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The more things change, the more they stay the same, the saying goes. That couldnt be more true for our review candidate today, Check Points ZoneAlarm Extreme Security. We reviewed this software nearly six years ago, and in that time the Windows interface has not changed.

Sure, some features have disappeared and others have taken their place, but overall its the same program with the same dated interface. Thats set to change, however. A Check Point spokesperson told us the company is planning a major interface and user experience overhaul for 2020.

When you start ZoneAlarm Extreme Security the first thing youll notice is that it looks a little fuzzy. It appears Check Point didnt update its app for high-resolution displays. We tested ZoneAlarm Extreme Security on a laptop with a 1080p display, and found that the menu items and tiles were noticeably lacking in sharpness.

The primary dashboard for ZoneAlarm Extreme Security.

The basic dashboard for Extreme Security has three tiles: Antivirus & Firewall, Web & Privacy, and Mobility & Data. There are also four menu items in the upper-left corner: Scan, Update, Tools, and Help.

Click on one of the tiles, and you end up on a secondary interface with three tabs that have the same names as the tiles from the previous screenmaking the first screen superfluous.

This secondary screen is where you have all the controls for your antivirus. You can start a manual scan, or turn on and off features such as Threat Emulation and Application Control. The former is a cloud-based feature to help prevent zero-day attacks, while Application Control prevents untrusted applications from running. In our tests, Application Control was a little too aggressive and wouldnt allow PCMark 10 to run its Extended test. That was a pain but easily solved by setting a higher trust level for all of the FutureMark components.

Easily solved, that is, for anyone who knows their way around Windows PCs. Regular users who need a set-it-and-forget-it solution will find it problematic if they happen to install a program that isnt on Check Points whitelist.

The two-way firewall allows for rule setting, permissions for VPN protocols, locking the hosts file, and so on. This section is best left alone for most users.

ZoneAlarms Mobility & Data section.

Then in the Mobility & Data section there is an anti-ransomware module, as well as identity protection. The latter checks a third-party database of recent breaches for your information such as email address, passwords, and so on.

Theres also a real-time monitor that scans for sensitive information trying to leave your PC. For the monitor to work, you need to add your information to a vault including PINs, addresses, bank cards, drivers license, passwords, mothers maiden name, passport number, phone, social security number, and so on. You can also choose to encrypt your vault.

In the settings, you can activate a game mode, set schedules for scans and updates, and view the apps logs.

Extreme Security has a number of key features youd expect in a deluxe security suite, but there are some noticeable gaps. It doesnt have parental controls any longer, for example. Its also missing items you usually find such as a password manager, a free VPN, or cloud storage.

The suite is also lacking PC tune-up tools, though we can hardly fault Check Point for that. We regularly note how these tools are not much of a benefit as they can easily be acquired for free from third parties, or are already built into Windows 10.

In addition to the desktop app, there are also apps for Android and iOS. Oddly, on Android at least, there is an automated VPN to protect your browsing while on open Wi-Fi.

ZoneAlarm Extreme Securitys Antivirus & Firewall controls.

AV-Test gave Check Points ZoneAlarm Pro a 100 percent rating in September and October for its zero-day and malware real-world tests, and its widespread and prevalent malware test. The former used 335 samples and the latter nearly 26,000.

SE Labs gave ZoneAlarm its highest rating, AAA, in the testing houses October-December 2019 report, but it didnt explain whether the suite missed anything. In the July-September SE Labs report, ZoneAlarm was also awarded a AAA rating, but it missed one public threat while stopping everything else, including targeted attacks.

For our in-house performance tests ZoneAlarm did fairly well. The test PCs performance took a hit of 74 points in the PC Mark 10 Extended test. In the file-transfer test it actually performed a little bit faster, by nearly two minutes, with ZoneAlarm running. Those were the only two tests where there was a notable difference.

By our reckoning, with ZoneAlarm installed you may see a bit of a hit with media rich applications, but overall it shouldnt get in your way too much.

ZoneAlarms Web & Privacy options.

ZoneAlarm Extreme Security has a promotional price of $45 for a year, covering five devices. The regular price is marked as $90. If you want to cover 10 devices it will cost $80 for the first year, and then $180 for each year after that.

Thats pretty good pricing for the first subscription period, but its way too high after that, based on the MSRPs CheckPoint displays on its website. Norton Security Premium, for example, is $120 per year for 10 devices at the non-promotional price.

Theres no doubt that ZoneAlarm Extreme Security offers good protection, but when youre looking at a paid product, thats not the only consideration. The desktop app is, I hate to say it, terrible. Its way too outdated, and it doesnt look good on high-resolution screens. That is set to change at some point this year, and were interested to try the new ZoneAlarm when it rolls out.

Extreme Security also has a single safe browsing extension that is only for Chrome. There are no considerations for Firefox or Edge, which isnt very extreme. Yes, there are tons of safe browsing extensions out there, but when youre trying to sell the complete package, it should be, well, complete. Chrome covers a lot of users, but its not what everyone uses.

Pricing is also a concern since its not as competitive after the first year is up.

To sum up, ZoneAlarm Extreme Security is good in terms of protection, but in terms of overall value its not on par with competing suites. That could in change in the coming months once the updated suite is released, but for now were not excited about it.

See the rest here:
ZoneAlarm Extreme Security review: Good protection in need of an overhaul - PCWorld

Mr. Ton-That, 31, grew up a long way from Silicon Valley. In his native Australia, he was raised on tales of his royal ancestors in Vietnam. In 2007, he dropped out of college and moved to San Francisco. The iPhone had just arrived, and his goal was to get in early on what he expected would be a vibrant market for social media apps. But his early ventures never gained real traction.

In 2009, Mr. Ton-That created a site that let people share links to videos with all the contacts in their instant messengers. Mr. Ton-That shut it down after it was branded a phishing scam. In 2015, he spun up Trump Hair, which added Mr. Trumps distinctive coif to people in a photo, and a photo-sharing program. Both fizzled.

Dispirited, Mr. Ton-That moved to New York in 2016. Tall and slender, with long black hair, he considered a modeling career, he said, but after one shoot he returned to trying to figure out the next big thing in tech. He started reading academic papers on artificial intelligence, image recognition and machine learning.

Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Ton-That met in 2016 at a book event at the Manhattan Institute, a conservative think tank. Mr. Schwartz, now 61, had amassed an impressive Rolodex working for Mr. Giuliani in the 1990s and serving as the editorial page editor of The New York Daily News in the early 2000s. The two soon decided to go into the facial recognition business together: Mr. Ton-That would build the app, and Mr. Schwartz would use his contacts to drum up commercial interest.

Police departments have had access to facial recognition tools for almost 20 years, but they have historically been limited to searching government-provided images, such as mug shots and drivers license photos. In recent years, facial recognition algorithms have improved in accuracy, and companies like Amazon offer products that can create a facial recognition program for any database of images.

Mr. Ton-That wanted to go way beyond that. He began in 2016 by recruiting a couple of engineers. One helped design a program that can automatically collect images of peoples faces from across the internet, such as employment sites, news sites, educational sites, and social networks including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and even Venmo. Representatives of those companies said their policies prohibit such scraping, and Twitter said it explicitly banned use of its data for facial recognition.

Original post:
The Secretive Company That Might End Privacy as We Know It - The New York Times

The best tax software:

Most Americans dread filing taxes. It can be costly, confusing, or just plain tedious ... but it has to be done.

The good news is that if you have a straightforward financial situation, there are simple and free tax filing options available online.

If your situation is more complex you have side jobs, own a business, live and work in different states, or earn income from a trust, for example you can expect to pay to file your federal income tax return, and probably your state return, too.

But where do you start? And who has the best tax software or online tax filing service for your situation?

Taxes are incredibly nuanced and it's naive to assume one person's filing experience will be like another's because they use the same tax preparer. That said, there are some companies that excel in certain niches, like helping small business owners navigate deductions or walking first-time filers through loads of tax jargon.

In order to determine the best tax software, we reviewed offerings from about a dozen online tax preparers, most of which are included in the IRS Free File Alliance, meaning they offer filers who earn up to $69,000 the ability to file their taxes for free.

We focused on a few important factors that we deem essential to any good filing experience: comparatively low cost, easy to use, good value, breadth of tax forms supported, ability to put off payment until the return is ready to file, easy W-2 or 1099 import or upload, an accuracy guarantee/liability, and optional audit support.

Below you'll find out picks for the best tax software.

BI

Why it stands out:TurboTax delivers in all areas of tax preparation with options aplenty. It offers $0 federal and state filing with no income limits for W-2 earners, plus a clear and structured question-and-answer format to help filers with more complicated financials e.g. a mortgage, investment income, education expenses, self-employment income, itemized deductions, etc. find the right paid product and make the most of every deduction available to them.

While its biggest competitor, H&R Block, is cheaper, TurboTax has at least two notable edges: It supports income from estates and trusts (Schedule K-1) and it offers QuickBooks integration for self-employed filers who track their business expenses all year long. Both tax preparers have excellent user interfaces the superior choice is usually a matter of personal preference.

Cost:

For nearly double the prices listed above, you can buy TurboTax Live, which gives you instant access to an expert who can review your tax return for accuracy before you submit, if that's important to you.

In addition to online filing services, TurboTax sells desktop software for a slight markup. Unless you need more hand holding and/or you want to be able to complete your tax return without internet connection, you probably don't need to splurge for the downloadable software.

What to look out for: One of the biggest complaints about TurboTax is the ease with which it attempts to upgrade users to the next-tier product, so beware of the upsell. You should also avoid paying your filing fee out of your refund, unless you're OK with an extra $40 processing fee tacked on to your total.

And a word to the wise: If you're looking for TurboTax's completely free filing service, don't go through the IRS Free File portal or you'll be met with a $36,000 income restriction.

BI

Why it stands out:H&R Block is part of the IRS Free File Alliance, which enables free filing for taxpayers with up to $69,000 in income, but you can file both your federal tax return and state tax return with H&R Block's free file edition regardless of how much you earned.

H&R Block's free file version supports W-2 income, interest income, dividend income, retirement distributions, the student loan interest deduction, and the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is more than TurboTax covers for free.

H&R Block is well-reviewed by novices and experts alike for its clear instructions, explanations of tax concepts, easy-to-use interface, and helpful customer service.

Cost:$0 federal return fee; $0 state return fee.

What to look out for: You can't itemize with H&R Block's free edition. Limitations exist for homeowners, freelancers, and business owners.

Similarly to TurboTax, if you want to use H&R Block's free edition, we recommend navigating directly to the website instead of going through the IRS Free File portal or you'll hit a landing page that enforces a $69,000 income limit.

BI

Why it stands out:1040.com works well for newbies and experienced filers alike. Like most of the online tax services, it uses a question-and-answer format to help filers navigate deductions and credits, but you can also jump directly to certain forms if you're well-versed.

Best of all, there are no price tiers or product comparisons just one flat fee that covers everything, and you don't have to pay until you're ready to submit your return. People with income beyond W-2 earnings typically pay a premium to file their taxes, but this service levies no upcharge for reporting self-employment income, business income, estate or trust income, or foreign earned income.

Plus, you can file multiple state returns at no extra cost.

Cost:$25 federal return fee; $0 state return fee.

What to look out for: If you choose to pay for 1040.com filing through your refund, you'll be charged an additional $25 processing fee. An outside audit protection service, which is included at no extra cost with the big tax preparers, will set you back $30.

BI

Why it stands out: If you know you're going to report business, trust, or complicated investment income, you can go straight to eFile.com's premium package, which is comparable to H&R Block's and TurboTax's self-employment options but offered at a fraction of the price. It may not feel as professional as the others, but eFile.com offers all the same important features.

This option is best for small business owners who generally know how business income tax filing works and don't need a ton of hand holding. If questions do arise, you have access to a "Taxpert," though reviews suggest you shouldn't expect quick answers. If your return is rejected by the IRS for any reason, you can refile at no extra charge.

Cost:

*Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

What to look out for:Don't get fooled into paying the online servicer out of your refund it'll be an extra cost of about $25.

BI

Why it stands out:First-time filers are generally younger and presumably cost-conscious. H&R Block is cheaper than TurboTax, but still provides more than enough hand holding for a novice. It also uses a question-and-answer format to guide you to the right online filing product and make sure you get every deduction or credit you qualify for.

H&R Block also has affordable options for those who would rather outsource the work to a tax professional through Tax Pro Go. Filing fees range from $49 for simple, W-2 earners to $249 for business owners (plus $39 state filing fees) and you don't ever have to step foot in an office.

Cost:

*Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar.

For an additional cost, you can get on-demand and unlimited help from an expert with H&R Block's Online Assist service, which includes screen-share capabilities and instant chat. There's also downloadable software if you want to work through your taxes on a desktop. It's cheaper than TurboTax, but again, just filing online is suitable in most cases.

What to look out for:It may sound easy to pay your filing fee directly out of your refund, but H&R Block will charge an extra $40 processing fee.

BI

Why it stands out:If you've filed many times over and feel confident navigating tax jargon, TaxAct is a good middle-of-the-road option: It's cheaper than the industry stalwarts and still gets the job done.

Each of its online filing options is a good bet, but independent contractors may find extra value with the self-employed option, which spends extra time identifying industry-specific deductions, whether you're a freelance writer, business consultant, teacher, or musician.

Filers can also import previous years' returns from another preparer to speed up the data-entry process. If questions arise along the way, TaxAct experts are available via email, chat, or phone.

Cost:

*Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar. All options are available to active duty military at no cost.

TaxAct also has downloadable software, but it's pricier than its online counterpart.

What to look out for:You won't get the moment-to-moment guidance and technical breakdowns that TaxAct's higher-end competitors are known for. If you need to file a return for estate or trust income, you'll need to buy a separate package for about $110, plus an additional $50 state return fee.

At Personal Finance Insider, we strive to help smart people make the best decisions with their money. Filing taxes can seem like a frustrating task for many of us and we want to help make the process easier and more affordable.

As previously mentioned, "best" is often subjective there's no single tax software or online tax filing service that will work for everyone. Not only are taxes highly personal, but there isn't one universal user experience. That's why we reviewed about a dozen of the most popular tax preparers to identify their top strengths and weaknesses.

We started with a list of tax preparers included in the IRS Free File Alliance, which offer filers who earn up to $69,000 the ability to file their taxes for free. (You can use the IRS Free File Lookup Tool to determine whether you qualify for free filing.)

All of these companies offer online tax filing services and a few, H&R Block and TurboTax included, also sell downloadable software for your computer, which you can use to fill out your tax return without an internet connection.

We also considered a few tax preparation companies not currently on the IRS Free File list, including 1040.com and Credit Karma.

We realize that if you're searching for the best tax software, you're probably either willing to spend time filing your own return or you're looking for a more affordable option than hiring a tax professional.

With that in mind, we weighted heavily the following factors: cost, ease of use, value, the breadth of tax forms supported, the ability to put off payment until the return is ready to file, easy W-2 or 1099 import or upload, an accuracy guarantee/liability, and optional audit support.

Finally, we consulted other experts, like Wirecutter and Nerdwallet, to make sure we weren't missing any major features or drawbacks of any of the services.

According to our research, TurboTax offers the widest selection of comprehensive tax software and online tax filing options on the market right now.

That said, every American who qualifies to file their taxes for free should be able to do so without deception. A 2019 investigation by ProPublica found that Intuit, TurboTax's parent company, and H&R Block were deliberately hiding their free filing services from Google and other search engines, which led the IRS to announce early this year that the companies would be prohibited from doing so going forward.

Despite this, we still feel TurboTax offers a valuable and honest product for filing your taxes. Also, as with any financial product, it's in your own best interest to stay vigilant.

TurboTax offers a very comprehensive online tax filing service for small business owners, but for a much cheaper option, try eFile.com. This option is best for business owners who generally know how business income tax filing works and don't need a ton of hand holding.

If you're easily overwhelmed by taxes, the best tax software is going to be one that does most of the work for you; H&R Block and TurboTax are wildly popular for this reason. All you have to do is upload the relevant tax forms and answer a few questions along the way to account for deductions and credits. These two tax preparers have multiple options for filers with any and every type of income, as well as individualized help from a CPA or enrolled agent for an additional fee, if you need it.

If your main objective is to save money on tax filing, check out the IRS Free File partners first. If your income is too high to qualify for free federal and/or state filing, consider budget options like TaxAct, eFile.com, 1040.com, and TaxSlayer. These companies offer tax software for a fraction of the price of H&R Block and TurboTax and still permit tax form uploads and provide a reasonable level of guidance throughout the process.

If getting a big tax refund is most important to you and you have time to spare, you may want to fill out a tax return with a few different online preparers. Each of the companies on our best tax software list allows you to begin a tax return for free and pay only when you're ready to submit the return (you will need to set up an account, though). Before payment is required, you should be able to see your tax refund amount and cancel any filing application that doesn't give you the biggest refund.

Tanza Loudenbackhas been writing about money every day for more than three years. She is an expert on strategies for building wealth and financial products that help people make the most of their money. She is in the process of becoming a licensed CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER (CFP).

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Best tax software 2020: TurboTax, H&R Block, and more - Business Insider

The global building information modeling software market is expected to post a CAGR of almost 20% during the period 2019-2023, according to the latest market research report by Technavio. Request a free sample report

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200117005250/en/

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled global building information modeling software market 2019-2023. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Organizations are increasingly focusing on cultivating and managing their resources effectively to improve product outputs. This has increased the adoption of efficient solutions such as building information software for effective large-scale construction project management. Building information modeling software automates the process and ensures maximum output by managing resources and maintaining regular follow-ups. It also improves connectivity in the process, which enables organizations to handle project-related queries easily and effectively. This reduces response time and increases productivity. Many such benefits are driving organizations to adopt building information modeling software, which is fueling the growth of the market.

To learn more about the global trends impacting the future of market research, download a free sample: https://www.technavio.com/talk-to-us?report=IRTNTR30049

As per Technavio, increasing investment for intelligent processing will have a positive impact on the market and contribute to its growth significantly over the forecast period. This research report also analyzes other important trends and market drivers that will affect market growth over 2019-2023.

Global Building Information Modeling Software Market: Increasing Investment for Intelligent Processing

Vendors in the market are making significant investments to integrate intelligent processing techniques such as AI with building information modeling software. This integration will help end-users such as builders, contractors, engineers, and architects to overcome various challenges, improve efficiency and productivity, and reduce the time and money spent on the project. For example, AI-based building information modeling software enables users to analyze risks and test the stability and viability of a project. Therefore, this trend of integrating intelligent processing techniques will have a positive impact on the growth of the global building information modeling software market during the forecast period.

"Growth of 5D building information modeling and the increased adoption of open building information modeling will further boost market growth during the forecast period," says a senior analyst at Technavio.

Register for a free trial today and gain instant access to 17,000+ market research reports.

Technavios SUBSCRIPTION platform

Global Building Information Modeling Software Market: Segmentation Analysis

This market report segments the global building information modeling software market by product (software and services) and geography (Americas, APAC, and EMEA).

The EMEA region led the market in 2018, followed by the Americas and APAC respectively. During the forecast period, the EMEA region is expected to maintain its dominance over the market. This is due to the strong presence of prominent vendors in the region.

Story continues

Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Request a free sample report

Some of the key topics covered in the report include:

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation

Customer Landscape

Geographical Segmentation

Market Drivers

Market Challenges

Market Trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor Analysis

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200117005250/en/

Contacts

Technavio ResearchJesse MaidaMedia & Marketing ExecutiveUS: +1 844 364 1100UK: +44 203 893 3200Email: media@technavio.com Website: https://www.technavio.com/

Excerpt from:
Global Building Information Modeling Software Market 2019-2023 | 20% CAGR Projection Through 2023 | Technavio - Yahoo Finance

The technology is integrated into the flagship Vert compressor range. The A100 compressor and the recently unveiled A150 both feature the ability to provide compressed air at low noise levels from a portable package, whilst still being capable of continuous operation.

With its inherent ability to achieve high pressures, the difference with CRC technology lies in its rotating inner and outer rotors. As air travels along the rotors the volume of the chamber reduces, which in turn increases the pressure of the air.

It is this innovative technology that saw the company made winners of the Made in Scotland award (2018) and Innovator of the Year award (2017).

The resulting pressure has a notably low noise signature which means that Vert compressors are ideal for use in environments where people may be working in close proximity. Verts primary target application is in laboratories, workshops and other environments where low noise is a primary consideration. The compressors are a portable, plug and play solution which can quickly and easily be set up wherever air is required.

Established in 2013, Vert has experienced rapid growth in the last five years and has benefitted significantly from bringing all its manufacturing processes in-house.

Nicol Low, head of production at Vert explains: We have design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and R&D all in one facility so were able to produce all the parts we require for our compressors ourselves without relying on subcontracting services.

This enables us to carry out design iterations far faster than was previously possible; in particular the inner and outer rotors are difficult to machine to the required tolerance so we need to quickly evolve the manufacturing strategies to get those correct.

Due to the design and manufacturing complexity of the Vert technology there was a real need to ensure tight manufacturing tolerances were met. To achieve this objective, the decision was made to invest in more advanced metrology equipment.

Mr Low explains: The helical and contoured surfaces of the parts we produce are complex and we needed to ensure that machining accuracy was being achieved and maintained. We looked at all sorts of measuring technologies available but our initial search was for a CMM, driven by a requirement for accuracy and reliability whilst also keeping an eye on price. As we discovered, Aberlink CMMs could meet all the accuracy requirements and are very price competitive.

Following an initial conversation with Aberlink, Vert sent three rotor parts to the companys Gloucestershire headquarters for testing two were known to be out of tolerance and the other was removed from a performant compressor. It took only 10 minutes on one of Aberlinks Axiom too CMMs to identify the compliant part.

Mr Low comments: The report data we got back from Aberlink exactly matched the testing we had done ourselves which was a big thumbs up from us. It was obvious that we could shortcut a lot of the existing manual measurement and lengthy performance testing, save on time and be confident that parts were accurate. It was a pretty easy decision in the end.

Installed in a temperature-controlled QA department, the Axiom too CMM is being put to good use providing rapid, accurate feedback on parts for the CRCs. It has also served a dual purpose; the CMM itself is powered by one of the same A100 compressors that Vert produce providing an example of how the Vert compressors can be put to use to power machines quietly within a workshop setting.

Mr Low explains how the CMM has proven to be a valuable asset: The inner CRC rotor is fairly easy to measure but you need a CMM to be able to do so. We conduct a series of peck scans of the surface and then compare that against a 3D model and check that the machining strategies are effective, that the parts are compliant, and that the tool offset is correct.

The outer rotor is more complex to measure and the measurement programs that we create can be a little bit difficult to reproduce but with Aberlinks help we were quickly able to identify the best way to measure this part. Now we can run the program and come back to the Axiom too CMM 10 minutes later for a detailed measurement report. The machine has proved very reliable and its accuracy is equally impressive given the price.

Aberlinks Axiom too range of CMMs consists of capacities from 640 x 600 x 500mm up to 640 x 1,500 x 500mm and is available either with manual or CNC control. The machines are not only easy to use; Aberlink claims to be the only major metrology manufacturer to supply machines with zero annual software maintenance contracts or subscriptions and free software updates for the life of the machine. All of this means that the cost of ownership is very low and the shortest return on investment is possible.

Aberlinkwww.aberlink.co.uk

Vert Rotorswww.vertrotors.com

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The right CMM at the right price - PES Media