Core Insights - Avast has launched Avast Deepfake Guard, an AI-powered feature for Windows PCs that detects malicious audio in video content, enhancing its scam protection ecosystem [1][2][4] - The new feature aims to address the growing threat of deepfake scams, which have become more convincing and widespread, particularly on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X [3][4] Product Features - Avast Deepfake Guard operates in real-time on devices, providing immediate protection and privacy by detecting deepfake scams directly on the user's device [4] - The feature is included in Avast Premium Security and supports video analysis in English across major platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok [4] - For lower-end PCs, Deepfake Guard requires manual installation and is not recommended for automated detection due to potential performance impacts [5][6] Market Context - In Q4 2025, Gen Threat Labs identified 159,378 unique instances of deepfake scams, indicating a significant prevalence of this type of fraud [3] - The integration of deepfake scams into everyday video consumption makes them harder to detect, posing a challenge for users [3]

We came across a bullish thesis on Palo Alto Networks, Inc. on LongYield’s Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls’ thesis on PANW. Palo Alto Networks, Inc.'s share was trading at $176.20 as of January 29th. PANW’s trailing and forward P/E were 111.52 and 45.66 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Why Needham Backed Allot in November After a Decade-High Profit Quarter Den Rise/Shutterstock.com Palo Alto Networks (PANW) has evolved from a next-generation firewall vendor into a leading ...

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pondurance, the leading provider of managed detection and response (MDR) services for mid-market organizations in highly regulated industries, today announced the immediate availability of Pondurance for Microsoft, a purpose-built MDR service designed to protect Microsoft-centric IT environments commonly found in organizations with limited security resources and elevated breach risk. Mid-market organizations rely heavily on Microsoft 365 technologies and applications including t ...

TEL AVIV, Israel, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skyhawk Security, the leader in AI-based purple team-powered cloud security, today announced that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Channel Director Jennifer Duman in its prestigious 2026 CRN® Channel Chiefs list. This annual recognition celebrates IT vendor and distribution executives who are shaping channel strategy and driving innovation and partnership across the industry. Duman has spent the last two decades building and launching channe ...

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cequence Security, a pioneer in application security, proudly announced today that CRN®—a brand of The Channel Company—has selected Sydney Weber, Director of Channel Sales, for inclusion on the prestigious 2026 CRN® Channel Chiefs list. This annual recognition celebrates IT vendor and distribution executives who are shaping channel strategy and driving innovation and partnership across the industry. Sydney Weber, Director of Channel at Cequence Security ...

Core Insights - Radware has been recognized for its innovative channel strategy and partnership development, with Tim Nielsen named in the 2026 CRN Channel Chiefs list [1][5] Company Overview - Radware is a global leader in application security and delivery solutions for multi-cloud environments, utilizing AI-driven algorithms for real-time protection against sophisticated cyber threats [6] - The company has established a strong partner ecosystem in North America, with strategic alliances representing over $40 billion in cybersecurity revenue [2] Leadership and Achievements - Tim Nielsen has over 25 years of experience in sales and channel management, significantly transforming Radware's partner ecosystem and achieving over 200% growth in partner-led new business [2][3] - The company launched its inaugural Strategic Partner Advisory Board and introduced Partner of the Year awards in 2024 to further support partner success [3] Channel Strategy - Radware's partner program focuses on enabling resellers and service providers to grow through differentiated, AI-driven application security solutions [3] - The company has expanded its channel account manager team and increased channel marketing investments across North America to support partner growth [4] Market Position - Radware's solutions are critical for enterprises and carriers worldwide, addressing evolving cybersecurity challenges while reducing operational costs [6]

Core Viewpoint - CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc. (CRWD) is a cybersecurity company that has underperformed the broader market over the past year, with a market cap of $111.3 billion and a unified platform offering cloud-delivered protection [1][2]. Performance Summary - Over the past 52 weeks, CRWD shares have gained 11.2%, while the S&P 500 Index has increased by 14.3%. Year-to-date, CRWD is down 5.8%, compared to the S&P 500's 1.4% return [2]. - CRWD has outperformed the iShares Cybersecurity and Tech ETF (IHAK), which has seen a 9.5% decline over the same period, but has lagged behind IHAK's 4% year-to-date drop [3]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - On January 26, shares of CRWD rose 3.5% after Berenberg analyst Rahul Chopra upgraded the stock rating to "Buy" from "Hold," citing valuation as a key driver and highlighting the company's potential for sector-leading growth [5]. - For the current fiscal year ending in January, analysts expect CRWD's EPS to decline by 57.1% year-over-year to $0.21. The consensus rating among 48 analysts is a "Moderate Buy," with 27 "Strong Buy," 3 "Moderate Buy," 16 "Hold," and 2 "Strong Sell" ratings [6]. - The mean price target for CRWD is $559.21, indicating a 26.7% premium from current levels, while the highest price target of $706 suggests a potential upside of 59.9% [8].

Upgrades - JPMorgan upgraded Church & Dwight (CHD) to Neutral from Underweight with a price target of $100, up from $92, citing better sales growth from the reshaped portfolio [2] - JPMorgan upgraded Autodesk (ADSK) to Overweight from Neutral with an unchanged price target of $319, due to a shift in conviction driven by diverging fundamentals in the software-as-service landscape [2] - BTIG upgraded McDonald's (MCD) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $360, indicating that franchise checks suggest a successful value/promotions strategy driving consistent traffic growth [3] - William Blair upgraded Palantir (PLTR) to Outperform from Market Perform without a price target, citing valuation after a 30% selloff [3] - Arete upgraded Shopify (SHOP) to Buy from Neutral with a price target of $175, up from $166, noting an attractive valuation following recent share weakness [4] Downgrades - JPMorgan downgraded Best Buy (BBY) to Neutral from Overweight with a price target of $76, down from $99, anticipating a tough Q4 report [5] - Leerink downgraded BioNTech (BNTX) to Market Perform from Outperform with a price target of $113, up from $112, citing a lack of meaningful data readouts until 2027 or later [5] - Scotiabank downgraded Fortinet (FTNT) to Sector Perform from Outperform with an unchanged price target of $85, expressing reduced optimism based on quantitative analysis and recent checks [5] - HSBC downgraded Chevron (CVX) to Hold from Buy with a price target of $180, up from $169, citing valuation concerns following the stock's year-to-date rally [5] - Morgan Stanley downgraded Humana (HUM) to Underweight from Equal Weight with a price target of $174, down from $262, indicating that the company's 2026 bid strategy and policy risk may hinder margin turnaround [5]

Core Insights - WISeKey and SEALCOIN have formalized a strategic collaboration to enable secure, decentralized machine-to-machine transactions using satellite infrastructure [1][2] - This partnership aims to transform satellite connectivity from a communication service to a transactional digital infrastructure, allowing machines to autonomously transact without intermediaries [2][4] Group 1: Collaboration Details - SEALCOIN will serve as the transaction and settlement layer within WISeSat satellites, facilitating authentication, data exchange, and value settlement across various environments [2][3] - The collaboration is modeled after successful economic frameworks in terrestrial telecommunications, where satellite coverage and user adoption drive transaction volume and economic rewards [3] Group 2: Technological Integration - The integration leverages SEALCOIN's platform, which includes hardware-rooted digital identity and post-quantum security, aligning with WISeSat's Satellite-as-a-Service model [4] - This partnership enables new use cases in remote IoT, critical infrastructure, smart energy, and global asset tracking, particularly in areas lacking terrestrial connectivity [4] Group 3: Strategic Vision - The collaboration reflects WISeKey's strategy to transition from product-based cybersecurity to service-based transactional digital infrastructure, encompassing secure semiconductors, digital identity, and decentralized platforms [5] - The partnership is expected to lay the groundwork for a machine economy that extends beyond Earth, facilitating trusted interactions and economic activities in space-based ecosystems [5]

Core Insights - Qualys, Inc. (QLYS) is set to report its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on February 5, with anticipated revenues between $172 million and $174 million, reflecting an 8.7% increase from the previous year's $159.2 million [1][10] - The company expects non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) in the range of $1.73 to $1.80, with the consensus estimate remaining at $1.78, compared to $1.60 in the same quarter last year [2][10] Revenue and Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for QLYS revenues is $173 million, indicating a positive outlook for the quarter [1][10] - The company has a strong track record of exceeding earnings estimates, with an average surprise of 16.6% over the last four quarters [2] Factors Influencing Performance - Rising demand for security and networking products due to the hybrid working trend and accelerated digital transformations is expected to positively impact QLYS' performance [3] - The recurring subscription-based business model provides stability amid macroeconomic uncertainties, supporting durable top-line growth and strong cash flow [4] Market Positioning - QLYS has successfully attracted new customers and retained existing ones, closing a significant number of six-figure deals, which is likely to boost revenues in the upcoming quarter [5] - However, the company faces challenges as enterprises delay large IT spending due to a weakening global economy, which may negatively affect overall financial performance [6] Investment in Capabilities - Qualys is investing in expanding its capabilities in the competitive cybersecurity market, focusing on research and development and enhancing sales and marketing efforts, which may impact short-term profitability [7] Earnings Prediction Model - The Zacks model does not predict a definitive earnings beat for QLYS this season, as it holds a Zacks Rank 3 and an Earnings ESP of 0.00% [8]