online environment Archives

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Google Wallet brings digital ID support to UK, more US states

Residents in the U.K. can now integrate their passports as a digital ID within Google Wallet, allowing for secure age and identity verification. This feature is part of a collaboration with the Rail Delivery Group, enabling train travelers to use digital IDs for select Railcards. Google is also discussing further applications with the U.K. government, such as for alcohol purchases. The digital ID feature allows users to create passes using their passports, which can be verified with a tap on their smartphones, although they do not replace physical IDs and cannot be used at airports. The process involves capturing images of the ID and a selfie video for verification. Google Wallet incorporates Zero Knowledge Proof technology to enhance user privacy, ensuring personal information remains secure during identity verification. Additionally, Google is expanding digital ID access in various U.S. states, allowing residents to add government-issued IDs to Google Wallet and facilitating domestic travel without a driver's license. Future capabilities will include account recovery and access to online health services. Google Wallet will also expand to 50 additional countries, allowing users to view and utilize digital passes.

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Instagram’s Teen Accounts feature is coming to Facebook and Messenger soon

Meta is expanding its Teen Accounts protections, initially launched on Instagram, to Facebook and Messenger for users aged 13-15. These accounts limit messaging capabilities, filter out inappropriate content, and remind users to take breaks from screen time. Teens under 16 need parental permission to change default settings, with 97% choosing to maintain protections. The rollout of similar Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger is happening in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with global expansion planned. New features for Instagram Teen Accounts will require parental approval for going Live and disabling a feature that blurs suspected nude images in direct messages. An Ipsos survey indicated that 94% of US parents find Teen Accounts beneficial, and 85% believe they promote positive online experiences. Meta has over 54 million active Teen Accounts globally and is committed to enhancing safety for young users.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Meta Is Expanding Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger

Meta has expanded its Teen Accounts, initially launched on Instagram, to Facebook and Messenger in the United States, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Users under 18 will automatically transition to these accounts, receiving notifications about the changes. Teen Accounts will include protective features similar to those on Instagram, with new restrictions for users under 16, such as needing parental consent to live broadcast and to disable nudity image blurring in direct messages. A significant 97% of users aged 13-15 maintain default protections on their accounts. For teens under 16, parental permission is required for account changes, and parents can establish supervision through the Family Center feature, allowing them to manage permissions while respecting the teen's privacy.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Teen Accounts Are Coming to Facebook—Parents May Actually Approve

Teens Accounts are being introduced on Facebook and Messenger, allowing users aged 13 to 15 to reconnect with safety features similar to those launched on Instagram. These accounts include parental controls, restrictions on interactions, and content access. Young users can only communicate with contacts they have already engaged with, and parents can monitor usage and settings. Features like reminders for breaks and Quiet Mode are included to promote healthy habits. Restrictions on Instagram Live for users under 16 will also require parental permission. The rollout will begin in select regions, including the USA and Canada, with plans for a broader global expansion.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Meta introduces restricted Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger

Meta is introducing Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger to enhance the social media experience for younger users, starting in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada. This initiative automatically enrolls users under 16 in a tailored app experience with built-in protections, requiring parental consent to modify account settings. Key features include limiting exposure to inappropriate content, restricting messaging to individuals they follow or have interacted with, and allowing only friends to view and respond to stories. Additionally, teens will receive notifications to take breaks after one hour of usage and will be placed in “Quiet mode” at night. For Instagram users under 16, there are further restrictions, such as needing parental permission to go live and requiring consent to disable the feature that blurs explicit images in direct messages. Meta has transitioned 54 million teens to this safer experience on Instagram, with 97% opting to keep the protections. A study indicated that 94% of parents find Teen Accounts beneficial for oversight, and 85% believe they foster positive experiences for their teens.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

Teen restrictions expand on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger

Meta is expanding its Teen Accounts initiative to Facebook and Messenger, following the initial rollout on Instagram. This expansion aims to create a safer online environment for users under 18 by automatically setting accounts to private and limiting access to certain features. The rollout begins in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with similar protections anticipated for other regions. Current protections for Teen Accounts include restrictions on messaging with strangers, tighter controls over sensitive content, reminders to limit screen time after 60 minutes, and a sleep mode that mutes notifications overnight. Older teens can disable some protections, but users under 16 need parental permission to make changes. Meta also plans to introduce additional protections on Instagram, including restrictions on live broadcasts for minors and a feature that blurs nudity in direct messages, which also requires parental permission for users under 16.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

After Instagram, Teen Accounts now available on Facebook and Messenger

Meta has introduced Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger to create a safer online environment for younger users by limiting exposure to inappropriate content. The feature is currently being rolled out in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans for expansion to more regions. This initiative follows the introduction of Teen Accounts on Instagram last year in response to scrutiny from US lawmakers about protective measures for adolescents.

Winsage

March 19, 2025

6 essential skills every Windows 11 user needs to master

- Windows 11 users can enhance their experience and security by mastering essential skills such as managing updates, securing online presence, and utilizing system settings. - To protect accounts and sensitive information online, users should consider using a password manager, passkeys, and enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on accounts. - A VPN with end-to-end encryption can enhance online security, and users should familiarize themselves with their web browser's security settings. - Windows 11 updates are released on the first Tuesday of each month, with a major feature update annually; users can prevent auto-restarts and pause updates for up to five weeks. - The Settings app in Windows 11 has replaced much of the Control Panel for managing system settings, and users should explore it thoroughly. - OneDrive is integrated into Windows 11 for backing up, restoring, and sharing files, and users can create encrypted folders and use Files-on-Demand. - Regularly reviewing and uninstalling unnecessary applications can help maintain PC performance, and users can manage default applications and disable startup apps via Task Manager. - Accessing the BIOS/UEFI allows for updates, security adjustments, and hardware configuration changes, typically done by pressing keys like Esc, F2, or F8 during boot.

Winsage

February 22, 2025

Zero Trust World: Windows and Microsoft 365 security

CyberRisk Alliance, LLC emphasizes the importance of copyright protections for digital assets, stating that all materials produced by the organization are protected under copyright law. This includes a stipulation that the material may not be altered or repurposed without prior authorization. Users of the CyberRisk Alliance website must accept the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, which establishes their rights and responsibilities regarding the use of the site’s resources.

Tech Optimizer

February 19, 2025

Protect up to 10 devices from online threats with Norton 360 Premium

Norton 360 Premium is a comprehensive security solution that offers antivirus and antimalware protection, an integrated virtual private network (VPN), parental controls, dark web monitoring, and 75GB of secure cloud storage. It supports up to 10 devices and is compatible with macOS, iOS, Windows, and Android. A 15-month subscription is available for .99.