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    Signal offers an encrypted alternative to Zoom – see how it works

    Signal On Monday, Signal announced a host of improvements for video calls, including “call links” that make the encrypted messaging app more competitive with video-conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet, while retaining Signal’s privacy edge for users determined to keep their personal data from being collected.  Signal’s call links feature enables users to […] More

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    Singapore wants police to stop stubborn victims from sending money to scammers

    Oulaphone Sonesouphap/Getty Images Singapore has proposed a new bill to block recalcitrant victims from making online banking transactions, as scam cases continue to climb despite multiple safeguards in place.  The country’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the Protection for Scams Bill will allow law enforcement to issue orders for banks to restrict an individual’s […] More

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    Get NordVPN free for three months with this early Black Friday deal

    Charlie Osborne/ZDNETThe holiday season is fast approaching, and with it, popular sales events. While Black Friday — once a single day for sales on tech, clothing, home appliances, and more — is now a longer affair set to launch on Nov. 29, retailers have already begun releasing interesting deals on tech, and this includes VPN subscription deals.Many VPN providers change their pricing frequently, so when we find a worthwhile deal, it usually will offer new customers free months added to the length of their contract. We’ve found such a deal at NordVPN More

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    Microsoft blocked your Windows 11 upgrade? This trusty tool can (probably) fix that

    eyetwist / kevin balluff/Getty Images Microsoft really, really, really doesn’t want you to upgrade your old Windows 10 PC to Windows 11.  That’s the logic behind the strict hardware compatibility requirements the company imposed when it launched the new operating system in 2021. If you try to install Windows 11 on a computer with a […] More

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    Bitdefender vs. Malwarebytes: Which antivirus is best?

    Maria Diaz/ZDNETAntivirus software is one tool in your security toolkit to help defend your data and devices against threats like malware, ransomware, and phishing. While updated operating systems have decent built-in protection, third-party antivirus can up the level and add layers of security through extras like VPNs and firewalls. Also: The best antivirus softwareIn our head-to-head comparison of popular antivirus options Bitdefender More

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    NordVPN maker’s new identity theft protection service will reimburse you

    d3sign/Getty Images The company behind NordVPN has created a new service called NordProtect that’s geared toward protecting users from identity theft. This new product includes features such as identity recovery and restoration, secure credit monitoring, 24/7 dark web monitoring, and cyber extortion protection. The identity recovery and restoration feature enables victims of identity theft to be […] More

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    This mysterious iPhone upgrade protects your data from thieves

    Lance Whitney/ZDNETApple has added a new security feature to the iPhone, apparently designed to thwart criminals. But it’s also been thwarting police.Introduced with iOS 18, the new feature automatically reboots an iPhone if it’s been asleep and in lock mode for an extended period of time. After a reboot, an iPhone becomes more difficult to crack since either the passcode or biometric verification is needed to unlock it. The apparent goal is to prevent a thief (or police officer) from trying to hack into your phone and potentially access your personal data.Also: Did your Apple Notes vanish from your iPhone? Here’s how to find themThe feature seems to have come to light based on the findings of law enforcement officials in Detroit, Michigan, as reported by 404 Media. Officers examining iPhones for forensic purposes discovered that the devices would mysteriously reboot themselves, making it more difficult to unlock and access them. Initially, the working theory was that the phones would reboot when disconnected from a cellular network for a period of time. However, the explanation is actually much simpler. Referring to the feature as an “inactivity reboot,” AppleInsider says that this reboot timer isn’t based on network connectivity or the phone’s charge. Rather, the reboot simply occurs after a specific length of time — around 96 hours. This timer is similar to the Mac’s hibernation mode, which puts the computer to sleep as a precaution in case the power goes out or the battery charge is depleted.Also: I changed 5 ChatGPT settings and instantly became more productive – here’s howSecurity experts have also weighed in, seemingly confirming the new capability.”We have identified code within iOS 18 and higher that is an inactivity timer,” said Christopher Vance, a forensic specialist at Magnet Forensics, as noted by AppleInsider. “This timer will cause devices in an AFU state to reboot to a BFU state after a set period of time, which we have also identified.” More

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    Cash App user have a few days left to claim up to a $2,500 settlement payout

    Cimmerian/Getty Images Over the past several years, Cash App has suffered two different data breaches — one in which a former employee downloaded user transaction reports and another in which an unauthorized person accessed user account data. A class action lawsuit alleges that Cash App was negligent in handling these breaches and didn’t properly address […] More