Eliana Willis

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    in Information Technology

    Don’t ignore Microsoft’s February Patch Tuesday – it’s a big one for all Windows 11 users

    ZDNETMicrosoft’s Patch Tuesday rollout for February is a big one, not simply in size but in scope. Rolled out on February 11, the latest updates not only add a few new features but squash several bugs, including a few critical security vulnerabilities.Let’s start with the new features. The latest round of patches, available as KB5051987 for Windows 11 24H2 and KB5051989 for Windows 11 23H2, enhances built-in tools such as the Taskbar and File Explorer.Also: Windows 11’s bug-fixing update is making things worseAccording to its changelog, Microsoft says the update improves the previews and animations that appear when your cursor hovers over Taskbar icons. Next, a new icon appears in the System Tray when you use an app that supports Windows Studio Effects, which can display special effects through the front-facing camera on your PC or monitor. The update also adds a new simplified Chinese font called Simsun-ExtG.There’s one more. Windows can now automatically restart certain apps when you exit and then sign back in. To enable this option, go to Settings, select Accounts, and then click Sign in options. Turn on the switch for “Automatically save my restartable apps and restart them when I sign back in.” More

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    in Information Technology

    Google Family Link now limits who can contact your child’s device

    Google Google Family Link, the parental control app that lets you keep an eye on your child’s digital activity, is rolling out some new features designed to help you keep your kids safer.  In today’s announcement, Google detailed several changes coming to the app, including a redesigned interface, improved scheduling controls, and the ability to […] More

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    in Robotics

    5 reasons why Zen is my new favorite browser (RIP, Opera)

    ZDNETA few years ago, when Opera first released the Workspaces feature, I was certain no other browser would top it. I was right for a long time. Eventually, however, other web browsers caught on and started to realize how important good tab management was — Chrome has yet to pick up on this.Prior to using Opera, I was a big fan of Firefox. Sadly, Mozilla has failed to understand how truly good tab management can be. Because Firefox is open-source, other developers can snag the source, build their own take on the browser, and distribute it.Also: Firefox is finally adding vertical tabs – why it’s a game-changing updateAnd that’s how Zen Browser came into being.I started testing Zen Browser a few months ago, calling it the customizable Firefox I’ve been waiting for. During those first few weeks, I used Zen Browser sporadically, always coming back to Opera. But then something funny happened on the way to the forum, and I found myself wanting to use Zen Browser more and more.Then, last week, I made it my default on both Linux and MacOS.Here’s why.1. Open sourceI’m not a purist, so you’ll find no opposition to closed-source software from me. I use Slack, Spotify, and other applications that are not open, and I don’t feel guilty about that. However, when there’s an open-source alternative that’s as good as its closed-source relative, I will always opt for the open-source app. Zen Browser is open by design (it has to be because it’s a fork of another open-source application — Firefox). Also: My 5 favorite web browsers – and what each is ideal forYou can view and download Zen Browser’s source from its official GitHub page. Opera has always been and always will be closed-source, and that’s perfectly fine. But since Zen Browser includes all of the features I enjoy in Opera, the choice (for me) is obvious. More

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    in Robotics

    10 common dangers VPNs won’t protect you from online – and how to avoid them

    Yuliya Taba/Getty Images VPNs are a hot topic among ZDNET readers. Many of you use VPNs to protect your communications, protect your privacy or location, or to location-shift your apparent physical address (which may or may not violate various sites’ terms of service). Also: Is a VPN-ready router the ultimate Wi-Fi upgrade? I tested one […] More

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    in Robotics

    I used Netflix’s secret codes to quintuple my viewing options – here’s how

    Thomas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images Netflix wasn’t the first streaming platform, but it was the first popular video-on-demand service with teeth, taking a huge bite of the global market 14 years ago when it started to phase out its mailing service. Remember that? Physical DVDs showing up in your actual mailbox — the one at […] More