Twitter reveals the worrying content of two secret National Security Letters

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All the big players in the world of tech release transparency reports these days, and Twitter is no different. Like other companies, Twitter has been unable to report details of any National Security Letters (NSLs) it receives from the FBI asking for access to user account information.

These data requests are accompanied by gagging orders that prevent the recipients from informing either the public or the subject of the letter about the request. The gag has now been lifted and Twitter has shared the contents of two letters which ask for a "large amount of data."

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Really, Google? Chrome 57 kills the ability to control and disable plugins

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With web browsers being among the most frequently used pieces of software out there, it's little wonder that there is so much concern about security surrounding them. Browser plugins can be a major security worry, and with Chrome 57 Google has taken the strange decision to block users from disabling them or changing their settings.

While this is not the same as preventing users from changing the settings for extensions, or removing them, it still has important implications -- particularly if a security problem should be discovered in a plugin Google bundles with Chrome.

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Microsoft shows Windows 10 market share growing steadily, but the numbers are fake [Updated]

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Microsoft’s own Windows 10 share numbers have always seemed a little, well, generous. While NetMarketShare’s OS usage share figures show the new operating system doing fine, but lagging some distance behind Windows 7 (as you'd expect), Microsoft’s figures paint an entirely different picture.

Five months ago, the software giant showed Windows 10 hitting 50 percent in the US, and two months ago, it had the new OS overtaking Windows 7 globally. Today’s update though stretches the believability just a little too far.

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Bodhi Linux 4.1.0 Ubuntu-based distro now available with updated kernel and new theme

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There are so many Linux distributions nowadays, that it can be hard to be excited by them. Linux Mint, for example, releases too many versions of its operating system; news of an update can become rather ho-hum. Major Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu and Fedora, remain exciting, however.

Some smaller Linux-based operating systems are still worthy of attention, however, and one such distro is Bodhi. Based on Ubuntu, the lightweight OS is very unique thanks to the Moksha desktop environment. Because of its familiarity, that DE makes Bodhi a smart choice for Windows users looking to switch to Linux. Today, Bodhi reaches version 4.1.0.

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Windows 10 Creators Update Build 15019 arrives on the Fast ring, adds new features, kills Edge extensions

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After a couple of days’ delay, Microsoft finally releases a new build for Windows 10 Insiders on the Fast ring.

We already knew some of what to expect of this build, as Microsoft previously announced the new gaming features, but naturally there’s more to Build 15019 than just that.

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Read classic computer and video game magazines in your browser

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The Internet Archive offers a wealth of fantastic ways to revisit the past, whether you’re trawling through classic animated GIFs from the nineties, running Windows 3.1 programs in your browser, or playing DOS, classic arcade, or vintage console games online.

The latest trip down memory lane comes in the form of classic computer and video gaming magazines, something that really resonates with me as there are titles there that I not only read in my youth, but that I wrote for, or which were put together in the same building I worked in.

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Satechi USB-C Power Meter protects MacBook Pro and other devices from charging damage

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USB-C is one of the best innovations in the technology world. This single connection type can transmit both data and power, leading to convenient docking and charging solutions. The problem, however, is that not all manufacturers adhere to power delivery guidelines, meaning a third-party charger or dock could fry your laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

Today, Satechi releases a new product aimed at protecting your devices from damage. No, the USB-C Power Meter does not serve as a surge protector or fuse. Instead, the little dongle shows you the amps and voltage of the USB-C power source when you plug it into your device. In other words, it can prevent the damage from happening by showing you the stats. You can then make an educated decision if you want to continue using the charger.

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Apple introduces Night Shift in macOS Sierra 10.12.4 to help Mac users sleep better

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The latest official macOS Sierra update that Apple recently introduced did not bring any new features to the table, as it focused on improving performance and fixing bugs, but that is about to change as Night Shift will finally arrive in the upcoming macOS Sierra 10.12.4.

Night Shift should sound familiar to iPhone users, as Apple debuted this feature nearly a year ago in iOS 9.3. What is it? Night Shift is a mode that, when activated, reduces blue light to help you sleep better.

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Create strong passwords and software keys with SterJo Password Generator

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Freeware developer SterJo Software has unveiled SterJo Password Generator, a free tool for creating strong and random passwords.

A simple interface enables choosing the length of each password and the type of characters it should include: upper or lower case letters, numbers and/ or special characters.

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Warning: most Android VPN apps are insecure

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VPN software can be used to not only circumvent geoblocking, censorship and ISP blocks, but also to remain anonymous online. At least that's the idea. If you're an Android user who has a VPN app installed on your phone or tablet, the chances are that it is not safe.

Research shows that the majority of VPN apps to be found in Google Play contain spyware or malware, leak data, or include tracking components. This is in stark contrast to what most people would expect from such apps, and users are warned to double-check the choice they have made.

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temps is a gorgeous weather app for the desktop

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temps is an open-source Electron-based weather app for just about every desktop: Windows, Linux and Mac. There’s no installation required, just unzip and run, and in a few seconds you’re looking at temps’ stylish, app-like interface.

An icon represented our current weather; there are background rain, snow and thunder animations; a temperature, four-day weather forecast, and status information including location, date and time.

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Twitter relegates Moments to a subset of the new Explore tab

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If there's one thing that irks Twitter users (actually, there are many things, but stick with us...) it's the disorganized way in which information is scattered hither and thither. Keen to get users to break out of their timelines and see what else it out there, the Twitter app is undergoing a makeover.

The change means that the existing search, Moments, and trends are now combined into a single, more manageable Explore tab. It's a simple change, but one that will make life easier for Twitter explorers.

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Best Windows 10 apps this week

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Two-hundred-and-sixteen in a series. Welcome to this week's overview of the best apps, games and extensions released for Windows 10 on Windows Store in the past seven days.

It is time to update the original Windows 10 release as Microsoft will stop updating it after March 26.

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40 percent of British children use the internet unsupervised

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Connected devices are a big part of all our lives and that goes for younger members of the family too, but of course connecting to the internet means risk.

A new survey from Intel Security shows 40 percent of British parents do not keep track of their children's online activity, so they don't know when their children are online or what websites and content they're accessing.

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Demand for security pros in UK rises by 46 percent

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To say that IT security professionals in the UK are in demand would be a severe understatement. A new report by Experis says there has been an increase of 46 percent in the demand for both permanent and contract IT security professionals.

The report, entitled Tech Cities Job Watch, says companies are putting more emphasis on long-term investments.

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