Information Technology

ZDNETIn this age of constant digital malice, it’s beyond the point where everyone should be thinking “security first.” All it takes is one momentary lapse of reason, and a bad actor has your information.You don’t want that.Nor do you want third parties to collect your data.With that in mind, Chrome should be considered a problem because it has a constant target on its back and is known to be one of the biggest offenders of data collection, profiling, and fingerprinting.Also: How I made Perplexity AI the default search engine in my browser (and why you should too)What do you do?Fortunately, there are plenty of Chrome-based alternatives that take security up a notch or two.Let me offer you a few suggestions.1. Brave BrowserBrave is one of the most secure Chrome-based browsers on the market. It was created by the creator of JavaScript and is fairly locked down by default. Not only does Brave not store user information, but it also includes built-in blockers for ads, trackers, scripts, fingerprinting, and third-party storage. On top of all the blockers, Brave also includes built-in access to the Tor network and a user-friendly VPN. Oh, did I mention it includes a dedicated, private search engine (Brave Engine), global HTTPS encryption, and a built-in cryptocurrency wallet (which can be disabled)? For those who fear Brave would be too different from Chrome, fear not. Anyone who has used any sort of web browser will feel right at home with Brave. Brave is free and can be installed on Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. Also: The best secure browsers for privacyBest for: Brave is best for those who want all of their browser security baked in (without having to configure a thing) and depend on a VPN for added security. More

Jada Jones/ZDNETIt’s easy to become overwhelmed by a sea of options when looking for a new password manager. There are various tools to choose from that offer different features, device compatibility, and price points. You want to compare which ones do the basics well and have the extras you need – all in a package that ensures your data is safe and secure. Also: The best password managers: Expert testedIn our head-to-head comparison of Proton Pass and 1Password, Proton Pass gets high marks for its focus on privacy and free plan. On the other hand, 1Password provides a smoother and more consistent user experience with all the features you’d expect from a premium password manager. When deciding between the two, we recommend weighing which features and services you’ll use most and whether you need more than just password management. Here’s how these top password managers stack up so you can determine which one best fits your needs.  Specifications Proton Pass1PasswordKey featuresHide-my-email aliases, dark web monitoring, vault, and record sharingTravel Mode, external credential sharing and guest access, record typesFree version✓14-day trialCompatibilityWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Brave, web appWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, Brave, web appSecurity featuresAES-256 encryption, open source, 2FAAES-256 encryption, Secret Key, 2FABiometric unlockFace ID and Touch ID (iOS, macOS), Windows HelloFace ID and Touch ID (iOS, macOS); fingerprint, face, and iris  unlock (Android); Windows Hello; Linux system authenticationUnlimited syncing✓✓Passkey support✓✓Multi-factor authentication✓✓Price$36/year More

400tmax/Getty Images The most notable part of Google’s latest responsible AI report could be what it doesn’t mention. (Spoiler: No word on weapons and surveillance.) On Tuesday, Google released its sixth annual Responsible AI Progress Report, which details “methods for governing, mapping, measuring, and managing AI risks,” in addition to “updates on how we’re operationalizing […] More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways The Blink Mini 2 is available for $40 on its own or bundled with a weather-resistant power adapter for $50 With a stronger construction, improved video quality, a new spotlight, person detection, and weather resistance for outdoor use, the Blink Mini 2 is a definite upgrade from the first generation As […] More

SOPA Images / Contributor Microsoft 365 users who take advantage of the free VPN will soon have to find another way to secure their internet connections. In a new support document, Microsoft announced that the VPN included with the plan’s Microsoft Defender will be retired as of February 28, granting it just a few more […] More

Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe Apple AirTag More

goc/Getty Images Amidst equal parts elation and controversy over what its performance means for AI, Chinese startup DeepSeek continues to raise security concerns.  On Thursday, Unit 42, a cybersecurity research team at Palo Alto Networks, published results on three jailbreaking methods it employed against several distilled versions of DeepSeek’s V3 and R1 models. According to […] More

<!–> Microsoft has released a preview update designed to fix a number of bugs that have plagued the 2024 version of Windows 11. Also: Microsoft is forcing Windows 11 24H2 update on all eligible PCs, but is it stable enough? Released on Tuesday, KB5050094 addresses both older issues in Windows 11 24H2 and newer ones caused […] More