applications across various industries.

Types of Software:

Software can be categorized into two main types: system software and application software. System software includes operating systems, device drivers, and utility programs that manage and control the hardware of a computer. Application software, on the other hand, includes programs that enable users to perform specific tasks, such as word processing, video editing, and gaming.

Development Process:

Software development is a complex process that involves several stages, including planning, design, coding, testing, and maintenance. Software developers use programming languages such as Java, C++, and Python to write code that defines the behavior of software programs. They also use tools such as Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) and version control systems to manage and track changes to code.

Applications in Different Industries:

Software has transformed many industries, from healthcare to finance, manufacturing to education. In healthcare, software is used to manage patient records, diagnose diseases, and develop new drugs. In finance, software is used to track financial transactions, analyze market trends, and manage risk. In manufacturing, software is used to design and control production processes, while in education, software is used to create e-learning courses and manage student data.

Software is a crucial element of modern technology and has revolutionized the way we work, communicate, and live our lives. Understanding the different types of software, their development process, and their applications in various industries can help us appreciate the importance of software in our daily lives.

Everything You Need to Know About Software

1. What is software?

– Software refers to a set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do. It can be a system software or an application software.

2. What are the different types of software?

– There are two main types of software: system software and application software. System software includes operating systems, device drivers, and firmware. Application software includes productivity software, entertainment software, and educational software.

3. How is software developed?

– Software development involves a process of designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software. It can be done by individual developers or by teams of developers using various programming languages.

4. What are programming languages?

– Programming languages are used to develop software. They are a set of instructions that computers can understand and execute. Some popular programming languages include Java, C++, Python, and JavaScript.

5. What is open-source software?

– Open-source software is software that is free and can be used, modified, and distributed by anyone. The source code is available for anyone to view and change.

6. What is proprietary software?

– Proprietary software is software that is owned by a company and can only be used with a license. The source code is not available for public use or modification.

7. What is software piracy?

– Software piracy is the illegal copying, distribution, or use of copyrighted software without permission from the owner. It is a crime and can result in legal consequences.

8. What is software licensing?

– Software licensing is the legal agreement between the software owner and the user that outlines the terms of use, payment, and distribution of the software.

9. How does software impact our daily lives?

– Software is used in almost every aspect of our daily lives, from smartphones and computers to cars and medical equipment. It helps us to communicate, work, learn, and entertain ourselves.

Understanding Software: A Comprehensive Guide

Software is an essential component of modern technology, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to sophisticated industrial machinery. At its core, software is a set of instructions that tells a computer or other electronic device what to do. There are countless types of software, including operating systems, applications, games, and utilities. Each type of software serves a unique purpose, and the development process varies depending on the intended use. Software developers use a variety of programming languages, such as Java, Python, and C++, to write code that can be compiled into executable programs. Testing and debugging are critical steps in the software development process, ensuring that the software works as intended and is free from errors. Understanding the basics of software is essential for anyone who uses technology, and a deeper understanding can lead to exciting career opportunities in software development and engineering.

Software has become an indispensable part of our lives, from the simplest of applications like calculators to complex systems like artificial intelligence. It is amazing to think about how software has transformed the way we work, communicate, and entertain ourselves. The software industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and innovations being introduced every day. As we continue to rely on software more and more, it is important to consider the impact it has on our society, including issues such as privacy and security. Nevertheless, the possibilities of software are endless, and we can only imagine where this technology will take us in the future.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Software: Understanding the Basics and Benefits appeared first on Beowulf Underground.

What is Software Automation?

Software automation is automating a process or task by employing algorithms. Companies and individuals use it to speed up accomplishing a task or carrying out instructions. Regarding essay writing, software automation can streamline the process of brainstorming, organizing ideas, improving grammar, and finding reliable sources.

Benefits of Software Automation for Essay Writing

There are many benefits of using software automation for writing essays. Firstly, it can help students improve their writing by providing feedback and suggestions. Secondly, it can help students organize their ideas into a coherent structure. Thirdly, it can help the student improve grammar and spelling by flagging mistakes and suggesting corrections. Fourthly, it can help the student speed up the essay writing process by automating the task of finding reliable sources and checking for plagiarism. Finally, it can help the student find plagiarism and any inconsistencies in their writing.

Automation Can Help Strengthen Student Writing

By providing feedback tailored to the student’s writing, software automation can significantly help strengthen student writing. Software programs like Grammarly, WordRake, and Hemingway Editor are instrumental in this regard, as they can detect errors and provide suggestions for improvement. In addition to providing feedback on grammar and style, such software can help support student research by providing bibliographies, references, and citation options. This helps students craft organized papers that present a well-developed argument. Automation assistance also enables students to gauge their overall writing skills as well as their writing progress from assignment to assignment.

Software automation is particularly beneficial for student writers who are struggling with essay-writing tasks. Automation can provide support to identify sentence and paragraph structure, determine which words are appropriate, or locate sources of information. It can also reduce the amount of time required to create a project as students can quickly identify relevant sources of information and review notes without having to manually take notes and research materials.

Automation can Help Students Get Ideas Organized.

By using software automation, students can easily organize their ideas in a well-structured manner. For example, automated software could help students identify the main points in an essay and highlight any inconsistencies in their arguments.

Automation Can Help Students Improve Grammar and Spelling

Students can quickly identify spelling and grammar errors in their writing using automated software. Programs like Grammarly and Hemingway Edit and Correct are beneficial here, as they can instantly provide suggestions for improvement, enabling students to improve their writing abilities quickly.

Automation Can Help Speed Up the Writing Process

Automated software can be used to speed up the essay-writing process significantly. By automating the task of finding reliable sources and checking for plagiarism, software automation can help students considerably speed up their writing process, resulting in a well-written essay in a fraction of the time.

Automation Can Help Find Reliable Sources

Automated software can help students find reliable information from trusted sources. This can be used to ensure that the student’s essay is based on accurate information.

Automation Can Help Find Plagiarism: By running the student’s essay through a plagiarism detection program, automated software can identify potential instances of plagiarism in work and alert the student to any issues.

Pros and Cons of Using Software Automation

Both advantages and disadvantages are associated with using software automation for essay writing. On the one hand, software automation provides a great deal of help to those who are looking to improve their writing quickly. However, on the other hand, relying solely on software automation for significant writing projects can be challenging, as the student may need to learn what the software is suggesting.

Conclusion

Software automation offers many benefits to those who use it for essay writing. It can help students improve their writing, streamline the process of finding reliable sources, and even detect instances of plagiarism. However, the student must use software automation wisely, as improper implementation can result in significant issues.

Software automation is rapidly becoming more popular and trusted with the advent of modern technology. For further assistance and a wide range of professional writing services, students can trust Helphomework.net, which offers quality academic writing assistance on any writing task.

The post The Benefits of Software Automation for Essay Writing appeared first on Beowulf Underground.

When would it be a good idea for me to utilize a VPN?

A virtual private organization is probably the most effective way to remain secure on the web, and you ought to utilize it when accessible. Assuming that you utilize a VPN constantly, you can safeguard yourself from programmers and spies. Be that as it may, there are different times while utilizing a VPN is essential:

Public Wifi – Many public wifi spots aren’t secure. In the event that you’re on one of these organizations without security, somebody could keep an eye on your web traffic or commandeer your meeting to gain admittance to your records. A VPN will encode your traffic with the goal that no one can see what you’re doing.

Streaming Content – If you consistently stream content on the web, a VPN can assist with safeguarding your protection. Some ISPs choke web based video traffic, so utilizing a VPN can help get around this issue.

When would it be advisable for me NOT utilize a VPN?

There are a few situations where utilizing a VPN isn’t great:

Gaming – Some gamers like to play on private, outsider servers that aren’t associated with true game servers. In the event that you’re utilizing a VPN to interface with one of these servers, your IP address will be uncovered and you could get restricted from the game.

Torrenting – Torrenting is an incredible method for sharing documents, but on the other hand it’s famous for theft. At the point when you’re torrenting, your IP address is uncovered so different clients can see what you’re downloading. This could prompt lawful issues in the event that you’re not cautious with regards to what you’re doing.

Bypassing Censorship – In specific nations, the public authority might attempt to impede clients from getting to parts of the web or visiting explicit sites. A VPN can assist with this issue also in light of the fact that it scrambles your traffic and changes your IP. Utilizing these administrations is illegal in certain nations, so you could cause problems for making it happen.

How does a VPN function?

A VPN makes a safe, scrambled “burrow” over the Internet that associates your PC to the web. All information sent through this passage is gotten from programmers or eavesdroppers. This is finished by utilizing solid encryption codes which are essentially uncrackable when appropriately utilized. The flimsy part in many instances of safety breaks online has been recognized as the end client, not the security of information.

A VPN is extraordinary for web security and safeguarding your personality on the web yet it likewise accompanies different advantages too which will be talked about beneath in this extreme aide.

Without a VPN, you’re powerless

A VPN can be utilized to work on your security in various ways. For instance, by utilizing a VPN administration, you can open limited sites and content in light of the area of the organization server rather than your own actual area. You additionally have an additional layer of insurance against programmers when associated over open organizations.

With a VPN, you should rest assured that your web-based security is safeguarded.

VPN programming is utilized for an assortment of purposes, the most well-known of which is to protect your information and character while you’re utilizing public Wi-Fi organizations. A VPN makes a scrambled passage between your gadget and the VPN server, keeping anybody in the organization from seeing your data.

A VPN can likewise be utilized to get to hindered sites, which is especially valuable for clients who live in nations with severe oversight controls. A VPN will permit you to imagine that your gadget is found elsewhere, subsequently bypassing any web-based squares and permitting you full admittance to the web as though you were there.

Proxying and reserving

One of the fundamental motivations behind VPN programming is to go about as an intermediary. This implies that when you associate with a VPN, your PC will send all its traffic through the VPN server before it goes out onto the more extensive web. This can be helpful for two reasons. First and foremost, it can give some protection by concealing your actual IP address from sites you visit. Furthermore, it tends to be utilized to sidestep topographical limitations on sites. For instance, to watch a US TV show that is just accessible online for watchers in the US, then, at that point, associating with a VPN server in the US will permit you to do this.

Confirmation Protocols

The greatest distinction among free and paid VPN is the validation conventions. Free administrations for the most part don’t have any encryption, while paid ones truly do encode your information with solid calculations like AES-256 or Blowfish. They additionally utilize various sorts of passages for association: PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol), LTPP (Layer Two Tunneling Protocol) or SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol).

The most well known confirmation convention is PPTP in light of the fact that it’s quick and simple to set up. Nonetheless, its security isn’t extremely amazing, so you should utilize a paid VPN administration that utilizes LTPP or SSTP all things being equal. These conventions are safer, however they additionally will quite often be slower than PPTP.

Burrowing

Burrowing is a strategy for making a scrambled association between your PC and VPN server. Burrowing conventions can be utilized to get to area limited administrations, for example, real time video or locale hindered sites. The most widely recognized sort of burrowing convention that individuals use to unblock destinations like Netflix and Pandora is OpenVPN (SSL).

Encryption

VPNs are utilized to scramble data between your PC and the VPN supplier. This implies that while you’re utilizing public WiFi, none of your own information can be blocked by programmers endeavoring to catch it. Encoding this imperative data protects you from digital lawbreakers out there searching for their next casualty.

VPNs can likewise be utilized to parody your area. This is convenient to get to content that is impeded in your area, or then again to show up as though you’re perusing from an alternate country.

VPN programming can likewise help accelerate your web association by decreasing how much information that should be moved. This is particularly helpful assuming that you’re utilizing a sluggish or clogged organization.

VPNs are a fundamental piece of programming for anybody hoping to work on their internet based security and protection. Try to look at our rundown of the best VPN suppliers, so you can track down the right one for you.

Sorts of VPN programming

There are three sorts of VPN programming: client, server, and site-to-site.

Client VPN programming is introduced on gadgets that need to interface with a VPN, like a PC or cell phone. Server VPN programming is introduced on the gadget that will be going about as the VPN server (normally a switch). Site-to-site VPN programming is utilized to associate at least two actual areas together into a solitary virtual organization.

VPN programming can be utilized for an assortment of purposes, including:

Associating with a corporate organization from home or in a hurry.

Getting your traffic while utilizing public Wi-Fi organizations.

Bypassing geological limitations on sites and real time features.

Safeguarding your security while utilizing the web.

Business VPNs

Business VPNs are ordinarily utilized by organizations to safeguard their information and representatives while working from a distance. By utilizing a VPN, organizations can make a protected association between their gadget and the remote organization, considering protected and private transmission of information. Furthermore, business VPNs can be utilized to unblock sites or content that is obstructed in specific nations.

VPNs can likewise be utilized for individual use. For instance, to watch a film that is just accessible in the US, you can utilize a VPN to change your area and access the substance. Furthermore, VPNs are incredible for safeguarding your protection while utilizing public wi-fi networks.

Corporate VPN

A corporate VPN is a protected organization association between at least two gadgets. It’s utilized to associate an association’s far off representatives and branch workplaces to the organization’s interior organization. A corporate VPN can likewise be utilized to interface private organizations together over the web.

A portion of the vital advantages of utilizing a corporate VPN include:

Expanded security: A corporate VPN gives a protected association between gadgets, which helps hold your information and data protected back from meddlesome eyes.

Convenience: With a corporate VPN, workers can undoubtedly get to the organization’s inner organization from any area. This permits them to deal with projects or download records while they’re from the workplace.

Expanded efficiency: A corporate VPN permits representatives to work from a distance, so they can be more useful while voyaging or working in new areas.

PC security specialists have expressed that a virtual private organization is a brilliant way for enterprises and people to safeguard touchy information against cyberattacks. For instance, when you utilize a VPN, your information is encoded prior to being sent over the web to the organization’s private servers. This gives an additional layer of security against programmers who might be endeavoring to take delicate data.

Self-arrangement VPN

There are numerous applications that you can use to set up your own VPN, which is incredible for getting around provincial limitations or then again assuming you need more command over the security of your information.

A famous choice is Betternet, which is free and simple to utilize. You basically download the application, open it, and pick a server to interface with. Your information will be encoded and shielded from meddlesome eyes.

Assuming you’re searching for a more thorough arrangement, investigate NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Both have custom applications that you can undoubtedly use to get to servers from various nations, as well as a scope of additional highlights including ‘twofold encryption’ and hostile to malware assurance.

VPNs are likewise extraordinary for getting around restriction blocks – great assuming there’s a particular thing on your beloved streaming site that isn’t accessible in your area.

Options in contrast to VPN Software

On the off chance that you are not enthused about utilizing VPN programming, or on the other hand in the event that your organization doesn’t permit it, there are a couple of choices. One is to utilize an intermediary server. An intermediary server is a PC that sits between your gadget and the web and advances traffic from your gadget to the web as well as the other way around. This can be utilized to sidestep limitations on your web, yet it doesn’t give encryption.

There are both free and paid elective administrations to VPN programming that you can investigate. Assuming you need assistance with more security than simply concealing your IP address from sites, think about utilizing the Tor program rather than an intermediary server. Despite the fact that they truly do limit access in certain nations, they will give you a safer association for an expense.

To unblock sites on your PC, yet not really scramble all of the traffic on it, there is likewise a choice called SSH burrowing that can be utilized as one more option in contrast to VPN programming and intermediary servers.

FAQs

How would I pick a VPN?

There are many elements including speed, encryption strength, cost and the area of servers. Current VPN specialist co-ops offer an assortment of choices in these classes to browse so there is something for everybody’s financial plan and inclination.

A decent spot to begin is by perusing surveys of different clients who have utilized the assistance previously. That way, you can find out about what your experience may resemble without paying for it first or hazard getting misled.

For what reason would it be advisable for me to pay for a VPN?

There are many motivations behind why you should pay for a VPN, not simply to get sufficiently close to obstructed sites or blue-penciled substance. A paid assistance will permit you the adaptability of limitless data transfer capacity, which is significant assuming you download enormous records like motion pictures and music. It additionally permits clients in nations where ISPs have been known to sneak around on information associations, by encoding your traffic. Paid VPNs are regularly more dependable and have quicker association speeds than free administrations.

Are VPNs legitimate?

VPNs are lawful in many nations. In any case, there are not many that have limitations on VPN use. For instance, the Chinese government limits the utilization of VPNs to blue pencil content and screen web traffic.

Would I be able to utilize a VPN on versatile? How could I need to?

VPN programming can be utilized on practically any kind of gadget, which settles on it a decent decision for versatile clients. It is viable with PCs and surprisingly a few switches. The help makes its mark in nations that have firewalls or web channels set up – permitting you to get to locales that are typically obstructed by the public authority’s firewall rules. There are various VPNs that are planned explicitly for cell phones, which makes it simple to get set going.

VPN programming can likewise be utilized on open Wi-Fi organizations. This is an incredible method for keeping your information hidden when you’re making the rounds, as it scrambles all the traffic between your gadget and the VPN server. This implies that your passwords, bank subtleties and other delicate data remain careful and secure.

Will a VPN delay my web?

A VPN won’t dial back your web association. In any case, the distance among you and the VPN server might influence your speed. For instance, assuming you are in the United States and associate with a VPN server in Australia, your speed might be decreased because of the distance. Then again, assuming you are interfacing with a VPN server that is near you, your paces might be expanded.

Do VPNs deplete the battery?

VPNs don’t commonly deplete the battery. Nonetheless, in the event that your gadget is continually looking for a VPN server, it might involve more power and result in more limited battery duration. Assuming you are utilizing a VPN application on your telephone, ensure that “interface on request” or “programmed associate” is empowered so your gadget doesn’t need to look for a VPN server.

End

On the off chance that you feel like the time has come to evaluate a VPN, this present time is the ideal opportunity. Various administrations are sans offering preliminaries or unconditional promises that can be exploited with no danger for yourself. In the event that you read this aide, ideally it has edified a few realities about VPNs and how they work with their planned purposes. Assuming that you have any further inquiries, go ahead and leave a remark beneath and I will give a valiant effort to respond to them quickly!

VPN programming is utilized for various reasons. Certain individuals use it to get to area locked content while others use it for added security while perusing the web. Not an obvious explanation might be for needing to utilize a VPN, you want to know what they are first prior to taking the leap. Certain individuals imagine that in light of the fact that their PC or gadget is associated with a public Wi-Fi network then it naturally shields them from being hacked as well as kept an eye on by outsiders.

The post Ultimate Guide: What is VPN Software Used For? appeared first on Beowulf Underground.

It’s no secret that the number of vulnerabilities detected in application software increases every year. At the same time, not only their number, but also their type is growing. For example, according to Hewlett Packard, we can currently identify over 500 classes of vulnerabilities in software. Examples of these vulnerabilities are buffer overflow, SQL injection, Cross Site Scripting, and many others.

It is also extremely important to note that the sooner the vulnerability is discovered, the less funding will be needed to fix it. This fact is graphically illustrated in the table below.

Cost of vulnerability mitigation at different stages of software development

Search for vulnerabilities in software can be done manually or with automation tools. At present, to detect software vulnerabilities either static or dynamic analysis tools can be used, which are described in detail below.

Static analysis tools

Static analysis implies search for potentially unsafe constructions in software source code. This type of analysis allows you to detect technological vulnerabilities occurring at the stage of software development because of the developer’s carelessness or malicious intent.

The process of deploying static analysis tools requires participation not only of the information protection department but also of the department responsible for software development. This is due to the fact that only the developers will be able to analyze the results of source code scanning and to make the necessary corrections in the source code of the application.

The figure below shows a generalized process of using the static security analysis tool. As part of this process, the static analysis tool launches the source code scanning process at the moment of centralized building of the whole application. This process usually takes place at the end of the day. Information about the vulnerabilities identified during the scanning process goes to the management server, to which the representative of the development department responsible for software security has access. After analyzing the scanning results, he or she identifies the relevant vulnerabilities and creates corresponding requests for them in the Bug Tracker. At the next stage, the manager of the entire software development process appoints the developers responsible for fixing the identified vulnerabilities based on the created requests. These developers then make changes to the source code to eliminate the identified vulnerabilities. Then this process is repeated on a regular basis until the application development process is completed. At the same time, the security officer monitors at specified intervals that all vulnerabilities detected by static analysis are successfully fixed by the development team.

Process of using static software security analysis tool

Examples of systems that implement this analysis method are HP Fortify and IBM AppScan. These solutions allow you to fully automate the process of source code analysis, integrate into all the most popular software development environments, and identify specific code fragments containing vulnerabilities and offer recommendations on eliminating them. As recommendations, they contain examples of source code fragments showing how to fix this or that vulnerability. Typically, solutions of this class support the ability to analyze source code written in different programming languages. For instance, HP Fortify supports over 20 different programming languages from COBOL to C#.

Dynamic analysis tools

Dynamic analysis implies the testing of already compiled software running in a specific environment. This can be achieved using specialized security scanners, which simulate possible attacks of intruders and also analyze configuration files of the software. Dynamic analysis allows to detect not only technological but also exploitation vulnerabilities caused by incorrect software configuration. Such vulnerabilities include: weak and unguessable passwords, unused accounts, improperly configured software security features, etc. Max Patrol (Positive Technologies) and Qualis (Qualys, Inc.) solutions can be cited as examples of products that implement dynamic analysis functionality.

Another type of dynamic analysis is fuzzing. Fuzzing is the process of sending intentionally incorrect data to the program input in order to cause a failure or error situation. Thus, this technology allows to detect vulnerabilities in the application being analyzed.

Using dynamic analysis tools does not require the source code of the software and does not require the developers to be involved in the security analysis of the application.

Comprehensive approach

To provide the most efficient software security assessment it is necessary to use both static and dynamic analysis tools, as they complement each other. For example, static analysis allows detecting up to 80% of existing vulnerabilities that can be identified from the source code. At the same time, dynamic analysis allows to detect additionally the remaining 20% of vulnerabilities, which are connected with the software configuration and the environment in which it operates. It should also be noted that these software security analysis solutions can be used both as specialized products installed in a company’s LAN and as cloud services.

At the same time, software security analysis should certainly become a part of an integrated approach towards information security of the company as a whole. The requirement to perform such analysis is already stipulated in a number of information security standards, such as PCI DSS. That means that besides using static or dynamic analysis tools, one must have documented procedures describing the processes related to security software development. Such procedures can be based on the recommendations of leading software companies, such as Microsoft or EMC, which have implemented and created special recommendations for organizing the security software development process – SDL (Security Development Lifecycle). These recommendations include, among other things, procedures for increasing developer awareness of the issues involved in creating insecure code. The end result of implementing all these procedures should be to improve the quality of the code being developed, including from an information security point of view.

The post Practical aspects of software vulnerability detection appeared first on Beowulf Underground.

Since then, however, ransomware has gone from being a minor nuisance to big business and has become much more sophisticated. A particular problem is that these days, cybercriminals use military-grade encryption, making a free remedy to remove large ransomware almost impossible.

As a result, ransomware remedies originally released by vendors such as Avast, Trendmicro, Bitdefender, and Kaspersky are becoming increasingly ineffective, and Bitdefender has even withdrawn from the market.

The sad truth today is that if you are suffering from a ransomware attack, although you can try a few of the tools below to counter it, you probably won’t be able to remove most of the ransomware that is now on the market.

However, there is some good news, the first of which is that ransomware has become much more targeted these days, so ordinary users are less likely to suffer from it. There are also privacy and security tools for regular users, such as free VPNs, that can help keep you safe online.

In addition, most of the best anti-virus and free anti-virus programs will have ransomware protection built in.

Also, for regular users who back up most imported files offline or online via cloud storage, chances are they can recover them if you access them from another computer…

It’s high time for businesses to have a full disaster recovery software platform to ensure that – if a ransomware attack gets past your existing endpoint security – you can at least recover everything you need from a recent or even real-time backup.

Overall, ransomware remains bad news, and its likelihood will get worse, and while we’ve tried to list the best tools to remove it, remember that it has limitations and that prevention is a much better strategy…

If you’re not already a victim of a ransomware attack and want to actively protect your PC, consider a dedicated prevention tool like ZoneAlarm Anti-Ransomware, which uses behavioral analysis to identify processes that act as ransomware – even if it’s not yet a specific known threat – and automatically backs up your files if it detects anything. It carries a subscription fee, so we didn’t include it in our main review, but $1.99 per month per PC is modest. The $1.99 per month per PC is a modest fee compared to the ransom fees charged by criminals.

The post The best free tools to protect against ransomware appeared first on Beowulf Underground.

In the current digital world, no one is safe from all kinds of threats. In all seriousness, every time you connect to the Internet, you make yourself a target for attacks. But then what to do, how to be? The answer is prosaic. Just as in real life you need to be very careful about your security, you need to do the same in virtual life. To do this, you will need anti-virus software.

When choosing an antivirus program everyone is sure to have the following questions:

• Which antivirus should I choose: paid or free?
• Will the built-in anti-virus in my operating system be enough?
• Will free antivirus provide the maximum level of protection?

Paid antivirus

A lot of people, remembering the proverb about free cheese, try to protect their computer with paid antivirus software. When you pay money for antivirus, you get a virus protection module, a fraud protection module, and a firewall. Also, depending on the software developer, you may get network protection and account control, a feature to back up your data and create restore points. Also, companies are better at supporting the products they pay money for. It looks good, you’ll agree. But, you will have to pay quite a bit of money (about $100) per year for the whole protection package.

But it is worth noting that companies now offer a very flexible pricing policy for their products. Thus, in most cases, you can choose only the antivirus functionality you need. Additionally, the price of an anti-virus program depends on how many computers you want to install it on (the more computers you want to protect, the more expensive the license will cost). You can also often find today a loyalty program that allows you to save money by using an anti-virus for a certain brand for a long time. Today the best choice among paid anti-viruses are ESET Smart Security, Kaspersky Anti-Virus, Dr.Web.

Pros

• Comprehensive protection from all types of threats.
• One interface to access all features.
• Prompt security updates from all threats.

Cons

• The price for an annual subscription can be very high.
• Some antivirus software modules can consume a lot of computer resources.

Free antivirus software

If you want to qualitatively protect your computer from threats, you don’t always need to buy an expensive antivirus software license. So, your operating system right out of the box already has a basic set of protection against viruses. For example, Windows 10 already comes with a built-in antivirus – Windows Defender. In addition, you can easily find a lot of free antivirus programs on the Internet. And these programs do not necessarily have to be from some obscure companies. On the contrary, producers of expensive and powerful complex anti-virus packages also offer free solutions with basic functionality. Well, no one is stopping you from using several free antiviruses that can complement each other and provide comprehensive protection against all kinds of threats. Avast Free Antivirus, AVG AntiVirus Free, Bitdefender Antivirus Free Edition are good choices among free antiviruses.

Pros of

• You can use several antivirus programs together for more comprehensive protection.
• No need to spend money for a license.
• You can try different programs for free.

Cons

• Basic level of protection and much less functionality compared to paid programs.
• Updates from the latest threats may not come out fast enough.

Windows 10 Security

A qualitative leap in terms of protecting the operating system from virus threats occurred with the release of Windows 8. Then for the first time in the operating system from Microsoft appeared a lot of features that were aimed at the safety of the user. Microsoft’s first antivirus, Microsoft Security Essentials, was also released, offering a basic level of protection out of the box. The successor to Microsoft Security Essentials is Windows Defender. It has incomparably more functionality than its predecessor. So, in addition to virus protection, the new antivirus program from Microsoft also offers protection against spyware and a firewall that monitors our security on the Internet.

In addition, Windows 8 and 10 also run anti-malware download and installation and account control, as well as the SmartScreen filter to protect against phishing attacks. All of this works in the background and only bothers the user when they need to take action. But statistics show that the built-in Defender may be enough only if you yourself also closely monitor the security of your computer. If you rely only on the built-in solution, it is better to give it all up and switch to another paid or free antivirus package.
Built-in anti-virus protection in Windows 10:

Pros

• Lack of built-in anti-virus and anti-spyware module.
• Lack of a wide selection of programs from third-party developers.

Cons

• Imperfect update system.
• Due to the popularity of Windows and the large number of attacks, built-in protection is not always able to cope with threats.

Mac security

There is a popular belief that Apple computers are much less threatened by virus attacks than their Windows competitors. Until recently, this was true. But the growing popularity of the Cupertino-based company’s products has made them more and more interesting to hackers. That is, the likelihood that you and your Mac may one day become a victim of a hacker attack is growing. Therefore, owners of Apple computers should also take care of the security of their devices. As for Mac malware, a lot of computers have recently fallen victim to an annoying adware virus that interfered with your work with constant pop-ups of all kinds of advertisements and interfered with your operating system settings. Of course, Apple reacted very quickly to the hackers’ attacks and patched up the holes in the defense. But the fact is that the operating system from the Cupertino giant has no built-in anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Although there is a firewall that protects users from attacks from the network.

Pros

• Low vulnerability of the software and the OS itself.
• There is a firewall.

Cons

• Lack of built-in antivirus and antispyware module.
• Lack of a wide choice of third-party programs.

The post Tips for choosing antivirus software appeared first on Beowulf Underground.