Archive for January 6, 2020

ASUS Announces TUF Gaming Laptops for Next-Level Gaming

Posted in Commentary with tags on January 6, 2020 by itnerd

ASUS has announced an all-new family of TUF Gaming laptops with more performance and versatility than ever before. The 15-inch TUF Gaming A15 and F15, along with the 17-inch A17 and F17 laptops, deliver an unprecedented experience for the price. Delivering high performance alongside tested durability, the newest lineup of TUF Gaming laptops combines next-gen hardware with latest AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series Mobile Processors or 10th Gen Intel® processors, top-notch graphics with NVIDIA® Turing™-based GPUs and display options with up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and a range of portability features for better battery life, solid durability and a compact form factor.

 

AMD Ryzen™ Mobile Processors brings more cores to mobile

Groundbreaking AMD “Zen 2” core architecture is now coming to laptops in a new lineup of AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series Mobile Processors. The TUF Gaming A15 and A17 offer options that range up to the latest AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series Mobile Processors with 8 cores and 16 threads. The top-of-the-line chip doubles the power efficiency compared to the previous generation, allowing users to do much more than just play games — its multithreaded muscle is perfect for highly parallel workloads and heavy-duty multitasking, and the combination of architectural enhancements and fabrication on a leading-edge 7nm process node resulted in exceptional power efficiency. The TUF Gaming A15 and A17 pair this performance with especially swift DDR4-3200 RAM that can further improve performance for both productivity and gaming.

Later this year, the TUF Gaming F15 and F17 will be available with upcoming 10th Generation Intel Core processors.

 

NVIDIA GeForce® graphics and adaptive sync technology power high-refresh displays

Regardless of the CPU, graphics firepower comes from discrete NVIDIA GeForce® GPUs based on the latest NVIDIA Turing architecture. The full lineup of TUF Gaming Laptops can be configured with up to a GeForce RTX™ 2060 that uses a combination of CUDA, RT, and Tensor cores to enable hybrid rendering with real-time ray tracing and AI acceleration. Turing also has an updated video encoder capable of capturing high-quality footage with minimal CPU usage, so users can easily game and stream smoothly from the same machine.

Display refresh rates up to 144Hz on 15-inch models and 120Hz on 17-inch versions take full advantage of the higher frame rates possible with the new TUF Gaming laptops. AMD Radeon™ graphics integrated into the new AMD Ryzen™ 4000 Series Mobile processors allow adaptive sync variable refresh-rate technology to work with adaptive sync technology-enabled monitors and adaptive sync-enabled devices. Synchronizing the refresh rate of the display with the frame rate of the system delivers smoother, tear-free gaming even as the FPS varies naturally over time. It’s easy to see how adaptive sync technology and adaptive sync technology is the better way to play than traditional displays with fixed refresh rates.

The IPS-level displays come in 15-inch or 17-inch sizes with wide viewing angles. Ultra-slim NanoEdge bezels surround the screens on three sides, a design that not only increases immersion, but also makes the chassis more portable. The TUF Gaming laptops reduce the overall volume of the 15-inch models by 7% compared to predecessors and shrank the 17-inch versions by 8%.  Each laptop includes a webcam for game streaming or video conferencing positioned at the top edge of the display, as a subtle bump in the bezel creates enough space for the camera inside the slim frame and also provides a convenient lip for lifting the lid.

Despite shrinking the proportions, the TUF Gaming laptops add a bigger 90Wh battery option so users don’t have to worry about longevity when classes, work, or life take them away from a power outlet. The combination of efficient AMD and NVIDIA hardware inside the TUF Gaming A15 and A17 deliver up to 8.7 hours of web browsing and 12.3 hours of video playback, so users can stay productive and entertained for longer.

 

Choose your tough exterior with TUF Gaming

TUF Gaming designers understand that gamers with great power at their disposal don’t always want to broadcast that fact to the world, so the next generation of TUF laptops offer two finishes. Fortress Gray features a metal lid that’s sandblasted to bring out a fine texture in the material before it’s finished in its namesake gray. Exposed concentric screws anchor the four corners and echo the rugged DNA of the TUF Gaming family, and the smooth surface of the laser-engraved TUF logo subtly contrasts with the textured expanse of metal around it.

Bonfire Black brings multiple textures to a more aggressive look designed for extroverted gamers. Large trapezoidal cuts in the center of the lid evoke the hexagonal pattern used throughout the chassis, and they draw your eye to the inlaid TUF Gaming logo. This central region gets a brushed finish, while the flanks are embossed with a mesh-like pattern that has more grip. A smoldering red band runs around the edges, offering a bold indication of the power inside.

Both designs are tough enough for everyday life. The TUF Gaming laptops are certified to meet MIL-STD-810H standards for vibration, short drops, and extreme temperatures and humidity.

 

Clean cooling and easy upgrades inside

Gaming laptops need copious airflow to help internal components perform at their best for hours on end, so a new tailored cooling design works hand-in-hand with the new chassis for better cooling of each laptop’s powerful hardware. A honeycomb pattern on the bottom doubles as an expansive array of intake vents for the fans and heatsinks inside, wrapping around the rear exhaust outlets to protect the heatsink fins without obstructing airflow.

A self-cleaning cooling system directs debris into anti-dust tunnels before it can build up on fan blades and heatsink fins and reduce their effectiveness over time. Airflow moving through these channels naturally clears dust from the system, keeping the laptops performing at its best for the long haul.

The latest TUF Gaming laptops are ready to grow with users’ needs. For easy access, the bottom is secured with standard Phillips screws, along with one special pop-open screw that helps separate the panel without a prying tool. Inside, two SO-DIMM slots can accommodate up to 32GB of RAM, which is plenty for heavy multitasking and even content creation. Dual M.2 slots provide an upgrade path for an ever-expanding game library and digital archives. Configurations are available with up to a 1TB NVMe SSD with lightning-fast load times and responsive all-around performance. The second slot stands ready for more solid-state storage tied to the same speedy PCI Express interface.

 

Customize the battle-tested keyboard

The keyboard is an essential part of any gaming laptop’s arsenal, and mushy switches or a crowded layout are the last things gamers want to deal with in the heat of battle. That’s why the latest TUF Gaming laptops use a full-sized desktop design. The function key row is spaced out just as it would be on a desktop keyboard, a full numpad sits at the right edge to accelerate number crunching, and the offset arrow key block uses a comfortable and traditional inverted-T layout. The space bar is also extended slightly to provide a bigger target for thumbs while gaming.

Each key uses Overstroke technology to improve responsiveness and overall feel. The underlying switches trigger higher in the stroke for quicker actuation, which also leaves more travel before rebounding off the base. They’re rated to withstand 20 million presses, ensuring a long life befitting the TUF name.

Translucent WASD keys offer an unmistakable visual cue, while global RGB backlighting makes each key especially easy to spot and also lets users customize colors and effects to match their tastes. Personalization extends to Scenario Profiles, which can automatically change the lighting based on preferences for individual games and applications. Scenario Profiles also include other system settings, like Silent, Performance, and Turbo operating modes that affect both noise levels and performance.

 

Connect anything, anywhere

The new TUF Gaming laptops have ample connectivity for gaming peripherals and more. On the left side of the laptop, users will find two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A ports and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C. The latter supports G-SYNC monitors via its DisplayPort 1.4 alternate mode, and a dedicated HDMI 2.0b port lets users plug in a projector, additional monitor, or big-screen TV. Another USB port provides additional connectivity on the right.

Gigabit Ethernet powers a high-speed LAN port with low latency for serious multiplayer gaming. The TUF Gaming A15 and A17 can also connect wirelessly with a Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) adapter that includes Bluetooth support. The F15 and F17 upgrade to Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), which pushes peak wireless interface bandwidth up to 2.4Gbps when connected to compatible routers. Otherwise known as 802.11ax, the next-gen standard also improves efficiency for crowded networks, lowers lag for latency-sensitive multiplayer gaming, and increases upstream bandwidth for live-streaming.

The combo audio jack offers virtual surround sound for stereo headsets via DTS:X® Ultra. There are multiple audio presets tuned for different kinds of games and media, plus an equalizer for fine-tuning settings. Upgraded speakers with more breathing room pump out sound with louder volume and deeper bass than previous generations.

 

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

The TUF Gaming A15 and A17 will be available starting from Q1 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

The TUF Gaming F15 and F17 launch timing will be announced later in 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

 

ASUS Announces New Chromebook Flip C436

Posted in Commentary with tags on January 6, 2020 by itnerd

ASUS has announced the new ASUS Chromebook Flip C436, the latest in the ASUS Chromebook Flip family to pair a premium productivity experience with uncompromising performance.

ASUS’s newest Chromebook Flip C436 introduces an eye-catching and elegant convertible form factor, featuring a frameless NanoEdge touch display that’s designed to maximize screen size in the smallest form factor possible. The C436 is housed in a durable yet lightweight magnesium alloy chassis, which measures only 13-inches diagonally at a weight of only 2.4 lbs – perfect for on-the-go productivity.

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 is verified by Intel’s Project Athena innovation program and co-engineered for mobile performance. It brings unparalleled power in a convertible and ultra-portable form factor by integrating 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and cutting-edge Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) connectivity.

With users in mind, the C436 adds premium extras like an integrated fingerprint sensor for easy unlock, four omnidirectional speakers for high-quality surround sound in any of its convertible modes, USI stylus support for open pen input, and a wide variety of ports for peripheral options.

 

The Premium Chromebook Experience – Simplistic Elegance

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 is elegantly designed with a magnesium alloy chassis that measures only 13.7mm thick and weighs just 2.4 lbs – it’s the thinnest and lightest 14-inch Chromebook available. The C436 is capped off by two unique finishes: an iridescent Aerogel White, which changes color as you view it from different angles, and an understated Transparent Silver.

The Chromebook Flip C436 is fully convertible with an impressive Full HD touch display, and can be used in a clamshell configuration for a more traditional workflow, standing up like a tent for the best viewing angles, or closed over on itself in tablet mode to use with a USI stylus. The C436 also takes advantage of a frameless NanoEdge display to maximize screen real estate in the smallest form factor possible. Thanks to the trimmed-down bezels, the C436’s 14-inch screen enables an 85% screen-to-body ratio that comes in a footprint no larger than the average 13-inch notebook. And because the display boasts a 1920×1080 native resolution and 100% coverage of the sRGB gamut, the C436 is perfectly tailored to both work and entertainment.

 

Unprecedented Performance

Co-engineered with Intel as part of Intel’s Project Athena innovation program, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 passed rigorous testing to achieve the program’s experience targets and hardware specifications, ensuring it consistently delivers the responsiveness, instant wake, and real-world battery life that ambitious people need to focus from anywhere. The C436 incorporates some of the fastest hardware available in a Chromebook, and is armed with up to a 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 Processor with Intel UHD graphics It also offers up to a 16 GB LPDDR3 memory and up to a 512GB M.2 SSD. A dual-band Wi-Fi 6 radio and Bluetooth 5.0 cover wireless connectivity, while a pair of USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports handle add-on peripherals. A microSD card slot can handle memory cards as large as 2TB, and the Chromebook also offers the option to use Google One’s cloud storage plan for even more memory storage.

 

User-Centric Design with All-Day Battery Life

To power top-notch performance specs, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436’s three-cell, 42Wh all-day battery can deliver up to 12 hours of runtime as you browse the web, write emails, or work in a spreadsheet.

The C436 offers a full-sized backlit keyboard that’s both pleasant and accurate to type on, with an extended 1.2mm of travel on each keystroke. The convertible form factor means you can flip the display into tablet mode and start writing or drawing with any USI-compatible stylus on the C436’s touch display, which supports up to 4,096 levels of pressure to convey your vision on-screen.

A fingerprint sensor built into the keyboard enables a seamless unlock experience and another layer of device security. On top of its automatic updates and built-in resilience against malware and viruses, the C436’s Chrome OS benefits from Google’s diligence about enforcing two-step verification, checking for third-party app access, logging device sessions, and alerting you about security issues.

Audio is delivered via an audio combo jack or the C436’s omnidirectional four-speaker array – the Harman Kardon-certified speaker setup produces crisp audio with plenty of volume, regardless of how the screen is positioned.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 will be available starting from Q1/Q2 2020. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.

ASUS Republic Of Gamers Announces The ROG Swift 360Hz

Posted in Commentary with tags on January 6, 2020 by itnerd

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the ROG Swift 360Hz, the world’s fastest and first NVIDIA G-SYNC gaming monitor with a 360Hz refresh rate, and the ROG Swift PG32UQX with G-SYNC ULTIMATE technology, a 32-inch gaming display engineered with mini-LED technology to deliver stunning 4K HDR visuals.

Unparalleled speed for an extra edge with the ROG Swift 360Hz G-SYNC Esports monitor

Compared to widely available 240Hz gaming monitors, the ROG Swift 360Hz can put out a whopping 50 percent more frames every second – supplying esports and competitive gamers with the edge they need to win. With a comfortable 24.5-inch display size and Full HD resolution, the ROG Swift 360Hz features the same unmistakable design that graces the lineup of highest-end ROG gaming monitors.

Mini-LED Drives Performance and Visuals in the 32-inch ROG Swift PG32UQX G-SYNC Ultimate monitor

The ROG Swift PG32UQX is the ultimate 4K high-dynamic-range (HDR) gaming monitor. Featuring an advanced G-SYNC ULTIMATE processor with the latest HDR features, the 16:9 display is illuminated by a full-array local dimming backlight with 1152 Mini LED zones that let the PG32UQX display the brightest highlights and darkest blacks of a scene with incredible contrast and minimal haloing. Small highlights in games, like light bulbs or the disc of the sun, can reach peak brightness of up to 1400 nits, offering a more lifelike HDR experience than ever before. The Mini-LED backlight can also turn off as needed when it comes to darker scenes.

The G-SYNC processor drives variable refresh rates up to 144Hz, and support for 10-bit color throughout the refresh rate range ensures that the PG32UQX always shows off games, movies, and desktop applications at their best. With NVIDIA G-SYNC technology, users will enjoy smooth, tear-free gameplay, even when frame rates fall below the PG32UQX’s peak 144Hz refresh rate, and with the incredibly capable panel and backlight inside, the PG32UQX is NVIDIA G-SYNC ULTIMATE-certified. All G-SYNC ULTIMATE-certified displays undergo a rigorous validation process and are subjected to 300 image quality tests to ensure they deliver consistent quality and maximum performance.

The PG32UQX is also designed to be a productive companion outside of games, offering DisplayHDR 1400 compliance for other entertainment needs. For those who want to use all of the screen size available from a 4K resolution, the 32-inch diagonal expanse of the PG32UQX offers a pixel density better suited to running a Windows desktop without scaling.

The ROG Swift PG32UQX doesn’t hold back in style, designed with multiple textures on the back of the display, separated by a subtle diagonal chrome strip. An Aura Sync-enabled RGB LED ROG logo lets users coordinate the PG32UQX with other Aura Sync-enabled components for a fully harmonized battlestation. And a logo projector in the base of the ROG trademark twisted stand lets users show off the Republic of Gamers logo or display a customized logo using the included blank discs.

AVAILABILITY & PRICING

Both the ROG Swift 360Hz G-SYNC and ROG Swift PG32UQX displays will be available later this year, with pricing to be announced closer to availability.

A Textbook Example As To Why You Need To Defend Yourself Against Cyber Threats – Part II

Posted in Commentary with tags on January 6, 2020 by itnerd

Earlier today I wrote about a company who’s less than optimal actions in response to a cyber attack left three hundred out of work. Today I am going to bring you a story from Brian Krebs on another cyber attack and how it was badly handled:

In mid-November 2019, Wisconsin-based Virtual Care Provider Inc. (VCPI) was hit by the Ryuk ransomware strain. VCPI manages the IT systems for some 110 clients that serve approximately 2,400 nursing homes in 45 U.S. states. VCPI declined to pay the multi-million dollar ransom demanded by their extortionists, and the attack cut off many of those elder care facilities from their patient records, email and telephone service for days or weeks while VCPI rebuilt its network.

Just hours after that story was published, VCPI chief executive and owner Karen Christianson reached out to say she hoped I would write a follow-up piece about how they recovered from the incident. My reply was that I’d consider doing so if there was something in their experience that I thought others could learn from their handling of the incident.

I had no inkling at the time of how much I would learn in the days ahead.

Now I will stop here. Clearly this CEO thought that they were going to recover their IT systems and get up and running in glorious fashion. Thus showing the world how brilliant they were and attract all sorts of positive press and make her look brilliant. Except that didn’t happen. It quickly became evident that the company had been further compromised. Here’s an example:

On December 3, I contacted Christianson to schedule a follow-up interview for the next day. On the morning of Dec. 4 (less than two hours before my scheduled call with VCPI and more than two weeks after the start of their ransomware attack) I heard via email from someone claiming to be part of the criminal group that launched the Ryuk ransomware inside VCPI.

That email was unsettling because its timing suggested that whoever sent it somehow knew I was going to speak with VCPI later that day. This person said they wanted me to reiterate a message they’d just sent to the owner of VCPI stating that their offer of a greatly reduced price for a digital key needed to unlock servers and workstations seized by the malware would expire soon if the company continued to ignore them.

“Maybe you chat to them lets see if that works,” the email suggested.

The anonymous individual behind that communication declined to provide proof that they were part of the group that held VPCI’s network for ransom, and after an increasingly combative and personally threatening exchange of messages soon stopped responding to requests for more information.

You can read the rest of the story for all the details. But what was clear was that the company had actually been pwned by hackers some 14 months earlier. And that the company had clearly been the victim of password theft. Which is how the hackers were able intercept these emails as they were still on the network.

#Fail.

The take home messages are as follows:

  1. When it comes to cybersecurity, you should start from a premise that the hackers are already in. As was the case here. And it is often the case in may cyberattacks. From there you can figure out how they got in, what they’ve touched, and how to get them out and keep them out. And you should do that long before something really bad happens.
  2. You should assume all passwords — not just endpoint/domain credentials — are compromised. This may mean changing/adding two factor authentication for hundreds or thousands of endpoints and servers. But doing that is better than getting pwned again.
  3. If you get pwned, get professional help. Fireeye / Mandiant is who I would recommend. They aren’t cheap, but they have a proven track record of responding to stuff like this.

The bottom line is that cybersecurity isn’t to be taken lightly. You need to do everything possible to defend yourself. Otherwise, bad things will happen to you.

 

A Textbook Example As To Why You Need To Defend Yourself Against Cyber Threats

Posted in Commentary with tags on January 6, 2020 by itnerd

If you don’t think that defending yourself against threats like ransomware shouldn’t be at the top of your list of priorities, consider this story:

An Arkansas-based telemarketing firm sent home more than 300 employees and told them to find new jobs after IT recovery efforts didn’t go according to plan following a ransomware incident that took place at the start of October 2019:

Employees of Sherwood-based telemarketing firm The Heritage Company were notified of the decision just days before Christmas, via a letter sent by the company’s CEO. Speaking with local media, employees said they had no idea the company had even suffered a ransomware attack, and the layoffs were unexpected, catching many off guard. “Unfortunately, approximately two months ago our Heritage servers were attacked by malicious software that basically ‘held us hostage for ransom’ and we were forced to pay the crooks to get the ‘key’ just to get our systems back up and running,” wrote Sandra Franecke, the company’s CEO, in the letter sent to employees. She goes on to say that data recovery efforts, initially estimated at one week, have not gone according to plan and the company had failed to recover full service by Christmas. Franecke said the company lost “hundreds of thousands of dollars” because of the incident and have been forced to “restructure different areas in the company.” As a result of the botched ransomware recovery process, the company’s leadership decided to suspend all services, leaving more than 300 employees without jobs.

So let me summarize this for you.

Due to the shortsightedness of this company’s CEO, CTO and executive management, their IT systems were not properly built and secured. They figured that this was an acceptable risk and spend money elsewhere rather than on protecting themselves from something like a ransomware attack. Then they got pwned and had to pay up to try and get back up and running. Except that their attempts to get back up and running failed and now 300 people are out of work.

This is a textbook example of why companies of all sizes need to protect themselves. Companies are responsible for their employees and they need to ensure that they are taking any and all steps to ensure that they are properly protected from this sort of thing. Otherwise you get this bad situation.