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Seasoned red teamers explain the value-add of a red team, how it operates, and how to maximize its effectiveness. via Dark Reading: https://ift.tt/2NXFiBP If New feed item from http://www.darkreading.com/rss/all.xml , then send Unsubscribe from these notifications or sign in to manage your Email Applets.

Amazon is improving its Alexa voice assistant with each new update, enabling more natural conversation patterns and upgrading the system's ability to understand complex or vague questions. All of this is great for people who are sick of screaming, "ALEXA," and repeating commands a dozen different ways before the device actually does what it's supposed to. However, these upgrades are also good for advertisers -- and, by association, Amazon. Amazon hasn't laid out a clear, public plan for Alexa-enabled ads, but the company showed off the future of voice-assisted product placement during its event on Thursday. Head of all things Alexa, David Limp, explained that Amazon's voice assistant sometimes doesn't have the answer itself, but one of its skills (connected apps) might. Amazon engineers are working to redirect users to relevant skil...

Technology All the gadgets the tech giant just announced. Yes, there was even an Alexa-enabled microwave. via Popular Science "https://ift.tt/2PU6tLg"

A "point-in-time" approach to PCI compliance could be one reason why so many retailers appear to be having a hard time. via Dark Reading: https://ift.tt/2MOnUep If New feed item from http://www.darkreading.com/rss/all.xml , then send Unsubscribe from these notifications or sign in to manage your Email Applets.

One of the most surprising announcements from today's Amazon event was a microwave oven , of all things. It's part of the AmazonBasics line of products, and you can use it for reheating food, making popcorn or, you know, using it for whatever a normal microwave would do. Except there's one special thing about it -- it works with Alexa. And while that might sound like a cool thing at first, I can't help but think it's really quite unnecessary. For one thing, Alexa isn't actually built into it. It's billed as an "Echo companion device," which means you'll still need an Echo of your own to pair it with. You essentially connect the two together via Bluetooth and the Alexa companion app. From there, you can use it in one of three ways. One, you can use it manually, like a normal microwave. Second, you can use Alexa commands, like...

Amazon caused a few gasps at its Alexa event Thursday when it revealed it had 70 things to announce. If that sounds like a lot to take in, fret not -- not all of those were hardware announcements. We've rounded up all of the Alexa-infused products Amazon showcased, including speakers, an in-car device and, um, a microwave? Echo Dot The revamped Echo Dot has a new look, with rounded edges, and packs more punch, with a 1.6-inch driver delivering 70 percent louder audio than the previous model. Amazon says the speaker has lower distortion and enhanced bass. Of course, it can connect to other speakers and other apps and devices over Bluetooth. Amazon claims Echo Dot is the best-selling speaker ever, and will hope to continue its success when the latest version ships in October. You can pre-order one for the same $50 price as the last model. Echo Sub ...

Apple's stumbles with wireless charging could be Huawei's gain. The Chinese tech giant's upcoming Freebuds 2 Pro truly wireless earbuds look an awful lot like Apple's AirPods and in a twist, their battery case can supposedly charge the forthcoming Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro, according to marketing materials obtained by WinFuture (translated). Given that the case works via Qi charging, you'll likely be able to charge a compatible iPhone with them as well. Given how closely the new Freebuds resemble AirPods -- not to mention their potential release timing -- you could probably trick a few passersby into thinking that you're rocking a more functional version of the real McCoy. When paired to a Mate 20 or Mate 20 Pro, they can be used to interact with the Google Assistant. WinFuture says that these will be officially unveiled October 16th. Back i...

More than three-quarters of ATOs resulted in a phishing email, a new report shows. via Dark Reading: https://ift.tt/2PRIrR2 If New feed item from http://www.darkreading.com/rss/all.xml , then send Unsubscribe from these notifications or sign in to manage your Email Applets.

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter . When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of deals here . Crucial MX500 1TB SSD Street price: $190; deal price: $160 If you've been shopping around for a new SSD, you've had no shortage of deals to choose from in the past few months, but this is a truly excellent drop on the 1TB version of the top pick in our guide to the best SSDs, the Crucial MX500. The street price has been dropping of late and is now around $190, but this drop to $160 is the lowest price we've ever seen. The 500 GB version is also on sale at $90. The Crucial MX500 is the top pick in our guide to the best SSDs . Andrew Cunningham wrote, "The Crucial MX500 is just a little s...