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10 Sep 2025

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Cisco launches Splunk AI-driven tools to streamline SOC security
Cisco unveils two AI-driven editions of Splunk Enterprise Security to streamline SOC operations, boost threat detection, and accelerate incident response globally.

Cisco unveils AI observability upgrades to boost digital insights
Cisco upgrades Splunk Observability with AI tools to enhance digital operations visibility, aiding businesses in monitoring applications, networks, and AI systems effectively.

This 3-pack of Wi-Fi light switches is great for newbies (only $11 each)
If you want smart lighting in your home, you don’t have to swap out all your light bulbs. You can just get smart light switches! And now’s a great time to nab a few because this 3-pack of Kasa smart light switches is on sale for just $33.98 on Amazon (was $44.99). That’s just over $11 per light switch, a budget-friendly opportunity to get started! These Kasa smart light switches (model HS200P3) are super easy to install in your home. They replace your regular light switches, so you can just swap them out as long as you have a neutral wire. (But make sure you understand the risks and dangers of electrical work! If you aren’t 100% sure on electrical safety, get a professional to do it.) These smart light switches connect to 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks, and you can then control each light switch from Kasa’s mobile app. You can also integrate the switches with Amazon Alexa and Google Home to control them using voice commands and add them to your automations. Skip the “smart bulbs” that need regular replacements when they burn out and try these long-lasting smart light switches instead. Get a 3-pack for just $33.98 before this limited-time deal expires! Save now and make your light switches controllable over Wi-Fi (3-pack)Buy now at Amazon

Fast charge 7 devices at once with Anker’s tiny desk gadget, now 22% off
Wouldn’t your life be easier if you didn’t have to worry about where to plug in your various chargers or how long it’ll take to charge your devices? Enter this Anker Nano 7-in-1 charging station that simplifies your home charging woes, now available for $69.99 on Amazon (was $89.99) with the first big price drop it’s ever had. What I love about this charging station is that it can handle up to 7 devices at once. You’ll find three AC outlets on the back where you can plug in your laptop and monitors (for example), as well as a USB-C and a USB-A port on the side for plugging in other accessories. But it also comes with two retractable USB-C cords that extend up to 2.3 feet, for a total of 7 charging connections. All cables and ports deliver up to 100W of power for fast-charging goodness all around. It’s tiny, too, so it won’t unnecessarily clutter up your desk. It’s also available in both black and white, so you can pick whichever colorway best fits your devices and workstation. Once you upgrade your setup with a charging station, you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one. Get this Anker Nano 7-in-1 charging station at the lowest price it’s ever been while you still can! Snag 22% off on Anker's fast 7-in-1 charging stationBuy now at Amazon

Cisco launches Data Fabric to unify machine data for AI insights
Cisco launches Data Fabric platform, unifying machine data to streamline AI model training, automated workflows and real-time operational insights for enterprises.

Veeam appoints Doriane Groene to lead Microsoft alliance in EMEA
Veeam appoints Doriane Groene as Senior Director to lead and deepen its Microsoft alliance across EMEA, focusing on cloud and AI collaboration.

Why accessibility might be AI’s biggest breakthrough
UK study findings may challenge assumptions about who benefits most from AI tools.

I’m a PC security expert. These are the 5 dumbest mistakes I’ve made
I’ve picked up a few PC security tips in my time as a PCWorld editor, but I wasn’t born with that information. Yep, it’s been a gradual learning curve for me over many years of writing about security. I’ve also made some doozy security mistakes that I look back on now and just cringe. Here are some of the worst. 1. I got compromised on a public Wi-Fi network I would often use public Wi-Fi when travelling but without using a VPN, like the ones we review at PCWorld, to encrypt my data and hide my PC’s IP address. That’s even though some of the networks were open and unencrypted and could have potentially allowed hackers to intercept my personal data, including my login details, personal messages, and/or financial information. As far as I know, I’ve been lucky not to have the above happen, but I suspect I have had my phone number stolen from my PC documents and added to a dodgy spam call register. That’s judging by the almost daily calls from a foreign number that have started since connecting to public Wi-Fi at an airport in New York. 2. I left my desktop PC accessable to strangers For many years I was too relaxed about my desktop PC’s security, not having a password to boot it into Windows. That was despite being out of the house at work a lot and there being a lot of tradespeople coming and going from my house who could easily have booted it up and stolen any number of sensitive personal documents. Luckily, that didn’t happen before I put a lid on my PC security. Now I always have a Windows Hello login set on my desktop so that only I can boot into Windows. 3. I left my accounts vulnerable to hackers For a long time, I had my online accounts configured for login with just a mere username and password, that’s despite me having a lot of sensitive documents in them, like my passport details and a digital version of my birth certificate. That meant they were sitting ducks for hackers that could crack my passwords. I’ve had passwords stolen too. My Dropbox account’s password was confirmed to have been compromised on the Dark Web by Norton 360 Deluxe’s Dark Web monitoring service. That’s why I now activate multi-factor authentication on as many accounts as I can, so that even if my passwords are compromised, hackers won’t be able to log in. Pexels: Sora Shimazaki 4. I borrowed a friend’s portable HDD, and it had a virus on it A friend wanted me to look at some Adobe InDesign files for a group project we were working on at university and the files were too big to send over the internet, so I gratefully accepted an HDD drive. The drive had the files I needed but it also had a rip-off version of the web app Ashampoo on it that, when I clicked on it, activated a trojan virus download to my PC. Thankfully my antivirus software caught the culprit and isolated it before it could cause any havoc. But ever since that mishap I’ve been super cautious about foreign drives and just assume they are probably infected with viruses. 5. I didn’t upgrade to Windows 11 when I had the money I needed a new motherboard in my gaming PC to legitimately upgrade to Windows 11. A year or so ago, I had that money but decided to use it for something else, so I didn’t upgrade to a fully unrestricted version of Windows 11. I figure it’ll be a while before I can get enough money together again for a motherboard, so for now I’m stuck on Windows 10, and beyond October 14 this year (Windows 10 end-of-life) I won’t benefit from the latest security upgrades to Windows. Further reading: Windows 10’s end of life looms. A security pro dissects your only options Best antivirus software: These 8 apps keep your PC safe How to save your older PC when Windows 10 hits end of life 4 ways hackers can break 2FA—and why you should still use it anyway Best VPN services: 8 top picks for every VPN need