In this op-ed, a cybersecurity researcher argues that major companies are leaving customers at risk by not enforcing security by default. The opinions expressed here do not necessarily represent the opinions of Ars Technica. Major social networks, e-mail providers, and communications companies offer products with insecure default settings, needlessly exposing their customers to hacking, identity theft, and government surveillance[......]
As well as being a useful tool for carrying out work and accessing the internet, many home computers are used as storage for large music collections. While the likes of iTunes and Windows Media Player include music management options, they can be cumbersome to use, and this is something that MAGIX MP3 deluxe 17 aims to help with. [......]
Denmark is bringing in a system where people can forgo a stamp for their letters but text for a code instead. For those of us so used to email that actually getting stamps for the odd times we use snail mail is a massive pain, this text option seems like a wonderful alternative[......]
Two weeks ago Eurocom added an Intel Core i7 990X processor option to its Panther 2.0 mobile server/workstation. Now the OEM has gone and fed its Panther the Xeon equivalent to that mighty chip, the six-core X5690. [......]
By Nick Peers Freemake has released version 2.1 of its freeware video downloading tool. Freemake Video Downloader 2.1 contains a number of major new features, including a brand new one-click download mode, simplified link processing and an option to block downloading from adult sites by implementing a parental control password. [......]
If you look hard enough , you can find a handful of Polish computer shops selling Intel's upcoming Core i7 990X Extreme Edition processor online. Pricing starts at around €900 (US$1,240) and goes up from there. Intel hasn't yet officially launched this latest Gulftown part, though some OEMs already have it as a configurable option[......]
Intel is trying to bolster profits in the low-end CPU market, but it’s a move that will make enthusiasts understandably nervous. Customers who purchase a desktop computer featuring the Pentium G6951 processor will be given the option to buy a $50 scratch coupon allowing them to unlock additional threads and L3 cache on the chip. To be clear this is very different from “binning†where a CPU gets reclassified after testing. [......]
Let's start off with the good news. Intel's newest six-core chip, the Core i7 970, has started showing up in retail, giving DIY system builders a lower priced option to choose from if sticking with Intel. Ready for the bad news[......]
A roll-your-own hybrid drive option for people who don't want to reinstall Windows Hybrid drives that combine NAND flash and mechanical hard drives are making a comeback. But what if you could make your own hybrid drive, with as much capacity as you want? [......]
Gmail has been around for a while now, and most regular users of the service have gotten used to the Conversation view. In fact, most users seem to find it vastly superior to a standard email list view. But a group of users have been calling for Google to offer the option to turn off the conversation interface and allow them to use Gmail like a standard email account[......]
 Intel's new Core i7-980X Gulftown processor kicked some serious ass in our first round of benchmarking, but for the most part, it's over clocking potential is still unknown. [......]
By Scott M. Fulton, III , Betanews Already sensing that too many potential users were attributing the "evil" moniker to Google (in the absence of actual evil in the world), the company yesterday made adjustments to its Google Buzz sign-up procedure. [......]
Mobility is a nifty thing, and devices that can be mobile with you are a blessing. [......]
Dragon Age is all about dusting the cobwebs from all kinds of ancient magics and rituals, so it’s only fitting that it’d be the game to revive – or at least pump one last jolt of life into – the ancient art of the retail expansion pack. “ Awakening ,†as it’s known, boasts a higher level cap, new abilities, five new party members, new enemies, and a re-spec option in case you accidentally hamstrung your Warden because you (incorrectly!) figured that no party with a giant friggin’ spider in its corner would need a dedicated healer. “Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening shows BioWare’s commitment to our fans by delivering new story-driven experiences which enrich the dark heroic fantasy universe our fans have come to know and love,†said Dr. [......]
