Wednesday, November 11, 2026

Next Frontier 9

Software

Applications, browsers and tools for getting work done.

software · Nov 6

How to Remove Your Personal Information From Data Brokers

Opt out site by site, pay a service, or use California's free DROP tool. What works and why records come back.

A one-time recovery code moves from a secure account window into a paper envelope.

2FA · Nov 1

2FA Recovery Codes: Create, Store and Replace Them

Create, store and replace 2FA recovery codes before a lost phone turns into an account lockout.

Illustrated phone with a rich chat bubble moving between mobile networks

software · Oct 27

What Is RCS Messaging? Features, Fallbacks and Encryption

RCS brings app-like features to phone messaging, but support, encryption and SMS fallback still vary by conversation.

An old phone showing authenticator codes passes a QR code to a new phone with a check mark, beside a card of recovery codes.

Authenticator apps · Oct 24

How to Transfer an Authenticator App to a New Phone

Move authenticator codes safely, keep recovery routes, and avoid losing work or school access on a new phone.

A software window with a hidden crack exposed by an orange spotlight while a patch tile approaches.

zero-day · Oct 23

What Is a Zero-Day Vulnerability? How a Fix Arrives

A zero-day is an unknown or unpatched weakness. See how discovery, exploitation, CVEs and emergency fixes fit together.

Two phones passing authenticator codes, with a confirmation check on the new device.

authenticator app · Oct 15

How to Move an Authenticator App to a New Phone

Move authenticator codes safely, test real sign-ins, and avoid losing access when you change phones.

An encrypted message connection between two phones, with a lock around the content.

Software · Oct 8

What Is End-to-End Encryption? Devices, Keys and Backups

Encryption protects a message between its endpoints.

Comparison diagram showing an app generating a code and SMS delivering a code through a phone number.

Software · Oct 6

Authenticator App vs SMS: How the Login Codes Differ

App codes avoid phone-number delivery, but app and SMS codes can both be phished.

A black hardware security key with a USB-C connector and a gold touch sensor, sending a signal to a browser window that shows a padlock and an orange check mark

software · Oct 3

What Is a Security Key? How Hardware Keys Stop Phishing

A small device that proves it is you when you sign in, and that a fake login page cannot trick.

software · Sep 5

Before You Install a Browser Extension, Check These Permissions

Compare an extension's requested access with the task you expect it to perform.

software · Jul 10

Local-First Apps: What Changes When Your Files Stay on Your Device?

Local-first software keeps a usable copy on your device and synchronizes it with other copies.

Passkeys Explained: Signing In Without a Password — conceptual diagram

software · May 19

What Is a Passkey? How Passkeys Work and How to Set One Up

A passkey lets you sign in with your fingerprint, face or device PIN instead of a password.

Software explainers on Next F9 cover the choices that shape everyday computing: what a passkey is and how it replaces a password with your fingerprint, face or device PIN, which browser extension permissions to compare with the job you expect, and what changes when local-first apps keep your files on your device. For dated releases, read Software news or visit the Software desk.