February 2021 – Chandler Computer Repair Company Blog

Firefox Browser has Total Cookie Protection

On February 23rd, Mozilla announced a new privacy feature, called Total Cookie Protection. This process works by halting any websites from tracking outside their own site.

Computer cookies, according to Karls Technology, is stored data on internet browsers. When users surf the web, each site visited sends cookie files back to their browser. Browsing habits are collected and tracked throughout the web. While some cookie tracking is harmless, and allows information like logins to be stored, it can also be a potential risk to privacy.

However, with Firefox 86’s new Total Cookie Protection, “cookie jars” are available to separate the cookies and bound them to avoid other websites grabbing that information.

“Our new feature, Total Cookie Protection, works by maintaining a separate “cookie jar” for each website you visit. Any time a website, or third-party content embedded in a website, deposits a cookie in your browser, that cookie is confined to the cookie jar assigned to that website, such that it is not allowed to be shared with any other website.”
Source: Mozilla Blog

Last month, they announced the Supercookie Protections, which reduces the risk of the utilization of supercookies. Supercookies are not only a replacement of regular cookies, but also are difficult to delete. Mozilla is hoping these privacy updates improve user’s quality of internet browsing while maintaining the best privacy possible.

If you need any help with computer related issues, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. We would be happy to assist.

Windows 10 Spring Update is Different (Sort of)

Anyone who uses Windows 10 understands their two annual updates, the Spring and Fall. And normally, the Spring update would include major improvements and features to the operating system. The Fall update, however, was usually quite minor with anything new.

This time, however, the roles are reversed.

Nicknamed 21H1, the Spring update will feature just a few tweaks in the OS. According to Tom’s Guide, this update should be out around May and “primarily meant to improve the remote work life.”

John Cable, Vice President, Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery states, “New features include multicamera support for Windows Hello and security related performance improvements.

Windows Hello multicamera support to set the default as the external camera when both external and internal Windows Hello cameras are present.
Windows Defender Application Guard performance improvements including optimizing document opening scenario times.
Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) Group Policy Service (GPSVC) updating performance improvement to support remote work scenarios.“

21H2, or the Fall update, will involve a number of major features, such as a floating Start Menu, and a redesign of the user interface. Windows 10 users will be in for quite a treat in October, which is usually when fall updates are released.

If you need any help with Windows 10 updates, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. Our mission at Chandler Computer Repair Service is to fully resolve your computer problems quickly and affordably.

AutoFill Logins with Edge and Chrome Browsers

Microsoft is constantly on the move, working to keep your PC secure as possible. They take their users comments to improve the OS as a whole into account. Just last week, Microsoft welcomed new capabilities with autofilling login information across all user devices. And with the amount of customers working remotely this past year, they need all the help they can get.

This may seem a bit concerning, storing login information to computers. However, Microsoft has expressed its devotion to keeping personal information safe and secure. Remembering passwords can be a struggle, but with the Autofill extension and Microsoft Authenticator application, all information can be saved in one secure location.

“Passwords require a high level of security – so we’ve taken extra care to ensure your passwords and autofill information are protected. Signing into the Authenticator app requires strong multi-factor authentication, which provides an additional layer of security on top of your Microsoft account password to protect your data inside the Authenticator app. Furthermore, autofill on a site or app you visit on your phone requires biometric or PIN input, and the app is designed to request your permission before autofilling your passwords. In addition, your passwords are encrypted both on your device as well as on the cloud.”
Source: Microsoft Blog

Autofill can be found on iOS and Android under the Microsoft Authenticator app. And if you use Google Chrome, you can grab the Autofill extension.

If you need any help with Windows 10 issues, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. We would be happy to assist.

Apple Require ‘Request Permission’ for App Developers

A new requirement by Apple will soon be in place for app developers, per their new iOS 14 policy. Once an app is downloaded, a new “request permission” block will pop up on users devices, allowing or denying the app to track activity.

According to MacRumors:

“Apple will soon require iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV app developers to request permission from users to collect their random advertising identifier (known as the “Identifier for Advertisers” or “IDFA”), which advertisers use to deliver personalized ads and track how effective their ad campaigns were. Specifically, users will be presented with a prompt to allow or deny tracking as necessary when opening apps on iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and tvOS 14, as part of Apple’s App Tracking Transparency (“ATT”) policy.”

Companies, such as Google, are prepping their company for the upcoming change and are prepared to comply with the transparency. Others, like Facebook, have shared their disapproval of the new policy, saying this could hurt small business owners who rely on advertisements. However, they shared they have no other choice than to comply – otherwise face more issues from Apple.

This new policy is planning on rolling out in early spring, so keep an eye out for it.

If you need any help with pinning tabs to your taskbar, please contact us at (480) 240-2946 or send us an email at dispatch@computerrepairchandleraz.com. Chandler Computer Repair Company has provided mobile computer repair in Chandler, AZ. This blog post was brought to you by our staff at Aurora Computer Repair Service. If you need any computer issues resolved, call or text the Aurora, CO local office at (720) 441-6460.