Weekly Tech Wrap-Up 8-12-2023, a week in which accessing the dark web, the need for a single desktop Linux version, iOS 17 iPhone compatibility, and macOS malware captivated our readers the most. Today, we look back at this week’s ten most engaging articles from the Tech Help Knowledgebase social media feeds. We order the summaries below by user engagement — the stories our users interacted with the most. Articles are in descending order, with the most engaging story first. Our human-curated social media feeds include links to technology news, how-to and help articles, and video tutorials for common issues.
Stories curated for our feeds are from our staff writers or culled from third-party sources that produce content related to the categories covered by our site. See the summaries and links below for this week’s top stories by user engagement. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to interact with our feeds.
Top 10 Most Engaging Stories This Week
1. How to Access the Dark Web: Methods for Android and PC | Hackernoon
This guide offers methods for accessing the dark web using Android and PC platforms. It explains that the dark web, a part of the deep web, requires special tools like Tor to ensure anonymity and privacy. The author describes the installation process of Tor on Android devices through the Orbot app and explains its functioning. Additionally, the article covers the steps to access the dark web on a PC using the Tor Browser. It emphasizes the importance of being cautious and aware of potential risks when navigating the dark web.
2. Why don’t more people use desktop Linux? I have a theory you might not like | ZDNet
The lack of a single, unified version of Linux is the main reason why it has not achieved widespread adoption on the desktop. The Linux community should create a single, official distribution of Linux that would be easy to use and install, and come with a wide range of pre-installed software. The community could promote this distribution to consumers and businesses as the “de facto” version of Linux, helping it to overcome the fragmentation that has plagued the Linux desktop for many years.
3. iOS 17 compatibility – Is your iPhone eligible for the upgrade? | Kim Komando
iOS 17 is compatible with all iPhones from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone XR, as well as the iPhone SE (2nd generation or later). If you have an iPhone 13 or older, you will have the option to upgrade to iOS 17 upon its release in the fall of 2023. Some features of iOS 17 may not be available on all compatible iPhones. For example, the new Live Text feature will only be available on iPhones with A12 Bionic or later chips.
4. In the age of ChatGPT, Macs are under malware assault | Digital Trends
MacPaw has a new security tool called Moonlock, designed to combat Mac malware. Moonlock employs an AI-powered approach to enhance protection against sophisticated malware threats, leveraging machine learning to identify and neutralize potential risks. The tool’s development involved collaboration with security experts and Apple’s security guidelines, aiming to provide an effective defense mechanism for Mac users. Moonlock has the potential to bolster Mac security by detecting and addressing malware threats more comprehensively, reflecting MacPaw’s commitment to addressing the evolving landscape of cybersecurity on the macOS platform.
5. Downfall vulnerability may affect Intel Macs; usual precautions | 9to5Mac
Learn about the emergence of a serious security vulnerability called “Downfall” that affects Mac computers. This vulnerability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to a Mac system and execute malicious code with elevated privileges. macOS has a flaw in the way it handles certain system calls. Researchers recommend users update their systems promptly once Apple releases a security patch. Doing so mitigates any potential risks associated with this vulnerability.
6. Use Gmail labels and filters to save time | Tech Help Knowledgebase
The use of Gmail labels and filters helps to optimize time management. Labels allow users to categorize and prioritize emails, making it easier to locate and manage specific messages. Creating filters to automatically sort incoming emails into appropriate labels reduces manual sorting efforts. By combining labels and filters effectively, users can streamline their inbox organization, enhance productivity, and spend less time on email management tasks.
7. Google details how Android 14 protects against cellular attacks | 9to5Google
Android 14 will introduce new cellular security features to protect users from network packet injection, tampering, and eavesdropping. These features build on the existing Android Security Model, which assumes that all networks are hostile. One of the new features is the ability to disable 2G connectivity at the modem level. This is important because 2G networks are more vulnerable to attack than newer networks. Admins of Android Enterprise-managed devices will also be able to restrict devices from downgrading to 2G connectivity, which can further protect against attacks.
8. August Windows 11 Patch Tuesday update fixes issues with audio devices and screen brightness | XDA Developers
The August 2023 Patch Tuesday update for Windows 11 and 10 fixes a number of issues, including problems with audio devices, screen brightness, and Widgets. The update also addresses an issue that could cause TDR errors when playing games and makes Narrator announce the “Change product key” label. In addition, the update fixes an issue that causes certain display and audio devices to disappear after the system resumes from sleep. It also fixes a problem that can cause Widgets to unpin from the taskbar unexpectedly and an issue that can affect virtual private networks (VPNs).
9. Linda Yaccarino Tries to Justify Twitter’s ‘X’ Rebranding | Gizmodo
Linda Yaccarino, the new CEO of Twitter, is defending the company’s recent rebrand to “X.” She argues that the rebrand is a way to “liberate” Twitter from its legacy mindset and thinking and to reimagine how the platform offers an opportunity to “congregate,” “entertain,” and “transact” all in one place. Yaccarino also says that the rebrand is in line with Elon Musk’s vision for Twitter as an “everything app.” However, some critics have argued that the rebrand is confusing and unnecessary and risks alienating Twitter’s existing users.
10. Forget Grammarly! Google Search now lets you check your grammar with this easy trick | Laptop Mag
Google Search now offers a grammar check feature to check the grammar of any sentence. To use the feature, type or copy/paste a sentence into the search bar followed by “grammar check.” Google will then return a list of potential errors, plus explanations and suggestions about correcting them. The grammar check feature is still under development, so it is imperfect. However, it can be a helpful tool for catching common grammar errors. It is important to note that the grammar check feature is not a replacement for a human editor. If you are writing something important, it is always best to have it proofread by a professional.
Thank you for visiting Tech Help Knowledgebase to read the Weekly Tech Wrap-Up 8-12-2023, a summary of this week’s ten most engaging stories. If you liked this article, follow us on Twitter @techhelpkb and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep in the loop.
Henry Irvine, Contributing Technology Writer, translates more than a decade of internet technology experience in product and customer relationship management into practical help and how-to content. Look for him on Bay Area trails, music venues, or sausage shacks when he’s not writing. Don’t call him Hank if you see him. Seriously. Hank on Twitter
