Information Technology

When you’re looking for a new virtual private network (VPN) setup, you have a choice: you can install VPN software directly on the devices you want to protect, or you can install a VPN on your router.VPNs provide encrypted tunnels that protect online communications, making it more difficult to track you or steal your information. They also allow you to mask your IP address so that it appears as if you’re in a different location.Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested   Setting up a VPN environment via your router provides blanket coverage across devices connected to the router, including your smartphone, PC, and smart TV. This saves you the job of installing VPN software on each device, and the process can be far easier than you think — as long as you have compatible hardware.Some VPN providers even have routers with a VPN that is already installed and ready to go. In either case, opting for a VPN-ready router can be an excellent way to improve your home security and online privacy.What is the best VPN router right now?ZDNET has years of experience testing VPN solutions and hardware. Our team of experts has researched and performed hands-on testing for decades, and we strive to give you the best recommendations for VPNs and supporting routers based on this experience and customer feedback. Overall, our pick for the best VPN router is the ExpressVPN Aircove More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETIf you follow the Android Security Bulletin, then you might have noticed a listing for the November security patch level that includes two critical vulnerabilities, which are:CVE-2024-43047CVE-2024-43093According to the bulletin, “There are indications that the following may be under limited, targeted exploitation.”Also: An anti-theft upgrade is coming to Android phones. Here’s how to see if you have it yetThe first of those vulnerabilities, CVE-2024-43047, is described as “memory corruption while maintaining memory maps of HLOS memory.” CVE-2024-43047 affects the Qualcomm Digital Signal Processor (DSP) service, which impacts several Qualcomm chipsets and can lead to memory corruption and enable attackers to escalate privileges and compromise affected devices. Qualcomm issued a patch for this vulnerability back in October, and it has been included in the November Android Security Update to provide wider distribution and remediation.The second CVE issue is 2024-43093, which is an escalation of privilege vulnerability that affects Android’s framework component in versions 12, 13, 14, and 15 and can lead to exposing a significant portion of Android to attack. More

Matt Anderson Photography/Getty Images Only days away from the US presidential election, AI company Anthropic is advocating for its own regulation — before it’s too late.  On Thursday, the company, which stands out in the industry for its focus on safety, released recommendations for governments to implement “targeted regulation” alongside potentially worrying data on the rise […] More

Amazon Have you started adopting passkeys for more of your online accounts? If so, you’re far from alone. According to a new survey from the FIDO Alliance, passkey awareness and adoption have grown since being introduced two years ago. For its fourth annual Online Authentication Barometer, the FIDO Alliance commissioned Sapio Research to run an online […] More

Microsoft Microsoft has again put the brakes on its AI-infused Recall feature. Designed to take snapshots of your screen activities in Windows, the feature was supposed to reach Windows Insiders this October. However, according to a statement shared with the Verge and ZDNET, it won’t surface until December. “We are committed to delivering a secure […] More

MirageC/Getty Images As Windows 10 begins its final year of official support, Microsoft is executing a familiar game plan for its business customers.  Last April, in separate posts on the Windows IT Pro Blog and on the Microsoft Education Blog, the company revealed its price list for commercial and education customers who want to continue receiving security updates […] More

Eugene Mymrin/Getty Images Whether you use Chrome, Firefox, or both, it’s once again time to update your browser. Yes, these constant updates can be a hassle, but sometimes they really are necessary or can at least give you helpful new features. So what’s new in the latest editions of these two? What’s new in Chrome […] More

We conduct much of our digital lives on our phones, from online shopping and social media posting to bill paying and work emailing — which requires continuous access to a long list of passwords. The easiest (and most secure) way to keep track of logins, credit card information, and other sensitive data is with a password manager that integrates seamlessly on mobile, and there are a number of password management apps that work well for iPhone users. Also: The best password managers: Expert testedWhat is the best iPhone password manager right now?At ZDNET, we’ve tested a wide range of password managers on iOS to find the ones that securely store your data and make it easily accessible in apps and browsers when you need it. Our pick for the best password manager for iPhone overall is Bitwarden More