.. Well realy! the very thought -):

Anyone else having trouble logging into their Barclays Stockbrokers account right now?

Ed: Managed to get in, Had that security certificate box come up.

No, I managed to get in to your account without any problems! ;o)

I also had the security certificate box come up. Will wait a while, H

Thanks both,

Probably something to do with the Barclays Bank computer problems reported over the weekend.

Barclays is up and running at the moment.

Repairs?s to system overnight?

Windows 10 will automatically download on to Windows 7 or 8 PCs

Company to make Windows 10 a ‘recommended update’ next year, meaning those running updates will have it downloaded and will be prompted to install



@SamuelGibbs

Friday 30 October 2015 11.27 GMT


Microsoft’s efforts to entice users to upgrade to Windows 10 will soon see it automatically downloaded on to users computers without their knowledge.


The company announced that Windows 10 will become a “recommended update” starting next year, which means anyone with Windows 7 or 8 that has automatic updates activated – the default and the best way to keep a computer protected against security bugs – will have Windows 10 automatically downloaded without asking.

What’s more, the installer for Windows 10 will start once it has been downloading, presenting users with a popup. Users will be able to decline the update, once the installer has started, or prevent the update from being downloaded by manually blocking it in Windows update.

But the propensity of users to simply hit “OK” or accept when faced with a prompt in the middle of doing something else, will likely see users just blindly hit OK and unknowingly installing Windows 10, preventing access to the computer while the instalment completes.

Terry Myerson, executive vice president of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices group said: “If you choose to upgrade (our recommendation!), then you will have 31 days to roll back to your previous Windows version if you don’t love it.”



More:http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/oct/30/windows-10-automatic-download-windows-7-8-pc-computers

Is there an easy way to prevent this?

I have no interest in using W10, and the revues seem to think it's the devils brew re privacy.

Just turn off automatic updates.

Would that be the "check for updates, but let me choose whether to install them" option?

I checked out the PC Adviser Web Site (*) for advice on this.

I don't think it is a good idea to completely turn off Windows Updates. However, it might be best to be very selective about which of them you actually install.

Their advice was, that you can reset your update to "Download but inform me before installing" to avoid attempts to automatically install Windows 10. This way you are much more in control of things.

PS. (*) Also put this web site into your Favorites/Bookmarks because it is an excellent site to use for Free software downloads. http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/download/windows/

Whilst on the topic of 'Updates' you can easily and automatically keep all your software up to date by using Secunia P S I and all of your drivers easily up to date by using Driver Booster 3 (Free).

Secunia Personal Software Inspector: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/download/security/secunia-psi-30010004-3328334/

Driver Booster 3 (Free): http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/download/system-desktop-tools/driver-booster-303261-3330029/

Google Chrome soon to stop supporting Windows Vista. (XP already dropped).

How to update Kindle: Update your Kindle e-reader before 22 March if you want to keep using it

If you have an Amazon e-reader and haven't updated it in a while, you need to take action right now if you wish to keep using it. Here's how to update Kindle, which will stop working as intended if you don't update before 22 March 2016.

By Marie Brewis

If you have an Amazon e-reader and haven't updated it in a while, you need to take action right now if you wish to keep using it. Here's how to update Kindle, which will stop working as intended if you don't update before 22 March 2016. See all e-reader reviews.

In order to continue being able to download e-books and using other Kindle services, a critical update has been issued by Amazon for Kindle e-readers sold before 2014. This update must be conducted before 22 March 2016. Below is a table showing which software your Amazon Kindle e-reader needs to be running.

Device and year Software needed Update

Kindle 1st-gen (2007) 1.2.1 Use 2G/3G

Kindle 2nd-gen (2009) 2.5.8 Use 2G/3G

Kindle DX 2nd-gen (2009) 2.5.8 Use 2G/3G

Kindle Keyboard 3rd-gen (2010) 3.4.2 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle 4th-gen (2011) 4.1.3 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle 5th-gen (2012) 4.1.3 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle Touch 4th-gen (2011) 5.3.7.3 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle Paperwhite 5th-gen (2012) 5.6.1.1 or higher Use Wi-Fi

Kindle Paperwhite 6th-gen (2013) Not affected N/A

Kindle 7th-gen (2014) Not affected N/A

Kindle Voyage 7th-gen (2014) Not affected N/A

Kindle Paperwhite 7th-gen (2015) Not affected N/A

If you're not sure which Kindle you're using, visit Amazon's help page HERE to see some distinguishing features of each model.

And if you're not sure which version of the software it's running, you should check the following:

Kindle fifth-generation/KindleKeyboard: Press the Menu button on the home screen and select Settings. The softare version will be displayed at the bottom of the page.

Kindle Touch/Kindle Paperwhite fifth-generation: Tap the Menu icon on the home screen and choose Settings. Tap the Menu icon, then choose Device Info.

Even if your device is already running the correct software version, users of the second-generation Kindle (2009) and second-generation Kindle DX (2009) will also need to connect to the internet using 2G/3G on the device if they haven't done so since 5 October 2015. And those using a third-gen Kindle Keyboard (2010), fourth-gen Kindle Touch (2011) or fifth-gen Kindle Paperwhite (2012) will need to ensure they connect via Wi-Fi rather than 2G/3G in order to receive the update.

If you are running older software, see below for instructions on how to update your Kindle.

How to update Kindle e-reader

• Plug the Kindle into its charging adaptor to ensure it has enough power to perform the update

• Connect to Wi-Fi or use the built-in 2G/3G (see the table above for how you should connect)

• From the home screen select Menu > Sync > Check for Items

• Leave your Kindle connected until the update is complete. It may restart several times, and you'll see a notification in your Kindle Library once the update has completed.

I have Windows 10 Home version which doesn't come with BitLocker encryption software as standard. I have figured out how to activate BitLocker without a TPM, but cannot find anywhere to actually get the BitLocker software. I usually use CNet or similar. Any suggestions please?

An interesting read - MICROSOFT GIVES DETAILS ABOUT ITS CONTROVERSIAL DISK ENCRYPTION

That is very interesting and thanks for posting. I don't really worry about NSA or other government agencies having a look at my files. It's all pretty boring stuff!
Truecrypt is now unsupported for Windows 10, so that is not an option for me. BitLocker has it's downside, so what are the other options? I don't want to change to Linux. Still trying to find a BitLocker download site!

Harry,

Try Truecrypt software.

I use it to form a virtual directory on C:\drive and put all sensitive stuff in that directory.

Also, I backup/copy the encrypted directory to flash drives etc. and run etc.

Seems strong encryption and once one gets the hang of it simple to set up.

Harry,

Try Truecrypt software.

I use it to form a virtual directory on C:\drive and put all sensitive stuff in that directory.

Also, I backup/copy the encrypted directory to flash drives etc. and run etc.

Seems strong encryption and once one gets the hang of it simple to set up.

Thanks Fred, but Truecrypt is now unsupported for the latest Windows systems, so there will be no more bug fixes or updates. Not sure I want to start with something already obsolete.