Tech News Archives - Page 87 of 135

Microsoft finally gives us the option to decline the free Windows 10 update

Posted on June 30, 2016

It’s no secret that Microsoft has been increasingly aggressive of late with their campaign to get as many people as possible to install the free Windows 10 upgrade on their machines.

As you are probably aware, their most recent tactics have been borderline sinister, even acting like malware in at least one instance.

Well, the folks up in Redmond have apparently seen the light, at least in part because they just lost a landmark lawsuit over their “forced upgrade” process.

First thing this morning I noticed that the latest “Get Windows 10” app now has a “Decline free offer” link…

Click that link and Microsoft will (supposedly) stop pestering you to install the Windows 10 update. What’s more, they’ll (supposedly) stop trying to trick you into installing it or having your PC install it without your knowledge or approval.

Here’s a screenshot of the latest “Get Windows 10” app: [Read more…]

Is Microsoft’s latest “Get Windows 10” app actually malware?

Posted on June 9, 2016

microsoft-windows Our friend Nick Heath over at TechRepublic recently pointed out that Microsoft is breaking one of their own developer guidelines with their latest “Get Windows 10” app.

And in my opinion, it’s quite clear that he is correct.

The specific guideline they are breaking is located about one quarter of the way down the page, and it reads like this: [Read more…]

Facebook has removed the messaging feature from their mobile site

Posted on June 7, 2016

A couple of years ago Facebook removed the messaging feature from their mobile app and asked folks to start using the standalone Facebook Messenger app instead.

Since I’ve never been a fan of the Facebook Messenger app, I recommended at the time that users stop using the Facebook app and use the mobile version of the Facebook website instead. That way they could still enjoy the entire Facebook experience without having to load a second app just to message someone.

Well, now Facebook has decided to complete the push to Facebook Messenger by removing the messaging feature from the mobile site as well. That means you’ll need to either start using Facebook Messenger or one of these fantastic third-party alternatives. [Read more…]

Scam alert: Don’t respond to update messages for your KeePass password manager!

Posted on June 3, 2016

scam Regular readers of this blog already know that I don’t recommend the use of password managers, for several reasons.

Well, a recently discovered security flaw in the popular KeePass password manager adds yet another reason to that list.

While the flaw in question doesn’t put the security of your passwords at risk directly, it does so indirectly by making it possible to accidentally download a malicious fake version of KeePass via the program’s normal update procedure. [Read more…]

Rant alert: Why are U.S. Government agencies still using 50 year old computer equipment?

Posted on May 26, 2016

70s-era-computer With the federal government spending trillions of dollars each and every year, wouldn’t you expect our most critical government agencies to be using the latest technology?

Well here’s a news flash for you: They don’t.

According to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), some of the government’s most important tasks are still being completed using computer equipment and software that was developed as far back as the 1950’s.

If you’re thinking that tasks being completed using such outdated equipment can’t be all that important, consider this quote from the GAO report: [Read more…]