DuckDuckGo Launches Privacy Pro: 3-in-1 service With VPN

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DuckDuckGo Launches Privacy Pro: 3-in-1 service With VPN
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DuckDuckGo has launched Privacy Pro, a new subscription service that promises to enhance user privacy across the web.

This innovative offering combines a VPN service with additional privacy features integrated into DuckDuckGo’s existing privacy-focused browser.

A Closer Look at Privacy Pro’s Features

DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Pro is not just another VPN.

It’s a comprehensive privacy solution that protects users from various online threats.

Here’s what subscribers can expect:

Privacy Pro includes an anonymous VPN service built for speed, security, and simplicity.

Users can secure their internet connection with just one click, effectively hiding their location and device IP address from the sites they visit.

The VPN offers full-device coverage and can be used simultaneously on up to five devices.

In addition to the VPN, Privacy Proactively seeks out and removes users’ details from data broker sites.

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These sites are known for storing and selling personal information, which can lead to identity theft and unwanted spam.

By removing this information, Privacy Pro helps users take control of their digital footprint.

Spread Privacy, a leading online privacy website, recently published a blog post announcing the launch of DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Pro. This 3-in-1 service includes a Virtual Private Network (VPN) and other privacy features.

Should the worst happen and a user’s identity be stolen, Privacy Pro provides a dedicated advisor to assist in restoring stolen accounts, recovering financial losses, and correcting credit reports.

This level of support is a significant addition to the service, offering peace of mind in the face of identity theft.

non-logging VPN secures your Internet connection on up to five devices at once
non-logging VPN secures your Internet connection on up to five devices at once

DuckDuckGo has priced Privacy Pro competitively at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

Since obtaining these services separately could cost over $30 per month, Privacy Pro offers significant savings.

It’s a strategic move that positions DuckDuckGo as a cost-effective option in the privacy service market.

Comparison With Other Services

Compared to other privacy services, DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Pro stands out for integrating multiple privacy tools into one platform.

Most VPN services do not offer additional features like personal information removal or identity theft restoration.

Furthermore, DuckDuckGo’s commitment to not logging or storing data that can connect users to their online activity sets it apart from competitors who may not have such stringent privacy policies.

Identity Theft Restoration is standing by to help

Currently, Privacy Pro is available exclusively to residents of the United States.

However, DuckDuckGo has plans to expand the service to other regions in the future. Interested users can sign up at duckduckgo.com/pro.

DuckDuckGo’s unwavering commitment to user privacy is at the core of Privacy Pro.

Privacy Pro is designed with data minimization in mind. It ensures that users’ VPN activities are not logged and cannot be tied to their identities or other activities on DuckDuckGo.

With the launch of Privacy Pro, DuckDuckGo continues to build on its reputation as a privacy-centric company.

By offering a multi-faceted service that goes beyond the capabilities of a standard VPN, DuckDuckGo is providing users with a powerful tool to protect their online privacy.

As digital threats evolve, services like Privacy Pro could become essential for internet users who value privacy and security.

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5 Best CAPTCHA Plugins for WordPress Websites

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5 Best CAPTCHA Plugins for WordPress Websites
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5 Best CAPTCHA Plugins for WordPress Websites

As of 2024, the internet hosts over 1.89 billion websites, with approximately 835 million utilizing WordPress as their Content Management System (CMS). This represents about 43.3% of all websites globally.

Not only do these stats represent the expanding reach of the internet, but they also make WordPress a lucrative target for cybercriminals and spammers. While WordPress security tips are widely discussed to keep cybercriminals at bay, spamming is something not every website owner, especially newbies, is familiar with.

In this article, we will discuss five CAPTCHA solutions for WordPress and how a CAPTCHA plugin works.

Here’s an updated list of five effective CAPTCHA plugins for WordPress that can help enhance the security of your website by preventing spam and bot activities:

  1. Captcha Plus: This plugin offers multiple CAPTCHA (Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computers and Humans Apart) options, including image-based, math-based, and Google reCAPTCHA. It’s known for its high performance and ease of customization, although it may be a bit overwhelming for beginners.
  2. Google reCAPTCHA: Perhaps the most well-known, this plugin uses advanced technology to differentiate humans from bots without disrupting the user experience. It’s seamlessly integrated into your forms and is supported by major form builders like WPForms.
  3. Really Simple CAPTCHA: As the name suggests, this plugin keeps it straightforward. It’s not as feature-rich as others, but it’s highly effective at blocking spam and is compatible with many form plugins​.
  4. hCaptcha: Offers a robust bot detection system and comes in both free and pro versions. The pro version includes advanced features like custom challenge creation and detailed analytics. It integrates well with a variety of forms and page builders, making it a versatile choice​.
  5. Securimage-WP: Great for those who prioritize a balance between strong security measures and maintaining user-friendliness. It integrates easily with popular form plugins like Contact Form 7 and Gravity Forms​.

Honorable Mention: Akismet Anti-spam: Spam Protection

Although not a CAPTCHA plugin, Akismet Anti-spam is a plugin designed to protect websites, particularly those using WordPress, from spam. Developed by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress.com, Akismet works by filtering out spam comments and form submissions.

It uses automated algorithms and community feedback to identify and block spam, helping keep websites clean and free from unwanted content. Akismet effectively reduces the time and effort needed to moderate spam, allowing website owners to focus on creating and managing content rather than dealing with spammy submissions.

How does a CAPTCHA plugin work

A CAPTCHA plugin works by presenting a challenge to website users to verify that they are human and not automated bots. Typically, this challenge involves completing a task that is easy for humans to do but difficult for bots to replicate, such as identifying distorted text, selecting certain images, or solving a simple puzzle.

The plugin then validates the user’s response, allowing access to the website if the challenge is completed correctly. This helps prevent automated bots from engaging in activities such as spamming forms, creating fake accounts, or launching malicious attacks on the website including DDoS attacks.

  1. New AI tool aims to make CAPTCHA a thing of the past
  2. Facebook captcha wants users to upload a clear photo of them
  3. Proton CAPTCHA: Privacy-First CAPTCHA Defense Against Bots

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Leica Leitz Phone 3 is official with 1-inch type camera sensor

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Leica Leitz Phone 3 is official with 1-inch type camera sensor
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The Leica Leitz Phone 3 is now official. As its name indicates, this is the third smartphone in the series. The last one was announced in 2022, while the first one arrived a year before that. Leica skipped 2023 entirely.

Yes, Leica collaborates with smartphone OEMs, primarily with Xiaomi these days. Still, the company does release its own smartphone from time to time. Its availability tends to be quite limited, though. This model is also made by Sharp, just like the previous ones.

The Leica Leitz Phone 3 will likely stay exclusive to its launch market

The Leica Leitz Phone 3 was announced in Japan, and it’s easily possible it’ll stay exclusive for that market. As you can see in the provided images, a flat display is used, with a centered display camera hole.

The sides of the phone are flat all over, while its corners are rounded. The backplate is slightly curved towards the sides. Speaking of which, that’s not glass on the back, but seemingly a more grippy material. We’re not sure what it is exactly, though.

It includes a 47.2-megapixel 1-inch Type sensor

The company used a 47.2-megapixel 1-inch Type sensor. It comes with a 19mm equivalent f/1.9 lens. On the front, you’ll find a 12.6-megapixel unit with an f/2.3 aperture lens and a 78-degree FoV.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC fuels this smartphone. This is quite interesting, as we expected the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Perhaps this phone was expected to launch last year? Who knows.

This handset also includes a 6.6-inch IGZO OLED display with a 2730 x 1260 resolution. It offers a 240Hz refresh rate, and its maximum brightness level is 2,000 nits.

A 5,000mAh battery is also included, and you also get access to expandable storage

Leica included 12GB of RAM inside the device, along with 512GB of expandable storage. A 5,000mAh battery is also a part of the package. Android 14 comes pre-installed here. The device is IP65/IP68 rated for water and dust resistance.

The phone does include some Leica tricks in the software, and it even includes a widget that alerts you an hour before sunset and after sunset so that you can take your best pictures. As you can see, a lens cam is also a part of the package.

This phone will go on sale in Japan in a week, on April 19. Don’t expect it to arrive in more markets, though.


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Best Buy announces Google-powered AI for customer service

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Best Buy announces Google-powered AI for customer service
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Best Buy announced plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) in new ways to improve the customer service experience. The retailer is working with partners Google Cloud and Accenture to develop AI-powered virtual agents. It is also developing tools to help customers and employees.

A key part of the strategy is the launch later this year of an AI assistant that customers can interact with online or over the phone. The generative AI-powered virtual agent will be able to troubleshoot technical issues, handle shipping changes, and manage subscriptions. Best Buy says it aims to resolve queries quickly and efficiently by understanding customer needs.

Best Buy will use Google’s generative AI models, such as Gemini, to develop customer virtual agents. Using Google Cloud’s Vertex AI platform, Best Buy will train and deploy these conversational agents.

Best Buy partners with Google Cloud to advance AI-driven service operations

For customer service agents, Best Buy will provide real-time AI-generated recommendations to guide conversations. The technology also analyzes past interactions to improve future guidance. This allows agents to focus on addressing unique customer needs, while standard questions are answered automatically.

According to Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud, early results show a 5% reduction in interaction time with greater data consistency. “Our collaboration with Best Buy will help customers better interact with the Best Buy brand and services, and employees will have more sophisticated tools to help customers,” he said in a blog post.

Store employees will also benefit from a new AI assistant accessible via mobile. It provides on-demand access to company policies, product resources and installation guides. The goal is to empower employees to better serve customers on the sales floor or in their homes.

In addition, Best Buy’s AI optimizes delivery logistics by suggesting more effective scheduling of truck routes and technician visits. With automated planning, the company believes it can fulfill more orders per day at a lower cost.


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Hiding the blue checkmark on X will no longer be an option

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Hiding the blue checkmark on X will no longer be an option
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Since buying Twitter and transforming it into X, Elon Musk and his team have been busy rolling out a bunch of new features such as video and audio calls or job listings, subscription plans, and other updates over the past year. Now, they’re making another change, though it’s a smaller one this time.Tech media outlet Engadget reported that X will soon stop letting users hide their blue verification checkmarks, whether they’re paying for a premium account or not. The app began telling users that the option to hide their checkmarks in X Premium will be removed soon.
This update follows a move where X started giving blue checkmarks to “influential” users who have at least 2,500 followers and subscribe to a premium plan.


Elon Musk says this change is supposed to be a perk, but not everyone’s happy about it. Some users, especially those who were already verified before, don’t like the blue badge popping up on their profiles because it might look like they’re paying for something that used to be free.


Originally, the blue checkmark was a way to show an account was officially verified and belonged to a public figure like a celebrity, politician, or journalist. It was free and based on certain criteria.

 
Under Musk, this checkmark became part of the X Premium (formerly Twitter Blue) package, meaning anyone who pays for it gets one. This has caused some backlash because it made verification seem like something you could buy, lowering its value. This could be why the option to hide the checkmark was originally included.


Despite the reasons users might have for wanting to hide it, X is moving forward with removing the ability to do so. This update is still rolling out, so it might not be visible on all accounts just yet.

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Deepfake Technology To Impersonate as LastPass CEO

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Deepfake Technology To Impersonate as LastPass CEO
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A LastPass employee recently became the target of an attempted fraud involving sophisticated audio deepfake technology.

This incident underscores the urgent need for heightened cybersecurity awareness and the implementation of robust verification processes within organizations.

The Rise of Deepfake Technology

Deepfake technology, which employs generative artificial intelligence to create hyper-realistic audio or visual content, has been a growing concern among cybersecurity experts for several years.

Initially associated with political misinformation campaigns, the technology’s potential for harm has expanded into the private sector, with fraudsters leveraging it for elaborate impersonation schemes.

The technology’s accessibility has dramatically increased, with numerous websites and applications enabling virtually anyone to craft convincing deepfakes.

Historically, deep fakes have been used in high-profile fraud cases, such as a 2019 incident where a UK company’s employee was tricked into transferring funds to a fraudster impersonating the CEO through voice-generating AI.

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More recently, a finance worker at a Hong Kong-based multinational was deceived into sending $25 million to perpetrators using video deepfake technology to impersonate key company officials during a video call.

The LastPass Incident: A Close Call

The recent attempt on a LastPass employee represents a significant escalation in using deepfake technology for corporate fraud.

The employee received multiple calls, texts, and at least one voicemail via WhatsApp, all featuring an audio deepfake of the company’s CEO.

The fraudulent communication was immediately suspicious to the employee due to its occurrence outside normal business channels and the presence of social engineering red flags, such as undue urgency.

Screen capture displaying the WhatsApp attempted contact using deepfake audio as part of a CEO impersonation

Screen capture displaying the WhatsApp attempted contact using deepfake audio as part of a CEO impersonation.

Fortunately, the LastPass employee did not engage with the fraudulent messages and promptly reported the incident to the company’s internal security team.

This swift action allowed LastPass to mitigate any potential threat and use the incident as a case study to enhance awareness of deepfake technology’s dangers within the company and the broader cybersecurity community.

The incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of verifying the identity of individuals claiming affiliation with a company, especially when contacted through unconventional channels.

LastPass’s proactive approach in sharing details of the attempted fraud aims to encourage other organizations to remain vigilant and educate their employees about cybercriminals’ evolving tactics.

In response to the growing threat posed by deepfake technology, LastPass is collaborating with intelligence-sharing partners and other cybersecurity entities to share knowledge about such tactics.

This collective effort is crucial for staying ahead of fraudsters and safeguarding the integrity of corporate communications and transactions.

The attempted deepfake call targeting a LastPass employee is a stark illustration of the sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals in the digital age.

It highlights the imperative for continuous education, vigilance, and developing secure verification protocols to protect against the ever-evolving threats posed by malicious actors in the cyber realm.

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Google Play Store’s new avatar features a persistent bottom bar

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Google Play Store’s new avatar features a persistent bottom bar
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The Google Play Store is now getting a persistent bottom bar. Again, that’s another change you’ll see while using the Google Play Store. Last month, Google introduced a new Search tab in the Google Play Store. The new Search tab feature combined with the persistent bottom bar is rolling out slowly to users.

You’ll see the bottom bar throughout the app’s interface

Gone are the days when you used to see the bottom bar only on the home page of the Google Play Store. Soon, you will find a persistent bottom bar in the Google Play Store. That means, not only will it appear on the home page as it used to, but it will be visible throughout the app’s UI. You can see it whenever you browse the list of apps, app pages, or app developer pages.

That said, the Play Store’s persistent bottom bar could give a cluttered-screen vibe initially. But, it might come in handy to perform certain actions quickly from anywhere within the app. With the Games tab and the Apps tab always available, it is easier to switch between them.

Earlier, Google added a new Search tab to the Play Store

Talking of the new Search tab, you’ll see a ‘Meet the Search tab’ prompt as soon you enter the Google Play Store. The new Search tab shows a cool animation of a magnifying glass rotating whenever you select it. And, it is available in between the Apps and Offers tab in the bottom bar. You can tap the search icon in the bottom bar of the Play Store to expand the search interface within the popular Android app.

The Search tab is divided into four sections: Discover, You Might Like, Explore Games, and Explore Apps. Notably, all the sub-sections within them are placed in the grid format. Let’s not forget that you’ll also see a persistent Play Points counter at the top right. However, Google seemingly didn’t change the position of the Books tab for now.

It seems Google is playing with new features lately. However, time will tell whether users love the idea of the persistent bottom bar in the Play Store. Moreover, if you are eager to see the changes, you’ll have to wait until it is available to your device. We don’t know the exact date yet, but the changes are rolling out slowly for users globally.


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Spotify doubles down on podcasts with Substack partnership after Google killed its dedicated app

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Spotify doubles down on podcasts with Substack partnership after Google killed its dedicated app
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Days after Google killed its dedicated Podcasts app and suggested using YouTube Music for talk sessions, Spotify is coming up with a partnership. “Spotify and Substack partner to bring even more podcasts to listeners”, reads the official announcement.

Beginning today, Substack podcast creators globally can distribute their free and gated content to Spotify for the first time, and fans worldwide can listen to top Substack podcasts where they’re already listening to their favorite audio content.


Substack is joining a robust array of content providers leveraging Spotify’s Open Access platform to offer premium subscriptions. The integration is powered by Spotify’s Open Access API, which allows podcast creators to extend their reach to Spotify’s 602 million monthly active users while retaining control over their subscriptions and content.Stephanie Shaer, Spotify’s Head of Partner Strategy and Business Development, emphasized that this feature is designed to help creators expand their listener base without sacrificing their direct relationships with subscribers. According to Shaer, this integration not only helps Substack creators reach listeners on their preferred platform but also enriches the Spotify ecosystem with high-quality, diverse content.Some notable podcasts making their debut on Spotify include “Rich Text,” “Split Zone Duo,” and “Culture Study.” Emma Gray, co-host of “Rich Text,” expressed excitement about providing their community with broader access to their podcast through Spotify. Similarly, Alex Kirshner of “Split Zone Duo” highlighted the convenience of reaching audiences where they are already engaged. Anne Helen Petersen of “Culture Study” also noted the benefits of making subscriber-only content more accessible on Spotify. To facilitate this integration, Substack podcast creators can easily add Spotify as a distribution channel for their podcasts, which allows them to expand their audience while maintaining control over their subscriber base, content, and revenue streams. Listeners can link their Substack and Spotify accounts to access content, ensuring a seamless transition between platforms.

Google is not letting go of the Podcasts ethos


Google may have killed the Podcasts app, but just the other day made promises to enhance the podcast experience in YouTube Music, which is now used for talk sessions.

Meanwhile, Spotify is testing a fancy AI playlist feature that will let AI pick songs for you based on a prompt.


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X takes away the ability to hide blue checkmark verification

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X takes away the ability to hide blue checkmark verification
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X (formerly Twitter) no longer allows users to hide their blue checkmarks, regardless of subscription status. This move has sparked a contentious discussion within the app’s community, especially among those who cherished their anonymity or wanted to uphold fairness.

Removal of checkmark hiding feature on X

This Thursday, app users were surprised with a notification announcing the upcoming removal of the hide your checkmark feature in X Premium. This sudden change comes right after another controversial update, where X started giving blue checkmarks to accounts considered “influential” with at least 2,500 followers, as long as they were premium subscribers.

Although individuals have presented this change as a valuable benefit, not all are rejoicing. Users, including some verified ones, are upset about the sudden blue badge introduction to their profiles. Many fear being seen as subscribing just for the badge, not the premium features.

Transparency and fairness concerns

The recent change in the X community has sparked concerns regarding openness and equity. Formerly, Users can hide checkmarks for privacy reasons, but now they are visible regardless of preferences or subscription status. Additionally, the move sparks debates on social media commercialization and unfair advantages due to premium services.

X has still not given a clear explanation for getting rid of the checkmark hiding feature, despite the initial criticism. It’s uncertain whether this move will drive users away or make the app reconsider its policies. One thing is clear, the debate on the significance of verification badges in shaping online identity & status is far from settled.

In general, the divisive move by X to eliminate the checkmark hiding option has sparked a heated discussion among users. This action has stirred up worries regarding privacy, fairness, and transparency in the app’s community. The true impact of this decision on user engagement and the overall user experience on X remains to be seen.


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