Pipes Feed Preview: gHacks Technology News

Winamp: new music platform and source code release

Fri, 17 May 2024 08:25:01 -0000

Winamp used to be a popular audio player for Windows. Things went quiet after its heyday and rights changed hands several times in that period. Veteran users of the player had big […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Winamp: new music platform and source code release appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Winamp used to be a popular audio player for Windows. Things went quiet after its heyday and rights changed hands several times in that period. Veteran users of the player had big hopes when a comeback of the player was announced in 2021. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/09/10/winamp-5-9-final-released-after-years-of-development/" data-wpel-link="internal">After a</a>, mostly, bug fix release in 2022, a <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/04/12/the-new-winamp-player-will-launch-on-april-13-2023/" data-wpel-link="internal">new Winamp Player</a> was announced for release in 2023. The release turned things around significantly, as it was launched as as web-based application and not a traditional desktop app. Even worse, the web-based player did not support playing local files. Everything seemed to be designed to push the new <a href="https://player.winamp.com/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Winamp platform</a>. This web-based platform gave artists a home and users the opportunity to follow artists and subscribe to their music. Llama Group SA, the current owner of Winamp, revealed plans to launch the final version of the Winamp platform on July 1, 2024. Its aim is to recruit at least 50,000 artists in 2024 and one million artists by the end of 2028. Besides the launch of the platform, Llama Group SA also plans to launch a new Winamp player on the same day. The player will be "the best player to listen to all types of audio" and the primary option to listen to music from artists on the Winamp platform. <h2>Winamp source code release</h2> Today, Llama Group SA announced plans to release the source code of the original Winamp player on September 24, 2024. This is the classic version of the audio player and not the web-based Winamp version. Interested users may submit their name and email address on the<a href="https://about.winamp.com/free-llama?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR37E-kjfpWKXQ-1EKBnK8evZZan97t9AGvUobvQM1qfLm1vYpWrcBGCk1c_aem_Ab1H8PuKW2sLiTaawE9vXNg40Bjvm45bPuPBBpDEvZ4lN1Jh5ITkDqzaDTAUXm9Cm9BBZKDRxq1vhR_09eyqawil" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer"> FreeLLama page</a> to receive information about the source code release. Winamp users who do not want to wait for that release can check out <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2019/01/03/winamp-community-update-project-releases-first-winamp-preview/" data-wpel-link="internal">WACUP</a>, the Winamp Community Project, which is based on classic Winamp but actively maintained. The latest version can be downloaded <a href="https://getwacup.com/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">from the</a> official website. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Whether the new Winamp platform and player will succeed remains to be seen. Much depends on the actual player. If it is based on classic Winamp, but supports modern features, then it has the potential to succeed. Most Winamp users are likely sticking to the latest classic release or the Wacup release at the time. It will be difficult to get them to switch players. The release of the source code on the other hand may lead to more classic Winamp forks. How those fare against Wacup remains to be seen. Now you: do you still use Winamp or do you use another audio player? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/17/winamp-new-music-platform-and-source-code-release/" data-wpel-link="internal">Winamp: new music platform and source code release</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Netflix's Standard with Ads plan grows to 40 million subscribers

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:02:37 -0000

There was a lot of outcry when Netflix announced the introduction of ads on its platform. The streaming service introduced an ad-powered plan in late 2022 in select regions. At $6.99 per […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Netflix's Standard with Ads plan grows to 40 million subscribers appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

There was a lot of outcry when Netflix announced the introduction of ads on its platform. The streaming service <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/10/14/netflix-basic-with-ads-pricing-and-features/" data-wpel-link="internal">introduced an ad-powered plan</a> in late 2022 in select regions. At $6.99 per month, it was considerably cheaper than non-ad plans, even back in 2022. In fact, adding another user slot to one of the ad-free Netfllix plans is more expensive than subscribing to the ad-powered plan. Netflix did a lot to push the ad-powered plan. First called <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/04/19/netflix-basic-with-ads-plan-is-now-better-than-its-basic-without-ads-plan/" data-wpel-link="internal">Basic with ads</a>, it soon was rebranded to <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/01/netflixs-ad-powered-plan-is-so-successful-it-is-now-called-standard-with-ads/" data-wpel-link="internal">Standard with ads</a>, to highlight its advantages over Netflix's basic plan. This was not the only decision that Netflix made. It increased the price of regular prices several times since the introduction of the ad-powered plan, and is now pushing the remaining basic plan subscribers to other plans by shutting down the cheapest ad-free plan. All of these changes increased the attractiveness of the ad-powered plan over Netflix's other plans. There are downsides to subscribing to Standard with ads on Netflix. Besides ads, which is the main issue that streaming users may have, it does not include all shows and movies of Netflix's catalog. Streaming started as a replacement for cable TV. It promised an ad-free experience and unlimited access to content. This changed with the introduction of ad-powered plans. Currently, Netflix customers may either pay $6.99 for the ad-powered Standard with ads plan, or at least $15.49 for the standard plan, which does not show ads. <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-15/netflix-says-users-of-subscription-plan-with-ads-hit-40-million" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">This month</a>, monthly active users of Netflix's ad-supported plan reached 40 million for the first time. Just this January, the number sat at 23 million. While that is still not the majority of Netflix's 270 million subscribers, new ad-plan subscribers make up 40% of the service's new subscribers currently. With the next price hike looming on the horizon, that ratio is projected to increase even more, provided that Standard with ads will not see price increases again. Netflix continues to invest in live programming. While coverage differs from region to region, Netflix is especially active in the United States. Viewers will be able to watch two Christmas Day games from the NFL and WWE RAW matches from 2025 on. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Netflix will continue to push Standard with ads over its other plans. The cancelling of Basic plans will push a percentage of these subscribers to the ad-powered plan because of its price advantage over the Standard plan. Netflix is also working on new ad formats, including binge ads and ads in games, to increase revenue generated by its ad powered plan. Since other streaming services follow Netflix's lead, streaming is either getting more expensive for the majority of users or more annoying, because of advertisement. What about you? Are you subscribed to streaming services? Do you mind ad-powered plans? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/16/netflixs-standard-with-ads-plan-grows-to-40-million-subscribers/" data-wpel-link="internal">Netflix's Standard with Ads plan grows to 40 million subscribers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
VMware Workstation Pro 17 and Fusion Pro 13 are now free for personal use

Thu, 16 May 2024 04:06:05 -0000

Broadcom has announced that it is making its desktop hypervisor products free for home users. VMware Fusion Pro 13 and Workstation Pro 17 are now free for personal use. In case you […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post VMware Workstation Pro 17 and Fusion Pro 13 are now free for personal use appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Broadcom has announced that it is making its desktop hypervisor products free for home users. VMware Fusion Pro 13 and Workstation Pro 17 are now free for personal use. In case you didn't know, Broadcom acquired <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/20/vmware-workstation-17-5-player-fixes-a-security-issue/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">VMware</a> in a staggering $69 Billion deal in November 2023. Now that the two apps are free to use, what about their future? This does not mean the development of the applications have ceased. Michael Roy, the Product Line Manager for Desktop Hypervisor products, wrote that VMware Desktop Hypervisor apps will have two license models; a Free Personal Use or a Paid Commercial Use subscription. Users will need to decide whether a commercial subscription is required, based on their usage. But the two versions are identical in terms of features. The formerly free versions of the apps, VMware Workstation Player and Fusion Player, have been <a href="https://blogs.vmware.com/workstation/2024/05/vmware-workstation-pro-now-available-free-for-personal-use.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">discontinued</a>, because the Pro versions are superior. Note: There are some requirements before you can access the downloads. Firstly, you will need to register for a free account, secondly you will also need to provide your address "for verification". For what it is worth, I was able to use an approximate address, (without the building's name or number), and was able to get the software. So, in theory, you could input a random address to claim the freebies. You don't need to give your phone number to get the apps. <h3>How to download Workstation Pro 17 and VMware Fusion Pro 13 for personal use</h3> 1. Go to <a href="https://support.broadcom.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://support.broadcom.com/</a> and register for a free account. 2. PC and Linux users who want VMware Workstation Pro 17 should navigate to <a href="https://support.broadcom.com/group/ecx/productdownloads?subfamily=VMware+Workstation+Pro" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">this page</a>. <img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205555" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Download-VMware-Workstation-Pro-free-for-personal-use.jpg" alt="Download VMware Workstation Pro free for personal use" width="827" height="771" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Download-VMware-Workstation-Pro-free-for-personal-use.jpg 827w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Download-VMware-Workstation-Pro-free-for-personal-use-768x716.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px" /> You need to click on "VMware Workstation Pro 17 for personal use". Select the appropriate version for your operating system, i.e. Windows or Linux. Click on it and then on the latest version number. The webpage will display a checkbox which you need to tick, to accept the terms and conditions. This will allow you to download VMware Workstation Pro 17. To do so, click on the cloud button, and your file should download momentarily. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205554" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-download-VMware-Workstation-Pro-for-free.jpg" alt="How to download VMware Workstation Pro for free" width="1200" height="553" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-download-VMware-Workstation-Pro-for-free.jpg 1200w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-download-VMware-Workstation-Pro-for-free-768x354.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> 3. The steps are similar for VMware Fusion Pro 13 for macOS. Head to <a href="https://support.broadcom.com/group/ecx/productdownloads?subfamily=VMware+Fusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">this page</a>, and follow the instructions in step 2, to download the VMware Fusion Pro 13 DMG file. <img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205556" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Download-VMware-Fusion-Pro-free-for-personal-use.jpg" alt="Download VMware Fusion Pro free for personal use" width="859" height="854" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Download-VMware-Fusion-Pro-free-for-personal-use.jpg 859w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Download-VMware-Fusion-Pro-free-for-personal-use-768x764.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 859px) 100vw, 859px" /> I found Broadcom's website to be quite slow while trying to access the downloads, so you may have to be a bit patient with it. On the other hand, if you don't want to register for an account, you can get the apps from the official website: <a href="https://softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/fusion/13.5.2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">VMware Fusion 13.5.2</a> and <a href="https://softwareupdate.vmware.com/cds/vmw-desktop/ws/17.5.2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">VMware Workstation Pro 17.5.2</a>. (Links courtesy reddit user <a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/vmware/comments/1crs93a/vmware_workstation_pro_fusion_pro_free_for/l41k0la/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">SJPS</a>). Here are some archived versions of the product comparison pages that highlight the various features that are available in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231209040559/https://store-us.vmware.com/compare_fusion" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">VMware Fusion Pro 13</a> and <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20231102213359/https://store-us.vmware.com/compare_workstation" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Workstation Pro 17</a>. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205558" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VMware-Workstation-Pro-free-for-personal-use.jpg" alt="VMware Workstation Pro free for personal use" width="501" height="469" /> Among other things, the Pro versions of the apps allow you to create and manage encrypted virtual machines, supports Snapshots. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205557" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/VMware-Fusion-Pro-free-for-personal-use.jpg" alt="VMware Fusion Pro free for personal use" width="688" height="410" /> (Images via Broadcom/VMware) On a sidenote, OpenAI has released the official ChatGPT app for macOS 14 (Apple Silicon M1 or better). A post at the <a href="https://community.openai.com/t/chat-gpt-desktop-app-for-mac/744613" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">OpenAI community forums</a> has a link to download the app. <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ppsspp-psp-emulator/id6496972903" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Retroarch for iOS</a>, and <a href="http://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">PPSSPP for iOS</a> have been released on the App Store. You can follow this <a href="https://docs.libretro.com/guides/install-ios/#using-retroarch" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">guide</a> to learn how to use Retroarch. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/16/vmware-workstation-pro-17-and-fusion-pro-13-are-now-free-for-personal-use/" data-wpel-link="internal">VMware Workstation Pro 17 and Fusion Pro 13 are now free for personal use</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft releases the May 2024 Security Updates for Windows

Tue, 14 May 2024 17:40:40 -0000

Microsoft has released security updates for all supported versions of its Microsoft Windows operating system and other company products. This security updates overview provides system administrators and home users with information on […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft releases the May 2024 Security Updates for Windows appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft has released security updates for all supported versions of its Microsoft Windows operating system and other company products. This security updates overview provides system administrators and home users with information on the released patches and changes. It highlights information about each of the supported Windows versions, lists known issues, and offers guidance on downloading and installing the updates. You can check out the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/09/microsoft-releases-the-april-2024-security-updates-for-windows/" data-wpel-link="internal">April 2024 update overview</a> here, in case you missed it or want to go back to it. <h2>Microsoft Windows Security Updates: May 2024</h2> You may download the following Excel spreadsheet to get a list of released updates. Click on the following link to download the archive to the local device: <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-security-updates-may-2024.zip" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft Windows security updates May 2024</a> <h3>Executive Summary</h3> <ul> <li>Microsoft released security patches for 60 unique vulnerabilities.</li> <li>No critically rated security issues.</li> <li>Windows clients with issues are: Windows 10 version 21H2 and 22H2, Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2.</li> <li>Windows Server clients with issues: Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2022</li> </ul> <h2>Product overview</h2> Each supported version of Windows and their critical vulnerabilities are listed below. <ul> <li>Windows 10 version 22H2: 42 vulnerabilities, 0 critical, 41 important, and 1 moderate</li> <li>Windows 11 version 22H2: 40 vulnerabilities, 0 critical, 39 important, and 1 moderate</li> <li>Windows 11 version 23H2: 40 vulnerabilities, 0 critical, 39 important, and 1 moderate</li> </ul> Windows Server products <ul> <li>Windows Server 2008 R2 (extended support only): 22 vulnerabilities: 0 critical, 21important, and 1 moderate</li> <li>Windows Server 2012 R2 (extended support only): vulnerabilities: critical and important <ul> <li>unknown</li> </ul> </li> <li>Windows Server 2016: 29 vulnerabilities: 0 critical, 28 important, and 1 moderate</li> <li>Windows Server 2019: 44 vulnerabilities: 0 critical, 43 important, and 1 moderate</li> <li> Windows Server 2022: 45 vulnerabilities: 0 critical, 44 important, and 1 moderate</li> </ul> <h2>Windows Security Updates</h2> Windows 10 version 22H2 <ul> <li>Support Page: <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/may-14-2024-kb5037768-os-builds-19044-4412-and-19045-4412-cb676101-1641-4a6c-b512-8b277606c6e3" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037768</a></li> </ul> Updates and improvements: <ul> <li>Adds Microsoft account related notifications in Settings > Home.</li> <li>Improves the reliability and quality of widgets on the lock screen.</li> <li>Improves the reliability of Windows Search.</li> <li>Update size is reduced by about 20% thanks to new technique.</li> <li>Fixes an issue that could affect Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) scenarios.</li> <li>Fixed an issue that might affect domain controllers.</li> <li>Fixed a stability issue that affected some wireless earbuds.</li> <li>Security updates.</li> <li>Plus all changes of the <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/5036979" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">April 24 Preview update</a>.</li> </ul> Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2 <ul> <li>Support Page: <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/may-14-2024-kb5037771-os-builds-22621-3593-and-22631-3593-e633ff2f-a021-4abb-bd2e-7f3687f166fe" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037771 </a></li> </ul> Updates and improvements: <ul> <li>Added application promotions to the Recommended section of the start menu.</li> <li>Fixes a slow file transfer issue affecting Server Message Block (SMB) clients.</li> <li>Improves quality of the widgets icon on the taskbar.</li> <li>Improves reliability of widgets on the lock screen.</li> <li>Fixes an issue that could affect Virtual Secure Mode (VSM) scenarios.</li> <li>Fixed an issue that might affect domain controllers.</li> <li>Security updates.</li> <li>Plus all changes of the A<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/april-23-2024-kb5036980-os-builds-22621-3527-and-22631-3527-preview-5a0d6c49-e42e-4eb4-8541-33a7139281ed" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">pril 2024 Preview update</a>.</li> </ul> Windows Security updates 2024-05 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1507 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037788" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037788</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for Microsoft server operating system version 21H2 for x64-based Systems (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037782" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037782</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 21H2 and Windows 10 Version 22H2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037768" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037768</a>) 2024-05 Dynamic Cumulative Update for Windows 11 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037770" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037770</a>) Server 2024-05 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2008 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037800" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037800</a>) 2024-05 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Server 2008 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037836" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037836</a>) 2024-05 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037780" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037780</a>) 2024-05 Security Only Quality Update for Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037803" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037803</a>) 2024-05 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2012 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037778" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037778</a>) 2024-05 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows Server 2012 R2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037823" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037823</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 Version 1607 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037763" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037763</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10 Version 1809 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037765" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037765</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative security Hotpatch for Azure Stack HCI, version 21H2 and Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition for x64-based Systems (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037848" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037848</a>) Non-Security updates 2024-05 Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2, Windows 10 Version 21H2, Windows 10 Version 21H1, and Windows 10 Version 20H2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5001716" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5001716</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Windows 10 Version 22H2 and Windows 10 Version 21H2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037587" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037587</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Windows 11 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037591" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037591</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 10 Version 22H2 and Windows 10 Version 21H2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037592" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037592</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 4.8 for Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 Version 1607 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037926" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037926</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Microsoft server operating system, version 22H2 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037929" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037929</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Microsoft server operating system, version 22H2 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037930" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037930</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Windows 11 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037931" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037931</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.7.2 for Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10 Version 1809 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037932" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037932</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10 Version 1809 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037933" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037933</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 11 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037934" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037934</a>) 2024-05 Dynamic Update for Microsoft server operating system for x64-based Systems (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037958" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037958</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8.1 for Microsoft server operating system, version 23H2 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038075" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038075</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.8 and 4.8.1 for Microsoft server operating system version 21H2 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038282" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038282</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.7.2 and 4.8 for Windows Server 2019 and Windows 10 Version 1809 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038283" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038283</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.8 and 4.8.1 for Windows 10 Version 21H2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038284" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038284</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.8 and 4.8.1 for Windows 10 Version 22H2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038285" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038285</a>) 2024-05 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.8 and 4.8.1 for Windows 11 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038286" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038286</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.8 for Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037916" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037916</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.6.2 for Windows Embedded Standard 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037917" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037917</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.8 for Windows Server 2012 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037922" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037922</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.8 for Windows Server 2012 R2 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037923" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037923</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2 for Windows Server 2012 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037924" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037924</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2 for Windows Server 2012 R2 for x64 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5037925" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037925</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 3.5.1, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8 for Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038288" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038288</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8 for Windows Server 2012 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038289" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038289</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.6.2, 4.7, 4.7.1, 4.7.2, 4.8 for Windows Server 2012 R2 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038290" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038290</a>) 2024-05 Security and Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 2.0, 3.0, 3.5 SP1, 4.6.2 for Windows Server 2008 (<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/help/5038291" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5038291</a>) <h3>Known Issues</h3> Windows 10 version 22H2 Description: After installation of the update, users may be unable to change their account profile picture. Workaround: none available at the time. Description: Devices that use Microsoft Connected Cache (MCC) may download updates or apps from the public Internet instead, if they use DHCP Option 235 and have a recent update installed. Workaround: Configure Microsoft Connected Cache endpoint in DOCacheHost policy as indicated in Cache hostname. Additionally, DOCacheHostSourcehas to be set to 1or removed as indicated in Cache hostname source. By default, the DOCacheHost and DOCacheHostSource policies have no value. (OLD) Description: Desktop icons may be moved around unexpectedly between monitors when using Copilot on more than one monitor. Users may also experience "other alignment issues" according to Microsoft. Workaround: none. Microsoft may disable Copilot on multimonitor devices. (OLD) Description: Copilot in Windows is not supported if the taskbar is located vertically on the right or left side of the screen. Workaround: align the taskbar horizontally, either at the top or bottom of the screen. Windows 11 version 22H2 and 23H2 Description: After installation of the update, users may be unable to change their account profile picture. Workaround: none available at the time. <h3>Security advisories and updates</h3> <ul> <li><a href="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-us/vulnerability/ADV990001" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-us/vulnerability/ADV990001">ADV 990001</a> -- Latest Servicing Stack Updates</li> </ul> Microsoft Office Updates You find Office update information <a href="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/office-updates-msi" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdates/office-updates-msi">here</a>. <h3>How to download and install the May 2024 security updates</h3> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205548" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-may-2024-security-updates.png" alt="Microsoft Windows Security updates May 2024" width="2260" height="1188" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-may-2024-security-updates.png 2260w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-may-2024-security-updates-768x404.png 768w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-may-2024-security-updates-1536x807.png 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-may-2024-security-updates-2048x1077.png 2048w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/microsoft-windows-may-2024-security-updates-1200x631.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 2260px) 100vw, 2260px" /> Most non-managed Windows devices receive security updates automatically. Administrators may speed up the installation in the following way: <ol> <li>Select Start, type Windows Update and load the Windows Update item that is displayed.</li> <li>Select check for updates to run a manual check for updates.</li> </ol> <h4>Direct update downloads</h4> Below are resource pages with direct download links, if you prefer to download the updates to install them manually. Windows 10 version 22H2 <ul> <li><a href="https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5037768" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037768</a> -- 2024-5 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 21H2</li> </ul> Windows 11 version 22H2 <ul> <li><a href="https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5037771" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037771</a> -- 2024-5 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 version 22H2</li> </ul> <section class="entry">Windows 11 version 23H2</section> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB5037771" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5037771</a> -- 2024-5 Cumulative Update for Windows 11 version 23H2</li> </ul> <h4 class="entry">Additional resources</h4> <section class="entry"> <ul> <li><a href="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2024-May" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2023-Jul">May 2024 Security Updates release notes</a></li> <li><a class="ext-link" title="" href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/description-of-software-update-services-and-windows-server-update-services-changes-in-content-for-2021-kb894199-0c540f4f-60c8-7dc2-23c9-48153749966d" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/description-of-software-update-services-and-windows-server-update-services-changes-in-content-for-2021-kb894199-0c540f4f-60c8-7dc2-23c9-48153749966d">List of software updates for Microsoft products</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2017/01/16/latest-windows-updates-and-service-packs-overview/" data-wpel-link="internal" data-mrf-link="https://www.ghacks.net/2017/01/16/latest-windows-updates-and-service-packs-overview/">List of the latest Windows Updates and Services Packs</a></li> <li><a href="https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-us/security-guidance" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-us/security-guidance">Security Updates Guide</a></li> <li><a href="https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://catalog.update.microsoft.com/">Microsoft Update Catalog site</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/20/microsoft-windows-update-overview-all-you-need-to-know/" data-wpel-link="internal" data-mrf-link="https://www.ghacks.net/2010/12/20/microsoft-windows-update-overview-all-you-need-to-know/">Our in-depth Windows update guide</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2018/02/15/how-to-install-optional-updates-on-windows-10/" data-wpel-link="internal" data-mrf-link="https://www.ghacks.net/2018/02/15/how-to-install-optional-updates-on-windows-10/">How to install optional updates on Windows 10</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-11-update-history-a19cd327-b57f-44b9-84e0-26ced7109ba9" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-11-update-history-a19cd327-b57f-44b9-84e0-26ced7109ba9">Windows 11 Update History</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-10-update-history-857b8ccb-71e4-49e5-b3f6-7073197d98fb" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-10-update-history-857b8ccb-71e4-49e5-b3f6-7073197d98fb">Windows 10 Update History</a></li> </ul> </section> Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/14/microsoft-releases-the-may-2024-security-updates-for-windows/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft releases the May 2024 Security Updates for Windows</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Stay Secure: Unmasking Fake Virus Alerts with AVG AntiVirus FREE

Tue, 14 May 2024 09:32:46 -0000

Fake virus alerts are a common yet dangerous weapon often used by cybercriminals. These alerts masquerade themselves as legitimate security warnings, tricking users into actions that end up compromising their own digital […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Stay Secure: Unmasking Fake Virus Alerts with AVG AntiVirus FREE appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Fake virus alerts are a common yet dangerous weapon often used by cybercriminals. These alerts masquerade themselves as legitimate security warnings, tricking users into actions that end up compromising their own digital safety. From installing invasive malware to unintentionally handing over sensitive data, the consequences of falling for such scams are severe and far-reaching. To prevent these, having a dependable antivirus installed becomes your only shield. <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG Antivirus Free</a> stands out by offering powerful, no-cost protection that will shield you from the deceptive tactics of these dangerous online threats. By equipping yourself with AVG Antivirus Free, you ensure that your digital environment remains secure, safekeeping your data from any unscrupulous cyber-criminal. Do you want to know how? <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-205542 aligncenter" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_About.png" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_About.png 960w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_About-768x480.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /> <h2>Decoding Fake Virus Warnings: What You Need to Know</h2> <h3>What Are Fake Virus Alerts?</h3> Fake virus alerts are cleverly disguised threats that appear as legitimate warnings from trusted cybersecurity sites. These alerts often claim to detect viruses or security breaches on your device and prompt you to take immediate action. Recent developments in scam tactics have seen a significant uptick in the realism of these alerts, employing high-quality visuals that mirror actual updates from well-known real antivirus software, making them difficult to recognize at first glance. <h3>How do Fake Virus Alerts Work?</h3> Understanding how these scams operate is key to defending against them. At their core, fake virus alerts are specifically engineered to exploit the natural human response to danger, especially with the sudden increase of online perils. Scammers design these alerts to incite panic, often suggesting that immediate action is necessary to prevent dire consequences, such as data loss or identity theft. In the typical scenario, an alert may pop up while browsing, warning of multiple viruses supposedly found on your device. It might urge you to click a link to remove these threats instantly. However, doing so is a clever trick that could install malware or ransomware on your device. This tactic, known as scareware, leverages the shock factor to cloud judgment, bypassing rational thinking and provoking hasty decisions that can have serious security repercussions. To combat these sophisticated threats, <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> offers a powerful line of defense with its advanced detection algorithms and real-time protection features. It scans and monitors your device continuously, alerting you to any genuine threats while distinguishing between real dangers and fabricated alerts. By providing clear and reliable notifications, AVG Antivirus Free ensures that users can confidently navigate their digital lives without fear of falling prey to these deceptive tactics. Whether you're browsing online, downloading new applications, or checking emails, <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> stands as a vigilant protector, keeping your digital environment safe and secure from the deceptive designs of cybercriminals. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-205543 aligncenter" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-654089530_edit_AVGcolorization.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="690" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-654089530_edit_AVGcolorization.jpg 1200w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-654089530_edit_AVGcolorization-768x442.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <h2>Unmasking the Different Types of Fake Virus Alerts</h2> <h3>Pop-Up Warnings: A Persistent Nuisance</h3> Pop-up warnings are the most common form of fake virus alerts, often appearing while you peacefully browse the web. These pop-ups may mimic the layout and language of legitimate software updates, falsely claiming that your device is at risk. Recent shifts in scamming tactics have seen an evolution in these pop-ups, adding more convincing graphics and urgent call-to-action buttons that mimic those of real antivirus notifications. These can include fake prompts for immediate software updates, virus removal, or even system cleanups. If done so, the scammers usually install all kinds of malware or ransomware in your device. <h3>Malvertisements: When Ads Turn Malicious</h3> Another insidious technique involves malvertisements. These are seemingly harmless advertisements placed on legitimate advertising networks, which are unknowingly laced with malicious code. Cybercriminals exploit these platforms to broadcast fake virus alerts broadly. Clicking on these ads can lead to downloading and installing malware or redirecting users to phishing sites. The challenge lies in their placement on reputable sites, making them appear trustworthy at first glance. <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a>’s Web Shield technology scans and blocks these malicious ads before they can do any harm, providing an essential layer of protection. <h3>Fake System Notifications: The Art of Deception</h3> Fake system notifications are crafted to replicate the alerts from your operating system. These notifications may pop up in the system tray or as banners, warning of detected malware or security breaches. Normally, these are so well crafted that telling apart fake from real is almost impossible. These include slight discrepancies in font, wording, and layout—details that are often overlooked in a moment of panic. Being familiar with the genuine alerts of your operating system can help in identifying these fakes. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-205544 aligncenter" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_Full-scan.png" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_Full-scan.png 960w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_Full-scan-768x480.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /> <h3>Emerging Threats: Staying Ahead of Scammers</h3> Recently, cybercriminals have begun employing more sophisticated methods such as fake background applications or security tool updates that once clicked, may run harmful processes covertly. Additionally, scammers are using AI-driven techniques to create more personalized and context-aware fake alerts, which can adapt based on the user's browsing history or previously installed software. <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> stays updated with the latest threat definitions and employs advanced detection algorithms to counter these evolving scams, keeping your digital environment secure. <h2>Proactive Defense Features in AVG AntiVirus FREE</h2> AVG AntiVirus FREE is equipped with a suite of tools designed to provide comprehensive protection for your digital life. These bring real-time protection, email and web shield technology, a powerful software updater and a helpful do not disturb mode. Let’s take a closer look at them. <h3>Regular Scans and Real-Time Protection</h3> AVG AntiVirus FREE offers continuous protection against threats by running in the background of your device at all times. This real-time protection detects and blocks malware before it can inflict any damage to your devices. To complement this, AVG also encourages regular full system scans that ensure that no hidden threats exist, maintaining the overall integrity and health of your computer. <h3>Browser and Download Monitoring</h3> <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> enhances your safety with dedicated monitoring and analysis of downloads, attachments, and links. This feature checks all files you download and the links you click, guarding against the accidental introduction of malware or fake virus alerts that appear legitimate. <h3>Enhancing Browser Security</h3> With AVG’s Web Shield technology, your online browsing becomes safer. This technology actively blocks fake pop-ups and redirects from websites known for distributing scareware or engaging in phishing. Web Shield seamlessly integrates with your browser, adding an additional layer of security that filters out harmful content before it reaches you. <h3>Network and Email Security</h3> <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> also secures your network and email interactions. Its network security features are vital when connecting to both home and public Wi-Fi networks, shielding your device from threats that try to infiltrate through these connections. Additionally, the Email Shield feature specifically targets risky email attachments and phishing attempts—common tactics used to spread scareware. <h3>Software Updates and Patches</h3> Keeping your software up to date is essential in defending against the latest threats. AVG’s Software Updater proactively notifies you of available updates for your installed software and can automate the update process. This not only helps protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by new variants of malware but also ensures your OS won’t suffer the intrusion of malware distributed via fake virus alerts. <h3>AVG’s Do Not Disturb Mode</h3> This unique feature ensures that you are not interrupted by notifications or updates while you use selected full-screen applications, like games or movies, thus enhancing your experience without compromising security. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-205545 aligncenter" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1368275836_edit_AVGcolorization.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="850" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1368275836_edit_AVGcolorization.jpg 1200w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1368275836_edit_AVGcolorization-768x544.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> <h2>Step-by-Step Guide to Handling Fake Alerts with AVG AntiVirus FREE</h2> <h3>Immediate Actions: What to Do When You Encounter a Suspected Fake Alert</h3> <ul> <li>Do Not Interact: The first and most crucial step is to avoid interacting with the alert. Do not click on any part of the popup, including the "close" button, as it may be programmed to trigger malware installation.</li> <li>Safely Close Your Browser: To safely close your browser, use the task manager on your computer. For Windows, you can press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the task manager, find your browser in the list of running applications, and click 'End Task.' On a Mac, you can use Cmd+Opt+Esc to bring up the force quit applications window and then select your browser and click 'Force Quit.'</li> <li>Disconnect from the Internet: Turn off your Wi-Fi or unplug your Ethernet cable. Temporarily disconnecting from the internet will prevent the further download of malware and cut off communication with the attacker’s server.</li> <li>Run a Scan with <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a>: Once your browser is closed and you are disconnected from the internet, run a full system scan with AVG AntiVirus FREE. This will help identify and remove any malicious software that might have been activated or installed without your knowledge.</li> </ul> <h3>Confirming the Legitimacy of an Alert</h3> <ul> <li>Perform a Web Search: Use a smartphone or another device to search for the exact wording of the alert or the name of the product it is pushing. Look for information from reputable tech websites or forums where others might have reported similar experiences. You will usually see similar experiences where other users will confirm the illegitimacy of the alert.</li> <li>Check Official Sources: Visit the official website of the software or security service you use by typing the URL directly into your browser instead of clicking on any links from the alert itself. Check for any notices or information that match the details in the alert you received.</li> <li>Contact Support: If still in doubt, contact the customer support of the software or security service directly. Use the contact information from their official website and inquire about the alert you received to confirm whether it was a legitimate warning or a fake.</li> <li>Update Your Security Software Manually: Ensure that your antivirus and other security software are up to date. These updates often include patches for new vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers to generate fake alerts.</li> </ul> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-205546 aligncenter" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_AV.png" alt="" width="960" height="600" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_AV.png 960w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/IS_Avgast_AV-768x480.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /> <h2>The Critical Role of Caution Against Fake Virus Alerts</h2> Vigilance is key, especially with the increasing number of cyber threats like fake virus alerts. These deceptive tactics, designed to exploit vulnerabilities both technical and human, emphasize the need for robust cybersecurity measures. <a href="https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download?full_trSrc=mmm_ghk_dlp_008_023_m" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> stands as a crucial ally in this ongoing battle, offering comprehensive tools like real-time protection, Email Shield, and Web Shield. These features ensure that you're not only alerted to potential threats but also protected from them before they can cause any harm. With AVG AntiVirus FREE you can confidently navigate the internet, safeguard your personal information, and avoid any pitfalls set by cybercriminals. Don’t let fake virus alerts compromise your safety and download your copy of AVG AntiVirus FREE right now. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/14/stay-secure-unmasking-fake-virus-alerts-with-avg-antivirus-free/" data-wpel-link="internal">Stay Secure: Unmasking Fake Virus Alerts with AVG AntiVirus FREE</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Firefox 126: Telemetry, privacy feature, and security fixes

Tue, 14 May 2024 09:05:51 -0000

Mozilla plans to release Firefox 126.0 Stable later today. The new version of Firefox is a smaller release, as it makes just a few changes. Noteworthy are improvements to the browser's copy […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Firefox 126: Telemetry, privacy feature, and security fixes appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Mozilla plans to release Firefox 126.0 Stable later today. The new version of Firefox is a smaller release, as it makes just a few changes. Noteworthy are improvements to the browser's copy without site tracking feature, support for AV2 hardware decode acceleration on M3 Macs, and new search Telemetry. Tip: To check the installed Firefox version, select Menu > Help > About Firefox on desktop systems. Mozilla updates all development editions and Firefox ESR at the same time. Here are the new versions: <ul> <li>Firefox 115.11 ESR</li> <li>Firefox 127 Beta and Dev</li> <li>Firefox 128 Nightly</li> <li>Firefox 126 for Android</li> </ul> Executive Summary <ul> <li>Firefox 126 addresses security issues in the browser.</li> <li>Support for zstandard compression content encoding, which should improve performance on sites such as Facebook.</li> <li>New Telemetry to aggregate searches based on "20 high-level content types" such as sports or business.</li> <li>Mozilla pulled the URL Paste feature introduced in <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/16/mozilla-firefox-125-brings-text-highlighting-in-pdfs-url-paste-suggestion/" data-wpel-link="internal">Firefox 125</a> because of performance issues.</li> </ul> <h2>Firefox 126.0 download and update</h2> Updates are installed automatically by default. The new Firefox 126 update will therefore be installed automatically on most systems. Firefox users may speed up the installation by opening Firefox Menu > Help > Firefox, but only after the official release later today. Here are the official download locations: <ul> <li><a class="ext-link" title="" href="https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/new/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/new/">Firefox Stable download</a></li> <li><a class="ext-link" title="" href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/channel/">Firefox Beta download</a></li> <li><a class="ext-link" title="" href="https://nightly.mozilla.org/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://nightly.mozilla.org/">Nightly download</a></li> <li><a class="ext-link" title="" href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/organizations/all/">Firefox ESR download</a></li> <li><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mozilla.firefox">Firefox for Android on Google Play</a></li> </ul> <h2>Firefox 126.0 changes</h2> Copy (Link) Without Site Tracking <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205537" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-copy-link-without-site-tracking.png" alt="Copy without site tracking" width="2109" height="1094" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-copy-link-without-site-tracking.png 2109w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-copy-link-without-site-tracking-768x398.png 768w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-copy-link-without-site-tracking-1536x797.png 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-copy-link-without-site-tracking-2048x1062.png 2048w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-copy-link-without-site-tracking-1200x622.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 2109px) 100vw, 2109px" /> Copy Without Site Tracking and Copy Link Without Site Tracking enable users to copy URLs without tracking parameters. This feature has been available for a while. The update introduces support for nested URLs and extends support, so that over 300 additional tracking parameters are now stripped when copying links using this feature in Firefox. New Search Telemetry Mozilla Firefox creates aggregate counts of broad category searches to "broadly inform search feature development". The 'categories are based on 20 high-level content types, such as "sports", "business", and "travel"'. Mozilla notes that the data is not associated with individual users and that it is collected using OHTTP to remove IP addresses. Furthermore, profiling will not be performed and data won't be shared with third-parties. Tip: Firefox users who do not want this can se browser.search.serpEventTelemetryCategorization.enabled to False on about:config. <h3>Other changes and fixes</h3> <ul> <li>Firefox Translations supports Catalan now.</li> <li>AV1 hardware decode acceleration supported on M3 Macs.</li> </ul> Developer changes <ul> <li>The zstd directive of the Content-Encoding HTTP header is now supported, allowing decoding of server-sent content encoded with the Zstandard compression algorithm.</li> <li>IDBFactory.databases() is now supported for enumerating available IndexedDB API databases</li> <li>IDBTransaction.durability can now be used for querying the transaction durability hint that the transaction was created with</li> <li>The URL.parse() static method is now supported for creating URL objects.</li> <li>The Screen Wake Lock API is now supported. This allows web apps to request that the screen is not dimmed or locked.</li> <li>All RTCIceCandidate properties and methods are now supported and match the specification, with the exception of unimplemented properties: relayProtocol and url.</li> <li>The Element.currentCSSZoom read only property is now supported for getting the effective CSS zoom of an element.</li> <li>The ability to define states for custom elements and match them using CSS selectors is now available by default.</li> <li>The Selection.direction property is now supported for indicating the direction of a range.</li> <li>The marquee events bounce, finish, and start have been removed from HTMLMarqueeElement</li> <li>The commands.onCommand event now passes the tab argument to the event listener.</li> <li>The runtime.MessageSender type now includes the origin property.</li> <li>The "webRequestAuthProvider" permission is now supported.</li> <li>The options_page manifest key is provided as an alias of the options_ui key.</li> </ul> Enterprise changes <ul> <li>TranslateEnabled policy is now available.</li> <li>Preferences policy was update to allow setting privacy.userContext.enabled and privacy.userContext.ui.enabled, which handle Containers functionality.</li> <li>Locking the Proxy policy locks all options, even if no values are changed.</li> <li>Tabs from other devices no longer shows in Firefox View if Accounts are disabled.</li> </ul> Security updates / fixes <ul> <li>Firefox 126 <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/mfsa2024-21/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">addresses</a> 16 unique security issues rated high or lower. No exploits in the wild.</li> <li>Firefox 115.11 ESR fixes 6 unique security issues rated high or lower. No exploits in the wild.</li> </ul> Outlook Firefox 127 and Firefox 115.12 ESR will be released on. The next Firefox ESR version is Firefox 128 ESR, which will be released on July 9, 2024. Recent Firefox news and tips <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/22/how-to-enable-tab-previews-in-firefox/" data-wpel-link="internal">How to enable Tab Previews in Firefox</a> Additional information / resources <ul> <li><a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/126.0/releasenotes/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external">Firefox 126 release notes</a></li> <li><a href="https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Firefox/Releases/126" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external">Firefox 126 for Developers</a></li> <li><a href="https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/firefox-enterprise-126-release-notes" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external">Firefox 126 for Enterprise</a></li> <li><a class="ext-link" title="" href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/" target="_blank" rel="external noopener noreferrer nofollow" data-wpel-link="external" data-mrf-link="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/security/advisories/">Firefox Security Advisories</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2012/08/16/mozilla-firefox-release-schedule/" data-wpel-link="internal" data-mrf-link="https://www.ghacks.net/2012/08/16/mozilla-firefox-release-schedule/">Firefox Release Schedule</a></li> </ul> Closing Words Firefox 126 is a smaller release. It is still an important update, as it addresses security issues in the browser. Mozilla had to pull two features that it introduced in recent versions of Firefox. Firefox 127 will see the introduction of bounce tracking protection. Now you: what is your take on this release? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/14/firefox-126-telemetry-privacy-feature-and-security-fixes/" data-wpel-link="internal">Firefox 126: Telemetry, privacy feature, and security fixes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
iOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5 update adds anti-tracking feature, offline support for News+

Tue, 14 May 2024 04:29:11 -0000

Apple has released the iOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates. The new software comes with a cross-platform anti-tracker feature, and improves the capabilities of the News app. What's new […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post iOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5 update adds anti-tracking feature, offline support for News+ appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Apple has released the iOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates. The new software comes with a cross-platform anti-tracker feature, and improves the capabilities of the News app. <h3>What's new in iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5 </h3> Apple has improved its Find My app to add support for cross-platform Tracking Detection. The company has <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/05/apple-and-google-deliver-support-for-unwanted-tracking-alerts-in-ios-and-android/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">published</a> an article, where it says the feature was developed in partnership with Google, to detect unwanted location trackers that may be used to stalk people. The anti-stalking feature will notify users when a Bluetooth tracker that they do not own is moving with them. The phone will detect the tracker regardless of the operating system that was used to pair with the tracker. Users can locate the tracker by playing a sound, and access instructions to disable it. The new anti-tracking feature works on iPhones running on iOS 17.5 or above, and Android devices with Android 6.0 or above. It supports AirTag and third-party Find My network devices, along with Bluetooth trackers made by Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee. <h3>Security fixes</h3> iOS 17.5 ships with 15 <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201222" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">security fixes</a>, while macOS Sonoma 14.5 has about 22 patches, none of which were related to any known exploited vulnerabilities. The macOS Ventura 13.6.7 and macOS Monterey 12.7.5 updates are also available now with 3 security fixes and 2 patches respectively. The Safari 17.5 update addresses a WebKit issue that could have allowed an attacker with arbitrary read and write capability to bypass Pointer Authentication. The update for the browser is available for Ventura and Monterey users. iOS 16.7.8 and iPadOS 16.7.8 is now available for the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPad 5th generation, iPad Pro 9.7-inch, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch 1st generation. The updates fix a couple of security issues related to Foundation and RTKit. Apple says that it was aware that the RTKit issue, tracked as <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT214100" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">CVE-2024-23296</a>, may have been exploited by attackers who had arbitrary kernel read and write capability, to bypass kernel memory protections. The exploit which has been described as a memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation <h3>Offline mode in News+ app</h3> The <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/23/apple-wants-to-partner-with-news-publishers-to-train-its-a-i/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Apple News</a> app has gained an Offline Mode, which lets you access certain articles while you are not connected to the internet. According to an announcement from the Cupertino company, News+ subscribers can access Top Stories, Apple News Today audio briefings, full magazine issues and narrated articles from News+ publishers, and puzzles. The app downloads the content automatically, and will refresh them when your device is back online. Apple News+ costs $12.99 per month, and is only available in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205535" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Quartiles-word-game-and-offline-mode-in-Apple-News-app.jpg" alt="Quartiles word game and offline mode in Apple News app" width="1074" height="969" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Quartiles-word-game-and-offline-mode-in-Apple-News-app.jpg 1074w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Quartiles-word-game-and-offline-mode-in-Apple-News-app-768x693.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1074px) 100vw, 1074px" /> <h3>Quartiles word game in News app</h3> Apple has added a new original word game in its News app. It's called Quartiles. The game lets players pick tiles that contain a set of prefixes and suffixes, to create a word. You get points based on word length. The puzzles are refreshed every day, i.e. daily puzzles. Users can access the Puzzles Scoreboard to view personalized stats and streaks for each puzzle, this also shows your solve rate and longest streak. That doesn't sound very original to me, it's more like anagrams that you see in crossword puzzles. The game is exclusively available for Apple News+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Quartiles can be accessed from the app's Puzzles collection, along with the daily crossword and mini crossword. Quartiles reminded me of Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Connections, all of which are available via the New York Times app. Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if clones of Quartiles emerge on the App Store and the Play store. Apple is likely focusing its efforts on iOS 18, which is expected to be unveiled at the Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC24), that is scheduled to be held on June 10th. The company is said to be working on bringing AI features to iOS 18, which are reportedly powered by OpenAI's <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/02/chatgpt-no-longer-requires-an-account-to-use-but-there-are-some-limitations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">ChatGPT</a>. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/14/ios-17-5-and-macos-sonoma-14-5-update-adds-anti-tracking-feature-offline-support-for-news/" data-wpel-link="internal">iOS 17.5 and macOS Sonoma 14.5 update adds anti-tracking feature, offline support for News+</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft is testing Game Pass ads on the Settings homepage

Mon, 13 May 2024 10:52:34 -0000

Look, another advertising test in Windows 11. Microsoft launched a new build to the Windows 11 Insider Dev channel on Friday. Windows 11 build 26120.470 fixes issues for the most part. It […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft is testing Game Pass ads on the Settings homepage appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Look, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/10/microsoft-continues-push-to-turn-windows-into-an-advertising-space/" data-wpel-link="internal">another advertising test in Windows 11</a>. Microsoft launched a new build to the Windows 11 Insider Dev channel on Friday. Windows 11 build 26120.470 fixes issues for the most part. It is delivered via KB5037864 and rolled out gradually to all test systems, even if <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/28/windows-11s-get-updates-as-soon-as-theyre-available-feature-explained/" data-wpel-link="internal">get the latest updates as soon as possible</a> is checked. Microsoft <a href="https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/05/10/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-26120-470-dev-channel/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">notes</a> that the update "includes a small set of general improvements and fixes" designed to "improve the overall experience for Insiders". <h2>Game Pass <del datetime="2024-05-13T10:29:34+00:00">recommendation</del> ad</h2> One of the improvements recommends, Microsoft's words, the subscription service Game Pass. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205530" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-game-pass-ad-scaled.webp" alt="Windows 11 Game Pass advertisement" width="1200" height="856" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-game-pass-ad-scaled.webp 1200w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-game-pass-ad-768x548.webp 768w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-game-pass-ad-1536x1096.webp 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-game-pass-ad-2048x1461.webp 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /> Windows 11 testers who open the homepage of the Settings app may see the new ad slot there. It advertises Game Pass, Microsoft's subscription-based game playing service. Here is Microsoft's announcement: "We are introducing a new Game Pass recommendation card on the Settings homepage. The Game Pass recommendation card on Settings Homepage will be shown to you if you actively play games on your PC. As a reminder – the Settings homepage will be shown only on the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 and if you’re signed into Windows with your Microsoft account.". Game Pass is available for $9.99 per month, requires a Microsoft account, and gives subscribers access to hundreds of games while subscribed. There is also Game Pass Ultimate, which is available for $16.99 per month. The core difference is that ultimate gives access to games on PC, console, and the cloud, includes online console multiplayer, and includes EA Play. Microsoft shows the Game Pass advertisement only if users are signed in to a Microsoft account and using Windows 11 Home or Pro. Whether this is true for managed devices as well is unclear. <h3>Closing Words</h3> When Microsoft launched the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/25/windows-11s-new-settings-homepage-is-half-promotion-half-pointless/" data-wpel-link="internal">new homepage of the Settings app</a>, I described it as half promotion half pointless. Not everyone agreed, which is fine. Back then, Microsoft added a few promotions on the page already. It promoted Microsoft 365 there and also showed subscription information. I decided to <a href="https://chipp.in/software/windows/how-to-hide-the-windows-11-settings-home-page/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">hide the Windows 11 Settings homepage</a>, as it offered no value. Some users may find the information valuable enough to keep it enabled though. Microsoft continues to test the waters regarding ads on Windows 11. Some, like <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/24/how-to-turn-off-app-promotions-in-windows-11s-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">application recommendations</a> or <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/19/windows-10-sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account-messages-roll-out/" data-wpel-link="internal">profile icon</a> recommendations have launched already. Good news is that you can <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/24/how-to-turn-off-app-promotions-in-windows-11s-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">turn off most ads, including app promotions in Windows 11's start menu</a>. What about you? Do you use the Settings homepage, if you use Windows 11? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/13/microsoft-is-testing-game-pass-ads-on-the-settings-homepage/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft is testing Game Pass ads on the Settings homepage</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Windows 11's Start Menu could soon show information in a floating sidebar

Fri, 10 May 2024 05:41:44 -0000

Microsoft introduced support for what it calls Start Menu Companions in a recent Windows 11 beta build. This feature adds a sidebar to the Start Menu that display information, for instance from […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 11's Start Menu could soon show information in a floating sidebar appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft introduced support for what it calls Start Menu Companions in a recent Windows 11 beta build. This feature adds a sidebar to the Start Menu that display information, for instance from widgets. The last major overhaul of the Windows Start menu launched with the release of Windows 11. Microsoft removed several features of the Windows 10 Start menu, including support for live tiles and customization options. It did introduce the split design that shows pinned apps at the top and recommendations at the bottom. I called the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2021/08/24/the-windows-11-start-menu-is-barely-usable/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows 11 Start menu barely usable</a> back in 2021 when it first launched. While Microsoft did improve it, some criticism still stands to this day. <h2>Start Menu Companions in Windows 11 Start</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205523" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-start-menu-start-companion-scaled.jpg" alt="Windows 11 Start Menu Companion" width="1200" height="750" /> Twitter user Albacore discovered the new feature in Windows 11 Beta build 26212. A screenshot attached to the Twitter message shows weather and stock market information in the floating sidebar. He <a href="https://twitter.com/thebookisclosed/status/1788628122008498682" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">writes</a>: "It's time for the Start menu to become extensible!? Windows 11 ? build 26212 quietly introduces support for "Start Menu Companions." They're apps that provide Adaptive Cards which display on a floating island (docked ?? or ??) alongside Start Used Widgets data as a quick demo ?" Windows 11 users may configure the feature under Settings > Personalization > Start. There they find a list of companions that they may display on the left or right side of the Windows 11 Start menu. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205524" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-start-menu-start-companion-2-scaled.jpg" alt="Start Menu Companions Windows 11" width="1200" height="750" /> There appears be an option to turn off the feature entirely. When turned off, the Start Menu shows up as before when activated. <h2>Still in development</h2> The Start Companion feature is still in development. There is a chance that it changes before release and there is even a chance that it gets pulled by Microsoft before it lands in stable versions of Windows 11. The adaptive cards that testers can display are limited and look like a mini-version of the Widgets panel. When it launches, it could even replace widgets entirely for some users. Support for third-party adaptive cards could improve the reach and usefulness of the feature. Microsoft hoped the same for Widgets, but support for third-party widgets is fairly limited still at this point. Only a handful of widgets can be installed from the Microsoft Store at this point, and they are pretty basic. Closing Words Start Menu Companions is an optional feature that users can turn off. Most will probably do that, unless remarkable adaptive cards are unveiled at one point that add value for the user. Maybe a list of recent downloads, run programs, or notifications could be displayed there. With Microsoft, there is also the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/03/microsoft-is-making-more-unwanted-changes-to-the-windows-11-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">chance of ads</a> making an appearance eventually. See how to <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/24/how-to-turn-off-app-promotions-in-windows-11s-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">turn off Start Menu ads in Windows 11</a> for instructions to disable those. All in all, this feature has to prove itself before it could become a truly useful expansion of the Start menu of the operating system. If you ask me, I'd like to see the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/07/25/microsoft-still-desperately-trying-to-make-windows-11-start-menu-recommendations-more-useful/" data-wpel-link="internal">recommended section</a> moved there entirely. What do you think about the new feature? Anything that you have in mind that you would find useful to display there? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/10/windows-11s-start-menu-could-soon-show-information-in-a-floating-sidebar/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows 11's Start Menu could soon show information in a floating sidebar</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
How long does it take to crack a password in 2024?

Thu, 09 May 2024 10:59:59 -0000

Password cracking tools improve all the time. With AI entering the game, the time to brute force passwords has been reduced significantly already and continues to be reduced. Password guidelines and rules […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post How long does it take to crack a password in 2024? appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Password cracking tools improve all the time. With AI entering the game, the time to brute force passwords has been reduced significantly already and continues to be reduced. Password guidelines and rules have not changed all that much for users in the past ten or so years, however. Pick unique and strong, which means long and complex, passwords, and you are good to go. While rules are relatively simple, especially when used in combination with a password manager, many Internet and computer users still do not follow them. They use passwords repeatedly or pick weak passwords that allow threat actors to crack them in a matter of seconds. Brute force and dictionaries: two common attacks against passwords. Dictionary attacks use lists of passwords, often those found in leaks, as it is fast method to crack a percentage of passwords quickly. Brute forcing refers to trying any combination of a character set, say all numbers, upper- and lower-case letters on a password. <h2>Password cracking chart 2024</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205521" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/password-cracking-chart-2024.png" alt="Password Cracking Chart 2024" width="900" height="900" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/password-cracking-chart-2024.png 900w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/password-cracking-chart-2024-300x300.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px" /> Researchers at <a href="https://www.hivesystems.com/blog/are-your-passwords-in-the-green" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Hive Systems</a> have updated the organization's password cracking chart to reflect advancements in computing power and security. It shows how long a system with twelve RTX 4090 graphics cards would need to crack a password. It reveals the information for the cases "numbers only", lowercase letters, upper and lowercase letters, "numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and "numbers, upper and lowercase letters, symbols". An 8 character password consisting only of numbers is cracked by the setup in 37 seconds. Change that to lowercase letters, and the time increases to 22 hours. With everything included, it is taking the machine 7 years in worst case to crack the password. To find out how secure, or insecure, a password is, count its characters. Once you have the character count, check its line. Now analyze the composition of the character. Does it have only numbers or lowercase letters? Or a combination? Check the column and read the value. This is the time it would take Hive System's machine to crack the password. Note: more powerful setups reduce the time it takes to brute force passwords significantly. Even if the time looks fine on this chart, it may not be fine if more powerful machines target the password. <h2>Password recommendations 2024</h2> <ol> <li>Always include numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and symbols, provided that the app or service supports this.</li> <li>Pick 16 or more characters, again provided that the service or apps support the number.</li> <li>Always use unique passwords.</li> </ol> Since it is impossible for most users to remember lots of unique 16 character passwords, it is recommended to use a password manager. You could give <a href="https://bitwarden.com/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Bitwarden</a> a try, it is open source and there is a free version available. The pro version has extra features and costs only $10 per year. <h2>Improve security further</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-204633" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ente-authenticator-app-for-android-and-ios.jpg" alt="ente authenticator app for android and ios" width="323" height="700" /> Certain attacks may reveal passwords without need to brute force or crack them. This is the case for phishing, which attempts to lure users on fake sites or get them to use fake apps to steal their credentials. Two-factor authentication adds a second authentication step. While it sounds complicated on paper, it is not really. What you need is an <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/02/27/best-authenticator-apps-for-android-and-ios/" data-wpel-link="internal">authenticator app</a> and a few minutes to set up the security feature for important accounts. When you sign in next time, you still provide username and password in the first step, and then a code generated by the app in the second step. If a threat actor steals the username and passwords, either through brute force attacks or other means, access is still prevented thanks to the second layer of security. What about you? Do you use a password manager and two-factor authentication? How fast would your passwords be cracked? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/09/how-long-does-it-take-to-crack-a-password-in-2024/" data-wpel-link="internal">How long does it take to crack a password in 2024?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Apple launches iPad Pro with M4 chip, but removes the headphone jack

Thu, 09 May 2024 08:43:17 -0000

Apple has launched a new iPad, the first one in over a year and a half. Let's take a look at what the iPad Pro has to offer. The new iPad Pro […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Apple launches iPad Pro with M4 chip, but removes the headphone jack appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Apple has launched a new iPad, the first one in over a year and a half. Let's take a look at what the iPad Pro has to offer. The new iPad Pro comes in two sizes, an 11-inch display and a 13-inch display. Both models are powered by a brand-new chipset, the mighty Apple Silicon M4. This is surprising because the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/31/apple-unveils-14-inch-and-16-inch-m3-macbook-pro-models/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">M3 chips</a> were launched just 6 months ago. Apple says that the 3nm M4 outperforms the M2 by 1.5x times in CPU performance, has 1.2x faster memory bandwidth, and can render 3D content 4x faster. The 10-core GPU supports Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading and ray tracing. The M4 chipset is capable of delivering up to 10 hours of battery life on the iPad Pro. Why does an iPad have this chipset anyway? Well, you know where every tech company is headed, A.I. What else could it be? Apple may have big plans for it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205517" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-iPad-Pro-design.jpg" alt="Apple iPad Pro design" width="633" height="520" /> That's not all that's new, the iPad Pro has an OLED screen, which Apple has termed Tandem OLED. It supports up to 120Hz refresh rate, aka ProMotion Display. There is an optional nano-texture add-on that helps scatter ambient light for reduced glare. Anyway, I won't bore you with the details, here's a rundown of the complete specs. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205518" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-iPad-Pro.jpg" alt="Apple iPad Pro" width="633" height="520" /> <h3>Apple iPad Pro specs</h3> <ul> <li>Display: 11-inches/13-inches Ultra Retina XDR Tandem OLED display, 2420 x 1668 resolution, 264 ppi, 1000 nits SDR/XDR (1600 nits for HDR), ProMotion technology, P3 wide color gamut, True Tone, Apple Pencil hover, Nano-texture display glass option on 1TB and 2TB models</li> <li>Chipset: M4, 9-core CPU with 3 performance cores and 6 efficiency cores (10-core CPU on 1TB/2TB storage models), 10-core GPU, Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 16-core Neural Engine, 120GB/s memory bandwidth, 8GB RAM (16GB RAM on 1TB/2TB storage models)</li> <li>Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB</li> <li>Camera: 12MP Wide Rear camera, 4K video, ProRes; Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, Center Stage, TrueDepth camera system</li> <li>Security: Face ID</li> <li>Media Engine: Hardware-accelerated 8K H.264, HEVC, ProRes, and ProRes RAW Video decode and encode engine, ProRes encode and decode engine, AV1 decode</li> <li>Battery Life: Up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi, and 9 hours on Cellular networks</li> <li>Audio: Four speaker audio, Four studio-quality microphones</li> <li>Connectivity: USB?C connector with support for Thunderbolt / USB 4, Wi-Fi 6E, 5G Cellular</li> <li>Weight: 11-inch model - 0.98 pound; 13-inch model - 1.28 pounds</li> <li>Dimensions: 11-inch model - 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches; 13-inch model - 11.09 x 8.48 x 0.20 inches</li> </ul> <h3>Apple Pencil Pro</h3> Apple has also <a href="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/05/apple-unveils-stunning-new-ipad-pro-with-m4-chip-and-apple-pencil-pro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">announced</a> a new stylus called the Apple Pencil Pro. The accessory has some new features such as haptic feedback, barrel roll to change the orientation of pen and brush tools, squeeze to open a palette to switch tools, colors, line weights. It also supports Find My network, which can help you find your lost Apple Pencil. The device costs $125, and you can get a free engraving with it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205515" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Pencil-Pro-features-scaled.jpg" alt="Apple Pencil Pro features" width="751" height="1200" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Pencil-Pro-features-scaled.jpg 751w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Pencil-Pro-features-962x1536.jpg 962w" sizes="(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px" /> So we now have 4 different <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/apple-pencil-with-usb-c-port-officially-announced/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">styluses</a> from Apple. That's not confusing at all, here's a comparison chart to help you. The new Apple Pencil Pro is compatible with the iPad Air M2 11-inch and 13-inch models, and the iPad Air M4 11-inch and 13-inch models. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205516" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Apple-Pencil-Pro-iPad-compatibility-scaled.jpg" alt="Apple Pencil Pro iPad compatibility" width="968" height="1200" /> The new Apple iPad Pro price starts at $1,000/£1,000/€1,200 in the U.S./U.K. and EU respectively. The tablet is available for purchase in 29 Countries around the world. The Cupertino company has slashed the price of the 10th gen iPad, which is now available for $349. One more thing that's worth mentioning is that the new iPad Pro does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack. I saw a report about how the new tablets don't come with stickers, because of the company's eco-friendly policies. Sure, remove stickers and the headphone jack, and sell expensive plastic earbuds, cases, and chargers, that is eco-friendlier, right? <h3>iPadOS has stagnated</h3> Apple needs to get it together and reinvent iPadOS. I've had an iPad for over 7 years, and I feel that Apple's tablets are simply not worth it anymore. The hardware on the devices may be fantastic, but the software experience is just ridiculously bad. Yes, you can play AAA games like Death Stranding, Assassin's Creed Mirage, etc. But the fact remains that the tablets are limited to apps that are available on the App store, and those apps are not impressive, and are often scaled poorly. Why equip an iPad with a powerful processor if it is going to be crippled by an awful app ecosystem? No jokes about Stage Manager! Oh wait, there have been rumors about a Calculator app being added to iPadOS 18, that should need some powerful hardware. In its current state, the iPad lineup is nothing more than a glorified iPhone with a bigger display. But, the sad truth is that iPads are extremely popular, so it won't make Apple change things. People love to gift them to their friends and family, kids like playing games on it, and it's probably good for casual users for browsing, email, chat, and streaming videos. Do you really need an M4 Apple Silicon chipset for these tasks? No. Sure, artists and studio workers may appreciate the stylus, but I think the removal of the headphone jack might dissuade them from buying the new iPad. I love my MacBook, and I think the iPad could be a wonderful device if only it supported macOS. Oh, but that would mean giving up on the sweet money it earns from the iOS App Store, right? That would make a bad impression on shareholders, wouldn't it? And that sadly is what Apple seems to care about. Well, at least the EU didn't accept Apple's requests to not make iPadOS a gatekeeper, so there's that. Overall, I think the new Apple iPad Pro is impressive in terms of design and specs, but it's probably not worth it. You can get a MacBook Air for about the same price or cheaper, and those laptops have an excellent display and keyboard, stellar battery life, arguably the best trackpads ever made, a USB-C charging port, and of course, a 3.5mm headphone jack. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/09/apple-launches-ipad-pro-with-m4-chip-but-removes-the-headphone-jack/" data-wpel-link="internal">Apple launches iPad Pro with M4 chip, but removes the headphone jack</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Unactivated Windows 11 systems could soon block access to Microsoft Edge settings

Wed, 08 May 2024 09:02:09 -0000

Microsoft is testing new activation related restrictions on Windows 11 currently that affect the system's integrated Microsoft Edge browser. Windows 11 can be installed without a product key. This leaves the operating […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Unactivated Windows 11 systems could soon block access to Microsoft Edge settings appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft is testing new activation related restrictions on Windows 11 currently that affect the system's integrated Microsoft Edge browser. Windows 11 can be installed without a product key. This leaves the operating system in an unactivated state. While the system works fine for the most part, it does display reminders and a watermark, and does prevent access to certain personalization options, such as setting wallpapers (<a href="https://www.ghacks.net/how-to-change-windows-10s-wallpaper-without-activation/" data-wpel-link="internal">there is a way around that</a>). <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205511" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/you-need-to-activate-windows.png" alt="Activate Windows" width="1440" height="900" /> Windows 11 works fine in most areas. You can install programs, use the Microsoft Store, update the operating system, or make administrative changes. Soon, Microsoft may block access to some Microsoft Edge settings however. <h2>Microsoft Edge Settings blocked</h2> Discovered by our colleagues <a href="https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/05/08/microsoft-edge-experiment-blocks-access-to-settings-if-windows-11-is-not-activated/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">over at</a> Windows Latest, and verified by us, Microsoft is testing several activation related flags in recent Edge Canary builds. These lock access to settings and may display notifications that Windows 11 is not activated. The easiest way to test this is to install Windows 11 without providing a product key in a virtual machine. The system is not activated in this case, unless you sign-in with a Microsoft account that has a linked digital Windows-key associated with it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205512" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/edge-windows-not-activated.png" alt="Edge Windows 11 not activated" width="1440" height="900" /> Once enabled, Edge displays the following message in Settings on systems that are not activated: "We notice your Windows is not activated, some customization has been limited". This notice is shown on every page of the Settings. Not many settings are blocked at the time of writing. The "When Edge starts" preference is inaccessible, which means that you can't change anymore how Edge opens. In other words, it is not possible to switch from Edge's new tab page to another start page or resting the previous session. The test is a work in progress. It is possible that Microsoft is going to add more restrictions to the settings of the browser in future updates. <h2>Why is Microsoft testing the change?</h2> There is no official statement from Microsoft about the change or the motivation behind it. While it may impact consumers, the likelier target seems to be organizations. After all, it takes just a few seconds to install another browser on Windows 11: <ol> <li>Open Start.</li> <li>Type cmd and press the Enter-key.</li> <li>Type winget install Mozilla Firefox and press the Enter-key again.</li> </ol> You can replace Mozilla Firefox with the name of another browser, e.g., Google Chrome, Brave, Vivaldi, or Opera. For organizations, implications may be more severe. Employees may be required to use Edge. When they see the activation message, they might ask their coworkers or superiors about it, or, in case of disgruntled employees, report the incident. <h2>Closing Words</h2> It remains to be seen if Microsoft implements the change in Microsoft Edge stable. If it does, it might even drive some home users to using a different browser. What is your take on the feature? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/08/not-activated-windows-11-systems-could-soon-block-access-to-microsoft-edge-settings/" data-wpel-link="internal">Unactivated Windows 11 systems could soon block access to Microsoft Edge settings</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
TunnelVision attack against VPNs breaks anonymity and bypasses encryption

Tue, 07 May 2024 11:45:57 -0000

Researchers from Leviathan Security have discovered a new vulnerability that affects virtual private networks (VPNs) on most platforms. VPNs serve multiple purposes. They encrypt all traffic when connected to a VPN server […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post TunnelVision attack against VPNs breaks anonymity and bypasses encryption appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Researchers from Leviathan Security have <a href="https://www.leviathansecurity.com/blog/tunnelvision" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">discovered</a> a new vulnerability that affects virtual private networks (VPNs) on most platforms. VPNs serve multiple purposes. They encrypt all traffic when connected to a VPN server to prevent eavesdropping and tampering. VPNs furthermore help users stay anonymous, as the VPNs IP address is revealed to websites and services. TunnelVision is a new attack that manipulates traffic using rogue DHCP servers. All of this happens without dropping of the VPN connection or kill-switch functionality taking note and blocking all Internet connectivity. For the user, the VPN connection appears to work without issues. <h2>TunnelVision Fact Sheet</h2> <ul> <li>Works on all major platforms except for Android.</li> <li>A potential fix could be developed for Linux.</li> <li>Requires a rogue DHCP server.</li> <li>Vulnerability could date back to 2002.</li> </ul> <h2>TunnelVision in action</h2> The attack requires access to a DHCP server that the target's device communicates with. The core purpose of DHCP servers is to provide and assign IP addresses to client devices. DHCP servers support a preference called <a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/rfc3442" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">option code 121</a>, which the attack uses to route the traffic of the target's device through the DHCP server. The researches explain: "Our technique is to run a DHCP server on the same network as a targeted VPN user and to also set our DHCP configuration to use itself as a gateway. When the traffic hits our gateway, we use traffic forwarding rules on the DHCP server to pass traffic through to a legitimate gateway while we snoop on it." For the attack to work, it is necessary that the target accepts "a DHCP lease" from the rogue DHCP server and that option 121 is implemented. The researches note that attackers who are on the same network as the target may "become their DHCP server" using a number of attack techniques. Having administrative control over the network is another possibility to attack users who use VPNs to protect their data. Some or all of a target's traffic may be routed through the unencrypted channel. The VPN program or app continues to report that all data is protected, even while that is not the case. A proof of concept video was published on YouTube: <iframe loading="lazy" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ajsLmZia6UU?si=eue1yA_R5cmh3KAN" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <h2>Potential fixes for the issue</h2> The technical blog post lists several potential fixes or mitigations. Not all are without problems, however: <ul> <li>Network Namespaces -- The feature could fix the vulnerability on Linux, but it "less commonly implemented".</li> <li>Firewall rules -- Denying all inbound and outbound traffic to and from the physical interface using firewall rules. This introduces " selective denial of service for traffic using the DHCP route" and "a side-channel".</li> <li>Ignore Option 121 -- A potential mitigation is to ignore option 121 while VPN connections are active. Android does not support the option at all, which is why it is unaffected by the vulnerability. This must be implemented on the OS level.</li> <li>Use of a hotspot or virtual machine -- Hotspots or virtual machines mitigate the vulnerability, as the attacker does not have access to this temporary network.</li> </ul> What about you? Do you use VPNs frequently or regularly? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/07/tunnelvision-attack-against-vpns-breaks-anonymity-and-bypasses-encryption/" data-wpel-link="internal">TunnelVision attack against VPNs breaks anonymity and bypasses encryption</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Google now lets you set up 2-Step Verification without adding a phone number

Tue, 07 May 2024 06:51:50 -0000

Google has announced that it is streamlining the process of setting up 2-Step Verification (2SV) for user accounts. Users can now enable 2SV without adding a phone number. Prior to this change, […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Google now lets you set up 2-Step Verification without adding a phone number appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Google has announced that it is streamlining the process of setting up 2-Step Verification (2SV) for user accounts. Users can now enable 2SV without adding a phone number. Prior to this change, Google required users to provide their phone number, before they could set up a 2SV method. Now, when you go to your account settings and enroll into the verification method, you can skip the phone number if you want to use one of the other methods. While the article published by Google highlights the fact that this change will aid admins to enforce 2SV policies in their organizations, this is a welcome move for all users. That's because relying on a phone number is not a secure option, since SMS based one-time passcodes (OTPs) can be obtained by hackers, of if your device is stolen. <h3>Google no longer requires users to add a phone number before setting up 2-Step Verification</h3> Google lets you choose between 3 options for setting up a 2-step verification. You may opt to use an authenticator app like Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator. I would suggest looking into open source alternatives such as <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.beemdevelopment.aegis" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Aegis Authenticator</a> for Android, or 2FAS (<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.twofasapp" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Android</a>, <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/2fas-auth/id1217793794" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">iOS</a>) or Ente Auth (<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.ente.auth" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Android</a>, <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ente-auth/id6444121398" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">iOS</a>). Optionally, you can use a hardware security key such as a YubiKey to protect your Google account. Google says that the keys will be registered as FIDO1 credential even if the key is FIDO2 capable. On the other hand, you can create a passkey for your Google account, and this will register it as a FIDO2 credential. A passkey will require users to input their key's PIN for local verification. On a side note, Microsoft recently added support for Passkeys for all user accounts. WhatsApp Messenger also introduced Passkeys to allow users to relogin to their accounts securely. Bitwarden Password Manager now supports passkeys on Android and iOS. It is clear that passkeys are quickly rising in popularity. As a matter of fact, Google recently revealed that its users have used passkeys for authentication over 1 billion times across over 400 million accounts in less than a year. Interested in setting it up? Follow <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/03/how-to-set-up-a-passkey-for-your-google-account/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">our tutorial</a> to create a passkey for your Google account using your fingerprint reader, Face ID, or your device's screen lock code. The Mountain View company also says that when a user who had 2SV enabled for their account disables the setting, other enrolled second steps such as backup codes, Google Authenticator, or a second factor phone, will not be removed automatically from their account anymore. This will likely be helpful in preventing users from being locked out of their accounts, especially when switching to a new device. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205505" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Set-up-2-Step-Verification-for-your-Google-account.jpg" alt="Set up 2-Step Verification for your Google account" width="1200" height="608" /> The best part is that the new 2-Step Verification process is not exclusive to Google Workspace customers, it is available for all users including personal accounts. The <a href="https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2024/05/updates-for-configuring-two-step-verification-for-your-google-account.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">announcement</a> mentions that the change is being implemented over the next two days. If you have not done so already, you can enable 2-step verification for your Google Account from your Account's <a href="https://myaccount.google.com/security" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">security page</a>. Enabling 2SV will protect your account from being hacked, even if your password is leaked. Which 2SV method do you use, an authenticator app or a hardware security key? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/07/google-now-lets-you-set-up-2-step-verification-without-adding-a-phone-number/" data-wpel-link="internal">Google now lets you set up 2-Step Verification without adding a phone number</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
How to block Windows 11 from encrypting drives during installation

Mon, 06 May 2024 12:22:06 -0000

A clean installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11 may enable Bitlocker drive encryption automatically. The main system partition and all fixed drives will be encrypted in this case after the out-of-box […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post How to block Windows 11 from encrypting drives during installation appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

A clean installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11 may enable Bitlocker drive encryption automatically. The main system partition and all fixed drives will be encrypted in this case after the out-of-box experience. Bitlocker protects data on the PC against unauthorized access by encrypting partitions and drives. Microsoft calls this specific BitLocker feature <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security/operating-system-security/data-protection/bitlocker/#device-encryption" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">device encryption</a>: "Device encryption is a Windows feature that provides a simple way for some devices to enable BitLocker encryption automatically". Problem is, since the encryption process happens automatically in this case, users may not be aware of it. This can lead to issues, for instance when reinstalling the operating system without saving the Bitlocker recovery key or using a Microsoft account. Access to files is lost in the worst case. Thankfully, there are ways to block Windows from enabling the automatic encryption of drives during clean installs. <h2>Option 1: during installation</h2> New PCs come with a preinstallation of Windows. This speeds up the setup process, but it also gives users less control. Step 1: It begins on the country or region selection screen. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205496" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/windows-11-installation.png" alt="Windows 11 Install" width="1024" height="768" /> Step 2: Open the Registry Editor <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205497" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/regedit.png" alt="Registry Editor" width="1024" height="768" /> <ol> <li>Use the keyboard shortcut Shift-F10 to open a command prompt window.</li> <li>Type regedit and press the Enter-key.</li> </ol> This opens the Registry Editor. Step 3: Disable automatic encryption using BitLocker <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205498" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/preventdevicencryption.png" alt="Prevent Device Encryption" width="1019" height="768" /> <ol> <li>Use the structure on the left to go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BitLocker</li> <li>Right-click on BitLocker and select New > Dword (32-bit) Value.</li> <li>Name it PreventDeviceEncryption.</li> <li>Double-click on it and change its value to 1.</li> <li>Close the Registry Editor.</li> <li>Close the Command Prompt window.</li> </ol> Continue with the installation. <h2>Option 2: Manipulating an ISO image</h2> It is also possible to modify an ISO image directly. This requires a USB device with at least 16 GB of storage. The Windows installation is copied to the USB device and the PC is booted from the USB device to install Windows. Here is how this works: Step 1: Download Rufus Rufus is a free program to create bootable USB drives. You can download the latest version for Windows from <a href="https://rufus.ie/en/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">the homepage</a>. Step 2: Run Rufus Rufus does not need to be installed. Just double-click on the downloaded executable file to start the app. Make sure you give your okay for online update checks, if you do not have a Windows ISO image already. This allows you to download the ISO using Rufus. Step 3a: download the ISO using Rufus <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205499" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rufus-download-windows.png" alt="Rufus Download Windows" width="617" height="300" /> Switch from select to download in the upper half of the interface. Activate Download again to start the process. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205500" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/rufus.png" alt="Rufus download" width="380" height="334" /> Select the version of Windows, edition, language and architecture. It may take a while for the download to complete. Step 3b: select an ISO that is already on your device Make sure select, and not download, is selected in the Rufus interface. Click on the select button and use the file browser that opens to select the ISO image. Step 4: Preparing the ISO <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205501" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/disable-bitlocker-automatic-device-encryption.png" alt="Disable Bitlocker Automatic Device Encryption" width="896" height="703" /> Select Device at the top to pick a device that you want to copy the Windows installation files to. Note that you cannot pick fixed hard drives. Once done, activate the start button at the very bottom. Rufus displays the Windows User Experience window. Make sure Disable BitLocker automatic device encryption is checked. This prevents the automatic encryption of drives using BitLocker during installation of Windows. Select OK to continue. The program writes the files to the selected USB device. <h2>Bonus Tip: check the BitLocker status</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205495" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/bitlocker-status.png" alt="Bitlocker Status" width="979" height="512" /> A simple command reveals the status of all drives and partitions in regards to BitLocker encryption. Here is how that works: <ol> <li>Open Start.</li> <li>Type CMD.</li> <li>Select "run as administrator" while Command Prompt is selected.</li> <li>Paste manage-bde -status and press the Enter-key.</li> </ol> Check any of the following parameters: BitLocker version, Conversion status, Percentage encrypted, Encryption method, Lock status, Identification field, or Key protectors. If you see "none, "fully decrypted", "0.0%", "None", "Protection Off", "Unlocked", "None", and "None Found", then the drive is not encrypted using BitLocker. You can disable the protection by running the command manage-bde –off DRIVELETTER, e.g., manage-bde –off C: from an elevated command prompt. What about you? Do you use encryption, maybe even BitLocker? (inspiration from <a href="https://www.deskmodder.de/blog/2024/05/04/windows-11-24h2-bitlocker-verschluesselung-wird-automatisch-bei-der-neuinstallation-aktiviert/#comments" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Deskmodder</a>) Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/06/how-to-block-windows-11-from-encrypting-drives-during-installation/" data-wpel-link="internal">How to block Windows 11 from encrypting drives during installation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Mozilla blames recaptcha issue in Firefox on Google

Fri, 03 May 2024 11:06:44 -0000

Mozilla confirmed a recaptcha issue in the organization's Firefox web browser yesterday evening. Affected Firefox users see a spinning animation when they try to solve the captcha, which means that they are […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Mozilla blames recaptcha issue in Firefox on Google appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Mozilla confirmed a recaptcha issue in the organization's Firefox web browser yesterday evening. Affected Firefox users see a spinning animation when they try to solve the captcha, which means that they are unable to do so. The result is that they cannot access the website or service. A workaround is available. The issue affects all major versions of Firefox for Windows that are supported by Mozilla as well as older versions. This includes Firefox 125, the current stable version of Firefox, the development versions 126 and 127, and also Firefox ESR 115. Mozilla says that the issue is not caused by changes that it made to Firefox. Instead, it believes that Google is the culprit and it makes the following points to back this up: <ul> <li>The issue affects new and old Firefox installations alike. It affects Firefox ESR, Firefox Stable, and also Firefox releases that were released last year and are no longer supported.</li> <li>Changing the user agent to Firefox for Linux or Chrome for Windows makes the captchas work again.</li> <li>Changing the user agent of Chrome to Firefox for Windows breaks the captchas in Chrome as well.</li> </ul> <h2>Workaround for the Firefox captcha issue</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205488" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/firefox-recaptcha-issue-workaround.png" alt="Firefox captcha issue workaround " width="1271" height="521" /> Firefox users who run into the issue may resolve it in the following way: <ol> <li>Type about:config in the Firefox address bar.</li> <li>Search for general.useragent.override.</li> <li>Switch to String and activate the add-icon.</li> <li>Copy and paste the following string into the field: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:125.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/125.0.</li> <li>Click on the edit icon next to the line to save the change.</li> </ol> Firefox identifies as Firefox for Linux now. You may also use a different user agent, e.g., that for Chrome for Windows. Note: you may want to delete the entry again once the issue is fixed. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Provided that Mozilla's assessment of Google being the culprit is correct, it highlights a major issue. Google, being also one of the main competitors of Mozilla, has also control over large popular Internet services. This includes websites such as Google Search, Gmail, or YouTube, but also behind-the-scenes services such as recaptcha. Even unintentional changes may have severe consequences for Firefox and other competing browsers, especially if they do not use Chromium as the core. Check out the<a href="https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1894735#09" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer"> bug report</a> for additional information about the issue and fixes. Do you use Firefox? Have you experienced issues with captchas recently? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/03/mozilla-blames-recaptcha-issue-in-firefox-on-google/" data-wpel-link="internal">Mozilla blames recaptcha issue in Firefox on Google</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft introduces Passkeys support for consumer accounts

Fri, 03 May 2024 10:22:48 -0000

Microsoft is celebrating World Password Day by announcing a new feature. All Microsoft consumer accounts now support Passkeys. Microsoft first added support for Passkeys in Windows 11 last year, but it only […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft introduces Passkeys support for consumer accounts appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft is celebrating World Password Day by announcing a new feature. All Microsoft consumer accounts now support Passkeys. Microsoft first added support for Passkeys in Windows 11 <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/06/23/how-to-use-and-manage-passkeys-in-windows-11/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">last year</a>, but it only supported a few services, including Gmail. Now, the company has enabled Passkeys support for all consumer accounts, i.e. home users. You can use the passwordless login method to sign in to your Microsoft accounts. It seems rather strange that it has taken Microsoft a full year to add support for its own services. Passkeys can be used to sign in to Microsoft apps and websites on desktop and mobile browsers. You may also use it with Microsoft 365 and Copilot. Passkeys contain your account credentials and consist of a cryptographic key pair, one of which is stored securely on your device, while the other one is saved by the website. Since the sign in method require both keys to unlock access to an account, passkeys are phishing-resistant, as opposed to traditional passwords which can be stolen, leaked, hacked, etc. <h3>How to set up a Passkey for your Microsoft account</h3> 1. Visit the <a href="https://account.live.com/proofs/Manage/additional" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Security page</a> for your Microsoft account. 2. You will be greeted by a pop-up that presents you with various options. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205485" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-set-up-a-Passkey-for-your-Microsoft-account.jpg" alt="How to set up a Passkey for your Microsoft account" width="442" height="430" /> 3. Select the first one, which allows you to sign in with a passkey with your face or fingerprint, or set up a PIN, or a security key. 4. Next, you will need to select where the passkey should be saved. There are three methods to save the passkey. You may use your biometric data, which requires a phone or set up a PIN, or choose the security key option if you use something like a YubiKey. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205483" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-save-a-Passkey-for-your-Microsoft-account.jpg" alt="How to save a Passkey for your Microsoft account" width="506" height="455" /> Note: You can also save your Passkey in third-party apps like Bitwarden Password Manager. But, for the sake of this tutorial, I saved my Passkey using Face ID on my iPhone. 5. Scan the QR code displayed on the screen with your phone's camera app, and it should prompt you to save a passkey. Proceed, and it should save the login credentials securely on your device. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205482" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-use-a-Passkey-with-your-Microsoft-account.jpg" alt="How to use a Passkey with your Microsoft account" width="456" height="416" /> 6. Once you have set it up, you can use the passkey to log in to websites and apps without entering your password. And yes, it works across all browsers including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc. If you lose your device, you can sign in to your account using your password, and revoke the passkey. Passkeys can be synced with devices The mobile versions of Microsoft's apps do not support passkeys yet, the company's announcement <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2024/05/02/microsoft-introduces-passkeys-for-consumer-accounts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">mentions</a> that it will roll out the feature for its Android and iOS apps in the coming weeks. <h3>Google says Passkeys were used 1 Billion times in less than a year</h3> On a side note, Google has <a href="https://blog.google/technology/safety-security/google-passkeys-update-april-2024/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">published</a> some details about Passkeys. The Mountain View company says that passkeys were used to authenticate users more than 1 billion times across over 400 million Google Accounts, in less than a year. Google says it will roll out support for passkeys in its Advanced Protection Program (APP), which protects individuals at high risk of targeted attacks such as campaign workers and candidates, journalists, human rights workers, etc. Passkeys are clearly becoming popular across platforms. Password managers including <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/26/bitwarden-launches-passkeys-support-in-mobile-apps-for-android-and-ios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Bitwarden</a>, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/03/11/keepassxc-adds-support-for-passkeys-improves-database-import-from-bitwarden-and-1password/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">KeePassXC</a>, 1Password and Dashlane have added support for Passkeys. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/26/whatsapp-for-ios-adds-support-for-passkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">WhatsApp Messenger</a> recently announced that it has added an option to use the passwordless login method in its iOS mobile app, having added it to its Android app last year. Do you use Passkeys? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/03/microsoft-introduces-passkeys-support-for-consumer-accounts/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft introduces Passkeys support for consumer accounts</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft confirms it can't fix KB5034441 0x80070643 error on Windows 10

Thu, 02 May 2024 05:16:56 -0000

Microsoft has officially confirmed that it will not fix the KB5034441 0x80070643 error on Windows 10. Users ran into the error in January this year, when the company released the first set […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft confirms it can't fix KB5034441 0x80070643 error on Windows 10 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft has officially confirmed that it will not fix the KB5034441 0x80070643 error on Windows 10. Users ran into the error in <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/09/the-first-windows-security-updates-of-2024-are-here/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">January</a> this year, when the company released the first set of security updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11. However, the Patch Tuesday release came with a problem of its own, the KB5034441 0x80070643 error. For those unaware, here is a brief description of the issue. Trying to install the update on Windows 10 resulted in an error message that said Error Install Failure, and it would not go away even if you tried to reinstall the update. It affected the following platforms: Windows 11 version 21H2, Windows 10 version 22H2, Windows 10 version 21H2 and Windows Server 2022. The error was soon <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/15/microsoft-confirms-0x80070643-error-during-windows-update-installation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">acknowledged</a> as a known issue by Microsoft, and it explained that the update patched a security flaw related to the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Attackers could have exploited the vulnerability to bypass BitLocker encryption using WinRE. The actual problem with the update was that it could not install the update because the recovery partition was not large enough, aka insufficient disk space. FYI, the WinRE partition requires 250 megabytes of free space to install the update. Ironically, some users who experienced the error said that they do not even have a recovery partition on their computer. That's because the update was failing to detect whether the partition existed. Microsoft could not pull the update because of the nature of the patch, i.e. it is a high security risk that it poses, it has to be addressed. This also meant that users continued to experience the error every time they checked for updates and tried to download the package. <h3>Microsoft says it can't fix KB5034441 0x80070643 error via Windows Update </h3> Users have been waiting for a fix for it for four months, and now Microsoft says it cannot fix it. As <a href="https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-admits-it-cant-fix-windows-10-kb5034441-0x80070643---errorinstallfailure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Neowin</a> reports, a support page on the Redmond company's website states that an automatic resolution of the KB5034441 0x80070643 error will not be available in a future Windows update. That sounds bad, but don't worry. It doesn't necessarily mean the problem cannot be fixed. There are solutions available for it, but Microsoft says that users will need to resolve the issue manually. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205472" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/How-to-fix-KB5034441-0x80070643-error-on-Windows-10.jpg" alt="How to fix KB5034441 0x80070643 error on Windows 10" width="1122" height="933" /> The company has provided some<a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-au/windows/release-health/status-windows-10-22H2#the-january-2024-windows-re-update-might-fail-to-install" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> instructions</a> on how to fix the issue, i.e. to increase the size of the WinRE partition. It may seem like a daunting task, but take it one step at a time, and you should be able to do it. You may want to take a look at Martin's tutorial to learn <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/10/fix-0x80070643-error-install-failure-when-trying-to-install-windows-update/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">how to fix the 0x80070643 error</a> install failure using Disk Management. A lot of users may not be tech-savvy to make the changes themselves. There is an easier way to extend the Windows RE Partition. Microsoft has provided a codescript that you can copy and paste in PowerShell, you can find the code <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/add-update-to-winre?view=windows-11#extend-the-windows-re-partition" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">here</a>. I recommend taking a backup of your PC before trying the above script, just to be on the safer side. Did you run into the 0x80070643 error? Share your experience with us in the comments. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/02/microsoft-confirms-it-cant-fix-kb5034441-0x80070643-error-on-windows-10/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft confirms it can't fix KB5034441 0x80070643 error on Windows 10</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Bitwarden launches standalone Bitwarden Authenticator app

Thu, 02 May 2024 05:11:49 -0000

Bitwarden has released a first public version of Bitwarden Authenticator, a two-factor authentication app for Android and iOS. The app generates codes for services, which are then required to sign to accounts. […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Bitwarden launches standalone Bitwarden Authenticator app appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Bitwarden has released a first public version of Bitwarden Authenticator, a two-factor authentication app for Android and iOS. The app generates codes for services, which are then required to sign to accounts. This second step of authentication improves account security. Attackers would need access to the username and password, and the time-based code to gain access to the account. The Bitwarden password manager supports generating two factor authentication codes already, but the feature requires a premium account. While supported, some users may prefer to separate the generation of two factor authentication codes from their password manager. Bitwarden users may also use the authenticator to generate codes for access to Bitwarden's password manager. It is also possible to <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/11/bitwarden-how-to-create-and-use-passkeys-to-sign-in/" data-wpel-link="internal">use passkeys to sign in to Bitwarden</a>. The authenticator app is free to use, which means that it is available to all Bitwarden users and everyone else. Tip: you can check out our <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/02/27/best-authenticator-apps-for-android-and-ios/" data-wpel-link="internal">list of the best authenticator apps for Android and iOS here</a>. <h2>Bitwarden Authenticator</h2> Bitwarden Authenticator is available for iOS and Android. Like Bitwarden, it is an open source application. Interested users may access the GitHub repositories for <a href="https://github.com/bitwarden/authenticator-android" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Android</a> and <a href="https://github.com/bitwarden/authenticator-ios" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">iOS</a>. The app does not require the password manager Bitwarden, it can be used as a standalone program. An account is not required either. Bitwarden Authenticator works like other authenticator apps. The initial version offers basic functionality only, though. A short intro explains the core concept on first run. Click on the plus icon to set up a new service. You may use the device's camera to scan a QR code or type a code manually. To get these, it is necessary to sign in to the account that you want to protect with two-factor authentication. The authenticator app supports TOTP, which most online services do support. The application does not support extra protection at this point. There is no option to set up a password. Other authenticator apps, for instance <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/02/24/aegis-authenticator-open-source-google-authenticator-and-authy-alternative/" data-wpel-link="internal">Aegis</a>, support this security feature. Data is backed up only as part of the phone's backup. This is changing in the future. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/04/25/google-authenticator-adds-support-for-syncing-2fa-codes-to-the-cloud/" data-wpel-link="internal">Google Authenticator added support for syncing 2FA codes last year.</a> <h2>Big plans</h2> Bitwarden <a href="https://bitwarden.com/blog/bitwarden-just-launched-a-new-authenticator-app-heres-what-it-means-to-users/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">published</a> a roadmap that highlights upcoming features. These improve the authenticator app significantly. Here are the features that are in the works: <ul> <li>Import option.</li> <li>Sync option with Bitwarden account and thus secure vault.</li> <li>Support for push-based 2FA.</li> <li>Account recovery.</li> <li>Workforce authentication.</li> </ul> <h2>Closing Words</h2> The initial version of Bitwarden Authenticator is a bare bones authenticator app. You can add services to it to create authenticator codes for them. On the plus side, it is open source and does not require Bitwarden or an account to use. Downside is that it lacks features, for instance sync or password protection, that popular authenticators support. These are in development, however. Import could also be an interesting feature, provided that popular authenticator apps are supported. The application is a good option for Bitwarden users who want to protect their account with another layer of protection, and have not done so already. Uses who already use another authenticator app may want to wait until importing becomes available, as manual switching is cumbersome. Do you use authenticator apps to protect your accounts? What is your preferred authenticator apps right now, and would you consider using Bitwarden Authenticator? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/02/bitwarden-launches-standalone-bitwarden-authenticator-app/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bitwarden launches standalone Bitwarden Authenticator app</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Arc Browser is now available for Windows 11

Wed, 01 May 2024 07:24:58 -0000

Arc Browser, a Chromium-based browser, is now available for Windows. The browser was previously available as a waitlist-restricted beta version. If you added your name to the waitlist, but never received an […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Arc Browser is now available for Windows 11 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Arc Browser, a Chromium-based browser, is now <a href="https://arc.net/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">available</a> for Windows. The browser was previously available as a waitlist-restricted beta version. If you added your name to the waitlist, but never received an invite, now is your chance to give it a try. <h2>What you need to know about Arc Browser</h2> Arc Browser is only available for Windows 11. You cannot install it on Windows 10 or any other version of Windows. It is also not a browser that you install and run right away. The developers have added several mandatory steps to the setup process. First, you are required to create an account. There is no option to skip this step. While that is okay for users who want to use the built-in sync functionality, it may feel invasive for users who have no such plans. Second, you need to select a browser to import data from. There is no option to skip this step either. Third, Arc Browser is based on Chromium. This means that you can install Chrome extensions and get good web compatibility. Downside is that you also get any negative feature that Google implements in Chromium. The privacy policy <a href="https://arc.net/privacy#what-personal-data-do-we-collect-and-how-do-we-collect-it" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">reveals</a> that Arc may use the email address to contact users. There you also discover that the browser collects product usage data automatically. <h2>The browser itself</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205464" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/arc-browser-windows.png" alt="Arc Browser" width="2560" height="1493" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/arc-browser-windows.png 2560w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/arc-browser-windows-1536x896.png 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/arc-browser-windows-2048x1194.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /> Arc Browser's interface looks different when compared to most browsers. Tabs are on the side. You find tab groups there as well, which are placed inside folders that you can collapse and expand. The main toolbar is slim. The left side has buttons to open the browser menu and toggle the visibility of the sidebar. The center area shows just the domain name of the site by default. Even subdomains, e.g., www, are not shown. This is a questionable design choice, as there is plenty of space available to show the full URL there. To see it, it is necessary to click on the domain. Arc Browser has back, forward, and reload buttons, a button to copy the URL to the Clipboard, and a button to access site data. Here you find the list of extensions that run on the current page. Not all extension icons are shown on the browser's main toolbar by default. A click on an extension icon opens its settings or menu. The browser comes with uBlock Origin preinstalled. It is a highly regarded content blocker. It can be removed, if you do not want to use it. Arc Browser supports a number of interesting features. Here is a quick overview: <ul> <li>Note taking and whiteboard (called Easel) support.</li> <li>Boosts feature to create custom themes for websites, e.g., changing the font or colors.</li> <li>Mini player to play audio and video in a small floating window.</li> <li>Preview feature to preview content of select services such as Gmail, Outlook, or GitHub.</li> </ul> You can check out <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/07/26/arc-browser-is-now-available-for-all-mac-users-windows-version-in-the-works/" data-wpel-link="internal">Ashwin's review of the Mac version of Arc Browser</a> for additional details. <h3>Verdict</h3> Arc Browser is a hyped browser that is finally available for Windows 11. This is great news for users who use it on other devices already, and for users who want to give it a try. Not all users may like the mandatory creation of an account or imports from other browsers. Some may close setup at this step. Tab management takes some time to getting used to. While vertical tabs are nothing new, Arc browser separates tabs into favorites, spaces, and open tabs. You can, in theory, remove all favorites and spaces to end up with a single vertical tab bar for all tabs. There is also the question about revenue. How is the Browser Company going to make money to finance development and other expenses? It is still unclear at this point. The CEO of Arc <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVda3zFLlhc&t=333s" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">highlighted</a> some of the options in a video posted over a year ago on YouTube. There, he mentioned Arc for Teams, Boosts, and a potential store to sell these customizations. What about you? Have you tried Arc Browser before or do you plan to? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/05/01/arc-browser-is-now-available-for-windows-11/" data-wpel-link="internal">Arc Browser is now available for Windows 11</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Netflix starts pushing Basic users to other plans forcefully

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:05:18 -0000

Netflix has started to ask basic plan customers to pick another plan to continue using the service without interruption. The streaming company has been at war with the Basic plan for some […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Netflix starts pushing Basic users to other plans forcefully appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Netflix has <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinfuriating/comments/1cgde33/netflix_is_discontinuing_its_most_popular_and/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">started</a> to ask basic plan customers to pick another plan to continue using the service without interruption. The streaming company has been at war with the Basic plan for some time. Basic, which is Netflix's cheapest ad-free plan, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/06/25/netflix-drops-cheapest-ad-free-plan-in-canada/" data-wpel-link="internal">has not been available</a> for selection during sign-up for some time. Now it appears that Netflix is going to discontinue the plan altogether. The decision affects current Netflix customers who are subscribed to the basic plan. Basic, available for $9.99 in the United States and in a selection of other countries, streams content in HD quality and download content to one device. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/19/netflix-hikes-the-price-of-its-basic-and-premium-plans/" data-wpel-link="internal">Netflix did increase the price of Basic</a> in October 2023 for the last time. Netflix is asking customers to "choose a new plan to keep watching". The company explains that it values its customers, but that it is taking away the basic plan regardless of that. <h2>The choice</h2> Customers have two main choices: <ul> <li>Switch to a different plan on Netflix.</li> <li>Do nothing and have the membership cancelled automatically.</li> </ul> The plans: <table width="481"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="147"></td> <td width="64">Basic</td> <td width="115">Standard with Ads</td> <td width="91">Standard </td> <td width="64">Premium</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr> <td>Price</td> <td>$9.99</td> <td>$5.99</td> <td>$16.99</td> <td>$22.99</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Resolution</td> <td>720p</td> <td>1080p</td> <td>1080p</td> <td>4K HDR</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3D Audio</td> <td>No</td> <td>No</td> <td>No</td> <td>Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Stream on</td> <td>1 device</td> <td>2</td> <td>2</td> <td>4</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Download to</td> <td>1 device</td> <td>2</td> <td>2</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Extra Members</td> <td>No</td> <td>No</td> <td>1</td> <td>2</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Netflix has three plans that customers may choose from. These are: <ul> <li>Standard with ads -- available for $5.99, includes advertisement, Full HD video, watch and download on up to 2 devices. "A few" movies and TV shows are not available. Was previously <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/01/netflixs-ad-powered-plan-is-so-successful-it-is-now-called-standard-with-ads/" data-wpel-link="internal">known as Basic with Ads</a>.</li> <li>Standard -- available for $16.49, Full HD video, watch and download on up to 2 devices. Option to add 1 extra member.</li> <li>Premium -- available for $22.99, Ultra HD video, watch and download on up to 4 devices. Option to add 2 extra members. Netflix spatial audio support.</li> </ul> Customers who do not switch to another plan before the end of the subscription period will have their memberships cancelled. The last billing period for this first batch of users is June 1, 2024. This means that the membership will be cancelled on July 1, 2024, if they do not switch to another plan. <h2>Closing Words</h2> Netflix has not revealed the number of affected customers. Clearly, the company is hoping that the majority of customers will switch to another plan. All of these are more lucrative than the basic plan, according to Netflix. The company said that its ad-supported plan had <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/11/netflixs-ad-supported-plan-has-over-23-million-monthly-users/" data-wpel-link="internal">reached 23 million members</a> as of January 2024. For customers who want to keep on accessing Netflix content, it means having to pay more to stay ad-free, or paying less, but get the viewing experience interrupted by advertisement. What about you? Are you subscribed to any of the streaming services? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/30/netflix-starts-pushing-basic-users-to-other-plans-forcefully/" data-wpel-link="internal">Netflix starts pushing Basic users to other plans forcefully</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft OneDrive on the web is adding an offline mode, but not for everyone

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 04:46:14 -0000

Microsoft has announced that it is adding an offline mode to OneDrive on the web. The feature is only available for work and school users. The Redmond company began updating OneDrive in […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft OneDrive on the web is adding an offline mode, but not for everyone appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft has announced that it is adding an offline mode to OneDrive on the web. The feature is only available for work and school users. The Redmond company began updating <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/06/upcoming-new-onedrive-features/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">OneDrive</a> in October with new features, enhancements with a new UI design. The new offline mode is part of those plans, to allow users to access their files in web browsers, even while they do not have an internet connection. <h3>How does OneDrive's offline mode work</h3> Andrey Esipov, Principal Product Manager on the OneDrive and Microsoft Lists products, <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-onedrive-blog/onedrive-adds-new-offline-capabilities/ba-p/4123644" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">says</a> that OneDrive's offline mode requires the OneDrive sync app on Windows and Mac. The new feature uses your computer's local storage to store some metadata (file name, size, author, date last accessed, etc.). The local cache aids in improving the load-times for OneDrive on the web, to allow files to open faster, as opposed to fetching them from the web. Login to OneDrive on the web in Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome, and the OneDrive Sync app will automatically perform a one-time set-up of offline mode. It is unclear whether other browsers such as Mozilla Firefox are supported at the moment. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205460" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/How-does-OneDrives-offline-mode-work.jpg" alt="How does OneDrive's offline mode work" width="999" height="562" /> Once this has been completed, you will be able to access your OneDrive's "My Files" view to browse, organize, move, copy and rename the files, even when you do not have a network connection. You can also access OneDrive’s “Home,” “My files,” “Shared,” “Favorites,” “People,” and, “Meeting” views, Folders, Metadata, etc. Changes that you make to your files when you are offline will be synced back to the cloud automatically once you connect to the internet. <h3>OneDrive Files On-Demand</h3> OneDrive has a feature called <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2017/07/11/how-to-use-onedrives-files-on-demand-feature/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Files On-Demand</a>, this allows you to access the content in your cloud storage account, without downloading them to your computer's storage automatically, i.e. it only downloads the files when you try to access them from your computer. Now, with the new offline mode, Files On-Demand allows you to select files and folders to be always available on your computer's storage. And if you don't want to store specific files, you can mark them as online-only, to save some storage space. It also supports third-party apps that you may use for specific file types, for example, you can click on a PDF to open it in a PDF viewer/editor instead of your web browser. Edits that you made are synced back to OneDrive. Files On-Demand normally requires using Windows File Explorer or Finder on Mac, but now supports OneDrive on the web, i.e. you can access the feature through your web browser. Offline mode for OneDrive on the web is rolling out to users. Microsoft says that the new mode will deliver up to 3X faster loading times when you try to access files in OneDrive on the web, and via OneDrive in Microsoft Teams and <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/03/08/microsoft-wont-kill-classic-outlook-for-windows-until-at-least-2029/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Outlook</a>. OneDrive's offline mode for the web is exclusively available for Microsoft 365 subscribers, with a school or work account. So it won't be available for free users, but that shouldn't be a problem since you can use the OneDrive app on your PC to access files when you are offline. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/30/microsoft-onedrive-on-the-web-is-adding-an-offline-mode-but-not-for-everyone/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft OneDrive on the web is adding an offline mode, but not for everyone</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Canalys: every PC sold will be an AI PC by 2030

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:09:27 -0000

Will every PC sold in 2030 be an AI PC? Analysts at Canalys predict that every PC sold by 2030 will have on-device AI capabilities. Microsoft, PC manufacturers, and chip manufacturers have […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Canalys: every PC sold will be an AI PC by 2030 appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Will every PC sold in 2030 be an AI PC? Analysts at Canalys predict that every PC sold by 2030 will have on-device AI capabilities. Microsoft, PC manufacturers, and chip manufacturers have high hopes for <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/30/microsofts-surface-laptop-6-and-pro-10-devices-could-be-its-first-ai-pcs/" data-wpel-link="internal">AI PCs</a>. This new type of PC requires a neural processing unit (NPU) to process AI tasks on the device. On Windows, they also <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/03/28/intel-microsoft-ai-pcs-need-a-copilot-key/" data-wpel-link="internal">require a Copilot key on the keyboard</a>. A core focus of the next version of Windows 11 is AI and AI PCs. Microsoft will lift the curtain next month during its Build developer conference. The final version of Windows 11 version 24H2 is expected in September or October 2024. AI Explorer is one tool that will be introduced in the next version of Windows 11. Reports suggest that it is going to be an omnipresent AI that is recording a user's activity on the PC. The user may then interact with the AI in natural language to retrieve files or information. While that sounds useful, it could also <a href="https://chipp.in/software/windows/windows-11s-ai-explorer-could-be-a-useful-tool-and-a-privacy-nightmare/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">become a privacy nightmare</a>, depending on how it is implemented. <h2>All PCs sold in 2030 will be AI PCs</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205455" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/canalys-windows-pcs-ai-chips.png" alt="Canalys Windows PC analysis AI PCs" width="1557" height="870" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/canalys-windows-pcs-ai-chips.png 1557w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/canalys-windows-pcs-ai-chips-1536x858.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1557px) 100vw, 1557px" /> Tech market analyst Canalys <a href="https://www.canalys.com/reports/AI-PC-market-forecasts" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">predicts</a> that AI PCs will take over the entire PC market in the coming six years. What this means is that PCs without on-board AI capabilities will no longer be sold by 2030. Here is the adoption timeline as predicted by analysts at Canalys: <ul> <li>2024 -- 19% of all PCs come with on-device AI capabilities.</li> <li>2025 -- AI PCs will be mainstream. They reach 37%.</li> <li>2027 -- 60% of all PCs sold come with on-device AI capabilities.</li> <li>2030 -- 100% of PCs sold will have NPUs or some other form of AI chip.</li> </ul> While that may look like a risky projection at first, it is not on closer inspection. As <a href="https://www.drwindows.de/news/effekthascherei-marktforscher-prognostizieren-dominanz-der-ai-pcs-binnen-drei-jahren" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Martin Geuß</a> over at Dr. Windows points out, chip manufacturers are already integrating NPUs on their chips. While that is reserved to brand new top-of-the-line chips like the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite currently, capabilities will be integrated into medium-priced and low-priced processors eventually. Clearly, these won't have the same processing power as high-end processors, which may limit them. However, NPUs will become the norm in the coming years. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Whether AI PCs will be the next big thing remains to be seen. AI is trending right now and companies like Microsoft are integrating AI capabilities into their operating systems at a record pace. Once the initial goldrush settles, it will be interesting to see how useful the features are for day-to-day activities of users. Microsoft plans to showcase the future of AI in Windows next month. Are you looking forward to the integration of AI into your devices and systems? Feel free to leave a comment down below. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/29/canalys-every-pc-sold-will-be-an-ai-pc-by-2030/" data-wpel-link="internal">Canalys: every PC sold will be an AI PC by 2030</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
WhatsApp for iOS adds support for Passkeys

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 11:56:21 -0000

WhatsApp has announced that it is rolling out Passkeys support on iOS. The Meta owned messaging company originally introduced the passwordless login option for Android users in October last year. Passkeys have […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post WhatsApp for iOS adds support for Passkeys appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

WhatsApp has announced that it is rolling out Passkeys support on iOS. The Meta owned messaging company originally introduced the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/17/whatsapp-rolls-out-passkeys-support-on-android/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">passwordless login</a> option for Android users in October last year. Passkeys have grown in popularity since they were introduced, primarily due to the fact that it uses a more secure method, such as biometric data (fingerprint or Face ID) to login, instead of passwords that can be stolen. Members of the FIDO Alliance including Apple, Microsoft, Google have been promoting the use of Passkeys, highlighting the importance of the WebAuthn (Web Authentication) technology, as its security is nearly impossible to hack or phish. That's because the data is stored on the user's device securely. It also replaces insecure systems such as SMS-based two factor verification and weak passwords that a hacker may brute force. Several companies have added adopted Passkeys, some examples include <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/you-can-now-protect-your-amazon-account-with-passkeys/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Amazon</a>, Twitter, GitHub, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/25/nintendo-adds-passkey-passwordless-authentication-support-to-accounts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Nintendo</a>, Sony PlayStation to name a few. Password managers such as 1Password, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/03/11/keepassxc-adds-support-for-passkeys-improves-database-import-from-bitwarden-and-1password/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">KeePassXC</a>, and Proton Pass also support the feature. So it's not surprising that WhatsApp has also opted to support the protocol to further protect its users and their data. <h3>How to enable Passkeys for WhatsApp on iOS</h3> 1. Open WhatsApp and go to Settings > Account 2. Tap on Passkeys > Create a Passkey. 3. You will be prompted to confirm the process with your Screen Lock, i.e. your device's PIN, Face ID or Touch ID. This will save the Passkey locally on your device. Note: If for some reason, you want to delete a Passkey, you can do so by navigating to the Settings > Account > Passkeys, and then tap on the Revoke option. Now, you may not have access to the Passkey feature yet, that's because it is rolling out to some users now, and will be available to all in the coming weeks. When you enable a Passkey for your WhatsApp account, you can use it to re-login to the app. The company says that the passwordless login protocol can be used to sign in even when your device is offline. Alice Newton-Rex, WhatsApp's Head of Product, told <a href="https://www.engadget.com/whatsapp-is-enabling-passkey-support-on-ios-182527962.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Engadget</a> that the company is excited to launch Passkeys support for iOS, as this will allow users to log back into WhatsApp more easily, while providing an added layer of security. A <a href="https://faq.whatsapp.com/1850567238795036/?cms_platform=iphone" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">support page</a> on the messaging service's website says that Passkeys are supported on all iPhone models (iPhone 8 or newer) that are running on iOS 16 or above. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/24/24139291/whatsapp-ios-passkey-iphone-support" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">The Verge</a> received a statement from WhatsApp spokesperson Zade Alsawah, who said that desktop users will still be asked to use their phone's camera to scan a QR code, when trying to use the Linked devices option. This restriction is in place because Mac, Windows PCs, and WhatsApp Web cannot be a primary device for an account. That is a rather strange limitation, especially because many web services including Gmail, Microsoft, let you save a Passkey on your computer, and access it using Windows Hello or Touch ID. On a similar note, Bitwarden Password Manager has also <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/26/bitwarden-launches-passkeys-support-in-mobile-apps-for-android-and-ios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">announced</a> Passkeys support for its mobile apps on iOS and Android, though it is still part of a beta test. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/26/whatsapp-for-ios-adds-support-for-passkeys/" data-wpel-link="internal">WhatsApp for iOS adds support for Passkeys</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Bitwarden launches passkeys support in mobile apps for Android and iOS

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:44:47 -0000

Users of the password management solution Bitwarden are one step closer to full passkeys support. The organization launched new beta apps for Android and iOS earlier this month that introduced limited passkeys […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Bitwarden launches passkeys support in mobile apps for Android and iOS appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Users of the password management solution Bitwarden are one step closer to full passkeys support. The organization launched new beta apps for Android and iOS earlier this month that introduced limited passkeys support. Good to know: Passkeys is a new authentication standard. It uses generated keys instead of passwords for authentication. These are considered more secure, as they cannot be guessed and are resistant to password attacks such as phishing. The official Bitwarden Password Manager supports <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/11/02/latest-bitwarden-update-introduces-support-for-saving-passkeys/" data-wpel-link="internal">creating, storing, and syncing passkeys</a> already. The launch of passkeys support in the beta apps syncs passkeys between all devices. Tip: Bitwarden itself supports passkeys. You can check out my <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/11/bitwarden-how-to-create-and-use-passkeys-to-sign-in/" data-wpel-link="internal">guide on signing in to Bitwarden using passkeys</a>. Limitations Passkeys support is still limited in the Android beta version. The feature requires a device with Android 14 or newer. Google introduced support for passkeys in the Android version. Another limitation of the Android beta app is that passkeys are only supported for web browsers that support it. Sign ins to apps using passkeys are not yet supported. <h2>Signing up for the beta</h2> If you want to test passkeys support, you may join the beta program to do so. Word of warning: beta apps are test versions. These should only be installed on non-production devices. Apple iOS: <ol> <li>Download the official <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/testflight/id899247664" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Apple TestFlight</a> app from the App Store.</li> <li>Use <a href="https://testflight.apple.com/join/595lFH7U" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">this link</a> to join the program.</li> </ol> Android: <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205449" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bitwarden-passkeys-android.png" alt="Bitwarden Passkeys Android" width="1200" height="1300" /> <ol> <li>Open the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.x8bit.bitwarden&hl=en&gl=US&pli=1" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Bitwarden app</a> on Google Play on the Android device.</li> <li>Scroll down to the "Join the beta" section.</li> <li>Select the join link.</li> <li>Confirm joining the beta program by selecting join in the confirmation prompt that opens.</li> <li>Beta joining may take a few minutes. If nothing happens, go back and open the app on Google Play again.</li> <li>Activate the update button to install the latest beta release.</li> </ol> Note: you can leave the beta at any time by selecting the leave link and following instructions. Also note that on Android, you need to open Settings > Auto-fill > Passkey management in Bitwarden to configure Bitwarden as the passkey provider. You may also do that directly in the Android settings under General Management > Passwords, passkeys, and autofill (may vary depending on Android manufacturer). <h3>Closing Words</h3> All major password managers will introduce support for passkeys in the not so distant future. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/03/11/keepassxc-adds-support-for-passkeys-improves-database-import-from-bitwarden-and-1password/" data-wpel-link="internal">KeePassXC introduced passkeys</a> support in March 2024 It is an upcoming standard that is supported already by a good number of popular sites, services, and apps. You can use them to <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/you-can-now-protect-your-amazon-account-with-passkeys/" data-wpel-link="internal">protect your Google account</a>, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/18/you-can-now-protect-your-amazon-account-with-passkeys/" data-wpel-link="internal">Amazon account</a>, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/17/whatsapp-rolls-out-passkeys-support-on-android/" data-wpel-link="internal">WhatsApp on Android</a>, PayPal, Nintendo, Sony Playstation, and many more. Wider adoption, especially on the user side, will take longer. Android, for instance, introduced support in Android 14 only, which was released last year. What about you? Do you use passkeys already for certain services? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/26/bitwarden-launches-passkeys-support-in-mobile-apps-for-android-and-ios/" data-wpel-link="internal">Bitwarden launches passkeys support in mobile apps for Android and iOS</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Windows 10 updates download faster now

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 05:37:42 -0000

Microsoft has decreased the size of updates for Windows 10 significantly, which means that they will download faster now. Back in 2021, Microsoft announced that it has cut the size of updates […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 10 updates download faster now appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft has decreased the size of updates for Windows 10 significantly, which means that they will download faster now. Back in 2021, Microsoft <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/how-microsoft-reduced-windows-11-update-size-by-40/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that it has cut the size of updates for Windows 11 by an average of 40 percent. The technical article explains that Microsoft implemented new compression technology to cut down on the size of updates for the operating system. Now, two-and-a-half years later, the <a href="https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/reducing-windows-10-version-22h2-monthly-lcu-package-size/ba-p/4121755" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">improvement</a> is coming to Windows 10. Microsoft says that it is bringing the Windows 11 functionality to Windows 10 to decrease the size of Windows 10's monthly cumulative update packages. Microsoft <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/april-23-2024-kb5036979-os-build-19045-4355-preview-b99f7f72-e1bc-4d66-b7b4-fe2c5c9661df" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">confirmed</a> the change in the improvement section of update KB5036979, the preview update it released recently: "Starting April 23, 2024, the LCU will no longer have the reverse differentials. The client will generate the reverse update data. This change will help to reduce the LCU package size by about 20%. This change also offers a few advantages". The technology requires Windows 10 version 22H2, which is the latest version of the operating system. Smaller updates offer several benefits to the user and organization. Besides the obvious, they download faster, they reduce bandwidth usage and network traffic, and offer improved performance on slow connections, according to Microsoft. <h2>What you can expect</h2> <ul> <li>KB5036892, released April 9, has a size of 830 megabytes.</li> <li>KB5036979, released April 23, has a size of 650 megabytes.</li> </ul> The 180 megabytes size difference does not come close to the 40% that Microsoft claimed for Windows 11, but it is a decrease of 21.6 percent. The percentage value may change in the future, but it seems unlikely that 40% will be reached. Note that Microsoft compares the size of a full cumulative update, released on April 9, with a preview update. The preview updates do not include new security updates, which Microsoft will release on the second Tuesday of May 2024 for the first time using the new update technology. It is possible that this comparison will come closer to the 40% that Microsoft claimed for Windows 11 back in 2021. <h2>The requirements</h2> Microsoft lists the following requirements: <ul> <li>At least <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/july-25-2023-kb5028244-os-build-19045-3271-preview-8cf92c9b-3a60-4c6a-8f4c-fc41fe8f4f2c" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5028244</a> installed / serviced.</li> <li>Servicing Stack update <a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb5031539-servicing-stack-update-for-windows-10-version-21h2-and-22h2-october-10-2023-36e20da3-bf0d-4dc3-93d1-09af959e58f3" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">KB5031539</a> installed.</li> </ul> The April 23 preview update for Windows 10 or any future cumulative update for the operating system will have a smaller size when compared to prior updates. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Faster downloads and installations of updates improve the user experience and are also beneficial to organizations. Windows 10 is supported until October 2025 officially. Users and organizations may subscribe to Extended Security Updates to <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/03/microsoft-reveals-windows-10-esu-pricing-starts-at-61/" data-wpel-link="internal">extend support by at least 3 years</a>. This won't be free. Microsoft revealed the price that organizations have to pay already. The price of a regular extension is $61 in the first year, $122 in the second year, and $244 in the third year. What is your experience with updates for Windows? (via <a href="https://www.neowin.net/news/windows-10-22h2-updates-will-now-have-a-much-smaller-download-size/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Neowin</a>) Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/25/windows-10-updates-download-faster-now/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows 10 updates download faster now</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
How to turn off App Promotions in Windows 11's Start Menu

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:51:24 -0000

Starting next month and available as a preview right now, Windows 11's Start Menu will show promotions for certain apps. This time, advertised apps will show up in the recommended section of […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post How to turn off App Promotions in Windows 11's Start Menu appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Starting next month and available as a preview right now, Windows 11's Start Menu will show promotions for certain apps. This time, advertised apps will show up in the recommended section of the Start Menu of the operating system. The new placement complements the advertisement of apps in the pinned section of the Start Menu. Microsoft shows icons of apps and games there right after installation, but only on unmanaged Windows 11 devices. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/03/microsoft-is-making-more-unwanted-changes-to-the-windows-11-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">Work on the feature began in early 2023</a>. This was also the time when Microsoft started to implement <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/03/microsoft-is-making-more-unwanted-changes-to-the-windows-11-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">ads for its subscription services Microsoft 365 in the Start Menu</a>. These <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/29/windows-11-microsoft-rolls-out-start-menu-promotions/" data-wpel-link="internal">advertise the benefits of OneDrive</a> when users click on the profile icon, which started to show an error icon as an attention grabbing measure. Microsoft announced the addition on its support website: "The Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps. These apps come from a small set of curated developers. This will help you to discover some of the great apps that are available." The recommended section may also start showing frequently used apps that are not pinned to the Start Menu or taskbar already. Here is a screenshot of a promoted app, 1Password Password Manager. Microsoft <a href="https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/04/12/announcing-windows-11-insider-preview-build-22635-3495-beta-channel/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">published</a> it on the official Windows blog earlier this month. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205444" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/windows-11-start-menu-application-promotions.webp" alt="Windows 11 Start Menu App Promotion" width="677" height="377" /> Microsoft has changed the design since then. Ads for applications have a "promoted" label in the latest iteration, which helps distinguish them from regular apps installed by the user. The ads are mixed with frequently used apps and files, and recently added programs. This alone is problematic. Some of the advertised apps may not be free to use. The password manager 1Password, for instance, requires a subscription. Ads may show up on non-managed Windows 11 devices only according to Microsoft. <h2>Disabling Ads for Apps in Windows 11's Start Menu</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205445" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/windows-11-stop-start-menu-app-ads.png" alt="Disable Start Menu Application ads in Windows 11" width="1920" height="1025" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/windows-11-stop-start-menu-app-ads.png 1920w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/windows-11-stop-start-menu-app-ads-1536x820.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px" /> Windows 11 users may disable the feature. Here is a step-by-step guide on how that is done: <ol> <li>Open the Start Menu.</li> <li>Select Settings.</li> <li>Go to Personalization > Start.</li> <li>Toggle "Show recommendations for tips, shortcuts, new apps, and more" to off.</li> </ol> The change disables ads for applications in the recommended section. While you are at it, consider switching the layout to "more pins" to increase the room for pinned apps in the Start Menu. Another option is to switch to a third-party Start Menu. <a href="https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Start11</a> is such a tool, but it is not free. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Microsoft is already testing new ways to push recommendations -- in other words ads -- to users of Windows 11. Soon, a recommended icon could also be placed on the Windows 11 taskbar by default. What is your take on this new feature? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/24/how-to-turn-off-app-promotions-in-windows-11s-start-menu/" data-wpel-link="internal">How to turn off App Promotions in Windows 11's Start Menu</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Windows 11 24H2 won't boot if the PC does not support this CPU feature

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:20:29 -0000

Microsoft is changing the system requirements of the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 feature update. When Microsoft released Windows 11, it changed the minimum system requirements significantly. This locked out millions of Windows […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 11 24H2 won't boot if the PC does not support this CPU feature appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft is changing the system requirements of the upcoming Windows 11 24H2 feature update. When Microsoft released Windows 11, it changed the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2021/08/28/microsoft-changed-the-windows-11-system-requirements-and-released-an-updated-pc-health-check-tool/" data-wpel-link="internal">minimum system requirements</a> significantly. This locked out millions of Windows 10 devices from the upgrade to Windows 11. Now it appears, that Microsoft is <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/12/windows-11-24h2-to-enforce-hardware-requirement/" data-wpel-link="internal">modifying the system requirements of Windows 11</a> again. This is the first time that Microsoft is changing the system requirements of an already released operating system. Here is what happened: Back in February 2024, testers of Windows 11 started to notice that the operating system would not install anymore on certain devices. The issue was identified quickly as a new restriction regarding a device's processor. If the processor did not support so-called POPCNT instructions, Windows 11 test build installations would fail. Upgrades from earlier versions of Windows 11 would fail as well. In other words: the new system requirements introduced in Windows 11 24H2 would prevent some customers from upgrading their devices to the new version. It became clear soon thereafter that the main new requirement is SSE4.2. The processor needs to support SSE4.2 to upgrade a device to Windows 11 version 24H2 or install the operating system on such a device. Processors released in the last decade support the instruction. Processors that do not support it are not officially supported by Windows 11. Still, it was possible, until now, to bypass the requirements and install Windows 11 on these devices. <h2>Windows 11 won't boot if the processor does not support SSE 4.2</h2> Twitter user BobPony <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBobPony/status/1781922187252797805" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">discovered</a> that Windows 11 build 26080 is now preventing the booting of the operating system, if the processor does not support SSE4.2. Windows 11 will reboot the device automatically on unsupported devices according to the Twitter user's tests. He writes: "UPDATE: Since Windows 11 Build 26080, a CPU with the SSE4.2 instruction is ALSO REQUIRED TO BOOT Windows 11 Version 24H2!! Attempting to boot Build 26080+ on systems without the SSE4.2 instruction present will trigger an automatic reboot once it reaches the boot screen phase." Microsoft has added SSE4.2 as a blocker to the compatibility list. This means that upgrades to Windows 11 24H2 won't be offered on systems that do not support SSE4.2 <h2>Customers are stuck</h2> Customers who upgraded their Windows devices to Windows 11 are stuck on Windows 11 version 23H2, if the system's CPU does not support SSE4.2. Windows 11 version 23H2 reaches end of support in October 2025. This is also the month that Windows 10 will reach its end of support. One option that affected users have is to downgrade their devices to Windows 10. Microsoft plans to allow customers to extend support by up to three years, for a price. This moves the end of support to October 2028. Another option would be to make the switch to Linux between now and end of support in October 2025. What about you? Which operating system do you use at the moment? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/23/windows-11-24h2-wont-boot-if-the-pc-does-not-support-this-cpu-feature/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows 11 24H2 won't boot if the PC does not support this CPU feature</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Ecosia browser released for Windows and macOS

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 08:26:13 -0000

Ecosia, the eco-friendly search engine, celebrated Earth Day by launching its web browser for desktop operating systems. The Ecosia browser is available on Windows and macOS. The German company says that the […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Ecosia browser released for Windows and macOS appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Ecosia, the eco-friendly search engine, celebrated Earth Day by launching its web browser for desktop operating systems. The Ecosia browser is available on Windows and macOS. The German company <a href="https://blog.ecosia.org/desktop-browser/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">says</a> that the browser is powered by the Sun, and that it will produce 25Wh of solar energy when you use the app. Ecosia invests all of its profits to plant trees, and for renewable energy projects. The company recently announced that it has managed to plant 200 Million trees around the World. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205440" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ecosia-web-browser-solar-energy.jpg" alt="Ecosia web browser solar energy" width="1011" height="567" /> <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2024/04/22/ecosia-launches-a-cross-platform-browser-starts-an-affiliate-link-program/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">TechCrunch</a> notes that Ecosia browser is based on Google's open source Chromium project. So, unsurprisingly, the interface is quite similar to Chrome. That said, Ecosia's browser is not open source. <h3>New Tab Page</h3> The New Tab page is colorful, and you can customize the background. Ecosia offers its own set of wallpapers, which are from its tree planting projects, and there are pretty cool. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205439" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ecosia-browser-new-tab-page.jpg" alt="Ecosia browser new tab page" width="1200" height="645" /> The new tab page has a search box that you can use to look up stuff on the web. There is also a handy import button to bring over your browsing history, favorites, passwords, and auto complete data from other browsers including You'll also notice that it has a section for sponsored links, aka shortcuts. The company says that when you shop using these websites, the profits it earns via commissions are used for Ecosia's climate projects. That's nice, but I feel like this is not ideal for a user's privacy. If you want to read about Ecosia's privacy policy, head to <a href="https://www.ecosia.org/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">this page</a>. Ecosia browser's new tab page also displays some stats about its climate impact, such as how many trees it has planted, how much money it has donated, and there are shortcuts to the company's financial reports, its tree planting projects. Want a cleaner new tab experience? The quick settings panel allows you to disable the top sites, sponsored links, climate impact, and the about Ecosia sections. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205438" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ecosia-browser-new-tab-customize.jpg" alt="Ecosia browser new tab customize" width="1200" height="597" /> <h3>Default Search Engine</h3> The browser uses <a href="https://www.ecosia.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Ecosia</a> as the default search engine, no surprise there. But you can change it to Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo or Brave from the Settings. <h3>Built-in ad blocker</h3> Ecosia browser comes with a built-in ad blocker that can prevent advertisements, and it has filter lists such as Anti Adblock filters, Easy Privacy Anti Tracker, EasyList and some uBlock filters. It does have "acceptable ads" enabled, you can toggle it. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205437" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ecosia-browser-built-in-ad-blocker.jpg" alt="Ecosia browser built in ad blocker" width="1200" height="667" /> Note: Ecosia browser is set to send anonymous data such as browsing usage and crash reports to help improve the app. You can disable these options under the Settings > Privacy and security section. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205436" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ecosia-browser-built-in-ad-blocker-settings.jpg" alt="Ecosia browser built in ad blocker settings" width="1200" height="685" /> The browser supports extensions from the Chrome Web store, and if you want more control over the content blocker, you can install the uBlock Origin add-on, and turn off the browser's built-in ad blocker. <h3>Ecosia AI Chat</h3> Every browser maker seems to be focusing on artificial intelligence features, and Ecosia browser is no exception to this. You can access the Ecosia AI Chat from <a href="https://www.ecosia.org/chat?q=ecosia" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">this page</a>. It is currently in beta and available in select countries. You can use it to generate replies to your queries, summarize text, and other content. Ecosia AI saves your chat in the browser, and you can delete the history at any time. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205435" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ecosia-ai-chat-features.jpg" alt="Ecosia ai chat features" width="1147" height="958" /> The chatbot is powered by OpenAI's language model, and your chat data will be stored in OpenAI's database for up to 30 days for internal and legal purposes. Ecosia AI Chat is also supported on third-party browsers. You can download <a href="https://www.ecosia.org/browser" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Ecosia browser</a> for Windows 10 or later, and macOS Catalina 10.15 or later, from the official website. Note: The download is a web installer, don't forget to uncheck the option to run the app when your computer starts. The browser is also available for <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ecosia.android" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Android</a> and <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ecosia/id670881887" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">iOS</a>. You can find most of Chrome's features in Ecosia browser as well, including the Memory Saver, Energy Saver, Tab hover preview, accessibility options, etc. The app has a Light Theme and a Dark Theme. Ecosia browser is fairly easy to get used to, especially if you are familiar with a Chromium based browser. The climate change projects are interesting, but the problem is, the app doesn't really offer much to set itself apart from other browser. This could make it difficult to convince users to switch over from rivals. But more competition is always welcome. If, however, you are looking for more privacy-friendly browsers, you may want to take a look at <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/16/duckduckgo-browser-now-supports-password-and-bookmark-syncing-across-devices/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">DuckDuckGo</a>, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/23/brave-browser-1-63-launches-with-vertical-tabs-on-right-support-and-more-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Brave</a> or <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/16/mozilla-firefox-125-brings-text-highlighting-in-pdfs-url-paste-suggestion/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Firefox</a>. What would a browser developer need to do to convince users to migrate to their app? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/23/ecosia-browser-released-for-windows-and-macos/" data-wpel-link="internal">Ecosia browser released for Windows and macOS</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft Store apps install quicker now and with extra Telemetry

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 07:08:34 -0000

Microsoft launched Microsoft Store installers for web over the weekend to improve Microsoft Store application installs. The feature improves the process of downloading and installing apps like Microsoft PC Manager from the […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Store apps install quicker now and with extra Telemetry appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft launched Microsoft Store installers for web over the weekend to improve Microsoft Store application installs. The feature improves the process of downloading and installing apps like <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/02/08/microsoft-pc-manager-is-now-available-on-the-microsoft-store-for-windows-10-and-11/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft PC Manager</a> from the Microsoft Store website, but it comes with a downside as well. Microsoft launched a <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/03/04/microsoft-store-new-interface-design-on-the-web/" data-wpel-link="internal">new Microsoft Store website for Windows 10 and 11</a> back in 2022, and has been working on the website ever since. To better understand the benefits that the new method offers, it is necessary to summarize previous installations from the store. <h2>The old and new way of downloading apps from the Microsoft Store</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205430" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/microsoft-store-download.png" alt="Microsoft Store apps download wrapper " width="971" height="619" /> There are two ways to browse the Microsoft Store: via the official website or the Microsoft Store app. The new method improves installations via the official website. Here is the old process: <ol> <li>The user clicks on the install button on the Microsoft Store website.</li> <li>The browser displays a "Open Microsoft Store" prompt.</li> <li>A click on the Open Microsoft Store button displays the actual installation prompt.</li> <li>A click on the install button starts the download and installation of the app.</li> </ol> The new way is simpler. A click on the install button on the website downloads an executable file that needs to be run to install the app on the device. <h2>Microsoft's reasoning for making the change</h2> Microsoft <a href="https://twitter.com/RudyHuyn/status/1781839212935069856" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">outlines</a> the advantages of the new installation routine on Twitter: <ul> <li>Installation process requires two clicks now, down from three.</li> <li>The process is quicker.</li> <li>Downloads work, even if the Store is removed on the device, or out of date.</li> <li>Parallel installations supported.</li> </ul> Microsoft says that the new method led to a 12% increase in installations and a 54% increase in application launches after installation. <h2>What Microsoft fails to mention</h2> Not everyone is happy with the change Rafael Rivera, developer of EarTrumpet, <a href="https://twitter.com/WithinRafael/status/1781743054296432772" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">criticized</a> Microsoft's decision. He had this to say about the change on Twitter: "The Microsoft Store team has started quietly wrapping apps, like EarTrumpet, with some malware-looking .NET executable wrapper (with my app's name of course) chock full of telemetry and other code. They also target netfx 4.7.2 when my app targets netfx 4.6.2, wtf?" According to Rivera, Microsoft's wrapper is using Netfx 4.7.2, even if the actual app is using a different Netfx version. For Microsoft, use of Netfx 4.7.2 is all about support. All supported versions of Windows support it, and that is why it is used. More problematic from a user point of view is that Microsoft's wrapper includes telemetry components. Closing Words It is unclear at this point whether the collecting of Telemetry is now different. The previous method directed installs to Microsoft's Store, which gave Microsoft opportunity to collect Telemetry as well. For users, it is important to understand that the delivered executable file is not the actual application that they want to download. It is a wrapper that always has the same size of 703 kilobytes. Execution of this wrapper starts the download of the actual application and its installation. Do you download apps from Microsoft's Store? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/22/microsoft-store-installs-quicker-now-and-with-extra-telemetry/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft Store apps install quicker now and with extra Telemetry</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Windows 10: Sign in to your Microsoft account messages roll out

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:05:34 -0000

Windows 10 users who sign in using local accounts may see Sign in to your Microsoft account nags when they open the Settings app. The functionality is rolling out in release preview […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Windows 10: Sign in to your Microsoft account messages roll out appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Windows 10 users who sign in using local accounts may see Sign in to your Microsoft account nags when they open the Settings app. The functionality is rolling out in release preview builds of Windows 10. Soon, it will be released as part of a stable update, likely the May 2024 security update for the operating system. Microsoft <a href="https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/04/15/releasing-windows-10-build-19045-4353-to-release-preview-channel/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">announced</a> the feature on the Windows Insider blog. There, Microsoft writes: "This update starts the rolls out of account-related notifications for Microsoft accounts in Settings > Home". <figure id="attachment_205424" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205424" style="width: 907px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-205424 size-full" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account.jpg" alt="Sign in to your Microsoft account" width="907" height="907" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account.jpg 907w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account-300x300.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 907px) 100vw, 907px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205424" class="wp-caption-text">via <a href="https://twitter.com/thebookisclosed/status/1780205879209406686/photo/2" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Albacore</a></figcaption></figure> The message is displayed to users who sign in using local accounts. Microsoft says that signing in to a Microsoft account allows users to back up their device and keep it more secure. The backup functionality is powered by the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/14/microsofts-new-windows-backup-app-is-coming-to-windows-10-as-well/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows Backup app</a>. It is not a full backup app that allows you to back up the entire system. Instead, it supports pushing files from specific folders, Store apps, and some settings to OneDrive. <h2>Focus on Microsoft Account</h2> Microsoft has made it difficult to set up Windows 11 using a local account. There is no obvious way to set up Windows 11 using a local account. While there are ways to <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/11/how-to-set-up-windows-11-without-a-microsoft-account/" data-wpel-link="internal">bypass the Microsoft account requirement</a>, it may require running commands from the command prompt. Windows 10 does not have the same restrictions as Windows 11 in this regard, but Microsoft is clearly favoring Microsoft accounts over local accounts. The option to create local accounts after the initial setup is still available in both operating systems. The new system is not the first that Microsoft introduced on Windows 10. Back in August 2023, Microsoft rolled out a <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/12/next-month-windows-10s-start-menu-will-highlight-the-advantages-of-microsoft-accounts-to-users/" data-wpel-link="internal">similar change in the Start Men</a>u. The profile icon of local users shows an error badge that highlights the advantages of a Microsoft account. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-192148" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MSA-attach-WIP-blog-1024x541-1.webp" alt="" width="1024" height="541" /> The new message in Settings has a close button, but that just closes it for the time being. Microsoft notes that users may manage these notifications under Settings > Privacy & Security > General. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Microsoft has a vetted interest in pushing Microsoft accounts. Main reasons for this are: <ul> <li>Upsell of subscriptions and other products, which all require a Microsoft account.</li> <li>Collect more data about users who use a Microsoft account.</li> </ul> Using a Microsoft account does have benefits. Users get some online storage and the ability to sync some data using that storage. Privacy is one downside to using one. What about you? Do you use local accounts or a Microsoft account? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/19/windows-10-sign-in-to-your-microsoft-account-messages-roll-out/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows 10: Sign in to your Microsoft account messages roll out</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Brave Search: Answer with AI takes over, but you can turn it off

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:14:00 -0000

Brave Search's new Answer with AI feature is now available. The feature replaces AI Summarizer, which was used on Brave Search previously to provide summaries based on user queries. In a nutshell: […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Brave Search: Answer with AI takes over, but you can turn it off appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

<a href="https://search.brave.com/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Brave Search's</a> new Answer with AI feature is now available. The feature replaces AI Summarizer, which was used on Brave Search previously to provide summaries based on user queries. In a nutshell: Answer with AI works like an instant answers feature. It returns information to the user using multiple sources, including Brave Search's index. A search for "how difficult is Japanese to learn" returns a large paragraph of AI generated content at the top of the search results. Context is provided, including links. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205418" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-answer-with-ai.png" alt="Brave Search Answer with AI" width="2560" height="1493" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-answer-with-ai.png 2560w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-answer-with-ai-1536x896.png 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-answer-with-ai-2048x1194.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /> The AI feature is not limited to text-only responses. It supports rich media as well and may return it in its answer to the user's query. Brave Software notes that Answers with AIs responds to informational queries automatically. Users may, however, activate the AI button in the search field to get a response to other queries as well. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205419" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/answer-with-ai.png" alt="Answer with AI" width="1683" height="462" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/answer-with-ai.png 1683w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/answer-with-ai-1536x422.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1683px) 100vw, 1683px" /> Brave Software sees Answers with AI as a significant upgrade of its <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/03/03/how-good-are-brave-search-summarizers-ai-powered-quick-results/" data-wpel-link="internal">AI Summarizer</a>. Released in 2023, it returned direct answers to user queries based on web search results. <h2>What you need to know about Answers with AI</h2> Brave Software claims that the feature is unique in several ways: <ul> <li>Privacy-preserving, according to Brave.</li> <li>Near-instant answers.</li> <li>AI uses Brave's search index as its source.</li> </ul> Answer with AI is available for free to all users. It supports multiple languages. Full support is offered for searches in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Brave Software says that other languages work as well, but that some responses may be in English. Answers with AI uses "up-to-date, reliable data" according to Brave Software. The provided answers take multiple intents into consideration. Company engineers have divided intents into several categories, for example, navigational, informational, and commercial. Queries like "how to get from Athens airport to the acropolis", "what are the top PS5 games of 2024", and "how to bypass ads on YouTube" are all answered by Answers with AI. Word of warning: Each AI-generated response has a disclaimer that asks users to "verify critical facts". <h3>How to disable Brave Search's Answer with AI</h3> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205420" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-turn-off-answer-with-ai.png" alt="Brave Search disable Answer with AI" width="2560" height="1493" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-turn-off-answer-with-ai.png 2560w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-turn-off-answer-with-ai-1536x896.png 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/brave-search-turn-off-answer-with-ai-2048x1194.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px" /> Brave Search users who do not want Answer with AI responses to their queries may turn the feature off in the settings. Here is how that is done: <ol> <li>Load https://search.brave.com/settings in the browser's address bar.</li> <li>Scroll down to Answer with AI.</li> <li>Toggle the feature to off.</li> </ol> Bonus tip: there you may also disable anonymous usage metrics while you are at it. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Answers with AI worked surprisingly well during tests. While it is necessary to verify the output, as it is not guaranteed that the information is accurate, the same can be said for any third-party source of information on the Internet. Granted, information published on trustworthy websites are usually correct, whereas the same cannot be said for the output of generative AI tools. Webmasters may want to take note that the feature will likely reduce traffic coming from search engines in the long run. Then again, AI depends on human created information to function at all. Do you use Brave Search? What is your take on AI responses to user queries in search engines? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/18/brave-search-answer-with-ai-takes-over-but-you-can-turn-it-off/" data-wpel-link="internal">Brave Search: Answer with AI takes over, but you can turn it off</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Delta emulator is now available on the iOS App Store, but not for EU users

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 04:51:59 -0000

The popular retro-Nintendo emulator, Delta, is now officially available on the App Store. In case you missed it, Apple recently announced that the App Store now allows game emulators for retro game […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Delta emulator is now available on the iOS App Store, but not for EU users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

The popular retro-Nintendo emulator, Delta, is now officially available on the App Store. In case you missed it, Apple recently announced that the App Store now allows game emulators for retro game consoles. The emulators have to follow certain rules, such as not distributing games directly. The news was followed by a couple of emulators launching on the App Store, but they disappeared for different reasons, one app was found to be using stolen code and had many trackers, while the other one, an emulator called Bimmy, was pulled by the developer out of fear. That's not surprising, because emulators are often targeted by lawsuits, R.I.P. Yuzu and Citra. Remember, emulation itself is not illegal, piracy, i.e. distribution of games is. Some emulator devs use screenshots, names of popular games to entice users. Sometimes they also distribute copyrighted content like BIOS files, which paints a bullseye on the app for lawsuits. <h3> Delta emulator officially releases on the iOS App Store</h3> Delta emulator supports the following game systems: Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo 64 (N64), Game Boy Color (GBC), Game Boy Advance (GBA), and Nintendo DS (NDS). The app's description says that there are plenty more to come. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205413" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Delta-emulator-officially-releases-on-the-iOS-App-Store.jpg" alt="Delta emulator officially releases on the iOS App Store" width="1095" height="850" /> Delta supports various game pads including: Nintendo Switch Pro controllers and Joy-Cons, Nintendo Switch Online controllers (NES, SNES, N64), PS4 (DualShock), PS5 (DualSense), Xbox One S, Xbox Series X, MFi game controllers, and Bluetooth & wired keyboards. The emulator supports various features such as Save States, automatic backup of save states, Quick Saves, Cheats, Fast Forward, 3D/Haptic Touch, Game Artwork, Custom Controller Skins, etc. It also supports Delta Sync (to sync games, saves, cheats, etc.) between devices, and works with Google Drive and Dropbox. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205415" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Play-retro-games-on-iOS-with-Delta-emulator.jpg" alt="Play retro games on iOS with Delta emulator" width="1200" height="865" /> <h3>Delta emulator is not available in the App Store for EU users</h3> Surprisingly, Delta emulator is not available in the App Store for users in the European Union's region. You would have imagined it would be the other way around with the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/11/02/eu-passes-new-digital-markets-act-will-force-apple-to-allow-third-party-stores-and-sideloading-apps-on-ios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Digital Markets Act</a>, i.e. EU gets to enjoy sideloading, emulators, etc., and the rest of the world would be jealous. But it's kind of funny how things have turned out to be the opposite. But, there is another way to get it, via the new AltStore app marketplace. Read on! <h3>AltStore PAL for iOS launched in EU</h3> Riley Testut, the developer of the Delta emulator, has <a href="https://rileytestut.com/blog/2024/04/17/introducing-altstore-pal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">announced</a> the launch of the <a href="https://altstore.io/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">AltStore PAL</a> in the European Union region. The third-party app marketplace will host two apps: Delta and Clip (a clipboard app). Testut says that the AltStore PAL will host apps from third-party developers in the future. You can access the new store on devices running iOS 17.4 or above. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205416" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AltStore-PAL-for-iOS-launched-in-EU.jpg" alt="AltStore PAL for iOS launched in EU" width="863" height="849" /> The bad news is that the AltStore PAL is not free to access. The good news is it only costs €1.50 + tax, for an annual subscription. The developer says that this was the only option they had, because of Apple's <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/01/29/apples-rules-to-allow-third-party-app-stores-in-the-eu-are-not-beneficial-for-users-or-developers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Core Technology Fee</a>, which would require them to pay the Cupertino company €0.50 every time a user downloads Delta via the AltStore. The additional cost for the subscription is likely to cover the server fees. It's also worth noting that while Delta emulator is free for AltStore users, the clipboard app, Clip, is locked behind a donation of €1 (or more). This is a one-time fee. If you don't want to pay for the subscription, you can use the old AltStore method i.e., the AltServer, to sideload the app manually on your iPhone. But you will need to connect it with a computer and refresh the app once every week to continue using it. It's a tedious process, which you can read about on the<a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/Delta_Emulator/wiki/guide" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"> official wiki</a>. Some users have suggested an alternative workaround where you could create an Apple ID in the U.S., get the app, add it to your family and share it with yourself. I'm not sure if this would work, I've not tried it. The best part is that Delta emulator is completely free, there are no ads or in-app purchases in the app. <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/delta-game-emulator/id1048524688" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Download</a> the emulator from the app store. As for playing the games, you will need to obtain the ROMs and BIOS files on your own, we can't help you with that. I will suggest looking around the internet for fan-made games, aka ROM Hacks and Patches for your favorite games, they may offer an entirely new experience. The app is compatible with iOS 14.0 or later, macOS 11.0 or above (Apple Silicon Macs), and also supports Apple Vision. One thing to note here is that the emulator while iPad compatibility is not listed, it does work on the tablets, though it uses the iOS version, so it doesn't a full screen experience. Having emulators on iPhones is a big win for iOS gamers, and it might convince some people to jump ship from Android to iPhone. And of course, having emulators on iPads is fantastic. Hopefully, we will see more emulators like Retroarch, PPSSPP next on iOS. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/18/delta-emulator-is-now-available-on-the-ios-app-store-but-not-for-eu-users/" data-wpel-link="internal">Delta emulator is now available on the iOS App Store, but not for EU users</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Dear Microsoft, why cannot I uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows?

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 05:38:05 -0000

It is April 2024. The deadline for compliance with the Digital Markets Act was in March 2024. Still, even with all the latest updates installed, I cannot uninstall Microsoft Edge from any […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Dear Microsoft, why cannot I uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows? appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

It is April 2024. The deadline for compliance with the Digital Markets Act was in March 2024. Still, even with all the latest updates installed, I cannot <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/11/17/breaking-windows-users-in-the-eea-will-soon-be-able-to-remove-bing-and-edge/" data-wpel-link="internal">uninstall Microsoft Edge</a> from any of my devices. I tried on one Windows 10 system and three Windows 11 PCs. I even fired up a virtual machine just to see if it would make a difference. Nada. <a href="https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2023/11/16/previewing-changes-in-windows-to-comply-with-the-digital-markets-act-in-the-european-economic-area/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">According</a> to Microsoft, customers from the European Economic Area should be able to do so. Whenever I check Microsoft Edge in the Settings app on Windows 10 or Windows 11 devices, I get a grayed out uninstall button. I double-checked to make sure that the latest Windows updates are installed. <figure id="attachment_205410" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205410" style="width: 2094px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-205410 size-full" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/microsoft-edge-uninstall-grayed-out.png" alt="Microsoft Edge no uninstall option" width="2094" height="1007" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/microsoft-edge-uninstall-grayed-out.png 2094w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/microsoft-edge-uninstall-grayed-out-1536x739.png 1536w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/microsoft-edge-uninstall-grayed-out-2048x985.png 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 2094px) 100vw, 2094px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205410" class="wp-caption-text">Windows 10: latest updates installed</figcaption></figure> <figure id="attachment_205411" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205411" style="width: 1131px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-205411 size-full" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/edge-uninstall-windows-11.png" alt="Edge _Uninstall Windows 11" width="1131" height="655" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-205411" class="wp-caption-text">Windows 11 no Edge uninstall</figcaption></figure> How can this be? Last time I checked, Germany is a member state of the European Union. Microsoft even confirms that it planned to roll out the changes to all customers in the European Economic Area by early April". It wrote: "Throughout March we will increase the number of PCs in the rollout, while closely monitoring for any quality issues. Our plan is to deliver and enable our DMA changes for all PCs in the EEA by early April. After the update is applied, a restart is required to fully enable the changes." Microsoft has not updated the post on its website. The most likely explanation is that the rollout is still not complete and that it is controlled on the server side. Since there is no official update, it is unclear if that is the case. It could also be a bug affecting some systems. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2020/07/07/how-to-remove-the-new-microsoft-edge-if-uninstallation-is-blocked/" data-wpel-link="internal">There are ways to remove Microsoft Edge</a>. This requires running a command from an elevated PowerShell terminal window. Users who really want Edge gone can resort to these options. Microsoft did promise, however, that Edge could be uninstalled just like any other regular app on the system. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Most Windows users in the EU and EEC will probably remain unaware of the option that Edge can be uninstalled (eventually). The uninstallation can lead to a cul-de-sac situation. If Edge is the only browser, there is no apparent option to install another browser. With Edge gone, there is seemingly no option to install a different browser. Windows users who run into the issue may want to fire up the command prompt and use winget to install a different browser. The command winget install Mozilla Firefox installs Mozilla's Firefox web browser on the device. You can also use it to install other browsers, e.g., chrome. What about you? Can you remove Microsoft Edge or have done so already? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/17/dear-microsoft-why-cannot-i-uninstall-microsoft-edge-on-windows/" data-wpel-link="internal">Dear Microsoft, why cannot I uninstall Microsoft Edge on Windows?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Mozilla Firefox 125 brings text highlighting in PDFs, URL Paste Suggestion

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:09:46 -0000

Mozilla is set to release Firefox 125 to the stable channel today. The update brings a handful of improvements, including support for text highlighting in PDFs, Tab Indicators in Firefox View. Update: […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Mozilla Firefox 125 brings text highlighting in PDFs, URL Paste Suggestion appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Mozilla is set to release Firefox 125 to the stable channel today. The update brings a handful of improvements, including support for text highlighting in PDFs, Tab Indicators in Firefox View. Update: Mozilla skipped Firefox 125.0 and has released Firefox 125.0.1 instead. The new browser version is now available. End <h3>Highlight Text in PDFs</h3> Firefox's built-in PDF viewer allows users to highlight text in documents. It lets you set the highlight color, though it is limited to five options: Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink and Red. The other option in the tool can be used to adjust the thickness of the highlighter. To use it, simply select the Highlight tool, and then select some text in a PDF. You can change the color of the highlight even after you have marked the text. Want to delete a highlighted section? Just hit the bin icon to remove the marker. This can be useful for annotating content in PDFs. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205406" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Highlight-Text-in-PDFs-in-Firefox.jpg" alt="Highlight Text in PDFs in Firefox" width="1200" height="737" /> Mozilla says that this feature is being rolled out progressively to users, so it may not be available for everyone just yet. If you want to try it, you can download Firefox Nightly. <h3>Pinned Tabs, Tab Indicators in Firefox View</h3> Version 125 enhances the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/09/22/mozilla-is-testing-a-new-feature-called-firefox-view/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Firefox View</a> feature, which can now display pinned tabs. Tabs that you have pinned will be listed under the Open tabs section. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205407" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Pinned-Tabs-and-Tab-Indicators-in-Firefox-View.jpg" alt="Pinned Tabs and Tab Indicators in Firefox View" width="1199" height="733" /> Firefox View gains another improvement, it now supports Tab indicators for Open Tabs. So, tabs that have a media playing on it will have a speaker icon on it, using which you can quickly mute or unmute the tabs, even if they are in different windows. Tab Indicators are also available for bookmarks, and tabs with notifications. <h3>Address Bar improvements</h3> The Address Bar's search function can is now compatible with tab-specific Container add-ons, and list tabs that are open in different containers. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205408" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/URL-Paste-Suggestion-in-Mozilla-Firefox.jpg" alt="URL Paste Suggestion in Mozilla Firefox" width="995" height="292" /> Firefox has a new feature called URL Paste Suggestion. When you focus on the address bar, and the clipboard contains a URL, the browser detects it automatically, and displays an autocomplete result automatically. You can click on the suggestion that is labeled "Visit From Clipboard" to go to the URL in a single-click. It's an alternative version of the Paste and Go feature, except you don't have to right-click and select the option from the menu. <h3>Save Addresses</h3> When you submit an address form on a website, Firefox 125 will prompt you to save the data, which will then be available to autofill the next time you have to fill up another address form. Note: This feature is available for users in the U.S., Canada for en-US (English US) language users with a U.S. or Canadian address. <h3>Security</h3> Firefox 125 will block potentially untrustworthy downloads more proactively, this is based on the URLs where the downloads originate from. The latest version of the browser has an option to enable Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD), when Firefox is set to use the system's proxy settings. <h3>Radio Buttons</h3> When you go to a web page that contains radio buttons and have not selected one of those, using the Tab key will only jump to the first option. It will no longer cycle through the options, instead, you will need to use the arrow keys to switch between the options. Mozilla will launch Firefox 125 today, you can download it from the <a href="https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/all/#product-desktop-release" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">official website</a>. The browser maker recently released a test version of Firefox with <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/02/mozilla-released-a-firefox-nightly-test-build-with-vertical-tabs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Vertical Tabs</a> in the Larch branch, but it is not available publicly anymore. Hopefully, it will make its way into the Nightly version soon. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/16/mozilla-firefox-125-brings-text-highlighting-in-pdfs-url-paste-suggestion/" data-wpel-link="internal">Mozilla Firefox 125 brings text highlighting in PDFs, URL Paste Suggestion</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Google intensifies fight against YouTube adblockers

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 05:02:36 -0000

Google just announced that it is intensifying its fight against adblockers on YouTube. The message was posted to the official YouTube support website. The writing was on the wall. Reports about changes […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Google intensifies fight against YouTube adblockers appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Google just <a href="https://support.google.com/youtube/thread/269521462/enforcement-on-third-party-apps" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that it is intensifying its fight against adblockers on YouTube. The message was posted to the official YouTube support website. The writing was on the wall. Reports about changes on YouTube designed to prevent users from using adblockers started in early 2023. Users with adblockers saw <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/12/how-to-bypass-youtubes-anti-ad-blocker-prompt/" data-wpel-link="internal">anti-adblocking prompts</a> and Google ran several <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/08/13/youtube-tightens-thumbscrew-to-crack-down-on-ad-blockers/" data-wpel-link="internal">tests on YouTube to fight adblocking</a>. Google confirmed the <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/11/01/youtube-confirms-it-has-launched-a-global-effort-to-crack-down-on-ad-blockers/" data-wpel-link="internal">crackdown on adblockers</a> in November 2023. Affected users were given two options: turn off the adblocker on YouTube or pay for YouTube Premium. New ways of making ads more endurable were discovered. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/03/ad-speedup-mute-skip-and-fast-forward-ads-on-youtube/" data-wpel-link="internal">Extensions that skip or fast forward ads</a> appeared in extension stores. Google did not only fight adblocking in browsers. It also is fighting against YouTube frontends, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/06/10/google-is-threating-privacy-friendly-youtube-frontend-invidious/" data-wpel-link="internal">such as Invidious</a>, and third-party YouTube apps. Google had some success in this regard in the past. In 2022, its actions caused <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/03/14/youtube-vanced-alternatives-for-android/" data-wpel-link="internal">YouTube Vanced to be discontinued</a>. <h2>Google's fight against third-party apps</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-201561" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/youtube-showing-ads-with-adblocker.png" alt="youtube showing ads with adblocker" width="1556" height="741" srcset="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/youtube-showing-ads-with-adblocker.png 1556w, https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/youtube-showing-ads-with-adblocker-1536x731.png 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 1556px) 100vw, 1556px" /> Today's announcement puts Google's focus on third-party apps that "violate YouTube's Terms of Service". Here, Google is focusing on apps that include ad-blocking capabilities. The company mentions none in the announcement, but it clearly took a swing at Invidious last week already. Google warns users of these apps that their experience may deteriorate soon. They may "experience buffering issues" or see errors such as "the following content is not available on this app" when trying to watch videos. The terms on YouTube disallow apps to "turn off ads". Turning off ads "prevents the creator from being rewarded for viewership" according to Google. It fails to mention that it is keeping a big chunk of the revenue as the maintainer of the platform. Google suggests that YouTube users who do not want to see ads subscribe to YouTube Premium. The company will "take appropriate action" when it finds third-party apps that violate YouTube's terms. <h2>Closing Words</h2> Similar to Google Search, ads have become insufferable for many users of the service. There are too many of them, they may break the viewing experience, and they may show inappropriate content. YouTube Premium is expensive. What weights more for some users is that its functionality is severely limited when compared to third-party apps. The cat and mouse game continues. Do you use YouTube? Would you use it if you couldn't block ads? (via <a href="https://9to5google.com/2024/04/15/youtube-app-block-ads/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">9to5 Google</a>) Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/16/google-intensifies-fight-against-youtube-adblockers/" data-wpel-link="internal">Google intensifies fight against YouTube adblockers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Microsoft publishes new Registry security mitigation for Intel processors (Spectre)

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 05:20:56 -0000

About six years ago, vulnerabilities were discovered that affected most Intel and AMD processors. The vulnerabilities, Spectre and Meltdown, can be exploited to read sensitive data from attacked computer systems. Intel released […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft publishes new Registry security mitigation for Intel processors (Spectre) appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

About six years ago, vulnerabilities were discovered that affected most Intel and AMD processors. The vulnerabilities, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2018/01/05/find-out-if-your-windows-pc-is-affected-by-meltdown-spectre-vulnerabilities/" data-wpel-link="internal">Spectre and Meltdown</a>, can be exploited to read sensitive data from attacked computer systems. Intel released an update for one of the Spectre variants, disclosed officially on March 8, 2022. Microsoft implemented mitigations in client and server versions of Windows as a response to this. These are disabled by default. The main reason for this seems to be potential performance impacts that comes with the implementation. This guide walks you through the steps of configuring Windows to enable the mitigations and finding out if your processor is affected. <h2>Is your processor affected?</h2> The very first thing you may want to do is check if your processor is on Intel's list of affected CPUs. <ul> <li>If it is on the list, you may enable the mitigation to protect the system against potential attacks.</li> <li>If it is not on the list, you can skip the remainder of the article.</li> </ul> Here is how you find out: <ol> <li>Open Start > Settings > System > About and check the listed processor.</li> <li>Load the following two resource websites: <a href="https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-0001#vulnConfigurationsArea" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Nist.gov</a> and Intel's <a href="https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/topic-technology/software-security-guidance/processors-affected-consolidated-product-cpu-model.html" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Affected Processors</a> website.</li> </ol> Check to see if the installed processor is listed on these websites. You may want to use the browser's search to find the information quickly. <h2>Microsoft's Registry tweak to protect against the vulnerability</h2> <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205398" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/intel-processor-spectre-mitigation.png" alt="Intel Spectre Mitigation" width="1370" height="622" /> If your processor is on the list, you may change the Registry keys to enable the mitigations. Note: implementation may affect performance. While I cannot recommend not enabling these mitigations, the risk of attacks against home PCs is most of the time neglectable. Backup: it is highly recommended to back up the system drive before implementing the mitigation. Not with <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/05/25/heres-a-look-at-microsofts-new-windows-backup-app/" data-wpel-link="internal">Windows' Backup App</a>, which is useless for the purpose, but with a full backup program like <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2018/07/05/a-look-at-paragon-backup-recovery-free-for-windows/" data-wpel-link="internal">Paragon Backup & Recovery Free</a>. Here is what you need to do on Windows devices and clients to mitigate <a href="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2022-0001" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">CVE-2022-0001</a>: <ol> <li>Open Start, type CMD, and select Run as administrator. This launches an elevated command prompt window.</li> <li>Confirm the UAC prompt by selecting yes.</li> <li>Execute the following two commands by pasting them and pressing the Enter-key after each: <ol> <li>reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management" /v FeatureSettingsOverride /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00800000 /f</li> <li>reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management" /v FeatureSettingsOverrideMask /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00000003 /f</li> </ol> </li> <li>Restart the computer after both Registry keys have been added.</li> </ol> Tip: you may want to monitor performance to make sure that day-to-day operations are not severely impacted by the mitigation. Interestingly enough, Microsoft has also revealed how Linux users may mitigate the vulnerability: "Specify spectre_bhi=on on the kernel command line". Closing Words While it may be critical for organizations to implement the mitigation, risks of attacks are relatively low for home users. What about you? Have you implemented Spectre / Meltdown mitigations on your PCs? (via <a href="https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-shares-official-windows-registry-tweak-as-the-spectre-still-haunts-intel-in-2024/" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Neowin</a>) Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/15/microsoft-publishes-new-registry-mitigation-for-intel-processors-spectre/" data-wpel-link="internal">Microsoft publishes new Registry security mitigation for Intel processors (Spectre)</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
A new journey with Windows: Microsoft's "end of support" notice for Windows 10 users

Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:13:02 -0000

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system has about 18 months of official support left. Customers may further extend support by up to three years, but this comes at a cost. Now, Microsoft is […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post A new journey with Windows: Microsoft's "end of support" notice for Windows 10 users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system has about 18 months of official support left. Customers may further extend support by up to three years, but this comes at a cost. Now, Microsoft is pushing another message on to Windows 10 devices. A new journey with Windows is a fullscreen prompt that appeared on the screen of some Windows 10 users. This prompt, first spotted by users on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2F79ng4d837rtc1.png" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">Reddit</a>, informs Windows 10 users about the end of support of the operating system in 2025. It says: <blockquote>A new journey with Windows. We want to thank you for your loyalty as a Windows 10 customer. As end of support for Windows 10 approaches, we're here to support you on your PC journey. Your PC is not eligible to upgrade to Windows 11, but it will continue to receive Windows 10 fixes and security updates until support ends on October 14, 2025.</blockquote> While it is good that Microsoft is informing customers about the end of support, it comes with the typical mix of deceptive design patterns. First, you may notice that there is no option to decline and exit the prompt. While you can click on "remind me later", this only means that the prompt will be shown at a later stage again. Second, this particular version seems aimed at users who run devices that are not compatible with Windows 11. These devices cannot be upgraded to Windows 11 officially. The solution that Microsoft has is simple: buy a new PC with Windows 11 and migrate your data to that new PC to continue using a supported version of Windows 11. In other words, this is a big reminder that Windows 10 is running out of support and that the customer cannot really do anything about it other than buying a new PC. Again, Microsoft does not reveal the option that <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/05/breaking-consumers-will-be-able-to-extend-windows-10-support/" data-wpel-link="internal">Extended Security Updates for Windows 10</a> allow customers to extend support by up to three years. Granted, this comes at a cost. <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/03/microsoft-reveals-windows-10-esu-pricing-starts-at-61/" data-wpel-link="internal">Enterprise customers may pay up to $427</a> for extending support by three years. Microsoft has yet to announce the price for consumers. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Microsoft should inform customers about the end of support. Most Windows users would agree to that statement. Microsoft's "how" is probably not the way most Windows customers would like to be informed. The company omits information and does not give users an easy opt-out so that the message is never shown again. Expect more informational screens in the coming months. Systems compatible with Windows 11 will eventually be upgraded automatically to the new version. Microsoft has <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/12/10/windows-7-and-8-1-support-ends-next-month/" data-wpel-link="internal">done so in the past</a> when previous operating systems ran out of support. Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/12/a-new-journey-with-windows-microsofts-end-of-support-notice-for-windows-10-users/" data-wpel-link="internal">A new journey with Windows: Microsoft's "end of support" notice for Windows 10 users</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Google is releasing previously Pixel-exclusive AI tools to all Google Photos users

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:51:46 -0000

Soon, all users of the photo viewing and editing app Google Photos may use a number of AI tools to edit their photos. Google announced yesterday that the three AI tools Magic […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Google is releasing previously Pixel-exclusive AI tools to all Google Photos users appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Soon, all users of the photo viewing and editing app Google Photos may use a number of AI tools to edit their photos. Google <a href="https://blog.google/products/photos/google-photos-editing-features-availability/#footnote-2" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">announced</a> yesterday that the three AI tools Magic Editor, Photo Unblur, and Magic Eraser will roll out to all Google Photos users starting next month. The AI-powered editing features were limited to Google Pixel device owners and Google One subscribers previously. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-205390" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/google-photos-ai-tools.webp" alt="Google Photos AI Tools" width="600" height="338" /> Here is what these tools do: <ul> <li>Photo Unblur -- the AI tool improves blurry photos. In the best case, it is removing the blurriness entirely from photos.</li> <li>Portrait Light -- allows you to adjust the brightness and position of light in portraits.</li> <li>Magic Eraser -- you may remove objects from images using this tool. This includes photobombing people, fences, or anything else seen on photos.</li> <li>Magic Editor -- this tool, previously exclusive on Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro devices, allows users to manipulate certain elements. Google gives the example of moving elements on the screen or "turning the sky from gray to blue" using AI.</li> </ul> Magic Editor uses are unlimited on all Pixel devices. Google notes that everyone else is getting 10 saves per month. Google customers who need more edits need a Google One Premium subscription (2 TB and above). This Google help page <a href="https://support.google.com/photos/thread/268658175?hl=en" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer">lists</a> additional AI features that Google did not mention in the blog post. They are: <ul> <li>Sky suggestions</li> <li>Color pop</li> <li>HDR effect for photos & videos</li> <li>Portrait blur.</li> <li>Cinematic photos.</li> <li>Styles in collage editor.</li> <li>Video effects.</li> </ul> <h2>When are these tools launching?</h2> Google plans to launch these tools to all of its customers starting May 15, 2024. A remark on the Google Photos help website provides additional information: "Beginning May 15, 2024 and rolling out over the coming months, you can get more features at no cost. " The rollout will take months to complete. These tools will only roll out to devices that meet the minimum hardware requirements. These are Android 8.0 or newer, or iOS 15 or newer on mobile. Some photo editing features do require at least 3 gigabytes of RAM on Android or iOS as well. Magic Editor requires 4 GB of RAM and a 64-bit chipset. Not all editing features are available on the web. Google notes that some features are exclusive to the mobile Google Photos apps for Android or iOS. <h3>Closing Words</h3> Photo editing tools can be helpful to improve photos you've taken in the past. These AI tools do the heavy lifting, and while they may not come reach professional edits, they may be sufficient for many users. Google does not say if the processing happens on the local device. At least some of the tools, including Magic Editor, require an active Internet connection to work at all. Lots of <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/12/09/how-to-try-metas-ai-image-generator-imagine-right-now/" data-wpel-link="internal">AI image creators</a> <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/11/30/paints-ai-image-creator-is-now-available-for-everyone/" data-wpel-link="internal">and</a> editing tools have been <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/10/02/how-to-use-dall-e-3-bing-ai/" data-wpel-link="internal">announced</a> or launched in recent time, some even <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2019/08/29/ai-image-enlarger-convert-images-from-low-to-high-definition/" data-wpel-link="internal">before</a> the whole AI craze began. Now You: Have you used AI to edit or create images? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/11/google-is-unlocking-previously-pixel-exclusive-ai-tools-to-all-google-photos-users/" data-wpel-link="internal">Google is releasing previously Pixel-exclusive AI tools to all Google Photos users</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.
Proton acquires encrypted note-taking app Standard Notes

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 12:44:51 -0000

Proton has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the encrypted note-taking app, Standard Notes. The company says that the privacy-focused Proton has been expanding its portfolio steadily overtime, evolving from […]

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Proton acquires encrypted note-taking app Standard Notes appeared first on gHacks Technology News.

Proton has announced that it has completed the acquisition of the encrypted note-taking app, Standard Notes. The company says that the privacy-focused Proton has been expanding its portfolio steadily overtime, evolving from an <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2017/11/24/getting-started-with-protonmail/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">email service</a>. It has a VPN service called <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2017/06/20/protonvpn-swiss-based-vpn-launches/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">ProtonVPN</a>, a cloud storage service in the form of Proton Drive, and <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/04/14/proton-calendar-app-for-android-features/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Proton Calendar</a> which as the name indicates can be used for organizing your schedule. Proton launched its own password manager service, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2023/04/20/proton-pass-new-password-manager-announced/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Proton Pass</a>, last year. All of these services have a free tier with limited features and storage space, which is pretty cool, and if you like them, you may want to take a look at the premium subscriptions. <h3>Proton acquires Standard Notes</h3> Proton's <a href="https://proton.me/blog/proton-standard-notes-join-forces" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">acquisition</a> of Standard Notes isn't surprising, after all, privacy-focused tools have been the company's forte. Some users had even been requesting for a Proton Notes app, I guess their wish has now been granted. The company acquired the email alias service, <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2022/04/09/proton-ag-acquires-simplelogin-email-alias-service/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">SimpleLogin</a>, in 2022, and has continued to support it as a standalone service. I remember when Proton introduced its cloud storage and calendar, many users were complaining about the apps. They were pointing out that it lacks some features that were available on other services. Another issue that users had was the lack of proper apps for desktop platforms, which the company addressed by <a href="https://proton.me/blog/proton-mail-desktop-app" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">releasing</a> the Proton Mail app for Windows, macOS, and Linux (beta). That's not going to be a problem this time around, because Proton does not have to start from scratch. Standard Notes debuted in 2017, and has over 300,000 users. It has polished apps with lots of features, albeit some of them are locked behind a paywall. The note-taking service also has dedicated apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android and iOS. And, if you prefer using it from your browser, you can just access the service's <a href="https://app.standardnotes.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">web app</a>. You can even self-host it on your own server. <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205386" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Standard-Notes-use-without-account-and-encrypt-your-data.jpg" alt="Standard Notes use without account and encrypt your data" width="1100" height="800" /> The desktop app <a href="https://standardnotes.com/help/59/can-i-use-standard-notes-totally-offline" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">can be used offline</a> without an account, and you should set up a passcode lock from the app's Menu > Security to encrypt the data locally on your device. If you want your data to sync across devices, you will need to sign up for a free account, it supports end-to-end encryption, although it is limited to plain text notes and a measly 100MB of note storage. Standard Notes' apps are <a href="https://github.com/standardnotes" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">open source,</a> the company has been <a href="https://standardnotes.com/help/2/has-standard-notes-completed-a-third-party-security-audit" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">audited</a> by third-parties 4 times, the last one dating to 2022. There is one thing that I don't like about it, the <a href="https://standardnotes.com/plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">premium subscriptions</a> of Standard Notes are not wallet-friendly, and it's going to stay that way. $90 for a year's plan is rather expensive, wouldn't you agree? <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205387" src="https://www.ghacks.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Standard-Notes-plan-prices-yearly-subscription.jpg" alt="Standard Notes plan prices yearly subscription" width="1133" height="893" /> Proton's announcement confirms that the prices are not changing, and that all current subscriptions will be honored. I expect Standard Notes will be bundled into Proton Unlimited, which I think is probably the reason why the company acquired the note-taking app. Proton also says that Standard Notes will remain open source, freely available and fully supported. I mean, they did the same thing after acquiring SimpleLogin, it is available via its own website, so this is a good thing. There aren't any proper alternatives for Standard Notes, aside from <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2019/06/24/joplin-open-source-note-taking-app/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-wpel-link="internal">Joplin</a>, which I reviewed 5 years ago. Which note-taking app do you use? Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post <a href="https://www.ghacks.net/2024/04/11/proton-acquires-encrypted-note-taking-app-standard-notes/" data-wpel-link="internal">Proton acquires encrypted note-taking app Standard Notes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.ghacks.net" data-wpel-link="internal">gHacks Technology News</a>.