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SEAN GLADWELL/Getty Images “C” is for cookie, gathering data on me. You know them, you loathe them, but because of how the web works these days, you cannot avoid them. Unless your browser of choice does a good job of blocking them. If not, you have to deal with them. Cookies store information Cookies are […] More
Lance Whitney / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETWindows 10 and Windows 11 users who installed last week’s April Patch Tuesday updates may have noticed a strange new folder appear on their system drive, or C drive. Also: 10 pesky Windows 11 24H2 bugs still haunting PCs despite several patchesNamed “inetpub,” the folder is associated with Microsoft’s IIS (Internet Information Services), a component for hosting a website on your PC. If you do not use IIS, you may think the new folder is unnecessary and simply delete it. Not so fast.Leave it aloneThe new folder is needed, though not for IIS. Instead, it is part of a security fix designed to squash a bug that could leave your PC vulnerable to attack. Specifically, the CVE-2025-21204 security flaw involves a scenario in which symbolic links are not handled properly and, therefore, could be exploited by an attacker to access or modify certain files and folders. Also: How to replace your Windows 11 Start menu with a better alternative – including my favoriteThat certainly sounds like a glitch that needed to be patched. The problem is that Microsoft failed to communicate why the inetpub folder was added. That led to confusion among Windows users and likely prompted many to delete the folder, thinking it had been created by mistake. To address the confusion, Microsoft told Windows Latest that users should not remove the folder. The company also updated its advisory to clarify the purpose of the folder. Also: Windows 11 is getting a secret weapon for boot failures – how it works”After installing the updates listed in the Security Updates table for your operating system, a new %systemdrive%inetpub folder will be created on your device,” Microsoft said. “This folder should not be deleted regardless of whether Internet Information Services (IIS) is active on the target device. This behavior is part of changes that increase protection and does not require any action from IT admins and end users.”If you see the inetpub folder in Windows, just leave it alone. More
Apple / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETYour mobile phone is a treasure trove of personal and confidential information. That’s why it’s a prime target for hackers who want to compromise or steal your data. Through malicious apps and websites, phishing attacks, and other threats, an attacker can gain control of your device through spyware. But how can you tell if your phone has been hacked or tapped?Also: Biometrics vs. passcodes: What lawyers recommend if you’re worried about warrantless phone searchesAmy Clark, managing editor of consumer reviews site Techreport, has put together a helpful guide on the threat of phone hacking. The guide shares advice on how to tell if your phone may have been hacked and how to fight back against the hacker.Warning signs of a phone hack1. Battery drains more quickly than usual. Any spyware installed on your phone is constantly running to snoop on your activity and send the data to the hacker. This means that your battery is going to drain faster than usual. Be aware of any unusual drops in your battery charge. Check your phone’s battery settings to see if the level is falling more dramatically.2. Your phone is running more slowly. Does your phone feel more sluggish than usual, or are apps crashing or freezing? Those could be signs that someone has hacked into your device. Keep track of how long it takes to launch apps or carry out other actions to gauge if the performance is lagging. More
rob dobi/Getty Images Several government security agencies worldwide are warning people about spyware that’s been snooping on mobile phone users’ private data. An advisory from the various agencies issued on Wednesday reveals that the spyware variants have been targeting users connected to Taiwanese independence and similar movements. Known as Badbazaar and Moonshine, the two spyware strains have […] More
Andrew Brookes/Getty Images Are you worried that giant corporations and government agencies are indiscriminately collecting your personal data and then using it inappropriately? You’re not alone. Also: 9 ways to delete yourself from the internet In a report released today, security firm Malwarebytes published the results from a survey of 1500 readers of its newsletter. Here’s […] More
DragonImages/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
Meta / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNETIf you’re concerned about keeping your kids safe on social media but still want to keep them connected, Meta is introducing a new type of Facebook and Messenger account just for teens under 16.Available soonThese special teen accounts, which are not available yet but will be “soon,” will have built-in protections that restrict who can contact them and what kind of content they can see, plus safeguards to make sure time is well spent. Teens are automatically enrolled at sign-up, and they need a parent’s consent to change any settings. Also: How to delete Facebook, Messenger, or Instagram – if you want Meta out of your lifeAt present, Meta requires people to be 13 years old to sign up for a Facebook or Instagram account. Meta’s announcement did not dive into specifics, but a company representative speaking to TechCrunch revealed some details. More
Kerry Wan/ZDNETI love March Madness, at least until Louisville gets knocked out in the first round. Then, I just sit back, free of stress, and enjoy watching other teams play their hearts out like everything is on the line — because it is. While NCAA basketball continues to be broadcast in standard HD, the games can look clear, bright, and beautiful on most modern TVs. Part of that appeal, though, is owed to your TV’s motion-smoothing capabilities. Also: Your TV’s USB port is seriously underrated: 5 benefits you’re not taking advantage ofFor many people, motion smoothing is only appropriate for gaming and watching live sports; enthusiasts typically prefer turning off the feature to watch anything else because it can detract from the filmmaker’s original intent, making on-screen images seem artificial or hyper-realistic. This is what’s called the “soap opera effect.” It’s a perfectly descriptive metaphor that probably requires no explanation. You can see it all too well: the cinematic film should not look like a daytime soap; you shouldn’t feel like you’re on the set with the actors. But it is appealing to feel like you’re in the stadium watching your team with thousands of fans. The soap opera effect makes sense for live sporting event broadcasts. More
