Information Technology

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETOnline scammers will use all kinds of tricks to steal anything — from your money to your identity. And not all security products are able to fully defend you against their tactics. Now, Avast has beefed up its free security software with a new feature that aims to thwart scams no matter what the source.Known as Scam Guardian, the protection tries to do more than just detect malicious or suspicious URLs. Trained on scam data, Scam Guardian uses AI to analyze the context and language behind a shady web page or text message. The feature also goes behind the scenes to scan the actual website code. The intent is to look above and below the surface for signs of deceptive and dangerous content.Also: Best data removal services: Delete yourself from the internetThe scam protection included with Avast Free Antivirus consists of two components. Avast Assistant The AI-powered Avast Assistant attempts to guide you when you encounter deceptive websites, SMS messages, emails, links, offers, and other content. Instead of acting solely on its own, the assistant will start a dialogue with you to help you understand the content and offer advice on what to do. More

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETGoogle released Android 16 a bit earlier than expected, and although it was missing some crucial features, there are key additions to the platform that go a long way to improve security.This was an important step forward, as the need for improved security grows every year. Without companies like Google, Apple, and others upping the ante on security, the mobile space would wind up the wild west of the technological landscape, with ne’er-do-wells popping up all over the place, stealing data at will. Also: How to turn on Android’s Private DNS mode — and why it’s an absolute must for securityWell, Google has taken a pretty big step forward with Android 16 in the form of two key features, which I’m going to explain here. 1. Identity Check This feature was actually added back in 2024, but it wasn’t until the release of Android 16 that it started receiving much attention. What is Identity Check? Let’s say you’re away from home (which you’ve designated as a trusted location; more on that in a bit). While you’re gone, someone gains access to your phone and either goes to make changes to critical security settings or attempts to access saved passwords or other sensitive information. Because the phone is away from your trusted location, when that person tries to make those changes, biometric authentication will prevent them from accessing those features or data. Also: 7 simple things I always do on Android to protect my privacy – and why you should tooHere’s the thing about Identity Check: it’s not easy to find. The best way to locate the feature is to open the Settings app and search for “identity check.” Once on the Identity Check page, you can enable the feature (it should be enabled by default) and add a trusted location. Once you’ve added a trusted location, biometrics won’t be required for that particular place. More

TP-Link Tapo TP-Link just announced a new lineup of Tapo security cameras that rival the best on the market. The cameras feature high-resolution recording, AI-powered capabilities, and local storage options. The news also includes the launch of the Tapo Smart HomeBase H500, a central hub that offers local storage to bypass subscription fees.  The seven […] More

wdstock/Gertty Images If you’re a current or former AT&T customer, a new class action settlement means you might be in line for a little cash. Earlier this year, the company confirmed two major data breaches — one from 2019 or earlier and one from 2024. The stolen data, which ultimately ended up for sale on […] More

wdstock/Gertty Images If you’re a current or former AT&T customer, a new class action settlement means you might be in line for a little cash. Earlier this year, the company confirmed two major data breaches — one from 2019 or earlier and one from 2024. The stolen data, which ultimately ended up for sale on […] More

hxdbzxy / Getty Images With just a few months remaining until the Windows 10 end-of-support date, Microsoft seems to have belatedly realized that owners of tens of millions of consumer PCs running Windows 10 aren’t ready to replace their old computers, and they’re also not about to fork over $30 for a one-year Extended Security […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro is available for $180 for the Wi-Fi version and $200 for the PoE version. This indoor/outdoor security camera doubles as a smart home hub, features 1520p resolution for crystal-clear images, RTSP support, and has a built-in NPU to process video with AI for visual recognition. […] More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETSince 2014, Google’s Chromecast has been an affordable means for helping viewers turn their older model TVs into smart TVs, allowing them to stream content from their phones, tablets, and computers to a bigger screen. Also: Is your Roku TV spying on you? Probably, but here’s how to put an end to itAlas, the era of the Chromecast has come to an end. Google is replacing it with the Google TV Streamer, promising a faster processor, Thread and Matter integration, and the ability to summarize TV episodes or whole seasons, among other new tricks.But that doesn’t mean the Chromecast is obsolete yet; in fact, Google has promised to continue providing software and security updates for now. I found a number of cool things anyone can do with their trusty Chromecast that most users are unaware of. More