Infopackets Reader George L. writes: " Dear Dennis, I was reading online that Microsoft's latest Windows 11 update ( KB5063878 ) is breaking NVMe and SSD drives, causing catastrophic data loss. I have Windows 11 on my laptop and I'm terrified - does ... this mean my NVMe could stop working at any moment? Should I uninstall the update or stop using my computer until this is fixed? Please help me understand what's really going on, because I'm not very tech-savvy and I don't want to lose my family photos and documents. " My response: Thanks for your message. You're not alone - many people have seen ... (view more)
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Microsoft is adding new features to Microsoft 365 for Windows 11 users. They are described as "Companion" or "mini apps" and will be built into the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. The features are only for Microsoft 365. That's the subscription ... version of the Office package where users get updates for as long as they are paying the annual fee. They won't be available on the standalone Office or on Windows 10. The idea of the mini-apps is to make it easier to carry out core tasks without the need to open up full-blown apps or visit a web page. Calendar Tool Enhanced The File Search ... (view more)
Infopackets Reader Tyler M. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just came across your article on how can I stop sextortion - thanks for that. I have a somewhat different issue, though similar. While on vacation in Thailand, I met a beautiful local woman at a ... bar in Bangkok. She offered to be my personal guide (plus benefits!) and promised to show me around for the duration of my visit. I was skeptical at first, but knew that this type of ' transactional relationship ' was common in Thailand. After a few drinks I gave in - we exchanged numbers and added each other on Instagram. Everything seemed fine; ... (view more)
Microsoft is ditching Windows 11 SE, a special version of the operating system designed for low cost computers in schools. It's effectively a surrender in a battle against Google Chrome for the education market. Windows 11 SE debuted a few weeks ... after the main system and was a rough equivalent to the special Windows 10 S system, though with one fundamental difference. Windows 10 S only let users install apps from the Windows Store rather than through direct download from third parties. Windows 11 S doesn't include access to the Windows App store and has no way for users (intended to be pupils ... (view more)
AOL dial-up Internet is ending in September. It lasted 34 years, long after a peak when it handled a claimed 40 percent of US online traffic. Exactly how many people were still subscribing is unclear. Several surveys in recent years estimated around ... 250,000-300,000 dial-up users in the United States, which AOL dominated in the remaining market. A couple of smaller companies do still offer the service in limited areas. AOL will continue as a business but is now primarily offering security tools. (Source: bbc.co.uk ) While many Infopackets readers likely remember dial-up, for the few who have ... (view more)
Infopackets Reader Sam J. writes: "Dear Dennis, I just saw your article on how to stop online harassment - thanks for that. My teenage son got caught up in an online sextortion scam. He thought he was talking to a girl his age on Instagram, but it ... turned out to be a scammer who tricked him into sharing private photos. He already sent the blackmailers $500 in Steam cards. Now, they're threatening to send those images to his Instagram followers. He's terrified, ashamed, and deeply depressed. As a father, I feel completely helpless. How can I stop cyber harassment and online blackmail in order ... (view more)
A Windows 10 user is suing Microsoft for the "forced obsolescence" of cutting support for his two laptops. Lawrence Klien says it's an anticompetitive attempt to dominate the generative AI market. The lawsuit seems to be more about making a point ... than changing Microsoft's plans. It isn't seeking a financial fortune and the timeline makes it almost impossible it will have a practical effect. Klein makes many valid points in his filing, most of which will be familiar to those who've followed the story. His two laptops cannot upgrade to Windows 11 because they don't have TPM (trusted platform ... (view more)
WhatsApp says it has taken down more than 6.8 million accounts linked to "criminal scam centers." It says scammers are using complex methods that use multiple apps to avoid being detected by any one of them. The company, owned by Meta (which also ... owns Facebook), says this isn't just a case of lone actors pulling off scams. It says many are the work of full-blown organized crime gangs which exploit forced labor workers - quite often they are used in sextortion and pig butchering schemes . While the specifics of the scams change, for example getting people to "invest" in cryptocurrency or ... (view more)
Infopackets Reader Mark R. writes: " Dear Dennis, I just came across your article on what to do if someone is harassing you , and I'm reaching out because my teenage son is brutally being harassed online . He recently met a girl in a chat group on ... Reddit; she seemed nice at first, and claims to live nearby. They chatted for a few days, then things got more 'personal': she convinced him to move to Snapchat, where they exchanged some private messages and pictures . She asked for his Instagram and they exchanged info. Almost immediately, the tone shifted and now she's demanding money . She' ... (view more)
A phone carrier has launched a plan for teenage users with built-in content filters and other safety features. It remains to be seen if kids pursue workarounds. The plan, from British carrier EE, appears to be aimed at parents who don't want their ... children to have unrestricted Internet access, but find it difficult technically to control what they do on their phones. Such parents often conclude that simply refusing to let a teen have a phone is not a realistic expectation in 2025. There will be three tiers in the plan, aimed at increasing age groups. The tier aimed at the youngest users will ... (view more)
Microsoft is making changes to the startup screen, taskbar and Task Manager in Windows 11. The changes are more about reducing annoyance than major overhauls. All three changes have shown up in the Dev Channel, which is the first place new features ... shown up for public testing. These aren't always guaranteed to make it out into the final public release, but Microsoft has spoken publicly about these features. That suggests it intends to keep them, rather than just looking for feedback on the concept. The change that will benefit most people is to the Second-chance out-of-box experience (SCOOBE ... (view more)
If you're caught up in a Venmo sextortion trap and are desperate for a way out - you're not alone, and this in-depth, Q&A article is for you. If you are in full-on panic and need help now, you can contact me here for assistance . Otherwise, keep ... reading! Infopackets Reader Sanjay B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I paid someone on Venmo and now they're blackmailing me . Here's my story: a few days ago I met a woman on Adult Friend Finder claiming to be local to me. We chatted casually for a couple of days, but then moved to WhatsApp for privacy. As soon as I did, the tone changed; she was ... (view more)
Infopackets Reader Sam G. writes: " Dear Dennis, I came across your website and read two of your most recent articles: how to stop WhatsApp blackmail and what to do if sextorted on Thaifriendly - thanks - these articles were very insightful. Now for ... my issue. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but until last week I've never even heard of being blackmailed on Facebook . I thought I was just chatting with someone new online - it started harmlessly enough. We flirted a little, exchanged some pictures , and then she casually asked me to send some money her way to help pay for her brother's ... (view more)
Are you being sextorted? Need real answers - fast? Contact me now for 1-on-1 assistance. I've worked on over 1,000+ sextortion cases since 2019 and know this scam inside and out, including the tried-and-tested strategies for preventing your ... exposure. Our business has been online for 24 years, and is BBB A+ Accredited with ZERO complaints - ever. That track record speaks for itself. If you're ready to take action, reach out to me now . Otherwise, keep reading - this guide will show you exactly what's happening and what to do (and what not to do) next. Infopackets Reader Adam G. writes: "Dear ... (view more)
If you're being harassed (sextorted / blackmailed) on Instagram and need help right now - contact me here for assistance. Otherwise, keep reading! Infopackets Reader Sarah B. writes: " Dear Dennis, Please help - I'm being harassed on Instagram . A ... few months ago, I met a guy claiming to be stationed overseas in the US Military. He moves from base to base, which makes it difficult for him to stay in touch with people. Initially, he was sweet, charming, and always had a good excuse for why we couldn't video chat - so we exchange some photos over Instagram instead. At first, he just wanted ... (view more)
Opera has formally complained about Microsoft's efforts to promote the Edge browser to Windows users. It says the tactics verge into unlawfully anti-competitive behavior. The complaint is to regulators in Brazil where Opera has previously been ... comparatively successful. Unlike in many countries where it's only used by a tiny percentage of people, Opera has at times been in a battle with Edge for second place in the browser market, albeit with both far behind the dominant Google Chrome. According to Opera, Microsoft has used a range of tactics to promote Edge that go beyond lawful promotion. ... (view more)
Google and Microsoft have both added AI-powered features to their web browsers. The experimental modes may be more useful but have raised questions about advertising models. Microsoft's new tool, Copilot Mode, is the latest in its series of AI ... additions to existing applications. For now at least it is completely opt-in. It means the new tab page will have a single input box where users can type any text. If it's a website address, the relevant page will simply open. If it's a question, the user can choose between conducting an ordinary web search and having an AI-powered answer. As usual, the ... (view more)
Windows 11 is getting even more AI-powered tools that can "see" the user's screen. The new Copilot Vision tool has raised privacy and security concerns because it sends data to Microsoft's servers. Microsoft seems to be going all-in on AI these ... days, so it's worth recapping its different tools. Copilot is its overall package of AI tools designed to integrate with Windows, including a chatbot that answers questions and integrated tools in Word that offer to help write documents. There's also Copilot+ which adds extra features and only works on specific computers with more powerful processors. ... (view more)
Apple has unveiled a monthly subscription service to cover multiple devices against loss or damage. It's a change from a previous policy of requiring a separate cover plan for each device. The existing plan, AppleCare+, has a varied fee depending on ... the item such as $2.99 for an Apple Watch or $9.99 for an iPhone. It covers accidental damage, battery failures and tech support. However, only the iPhone is covered for loss or theft. The new plan, AppleCare One, covers any three Apple products for $19.99 a month, with additional devices costing $5.99 a month. That means it's only really a saving ... (view more)
Infopackets Reader Jenna M. writes: "Dear Dennis, Thanks for your article on how to stop Instagram harassment - it was a very informative read. I have a much more complicated issue: I separated from my husband last year and recently decided to give ... Facebook Dating a try. A few days in, I matched with a man who said he was an architect from a nearby city. He was attractive, polite, and claimed his wife had cheated on him. He told me he was originally from Germany and his daughter lives there. His profile said he lives in Minnesota - but his phone number has a New York area code. Not long after ... (view more)
Microsoft has revealed more details about its free tool for transferring files to a new PC when upgrading to Windows 11. It's got some unfortunate limitations that mean a third-party solution may be better for some users. The tool is part of ... Microsoft's drive to remove headaches for people who choose (or feel forced) to get a new computer when switching to Windows 11. In some cases that's taking the opportunity for some new hardware and in other cases, it's because their existing Windows 10 PC doesn't meet Microsoft's minimum specifications and requirements. Built Into Backup App The transfer ... (view more)
Microsoft appears to have ditched plans to simplify the System Tray in Windows 11. It has confirmed the rethink was down to negative feedback in public testing. The System Tray is part of the Taskbar, the section at the bottom of the screen that's ... usually visible at all times. The System Tray is on the right and includes information such as the date and time, network connection details, speaker volume and (on portable devices) battery level. Last year it started testing a new design in the Beta Channel of Windows Insider. That's part of the voluntary public testing program and is usually the ... (view more)
Amazon has warned customers that emails offering them the chance to cancel their Prime membership are scams from fraudsters. It's a targeted attack that is, to say the least, unfortunate for the company. According to Amazon, the bogus emails claim ... Amazon is raising the price of the Prime membership program and giving them the chance to cancel before it takes effect. The emails include a button marked "cancel subscription". As is common with such scams, clicking the button takes the user through to a fake Amazon page that asks the user for personal details along with details of the payment ... (view more)
A court has blocked a "click to cancel" rule that would have made it easier to end unwanted memberships and subscriptions. The rule, introduced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), would have made canceling as easy as signing up in the first ... place, meaning a simple website button in some cases. The rule was scheduled to take effect on July 14, 2025, but was blocked by a federal appeals court. The block wasn't based on the measures themselves, but rather the procedural technicalities of the way the FTC made the rule. Auto-Renewals Restricted Officially titled the Negative Opinion Rule, the ... (view more)
More than two million Chrome and Edge users installed extensions that later turned into malware. The 18 extensions all delivered their advertised functionality but some unwanted bonus features. Extensions (known as add-ons in Edge) are a third-party ... tool for web browsers that interact with the browser to bring additional features. Most have perfectly legitimate uses, for example sending the text of a long article on a web page to the user's Kindle e-reader, or blocking ads. Because the tools have varying levels of access to a user's browser and online activity, security is a must. That's why ... (view more)
A campaign group want users to sign a petition calling on Microsoft to automatically extend support for Windows 10. It says existing plans where users can sign up to an extra year of support cheaply or free of charge don't go far enough. The ... petition is the work of the Public Interest Research Group (PIRG), which describes itself as "an advocate for consumers, advancing solutions to problems that affect our health, our safety and our wellbeing." It commonly campaigns on tech topics including the "right to repair" as a way to benefit consumers while reducing environmental waste. Millions Of ... (view more)
In today's main article, we talked about the need for continuing Windows 10 support because the vast majority of PC's today Windows 11 requires TPM (Trusted Platform Module) but only newer PCs (circa >2018) have it. I've always wondered why a ... tech company couldn't simply create a USB-based TPM device so that older machines would be able to meet the requirements of Windows 11, so I decided to ask ChatGPT some questions. I thought the answers were fascinating, so I decided to put together a Q&A style article. Here's a breakdown of those questions in case you want to skip right to the ... (view more)
Windows 11 has finally become more popular than Windows 10 according to one estimate. But there's still a serious amount of work to do to persuade people to upgrade before Windows 10's "end of life" this October. The figures come from Statcounter, ... which says that 51.77 percent of Windows computers are now running Windows 11, ahead of Windows 10 on 45.02 percent. The remaining three percent are running even older systems, including a tiny but measurable user base for Windows XP. (Source: statcounter.com ) Statcounter is a company that helps websites measure and analyze their traffic, so its ... (view more)
A boy who started hunting computer bugs aged 13 has been dubbed Microsoft's youngest security researcher. 'Dylan' is the reason the company lowered its minimum age for officially reporting security vulnerabilities. Everything we know about the boy ... comes from a Microsoft report, which notes he is currently in his junior year at high school. Because of his age, it appears reporters don't consider it appropriate to try to independently verify any of the details. (Source: microsoft.com ) According to Microsoft, Dylan was a tech enthusiast for a young age, but became more interested in security ... (view more)
A tech enthusiast has built a prototype of a real-world ad-blocker. It involves a pair of "smart glasses" which detect and block out billboards, newspaper ads and other promotional material. It's the work of Stijn Spanhvove, who explained on social ... media site X that "I've been building an XR app for a real-world ad blocker using Snap @Spectacles. It uses Gemini to detect and block ads in the environment. It's still early and experimental, but it's exciting to imagine a future where you control the physical content you see." (Source: x.com ) The video shows the user's view as they walk round a ... (view more)
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My name is Dennis Faas and I am a senior systems administrator and IT technical analyst specializing in cyber crimes (sextortion / blackmail / tech support scams) with over 30 years experience; I also run this website! If you need technical assistance , I can help. Click here to email me now; optionally, you can review my resume here. You can also read how I can fix your computer over the Internet (also includes user reviews).
My name is Dennis Faas and I am a senior systems administrator and IT technical analyst specializing in cyber crimes (sextortion / blackmail / tech support scams) with over 30 years experience; I also run this website! If you need technical assistance , I can help. Click here to email me now; optionally, you can review my resume here. You can also read how I can fix your computer over the Internet (also includes user reviews).
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