Information Technology

Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images On Nov. 7, 2024, Google released a System update for Android 9 and later, which included a new service, Android System SafetyCore. Most of these patches were the usual security fixes, but SafetyCore was new and different. Google said in a developer note that the release was an “Android system component that provides […] More

Yuliya Taba/Getty Images Cisco has released a “2025 Data Privacy Benchmark Study” that looks at the privacy challenges companies face with the rise of artificial intelligence. It offers practical insights for businesses that want to integrate AI while keeping privacy front and center. Also: The best free AI courses and certificates in 2025 The study gathered […] More

LagartoFilm/Getty Images If you use a VPN, are you using it all the time and for everything on your desktop or laptop?  You probably assume that more is always better, right? It is like Windows users thinking if they install two antivirus tools, they will be safer — not knowing that running two such tools […] More

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images If you’re a T-Mobile user (or were in 2021), a check might arrive in your mailbox soon. In 2021, the mobile carrier suffered a massive data breach that affected around 76 million customers (this isn’t related to the 2023 breach that affected 37 million people). T-Mobile denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle […] More

Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETHave you ever run into trouble trying to boot up your Windows PC? Boot-up errors are among the most challenging to troubleshoot and fix. Now, Microsoft is launching a new tool that will step in when your computer refuses to boot properly.Also: Microsoft just blocked this popular Windows 11 local account trick – but workarounds remainKnown as Quick Machine Recovery, or QMR, this feature is ready for testing in the latest Windows 11 Insider build. Though Microsoft touts it as a tool for IT administrators, it is also available for home use, where it is turned on by default. How it worksThe Windows Recovery Environment, or WinRE, is a dedicated recovery partition on your computer that attempts to repair boot-up problems. Normally, you might have to trigger WinRE manually, but with QMR, the process is designed to be more automatic. When a critical boot-up problem occurs, your PC will enter WinRE mode, connect to your network, and then send diagnostic data to Microsoft. Based on that data, a specific fix for the issue is sent to your PC via Windows Update. If the fix is successful, your PC should then be able to boot without further trouble. Also: 6 things I always do after setting up Windows 11 – and why you should tooOne key benefit is that the recovery process is designed to run automatically and even remotely. In an organization, IT administrators can send targeted fixes to problematic PCs without requiring physical access. For a home user, the fixes are managed by Microsoft. In either scenario, you do not have to spend time manually diagnosing or trying to resolve the glitch. QMR is part of the Windows Resiliency Initiative that Microsoft announced last November at Ignite 2024. The company is asking IT staffers and other Windows Insiders to start testing the new feature and provide their feedback through the Feedback Hub built into Windows. Insiders should also expect a test remediation package over the next few days, which will let them see how QMR performs. More

Signal / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETPrivacy is no longer just a buzzword — it’s entrenched in the ethos of society. But when it comes to getting serious about privacy, the big question is whether consumers are ready to switch from what they currently use to a more private option.And, boy, are there options. Pick up a stone and toss it in a pond filled with apps and services, and you will almost certainly hit one that promises privacy, security, and (sometimes) anonymity for your communication needs. Also: 9 ways to delete yourself from the internet (and hide your identity online)But which of those choices are best suited to your needs? Only you can answer that question, but it would be nice to have a more limited selection to choose from. Let me curate that list for you and offer a few options that I believe are the most viable. Sound good? Also: The best secure browsers for privacyLet’s switch this conversation to a more private channel. Privacy and security tipsBefore I get into that, here are a few tips that can help improve your privacy and security when using communication apps: Use pseudonyms or anonymous usernamesUse a VPNOnly use apps or services that employ end-to-end encryptionEmploy random and secure email address generatorsNever use public Wi-Fi when communicatingLimit device usage for prolonged periodsRegularly back up data in secure locationsNever install or use an unfamiliar communication app that has few or no reviewsUse multi-factor authenticationNever leave your phone, laptop, or tablet unattended in publicAlways use strong passwords generated by random generators found in password managers like BitwardenUse a passkey when availableRegularly clear the cache of your chosen appNever open links sent from unknown sourcesAlso: The best VPN services: Expert testedWith that out of the way, let’s get to the list. More

Boris Zhitkov/Gatty Images You are one data breach away from your entire online life being turned upside down. The problem is our reliance on passwords, which are hopelessly fragile ways to secure valuable resources. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by believing that creating a longer, more complex, harder-to-guess password will somehow make […] More

style-photography/Getty Images When I grew up, we didn’t have smart devices. TVs, bulbs, and even telephones were simple analog devices. If you’d told my grandmother that she had to update her TV or lightbulb, she’d have thought you were asking to buy a new, replacement device — not download a software update. But today, almost […] More