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| PC World - 2 hours ago (PC World)According to Steam’s hardware and software survey for January 2025, more than 44 percent of the gaming platform’s users still use Windows 10 while 55 percent use Windows 11, reports PC Guide.
Microsoft has long made it clear that support for Windows 10 will officially end on October 14, 2025. This means that the operating system will no longer receive any new security updates and may become increasingly unstable and vulnerable to malware over time.
Windows 11 was released four years ago and Microsoft has made it free for Windows 10 users to upgrade to the new operating system. At the same time, not everyone has been able to take that free upgrade because Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements that disqualify most older PCs from upgrade eligibility.
If you’re still on Windows 10, it might be time to think about upgrading your PC and switching to Windows 11 ahead of the deadline. Alternatively, you can pay to extend Windows 10 support or keep using Windows 10 while leaving your PC vulnerable.
It’ll be interesting to see how the ratio of Windows 10 and 11 users shifts over the next few months as we head into that deadline.
In other statistics, the Steam hardware survey showed that the most common graphics card among Steam users is a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 with 16GB of memory and the most common storage size is over 1TB, of which 100GB to 249GB is free space.
Further reading: Hidden Steam features you shouldn’t overlook Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 2 hours ago (PC World)Thinking of dipping your toe into the smart home waters? Installing a smart plug is the easiest and least expensive way to get a feel for how the technology can improve your life. Plug one into your wall, plug in a lamp or a small appliance into the smart plug, connect it to your home network with the manufacturer’s mobile app, and you’ll be ready to experience all the advantages hands-free control can bring. There’s no special wiring required.
You’ll be able to operate your smart plug remotely with your smartphone, set up a lighting schedule, or program it to turn lights on and off in a random pattern when you’re away from home. If your plug is compatible with a smart speaker—and every one worth buying will be—you can also control it with voice commands: Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, depending on the device. And a Matter-certified smart plug will be compatible with all of those ecosystems. Advanced users who install a complete smart home system will find smart plugs to be an essential element.
Why you should trust us
TechHive’s editors and contributors have been testing smart plugs for more than a decade, installing them in our own homes to gain truly real-world experience before we commit to our opinions. We continuously test the latest smart plugs, along with the apps that control them. We blend those experiences with our general knowledge of smart home systems, so we’re able to assess how well these products will integrate with other smart devices you’ll want to use in your home.
Our top picks in smart plugs
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) — Best smart plug
Pros
Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and Matter
Slim form factor
Simple, intuitive app
Cons
Some hiccups during initial HomeKit setup
No dimmer function (look at Leviton’s model D23LP for that)
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$19.99
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Why we like the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P)
The Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) is a compact, versatile smart switch that supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, and Matter. Since it works with Wi-Fi, you won’t need a smart hub to get started. The D215P supports up to 15-amp loads, including up to 1500-watt incandescent lighting or 3/4-horsepower motors. It’s not the most svelte smart plug on the market, but two of them will fit in a single duplex outlet, so we won’t complain about its chunkiness; especially when it supports cool options like the Decora Smart Switch Anywhere Companion. Mount this battery-powered remote to your wall and you can turn the smart plug on and off from across the room. An available firmware update will render the D215P compatible with Matter.
Who should buy the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P)
Anyone who’s looking to get started with smart plugs will find the Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) and its accompanying app to be an easy-to-use introduction to home automation. When you’re ready to expand your smart home setup with in-wall lighting and ceiling fan controls, Leviton offers a deep well of other electrical products—up to and including smart circuit breakers for your home’s electrical load center.
If lamp dimming is on your must-have list, consider Leviton’s second-gen Decora Smart Mini Plug-In Dimmer (model D23LP), instead. The Anywhere Companion works with it, too (on/off only). As with Leviton’s D215P smart plug, an available firmware update will render this plug-in dimmer compatible with Matter.
Read our full
Leviton Decora Smart Wi-Fi Plug-in Switch (2nd Gen) (model D215P) review
Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) — Best smart plug, runner-up
Pros
The included remote controls give this dimmer tons of extra usability
Overall simple setup and operation
Compatible with a variety of smart home hubs and gear
Cons
Requires a wired bridge to integrate with your smart home
Onboard buttons make it much larger than other smart plugs
Only works with lamps, not smart appliances like fans or space heaters
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$189.95
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Why we like the Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P)
While Lutron is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance that defines the Matter smart home standard, its products aren’t Matter compatible today. We don’t hold that against them, and we don’t think you should either. Lutron is second only to Leviton in terms of the depth of its other smart home offerings, manufacturing excellent in-wall lighting and fan controls, motion sensors, window shades and blinds, and more.
Like everything else in Lutron’s Caséta Wireless ecosystem, its smart plugs offer advanced users more settings and more control—including dimming connected lamps—using Lutron’s app, the included remote controls, or buttons on the plugs themselves. Lutron’s remote controls can be wall mounted with an accessory. The kit also includes the bridge that’s required to connect Caséta lighting (and Lutron Serena smart shades and blinds) to your Wi-Fi system. The bridge needs to be hardwired to your router; if you already have a bridge, you can buy Caséta components separately.
Who should buy the Lutron Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P)
Lutron’s Caséta dimmer plugs only work with lamps, so all that lighting control flexibility comes at the cost of these being single-task tools. On the other hand—and despite the absence of Matter support—Caséta products are broadly compatible with other smart home ecosystems, including Apple Home; Samsung SmartThings; Carrier, Ecobee, and Honeywell smart thermostats; and even Sonos speakers.
Read our full
Lutron Caséta Wireless Smart Lighting Lamp Dimmer Starter Kit (Model P-BDG-PKG2P) review
TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug — Best smart plug, second runner-up
Pros
Matter certification guarantees broad compatibility and easy setup
We experienced zero operational hiccups
Physically small and unobtrusive
Cons
More expensive than non-Matter-certified smart plugs
No Thread radio on board
Extremely basic usage history and no energy-consumption monitoring
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$10.79
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Why we like the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug
One day, the Matter smart home standard will make the walls between various smart home ecosytems disappear. It won’t matter if your smartphone runs Android, iOS, or anything between. The TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug is an outstanding example of how well Matter can work when properly implemented. And these plugs are so small, you can plug two of them into the same duplex outlet.
Who should buy the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug
The street price has been cut in half since we first reviewed the TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug, making them an even more outstanding value. While there’s no energy consumption monitoring, users can easily schedule times to turn lamps on and off with your choice of the Tapo app or any other Matter-compatible smart home app.
Read our full
TP-Link Tapo P125M Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug review
Wyze Plug (two-pack) — Best budget-priced smart plug
Pros
Very affordable
Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT
Cons
Only tracks usage by time, not energy consumed
On/off only; no dimming capability
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Wyze Labs
$15.99
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$19.98 ($9.99 / Count)
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$15.99 at Wyze Labs$19.98 ($9.99 / Count) at Amazon
Why we like the Wyze Plug (two-pack)
The Wyze Plug supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT and comes in an inexpensive two-pack that sells for less than half of what one Leviton Decora (model D215P) will cost you. This plug is one of the best values in the smart home ecosystem.
Who should buy the Wyze Plug (two-pack)
The Wyze Plug is for frugal smart-home owners who don’t want dimming capabilities and don’t plan to go all in on the Matter smart home standard. Wyze also has a less complete smart home ecosystem than some other vendors, and its app can be a bit confusing, but we deliver plenty of insights on that front in our review for anyone looking for a great deal on a smart plug.
Read our full
Wyze Plug (two-pack) review
Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug — Best smart plug for tracking energy consumption
Pros
Outstanding value
Intuitive and detailed energy-tracking features
Streamlined, unobtrusive hardware
Cons
On/off control only; it can’t dim a connected lamp
No IFTTT or Matter support
LED can’t be disabled
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$11.99
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Why we like the Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug
The Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug can not only turn your lights on and off, it will also give you a detailed breakdown of how much energy whatever device plugged into it has consumed. This is an on/off plug only, it can’t dim a connected lamp, but few smart plugs are capable of energy consumption tracking.
Who should buy the Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug
For users who want detailed tracking of their home’s energy consumption, Emporia’s affordable smart plug can be combined with the Emporia Vue energy monitor, which gets wired into your home’s circuit-breaker panel to track all of your home’s energy use.
Read our full
Emporia energy-monitoring smart plug review
Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug — Best outdoor smart plug
Pros
Very affordable
Individual socket control in hardware and app
Matter certified
Lots of control options, in-app and via hardware
Cons
No real energy monitoring features
Setup process via the Tapo app needs improvement
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Why we like the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug
Not only is the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug our top pick in outdoor smart plugs, as of August 28, 2024, its $20 street is price low enough to also be our top pick in the budget-priced category. (The identical product is marketed at Best Buy as the Tapo TP25 Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug). The two outlets on this outdoor smart plug can be independently controlled, and its support for Matter means it can be incorporated into just about any smart home ecosystem you could want: Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and more. Outfitted with dual 2.4GHz Wi-Fi antennas, the manufacturer boasts up to 300 feet of wireless range (line of sight) and 164 feet with three concrete walls in between.
Who should buy the Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug
We rarely find a product that can we recommend to both the smart home enthusiast and the frugal shopper looking for just the basics, but that’s we have in this outdoor smart plug, whether you buy it labeled as the Tapo P400M at Amazon or elsewhere or as the Tapo TP25 at Best Buy. Matter support renders it close to universally supported amount smart home ecosystems, eliminating compatibility concerns (unless you’ve settled on the excellent Lutron Caséta platform, that is).
Read our full
Tapo P400M Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Plug (sold as Tapo TP25 at Best Buy) review
Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug — Best outdoor smart plug for Lutron Caséta users
Pros
Part of the comprehensive Caséta ecosystem
Can be paired with optional Pico remote control
Supports pumps and electric motors in addition to lights
Robust IP66 weatherization
Cons
Provides only one receptacle
Not Matter compatible
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$79.95
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Why we like the Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug
The Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug is an outstanding choice if you’ve already invested in the Caséta platform–meaning you already have the required Wi-Fi bridge–and you need a versatile plug that can do more than control your lighting. This one can also operate small pumps and motors, so it would be a great choice for a water feature.
Who should buy the Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug
If you live in a smart home and are using other Lutron Caséta smart lighting products, the Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug is your only outdoor smart plug option. As we’ve already discussed, Caséta products are not Matter compatible, but the Caséta platform offers such broad support for other smart home ecosystems that we don’t consider that a detriment.
Read our full
Lutron Caséta Wireless Outdoor Smart Plug review
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) — Best outdoor smart dimmer
Pros
Offers the unusual feature of dimming
Robust construction and IP64 weatherization
Well priced considering the sparse competition
Cons
Provides only one outlet
We occasionally experienced delays in state changes
Not Matter compatible
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$16.19
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$16.19 at Amazon
Why we like the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405)
There probably aren’t many people who are looking for dimmer capability (as opposed to a simple on/off function) for their outdoor lighting, but the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) is one of the few outdoor smart plugs that offers that option. Fortunately, TP-Link has also delivered a sturdy and weatherproof plug that’s easy to set up.
Who should buy the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405)
If you’re looking for an outdoor smart plug that can also dim a connected load, TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Outdoor Dimmer Plug is one of just a few products that fit the bill. In a tradeoff for gaining a dimming function, you’ll get only one receptacle, where most non-dimming smart plugs provide two. Unlike TP-Link’s other outdoor smart plug, however, this smart dimmer is not Matter compatible.
Read our full
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Outdoor Dimmer Plug (model KP405) review
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300) — Best smart power strip
Pros
Six switched AC outlets that can be programmed with complex schedules
Includes an “away” mode for simulating someone present in a home or office
Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
Outlets can be combined in scenes with other Kasa Smart devices
Cons
No manual in the box, not even a tiny one
Power cord is slightly too short for versatile placement
No Apple HomeKit or Siri support
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$43.99
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There’s isn’t a lot of competition in this area, but TP-Link doesn’t just win by default. The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip features six grounded outlets that can be independently controlled and scheduled, plus three fast USB charging ports. It of course offers protection from power surges as well. It might seem expensive at around $80, but it’s actually a pretty strong deal when you compare it to dual-outlet smart plugs that cost about $60.
Read our full
TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip (model HS300) review
What to look for when shopping for a smart plug
Smart plugs might seem like a commodity, but they cover a wide range of design styles, capabilities, and compatibilities. If you’re in the market for a smart plug, consider how your environment—and what you plan to connect to the smart plug—matches the following list of features.
Indoor vs. outdoor
Most smart plugs can only be used inside, since they aren’t weatherproof. (These are almost invariably white in color.) Weatherized switches (almost always black) are clearly denoted as safe for outside use.
Outdoor smart plugs are designed to withstand the elements. They’re just the ticket for holiday and landscape lighting. Brian Nadel / IDG
Hub requirements
If you need to control the switch through a third-party hub like Samsung SmartThings, that’s one more piece of gear you’ll need to budget for. In many cases, a switch vendor will also offer its own hub as an option, though these can be limited in flexibility and features. Using a hub will also make it easier to interconnect various devices, so if you want to press a single button to turn on both overhead lights and lamps at the same time, a hub’s a great way to get this done.
Wireless standard
As with all smart home gear, smart plugs support one of several wireless technologies, ranging from Zigbee, Z-Wave, Matter, and/or Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi plugs typically don’t require a hub—your router serves that role—while Zigbee and Z-Wave models need to be bridged to Wi-Fi. Matter-certified devices can either connect directly to your Wi-Fi network (Matter over Wi-Fi) or via an onboard Thread radio (Matter over Thread). In the latter case, you’ll need a Thread border router to connect to Wi-Fi.
You’ll also encounter two proprietary standards: Clear Connect, used in Lutron’s Caséta products; and Insteon, an old-school hybrid of wireless and powerline home networking that’s uncommon these days.
Apple HomeKit support
If you’re looking for compatibility with Apple’s HomeKit devices (and want to tell Siri to turn lights on and off), you’ll need to look for this support, which should be well-labeled on a product’s website and packaging.
An alternative is to look for the Matter logo, as HomeKit is one of the smart home ecosystems (along with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings) that the new Matter standard supports.
Voice assistant compatibility
Many smart plugs work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or both. Support for Apple’s Siri is less common, but not hard to find. Matter-certified products are compatible with all three ecosystems. If you have Amazon Echo, Google Home, or Apple HomePod smart speakers in your home, you’ll love being able to turn sockets on and off with voice commands.
Power limitations
You can’t just plug anything into a smart plug. Most are rated to handle just a few hundred watts of power consumption, which is fine for a lamp or a coffee maker, but you might encounter problems if you connect a hair dryer, a space heater, or a professional blender to one.
Power plug manufacturers tend to bury their maximum wattage ratings in the fine print, so check carefully beforehand if you expect the outlet to support high-draw appliances.
TP-Link’s Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip includes six, independently controlled, grounded smart outlets in one.
Number of plugs
Designs vary widely here. Some smart plugs replace a single plug, some replace two. Some designs offer two plugs, but only one of them is smart; the other is an always-on pass-through plug. Whichever design you choose, be sure to consider the physical design of the device itself.
Some of these devices—even those with a single-plug design—cover up both wall sockets, which can greatly limit their utility. You’ll also find smart power strips, which offer multiple, individually controlled smart plugs in a single device.
Grounded or ungrounded
Some smart plugs offer only two-prong, ungrounded power. (This is done in part to dissuade you from attaching heavy machinery to the outlet.) If you need fully grounded electricity, be sure to purchase one of the many smart plugs on the market that includes this feature.
Some smart plugs, such as this GE by Jasco model, accept only two-prong plugs and are not directly grounded.
Energy monitoring features
Curious as to how much power your connected device is sucking down? Energy monitoring features let you use the device’s mobile app to track power consumption over time, giving you a better argument to use against your wasteful, wasteful children who never turn off the TV.
Integrated dimming
If you’re hooking up a lamp to a smart plug, you can easily turn it into a dimmable lamp if the switch includes an onboard dimmer. Some of these types of switches include hardware buttons to control dimming directly on the switch itself in addition to app and voice control. Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 2 hours ago (PC World)Elon Musk’s AI company xAI just launched Grok-3, a new version of the AI model that powers the Grok AI chatbot. The new AI model was unveiled during a live broadcast on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, with the creators describing it as the smartest AI in the world.
The AI model comes in two flavors — Grok-3 and Grok-3 mini — and according to figures from xAI, both models perform as well or better than rivals from Google (Gemini), OpenAI (ChatGPT), Anthropic (Claude), and DeepSeek when it comes to math, science, and programming.
xAI
Grok-3 also has a new built-in reasoning engine called DeepSearch, which lets you see the AI chatbot’s thought process as it generates answers to your queries.
The AI model was apparently trained for a total of 200 million processor hours on 100,000 Nvidia H100 Tensor Core GPUs. According to one analyst, however, “improvements over the Grok-2 model appear to be too small to justify the enormous resources used to train it.”
Grok-3 is currently being rolled out to Premium+ subscribers on X, with a newly launched SuperGrok subscription tier that has special features as well as chatbot access via the mobile app and grok.com site. Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 3 hours ago (PC World)At a glanceExpert`s Rating
Pros
Good 40Gbps read performance
Very affordable
Compact and good-looking
Cons
Slower than most USB4 SSDs
Low TBW rating
Our Verdict
While Corsair’s EX400U is on the slow side for a USB4 SSD, it’s also less expensive. It’s faster and more compatible across platforms than 20Gbps USB3.2×2 SSDs, as well. We’d like a higher TBW rating though.
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Corsair
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The Corsair EX400U is easily the smallest USB4 SSD I’ve yet tested. It’s also good looking and a fast reader, though write performance is more like what you’d see from 20Gbps USB SSDs. Still, considering the low pricing, it’s a very desirable external storage device.
Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best external drives for comparison.
What are the EX400U’s features?
The EX400U is an external USB4 SSD rendered in pewter and measuring around 2.5-inches square by just shy of an inch thick. Weight is a mere, but palpable-in-the-hand 1.8 ounces — it isn’t so light it feels cheap.
The big surprise for me was that the white circle (don’t let the artistic lighting fool you) on the bottom of the unit is magnetic. It was kind of fun sticking the drive to various metal surfaces (including the ruler).
Sadly, most of the surfaces I’d like to stick it to are non-ferromagnetic, like my aluminum Mac Studio. I say sadly because it’s the perfect shape and size to hide behind said unit.
The underside of the Corsair EX400U. The white circle is magnetic.
Kudos to Corsair for actually revealing what’s inside the EX400U, as I had no desire to dissect it and most vendors just clam up when asked. The controller is a Phison PS2251-21 and the NAND is layered TLC.
That controller is actually designed for USB4 and eliminates a bulky bridge chip to keep the price and weight down. Alas, it doesn’t seem to perform quite as well as the ASMedia ASM2464PD found in many pricier competitors.
Corsair warranties the EX400U for three years, or 250 TBW (terabytes that may be written before it becomes a read-only hockey puck) for every 1TB of capacity. That’s less than half the TBW rating we normally see with TLC NAND, and more in line with what QLC SSDs are rated for. (I’m kidding about the hockey puck!)
A magnetic ring on the bottom of the EX400U makes it fun to stick the compact drive to metal surfaces.
How much is the EX400U?
The Corsair EX400U is available in 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB capacities for $130, $190, and $350 respectively. That’s hardly dirt cheap, but considerably more affordable than the Adata SE920 and OWC 1M2 competition.
It even works out a bit cheaper than the Ugreen CM850 or CM642 enclosures — depending on what capacity and quality of SSD you populate those empty USB4 products with.
But those are all faster products…
How fast is the Corsair EX400U?
I kind of let the cat out of the bag on this topic up top. While the EX400U competes well with the competition in multi-queued reading, it’s writing and single-queue performance was more like that of a 20Gbps (USB 3.2×2) SSD than a full-on USB4 SSD like the Adata SE920 and OWC Express 1M2.
Note that the Ugreen CM850 (PCWorld reviewed the ever-so-slightly slower CM642) is an unpopulated enclosure that we tested with a very fast 8TB WD SN850X inside. The EX400U’s best number by far was in the eight-queue sequential read. Note that Windows only uses one queue for its I/O.
The EX400U’s best number by far was in the-eight queue sequential read. Otherwise the numbers are mediocre for USB4. Note that Windows only uses one queue for its I/O. Longer bars are better.
The Corsair EX400U was more competitive in CrystalDiskMark 8’s random tests, actually proving the fastest in the single-queue, single-thread write by 4MBps.
The Corsair EX400U was more competitive in CrystalDiskMark 8’s random tests, actually proving the fastest in the single-queue, single-thread write by 4MBps. Longer bars are better.
Our 48GB transfer results corroborated the CrystalDiskMark numbers. While fast, the EX400U was significantly off the pace set by the other USB4 SSDs we’ve tested.
While fast, the EX400U was significantly off the pace set by the other USB4 SSDs we’ve tested. Shorter bars are better.
The EX400U’s slower write rate is also reflected in the 450GB transfer, though it’s still the 7th fastest time we’ve seen from any external SSD.
The EX400U’s slower write rate is also reflected in the 450GB transfer, though it’s still the 7th fastest time we’ve seen from any external SSD. Shorter bars are better.
While the performance discussion above may come off a bit negative, that’s only compared to other USB4 SSDs — all of which are very, very fast. The EX400U still ranked 7th place overall — faster than every 20Gbps SSD we’ve kicked the tires on as well as a number of Thunderbolt 3/4 SSDs.
Should you buy the Corsair EX400U?
I say, yeah. While it’s not the fastest 40Gbps SSD out there, it is very affordable and far more compatible across PCs and Macs than 20Gbps USB 3.2×2 SSDs. It’s also nicely light and compact.
How we test
Drive tests currently utilize Windows 11, 64-bit running on an X790 (PCIe 4.0/5.0) motherboard/i5-12400 CPU combo with two Kingston Fury 32GB DDR5 4800MHz modules (64GB of memory total). Both 20Gbps USB and Thunderbolt 4 are integrated to the back panel and Intel CPU/GPU graphics are used. The 48GB transfer tests utilize an ImDisk RAM disk taking up 58GB of the 64GB of total memory. The 450GB file is transferred from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro which also runs the OS.
Each test is performed on a newly NTFS-formatted and TRIM’d drive so the results are optimal. Note that in normal use, as a drive fills up, performance may decrease due to less NAND for secondary caching, as well as other factors. This can be less of a factor with the current crop of SSDs with far faster late-generation NAND.
Caveat: The performance numbers shown apply only to the drive we were shipped and to the capacity tested. SSD performance can and will vary by capacity due to more or fewer chips to shotgun reads/writes across and the amount of NAND available for secondary caching. Vendors also occasionally swap components. If you ever notice a large discrepancy between the performance you experience and that which we report, by all means, let us know. Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 3 hours ago (PC World)Google has updated “Enhanced Protection” in Chrome with AI technology to provide real-time protection against malicious websites, downloads, and browser extensions.
After three months of testing in Chrome Canary (the nightly version of Chrome with experimental features), the AI-driven Enhanced Protection feature is now being rolled out to the stable version of the Chrome browser on all platforms, reports BleepingComputer.
This improved protection is part of Safe Browsing, a security feature that has been in Chrome for several years now. Previously, Google used a method called “proactive protection” to alert users to potentially malicious websites. Now, the terminology has been updated to reflect the real-time protection offered by AI integration.
Exactly how the AI version differs from the previous “proactive” variant isn’t entirely clear, but the technology apparently enables real-time analysis of patterns to identify suspicious or dangerous webpages — even ones that Google hasn’t yet classified as malicious.
According to Google, the AI-powered security feature can also perform deep scanning of downloads to detect suspicious files.
Further reading: These tiny security updates make Chrome better Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | BBCWorld - 3 hours ago (BBCWorld)The plane`s safety features have been praised, as have the response from the crew and emergency teams. Read...Newslink ©2025 to BBCWorld |  |
|  | | PC World - 4 hours ago (PC World)Your PC is capable of running not one, but two Windows apps designed to protect you and your system against online threats: Windows Security and Microsoft Defender.
Telling them apart can be tricky, though. Thanks to a few name changes, what’s old sounds new and what’s new sounds old. If you haven’t kept up with the updates, it may not be clear which one you want — or if you actually prefer to run both.
To help you decide, I’ve broken down what each app does. Let’s dig in.
What is Windows Security?
PCWorld
Previously known as Windows Defender, Windows Security is the most current name for the app that ties Microsoft’s basic antivirus and network protections together. Similar to third-party antivirus software, you get a unified interface to make changes to the app and access manual scans. Separate tabs break out various settings:
Virus & threat protection: From this tab, you can run manual scans (Quick, Full, Custom, or Offline), change how your system screens for threats, and set up more stringent ransomware defenses.
Account protection: Guard the Microsoft account tied to your PC, as well as strengthen Windows’ login process.
Firewall & network protection: Refine your settings in order to tailor screening of incoming and outgoing traffic.
App & browser control: Adjust how Windows screens apps for suspicious behavior, and if Edge runs in an isolated, sandboxed environment.
Device security: Get information about your PC’s deeper security protections in Windows — core virtualization, security processor (TPM), and secure boot.
Device performance & health: See a quick overview of the general “health” of your PC with regard to software issues or storage drive issues.
Family options: Filter viewable content for users on the PC, as well as see breakdowns of device usage. You can manage your family group through the web portal.
Click on the arrows (desktop) or swipe (mobile) to see each tab in the Windows Security app.
What is Microsoft Defender?
PCWorld
Confusingly, the Microsoft Defender app shares its name with the antivirus engine powering Windows Security’s malware protection — but they’re not directly tied. Instead, the Defender app offers additional defenses against online threats for Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscribers. It works equally with either Windows Security (including the Microsoft Defender Antivirus engine) or third-party antivirus software.
Identity theft monitoring: Through a partnership with Experian, Microsoft Defender will alert you to data breaches and any fraudulent activity on your credit reports. The service also provides up to $1 million in restoration costs and $100,000 in lost funds if you are a victim of identity theft.
Device protection: You can watch to see if your devices (up to four) or those linked through your Microsoft Family Group have any suspicious activity occurring and be notified through this app. Notifications will be sent through Windows’ notification system and you can also view them through the Defender app.
Previously, the Defender app also offered an encrypted VPN feature called Privacy Protection, which provided up to 50GB of data per month, detected unsecure Wi-Fi connections, and supported multiple platforms. However, in February 2025, Microsoft ended support for Privacy Protection and removed it from the Windows app.
Click on the arrows (desktop) or swipe (mobile) to see the different sections of the Microsoft Defender app.
Windows Security vs. Microsoft Defender
Windows Security and Microsoft Defender are complimentary apps rather than competing.
Windows Security defends against online threats, including ransomware, and it’s included for free with a Windows license. (Heads-up: If you ever see a popup notification telling you to call a phone number or pay to renew, you’ve either visited a compromised website or your PC has been directly compromised — time to run an antivirus scan ASAP.)
Microsoft Defender then rounds out those protections by letting you shield your online activity from other users on the same network, keeping you informed of data leaks and credit fraud, and monitoring your devices for vulnerabilities.
Should you use Microsoft Defender?
Windows Security and Microsoft Defender paired together can rival basic third-party antivirus suite subscriptions.Alaina Yee / Foundry
If you’re already a Microsoft 365 subscriber, having both Windows Security and Microsoft Defender set up and active is comparable to a very simple third-party antivirus suite subscription — and you don’t have to pay extra.
However, if you’re not yet a paid Microsoft 365 user, want additional integrated features (like a password manager), or prefer a different interface, independent antivirus software will be a better fit for your needs. You can check out our top recommendations in our best antivirus software roundup, which covers all types of plans. Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 5 hours ago (PC World)Online safety doesn’t have to be complicated. With some simple steps, you can easily protect your PC from malware and safeguard your personal data with very little extra effort.
The best part? None of these tips cost money. In fact, most important security tools you need are completely free. You can keep yourself and your PC safe online without spending a single dime. Here’s how.
1. Use an antivirus
Antivirus software is a must-have for any PC. Thankfully, you don’t have to go out of your way to get one anymore because all Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs come with Windows Security and Microsoft Defender, giving you access to a minimal-yet-capable antivirus.
It automatically scans your system in the background and checks the files you download and the applications you run, spotting malware before it can take hold. You can go further and configure Microsoft Defender for extra security if you want.
Or you could opt for a third-party antivirus, many of which come with extra security features. If you decide to take this route, know that we currently recommend Norton 360 Deluxe, but any antivirus will do if all you care about is basic protection.
Recommended: The best antivirus software for Windows
Just be sure to leave your antivirus’s real-time protection feature enabled. Don’t turn off real-time scanning because mistakes can happen to anyone—and when they do, you want your antivirus to be active.
2. Use a password manager
Once you start using a password manager, you’ll never go back—it’s that life-changingly convenient. So, if you aren’t using one yet, we highly recommend using a password manager. (A free one, even!)
Recommended: The best password managers worth using
The unfortunate truth is that many companies—no matter how big they are or how reputable they seem—end up facing data breaches and leaks that release their password databases to the public.
That’s why the biggest risk you can take online is reusing the same password for multiple accounts. If your password gets leaked in a data breach, hackers can use your email/password combination to break into your other accounts that use the same password.
The solution? Use strong passwords that are unique every single time.
The problem? Remembering so many passwords is almost impossible—and that’s why you need to be using a password manager.
A password manager remembers all of your passwords and associates them with their respective sites, apps, accounts, etc. All you need to do is remember the master password; the password manager will fill in the appropriate password whenever you need to log in.
3. Keep your software up to date
Chris Hoffman / IDG
Modern operating systems and all the applications on your system receive regular security updates that fix exploits and vulnerabilities. If you skip these important patches, you’re opening yourself up to risks.
The good news is that most modern applications—whether it’s Windows, Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, or something else—regularly check for and automatically install such updates.
If you’ve disabled automatic updates, you should reconsider. There may be a niche reason to do so, but most of the time you’re just putting yourself in danger.
And yes, sooner is better than later. If your operating system or web browser says it needs to restart to install updates, do it. Sure, it’s inconvenient to restart your Windows PC or web browser in the middle of something, but it just might protect you from an attack.
4. Stop using unsupported operating systems and applications
It’s one thing for operating systems and applications to get automatic updates—it’s another thing when those updates are discontinued.
No software lasts forever. Eventually, developers and companies end long-term support and stop issuing security updates for older hardware and software. At that point, the hardware/software should be treated as unsafe and you should stop using it as soon as you can.
What happens if you keep using it? Older software and unsupported devices gradually grow increasingly more vulnerable to attack, and it’ll only be a matter of time before you get hit with something.
For example, Windows 7 is no longer supported and using it puts you at risk because newly discovered security holes aren’t being patched. The same is true for individual applications—like Office 2016 and earlier versions of Microsoft Office, which no longer receive security updates.
While an older version of Office might work well for your needs, it could open you up to an attack. For example, you might download a malicious Word document that exploits an Office vulnerability to hack you.
That’s one reason why Microsoft Office 365 is a good deal: you’ll always have access to the latest versions of Office on all your devices.
5. Be mindful when browsing the web
How you browse the web is important. In an ideal world, you shouldn’t have to worry about the sites you visit and whether something could go wrong—but the world is far from ideal.
Untrustworthy websites can attack your browser through unpatched security flaws. More commonly, sketchy websites may try to download malware onto your PC, trick you with misleading advertisements, or get your personal information with phishing scams.
Take care when browsing the web and be mindful. Think twice before downloading software, avoid dodgy sites that make promises that seem too good to be true, and don’t enter personal information on any website that you haven’t vetted and trust 100 percent.
6. Only download files and software from trustworthy sites and sources
Chris Hoffman / IDG
Any time you download software, you have to be very careful. Even something as innocuous as a PDF or Word document can potentially wreak havoc on your PC if it exploits an unpatched flaw in your PDF reader or Microsoft Word.
Any file you download off the internet can do nasty things to your PC, and only an antivirus that recognizes it will protect you. So, you should only download, install, and run software that you completely trust—and only if you get it from a source you trust.
Also, stop ignoring Windows SmartScreen! On Windows, SmartScreen warnings pop up when you try to run software that few people have downloaded and run before. You can tell Windows to run the application anyway, but you should always pause and consider whether you truly trust the application. If you don’t, then you shouldn’t run it. When in doubt, stick with known-as-trustworthy applications.
7. Learn to identify phishing scams
Phishing scams have grown into a huge problem over the last several years, and you’re at risk whether you’re using a Windows PC, a Chromebook, a smartphone, or anything else.
Long story short: a phishing scam is one where someone tries to bait you into giving away sensitive information or installing malware. This is usually done by tricking you into clicking a deceptive link.
More on this: The most common types of phishing scams
Phishing scams are tricky because they’re usually disguised as coming from a trusted source: a reputable company like Microsoft, a widely used service like USPS, or even a friend or family member. That’s why is so important to learn how to identify phishing emails and text messages.
A password manager can help here, too. Let’s say you click a phishing link and end up on a fake site pretending to be your bank. If you were on your real bank’s website, your password manager would know and automatically fill in your login details. But since it’s an imposter site, your password manager won’t fill in—a clue that something is amiss.
8. Don’t click unsolicited links
Every link should be treated as questionable, whether that’s on a website, on social media, in an email, or even a text message. If you never click on unsolicited links, you can drastically reduce your risk of malware.
For example, let’s say you get a text message about a package delivery failure and you need to click this link and provide personal information to make sure you get it. You don’t know whether it’s a scam or not—but you aren’t expecting a delivery, so you treat it as questionable. In most cases, you just successfully avoided being scammed.
The same goes for when you get a link that purports to come from Amazon, PayPal, or your credit card company. It may have an alarming angle to it, such as claiming your account has been banned. This is meant to induce panic and cause you to lower your guard. But if you have a general policy of not clicking unsolicited links, you’ll be okay.
When in doubt, avoid unsolicited links and go straight to the source. Got an alert email that claims to be from your bank? Don’t click it. Instead, manually navigate to the bank in your web browser. Got an urgent alert about a package from FedEx? Don’t click it. Go straight to the FedEx website yourself and confirm if it’s true.
9. Use a standard Windows user account
Chris Hoffman / IDG
When on Windows, we recommend using a “Standard” account type rather than an “Administrator” account type for day-to-day activity.
Yes, Administrator accounts are more convenient because they can install software at the system level with fewer hurdles. But being logged into an Administrator account also makes it easier for malware to take hold.
For passive protection, it’s better to create a secondary Windows user account with Standard user permissions. That way if malware does try to infect you, it will have a harder time doing so.
For best results, only use an Administrator account to set up your PC and install software, then switch to a secondary Standard account for your day-to-day computer usage. Microsoft has a detailed help website with information about creating new user accounts.
The good news is that Microsoft is making some changes to Windows that may make this unnecessary soon.
10. Set up two-factor authentication for your accounts
Two-factor authentication is non-negotiable these days. With this extra layer of protection for an account, even if someone knows your account’s password, they still won’t be able to sign in.
Why? Because the intruder will also need a specific two-factor authentication code: perhaps a code sent to your phone, a code generated by an app, or even a physical security key.
I recommend setting up two-factor authentication with all accounts that support it, particularly bank accounts and email inboxes. It may be a tad more inconvenient to sign in—you’ll have to provide a code in addition to your usual password—but it’s an important way to stay safe online.
Outdated practices that don’t really help
I think you’ll agree with me that the above tips and tactics aren’t very difficult at all. Some are one-and-done (like using a Standard Windows account), some are repeated (like keeping software updated), and some are passive (like never clicking unsolicited links), but they’re all simple.
Now that you know what to do, you should also check out my other advice on what you shouldn’t do. In fact, there are several outdated security practices that may have been useful in the past but are no longer helpful. It’s better to stop doing them now. Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 8 hours ago (PC World)While Chromebooks are generally limited compared to Windows and macOS laptops, I personally made the switch to Chromebooks full-time a while ago and haven’t looked back. One of the big reasons for that switch — and why I’m a big Chromebook advocate to this day — is just how effortlessly secure ChromeOS is for everyday users.
Google built ChromeOS to be as secure as possible, with features designed to limit your exposure to malware. Sure, you can find some of these features in other operating systems too, but all of these coming together in one overall package is what makes ChromeOS great.
Here are the core security features of ChromeOS that make Chromebooks safe and keep you protected while using your laptop.
Related: The best Chromebooks worth buying today
Sandboxing for everything
Sandboxing is a technique where certain apps and processes are run in isolated environments, aptly called “sandboxes.” You can think of a sandbox as a virtual bubble that has limited access to the overall system. By running software in a bubble like this, you’re protected in case it’s infected with malware that tries to spread.
You may be familiar with Windows Sandbox, but you need Windows 11 Pro to access that feature. Meanwhile, in ChromeOS, sandboxing isn’t optional — everything from system services to browser tabs are run within their own separate sandboxes, and these sandboxes operate with the fewest possible privileges. They only have access to the resources they need, limiting the amount of damage they can do if compromised.
So even if you catch a malware infection, there’s little chance that the attack could escalate privileges and affect critical processes. In fact, over many years of using ChromeOS, I have yet to experience a single security issue, let alone a major put-me-in-full-on-panic-mode issue.
Verified Boot for OS authenticity
Dave Parrack / Foundry
Verified Boot means that every time you start ChromeOS, it checks to make sure that the system hasn’t been corrupted or tampered with since the last time it ran. This is done using cryptographically signed system images, which ensure that everything running on your Chromebook is as expected and as it should be.
First, ChromeOS checks the firmware in a read-only partition (that attackers can’t access or change). Next, ChromeOS checks and compares the kernel and system files to ensure nothing has been altered.
If everything checks out, ChromeOS boots normally. But if something (anything) is out of place, ChromeOS either reverts to a previous (secure) version of the operating system or, in extreme cases, prompts you to reinstall ChromeOS in Recovery Mode.
Read-only system files
As I mentioned above, ChromeOS has a read-only partition for core system files, including the kernel, system libraries, and other essential components. This partition can’t be altered. (ChromeOS has a separate read/write partition for settings, apps, user data, and the like.)
Doing this protects the core system files from things like malicious modification by hackers, but it also protects against accidental harm — by poorly written apps, rogue extensions, user error, etc.
What about when core system files need updating? ChromeOS first applies updates to an inactive partition while the system is being used. Then, when you next reboot your Chromebook, it switches partitions and applies the Verified Boot. If an error is detected, ChromeOS reverts to the previous version of the operating system.
Regular automatic updates
Dave Parrack / Foundry
One thing I love about ChromeOS is the stress-free update process. Unlike Windows updates, ChromeOS updates are automatic, consistent, and in the background without any user involvement beyond restarting your Chromebook when updates are complete.
Regular system updates are so important for patching security flaws and vulnerabilities. When updating is a huge ordeal, you end up putting it off and putting it off until you have time for it. With ChromeOS, updates are frequent, which means each update is relatively small and painless, and then you restart in a matter of seconds. It’s easy!
Given how often Google updates ChromeOS, the operating system is able to combat existing and emerging threats quickly and seamlessly, and that keeps you protected.
Recovery Mode and Safety Reset
Most operating systems have a recovery mode, so ChromeOS isn’t unique just for having one — but it does have one and Recovery Mode does keep ChromeOS secure. Plus, the big difference here is that Recovery Mode in ChromeOS is more user-friendly than in, say, Windows.
Recovery Mode is a way to restore the operating system back to factory settings (or an earlier version), which comes in handy when something goes wrong and the system stops working. That could happen due to corrupted system files, a failed update, performance issues, etc.
With ChromeOS, you can use Recovery Mode to reinstall the operating system while clearing all user data, and then you can restore that user data from your Google account. More recently, Google even implemented a new Safety Reset feature that lets you reinstall ChromeOS without losing your data.
Cloud-first approach for data
Google’s cloud-first approach is divisive, but it does have some positive implications for security. For starters, cloud-based apps are less susceptible to malware versus traditional apps. They aren’t completely immune, but the difference is non-trivial.
Having sensitive data stored in the cloud also lessens the risks associated with loss or theft of your Chromebook. And if your Chromebook does get lost or stolen, you can easily revoke access to your data (so the thief can’t do anything with it) and you can recover your data by signing into your cloud accounts on a different device.
And for schools or businesses that manage hundreds of Chromebooks through Google Admin Console, cloud control can ensure that policies are enforced, apps are deployed (or blocked), and everyone’s devices are kept up-to-date at all times.
Limited access to third-party apps
Dave Parrack / Foundry
For the most part, if you want to download and install apps on your Chromebook, you’re doing it through the Google Play Store. And while the Play Store isn’t perfect, it does have a vetting process that helps minimize the chance of running into malware.
Can you install third-party apps on your Chromebook? Yeah, but it’s risky. You can also install Android and Linux apps from some sources. Fortunately, Google warns you when you try to install unknown apps like this — and again, apps are run in sandboxes, which protects the rest of your system in case you somehow bring malware aboard.
Further reading: Chromebooks vs. laptops: What you need to know Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
|  | | PC World - 18 Feb (PC World)TL;DR: Take back your time with Zario Pro for $39.99 — an AI-powered app that blocks distractions, sets focus goals, and helps you cut screen time.
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StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...Newslink ©2025 to PC World |  |
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