data deletion Archives

Winsage

February 12, 2025

Microsoft Patch Tuesday February 2025 – 61 Vulnerabilities Fixed, 3 Actively Exploited in the Wild

Microsoft's February Patch Tuesday update addresses 61 vulnerabilities, including 25 critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. Three of these are zero-days, actively exploited before the update: 1. CVE-2023-24932: Secure Boot security feature bypass requiring physical access or administrative rights. 2. CVE-2025-21391: Windows Storage elevation of privilege vulnerability that could lead to data deletion. 3. CVE-2025-21418: Vulnerability in Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock allowing privilege escalation. Critical vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2025-21376: Windows LDAP RCE vulnerability. - CVE-2025-21379: RCE vulnerability in DHCP Client Service. - CVE-2025-21381: RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Excel. The update also addresses additional vulnerabilities related to remote code execution, elevation of privilege, denial of service, security feature bypass, spoofing, and information disclosure across various Microsoft products. Microsoft advises immediate application of the updates to mitigate risks.

AppWizard

February 5, 2025

Ukrainian competitor to Telegram: Bridge messenger with «panic button» and encryption

Discussions about potentially blocking Telegram in Ukraine led to the development of a domestic alternative called Bridge messenger, created by a team of four IT specialists from Lviv. Bridge is designed to compete with messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Signal, featuring efficient data compression for low Internet conditions, a recommendation feed, and a user-friendly interface tailored for Ukrainians. Notable features include a panic button for data deletion, end-to-end encryption, temporary accounts for anonymity, and advanced automation for business processes. The project has consumed over 2,000 hours and nearly 0,000 in personal funding. Bridge's concept originated in summer 2024 due to power outages and communication issues, with its beta version launched on October 29, attracting over 5,000 testers. The full release is expected in the second quarter of 2025.

AppWizard

February 4, 2025

Google Relies On AI-Assist Threat Detection to Keep Android Safe

Google blocked 2.36 million apps from being published in 2024 due to violations of Google Play policies and banned over 158,000 developer accounts for attempting to distribute harmful applications. The company prevented 1.3 million apps from gaining excessive access to users' sensitive data. Over 92% of human reviews for harmful apps were AI-assisted, allowing for quicker and more accurate actions. Google implemented new requirements for developers to enhance transparency regarding data handling and introduced a "Data deletion" option for apps. Over 91% of app installations on the Google Play Store utilized the latest protections from Android 13 or newer. Google Play Protect scanned more than 200 billion apps daily and identified over 13 million new malicious apps from outside Google Play in 2024.

AppWizard

February 2, 2025

Google Blocks Over 2 Million Risky Apps to Boost Android Security

In 2024, Google blocked 2.36 million potentially dangerous Android apps from the Play Store, including those that breached policies or were flagged as malicious through AI-assisted reviews. New security features included improved biometric authentication and passkeys. AI-driven threat detection technology automated 92% of human assessments, enhancing the identification of malicious apps. Google expanded its Play SDK database with 80 new reliable SDKs and prevented 1.3 million apps from accessing sensitive user information. The Play Protect system detected over 13 million new malicious apps from outside the Play Store. Google expanded its untrusted APK installation blocking system to Brazil, India, Nigeria, and South Africa. Recommendations for users included installing apps from trusted sources and regularly reviewing app permissions.

Tech Optimizer

September 30, 2024

McAfee+ Premium review

McAfee+ Premium is a security suite that includes a highly accurate antivirus system for unlimited devices, a comprehensive VPN, a password manager, and data breach monitoring for sensitive information. It features a scam detector in mobile apps, privacy tools for social media settings, and online account cleanup. In malware tests, it blocked 88% of threats but performed less effectively than competitors in ransomware simulations. The VPN offers unlimited access but has connectivity issues and slow connection times. True Key, the password manager, lacks advanced features. The Online Account Cleanup tool works only with specific email providers, while the Personal Data Cleanup feature identifies data broker information without direct removal assistance. The Social Privacy Manager provides privacy recommendations for social media accounts, and dark web monitoring tracks personal data but lacks actionable insights. Additional features include a basic firewall, file shredder, and tracker remover. Overall, McAfee+ Premium excels in antivirus and dark web monitoring but may not match competitors in other areas.

Tech Optimizer

August 28, 2024

Hurry! One of our favorite antivirus programs is up to 41% off

Bitdefender is offering discounts of up to 41% on various plans during the Labor Day sales. The Bitdefender Ultimate Security package, which protects up to 10 devices across multiple platforms, is available at a reduced price. The Bitdefender Antivirus Plus plan includes features such as real-time scanning, a network threat scanner, a file shredder, and a Safepay browser for secure transactions. The Bitdefender Total Security plan adds support for Macs and mobile devices and includes a system optimizer. This sale represents one of the most significant discounts from Bitdefender, making it a favorable time for consumers to invest in cybersecurity.

Winsage

August 15, 2024

Wiping a Windows laptop? Here’s the safest free way to erase your personal data

When upgrading from an old Windows PC to a new model, users can choose to gift, donate, trade in, or sell their previous device. Before passing it on, it is crucial to permanently delete all personal files. For desktops, this can be done by swapping the system drive, while laptops may require resetting the PC to remove personal files and reinstall Windows. In Windows 10, this is done via Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and in Windows 11, under Settings > System > Recovery, selecting the Remove Everything option. Microsoft warns that their data erasure methods do not meet government and industry standards, and skilled individuals may recover some deleted information. For SSDs, manufacturers often provide utilities with a Secure Erase command, and third-party tools like MiniTool Partition Wizard can wipe disks. Windows also offers built-in encryption tools to encrypt the system drive before a clean install, with BitLocker Device Encryption automatically applied on supported devices. Users can check for BDE support using the System Information utility and can encrypt drives using the Manage BitLocker utility on Windows 10 Pro or Windows 11 Pro. If BDE is unavailable, the command Cipher /W:C: can be used to overwrite unused disk space.