Microsoft releases KB4577586 update to remove and block Flash from Windows
After years of posing a security risk to millions of computers around the world, Flash is finally being killed off at the end of the year. Ahead of this, Microsoft has released a tool to help people remove Flash from Windows 8.x, Windows 10 and Windows Server.
The KB4577586 update not only purges systems of Adobe Flash Player, but also prevents the software from being installed again.
Dynabook Portégé X40-J Windows 10 laptop is powered by Intel Tiger Lake
Dynabook may not be a very popular name in the USA, but make no mistake, it is by no means a new manufacturer. Please know that Dynabook has essentially taken over Toshiba's USA laptop business, but the quality and reliability remains. If you are in the market for a premium Windows 10 laptop for home or business, Dynabook is a brand that should be on your list along with companies like Dell or HP.
Today, Dynabook unveils the Portégé X40-J -- a laptop that is powered by Intel Tiger Lake (11th generation Core) processors. It is available with a Core i3-1115G4, i5-1135G7, or i7-1165G7. It can be configured with up to 32GB RAM and up to a 1TB NVMe SSD.
Fedora Linux 33 with GNOME 3.38 now available for PC and Raspberry Pi
Last month, we told you about Fedora 33 Beta. This Linux distribution is significant for several reasons, including the fact that Linus Torvalds himself uses it. Yes, the father of Linux uses Fedora, and that is saying a lot. In fact, many expert-level Linux users choose Fedora because of its focus on truly free software.
While it may not be ideal for all beginners, even those new to Linux may find Fedora to be a pleasing experience. I personally use it as my distro of choice, but I must confess that System76's Pop!_OS keeps enticing me more and more nowadays. Despite my distro-hopping activities, Fedora remains the rock that I can always count on.
Microsoft is throttling the rollout of Windows 10 20H2 -- but you can still grab it manually
The launch of any new feature updates for Windows 10 are met with a mixture of excitement at the prospect of new features and options, and trepidation about the new problems that might be introduced.
Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) is no different in this regard, and there are already a number of known issues with the release. While there only a couple of significant issues that have caused Microsoft to put safeguard blocks on the update in place for some users, the company is still throttling the availability of 20H2 in order to "ensure a reliable download experience".
One in three Brits uses someone else's streaming login
According to a new study from F-Secure, 36 percent of Brits are willing to use someone else’s details to access streaming services if given the chance.
Also 42 percent of Brits share their login details to their favourite streaming services with between one and three other people and 70 percent feel no guilt when using someone else’s login for Netflix or Amazon.
Deploying facial recognition in retail stores: How tech benefits consumers and brands
2020 has been nothing short of challenging for businesses and people alike across the globe. Although nearly every company has felt a blow to economic forecasts, they are now pivoting strategies in order to return profitability to the bottom line.
But there is a shining light for retail at the end of the year. The upcoming holiday shopping season has traditionally been a huge source of revenue as consumers have historically spent, individually, upwards of $1,000 each year -- summing up to a total of billions of dollars spent each week from Thanksgiving through Christmas. However, with the pandemic continuing to change traditional consumer shopping behaviors, and local legislation differing across the country as to when stores can have any or full capacity, this year’s holiday shopping season will also look drastically different. In order to turn a profit, retailers need to adapt to the new reality and ensure that the in-store experience is as safe and efficient as possible.
2020-21 is the asterisk academic year
A few weeks ago I wrote a column about helping our children cope with distance learning as we hide from COVID-19. Since then I’ve watched the progress of my own children -- Cole (16) and Fallon (14) are still at home -- and I’ve spoken to friends and teachers all over the world. It isn’t going well. In fact, the whole distance learning experience has been a disaster that will ultimately result in this academic year being forever assigned an asterisk to separate it from every other academic year, before or after.
I hope your experience is better, but I doubt that is the case. And the fact that people aren’t generally saying what I am here is because there’s lag in the system and the teachers and school administrators, frankly, don’t want to admit just how bad things are. But shit will shortly hit fans all over the world, I assure you, and the impact will last for years to come.
Zoom 5.4.0 rolls out end-to-end encryption to improve messaging tool’s security
Lockdown has benefited relatively few companies, but one of those is undoubtedly Zoom, the video-conferencing service. It’s just unveiled Zoom 5.4.0 for desktop and mobile, with a host of new and improved features.
There’s the much-anticipated rollout of end-to-end encryption for secure messaging, plus additional improvements to the app’s meetings, chat and phone features.
The challenge of effectively securing collaboration tools [Q&A]
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many more organizations to adopt remote working. This in turn has led to a boom in the use of tools like Teams and Zoom to help employees communicate.
Securing those tools though presents some serious challenges ensuring that, for example, they aren't used, inadvertently or on purpose, to leak sensitive information.
TCL 10 5G UW is an affordable next-gen Verizon Android smartphone
5G is no longer the future -- it is the present. There are plenty of phones with 5G radios (including the new iPhone 12 series), and all major cell providers offer this next generation of connectivity. The thing is, not all 5G is created equally. For instance, T-Mobile offers the best 5G coverage, while Verizon's ultra wideband is the fastest. Unfortunately, when it comes to the latter, it can be hard to find an UW tower. So while Verizon has the best speed, it can be hard to achieve it.
With all of that said, Verizon has some hardcore fans that swear by its service, and if that is you, you are probably itching to get a new 5G ultra wideband phone. Sure, you could go with an iPhone 12, but Apple's offerings are quite pricey. Thankfully, up-and-coming phone-maker TCL has a new smartphone that works with Verizon's 5G and is very affordable.
IT security pros still struggle with remote work basics
While a vast majority of organizations have transitioned to remote work during the COVID-19 outbreak, only a third of IT security professionals described that transition as 'smooth' in a new survey.
The study from OneIdentity shows 62 percent of respondents say that cloud infrastructure is more important now than 12 months ago and 31 percent attribute this shift directly to COVID-19.
PNY releases XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB DDR4 3600MHz Desktop Memory
For those of you that build your own desktop computers, you know damn well that brands matter. For instance, if you opt for an unknown company for your RAM, power supply, or storage, there is a very good chance you will run into problems. This is why I always recommend sticking with reputable brands -- saving a few bucks is never worth it if you end up troubleshooting crashes.
PNY is a company that has been around for a long time, and its products are generally very reliable. Today, it launches a beautiful new memory product that enthusiasts and gamers should both absolutely love. Called "XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB," it is a 16GB kit (8GB x2) of DDR4 RAM that can run at 3600MHz. As the product name implies, the sticks also feature RGB lighting so your PC can look super rad.
How to view all Edge browser tabs when you press Alt-Tab
The Alt-Tab keyboard shortcut is one of the most well-known and most useful in Windows. The shortcut has long made it possible to quickly switch between running programs and open windows, and in Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) it has gained a useful new option.
With the latest feature update for Windows 10 installed, you can not only Alt-Tab your way between programs and windows, but also the tabs you have open in Microsoft Edge. Here's what you need to know.
Linux 5.10 is a bigger kernel release than expected and sees the removal of setf_fs()
With first release candidate of version 5.10 of the Linux kernel now available, Linus Torvalds says that it "looks to be a bigger release" than he expected.
Linux kernel 5.10-rc1 includes 14-15,000 merge commits -- depending on how you count them -- Torvalds notes in his weekly update to the Linux community. He shares the news that, for him, the most interesting change in this release is the removal of the setf_fs() addressing tool.
How to access the System Control Panel in Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2)
Since the arrival of Windows 10, Microsoft has made no secret of its desire to kill off the Control Panel. In moving everyone over to the Settings app, the company has been gradually chipping away, and the latest casualty in Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) is the System applet.
Strangely, if you open the Control Panel, you will see that System is still present -- but when you open it you will be taken instead to the About section of Settings. But all is not lost; if you still want to access the classic System applet, here's how to do just that.