concern Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2025

Modder behind the ‘Swiss army knife of PC gaming’ deletes their 20 year-old Steam account with anti-Valve manifesto: ‘By the end of my bitter dealings with Valve… there was zero hope’

Kaldaien, the creator of the graphics and performance enhancement tool Special K, has deleted their Steam account after two decades, citing frustrations with Steam's update policies and the platform's evolution since 2002. They criticized Steam for becoming bloated and complicating software compatibility, making older games unplayable due to updated requirements. Kaldaien expressed concerns about the diminishing freedom for gamers to purchase from various sources and criticized the Steam Input API for obstructing access to alternative input options. Despite being a Steamworks partner, they felt unresponsive to Valve and noted that some issues stem from developers' choices rather than Steam itself. Kaldaien's experiences highlight the concentration of power in Valve's hands and raise questions about the long-term implications for gamers reliant on a single platform.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Businesses warned about looming software deadline that could risk cyber attacks

Calne-based Black Nova Designs has warned that Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 in three months, which will leave millions of users without security updates or technical assistance, increasing their vulnerability to cyber threats. Managing director Kyle Holmes noted the lack of awareness about this change and emphasized the risks involved. The company recommends six IT tips for businesses: 1. Upgrade from Windows 10 promptly, especially for machines older than 2018. 2. Regularly back up data and maintain robust antivirus protection, with services starting at £60+VAT per month. 3. Strengthen passwords to mitigate vulnerabilities. 4. Verify that correct Microsoft licenses are being used to avoid potential fines. 5. Ensure proper ownership and access to website domains. 6. Seek Cyber Essentials certification to demonstrate adherence to cybersecurity best practices. Black Nova Designs supports over 1,000 clients across the UK, focusing on cybersecurity and proactive IT management.

Winsage

July 9, 2025

Microsoft Patch Tuesday, July 2025 Edition

Microsoft has released updates addressing 137 vulnerabilities across its Windows operating systems and supported software, with 14 classified as "critical." CVE-2025-49719 is a publicly disclosed information disclosure flaw affecting all SQL Server versions since 2016, posing a supply-chain risk due to its potential exploitation without authentication. SQL Server 2012 has reached its end of life, meaning no future security patches will be available. CVE-2025-47981 is a critical remote code execution vulnerability with a CVSS score of 9.8, affecting Windows clients and Windows Server. Microsoft also addressed four critical remote code execution vulnerabilities in its Office suite, including CVE-2025-49695 and CVE-2025-49696, which can be triggered through the Preview Pane. Other high-severity vulnerabilities include CVE-2025-49740, which could bypass Microsoft Defender SmartScreen, and CVE-2025-47178, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary SQL queries with minimal privileges. Adobe has also released security updates for various software, and users are advised to back up data before installing patches.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Call of Duty: WW2 on PC Game Pass yanked offline amid reports security exploits are leaving players with screens full of smut

Activision has temporarily removed the PC Game Pass version of Call of Duty: WW2 due to reports of an unspecified issue, with concerns raised about a potential remote code execution (RCE) exploit causing disruptive app pop-ups, unexpected PC shutdowns, and inappropriate content. The game is unavailable on both the Game Pass and Microsoft Store but remains accessible on Steam and Battle.net. Community feedback indicates that the game may be vulnerable to RCE exploits, allowing malicious actors to execute harmful code on players' systems. A notable incident involved streamer Wrioh, who reported being "hacked," with a video showing a pop-up claiming, "just RCE'd your ass," and a change to their desktop wallpaper. The VX-Underground malware research collective shared images of an alleged RCE attack, highlighting an "unpatched RCE exploit" and instances of trolling with pop-ups and inappropriate content. VX-Underground speculated that the attacker could deploy various forms of malware, though their primary intent seems to be creating chaos. As of now, Call of Duty: WW2 for PC Game Pass and the Microsoft Store remains offline, with no updates from Activision on its return.

Winsage

July 8, 2025

Firms on Windows 10 will get more time before support runs out

The end of support for Windows 10, originally set for October 14, 2025, has been postponed for certain users, particularly accounting firms, allowing them more time to upgrade. Microsoft has introduced an Extended Security Updates program for select Windows 10 users, which requires a fee per device for continued security updates, but does not include new features or general tech support. A December 2023 report indicates that 47% of accountants still rely on Windows 10, with approximately 25% of Windows 10 PCs actively used in accounting firms. Over half of all devices have migrated to Windows 11, which holds about 52% of the market. Experts recommend delaying upgrades to Windows 11 in favor of Windows 12, expected to be more optimized for AI, with potential hardware investments needed for the transition.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Stop Killing Games takes action against gaming giants

The gaming industry has seen a trend of game cancellations from major companies like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, leading to frustration among gamers. In response, a grassroots initiative called Stop Killing Games has launched a petition that has collected nearly 1.3 million signatures, urging game publishers to fulfill their commitments to consumers. The organization raises legal concerns about publishers marketing expensive games without clear longevity, likening it to planned obsolescence, which undermines customer trust and complicates digital game preservation. They aim for the European Union to enact laws that strengthen consumer rights, potentially allowing defunct games to remain accessible through private servers, with hopes that similar protections could extend to the United States.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Gamers hacked playing Call of Duty: WWII—PC version temporarily taken offline

The PC version of Call of Duty: WWII has been temporarily taken offline due to a serious security concern involving a remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability. This flaw allows attackers to execute malicious code on players' machines without consent, leading to unauthorized control during multiplayer sessions. Exploits reported include opening command prompts, sending messages via Notepad, forcing remote shutdowns, and changing desktop wallpapers. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for PC gamers using Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service, as it stems from the game's reliance on peer-to-peer networking. Activision is speculated to be enhancing its anti-cheat systems in response, but the effectiveness of updates to address the RCE vulnerability is uncertain.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

Should you replace your Windows 10 PC on Prime Day? Here’s how to know

Amazon's Prime Day event is from July 8th to July 11th, offering significant discounts on devices. Windows 10 support will end in October, prompting users to either continue with unsupported systems, purchase a year's support, or buy a new model. To check if a PC can be upgraded to Windows 11, users can use the free PC Health Check app, which identifies unmet hardware requirements. A key requirement for Windows 11 is a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), but many devices fail to qualify due to outdated processors rather than TPM absence. If a PC does not qualify for the upgrade, users should consider purchasing a new device, especially with Prime Day deals approaching.

AppWizard

July 7, 2025

Chinese FMV game about getting ‘revenge on gold diggers’ plunges the country into online gender tumult

A new Chinese FMV game titled "Revenge on Gold Diggers" has sparked nationwide debate over gender dynamics and misogyny. Players assume the role of Wu Yulun, a man seeking revenge against women who manipulate men into losing their fortunes. The game has faced criticism for reinforcing harmful stereotypes about women, with detractors labeling it as misogynistic rather than anti-fraud. Following the backlash, the creator, Mark Wu, was banned from Bilibili, and the game's name was changed to "Emotional Fraud Simulator" shortly after its release. The game's narrative parallels real-life events, including the case of streamer Pangmao, whose death was linked to financial exploitation by his girlfriend, further fueling online vitriol against women. Critics argue that the game distorts reality and promotes a regressive agenda rather than fostering meaningful discussions about relationships and financial exploitation.

Winsage

July 7, 2025

You can now make text bold or italic in Notepad — hell has frozen over

Notepad, a text editor in Windows since 1983, has received an update that introduces lightweight formatting features, including a formatting toolbar for applying text styles like bold and italic. The update also adds Markdown support and syntax views. These changes aim to enhance user experience while maintaining the app's simplicity. Microsoft announced these features in May, initially rolling them out to Windows Insiders before making them available to all users.