Tech Republic

Trump’s Tariffs Hammer Big Tech as Apple, Meta, Amazon Shares Plunge

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday a host of new tariffs that sent the stock prices of numerous tech giants plummeting. He applied individual “reciprocal” tariffs to several nations, equivalent to half of its trade deficit with the U.S., and a baseline 10% levy on all imports. Goods from Vietnam are now subject to a 46% reciprocal tariff 32% on imports from Taiwan 26% from India Additionally, China faces a 34% reciprocal tariff, which is on top of the 20% tariff that has been in effect since March. By Thursday’s close, NVIDIA’s stock had fallen by nearly 8% as a result of the tariffs announcement, while Amazon and Meta dropped by 9% each, according to CNBC. Apple led the declines, tumbling 9% — its steepest drop since the COVID-induced market sell-off in March 2020. Shares of Microsoft and Alphabet both fell about 2% and 4%, respectively. The Nasdaq Composite Index, a benchmark heavily weighted toward tech stocks, dropped by almost 6%. This is all due to fears that their operational costs will rise and that supply chains, which rely heavily on overseas manufacturing and imports, will be disrupted. Much of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” – Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Tesla, NVIDIA, Meta, and Amazon – took another hit during Friday’s trading, after China retaliated with a 34% tariff on imports from the U.S.. Both NVIDIA and Apple dropped 7%, according to Yahoo Finance, while shares in Meta sank by more than 5%. And CNBC reported on Friday that the “Magnificent Seven” lost a combined $1.8 trillion in market value over the past two days. As of today, cryptocurrency prices in particular are seeing a significant negative impact. Company-level impact: Apple and NVIDIA Apple products — primarily manufactured in China, India, and Vietnam — are likely to become more expensive as the company passes increased import costs on to U.S. consumers. Morgan Stanley analysts estimate that Apple’s profits could take a 7% hit in 2026 due to its annual costs rising by $8.5 billion. U.S. chipmaker giant NVIDIA should be somewhat shielded from the impact due to Trump’s exemption on semiconductors, sparing it from the 32% tariff on chips manufactured in Taiwan by TSMC. However, it remains unclear whether the semiconductor exemption will also cover the 10% baseline tariff on all imports, and rumour has it that new tariffs on chips are coming soon. Tariffs could ‘disrupt AI innovation’ The U.S. relies on China and Taiwan for approximately 80% of its foundry capacity for 20 to 45nm chips and about 70% for 50 to 180nm chips. Tech firms may attempt to shift sourcing to reciprocal tariff-free countries, but many will pass the additional costs to consumers instead. Separately, Trump has revoked tariff exemptions on Chinese imports valued at $800 or less. This is particularly bad news for Amazon as many of the low-price goods listed on its marketplace are from Chinese sellers. Analysts are concerned about potential retaliatory action from China, as the country’s Ministry of Commerce said it would “resolutely take countermeasures” if the U.S. does not “immediately cancel” its tariffs. Dan Ives of Wedbush Securities said in a note that tariffs from China could “constrict the supply chain for next-generation Nvidia chips/hardware,” disrupting AI innovation. source

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Why Creatives Are Suddenly Obsessed with This 4K Monitor

Image: StackCommerce TL;DR: Save $95 and get free shipping on this Mobile Pixels 27-inch HDR monitor with code MONITOR35 at checkout — only while supplies last (reg. $259.99). Your monitor setup might be sabotaging your work without you even realizing it. A low-res screen with dull colors can seriously impact your ability to edit, design, or just stay focused. In 2025, there’s no excuse to stick with outdated tech — especially when stunning 4K displays are finally affordable. This 27-inch 4K HDR monitor from Mobile Pixels delivers ultra-sharp resolution, vivid colors, and ultra-thin bezels. Right now, it’s available for $164.99 with free shipping when you use code MONITOR35 at checkout (reg. $259.99). Fewer than 75 are available at this price. More about the Mobile Pixels monitor Visual performance This monitor boasts 3840 x 2160 resolution — four times the clarity of standard full HD displays. That makes a noticeable difference whether your work involves editing photos, designing layouts, or just juggling multiple windows side-by-side. With 125% sRGB color gamut, colors pop with exceptional accuracy, making it a great fit for creatives who need every pixel to count. Design and comfort If you’re working long hours, an adjustable monitor setup is a necessity. You can tilt the screen to get just the right angle, reducing neck and eye strain throughout the day. And thanks to the ultra-thin bezels, it looks just as sleek as it performs. Connectivity Whether you’re running a full desktop rig or plugging into a laptop, this monitor gives you plenty of options: HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 ensure seamless compatibility with today’s devices. You also get a fast response time, making it quick enough for real-time editing, presentations, and even the occasional game. Price Get this professional 4K display while they’re still available for $164.99 with free shipping. Use code MONITOR35 at checkout before we sell out (reg. $259.99). Prices and availability subject to change. source

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Microsoft: Windows CLFS Vulnerability Could Lead to ‘Widespread Deployment and Detonation of Ransomware'

Image: nicescene/Adobe Stock Microsoft has detected a zero-day vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System (CLFS) being exploited in the wild to deploy ransomware. Target industries include IT, real estate, finance, software, and retail, with companies based in the US, Spain, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-29824 and rated “important,” is present in the CLFS kernel driver. It allows an attacker who already has standard user access to a system to escalate their local privileges. The individual can then use their privileged access for “widespread deployment and detonation of ransomware within an environment,” according to a blog post by the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center. The CFLS driver is a key element of Windows used to write transaction logs, and its misuse could let an attacker gain SYSTEM privileges. From there, they could steal data or install backdoors. Microsoft often uncovers privilege escalation flaws in CFLS, the last one being patched in December. In instances of CVE-2025-29824 exploitation observed by Microsoft, the so-called “PipeMagic” malware was deployed before the attackers could exploit the vulnerability to escalate their privileges. PipeMagic gives attackers remote control over a system and lets them run commands or install more malicious tools. SEE: TechRepublic Exclusive: New Ransomware Attacks are Getting More Personal as Hackers ‘Apply Psychological Pressure’ Who is behind the exploitation? Microsoft has identified Storm-2460 as the threat actor exploiting this vulnerability with PipeMagic and ransomware, linking it to the RansomEXX group. Once known as Defray777, the attackers came onto the scene in 2018. They have since targeted high-profile organisations such as the Texas Department of Transportation, the Brazilian government, and Taiwanese hardware manufacturer GIGABYTE. The group has been linked to Russian nationals. The US’s cyber agency has added the 7.8-rated vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list, meaning that federal civilian agencies are required to apply the patch by April 29. Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server are vulnerable On April 8, security updates were released to patch the vulnerability in Windows 11, Windows Server 2022, and Windows Server 2019. Windows 10 x64-based and 32-bit systems are still awaiting fixes, but Redmond says they will be released “as soon as possible,” and “customers will be notified via a revision to this CVE information” as soon as they are. Devices running Windows 11 version 24H2 or newer cannot be exploited this way, even if the vulnerability exists. Access to the required system information is restricted to users with the “SeDebugPrivilege” permission, a level of access typically unavailable to standard users. Must-read security coverage How exploitation works Microsoft observed threat actors using the certutil command-line utility to download a malicious MSBuild file onto the victim’s system. This file, which carried an encrypted PipeMagic payload, was available on a once-legitimate third-party website that had been compromised to host the threat actor’s malware. One domain PipeMagic communicated to was aaaaabbbbbbb.eastus.cloudapp.azure[.]com, which has now been disabled. Once PipeMagic was decrypted and run in memory, the attackers used a dllhost.exe process to leak kernel addresses, or memory locations, to user mode. They overwrote the process’s token, which defines what the process is allowed to do, with the value 0xFFFFFFFF, granting it full privileges and allowing the attackers to inject code into SYSTEM-level processes. Next, they injected a payload into the SYSTEM winlogon.exe process, which subsequently injected the Sysinternals procdump.exe tool into another dllhost.exe process and executed it. This enabled the threat actor to dump the memory of LSASS, a process that contains user credentials. Following credential theft, ransomware was deployed. Microsoft observed files being encrypted, a random extension added, and a ransom note named !_READ_ME_REXX2_!.txt dropped on affected systems. source

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Aspiring Engineers Should Study This Bundle

Image: StackCommerce The demand for skilled embedded systems engineers is rapidly growing, but the industry is severely competitive. Understanding how these intelligent systems function, how engineers design them, and how they connect is valuable, but it’s hard to learn on your own. If you want help, try the Embedded Systems Engineer Mastery Bundle to work through a comprehensive curriculum designed to give you practical skills that’ll help you excel in the field. It’s only $24.99 (reg. $490) right now. Course overview This bundle comes with ten hands-on courses covering the fundamentals of embedded systems and microcontrollers. A significant portion of the training focuses on C programming, a foundational language for embedded applications. The courses break down how to write efficient and effective code for resource-constrained environments. You’ll also learn how to interface microcontrollers with various peripherals, including sensors, displays, and actuators, gaining practical experience in hardware-software interaction. More advanced lessons show you more about designing and testing circuits, important for making embedded systems. Plus, it shows you how to create the physical boards (called PCBs) for these systems so you can turn your ideas into real things. All through the lessons, you’ll get to do hands-on work with virtual labs and projects to test your new expertise in realistic situations. These lessons are set up for learners with different amounts of experience, whether you’re just starting out or you already know the ropes and want to learn more. Get the 2025 Embedded Systems Engineer Mastery Bundle while it’s still on sale for $24.99. StackSocial prices subject to change. source

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Musk's Starlink’s New Competitor: Amazon's Project Kuiper Internet Satellite Initiative Launches This Month

The Project Kuiper payload is prepared for liftoff. Image credit: Amazon Amazon is moving ahead with its internet satellite initiative, the tech giant announced on April 2. Project Kuiper, a batch of 27 satellites set to launch on April 9, will compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink. First satellite launch will demonstrate Amazon’s space capability Project Kuiper’s satellites will provide internet access to virtually any location on the planet, Amazon said. The company initially signed the launch deal in 2022. On April 9, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket will carry the 27 satellites from Cape Canaveral in Florida to a 280-mile low Earth orbit. This will be Amazon’s first full complete deployment of internet satellites. The company plans to eventually deploy a total of 3,200 satellites in batches of dozens at a time. “We’ve done extensive testing on the ground to prepare for this first mission, but there are some things you can only learn in flight, and this will be the first time we’ve flown our final satellite design and the first time we’ve deployed so many satellites at once,” said Rajeev Badyal, vice president of Project Kuiper, in a press release. Two prototype satellites were tested in October 2023 and successfully enabled a two-way video call over satellite internet. More about Innovation SEE: Amazon is among the tech companies shifting from a desirable, perk-heavy company culture to an environment of personal pressure and political upheaval. To prevent satellites from interfering with astronomers’ work, Amazon coated them with a dielectric mirror film to mask their reflected light. The launch is a milestone for the Atlas V; Project Kuiper marks the heaviest payload the rocket has ever flown. Future Project Kuiper launches will use a variety of vehicles, including the Atlas V, ULA’s Vulcan Centaur, and rockets from Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX. Internet satellite competitors woo the government market Satellite internet service from Starlink, today’s major provider, has touched over five million internet users across 125 countries, according to Reuters. T-Mobile has made Starlink its default connectivity in the U.S. for places without any other wireless coverage. Satellite internet has been pivotal for government, military, and intelligence operations. While Amazon doesn’t sell Project Kuiper routers yet, its web services infrastructure could eventually integrate into space-based communications. source

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Best Hotel Accounting Software in 2025

Here are my top hotel accounting software that can help The best hotel accounting software should do more than just track income and expenses. I look for tools that can handle the basics — like financial reporting and revenue management — while also offering extras that actually reduce workload. Built-in payroll, assisted bookkeeping, and integration with reservation systems can make a big difference, especially if you’re trying to keep operations lean and efficient. Best for overall hotel accounting software: Cloudbeds Best for back office automation: Otelier Best for hotels that need unlimited users: Xero Best for hotels that manage in-house payroll: QuickBooks Online Best for hotel-specific bookkeeping assistance: M3 Why you can trust TechRepublic At TechRepublic, we publish high-quality, independently researched reviews created by writers who are experts in the fields they cover. Our contributors include seasoned IT professionals, certified accountants, software developers, and industry consultants — people who have worked directly with the tools they evaluate. Every article is built on firsthand experience, in-depth testing, and a deep understanding of what businesses and tech teams actually need to make confident, informed decisions. Top hotel accounting software comparison Monthly pricing Number of users Accounting features Hotel-specific features Bookkeeping assistance Cloudbeds Custom Depends on quote Limited Yes No Otelier Custom Depends on quote Limited Yes No Xero $20 to $80 Unlimited Yes Limited No QuickBooks Online $35 to $235 1 to 25 Yes Limited No M3 Custom Depends on quote Yes Limited Yes Cloudbeds: Best for overall hotel accounting software Image: Cloudbeds Cloudbeds is a top pick for hotels that rely on online bookings and want everything in one place. It streamlines reservations, housekeeping, payments, and accounting through a single platform, cutting down on manual work and saving time across your team. If you’re looking for hotel accounting software that goes beyond the basics, Cloudbeds delivers real operational value. You can integrate with POS systems, compliance tools, and reporting platforms to build a setup that fits your workflow. For hoteliers focused on forecasting and real-time insights, this hospitality accounting software brings it all together. Otelier may offer more depth for budgeting, but Cloudbeds wins on day-to-day efficiency. Pricing Cloudbeds is quote-based. We recommend contacting Cloudbeds for pricing details. Features Dynamic pricing optimization with custom rules and real-time alerts Competitor price tracking with alerts for market changes Customizable dashboards with real-time, hospitality-specific insights Centralized multi-property reporting with filters and grouping options Streamlined reservation tools, including a drag-and-drop calendar and one-click actions Over 200 partner integrations and an open API for workflow customization Built-in payment processing to reduce manual entry and errors Cloud-based multi-property management with quick toggling between locations Pros and cons Pros Cons Has a booking engine Limited native accounting features compared to full-service platforms Offers features for reservations, payments, accounting, and housekeeping May require third-party accounting software for advanced financial reporting Has strong multi-property management and reporting features May be overbuilt for very small properties or those with minimal tech needs Otelier: Best for back office automation Image: Otelier Otelier is a smart pick for hotels that want to automate routine back-office work without losing control over the details. It reduces time spent on repetitive tasks like nightly reporting, income journaling, and OTA reconciliation while keeping everything organized in one place. For teams managing multiple locations, it’s a practical way to bring consistency and accuracy across the board. It earns a top spot in my list of best hotel accounting software for its operational focus. I also like how Otelier turns scattered hotel data into usable insights. Its dashboards help you spot trends, fine-tune budgets, and plan ahead with confidence. While it doesn’t offer full accounting functionality, it pairs well with hospitality accounting software like QuickBooks or Cloudbeds to fill in the financial gaps. Pricing Otelier is quote-based. We recommend contacting Otelier for pricing details. Features Standardize budgeting processes across multiple properties Automate data entry, forecasting, and financial tasks Reduce manual errors and prevent lost revenue Maintain accurate, transparent financial records Run what-if scenarios for smarter decision-making Aggregate data into unified, customizable dashboards Track revenue metrics and financial KPIs in real time Identify trends to optimize pricing and performance Collaborate securely using live, accurate data Adapt forecasts quickly with predictive analytics Pros and cons Pros Cons Designed specifically for hotel operations, not just generic business workflows Limited native accounting functionality; requires pairing with accounting software Is used by top hotels like Marriott and Accor May be too complex for smaller hotels or single-location operations Offers strong visibility across portfolios, ideal for multi-property operators Reporting setup and dashboard customization can take time to configure Supports collaboration between finance, ops, and ownership with shared data access Upfront implementation may require internal training and change management Scales well as hotel businesses grow in size or complexity Xero: Best for hotels that need unlimited users Image: Xero Xero is a strong fit for hotels that need full accounting functionality and flexibility for large teams. It allows unlimited users, making it ideal for operations where multiple staff need access to the books. What stands out is its built-in fixed asset tracking, which is especially useful in hospitality where properties manage everything from furniture to equipment. Among the best hotel accounting software options, I like Xero because it delivers the accounting depth that many hotel software often don’t have. It also integrates with a wide range of hotel-specific tools, including Cloudbeds, Little Hotelier, Preno, and RoomRaccoon. If your priority is clean, compliant financials with support for things like depreciation, expense management, and multi-property reporting, Xero checks all the boxes. That said, if you’re not focused on accounting-specific tools, hospitality accounting software like Cloudbeds might be a better fit for front-desk and reservation workflows. Read our Xero review. Pricing Early: $20 per month for unlimited users; 20 invoices and five bills only Growing: $47 per month for unlimited users, invoices, and bills Established: $80 per month for unlimited users, invoices, and bills Features Unlimited users with customizable permission levels Fixed asset tracking with depreciation schedules Automated

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How to Use a VPN: 4 Easy Steps to Get Started

Using a VPN or a virtual private network may seem complicated at first, but it’s software that’s surprisingly easy to set up and use. Whether you’re part of a small business or a larger organization, integrating a VPN is a great way to secure important company information. In this article, we’ll provide a rundown of how to set up a VPN, how to use it and how you can maximize features for your organization. Semperis Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Advanced Attacks Detection, Advanced Automation, Anywhere Recovery, and more ESET PROTECT Advanced Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Advanced Threat Defense, Full Disk Encryption , Modern Endpoint Protection, and more NordLayer Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise 1. Choose a VPN While all VPNs encrypt the connection between a device and a network, each service brings its own flavor and special features. For example, ExpressVPN offers a clean and easy to understand interface, while CyberGhost VPN prioritizes having an extensive server network that’s spread across 100 locations. It’s important to know why you need a VPN. Do you want better security and privacy? Do you need it to unblock content? How many devices do you need protected through the VPN? The answers to these questions will inform what VPN will be best for your needs. CyberGhost’s focus on servers. Image: CyberGhost VPN Researching a VPN’s reputation and track record in protecting user data should also be part of the decision-making process. VPNs are expected to secure data from malicious actors, not sell or record them for their own benefit. A good indicator of this is if a VPN has a no-logs policy that’s been confirmed via a third-party audit. A no-logs policy states that a VPN doesn’t record any sensitive user data, such as browsing history or IP addresses. While many claim to be no-logs, having an independent audit verify this is key. If you need a headstart on choosing a VPN, you can check out our picks of the 4 Best VPNs for Small Businesses. For the sake of this guide, let’s use ExpressVPN as an example. ExpressVPN’s official website. Image: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN is one of the top VPN providers available and is well-regarded for its reliability and ease of use. 2. Purchase a VPN After deciding on a VPN, it’s time to sign up and pay for a subscription. Most VPNs offer multiple subscription options at monthly, annual, or two-year terms. The longer the duration, the lower the monthly price you pay. Generally speaking, I recommend going for an annual subscription, as it gives you a good balance between lower rates and a reasonable duration for the contract. I also encourage making the most out of VPN providers’ money-back guarantees. Many vendors allow 30 or more days after the initial sign up for customers to test out the software and ask for a refund within the allotted time if the VPN isn’t the right fit. ExpressVPN prices. Image: ExpressVPN In the case of ExpressVPN, you can choose between a one-month plan at $12.95 per month, a one-year plan at $6.67 per month, or a two-year plan at $4.99 per month. There are free VPN options available, but these usually come at the cost of lower security, slower speeds, and a lack of other features. 3. Set up VPN Once you pay for the VPN, the next step is to download and install the VPN application. If you’re downloading the VPN for your Windows or Mac, make sure you’re getting it from the VPN’s official website. After clicking download, the VPN’s installer file will appear in your downloads folder. ExpressVPN installer. Image: ExpressVPN Clicking on the installer file will take you to the VPN’s setup process. Just follow the presented instructions until the VPN is installed onto your system. 4. Use the VPN Fortunately, modern VPNs are relatively easy to use. Once installed, VPNs usually have a one-click connect/disconnect button and a list of servers you can connect to. By default, VPNs will connect to the fastest server in your area. This typically means connecting to a server location that’s nearest to where you are. You can, of course, pick a specific server location depending on your needs and preferences. With ExpressVPN, there’s a big power button in the middle that controls your connection, and the server menu is conveniently placed below it. ExpressVPN dashboard. Image: ExpressVPN Once you’ve chosen a server, you can click connect, and there you have it — you’re now using a secure VPN connection. Some people might be wondering if you need to manually connect to a server each time and the answer is no. Generally, most VPNs can be configured to launch at startup and automatically connect to a preferred server of your choice. ExpressVPN on Windows startup. Image: ExpressVPN It’s important to note that exiting a VPN desktop window usually doesn’t close the program completely. VPNs are software that run in the background, so you’ll have to close the VPN application either through Windows’ task manager or manually quitting the app on a Mac. If you find that the VPN isn’t functioning the way it’s supposed to, a good rule of thumb is to disconnect from the server and restart the application. If that doesn’t work, VPNs provide customer support either on their site or in the app itself. Quality VPN providers offer 24/7 live chat support to assist you when something goes wrong. If that’s not available, you can send an email using the VPN’s support page or ticket system. Best ways to use a VPN for your business VPNs have a variety of use-cases.

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Best Android Password Managers for 2025

According to StatCounter, Android accounted for 71.72% of the world’s mobile operating systems as of February 2025. That’s an overwhelming amount of devices — and in turn, a massive amount of passwords and accounts on each device. While you can still use sticky notes to keep track of passwords, writing them down isn’t a secure way to manage your sensitive credentials. This is where password managers come in. Password managers encrypt and organize your passwords, allowing you to easily access important logins without sacrificing security. For businesses that mainly use Android devices — you’re in luck. There are a number of high quality password managers on Android that are worth your time and money. In this article, we look at the best password managers for Android devices. 1 NordPass Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Activity Log, Business Admin Panel for user management, Company-wide settings, and more 2 Dashlane Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Automated Provisioning 3 ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Access Management, Compliance Management, Credential Management, and more Top password managers for Android comparison All the Android password managers featured on this list have the essentials: high-end encryption, a password generator, and password autofilling capabilities. While they have a ton of similarities, there are various feature focuses per password manager depending on your needs. Software Password health monitoring Password sharing Standout feature Starting Personal account price Starting Business account price Bitwarden4.6 / 5 stars Yes (Vault Health reports) Yes open-source platform and free version $0.83 per month $4 per month, per user NordPass4.6 / 5 stars Yes (Password Health) Yes Affordable plans for smaller teams $1.69 per month $1.79 per month, per user 1Password4.3 / 5 stars Yes (Watchtower) Yes Ease of use $2.99 per month $19.95 per month for 10 users Keeper4.4 / 5 stars Yes (Security Audit) Yes Business features $2.92 per month $2.00 per month, per user Dashlane4.4 / 5 stars Yes (Password Health) Yes Bang-for-buck family plan $4.99 per month $8 per month, per user Bitwarden: Best overall password manager for Android Image: Bitwarden Bitwarden is a highly secure password manager that’s a fan-favorite amongst Android users — and for good reason. Like Android, Bitwarden is open-source which means that its source code is publicly available. This makes it easier to track vulnerabilities in its code and prevent unwanted exploits. In addition, Bitwarden has one of the best free plans in the password manager space, offering unlimited password storage on an unlimited number of devices. Add to that its simple user interface, affordable paid plans, and clean security reputation, Bitwarden should be your go-to password manager for Android. Bitwarden’s Android app interface. Image: Luis Millares Why I chose Bitwarden Bitwarden is my best overall password manager on Android for its high quality mix of affordability and security — all built on its open-source architecture. It has a sterling security reputation, which is also crucial for software that takes hold of your most sensitive data. Bitwarden’s desktop app counterpart. Image: Luis Millares Pricing Bitwarden has a free version and paid plans for both individual and business users. Here’s the pricing rundown of their paid subscriptions: Premium: $0.32 per month. Families: $3.33 per month, up to six users. Teams: $4 per month, per user. Enterprise: $6 per month, per user. Customized plan: Contact Bitwarden for quotation. Features Open-source. Encrypted text and file-sharing. Free version with unlimited password storage. Zero knowledge. Pros and cons Pros Cons Clean security reputation. Affordable pricing across plans. Popular pick among Android users. Doesn’t have tons of extra features. If you want to learn more, read my full Bitwarden review here. NordPass: Best for smaller teams Image: NordPass NordPass is Nord Security’s flavor on password management that brings with it the same focus on security and useability as their popular NordVPN solution. For security, NordPass is the only Android password manager in our rundown that uses XChaCha20 encryption. This is a more modern algorithm that, they say, provides future-proof security, compared to the industry standard AES-256 cipher. It also operates on zero-knowledge principles, which means only the end-user has access to their data. Aside from this, NordPass on Android also lets you store passkeys, notes, credit card info, and other important information in your vault. NordPass on Android. Image: Luis Millares Why I chose NordPass I chose NordPass specifically for its wide range of plan options, which I envision can be beneficial to smaller teams or businesses on a tighter budget. It’s the only password manager on this list that offers both one and two-year plan options, which can help with lowering monthly costs in the long run. NordPass on Windows. Image: Luis Millares Pricing NordPass offers a free plan as well as one and two-year paid subscriptions for its Personal and Business tiers. Below is an overview of the prices for each plan and tier. NordPass Personal & Family plans: Premium 1-year: $1.69 per month. Premium 2 years: $1.29 per month. Family 1-year: $3.69 per month, six users. Family 2 years: $2.79 per month, six users. NordPass Business plans: Teams 1-year: $1.99 per user, per month; 10 users. Teams 2 years: $1.79 per user, per month; 10 users. Business 1-year: $3.99 per user, per month; five to 250 users. Business 2 years: $3.59 per user, per month; five to 250 users. Enterprise 1-year: $5.99 per user, per month; unlimited users. Enterprise 2 years: $5.39 per user, per month; unlimited users. Features XChaCha20 encryption algorithm. Password health and data breach scanning. Free version. Pros and cons Pros Cons Affordable individual and business subscriptions.

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A Useful Quantum Computer Within 10 Years? DARPA, 2 Australian Startups & More Are Working On It

Andrew Dzurak, founder and CEO of Australian startup Diraq, holds one of the company’s projects. Image credit: Diraq DARPA has awarded two Australian startups, Diraq and Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC), contracts for quantum computing research, the U.S. agency announced on April 4. Both Sydney-based companies will participate in the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) program, designed to assess other companies to find which might have the potential to reach useful quantum computing within the next decade. “For the chosen companies, now the real work begins,” said Joe Altepeter, DARPA QBI program manager, in a press release. “Stage A is a six-month sprint in which they’ll provide comprehensive technical details of their concepts to show that they hold water and could plausibly lead to a transformative, fault-tolerant quantum computer in under 10 years.” Useful quantum computing (or utility-scale operation) is defined as a method in which computational value exceeds the build and operational costs. Diraq teams up with other companies to manufacture quantum chips Diraq entered into the QBI its silicon spin qubits approach to quantum computing, which is based on the CMOS manufacturing methods used to make computer chips. Diraq will place its method under more intense scrutiny as part of the program, testing its robustness. “We are confident that our combined expertise, designs, and technologies can rapidly deliver a commercially viable quantum system concept in terms of capex per system, plus realistic considerations around equipment footprint, scalability, sustainability and operating costs,” wrote Diraq founder and CEO Andrew Dzurak in a press release. To do so, Diraq has teamed up with other organizations: Emergence Quantum, which provides system architecture design, classical cryo-CMOS electronics, and qubit readout and control. Riverlane, which makes quantum error correction (QEC) technology. Semiconductor manufacturers Global Foundries and IMEC. SQC brings intrinsically quantum qubits in silicon Under the DARPA contract, SQC will work on intrinsically quantum qubits embedded in silicon chips. SQC performs its own manufacturing and said the company can iterate on new designs within one to two weeks. “Not only is the associated funding incredibly useful, DARPA’s third-party interrogation of our path to a utility-scale quantum computer will be immensely valuable,” wrote SQC Founder and CEO Michelle Simmons in a press release. SEE: Amazon showed a prototype of a quantum chip, Ocelot, that reduces errors with specially designed qubits. More Australia coverage Quantum program looks ahead 10 years to possible commercialization The QBI program will have three stages. Stage A is the assessment step and involves 16 companies from the U.S., U.K., Canada, and France, including IBM and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, as well as the two Australian businesses. Stage B will be a year-long program, during which DARPA will assess each company’s research and development approach. Stage C: An independent firm will assess each company’s hardware. As InnovationAus pointed out, DARPA chose Australian company PsiQuantum for the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC) program, the group of companies the QBI program will assess. The program is not a competition between companies, DARPA pointed out. Instead; it is a survey of all companies deemed likely to produce a useful quantum computer. Quantum computing is highly sought after as a commercial product, with its remarkable processing speed that could prove critical for drug discovery, materials science simulation, and other calculations. However, it has proven challenging to monetize and scale due to difficulties in scaling up the number of qubits able to be used in a computer; cost, especially of cooling the hardware to nearly absolute zero; and high error rates or noise. source

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8 Best Enterprise Password Managers

As organizations embrace hybrid and remote work models, the surge in online accounts supporting workflows has led to a growing challenge of managing numerous login credentials. This not only escalates the complexity of password management but also gives rise to potential security issues. A single incident of compromise in one account can put an entire organization — and even partnering vendors — at serious risk. To simplify the password management process and mitigate password-related breaches, organizations leverage enterprise password managers. Enterprise password managers offer a secure, efficient and centralized platform to create, store and manage passwords, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and fostering regulatory compliance. This article will explore the top enterprise password managers, examining their key features, pricing, benefits and drawbacks. 1 NordPass Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Activity Log, Business Admin Panel for user management, Company-wide settings, and more 2 Dashlane Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Micro, Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Automated Provisioning 3 ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Access Management, Compliance Management, Credential Management, and more Top enterprise password managers: Comparison table The table below is a comparison of the key features that can be found in every top-quality enterprise password manager. Browser extension Encryption type Password sharing Biometric access Free version Pricing Keeper Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge and Safari. AES 256-bit, Elliptic-Curve cryptography (EC) Yes Yes, on macOS. Yes Starts at $2/user per month. Dashlane Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Brave, Edge and Safari. Argon2 Yes Yes Yes Starts at $8/seat per month. 1Password Chrome, Brave, Firefox, Edge and Safari. 256-bit AES Yes Yes No Starts at $7.99/user per month. Bitwarden Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Edge and Safari. AES-CBC 256-bit, PBKDF2 SHA-256 or Argon2. Yes Yes Yes Starts at $6/user per month. Enpass Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari and Tor. 256-bit AES 256-bit, PBKDF2-HMAC-SHA512 on SQLCipher engine. Yes Yes Yes Starts at $9.99/user per month for enterprise users. ManageEngine Password Manager Pro Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Brave and Safari. AES-256 encryption Yes Yes No Enterprise pricing starts at $3,995 for 10 admins. Zoho Vault Ulaa, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Vivaldi, Brave, Opera. AES-256 bit Yes Limited Yes Starts at $7.20/user per month for enterprise users. NordPass Opera, Vivaldi, Brave, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari. XChaCha20 Yes Yes Yes Starts at $1.79/user per month. Top enterprise password managers Here are our picks for the eight best enterprise password managers in 2024. Keeper: Best overall enterprise password manager Image: Keeper Keeper is a password management solution that offers encrypted vaults for every user. It provides users with an organizational structure with folders and subfolders, along with shared team folders. With Keeper, users can access their encrypted vaults from an unlimited number of devices. In addition, Keeper has a policy engine and enforcement feature that guarantees compliance with security protocols, while its Security Audit and Activity Reporting features offer insights into password usage and user actions. I particularly liked Keeper’s BreachWatch feature — a dark web monitoring tool that constantly scans employees’ password vaults for passwords that have been exposed to the dark web and alerts security teams for immediate response. For organizations which have hundreds to thousands of employees, this is a must-have feature to keep internal credentials secure. Why I chose Keeper I was impressed with Keeper’s emphasis on ease of use, combined with strong security measures like secure file storage, secrets manager and role-based access controls for large organizations. In my opinion, its balance of usability and management-focused features helps it stand out as my top option for enterprises looking for a password management solution. Features Command Line Provisioning. Multi-factor authentication. Event log and notification. Security audits. Active Directory and LDAP synchronization. Single sign-on (SAML 2.0) authentication. Keeper dark web monitoring. Image: Keeper Keeper pros and cons Pros Cons Easy to set up. Automatically notifies users of any vulnerability issues. Offers developer APIs. Offers compliance reporting. Secret manager capability. KeeperChat for encrypted workplace messaging. Slow customer support response time. Pricing Keeper offers three pricing plans for its business and enterprise users. Business Starter: Starts at $2 per user per month, minimum 5 users and max of 10 users (billed annually). Business: Starts at $3.75 per user per month (billed annually). Enterprise: Contact Keeper for a custom quote and availability. If you want to learn more, read our full Keeper review here. Dashlane: Best for cross-platform compatibility Image: Dashlane Dashlane is a password management tool that allows users to access and manage passwords across different devices and platforms. It has an unlimited, secure password-sharing feature that allows users to share passwords while maintaining total control. This means that access to shared passwords can be revoked at any time. For enhanced security, the tool includes dark web monitoring and the ability to auto-send alerts in case of a data breach. Additionally, Dashlane allows users to generate strong passwords with a single click and automatically fills them in whenever needed, streamlining the log-in process. Personally, I like how Dashlane integrates with popular identity management solutions like Okta, Duo and OneLogin. This offers organizations a well-rounded and multi-layered security posture to ward off against attacks and vulnerabilities. Why I chose Dashlane Dashlane made it to our list for its inclusion of a VPN feature for Wi-Fi protection and a limitless secure password-sharing feature. Features Unlimited secure password sharing. Cross-platform accessibility. One-click passwords and forms. Dark web monitoring and alerts. Password generator. Cross-platform accessibility in Dashlane. Image: Dashlane Dashlane pros and cons Pros Cons Personalized security alerts. Real-time phishing alert. Integrates with popular IAM providers like Okta and Duo. Supports role-based permissions. Provides contextual breach alerts.

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