Microsoft to Bring 'S Mode' to Existing Windows 10 Versions in 2019

Microsoft is set to move Windows 10 S from a dedicated operating system to merely a mode for existing Windows 10 versions in 2019. The new development, which was initially a part of the rumour mill, has now been confirmed by Microsoft VP Joe Belfiore. The Redmond giant launched Windows 10 S in May last year as a lightweight version of Windows 10 - targeting schools and other institutions - to take on Google's Chrome OS.

Belfiore, in a tweet on Wednesday, said, "Next year, 10 S will be a 'mode' of existing versions, not a distinct version." By switching to the new 'S Mode', your Windows 10 system will no longer be able to install apps from any third-party sources and will instead only accept apps from Microsoft Store. Also, the apps will run in a limited nature, just as they perform operations on Windows 10 S operating system.

The tweet posted by Belfiore also confirms that Microsoft is planning to bring the S Mode to all existing Windows 10 versions, including Windows 10 Home, Enterprise, and Pro. It was previously rumoured that Windows 10 Home users with the by default enabled S Mode will be able to switch to the full-fledged Windows 10 Home for free, while the users with S Mode will need to pay $49 to get access to Windows 10 Pro.

It is worth pointing out here that Windows 10 S machines already have the option to switch to a full Windows 10 version. Microsoft even last year offered a chance to all Windows 10 S users to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro for free. That free upgrade was recently extended until March 2018.

Read More

Twitter Working to Fix Cryptocurrency Scam Issue

As the issue of copying verified Twitter accounts to trick cryptocurrency users is becoming increasingly prevalent, the microblogging company has said that it is working to curb the rise of these copycat handles.

Company CEO Jack Dorsey on Tuesday replied to a tweet that complained about the ongoing cryptocurrency scam on Twitter in which several users have been tricked and their digital assets stolen.

"We are on it," Dorsey replied to a user who questioned the CEO if the company was taking note of it, Coindesk.com reported.
On February 26, Dorsey had said that his company was aware of the issue and they "are fixing" the problem.

Several users have been complaining about being duped on Twitter by fraudulent offers that promise huge amount of Ether cryptocurrency in return of small initial deposits.
These offers are being made by accounts that mimic well-known industry members and have a "blue tick" (verified account).

As a preventive measure, Twitter had banned several accounts, including the support team for cryptocurrency exchange Kraken despite them triying to warn others about the scam. On Tuesday, the ban on Kraken's customer support handle was lifted.

"Good news, guys! @krakensupport is back! Strange that our initial appeal was also apparently handled by an automated system. Thank you all for your public outrage. Stay vigilant," it announced.
According to the report, the scam began after an influencer posted a tweet regarding a fraudulent offer which was followed by similarly designed accounts.

In order to make the posts seem more legitimate, the spam accounts posted supportive messages, claiming that they have received the returns.
On seeing that the threads were posted by "verified accounts", people fell in the trap and lost digital assets.

Read More

Japan Penalises Several Cryptocurrency Exchanges After Hack

The Japanese government is slapping penalties on several cryptocurrency exchanges in the country, after JPY 58 billion of virtual coins were lost earlier this year from hacking.

The Financial Services Agency, which has been checking the exchanges, said Thursday that FSHO and Bit Station exchanges were ordered to halt operations for a month.

It said FSHO was not properly monitoring trades and had not carried out employee training. The agency said it found that a Bit Station employee had taken Bitcoins for personal use.

Five other exchanges, including Coincheck, targeted in the massive hacking, were ordered to improve their operations.

Coincheck had received a similar order earlier to beef up security measures.
Japan is unusual in the world for embracing cryptocurrencies and setting up a licensing system to oversee their use.

The exchanges ordered to improve their operations must file a plan to the agency by March 22.
The theft at Coincheck of the NEM currency was the second major hacking assault on a Japanese crypto exchange after the Mt. Gox debacle in 2014.

But Japan has chosen to seize the opportunity and regulate exchanges, setting up a licensing system last year, although experts say such measures are no guarantee against hacking and cybercrime.
Japan has officially licensed 16 virtual-currency exchanges, and more, including Coincheck, are applying for licenses. As much as half of the world's Bitcoin trading is estimated to be in yen.
Some countries like China are cracking down on virtual currencies, while other countries like the US have been cautious, encouraging their use in limited ways.

Japan has been far more accommodating to cryptocurrencies, attracting new businesses in the technology called blockchain.

TV ads and billboard posters sing the praise of Bitcoin, although they come with warnings, in fine print, to invest at your own risk.

Read More