In a world where change is the only constant, the way we live is evolving faster than ever. Gone are the days when people spent decades in the same home, surrounded by the same furniture. Today, more and more of us are embracing transient lifestyleswhether its for career opportunities, personal growth, or simply the thrill of exploring new places. This shift has given rise to a new design philosophy: nomadic furniture. Modular, portable, and adaptable, these pieces are redefining what it means to create a home, no matter where life takes you.What Is Nomadic Design?Nomadic design is all about adaptability. Its furniture and decor that can easily be moved, reconfigured, or repurposed to suit different spaces and needs. Think of it as the Swiss Army knife of home designversatile, compact, and ready for anything. This approach isnt just practical; its also a reflection of a broader cultural shift toward minimalism and intentional living.At its core, nomadic design is about creating a home that can evolve with you. Its about investing in pieces that are as comfortable in a studio apartment as they are in a sprawling suburban house. Its about embracing the idea that home isnt a placeits a feeling.Portable Furniture: Lightweight and CompactVisualizer: Maxim ShpinkovAnother key aspect of nomadic design is portability. When youre moving often, the last thing you want is a bulky, heavy piece of furniture thats a pain to transport. Portable furniture is designed to be lightweight and easy to move, often with features like foldable legs, collapsible frames, or built-in handles.Consider the humble folding table. Its a staple of nomadic living because its so versatile. Need a dining table? A desk? A workspace for a DIY project? A folding table can do it all. And when youre done, it can be tucked away in a closet or under a bed, taking up minimal space.Portable furniture isnt just practicalits also stylish. Designers are increasingly creating pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional. Take, for example, the Pli Side Table by designer Merve Kahraman. Made from lightweight aluminum, it folds flat for easy transport but opens into a sleek, modern side table. Its the perfect blend of form and function.Multi-Functional Pieces: Doing More with LessVisualizer: Dng PhanIn a nomadic lifestyle, space is often at a premium. Thats why multi-functional furniture is such a big part of nomadic design. These are pieces that serve more than one purpose, helping you make the most of every square foot.A classic example is the Murphy bed, which folds up into the wall when not in use, freeing up floor space for other activities. But multi-functional furniture goes far beyond that. There are coffee tables that transform into dining tables, ottomans with hidden storage, and even sofas that convert into bunk beds.One of the most innovative examples of multi-functional design is the Ori system, developed by MITs Media Lab. Ori creates robotic furniture that can transform a single room into multiple spaces. With the push of a button, a bed can slide out of the way to reveal a desk, or a closet can shift to create a living room. Its like having an entire apartments worth of furniture in one room.Sustainable and Eco-Friendly DesignImage Source: Domus NovaNomadic design isnt just about convenienceits also about sustainability. When youre moving frequently, its easy to fall into the trap of buying cheap, disposable furniture that you end up throwing away after a few moves. But nomadic design encourages a more thoughtful approach.Many nomadic furniture brands prioritize sustainability, using materials like reclaimed wood, recycled metal, and eco-friendly fabrics. They also focus on durability, creating pieces that are built to last. After all, the most sustainable furniture is the kind you dont have to replace.Take, for example, the company Floyd. Known for its modular shelving and tables, Floyd designs its furniture to be disassembled and reassembled easily, making it ideal for frequent movers. The company also uses sustainable materials and offers a buy-back program, allowing customers to return their furniture when they no longer need it.Key Pieces of Modular Furniture for a Nomadic LifestyleMurphy Beds :These classic space-savers are making a huge comeback. Modern Murphy beds fold up seamlessly into the wall, often doubling as shelves or desks when closed. Perfect for small apartments or temporary living spaces, they allow you to reclaim valuable floor space during the day.Modular Sofas: Think of brands like Burrow or Floyd, offering sectional sofas that can be expanded, reduced, or reconfigured based on your space. Whether youre moving into a loft or a studio, these sofas adapt effortlessly, and you can add pieces as your needs change.Foldable Desks and Tables: Companies like IKEA have championed foldable designs for years, but newer brands are adding more style to the mix. Desks like the Floyd Table or compact, wall-mounted drop-leaf tables offer sturdy workspaces that can be easily packed up when its time to move.Stackable Chairs and Stools: Lightweight, durable, and easy to store, stackable seating like Herman Millers Eames Molded Plastic Chairs or simple metal bistro stools fit into any decor while keeping things portable.Expandable Dining Tables: An extendable dining table is a nomads best friend. Go from dinner for two to a gathering of six with a simple pull-and-lock mechanism. West Elm and Article offer beautiful options that are easy to assemble and disassemble.Portable Storage Solutions: Storage is a challenge for anyone, but its especially tricky for frequent movers. Portable storage solutions, like stackable bins, rolling carts, and foldable shelves, make it easy to keep your belongings organized and accessible. Look for pieces that are lightweight and easy to disassemble.Modular Shelving Systems: Systems like the String Shelving allow you to customize your storage with a mix of shelves, drawers, and cabinets. They can be easily reconfigured for different wall spaces in new homes.Rolling Storage Carts: Portable and versatile, rolling carts like the RSKOG from IKEA can be used in the kitchen, bathroom, or office and rolled into closets when not needed.Tips for Embracing Nomadic DesignReady to dive into the world of nomadic design? Here are some tips to help you get started:Start Small: You dont have to overhaul your entire home at once. Begin with a few key pieces, like a collapsible table or a modular sofa, and build from there.Prioritize Quality: While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest option, investing in high-quality, durable furniture will pay off in the long run. Look for pieces made from sturdy materials that can withstand frequent moves.Think Multi-Functional: When shopping for furniture, ask yourself: How many ways can I use this piece? The more functions a piece has, the more value it will add to your space.Keep It Light: Opt for lightweight materials like aluminum, plywood, and fabric. These materials are easier to move and less likely to get damaged during transport.Embrace Neutral Tones: Neutral colors and simple designs are more versatile, making it easier to mix and match pieces as your style evolves.Get Creative: Nomadic design is all about thinking outside the box. Dont be afraid to repurpose items or use furniture in unexpected ways. A stack of crates, for example, can double as a nightstand or a bookshelf.Decor for the Nomadic SoulImage Source: Tea With RubyFurniture is only part of the equation when it comes to creating a home. Decor plays a huge role in making a space feel personal and inviting. But for frequent movers, traditional decorlike heavy artwork, fragile vases, and bulky rugscan be impractical.Tapestries and Lightweight Wall Art: Forget heavy frames and nails. Fabric tapestries, removable wall decals, or peel-and-stick wallpapers can transform a room without permanent changes. Plus, they roll up neatly when its time to move.Portable Lighting: Rechargeable lamps and LED string lights provide ambiance without complicated wiring. Brands like Fatboy offer stylish, portable lighting options perfect for transient living.Collapsible Storage Bins: From canvas bins to foldable baskets, these storage solutions keep things organized and collapse flat for easy packing.Compact Rugs and Textiles:Rugs like flatweave kilims are lightweight, durable, and easy to fold. Throw blankets and cushions in neutral tones can refresh your decor without adding bulk.Small Indoor Plants :Succulents, air plants, or even portable herb gardens bring life to any space and are easy to move. Opt for lightweight pots or fabric planters to keep things manageable.The Emotional Anchor: Why Nomadic Design MattersVisualizer: F9studioMoving frequently can be exciting, but it can also be emotionally draining. Leaving behind friends, familiar places, and routines can make it hard to feel grounded. Nomadic design isnt just about practicalityits about creating a sense of stability and belonging, even when your surroundings are constantly shifting.1. Familiarity in the UnfamiliarWhen you move to a new place, everything feels foreignthe streets, the sounds, even the light coming through the windows. But when you unpack your favorite modular sofa or set up that foldable table youve had for years, it instantly feels like home. These pieces become emotional anchors, reminding you of who you are and where youve been.2. A Sense of ControlFrequent moves can make life feel chaotic. But having furniture and decor that adapts to your needs gives you a sense of control. Youre not at the mercy of your space; your space works for you. Whether its a multi-functional desk that transforms into a dining table or a portable lamp that always sits by your bedside, these pieces help you create order in the midst of change.3. Less Clutter, More PeaceNomadic design encourages minimalism, which can be incredibly freeing. When youre not weighed down by excess stuff, you have more mental and emotional space to focus on what truly matters. Letting go of the unnecessarywhether its a bulky dresser or a collection of knick-knackscan feel like a fresh start every time you move.4. A Connection to Your JourneyEvery piece of nomadic furniture tells a story. That collapsible chair you bought for your first apartment? Its been with you through three moves and countless late-night conversations. The modular shelving unit you assembled in your last city? Its held your books, photos, and memories from every place youve lived. These pieces become a part of your journey, grounding you in your own history.5. The Joy of ReinventionOne of the most beautiful aspects of nomadic living is the opportunity to reinvent yourself and your space. With modular and portable furniture, you can rearrange your home to reflect your current mood, needs, or aspirations. Its like hitting the reset button on your life, but with the comfort of familiar pieces that make the transition easier.Finishing NotesAt Home Designing, we believe that great design should be accessible to everyone, no matter where life takes them. Thats why were excited to see the rise of nomadic designa trend thats not just about furniture, but about redefining what it means to feel at home. Whether youre moving across the country or just looking to simplify your space, these innovative pieces prove that home isnt a placeits a feeling.So, if youre ready to embrace a more flexible, intentional way of living, explore the world of nomadic design. Visit Home Designing for more inspiration, tips, and ideas to create a home that moves with you. Because no matter where you go, your home should always feel like yours.

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MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsExcellent image qualityHandy set of software utilities for color professionalsNano Matte Panel cuts down glare and reflectionsHeight-adjustable standConsNo webcam60Hz refresh rate may discourage gamersOur Verdict Graphics professionals will find the BenQ PD2730S a vital tool for production work. It offers 5K resolution and produces top-notch image quality. It also includes several helpful software tools as well as the Hotkey Puck G3 to adjust to your needs.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayBest Prices Today: BenQ PD2730SRetailerPriceBenQ$1199.99View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketThe BenQ PD2730S 5K Designer Monitor is a 27-inch display thats a new addition to the companys DesignVue lineup of displays geared towards designers, graphics professionals, video producers, and anyone else who demands color accuracy and consistency, and top-notch image quality. Its size and resolution make it a direct competitor to Apples Studio Display.BenQ PD2730S: SpecificationsSize27 inchesGlass frontNano Matte PanelAspect ratio16:9Native resolution5120 by 2880Panel type/BacklightIPS/LED backlightResponse time5 msContrast ratio2000:1Frequency24Hz to 60HzColor depth10-bitBrightness400 nitsDimensions with stand (horizontal)Highest height: 22.7 by 24.2 by 9.5 inches (577.6 by 614 by 242.1mm) Lowest height: 16.8 by 24.2 by 9.5 inches (427.6 by 614 by 242.1mm)Weight with stand18.12 lbs (8.22 kg)BenQ PD2730S: Design and buildThe PD2730S is a well-built, good-looking display. It is encased in plastic, with the back in white and the bezels and the underneath panel in dark gray. It doesnt feel cheap.When unpacking the display, theres a warning label attached to the upper right corner that tells users not to peel away the coating of the display. Theres a very narrow gap between the display and the case and at the corners, the display panel is exposed. Someone might be tempted to start picking at the corner to peel what may look like a protective packaging overlay. But there is no packaging layer, thus the warning label. Leave it alone!The narrow gap runs along the top and sides of the whole display. During this review, I moved the display around several times and perhaps handled it an unusual amount compared to a typical user. That resulted in tiny bits of lint and other bits getting caught in these crevices. I was able to clean the gap by inserting some masking tape into it (double-sided tape would make the task quicker), but I cant say if this is a long-term consideration for this display. It certainly does not affect the displays performance; its a matter of aesthetics. At the bottom where the display panel and case meet, the seam is sealed.The small gap between the case and the display seems like an odd design decision.FoundryBenQ PD2730S: Display standBenQ includes a plastic stand that offers -5 to 20 degrees of tilt, 30 degrees of swivel left or right, and 150 mm of height adjustment. The display can also pivot 90 degrees but turning it counterclockwise.The base of the stand is rather large, measuring 11 by 8.5 inches (28 by 21.6 cm), but it does provide stability for the 27-inch display. If youre using the PD2730S with a Mac mini, you could pace it on the base and itll look right at home.The BenQ PD2730Ss stand is a stable base.FoundryBenQ PD2730S: PortsThe PD2730S has the following ports on the back:HDMI 2.1DisplayPort 1.4Thunderbolt 4 (90W Power Delivery, DisplayPort Alt Mode, data)Thunderbolt 4 (15W Power Delivery)USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2)The following ports are under the bottom edge of the PD2730S:3.5 mm audio jack2 USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2)USB-A (USB 3.2 Gen 2)USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2)HDMI or Thunderbolt/USB-C can be used to connect to a Mac, but if you want to be able to use any of the displays USB ports and the audio jack, the display needs to connect via Thunderbolt/USB-C (its labeled with a laptop icon on the display). This connection also provides 90 watts of power so it can charge a MacBook.BenQ PD2730S: Image qualityThe PD2730S was a pleasure to look at daily. The detail it produces is sharp and satisfying; I used the display with an M4 MacBook Pro, which has a mini-LED panel (what Apple calls Liquid Retina XDR) and it looks nice, but the PD2730S is much crisper. The colors produced by the PD2730S are great, too. BenQ promotes the PD2730S as a display thats always accurate and has consistent colors thanks to the companys AQColor technology.BenQ also offers two software utilities for adjusting color. The Display ColorTalk app helps you set up your MacBook and the PD2730S so that the colors match between the two as closely as possible. The Palette Master Ultimate app works with hardware calibrators and can be used to create custom color profiles. Both apps are free and helpful to photographers, designers, and anyone else who deals with colors on a professional level.At 400 nits, the PD2730S isnt as bright as Apples Studio Display (600 nits) or the Pro Display XDR (500 nits standard; 1000 nits sustained fullscreen or 1600 nits peak HDR). I didnt have issues with the brightness, but its something to consider based on your workflow.BenQ PD2730S: Hotkey Puck G3BenQ includes its Hotkey Puck G3, which is a Bluetooth dial that can be used to quickly change the PD2730Ss settings. For example, if you need to change the color profile, you can assign a profile to the dial and use it to switch between them. It can also be used instead of the underside controls to access the displays built-in settings. If your workflow involves switching color profiles, changing inputs, and modifying display settings frequently, the Hotkey Puck G3 offers a way to make these changes almost instantly. Its a great device that can help maintain your sanity. The Hotkey Puck G3 is used to quickly switch color profiles.FoundryThe Hotkey Puck G3 requires a pair of AAA batteries, which arent included. I wasnt able to test how long the battery will last.BenQ PD2730S: Built-in controls and Display Pilot 2 softwareThe on-screen controls are accessible through buttons and a navigation joystick on the underside of the display. These controls include the color mode, brightness, sharpness, volume for the built-in speakers, and more.If you install the BenQ Display Pilot 2 software, you probably wont have to use the on-screen controls much, because Display Pilot 2 has most of the same controls. After installation, Display Pilot 2 can be accessed through an icon on the Macs menu bar.BenQ PD2730S: PriceThe PD2730S is $2,000, which includes a stand, the Hotkey Puck G3 (two AAA batteries not included), a Thunderbolt 4 cable, and a power cable. If you want to use HDMI, you need to provide your own cable. In the U.S. the display includes a three-year warranty.Should you buy the BenQ PD2730S 5K Designer Monitor?Graphics professionals will find the BenQ PD2730S a vital tool for production work. It offers 5K resolution and produces top-notch image quality. It also includes several helpful software tools as well as the Hotkey Puck G3 to adjust to your needs. Its priced lower than Apples 27-inch, 5K Studio Display, which has a few features the PD2730S lacks (a built-in 12MP Center Stage webcam, a more robust speaker system, and a three-microphone array), but the PD2730S is a better display for professional work that demands graphical accuracy. Users looking for a general-purpose display should give the BenQ MA270U a look; its not as high-end as the PD2730S, but its more than half the price.And for more options from BenQ and other bnands, check out Macworlds best picks for Mac displays.

MacworldIf you are worried you have some kind of malware or virus on your Mac, we are here to help you figure out whats going on and, if necessary, clean up the damage and get rid of a Mac virus all for free. A lot of the websites offering advice on Mac malware removal are companies trying to sell your anti-virus solutions, which makes their tips somewhat biased, but here you can expect impartial advice.Well cover how to check for a virus and how to remove malware from your Mac, getting rid of any viruses that might be lurking. Well also explain why its probably not a virus thanks to Apples stringent protections in macOS, but, if it is, well let you know about the free and cheap options that can protect your Mac from malware.Note that in this article we are going to be mixing and matching the terms malware and virus, but they are actually separate concepts. Malware tends to take the form of apps that pretend to do one thing, but actually do something nefarious, such as steal data. Viruses are small discrete bits of code that get onto your system somehow and are designed to be invisible. There are also other threats, such as ransomware and adware, and other phishing attempts, where an attempt is made to extract information that can be used to obtain money from you.Well address how to detect and get rid of these types of malware on your Mac in this article.We also recommend you read our best Mac security tips and our roundup of the best Mac antivirus apps, in which we currently recommend Intego as our top choice.PROMOTIONAntivirus Deal: Intego Mac Premium BundleGet Integos Mac Premium Bundle X9 with antivirus, firewall, backup and system performance tools for just $29.99 (down from $84.99) for the first year. Get DealHow to tell if your Mac has a virusIf your Mac has suddenly become very slow and laggy, started regularly crashing or showing error messages, and the sound of your fans whirring keeps you company, you may be suspicious that you have picked up some Mac malware. Another sign is the sudden appearance of annoying pop-up windows or extra toolbars and applications you dont remember installing. These are all signs that you might have a virus on your Mac.Its not necessarily the case that a virus is to blame though. Mac malware is incredibly rare Mac viruses do exist, in fact, there have been a few notable malware and virus reports in recent years, but there are a few reasons why Mac viruses dont tend to take hold. One is the stringent protections Apple builds into macOS, another is the fact that it is exceptionally difficult for a virus to propagate itself and spread to other Macs, see: Why Macs are more secure than Windows PCs. Signs your Mac has a virusHere are some of the symptoms of malware or viruses you might watch out for:Your Mac suddenly becomes sluggish or laggy in everyday use, as if theres some software running in the background chewing up resources.You find a new toolbar in your browser that you didnt install. Typically these toolbars claim to make it easier to search or shop.You find any web searches are unexpectedly redirected away from your usual search engine to some site youve never heard of (or the results appear on a page thats faked up to look like your usual search engine).All web pages are overlaid with adverts even those where you dont expect to see adverts, such as Wikipedia.Going to your favorite sites doesnt always work, as if something is randomly redirecting you to spam advertising pages.Advertising windows pop up on your desktop, seemingly unconnected with any browsing youre doing or any program thats running.If you get any of these symptoms then dont panic: they dont necessarily mean you have a malware or virus infection on your Mac. There are a thousand reasons why a Mac might run slowly.How to check for viruses on a MacIf having read the above you are sure that you have a virus or some other form of malware on your Mac then this tutorial should help you address the problem, read on for a guide on what to do if your Mac has a virus, starting off with how to scan your Mac for viruses.Heres one thing you definitely shouldnt do if you think your Mac is infected with malware: dont Google a description of the problem and install the first thing you find that claims to be able to fix things. Sadly, a lot of software that claims to be able to fix Macs is malware itself or is simply fake and designed only to make you part with money. These apps can look incredibly convincing and professional, so beware.Fake antivirus apps like MacDefender (see image above), which hit the headlines a few years ago, might look the part but are actually malware in disguise.If you think there is a virus, or some other threat, on your Mac, then there are a few things you can do, well run through your options below.How to remove malware from a Mac for freeUsing software to run a virus scan on your Mac is the easiest option. Luckily there are lots of apps offering to scan your Mac for virusessome for free.One option is the free-of-charge Bitdefender Virus Scanner. If you are willing to spend a little cash then the paid-for version of Bitdefender ($39.99/29.99) is worth consideration. Read our review of the free Bitdefender Virus Scanner and our review of Bitdefender Antivirus for Mac.Heres how you can use the free Bitdefender Virus Scanner to search and remove viruses for free:Open the Bitdefender Virus Scanner.Click the Update Definitions button.Once thats completed click the Deep Scan button.Follow the instructions to allow the app full access to your Macs hard disk.Another free option is AVG Antivirus for Mac. Its basic, but protects you from viruses, spyware, and malware. You might also like to try Avira Free Security for Mac, which offers some features for free, although most require a paid subscription. Read our review of AVG AntiVirus for Mac.Here are our favorite free options for detecting and removing malware.Best Free Mac malware appsThese are the best free Mac Antivirus apps we have reviewed. These may help in an emergency, but for the best protection you may need to pay for a more complete solution, in which case, any of the top picks in our roundup of the best Mac antivirus apps will be able to scan for and remove a virus from your Mac and the benefit of installing one of these should be that you never get caught out again. To get the best value for a Mac antivirus app check out the Best Antivirus for Mac deals this month.1. Intego VirusBarrier ScannerBest Prices Today: RetailerPriceIntegoFreeView DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketFree at IntegoIntegos VirusBarrier is the free version of its Intego Mac Internet Security antiviral software, which is our top choice in our round up of the best Mac antivirus software. It offers a reliable scanner for free, making it an excellent option and a worthy candidate for your attention and consideration.Read our full Intego VirusBarrier Scanner review 2. Avast Free AntivirusBest Prices Today: RetailerPriceAvastFreeView DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketFree at AvastAvast offers two free antivirus scanners for the Mac:Avast Free Antivirus. andAvast One Essential. If you want just a virus scanner, we recommend the Avast Free Antivirus version, which is the free version ofAvast Premium Security(reviewed separately).Read our fullAvast Free Antivirus review3. AVG Antivirus for MacAVG AntiVirus for Mac offers free protection that covers just the basics. Its a good free option.Read our full AVG Antivirus for Mac review 4. Bitdefender Virus ScannerBitdefender Virus Scanner stands as one of a growing catalog of tools that can help prevent and clear out malware on your Mac, and best of all, its free.Read our full Bitdefender Virus Scanner review 5. Malwarebytes Free AntivirusBest Prices Today: RetailerPriceMalwarebytesFreeView DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketFree at MalwarebytesMalwarebytes free antivirus software is good at hunting down and removing some of the peskiest viruses and malware around. Read our full Malwarebytes Free Antivirus review 6. Avira Free Security for MacAvira Free Security for Mac seems to offer a lot of features for free, but most actually require a paid subscription, unfortunately. Read our full Avira Free Security for Mac review Another option is a Mac Cleaner like CleanMyMac X, which offers a virus scan among other features. This option costs $34.95/29.95 a year right now (RRP: $39.95/34.95), but it is one of our go-to utilities for doing various jobs on the Mac, such as deleting unnecessary files to make space. Heres how we used CleamMyMac X to check for viruses.Open CleanMyMac.Click Smart Scan.Wait while it scans. The results of the scan can be found in the Protection section.Click Remove to get rid of any malware.How to remove malware from your Mac without antivirus softwareUsing an antivirus app is a great option because it will scan your Mac for viruses and then remove them. But you dont necessarily need to use a virus scanner to identify and remove viruses on your Mac.Apple already scans your Mac for viruses. As we explain in how Apple checks your Mac for viruses Apple includes antivirus software in macOS that monitors your Mac for malware, blocks malware, and removes it if necessary. Even with these protections (which do depend somewhat on the age of your Mac and the version of macOS you are running), there are still some ways to clean a virus from your Mac manually. You may be wondering if you need to wipe your Mac to remove the virus, or indeed if wiping your Mac will completely remove the virus. Its possible that you wont have to go that fartry these steps to clean things up:At a glance Time to complete: 1 hour1.Update macOS to the latest version One reason you may not need a Mac antivirus on your Mac is that Apple offers its own protection. For several years now Apple has included invisible background protection against malware and viruses. We cover this in a separate article: Do Macs need Antivirus software?One of these protections is Xprotect. Xprotect is Apples built-in malware protection. Xprotect will scan files youve downloaded and check them for known malware or viruses. If any are found you will be told the file is infected or damaged. The Xprotect system gives a warning when you download malware that it knows about, and tells you exactly what to do.Xprotect has been very effective at halting the spread of Mac malware before it can even get started and is yet another reason why malware or virus infections on a Mac are rare.Apple updates Xprotect automatically, so you shouldnt need to manually update macOS yourself to get the latest virus protections. However, if you are running an older version of macOS your Mac might not be protected (Apple only supports the past three versions of macOS).While its partially true that updating your Mac software could rid you of a virus, you should note that as good as Apples protections are, they may not be enough. Unfortunately, sometimes it takes Apple a few days (or longer) to respond to a threat. For that reason, it is worth considering an additional antivirus tool to stay safe.2.Use Activity Monitor to find viruses on a Mac If you know for sure youve installed some malware such as a dodgy update or app that pretends to be something else make a note of its name. You can quit out of that app by tapping Cmd + Q, or clicking Quit in the menu, but note that this wont stop it from starting up again in fact, it may still be working in the background. If you dont have any idea what is causing the issues you suspect are caused by a virus on your Mac, you can use Activity Monitor to spot if an app or a task is using a lot of resources this may be the malicious software.Open Activity Monitor, which youll find within the Utilities folder of the Applications list (or you can search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command + Space and typing Activity Monitor).If you are suspicious about a particular app, use the search field at the top right to search for that apps name. You might find that the questionable app is still running, despite the fact you quit it. To stop such an app from running select it in the Activity Monitor list, click the X icon at the top left of the toolbar, and select Force Quit. Note that this wont stop the malware from starting up again well explain how to remove it in the next step. If you dont have a suspicious app name to search for, sort your Activity monitor by CPU so you can see which applications and tasks are using a lot of your Macs resources. Make sure you note the details and names of these suspicious processes before quitting them by clicking on the X icon and selecting Force Quit.Next check the Memory tab to see if anything is using a lot of memory.Check the Disk tab to see if anything is standing out in the Bytes Written column.Check the Network tab and pay special attention to the Sent Bytes column.Once you have a selection of names that could relate to what you are looking for search your system for them using Spotlight (Command + Space) and remove them from your Mac (well explain how to do that next). 3.Delete the file or app and empty the Download folder If you believe your Mac was infected after opening a particular file or app and you have a file name to search for, you can attempt to locate that app, delete that file permanently by putting it into the Trash, and then empty the Trash.You should also empty the Downloads folder and delete everything in there: drag the whole lot to the Trash, and then empty the Trash.However, it is rarely this simple: most malware authors will obfuscate their code so that it uses non-obvious names, which makes it almost impossible to uncover this way.4.Clear your cache You should also clear your browsers cache. In Safari this can be done by clicking Safari > Clear History, and then selecting All History from the dropdown list. Finally, click the Clear History button.In Google Chrome this can be done by clicking Chrome > Clear Browsing Data, then in the Time Range dropdown box selecting All Time. Then click Clear Data.Its also worth deleting your application cache, although this could cause even more problems for you. If you want to try it we have a guide here: How to delete cache on a Mac.5.Shut down and restore from a backupFoundryIf none of the above have worked, which is unfortunately likely, you could try restoring from a backup, such asone made with Time Machine, but not a backup made since you contracted the virusobviously, this backup should be from a time before you believe your computer became infected. For alternatives to Time Machine, take a look at our roundup of the best backup software & services for Mac.After restoring the backup, be careful when rebooting not to plug in any removable storage such as USB sticks you had plugged in earlier when your computer was infected, and certainly dont open the same dodgy email, file or app. 6.Wipe your Mac and reinstall macOSSometimes the only way to be sure youre clean of an infection is to wipe your Mac to restore it to factory settings and then reinstall macOS and all your apps from scratch. Restoring your Mac to factory settings should remove the virus. However, this is quite a drastic solution and we think a better option would be to use a virus scanner, like one of the ones included here: best Mac antivirus apps.If wiping your Mac is the way you want to deal with the problem follow the steps here: How to wipe a Mac.What to do if your Mac has a virusIn addition to the above, there are a few other things you should do to protect yourself if you think you might have been infected with Mac malwarebefore and after the virus is removed.1. Stay offlineWhile you think you are infected you should stay offline as much as possible. Try and turn off your internet connection by either clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the menu back and selecting Turn Wi-Fi Off, or disconnecting the Ethernet cable if youre using a wired network.If possible, keep your internet connection turned off until youre sure the infection has been cleaned up. This will prevent any more of your data being sent to a malware server. (If you need to download cleanup tools then this obviously might not be possible.)2. Use safe modeBoot your Mac up in Safe mode this should at least stop the malware from loading at start up.3. Dont use any passwords and change them as soon as you canFrom the moment you suspect you have a virus you shouldnt type any passwords or login details in case a hidden keylogger is running. This is a very common component of malware.Beware that many keylogger-based malware or viruses also periodically secretly take screenshots, so be careful not to expose any passwords by copying and pasting from a document, for example, or by clicking the Show Password box that sometimes appears within dialog boxes.Once you are free of the virus you should change all your passwords, and we really do mean all of them including those for websites, cloud services, apps, and so on.4. Cancel bank and credit cardsIf you handed over money at any point for the malware such as if you paid for what appeared to be a legitimate antivirus app, for example then contact your credit card company or bank immediately and explain the situation. This is less about getting a refund, although that might be possible. Its more about ensuring your credit card details arent used anywhere else.Even if no money has changed hands you should inform your bank or financial institutions of the infection and seek their advice on how to proceed. Often at the very least, they make a note on your account for operatives to be extra vigilant should anybody try to access in future but they may issue you with new details.Hopefully, these tips will help you remove malware from your Mac, now read How to protect your Mac against attack and disaster to avoid getting infected again.

Are you ready for Vision Pro week? Well, you should be as hot on the heels of some highly significant enterprise-focused visionOS improvements, Apple has entered a new initiative that puts its deviceat the heart of future manufacturing. In this case, its a partnership with global brandDassault Systmes.At the 3D Experience Forum in Houston, Dassault Systemes announced a new 3DLive visionOS app designed for customers in manufacturing and product design.Its all about digital twins, which let customers quickly adapt to market demand and deliver accurate product quality, training, and more. In other words, the app can be seen as a real-world active deployment of spatial computing in vital product, manufacturing, and engineering scenarios. It is very much what visionOS is all about.Virtual twins, manufacturing, design, and Industry 4.0The company said it worked with Apple to integrate Vision Pro into its 3D Experience platform. It combines with Dassaults own generative AI (genAI) and its 3D UNIV+RSES, to unleash unprecedented possibilities.Our engineering collaboration with Apple represents a bold advance that reveals the power of 3D UNIV+RSES, where 3D is a universal language for a new world combining real and virtual, Elisa Prisner, Dassault Systmes executive vice president for corporate strategy and platform transformation,said in a statement. The wide and growing adoption of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform by our clients makes this cooperation a unique value for our gigantic, highly diversified customer base, seeing the high potential of 3D UNIV+RSES to collaborate and train our next generation AI-based experiences on their own virtual twin data set.Apple Vision Pro continues to push the boundaries of whats possible with spatial computing and is changing the way people work across key industries, said Mike Rockwell, Apples vice president of the Vision Products Group. Were thrilled to be collaborating with Dassault Systmes to supercharge the 3DEXPERIENCE platform with spatial computing capabilities that will enable engineers and designers to effortlessly bring 3D designs to life in ways not previously possible.What does it do?The idea is that virtual twins created on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform can be explored in virtual 3D space. More importantly, it enables teams to collaborate on projects, thanks to Vision Pros advanced cameras, sensors and tracking, which allow virtual twins to interact with the physical world around them in 3D UNIV+RSES with scientific accuracy.Imagine, for example, you are working to develop industrial machinery of some kind. Using these tools, you could build a virtual representation of the machine and use the built-in AI to put your creation through virtual real-world tests to identify problems in the design and find improvements. This is going to be considerably less expensive and risky than actual physical prototyping.Alternatively, when assessing devices for maintenance, the digital twin can show how things are meant to work, helping to identify ongoing flaws. The same applies to any form of product design and should make it much easier and cheaper to develop new product and bring it to market particularly as teams can collaborate on these designs in real or asynchronous time from anywhere in the world using Vision Pro and Dassault Systemes solutions.Can anyone have a go?If you use Vision Pro (as I wish I had the opportunity to do), you can try this tech for yourself. Dassault Systmes is publishing a visionOS app called HomeByMe Reality to visualize different home interiors. You can use this at home, in a showroom, or in a furniture store. The app can also enable people to virtually tour real estate property.Enterprise customers will be able to download Dassault Systmes new 3DLive app for Apple Vision Pro this summer.You can follow me on social media! Join me onBlueSky, LinkedIn, andMastodon.

Switching to Windows 11? Youre not alone. With the clock ticking down to Windows 10s end-of-support date in October, professionals around the globe are making plans and lots of them are making the upgrade to Windows 11.Some parts of Windows 11 can seem downright alien at first especially that new taskbar, which was originally designed for the now-cancelled Windows 10X and works a little differently from the classic Microsoft taskbar. But theres a lot you can do to make Windows 11 work more like the Windows 10 youre used to without a drag on your productivity.Whether youre upgrading your home PC or using Windows 11 at work, these tips can help you boost familiarity and productivity on Microsofts latest operating system. The good news is that, a few years after its release in 2021, Windows 11 is pretty solid in 2025. Some of the most annoying missing features have been restored for example, you can now drag and drop files to the taskbar!Want more Windows PC advice? Sign up for my free Windows Intelligence newsletter. Ill send you free Windows Field Guide downloads as a special welcome bonus!Windows 11 tip #1: Move your taskbar iconsWindows 11s taskbar icons are centered by default, and that can be the most immediately jarring thing you notice. It breaks muscle memory if youre used to having the Start button in the bottom-left corner, and thats not good for productivity.Luckily, this one is easy to fix with no extra software. Just right-click an empty spot on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Expand the Taskbar behaviors section, click the Taskbar alignment section, and select Left. All the icons will move to the left.Windows 11s taskbar can put all the taskbar icons on the left just like on Windows 10.Chris Hoffman, IDGIf you want the Start button at the bottom-left corner and the taskbar icons in the center, though, youll need a little something extraWindows 11 tip #2: Restore the old Start menu styleWant a more classic Start menu? I recommend Stardocks Start11 as the most capable and polished Start menu replacement. Stardock has a great reputation and has been making Windows-tweaking tools for a long time.With Start11, you can choose a variety of Start menu options ranging from a Windows 10-style Start menu to a classic Windows 7-style Start menu. (I prefer the Windows 7 style, myself.) Its very customizable and powerful, but you dont have to tweak it if you dont want. You can just install it, choose your preferred Start menu style, and then forget about it.The application is packed with extra features for the taskbar, too. Want to put the Start button at the bottom-left corner of your taskbar and leave the application icons in the middle, as I mentioned a moment ago? Start11 can do that. Want to move your taskbar to another edge of your screen instead of leaving it on the bottom? Start11 can now do that, too. Its a feature that was part of Windows 10 and removed from Windows 11; Start11 can restore it.Start11 is a paid app but at $10 a year for one PC or $15 per year for up to five PCs, its a reasonable price for a polished, top-of-the-line experience. You can try it free for 30 days, so you can decide whether its actually worth it to you.For Start menu replacements, Start11 offers the most options and the most polish.Chris Hoffman, IDGIf you dont want to pay, but you do want a more classic Start menu experience, install the open-source Open-Shell. Its not as polished or configurable and it doesnt restore all those taskbar features but its free. (Learn more about restoring classic Start menu and taskbar features.)Windows 11 tip #3: Go back to a classic context menuWindows 11 includes a redesigned File Explorer with a shiny new context menu that appears when you right-click files and folders. If you find yourself missing some context menu options, you can return to the traditional, Windows 10-style menu with all the classic options in a few ways:Right-click a file or folder in File Explorer and select Show more options in the context menu.Hold down the Shift key as you right-click an item in File Explorer.Use a registry hack to force File Explorer to always show the old context menu. (If youre not comfortable hacking the registry, though, skip it you can always just hold the Shift key while right-clicking to find the old menu.)I recommend avoiding the registry hack for most people, as the new menu works well most of the time. But if it really bothers you, thats there as a more advanced power-user option.Windows 11 tip #4: Return Notepad to its simpler stateWindows 11 has a shiny new Notepad with tabs, text formatting, and even generative AI (genAI) features complete with Microsoft account integration to track your AI credits.Out of the box, Notepad remembers what you type and reopens with your last session. If you use Notepad as a scratchpad, this can get annoying. To make it work more traditionally, click the gear icon at the top-right corner of the Notepad window, expand When Notepad starts under Opening Notepad and select Start new session and discard unsaved changes.Notepad is a completely different application on Windows 11.Chris Hoffman, IDGIf youre looking for a more traditional text editor that doesnt have built-in AI features or Microsoft logins, try the third-party Notepad++. Its more complex, but its packed with features for people who need to work with plain-text files including syntax highlighting for a variety of programming languages.Windows 11 tip #5: Stop Snap LayoutsWindows 11 has a Snap Layouts feature that helps you more easily use the Snap feature. Some people love it, others feel it gets in the way. Youll see it when you hover your mouse cursor over a windows maximize button, when you press Windows+Z, and when you snap a window normally (by clicking and dragging it or by pressing the Windows key and an arrow key).Want to turn it off? Open the Settings app, select System, and select Multitasking. Expand the Snap windows section and choose the options you want to disable.For example, you might want to turn off Show snap layouts when I hover over a windows maximize button if you find yourself accidentally triggering the pop-up while hovering the mouse cursor over the maximize button.Windows 11 tip #6: Reset File Explorers starting pointOn Windows 11, File Explorer normally opens to the Home view which features Quick access, recent files, and other such items.For a more traditional file-browsing experience, click the button on File Explorers toolbar and select Options. Click the Open File Explorer to box at the top of the Folder Options window that appears and select This PC. Youll go straight to the This PC view showing drives and devices.Windows 11 tip #7: Turn off frequently used files and foldersTo be honest, File Explorers Home view isnt that bad Quick access can be useful, for instance. If your problem is just that you dont want to see recently used files and folders when you open File Explorer, you can turn them off.To do so, click the button on File Explorers toolbar and select Options. Under the Privacy section, uncheck the Show recently used files, Show frequently used files, and perhaps also the Show files from Office.com checkboxes if youd prefer a cleaner, local-files-only experience.The Folder Options window has quite a few options for tweaking File Explorer.Chris Hoffman, IDGYou can also click the Clear button to eliminate the history of files and folders youve used.Windows 11 tip #8: Uncombine taskbar buttonsWindows 11 and Windows 10 both use combined buttons out of the box application icons rather than the traditional taskbar buttons from the Windows XP era.At release, Windows 11 didnt even offer the option to avoid this. It was one of the many ways the taskbar felt like a big step back early on.You can now get a classic taskbar button experience, though: Just right-click an empty spot on the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, expand Taskbar behaviors, click the Combine taskbar buttons and hide labels box, and select Never.Windows shifted to combined buttons with Windows 7, but many people still prefer the classic style.Chris Hoffman, IDGMore Windows 11 tweaking tipsWindows 11 can feel unfamiliar, but a few tweaks can make it much more like home or work! For more ways to improve your Windows 11 experience, check out these guides to turning off obnoxious ads and fixing common Windows annoyances.Want even more Windows productivity and tweaking tips? Sign up for my free Windows Intelligence newsletter. Ill send you three new things to try each Friday. Plus, youll get free copies of Paul Thurrotts Windows Field Guides as a special welcome gift.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Introducing: the Relationships issueRelationships are the stories of people and systems working together. Sometimes by choice. Sometimes for practicality. Sometimes by force. Too often, for purely transactional reasons.Thats why were exploring relationships in this issue. Relationships connect us to one another, but also to the machines, platforms, technologies, and systems that mediate modern life.Theyre behind the partnerships that make breakthroughs possible, the networks that help ideas spread, and the bonds that build trustor at least access. In this issue, youll find stories about the relationships we forge with each other, with our past, with our children, and with technology itself.Heres just a taste of what you can expect:+ People are forming relationships with AI chatbots. Some of these are purely professional, others more complicated. This kind of relationship may be novel now, but its something we will all take for granted in just a few years.+ Adventures in the genetic time machine. Ancient DNA is telling us more and more about humans and environments long past. Could it also help rescue the future?+ Frozen embryos are filling storage banks around the world. Its a struggle to know what to do with them. Read the full story.+ Our relationships with our employers are often mediated through monitoring systems. And while its increasing the power imbalance between companies and workers, protections are lagging far behind. Read the full story.MIT Technology Review Narrated: The messy quest to replace drugs with electricityElectroceuticals promised the post-pharma future for medicine. But their exclusive focus on the nervous system is seeming less and less warranted.This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, whichwere publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as its released.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 DOGE is working on software to automate firing workersIt builds on an existing program previously used by the US Department of Defense. (Wired $)+ DOGE workers are already resigning from the department. (Fast Company $)+ Can AI help DOGE slash government budgets? Its complex. (MIT Technology Review)2 American workers are generally pessimistic about AIWhereas Silicon Valley cant get enough of it.(WP $)+ How to fine-tune AI for prosperity. (MIT Technology Review)3 iPhones are autocorrecting the term racist to TrumpThe company is blaming what it calls a phonetic overlap. (NYT $)+ Its promised to fix the bug as soon as possible. (FT $)4 Amy Gleason is the head of DOGE, apparentlyThe former Digital Service senior advisor is the acting administrator. (NY Mag $)+ But Elon Musk is still ultimately in charge. (NBC News)5 Groks new unhinged mode can simulate phone sexIf thats what youre into. (Ars Technica)6 More data centers dont necessarily mean more jobsThe massive facilities dont actually need many humans to run them. (WSJ $)+ Not that thats putting Meta off building a gigantic data center campus. (The Information $)7 China is keen for tech companies to monetize their dataBut not everyone is buying in. (Rest of World)8 The slow death of the combustion enginePistons are out, and electrons are in. (IEEE Spectrum)+ Why EVs are (mostly) set for solid growth in 2025. (MIT Technology Review)9 The US is in love with cheap clothingAnd established brands are the ones paying the price. (Insider $)10 What frozen mummies can tell us about the ancient worldFrom wolf pups to mammoths. (New Scientist $)Quote of the dayI felt nothing but utter disgust. I no longer enjoyed sitting in my Tesla.Mike Schwede, an entrepreneur living in Switzerland, tells the Guardian hes turned his back on the electric car company after Elon Musks Nazi-linked salutes during Trumps inauguration.The big storyThink that your plastic is being recycled? Think again.October 2023The problem of plastic waste hides in plain sight, a ubiquitous part of our lives we rarely question. But a closer examination of the situation is shocking. To date, humans have created around 11 billion metric tons of plastic. 72% of the plastic we make ends up in landfills or the environment. Only 9% of the plastic ever produced has been recycled.To make matters worse, plastic production is growing dramatically; in fact, half of all plastics in existence have been produced in just the last two decades. Production is projected to continue growing, at about 5% annually.So what do we do? Sadly, solutions such as recycling and reuse arent equal to the scale of the task. The only answer is drastic cuts in production in the first place. Read the full story.Douglas MainWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ Look up to the sky over the next few nights: seven planets will be aligned, and wont do so again until 2040.+ Jeremy Strong probably wont win an Oscar next week, but he definitely deserves to.+ Why English is such a strange language.+ 1985 produced some truly anthemic songsand some absolute bilge.