data Archives

AppWizard

September 9, 2026

Android Auto Users Lose the Google Maps Feature They’ve Been Drooling Over for Years

Android Auto users are experiencing issues with Google Maps, particularly the disappearance of the speedometer feature after its recent integration. Some users report that the speedometer vanishes when navigation is disabled, while others find it completely absent. Additionally, critical navigation data, such as traffic light indicators, may also be missing. A persistent bug affecting traffic colors in Google Maps further complicates navigation. Users have shared varying experiences, with some finding that exiting beta versions of the apps resolves the issue. Google has not yet addressed these concerns, and an upcoming update for Google Maps is expected to enhance navigation features, including detailed maps and improved turn-by-turn instructions. The update is currently rolling out in the U.S. and Canada, with no timeline for other regions.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Normally $199, it’s only $10 to get Windows 11 Pro right now

Windows 11 Pro is currently on sale for .97, down from its regular price of 9. It includes features such as BitLocker encryption, Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox for virtual machines, and Azure AD for business connectivity. Additional enhancements include Snap layouts, DirectX 12 Ultimate for gaming, TPM 2.0 for secure logins, and Copilot for assistance. The license is only compatible with PCs that meet Windows 11's minimum specifications, which can be checked using Microsoft's free PC Health Check app.

Winsage

September 9, 2026

Microsoft Patch Tuesday for September 2026 — Snort rules and prominent vulnerabilities

Microsoft's September 2026 security update revealed 973 vulnerabilities, with 113 classified as critical. Two actively exploited vulnerabilities are CVE-2026-81963 (Windows Update Stack, elevation of privilege, CVSS 7.8) and CVE-2026-85880 (Windows ALPC, elevation of privilege, CVSS 7.8). Among the 113 critical vulnerabilities, 82 are remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities. Notable vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2026-69676: RCE in Windows Kerberos, CVSS 8.8, authentication bypass. - CVE-2026-69852: RCE in Windows RRAS, CVSS 7.5, heap-based buffer overflow. - CVE-2026-72957: RCE in Windows Deployment Services, CVSS 7.8. - CVE-2026-69854: Elevation of privilege in Spring Cloud Azure, CVSS 9.0, improper authentication. - CVE-2026-83501: Information disclosure in Windows VBS, CVSS 5.5. - CVE-2026-69730: RCE in Windows DNS Server, CVSS 9.8. Less likely to be exploited vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2026-69845: RCE in Windows DHCP Server, CVSS 9.8, heap-based buffer overflow. - CVE-2026-65772: Vulnerability in Microsoft Dynamics 365 On-Premises, CVSS 8.8, deserialization of untrusted data. - CVE-2026-66302: RCE in Skype for Business, CVSS 9.8. Additional critical vulnerabilities include: - CVE-2026-62916: Elevation of privilege in Microsoft Entra ID, CVSS 9.1. - CVE-2026-83941: Elevation of privilege in Entra ID, CVSS 9.9. - CVE-2026-80098: Vulnerability in Copilot Studio, CVSS 9.3, improper verification of cryptographic signatures. Talos is releasing a new Snort ruleset to detect attempts to exploit these vulnerabilities, with specific SIDs for Snort 2 and Snort 3 rule coverage.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

GrapheneOS is ditching AOSP apps and building its own alternatives

GrapheneOS is an open-source Android-based operating system focused on security and user privacy, appealing to privacy-conscious users. It features an enhanced app sandbox, a privacy-first design for managing app permissions, and regular security updates. The operating system has gained attention on social media platforms like X and Mastodon, where users share tips and experiences, fostering a supportive community. This engagement allows for real-time feedback, collaborative problem-solving, and increased awareness of privacy and security topics.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Connecticut Launches Kids Safety Probe Into Kik Messenger App

Connecticut's attorney general is investigating Kik, a messaging app popular with teenagers, due to concerns about its age verification, privacy, and content moderation practices, labeling it a “predator’s paradise.” This inquiry is part of a larger effort by the state to examine online platforms that may inadequately protect children. Attorney General William Tong stated a commitment to using enforcement powers to hold Big Tech accountable for minors' safety. Recent actions include a settlement with Meta Platforms Inc. and an ongoing investigation into Roblox Corp. Kik's policies, particularly its lack of stringent age verification and content moderation, have raised alarms about risks to its teenage users. The investigation will assess Kik's management of user data, privacy safeguards, and content moderation practices.

Winsage

September 8, 2026

Microsoft releases Windows security update addressing 723 flaws

Microsoft released its September 2026 security updates, addressing two critical Windows elevation-of-privilege vulnerabilities: CVE-2026-85880 and CVE-2026-81963. Both vulnerabilities were exploited before their public disclosure on September 8. CVE-2026-85880 involves a heap-based buffer overflow in the Windows Advanced Local Procedure Call (ALPC), allowing low-privileged attackers to gain SYSTEM privileges. CVE-2026-81963 affects the Windows Update Stack due to improper link resolution and access controls, enabling similar privilege escalation. The September release also includes 974 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) across various Microsoft products, with 723 affecting Windows. Users of Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2 receive updates via KB5124008, while Windows 11 26H1 receives KB5124012. Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro editions will reach end of servicing on October 13, 2026. Users are advised to install the updates promptly and back up important data.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Ohio Mobile ID Arrives in Google Wallet, Opening the Program to Android

Ohio residents with Android devices can now integrate their driver's license or state ID into Google Wallet as part of the state's Mobile ID program. This digital credential is a companion to the physical card, and users are encouraged to carry their plastic IDs. To add the credential, users can navigate through the Google Wallet app. The digital ID is accepted for age and identity verification at various businesses, state buildings, TSA checkpoints, and casinos in Ohio. It utilizes specialized readers for presentation and allows users to review shared data. The credentials are encrypted and can be remotely erased if the phone is lost or stolen. Participation in the program is voluntary and free, adhering to privacy and security standards. Governor Mike DeWine highlighted the convenience of this innovation, and vendors are expanding support for mobile driver’s licenses in multiple states.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Waze on Android Auto is inexplicably hiding users’ navigation information

A navigation bug in Waze affects Android Auto users when switching to full-screen mode, causing essential journey information such as estimated time of arrival, arrival time, next navigation instruction, and remaining distance to disappear. The information temporarily reappears with alerts but vanishes again after the alert is dismissed. The cause of the glitch is uncertain, possibly related to a recent update to Android Auto or Waze.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

7 Ways To Use Private Space On Your Android Device That Are Actually Helpful

Google's Private Space is a feature on Android devices that creates a secure environment for managing sensitive information. It allows users to lock banking apps, providing a secure vault that is hidden from the main interface and protected from malware and unauthorized access. Users can enhance security with a unique PIN or biometric authentication, and the space locks automatically when the smartphone is secured. Private Space also serves as a secure repository for personal documents, enabling users to move files like PDFs and IDs into it, ensuring they remain inaccessible until the space is locked. Additionally, Private Space allows users to separate personal and professional digital lives by logging into a different Google account, maintaining distinct emails, contacts, and calendar events. Users can install separate instances of messaging and social media apps within Private Space to manage multiple accounts securely. It also helps keep dating apps hidden, protecting users' privacy and personal data. When sharing devices, Private Space ensures personal data remains secure behind authentication. Lastly, it allows users to store data locally without syncing to the cloud, prioritizing privacy over convenience.

AppWizard

September 8, 2026

Connecticut attorney general calls Kik messenger app a ‘predator’s paradise’

Connecticut's Attorney General, William Tong, is investigating MediaLab.AI Inc.'s messaging app, Kik, due to concerns about inadequate age assurance practices and content moderation. Child safety advocates have criticized Kik as a “predator’s paradise.” Tong described Kik as a platform with significant issues related to sexual abuse, exploitation, and bullying, lacking meaningful age verification and protections for users. The app has over one-third of American teens using it, down from 40 percent in 2016. MediaLab has only partially responded to inquiries about privacy and safety. Tong's office has issued a civil investigative demand for information on MediaLab’s data processing, content moderation, and age assurance practices to assess compliance with the Connecticut Data Privacy Act and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.