Technology
How to safeguard your older PC
![How to safeguard your older PC How to safeguard your older PC](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1-How-to-safeguard-your-older-PC.jpg)
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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Man on his PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Using an older computer poses a number of security risks based primarily on the fact that the software it’s running is outdated.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.
![How to safeguard your older PC](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/2-How-to-safeguard-your-older-PC.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Man working on his PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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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.
![How to safeguard your older PC](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/3-How-to-safeguard-your-older-PC.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Man at his computer taking notes (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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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.
![How to safeguard your older PC](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/05/1200/675/4-How-to-safeguard-your-older-PC.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Woman on her PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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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
Junji Ito’s terrifying Uzumaki hits Adult Swim in September
![Junji Ito’s terrifying Uzumaki hits Adult Swim in September Junji Ito’s terrifying Uzumaki hits Adult Swim in September](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/g-_NucZrSWnKurbDgL73UxUMq48=/0x0:2174x1088/1200x628/filters:focal(1346x598:1347x599)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25547597/Screen_Shot_2024_07_26_at_3.55.30_PM.png)
Adult Swim’s long-awaited adaptation of Uzumaki finally has a premiere date — and an appropriately creepy trailer. The series, based on the classic horror manga from Junji Ito, will start airing on September 28th. Episodes will hit Adult Swim first, and then stream on Max the following day.
Uzumaki follows a cursed town that is — and I promise it’s scarier than it sounds — plagued by spirals. Here’s the full synopsis:
“Let’s leave this town together,” asks Shuichi Saito, a former classmate of Kirie Goshima, a high school girl who was born and grew up in Kurouzu-cho. Everything from a strange whirlwind, billowing smoke from the crematorium, and the residents is turning into spirals. People’s eyes spin in whirls, a tongue spirals, and the…
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Technology
New prosthetics restore natural movement via nerve connection
![New prosthetics restore natural movement via nerve connection New prosthetics restore natural movement via nerve connection](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/5-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg)
In the world of prosthetics, a groundbreaking advancement is changing the game for individuals with lower-limb amputations.
Researchers at MIT, in collaboration with Brigham and Women’s Hospital, have developed a neuroprosthetic system that allows users to control their prosthetic legs using their own nervous systems.
This innovative approach could bring us closer to a future of fully integrated, naturally controlled artificial limbs.
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A person wearing the neuroprosthetic system (Hugh Herr and Hyungeun Song)
The AMI: A surgical game-changer
At the heart of this breakthrough is a surgical procedure known as the agonist-antagonist myoneural interface, or AMI. Unlike traditional amputation methods, the AMI reconnects muscles in the residual limb, preserving the natural push-pull dynamics of muscle pairs. This seemingly simple change has profound implications for prosthetic control and function.
![prosthetics 2](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/2-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Illustration of how the neuroprosthetic system works (MIT Media Lab)
Dr. Hugh Herr, a professor at MIT and senior author of the study, explained the significance: “This is the first prosthetic study in history that shows a leg prosthesis under full neural modulation, where a biomimetic gait emerges. No one has been able to show this level of brain control that produces a natural gait, where the human’s nervous system is controlling the movement, not a robotic control algorithm.”
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![prosthetics 3](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/3-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Dr. Hugh Herr pictured with the neuroprosthetic system (Jimmy Day, MIT Media Lab)
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The power of proprioception
The key advantage of the AMI system is its ability to provide users with proprioceptive feedback, the sense of where their limb is in space. This sensory information, often taken for granted by those with intact limbs, is crucial for natural movement and control. With the AMI, patients regain a portion of this vital feedback, allowing them to walk more naturally and confidently.
In the study, seven patients with AMI surgery were compared to seven with traditional amputations. The results were striking. AMI patients walked faster, navigated obstacles more easily and climbed stairs with greater agility. They also demonstrated more natural movements, such as pointing their toes upward when stepping over obstacles, a subtle but important aspect of a natural gait.
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![prosthetics 4](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/4-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A person wearing the neuroprosthetic system (Hugh Herr and Hyungeun Song)
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Adapting to real-world challenges
One of the most impressive aspects of the AMI system is its versatility. Patients were able to adapt their gait to various real-world conditions, including walking on slopes and navigating stairs. This adaptability is crucial for everyday life, where terrain and challenges can change rapidly.
The system’s responsiveness was put to the test in an obstacle-crossing trial. AMI patients were able to modify their gait to clear obstacles more effectively than those with traditional prosthetics. This ability to rapidly adjust to unexpected challenges is a hallmark of natural limb function and represents a significant leap forward in prosthetic technology.
![prosthetics 5](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/5-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A person wearing the neuroprosthetic system (Hugh Herr and Hyungeun Song)
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The science of sensory feedback
The success of the AMI system hinges on its ability to augment residual muscle afferents, which are the sensory signals sent from muscles to the nervous system. Remarkably, even a modest increase in these signals allows for significantly improved control and function. This finding highlights the incredible adaptability of the human nervous system and its ability to integrate and utilize even partial sensory information.
Dr. Hyungeun Song, lead author of the study, notes: “One of the main findings here is that a small increase in neural feedback from your amputated limb can restore significant bionic neural controllability, to a point where you allow people to directly neurally control the speed of walking, adapt to different terrain and avoid obstacles.”
![prosthetics 6](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/6-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A person wearing the neuroprosthetic system (Hugh Herr and Hyungeun Song)
Looking to the future
While this research represents a significant step forward, it’s just the beginning. The team at MIT is exploring ways to further enhance sensory feedback and improve the integration between the human nervous system and prosthetic devices. The AMI procedure has already been performed on about 60 patients worldwide, including those with arm amputations, suggesting broad applicability across different types of limb loss.
As this technology continues to evolve, we may see even more natural and intuitive control of artificial limbs. The ultimate goal is to create prosthetics that feel and function like a natural part of the user’s body, blurring the line between human and machine.
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![prosthetics 7](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/7-Breakthrough-prosthetic-technology-enables-natural-movement-through-nervous-system-connection.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
A person wearing the neuroprosthetic system (Hugh Herr and Hyungeun Song)
Kurt’s key takeaways
The development of prosthetic limbs controlled by the nervous system marks the beginning of a new era in bionics. It offers hope for improved mobility, independence and quality of life for millions of people living with limb loss. Moreover, it provides valuable insights into the plasticity of the human nervous system and our ability to integrate with advanced technology.
As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in merging biology and technology, we open up new frontiers in human augmentation and rehabilitation. The implications extend far beyond prosthetics, potentially influencing fields such as neurology, robotics and even our understanding of human consciousness and embodiment.
How comfortable would you be with technology that directly interfaces with your nervous system? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Technology
Here’s your first look at Amazon’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza
![Here’s your first look at Amazon’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza Here’s your first look at Amazon’s Like a Dragon: Yakuza](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/zwL1196a4f41hYmApU-mo9D7ZTk=/0x0:3000x1688/1200x628/filters:focal(1500x844:1501x845)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25547838/YAKZA_3840_2160_A_Elogo.jpg)
Amazon says that the show “showcases modern Japan and the dramatic stories of these intense characters, such as the legendary Kazuma Kiryu, that games in the past have not been able to explore.” Kiryu will be played by Ryoma Takeuchi, while Kento Kaku also starts as Akira Nishikiyama. The series is directed by Masaharu Take.
Like a Dragon: Yakuza starts streaming on Prime Video on October 24th with its first three episodes.
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