Tracking protection in Edge: Going to bat for privacy

BROWSERS

By Mary Branscombe

Microsoft Edge builds in protection from tracking pixels and scripts that follow you around, and without breaking the websites you use.

Ever noticed how ads for products you’ve looked at on some shopping sites seem to follow you around the Web? Or how much Facebook and Google know about you?

That’s thanks to third-party tracking scripts and pixels embedded on the sites you visit.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.27.0, 2024-07-01).

Quick Assist

WINDOWS

By Will Fastie

Microsoft deserves accolades for evolving remote support into a simple, approachable app.

Remote support has been available since Windows NT 4.0. In the early days, it was technical and sometimes difficult to explain to someone needing help. It became slightly less technical in the 2000s, but it was not until Windows 10 that the aptly named Quick Assist app made it easy for everyone.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.27.0, 2024-07-01).

Microsoft and Apple

APPLE

By Susan Bradley

Microsoft has spent many years, and made huge investments, trying to bring the Apple ecosystem into work environments.

In 1985, it brought word processing to the Mac. It has provided the means to allow Word and Excel documents to move seamlessly from Windows to macOS. It brought affordable tools to allow small and medium businesses to control and manage iPhones, thus allowing managed service providers to control devices without needing to invest in specific, Apple-centric management tools.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.27.0, 2024-07-01).

So how do you patch that?

Spotted the other day that Apple ear buds need a firmware update.  On June 25, Apple released a firmware update for “AirPods (2nd generation and later), AirPods Pro (all models), AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Fit Pro”. The vulnerability is that an attacker in Bluetooth range might be able to spoof the intended source device and gain access to your headphones.

If you want to check what version you are on, go into Bluetooth, find the airpods and check the version.

Once you connect your airpods to your phone or ipad (or computer) they will automatically update in the background. (This is pre update). Now comes the fun part. What version of Airpods do I have?

I personally find that Airpods connect flawlessly for about two to two and half years and then one of the ear phones starts to have issues either with connecting or with the sound.

Recently I updated to a new LG tv and found that we could connect two bluetooth devices to the TV via the accessibility section. With the airbuds connected, then my Dad can have a slightly louder volume setting and I can have lower volume.

Do you find that yours only last about two years?

MS-DEFCON 4: Consumers get a break

By Susan Bradley

We’re halfway through the patching year!

It’s time to install the June updates, which is why I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4. I’m not seeing any widespread issues or major impacts. Most side effects seem to be with Win11 Insider versions and 24H2.

It appears that new technology allowing you to sync your phone with your computer is causing a bit of a CPU hit in the 24H2 release. Microsoft is trying to fix this issue before it gets released to the rest of us. That’s good news.

In the very good news category is the delay in releasing Microsoft Recall, the much-hyped “reminder” software. The company pulled back at the last minute, due to concerns from security researchers and businesses.

Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.26.1, 2024-06-25).

Whom can you trust with your data?

ON SECURITY

By Susan Bradley

Taming that technology

Two years ago, we added a tagline to our logo: “Tame Your Tech.” My idea was that you must be in control of the technology that surrounds you, and that we’re here to help.

But lately, I’ve been feeling as if I ought to add yet another tagline: “Whom should you trust with your technology?”

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

Google is declaring war on clickbait — but who’s winning?

PUBLIC DEFENDER

By Brian Livingston

Faced with an onslaught of AI-generated websites that invent hundreds of articles out of whole cloth each day, Google says it’s imposed new rules requiring sites to provide original and genuinely helpful information.

The Mountain View search giant announced recently that changes to its algorithms had reduced “spammy, low-quality content” by 45%.

It’s admirable that Google is actively trying to eliminate the junk that’s being generated en masse by artificial-intelligence bots. But the search engine’s accomplishment so far is like a naval commander saying, “The ship is sinking from numerous breaches in the hull, but the good news is that we’ve patched 45% of the holes.”

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).

Windows Live Photo Gallery

SOFTWARE

By Mary Branscombe

It’s tempting to remember older software as being better and more reliable than newer tools, with their constant redesigns and updates. Do the Live Essentials tools still hold up?

Microsoft keeps resetting its photo-editing tools. Every new version seems to drop useful features and become less reliable.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).