bug Archives

Use Windows? The screenshot tool contains a dangerous flaw - Update now

Taking screenshots on your Windows computer is easy with the built-in snipping tool. But it can also be dangerous due to a new snipping tool bug that could expose your PC to cyberattacks. Luckily, Microsoft just released an out-of-band security update to fix the flaw.

How the Acropalypse endangers your privacy

If you haven’t updated your Windows computer in the past week, you may be facing the Acropalypse vulnerability. This doomsday name refers to a vulnerability that affects the Snipping Tool in Windows 10 and 11.

This severe security issue may be present in some outdated versions of Windows, depending on your specific version and patch level. We’ll dive into the details later, but here’s what you need to know for now.

👺 Scary Consequences

When you crop a picture before sharing it online, you expect only the visible parts to be seen.

⚠️ But the Acropalypse vulnerability lets tech-savvy people uncover the parts you meant to keep hidden, even though you cropped them out.

📸 Imagine you took a photo of yourself, but your child was in the background, so you cropped them out to protect their privacy.

👀 This snipping tool bug might allow people to see the original photo, including the part you cropped out. Bye-bye, privacy!

This problem affects Google Pixel’s Markup and Windows Snipping tools. Here are more details on Acropalypsse. Follow the steps below to protect your computer.

Spray away this snipping tool bug

On Friday, Microsoft released its official updates for the Windows 10 Snip & Sketch and Windows 11 Snipping Tool programs to resolve the Acropalypse flaw. Here are the versions you’ll have after installing this update:

Windows 11 Snipping Tool: version 11.2302.20.0.
Windows 10 Snip & Sketch: version 10.2008.3001.0.

To get this security update

Open the Microsoft Store and click Libary > Get Updates. This will automatically install the update.

You should constantly update your Windows operating system for the latest security patches and features.

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Microsoft just added a new reason you might want to try Edge

In a recent update, Microsoft revealed that it would integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT into its Bing search engine. If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, another update might make you want to give Edge another try.

Read on for a significant update coming to Edge that Microsoft hopes will make you switch browsers.

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Tiny fixes for big annoyances

Sometimes, you just need to take a few deep breaths. Other times, you need a piece of plastic called the Bug Bite Thing.

Magnetic shower curtain weights ($14) keep the plastic off your legs. The ones sewn into the bottom are never heavy enough!
Suction the bug saliva out of your bites to stop the itch. Sounds fake, but it works and it’s only $10.
A sturdy plastic scraper (11% off) for decal removal. Scrape off a sticker, use them to clean the counters, whatever.
Peanut butter stirrer for when you buy the “naturally separated” stuff. Free option: Store the unopened jar upside down for a while.
Tube squeezer for eeking out that last bit of toothpaste.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

DJI's new drone nightmare

Open/download audio

It’s a drone so small it could be mistaken for a bug, yet powerful enough to capture your every move. DJI’s latest release is pushing boundaries in a way that’s unsettling.

Ram recall: Over 1.4 million Ram 1500 pickups from 2019 and 2021 to 2024 have a bug in the antilock brake system that could lead to crashes. Major red flag: Warning lights for your ABS, ESC, adaptive cruise control and forward collision systems. Call your dealership ASAP for a software update.

Update Chrome! Patch fixes major bug hackers are exploiting

Google’s Chrome browser is super popular, with nearly 3 billion installations globally. Chrome is relatively safe to use if you’ve set it up correctly. Tap or click here for ways to make it even safer to use.

But you must keep your programs, including web browsers, up to date to fend off newly found cybersecurity threats. Google recently discovered a dangerous zero-day threat to its Chrome browser.

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Can't access Outlook? Here's the fix until Microsoft patches it

Google’s Gmail is one of the most popular email services in the world. But the tech giant is known for tracking your every move. If you want more privacy, there are options. Tap or click here for details on a Gmail alternative focused on privacy.

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Get it together

I always get bit by the organization bug toward the end of summer. You, too? Let’s do this.

Clear bins for the fridge are a game-changer.
A genius holder for all your Tupperware lids.
Stop knocking over the shampoo! Nice shelves that stick better than the suction cup kind.
A water bottle rack that can hold wine, too.
Useful, stackable storage racks that can go anywhere.

You never know what you have … till you clean your house.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🦟 Bug off, bloodsucker!

I found some deals to keep skeeters and ticks at bay:

This self-sealing magnetic screen door is on sale for $26.99. Great for keeping out bugs (and allowing pets in and out).
A two-pack of this lemon eucalyptus oil spray prevents deer ticks, Lone Star ticks and brown dog ticks without DEET, and it’s under $20.
Hate being sticky from a spray? This portable device diffuses repellent to keep the biters back up to 20 feet (25% off).
These cute foldable table fans will keep the black flies away from your burgers. Get a two-pack for 20% off.
Trap gnats and other annoying flying insects with a plug-in blue-light flytrap. It’s satisfying (but a little gross) and only $12.99 right now.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Bug repellers

It’s patio season, which, unfortunately, also means bug season. Dun-dun-dun. I rounded up three great products to keep bugs at bay.

Coils: Place these citronella coils ($10.75 for 24) strategically around you. Lemme tell you, they work.
Racket: A little sadistic, sure, but catching the mosquito that keeps buzzing your ear is so satisfying. Grab a mini one (33% off) and go for the kill shot.
E-diffuser: Make your patio a mosquito-free zone with a portable electronic diffuser ($26.50). The cartridges are scent- and smoke‑free.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

✈️ Mind your drone business: Michelle Reyes captured a video showing a “flying cylinder” whizzing by after she took off from LaGuardia Airport near New York City. UFO experts aren’t sure what it is, and some folks are saying it’s a bug. Looks like a drone to me. But having a drone that close to an aircraft is very scary.

Key-ping up: YubiKey is a USB-based key used by the ultra-security-conscious who don’t trust 2FA or authenticator apps. Turns out, there’s a major bug that lets someone gain administrator access to all your usernames and passwords. If you use a YubiKey, get the latest update now.

Update Google Chrome ASAP to patch this severe vulnerability

It has been a lousy month for Google. Early last week, the tech giant rolled out an update for the Chrome browser that plugs a security flaw for its 3.2 billion users. Bad news. Another vulnerability can expose you to hackers.

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Microsoft announces big updates coming to Windows 11

Windows 11 arrived with much fanfare, but it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. A nasty bug made some computers intolerably slow, while a fake Windows installer attempted to steal passwords and crypto wallet details.

But between solving all the launch issues and subsequent vulnerabilities, Microsoft has been working on a big update. While there isn’t a definite release date, the company hints that it could be just around the corner.

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Dangerous antivirus app is hiding malware - Remove it from your phone now

Cybercriminals are getting craftier by the week, managing to sneak dangerous malware into different places. Last week a QR code app was caught hiding the banking trojan TeaBot.

In a worrying trend, cybercriminals are becoming more effective in sneaking malware into official apps stores. Even though Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store have strict guidelines, now and then, a malicious app slips through the cracks.

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Zoom could secretly be recording your audio - Update your computer now

Video meetings have been around for some time, but it wasn’t until the pandemic that it gained tremendous traction. With millions of people working from home, many looked at services like Skype, Microsoft Teams and Zoom for virtual gatherings.

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Here's why your Google Photos app keeps crashing

The war between iPhone and Android smartphone users will likely never see an end, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It all comes down to your preference, and there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a phone running on iOS or Android operating systems.

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Update your iPhone, iPad and Mac! New patch fixes nasty Safari issue

You’d like to think your browser prioritizes privacy. Unfortunately, sometimes our search providers let us down. Tap or click here to take a free, fast test that reveals how much private data our browser is leaking.

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Confirmed - This handy iPhone feature is gone and apparently isn’t coming back

Apple’s latest iPhone 13 is packed with many new features to make our digital lives more manageable. But this often leads to standard features falling by the wayside, making room for advanced functions.

The most notorious feature to disappear was the headphone jack from iPhone 7 devices. A few years later, Apple again raised eyebrows by removing the Home button.

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Attention Mac and iPhone users - Your browser might be leaking Google search history

Every time you visit a website or search for something in your Safari browser, it keeps a record of your actions. Apple’s Safari browser saves a copy of your browsing history with website cookies. Tap or click here to lock down Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari for maximum security.

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