Computer Safety & News

AVAST offers one of most popular free AV products that had previously been used to track browser history & marketing data on macro basis, as there were some privacy risks expressed.  Going forward in 2020, this practice has now been stopped in favor of improved user privacy. https://www.pcmag.com/news/avast-to-end-browser-data-harvesting-terminates-jumpshot Avast will no longer sell users’ browser […]

Microsoft is developing a new modern UI in Windows 10X that removes some of legacy components in favor of new features & streamlined functionality 🙂 https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10x Windows 10X is a new version of Windows 10 that been built from the ground up for foldable PC experiences in both dual-screen and single-screen configurations. It’s built on […]

This Verge article shares several links for safely working through 2019 tax season as noted below: https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/31/21114006/taxes-irs-file-pay-online-how-to-federal-state https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/heres-how-taxpayers-can-pay-their-taxes More information: Filing for Individuals e-File Options for Individuals Paying Your Taxes What to Expect for Refunds in 2019 Tax Reform: Basics for Individuals and Families Multimedia Center: IRS on Social Media

Dr. Harold Kernzer shares overview of new book related to “Innovation Project Management” focusing on new challenges & techniques needed for 2020 & beyond.  This is featured on IIL blogs as follows: Innovation Project Management Some of the challenges facing innovation project managers include: Inability to predict exactly when an innovation will occur Inability to […]

A new & fake theme for email & websites warn about a new coronavirus strain to trick users into opening them. Doing so can secretly deliver malware & all users should be cautious & avoid & rely on official news sources instead. https://www.pcmag.com/news/new-coronavirus-strain-nope-just-hackers-trying-to-spread-malware Received a random file about the coronavirus? It’s best to avoid opening […]

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2020/01/30/extended-security-updates-requirements.aspx https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/core-infrastructure-and-security/preparing-to-deploy-extended-security-updates/ba-p/1139851 Microsoft offered more gritty details for IT pros deploying Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for either Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 systems in a Thursday announcement.  The ESU program adds up to three years of patch support, but organizations must pay a year in advance for one year of support. They’ll need to renew […]

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2020/01/29/tax-identity-theft-awareness-week Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week is February 3-7. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week webpage will provide webinars and other resources from FTC and its partners throughout the week to help educate the public on how to protect against identity theft this tax season. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages […]

The majority of all IE users are on version 11, and this represents phasing out support for IE10 where any specialized usage exits. https://redmondmag.com/articles/2020/01/29/ie-10-support-ends-next-month.aspxhttps://redmondmag.com/articles/2020/01/29/ie-10-support-ends-next-month.aspx The Internet Explorer 10 browser will reach its end-of-support milestone on Feb. 11, 2020 for both Windows Server 2012 and Windows Embedded 8 Standard, Microsoft announced on Tuesday. The IE 10 […]

Facebook has introduced a new “Clear History facility to reduce 3rd party ad tracking as described in this PC magazine article https://www.pcmag.com/news/facebooks-clear-history-tool-is-finally-here-for-everyone On Tuesday, the social network finally made its “Off Facebook Activity” tool available worldwide after previously introducing it only to Ireland, South Korea, and Spain. You can find it in the Facebook settings panel […]

With Windows 7 at end of support, users who haven’t converted are usually best served by investing in new hardware. But if funds are tight, WIN7 permissions can be tightened, create non-ADMIN “limited” accounts, keep AV controls in place, and most importantly use BEST SAFETY PRACTICES.  Still all WIN7 users should budget & move to […]