control Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Review: 22 CPU and 30 GPU Benchmarks

Ubisoft is releasing Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, a remake of the original 2013 game, developed by Ubisoft Singapore. The remake utilizes an enhanced Anvil engine, featuring technological advancements such as ray tracing, fluid-based wind simulation, and virtualized geometry. Players will again control Edward Kenway, with a narrative that follows his transformation from a buccaneer to an Assassin. The game includes redesigned environments with new paths and parkour elements, expanded mission designs, and omits modern-day scenes for better immersion. Players can upgrade their ship, the Jackdaw, and interact with historical figures like Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet. Naval combat has been revitalized with improved customization, boarding maneuvers, and combat mechanics.

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

PC gamers have days left to pick up 2016 award winner for free

GOG is currently offering a free giveaway of the 2016 point-and-click adventure game Silence. In the game, players control 16-year-old Noah, who searches for his lost sister Renie in a war-torn realm between life and death. The game takes approximately 6.5 hours to complete, with completionists potentially spending up to 12 hours. Silence received mixed reviews but won awards for Best Sound, Best Story, and Best Graphics at the Deutscher Entwicklerpreis. The giveaway lasts for about 40 hours, and players can claim the game by creating a free GOG account. The game is DRM-free, allowing offline play.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2026

LG Monitors Allegedly Install Software Without User Consent

Certain LG monitors are reportedly installing software on Windows PCs without user consent, including unsolicited advertisements for McAfee antivirus. This was discovered by a Reddit user who found the "LG Monitor App Installer" in their Windows event log. The application may install itself automatically via the Microsoft Store or Windows Update and is difficult to remove. Users can disable the app's automatic startup or uninstall it, but it may reinstall in the future. Windows Pro users can use the Group Policy Editor to prevent automatic installations of manufacturer-specific applications. The incident raises concerns about user control and transparency regarding unsolicited software installations.

Tech Optimizer

July 9, 2026

DBA2: Configuration and Monitoring of PostgreSQL 16 is now available in English

Postgres Professional has translated the DBA2: Configuration and Monitoring of PostgreSQL 16 course into English. This four-day program is designed for PostgreSQL administrators with basic Unix skills and knowledge equivalent to the DBA1 course. The curriculum covers topics such as Multi-Version Concurrency Control (MVCC), isolation levels, vacuuming, buffer cache management, write-ahead logging (WAL), and server upgrades. Participants will learn to configure PostgreSQL parameters, monitor the server, manage localization settings, and handle extensions. The course materials include a student guide for setting up a virtual machine and performing practical tasks. The translation was done by Elena Sharafutdinova, with assistance from Ilya Bashtanov and Alexander Meleshko.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Windows hides a secret identifier that Microsoft hands over to the FBI

19-year-old Peter Stokes, a member of the Scattered Spider group, was arrested by the FBI due to a unique number embedded in his Windows operating system known as the Global Device Identifier (GDID). This identifier, assigned during Windows installation, remains unchanged and can leak user information despite the use of VPNs. The FBI identified Stokes by obtaining a history of IP addresses linked to his GDID from Microsoft, which allowed them to trace his online activities across various platforms. Microsoft tracks over a billion devices with this permanent identifier, which cannot be disabled.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

GDID Windows – Cut the tracker that follows you even through a VPN

In April 2026, the FBI apprehended an individual associated with the Scattered Spider group, who had concealed his online activities using a VPN. His efforts were thwarted by the GDID, a 64-bit Persistent Unique Identifier assigned by Microsoft upon logging into Windows. The GDID is stored in plain text in the registry and is linked to Microsoft’s servers, remaining unaffected by changes to IP addresses or attempts to delete it. Disabling Windows telemetry does not prevent the GDID from being accessed, as it operates through other services. To mitigate its transmission, users can disable certain services and modify the hosts file, although the GDID itself remains stored on Microsoft’s servers. Scripts are available on GitHub to audit and implement changes regarding the GDID. Transitioning to a local account does not guarantee anonymity, and for sensitive activities, using a live Linux system is recommended for better data control.

AppWizard

July 8, 2026

Wear OS 7: New features, eligible smartwatches, and everything you need to know

Wear OS 7 has been rolled out for smartwatches currently operating on Wear OS 6, with future models like the Galaxy Watch 9 expected to come with this update pre-installed. Current devices eligible for the upgrade include the Galaxy Watch 8 series and the OnePlus Watch 3 (release date pending). Key features of Wear OS 7 include Live Updates for real-time notifications, Remote Media Routing and Per-App Auto Launch for media apps, and Android XR Control for managing Android XR devices. The update introduces a new Neural Expressive design language, Gemini Intelligence for task automation, and a Personal Intelligence feature for personalized suggestions based on app data. Customization is enhanced with Widgets replacing traditional tiles, allowing users to create dynamic dashboards. Updates to the Google Contacts app include an improved search interface and an Emergency Sharing feature for location sharing during emergencies. The Wear Workout Tracker standardizes fitness tracking across devices, and battery life improvements promise up to a 10% increase in longevity. Samsung's One UI Watch is evolving with the upcoming One UI 9 Watch, which is expected to feature a refreshed interface and new customizations. Firmware for One UI 9 Watch has been detected on Galaxy Watch 8 models, indicating an imminent release, with the Galaxy Watch 9 series anticipated to launch in July alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Trojanized LetsVPN installer gives attackers remote access to Windows PCs

A malware campaign has been discovered that exploits the VPN service LetsVPN. Researchers from ThreatLocker found a malicious Windows installer that pretends to be the legitimate LetsVPN application while deploying a remote access trojan (RAT) called GoodPersonRAT. The malware allows attackers to control infected systems using stealth techniques. The malicious installer first deploys the RAT and then installs the authentic LetsVPN application, creating an illusion of legitimacy. The package identified as Kuailian_win-setup.86.msi contains the legitimate LetsVPN installer, a loader, and an encrypted payload. GoodPersonRAT features include remote desktop control, file upload/download, command execution, proxying, keylogging, and clipboard monitoring. It specifically targets Telegram Desktop users by archiving critical account information and altering proxy settings. The malware ensures persistence through Windows services and scheduled tasks and can undermine security software. The LetsVPN installer is legitimate and signed, but the MSI package is unsigned and contains malicious components. Users are advised to download software only from official sources and verify digital signatures.

BetaBeacon

July 8, 2026

Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse coming to Android

Pocketpair Publishing and Frontside 180 Studio are releasing an Android version of the 2D roguelike action game Never Grave: The Witch and The Curse. The game was initially launched for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Switch, and PC via Steam on March 5, 2026.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11 cleanup is finally simple with this powerful open‑source tool that strips bloat, boosts speed, and gives you real control

Windows 11 includes built-in tools like Storage Sense, Temporary Files settings, and Storage Recommendations for managing storage. BleachBit is a free, open-source cleanup utility for Windows 11 that removes temporary files, caches, logs, and browsing data without ads. Users can download it via a standard installer or a portable version, with installation possible through the command line. BleachBit features a "Preview" option to estimate storage recovery before deletion and offers recommended cleanup options such as temporary files, logs, and the Recycle Bin. It includes a file shredder for securely deleting sensitive files and can wipe free disk space, although this is not recommended for regular maintenance. BleachBit does not have a Registry cleaner, which can prevent potential system issues. While it does not directly speed up Windows 11, it can free up storage space and resolve some cache-related issues. Users comfortable with Windows 11's built-in tools may not need BleachBit, but it offers greater control for those wanting to manage browser data and temporary files more effectively.