Reader Support
Where’s my ipad Mini update? Q
I saw in Issue 609’s News section that Apple has released updates for the ipad Mini. I followed the www.snipca.com/38648 link and looked at the information there but really don’t know what to do next. I didn’t find a list of models affected, nor how to download and install the software. I looked in the Software Updates page in my ipad Mini’s Settings, but it reports that there are no updates available. It currently runs IOS 9.3.5. I don’t want to throw a perfectly good device in the bin, as it’d be such a waste. Mike Hearn
A
The flaw for which Apple released a fix relates to specific versions of IOS running on older ipads and iphones. The affected models are listed on the Apple support page to which we linked, under the Security heading. Your device isn’t listed because the earliest eligible model is ipad Mini 2, released in 2013. Your model is an original ipad Mini from 2012 (pictured below) – and IOS 9.3.5 is the latest available version for it, so it is no longer supported.
However, Apple has released updates for the original ipad Mini as recently as 2019, with 9.3.6 for the ipad Mini with cellular capability (a sibling model to your Wi-fi-only device).
So, we imagine that were any serious flaws found in 9.3.5 for the original ipad Mini with Wi-fi, Apple might still release a patch. In short, then, there’s no need to throw your ipad in the bin.
Should I worry about this TPM warning? Q
I read Issue 610’s Windows 11 Cover Feature and followed the Mini Workshop on page 53 to check the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) on my computer. I needed to enable it in the BIOS, so I followed your steps. However, a warning message popped up that was about the firmware TPM key being stored in the code data region – whatever that means! There’s no urgency, so I didn’t proceed. However, what does it mean?
Tim Kingscote-davies
A
Well, for one it means that some computer manufacturers need a good talking to, because messages like this are both baffling and needlessly concerning to everyday users.
That aside, there’s nothing to worry about: the message is an impenetrable way of telling you that, by enabling TPM, there is a risk that you could be permanently locked out of your data. However, this would be the case only if you go on to use the Bitlocker encryption feature of Windows 10/11 Pro, and then forgot your password – and had also lost the recovery key for this (which could be in your Microsoft account, or perhaps you’ve printed it or written it down). It could also happen if the BIOS ROM chip on your computer needed replacing, and you (or the repairer) hadn’t first disabled Bitlocker encryption.
So, you can see this is really just a pile of hypothetical ifs and maybes. However, before making any change to the BIOS – and in particular with anything related to TPM – we’d always advise backing up important data first, just in case!
Should I run multiple ad-blockers? Q
The ublock Origin browser extension, ( https://ublockorigin. com) as recommended in Issue 609’s Workshops section, may be one of the most useful pieces of software ever! However, I have two questions. First, the article didn’t say if one should disable any existing similar tools, like Adblock Plus? After searching online, I think I have convinced myself that it’s sensible to do so. Second, how can I be sure it does not block something useful or important? I use Firefox, incidentally. Dave Duncan
A
There’s no specific need to disable Adblock Plus, or any similar tools. Equally, running multiple blocking tools risks both diminishing returns and performance. There’s also the possibility that the operations of competing tools will sometimes create conflicts, so we’d recommend sticking with one or the other. But you can run both and if that seems to work well for you, then we wouldn’t give it any more thought.
As for your second question, there’s no simple answer. Blocking tools, including ublock Origin, tend to focus on the bad stuff, so it is unlikely that anything truly important would be blocked. However, if there’s a particular website where you feel nothing should be blocked, then it’s easy to switch it off. In Firefox, just click the ublock Origin icon at the top right of the toolbar and then click the large power button icon (see screenshot below).
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