AI tool

Winsage
February 10, 2025
Microsoft is exploring deeper integration of its Copilot feature in Edge, with potential developments including a troubleshooter in the Settings menu and automatic sidebar activation upon browser launch on Windows 10 and 11. An "Ask Copilot" button may also be introduced in the Settings app for user assistance. References suggest Copilot could activate with new tabs or browser launches. Additionally, Edge has launched an AI-driven "Scareware Blocker" in version 133 for Windows 11 to protect users from online scams by blocking harmful sites in real-time. This feature is expected to improve over time and complements Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Protection.
AppWizard
February 7, 2025
Google's Android Security and Privacy Team has partnered with Mandiant FLARE to enhance the capa open source binary analysis tool, which analyzes ARM ELF files used in Android malware. The integration of Gemini AI into this toolset aims to improve malware analysis and decision-making. A case study demonstrated the detection of an illegal gambling app disguised as a music app that used various anti-analysis techniques. By employing static analysis with capa, Google was able to identify and remove the app from the Google Play Store. New rules have been developed for capa to detect Android-specific malware behaviors, such as ptrace API calls and code downloading and decrypting methods. The incorporation of Gemini AI aids analysts by summarizing flagged functions and assessing risk levels, thereby accelerating malware detection and rule formulation.
Winsage
December 28, 2024
In 2024, Microsoft made significant advancements and faced challenges. The Surface Pro 11th Edition, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, showed improved compatibility with applications like Slack and Google Drive. The Microsoft Recall feature encountered skepticism due to delays and privacy concerns. The Windows 11 2024 Update confused users with multiple release channels and contradictory hardware requirements. The Surface Laptop 7 received praise for its battery life and design. Game Pass evolved into a complex array of tiers, complicating user experience. The Surface Studio 2+ was discontinued, disappointing fans. Microsoft’s Copilot initiative faced challenges, and the HoloLens 2 quietly exited the commercial market. Flight Simulator 2024 struggled with technical issues at launch. Microsoft integrated generative AI into core applications like Paint and Photos. The Windows95Man Paperclip emerged as a cultural phenomenon.
Winsage
December 19, 2024
Microsoft's AI-powered "Recall" tool captures sensitive information, including credit card numbers and social security numbers, despite a new "filter sensitive information" feature intended to prevent this. Tests by Avram Piltch revealed that the filter fails to recognize sensitive data in various contexts, such as when entering information in Windows Notepad or filling out loan applications in Microsoft Edge. Initially launched as part of Microsoft's "Copilot+ PCs," Recall faced backlash over privacy risks and was temporarily withdrawn. It has since returned for select Insiders with encrypted screenshots, but concerns about its effectiveness in protecting sensitive information remain.
Winsage
December 19, 2024
Microsoft is enhancing its Copilot+ PCs with upgraded live captions and translation features, allowing real-time translation for over 44 languages. This capability is designed to improve communication during video calls, recordings, and streamed content. The feature is available on AMD and Intel-powered Copilot+ PCs and requires enrollment in the Windows 11 Dev channel for access.
Tech Optimizer
December 17, 2024
Timescale has released its State of PostgreSQL 2024 Report, highlighting PostgreSQL's increasing importance as the preferred database for AI applications. Key findings include: - 78.6% of developers prefer PostgreSQL for its capability to manage various data types, including vectors. - 65% of developers reported an increase in PostgreSQL usage compared to the previous year, a 14-point rise from 2023. - 55.3% of PostgreSQL developers are using AI tools, reflecting a 55% year-over-year growth. - 60% of developers use PostgreSQL for both personal and professional projects, a 20% increase from last year. PostgreSQL is recognized for its stability, extensibility, and user-friendly SQL interface, making it a strong alternative to specialized databases. Developers value its data integration flexibility (78.6%) and ease of use (56%). The report indicates PostgreSQL's adoption across various industries, including finance, healthcare, and IoT, due to its ability to handle transactional and analytical workloads. Timescale is enhancing PostgreSQL's capabilities for AI with innovations like pgai and pgvectorscale.
Winsage
December 13, 2024
Microsoft's Windows Recall feature, designed to take comprehensive screenshots of users' PCs for future reference, has faced skepticism due to security concerns. After delays, it became available to Windows Insiders, but testing revealed its filtering capabilities were inadequate, failing to protect sensitive information like credit card numbers and Social Security details. Microsoft has since updated Recall to detect and not store sensitive information, encouraging user feedback for improvements. Recall functions by taking periodic snapshots of the screen for indexing, but it previously lacked encryption and was stored in plain text. The updated version is now opt-in, encrypts data, and requires biometric authentication and passwords for access, although vulnerabilities remain.
AppWizard
December 12, 2024
On Wednesday afternoon, Meta's applications, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, experienced significant disruptions starting around 12:30 p.m. EST. By approximately 1:10 p.m. EST, Facebook alone had over 100,000 outage reports. Instagram and WhatsApp also reported increasing issues. By just before 5:30 p.m. EST, Facebook's outage reports decreased to over 1,200 and Instagram's dropped to about 1,900 from a peak of more than 68,000. Meta's status page indicated major disruptions in its business tools, and users encountered error messages. After 5:30 p.m., Meta communicated on X, stating they were close to resolving the issues. This outage follows a previous global disruption in March that affected hundreds of thousands of users.
Winsage
December 6, 2024
Microsoft is expanding its Recall AI feature to Copilot Plus PCs powered by Intel and AMD, following its initial rollout on Qualcomm-powered laptops. Recall captures screenshots of activities on a Copilot Plus PC, allowing users to search past work through natural language or a timeline. Users can enable snapshots and manage saved or deleted snapshots, with options to exclude specific apps and ensure sensitive information is not captured. Access to snapshots requires Windows Hello for identity verification, and BitLocker and Secure Boot must be enabled. Microsoft is also testing the Click to Do feature, which recognizes text and images in Recall snapshots for AI-driven actions. Additionally, Image Creator and Restyle Image features are being rolled out in the Photos app for Intel- and AMD-powered Copilot Plus PCs, along with Cocreator in Paint for generating AI-assisted images.
Tech Optimizer
December 4, 2024
A report from the Mac security firm Moonlock highlights concerns about AI-powered malware, particularly the use of tools like ChatGPT by hackers to create viruses and malicious code. There is ongoing debate among Apple users about the necessity of antivirus software, with some believing it slows down system performance while others advocate for caution. Despite the perception that Macs are largely immune to malware, there has been an increase in malware targeting Macs, including from sophisticated threat actors like North Korean hackers. The emergence of AI chatbots raises concerns that novice hackers could develop sophisticated malware. An example cited is a hacker known as 'barboris', who shared code generated by ChatGPT on a malware forum, demonstrating that individuals with minimal coding experience can use AI for malicious purposes. However, experts like Martin Zugec from Bitdefender suggest that the quality of AI-generated malware is generally low, and the current risk remains relatively low due to built-in safeguards in AI tools. More skilled hackers are likely to rely on their expertise and established resources rather than AI-generated outputs.
Search