Eliana Willis

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETOpenSnitch is a Linux port of the popular MacOS app Little Snitch. This app is essentially an application firewall that tracks network requests from apps, so you can create rules to block or allow those requests.Why is that important?Also: 7 things every Linux beginner should know before downloading their first distroSay, for example, that you’ve installed a Linux app that shouldn’t require internet access (those do still exist). You’re using that app with OpenSnitch running, and it reports that the app has made an outgoing internet connection. What gives? That shouldn’t be the case. It’s possible the app is sending telemetry (which could include information about your activity) to some third party. You don’t want that. Also: You can try Linux without ditching Windows first – here’s howWith OpenSnitch, you’ll know when these things occur, and when they do, you can take action to block those outgoing requests. This is a great tool to help you keep your privacy and security intact. Let me show you how to install the app and how it’s used.How to install OpenSnitch What you’ll need: I’m going to demonstrate this on Ubuntu Linux 24.04. OpenSnitch can also be installed on Fedora-based distributions, and you’ll only need to modify the installation commands. So, you’ll need a running instance of an Ubuntu-based distribution and a user with sudo privileges. That’s it. Let’s make it happen. More

Dell Premium 16 <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Dell Premium 16 starts at $1,800. This is a premium laptop capable of handling heavy workloads, especially graphic design, thanks to its top-notch hardware. However, it does share some of the same issues as its predecessor, like its tendency to run warm and power-hungry battery. –> I’ve […] More

Finally, there’s something to be said for supporting the underdog.In the Windows desktop browser arena, Chrome is still the top dog by far (though some of the upcoming AI-based browsers may start nipping at its heels). Edge is in second place. That puts Firefox in third. But I think the browser should be defined by much more than its third-place status.Unlike Google and Microsoft, which are major corporate giants, the Mozilla Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a strong bent toward online privacy and transparency. That’s one reason I prefer Firefox.Also, if Firefox disappeared, we’d be left with just two major Windows desktop browsers, neither of which places extra emphasis on privacy. That’s another reason I favor Firefox.Also: This new browser won’t monetize your every move – how to try itDespite my fandom for Firefox, I’m certainly not blind to its weaknesses nor to the criticisms leveled against it. While Chrome and Edge use the Blink engine to render web pages, Firefox taps into its own Quantum/Gecko engine. This is important because some web developers make sure their sites render properly in Chrome and Edge but leave Firefox as an afterthought.Many benchmarks also peg Chrome and Edge as faster than Firefox depending on the pages you load and the tasks you run. Additionally, I’ve found that Firefox typically chews up more memory than Chrome, especially when running multiple tabs.Then there are the gripes against Mozilla itself. Back in March, Mozilla changed some of the language used in its privacy policy, triggering concerns over its continued focus on user privacy.As I mentioned, I use Chrome and Edge, so those browsers do play a role for me both personally and professionally. But among the three, I still favor Firefox. I find that most web pages work fine in Firefox, that the browser is fast enough, and that the focus on privacy is still strong, especially with the settings that you can tweak and tighten. For those reasons and more, I remain a dedicated Firefox user. More

Sony Bravia 5 TV (98-inch) <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Enhanced color, contrast, and clarity make this TV live up to its hype. It handily delivers upscaled HDR content and high-speed footage. A soundbar will complement its size, and its off-angle viewing can be less than perfect. more buying choices Sony recently sent us the 2025 […] More

Ed Bott / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETMicrosoft’s on a relentless quest to embed its Copilot AI into every software product it owns. That campaign takes another big step forward with the addition of some new generative AI features in the company’s Edge browser.The latest release beefs up the capabilities of Copilot Mode, the chat-based search interface for Edge, on Windows PCs and Macs. You can use natural voice commands to navigate pages, and the chatbot can see all the open tabs in the current browser window instead of being limited to whatever’s on the current page. Also: Microsoft gives Copilot a face – here’s how to try your new Appearance chat buddyIf that sounds appealing, you can go to the Copilot Mode sign-in page and flip a switch that lets you enable Copilot Mode in Edge Settings. Here’s what happened when I turned this feature on.Hands-on with Copilot ModeTurning on Copilot Mode adds a Copilot logo button in the address bar. A separate option customizes the new tab page, replacing the search box with a Copilot chat input box that’s designed to handle search, chat, and web navigation. It also gives you the option to open Copilot Mode in a sidebar, where you can ask it questions about the current set of open tabs. Also: I made Microsoft Edge my default browser because of these three killer featuresIn Copilot Mode, the new tab page becomes an ocean of serenity, a simple input box with a personal greeting above it. If you start typing a question, Edge offers two options: You can send your question to Copilot for an AI-powered answer, or you can choose a traditional search. Here’s what it looks like.   More

Mininyx Doodle / Getty Images Who do you believe when it comes to the potential impact of artificial intelligence? An MIT Nobel laureate economist or the former CEO of the world’s biggest tech company? MIT economist Daron Acemoglu, for his part, says the current hype is way over the top. AI might profitably automate only […] More

MR.Cole_Photographer/Getty With the rise of AI agents, AI programs that can perform tasks for you without being explicitly told how to carry out every individual step, a problem has arisen. It’s an old one in tech circles: Interoperability. How do you get AI agents to work together? One answer is Cisco’s AGNTCY  (pronounced “agency”) project. […] More