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Microsoft claims Windows 10 performance is improving while glitches are less common. It appears one explanation may be a slowdown in the update rollout process. The claims come in a blog post comparing the two most recent 'major update' versions of ... Windows 10, the twice-yearly updates that bring new features rather than just fixing performance and security bugs. It cites figures collected in telemetry reports, in which it tracks the activity on computers, something that Microsoft says helps improve the system, but raises privacy concerns among some critics. Boot Time And Log-In Speedier ... (view more)

Users of the popular CCleaner optimization software have been urged to immediately update the program. The software was recently compromised by hackers for almost a month, though it does not yet appear they did any damage. The warning to update is ... particularly important because CCleaner doesn't automatically update - though it does tell users when a new version is ready. The compromised versions were the 32-bit editions of CCleaner v5.33.6162 and CCleaner Cloud v1.07.3191 . User who currently have these versions should uninstall them immediately, then get the latest copy from the website of ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Stephen B. writes: " Dear Dennis, I recently installed 'Ace Player HD' to play p2p video streaming. Everything was fine for a little while, but now Windows 10 keeps popping up every few seconds saying that ' An app default was ... reset . An app caused a problem with the default app setting for .3gp files, so it was reset to Moves ... (view more)

The majority of Bluetooth devices could be vulnerable to a malware attack. The attack, dubbed BlueBorne, can reportedly spread to devices without needing any action from the victim. The attack takes advantage of a bug in the Bluetooth technology ... itself rather than a specific operating system. At one point this summer an estimated 5.3 billion devices were at risk, running Windows, Android or Linux, as well as Apple devices running systems before the current iOS 10. Fixing the problem will require patches for specific devices and operating systems. Microsoft has patched the issue already, ... (view more)

Infopackets Reader Steve C. writes: " Dear Dennis, I am running a Windows 10 PC, which I share with my daughter. Lately I have begun receiving Facebook notifications / popups on the lower right corner of my desktop. These notifications appear every ... few minutes and it is literally driving me insane. I cannot figure out how to shut this setting off. Searching Google for 'windows disable facebook popups' isn't of any help because I am getting different answers. One says to disable the Facebook app, another says it's a Facebook setting. I have no idea how to do either because I don't even use ... (view more)

The Boston Red Sox are accused of cheating by using an Apple Watch as part of a scheme to relay signals to a batsman. It's a rule-breaking use of technology for an otherwise legitimate tactic. The Red Sox, like most teams, were trying to find a way ... to give batters an advantage by knowing what type of pitch is coming. Normally a catcher - sometimes with the advice of a coach - will signal a suggested pitch to the pitcher via hand gestures. The player placements mean the batter can't see this signal. In principle it's legitimate for the batting team to spot these signals and make the batter ... (view more)

Around 465,000 pacemakers have been 'recalled' over hacking fears. However, the St Jude Medical brand devices will be patched with a software update rather than removed and replaced. The pacemakers are radio controlled to allow doctors to alter the ... specific rhythm they aim for when regulating a heart beat. This radio control means doctors can adjust to the patients changing needs without the need to remove the pacemaker for alterations. That's important as the surgery for such a removal is inherently risky. No Signs Of Hack Attacks While the precise details haven't been revealed for obvious ... (view more)