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    5 most Windows-like Linux distros because old habits die hard

    Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETWindows 10’s end of life is coming in 2025, and that means you have to hope your machine can run Windows 11, buy a new computer, or try something different — like Linux.Linux shouldn’t be considered a last-choice alternative, either, because it’s every bit equal to Windows or MacOS. It’s reliable, secure, user-friendly, and free. What more do you want?Also: Don’t know how to quit Windows 10? This Linux distro is for you – and it’s freeI know: You want an operating system that looks and feels like Windows 10. That makes perfect sense because you’ve been using Microsoft’s OS for a long time and change is often hard. Which distribution is right for those seeking a seamless transition from Windows to Linux? There are quite a few choices out there; I’ll show you what I consider your five best options. 1. KDE Neon Slight resemblance to Windows 7 and fully configurable More

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    How to clear your TV cache (and why it makes such a big difference)

    Kerry Wan/ZDNETIn the age of smart TVs, convenience is king. With just a few clicks, we can dive into endless entertainment — but that ease comes with a downside: the buildup of cache data. Also: Your Google TV just got a useful feature upgrade for free, and smart home users will love itJust like on your phone or computer, a cluttered TV cache can lead to sluggish performance, app crashes, and even hinder new content from loading properly. That’s why it’s important to clear all that extra cache and make your TV feel like new again. Before I break down the steps for how to do it, let’s address the big elephant in the room first. What is a cache? A cache is a temporary storage area where data is kept for quick access. On your smart TV, the cache stores information from apps, websites, and system processes to help them load faster every time you turn it on. Think of it as a bunch of temporary files intended to speed up loading times for frequently accessed information. Also: The best TVs of 2025: Expert tested and reviewedFor instance, when you open a streaming app, the cache might store thumbnails, login details, or recently watched shows. Caches are designed to help your TV load this content more quickly. Over time, however, the cache can become overloaded with outdated or unnecessary data, which can consequently slow down your TV’s performance. More

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    This Beats small speaker delivers big sound and fresh style, and it’s on sale right now

    <!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways Beats’ latest Pill speaker is available for $150 in five colorways: Statement Red, Matte Black, Champagne Gold, Navy Blue, and Blush Pink. An impressive battery life and a subtle, clean design set the Beats Pill apart from its competitors. However, Beats’ overemphasized, bass-forward sound can mask the other aspects of a […] More

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    A whopping 94% of leaked passwords are not unique – will you people ever learn?

    Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETDo you ever use “123456,” “admin,” or “password” as the password for a personal or work account? If so, you’re unfortunately not alone and are placing yourself and your employer at risk. Also: 10 passkey survival tips: Prepare for your passwordless future nowPublished last Friday by security news and research outlet Cybernews, a new study of more than 19 billion leaked passwords shows that people still rely on patterns that leave them vulnerable to attack and compromise. For the study, Cybernews looked at credentials leaked from 200 different incidents over the past 12 months. Using various cyber intelligence tools, the outlet was able to determine such factors as password length, character composition, and the use of special characters and numbers.The most common (and lazy) passwords still in useBased on the analysis, lazy passwords such as “1234,” “123456,” “password,” and “admin” are still quite common. Cybernews found “1234” in almost 4% of passwords, more than 727 million. With two extra digits, “123456” appeared in 338 million passwords. Both “password” and “123456” have been among the most popular passwords since at least 2011. Also: Why multi-factor authentication is absolutely essential in 2025 More