Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly
Issue #1117
Volume 22 Number 20
March 7, 2025
Dear Friends,
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Jerry wants to know more about some
recent Windows 10 updates
My Windows 10 desktop has recently
installed some updates but I'm not sure
what they are. I just turn it on and it
starts. Take care. Jerry.
Our
answer
Hi Jerry. Windows 10 will continue to
receive security updates, feature
updates, and bug fixes until October 14,
2025. Unlike Windows 11 users you don't
have to worry about broken new versions
of Windows. The last new version of
Windows 10 was released in 2022. All
you'll get from now through October 14th
are bug fixes, feature updates, and
security patches - those are the most
important updates anyway, no matter what
version of Windows you're using.
January 14, 2025—KB5049981
Terry wonders if
Extension Auditor would be
useful to the average user
There is a new extension I
read about called
Extension Auditor. Would
it be useful to the average
home user?
Our
answer
Hi Terry. I don't think
Extension Auditor would be a
useful app for most users. For
someone who just wants their
extensions to work, seeing a
long list of permissions like
"access your tabs and browsing
activity" can be overwhelming
and confusing. Most
extensions need permissions to
work correctly anyway, but
this does not mean they're all
privacy risks. All I think
Extension Auditor would do for
the average user is
unnecessarily increase anxiety.
Our answer
Hi
Kathy. You can't
transfer
WordPad, it's a
built-in Windows
app. It's not
part of MS 365
(MS Office).
I have subscribed to Emsisoft via Cloudeight for several years now with good results. However, I have recently had alerts when using Firefox ... and Firefox only. I'm very suspicious of these alerts as they are pushing Norton. It also states that I had a subscription to Norton that has recently expired. I never purchased Norton. And, I'm only getting these alerts when running Firefox. Eventually, the alerts (which appear multiple times and frequently) will stop. When I run Emsisoft, it doesn't find any problems. When going into the app tab, I don't see Norton. Not sure what to do ... help!
Our answer
Hi Debbie.
The problem
regarding Norton ads
in Firefox is not an
Emsisoft detection
issue, it's an issue
with an extension
you installed in
Firefox or with your
Firefox browser's
history/cache.
Firefox does not
recommend or
advertise Norton.
It would appear that
your Firefox has
been compromised.
---------
Debbie wrote back: "Thanks TC! I looked in so many places but didn’t think to check Add-ons and themes in Firefox specifically. Da! Should have … but … … ! I didn’t know at all that removing history would have a positive effect either. Now retired and not using as much tech as I used to, I find I’m not as up on the changes as I used to. I really appreciate all the info you both provide. Thanks again! Debbie"
We can fix your Windows computer... check out our low prices here!
David asks about a
photo editor that we
recommended that
offers painting
effects, watercolor
effects, etc.
Greetings.
Less than a year
ago, you had a
program (or website)
in your newsletter
that one could
create a picture
with watercolors,
oil painting
effects, portrait
effects, etc.
I can't remember the
name of that
program. I recall
that only a certain
number of created
paintings were
allowed each month
in using the
program. I would
appreciate it if you
would provide me
with the program
name. "Thank You"
for all that you do!
Our answer
Hi David. While it
was more than a year
ago, the name of the
program I think
you're looking for
is FotoSketcher.
Good morning TC, For at least 3 weeks now, Google Chrome has been dropping advertisements in the bottom right corner of my screen. UBlock Origin Lite does not block them. The advertisements are about anything and everything. How do I stop them? I find them very annoying.
Our answer
Hi Jean.
Google Chrome does
not display ads in
the bottom right of
the screen (unless
it's infected with
malware).
Windows does display
"ads" (called
"notifications") in
the bottom right of
your screen though.
Note: You won't lose your bookmarks.
I need a good WI-FI. When I look on Amazon at the one you have recommended in the past it shows a 3-pack. I only need one that covers 3,000 sq. feet. What do I need to order now?
Our answer
Hi
Rosa. It was a
3-pack because
it was a mesh
Wi-Fi system. A
mesh Wi-Fi
system is like
having multiple
Wi-Fi routers
working together
as one big,
seamless
network. Instead
of relying on a
single router to
cover your
entire home, you
have a main
router and one
or more "nodes"
or "satellite
units" that
communicate with
each other. The
three-pack
included a
router and two
nodes which
ensure whole
house coverage
with no wireless
"dead spots".
This Tip Will Keep Your
Gmail Inbox Cleaner If your Gmail inbox contains a long list of emails that you’ve
already replied to you might be wondering why. By default, emails
that come to your inbox, stay in your inbox even after you’ve replied to
them. So, here’s a tip that allows you to reply and archive an email at the
same time. So, when you reply to an email, their email is moved from the
inbox to the “all mail” folder as soon as you hit the “Send & Archive”
button. So how do you get the “Send & Archive button”? Easy! Open Gmail, click on the gear icon near the top right, then click
“See all settings”.
Under the “General” tab, scroll down until you see “Show ‘Send &
Archive'” and” tick the box next to Show ‘Send & Archive button in
reply’.
Next (IMPORTANT): Scroll down to the bottom of
the page and click “Save changes”. From now on when you reply to an email using the Send & Archive
button, the mail you replied to is moved out of your inbox and archived
in the “All Mail” folder, making for a much neater inbox. And you still
have a copy of the mail in your Sent folder and the All Mail folder.
Windows Automatic
Maintenance Windows 10 and 11 have an Automatic Maintenance feature that runs in
the background when your computer is idle. This feature helps maintain
your PC’s health and performance. It automates tasks such as disk optimization and defragmentation,
updating Windows apps, running security scans, and performing other
necessary maintenance routines. Automatic maintenance is set up on all Windows 10 and Windows 11
computers and it’s scheduled to run at 2:00 AM every day. You can change
the scheduled time to any time you choose. If your computer is turned off, Automatic Maintenance won’t run until
your computer is awake and running but idle. If your computer is asleep,
Automatic maintenance won’t run until your computer is awake and idle.
But you can change its settings to allow Automatic Maintenance to wake
your computer to run Automatic Maintenance. We think it’s a good idea to
do so. From the Automatic maintenance dialog, you can generate a reliability
report and/or change the time Windows Automatic maintenance runs. How to access the Automatic maintenance settings… 1. In the taskbar search, type “Control”
5. While in the Maintenance dialog, you can generate a reliability
report by clicking on “View reliability history”. If you want to change
the time that automatic maintenance runs, click on “Change
maintenance settings”.
6. In Maintenance settings you can change the time at which Automatic
maintenance runs. You can also set Automatic maintenance to wake your
computer if your computer is asleep at the time. See the screenshot
below.
If you normally put your computer to sleep when you’re not using it,
allowing Automatic Maintenance to wake your computer to do its
maintenance routines is a good idea.
Passwords Are Passé:
The Brave New World of Passkeys Remember when passwords were simple? Maybe your dog’s
name, or your birthday? Your phone number? Unfortunately,
those days are gone. Hackers have become incredibly clever,
and simple passwords won’t protect your accounts anymore.
But wait! There’s a new, easier, and much safer way to log
in and it’s called a passkey. The Problem with Passwords We’ve all been there: forgetting a password, struggling
to create a “strong” one with random letters and symbols, or
worrying about a data breach where our passwords might be
stolen. The truth is, passwords have several weaknesses: Even “strong” passwords can be vulnerable to
sophisticated hacking techniques. Many of us (most of us) use the same password for
multiple websites, meaning if one site is compromised, all
our accounts are at risk. Phishing scams and counterfeit websites can fool us into
giving away our passwords. Passkeys: A Simpler and Safer Way to Log In Imagine logging into your favorite website or app simply
by using your fingerprint, face scan, or PIN on your phone
or computer. That’s the magic of passkeys. How Do Passkeys Work? Instead of a password you type in, a passkey creates a
unique digital “key” for each website or app. This key is
stored securely on your device (like your phone or computer)
and is tied to that specific website. When you create an account or enable passkeys the website
generates two keys: a public key and a private key. The
public key stays with the website. The private key stays on
your device, protected by your fingerprint, PIN, or face ID.
When you log in, your device verifies your identity
(fingerprint, PIN, face scan, etc.) and uses the private key
to prove to the website that you’re you. No password to
type, and no chance of someone stealing it. Passkeys are more secure because: How to Use Passkeys Many popular websites and apps are starting to offer
passkey support. Look for options like “passkeys,” “security
keys,” or “biometric login” in your account settings. Follow the website’s instructions to create a passkey.
This usually involves verifying your identity with your
device’s fingerprint, face scan, or PIN. The next time you log in, you’ll be prompted to use your
passkey. Simply verify your identity, and you’re in! Will Passkeys Completely Replace Passwords? While passkeys are a significant step forward, they will
take time to replace passwords completely. Some people are reluctant to try new technology and not
all websites and apps currently support passkeys. As more and more companies embrace passkeys, and as
people realize how secure and easy to use they are, it is
very likely that passwords will become less and less common
and passkeys will become the primary way to log into online
accounts in the future. Passkeys offer a simpler, safer, and more convenient way
to log in. They eliminate the hassle and risks of passwords
and provide much stronger protection against hackers. So, next time you see the option to use a passkey, give
it a try. You might just find you never want to type another
password again! We have thousands of Windows tips, tricks, and more on our InfoAve website. Subscribe to our free InfoAve Daily newsletter. Your gifts help us continue our mission to keep you informed,
separate the truth from the hyperbole, and help you stay safer online.
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Reg
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2. Click on Control Panel when it appears at the top.
3. In Control Panel switch to Large Icon view and click on Security &
Maintenance.
4. Click on Maintenance (see screenshot below).
For everyone who uses passwords
Want more tips, tricks, and information?
EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Chemicals: The Top 12 to Avoid
If you’ve ever looked at the ingredients in processed food, you’ll most likely see a list of chemicals that most of us have no idea what they are or why they’re in our food.
Did you know that many of the chemical additives in our food weren’t approved for safety by any government agency – they were approved by the chemical industry using the “generally recognized as safe” loophole allowed by some governments?
Let’s let the site developers explain…
Almost 99 percent of food chemicals introduced since 2000 were greenlighted for use by food and chemical companies rather than properly reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration. Many of these widely used chemicals are associated with major health harms, including increased risk of cancer, developmental harm and hormone disruption.
These substances end up in what we eat, thanks to a legal loophole that allows food ingredients to be classified as “generally recognized as safe.” The loophole lets manufacturers – instead of the FDA – determine which food chemicals are safe to consume. Chemical and food companies have exploited this loophole for decades.
If you’re like me you will want to learn more about the chemicals that are in your food, such as:
potassium bromate
propylparaben
BHA
BHT
titanium dioxide
artificial dyes
sodium benzoate
sodium nitrite
and more…
Our site pick today is a healthy one and one that most of you will benefit from.
We think you’ll find it informative and interesting.
IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR COMPUTER READY FOR SUMMER!
It's springtime and it's time to get your computer ready for summer. With our new Spring Checkup, Cleanup, and Optimization service, we'll make that EASY for you.
We'll check your PC, clean it up, optimize it, and get it ready for summer.
Here's what we'll do for you:
- We'll connect to your computer and check all installed programs and browser extensions
- We'll do a deep scan for malware.
- We'll check your Windows settings for best performance and privacy
- We'll optimize your startups.
- We'll clean temporary files and junk files and give your PC a good spring cleaning.
- ALL FOR JUST $20
HFCS: A Killer On and Off the Cob
In 2011, we wrote an essay entitled A Killer on the Cob. It's been 14 years and the prevalence of HFCS in foods and beverages produced in the United States has not changed - and maybe even worsened.
Smuckers wrote us a letter about that article telling us we were misstating facts and trying to correct us saying there is no difference between HFCS and sugar. This is wrong. Not too long after our essay was published and Smuckers wrote to correct us, they introduced a line of jams and jellies (which they call "fruit spreads" called "Smucker's Natural" which use sugar instead of HFCS. Of course, Smucker's Natural fruit spreads cost more. We wonder why, if there is no difference between HFCS and sugar, Smuckers would introduce a new line of products called "Smucker's Natural"?
Unless you live in the United States, your chance of encountering High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) in your food and beverages is not likely. The fact that fructose is primarily metabolized by the liver has raised concerns about its potential impact on liver health. Excessive fructose consumption can contribute to increased fat production in the liver, which may lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Also, because fructose does not promote the same insulin response as glucose, it does not promote the same level of leptin production. Leptin is a hormone that signals to the brain that the body is full. Therefore, high fructose consumption can contribute to overeating.
Why is so much HFCS used in the U.S. food and beverage industry?
The U.S. government's intervention in the sugar market has significantly influenced the increased use of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Here's how...
What are cell-site simulators?
Let's imagine it like this: There are these gadgets, kind of like fake cell towers, that police and other people use. They're called cell-site simulators, but you might have heard of "Stingray" as one brand name. They trick your phone into thinking they're real cell towers.
Here's how it works. Your phone's always looking for the strongest cell tower signal, right? These simulators send out an even stronger signal, so your phone goes, "Oh, hey, that's a good one!" and connects to it. Once your phone's hooked up, the simulator can grab all sorts of info such as your phone's unique ID, where you are, who you're calling, and maybe even what you're saying or texting.
Cops and spies use them to track people, find suspects, and gather evidence. But they don't always use them legally. Another problem is, they don't just grab info from the person they're after. They grab info from everyone nearby, which is a huge privacy issue. Plus, they often keep it super secret when they use these things, so we don't really know how often they're being used or if they're being used properly.
There have been many legal battles about it because it's a tricky balance between catching bad guys and respecting people's privacy. So, yeah, they're powerful tools, but they raise some serious questions.
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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly. Thanks so much for your support and for being an InfoAve Weekly subscriber.
Have a great weekend.. be safe!
Darcy & TC
Cloudeight InfoAve Weekly - Issue #1117
Volume 22 Number 20
March 7, 2025
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