Computeractive 685

When you next have some time on your hands, try to work out how many unique eight-character passwords you can create with the 94 characters on a typical PC keyboard. The answer, revealed on page 53, contains more zeros than the average Windows error message. And yet a computer would need only eight hours to crack it. That reinforces the importance of taking your password security seriously. Nik Rawlinson needs no reminding. Writing our Cover Feature, he found a staggering 322 vulnerabilities in the passwords stored on his iPhone. Fortunately, he’s also the best person to explain how to generate unhackable passwords. I’m going to start using the phonetic technique he outlines, and also take his advice on setting up passkeys for all my accounts. Before that though, he rounds…

BT has delayed plans to move customers from copper-based landlines to digital following growing concerns about vulnerable people. It had aimed to complete the switch by the end of 2025, but has decided to postpone this deadline to 31 January 2027. Virgin, which runs the UK’s biggest cable network after BT, has yet to comment, but is likely to follow suit. Both companies had already paused switching in December 2023 amid fears that too many telecare alarms would stop working after the change. Nearly two million people use telecare systems to contact emergency services, but many require traditional phone lines and won’t work with internet-based services. Even those that are compatible won’t work when internet access goes down due to a power cut, unless the customer has a backup power…

Netflix will stop you downloading shows to watch offline in the next version of its Windows app. The move will annoy users who currently download shows to watch on their laptops when they can’t get a connection to stream, such as while travelling. However, you’ll still be able to download shows to phones and tablets, as well as Chromebooks if you’ve installed the Netflix app from the Google Play Store (www.snipca.com/50512). Netflix outlines the change in a message that appears when you open the Windows version, and confirms it online at www.snipca.com/50516. Its current Windows app – available from the Microsoft Store (www.snipca.com/50539, pictured) – has been criticised for being slow to load. It also lacks the cheapest version of Netflix, which contains adverts, so you have to pay the…

Hackers are targeting users of Foxit PDF Reader by exploiting a design “flaw” within security warnings shown by the software. The attack was discovered by Israeli security firm Check Point, which said attackers show fake warnings with ‘Open’ buttons selected (see screenshot), copying the style of Foxit. Check Point said the warnings appear when you try to open a PDF that you’ve made changes to. These messages warn you that the file might contain “programs, macros, or viruses that could potentially cause damage to your computer”. The hackers hope you’ll instinctively click the Open button because it’s presented as the recommended choice. But doing so installs malware that gives them access to your device, letting them steal sensitive information. Check Point said that the attackers are targeting both the Windows…

NEW BODY TO BOOST UK CHIP INDUSTRY A new independent Semiconductor Institute will bring together government departments, universities and the private sector to promote the UK’s semiconductor industry. It’s part of the Government’s Semiconductor Strategy, announced last year, which will invest £1bn in the sector. Ministers said the new body will give researchers the resources they need to bring products to market. Read more at www.snipca.com/50530. UK BROADBAND IS 96th CHEAPEST IN THE WORLD The UK now has the world’s 96th cheapest broadband, down from 76th last year. The figure comes in the ‘Global broadband pricing league table 2024’ report from broadband-comparison site Cable.co.uk. It found that the average UK price is £30.65 a month, up from £28.42, making it cheaper than Ireland, US and Canada, but more expensive than…

CHANGE VIDEO PLAYBACK SPEED IN PLEX Plex Pass subscribers can now change the playback speed of videos. The feature is supported on most platforms, including Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, iOS, Linux, Windows and Xbox. You can double the normal speed or halve it, with 0.25 increments in between. For details visit www.snipca.com/50501. GOOGLE WALLET WON’T WORK ON OLD PHONES Google Wallet will soon stop working on Android phones that run version 8.1 or earlier. This version of Android was released in 2017. From 10 June you’ll need Android 9, released in 2018, or later to keep using the payment app. Read more on Google’s support pages: www.snipca.com/50502.…