Microsoft has started rolling out a new feature in Teams that will put an end to participants taking screenshots during meetings. It’s been a few months since the feature was first announced, but here’s how it works on Windows: when you try to take a screenshot in a protected meeting, the screenshot will show a black rectangle around the meeting window, blocking out sensitive information. On Android, screenshotting is disabled altogether. Meanwhile, if a user tries to join a protected meeting while on a platform that isn’t Windows or Android, they’ll be forced to join in audio-only mode and won’t be able to see visuals. This Prevent Screen Capture feature is disabled by default and must be turned on by meeting organizers for it to work. Furthermore, the feature is only available to Teams Premium members. One big caveat here is that this feature only blocks screenshots! It’s still entirely possible for meeting attendees to snap photos of their screens using a physical camera. Still, it’s definitely better than nothing. Read...

Logitech is probably the best known PC accessory manufacturer apart from Microsoft and Apple. And since the company has spent the last few years trying to expand its software offerings, it’s a little concerning that it was recently hit with a massive data leak. Logitech confirmed that it had been compromised late last week. The “cybersecurity incident relating to the exfiltration of data” probably includes consumer, business, and employee data, according to an official statement. Logitech claims that it believes consumer identity and payment information was not leaked, as it wasn’t on the affected systems. The company says it was compromised through a zero-day exploit on a third-party system that’s been patched. Other details are scarce. BleepingComputer points the finger at the Clop (“cl0p”) extortion gang. This group recently claimed that it managed to compromise Oracle E-Business Suite systems, and Oracle responded with a confirmation of the zero-day exploit the group is thought to be using for ransomware attacks. According to BleepingComputer, Logitech was added to a publicly displayed list of compromised targets, some of which have confirmed receipt of ransomware demands. Clop claims to have captured 1.8 terabytes of data specifically from Logitech. What can you do to protect yourself from this and other massive data breaches? As an end user, not a lot. These massive breaches tend to be the result of (1) lax security by the companies that already have your data or (2) zero-day exploits that are impossible to predict or defend against. The easiest and most practical thing you can do beyond basic identity theft protections (such as freezing your credit reports) is to make sure you never re-use passwords and always set up extra protections (like passkeys) on especially sensitive accounts. Read...

Windows 10 update KB5068781 from November 11th, 2025 was the dream of all Windows 10 users. As the first ESU update, it’s meant to keep Windows 10 PCs protected from malware and hacker attacks even though support for Windows 10 officially ended back in October. However, installation of update KB5068781 is failing in some cases, reports BleepingComputer. According to the report, Microsoft has confirmed that it’s investigating a bug that prevents extended security update KB5068781 from being installed on devices with a company license, failing with an error message. As one user complains, “The update appears to install successfully, but after a restart, it fails to apply and rolls back with the common error 0x800f0922.” The problem doesn’t appear to affect Windows 10 users on private consumer licenses. Microsoft has narrowed down the problem to a root cause that only affects the activation of Windows subscriptions via the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. However, Microsoft has not yet revealed when it will solve the problem or release a patch for it. There’s also currently no workaround that can be used to circumvent the problem. Regular users can still install KB5068781 Based on what we know, Windows 10 users who aren’t on a company-licensed PC can still install the very first Windows 10 ESU update without any issues. Learn more about what’s in this update! As soon as your Windows 10 PC is registered for ESU, it’ll automatically install KB5068781 because it’s an important security update. You therefore don’t need to install it manually. After installing this update, Windows 10 will have build number 19045.6575. Read...

When ChatGPT launched three years ago, it shook the academic world to its core. Suddenly, students could have AI answer questions and even write essays. And because ChatGPT is so articulate, spotting cheaters became increasingly difficult. But AI isn’t just used for cheating, it can also help those who want to learn more. Recently, the Guided Learning feature was added to Gemini. Guided Learning: No answers up front The point of Guided Learning is that Gemini doesn’t present the answer right away. Instead, it guides you through the topic much like a flesh and blood teacher would. You receive a small amount of information at a time and follow-up questions help you confirm your understanding. Guided Learning uses not only text but also images, diagrams, and videos. You can even upload your own learning materials, such as presentations, PDF files, and images. It’s also possible to create tests and quizzes. Of course, you can choose the topic yourself. Irregular verbs in Spanish, second-degree math equations, or the periodic table in physics? Anything is possible! And it’s not just theoretical knowledge, you can also use the feature to learn practical skills like cooking and photography. However, it’s important to remember that Guided Learning has the same privacy concerns as any other AI service. There’s also no guarantee that the information is totally accurate, so it’s wise to double-check anything you’re unsure about. Here’s how to get started: 1. Write a question Foundry / Ashley Biancuzzo Go to gemini.google.com and log in. Type a question or description about what you want to learn more about. Click on Tools and select Guided Learning (or add Use Guided Learning to your question). Confirm with the Submit arrow on the right. 2. Uploading files Foundry / Ashley Biancuzzo You can also upload your own files like PowerPoint presentations, images, and other documents. To do so, tap Add files (plus icon on the left) and then Upload files. Locate your file and press Open. 3. Read the explanation Foundry / Ashley Biancuzzo Now Gemini displays an explanatory text that’s guided by your command. If you’ve asked a specific question, you will get a direct answer, while an open question will produce a more general explanation. You’ll also often receive follow-up questions, and by answering them, you can steer the learning process. 4. Ask for help Gemini can also help you solve math problems. You won’t get the answer straight away, but you’ll get hints to help you understand how to solve it. Type in the problem and you’ll get a step-by-step explanation along with educational questions to help you. 5. Take a quiz Foundry / Ashley Biancuzzo Gemini can create quizzes/tests around the material. For example, you can get 10 questions with four answer options and Gemini will, of course, correct everything itself. Just write Create a quiz and add details about the number of questions and the format. 6. Create a study plan Foundry / Ashley Biancuzzo Google Gemini doesn’t just help you with individual questions. It can also create individual study plans. Simply type in a description of what you want to learn and what your ambitions are, and a wizard will launch to create a complete study plan. 7. Use your cell phone In the steps above, we’re using Gemini on your computer, but you can just as easily use your cell phone or tablet. To do so, search for Google Gemini in the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS) and download the app. The first time you use it, you will have to accept certain warnings. You may also need to sign in with your Google account. Once you’re up and running, the app works in the same way as on your computer, but with a more compact interface. For example, you won’t see Guided Learning right away, so you’ll need to tap the icon next to the plus button at the bottom left of the screen. Read...

Joseph O`Connor, from Liverpool, hacked more than 130 accounts in July 2020 to promote a Bitcoin scam. Read...

I know you probably have lots of charging cables around your house, but are any of them this fast? Just look at this 6.6-foot Ugreen USB-C cable that hits an insane 240W of charging—and right now, it’s on sale for just $8.98 on Amazon (was $13.99). That’s 36% off! View this Amazon deal Ugreen’s uber-fast cable is super useful for getting your gear charged up faster. From smartphones to tablets to laptops, there’s nothing this cable can’t handle (as long as you have a high-speed charger block or power bank that can push up to 240W of power). This cable isn’t just for charging, either. You can use it for data transfers as well, going up to 480 Mbps so you can move files around in a blink. Unfortunately, it isn’t made for video output or monitor extensions, so don’t expect to use this with USB-C displays. Stick to charging and data transfers and you’ll be happy as a clam. And with it being covered in braided nylon, it’s strong and durable enough to survive thousands of bends… or even getting sucked up by your robovac. (Don’t ask me how I know that.) It’s a must-have upgrade if you’re still using weak cables, so get it now for just $8.98 with this stellar Amazon limited-time deal. Get this super speedy USB-C cable for 36% offBuy now at Amazon Read...

How is it possible that we’re already looking at the end of 2025? The smart home market continued to expand and become ever more mainstream this year, as manufacturers introduced new products that are easier to set up and use daily. The year’s biggest innovations revolve around AI, followed by the Matter standard that continues to break down the walls between brands, although there is still no standard for important product categories, including security cameras. In any event, this is the time when we celebrate the best smart home products you can buy in 2025. As is our practice, this list is not limited to products introduced in 2025, but they are all available for purchase today. And since this year is not quite over, and there are a handful of new products we’re still waiting to review, we might circle back to this and make an addition or two. Watch this space. Best smart lighting ecosystem: Philips Hue Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 (Bluetooth + Zigbee) Read our review Best Prices Today: $54.99 at Best Buy | $55.27 at Amazon | Not Available at Adorama Philips Hue has long been our lighting ecosystem of choice, offering a peerless section of smart bulbs, lamps, light strips, outdoor lights, and now security cameras as well as video doorbells. But this year, Philips Hue is taking things up a notch with a new Hue Bridge Pro that can handle more than 200 Hue devices (150 lights plus 50-ish accessories) while also turning your Hue lights into motion sensors. With the Bridge Pro’s added capacity plus its ability to turn every room into a motion zone, the Philips Hue lighting ecosystem is looking stronger than ever.  Best lighting control system: Lutron Caséta  Lutron Diva Smart Dimmer Read our review Best Prices Today: $69.95 at Amazon If you’re intent on installing smart light switches to control your existing home lights, look no further than the Lutron Caséta smart home ecosystem. With its proprietary Clear Connect technology, Lutron switches like the Diva Smart Dimmer are tops at controlling home lighting, and the system is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and even Sonos speakers. Beyond smart lights, the Lutron Caséta ecosystem also comprises smart shades and blinds, motion sensors, ceiling-fan controllers, keypads, and remotes.  Best smart lock: Level Lock Pro Level Lock Pro Read our review It may look like an ordinary deadbolt (that’s a good thing, by the way), but the Level Lock Pro is a state-of-the-art smart lock that can be unlocked with an NFC-enabled key fob, a smart phone, a smart watch, or a PIN (when used with its optional keypad). The lock also supports geofencing, meaning it can lock or unlock your door as you leave or approach your home. Because it supports Matter, the Level Lock Pro will work with the Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings ecosystems, and it can be bridged into your Wi-Fi network via an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot Max, an Apple HomePod or HomePod mini, a Google Nest Hub Max or 2nd-gen Hub, or any other smart speaker or display that offers Thread border router functionality. Best video doorbell for Alexa users TP-Link Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera Read our review Best Prices Today: $89.99 at Amazon | $99.99 at TP-Link/Tapo Yes, Amazon just shipped several new Ring video doorbells, but we’ve not had the opportunity to review any of them. But the Tapo D225 Video Doorbell doesn’t win its spot on this list by default. Despite its low street price of just $90, this porch sentinel boasts 2K video resolution, a head-to-toe view of your visitor, and it comes with a plug-in chime so you’ll never miss someone who rings the bell. You won’t need to worry about the ongoing cost of a subscription for cloud storage, as there’s an onboard microSD card slow, and you can operate it on its internal battery or hardwire it to low-voltage power. Take the latter route and you’ll even be able to set up 24/7 recording. As our reviewer summed it up: “[the Tapo D225 Video Doorbell Camera might not be much to look at, but it delivers a lot of features and it gets the job done.” Best video doorbell for Apple Home users Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 Read our review Best Prices Today: $119.99 at Amazon Prime | $129.99 at Amazon The headline of our Aqara Doorbell Camera Hub G410 review reads, simply, “Yeah, it does that, too.” That’s because there are so few things it’s not capable of. What’s more, it can also function as a complete Matter-compatible smart home hub, thanks to its Thread and Zigbee radios (although support for the latter is limited to Aqara’s own Zigbee devices). You don’t need to be an Apple Home aficionado to appreciate this doorbell–it’s also compatible with the Amazon Alexa and Google Home ecosystems–but Apple users will welcome it as one of the few video doorbells to support Apple’s HomeKit and HomeKit Secure. Best video doorbell for Google Home users Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen) Read our review Best Prices Today: $174.99 at Amazon We said Google’s Gemini was a game-changer in our review of the Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen) largely because of that AI’s ability to describe and summarize what security cameras like this have seen. Gemini also empowers you to search all of the camera’s high-resolution recordings with natural-language queries–that sure beats scrubbing along a timeline looking for a specific event. Google doesn’t offer the same features in a battery-powered model, yet, so you’ll need to have a low-voltage transformer to install this. But it will look attractive next to your door while delivering a head-to-toe view of your visitors. Best indoor security camera for Amazon Alexa users Arlo Essential Pan Tilt Indoor (model VMC3073-100NAS) Read our review Best Prices Today: $14.99 at Amazon Don’t let this indoor camera’s low price tag fool you. This home security device is packed with more features than you might expect for the money, including 2K video resolution and a pan/tilt motor that can spin its lens 360 degrees and tilt it over a 180-degree arc. The small camera runs on Arlo Intelligence to produce AI-powered alerts for people, vehicles, animals, and packages. Be aware that this is an AC-powered camera–there is not battery option–and you’ll need to pay for a subscription to unlock all of its features. Best indoor security camera for Google Home users Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen) Best Prices Today: $99.98 at Amazon No, we haven’t published our complete hands-on review of the Nest Cam Indoor (wired, 3rd gen), but we have enough experience with it to know that it’s the best choice for smart home dwellers in the Google Home ecosystem. Like Google’s latest Nest Doorbell and Nest Cam Outdoor, this indoor model delivers 2K video resolution, but the real benefit to be had is Google’s Gemini AI–and you’ll want to pay for a Google Home Premium subscription to get the full benefit of it (as with all of Google’s Nest cameras, you do get a rolling three hours of event-based video recordings without a sub). None of Google’s new and most powerful cameras have battery options, you’ll need to plug each of them into a nearby AC outlet, but you won’t find a better home security camera if your life revolves around Google Home. Best outdoor security camera for Apple Home users Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro WLAN Read our review Best Prices Today: $159.99 at Amazon Prime | $169.99 at Amazon Best outdoor security camera for Google Home users The Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro is the rare smart home device that’s not just an outdoor Wi-fi home security, but it’s also a Matter-certified outdoor smart home hub complete with Thread and Zigbee radios. Now before you get too excited, know that its Zigbee radio can only control Aqara’s own Zigbee smart home devices, but that offering is pretty solid. As for the camera element of this device, its 4-megapixel image sensor captures video in resolution of 2688×1520 pixels, and it’s fully compatible with Apple Home, including HomeKit Secure Video. If you’re concerned about finding an outdoor outlet to plug it in, consider its PoE cousin and run an ethernet cable from your compatible router for both data and power. Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd gen) Best Prices Today: $119.97 at Amazon We haven’t yet published our review of the Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, 2nd gen), either, but we installed it at the same time we conducted our Nest Doorbell (wired, 3rd gen) review and have been using it continually since then. The highlight is, of course, the integration with Google’s Gemini AI, and its ability to summarize the events that happened within its field of view. Unlike most cameras, you’ll get need at least some free recordings in the cloud, but you’ll need to sign up for a subscription to get enough to be truly useful, and that’s also the only way to unlock Gemini. Best floodlight camera: Eufy Floodlight Camera E340  Eufy Floodlight Cam E340 Read our review Best Prices Today: $219.99 at Amazon Our favorite floodlight camera isn’t just a floodlight and security cam in one–it’s actually a floodlight plus two cameras, including one with a 3K wide-angle lens and a second with a 2K telephoto lens. Equipped with a pan/tilt motor, the Eufy Floodlight Camera E340’s dual cameras can pan 360 degrees over a 120-degree arc, perfect for covering large swathes of your property, while its twin LED panels can illuminate the area with up to 2,000 lumens of brightness. The E340 also offers up to 128GB of local storage on a (user-supplied) microSD card, meaning no need for cloud storage, or you can go big with up to 16TB of hard drive storage when using the Eufy HomeBase S380. Read...

If you’ve ever asked ChatGPT a question only to receive an answer that reads well but is completely wrong, then you’ve witnessed a hallucination. Some hallucinations can be downright funny (i.e. the Wright brothers invented the atomic bomb), others can be a bit disturbing (for example when medical information is messed up). What makes it a hallucination is the fact that the AI doesn’t know that it is making anything up, it’s confident in its answer and just goes on per normal. Unlike human hallucinations, it’s not always easy to know when an AI is hallucinating. There are some fundamental things you need to know about AI hallucinations if you’re going to spot them. What is an AI hallucination: The definition An AI hallucination is when an AI model produces outputs that are factually incorrect, logically inconsistent or completely made up. These hallucinations are mostly found in generative AI models, specifically Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. Unlike programming bugs in software, AI hallucinations are not the result of a mistake by a programmer but rather come from a model’s learned probabilities. Here’s how to spot the different kinds of hallucinations. You see facts that are incorrect Factual hallucinations occur when an AI model produces information that is incorrect or unsubstantiated. An example would be “The Eiffel tower in Paris was built in 1999.” In reality it was built between 1887 and 1889. They come about due to limitations in the model’s training data or ability to check facts. These hallucinations can be particularly dangerous in the fields of law, education, and healthcare, where factual information is imperative. You get an answer not related to a question If an answer deviates too much from a question or breaks the logical flow of a conversation, then the AI is having a contextual hallucination. An example would be a question “How do I make stew?” followed by the answer: “Stew is tasty, and there are nine planets in the solar system.” This produces an output that is linguistically correct, but irrelevant to the topic. This type of hallucination occurs when the model fails to preserve previous context. You receive an answer that seems logically invalid If the logic of an answer is all askew, then the AI is having a logical hallucination. An example of this would be a statement like, “If Barbara has three cats and gets two more, she has 6 cats.” Clearly the logic fails here — the AI has failed at a task that requires simple math and reasoning. This can be a big problem for tasks that require problem solving. Pexels: Matheus Bertelli You notice a mismatch across AI modalities These types of hallucinations known as multimodal hallucinations occur in AI models that interpret multiple types of media. One example would be when a description doesn’t match an image. For example, a prompt to “ask for an image of a monkey wearing sunglasses” produces an image of a monkey without any sunglasses. These are the type you’d see in image generation AI models such as DALL E. How to test for a potential hallucination Hallucinations erode trust and can be quite dangerous in some circumstances — for example, when professionals are relying on the AI for correct factual answers. You can’t always tell if a hallucination is happening, but you can perform some checks to help you find out. Here’s what to do: Manually fact check Use search engines and trusted reference materials to check specific claims, names, dates, or numbers provided by the AI. If the AI cites sources, try to look them up. Fabricated or inaccurate source links are a common sign of hallucination. Use follow-up questions Ask the AI to elaborate on a specific detail it provided. If it struggles or introduces new, inconsistent facts, the original detail may have been invented. Ask for justification Ask the AI, “Can you provide a source for that?” or ask, “How confident are you in this answer?” A good model might point to its training data or search results; a model that’s hallucinating may struggle to back up the claim or invent a plausible-sounding source. Cross-compare models Ask a different AI model the exact same question. If the answers are wildly different, it suggests at least one model is incorrect. Related content Fake AI images are flooding the Internet. Here’s how to recognize them Can you spot a poisoned AI chatbot? 4 tips from a Microsoft security expert I started ‘vibe coding’ my own apps with AI and I’m utterly loving it Read...

A new report reveals 15.6M developers now use cloud native tech, with 77% of backend developers driving global adoption and shifting infrastructure strategies. Read...

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