Microsoft | Pakistan

Global tech giant Microsoft on Sunday said network traffic for its Azure cloud computing platform was experiencing increased delays in parts of the Middle East due to “undersea fibre cuts” in the Red Sea. Microsoft did not provide an explanation for what caused the cuts to the submarine lines, but noted its network had been affected since Saturday. “Network traffic that does not traverse through the Middle East is not impacted,” the company said in a statement. The internet access monitoring organisation NetBlocks noted that a series of submarine cable outages in the Red Sea has degraded internet connectivity in several countries, including in India and Pakistan. Global internet and telecom cables have followed shipping routes through the Red Sea, but there has been growing anxiety about the state of the lines after Yemen’s Houthi rebels began attacking passing merchant vessels in late 2023, in actions the group said were in solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israeli war on Gaza. The laying and operati...

Microsoft has announced the release date for Asus ROG Xbox Ally gaming consoles, but fell short of announcing the pricing. The tech giant confirmed development on the handheld consoles during the Xbox Games Showcase in the Summer Game Fest in June this year. Per the description, “The Xbox Ally offers great value for anyone looking […]

Microsoft is finally addressing the discrepancies in dark mode of Windows, almost after a decade of its initial rollout in Windows 10. The leading tech company has launched a preview build of upcoming Windows 11 dark mode containing expanded theme support, suggesting at a broader visual overhaul predictable in the upcoming 25H2 update. The recent […]

A cyber-espionage campaign centred on vulnerable versions of Microsoft’s server software now involves the deployment of ransomware, Microsoft said in a late Wednesday blog post. In the post, citing “expanded analysis and threat intelligence”, Microsoft said a group it dubs “Storm-2603” is using the vulnerability to seed the ransomware, which typically works by paralysing victims’ networks until a digital currency payment is made. The disclosure marks a potential escalation in the campaign, which has already hit at least 400 victims, according to Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Eye Security. Unlike typical state-backed hacker campaigns, which are aimed at stealing data, ransomware can cause widespread disruption depending on where it lands. The figure of 400 victims represents a sharp rise from the 100 organisations catalogued over the weekend. Eye Security says the figure is likely an undercount. “There are many more, because not all attack vectors have left artefacts that we could scan for,” said Vaisha...

KARACHI: Microsoft has decided to close its office in Pakistan and laid off five employees, Dawn has learnt. Earlier, media reports suggested that the global tech giant had moved its operations out of the country. These were based on a LinkedIn post by Jawad Rehman, the former head of Microsoft in Pakistan. Citing sources, he claimed the company “is officially closing its operations in Pakistan”. Microsoft had an on-ground presence in Pakistan until recently, albeit with a significantly reduced local workforce. Most of its operations were handled from foreign offices and by partners in Pakistan, people familiar with the matter told Dawn. In response to Dawn’s query, a Microsoft spokesperson said, “We will serve our customers through both our strong and extensive partner organisation, and other closely located Microsoft offices. We follow this model successfully in a number of other countries around the world.” Spokesperson says company to provide services through local partners, offices abroad The decision to...

Several Xbox games were cancelled after tech giant Microsoft announced mass layoffs last week, affecting around 9,000 people. While the number of Xbox employees affected remains unclear, Microsoft has confirmed the cancellation of several games and the closure of entire studios. In a memo sent to employees by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, it was […]

Microsoft on Sunday confirmed its plans to launch a new handheld gaming console ROG Xbox Ally. The announcement was made during the Xbox Games Showcase in the Summer Game Fest, taking place at the Grammy Museum Rooftop in Los Angeles. While Microsoft remained tight-lipped about the pricing, it confirmed that the gaming console will have […]