The best Cyber Monday Apple Deals: AirPods Pro, Mac Mini, Macbook Air - Business Insider | Canada News Media
Connect with us

Tech

The best Cyber Monday Apple Deals: AirPods Pro, Mac Mini, Macbook Air – Business Insider

Published

 on




Apple; Rachel Mendelson/Insider


.sticky-toc
position: absolute;
opacity: 0;

.sticky-toc-aside-wrapper
display: none;

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

Today is Cyber Monday, the primarily online and tech-focused follow up to


Black Friday

, and the conclusion of the year’s biggest shopping weekend. It’s almost over, but you can still get some deals if you hurry.

MacBooks, Apple Watches, iPads, AirPods, and other Apple products fall to all-time lows for Black Friday and Cyber Monday — often with short-lived stock.

That means you’ll have to act fast so you don’t miss a rare deal. It helps if you know what you’re looking for, but you can scroll down our list of Apple deals to check out what discounts retailers are offering on almost everything Apple has to offer.

We’re seeing great deals on standard AirPods, AirPods Max, and Apple Watch SE for


Cyber Monday

. Accessories like Apple Pencil and the new Magsafe wireless charger are $30 off today too. The official Apple Store isn’t offering discounts, but you will receive an Apple gift card of up to $100 depending on which product you buy.

We’ll keep updating this page through the end of Cyber Monday.

.content-lock-lock .hidden
display: none;

Apple Watch Series 7



Apple


Our pick for the best Apple Watch overall, the Series 7, improves slightly on the Series 6 with a larger screen and thinner bezels. It offers the same health and fitness sensors as its predecessors, like blood oxygen saturation measurement and an ECG scanner. We’re seeing very modest discounts so far, but we’ll update this section with any discounts we come across.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Deal


Apple Watch Series 7

This is the lowest price we’ve seen for the Series 7, which was only released a couple months ago.


$379.00 from Amazon

Originally $399.00Save 5%

Apple Watch Series 6



Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider


While the Series 6 is technically discontinued, you can still find it for sale at many stores — just not Apple itself. Since performance is nearly identical to the Series 7, the Series 6 is still a great product, especially at a discount.  

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Great Price


Apple Watch Series 6 (40mm, GPS)

The Apple Watch Series 6 has been replaced by the Series 7, but it still offers many of the same features. It’s available for $100 off right now.


$299.00 from Walmart

Originally $399.00Save 25%

Apple Watch SE

Apple Watch SE.

Mary Meisenzahl/Business Insider


If you’re looking to spend a little less, consider the Apple Watch SE. Apple’s newest lower-priced watch comes with all of the basic functionality of the Series 7 and 6, but without blood oxygen monitoring, an always-on display, or ECG monitoring.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Deal


Apple Watch SE (40mm, GPS)

With a recent Apple processor and many of the same features as the Series 7, the Apple Watch SE is a great budget-friendly option. With the current $60 discount at Target and Apple, it’s an even better option for iPhone users looking to spend less on an Apple Watch.


$219.99 from Target

Originally $279.00Save 21%

Apple Watch Series 3



Matthew DeBord/BI


The Apple Watch Series 3 has been on the market for four years, but it’s still a decent smartwatch if you can find it for the right price. It runs the latest Apple Watch software, so you’ll see many of the same basic features offered by the SE and Series 6/7. 

We don’t typically recommend the Series 3 unless it’s on sale due to its age and low storage space, but if you can find one discounted during Cyber Monday, it could be worth a buy for shoppers on a budget. You shouldn’t pay any more than $169 for the 38mm or $199 for the 42mm. 

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Great Price


Apple Watch Series 3 (38mm, GPS)

The Apple Watch Series 3 in aluminum is the perfect blend of style and functionality for a decent price for its age. The Apple Watch Series 3 rarely leaves its discounted price of $169, but we’ve seen it go down as low as $109 in the recent past.


$169.00 from Best Buy

Originally $199.00Save 15%

Apple AirPods Pro



Amazon


Apple’s Pro AirPods offer active noise cancellation, improved audio, and customizable ear tips as improvements over the base model. They’re a bargain at $200, but the lowest price we’re seeing now is $179 at retailers.

Apple AirPods (second generation)



Amazon


Looking to spend a little less? Apple’s second-gen AirPods are on sale now. These AirPods offer convenient features like quick pairing, hands-free Siri access, and automatic playing and pausing, but without the Pro’s more advanced features and higher price tag.

Apple AirPods (third generation)

Apple Airpods 3

Apple


The third-generation AirPods feature a revised design with upgrades over its predecessor. They have shorter stems, improved audio drivers, longer battery life, a wireless charger, and IPX4 water and sweat resistance. They just launched on October 26, and already we’re seeing discounts bringing their price down to just $149.99. (You’ll see the price on checkout.)

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Deal


Apple AirPods (3rd Gen)

Apple’s third-generation AirPods offer longer battery life, a MagSafe charger, water resistance, and support for spatial audio. They’re down to $150 after an additional discount applied at checkout.


$169.99 from Amazon

Originally $179.00Save 5%

Apple AirPods Max



Apple


Though they’re pricey, the Apple AirPods Max offer excellent sound quality and a comfortable build with superb noise cancellation. They’re not for everyone, but audiophiles and Apple aficionados can save up to $70 so far on these proper headphones.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Great Price


Apple Airpods Max

Apple’s AirPods Max offer excellent audio and noise cancellation packaged in a classy, high-end design. Currently down to $440, this is a solid deal for headphones that start at $550.


$439.99 from Amazon

Originally $549.00Save 20%

Apple iPad (2021)



Amazon


The ninth-generation iPad features an A13 Bionic processor and second-generation Apple Pencil compatibility. It’s the cheapest iPad you can buy and offers solid performance, making it one of the best options for casual users.

You can buy one with a cellular plan from T-Mobile/Sprint or Verizon and receive a $200 gift card. However, for T-Mobile/Sprint customers, you’ll need to subscribe to a 10GB or larger data plan to receive the rebate.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Deal


Apple 10.2-inch iPad 9th Generation (2021)

Buy an iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular directly from Apple and get up to $200 back after activation.

Apple iPad Air (2020)



Best Buy


With its sharp screen, updated design, and newer Apple Pencil compatibility, the 2020 iPad Air is a good choice for those planning to use it a bit more seriously, like for work. It’s


USB-C

compatible and also features a Touch ID sensor on the top lock button. Unfortunately, we’re not seeing any iPad Air deals right now, but Apple’s $200 gift card rebate promotion appears to apply to this model as well.


Apple iPad Air 2020 (4th Gen, 64GB)

The fourth-generation iPad Air has a design and a chip that bring it closer than ever to the powerful iPad Pro series, but it’s less expensive, starting at $599.

Apple iPad Pro



Apple


The newest iPad Pro is the ideal choice for creative professionals. It brings faster performance and better cameras than Apple’s other available models — for a bigger price tag. Unfortunately, we’re not seeing any deals on the 2021 11-inch model right now. However, Apple’s gift card promotion applies here as well.


Apple 11-inch iPad Pro (2021)

The new iPad Pros come equipped with a USB-C connector for more accessory compatibility, optional 5G connectivity, and up to 2TB of storage.


Apple 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021)

Apple’s latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro features Apple’s M1 chip and a new Liquid Retina XDR display based on Mini-LED backlighting technology.

Apple iPad Mini



Apple


Apple’s smallest tablet is an ideal option for Apple fans that prioritize portability above all else in a tablet. The new 2021 iPad Mini features USB-C charging, improved camera specs, an A15 Bionic chip, and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil. This is also available with T-Mobile/Sprint and Verizon’s cellular plan gift card deal.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Deal


Apple iPad Mini 6th Generation (2021)

Buy an iPad with Wi-Fi + Cellular directly from Apple and get up to $200 back after activation.

Apple Pencil



Sarah Saril/Insider


Apple’s proprietary stylus, the Apple Pencil, comes in two different models. The first-generation pencil uses a Lightning charger and works with earlier iPad generations. The second-gen model improves upon its predecessor with a sleek, seamless design, wireless charging, and a magnetic attachment to your iPad. It’s compatible with every iPad that charges with USB-C.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Lowest Price


Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)

This is a pretty typical discount for the Apple Pencil 2nd-gen.


$99.00 from Amazon

Originally $129.00Save 23%

iPhone 13



Antonio Villas-Boas/Insider


Since it’s still very new, deals on the iPhone 13 are not very common. If you’re hoping to snag a discount on one, this is the best time to try. Notable features of the newest generation include 120Hz refresh rates for the Pros, sensor-shift optical stabilization, Cinematic Mode, and Photographic Styles. We’ve also included a deal on Apple’s MagSafe magnetic wireless charger. 

If you have an eligible iPhone to trade in, you can take advantage of these carrier deals on an iPhone 13 right now:

  • Get up to $1,000 credit after trade-in from AT&T.
  • Get up to $900 in credit after eligible trade-in from T-Mobile.
  • Get up to $440 in credit after trade-in from Verizon.


Apple iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 runs on Apple’s powerful A15 Bionic processor, and it comes with improved battery life over the iPhone 12, new cameras, and a notch that’s 20% smaller. It’s the iPhone we’d recommend to most people looking to buy a new iPhone.


Apple iPhone 13 Mini

The iPhone 13 Mini is identical to the iPhone 13, except it has a smaller 5.4-inch screen compared to the standard 6.1-inch screen. The iPhone 13 Mini runs on Apple’s powerful A15 Bionic processor, and it comes with improved battery life over the iPhone 12 Mini, new wide and ultra-wide cameras, and a notch that’s 20% smaller. It’s the iPhone we’d recommend to those who like a smaller phone that fits more comfortably in their hands.


Apple iPhone 13 Pro

The iPhone 13 Pro runs on the same powerful A15 Bionic processor as the standard iPhone 13, and it comes with extra camera hardware and features. Also notable is the new super-smooth 120Hz screen that makes navigating around iOS and apps fast and fluid.


Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

The iPhone 13 Pro Max has a larger 6.7-inch screen compared to the standard 6.1-inch screen on the iPhone 13 Pro. The Pro Max model also runs on the same powerful A15 Bionic processor as the standard iPhone 13, and it comes with extra camera hardware and features. Also notable is the new super-smooth 120Hz screen that makes navigating around iOS and apps fast and fluid.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Great Price


Apple MagSafe Charger

Apple’s MagSafe wireless charger uses magnets snap in place on the iPhone 12 and delivers charging of up to 15 watts. It is still compatible with wireless Qi charging, so older iPhone models can use it too, though they have to rest flat against the charger, as they lack the embedded magnets to take advantage of snap-on alignment. $10 off isn’t the best price we’ve seen ($27), but it’s still a nice deal to help towards getting the best wireless charging experience for your iPhone


$29.99 from Amazon

Originally $39.00Save 23%

iPhone 12



Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider


Now a generation old, the iPhone 12 is more likely to see deals this Cyber Monday than it was last year. The iPhone 12 lineup was Apple’s first series of smartphones to come with 5G. The phones offer a boost in camera quality over older models that makes them better at taking photos in dark environments. Unfortunately, the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max models are out of stock as of the time of writing.

Current trade-in deals you can take advantage of when buying an iPhone 12 include:

  • Get up to $900 in credit after an eligible trade-in from T-Mobile.
  • Get up to 50% off after trade-in from Verizon.


Apple iPhone 12

The new 5G iPhone 12 has a big, bright 6.1-inch OLED screen, the latest A14 processor, dual cameras, and a reasonable price tag for a flagship phone.


Apple iPhone 12 Mini

The iPhone Mini has a smaller 5.4-inch OLED screen, and it’s otherwise identical to the iPhone 12, including the same powerful A14 processor. It’s one of the more affordable iPhone models you can buy, and it now comes in a new purple color option.

MacBook Air



Lisa Eadicicco/Business Insider


The 2020 MacBook Air is light and extremely portable, but its M1 chip means it’s still powerful enough for students and those looking for a laptop for casual work. Like Apple’s other recent laptops, it comes with the company’s improved Magic Keyboard, which is much more comfortable and durable than the keyboards on older models released from 2015 onward. It’s now just $100 off at most retailers.


Apple MacBook Air

When the redesigned MacBook Air launched in 2018, it wasn’t exactly the affordable MacBook that the original model was known for, after it came out in 2008. However, one small revision later — and an important price drop — and the 2019 MacBook Air has become our favorite of the litter.

MacBook Pro



Crystal Cox/Business Insider


Apple’s latest MacBook Pro lineup includes brand-new 14- and 16-inch models, while carrying over the 13-inch model released in 2020. The new MacBook Pros come with the M1 Pro or M1 Pro Max chip, greatly improving their performance power. Meanwhile, the 13-inch model from last year uses the regular M1 chip. 

So far, we’re not seeing any discounts.


Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (2021)

Apple’s newest MacBook Pro comes in a new 14-inch screen size with improved resolution, a 1080p webcam, a brand-new keyboard that replaces the Touch Bar, and MagSafe charging among other upgrades – all powered by the new M1 Pro and Max processors.


Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021)

Apple has replaced its 16-inch MacBook Pro featuring an Intel processor with a new model sporting its newest M1 Pro and Max silicon. With even more screen size than the 14-inch model, this version brings all of the same features but with additional resolution and longer battery life.


Apple Macbook Pro 13-inch (2021)

The MacBook Pro 13 has Apple’s M1 original M1 processor. It includes eight CPU and GPU cores and supports up to 16GB of unified memory with up to 2TB of storage.

Apple Mac Mini (M1)



Apple


Apple’s M1 processor brings serious performance gains to the Mac Mini compared to its Intel-powered predecessor, making it an ideal choice for those who want a fast Apple desktop at a decent price.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Lowest Price


Apple Mac Mini (2020) with M1

The new version of the Mac Mini starts at $699, and is equipped with Apple’s new M1 chip. Apple says the new Mac Mini is three times faster than the prior model. Right now, shoppers can get the 512GB version for just $749 at some retailers.


$749.00 from Amazon

Originally $899.00Save 17%

Beats Studio3



Hollis Johnson


If you want the ease-of-use of AirPods but in an over-the-ear format, check out the Beats Studio3. They offer long battery life and noise cancellation at a more affordable price, making them an ideal choice if blocking out distractions is a priority for you.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Rare Deal


Beats Studio 3 Wireless Headphones

The new Beats Studio 3 are the best noise-canceling headphones for iPhone users, and we’re seeing them for as low as $169.99 right now. These headphones rarely stray from the typical selling price of $230 to $250, so this limited-time discount is a bonafide deal.


$179.99 from Target

Originally $349.99Save 49%

Beats Solo Pro



Beats by Dr. Dre


The Beats Solo Pro are a compelling choice for those looking for a solid pair of on-ear headphones. They come with Apple’s newer H1 chip unlike the Studio3, which means they should be able to connect to Apple devices more quickly than headphones powered by Apple’s older chip.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.


Deal


Beats Solo Pro

If you’re a fan of the vibrant light blue these Solo Pro headphones come in, this is a nice price for a brand new pair. Down to just $99, this is officially a steal.


$184.99 from Amazon

Originally $299.95Save 38%

PowerBeats Pro



Dave Smith/Business Insider


If you’re interested in AirPods but aren’t wild about their fit, consider the PowerBeats Pro. These true wireless earbuds have a lot of the same technology as AirPods — like quick pairing and auto play and pause — but come with a different design that wraps around the ear for a more secure fit. They also offer impressively long battery life and are sweat resistant, making them worth checking out if you’re after a pair of workout headphones.


Beats by Dre Powerbeats Pro

Down to $150 in black, ivory, and navy, this is an excellent price for headphones we like for workouts. They’re sweat-resistant and offer impressive battery life. They see deals pretty regularly throughout the year, but this price is especially good.

Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones

The Beats Solo3 wireless headphones sport the same killer W1 chip as the Apple AirPods.

Matt Weinberger/Business Insider


With Apple’s W1 chip for fast pairing with your iPhone, Siri support, and 40 hours of battery life, the Beats Solo3 are a solid option for Apple loyalists who prefer an on-ear fit versus earbuds or over-ear headphones.


Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones

Discounted in black and rose gold, this is a new all-time low for a pair of the Beats Solo3 headphones. This model is discounted pretty regularly during the year, but this drop to $100 is the best price we’ve seen for them yet.

Apple Cyber Monday deals FAQs

Does Apple offer deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Apple rarely offers discounts on its products directly through its own store, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no exception. If you’re hoping to snag an iPad or MacBook deal, you’re better off checking out other retailers, like Amazon or Best Buy. Apple is, however, offering gift card promotions on its iPad line and carrier-supported trade-on offers for iPhone 13 models.

Should I buy from Amazon, Target, Best Buy, or Walmart?

Many of these retailers offer very similar deals on products like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, which means you’ll have a couple of options should one retailer go out of stock. In instances where multiple retailers offer the same product at the same price, consider which retailer is most convenient for you in terms of shipping options.

If you have an Amazon Prime membership and want to get the product as fast as possible, it might make more sense to purchase through Amazon. But, if you’d rather pick up the item at your nearby Target or Best Buy, you should consider ordering from your preferred brick-and-mortar retailer. Regardless of which major retailer you buy it from, Apple will support and service the product.

Do these stores offer curbside pickup?

Yes, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart all offer curbside pickup. But, you should check with your local retailer since the rules may vary by location and items purchased. 

How do we choose the best Apple deals?

We select products that meet our high standard of coverage based on testing and research. This includes testing Apple’s products as well similar devices from its main competitors.

We also research prices across retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy and compare them against Apple’s prices to find the deals that are worth paying attention to.

How do I return an Apple product?

While the major retailers have generous return policies at the moment, there are exceptions on Apple products. Usually, that means a shorter return window or very specific rules in what you can return.

Sign up for Insider Reviews’ weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals.

You can purchase syndication rights to this story here.

Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.

Deal icon
An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

For you

Adblock test (Why?)



Source link

Continue Reading

News

The Internet is Littered in ‘Educated Guesses’ Without the ‘Education’

Published

 on

Although no one likes a know-it-all, they dominate the Internet.

The Internet began as a vast repository of information. It quickly became a breeding ground for self-proclaimed experts seeking what most people desire: recognition and money.

Today, anyone with an Internet connection and some typing skills can position themselves, regardless of their education or experience, as a subject matter expert (SME). From relationship advice, career coaching, and health and nutrition tips to citizen journalists practicing pseudo-journalism, the Internet is awash with individuals—Internet talking heads—sharing their “insights,” which are, in large part, essentially educated guesses without the education or experience.

The Internet has become a 24/7/365 sitcom where armchair experts think they’re the star.

Not long ago, years, sometimes decades, of dedicated work and acquiring education in one’s field was once required to be recognized as an expert. The knowledge and opinions of doctors, scientists, historians, et al. were respected due to their education and experience. Today, a social media account and a knack for hyperbole are all it takes to present oneself as an “expert” to achieve Internet fame that can be monetized.

On the Internet, nearly every piece of content is self-serving in some way.

The line between actual expertise and self-professed knowledge has become blurry as an out-of-focus selfie. Inadvertently, social media platforms have created an informal degree program where likes and shares are equivalent to degrees. After reading selective articles, they’ve found via and watching some TikTok videos, a person can post a video claiming they’re an herbal medicine expert. Their new “knowledge,” which their followers will absorb, claims that Panda dung tea—one of the most expensive teas in the world and isn’t what its name implies—cures everything from hypertension to existential crisis. Meanwhile, registered dietitians are shaking their heads, wondering how to compete against all the misinformation their clients are exposed to.

More disturbing are individuals obsessed with evangelizing their beliefs or conspiracy theories. These people write in-depth blog posts, such as Elvis Is Alive and the Moon Landings Were Staged, with links to obscure YouTube videos, websites, social media accounts, and blogs. Regardless of your beliefs, someone or a group on the Internet shares them, thus confirming your beliefs.

Misinformation is the Internet’s currency used to get likes, shares, and engagement; thus, it often spreads like a cosmic joke. Consider the prevalence of clickbait headlines:

  • You Won’t Believe What Taylor Swift Says About Climate Change!
  • This Bedtime Drink Melts Belly Fat While You Sleep!
  • In One Week, I Turned $10 Into $1 Million!

Titles that make outrageous claims are how the content creator gets reads and views, which generates revenue via affiliate marketing, product placement, and pay-per-click (PPC) ads. Clickbait headlines are how you end up watching a TikTok video by a purported nutrition expert adamantly asserting you can lose belly fat while you sleep by drinking, for 14 consecutive days, a concoction of raw eggs, cinnamon, and apple cider vinegar 15 minutes before going to bed.

Our constant search for answers that’ll explain our convoluted world and our desire for shortcuts to success is how Internet talking heads achieve influencer status. Because we tend to seek low-hanging fruits, we listen to those with little experience or knowledge of the topics they discuss yet are astute enough to know what most people want to hear.

There’s a trend, more disturbing than spreading misinformation, that needs to be called out: individuals who’ve never achieved significant wealth or traded stocks giving how-to-make-easy-money advice, the appeal of which is undeniable. Several people I know have lost substantial money by following the “advice” of Internet talking heads.

Anyone on social media claiming to have a foolproof money-making strategy is lying. They wouldn’t be peddling their money-making strategy if they could make easy money.

Successful people tend to be secretive.

Social media companies design their respective algorithms to serve their advertisers—their source of revenue—interest; hence, content from Internet talking heads appears most prominent in your feeds. When a video of a self-professed expert goes viral, likely because it pressed an emotional button, the more people see it, the more engagement it receives, such as likes, shares and comments, creating a cycle akin to a tornado.

Imagine scrolling through your TikTok feed and stumbling upon a “scientist” who claims they can predict the weather using only aluminum foil, copper wire, sea salt and baking soda. You chuckle, but you notice his video got over 7,000 likes, has been shared over 600 times and received over 400 comments. You think to yourself, “Maybe this guy is onto something.” What started as a quest to achieve Internet fame evolved into an Internet-wide belief that weather forecasting can be as easy as DIY crafts.

Since anyone can call themselves “an expert,” you must cultivate critical thinking skills to distinguish genuine expertise from self-professed experts’ self-promoting nonsense. While the absurdity of the Internet can be entertaining, misinformation has serious consequences. The next time you read a headline that sounds too good to be true, it’s probably an Internet talking head making an educated guess; without the education seeking Internet fame, they can monetize.

______________________________________________________________

 

Nick Kossovan, a self-described connoisseur of human psychology, writes about what’s

on his mind from Toronto. You can follow Nick on Twitter and Instagram @NKossovan.

 

Continue Reading

Tech

Tight deadlines on software projects can put safety at risk: survey

Published

 on

 

TORONTO – A new survey says a majority of software engineers and developers feel tight project deadlines can put safety at risk.

Seventy-five per cent of the 1,000 global workers who responded to the survey released Tuesday say pressure to deliver projects on time and on budget could be compromising critical aspects like safety.

The concern is even higher among engineers and developers in North America, with 77 per cent of those surveyed on the continent reporting the urgency of projects could be straining safety.

The study was conducted between July and September by research agency Coleman Parkes and commissioned by BlackBerry Ltd.’s QNX division, which builds connected-car technology.

The results reflect a timeless tug of war engineers and developers grapple with as they balance the need to meet project deadlines with regulations and safety checks that can slow down the process.

Finding that balance is an issue that developers of even the simplest appliances face because of advancements in technology, said John Wall, a senior vice-president at BlackBerry and head of QNX.

“The software is getting more complicated and there is more software whether it’s in a vehicle, robotics, a toaster, you name it… so being able to patch vulnerabilities, to prevent bad actors from doing malicious acts is becoming more and more important,” he said.

The medical, industrial and automotive industries have standardized safety measures and anything they produce undergoes rigorous testing, but that work doesn’t happen overnight. It has to be carried out from the start and then at every step of the development process.

“What makes safety and security difficult is it’s an ongoing thing,” Wall said. “It’s not something where you’ve done it, and you are finished.”

The Waterloo, Ont.-based business found 90 per cent of its survey respondents reported that organizations are prioritizing safety.

However, when asked about why safety may not be a priority for their organization, 46 per cent of those surveyed answered cost pressures and 35 per cent said a lack of resources.

That doesn’t surprise Wall. Delays have become rampant in the development of tech, and in some cases, stand to push back the launch of vehicle lines by two years, he said.

“We have to make sure that people don’t compromise on safety and security to be able to get products out quicker,” he said.

“What we don’t want to see is people cutting corners and creating unsafe situations.”

The survey also took a peek at security breaches, which have hit major companies like London Drugs, Indigo Books & Music, Giant Tiger and Ticketmaster in recent years.

About 40 per cent of the survey’s respondents said they have encountered a security breach in their employer’s operating system. Those breaches resulted in major impacts for 27 per cent of respondents, moderate impacts for 42 per cent and minor impacts for 27 per cent.

“There are vulnerabilities all the time and this is what makes the job very difficult because when you ship the software, presumably the software has no security vulnerabilities, but things get discovered after the fact,” Wall said.

Security issues, he added, have really come to the forefront of the problems developers face, so “really without security, you have no safety.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:BB)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Tech

Beware of scams during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sales event: cybersecurity firm

Published

 on

 

As online shoppers hunt for bargains offered by Amazon during its annual fall sale this week, cybersecurity researchers are warning Canadians to beware of an influx of scammers posing as the tech giant.

In the 30 days leading up to Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, taking place Tuesday and Wednesday, there were more than 1,000 newly registered Amazon-related web domains, according to Check Point Software Technologies, a company that offers cybersecurity solutions.

The company said it deemed 88 per cent of those domains malicious or suspicious, suggesting they could have been set up by scammers to prey on vulnerable consumers. One in every 54 newly created Amazon-related domain included the phrase “Amazon Prime.”

“They’re almost indiscernible from the real Amazon domain,” said Robert Falzon, head of engineering at Check Point in Canada.

“With all these domains registered that look so similar, it’s tricking a lot of people. And that’s the whole intent here.”

Falzon said Check Point Research sees an uptick in attempted scams around big online shopping days throughout the year, including Prime Days.

Scams often come in the form of phishing emails, which are deceptive messages that appear to be from a reputable source in attempt to steal sensitive information.

In this case, he said scammers posing as Amazon commonly offer “outrageous” deals that appear to be associated with Prime Days, in order to trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link.

The cybersecurity firm said it has identified and blocked 100 unique Amazon Prime-themed scam emails targeting organizations and consumers over the past two weeks.

Scammers also target Prime members with unsolicited calls, claiming urgent account issues and requesting payment information.

“It’s like Christmas for them,” said Falzon.

“People expect there to be significant savings on Prime Day, so they’re not shocked that they see something of significant value. Usually, the old adage applies: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”

Amazon’s website lists a number of red flags that it recommends customers watch for to identify a potential impersonation scam.

Those include false urgency, requests for personal information, or indications that the sender prefers to complete the purchase outside of the Amazon website or mobile app.

Scammers may also request that customers exclusively pay with gift cards, a claim code or PIN. Any notifications about an order or delivery for an unexpected item should also raise alarm bells, the company says.

“During busy shopping moments, we tend to see a rise in impersonation scams reported by customers,” said Amazon spokeswoman Octavia Roufogalis in a statement.

“We will continue to invest in protecting consumers and educating the public on scam avoidance. We encourage consumers to report suspected scams to us so that we can protect their accounts and refer bad actors to law enforcement to help keep consumers safe.”

Falzon added that these scams are more successful than people might think.

As of June 30, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre said there had been $284 million lost to fraud so far this year, affecting 15,941 victims.

But Falzon said many incidents go unreported, as some Canadians who are targeted do not know how or where to flag a scam, or may choose not to out of embarrassment.

Check Point recommends Amazon customers take precautions while shopping on Prime Days, including by checking URLs carefully, creating strong passwords on their accounts, and avoiding personal information being shared such as their birthday or social security number.

The cybersecurity company said consumers should also look for “https” at the beginning of a website URL, which indicates a secure connection, and use credit cards rather than debit cards for online shopping, which offer better protection and less liability if stolen.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 8, 2024.

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Exit mobile version