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The article from PCWorld discusses how Google Chrome's new Manifest V3 changes are impacting ad blockers, particularly uBlock Origin. The changes limit extension access to the browser's network layer, affecting ad-blocking capabilities and privacy innovation. While Google claims the changes aim to improve privacy, critics argue they may benefit Google's advertising interests. The article suggests Firefox as an alternative browser that may continue to support ad blockers effectively. [Extracted from the article]

The article from Linux Format explores five popular web browsers for the Linux desktop, focusing on installation, configuration, user interface design, privacy and security features, ad blocking, mobile app compatibility, and extra features. The browsers examined are Brave, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Opera. Each browser is evaluated based on various criteria, such as user interface, privacy features, and ad blocking capabilities. The article provides insights into the strengths and weaknesses of each browser, offering a comprehensive overview for users seeking to choose the best browser for their needs. [Extracted from the article]

Malwarebytes Premium Security is an antivirus software that offers a simple and streamlined approach to protecting your devices. It was once a reliable secondary tool but now emphasizes the importance of using a single antivirus program to avoid conflicts and vulnerabilities. The software includes real-time monitoring for malware, email, web, and network threats, as well as a VPN service. While it lacks additional features like parental controls and a password manager, it has a clean interface and minimal impact on system resources. However, there is limited independent testing data available on its performance. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides recommendations for free software that can help users protect their privacy online. It suggests using tools like uBlock Origin, Zen, ClearURLs, Consent-O-Matic, Decentraleyes, and DuckDuckGo Private Browser to block trackers and prevent websites from identifying users. It also mentions the use of Brave and Tor Browser for anonymous browsing, as well as the free version of ProtonVPN for encrypting internet connections. The article further recommends using tools like Windscribe and OnionShare for secure and anonymous internet access and file sharing, respectively. It also suggests using email aliases, encrypting emails, and using passkeys for secure logins. Additionally, it provides tips for clearing browsing data, removing private data from browsers, and removing metadata from photos. The article concludes by offering online tools to test browser privacy and check for data breaches. [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 explores the privacy concerns associated with popular web browsers like Chrome and Edge, which track users' online activities and collect personal data for targeted advertising. It suggests alternative browsers that prioritize privacy and protect user data. The article emphasizes the importance of keeping browsers updated to address security vulnerabilities. One recommended browser, Brave, is praised for its privacy features, including aggressive blocking of trackers and ads, automatic blocking of cookie-consent pop-ups, and the ability to access the web through the Tor network for enhanced anonymity. Other browsers mentioned include Tor Browser, DuckDuckGo, Firefox, and Mullvad Browser, each with their own privacy features and limitations. This comprehensive overview is useful for users concerned about their online privacy. [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]

Arc 1.13 is a new web browser that is now available on Windows 10, in addition to macOS and Windows 11. It offers a unique interface with a tab bar on the left-hand side and a minimalist design. Arc's notable features include Spaces, which allows users to create distinct browsing areas with different tabs and color themes, and Split View, which enables users to view two tabs side by side. The browser is based on Chromium, allowing users to install extensions from the Chrome Web Store. It also includes the uBlock Origin content blocker by default. Thunderbird 128 is an email client that brings several improvements, such as a redesigned Cards view for browsing email discussion threads and an enhanced Unified Folders feature. O&O DeskInfo 1.3.1347 is a system-information tool that displays useful information about the user's system on the desktop. It supports Windows' 'Efficiency mode' and allows users to view their Windows product key. Wise ImageX is a freemium software that offers AI-powered tools for editing and enhancing photos. It includes features like Restoration, Colorisation, and Super Resolution. However, the free version has limitations on file size and the number of photos that can be enhanced. The yearly plan offers good value, but the program should allow users to process more than five images for free. [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]

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]

DEPARTMENTS Browser extensions improve the experience of internet trawling. The browser extension for your chosen password manager will simplify using strong, unique passwords. [Extracted from the article]

The article provides tips on browser settings and extensions, focusing on Chrome and Chromium browsers. It discusses how to disable Google's AI Overviews feature, keep using Manifest V2 extensions in Chrome, and view YouTube statistics using extensions like ViewStats and TubeBuddy. Additionally, it explains how to enable Tab Previews in Firefox and access the password manager in DuckDuckGo. The article also mentions Edge's 'Super Drag and Drop' feature for opening links and images in new tabs. [Extracted from the article]

CHANGE UP YOUR NEW TAB PAGE Most web browsers' new tab pages are either dreadfully boring (see: Google Chrome) or full of unwanted clutter (see: Microsoft Edge). DEPARTMENTS For the ultimate example of a simple tool with hidden depths, look to the desktop web browser. USE BROWSER BOOKMARKLETS Bookmarklets are a powerful tool that can perform complex actions with one click, all from your browser's bookmarks bar. [Extracted from the article]

To view this information on older versions of Android, choose Apps (or "Apps & notifications") in Settings, tap Advanced and select "Permission manager" (or "App permissions"). This includes a feature called App Tracking Protection, which stops hidden trackers in all your installed apps collecting your data, while still allowing necessary permissions. FEATURES COVER FEATURE WHAT YOU CAN DO • Prevent companies from targeting you with adverts • Stop websites using "fingerprinting" to identify you • Block all hidden trackers embedded in emails • Bypass cookie-consent pop-ups automatically • Stop Google breaking your tracker-blocking extension • Block trackers that collect your data in mobile apps • Avoid online surveillance by encrypting your connection It would be nice to think that 2023 will be the year that tech companies finally start respecting our private data, but - spoiler alert - that's not going to happen. Enter the name of the URL of a Google Play Store app into privacy-audit site Exodus (www.snipca.com/44082) to see all the embedded trackers it contains - even trustworthy apps could contain several. [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]

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]

But the rest of the browser - tabs, bookmarks, password management, and so on - is custom code written by DuckDuckGo. DuckDuckGo's Mac browser is amazing for YouTube, but it still needs work WORKING MAC After months of private beta testing, the DuckDuckGo browser for Mac beta is now available to anyone (grab it at fave.co/3VQ1g9t if you're interested in checking it out). [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the emergence of new web browsers in response to the incremental releases of 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 downloads and installs Arc, but finds the interface and features underwhelming compared to other browsers like Vivaldi. However, Arc does have some useful features such as split-screen view and tab-archiving. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses different options for privacy browsers, which are becoming increasingly popular among internet users who are concerned about their online privacy. The article explains that some VPN providers offer browser extensions that allow users to route their browser traffic through a VPN network, although this is technically a proxy rather than a true VPN. The article also recommends Firefox-based choices such as LibreWolf and TorBrowser, as well as Chromium-based choices like Opera, Avast Secure Browser, and Brave. It provides information about the features and drawbacks of each browser, ultimately recommending LibreWolf as the top choice for privacy-conscious users. [Extracted from the article]

NordVPN is a highly regarded VPN service that offers fast and effective region-shifted streaming. It provides clients for various operating systems and browsers, as well as instructions for connecting other devices. NordVPN offers additional features such as anti-malware tools, file protection, and Meshnet and file transfer capabilities. The pricing options are competitive, with a monthly renewal rate of £12.50 or an annual rate of £79. Despite some performance issues, NordVPN remains a reliable choice for users. [Extracted from the article]

Surfshark is a VPN service that offers a combination of privacy, speed, and smooth region shifting. It has a strong track record for privacy, with regular third-party audits of its no-logging policy and RAMdisk servers. While its pricing structure can be convoluted, it offers competitive deals for one- and two-year subscriptions. Surfshark has dedicated clients for various operating systems and supports multiple VPN protocols. It performs well in speed tests and allows access to streaming services like BBC iPlayer and Netflix. Overall, Surfshark is a top choice for those prioritizing speed and privacy. [Extracted from the article]

This article provides tips and recommendations for optimizing various web browsers. It suggests using Chrome's revamped Safety Check feature to enhance security, enabling Firefox to always underline links for better accessibility, utilizing Ad Speedup to skip YouTube ads faster, and being cautious of Edge's automatic data import from Chrome. Additionally, it offers a solution to disable Opera's start-up screen and sound. The article also mentions an extension called 'Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides' that allows users to view and edit Microsoft Office files using Google tools in Chrome. [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]

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]

The article provides tips and updates for various web browsers. It mentions that Google has redesigned the Chrome Web Store, making it easier to browse and offering new features such as accurate auto-complete suggestions and themed collections. Microsoft Edge now allows users to capture screenshots of YouTube videos without needing an extension, and Google Chrome has added the same feature. Firefox now allows users to insert images in PDF files. Brave's built-in ad blocker has been updated to block more YouTube ads and cookie banners. The article also suggests an extension called Battery Status for monitoring laptop battery levels. [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]

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]

The quickest way to whitelist a website is to click your ad blocker's toolbar button and switch it off for the site you're trying to view [Image A]. 5 VISIT THE SITE IN PRIVATE BROWSING MODE Your browser's private - or incognito - mode disables cookies and trackers that potentially allow websites to detect your ad blocker. YOUTUBE RECENTLY STARTED testing a three-strikes policy for viewers who use ad blockers on its website. [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]

Mac browsers can use their own technologies to render webpages and set themselves to be the default web browser. Chrome is available for iPhone and iPad (go.macworld.com/crio) as well, though like all browsers on those platforms, it uses Apple's own Webkit rendering engine. [Extracted from the article]

Here, you'll see a list of all the sites and apps that you've linked to your Google account, along with details of the data they can access. Here, you'll see a long list of sites and apps that share your data with Facebook, which you can click to view further details, including the number of "interactions" that have have taken place. For Instagram, log into your account in your browser, click the cog icon in your profile and choose "Apps and Websites". Tap "Scan your first app" and choose which app you want to check for privacy problems - Jumbo recommends Google or Facebook, 1 but you can select "View other apps" for more options. [Extracted from the article]

If it's another location on the current site, you can assume that it's probably the legitimate download button. Ad blockers such as uBlock Origin (bit.ly/ublock494) and Ghostery (www .ghostery.com) remove many of these buttons, but that's not always the case, and some sites require you to disable your ad blocker before they will work. Last year, researchers at Princeton and the University of Chicago conducted a large-scale study, analysing more than 53,000 product pages from 11,000 shopping websites, and found over 1,800 instances of dark patterns across those sites. However, doing this with an unsolicited (spam) email won't have the same effect because what you'll actually be doing is confirming to the sender that the email address the message was sent to is not only active, but that you've read their email (in order to see the unsubscribe link). [Extracted from the article]

Brave won't probably overcome Chrome or even Microsoft's Edge, but I could see the "millions" of users the browser has reportedly accumulated becoming a devoted cult following. Brave slurped up my favorites, websites, passwords, and other necessities from Chrome, however, and had me browsing happily in just a minute or so. As with other browsers, a single master password allows you to sync this information with other instances of the Brave browser, as well as a complementary Android browser that I didn't test. (If two-factor-authentication is available, I missed it. Even better, it identifies Brave-verified sites in your list of sites, so you'll know that you can also tip them, too. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the potential negative consequences of Google's plans to ban ad blocking in its Chrome browser. It suggests using Firefox for general browsing and introduces Pi-hole as a solution to protect one's network from malware and unwanted content. The article also highlights the importance of user control and mentions other ways to take control of various aspects of technology, such as home CCTV systems and system updates. It emphasizes the possibilities and benefits of open source and Linux in 2024. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of PC Welt Plus is the property of IDG Communications, Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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]

CREATE REQUIRES Safari on iOS/ iPadOS 15 or later YOU WILL LEARN How to use Safari extensions for a better online experience IT WILL TAKE 5 minutes GENIUS TIP Sometimes ad blockers stop pages from working properly. With extensions, you can get rid of all that nonsense and create a Safari browsing experience that's much calmer and a whole lot less annoying. To fix that, tap the jigsaw icon in Safari's address bar and tap Turn off Content Blockers. [Extracted from the article]

Google Chrome is phasing out support for older browser extensions and requiring developers to adopt a new browser add-on standard called Manifest V3. As a result, some extensions, including the popular uBlock Origin ad-blocker, will soon no longer be supported. However, there are alternatives available, and other browsers like Firefox will continue to support these extensions. Users can check which extensions will be disabled and find alternative options in the Chrome Web Store. While most modern browsers are based on Chromium code and are unlikely to permanently support Manifest V2, Firefox is a good long-term solution for full support of older extensions. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft's new Windows 11 Recall feature is reminiscent of Google products from 2008, such as Google Chrome 1.0 and Google Desktop. Recall is a tool that allows users to search all the web pages, documents, and conversations they have seen on their PC in one place. Google Chrome 1.0 had a similar feature that allowed users to search their entire web browsing history. Google Desktop, on the other hand, was a desktop-search-and-widgets tool that indexed files, emails, web pages, chats, and more. While Google Desktop and Chrome's features had some privacy implications, Microsoft's Recall assures users that their data will stay on their PC. The similarities between Microsoft's Recall and Google's past products highlight the desire for a unified search tool that can bring together various applications and tools. [Extracted from the article]

BEST EXTENSION FOR… Blocking malicious websites Malwarebytes Browser Guard Chromium www.snipca.com/45879 Firefox www.snipca.com/45880 The official Malwarebytes extension speeds up your browsing and keeps you safe online by blocking ads, trackers and malicious websites. Workshops & Tips CHROME Disable all your extensions in one go Although extensions let you add useful new features to Chrome, they can sometimes prevent websites from loading properly or consume so much memory that they cause the browser - or your entire PC - to crash. On the Library tab, click "Get more themes" to open the Vivaldi Themes website and click "View all featured themes" or "View all popular themes". [Extracted from the article]

Click the padlock icon 2 to make your changes permanent, so uBlock Origin will apply them every time you visit the site, or the eraser icon 3 to undo your changes. What you need: uBlock Origin Time required: 20 minutes A dverts help keep web content free, but they can be irritating when they obstruct your view, distract you from your work and make pages slow to load. Either click the "Open the dashboard" (three-cogs) button 1 in the bottom-right corner of the extension's panel, or right-click its toolbar button and choose Options. [Extracted from the article]