Published November 26, 2024 6:00am EST close 'CyberGuy': Don't chance it. Secure your retirement accounts with a VPN and protect your future Kurt Knutsson explains how to safeguard retirement accounts from cyber threats with a VPN: encryption, anonymity, secure access. Protecting your financial future goes beyond smart investing and saving. It's crucial to safeguard your retirement accounts from cyber threats. While many believe that usingpublic Wi-Fi to check their 401(k) or IRA is harmless, the reality is that without proper protection, you could be putting your hard-earned savings at risk. Let's explore why using a VPN (virtual private network) is essential for securing your retirement accounts and how you can implement this extra layer of security.1 WEEK LEFT!IM GIVING AWAY A $500 GIFT CARD FOR THE HOLIDAYSEnter bysigning up for my free newsletter. A woman using a VPN on her tablet (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How VPNs workVPNs operate through two primary mechanisms: IP address masking and data encryption. When you connect to a VPN, it hides your real IP address by assigning you a new one from their server network, effectively preventing websites and cyber criminals from tracking your location or identifying you based on your IP address.Simultaneously, VPNs encrypt all data transmitted between your device and the internet, rendering it unreadable to anyone who might attempt to intercept it. This encryption process ensures that sensitive information, such as credit card details, remains confidential throughout your online activities. By combining these two powerful features, VPNs create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, significantly enhancing your online privacy and security. A woman using a VPN on her cellphone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Understanding the risksWhen you access your retirement accounts online, especially through public Wi-Fi networks, you're potentially exposing sensitive financial information to cybercriminals. These hackers can intercept your data, steal your login credentials and potentially drain your accounts. What's more concerning is that retirement accounts are often less frequently monitored than regular bank accounts, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals. A woman using a VPN on her cellphone and a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Why a VPN is crucial for protecting your retirement accountsBy creating an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic, a VPN makes it extremely difficult for hackers to intercept your sensitive data. Here's a deeper look at why VPNs are indispensable for safeguarding your retirement accounts:1) Robust encryptionVPNs employ military-grade encryption protocols, such as AES-256, to scramble your data. This means that even if a cybercriminal manages to intercept your information, it would appear as an indecipherable jumble of characters. For your retirement accounts, this translates to an extra layer of security for your login credentials, account numbers and financial transactions.2) Enhanced anonymityBy masking your IP address and replacing it with one from their servers, VPNs make it significantly harder for malicious actors to track your online activities. This anonymity is crucial when accessing financial accounts, as it prevents cybercriminals from identifying you as a high-value target based on your browsing habits or the financial institutions you visit online.3) Secure remote accessThe ability to check your accounts while traveling or usingpublic Wi-Fi is convenient but risky. A VPN provides a secure connection, essentially creating a protected tunnel between your device and the financial institution's servers. This is particularly important for retirement accounts, which may not have the same level of fraud protection as checking or savings accounts.However, check if your retirement fund platform permits VPN usage, as some might flag it as unusual activity.4) Protection against man-in-the-middle attacksVPNs are excellent safeguards against man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers position themselves between you and the website you're trying to access. By encrypting your data from end to end, VPNs make it nearly impossible for attackers to insert themselves into your connection and steal your information.5) Bypassing geo-restrictions safelyIf you're traveling abroad and need to access your U.S.-based retirement accounts, some financial institutions may block access from foreign IP addresses. A VPN allows you to connect through a U.S.-based server, ensuring you can manage your accounts securely from anywhere in the world. A woman using a VPN on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)7 steps to secure your retirement accountsTo ensure the security of your retirement accounts, follow these steps:1) Choose a reliable VPN:Select a reputable VPN service with strong encryption protocols..2) Always use VPN on public Wi-Fi:Never access financial accounts on public networks without activating your VPN first.3) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts byenabling 2FA.4) Use strong, unique passwords:Create complex passwords for each of your accounts and consider using a password manager. Consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.5) Regularly monitor your accounts: Check your retirement accounts frequently for any suspicious activity.6) Keep software updated: Ensure your devices and apps are alwaysup to date with the latest security patches.7) Be wary of phishing attempts: Don't click on suspicious links or provide personal information in response to unsolicited emails. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurt's key takeawaysSecuring your retirement accounts is not just about protecting your current savings; it's about safeguarding your future. By implementing a VPN and following best security practices, you're taking proactive steps to ensure that the nest egg you've worked so hard to build remains safe and secure. Remember, the small investment in a quality VPN service is negligible compared to the potential losses from a compromised retirement account.Have you ever experienced a security breach? If so, what happened, and how did you respond to it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Best gifts for Men | Women | Kids | Teens | Pet loversCopyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

A ransomware attack on the systems of Blue Yonder, a specialist supply chain management software provider based in the US, continues to cause knock-on impacts to the systems of multiple UK-based retailers, including major supermarkets.The attack unfolded prior to the weekend of 23 and 24 November, and impacted the organisations managed services hosted environment.Since learning of the incident, the Blue Yonder team has been working diligently together with external cyber security firms to make progress in their recovery process, Blue Yonder said in a statement. We have implemented several defensive and forensic protocols.With respect to the Blue Yonder Azure public cloud environment, we are actively monitoring and currently do not see any suspicious activity, it said.The experts along with the Blue Yonder team are working on multiple recovery strategies and the investigation is ongoing.In its most recent update, the organisation said: The Blue Yonder team is working around the clock to respond to this incident and continues to make progress. There are no additional updates to share at this time with regard to our restoration timeline.Blue Yonder has not shared any additional information as to the identity of the ransomware actor behind the cyber attack.Read more about supply chain securitySoftware supply chain security has reached an awkward stage for enterprise IT, as platform and security pros grapple with adding upstream tools to existing workflows.Supply chain risks have become more complicated and continue to affect a variety of organisations, but Synopsys Tim Mackey believes AI could help create more secure software.JFrog and GitHub released a set of focused integrations that provide better visibility across the software supply chain and advance the idea of EveryOps.In the UK, customers such as Morrisons and Sainsburys said they have seen impacts. Morrisons told trade sector magazine The Grocer that it used Blue Yonders warehouse management systems and had been forced to revert to back-up processes.The outage has caused the smooth flow of goods to our stores to be impacted, said a spokesperson. Morrisons suppliers, meanwhile, revealed they were left unable to fulfil deliveries.Sainsburys added that it was putting contingency processes in place.Other customers of Blue Yonder are known to include the other major supermarket chains, Asda, Tesco and Waitrose, and multiple suppliers of consumer goods. Also confirmed to be impacted is Starbucks, where store managers have been forced to resort to analogue processes after their workforce scheduling tools went down.Coming ahead of the busy holiday retail period, and just days before the US Thanksgiving break, the cyber attack on Blue Yonder has prompted discussion that the incident was specifically timed to cause the maximum amount of disruption US retail customers of Blue Yonder include the operators of multiple major supermarkets, although the scale of the impact to these businesses, if any, is unknown.Semperis vice-president Dan Lattimer said retailers should be braced for more incidents during their peak trading season.This attack was likely calculated as the hackers are aware that the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching and disruptions in the supply chain will leave many grocery stores in the US with empty shelves at the worst possible time, he said.While details on the specifics of theBlueYonderattack are scant, it is yet another reminder how damaging supply chain disruptions become when suppliers are taken offline.James McQuiggan, security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, said the ripple effects of the Blue Yonder cyber attack emphasised the need for users to prioritise third-party management in their risk frameworks something that was talked about in the wake of other supply chain attacks going back years.Organisations should address any third-party failures in their incident response (IR) plans, including detailed procedures for alternative processes and clear communication paths to keep staff informed and operations running during outages, he said.Organisations cannot predict every third-party failure, but fostering a culture of preparedness through simulations and drills that mimic SaaS [software-as-a-service] outages can build staff readiness and reduce operational downtime during actual events.The multi-complex nature of SaaS networks requires IR planning to include proactive coordination and ensure business continuity to reduce the risk of downtime or disruption to the business in the face of third-party disruptions, said McQuiggan.

Mehdi - stock.adobe.comNewsGoogle Cloud research highlights potential for GenAI to transform public sector service deliveryResearch commissioned by Google Cloud suggests encouraging the public sector to step up its adoption of generative artificial intelligence technologies could have a transformative impact on the public purseByCaroline Donnelly,Senior Editor, UKPublished: 26 Nov 2024 10:32 Encouraging the public sector to ramp up its adoption of automation and generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools could generate annualised savings of 38bn by 2030, according to Google Cloud research.The public cloud giant commissioned policy research consultancy Public First to look into the potential benefits that expanding the use of AI and automation technologies could bring to UK-based public sector organisations.As part of this process, 415 UK-based public sector workers were asked how they think AI could change the way the public sector works.Their feedback was combined with modelling by Public First to conclude that increasing the adoption of AI in the public sector could save it around 38bn a year by 2030.By facilitating more effective working practices and automating repetitive, bureaucratic tasks, generative AI could save enough time to allow for an extra 3.7 million GP appointments, a 16% increase in the teacher-to-student ratio and free up the equivalent of over 160,000 police officers, said Public First partner Jonathan Dupont in a blog post.The feedback received from survey respondents further suggests AI could have a transformative impact on how administrative tasks are tackled in the near term, before going on to create efficiencies in more complex public sector workflows and operations.For example, 81% of respondents said they expect AI to cut the time it takes to fill out paperwork, while 79% predicted the technology would aid with transcriptions and the taking of meeting notes.In the longer term, AI will enable more significant innovations: increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and ultimately allowing for [a] redesign of how public sector services and jobs roles work, said the accompanying 49-page report by Public First.This will take a few years as technology such as AI agents matures, and the wider public sector works to put in place supporting data and skills infrastructure. By facilitating more effective working practices and automating repetitive, bureaucratic tasks, generative AI could save enough time to allow for an extra 3.7 million GP appointments, a 16% increase in the teacher-to-student ratio and free up the equivalent of over 160,000 police officers Jonathan Dupont, Public FirstFurthermore, more than half (56%) of the respondents anticipate that AI will complement the work of public sector workers, rather than replace it, and assist them in meeting the sectors ongoing challenge of having to do more with fewer resources.For the time being, while there is a lot of optimism about the potential for AI to change the way the public sector works, adoption of the technology is still at relatively low levels. For example, just 12% of respondents said they had significantly deployed AI tools.Around half of those we spoke to (47%) thought AI adoption in their institution would take place slower than other technologies such as the cloud or social media, said the report.When we asked them about the barriers to their institute making more use of AI, it became clear that this was not because they could not think of good use cases. Instead, the larger concerns seemed to be around security, legal requirements, lack of skills and reliability. However, when it comes to unlocking the full potential of AI in the public sector, the report urges the government, public sector organisations and tech companies to collaborate and focus on addressing these concerns.There were also concerns raised by respondents about how skilled public sector workers are in using AI, and also about the quality of the datasets they have at their disposal to train their models on.For instance, the research highlighted that AI skills shortages exist in the public sector workforce, given that only 34% of public sector respondents said they were confident their employees had the right skills to use AI tools.Meanwhile, 55% of public sector respondents said they would need access to different or better-structured datasets to fully take advantage of AI.AI will work best when existing public sector datasets are linked together in a secure and private way, the report added. The lesson from previous examples of digital government reform is that this often takes a strong lead and enforcement from the centre.Responding to the results, technology secretary Peter Kyle said the surveys findings are a powerful reminder of the revolutionary impact GenAI stands to have on government services.Today we have an opportunity to drive forward public service reform by empowering citizens with the information and tools they need to make better choices and hold services to account, he said.Now the digital centre of government, my department is testing how we can put AI to work in the public sector, whether thats speeding up finding information on Gov.uk or empowering teachers by reducing administrative burdens, allowing them to dedicate more time to what they do best.Read more about vertical adoption of generative AI (GenAI)Study from customer experience technology provider shows AI-powered personalisation, loyalty and human-like interactions redefine success for CX leadersBT is rolling out Amazons GenAI coding tool to 1,200 developers and said it has now helped write 200,000 lines of code.In The Current Issue:Computer Weekly announces the Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2024From beauty model to tech role model this years most influential woman in UK techComputer Weeklys Women in UK Tech Rising Stars 2024Download Current IssueAI and analytics? Been there, done that Write side up - by Freeform DynamicsNTT R&D Forum 2024: New horizons for photonics-based chips, clouds & qubits CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

Hulu's Black Friday deal drops the price of a monthly subscription to the streaming service from $7.99 to $0.99 a month for your first year. Don't miss out.

The holiday shopping season is here, which means it's the perfect time to save big on gaming PCs, laptops, and accessories. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are runningBlack Friday discounts and deals on everything from high-end content creation laptops to external SSDs and gaming monitors. No matter what you need, there's a great chance you can save money right now.I test gaming PCs and laptops at ZDNET, and am an avid gamer myself. To help you find the very best gaming PC deals, I've put together a list of the deepest discounts I could find on desktops, SSDs, and even rare graphics card deals. Keep reading below to see if you can save big on your next gaming rig or upgrade.Shop deals at AmazonOur favorite Black Friday gaming PC dealsHP Victus 15L for $460 (save $370 at HP): An entry-grade gaming PC built with a 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, Intel Arc A380 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It's our pick for the best budget gaming PC you can buy.Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 for $2,700 (save $600 at Lenovo): A top-tier content creation and gaming desktop with a 14th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super.AMD Ryzen 7 7700X for $268 (save $131 at Amazon): A refresh of AMD's Ryzen 7 CPU with 8 cores, 16 threads, and a maximum clock speed of 5.4GHz.Logitech G915 Lightspeed RGB for $140 (save $110 at Amazon): A high-end mechanical gaming keyboard with low profile tactile switches, 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity, and a 30-hour battery.Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed Phantom Edition for $85 (save $115 at Best Buy): A TKL mechanical keyboard with up to a 200-hour battery, stealth pudding keycaps, and three modes of connectivity. HP/ZDNET Current price: $460Original price: $830An entry-level gaming PC with premium-grade components like a 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor, INtel Arc A380 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. View now at HP Lenovo/ZDNET Current price: $2,700Original price: $3,300This high-end content creation and gaming desktop is built with an Intel Core i9-14900KF processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super graphics card, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. View now at Lenovo AMD/ZDNET Current price: $268Regular price: $400The latest version of the Ryzen 7 CPU has 8 cores and 16 threads for more efficient multitasking and more consistent framerates while gaming. It has a base clock speed of 4.5GHz that can be boosted to 5.4GHz for more graphically intensive games and content creation. Logitech/ZDNET Current price: $140Regular price: $250This high-end mechanical keyboard uses low-profile keys for tactile feedback with less effort, making it perfect for tournament pros, content creators, and hardcore home gamers. Razer/ZDNET Current price: $85Regular price: $200This version of Razer's BlackWidow keyboard is a compact tenkey-less model, making it perfect for smaller desks or gamers who don't need a tenkey option. The rechargeable battery gives you up to 200 hours of play on a full charge. Black Friday gaming PC deals at Amazon Asus/ZDNETAsus ROG Strix G15 for $1,100 (save $330): A mid-grade gaming desktop built with a 12th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.Acer Nitro 50 for $1,059 (save $241): An entry-grade gaming desktop built with a 14th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card.Acer Predator Orion 3000 for $989 (save $211): An entry-grade gaming desktop built with a 13th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 3050 GPU.AMD Ryzen 5 7600X for $194 (save $105): A refresh to AMD's mid-range Ryzen 5 CPU with a base clock speed of 4.7GHz, 6MB L2, and 32MB L3 cache memory.Logitech G502 Hero for $35 (save $45): An excellent mouse for multiple genres of PC games, featuring 11 mappable buttons, PC and Mac compatibility, and adjustable weights.Logitech G Pro wireless for $66 (save $64): A simplified, but high-quality wireless gaming mouse with a 25,600 DPI sensor, an ultra lightweight, 80g design, and support for both Windows and MacOS.Razer Basilisk V3 for $40 (save $30): An ergonomic, wired gaming mouse with 11 mappable buttons, Razer Chroma RGB lighting, and a 26,000DPI optical sensor.SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3 for $65 (save $35): This wired headset features a retractable boom mic, spatial audio, and RGB lighting.Razer BlackShark V2 for $65 (save $35): This wired gaming headset supports THX 7.1CH spatial audio and features dual USB and 3.5mm AUX connectivity.Logitech G213 Prodigy for $40 (save $30): A budget-friendly wired gaming keyboard with spill-resistant keys, RGB backlighting, and dedicated media controls.Logitech G502 X LightForce for $45 (save $35): A solid, mid-range gaming mouse with a 25,000DPI optical sensor, optical-mechanical switches for the main buttons, and a DPI throttle for FPS games.SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro for $183 (save $67): A high-end wireless gaming headset with spatial audio, support for connecting dual devices simultaneously, and an EQ control dial with OLED display.Alienware Aurora R16 for $2,000 (save $400): Alienware's flagship gaming PC is built with a 14th gen Intel Core i9 processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, 1TB HDD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super graphics card.CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme for $760 (save $140): An entry-grade gaming PC with a 13th gen Intel Core i5, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 4060.Corsair Vengeance i7500 for $1,360 (save $340): A mid-range rig with an Intel Core i5-14600KF, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060.Thermaltake Glacier 460 for $950 (save $250): An entry-level gaming PC with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card.Corsair Vengeance i7400 for $1,900 (save $400): A high-end PC for serious gamers and content creators with a 13th gen Intel Core i5, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and RTX 4070 Ti Super GPU.Black Friday gaming PC deals at Best BuyCorsair Vengeance i8200 for $4,500 (save $300): A very high-end gaming and content creation desktop with an Intel Cor ei9-14900KF processor, 64GB of RAM, 4TB SSD, and RTX 4090 GPU.MSI Pro DP180 for $1,130 (save $370): A powerful gaming desktop disguised as a workstation. It's built with a 13th gen Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, RTX 4060 graphics card, and 2TB SSD.CLX Ra for $3,750 (save $720): A very high-end content creation and gaming desktop with a 14th gen Intel Core i9 processor, 64GB of RAM, RTX 4080 graphics card, 2TB SSD, and 6TB HDD.Logitech G733 Lightspeed for $95 (save $55): A high-end wireless gaming headset with DTS:X Headphone support, a Discord certified microphone, and a 29-hour battery.Roccat Vulcan II Mini Air for $64 (save $116): A wireless, ten-keyless mechanical keyboard with RGB backlighting, optical switches, and up to a 240-hour battery life.Alienware Aurora R16 for $2,500 (save $700): Alienware's signature gaming PC, built with an Intel Core i9-14900KF, 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and RTX 4080 Super graphics card.iBuyPower Scale for $700 (save $250): A great entry-level gaming PC built with a 14th generation Intel Core i5, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and RTX 4060 GPU.Asus ROG Ally X for $700 (save $100): A handheld device for playing your favorite PC games on-the-go. Built with an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme CPU, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD.CyberPowerPC Gamer Supreme for $1,430 (save $270): A mid-range gaming tower built with an AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 4070 Super GPU.HP Omen 35L For $1,000 (save $500): HP's mid-range gaming tower is built with an AMD Ryzen 7 8700G CPU, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU.HP Omen 25L for $1,200 (save $450): A great mid-range option from HP that's built with a 14th generation Intel Core i7, 32GB of RAM, 2TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 4060 Ti.Black Friday gaming PC deals at WalmartAsus ROG G22CH for $1,200 (save $499): A great mid-range gaming desktop with an Intel Core i7-14700F CPU, 1TB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU.iBuyPower Slate 6 Mesh for $699 (save $501): An entry-level gaming desktop with a 13th generation Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card.iBuyPower Trace Mesh for $999 (save $201): A great entry-grade gaming desktop with an Nvidia GeForce 4060 Ti graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and AMD Ryzen 7 7700 CPU.Asus ROG Strix G16CH for $1,199 (save $300): A mid-range gaming dower built with an Intel Core i7-13700F, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and GeForce RTX 4060 Ti graphics card.Black Friday gaming laptop dealsGigabyte Aorus 17X for $3,100 (save $600 at Best Buy): A premium-grade content creation and gaming laptop with a 17-inch display, 240Hz refresh rate, 14th gen Intel Core i9 processor, and RTX 4090 GPU.MSI Katana 15 for $876 (save $323 at Walmart): An entry-level gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch display, 144Hz refresh rate, RTX 4050 graphics card, and 1TB SSD.Acer Predator Helios Neo for $1,249 (save $350 at Walmart): A mid-range gaming laptop with a 14.5-inch display, 120Hz refresh rate, RTX 4070 GPU, and Intel Core Ultra 7 processor.Razer Blade 18 for $2,600 (save $500 at Best Buy): A high-end content creation and gaming laptop with an 18-inch display, 300Hz refresh rate, RTX 4070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM.Black Friday gaming monitor dealsSamsung Odyssey G9 OLED 49-inch for $950 (save $650 at Amazon): An ultra wide gaming monitor built with an OLED panel for more accurate colors and contrast.LG UltraGear OLED 34-inch for $800 (save $500 at Best Buy): A high-end OLED monitor for gaming and content creation with a 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and support for both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync VRR.HP Omen 34c for $300 (save $180 at Best Buy): A mid-range LED monitor from HP with a 165Hz refresh rate, FreeSync VRR support, and 1440p resolution.Black Friday graphics card dealsXFX Speedster MERC310 Radeon RX 7900 XTX for $830 (save $170 at Best Buy): A high-end AMD-based graphics card with 24GB of VRAM, a 2.49GHz base clock, and 8K video output support.Gigabyte WindForce RTX 4070 Ti Super for $750 (save $150 at Walmart): A high-end Nvidia GPU with 16GB of VRAM and dual BIOS options.Asus TUF RTX 4070 Ti Overclock for $750 (save $110 at Best Buy): A premium Nvidia GPU with 12GB of VRAM, 2.76GHz boost clock speed, and 8K output support.Black Friday SSD dealsSamsung T9 4TB portable SSD for $330 (save $220 at Amazon): This portable SSD gives you 4TB of storage space, read and write speeds up to 2,000MB/s, and an integrated thermal guard to help dissipate harmful waste heat.Samsung T5 Evo 8TB SSD for $450 (save $205 at Best Buy): This popular portable SSD gives you 8TB of storage, 460MB/s read and write speeds, and USB 3.2 connectivity.FAQsWhen is Black Friday 2024?In the US, Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. This year it falls on Nov. 29, 2024.Are gaming PCs and laptops really cheaper on Black Friday?They can be! The holiday shopping season is prime time for discounts on gaming PCs, laptops, and accessories. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart may run teaser sales and preview discounts on everything from gaming desktops to keyboards and gaming mice ahead of their official Black Friday sales, so keep an eye out.How did we choose these Black Friday 2024 deals?The holiday shopping season can be a minefield of scalpers and resellers. Each deal on this list was vetted to be sold and shipped by a reputable retailer with a robust return/exchange program and customer service. I've also only chosen deals from reputable brands.Top holiday deals

Food and grocery delivery company Talabat's $10.2 billion listing on Dubai's stock exchange is set to become this year's largest tech initial public offering (IPO). 2024 Bloomberg Finance LPIts impossible to travel anywhere in Dubai, without seeing a delivery riders in Talabats orange and yellow livery weaving their motorcycles through bumper-to-bumper traffic carrying food and grocery orders. They are an equally common sight across the United Arab Emirates and its Middle East neighbors, where theyve helped the company build a $1.67 billion-a-year business serving up hot meals and cold snacks to locals and expats alike. Thats set up Talabat (which means orders in Arabic) to be the unlikely steward of what is set to be this years largest tech initial public offering.Talabat is expected to raise $1.5 billion from investors in a listing on Dubais stock exchange which at the top end of the IPO book price of 44 cents per share would see the company valued at over $10.2 billion. Thats a steep discount from the earlier forecast of a $14.4 billion valuation from Emirates NBD, one of the banks on the IPO. Even so, it will rank as one of the top ten largest IPOs globally this year, according to financial deals platform Dealogic.Public listings have picked up a bit from the doldrums of 2022 when United States-based IPOs plunged to a 32-year-low. Still, only a handful of deals around the world have surpassed whats expected to happen for Talabat when it goes public on December 10. Those include cold storage and logistic giant Lineages $17.8 billion float and private equity group CVC's $15 billion listing. Regardless, Talabat is poised to become this years largest tech IPO based on proceeds raised.The market is finally starting to come back and we have seen a bit of an uptick in listings, Kat Kravtsov, Capital Markets Director at PwC UK told Forbes. The expectation is that we will see more of that next year but thats subject to things remaining as they are with no geopolitical or macro shocks.The listing of Talabat on the Dubai Financial Market is nearly double the size of some hotly tipped listings for U.S-based tech startups like Reddit, cloud data startup Rubrik, and AI chip designer Astera Labs. Reddit raised $748 million at a $5.6 billion valuation when it listed on the New York Stock Exchange though shares in the platform have since soared 181% since its March float thanks to deals to sell its content for AI training to Google and OpenAI.Talabat is also expected to narrowly edge out another UberEats-style food and grocery delivery startup, Swiggy, which raised $1.3 billion at a $10.3 billion valuation when it went public earlier this month on the Bombay Stock Exchange.Talabats listing is unusual because its essentially a spin out from parent company, Delivery Hero. The Berlin-based food delivery company snapped up Talabat back in 2016 in a string of deals that built a empire stretching across over 70 countries and 4 continents. Now grappling with tough competition and thinning profit margins, Delivery Hero is planning to sell the 15% stake in Talabat to pay down some of its more than $5.3 billion in debt.Despite retaining a majority stake in Talabat, Delivery Hero only trades at a stock market value of $12 billion on the Frankfurt exchange. Talabat is set to be worth almost as much as Delivery Hero, said Clment Genelot, equity research VP with Bryan, Garnier & Co.Investors snapped up the shares on offer for Talabats initial public offering within minutes after its book open, according to Bloomberg, but the business now faces tough competition from local rivals like Uber-backed Careem, Saudis Jahez but also Chinas $126 billion food delivery giant Meituan which launched in the Middle East in September. With the cash raised from the IPO going back to its parent, Talabat will need to fend for itself against this growing pack of challengers.The deal also caps out a bonanza of listings over the last few years on the Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh stock exchanges. That has been driven by the privatization of state assets like Abu Dhabis state-owned oil company ADNOC but has since drawn local companies like grocery group Lulu and now foreign groups like Delivery Hero, according to Sameer Lakhani, managing director of Dubai-based asset manager Global Capital Partners. I dont want to use a negative word like hype but theres definitely a lot of attention being paid to these capital markets, he said.

Discover how generative AI is transforming transportation and logistics, from automated route ... [+] planning to AI-powered inventory management.Adobe StockTransport and logistics form the backbone of global industry. As it often involves managing complex operational networks, solving optimization challenges, and conducting extensive documentation and compliance work, I believe its likely to be a field that will be heavily impacted by generative AI and automation.From warehouse management to route planning and supply chain forecasting, generative AI will reshape the way that logistics professionals get work done. Tasks that traditionally involve hours of repetitive and manual work will be automated, allowing us humans to focus on more valuable activities such as strategy, complex planning and relationship-building.Sure, any transformation on this scale inevitably brings uncertainty and perhaps some degree of fear.However, by planning for change and embracing new opportunities, those who are willing to adapt can make sure theyre set up for future success. So, here's my overview of what I believe will be the most significant changes and tips to make sure you arent left behind.How Will Transport and Logistics Professionals Leverage Generative AI?Transport and logistics operations cover a huge spectrum of professional responsibilities, and almost all of them will be able to leverage generative AI in some form.For example, logistics and supply chain analysts and planners can use generative AI to scan vast amounts of data generated by logging systems in order to identify patterns and make operational decisions.MORE FROMFORBES VETTEDAI is also regularly used by dispatchers to create optimized route plans and delivery schedules. This cuts down travel times as well as reduces fuel usage, saving further costs.Fleet managers will benefit from automated scheduling of vehicle maintenance, allowing more efficient use of resources and reducing downtime.In warehouse roles, generative AI will be used for inventory management and demand forecasting. By reducing the amount of time that stock has to be held for or the likelihood of spoilage due to overstocking, costs are reduced, and profits go up.Currently, administrative tasks involving documentation, compliance checking and generating reports take up countless hours of human time. Much of this will be automated by generative AI in the near future.Answering questions from customers or workers in other business functions will be streamlined thanks to genAI chatbots handling routine inquiries, allowing more efficient colleague and customer service.What Challenges Does Generative AI Create For Transport And Logistics Professionals?Generative AI clearly creates many opportunities for logistics professionals to spearhead the delivery of growth and efficiency in their organizations. However, it also brings a number of potentially problematic challenges that cant be ignored.Firstly, theres capital investment. While many genAI tools are free or available through low-cost subscriptions, rolling out enterprise-wide use cases can involve significant spending on software, compute power, specialist skills and proprietary data. Of course, this outlay has to be balanced against the benefits that will be achieved.Then, there are privacy and data protection concerns. It may not always be safe to enter data particularly sensitive data like customer information into genAI systems. This is particularly true when using public systems where there is no guarantee that information is used securely. Its vitally important for any professional wanting to start using genAI to understand the privacy implications of the tools and datasets theyre using.Then, there are challenges related to workplace and organizational culture. Peoples understanding and attitudes towards AI can vary greatly. While some people immediately think of opportunities, others right away see threats and even the possibility that they will be made redundant.Developing a sensitivity to this variance is critical if professionals want to start using AI in a way that creates value and benefits across their organizations.Transport And Logistics In the GenAI FutureI believe theres a bright future for professionals working (or looking to work) in the transport and logistics sector as long as theyre ready to adapt to the changes on the horizon.Its said that AI wont replace humans, but humans who use AI will replace those that dont. Nowhere is this more true than in the roles were looking at here.For anyone wanting to future-proof their own career prospects, the impetus is on them to develop the required skills and competencies. This includes AI literacy, as well as a deeper understanding of how technology will impact their specific role or function within their organization.Undoubtedly, some roles may disappear or become far less numerous. I suspect this will mainly be an entry-level technical role focused on analytics or optimization problems. However, according to the World Economic Forum, just as many new roles are likely to emerge.These could center around managing autonomous fleets, fine-tuning predictive AI systems for industry-specific use cases, or overseeing the legal and ethical implementation of AI.One piece of advice I would give to anyone, however, is to focus on nurturing and developing non-technical soft skills.By cultivating capabilities like teamwork, leadership, interpersonal communications, conflict resolution and strategic planning, anyone can ensure they have a skillset thats unlikely to be made redundant by machines anytime soon.This is true in any industry, but it is likely to become particularly useful in transport and logistics roles, where many aspects of day-to-day work are extremely exposed to genAI and automation.

In a nutshell: Arctic recently introduced a new line of cooling fans that can quite literally blow the house down that is, if your house is made of cardboard boxes. The Arctic S12038-8K is a 120mm cooling fan with a PWM-controlled RPM range from 800 to 8,000 (it can also be controlled via voltage regulation). The unit comes equipped with a standard four-pin connector, but is also compatible with two-pin and three-pin headers, and features a 30 cm long cable (nearly one foot). Perhaps the most fascinating feature of all is the actively cooled fan motor. That's right, these fans have a separate cooling fan built into the hub designed to keep the motor cool. Arctic claims the motor runs about 10 degrees Celsius cooler with the secondary fan and doubles the primary fan's service life. They even include an optional dust cover sticker to use if you plan to run the fan in dusty environments.Speaking of the motor, it utilizes a steel shaft with dual Japanese ball bearings encased in a bass housing for enhanced strength and stability.The new Arctic fans can deliver 220 CFM at full blast with a static pressure of 37 mmHO. According to Arctic, the fan consumes 22 percent less power than its next best competitor at the same performance level the result of months of motor optimizations by Arctic engineers.PC Ones staff recently demonstrated the power of the fans by firing up four at once and aiming them towards the opposite side of the room. Incredibly, the fans were able to knock over a stack of cardboard boxes from what looks to be 10 or more feet away. Arctic didn't list fan noise in its specs but as you can tell in the video, they are incredibly loud.The Arctic S12038-8K fan comes backed by a six-year warranty and is available directly from Amazon priced at $15.99 each or in a pack of three for $39.99, which brings the per-unit cost down to $13.99. // Related Stories

Forward-looking: A team of researchers from around the globe working with Nvidia have crafted what's being described as a Swiss Army knife for sound an AI model capable of generating or transforming virtually any mix of music using any combination of audio files or text prompts. The new model is known as Fugatto, which is short for Foundational Generative Audio Transformer Opus 1. According to Nvidia, its capabilities are unparalleled. For example, Fugatto can create a tune based solely on text, change the emotion in a singer's voice or modify their accent, and even add or remove instruments from an existing song.Fugatto could revolutionize the music creation process. With it, a producer could quickly prototype an idea for a new song complete with custom voice styles and instruments, or adjust effects in an existing track.Ido Zmishlany, a multi-platinum producer and songwriter, believes AI and tools like Fugatto will help write the next chapter of music. That said, the model isn't limited to music production.Nvidia highlighted several alternate use cases, such as an advertising agency using it to modify voiceovers in a campaign to accommodate different regions, situations, or languages. The model could also help enhance language learning tools by allowing a user to customize the voice of the speaker, like making it sound like a friend or family member.Video game developers could use the tool to create new assets on the fly based on player inputs, or modify pre-recorded assets to best fit the level of on-screen action at any given time. // Related StoriesRafael Valle, one of the researchers that worked on the project, said they wanted to create a model that understands and generates sound like humans do.More than a year of work went into crafting the full version of Fugatto, which uses 2.5 billion parameters. Nvidia said the mode was trained on a group of DGX systems powered by 32 Nvidia H100 Tensor Core GPUs. Unfortunately, a timeline on when Fugatto might be released to the public was not shared.

Figure Status Update - BMW Use CaseRobotics startup Figure recently shared a new video showing several of its humanoid robots performing a task that could be applied to the automotive industry.Recommended VideosFigure completed a trial deployment of its advanced Figure 02 humanoid robot at a BMW facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a few months ago, when the robots were used to insert sheet metal parts into specific fixtures that were then assembled as part of a vehicles chassis. In the new video, California-based Figure said its fully autonomous humanoid robot is capable of carrying out 1,000 placements a day, with the latest version of the machine improving in areas of accuracy and speed over the original design.RelatedThe developments in the field of robotics are very promising, BMW said at the end of the trial in August. With an early test operation, we are now determining possible applications for humanoid robots in production. It added that the robot can save employees from having to perform ergonomically awkward and tiring tasks.The trial also allowed BMW to better understand how it might successfully integrate multi-purpose robots into an existing production system.Looking ahead, BMW and Figure will work together to improve the robots design while preparing it for future applications in auto manufacturing.Figure unveiled the latest version of its humanoid robot in August, in time for the BMW trial. It features three times the processing power of the original version, improved voice communication, better cameras, microphones, and sensors, and a high-performance battery. It also comes with fourth-generation human-scale hands with 16 degrees of freedom and human-equivalent strength, capable of performing two-handed tasks that require varied and dynamic manipulation, complex grasping, and careful coordination.While its true that highly advanced, multi-axis arm-like robots have been operating in car plants for decades, its possible that humanoid robots like those being developed by Figure, Boston Dynamics, and Tesla could one day surpass these in areas such as versatility and adaptability, which is particularly important in dynamic manufacturing environments. The hands attached to humanoid robots are certain to become even more dexterous, enabling them to better perform more delicate manipulations than those carried out by more traditional industrial robots. Cognitive abilities, too, will improve over time, with AI helping the robots to act more intelligently for even greater autonomy.Multi-axis robots certainly excel in specific, repetitive tasks, but humanoid robots look like a more flexible solution for complex, varied environments where human-like interaction and problem-solving abilities are key.The current crop of humanoid robots arent there yet, but its exciting to see videos like this showing the advances being made in the sector.Editors Recommendations