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A huge proportion of what you encounter on social media platforms is selected by algorithms (this should be news to very few people), and algorithms are problematic.

The content that is pushed to you is supposed to be based on your past interactions, the people you are connected to, the things you like, and so on, but it is easily polluted and corrupted. And this is why Instagram’s current test that gives users a way to reset their recommendations and start afresh is so welcome.

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Microsoft is in the FTC’s crosshairs again as the federal agency launches a new antitrust investigation into the tech giant’s sprawling business practices. According to a source familiar with the matter, the FTC has issued a demand for Microsoft to hand over key documents, signaling concerns over the company’s rapid growth, particularly in artificial intelligence. Both Microsoft and the FTC have declined to comment on the investigation, initially reported by Bloomberg.

The probe comes at a pivotal moment for the tech industry and could be a turning point for the Linux community. With Microsoft dominating cloud computing, enterprise software, and gaming, as well as surging ahead in AI with investments in OpenAI and its Copilot platform, the company has left little room for competitors to thrive. But a regulatory shakeup could shift the balance of power, creating a golden opportunity for Linux-based solutions to gain traction.

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Firefox, the web browser that once disrupted Microsoft’s dominance, has turned 20. Officially launched on November 9, 2004, Mozilla’s browser quickly gained attention for introducing features like tabbed browsing and extensions, offering a fresh alternative in an era dominated by Internet Explorer. Over the years, Firefox has remained a go-to choice for users prioritizing privacy and open web standards.

The origin of Firefox’s name is as unique as the browser itself. Mozilla wanted a name that was memorable and tied to nature. The team landed on “fire” and “fox,” later discovering that the term “firefox” is another name for the red panda. This connection has been central to Firefox’s branding ever since.

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In recent years the concept of Black Friday has spread beyond the US thanks to the web, such that millions around the world now go online at this time of year in search of bargains. But are the deals on offer really all they seem?

A new report from Smartproxy suggests that they might not be. It highlights the tactics some sites use to create the illusion of savings. Many increase the baseline prices of products in the weeks before Black Friday. So by the time the 'discounts' hit, they're often just bringing prices back to normal.

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Cyber threats are becoming more complex and it can be difficult for defenders to see the big picture and make decisions accordingly.

Now though help is at hand as ImmuniWeb is launching a free online tool making historical data on the security of internet-accessible resources available to the global cybersecurity community, educational institutions, government agencies, and even individual researchers.

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The cybersecurity landscape is more complex than ever and that means enterprises need to have a real-time picture of their exposure.

We spoke to Nadir Izrael, CTO and co-founder of Armis, to learn what this should look like and how security teams can evaluate and evolve their security programs to achieve more control over their asset landscape.

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Bang & Olufsen has launched the Beoplay Eleven wireless earbuds, building on its Beoplay EX with upgraded performance and luxurious design. The Danish brand aims to redefine its audio lineup with these new earbuds, offering improved Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), better voice clarity, and an enhanced transparency mode.

The Beoplay Eleven’s ANC technology is a leap forward, providing twice the noise reduction at low frequencies compared to its predecessor. This is combined with improved optimization for various ear shapes, ensuring a tailored fit and superior noise cancellation for users. Six updated microphones deliver a clearer, more natural sound with significantly reduced hiss noise, enhancing transparency for those moments when users need to stay aware of their surroundings. Additionally, the Wind Guard feature in the B&O app effectively filters out wind noise, making outdoor use more pleasant.

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Butterball is at the center of a social media firestorm after PETA resurfaced disturbing footage from 2006 showing severe mistreatment of turkeys at one of its facilities. The footage posted on Instagram, which PETA alleges was secretly recorded by an undercover investigator, depicts turkeys being subjected to violent handling and abuse, sparking outrage across platforms like TikTok.

The video has fueled a wave of criticism on social media, where users are sharing the footage and calling for boycotts of Butterball products. TikTok has been especially active, with users posting videos under hashtags like #BoycottButterball and #FowlPlay. Some TikTokers have documented returning Butterball turkeys to stores, while others are encouraging consumers to reconsider their Thanksgiving dinner traditions. The footage has reignited concerns about animal welfare in food production and whether companies are adequately addressing ethical concerns.

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Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, reflection, and perhaps, change. While most people are thinking about turkey and pie, maybe it’s time to reconsider something else this holiday season: your operating system. Windows 11 has its fair share of fans, but it’s also riddled with frustrations like mandatory updates and telemetry concerns. This Thanksgiving, why not switch to a more elegant, privacy-respecting alternative? Enter elementary OS 8.

Recently released, elementary OS 8 offers a fresh take on what an operating system can be. Designed with inclusivity, user empowerment, and privacy in mind, it’s a Linux-based system that feels modern and approachable. Unlike Windows 11, it doesn’t force features on you or leave you worried about invasive tracking. Instead, it gives you control while looking great doing it.

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Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas bring millions of shoppers online with attractive discounts and limited time offers, but of course they also create ideal conditions for cybercriminals to exploit unwary bargain hunters.

A new report from Fortinet's FortiGuard Labs looks at the evolving threat surface of eCommerce, highlighting how cybercriminals are leveraging Remote Code Execution (RCE) exploits, Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) phishing kits, sniffers, and website cloning services to manipulate online transactions and gain access to steal sensitive data.

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Smaller businesses lack the tech resources of larger ones so it's common practice that they not only allow employees to use their personal mobile phones to complete work tasks but in many cases actively expect them to.

Research carried out by OnePoll for SME security solutions company CyberSmart finds that 60 percent of organizations expect their employees to use mobile devices to carry out work tasks despite not providing all of them with work phones.

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Berlin developer O&O Software has rolled out O&O DiskImage 20 Pro, offering Windows users imaging and file backup in a single application. While version 20 is a relatively minor release, it does at least continue O&O’s commitment to providing lifetime licenses for its products.

While rival backup products -- including Acronis and now Macrium -- have switched to a subscription-based model, forcing users to continue paying in order to not just back up their data but restore it in the event of an emergency, O&O Software is keen to highlight that O&O DiskImage 20 Pro, like every release before it, comes with a pay-once, use-forever lifetime license.

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Social media darling Bluesky is wooing users and drawing many away from X. But while the platform is enjoying a meteoric rise in popularity, the European Commission is unimpressed with its failure to disclose information.

The commission points out that all social media platforms operating within the European Union must clearly publish key pieces of information, including how many EU users there are. Bluesky does not do this, nor reveal where the company is legally established.

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As we approach the peak holiday shopping season a new survey of nearly 400 IT security decision-makers and retail customers from identity specialist HYPR shows that 58 percent of retail organizations experienced at least one authentication-related breach and 65 percent were victims of identity fraud over the last 12 months.

Retailers have suffered losses of up to $6.27 million in the last year alone due to insecure authentication methods. By contrast financial institutions reported only $4.57 million lost during the same period.

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It was Einstein who said, “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Indicative of insanity or not, repeating the same actions over and over is what Microsoft suggests as a solution to a Windows 10 issue.

A few days ago, the company acknowledged a problem that means users might be unable to update or uninstall packaged apps on Windows 10. The issue stems from the WinAppSDK 1.6.2 package and results in a 0x80073CFA error. There is more than one fix, one of which is odd.

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