control Archives

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Debunking the grey market beyond Steam

Alternative distribution in the PC gaming industry is growing, with developers increasingly selling Steam keys through third-party platforms like Fanatical and Humble. Valve's Steam platform is projected to generate .8 billion in revenue in 2024, while the Epic Games Store reported .09 billion last year. Developers can request up to 5,000 standard release keys from Valve for sale on other platforms, adhering to pricing guidelines. Marketplaces like G2A mix approved keys and resold keys, while e-stores ensure all keys are legitimate. The grey market refers to the resale of keys that undermines publishers' profits, often due to regional pricing discrepancies. Developers can manage the grey market by monitoring key sales and implementing strategies like region-locking and pricing adjustments.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

First-Person Survival Horror Game ‘Bleak Haven’ Announced for PC

Artur Łączkowski has announced Bleak Haven, a first-person survival horror game developed using Unreal Engine 5. Players will control Tyler, who searches for his missing brother on a foggy island filled with dangers. The game features puzzles, weapon crafting, and brutal combat mechanics, with an emphasis on melee weapons due to the scarcity of firearms. Łączkowski plans for Bleak Haven to be the first in a potential series of horror games. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

10 years later, no one has replicated Rocket League’s mojo

Rocket League, launched on July 7, 2015, is approaching its 10th anniversary, prompting Psyonix to celebrate with a dedicated season. The game combines soccer with rocket-powered vehicles and has influenced the gaming landscape. While other titles like Hockey? and Slapshot offer similar physics-based mechanics, they do not capture the essence of Rocket League. A new game, Rematch, is in advanced access on Steam and allows players to control individual characters but lacks the defining elements of Rocket League, such as rockets and cars. The impact of Rocket League is evident in how it shapes perceptions of sports in gaming.

Winsage

June 19, 2025

Windows 11’s new Start menu falls short in one key area – and it’s making people angry

Microsoft is testing a redesigned Start menu for Windows 11 that includes new layouts for the app list, such as a grid and category view. Users will not be able to create personalized category types, as Windows 11 will determine app categorization, potentially leading to an 'Other' section for apps that do not fit defined categories. Users cannot move apps between categories, which limits customization. The Start menu is still in testing, and there is hope for future enhancements, including drag-and-drop functionality, in the upcoming Windows 11 25H2 update.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

GodFather Android Malware Runs Real Apps in a Sandbox to Steal Data

Cybersecurity researchers at Zimperium zLabs have discovered a new variant of the GodFather Android malware that uses on-device virtualization to hijack legitimate mobile applications, primarily targeting banking and cryptocurrency apps. This malware installs a concealed host application that downloads a genuine version of the targeted app within a controlled environment, redirecting users to this manipulated version. It monitors user actions in real time, capturing sensitive information like usernames and passwords. The GodFather malware targets 484 applications globally, with a focus on 12 financial institutions in Turkey. It employs traditional overlay attacks and uses legitimate open-source tools to evade detection. The malware manipulates APK files, relocates malicious code, and utilizes Android’s accessibility services to deceive users into granting permissions. It also encodes critical information to complicate tracking efforts and transmits screen details back to attackers for real-time monitoring.

BetaBeacon

June 18, 2025

PS2 emulation on Android just got a big update, but be careful which version you install

The PS2 emulator NetherSX2 has released a major update to version 2.0 (build 4248) with significant changes in appearance and performance, including a revamped touch control scheme and improved GameDB conversion script. Users cannot have both the standard and Classic versions installed on the same device, and save states are not compatible between the two versions.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 11’s shiny new Start menu has a flaw that’s going to drive me insane

Windows 11's Start menu has been criticized by users for being less effective than that of Windows 10. Microsoft has made enhancements, including the removal of the "Recommended" section and the introduction of a scrollable list of applications. Users can choose from three presentation methods: Name List, Name Grid, and View Category. However, the category sorting system limits user control, as applications are automatically assigned to predefined sections, and users cannot create or modify these categories. If an app does not fit into a category, it will be placed in the "Other" section. Additionally, a category is only created if there are three or more apps, which can lead to further disorganization if one app is uninstalled. Some users are considering alternatives like Linux Mint for a more customizable experience.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

XDSpy Threat Actors Leverages Windows LNKs Zero-Day Vulnerability to Attack Windows System Users

A cyber espionage campaign attributed to the XDSpy threat actor has been discovered, exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Windows shortcut files identified as “ZDI-CAN-25373.” This vulnerability allows attackers to conceal executed commands within specially crafted shortcut files. XDSpy has primarily targeted government entities in Eastern Europe and Russia since its activities became known in 2020. Researchers from HarfangLab found malicious LNK files exploiting this vulnerability in mid-March, revealing issues with how Windows parses LNK files. The infection begins with a ZIP archive containing a malicious LNK file, which triggers a complex Windows shell command to execute malicious components while displaying a decoy document. This command extracts and executes a first-stage malware called “ETDownloader,” which establishes persistence and downloads a second-stage payload known as “XDigo.” The XDigo implant, written in Go, collects sensitive information and employs encryption for data exfiltration. This campaign represents an evolution in XDSpy's tactics, combining zero-day exploitation with advanced multi-stage payloads.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

XDSpy Threat Actors Exploit Windows LNK Zero-Day Vulnerability to Target Windows System Users

The XDSpy threat actor is exploiting a Windows LNK zero-day vulnerability (ZDI-CAN-25373) to target governmental entities in Eastern Europe and Russia since March 2025. This campaign involves a multi-stage infection chain deploying the XDigo implant, developed in Go. Attackers use spearphishing emails with ZIP archives containing crafted LNK files that exploit the vulnerability. Upon execution, these files sideload a malicious C# .NET DLL named ETDownloader, which establishes persistence and retrieves the XDigo payload from specific domains. XDigo is a data collection implant capable of file scanning, clipboard capture, and screenshot acquisition, communicating with command-and-control servers. The campaign targets Belarusian governmental entities and employs advanced tactics, including anti-analysis checks and encryption for data exfiltration. Indicators of compromise include specific SHA-256 hashes for ZIP archives, LNK files, the ETDownloader, and XDigo malware, along with associated distribution and command-and-control domains.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

Windows 10 End Nears: Switch to Linux for Security

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025, affecting an estimated 200 to 400 million devices that will no longer receive updates or patches, exposing them to security vulnerabilities. Transitioning to Windows 11 requires modern hardware specifications, which many older devices lack. Users must decide between investing in new hardware, opting for extended security updates, or switching to alternative operating systems like Linux. The Document Foundation advocates for Linux and LibreOffice as viable alternatives, emphasizing their ability to run on older hardware and providing robust security updates. Linux offers users greater control and transparency, addressing privacy concerns associated with proprietary systems. LibreOffice supports open document formats, ensuring long-term accessibility without vendor constraints. The end of Windows 10 support may prompt significant shifts in the tech industry, encouraging a move towards systems that prioritize sustainability and user rights.