privacy features Archives

Tech Optimizer

October 25, 2024

Best Antivirus Deals: Protect your PC or Mac from just $35

This article discusses various antivirus software options available for purchase, highlighting their features and discounts. - NortonLifeLock 360 Deluxe is 61% off, supports multiple devices, offers 50GB of cloud backup, includes a VPN, Dark Web Monitoring, a password manager, and Smart Firewall. - Malwarebytes 4.0 Complete Protection is 50% off, compatible with three devices, features quick scans, customizable protection levels, and uses AI for threat detection. - BitDefender Premium Security is 30% off, protects multiple devices, includes advanced threat detection, a secure VPN, anti-tracker extension, and privacy features like microphone and webcam protection. - McAfee McAfee+ Advanced is 55% off, provides identity monitoring, up to million in identity theft coverage, a firewall, secure VPN, password manager, file shredder, and parental controls.

Tech Optimizer

October 23, 2024

Microsoft Defender review

Microsoft Defender has evolved from a basic antivirus tool to a comprehensive security solution, featuring parental controls, malware scanning, behavioral monitoring, email scanning, a password manager, and a secure browser. Launched in June 2022, Defender for Individuals, part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, offers benefits like dark web scanning, identity protection, and online storage (1TB for individuals, up to 6TB for families). The subscription costs for one user and is free for six users. Defender protects Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices, with new Windows PCs pre-installed with it. It includes advanced behavioral analysis, malware scanning, Secure Boot safeguarding, sandboxing, memory-integrity monitoring, and email attachment screening. Defender automatically scans when the system is idle and integrates with Microsoft OneDrive for data backup. It has achieved high scores in third-party evaluations, matching competitors like Bitdefender and Kaspersky with a 99.9% success rate in detecting known threats, though it struggles with zero-day attacks. Defender includes a built-in firewall, Smart App Control, and Edge browser security features. Its system impact can be resource-intensive during full scans, while quick scans are less demanding. The Windows Security Center serves as the hub for its features, and installation is automatic on new PCs, with robust support options available.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2024

Avira Free Antivirus for Mac

Microsoft is actively improving security in Windows, while macOS has security as a foundational principle but is still vulnerable to malware, necessitating antivirus protection. Avira Free Antivirus for Mac supports macOS versions starting from 10.15 (Catalina), with alternatives available for older systems. Premium antivirus options include McAfee Total Protection and Norton 360 Deluxe, with various pricing models. Avira was acquired by Gen Digital, which also owns Norton and Avast. Installation of Avira Free Antivirus is straightforward, and it includes features like scheduled scans and real-time protection. Independent testing labs rate Avira highly, with a score of 17.5 points from AV-Test. Avira's Browser Safety extension provides phishing protection, achieving a 100% detection rate for phishing URLs. The free version includes limited VPN access and basic privacy features, while advanced options require an upgrade to Avira Prime. The Smart Scan feature identifies security and performance issues, but users must upgrade for full remediation.

Tech Optimizer

October 22, 2024

Avira Free Security

Antivirus protection for personal computers is crucial, and free tools like Avira Free Security offer antivirus capabilities along with features such as a VPN, password management, and ad blocking. However, it lacks a typical security suite experience, missing components like firewall protection, backup, and spam filtering, with many features reserved for paying customers. Alternatives include Avast One Essential for a more streamlined free suite and AVG AntiVirus Free for basic protection, both recognized as Editors' Choice winners. Avira operates under Gen Digital, which includes brands like Avast, AVG, LifeLock, and Norton. The company has undergone several acquisitions since 2016, culminating in Norton acquiring Avast/AVG in 2021. These brands utilize four distinct antivirus engines, with efforts underway to develop a unified engine. Avira's installation process is user-friendly, prompting users to run a Smart Scan after installation. The Smart Scan checks for malware, evaluates privacy settings, identifies performance enhancements, flags apps needing updates, and scans for network threats. In independent lab tests, Avira received perfect or near-perfect scores from three labs, achieving a perfect score of 18 points from AV-Test Institute. It secured Advanced+ ratings from AV-Comparatives and passed tests for banking Trojans and general malware defense from MRG-Effitas. In personal testing, Avira quarantined 73% of curated malware samples, detecting 97% overall, earning a score of 9.3 out of 10. It successfully eradicated all ransomware samples but fell short compared to competitors in overall malware detection. Avira achieved a perfect score of 100% in phishing URL detection, ranking it among the top contenders in phishing protection. Its security features include virus scans, quarantine management, and software updates, though some features require an upgrade to Avira Prime. The privacy suite includes a browser safety extension, VPN with limited functionality, password manager, and file shredder. The performance features aim to optimize system efficiency but are often tied to the separate Avira System Speedup application, which promotes premium features.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Google Messages may gain more privacy options with Profile discovery

The latest beta version of the Google Messages app introduces enhancements to its Profile discovery feature, allowing users to conceal their name and profile picture from contacts or display them only to those they converse with. This feature was first launched in November of the previous year but has not been widely rolled out. The beta version v20241010 indicates that Google is responding to user feedback for improved privacy controls. Currently, users can only use images from their Google or Gmail accounts as profile pictures, but future updates may allow for customization. An official rollout of the new privacy options appears imminent, as indicated by their presence on a Google Messages support page.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Google Rolls Out Android 15 With Theft Detection Lock, Privacy Features For ‘Sensitive’ Apps And More – Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG), Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Alphabet Inc.'s Google has begun rolling out Android 15 for Pixel devices, focusing on enhancing user experience, security, and privacy. Key features include: - Theft Protection and Recovery: Introduces Theft Detection Lock using AI to secure devices upon detecting suspicious movement, remote locking via phone number, and authentication requirements for critical actions like SIM card removal. - Private Space for Sensitive Apps: A secure vault for concealing sensitive applications, requiring additional authentication for access and allowing users to hide its existence from the main interface. - Enhanced Multitasking on Foldables and Tablets: Features include a pin/unpin taskbar for quick access to apps and App Pairing for simultaneous operation of two applications with drag-and-drop functionality. - Camera, Messaging, and Passkey Updates: Includes Low Light Boost for improved image quality, satellite connectivity for carrier messaging apps, and streamlined authentication for Passkeys.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Android 15 is now available for Pixels

Android 15 has started rolling out to Pixel devices, featuring new privacy options, security improvements, and enhancements for foldable phones and tablets. The update includes a "private space" functionality for discreet app usage, allowing apps to remain hidden from recent apps, notifications, and settings, with additional authentication required for access. For foldable devices and tablets, users can pin and unpin the taskbar and create app pairings for easier access. A Theft Detection Lock feature uses AI to lock the device if theft is suspected, and a Remote Lock option allows users to secure their phones from another Android device. These features are expected to be available on devices running Android 10 and newer. Additionally, a new Pixel feature drop for October will enhance Night Sight for Instagram and introduce media transfer capabilities between Pixel devices.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Android 15 is now rolling out to Pixels. Here’s what’s new | Digital Trends

Android 15 has been publicly released and is being rolled out to compatible devices, starting with Google's Pixel series smartphones. Key features include the introduction of Private Space, which allows users to secure sensitive applications with a password or biometric authentication, making them invisible in multitasking views and settings. The update also includes a Theft Detection Lock that uses AI to identify theft scenarios and automatically locks the screen. Additionally, it simplifies the process of remotely locking misplaced devices using a registered phone number. The user interface has been optimized for foldable and large-screen devices, allowing users to pin or remove the taskbar. Android 15 also improves low-light camera performance in third-party apps and introduces satellite-driven messaging support. The rollout is available for Pixel phones starting with the Pixel 6 series and newer models, as well as the Pixel Tablet, while other manufacturers' devices will receive the update later.

AppWizard

October 15, 2024

Best Note Taking Apps On Android: Top Choices for 2025 – 9meters

Note-taking applications are essential for Android users, enabling idea capture, list-making, and information organization. In 2024, the top note-taking apps for Android are Google Keep, Evernote, and OneNote, each offering features like text notes, image storage, and voice memos. These apps prioritize user-friendliness and synchronization across devices, allowing offline functionality for note creation and modification. The leading note-taking apps in 2025 include: 1. Google Keep: Simple and integrates with Google services. 2. Microsoft OneNote: Organizes notes into notebooks and sections, allows attachments. 3. Notion: Versatile workspace with customization and databases. 4. Standard Notes: Privacy-focused with end-to-end encryption. 5. Joplin: Open-source with encryption and Markdown support. 6. Squid: Handwriting and stylus compatible. 7. Speechnotes: Voice-to-text and real-time transcription. 8. Evernote: Cross-platform with web clipper and tagging. 9. Simplenote: Clean interface with Markdown support. 10. FairNote: Encrypted with focus mode and organization tools. Key features of these apps include user-friendly interfaces, organizational tools like folders and tags, synchronization across devices, and enhanced capabilities for multimedia notes. Collaboration features, reminders, and advanced search capabilities further enhance their utility. Some apps cater to specialized needs, such as handwriting support or privacy-focused options.

Tech Optimizer

October 10, 2024

Best Anti-Malware Software for Mac 2025

Cyber threats are increasingly targeting macOS, making it essential for Mac users to invest in dedicated anti-malware and antivirus software in 2025. Anti-malware software detects, prevents, and eliminates a broader range of threats, including spyware, adware, ransomware, and trojans, while antivirus software primarily focuses on viruses. Both types of software aim to protect devices from harmful threats but operate differently. Antivirus software relies on signature-based detection, which may not be effective against newer threats, whereas anti-malware software uses heuristic and behavioral analyses for broader protection. Combining both solutions offers comprehensive defense against various cyber threats. The six best anti-malware software options for Macs in 2025 include: 1. Norton 360 Deluxe: Comprehensive protection with a VPN and password manager. 2. Intego Mac Internet Security: Designed specifically for macOS with strong malware detection. 3. Total AV: User-friendly with effective malware protection and system optimization tools. 4. Avast: Free version available with essential features, but privacy concerns exist. 5. Bitdefender: Powerful malware detection with minimal system impact. 6. McAfee: Strong protection with multi-device support but a cluttered interface. The six best antivirus software options for Macs in 2025 include: 1. Bitdefender Antivirus: Robust malware detection with real-time protection. 2. Intego Mac Internet Security: Comprehensive tools tailored for macOS. 3. Norton 360 Deluxe: Advanced threat detection with additional features. 4. Avast One Gold: Combines antivirus protection with privacy tools. 5. Trend Micro Antivirus: Strong malware protection with enhanced online banking security. 6. Malwarebytes Premium Security: Efficient malware detection and removal. Key features to consider in anti-malware software include real-time protection, heuristic analysis, signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, web protection, email protection, firewall integration, anti-spyware, ransomware protection, cloud-based protection, data backup, and privacy protection.