10 May 2018

Wear OS is getting a new battery saving mode


Given Google’s recent rebranding mode and a few pieces of news trickling out over the past week, it seemed safe to expect some key updates for the operating system formerly known as Android Wear. But the company only really mentioned Wear OS in passing at yesterday’s keynotes.

Google’s push to offer an open, Android-like experience for wearable devices has stagnated a bit in recent years, along with the category itself — but the company is pushing out some key updates for devs this week at I/O. Over on the Android Developer blog, the company is highlighting some key features for developer preview 2, which launches this week.

The biggest news here is the addition of an “enhanced battery saver mode.” Battery life is certainly one of the chief concerns on these devices, thanks to their relatively small size. While in the new mode, the device will sport a “power efficient watch face,” while shutting off radios, the touchscreen and tilt to wake — essentially all of those features that make your smartwatch smart. A quick press of the side button will show the time and a longer press will restore functionality.

Also new here is support for Actions on Google, which should make Wear devices more useful when it comes to working with third-party smart objects. That’s a nice addition that brings the products up to speed with the rest of the Google Assistant ecosystem.

This all comes a couple of days after an LG Wear OS watch appears to have hit the FCC. None of this is earthshaking, but at the very least, it shows that Google’s not entirely given up the wearables ghost.


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Why Does macOS High Sierra Track Your Location? (And Should You Be Worried?)


Apple stands out among other companies for its stance on privacy. While Google tracks your every move on your Android phone and Windows 10 is filled with telemetry, using Apple products generally doesn’t require an invasion of your privacy.

So you might be surprised to know that in macOS High Sierra, your Mac tracks your location. Let’s take a look at why Apple added this feature, how it works, and how you can disable it.

What Is Significant Locations in macOS?

macOS High Sierra includes a new feature called Significant Locations. While it doesn’t track your every travel route like Google Maps does, it does pick up on locations that you visit frequently.

Apple states that this feature “learn[s] places significant to you in order to provide useful location-related information in Maps, Calendar, Photos, and more.”

For instance, say you’re part of a board game club at Joe’s Coffee Roastery. If you were adding a calendar event for a game night at the shop, Calendar would know you travel there frequently and could suggest it when you create a new event to save you time.

How to View Your Significant Locations on Mac

The list of locations your Mac considers significant is buried a few menus deep, but it only takes a minute to review them.

First, open System Preferences, which you’ll find under the Apple Menu in the top-left corner. Enter the Security & Privacy category, and switch to the Privacy tab.

Mac Privacy Location Settings

Here, you’ll see a list of apps that request access to sensitive information. Select Location Services in the left column, then you’ll need to click the Lock in the bottom-left corner. Type your administrator password to allow changes.

Next, scroll down the right column until you see System Services at the bottom. Click the Details button. This will show you a list of macOS features that can access your location.

Most of these are services you probably want to use. Setting Time Zone is obviously more convenient than manually changing the time zone whenever you travel, and Find My Mac gives you a good chance at recovering your lost laptop.

Mac Location System Services

But we’re interested in Significant Locations. Click the Details button again. Now, you’ll see a list of cities your laptop has recently visited. Expand a city with the dropdown arrow and you’ll see more specific locations.

Your Mac identifies these locations based on nearby Wi-Fi networks when you visit them, so it should be pretty accurate. Of course, if you’re using a desktop Mac, this won’t be of much use since it’s not portable.

How to Delete Significant Locations on Mac

You can’t delete individual locations from this menu. You’ll have to click the Clear History button wipe them all out.

Mac Significant Locations

After you delete them, your Mac will start collecting locations again over time. If you want to stop this, jump back to the Details pane of the System Services entry and uncheck the box for Significant Locations. Your Mac won’t keep track of those locations anymore, but it can still use your location for other tasks.

If you’d like, you can also check the Show locations icon in menu bar when System Services request your location. You’ll see the icon (it looks like a compass pointer) to indicate when your Mac is using your location for a system purpose.

To go a step further and completely prevent your Mac from using your location, uncheck the Enable Location Services box on the Privacy tab visited earlier. This will stop all apps and services from using your location, which increases privacy but will keep some useful features from working.

For instance, Weather and Maps won’t know where you are, meaning you’ll have to enter some additional info manually.

Does Location Tracking on Mac Violate My Privacy?

If you click the About Location Services & Privacy button on the Privacy tab, Apple has this to say about the feature:

“Your computer will keep track of places you have recently been, as well as how often […] you visited them, in order to learn places that are significant to you. This data is transmitted end-to-end encrypted between your iCloud connected devices and will not be shared without your consent.”

On the Significant Locations page, Apple elaborates:

“Significant locations are encrypted and cannot be read by Apple.”

So this location data is not readable by Apple or third parties. It exists only on your device to help make the local OS work better. However, it seems that Significant Locations doesn’t have a lot of usage so far.

While it helps a few built-in Mac apps work better, it doesn’t do anything super interesting like having Siri tell you when to leave for appointments or recommending other places you might like.

Overall, if you’re OK with other Apple services and third-party apps using your location, there’s no real reason to worry over this one either.

Significant Locations: Useful but Unnecessary

Location services are just one way that your Mac can become more personalized. But there’s no pressure to keep this enabled if you don’t want it.

As of macOS High Sierra, there’s not much visible benefit to the feature if you don’t rely on Apple apps like Calendar and Maps. This may become more useful in the future, at which time you can decide if you want to keep it running or not.

Thankfully, Apple has decided to keep this information stored locally. It’s not synced back to Apple servers, so the company isn’t using it for anything nefarious.

With everything considered, this feature shouldn’t give you too much pause, especially because your location is already tracked everywhere you go.


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House Democrats release more than 3,500 Russian Facebook ads


Democrats from the House Intelligence Committee have released thousands of ads that were run on Facebook by the Russia-based Internet Research Agency.

The Democrats said they’ve released a total of 3,519 ads today from 2015, 2016 and 2017. This doesn’t include 80,000 pieces of organic content shared on Facebook by the IRA, which the Democrats plan to release later.

What remains unclear is the impact that these ads actually had on public opinion, but the Democrats note that they were seen by more than 11.4 million Americans.

You can find all the ads here, though it’ll take some time just to download them. As has been noted about earlier (smaller) releases of IRA ads, they aren’t all nakedly pro-Trump, but instead express a dizzying array of opinions and arguments, targeted at a wide range of users.

“Russia sought to weaponize social media to drive a wedge between Americans, and in an attempt to sway the 2016 election,” tweeted Adam Schiff, who is the Democrats’ ranking member on the House Intelligence Committee. “They created fake accounts, pages and communities to push divisive online content and videos, and to mobilize real Americans,”

He added, “By exposing these Russian-created Facebook advertisements, we hope to better protect legitimate political expression and safeguard Americans from having the information they seek polluted by foreign adversaries. Sunlight is always the best disinfectant.

In conjunction with this release, Facebook published a post acknowledging that it was “too slow to spot this type of information operations interference” in the 2016 election, and outlining the steps (like creating a public database of political ads) that it’s taking to prevent this in the future.

“This will never be a solved problem because we’re up against determined, creative and well-funded adversaries,” Facebook said. “But we are making steady progress.”


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The 10 Best Foreign Netflix Shows From Around the World


Netflix is best known for three things: awesome Netflix Originals, fascinating Netflix documentaries, and hilarious Netflix comedies. But most of this stuff is available in English, and if you limit yourself to just your native language you’re missing out on lots of amazing shows.

We have previously highlighted a number of noteworthy foreign-language films on Netflix, but to be honest, the selection of foreign TV is way better. Here are the best shows from around the world that you need to watch on Netflix ASAP.

1. Narcos (2015)

IMDb: 8.9

If you’re a Netflix subscriber who hasn’t heard of Narcos yet, do yourself a favor and move it straight to the top of your watchlist. This fictionalized retelling of the story of Pablo Escobar and his legendary Colombian cocaine operation in the 1970s is one of the most gripping tales ever told on Netflix.

It’s intense but never loses sight of its characters, and complexly plotted but never impossible to follow or understand. Interspersed with archival footage of the real Pablo Escobar, Narcos achieves a level of depth that few shows ever have. This Golden Globe-nominated sensation is a can’t-miss must-watch.

Watch Narcos on Netflix

2. Money Heist (2017)

IMDb: 8.8

Don’t be turned off by Money Heist’s generic title (originally called “The House of Paper” but renamed for Netflix). There’s absolutely nothing generic about this show that follows a team of eight professional thieves who break into the Royal Mint of Spain, led by a mastermind known only as The Professor.

Take everything you know about heist movies and throw it out the window. Money Heist is smartly written with deeply developed characters throughout, and a cat-and-mouse chess game in the truest sense. Not only will you find yourself sympathizing with all three parties (the cops, the robbers, and the hostages), but the thrills and plot twists never stop coming—plot twists that actually make sense and deepen the story.

Watch Money Heist on Netflix

3. Dark (2017)

IMDb: 8.7

With all the time travel films and TV shows that have come and gone, you might think there are no new or interesting angles left to explore in time travel as a plot device. Well, you’d be wrong. Dark, the first Netflix Original in German, is living proof that time travel can still be surprising and mind-warping.

In the small German town of Winden, children begin disappearing in ways that are reminiscent of past disappearances from 33 years prior. As a police chief investigates the unfolding mystery, the entire town is forced to confront tragedy as secrets are uncovered and the fabric of trust unravels.

Watch Dark on Netflix

4. Babylon Berlin (2017)

IMDb: 8.5

Babylon Berlin, the most expensive non-English TV drama ever produced, is one of the richest and most engaging period pieces of all time—even more so than well-known favorites like Downton Abbey and Boardwalk Empire. It’s gorgeous and pays a lot of attention to historical details, proving that TV can absolutely be artistic.

Babylon Berlin has a bit of everything: romance, sex, drugs, crime, police work, politics, and more, all taking place in the 15-year period leading up to the rise of the Third Reich. It successfully transports you to 1920s Berlin and keeps you entranced in all its beauty and ugliness. To call it “ambitious” would be an understatement.

Watch Babylon Berlin on Netflix

5. Samurai Gourmet (2017)

IMDb: 8.4

No drama. No intensity. No intricate plots or confusing character relationships. Samurai Gourmet is a simple and joyful food show that’s so soft you’ll wonder why you’re watching it, and yet be unable to look away.

Samurai Gourmet follows an older man who just entered into retirement and begins to explore food—not just the taste of it, but how one’s enjoyment of food can change based on setting, emotions, companions, and even nostalgia. If you need to be uplifted, Samurai Gourmet is the perfect show for it.

Watch Samurai Gourmet on Netflix

6. Fauda (2015)

IMDb: 8.4

Israeli-made Fauda starts off a bit slow, but quickly snowballs into a high-intensity political thriller that’s reminiscent of shows like 24 and Strike Back. It follows an elite member of the Israeli Defense Force who’s pulled out of retirement when his last target, who he had supposedly killed, resurfaces.

I highly recommend watching Fauda, if only because it brings a fresh new kind of TV-making that’s unlike most “foreign TV,” which is usually European or Asian in origin. Not that Fauda’s story or characters aren’t top-quality in and of themselves—they truly are—but the underlying Israeli perspective elevates it to new heights.

Watch Fauda on Netflix

7. Tabula Rasa (2017)

IMDb: 8.2

What if I told you that one of the best psychological thrillers on TV is… Belgian? Well, it’s true, and it’s called Tabula Rasa. The name is overused and borderline cliched, I’ll give you that, but it fits well: an amnesiac woman is a key witness in a child disappearance case, but unlocking her memory may unleash more than anyone expected.

If you like slow-burning, high-suspense, twist-filled stories that take their time and earn their climactic moments, then you need to watch Tabula Rasa.

Watch Tabula Rasa on Netflix

8. A Very Secret Service (2015)

IMDb: 7.7

As the only comedy on this list, A Very Secret Service stands out in a way that no other show does. In this French-produced single-season series, a French Secret Service newbie is trained and mentored in post-WW2 France as it changes and evolves under the influence of global politics.

That sounds a lot more serious than it is. A Very Secret Service is a spoof on the espionage genre, taking a serious subject and turning it humorous through silly situations and characters. Often described as “James Bond meets The Office,” A Very Secret Service is a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s tired of the same old comedy cliches.

Watch A Very Secret Service on Netflix

9. 3% (2016)

IMDb: 7.6

3% is a science-fiction thriller that takes you forward to a post-dystopian Brazil that’s been split into two unequal societies: the Offshore that overflows with affluence and abundance, and the Inland where poverty and desperation have taken over. Every year, 20-year-olds are given the chance to cross over, but only three percent make it.

If you’re drawn to movies like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, then you’ll find a lot to like in 3%. It feels very much like a young adult tale, but adeptly tackles deeper issues and themes that would be fumbled in the hands of lesser YA stories.

Watch 3% on Netflix

10. Glitch (2015)

IMDb: 7.6

Glitch is one of the best mini-series to come from Down Under. In a tiny town in backwoods Australia, seven people mysteriously rise from their graves—still intact as if they’d never died, but without their memories. What’s more, the seven grave-risers apparently have nothing in common, spanning many decades between their deaths.

Yes, Glitch is yet another zombie show but it avoids any of the usual trappings of a zombie show, focusing more on mystery and relationships than horrors and cheap thrills. And as you learn more about the characters, it only gets more interesting.

Watch Glitch on Netflix

More Awesome Shows to Watch on Netflix

If you’re tired of the same old shows that cater to the same old audiences, then take heart: Netflix is arguably the most experimental “TV network” of all, and you can find a lot more unusual-but-brilliant shows if you dig deep enough.

I highly recommend starting with these BBC shows available on Netflix, then trying out some of these Nordic drama series. And if you want to try something unlike anything you’ve seen before, consider checking out the “slow TV” genre.


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Instagram adds emoji slider stickers to spice up polls


If you’ve been meaning to ask your friends just how eggplant emoji your new summer cutoffs are, you’re in luck. Today, Instagram is introducing a feature it’s calling the “emoji slider,” a new audience feedback sticker that polls your viewers on a rating scale using any emoji. The updated Instagram app is available now in the App Store and in Google Play.

For example, if you decide to stay in on a Friday night and take risqué selfies you could ask your friends to rate just how angel emoji or how inexplicably-purple-devil-emoji your behavior is. Or say you see an animal and can’t quite figure out if it’s a snake or a salamander with those little tiny legs, you could poll your Instagram story-goers to ask how snake emoji the thing was on a scale of no snake emoji to 100% snake emoji. The impractical applications are endless.

Instagram says that the emoji slider grew out of the natural popularity of the poll sticker, which is admittedly a pretty fun way to pressure your friends and admirers into spontaneous audience participation. With the emoji slider, you can ask how [emoji] something is instead of just asking your followers to operate under a binary set of options, because binaries are over man.

If you’re into it, you can find the emoji slider in the sticker tray with most of the other excellent stoner nonsense. Just select it, write out your question, slap that baby on your story and wait for the sweet sweet feedback to roll in.


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The Best PayPal Alternatives for Teenagers Under 18


Teaching children to be financially responsible adults isn’t always easy when sites like PayPal ban children under 18 years old from using their service. Thankfully there are many financial alternatives to PayPal that you can use to teach your kids about saving and managing money.

Despite PayPal’s ban, there are creative ways to provide your children with places to save their money. These are accounts that give you “custodial” control, so you can monitor how your kids are doing and step in if you see them getting into trouble.

Why Does PayPal Have an Age Limit?

PayPal used to offer a PayPal Student account, but that service was eventually discontinued.

According to PayPal’s website, they don’t allow anyone under 18 to open an account because no one under 18 is allowed to enter into a legal contract in the United States:

“When you open a PayPal account, you are agreeing to a binding legal contract. Before an individual can enter into a binding legal agreement known as a contract, he or she must meet the legal contract age. The legal contract age is also referred to as the age of majority, which is 18 years old in most jurisdictions.”

Even though there are other banks and financial institutions that get around this restriction by offering teen accounts linked to parental custodial accounts, PayPal has decided to offer nothing of the sort. This introduces a new need for PayPal alternatives for teenagers.

Online Banking Accounts for Teens

No matter where you turn to create any online financial account like PayPal, inevitably you’re going to need a bank account to transfer money to and from.

One of the simplest solutions is just to create an actual bank account that teens are allowed to use, complete with an actual debit card, checks, and every other benefit that comes from having a bank account.

CapitalOne 360 Money

paypal alternatives for teenagers

CapitalOne solved the need for teen bank accounts by providing what’s called a CapitalOne 360 “Money” account. A Money account is a zero-fee teen checking account.

Some of the benefits of a CapitalOne 360 Money account includes:

  • No fees or balance requirements
  • A free debit card teens can use at any store that accepts MasterCard
  • Text alerts to both teens and parents for low balances
  • Fee-free ATMs across the country
  • Accounts earn interest

An actual bank account puts your teen on the path of understanding how banking works, how interest accumulates as you save money, and how to manage money from month to month.

The fact that the account requires a parent to “support” it means you have the ability to step in and assist if your teen needs it. You can transfer money in and out of the account from your own external bank account.

Other Online Banking Alternatives

CapitalOne isn’t the only company to get into the teen banking game. A few other banks have stepped up to help out with student banking accounts.

  • Bank of America Student Banking: No monthly maintenance fee, online/mobile banking, and the ability to send and receive money via the Zelle online payment service.
  • Alliant: Available for kids aged 13-17 years old, start a joint account for your child with no minimum balance, no monthly fees, online/mobile banking, and interest rates more than twice that of other teen bank accounts.
  • Chase: A “high school checking” account is available for students 13-17 years old, without a monthly fee if linked to a parent’s bank account. Chase tends to have a lot of fees like ATM and overdraft fees, but this is a good opportunity to teach your teen how to avoid such “big bank” fees.
  • Huntington Bank: Anyone under 18 can open a Huntington Bank student account so long as someone over 18 is willing to open it as a co-signer or as a joining account. Huntington Bank doesn’t provide account details online so make sure to read the fine print when you sign up.
  • Wells Fargo: A teen account is available to any student aged 13-17, with a parent account linked the account. Parents can place limits on purchases, and students can bank from their mobile phone or online. You can avoid the monthly fee if you opt for online statements.

Not only national banks offer student accounts. It’s likely that your local bank or credit union may have some options for students as well. So, check with your own local bank and ask if they offer free or no-fee checking accounts for students that parents can co-sign for.

Prepaid Debit Cards for Teenagers

If you just want a simple place where you can store money for your kids to use, you don’t actually have to go through the hassle of opening up a bank account.

You can stop at any pharmacy or supemarket and purchase a refillable prepaid card for your child to use.

American Express: Bluebird

paypal alternatives for teenagers

Bluebird by American Express is like a hybrid between a bank account and a credit card.

The cool thing about it is with one “family account” you can provide a different card to up to four other family members. From your central account, you can quickly transfer money to those cards, set limits on spending, and monitor activity.

It’s probably one of the best solutions for parents who want to dole out allowances to children and get them started learning how to use credit cards responsibly.

Download: Bluebird for Android | iOS (Free)

MyVanilla Visa Card

An even simpler solution is to purchase a Vanilla Visa gift card, available at most supermarkets or at Walmart.

Minors can’t purchase these cards. However, parents are allowed to purchase the card, sign the agreement, and then add the minor as a registered user of the card.

Some features of the MyVanilla Visa Card include:

  • A mobile app to check and manage the account
  • Easily load more money onto the card at a long list of participating retailers
  • No credit check required
  • Zero liability policy if the card gets lost, makes it much safe than carrying cash

All of these make MyVanilla an ideal first “credit card” for minors, without the hassle of opening a checking account.

FamZoo Family Accounts

paypal alternatives for teenagers

One of the coolest ways to manage a number of child accounts in a single family management platform is FamZoo.

Famzoo is like Bluebird on steroids. It offers everything the American Express Bluebird account offers, including a prepaid card for each child. However what it lacks are most of the fees you’ll find when you sign up for student accounts with any of the big banks.

The best feature here is the automation. You can set up allowance amounts for each child, and have that automatically transfer into their cards at whatever interval you set up.

You can even connect scheduled chores and jobs to payments or penalties. This is a great way to teach kids about the connection between work and income.

If you’re a really strict parent, you can seven set up “billing”, where you charge your kids for things like their share of the mobile phone bill!

Google Pay

paypal alternatives for teenagers

Google Pay (formerly Google Wallet but now combined with Android Pay) is an interesting alternative to PayPal.

It’s available for any teenager over 13, so long as a parent provides permission and accepts the terms. After that, parents can connect a bank or credit card to the Google Pay account to transfer money into it.

There are no bells and whistles. It’s probably the simplest, inexpensive way to give your kids a place to save and spend their money.

The great news is there are a lot of retailers who accept Google Pay directly, without the need for a credit card. These are popular retailers like Dunkin Donuts, Whole Foods, Walgreens, and many more.

Teaching Children Financial Responsibility

It isn’t easy to learn financial responsibility. Unfortunately, schools don’t teach it. So, it’s up to parents and family to give kids a solid financial education. There are plenty of websites that teach kids money management skills.

And if they want to earn more, there are even ways kids can earn money on the internet. Earning money is a great first step toward building good financial health.

Image Credit: yacobchuk1/Depositphotos


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Protect Your Mac With 8 Free Security Tools by Objective-See


Security tools are a necessary evil in the face of a growing Mac malware threat. Fortunately you can protect yourself and restore peace of mind with the right tools, like Objecive-See‘s bounty of freebies.

The project is the brainchild of Patrick Wardle, a security researcher who created a range of tools to secure his own computer. He’s since released them all for free, and maintains a repository of known Mac malware for research and educational purposes.

Let’s take a look at the lineup and how you can use these tools to better protect your Mac.

1. Do Not Disturb

Do Not Disturb for Mac

What It Does: Get alerts about physical access attacks on your MacBook.

If you travel with your MacBook or your workplace favors a “bring your own device” approach, physical access attacks might be your laptop’s biggest threat. Many of us leave our laptops unattended to grab a coffee without thinking about the very real threat posed by malicious USB devices and other users.

Do Not Disturb installs a persistent launch process which logs all known “lid open” events, with the option of sending alerts or executing custom actions. It works best when paired with the companion iOS app, allowing you to take evasive action like snapping a shot of the culprit using your webcam, or shutting down your Mac remotely.

Once you’ve installed the app you can view a log of physical access events, no iOS counterpart app required. There are also preferences for running the app “invisibly” using passive logging (no visible alerts) and by hiding the menu bar icon.

Download: Do Not Disturb

2. KnockKnock

KnockKnock for Mac

What It Does: Scan your Mac for signs of persistent malware.

More than a basic malware scanner, KnockKnock looks for signs of persistent malware—malicious code that installs itself repeatedly. This usually happens when your computer restarts. KnockKnock integrates with online detection tool VirusTotal, so known malware receives a red highlight on detection.

While VirusTotal integration is nice, the app also reports other persistently installed applications. Most of your results will be benign, but it gives you the opportunity to look down the list and see if you spot anything unusual. The app detects many different types of persistent installers, including plugins, browser extensions, launch and login items, and kernel extensions.

Download: KnockKnock

3. TaskExplorer

TaskExplorer for Mac

What It Does: Like a security-focused version of Apple’s Activity Monitor task manager.

TaskExplorer is very similar to the Activity Monitor app supplied with your Mac, except with VirusTotal integration. That means the app flags any known malicious currently running processes. You can send anything you don’t recognize to VirusTotal’s servers for analysis.

The app can quickly view the signing status of any running processes, view loaded dynamic libraries, network connection details, and files currently in use by a given task. It’s similar to KnockKnock, but the emphasis here is on processes that have already launched, rather than the code responsible for their execution.

Download: TaskExplorer

4. BlockBlock

BlockBlock for Mac

What It Does: Looks for and attempts to block malware installers.

While KnockKnock looks for the installers responsible for malware, BlockBlock attempts to deny the installation altogether. It does this by running constantly in the background, monitoring common persistence locations, and displaying an alert when it detects something suspicious.

As you might expect, BlockBlock integrates with VirusTotal. It flags known malware, but many of BlockBlock’s detections are legitimate apps performing routine operations. BlockBlock gives you the option of blocking any detected installations. The app also reports if the installer is signed by Apple, by a third party, or completely unsigned.

Download: BlockBlock

5. RansomWhere?

RansomWhere? for Mac

What It Does: Monitors for newly created encrypted files in a bid to prevent ransomware attacks.

Ransomware is a specific type of malware that locks you out of your data, usually demanding some sort of payment for the safe return of your files. A hallmark of this particular malware design is the creation of encrypted files by suspicious processes.

RansomWhere? monitors your system for known signs of ransomware, blocking the process and prompting you to either allow or terminate a possible threat. The app flags untrusted processes that rapidly create encrypted files, while explicitly trusting Apple-signed software and software installed prior to downloading the app.

Like other Objective-See apps, RansomWhere? doesn’t specifically look for malware but actions indicative of malware. It’s possible the app will flag legitimate processes, though the developer has tried to keep the number of false positives to a minimum.

Download: RansomWhere?

6. OverSight

OverSight for Mac

What It Does: Alerts you when your microphone or camera activates.

One of the simplest Objective-See apps, OverSight alerts you when your Mac’s microphone or webcam turn on. There are known examples of Mac malware that attempt to record or even stream users, which is why so many users cover their webcams as a precautionary measure.

OverSight monitors and reports webcam or microphone events. The alert includes the name of the process and the process identifier, along with a prompt to Allow or Block the request. You can also whitelist safe applications so that you don’t have to approve them all the time.

Most interestingly, the app attempts to detect secondary processes that try to piggyback on legitimate webcam or microphone requests. It’s not infallible, but it’s better than nothing.

Download: OverSight

7. KextViewr

KextViewr for Mac

What It Does: Lists currently loaded kernel extensions.

Kernel extensions (known as “kexts”) are given highest privileges in macOS, so it’s important that you don’t have any untrustworthy modules running. KextViewr displays all currently loaded kexts along with their signing status, path to installed files, and perhaps most importantly, results from any hashes cross-referenced with VirusTotal.

You can filter these processes using the following hashtags: #apple, #nonapple, #signed, #unsigned, and #flagged. There’s not much more to it than that!

Download: KextViewr

8. What’s Your Sign

What's Your Sign for Mac

What It Does: Check an app’s signing status to determine its trustworthiness.

Not all unsigned apps are dangerous. Many open source projects and freebies are unsigned, since the developers lack the funding to get a developer license. With that in mind, a signed app is more trustworthy (from a security standpoint) than an unsigned one.

What’s Your Sign adds a new right-click context option called Signing Info. Click it and you’ll find out if the app is Apple-signed, third party-signed, or not signed at all. That’s all there is to it.

Download: What’s Your Sign

More Useful Objective-See Tools for Mac Users

In addition to the tools here, Objective-See has a few other tools certain users may be interested in:

  • Lockdown: Written for El Capitan to provide a way to quickly limit a Mac’s exposed “surface area” by locking down known-exploitable services. Currently does not work with High Sierra.
  • Ostiarius: Another app for El Capitan meant to close a security hole that allowed malware to bypass Gatekeeper. As of macOS Sierra or later, Apple has fixed this issue and Ostiarius is no longer required (it may be useful if you can’t upgrade your Mac past El Capitan, though).
  • dylib Hijack Scanner: Objective-See’s first tool, last updated for El Capitan. Similar functionality is part of TaskExplorer above.

Security tools can help you prevent and detect malware infection, but a dash of common sense can do wonders for avoiding infection too. Always be suspicious of processes asking for your admin password, unsigned apps that require Gatekeeper circumvention, and leave system integrity protection enabled at all times.


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Free stock trading app Robinhood rockets to a $5.6B valuation with new funding round


Robinhood started off as a dead-simple stock trading application that had no transaction fees — but since it’s continued to grow, and especially as it starts to dive into cryptocurrenty, investors are getting pretty excited about its prospects and are pouring a ton of new funding into it.

And it’s that tantalizing prospect of creating a next generation way of trading assets and cryptocurrency is now sending Robinhood to a $5.6 billion valuation in a new financing round that the company is announcing today. Robinhood says it’s closed a $363 million Series D financing round, with DST Global led this new round and Iconiq, Kleiner Perkins, Sequoia and Capital G participated. Robinhood had a $1.3 billion valuation last year when it had around 2 million users, and Robinhood says it now has 4 million users and has passed $150 billion in transaction volume.

“It’s the only place right now where you can trade crypto, stocks, and options all in one place,” CEO Vlad Tenev said. “For us to construct an experience that feels seamless and natural for customers, that for example want to sell an equity and use the proceeds to buy crypto, seamlessly, that’s been challenging not just from a product and design standpoint, but also infrastructure standpoint. There’s complexity under the hood, and our goal is to make it as seamless as possible in the process and make that complexity go away.”

Those 4 million users — and that valuation — indicates that Robinhood has clearly exposed a lot of demand for an easier way to users to dip their toes into financial services without having to work with firms that have trading fees like Scotttrade or E*Trade. And while there are a lot of services that offer robo-advisory services like Betterment and Wealthront, which make it easier to start investing small amounts of money, Robinhood offers users the opportunity to do these things at a more granular level.

And, of course, there’s the cryptocurrency aspect that is clearly spurring a lot of interest in the company. At the time, 1 million users waitlisted for access in just the five days after Robinhood Crypto was announced. Robinhood has premium services like Robinhood Gold, where the company can find additional ways to generate revenue that offset the requirements of running a system that allows users to trade stocks for free. Robinhood has raised $539 million to date, as diving into financial services can be an expensive prospect, as well as getting enough users on board to the point that it can scale to a level that the business starts to increasingly make sense.

Robinhood’s crypto trading service came out in February and by today, the comapny says it’s available in 11 states. The company also rolled out a web version and stock option trading, trying to become a more robust financial services company that’s still tuned to a younger generation that wants an easier way to get into investing without needing a big balance to invest. Most of Robinhood’s users, too, aren’t so-called “day traders” and are instead holding stocks for a while after they buy them.

“If you look at the data and the statistics, people that are active day traders are actually a very small percentage of our space,” Tenev said. “People that are actually transacting on that cadence are the minority of our customers. Most of our customers engage in more of these buy and hold accumulation strategies. We really see a lot of unique things because we don’t charge trading commissions. There are customers that deposit money regularly twice or once a month and then buy stocks as soon as those deposits come in. We don’t see a lot of customers that are doing rapid buying and selling.”

Still, as it tries to further expand — especially into products like crypto and new regions — it’s going to increasingly find itself trying to jump hurdles that financial services companies find when going abroad. And there’s always a chance that the trading platforms will try to become a little more competitive (and companies like Square are even getting into Bitcoin trading). That’s going to require a robust amount of funding to try to outmaneuver well-capitalized companies that might already have those relationships in place to more easily expand.

“The political climate is uncertain, it sort of affects everyone, it doesn’t affect us uniquely,” Tenev said. “We’re a crypto business now. Not a lot of people have a ton of clarity on what that’s gonna look like in the future, it’s a new space that’s evolving really rapidly. I think that we’re confident we can adapt and evolve, and we’re operating the business in a responsible way. There’s only so much you can do, but I feel like we’ve done a lot to address any concerns.”


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12 Netflix Movies to Watch With Mom on Mother’s Day


Most moms love to spend time with their families, and especially so on Mother’s Day. So, after you all go out for that big meal, why not gather around and relax with a movie.

Thankfully, you won’t have to look far for good movies to watch with mom on Mother’s Day and beyond. Netflix has movies to make you chuckle, shed a tear, or simply enjoy the holiday with those you love.

Suffice to say, moms rock, so pick movies you will all enjoy watching together.

Netflix Movies to Watch With Mom

You may have a grown child who is starting their own life or a baby who is just beginning theirs. Either way, these films related to parenting have you covered. And if some parts of movies make you feel uncomfortable as a parent, we have a few tips for avoiding those awkward movie scenes.

1. Meet the Parents

If you are waiting for your daughter to bring home the love of her life, there is no better way to prepare for it than with Meet the Parents. Learn the art of intimidation from Robert DeNiro as his daughter brings Ben Stiller home for their first visit.

Whether you can relate to the man who wants to make sure his princess ends up with a prince or to the unsuspecting boyfriend meeting those parents for the first time, this hilarious comedy will have you laughing out loud.

2. Guess Who

A newer version of the 1967 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Guess Who takes the story and adds a twist. Rather than a Caucasian girl bringing home an African American boy to meet her parents, it’s the exact opposite in this comedic remake.

The movie stars Bernie Mac as the surprised father when his daughter brings home her new beau played by Ashton Kutcher. If you enjoy these movies about meeting parents who are not as accepting as one would hope, then add this one to your list.

3. The Family Man

Starring Nicolas Cage and Tea Leoni, this movie tells the story of a man who must make the most important decision of his life. It begins with him living as a powerful, successful businessman. Then one day he wakes up laying next to the former love of his life. From there he discovers a diaper bag instead of a briefcase and lives as the title of the movie, The Family Man.

How and why this all happens is part of the journey you’ll follow in this film. How it ends is with a reminder that our decisions dictate our paths. If there comes a time when we get a second chance, do we take it?

4. Bridget Jones’s Baby

First came Bridget Jones’s Diary, then Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, and then Bridget Jones’s Baby. If you enjoyed the first two in this film series, then you will like this follow-up comedy starring Renee Zellweger once again.

Dealing with life as she knows it, Bridget is in for the surprise of her life when she finds out she’s pregnant. The biggest problem? She doesn’t know who the father is. Finding out you’re about to be a mom for the first time can be stressful enough. But with a bit of humor, Bridget Jones’s Baby shows you how much harder it could be.

Netflix Movies to Watch With the Whole Family

Sometimes a funny film that the entire family can enjoy is the perfect way to spend time together. These family-friendly Netflix movies will definitely put a smile on everyone’s face.

5. Harry and the Hendersons

Harry and the Hendersons is a cute movie that starts with a family led by John Lithgow traveling home through the woods. They have a slight accident when they hit something with their car and then discover it’s a sasquatch! Thinking the poor creature didn’t make it, they bring it home with them. But then the creature awakens, and the real fun begins.

Not judging a book by its cover is just one moral of this story. The scary sasquatch turns out to be the opposite to what you’d think, making this heartwarming tale a great one to share with the kids. And along with many others, this film is on our list of Netflix movies for Father’s Day too.

6. Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves

This amusing follow-up to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is one of those movies your children or grandchildren will love. The silly scientist played by Rick Moranis shrinks himself, and inadvertently a few other people, instead of the kids in this film. The best part is that his children have no idea and think they are simply home alone.

For a wacky bit of entertainment, Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves is a fun family film.

7. The Flintstones

Based on the widely popular cartoon, The Flintstones movie from 1994 is hilarious. With a winning cast of John Goodman, Rick Moranis, Rosie O’Donnell, Elizabeth Perkins, and other great actors, this film is worth a watch.

Take your family on a fun-filled trip to Bedrock with Fred, Barney, and the rest of the clan to see what happens with Fred lands the job of his dreams. You’ll be glad you did.

8. Shrek

Who doesn’t appreciate a good fairy tale now and then? Shrek is one of the best of the lot, with humor, emotion, and lessons to learn all wrapped up in one side splitting package. Starring Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, this film has you heading to the swamp to start your adventure.

A goofy green ogre named Shrek is on a quest to rescue the lovely Princess Fiona because of a deal he makes with the devious Lord Farquaad. With Donkey by his side, they embark on a memorable journey and eventually discover that things may not all be as they seem.

Classic Netflix Movies for Everyone to Enjoy

Whether an older movie you miss, or a classic story brought into modern times, check out these Netflix films. And if you really love these classics, check out our guide to FilmStruck for even more options.

9. Benji

Lassie wasn’t the only dog capable of being a savior, in 1974 Benji came to the big screen. This adorable pup saves two children who have been kidnapped. And the journey that he goes on is an unforgettable one.

Follow Benji in this classic film that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with that furry little guy. Dog moms everywhere will appreciate this original.

10. On Golden Pond

From 1981, On Golden Pond stars Katharine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, and Jane Fonda in a story about family. When an older couple goes to stay in their summer home, the are visited by their only child, a daughter who is estranged from her father. She brings her fiancé and his son with her, making the situation a little more awkward for all.

But it’s what happens after that which makes this story a good one for both parents and children. On Golden Pond received 10 nominations at the 54th Academy Awards and won Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

11. Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast may not be considered a classic in the true sense of the word. But the story is one that mothers have read to their daughters for generations. This 2017 adaptation of the storybook stars Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast.

When the two fall in love, it is a wonderful reminder and important lesson for all that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

12. Alice Through the Looking Glass

Another storybook adaption, this one starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, comes from a classic tale. Alice Through the Looking Glass takes you and your loved ones back to Wonderland with Alice for a whimsical and colorful adventure.

Follow Alice as she travels back in time to help the one and only Mad Hatter before time runs out. This 2016 film is full of fantasy and fun for all.

Pick a Movie and Prepare for Mother’s Day

Hopefully one or more of these Netflix movies will make its way into your plans for Mother’s Day. And as you’re on a mission to make mom feel special, how about adding a gift?

These sites for Mother’s Day gifts or this great list of gift ideas for geeky moms should help give you a headstart.

Image Credit: AndreyPopov/Depositphotos


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Researchers create a real cloaking device


Researcher Amanda D. Hanford at Pennsylvania State University has created a real cloaking device that can route sound waves around an object, making it invisible to some sensing techniques.

From the report:

Hanford and her team set out to engineer a metamaterial that can allow the sound waves to bend around the object as if it were not there. Metamaterials commonly exhibit extraordinary properties not found in nature, like negative density. To work, the unit cell — the smallest component of the metamaterial — must be smaller than the acoustic wavelength in the study.

Hanford created an acoustic metamaterial that deflected sound waves under water, a difficult feat. In testing she and the team were able to place the material in water and measure sound waves pointed at it. The resulting echoes in the water suggested that the sound waves did not bounce off or around the material. This means the new material would be invisible to sonar.

Obviously this technology is still in its early stages and the material does not make the objects invisible but just very hard to detect in underwater situations. However, the fact ship captains could soon yell “Activate the cloaking device” as evil, laser-toting dolphins appear on the horizon should give everyone a bit of cheer.


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Tech devices that make for great last-minute gifts for anyone


Editor’s note: This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work.

It should be easy to give a gift. But it can be hard trying to choose what gift to give. That’s especially true with technology, where products tend to be more functional than emotional. Here’s what matters most: finding a present that connects to the recipient, creates a sense of enjoyment, and that they’re actually going to use. Here are five tech gifts that will appeal to almost anyone.

Jaybird X3 Wireless Sport Earbuds

The Jaybird X3 earbuds are designed for working out, but their design and great audio makes them perfect for anyone on the go. The X3’s interchangeable tips and fins offer a highly customizable, comfortable fit. Overall sound is high quality out of the box, but we like that the companion Jaybird app allows a tailored listening experience. Eight hours of playback time means you’ll be set throughout multiple workouts or a full work day.

Amazon Echo (2nd generation) Voice-Controlled Speaker

While there’s more than enough buzz surrounding voice-controlled speakers, they’re not yet considered a standard home item. But we think they’re helpful, and we know that a lot of folks find them incredibly useful for ordering food, listening to audiobooks, streaming music, or controlling their appliances and lighting. Our favorite is the Amazon Echo (2nd generation), which does more (and does it better) than any other current model. It supports a huge list of smart-home devices—including thermostats, light bulbs, and vacuums, and it has a set of skills, including offering custom weather, news and calendar alerts. (Note: If you’re giving one of these devices as a gift, make sure the recipient’s preferred music service is supported; Amazon’s devices, for example, work with its own Prime Music service, as well as Spotify, but not with Apple Music.)

Jackery Bolt USB Battery

A convenient device (which at times doubles as a lifesaver) is a gift that anyone would consider a necessity. We researched more than 300 USB power banks and battery packs and tested 40, naming the Jackery Bolt as our top pick. The Jackery Bolt is made out of aluminum and is the perfect size for carrying around in your bag or pocket every day. It has two connector cables (one Lightning and one MicroUSB), and its 6000 mAh battery has enough power to charge a medium-sized smartphone twice.

Nixplay Seed Digital Photo Frame

The Nixplay Seed digital photo frame is perfect way to keep faraway friends and family members in sight. Since it’s Wi-Fi-enabled, you can be anywhere and use social media platforms, cloud storage, or your smartphone to upload pictures. It’s a great gift because new and old moments can be shared anytime, giving viewers more reasons to touch base with you. It has a high-resolution IPS display that can show images in landscape or portrait orientation. The photo frame’s remote and sensor—which turns the device off when no one’s in the room — lets you choose what you want to see at your convenience. Multiple people can create photo playlists through the Nixplay website, or add pictures to be shown by sending them through email. With 8GB of storage it has the capacity to hold roughly 25,000 smartphone photos.

GoPro Hero5 Black Action Camera

The GoPro Hero5 Black is our top pick for action cameras because it can be used for everyday filming, capturing memories during travel adventures, and is great in environments that aren’t suitable for larger, pricier camera equipment. It doesn’t have a clunky case, but it’s still waterproof. For those who usually place tech integration at the top of their gear list, the GoPro Hero5 Black also has a touchscreen interface and voice-control capabilities. During testing we found its footage to be crisp and clear with accurate color in addition to sound quality that’s worth keeping in professional edits.

Garmin Vivosport Fitness Tracker

If you’re looking for a way to jumpstart your exercise routine and you haven’t picked up a fitness tracker, now’s the time.  We’ve tested 23 fitness trackers over the past three years and think the Garmin Vivosport is the best option. Its built-in GPS, long-lasting battery life and color display set it apart from others. In addition to monitoring your workouts (including strength-training reps), it helps keep tabs on your sleep and stress levels, and is Bluetooth-enabled for IOS and Android integration with streaming music and notifications.

This guide may have been updated by Wirecutter.

Note from Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.


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How to Play Google’s Emoji Scavenger Hunt


While some scientists have long thought we should all be worried about artificial intelligence, there’s no denying the power of AI. It can save you time, ensure a smarter mobile experience, and maybe even turn you into a better artist. There are of course far more serious uses for AI, and some that are just a lot of fun—like Google’s latest Emoji Scavenger Hunt.

What Is Google’s Emoji Scavenger Hunt?

Google’s Emoji Scavenger Hunt is a fun little game you can play using your phone’s camera. Basically, you load the site, and will embark on a rapid scavenger hunt, looking for the items Google throws at you, and a neural network will try to identify what it is your camera is pointing at.

All you need to do to get started is:

  1. Go to emojiscavengerhunt.withgoogle.com on your phone.
  2. Tap the Let’s Play button.
  3. You’ll start out with 20 seconds on the clock, and the faster you find items in the scavenger hunt, the more time is added to your clock.
  4. You’ll have to tap Next Emoji so that Google can take you on to the next item.

They recommend keeping your sound on as you play to hear the prompts, but it isn’t absolutely necessary. It is interesting, though, because you can hear all the items being identified as they come into the camera’s view.

Google says the game works best on the latest versions of the Android and iOS operating systems and browsers. If you’re concerned about privacy, according to Google, none of the images from your camera are collected or stored and you can also take a look at their open-source code on GitHub.

If you’re looking for more fun Google experiments and games, there are plenty out there. Google has you covered with fascinating AI experiments as well as fun Google Search games.


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How to Batch Rename Your Photos Using Adobe Bridge


The wave of nostalgia is one of the greatest gifts that comes from naming your photos properly. And it’s not a chore at all when you have tools like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom at your command.

But, today let’s try another tool that offers you powerful options to batch rename all your photos with a click of a button. Adobe Bridge CC is the digital asset manager for the Adobe Creative Suite.

How to Batch Rename Photos Using Adobe Bridge

Adobe Bridge is a file browser that shows you all your digital media assets in one screen. To rename a single photo just single-click on the file name and type the new name. Press tab to move to the next photo or select another one with your mouse.

But Adobe Bridge gives you a dedicated tool when you want to rename a lot of files in one go:

  1. Select all the files in the Content Panel. Press Cmd + A (macOS) or Ctrl + A (Win). Or select the first file…hold Shift and select the last file of the group you want to rename.
  2. Go to Tools > Batch Rename to display the dialog box.
    Adobe Bridge Batch Rename
  3. Select a destination folder for the renamed files. They can be automatically copied or moved. You can also choose to rename the files in the same folder they are located.
  4. Pick one or combine from the ten renaming options provided under New Filenames. Use the “+” or “-” button to add or subtract the combinations. For instance, you can use a combination of a text string and a sequence number. Or, a text string and the date/time as a suffix.
    Adobe Bridge-Batch Process Options
  5. Check the preview of the renamed files under the Preview section as you create your new file name.
  6. You can also preserve the old file name as a metadata. Check the option and it will allow you to revert to the original filename later.
  7. To ensure compatibility with the OS you are using, select the checkbox for the specific OS. You can check all three.
  8. Click the Rename button at the top to start the batch process. You will notice that all photos instantly change to the new file name.

Plan to use the same naming structure later? Go to the top of the dialog box and save this as a Preset and give it a memorable name. There are several methods you can use to batch rename your photos. But the trick is to do it early so that your files don’t turn into a chaotic cesspool.

Image Credit: benjaminjk/Depositphotos


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How to Disable Sponsored Ads on Firefox’s New Tab Page


Mozilla Firefox has long been the mainstream browser with the biggest focus on privacy. While Google’s wildly popular Chrome collects all sorts of information about your browsing to serve you more relevant ads, Firefox hasn’t had such a purpose.

But with the recently-launched Firefox 60, you’ll start seeing “sponsored stories” on the New Tab page. Here’s what to know about them and how to disable them if you wish.

Disabling Sponsored Ads on Firefox’s New Tab Page

Firefox introduced “suggested content” in 2015. This used your browsing history to suggest sponsored stories that you may find interesting.

Since Mozilla bought the read-it-later service Pocket in 2017, the service has been integrated into the browser in a few ways. One of these is on the New Tab page, with Recommended by Pocket stories appearing alongside your Top Sites and other content.

Firefox Disable Suggested Posts

In Firefox 60, though, Pocket is expanding these stories to include “sponsored content”. If you’d rather not see these, you can easily disable them. Open a new tab in Firefox, then click the Gear in the top-right corner. Under Recommended by Pocket, uncheck the Show Sponsored Stories box.

That’s all you have to do. You can even uncheck Recommended by Pocket if you’d rather not see any suggested stories at all.

Why Is Mozilla Introducing Ads?

It’s easy to see this as a shady move by Mozilla, but the company has transparently outlined it reasoning for this change.

You can read the post for full details, but Mozilla has confirmed that these ads appear from your local copy of Firefox. It doesn’t share all your private data with advertisers, and it selects high-quality stories instead of the usual clickbait junk.

If you love Firefox, leaving these sponsored stories enabled is a good way to support Mozilla. The company has to make money somehow, and has thankfully chosen to go about it in a pretty non-intrusive way. For more, check out our Firefox FAQ.


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3 Ways to Check the Status of DNS Propagation for Your Site


When you add hosting to a domain name, change hosting providers, or just change your nameservers, you need to wait for the changes to propagate around the world.

But what does DNS propagation even mean? And how can you check the current status of your site? Keep reading to find out more.

What Is DNS Propagation?

As you probably know, every website has a unique IP address. It’s a string of digits that hard to remember. To make life easier for ourselves, we use memorable URLs instead (such as makeuseof.com).

When you enter a URL into your browser, the nameserver is responsible for telling your browser which IP address it should send you to.

Whenever you alter your nameservers—such as when changing hosting provider—you need to wait for the updated information to spread around the web. It’s like updating your profile on Facebook and waiting for everyone to notice.

The process, called DNS propagation, can take up to 48 hours to complete. But sometimes it can take much less time. So, how can you get an update on the status? Just use one of the sites below.

3 Ways to Check DNS Propagation Status

Use one of these three sites to check the status of your site’s DNS propagation.

  1. DNS Checker: The site checks propagation from 22 worldwide locations.
  2. ViewDNS: ViewDNS has 25 different DNS tools you can use; the propagation tool is just one part of it. Other tools include everything from Reverse MX Lookup to Traceroute.
  3. WhatsMyDNS: The site has 21 locations around the world. It can check multiple records, including A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, NS, PTR, SOA, and TXT.

If you’d like to learn more about DNS, check out our articles on using Cloudflare’s DNS to improve your privacy, how DNS can help speed up your internet connection, and a list of five DNS servers that’ll improve your safety.


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Google Duplex Offers a Scary Glimpse of the Future


Google has unveiled plenty of stuff at Google I/O 2018, including Google Assistant’s new-found conversational skills and Gmail’s new Smart Compose feature. However, the biggest talking point of the whole event has to be the innocuous sounding Google Duplex.

Now that we’re all used to talking to Siri, Alexa, and Assistant, Google is developing the next level of artificial intelligence. And Google Duplex will, if it ever actually sees the light of day, make AI almost indistinguishable from humans. Almost.

Duplex Makes Phone Calls on Your Behalf

Google Duplex is, in a nutshell, a scary glimpse of the future. It’s a next-level artificial intelligence. One that’s able to have natural-sounding conversations with real-life human beings. And that enables Duplex to make phone calls on your behalf.

As demonstrated by Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Duplex can make appointments for you over the phone. And all without the person on the other end of the call being aware they’re talking to an AI. This video shows Duplex calling a hair salon and a restaurant.

As you can see Google has programmed Duplex to sound human. Instead of monotonal responses there’s human language patterns. And Google has even programmed in the pauses and random words such as “Um” and “Ah” humans use in conversations.

Are We Human, or Are We Duplex?

The upshot is an interaction between an AI and a human which sounds like a conversation between two humans. Which raises an important moral question: Should Google program Duplex to announce that it’s not human at the start of a conversation?

Everyone receives robocalls occasionally. But most of us quickly realize we’re not talking to a human, and react accordingly. The problem is when artificial intelligence sounds as natural as Duplex no one will actually know whether they’re talking to a machine.

The Technological Singularity Is Coming Soon

Google has been developing this technology for some time. And the company maintains that the demo was a real call made to a real business. And while the technology is not yet perfect, Google is set to start testing Duplex within Assistant this summer (2018).

The future is scary. That is if Duplex lives up to the hype, unlike Google Glass. It’s inevitable that artificial intelligence will one day replace humanity as the dominant force on Earth, but, thanks to Duplex, it feels like Google is speeding up our demise right now.


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6 Signs Microsoft Is Really a Fan of Linux


Several years ago, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stood in front of a presentation slide that said Microsoft loves Linux. Some people were happy to see this change. Others were skeptical. Did Microsoft really love Linux after all?

Microsoft is a corporate entity, so it isn’t big on emotions. But over the past few years, the company has embraced Linux in quite a few big ways.

1. Microsoft Released Its Own Linux Distribution

Azure Sphere is an operating system for ARM-based hardware. Specifically, Microsoft is targeting internet of Things devices, like smart thermostats and fitness trackers.

The part that has attracted attention? Rather than creating a Windows-based alternative, Microsoft’s Azure Sphere is based on Linux. Not only that, the product is mostly open source. It will offer what it calls royalty-free licensing to partners such as MediaTek, Qualcomm, and Toshiba.

Why?

Microsoft is competing with the likes of Amazon, which also produces Linux-based offerings. Microsoft has decided it can make more money selling Azure cloud services than trying to sell a proprietary product with an upfront cost. The company also wants to attract developers and engineers that have grown accustomed to open source technologies.

2. Microsoft Ships Linux Distros in the Windows Store

In 2017, Linux distributions became available inside the Microsoft Store. People using Windows gained the ability to download copies of Ubuntu, Fedora, and openSUSE that they could run without having to wipe their computers or use a virtual machine.

These Linux-based operating systems (or “distributions”) run via the Windows Subsystem for Linux. Technically, you don’t get the full Linux experience. The store instead provides system tools inside of the Linux shell. But with the right tinkering, you can load a complete Linux desktop inside of Windows.

Why?

Many developers and web designers view Linux and macOS as having better tools for creating software and websites. Microsoft doesn’t want to continue losing these potential customers. Also, some people that love Windows still have to regularly interact with machines that run a different operating system, such as servers. This is a way for Microsoft to address both issues.

3. Microsoft Now Designs Software for Linux

Skype for Linux

Skype is the big one. The Linux version went neglected for years, but Microsoft did bring the app up to speed last year.

You can also download Visual Studio Code, an integrated desktop environment. And while there isn’t a native Linux version of Microsoft Office, you can use Office 365 in a browser.

Sure, the list isn’t long, but you might be surprised to see any items on this list at all, given the former relationship.

Why?

While Microsoft is still widely associated with its Windows desktop operating system, the company’s wealth now comes from services such as Office and Azure. CEO Nadella has stated that one fifth of the operating systems on Azure are Linux. It’s now in Microsoft’s financial interest to support competing operating systems. Doing otherwise limits how far its products can reach.

4. Microsoft Contributes to the Linux Kernel

In the open source world, code is free for all to use, edit, and share. Much of this software is provided as-is, and there’s no help desk obligated to fix any issues. This is true even of the Linux kernel, the essential background component from which the operating system derives its name.

If you find a bug, or if you want a feature added, the best course of action is to program those changes yourself. And that’s just what Microsoft has done over the years.

Why?

Microsoft contributions generally come in the form of drivers intended to make Linux integrate more smoothly with the company’s technologies.

In 2011, Microsoft became a top 5 contributor to Linux version 3.0 with the amount of code it introduced to make distributions play along nicely with its Hyper-V hypervisor-based virtualization system (an alternative to the Linux’s own kernel-based virtualization manager).

Microsoft’s driver consists of tens of thousands of lines of code, so while it would become number 17 among contributors in 2012, its contributions were almost entirely contained in this area.

5. Microsoft Is a Member of the Linux Foundation

Linux Foundation members

In 2016, Microsoft joined the Linux Foundation at the platinum level, making it one of the highest spending members. For comparison, Google, whose Android and Chrome OS operating systems are based on Linux, is a silver member. As is Red Hat, the world’s most profitable open source company.

Why?

Like other software developers, Microsoft utilizes a number of open source projects. Investing in the Linux Foundation is one way to channel support back to these offerings that the company doesn’t have to pay for.

There’s also a decent amount of prestige that comes with having your name at the top. What kind of people are most likely to know who is a member of the Linux Foundation? Software developers, the kind of potential employees Microsoft needs to attract to stay competitive.

6. Microsoft Developers Make Linux-Related Videos

Channel 9 provides “videos for developers from the people building Microsoft products and services.” Topics range from coding and artificial intelligence to managing servers and building communities, with well over a hundred videos featuring Linux-related content.

Why?

Linux powers the web. If you’re an IT administrator or a web developer, you have to interact with Linux even if Windows 10 is your desktop of choice. Linux powers a substantial number of the world’s servers and other cloud-related technologies.

Microsoft and Open Source: It Goes Even Further

Microsoft now regularly attends, and sometimes sponsor, open source conferences. You can the companies booths at the likes of the the O’Reily Open Source Convention (OSCON), Southern California Linux Expo (SCaLE), Open Source Summit, Red Hat Summit, LinuxFest, All Things Open, and others.

The company has a section of its site dedicated to open source software. In recent years, the company has released its own version of FreeBSD for Azure. It open sourced a fair degree of code, such as .NET, the Xamarin SDK, and its Live Writer blogging tool. It embraced Google’s Kubernetes and the Docker container formats, rather than develop its own. The list goes on.

Microsoft is a big company with many departments. Some represent the new attitude, while for others, it’s business as usual. Windows is a proprietary as ever, and the company doesn’t want you switching your new PCs over to Linux. The code inside Microsoft Office remains available only to those people the company allows. The Xbox One runs Windows, and its ecosystem is filled with proprietary software.

Microsoft still touches more closed than open code on any given day, but that there are so many employees working on Linux, many with affection, is quite the change. Users aren’t the only people involved with Windows who love open source software.


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GIMP 2.10 Has Finally Arrived: What’s New?


After six years in development, the brand new version of one of the best free Photoshop alternatives has arrived.

Work started on GIMP 2.10 back in 2012. It arrives with a new image processing engine, a redesigned interface, and bags of new features and tools.

If you haven’t used GIMP for a while, it’s time to take a second look. Here’s a rundown of the best new features.

A Whole New Look for GIMP

new gimp features - gimp interface

The first thing you’ll notice on opening GIMP 2.10 is that the program has a completely refreshed look. There’s a new Photoshop-style dark theme in use as the default. You get three other options (including the original light theme) if you prefer.

The app is now fixed in single window mode. This is big improvement on the old multi-window approach that made previous versions so unwieldy and confusing for new users.

gimp icons

Best of all is the new HiDPI support. GIMP finally scales properly on 4K or other high resolution displays, and the icons become a usable size. You get a choice of color and monochrome icon sets, too.

Deeper Changes Under the Hood

The biggest change under the hood is the shift to a new image processing framework.

Called GEGL, it fundamentally changes the way GIMP 2.10 handles images, and should be more efficient and powerful.

new gimp features - image processing framework

It’s very technical, so if you want to know more you can read about it on the GEGL website. However, the move does bring some changes that will immediately benefit everyone, including:

  • High bit-depth support, enabling 16 and 32 bit image editing for TIF, PNG, and PSD files among others.
  • Multi-threading support, for faster processing of operations.
  • Optional GPU side processing, offering hardware acceleration on supported systems.

Beyond that, GEGL has even more capabilities yet to be exploited. The long term aim is that GIMP will support non-destructive editing by version 3.20 (although there will be a version 3.0 before then).

Even More Changes in GIMP 2.10

There are numerous other changes that make GIMP either more powerful or more refined.

Color management features are now built-in, rather than existing as plug-ins, and there’s support for a new linear color space. This is in line with what seems to be a general shift away from plug-ins to a more integrated experience.

new gimp features - gimp filters

You can view the effects of filters (like gaussian blur) on-canvas, in real time. This replaces the tiny preview window that we were previously limited to. There’s also a Split View option that shows the before and after effects on the same image.

File support has been improved. It’s not just that you can now work with 32 bit files, but there’s better support for PSD files. That’s a big move for anyone considering using GIMP as an alternative to Photoshop.

New Tools Available in GIMP 2.10

A major new release brings the expectation of new tools, and there are lots of them in GIMP 2.10. Let’s take a look at a few of the highlights.

Unified Transform Tool

The new Unified Transform Tool combines things like the old shear, perspective, and scale tools into a single unit. It’s effectively a version of Photoshop’s Free Transform Tool, and is very welcome. The separate tools still exist, for now, although the new one is much quicker and more logical to use.

new gimp features - gimp transform

There are two more new transform tools. The Handle Transform Tool deforms a layer or path in complex ways, while the Warp Tool enables you to shift individual pixels. That’s very useful when retouching photos and is similar to the Liquify filter in Photoshop.

Gradient Tool

new gimp features - gimp gradient

GIMP 2.10 replaces the old Blend Tool with a new Gradient Tool that allows you to create and edit gradients directly on the canvas. You can move or rotate them, or add or delete color stops without needing to play around with dialog boxes. And, of course, all of your changes update in real time.

Photo Editing Options

If you’ve tried using GIMP for photo editing in the past, you’ll love what’s new.

GIMP 2.10 introduces previously missing basics like Exposure and Shadows-Highlights tools for the first time. Alongside them is a new Clip Warning display filter that will alert you to blown highlights or oversaturated colors. It works in higher bit depth images, currently.

new gimp features - gimp clips

The other new tools cover everything from handling (or applying) vignetting, to working with panoramas.

RAW handling has also been revamped. When you open a RAW file now it opens in a third party RAW processor, like RawTherapee, first. The result is something akin to the Photoshop/Adobe Camera RAW combination.

And there’s more.

GIMP 2.10 improves layers through the introduction of new blend modes, while the use of color tags helps with layer management in more complex images. You can also apply masks to layer groups.

new gimp features - gimp blends

The selection tools have been enhanced to help you cut out or isolate objects. There’s a handy Symmetry Painting feature to make it easy to draw patterns or mirrored objects. And over 80 of the old filters have been reworked for GEGL.

GIMP vs. Photoshop: Which Is Right for You?

GIMP 2.10 is a strong update. The new interface alone makes it more accessible and enjoyable to use, while the new features and tools have filled in many of the gaps that were the cause of frustration in the past.

These additions and improvements add up to mean that if you haven’t tried GIMP recently, it might be time to take another look. But is GIMP a replacement for Photoshop? It depends what you’re using it for.

The pace of development is obviously a lot slower. GIMP is still lacking some of Photoshop’s fancier features, like content-aware fill. You can often add these through plug-ins (the Resynthesizer plug-in, in this example), but this isn’t a solution for anyone who wants things to work right out of the box.

It lacks CMYK support, so isn’t suitable for print production work. It’s also slower, especially when working with large images.

gimp vs photoshop

But the core features are all there. The new version is a lot better for photo editing and RAW processing, as is the program’s color management. Plus, it’s free and open source, and won’t tie you into an expensive subscription plan. And GIMP is available on all desktop platforms, including Linux as well as Windows and Mac.

The Future of GIMP

We can also expect development to speed up in the future. The previous policy for GIMP was to reserve new features for major new versions. The app would go years without seeing anything new, other than in the preview builds. That’s now changed. The 2.10.x versions, and later, will have new features incorporated into them.

So, if you’re an existing user, it’s time to upgrade. And if you’re looking for a free Photoshop alternative, GIMP should be back at the top of your list.

All you need to do now is familiarize yourself with how the program works. Take a look at our introductory guide to GIMP to help you get started.


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