Microsoft has admitted to disabling anti-virus software, but only as part of updating Windows 10Microsoft has admitted that it does temporarily disable anti-virus software on Windows PCs, following an competition complaint to the European Commission by a security company.In early June, Kaspersky Lab filed the complaint against Microsoft.The security company claims the software giant is abusing its market dominance by steering users to its own anti-virus software.Microsoft says it implemented defences to keep Windows 10 users secure.Detection ratesIn an extensive blog post that does not directly address Kaspersky or its claims, Microsoft says it bundles the Windows Defender Antivirus with Windows 10 to ensure that every single device is protected from viruses and malware.”We built Windows Defender Antivirus to make a promise to our customers that every Windows 10 device always has protection from viruses and malware… our test results are among the top of security industry leaders, including recent real-world testing where Windows Defender Antivirus scored over 99% detection rates,” writes Rob Lefferts, a partner director of the Windows and Devices group in enterprise and security at Microsoft.

Until last week, Travis Kalanick, a founder of Uber and its chief executive, ruled his company absolutely. That was the Silicon Valley way; ever since Steve Jobs was ousted from Apple in the 1980s, tech founders have demanded, and been awarded, enormous deference by investors and corporate boards. So even as successive waves of scandal have hit Uber, Mr. Kalanick’s position looked safe.Then, all of a sudden, it wasn’t. Amid many reforms, Mr. Kalanick announced a leave of absence last week and late Tuesday said he was resigning as Uber C.E.O.It is the swiftness of the fall that’s interesting here. In another time, Mr. Kalanick might have been able to hang on. But we live in an era dominated by the unyielding influence of social feeds.

Every new Uber revelation ignited a massive campaign against the company on Twitter and Facebook. A swirl of negative branding took on a life of its own — and ultimately could not be ignored.The story is bigger than Uber. Online campaigns against brands have become one of the most powerful forces in business, giving customers a huge megaphone with whoch to shape corporate ethics and practices, and imperiling some of the most towering figures of media and industry. Look at how quickly Bill O’Reilly, the former Fox News host, was dispatched from the network after The New York Times dug into his history of sexual harassment settlements. The investigation inspired an online boycott against his advertisers, who, despite Mr. O’Reilly’s soaring ratings, began to drop him faster than day-old beef tartare.

Russian hackers targeted 21 U.S. states’ election systems in last year’s presidential race, a Department of Homeland Security official told Congress on Wednesday.Jeanette Manfra, the department’s acting deputy undersecretary of cyber security, would not identify whoch states had been targeted, citing confidentiality agreements. She reiterated that there was no evidence that any actual votes were manipulated.”As of right now, we have evidence that election-related systems in 21 states were targeted,” Manfra told the Senate Intelligence Committee, whoch investigating Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Systems were breached in a smaller number of states, she said, but did not give a specific figure.Department officials had said about 20 states had been probed by hackers working on behalf of the Russian government, but recent news media reports had suggested the number could have been far higher.Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate panel, expressed frustration at Manfra’s refusal to identify whoch states had been targeted.

Twitter Inc (TWTR.N) plans on Wednesday to launch a system for people to earn money by streaming live on its Periscope service, a first for Twitter and a way for the company to try to compete with YouTube and others in the search for internet talent.People watching Periscope will be able to send performers and broadcasters they like a gratuity using a variety of heart shapes that are, in effect, a virtual currency they can purchase, the company said.Broadcasters who receive the equivalent of about $175 in ”super hearts” will be designated ”super broadcasters” and be able to cash out the money as earnings, the company said.At first only broadcasters in the United States will be eligible, but Periscope plans to expand to other countries soon, it said.”The spirit and the goal is for all broadcasters to be able to do this,” said Sara Haider, Periscope’s director of engineering.