Wednesday Newsbytes: Another Botched Windows Update, How to Tell if Someone Using Your Wi-Fi, Google Settles Largest Online Privacy Lawsuit, Anyone Can Unlock Your Android…and more!
Every day we scan the tech world for interesting news in the world of technology and sometimes from outside the world of technology. Every Wednesday, we feature some news articles that grabbed our attention over the past week. We hope you find this week’s ‘Wednesday Newsbytes’ informative and interesting!
Microsoft warns Direct Access on Windows 10 and 11 could be anything but
Buggy update will be pulled in next 24 hours
Microsoft continues to fix problems that pop up after users have installed the latest updates to Windows 10 and 11 – including one that causes problems with the Direct Access remote connectivity feature.
Direct Access allows remote workers to connect to resources on the corporate network without using traditional VPN connections. It’s designed to ensure that remote clients are always connected without having to start and stop connections. IT administrators can also remotely manage client systems using Direct Access when they’re running and connected to the internet.
However, some users who installed the KB5019509 update in Windows 10 or 11 were left unable to reconnect to Direct Access after temporarily losing connectivity with the network, or transitioning between Wi-Fi networks or access points, Microsoft wrote in its Windows Health Dashboard…
How To Tell If Someone Is Using Your WiFi, And How Remove Them
The Wi-Fi setup on your network is easily ignored. Once it’s up and running, you don’t typically give it a second thought. But if your internet connection has been slow or unstable, and nothing you’ve done seems to restore it, it might be because someone is piggybacking off your Wi-Fi. The more devices connected to your network, the more bogged down it gets. When freeloaders are hogging your bandwidth and crowding your network, it’ll slow your connection down too (via Google). It might be a neighbor you once shared a password with and forgot. It could also be someone who broke into your network.
In either case, it raises privacy and security concerns, because when someone has access to your Wi-Fi, they can potentially monitor or access other devices on the same network (via LifeWire). Here’s where your network router comes to the rescue.
All you have to do is log into your router portal and view every device logged into your Wi-Fi. You can then revoke access and boot devices you don’t recognize from your network. The parental controls also come in handy for parents if the kids are on Wi-Fi outside their supervised internet time. Here’s a quick step-by-step that breaks down the process…
Google settles largest online privacy lawsuit over location tracking
Following the lawsuit, Google must be more transparent about how and when it tracks users
Yesterday, tech giant Google agreed to an almost $400 million payout to 40 states over user tracking violations. Google’s settlement comes due to charges that it misinformed users to think turning off location tracking meant Google stopped collecting their information.
However, a 2018 investigation spearheaded by the Associated Press found that iPhone and Android users’ information was still accessible by Google, even when users turned off location tracking.
For example, when someone uses Google Maps, they can allow the app to track them at all times, when they’re actively using the app, or not at all. But the investigation found that despite some users’ wishes, Google kept a log of their whereabouts…
Apple sued for collecting user data despite opt-outs
Doesn’t matter what the data is, they thought they pushed the off switch, argues complaint
Apple is facing another lawsuit, this time over allegations it’s tracking iOS users and turning that data into profit, even if said users have selected “do not track” options.
The suit alleges that Apple has continuously lied about its tracking system by exempting itself from the rules. According to lawyers [PDF], even if consumers follow Apple’s own instructions, they’re still being tracked – only by one entity instead of many.
The defendant and his legal team hope to turn the suit into a class action centered around Apple’s “Share iPhone/iPad Analytics” and “Allow Apps to Request to Track” settings. The argument is that iOS users have a reasonable expectation that if they opt not to share data or allow apps to request it, Apple will not do so.
However, Apple does collect that data, its accusers say. In the case of app analytics data, the suit alleges that App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Books, and Stocks broadcast the exact same info back to Cupertino whether the option is toggled on or off…
Anyone Can Unlock Your Android Without the Password
You need Google’s latest patch to protect your phone from would-be intruders.
Your phone’s lock screen is supposed to be a safeguard against the world (and accidental unlocks in your pocket). When it’s locked, your phone can’t be opened without either the passcode, a face scan, or a fingerprint. If you lose your phone or someone snatches it from you, you can rest assured they won’t be able to do anything with it. Except right now they can, thanks to a recently discovered vulnerability allowing anyone to bypass an Android device’s lock screen…
Clippy is the star of Microsoft’s latest ugly sweater
Microsoft has been making Windows-themed ugly sweaters for five years now. Clippy, the talking paperclip from Office, is this year’s entry, which goes on sale today
Clippy has returned this year to appear on Microsoft’s latest ugly sweater. The Microsoft Office assistant that was both hated and loved is the latest in a series of Windows-themed ugly sweaters from Microsoft and will be available from the company’s Xbox Gear Shop today, priced at $74.99.
That’s quite the price to pay to spread some holiday cheer, but all proceeds after manufacturing costs will be donated to the College Success Foundation this year, alongside a $100,000 donation from Microsoft…
Thanks for reading this week’s Wednesday Newbytes. We hope you found these articles informative, interesting, fun, and/or helpful. Darcy & TC
Thank you… D.