2024 Archives

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Ubisoft cancels Animal Crossing and Minecraft-inspired cosy life sim game Alterra

Ubisoft has canceled Project Alterra, an original game described as an "Animal Crossing-inspired social sim" with Minecraft-like elements. The decision was communicated to the development team on April 21st, resulting in an early dismissal for staff, although no layoffs were reported. The project had been in development by Ubisoft Montréal for nearly three years, led by creative director Patrick Redding and lead producer Fabien Lhéraud. Employees involved in Alterra have been reassigned to other projects within the company. Ubisoft stated that it continuously assesses projects to ensure they align with strategic priorities and quality standards, leading to the discontinuation of those that do not meet expectations.

AppWizard

April 22, 2026

Microsoft lowers Game Pass prices, drops Call of Duty from day-one offerings

Microsoft's subscription gaming service is reducing the price of Game Pass Ultimate from .99 to .99 per month and the PC Game Pass subscription from .49 to .99 per month. These changes are part of a global pricing strategy and will be reflected in the next billing cycle for current subscribers. New Call of Duty titles will no longer be available on Game Pass at launch but will be added during the subsequent holiday season. The price adjustment reduces the annual cost of Game Pass Ultimate from 4 to 0, saving subscribers . The total number of subscribers reached 34 million in early 2024.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

Microsoft announces surprise Xbox Game Pass price cuts, ends day one Call of Duty inclusion — Ultimate down to $22.99 while PC Game Pass drops to $13.99

Microsoft has reduced the prices of its Game Pass subscriptions, with Game Pass Ultimate decreasing from .99 to .99 and PC Game Pass from .49 to .99 per month. This decision follows previous price increases in 2024 and a 50% hike in 2025, which resulted in many cancellations. Gamers interested in Call of Duty titles will face delays of about a year for new releases, but existing titles will remain available. The price reduction is part of a strategy under Asha Sharma, who recently took over the division.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

After 2 years of silence, an extraction shooter we liked back in 2022 for its ‘impeccable vibes’ suddenly springs back to life on Steam

In 2022, Marauders, an extraction shooter, launched in early access on Steam, gaining a notable player base despite not being free-to-play. However, updates ceased after the Retribution update in August 2024, leading to over 20 months without new content. Recently, developers announced they had focused on a comprehensive overhaul of the game, which generated mixed reactions from the community. Some players are hopeful for its revival, as evidenced by 11 pages of comments following the update. The competitive landscape for extraction shooters has intensified with new titles like Arc Raiders and Marathon.

Tech Optimizer

April 21, 2026

Safeguarding Against the Personal Attack Chain in the Age of “Always On” Connectivity

The cybersecurity industry has focused on protecting corporate perimeters, but cybercriminals are increasingly targeting executives and their families, exploiting personal vulnerabilities. Executives are twelve times more likely to be targeted than average employees, with over half experiencing personal breaches. The Personal Attack Chain is a multi-stage process where attackers exploit an executive's personal digital footprint to gain access to corporate resources. The stages include reconnaissance, intrusion, lateral movement, and action on objectives. Reactive security measures are insufficient; proactive intelligence is necessary to identify threats before they reach organizations. Home security is often compromised by vendors, and travel increases vulnerability. Digital Executive Protection (DEP) is becoming essential for safeguarding executives and their families, balancing privacy, convenience, and security. Effective strategies include minimizing digital footprints, safeguarding devices and networks, providing identity theft protection, and educating executives on online safety. Personal cybersecurity is now a corporate imperative, requiring a holistic approach to protect individuals and organizations alike.

Tech Optimizer

April 21, 2026

Best Free Antivirus 2026: Keep Your Devices Safe With These Free Tools

Many free antivirus services monetize user attention or data, and caution is advised when selecting these options. Recommended free antivirus tools should be free of ads or spyware. Trustworthy antivirus providers present clear privacy policies detailing data collection and sharing practices. Effective free antivirus tools offer real-time protection, on-demand malware scans, and user-friendly features. While free antivirus software is generally sufficient, paid options provide additional cybersecurity tools. The best free antivirus tools consume less than 5% of system resources, with active scans ideally not exceeding 40% CPU usage. Avast faced backlash for selling customer data to over 100 third parties and was fined million by the FTC in 2024. Kaspersky was banned in the U.S. in 2024 due to concerns about potential intelligence exploitation, and it cannot be recommended at this time.

AppWizard

April 21, 2026

NGate Android malware uses HandyPay NFC app to steal card data

A new variant of the NGate malware targets Android users by disguising itself within a trojanized version of the HandyPay app, which is a legitimate mobile payment processing application. This malware, documented since mid-2024, siphons payment card information through the mobile device's near-field communication (NFC) chip and sends the stolen data directly to attackers, who create virtual cards for unauthorized purchases or cash withdrawals from NFC-enabled ATMs. The new variant has been injected with malicious code into the HandyPay app, which has been available on Google Play since 2021. The code includes emojis, indicating the possible use of a generative AI tool in its development. The shift from previous iterations, which used an open-source tool named NFCGate, to HandyPay is likely motivated by financial considerations and the need for evasion, as HandyPay is more affordable and requires fewer permissions. This NGate variant has been active since November 2025, primarily targeting Android devices in Brazil. It employs two main distribution methods: a counterfeit app named “Proteção Cartão” hosted on a fraudulent Google Play page and a fake lottery website that redirects users to WhatsApp to download the malicious APK. Upon installation, the app prompts users to set it as their default NFC payment application, requests their card PIN, and instructs them to tap their card on the phone for reading, transmitting all collected information to an attacker's email address. To protect against such threats, Android users are advised to avoid downloading APKs from outside Google Play, disable NFC when not in use, and use Play Protect to scan for threats.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

Windows OS and Microsoft Office app bundle now $104 (Reg. $449)

The Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business bundle, along with Windows 11 Pro, is available for .99, reduced from the regular price of .99. This bundle includes essential applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and features Windows 11 Pro with advanced tools and an AI-driven assistant. The offer represents a discount of over 75% off the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

“The vault is solid, the delivery truck is not” — strong key storage, shaky transfer: why this Windows Recall feature raises new security questions

Windows Recall, an AI-driven tool by Microsoft designed to capture and analyze users' screen content, was initially unveiled in 2024 but faced a delayed rollout due to significant security concerns. It launched in April 2025 with enhanced security features, including isolation within a "VBS Enclave" to protect against third-party access and filtering out sensitive information. However, security researcher Alexander Hagenah identified a flaw where data is transmitted to a less secure process, d AIXHost.exe, allowing tools like TotalRecall Reloaded to access sensitive data without administrative privileges. Despite reporting this vulnerability, Microsoft deemed it "not a vulnerability" and has not planned significant fixes. In response to user backlash, Microsoft is reassessing its AI initiatives, including Windows Recall, while privacy-focused organizations have introduced features to block the tool. Experts are calling for improved security protocols and user opt-out options.

Winsage

April 20, 2026

Microsoft releases emergency updates to fix Windows Server issues

Microsoft has confirmed that some administrators are experiencing difficulties installing the KB5082063 security update on Windows Server 2025. This month's Patch Tuesday updates have caused certain Windows servers, especially those with domain controller roles, to enter a restart loop due to failures in the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). Microsoft has released emergency out-of-band updates, including KB5091157 for Windows Server 2025, to address both the installation failure and the restart issues. Additionally, some Windows Server 2025 devices may boot into BitLocker recovery mode after installing the KB5082063 update. A bug affecting Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022 that caused unexpected upgrades to Windows Server 2025 has also been resolved. Microsoft has issued various emergency updates throughout the year to address other issues, including a Bluetooth device visibility bug and vulnerabilities in the Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS).