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Tech Optimizer

August 31, 2026

ValleyRAT Backdoor Hides in Signed Adware That Users Add to Antivirus Exclusions

Silver Fox is linked to the distribution of a backdoor malware called ValleyRAT, disguised as the legitimate QN Wallpaper adware application. Once installed, ValleyRAT provides complete control over the compromised machine. The malware uses DLL sideloading to operate under the guise of a legitimate process, bypassing security measures. It disables Windows Defender and adds itself to autorun entries, and can mark its process as critical, causing system crashes if terminated. Kaspersky has identified specific indicators of compromise (IoCs) including hashes, command-and-control servers, and associated domains. In 2026, Kaspersky recorded over 100,000 detections of ValleyRAT affecting more than 1,500 unique users, mainly in China and India.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Best PC, PlayStation, Xbox Games Named by Gamescom – List of Winners in Different Categories Revealed

Capcom's upcoming title, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, won multiple awards, including Best PlayStation Game and Best Gameplay. CD Projekt RED received accolades for their booth design, merchandise, and the trailer for the remaster of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, along with its story expansion "Ballad of the Past." The Best PC Game award went to Total War: Warhammer 40,000. Other awards included Best Xbox Game for Forza Horizon 6, Best Audio for Alien: Isolation 2, Most Engaging Game for Wanderburg, Most Epic Game for Tides of Annihilation, Most Heartfelt Game for Finding Polka, Best Nintendo Switch 2 Game for Rayman Legends Retold, and Best Mobile Game for Where Winds Meet. The Best Trailer (Audience Choice) was awarded to The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered & Songs of the Past DLC.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Total War: Warhammer 40,000 wins best PC game at Gamescom

Total War: Warhammer has evolved into a celebrated strategy game on PC, and Space Marines have been included in the game. It was honored as the best PC game at this year's Gamescom, marking Sega's third award of the year. PC Gamer's Fraser Brown praised it as the standout experience of his year after just an hour of gameplay. Gamescom winners are selected by a jury of gaming professionals and community votes, indicating broad appeal. The Warhammer 40,000 universe fits well within the Total War framework, promising an exhilarating experience with epic battles.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

Am I out of touch? No, it’s the children who are wrong: The Wii and PS3 are ‘retro’ now, according to iconic Japanese gaming show

A recent episode of the Japanese television show Game Center CX conducted a poll regarding whether games from the Wii and PlayStation 3 should be classified as retro. Over 14,000 votes were cast, with 71% supporting the inclusion of these games. A subsequent round of voting increased that figure to 80% from nearly 17,000 voters. As a result, titles from both consoles will now be considered for the show’s retro segment.

AppWizard

August 30, 2026

5 Apps That Add Live FM Radio To Your Android Auto

The traditional built-in FM radio tuner in vehicles is increasingly viewed as limiting due to its reliance on signal strength, which can affect audio quality in remote areas. Radio applications like Non Stop Radio, iHeart, TuneIn Radio, Simple Radio, and VRadio offer broader listening options and better control over audio experiences. Non Stop Radio integrates seamlessly with Android Auto, requires no sign-up, is ad-free (except for FM channels), and provides access to over 60,000 global radio stations and podcasts. Users appreciate its quick connection and buffering, though it is maintained by a single developer. iHeart offers access to 850 live AM/FM stations in the U.S. and thousands of international channels, allows users to save up to 15 stations, and features a nostalgic scan option. It has a 4.6 average rating from over 2 million reviews but includes ads in the free version. TuneIn Radio has over 100 million downloads and provides access to more than 100,000 live channels, including exclusive content from Apple Music. It has a user-friendly interface and a 4.7 average rating but features ads in the free version. Simple Radio offers over 90,000 AM, FM, and online stations with a clean interface, although the Android Auto version lacks search functionality. It has a 4.7 average rating from over 900,000 reviews, with ads being a common complaint. VRadio provides a variety of stations and podcasts, features a recording capability, and has a clean interface for Android Auto. It has a 4.9 average rating from approximately 37,000 reviews, though it includes ads and has a premium version available. The selection of these apps was based on their availability in the Google Play Store, compatibility with Android Auto, user reviews from platforms like Reddit, and overall ratings and feedback from the Google Play Store. All apps are free to download, but many include ads that can be removed through premium subscriptions.

Winsage

August 30, 2026

Dear Microsoft, where is the Surface to showcase all these improvements to Windows 11?

Microsoft has introduced Windows 11 version 26H2 to the Release Preview Channel, signaling a broader rollout in the coming weeks. This update includes user interface enhancements such as the ability to reposition the Taskbar, resize the Start menu, and disable web and Store suggestions. Over 7,000 applications are now optimized for Arm architecture, indicating growing support for Windows on Arm. PowerToys has also updated with a feature called Window Hopper for easier window management. Despite challenges in communication and design consistency across its products, Microsoft is focusing on the advancements in Windows 11, particularly in relation to Snapdragon technology, which has encouraged the production of Snapdragon-powered laptops. There is currently no unified marketing strategy or event planned to showcase the upcoming changes in Windows 11.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

I played just one hour of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 and it was the highlight of my year

Creative Assembly revealed new details about Total War: Warhammer 40,000 during Gamescom. The game features a dynamic gameplay experience, where the battlefield evolves and players must adapt their strategies. Positioning is crucial, with options for flanking, distractions, and breaching defenses. The game retains core Total War mechanics while introducing new features and emphasizing ranged combat. Players can enjoy the chaos of battle, even without a background in the Warhammer universe. The preview session provided an engaging experience that left players excited about the game's future.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

I test Windows laptops for a living, and these are the 7 features I can’t pass up

The author has spent five years testing laptops and has identified seven essential features for selecting a Windows laptop based on their experience and travel needs: 1. An OLED display for better contrast and deeper blacks. 2. A 14-inch chassis that is lightweight, ideal for travel. 3. At least 512GB of storage to accommodate large files. 4. At least one USB-A port for compatibility with older hardware. 5. All-day battery life, enhanced by Intel's "Lunar Lake" processors. 6. A backlit keyboard for usability in low-light environments. 7. No proprietary chargers, favoring USB-C for flexibility and convenience. The author notes that while many brands offer these features, pricing has been affected by the ongoing memory crisis, pushing preferred models into a higher price range.

Winsage

August 29, 2026

Walmart’s bestselling $799 Windows 11 laptop is now 50% off

Walmart is offering the Sgin 15.6-Inch Windows 11 Laptop at a 50% discount, reducing the price from 9 to 9. The laptop features a 15.6-inch full HD display (1920 x 1080), an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Quad Core Processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD). It runs on Windows 11, which includes security features like Microsoft Defender and facial recognition through Windows Hello. The laptop has a battery life of up to six hours and is noted for its multitasking capabilities, quiet cooling fan, and lightweight design. However, it lacks expandable storage options and may still be considered pricey by some consumers.

AppWizard

August 29, 2026

Android 17 adds new protections against sneaky Wi-Fi tracking and web snooping

Google has introduced several network security enhancements in Android 17 to improve user privacy. One key feature is Encrypted Client Hello (ECH), which encrypts domain names to prevent external observers from monitoring user activities. ECH is integrated with private DNS and is enabled by default for apps using compatible networking libraries. Google claims to be the first major mobile operating system to implement widespread ECH support. Testing conducted by Jigsaw showed stable connection success rates and minimal interference across various networks. Additional security features in Android 17 include: - Local Network Protection, requiring apps to request permission before accessing devices on a user's home network. - Certificate Transparency, mandating public logging of certificates to detect forged ones. - A 2G Network Shutdown option for mobile operators to disable 2G services, reducing exposure to phishing messages.