This is not a joke: Google will now let you perform a “web” search. It’s rolling out “web” searches now, and in my early tests on desktop, it’s looking like it could be an incredibly popular change to Google’s search engine.
Technology
How to delete embarrassing autofill entries on your PC and Windows browsers
Whether or not you are looking for the proper birthday present on-line for a beloved one or trying to find one of the best dermatologist in your space, what you seek for in your laptop is no one else’s enterprise. Nevertheless, our gadgets are designed to make our searches extra environment friendly, they usually accomplish that by utilizing autofill.
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Though autofill entries can quicken a search, they may additionally land you in some awkward conditions, particularly if you do not need anybody to see what you are trying to find.
That is why I’ll inform you what steps you’ll be able to take to delete autofill and filter already-existing autofill in your PC and Home windows browsers.
Earlier than we dive into my suggestions beneath, I wish to first clarify the distinction between clearing out autofill and deleting autofill.
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Clearing out vs. deleting autofill
- Clearing out autofill refers back to the strategy of eradicating the recommendations that seem in an internet browser’s tackle bar or search bar as you kind. This may occasionally even be known as “deleting autocomplete recommendations.”
- Deleting autofill, alternatively, refers back to the strategy of eradicating info that’s saved within the browser’s autofill settings, resembling names, addresses, and bank card numbers. This info is usually used to mechanically fill in kinds on web sites, and eradicating it’ll forestall the browser from pre-populating these fields sooner or later.
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Google Chrome browser
delete autofill in Google Chrome browser
As soon as you recognize your Chrome browser is up-to-date, observe these directions to delete autofill:
- Open Chrome
- Within the prime right-hand nook of your display screen, click on the 3 vertical dots (ought to be subsequent to your profile image)
- Click on Settings
- Within the left-hand panel, choose Autofill
- An inventory of things that use Autofill will seem (i.e. Password Supervisor, Cost Strategies, and so forth.). Click on on every one that you simply don’t need autofill used and toggle all the pieces off
filter present autofill knowledge in Chrome
- Open Chrome
- Within the prime right-hand nook of your display screen, click on the 3 vertical dots (ought to be subsequent to your profile image)
- Choose Historical past, and choose Historical past once more from the menu that seems
- Within the panel on the left, choose Clear shopping knowledge
- Press the Superior tab
- Within the Time vary menu, choose All time (this step could depend upon what model of Chrome you could have)
- Be sure Autofill type knowledge is checked off. Test off every other choices you wish to be cleared
- Choose Clear knowledge
Microsoft Edge
delete autofill in Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click on the 3 dots within the prime proper of the display screen
- Choose Settings
- The menu ought to default to Profiles. If it doesn’t, choose this selection from the menu on the left.
- Within the Your Profile part, toggle off Passwords, Cost information, and every other choices you do not need auto-filled
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filter present autofill knowledge in Microsoft Edge
- Open Microsoft Edge
- Click on the 3 dots within the prime proper of the display screen
- Choose Settings
- Choose Privateness, search, and companies
- Beneath Clear Shopping Knowledge, choose Select What to Clear
- Within the Time Vary menu, choose All Time
- Test off Autofill Kind Knowledge (Contains Varieties and Playing cards). Test off every other possibility you wish to be cleared as properly
- Click on Clear Now
Firefox
delete autofill in Firefox
- Open Firefox
- Click on the 3 strains on the prime proper of the display screen
- Choose Settings
- Choose Privateness & Safety
- Beneath Varieties and Autofill, uncheck the choices you want to disable Autofill for
filter present autofill knowledge in Firefox
- Open Firefox
- Click on the 3 strains on the prime proper of the display screen
- Choose Settings
- Choose Privateness & Safety
- Beneath Logins and Passwords, uncheck Ask to save lots of logins and passwords for web sites
- To clear saved logins and passwords, click on Saved Logins
- Take away any logins you don’t wish to be saved
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Technology
Google now offers ‘web’ search — and an AI opt-out button
The optional setting filters out almost all the other blocks of content that Google crams into a search results page, leaving you with links and text — and Google confirms to The Verge that it will block the company’s new AI Overviews as well.
“Isn’t every search a web search? What is Google Search if not the web?” you might rightfully ask.
But independent websites like HouseFresh and Retro Dodo have pointed out how their businesses have gotten “buried deep beneath sponsored posts, Quora advice from 2016, best-of lists from big media sites, and no less than 64 Google Shopping product listings,” in the words of HouseFresh managing editor Gisele Navarro.
Now, with one click, a bunch of those blockers seemingly disappear.
Search for “best home arcade cabinets,” one of Retro Dodo’s bread-and-butter queries, and it’s no longer buried — it appears on page 1. (Drag our image slider to see the difference.)
HouseFresh still doesn’t get page 1 billing for “best budget air purifiers” — but it’s higher up, and you’re no longer assaulted by an eye-popping number of Google Shopping results as you scroll:
If you search for Wyze cameras, you’ll now get a hint about their lax security practices on page 2 instead of page 3:
I’m not sure it’s an improvement for every search, partly because Google’s modules can be useful, and partly because the company isn’t giving up on self-promotion just because you press the “web” button. Here, you can see Google still gives itself top billing for “Google AR glasses” either way, and its “Top stories” box is arguably a helpful addition:
Which of these results helps you better learn about the Maui wildfires? I’m genuinely not sure:
And when you ask Google who wrote The Lord of the Rings, is there any reason you wouldn’t want Google’s full knowledge graph at your disposal?
Admittedly, it’s an answer that Google isn’t likely to get wrong.
As far as I can tell, the order of Google’s search results seem to be the same regardless of whether you pick “web” or “all.” It doesn’t block links to YouTube videos or Reddit posts or SEO factories… and I still saw (smaller!) sponsored ads from Amazon and Verkada and Wyze push down my search results:
“Web” is just a filter that removes Google’s knowledge panels and featured snippets and Shopping modules — and Google’s new AI Overviews as well, Google spokesperson Ned Adriance confirms to The Verge. “AI Overviews are a feature in Search, just like a knowledge panel or a featured snippet, so they will not appear when someone uses the web filter for a search.”
It doesn’t magically fix some of the issues facing Google’s search engine. But it is a giant opt-out button for people who’ve been aggravated by some of the company’s seemingly self-serving moves, and a way to preserve the spirit of the 10 blue links even as Google’s AI efforts try to leave them behind.
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Public Liaison for Search, says he’s been asking for something like this for years:
As a next step, I’d like to see Google promote the button to make it more visible. Right now, the company warns that it may not always appear in the primary carousel on desktop at all — you may need to click “More” first and then select “Web.”
Here’s hoping this all works well on mobile, too; I’m not seeing it on my phone yet.
Technology
How to safeguard your older PC
Whether you have an older PC lying around your home or you’re considering buying a used/refurbished PC to save money, there’s nothing wrong with doing this. However, there is one problem you should know about: older computers can be more vulnerable to security threats because they haven’t been given updates in a long time. This not only puts you at risk, it can also make your computer run more slowly. Additionally, if you sell or giveaway an older PC without properly clearing out the system, you never know who could still have access to your files and data.
So, how can you make sure your old PCs – whatever you intend on doing with them – are up to date and don’t pose a risk for you? Let’s find out.
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What are the risks associated with using an older PC?
Using an older computer poses a number of security risks based primarily on the fact that the software it’s running is outdated. This includes operating systems and applications that may lack essential security patches. These systems are more susceptible to known vulnerabilities and exploits, increasing the likelihood of malware infections and other potential cyberattacks.
Additionally, older hardware may have inherent vulnerabilities that simply can’t be mitigated through any type of software update, and compatibility issues with modern security software that you could potentially install to mitigate this could only exacerbate the problem. Essentially, as newer systems receive more attention and updates, older computers become increasingly vulnerable and less capable of defending against evolving threats.
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How to keep an older computer secure
Knowing the security risks that come with older computers doesn’t mean you should always just resort to buying a new computer. But, it is important to take security seriously and ensure that old computer is as secure as any new one.
Here are five steps you can take to keep your system safe:
1) Regular updates: Ensure your operating system, antivirus and firewall programs are up to date. This helps patch security vulnerabilities and guards against known threats.
2) Consider upgrading your OS: Unsupported operating systems like Windows XP are particularly vulnerable. Consider upgrading to a newer OS or switching to a free alternative like Linux to access current security updates and support.
3) Use secure browsing alternatives: Opt for safe and private browsers instead of Internet Explorer, which has officially been retired and is out of support.
4) Have good antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information on your PC is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
5) Maintain best practices: Adopt good habits like shutting down your computer regularly, uninstalling unused programs and backing up your files to mitigate the risk of data loss due to hardware failure or cyberattacks.
MORE: WHY DOES MY PC FREEZE AND HOW DO I FIX IT? EXPERT ANSWERS
How to speed up an old computer
Free up disk space: Remove unnecessary software and delete unused files to free up disk space, which can help improve overall performance. Tools like “Disk Cleanup” on Windows can be very helpful for this.
Defragment your hard drive: Regularly defragmenting your hard drive organizes data more efficiently, making it easier for your computer to access and improving its speed. This process is automated on modern versions of Windows (7 and later), so there’s no need to do it manually. However, if you’re using an older version, you can use the built-in defragmentation tool.
Consider adding more memory: Increasing the amount of RAM in your computer can significantly enhance its multitasking capabilities and overall speed. Research the type of RAM your computer uses and consider adding more if needed. If you’re not comfortable with this, a professional or a tech-savvy friend can help.
Update your drivers: Ensure your device drivers are up to date to prevent compatibility issues and optimize performance. Many drivers update automatically, but it’s wise to check periodically. You can also visit the manufacturer’s website for instructions.
Manage start-up processes: Control which programs launch during startup to reduce boot time and improve performance. Disable unnecessary startup processes using guides tailored to your operating system. On Windows, you can use the “Task Manager” to disable start-up programs.
MORE: 10 TIPS TO SPEED UP YOUR PC’S PERFORMANCE
What to do if you sell an old computer?
Before selling or getting rid of an older computer, it’s crucial to take steps to protect your personal information and ensure the next user doesn’t have access to your data. Here’s what you should do:
Back up your data: First, make sure to back up any important files, documents, photos or other data you want to keep. You can transfer these files to an external hard drive, cloud storage or another computer.
Securely erase data: Simply deleting files or formatting the hard drive may not completely erase your data, as it can still be recovered using specialized software. Consider using a data erasure tool or disk-wiping software to securely erase the entire hard drive, making it nearly impossible for anyone to retrieve your personal information. Check out our top data recovery software solutions by clicking here.
Sign out of accounts: If your computer is linked to any online accounts or services like your email, social media accounts or software subscriptions, make sure to log out of these accounts before resetting the computer. This prevents the next user from accessing your accounts unintentionally.
Remove external devices: Don’t forget to remove any external devices connected to the computer, such as USB drives, external hard drives or printers, as they may contain personal data as well.
Perform a factory reset: Performing a factory reset is not only essential to wipe all your personal data from the computer and restore it to its original settings, it’s often the easiest and quickest option instead of manually doing all the steps above. This process removes all files, applications and user accounts, essentially giving the next user a clean slate. Be sure to follow the specific instructions for your computer model to initiate a factory reset properly, and make sure to check that it worked and none of your files are still there!
By following these steps, you can ensure that your personal information is safeguarded and that the next user receives a clean and secure computer.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Computers that are regularly updated tend to have less security risk. But that doesn’t mean you need to trade in your perfectly good PC for a new one. It just means you have to pay extra attention and take a few additional steps to keep your PC secure. Doing these steps can also ensure your older computer isn’t slowing down either.
How has the evolution of technology influenced your decision-making when it comes to updating or replacing your devices? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Technology
Android apps will soon let you use your face to control your cursor
Developers can now integrate the accessibility feature into their apps, allowing users to control the cursor with facial gestures or by moving their heads. For example, they can open their mouth to move the cursor or raise their eyebrows to click and drag.
Announced during last year’s Google I/O for desktop, Project Gameface uses the device’s camera and a database of facial expressions from MediaPipe’s Face Landmarks Detection API to manipulate the cursor.
“Through the device’s camera, it seamlessly tracks facial expressions and head movements, translating them into intuitive and personalized control,” Google explained in its announcement. “Developers can now build applications where their users can configure their experience by customizing facial expressions, gesture sizes, cursor speed, and more.”
While Gameface was initially made for gamers, Google says it has also partnered with Incluzza — a social enterprise in India focused on accessibility — to see how they can expand it to other settings like work, school, and social situations.
Project Gameface was inspired by quadriplegic video game streamer Lance Carr, who has muscular dystrophy. Carr collaborated with Google on the project, with the aim of creating a more affordable and accessible alternative to expensive head-tracking systems.
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