Archive for the ‘Free Software’ Category

Get the very best free antivirus software with this Bitdefender download and protect your devices – GamesRadar+

No matter what's going on, we always need free antivirus software. Computer viruses and other digital nasties are still out there, so being able to defend yourself against them is never a bad idea.

Which one should you choose, then? There are plenty of options, but Bitdefender has one of the best free antivirus offerings right now. To begin with, it's a relatively small file that's quick to install. Unlike a lot of the competition, it won't slow down your PC all that much either - a major selling point is the claim that there are "no time-consuming scans, no sudden lag, no ads out of the blue". Considering how invasive other antivirus programs can be, that's appealing. And although this free version of Bitdefender is more basic than paid alternatives (obviously), it still has 'real-time threat detection', anti-phishing, anti-fraud, and scans to remove harmful programs, viruses, Trojans, and more. To be honest, most people don't need a great deal more.

Bitdefender Antivirus Free |Free at Bitdefender.comBitdefender's entry-level tier is completely free, but it gets you almost everything you need when it comes to antivirus software - it'll seek out and remove dangerous viruses from your device, not to mention protects you from phishing or fraud attempts. Better still, it promises not to slow down your computer too much.View Deal

If you'd prefer to pay for a more comprehensive service, we've got the best options below from Bitdefender. You can see more hand-picked options from other providers in our best antivirus guide where Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is our top-rated product.

For a better internet offer, don't forget to check out the best broadband deals. We've gathered up great services at the lowest price.

See the original post:
Get the very best free antivirus software with this Bitdefender download and protect your devices - GamesRadar+

Epion Health Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic with Free Software Platform – PRNewswire

"The COVID-19 pandemic forced us to build a telehealth program for our practices in a very short period of time," said Nicole Nelson, regional director of MGPS Revenue Cycle Site Operations at Mount Carmel Health System, a member of Trinity Health. "We were struggling with how to create a check-in experience that worked for patients and our staff. Epion stepped in and offered the PreVisit check-in solution. We implemented it in a matter of days! The Epion team totally delivered and was able to accommodate our accelerated timeline. This has been a game-changer for our telemed program."

Epion's updated PreVisit platform gives providers seamless remote triage, as patients can preregister from any device, provide essential information and be screened for coronavirus symptoms using the questionnaire provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Patient information is automatically captured and integrated in real time into the electronic health record, putting data exactly where it needs to go without re-entering data. Customized text messaging allows practices to message patients before telehealth and in-person visits, setting expectations and informing patients and families in the midst of the changing situation. This comes at a time when reducing in-person patient interactions, enhancing communications and streamlining workflows are critical to the health and safety of providers and the public.

"Our team has pivoted fast to optimize our patient engagement solution to address the immediate needs of the COVID-19 crisis," said Joe Blewitt, CEO of Epion Health. "Our clients are on the front lines of this pandemic. We're proud to partner with practices like Mount Carmel Health System during this evolving situation to remove barriers to safe healthcare delivery."

To learn more about Epion's COVID-19 support offer, visit https://info.epionhealth.com/previsitoffer2020. Providers will not be charged or asked for payment information upon registration.

About Epion Health, Inc. Epion Health is a leader in digital patient access and engagement solutions that empower providers to deliver high-quality care that's convenient, accessible and efficient. The Epion platform makes it easy to connect with patients any time, from anywhere and at all points along the care journey. Epion's agile, cloud-based platform also automates and integrates clinical data capture in real time into most EHRs, resulting in measurable improvements to practice success. For more information, visit http://www.epionhealth.com.

SOURCE Epion Health

http://www.epionhealth.com

More here:
Epion Health Responds to COVID-19 Pandemic with Free Software Platform - PRNewswire

Vernier Software & Technology Offers Robust Collection of Free Remote Learning Resources for STEM Teachers and Students to Use at Home -…

BEAVERTON, Ore., April 23, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --To keep students engaged in STEM learning during school closures, Vernier Software & Technology is offering a robust collection of free remote learning solutionsfor teachers and students. The resources, which support students at both the K12 and college levels, cover a wide range of scientific disciplines including biology, chemistry, physics, and physical science.

"This is an unprecedentedand extremely difficulttime for teachers and students alike with extended school closures caused by COVID-19," said John Wheeler, CEO of Vernier Software & Technology. "Our robust collection of free resources will help keep students engaged in STEM learning during this time, while supporting educators as they facilitate remote teaching. With these solutions, teachers can help students continue to form a deep understanding of key scientific concepts while outside the classroom and laboratory."

The free resources from Vernier include the following:

Experiment and Sample Data Library: Teachers can access more than 250 free experiments covering many subjects to distribute to students at home. Students can perform their own analysis of the sample data and answer questions based on their results.

Vernier Video Analysis: An extended free trial of this physics app is available through the end of June 2020. With the app, students can use their mobile devices to insert their own videos with recorded motion, mark points to track the object in motion, and set the scale of the video. This application is recommended for high school and college students.

Pivot Interactives: A 30-day trial and reduced subscription pricing, which runs through the end of June 2020, is available for this video-based science learning environment. With 200-plus interactive activities, the high-quality Pivot Interactives videos give students the opportunity to observe and study hard-to-replicate experiments and phenomena.Pivot Interactives is recommended for high school and college students.

Physics with Video AnalysisLab Book: Teachers can download this e-bookfor free through June 2020. It features experiments covering a wide selection of video analysis activities for introductory physics at the high school or college level. All experiments are designed exclusively for Logger Pro, a software program thatteachers and students can also access via an extended free demo. This lab book is recommended for high school and college students.

Scratch Coding Activities:This collection of free Scratch-based coding activities with varying levels of difficulty can all be completed by students at home. Each activity includes step-by-step instructions for students and teachers. Scratchis designed for students ages 8 to 16.

Additional free partner resources include the following:

Interactive Biology Course:ADInstruments and Vernier havepartnered to create a free interactive biology course designed for college instructors to use in their remote learning instruction. A collection of experiments with sample data derived from three Vernier biology lab books helps educators teach scientific concepts, such as enzymes, while the intuitive Lt interface makes for a richer online experience for students and educators alike.

Lab Builder Platform:LabArchives has made its innovative learning platform free through the end of July 2020.Teachers can access Vernier experiments through Lab Builder, the robust content library by LabArchives, thencustomize online experimentseasily using a digital laboratory notebook and course management tools. Teachers can also access Lab Builder to customize the experiments for different virtual lab setups, equipment, and learning objectives.

To learn more about these free remote learning resources from Vernier, visit https://www.vernier.com/remote-learning/.

About Vernier Software & TechnologyVernier Software & Technology has led the innovation of educational, scientific data-collection technology for 39 years. Vernier was founded by a former physics teacher and employs educators at all levels of the organization. The company is committed to teachers and to developing creative ways to teach and learn science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) using hands-on science. Vernier creates easy-to-use and affordable science interfaces, sensors, and graphing/analysis software. With worldwide distribution to over 140 countries, Vernier data loggers are used by educators and students from elementary school to university. Vernier technology-based solutions enhance STEM education, increase learning, build students' critical thinking skills, and support the science and engineering practices detailed in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The Vernier business culture is grounded in Earth-friendly policies and practices, and the company provides a family-friendly workplace. For more information, visithttp://www.vernier.com.

SOURCE Vernier Software & Technology

http://www.vernier.com

More:
Vernier Software & Technology Offers Robust Collection of Free Remote Learning Resources for STEM Teachers and Students to Use at Home -...

7 Brands Offering Free Creative Tools During the Pandemic – Adweek

With Covid-19 confining many people to their homes indefinitely, brands are trying to make it easier for creatives to keep working or take up new hobbies indoors. Brands are offering new and extended free trials of their creative software, free online classes and projects for people to express themselves creatively or simply pass the time. Heres a rundown of how brands such as Apple, Slack, Adobe and Skillshare are offering free access to their programs during quarantine.

For college students and professors who have to rely on Adobe software for remote courses, the company is offering free temporary licenses to its Creative Cloud desktop apps such as Photoshop and InDesign. Through the end of May, students can gain access if they attend a school thats registered as an Adobe education customer. However, the applications can only be completed by a schools IT administrator. The software company is also offering two months of Creative Cloud for free for existing customers, as well as free access to its Connect webconferencing software for everyone through July 1.

For Mac users, Apple has temporarily extended free trials of creative apps. The tech company is offering 90-day trials of video editing software Final Cut Pro X and audio editing software Logic Pro X, normally free for 30 days.

The online learning platform has partnered with Bombay Sapphire to offer everyone a free, two-month Skillshare Premium trial for a limited time. The trial offers more access to Skillshares online classes on topics ranging from graphic design to creative writing to business analytics. Skillshare is also offering two months of Premium free to all high school and college students (16 and over) with a school email address, and a limited number of free two-month memberships to those in need who apply for scholarships online.

Slack

The business communication platform is offering free plans, specifically for nonprofits and businesses providing crisis relief during the pandemic. The company is offering free access to its paid plan for three months; companies can apply on the brands website. Approved companies already using Slack can upgrade to a standard or plus plan for free for three months. The brand is also offering free consultations on how to use the platform remotely.

The software company (developer of the Affinity Photo, Designer and Graphic apps) is offering free three-month trials of each for Mac and Windows users with no obligation to buy. For those who choose to buy and keep the apps, the company is offering a 50% discount. Additionally, Serif has pledged to spend the equivalent of its annual commissioning budget in the next three months to support more than 100 freelance creatives.

For coloring enthusiasts of all ages, Audi has released an Audi Collection coloring book. The 14-page book is available as a free PDF download on Audis website for people to print at home.

The imaging products company is offering 10 free online classes for amateur photographers and hobbyists through the end of April, on topics such as making music videos and photographing pets. The classes are part of Nikons new virtual event series #CreatorsHour, which also engages quarantined customers through live talks with brand ambassadors and social media challenges.

Original post:
7 Brands Offering Free Creative Tools During the Pandemic - Adweek

Rapid and risk-free Active Directory backup and recovery with Quest Software – The Register

Sponsored Microsoft released Active Directory (AD) in a time when it owned most of the business desktop and a large chunk of the server computing world. Two decades later, Microsofts directory and authentication system has become a single point for managing resources and identities in many a business computing setting.

That has also marked out AD for attention by hackers, meaning AD can become your Achilles heel. Attackers rattle the doors on 95 million AD accounts every day, according to enterprise software specialist Quest Software. This isn't the only directory service from Redmond under threat, though: according to Microsoft, 0.5 per cent of Azure Active Directory accounts are being compromised each month.

That might seem small but its a terrifying number because AAD is intrinsically linked to Office 365, and customers are adopting Microsofts cloud-based collaboration suite at a brisk clip. According to the 2019 cloud adoption report from Bitglass, Office 365 is the leader in cloud productivity by furlongs with a 79 per cent adoption rate compared to 33 per cent for Googles G Suite.

How do hackers try to break into Microsoft's directories? A lot depends on whether they're hitting AD or AAD. Microsoft says 40 per cent of compromised AAD accounts fall victim to password spraying, where hackers try to brute force access with obvious credentials.

Other common attacks include the exploitation of legacy protocols, some of which you can disable easily with group policies and some of which are more difficult to block. Attackers can also use tools like Mimikatz to sniff some credentials in memory, giving them account access. Kerberoasting attacks rely on poorly configured service accounts. Kerberos uses a service account's NTLM hash to sign access tickets. Those can be taken offline and cracked, giving attackers administrative access to the service account's service.

There are also some accounts that will have elevated privileges, for printer operators and backup and that will have the ability to log into Domain Controllers (DCs) by default. These are ripe for attack. What about AD? DDoS attacks will be used to distract admins while hackers go after specific data or individual accounts. Those mounting the attack don't always understand AD and, as long as they get the data or cause the disruption, they don't care if they break the system. Unfortunately for you, a broken SYSVOL or corrupted database can level an entire AD forest.

One of the directorys greatest strengths could also become its greatest problem for you. AD's replication lets you automatically copy critical data between locations. This means data in AD is always up to date, whatever the location. When the system is used properly this is a great back up measure and ensures streamlined operations, but if an attacker strikes this feature can turn against you. Any corruption the attacker introduces can propagate," Quest principal strategist Colin Truran tells us: "You might not spot that for a while until you reach the point where you cannot recover from it."

At that point, it's game over you'll need to restore everything.

Recovery will rely on full server backups, which might not always be possible. If, for example, your backup server has also been infected and locked down by ransomware, then you're really in trouble. When NotPetya hit logistics giant Maersk and wiped out its AD system, it was only saved by one of the companys offices in Ghana running AD. Thanks to poor local bandwidth, that office's domain controller hadn't replicated the corruption. The company shipped that machine for use in a painstaking rebuild.

The rising tide of these attacks and their consequences means that its crucial for organisations using AD and AAD to have a recovery plan in palace.

Recovery is a complex affair that involves dozens of steps for each domain, many of which must be carried out in a given order. At a high level, initial recovery means restoring the first writable controller for each domain, reconstructing AD services, cleaning up the metadata, re-establishing trust relationships, resetting accounts and restarting replication.

This is a complex enough process but other factors such as the standard practice of using a forest can make recovery even more difficult. In AD, a forest is a collection A collection of one or more domains. The first of which is the root that represents a security rather than the administrative boundary between domains.

In a single domain AD implementation you can restore just one of the DCs but in a multi-domain implementation there are forest-level roles that control things Like forest level identity and replication. Further, the domains underneath may have their own child domains arranged in a nested hierarchy. The order of restoration is therefore important, because those domains must authenticate with each other and set up trust relationships.

The other challenge comes when you try to restore AAD when its part of a hybrid arrangement. Many people tend to think AAD in the cloud in the cloud is simply a replica of their AD but that's a big mistake, warns Truran. "They really do not realize that there are so many elements in Azure that simply do not exist in Active Directory," he says. These elements include everything from user attributes such as application associations, multi-factor authentication data, and conditional access policies.

"If you restore an on-premise Active Directory object like a user and replicate that up [to the cloud], the user won't be able to access anything, because they will have no association with their mailbox, they'll have no access to applications. They won't even have a license."

It's vital, then, that any recovery plan is comprehensive and should you be running a hybrid cloud environment that it encompasses the restoration of both AD and AAD. Importantly, your plan should automate as many of the steps towards recovery as possible in this fiendishly complex process.

Unfortunately, many of those using AD and ADD don't have sufficient recovery plans in place. Also, they rely on manual administrative interfaces supported by rudimentary policies. This can make recovery succumb to mistakes that mean having to restart the whole recovery process.

Add to this the problem that recovery plans must be updated whenever anything changes in your AD or AAD such as changes to group-policy objects. These kinds of changes arise when organisations go through structural events like a merger or an acquisition. How many admin departments document those changes fully? Without a clear, complete and accurate picture of an AD or AAD implementation, recovery becomes a lot more difficult.

Automated backup and recovery tools can help overcome many of these challenges. Quest's Active Directory Recovery products automate and normalise the backup and recovery process, filling the gaps of native tools. Quest tools help protect your AD and AAD environments and restore them in an orderly and sequenced way. They also provide choices and the flexibility you need to select the parts of your directory hierarchy that you wish to recover rather than forcing you to restore it all useful for spot-fixing corrupt elements, Truran says. The Quest recovery system virtualises an AD configuration, too, so organisations can reorganize and make changes to AD safely by working on a representation of the system before going live.

For on-premises AD, Quest Recovery Manager ships with a version for object-level recovery that lets you recover from relatively straight-forward problems, a Forest Edition that provides full-forest recovery, and a full Disaster Recovery edition that offers automated restoration with the ability to also specify virtual environments so you can quickly and easily build a virtual lab from your live environment. That will also automatically document your recovery process for you, too.

Theres Quest On Demand Recovery, too. This is useful no matter whether you run just cloud objects with Azure or Office 365 or a hybrid of both cloud and on-prem systems. On Demand Recovery lets you set up backup and recovery for AAD and Office 365; you can run reports that compare your back ups with live AAD to discover users and assets and identify specific changes and deletions for automated recovery when needed. And, with On Demand Recovery you can search and recover individuals and group users in bulk, without needing to resort to manual, scripting-based procedures.

On Demand Recovery works with Quests on-premises Recovery Manager to give you a unified view of AD and AAD, too. And, finally, On Demand Recovery lets you restore on-premises AD to a virtual server in Azure so you can keep operating even if you have to rebuild your on-premises hardware following a cyberattack or data center disaster.

AD and AAD have become thoroughly entwined in the fabric of business computing so much so that losing them will cripple your business. A backup and recovery plan that is automated should be just as important to your operations as the directories themselves. Run AD and ADD without a plan to fallback on, and when disaster does strike youll find your list of problems just like your recovery time will get a lot longer.

Sponsored by Quest Software

Sponsored: Webcast: Build the next generation of your business in the public cloud

See the original post:
Rapid and risk-free Active Directory backup and recovery with Quest Software - The Register