Nine great industry news stories from this week you may have missed.
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Microsoft's video chat technology is changing how this hospital fights coronavirus
Over the past couple months, hospitals — like so many of us — have turned to technology to bridge the in-person communication lost due to the threat from the coronavirus. St. Luke's University Health Network in Pennsylvania has brought 100 devices into the ICU for patients to use Microsoft's Teams video chat software to communicate with doctors. Visit CNET to read the full story and view a collaborative video on how different organizations are benefiting from the Microsoft program.
Lawyers can now use virtual witnessing in Ontario
This week Ontario announced it will allow lawyers to facilitate virtual witnessing of wills as an emergency measure. The change comes as estate lawyers deal with both a surge in demand for services and the logistical nightmare of providing them in light of COVID-19. Thanks to the 11th hour regulation, a video call may be sufficient for those with underlying health issues who cannot leave their homes. Learn all the details of the update here.
How to cover your tracks every time you go online
Anytime you go online you're being tracked. Sometimes this can be helpful — like when you want to see new movies similar to the ones you've watched in the past — but often it can feel invasive. This week Wired shared the top ways to help sweep records of your online activity that you'd rather disappear. From using a VPN to going incognito, the article provides some helpful hints on how you can control your online footprint.
'No jobs left to be found': Edmonton lawyer launches internship project in response to COVID-19
After courts largely shut down due to COVID-19, opportunities for law students have evaporated. Peter Sankoff, criminal defense lawyer and University of Alberta law professor, recognized the need for placements and thus launched the 100 Interns Project. By June, he aims to place 100 Canadian interns with lawyers and academics working in constitutional, criminal and animal law. Successful candidates will work part-time for three weeks at 20 dollars an hour with notable lawyers and academics across Canada. The placements are all virtual so many interns are not in the same city as their employer. For more details on this story, visit CBC.ca.
We’re in the midst of a massive work-from-home experiment. What if it works?
Life has changed enormously over the course of a few short weeks. In less than a week, many companies scrambled to create remote-work practices and help their employees set up shop in their dining rooms, living rooms and bedrooms. This scenario left one journalist begging the question, "What if this is our chance to prove remote work, well, works?" In Lindsay Tigar's recent Fast Company article, she explores the silver lining of the pandemic and argues that working from home can lead to stronger communication, more disciplined and effective professionals, and the opportunity for companies to access larger pools of talent — including parents. Read the article here.
Canadian coronavirus response workers targeted in ransomware attack
A U.S. cybersecurity report has found an increase in phishing attacks in which criminals use the pandemic as a hook to trick people into opening attachments or links. The report references two Canadian organizations involved in work on COVID-19, one of which being a government body. While the researches make no direct mention of the organization, they did report that one of the targets received an email with a file attachment that if opened would encrypt files on their computer until a ransom had been paid. See Financial Post's recent article for the full story.
Four steps to growing a legal career in sweatpants
By now we know that many people in our industry are witnessing a shift as the pandemic interrupts many aspects of the legal profession. Both law students and experienced lawyers are facing an unknown future and similar feelings of unease. Above the Law has published an article on how to create your own opportunities in a profession that has seemingly changed overnight. As the author says, "I did what any business-savvy self-isolated professional in the 2020 pandemic would do. I put on sweatpants and pivoted some plans." Click here to read their four-part action plan.
Over 500,000 Zoom accounts sold on hacker forums
According to Bleeping Computer, over 500,000 Zoom accounts are being sold on the dark web and hacker forums for less than a penny each. In some cases, they've even been given away for free. The credentials, which are gathered through credential stuffing attacks, are compiled into lists and then sold to hackers. It's reported these accounts are sold for the purpose of zoom-bombing pranks and malicious activities. Get the full story here.
How to help your employees feel successful while remote working
As we continue to settle into our new work routines, the need for effective communication is at an all-time high. Tech Radar has share their top tips for employee success including rewarding innovative thinking, recognizing the humble overachievers and creating a digital feedback mechanism.
