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Red Dead Redemption 2 Feels Like A Whole New Game With These 3 Free Expansions
AppWizard
June 28, 2026

Red Dead Redemption 2 Feels Like A Whole New Game With These 3 Free Expansions

Many gamers are reflecting on the charm of Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) as they await Grand Theft Auto VI. For PC players, three new mods are set to enhance the RDR2 experience: 1. The Random Events Mod by knoxien introduces new ambient encounters, including predator attacks, runaway wagons, public hangings, drunken townsfolk, and bounty hunter pursuits. 2. The Ultimate Free Climbing Overhaul by alejahH allows players to freely scale buildings, trees, and mountains, enhancing exploration similar to mechanics in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. 3. The Blackwater - Town Overhaul by Rixus724 transforms the town of Blackwater by restoring content from Red Dead Redemption 1, adding classic structures, expanded streets, and improved interiors, with two versions available for players. Grand Theft Auto VI is set to launch on 19 November, with pre-orders allowing players to pre-load the game starting 12 November.
Bitdefender vs Norton vs McAfee 2026: 2 Win Gold, 1 Bronze
Tech Optimizer
June 26, 2026

Bitdefender vs Norton vs McAfee 2026: 2 Win Gold, 1 Bronze

In 2026, Bitdefender, Norton 360, and McAfee each achieved a perfect score of 18 out of 18 in AV-TEST’s April evaluation. Bitdefender excels in protection technology and has the lightest footprint among paid tiers. Norton 360 offers an unlimited VPN, substantial cloud backup, and LifeLock identity theft protection, achieving the best real-world protection score in 2025. McAfee is strong in identity protection and unlimited-device pricing but falls short in core malware engine performance. Bitdefender is noted for its advanced threat detection and has a low entry price of .99 for its Antivirus Plus. Norton 360 includes an unlimited VPN and up to 250 GB cloud backup, while McAfee+ Ultimate provides identity theft coverage and three-bureau credit monitoring. All three products received perfect scores in AV-TEST’s April evaluation, but independent lab results from AV-Comparatives showed Norton and Bitdefender as Top-Rated Products, while McAfee did not achieve this status. The specifications comparison reveals that Bitdefender supports up to 25 devices, Norton 360 offers unlimited devices, and McAfee also supports unlimited devices. Bitdefender employs Advanced Threat Defense, Norton uses SONAR and Intrusion Prevention, and McAfee utilizes Real Protect. Norton and McAfee received AV-Comparatives Performance awards in 2025 for their light system impact, while Bitdefender did not receive such recognition. Pricing strategies include significant renewal increases after steep first-year discounts. Customer support varies, with Norton and McAfee providing extensive 24/7 support, while Bitdefender offers limited phone support. The ownership structures differ, with Norton under Gen Digital, McAfee as a private entity, and Bitdefender remaining independent. Real-world scenarios suggest Bitdefender is best for single users, Norton 360 or McAfee+ for families, McAfee+ Ultimate or Norton for identity theft concerns, and Norton 360 for privacy-focused users.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer Fuses Episode 1: Racer and Burnout Into a Compelling Roguelite Racing Game
AppWizard
June 24, 2026

Star Wars: Galactic Racer Fuses Episode 1: Racer and Burnout Into a Compelling Roguelite Racing Game

Disney has shifted its Star Wars video game strategy to allow a wider range of developers to create games, moving away from reliance on a limited internal team. The upcoming title, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, is developed by Fuse Games and features players as Shade, who participates in an underground racing circuit in the Outer Rim. The game includes various vehicles, a roguelite structure, and character customization. Players face challenges from AI competitors and can explore planets between races, upgrading vehicles and interacting with characters. The game also features an Arcade mode for podracing, emphasizing quick reflexes and control.
The Elder Scrolls Online Prepares to Set Sail for Adventure with High Seas of Tamriel, Its Most Ambitious Experiment in Years
AppWizard
June 23, 2026

The Elder Scrolls Online Prepares to Set Sail for Adventure with High Seas of Tamriel, Its Most Ambitious Experiment in Years

The Elder Scrolls Online is introducing the High Seas of Tamriel event, which focuses on naval combat and underwater exploration as part of its new Season One. This event marks a shift to a seasonal update model, allowing for a dynamic content delivery system that includes a new reward system and various enhancements at no extra cost. The event features instanced content such as naval battles, underwater combat, and scavenger hunts. Players will defend their vessels from boarding enemies rather than controlling ships against other ships, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The event is designed to be accessible for both solo players and groups, with an emphasis on exploration and discovery in the underwater segments. Combat scenarios will also be present underwater, including bosses and unique mechanics. The developers are open to expanding this direction based on player feedback, potentially leading to recurring events or permanent systems in the game. The Elder Scrolls Online is available on multiple platforms, including XBOX Series X|S and PC.
Why is Windows 11 so disliked by programmers – and can Microsoft do anything to change things?
Winsage
June 23, 2026

Why is Windows 11 so disliked by programmers – and can Microsoft do anything to change things?

Windows is experiencing a decline in favor among developers, with many preferring macOS and Linux for coding. Although nearly half of developers (49.5%) primarily work on Windows, this is often due to organizational mandates rather than personal preference. Developers interviewed did not select Windows as their preferred environment, citing concerns about Microsoft's developer experience, cumbersome tools, and security issues. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows developers to run Linux environments on Windows 11, addressing some compatibility issues. However, there is a consensus that Microsoft should enhance WSL and align Windows more closely with Linux to attract more developers. Critics also point to the intrusive nature of ads and upselling in Windows 11 as detracting from the developer experience.
Active Exploitation of Critical CVE-2026-20253 in Splunk Enterprise: Unauthenticated RCE via PostgreSQL Sidecar Service
Tech Optimizer
June 23, 2026

Active Exploitation of Critical CVE-2026-20253 in Splunk Enterprise: Unauthenticated RCE via PostgreSQL Sidecar Service

A critical security vulnerability, SVD-2026-0603 (CVE-2026-20253), has been identified in Splunk Enterprise versions 10.0.0 through 10.0.6 and 10.2.0 through 10.2.3. This flaw allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to create or truncate arbitrary files on the host system by exploiting the PostgreSQL Sidecar Service endpoints. The vulnerability is actively exploited, with public proof-of-concept code available, and has been added to the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) list. Successful exploitation can lead to full remote code execution (RCE) as the Splunk user. The vulnerability arises from inadequate authentication controls on the PostgreSQL Sidecar Service endpoints, specifically /v1/postgres/recovery/backup and /v1/postgres/recovery/restore, which are accessible without authentication. It is classified under CWE-306: Missing Authentication for Critical Function and has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (Critical). Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP POST requests to the exposed endpoints, allowing them to create or truncate files and potentially execute malicious scripts. Indicators of compromise include unexpected files in directories such as /tmp/ or /opt/splunk/var/run/supervisor/pkg-run/, modified Splunk Python scripts, and unusual outbound connections from Splunk to unknown PostgreSQL servers. The vulnerability aligns with several MITRE ATT&CK techniques, including T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter). Active exploitation of CVE-2026-20253 has been confirmed, and it is likely that both opportunistic cybercriminals and sophisticated threat actors will use this exploit. The affected versions of Splunk Enterprise are 10.2.0 through 10.2.3 and 10.0.0 through 10.0.6, with the issue resolved in versions 10.2.4 and 10.0.7. Organizations are advised to upgrade to fixed versions or disable the PostgreSQL Sidecar Service as a mitigation strategy.
Microsoft reveals how to verify Windows 11's Secure Boot update, what to do if your PC missed it
Winsage
June 21, 2026

Microsoft reveals how to verify Windows 11’s Secure Boot update, what to do if your PC missed it

The expiration of Microsoft's Secure Boot 2011 certificates on June 24 will not prevent older Windows PCs from booting, as confirmed by Microsoft. Devices will continue to operate normally, but they will miss future boot-level security updates, including updates to the Windows Boot Manager and mitigations for newly identified vulnerabilities. The ability to receive the Secure Boot 2023 update depends on the device firmware's compatibility, with many manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, and ASUS, having cutoffs for BIOS updates based on the device's End of Service Life. Older PCs using Legacy BIOS or Compatibility Support Module (CSM) mode do not utilize UEFI Secure Boot, making the update irrelevant. Users running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may have Secure Boot disabled or improperly configured. Without the 2023 certificates, devices cannot receive future revocation updates to the Secure Boot DBX, which lists compromised bootloaders. Users on Windows 10 with supported OEMs may receive the update if a compatible BIOS is available, while those on older PCs without updates can continue using their devices but will lack future security updates. The Secure Boot status can be checked through the Windows Security app, with color-coded badges indicating the status of the certificates.
Malware Has Gotten Smarter. Here's How Your Antivirus Has, Too
Tech Optimizer
June 21, 2026

Malware Has Gotten Smarter. Here’s How Your Antivirus Has, Too

Antivirus software is evolving from relying on static databases of known malware signatures to employing behavioral monitoring and machine learning for threat detection. Traditional antivirus solutions focused on recognizing known threats through unique signatures, but this approach has become inadequate due to the rapid evolution of malware, including polymorphic and metamorphic types. Modern antivirus systems now monitor program behavior, looking for suspicious activities such as unexpected file encryption or unusual network communication. Machine learning models analyze large datasets to identify patterns associated with malware, allowing for the classification of files as safe, potentially unwanted, or malicious. Techniques like sandboxing and dynamic analysis are used to preemptively neutralize threats. However, advancements in AI also present challenges, as cybercriminals can exploit these technologies to create sophisticated malware that evades detection. Despite improvements in antivirus effectiveness, modern cyberattacks increasingly target individuals through methods like phishing and social engineering, necessitating a combination of robust antivirus solutions and good cybersecurity practices.
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