apps parents should know about 2021
Title: Top 10 Apps Parents Should Know About in 2021: Ensuring a Safe and Engaging Digital Environment for Children
Introduction:
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly important for parents to stay informed about the latest apps and digital platforms that their children are using. With technology playing a significant role in our lives, it is crucial to ensure that children have access to safe and educational content while also being protected from potential dangers. In this article, we will explore the top 10 apps that parents should know about in 2021, focusing on their features, benefits, and safety measures.
1. TikTok :
TikTok has gained immense popularity among children and teenagers as an entertaining platform for sharing short videos. With millions of users worldwide, it is important for parents to understand its potential risks and benefits. While TikTok provides a space for creative expression, parents should be vigilant about their children’s online activities, monitor their interactions, and set privacy settings to restrict access to strangers.
2. YouTube Kids:
YouTube Kids is a child-friendly version of the popular video-sharing platform, YouTube. It offers a curated selection of age-appropriate videos, channels, and playlists for children. Parents can customize settings to limit screen time, filter content, and monitor search history. However, occasional monitoring is still necessary to ensure children are not exposed to inappropriate content.
3. Messenger Kids:
Messenger Kids is a messaging app designed specifically for children. It allows kids to connect with friends and family members, but parents have complete control over their contacts and conversations. The app incorporates a range of safety features, including parental approval for contacts and the ability to report and block users.
4. Roblox :
Roblox is a gaming platform that allows users to create and play games. It has become extremely popular among children, offering a range of educational and creative experiences. However, parents should be aware of the potential risks of interacting with strangers online and should monitor their child’s activities to ensure a safe gaming environment.
5. Minecraft:
Minecraft is a sandbox-style game that promotes creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration. It provides an immersive virtual world where players can build and explore. While Minecraft is generally considered safe, parents should be cautious about online multiplayer interactions and ensure their child understands appropriate behavior.
6. Duolingo:
Duolingo is a language-learning app that makes language education fun and engaging. It offers a variety of interactive lessons, quizzes, and challenges. Parents can encourage their children to use Duolingo to develop language skills and cultural awareness.
7. Khan Academy Kids:
Khan Academy Kids is an educational app that offers a wide range of interactive activities, games, and lessons for young children. It covers various subjects, including math, reading, writing, and social-emotional development. Parents can use this app to supplement their child’s learning and ensure they have access to quality educational content.
8. Headspace for Kids:
Headspace for Kids is a meditation and mindfulness app designed specifically for children. It teaches relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices to help children manage stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. Parents can introduce their children to mindfulness through this app and encourage daily practice.
9. VSCO:
VSCO is a photo and video editing app that allows users to enhance and share their visual creations. It provides a creative outlet for children interested in photography and digital art. Parents should monitor their child’s activity on VSCO to ensure the content shared and interactions are safe and appropriate.
10. Google Family Link:
Google Family Link is a comprehensive parental control app that allows parents to manage their child’s digital activities. It enables parents to set screen time limits, block inappropriate content, manage app downloads, and track location. With Google Family Link, parents can maintain a safe and balanced digital environment for their children.
Conclusion:
In an increasingly digital world, staying informed about the latest apps and digital platforms is crucial for parents. The top 10 apps discussed in this article offer a combination of entertainment, education, and creativity for children. However, it is essential for parents to remain vigilant, establish open lines of communication with their children, set boundaries, and monitor their online activities to ensure their safety and well-being. By embracing technology responsibly, parents can provide their children with a safe and engaging digital environment in 2021 and beyond.
microsoft released outofband january patch issues
On January 4, 2021, Microsoft released an out-of-band patch to address multiple security vulnerabilities in its products. This unexpected release came just a week after the company’s regularly scheduled Patch Tuesday updates. The out-of-band patch was meant to fix critical flaws in Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Exchange Server, and Microsoft Windows Codecs Library. However, shortly after its release, reports of issues arising from the patch started surfacing, causing concerns among users and IT professionals.
The out-of-band patch was released as part of Microsoft’s commitment to providing timely updates to ensure the security of its products. However, this particular patch has caused more harm than good, leading to significant disruptions for many users. Let’s delve deeper into the details of the out-of-band patch and the issues it has caused.
What is an Out-of-Band Patch?
Before we dive into the issues caused by the January out-of-band patch, it is essential to understand what an out-of-band patch is and why it is necessary. An out-of-band patch is an unscheduled update that is released outside of the regular Patch Tuesday schedule. Patch Tuesday is the second Tuesday of every month when Microsoft releases its cumulative updates and patches for its products.
Out-of-band patches are typically released to address critical security vulnerabilities that require immediate attention. These vulnerabilities are often actively exploited by hackers, putting users at risk. In such cases, Microsoft releases an out-of-band patch to protect its users and prevent any potential damage. These patches are meant to be a quick fix and are usually followed by a more comprehensive update in the next Patch Tuesday release.
The January Out-of-Band Patch
The January out-of-band patch was released to address three critical vulnerabilities in Microsoft products. The first vulnerability, CVE-2021-1647, is a remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Defender. This flaw could allow an attacker to take control of a system by sending a specially crafted file to a user. The second vulnerability, CVE-2021-1658, is a remote code execution flaw in Microsoft Exchange Server. This flaw could allow an attacker to run arbitrary code on a targeted server. Finally, the third vulnerability, CVE-2021-1648, is a remote code execution flaw in the Windows Codecs Library. This flaw could allow an attacker to execute code remotely when a user opens a malicious file.
Given the severity of these vulnerabilities, it was crucial for Microsoft to release an out-of-band patch to address them. However, the patch has caused a myriad of issues for users, including compatibility issues and even system crashes.
Compatibility Issues
One of the major issues caused by the January out-of-band patch is compatibility issues with third-party software. Many users have reported that the patch has caused their systems to crash or become unresponsive when using certain programs. This is because the patch is not compatible with some third-party software, causing conflicts and resulting in system instability.
Some of the affected third-party software includes virtual private network (VPN) clients, endpoint protection software, and even Microsoft’s own Office suite. For users who rely on these programs for their daily tasks, the out-of-band patch has caused significant disruptions and productivity loss.
System Crashes
In addition to compatibility issues, the January out-of-band patch has also caused system crashes for some users. These crashes have been reported on both Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 and 2019. The crashes seem to be happening randomly, with some users experiencing multiple crashes a day.
The cause of these crashes is believed to be a conflict between the out-of-band patch and certain drivers installed on the affected systems. Microsoft has acknowledged this issue and is working on a fix. In the meantime, users are advised to uninstall the out-of-band patch if they experience system crashes.
Workarounds and Solutions
The compatibility issues and system crashes caused by the January out-of-band patch have left many users frustrated and seeking solutions. Some users have resorted to uninstalling the patch, while others have disabled certain features to try and avoid any further issues. However, these workarounds are only temporary solutions, and it is crucial to address the issues caused by the patch to ensure the security of systems.
Microsoft has released an update for the Windows Codecs Library vulnerability that is causing compatibility issues. This update, labeled as KB4598479, is available for manual download and installation. However, users are advised to proceed with caution and only install the update if they are experiencing compatibility issues with the out-of-band patch.
For users experiencing system crashes, Microsoft has provided a workaround that involves disabling the Windows Defender Network Inspection Service. This service is responsible for scanning incoming and outgoing network traffic, and disabling it could potentially prevent the crashes. However, this workaround is not a permanent solution, and users are advised to monitor Microsoft’s updates for a fix.
Lessons Learned
The January out-of-band patch has highlighted some important lessons for Microsoft and its users. First and foremost, the patch has shown the importance of thorough testing before the release of updates. While it is understandable that the out-of-band patch was a quick fix to address critical vulnerabilities, proper testing could have prevented the issues caused by the patch.
Moreover, the out-of-band patch has also shed light on the importance of a robust and reliable patching process. Organizations that have a well-defined patch management process were able to mitigate the issues caused by the patch quickly. On the other hand, organizations with a haphazard patching process have been left struggling to deal with the compatibility issues and system crashes.
Moving forward, it is crucial for Microsoft to ensure that its patches are thoroughly tested before their release. This will not only prevent issues for its users but also maintain trust in the company’s products. Users, on the other hand, should also have a well-defined patch management process in place to mitigate any potential risks caused by updates.
In conclusion, the January out-of-band patch released by Microsoft has caused significant issues for users. However, it has also highlighted the importance of proper testing and a robust patch management process. With these lessons learned, it is hoped that future updates from Microsoft will be more reliable and have minimal impact on users.
set data limits on verizon
Verizon is one of the leading telecommunications companies in the United States, providing wireless services to millions of customers. With the increasing use of smartphones and other mobile devices, the demand for data has also risen. This has led to Verizon implementing data limits on their plans to manage network congestion and maintain quality of service for their customers. In this article, we will delve into the details of Verizon’s data limits, how they work, and what customers need to know.
What are Data Limits?
Data limits, also known as data caps, refer to the maximum amount of data that a customer can use in a month before their internet speeds are reduced. This means that once a customer reaches their data limit, their connection will slow down, making it difficult to stream videos, download large files, or browse the web at high speeds. Data limits are put in place by telecommunication companies to prevent network congestion and ensure that all customers have access to a fast and reliable connection.
Why Does Verizon Have Data Limits?
Verizon’s data limits are a way to manage network traffic and ensure that all customers have a good experience using their services. With the increasing use of data-heavy applications like video streaming and online gaming, the demand for data has risen significantly. This has put a strain on Verizon’s network, and without data limits, the quality of service for all customers would be affected.
Additionally, data limits also help Verizon manage their costs. As a wireless provider, Verizon has to invest in infrastructure and technology to maintain their network. By implementing data limits, they can control the amount of data being used by customers and avoid overloading their network, which can be costly to upgrade.
Types of Data Limits on Verizon
Verizon offers a variety of plans with different data limits to cater to the needs of their diverse customer base. The most common types of data limits on Verizon include:
1. Soft Data Limits
Soft data limits refer to the point at which a customer’s data speeds are reduced, but their connection is not completely cut off. For example, if a customer has a 5GB data limit, their speeds may be throttled once they reach 5GB, but they can still continue to use data at a reduced speed. This allows customers to still have access to the internet, albeit at a slower speed.
2. Hard Data Limits
Hard data limits, on the other hand, refer to the point at which a customer’s data connection is completely cut off. This means that once a customer reaches their data limit, they will no longer be able to use data until the next billing cycle. Hard data limits are less common on Verizon plans and are usually reserved for lower-tier plans with smaller data allowances.
3. Unlimited Plans with Deprioritization
Verizon also offers unlimited plans with deprioritization, where customers can use unlimited data at high speeds until they reach a certain threshold, after which their speeds may be reduced during periods of network congestion. This type of data limit is known as deprioritization, where customers are prioritized based on their data usage. Customers who have used more data during the billing cycle may experience slower speeds during times when the network is congested.
4. Safety Mode
Verizon also offers a safety mode feature, which allows customers to continue using data at reduced speeds once they reach their data limit. This can be useful for customers who want to avoid overage charges or have essential tasks that require internet access even after reaching their data limit.
How to Check Your Data Usage on Verizon
Verizon provides several ways for customers to keep track of their data usage, including:
1. My Verizon App
The My Verizon app is the easiest way to check your data usage. It allows you to view your data usage in real-time and provides a breakdown of how much data you have used for different activities such as streaming, browsing, and social media.
2. My Verizon Account
Customers can also check their data usage by logging into their My Verizon account on the Verizon website. This will show a detailed breakdown of your data usage and how much data you have remaining for the billing cycle.
3. Data Usage Alerts
Verizon also offers data usage alerts, where customers can receive notifications when they are close to reaching their data limit. These alerts can be sent via text message or email, depending on the customer’s preference.
How to Avoid Going Over Your Data Limit
Going over your data limit can result in overage charges or reduced speeds, depending on your plan. Here are some tips to help you avoid going over your data limit:
1. Use Wi-Fi When Possible
Using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data can significantly reduce your data usage. Make sure to connect to Wi-Fi whenever it’s available, especially when streaming videos or downloading large files.
2. Monitor Your Usage
Keep an eye on your data usage using the methods mentioned above. This will give you an idea of how much data you are using and help you plan accordingly.
3. Use Data-Saving Features
Many apps have data-saving features that can help reduce your data usage. For example, Netflix has a “Data Saver” feature that reduces the video quality to use less data.
4. Turn Off Background Data
Some apps continue to use data even when you’re not actively using them. Turning off background data for these apps can help save your data.
5. Upgrade to a Higher Plan
If you find that you are consistently going over your data limit, consider upgrading to a plan with a higher data allowance. This may save you money in the long run compared to paying overage charges.
Consequences of Going Over Your Data Limit
Going over your data limit can result in additional charges, depending on your plan. For example, Verizon’s Beyond Unlimited plan charges $15 per GB for data used over the limit, while their Go Unlimited plan reduces speeds to 600 Kbps after reaching the data limit.
In addition to charges, going over your data limit can also result in slower speeds, making it difficult to use data-heavy applications. This can be frustrating for customers who need a fast and reliable connection.
Verizon’s Efforts to Manage Network Congestion
Verizon has made efforts to manage network congestion and provide a better experience for their customers. One of their initiatives is the implementation of a “5G Fleet Swap” program, where they are replacing some of their 4G LTE equipment with newer 5G technology. This will help alleviate network congestion and provide faster speeds for customers.
Additionally, Verizon has also introduced a “Safety Mode Auto-Enrollment” feature, which automatically enrolls customers in safety mode once they reach their data limit. This helps customers avoid overage charges and continue using data at reduced speeds.
Conclusion
Verizon’s data limits are a way to manage network congestion and ensure that all customers have access to a fast and reliable connection. With the increasing use of data-heavy applications, data limits are necessary to maintain the quality of service for all customers. By understanding how data limits work, monitoring your usage, and following some tips to avoid going over your limit, you can make the most out of your Verizon plan and have a seamless internet experience.
