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This article from Computer Act!ve provides solutions to various tech problems. It addresses issues such as a malfunctioning fingerprint reader on a Dell laptop, the upcoming end of support for Windows 10, fixing a non-functional keyboard on an Acer laptop, troubleshooting ad-blocker messages in Chrome, and creating screenshots without a PrtScn key. The article also offers guidance on wiping data from a non-functional iPad before recycling it. It provides advice on reviving dead Apple devices, fixing a black boot screen issue, unsubscribing and uninstalling Adobe Creative Cloud apps, creating a workaround for dark mode in Adobe Acrobat Reader, and understanding the difference between torrent files and magnet links. Lastly, it advises on the amount of mobile data needed for accepting card payments using a Square card reader. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to enhance the functionality of streaming devices like Fire TV, Android TV, and Roku. It covers topics such as sideloading apps, mirroring apps, using VPNs to access global TV channels and protect privacy, installing legal Kodi add-ons, and unlocking hidden features on streaming devices. The article emphasizes the importance of respecting copyright laws and avoiding illegal practices. It also discusses legal ways to stream TV shows and films using platforms like Kodi and Plex. Additionally, the article warns against the risks of purchasing Android TV boxes from unknown manufacturers. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Computer Act!ve offers tips and tricks for enhancing various Google products. It acknowledges that while Google has faced criticism for its privacy policies and business practices, its products are widely used due to their user-friendly designs and accessibility. The article covers ways to improve Google Chrome, Gmail, and Google Search, including restoring Chrome's classic download manager, applying a cleaner design to Gmail, and removing sponsored links and adverts from search results. It also addresses concerns about AI-generated search results and the removal of the "Cached" option from search results. The article provides tips and instructions on how to improve various Google services, such as Google Maps, Google Photos & Lens, Android & Google Play, and Google Drive & Docs. It suggests calibrating Google Maps using the compass on your Android phone to improve location accuracy, using dark mode on Google Maps website with an extension called Dark Reader, hiding private photos and videos in Google Photos' Locked Folder, translating foreign text using Google Lens and Google Translate, freeing up space on Android devices by archiving unused apps, sharing files between devices using Quick Share, scanning documents directly to Google Drive, moving unwanted files to the Spam folder in Google Drive, creating appointment schedules in Google Calendar, accessing Google Keep notes from the home screen, using Companion mode in Google Meet for mobile devices, and following interests in Google News. The article provides step-by-step instructions and screenshots for each tip. [Extracted from the article]

This article recommends several free software programs. The first program discussed is Arc, a web browser that is now available for Windows 10. Arc has a unique tab bar on the left-hand side and a minimalist interface. It also features Spaces, which allows users to create distinct browsing areas with different tabs and files. The article also mentions Thunderbird 128, an email client with a redesigned Cards view, and O&O DeskInfo 1.3.1347, a system-information tool that displays useful information about your system on your desktop. Lastly, the article discusses Wise ImageX, a freemium software with AI-powered tools for editing and enhancing photos. While the program is easy to use, there are limitations on file size and the number of photos that can be enhanced for free. The article also provides alternative options for OCR tools, website-creation tools, and scanning software. [Extracted from the article]

This article offers tips and tools to enhance the YouTube viewing experience without the need for a Premium subscription. It addresses frustrations such as increased ads and restricted features by providing solutions like blocking ads, disabling autoplay, and hiding certain videos. The article also suggests tools for downloading videos, improving picture and audio quality, and customizing the appearance of YouTube. These tips and tools aim to optimize the viewing and downloading experience for users conducting research on specific topics. [Extracted from the article]

This document presents a list of the top 20 most downloaded free software programs of 2023, as determined by Computeractive readers. The programs listed cover a wide range of categories, such as video streaming, disk health monitoring, file management, and driver updating. The most popular program, FixWin, is a system tool that can perform various PC repairs with just one click. Other popular programs include O&O AppBuster, uBlock Origin, DuckDuckGo, and PDFgear. The document provides brief descriptions of each program, highlighting their key features and benefits, as well as expert tips on how to use them effectively. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Computer Act!ve provides recommendations for the best free software. The first recommendation is Audacity 3.5, a free audio editor that allows users to save projects online and collaborate with others. The second recommendation is Ecosia Browser, a search engine that donates its advertising revenue to tree-planting projects and offers a privacy-focused browsing experience. The third recommendation is Wintoys 1.3, a system tool that allows users to customize and optimize Windows. Lastly, the article suggests O&O SafeErase, a software for secure and permanent deletion of files and drives. The article also includes answers to reader questions about free driver updaters, website building software, and music players with mini players. [Extracted from the article]

It's easy to miss Vivaldi's built-in privacy feature for blocking trackers and ads DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU DIAGRAM: STOP USING BROWSERS THAT TRACK YOU Privacy rating BEST FOR USING WITH A VPN Mullvad Browser www.snipca.com/47660 What we like Launched earlier this year, Mullvad Browser is a collaboration between VPN provider Mullvad VPN and the Tor Project, the non-profit organisation behind Tor Browser (see page 55). Even if you don't use Chrome's Sync feature, which saves your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords and contact details to Google's servers, the browser shares other data in the background. Privacy rating BEST FOR TRACKING PROTECTION Firefox www.snipca.com/47658 What we like Unlike Brave and Tor Browser, Firefox isn't promoted as a private browser, but it's much more trustworthy than Chrome and Edge. [Extracted from the article]

"Computer Act!ve" provides readers with a variety of tips and recommendations from fellow readers. These include adding AllDup to File Explorer's right-click menu to find duplicate files easily, decluttering Google search results by using the Web option, discovering live radio stations on YouTube for continuous music, setting a permanent password for RustDesk for remote desktop control, and filtering comments by user and annotation type in PDFgear software. Additionally, the journal suggests trying the Linux Mint distro for new Linux users as a user-friendly option with preloaded basic software. [Extracted from the article]

The article provides tips for optimizing browser usage on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. It suggests disabling Google Lens in Chrome to reduce its presence, granting websites temporary permissions in Firefox to protect privacy, accessing Copilot from the address bar in Edge, and using Aria in Opera without signing in. Additionally, it offers extensions like YouTube Ad Accelerator & Easy Speed Drag to skip ads on YouTube. [Extracted from the article]

The article "Browser Tips" from Computer Act!ve provides insights on browser extensions and features in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave. It discusses the changes in Chrome 130 regarding Manifest V2 extensions, Firefox's picture-in-picture mode, Edge's performance detector for extensions, and Brave's AI assistant Leo. Additionally, it offers tips on adding new buttons to Chrome's toolbar and recommends Tampermonkey as the best extension for managing user scripts. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how Google's new Manifest v3 standard for browser extensions has limited the effectiveness of ad blockers on Chrome and similar browsers. AdGuard has developed a solution to bypass these restrictions and continue blocking ads effectively. The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to install and use AdGuard to block ads, trackers, and protect privacy while browsing the web. It also explains how to whitelist specific websites if needed. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the increasing prevalence of aggressive cookie consent pop-ups on websites, which give users limited options to either pay for a subscription or consent to being tracked by cookies. These pop-ups are difficult to avoid and obstruct the browsing experience, particularly on mobile devices. The article provides several methods to block these pop-ups, including using private browsing mode, installing ad blockers like uBlock Origin, and using the Brave browser. The article also mentions the presence of similar pop-ups in mobile apps and provides instructions on how to disable data collection in these apps. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides tips and workshops for phone and tablet users. It discusses the redesigned Google Photos app, which makes it easier to find and organize pictures and videos. It also mentions the availability of OpenAI's image generator in the free version of ChatGPT, allowing users to create images using AI. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of securing X (formerly Twitter) accounts with a passkey and explains how to enable dark mode in the DuckDuckGo Private Browser. The article concludes with recommendations for new apps, including Geekbench AI, Opera One, and Google Meet, as well as the best apps for tracking flights. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Computer Act!ve provides various tips and workshops for optimizing different web browsers. It discusses disabling Google's AI Overviews feature in Chromium browsers, extending the lifespan of Manifest V2 extensions in Chrome, enabling Tab Previews in Firefox, accessing passwords more easily in DuckDuckGo, and using the Super Drag and Drop feature in Edge. The article also recommends the ViewStats and TubeBuddy extensions for viewing YouTube statistics. [Extracted from the article]

Google's Manifest V3 plan to replace its Manifest V2 API for Chrome extensions with Manifest V3 is causing controversy. While Google claims that Manifest V3 will provide increased safety and control over permissions, it will also break many extensions, including popular ad blockers like uBlock Origin. Google has added warnings to extensions that are not compatible with Manifest V3, and users can check which extensions will soon be unsupported in Chrome's Extensions Manager. Users can switch to Manifest V3-compatible versions of extensions or find alternative extensions, and they can also switch to other web browsers like Microsoft Edge, Brave, or Firefox, which have different timelines for implementing Manifest V3. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Readers' Tips" provides various tips and recommendations from readers. One reader suggests using the What3Words app to remember the precise location of a photo taken on a phone. Another reader recommends increasing the font size of the USB Device Tree Viewer program to improve readability. Tubi, a TV-streaming service, allows users to customize the color and size of captions. The article also discusses alternative web browsers to Brave, such as Firefox, Waterfox, and LibreWolf. Additionally, readers are advised to use the Weawow weather app for daily weather notifications. The TP-Link M7350 travel router is recommended for staying connected while traveling. Snapseed, a photo-editing app, allows users to create QR codes to share specific edits made to a photo. Lastly, the article mentions using Microsoft's Storage Spaces tool to save files on multiple drives for added security. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides tips and workshops for various web browsers. It discusses the deprecation of Manifest V2 extensions in Google Chrome and provides instructions on how to check the compatibility of installed extensions. It also addresses the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" in Microsoft Edge, explaining that it is caused by an obsolete policy and not a malware infection. Additionally, the article mentions the upcoming addition of vertical tabs in Firefox and the new AI capabilities of Opera's assistant, Aria. The article concludes with a recommendation for the FastStream Video Player extension to prevent video buffering. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Computer Active provides readers with various tips and recommendations from fellow readers. The tips cover a range of topics, including using passkeys for NHS accounts, using single-letter shortcuts in Google Drive, improving visibility on PC keyboards, finding energy-efficient routes on Google Maps, saving money on phone services, using Android boxes to access apps, purchasing software at discounted prices, switching to uBlock Origin as an ad-blocker, and recommending a USB docking station for retrieving data from old hard drives. The article offers practical advice and suggestions for readers to consider. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides various tips and workshops for optimizing web browsing on different browsers. For Chrome users, there is a feature called "Memory saver" that reduces the amount of RAM used by the browser. Users can also customize the aggressiveness of this feature. Firefox has improved its built-in screenshot tool, allowing users to capture web pages more easily. Additionally, Chrome has a hidden feature that enables live captions for videos without subtitles. Opera now allows users to personalize tabs using emojis. Lastly, an extension is recommended for blocking ads in webmail services. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides tips and workshops for optimizing web browsing experiences on different browsers. It suggests using a Chrome extension called 'Bye Bye, Google AI' to hide unwanted elements in Google search results, such as sponsored links and distracting junk. Firefox introduces a feature to close all duplicate tabs with one click, while Opera's AI assistant, Aria, can be accessed through a command-line text box. Microsoft Edge offers an AI Theme Generator to create personalized browser themes, and Chrome provides a setting to preload web pages for faster browsing. Additionally, the article recommends extensions for viewing 'dislikes' on YouTube videos. [Extracted from the article]

Brave is encouraging users to switch to their browser as Google's new Manifest V3 standard is affecting popular ad-blocking extensions like uBlock Origin in Chrome. While Google claims the new standard enhances privacy and security, it impacts ad-blockers the most. Brave assures users that uBlock Origin will still work in their browser, including the full version, unlike in Chrome. Some ad-blocking extensions, like AdGuard, have found ways to bypass the restrictions imposed by Manifest V3. [Extracted from the article]

Q I used to enjoy using the slideshow feature in the Windows Photos app, but there's no slideshow option in Windows 11. 1 O&O AppBuster now detects traditional desktop programs as well as Windows apps, and lists them on the All tab - it found 196 on our PC. UNINSTALLER O&O AppBuster 1.3.1343 www.snipca.com/46027 What you need: Windows 10 or 11 O&O AppBuster is one of our favourite free tools, and we know it's one of yours too, so we're always excited to try its latest release. [Extracted from the article]

YouTube is testing a new system of inserting ads directly into videos, making it harder for ad-blockers to block them. As a result, viewers who use ad-blockers are seeing 20 seconds of black screens instead of ads. Some users on Reddit have reported this change, with some preferring the black screen over ads. YouTube's parent company, Google, has previously stated that ad-blockers violate YouTube's terms of service and affect the site's performance and reliability. [Extracted from the article]

The makers of the popular ad-blocker uBlock Origin have advised users to switch to the Lite version after Google announced that the full version would soon stop working in Chrome. Google stated that the full version does not follow best practices for Chrome extensions and is not compatible with their new Manifest V3 standard. The Lite version is available as an alternative, but users will need to make an explicit choice to install it. Google's switch to Manifest V3 will affect many popular extensions, including ad-blockers. [Extracted from the article]

‘Facial fitness’ is the latest online health fad that’s causing more harm than good. In particular, young men are chewing rock-hard gum hoping to build a perfectly chiselled jawline, inspired by videos on TikTok. Sadly – and predictably – all it’s likely to do is damage jaw joints and teeth, doctors warn.PHOTO (COLOR) [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "Reader Support" addresses three reader questions related to computer software and technology. The first question asks about the potential impact of privacy extensions on banking websites, specifically mentioning the ClearURLs extension. The response acknowledges that certain privacy-focused extensions can restrict access to sensitive sites and provides a solution for temporarily disabling the extension when accessing online banking accounts. The second question inquires about the compatibility of BT's Digital Home Phones with a different VoIP provider, Voneus. The response clarifies that other BT phones and non-BT handsets may work with Voneus's VoIP services, as long as they are not the specific Digital Home-branded models mentioned. The final question asks whether it is necessary to update drivers based on date or version number. The response advises sticking with current drivers unless a specific problem arises, and provides resources for further information on driver updates. [Extracted from the article]

Google is reportedly planning to implement a new technique on YouTube that would make it difficult to block advertisements. Currently, ads are added to devices from a separate server, allowing developers to create software to block them. However, Google's proposed change would involve injecting ads directly into the video stream, potentially eliminating the ability to skip ads and breaking ad-blocking tools like SponsorBlock. It is unclear if this change will affect all YouTube videos, but it is seen as a move to crack down on ad-blockers. [Extracted from the article]

YouTube has been accused of muting and skipping videos for viewers who have ad-blockers installed. Users on Reddit have complained about this issue, with some providing examples of videos skipping to the end and others experiencing audio problems. The problem seems to occur most commonly with the Adblock Plus extension and browsers with built-in ad-blockers. Google, the owner of YouTube, has acknowledged efforts to improve the site's performance may lead to a suboptimal viewing experience. This is part of Google's global effort to crack down on ad-blockers, although some developers have updated their extensions to prevent these issues. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the emergence of new web browsers in response to the incremental releases of popular browsers like Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. It highlights several new browsers, including DuckDuckGo's private browser, Floorp, and Ecosia Browser. The most hyped browser of 2024 is Arc from The Browser Company. The author test-drives Arc and explores its features, such as Spaces, which allows users to create distinct browsing areas with different tabs and themes. While Arc has some useful features, the author finds it similar to other browsers and not particularly impressive or fun. [Extracted from the article]

A recent test of 5,000 Chrome extensions found that certain types of extensions, such as cryptocurrency, VPN, and AI tools, can significantly slow down web page rendering. The slowest extension, Bitget Wallet, caused web pages to appear 1.18 seconds slower than usual. VPN proxy extensions and AI extensions were also found to be particularly slow. On the other hand, all ad-blockers were found to speed up web pages, although the popular ad-blockers AdBlock and Adblock Plus made little difference. Some security-related extensions, including Avast, Avira, LastPass, and Norton, were found to break the back and forward buttons on a browser. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides various tips and workshops for phone and tablet users. It explains how to block WhatsApp spam messages from the lock screen, listen to Gmail emails being read aloud on Android devices, secure Apple accounts using Screen Time on iOS, install extensions in the Canary version of Edge on Android, and recommends the best apps for editing videos on the move. The article also highlights three new apps that users may find useful: Bluesky, Opera GX, and Files by Google. [Extracted from the article]

This article from Computer Active provides readers with various tips and recommendations. The tips include adding a YouTube feed to Piped's homepage, downloading free live recordings from the Live Music Archive, using Bitwarden's keyboard shortcut for login details, switching to Meross Matter Smart Plug Mini for energy monitoring, adding background images to folders with CustomFolder, stopping the number of blocked ads from appearing with Adblock Plus, hiding the "People you may know" feature on Facebook, using SchemataCAD to open DRW files, and recommending the Epson Eco-Tank 2840 printer. The article offers practical advice and suggestions for readers to enhance their online experiences and improve their use of technology. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides tips for using phones and tablets. For Android users, it explains how to install add-ons in Firefox, expanding the selection of available tools. iOS users can learn about Apple's new Journal app, which allows users to keep a private diary with suggested content. Both Android and iOS users can now edit and share Memories in Google Photos, pin important messages in WhatsApp chats, and find the best apps for protecting email. The article provides links to the relevant apps for further exploration. [Extracted from the article]

WORKSHOP Switch from Chrome to Brave or Vivaldi 1 Close Chrome if you have it open and launch Brave, then click the menu button in the browser's top-right corner. Of course, other browsers suffer security flaws, and because many are now Chromium-based they may even have the same vulnerabilities as Chrome, but the popularity of Google's and Microsoft's browsers makes them a more lucrative target for hackers. With more than 3.2 billion users and a 69 per cent share of the desktop browser market (www.snipca.com/38829), Google's Chrome is by far the world's favourite means of accessing the web. Firefox www.snipca.com/38807 What we like By using its own Gecko browser engine rather than Chromium, Mozilla's Firefox provides a genuine alternative to the other browsers here, and isn't affected by Chromium-wide changes and vulnerabilities. [Extracted from the article]

YouTube is taking action against software and apps that block advertisements on their platform. They claim that these tools can cause buffering issues or prevent videos from being viewed altogether. YouTube argues that these apps violate their rules by preventing video creators from being paid through ad revenue. This crackdown is part of a global effort to discourage viewers from using ad blockers, and it includes pausing videos and displaying messages to users who have ad blockers enabled. It is unclear whether YouTube will attempt to prevent these apps from functioning. However, viewers have the option to watch ad-free videos on YouTube Premium for a monthly fee. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the author's desire to have a custom email address with a personal domain name. The author explores different options, including webmail service Mail.com and Zoho Mail, but ultimately decides to purchase a domain from GoDaddy and connect it to their free Zoho Mail account. The author successfully sets up their custom email address and expresses satisfaction with the outcome. [Extracted from the article]

Malwarebytes 5 is a new version of antivirus software that offers enhanced protection against security threats. The program's interface has been redesigned, with a new Security section that groups together key features. A Trusted Advisor section provides a protection score for your PC and mobile devices, and ensures that privacy and security settings are properly configured. While some features require a Premium subscription, the program still allows free scanning and removal of threats. Additional options include rootkit and PUP scanning, scan reminders, and real-time protection. The software also offers a VPN feature, available in the Premium Plus plan. [Extracted from the article]

YouTube has introduced several new tools to enhance user experience and control over playback and organization of watched videos. These tools include a new tab called "You" that combines the Account and Library sections to show all watched, saved, and liked videos in one place. Users can also now play videos at twice the speed, stabilize volume to prevent audio jumps, and lock their screens to avoid interruptions. Additionally, YouTube has added the ability to identify songs by humming and has introduced animated buttons for creators' requests to like or subscribe to their channels. Some of these features are currently only available on Android devices, but may be added to iPhones and iPads in the future. YouTube has also made improvements to the app for smart TVs, including a vertical menu for video information. Users experiencing issues with their watch history after updating the app on mobile devices can try uninstalling and reinstalling the app or signing out and back in. Instead of blocking ads, users can now use the browser extension Friendly Adblock (FadBlock) to skip ads quickly and seamlessly. [Extracted from the article]

James Maudsley Why Firefox is my favourite browser Following Issue 668's "Stop using browsers that track you" Cover Feature (pictured), I'd like to tell you why Firefox is my favourite browser. John McCormick CA SAYS To reinforce John's point, you need to type our Snipca URLs into your browser bar (1 in our screenshot above), not into Google's search engine (or any other) 2. Google's adverts help me find suitable products Having read Issue 669's "Question of the Fortnight" (pictured), I have mixed feelings about adverts in Google. [Extracted from the article]

In other Chrome news, version 117 of the browser (released in September) introduces an experimental feature called "Safety hub", which is designed to replace the existing "Safety check" by better integrating Chrome's privacy and security settings. Not to be outdone by its rival, Google swiftly followed Microsoft by adding the same feature to Chrome. Workshops & Tips The Chrome Web Store, which hosts thousands of extensions and themes to install in Google's browser, has remained relatively unchanged for years. [Extracted from the article]

To use the new feature, click the padlock icon in the address bar - or a crossed-out eye icon if you see one - and choose "Cookies and site data". FIREFOX Import your favourite extensions from Chrome Although many popular extensions are available for both Chrome and Firefox, if you intend to switch from one browser to the other you need to manually reinstall all your favourite add-ons. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the issue of advertisements on smart TVs and the author's attempt to block them. The author mentions that traditional ad blockers are unable to catch the ads that appear on smart TV home screens and apps. However, the author discovered an ad-blocking specialist called AdGuard that offers a version for Android/Google TV. The author provides instructions on how to install the app and notes that it successfully blocked ads on their TV. Despite being impressed with AdGuard's performance, the author does not plan to pay for a subscription once the free trial ends. [Extracted from the article]

Adblock Plus has acknowledged that a faulty update caused YouTube videos to load slowly, but they have stated that a fix will be released soon. Users had suspected that Google, the owner of YouTube, was intentionally slowing down videos for those using ad blockers. Google had previously admitted that people using ad blockers would have a sub-optimal viewing experience, but they denied responsibility for the recent issues. Adblock Plus has identified the fault in version 3.22 of their extension and will fix it in version 3.22.1. The developer of uBlock Origin, a separate product made by the same company, also confirmed similar issues and warned that they could affect other websites as well. [Extracted from the article]

Google has admitted that YouTube videos will load more slowly for users who have ad blockers installed. This was discovered when a Firefox user noticed slow loading times and accused Google of trying to push people to use Chrome. Upon investigation, it was found that a five-second delay had been added to YouTube's code specifically for ad-blocker users. Google has stated that this delay is part of their effort to encourage viewers to allow ads or try YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience. This tactic works across all browsers, including Google Chrome, and is seen as an experiment to test user tolerance before they stop using YouTube altogether. Google's crackdown on ad-blockers has led to an increase in people searching for new ad-blocking solutions that still work on YouTube. However, Google is enforcing its terms of service, which state that blocking ads violates YouTube's policies. Users have become accustomed to blocking ads and will only stop when ads become less intrusive and frequent. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "From the Editor" discusses the trend of tech companies implementing measures to maximize profits, such as Netflix charging for password sharing and YouTube combating ad-blockers. The article sympathizes with users who are looking for ways to bypass these restrictions and provides a list of 20 free downloads for 2024, including a split-view browser, an anonymous VPN, and a junk-cleaning tool from Microsoft. Additionally, the article mentions that 2024 marks the expiration of copyright for various figures like Mickey Mouse and Joan of Arc, and explains how to download their works. The article concludes by stating that closed loopholes are no match for Time Lords, referencing Doctor Who. [Extracted from the article]

Although it's slightly more technical than some ad blockers, uBlock Origin works automatically and reliably, and looks set to survive Google's proposed changes to how ad blockers work (see box on opposite page). Ad blockers improve your browsing experience by removing annoyances from web pages and making them faster to load. DIAGRAM: Switch your ad blocker DIAGRAM: Switch your ad blocker DIAGRAM: Switch your ad blocker DIAGRAM: Switch your ad blocker. [Extracted from the article]

Workshops & Tips Chrome 115, which was released in July, adds a couple of new features to the browser's side panel. WORKSHOP Disable Chrome extensions on specific sites 1 Type chrome://flags into Chrome's address bar and press Enter to load the Experiments page. To view all the Quick Actions shortcuts, click the address bar to open its dropdown menu, then click the new Actions icon at the end of the "This time, search with:" section (see screenshot above). [Extracted from the article]