Computeractive 628

Forgive me if I ramble a little: I’ve just seen my new broadband bill and I’m feeling faint. It’s my own fault. I shouldn’t have checked it on the same morning that I also opened my new gas, electricity, mobile and council tax bills. I would extract my gold teeth to pay for them, but I can’t afford the dentist. At least I can save some money by cancelling (or ‘unbundling’) my TV from my broadband, as Robert Irvine reveals in our Cover Feature. He explains how to switch permanently to streaming, whether that’s through an online service like iPlayer or a device such as Roku. If you choose to unbundle, don’t forget to also haggle for a cheaper broadband deal when you speak to your provider. They’ve got more wriggle room…

Microsoft will soon start adding information from the internet to the Windows Search results page, though you can turn the feature off if you find it annoying. It described the Search Highlights tool as “your window to discover what’s trending online, in the world, and in your organisation”. You can continue to use the search bar to find programs, files and settings. Microsoft gives an example of the feature in its blog (www.snipca.com/41345), where the main photo celebrates Earth Day (1 in our screenshot), with links below to read related content. There are three photo boxes below this 2, showing outdoor activities nearby, ‘On this day’ and ‘Give with Bing’, which lets users donate to non-profit organisations. At the bottom are ‘Trending searches’ 3, which are search terms that have risen in popularity over…

The first Feature update to Windows 11 will give users a more effective way of blocking malware. It will add a tool called Smart App Control that Microsoft says will provide “enhanced protection from untrusted apps” (see screenshot). It’s already available in the Preview Build 22567 of Windows 11, which Insiders can install now (see www.snipca.com/41359), and will be added to the full version of the operating system as part of the 22H2 Feature Update, expected in the autumn. Microsoft says it has built its own system that detects and blocks suspicious tools, including any that add unwanted extras when you install them.…

The German government has warned companies and organisations in the country not to use Kaspersky antivirus software over fears that Russia could use it for launching cyberattacks to assist its invasion of Ukraine. It has recommended replacing Kaspersky with non-Russian software, saying that Russia’s activities in Ukraine, along with its threats against Europe and NATO, means there is “a considerable risk of a successful IT attack”. In a statement, the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), said: “A Russian IT manufacturer can carry out offensive operations itself, be forced to attack target systems against its will, or be spied on without its knowledge as a victim of a cyber operation, or be misused as a tool for attacks against its own customers.” Kaspersky, which has its global headquarters in Moscow, denied there…

Currys is giving customers at least £5 to spend in store if they bring in old, broken or unwanted devices, in a scheme to promote recycling. The size of the voucher will be based on the worth of your item, as assessed by staff. Vouchers are limited to one per person, not the number of devices you bring in. The ‘Cash for Trash’ offer runs until 15 April. You have until 30 April to use the voucher, and you must spend a minimum of £25 in store. However, you won’t be able to use the voucher on every item on sale in store. Currys says that gift cards and gaming consoles are excluded, as are iPads and AirPods. The items you bring in can have been bought from any retailer, not just Currys. It’s also…

UNGROUP APP ICONS FROM W11 TASKBAR Windows-tweaking program Start11 now lets you ungroup icons on Windows 11’s taskbar – an option that’s missing from the operating system. It’s been added to version 1.2 beta, which also lets you keep icons centred when the Start button is on the left (pictured). Start11 costs $5.99, but there is a 30-day free trial – see www.snipca.com/41335. NETFLIX TO CHARGE FOR SHARING PASSWORDS Netflix has started testing letting users pay to share their passwords with people who don’t live with them. The trial is running in Chile, Costa Rica and Peru, but Netflix is likely to extend it to other countries if it proves successful. The company claimed sharing passwords without paying hampers its ability to make “great new TV and films” (www.snipca.com/41334).…