authenticity Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 20, 2025

The ol’ antivirus virus scam | Scam of the Week

A reader received a fraudulent email that appeared to be from Norton, claiming they had a subscription for a service they never signed up for. The email included a reminder about an automatic renewal for a Norton Ultimate Plus plan and provided a phone number that could lead to scams. EECU, a local credit union, warned its members about this scam and advised them to verify the authenticity of such invoices with their bank to prevent identity theft.

AppWizard

May 18, 2025

EA is reportedly cracking down on a Sims 4 mod. What it changes has fans furious

The Sims 4, developed by Electronic Arts, has maintained its popularity for over ten years, supported by a dedicated fan base and compatibility with modern hardware. The game recently released the Businesses & Hobbies Expansion Pack in March, allowing players to start their own small businesses. The community has also created numerous fan-made mods, some of which enhance gameplay, while others have sparked controversy, such as a mod aimed at removing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) elements. This led to backlash and accusations of censorship when EA requested the mod's removal. Additionally, the conversation about diversity in video games has grown, with criticism directed at Sweet Baby Inc., a consulting firm, for its influence on narrative choices in games like Alan Wake 2 and God of War Ragnarok, resulting in organized boycotts against games associated with the firm.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Valve refutes reports of massive Steam hack

Valve addressed concerns about alleged breaches of user data, refuting claims of a significant hack involving Steam account information. The company clarified that reports of leaked two-factor authentication text messages do not indicate any compromise of its internal systems. The source of the leak is under investigation, and it involved older text messages containing one-time codes valid for 15 minutes, without linking phone numbers to Steam accounts or exposing sensitive information like passwords or payment details. Valve emphasized that old text messages cannot compromise account security and that attempts to change account details via SMS will trigger additional confirmation steps. Allegations from Underdark.ai about a dataset containing over 89 million Steam user records are questioned due to the low asking price for the data.

AppWizard

May 8, 2025

Signal clone used by Trump team hacked, GlobalX flight data leaked

The messaging app TeleMessage, used by President Donald Trump’s national security advisor, has been suspended due to a reported security breach, raising concerns about the security of sensitive government communications. The app, a modified version of Signal, was halted after a hacker accessed message contents from its customized versions, although the communications of national security advisor Mike Waltz were reportedly not affected. TeleMessage's suspension follows a statement from its parent company, Smarsh, confirming an investigation into the security incident. Despite President Trump's criticism of Signal, the White House continues to defend it, highlighting its pre-installation on government devices. Concerns about privacy protections arise from TeleMessage's archiving features, which may compromise Signal's end-to-end encryption. Additionally, GlobalX, the airline involved in Trump’s deportation flights, experienced a hacking incident, resulting in the exposure of flight records and passenger lists.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

GTA 6’s preposterously-gorgeous second trailer has me thinking ‘no-one does it like Rockstar’ isn’t just a compliment, but an omen

The trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 has been released, showcasing impressive graphics and attention to detail. The game is set for release in 2026 and is expected to be one of the most successful video games in history. Rockstar Games is in a strong position, with GTA Online generating significant revenue, allowing for a lengthy development period. Despite challenges in the gaming industry, including layoffs and the struggles of several studios, major projects like GTA 6 and others from prominent developers are underway. The development of Red Dead Redemption 2 faced issues related to crunch periods, but Rockstar has committed to improving working conditions.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

TeleMessage suspends services after hackers claim breach

TeleMessage has temporarily suspended all services due to a reported security breach, with the parent company Smarsh investigating the incident. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has discontinued using the app as a precaution. A hacker claimed to have accessed a centralized TeleMessage server and downloaded data, including a screenshot of the contact list for employees at Coinbase, which confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but stated that customer data remained secure. Multiple U.S. government agencies have contracts with TeleMessage or related entities. Another hacker also claimed to have breached TeleMessage, providing evidence of their claims. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, and it is unclear if sensitive communications from U.S. officials were compromised.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

Jack Black’s ‘Steve’s Lava Chicken’ Song From a Minecraft Movie Officially Hits the Billboard 100 Charts

A Minecraft Movie is on track to become the highest-grossing video game adaptation in cinematic history. The film features a song titled “Steve's Lava Chicken,” performed by Jack Black, which debuted at No. 78 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, making it the shortest track ever to achieve this honor at 34 seconds long. The song also reached No. 10 on the Hot Rock Songs Chart and debuted at No. 21 on the UK official chart. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced Block Party Edition screenings for the film on May 2 across the United States and select international locations. The creative team used a private server for gameplay to enhance authenticity.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

LEGO Minecraft The Ghast Balloon Village Attack (21273) Review

The LEGO Minecraft set The Ghast Balloon Village Attack (21273) consists of 555 pieces and is priced at .99. It includes six minifigures: Steve, Natalie, Dawn, a villager, and two piglins. The set features several builds, including a brick-built iron golem, Steve’s Lava Chicken restaurant, a crafting shack, a fountain, and a ghast balloon designed to appear floating with a disc shooter for launching fireball tiles. The set is noted for its exclusive minifigures but requires additional purchases to complete the full cast. The ghast balloon is highlighted as a standout feature, while many builds are described as relatively simple. A 20% discount is suggested to enhance its appeal.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Microsoft to now allow use of swear words in voice typing after ‘top customer feedback’

Microsoft has introduced a feature in the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build that allows users to include swear words in voice typing by disabling the 'profanity filter.' This change was made in response to customer feedback, as previously, swear words were obscured by asterisks. The update aims to provide a more authentic voice typing experience and promote unrestricted expression.

AppWizard

April 19, 2025

Minecraft: The builders recreating all of London

A group of Minecraft enthusiasts, part of the online community Build the Earth, is recreating the United Kingdom in the game, focusing on detailed replicas of landmarks like the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Over five years, they have dedicated up to 15,000 hours to the project, which began in 2020. The initiative aims for authenticity, with members researching planning applications and contacting organizations. Minecraft, launched in 2009, is the best-selling computer game of all time, allowing players to build anything using blocks.