system

Microsoft has revealed that the next edition of its flagship operating system will be known as Windows 10, rather than Windows 9. The new operating system represents a further blurring of the lines between full-size PCs and portable devices such as ... smartphones and tablets. The choice of new name is largely a marketing tactic. Microsoft wants to get across the idea that the system will be a major relaunch over the much-maligned Windows 8, rather than a small set of minor revisions. Two Major Differences in Windows 10 There will be two main differences in approach with Windows 10. The first is ... (view more)

Facebook's Privacy Checkup is finally being rolled out in an effort to help users understand and control their privacy settings. It's a step-by-step process - interestingly, led by a nameless blue dinosaur - that shows users who can see their data ... and how they can customize their privacy settings to their liking. While some critics view the new Privacy Checkup system as a step in the right direction, others suggest that its impact will directly affect Facebook's bottom line. Privacy Checkup Guides Users Step-by-Step The program was first announced back in the spring of 2014. It's a three- ... (view more)

System Explorer 5.9.3 This free tool is designed to help you explore and manage your system. Not only does it provide detailed information about tasks, processes, modules, start-ups, and add-ons, but it carefully monitors system activity and can ... alert you to any changes. http://systemexplorer.net/ Logyx Pack 8.01 This is a massive collection of logic games designed to help improve your brain's functionality. This package includes more than one hundred unique games but uses a single, simple user interface -- making finding your favorite brain game fast and easy. http://drazenware.comlu.com/ (view more)

It appears Microsoft's August Patch Tuesday, which began rolling out last week, didn't quite go according to plan. In fact, the firm was recently forced to pull several updates after reports indicated that some users were experiencing severe system ... errors. This month's Patch Tuesday security updates addressed a total of 37 vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Office. Within days, it became apparent there was a problem; users reported that after the updates were downloaded and installed, they received the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), which ... (view more)

For many users, installing antivirus software is one of the first things to do after purchasing a new computer. But one security researcher suggests that today's antivirus programs are anything but effective; in fact, he claims many antivirus ... programs are filled with security flaws. Fourteen Antivirus Products Vulnerable, Researcher Claims Joxean Koret is a researcher at COSEINC, a Singapore-based security firm. Over the past year, he's carefully analyzed a wide range of antivirus products in search of security vulnerabilities. Earlier this month Koret presented his findings at the ... (view more)

USBDeview 2.35 This small but very handy program lists all of the USB devices currently connected to your system. It can even provide users with a list of USB devices previously connected to the computer. Displayed information includes device type, ... serial number, date and time, and vendor ID. http://www.nirsoft.net LastActivityView 1.05 This program tracks the activity on your system and displays useful and pertinent information. Displayed information includes description (like run .exe file), file name, full path, and action time. This program can even show you when popular tools (like ... (view more)

If you could control the majority of your home and appliances with a smartphone, which devices would you want to control? Google has pondered that very question, and has recently announced plans to open up its 'Nest' technology to independent ... developers, so that household gadgets can easily communicate with one another. Nest, which Google bought for $3.2 billion in this past January, made its name with an "intelligent" thermostat system. The system automatically learns your patterns of activities in the home with preferred heating and cooling levels. It then automatically develops a ... (view more)

It appears that Google is getting ready to introduce a whole new user interface (UI) for its Gmail cloud-based email service. Leaked screenshots suggest the overhaul is substantial, meaning current Gmail users could face a significant challenge ... adjusting to the changes. If the screenshots are in fact legitimate, Google is hoping to meld its desktop version of Gmail closer to the mobile version, which is accessible through tablets and smartphones. In that way, it's similar to Microsoft's use of the touch-friendly interface that made its way onto desktop PCs when Windows 8 was released ... (view more)

Is it really that dangerous to continue using Windows XP? Microsoft's Windows XP has officially been decommissioned as of April 8, 2014, meaning that Microsoft will not longer support the software insofar as security updates are concerned. Without ... any security updates, Windows XP is extremely vulnerable to attack if and when an operating system exploit is discovered. And, even if one is discovered, it may or may not make headlines - which means most users running Windows XP simply won't be aware their system has been compromised. It's these types of attacks that are most dangerous ... (view more)

If Google's latest acquisition is any indication, sound could be the key to enhanced login security. Set up by former members of the Israeli military, SlickLogin is based around high-frequency tones, virtually inaudible to the human ear. In theory ... the system could be used as the main way to log in to a site, but Google seems more likely to use it for two-factor authentication. The idea of two-factor authentication is to combine two different types of security measure: something you know, and something you have. With the system Google already uses, the 'something you know' is your ... (view more)