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GitHub reveals cunning plan to identify malware and exploits hosted on platform
GitHub, arguably the most popular repository for hosting open source software, has updated its guidelines to prevent the use of the platform for hosting malware and exploits.
The process began in April when GitHub asked the cybersecurity community for feedback on its new policy regarding the use of the platform in malicious campaigns.
Based on the feedback, GitHub has just announced the new terms, which gives it the power to act against repositories that assist malicious campaigns, and prohibits the use of the platform to assist such campaigns in any way.
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“We have clarified how and when we may disrupt ongoing attacks that are leveraging the GitHub platform as an exploit or malware content delivery network (CDN),” reads one the terms of GitHub’s new policy.
GitHub policy
The need to update the usage terms was highlighted when the platform removed a security researcher’s proof-of-concept (PoC) exploit for the ProxyLogon vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange email servers.
Many alleged that Microsoft-owned GitHub took the step at the behest of their corporate owners. However, GitHub maintained that hosting PoCs for vulnerabilities currently being exploited in the wild was against its policies.
In the new policy, GitHub has now specifically said it will allow hosting of PoC with dual-use. Bleeping Computer describes dual-use as content that can be used positively by security researchers on one hand, and by threat actors for malicious purposes.
“We explicitly permit dual-use security technologies and content related to research into vulnerabilities, malware, and exploits,” GitHub explained.
The company added that this change reins in the broad language used earlier and is worded specifically to show that the platform welcomes PoC code.
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Date
07 Jun 2021Sources
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Microsoft PowerToys are getting a major Windows 11 update
Read MoreNow that Windows 11 has been released, Microsoft has updated PowerToys with new UI changes so that it set of utilities now feature the same design as the latest version of its operating system.
First introduced with Windows 95 and then brought back for Windows 10 two years ago, PowerToys are a set of tools that are designed to make it more convenient to use the software giant's operating system to its full potential. The modern version of PowerToys includes nine tools that allow Windows users to do things like rename multiple files at once, resize images, pick colors or open applications even faster using a quick launcher.
Microsoft has also made it easier to start using PowerToys in Windows 11 as its utilities can now be downloaded and installed from both the Microsoft Store as well as GitHub.
With the release of PowerToys 0.49, the company has redesigned the settings menu in PowerRename which is a utility used to rename files faster and in bulk. It now features a new look to match the design of Windows 11. The edges of PowerRename's windows have been rounded and they are also more transparent.
Video Conference Mute and Find My Mouse
In addition to the new UI changes, Microsoft has also rolled out two new features with the release of version 0.49 of PowerToys.
Video Conference Mute is a new new feature that allows users to mute their microphone or disable their webcam globally across both Windows 10 and Windows 11. It can be binded to a keyboard shortcut and there is even a toolbar that appears when your webcam or microphone are being used.
While Microsoft initially planned to launch Windows 11 with its own universal microphone mute button, the feature didn't make it into the final release of the operating system though it should be arriving in a later update. For now, power users can leverage Video Conference Mute to achieve the same outcome.
Finally, Microsoft has added a new feature called Find My Mouse to PowerToys. This feature makes it easier to find your mouse when working on multiple displays, an ultrawide monitor or a business monitor with a higher resolution. Simply double tapping the left CTRL key will dim your screen and highlight your mouse cursor with a white circle to make it much easier to find.
Microsoft has updated PowerToys a number of times over the past few years and if these new features are any indication, it's likely that the company will continue to bring new utilities to its operating system so that power users can make the most out of Windows 11.
Get even more done with the best productivity tools and speed up your Windows 11 experience with one of the best SSDs
Via The Verge
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