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    What is DuckDuckGo? If you’re into online privacy, try this popular Google alternative

    It’s all about privacy. When you search with DuckDuckGo, you don’t have to worry about third parties tracking you or capitalism determining what results are displayed first. DuckDuckGo does not collect user data, track users across the web, associate browsing behaviors with IP addresses, or save your search history. DuckDuckGo is what online searching was meant to be; there’s no tracking, analyzing, fingerprinting, or any other mysterious untoward behaviors. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about AI-generated content in the results. Also: The best VPN services of 2024, and why you need one One thing to keep in mind is that DuckDuckGo isn’t just a search engine. There’s also the DuckDuckGo browser for Android, iOS, Windows, and MacOS. This browser includes built-in private searching, tracker blocking, and all the privacy goodness you’d like to have in Chrome but may never see come to light.Finally, with DuckDuckGo, you don’t have to worry about scrolling through ads to get to the results. When you search with DuckDuckGo, everything you see is directly related to what you were searching for. More

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    10 Linux apps I can’t do without – and why

    Musat/Getty Images Computer usage changes with the tide. One minute it’s all about locally installed applications and the next everything’s in the cloud. You’ve been using application X for task Y when out of the blue, task Y becomes task Z and application X no longer applies. Also: 5 most beautiful Linux distributions: ‘Equal parts user-friendly […] More

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    Pre-ordering an Apple Watch Series 10? Consider these 3 features before you upgrade

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches, and its integration with the Apple ecosystem makes it a go-to for iPhone fans. Apple held its annual September event on Monday, announcing a new lineup of iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watch.Also: Everything Apple announced at iPhone 16 event: AirPods, Apple Watch Series 10, AI, moreMany features come with the Apple Watch’s new upgrade, which marks the company’s 10th smartwatch model, including what seems to be one of the biggest redesigns yet. Here’s what we look forward to about the newest Apple Watch:1. One of the biggest Apple Watch redesigns ever More

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    Update your Windows 11 PC to version 23H2, or else

    Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETHaven’t updated your Windows 11 PC in a while? Then you could find yourself on the outs with Microsoft. Windows 11 21H2 and 22H2 are now no longer supported by the folks in Redmond. This means that anyone still running these versions won’t receive future bug fixes, security patches, or other updates. And that could place your computer at a greater risk for malware, security flaws, and other threats.Also: Yes, you can upgrade that old PC to Windows 11, even if Microsoft says no. These readers proved itOn Sunday, Microsoft revised its Windows 11 release information page to indicate the retirement of the two older versions, listing both 21H2 and 22H2 as having reached the end of servicing for Windows 11 Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations. Only the Enterprise and Education editions are spared; they’re still able to receive updates to Windows 11 22H2 until October 14 of 2025.How do you know which version you’re running? That’s easy enough. Head to Settings, select System, and then click About. Scroll down to the section for Windows specifications to find the version. If Windows 11 23H2 is listed, then you’re fine. But what if you’re stuck with an older edition? In that case, you can update your PC yourself, or Microsoft will now do it for you.Also: Microsoft is going to start charging for Windows 10 updates next year. Here’s how muchGo to Settings, select Windows Update, and click the button for “Check for Updates.” Microsoft will download and install the latest updates, which will include 23H2. If you don’t do this yourself, and automatic updates are turned on, the update will automatically run as part of this month’s Patch Tuesday rolled out on September 10.Keeping track of Windows updates can be challenging and frustrating, especially with so many of them pushed out on a regular and irregular basis. Microsoft has tried to streamline the major updates by launching them annually and naming them with the year and period. But the names can be confusing since we’re almost in the final quarter of 2024 and Windows 11 is still stuck on a 2023 version. In the midst of this messiness, making sure your PC is fully protected against security hazards is the most critical task.On its Windows Message Center page, Microsoft issued this warning:”The October 2024 security update is the last security release for Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11, version 21H2 and Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, version 22H2. After this date, devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.” More