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AppWizard
September 17, 2026
Security researchers at Zimperium have identified a new strain of Android malware called RatHat, which is linked to threat actors from China and is designed to steal sensitive credentials and banking information. RatHat infiltrates devices through phishing sites, malvertising, and SMS phishing (smishing), tricking users into downloading malicious Android package kits (APKs). The malware uses a dropper to activate its payload, which is hidden in encrypted assets, and employs techniques to bypass Android's security measures. RatHat consists of three main components: a malicious Android application, a Go agent (liblocal-service.so), and an FRP client (libmedia_codec.so). The app collects sensitive information such as banking credentials, notifications, 2FA codes, OTP keys, and screen inputs. It features a generative AI user interface-automation engine that communicates in Mandarin and can perform various tasks like determining screen coordinates and issuing navigation commands. The Go agent acts as a command-and-control executor, executing commands to bypass app-level security and manage system-level tasks. The FRP client maintains a secure reverse tunnel to the attacker's server, allowing ongoing remote access to the device. The architecture of RatHat demonstrates the inadequacy of traditional mobile security measures against such advanced threats.
Winsage
September 17, 2026
Microsoft plans to submit proposals for a data center in Slough, England, potentially as early as autumn. This follows a consultation with local residents, during which Microsoft highlighted the importance of data centers in modern life. A petition opposing the construction has gained significant support, and hundreds of protesters gathered at the proposed site, expressing concerns about environmental impacts, including noise pollution. Microsoft has received approval for a similar project from Leeds City Council, but the decision for the Slough data center will be made by Chief Planning Officer Martin Elliot, who will consider community feedback.
Winsage
September 17, 2026
Windows 11 was released in 2021 and received mixed reactions, with users noting the removal of several familiar features from Windows 10. The taskbar was locked in place, preventing repositioning, and the ability to drag files onto taskbar applications was initially absent but restored within a year. The Start menu lost flexible resizing options, and Microsoft faced challenges in transferring established features due to the new framework. By 2026, Microsoft announced changes allowing users to relocate the taskbar, responding to user demand. The Start menu remained less flexible than its predecessor, leading to user frustration. Microsoft acknowledged the need for a movable taskbar, which was implemented in a preview by May 2026, coinciding with the September 2026 Patch Tuesday update. The integration of AI into development processes has accelerated feature implementation, but also introduced new stability issues.
AppWizard
September 16, 2026
The Blood of Dawnwalker is developed by Rebel Wolves, a studio with seasoned developers who previously worked on The Witcher 3. The game was launched in early September and has received positive feedback, particularly from players using high-performance PCs, like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti, due to potential performance issues on consoles. Players take on the role of Coen, a young man in a 14th-century valley ruled by a vampire warlord, the Vrakhir, who demands blood donations from villagers. Coen's journey begins when he discovers his family has been abducted and he has been transformed into a semi-vampire, allowing him to switch between human and Vrakhir forms, leading to a narrative filled with intrigue and conflict.
Winsage
September 16, 2026
Organizations using Windows Server 2022 will lose mainstream support on October 13, 2026, although security updates will continue through extended support until October 2031. Customers are encouraged to plan for an upgrade to Windows Server 2025 to avoid potential security vulnerabilities and complications in future migrations. Microsoft recommends early evaluation and testing of Windows Server 2025 to ensure compatibility and smooth transition. Additionally, support for the Azure Edition’s hotpatching capability has been extended to October 2027, providing some customers more time to strategize their migration. However, remaining on Windows Server 2022 means missing out on new features and enhancements.
Winsage
September 16, 2026
David Plummer, a former Microsoft engineer, was the primary author of Windows XP's Product Activation system, which included the infamous product key FCKGW. This key became widely used on pirated copies of the operating system. Plummer created the activation system by compressing and encrypting disc data, ensuring its security. The FCKGW key was specifically tied to certain data configurations, making it ineffective on standard XP CDs. A piracy group, Devils0wn, leaked a complete Windows XP Pro Corporate ISO and the valid FCKGW key just five weeks before the official launch, allowing unauthorized installations. Microsoft responded by blacklisting product IDs associated with the compromised keys in Service Pack 1 and blocking updates for installations using the FCKGW key in Service Pack 2. Valid, un-leaked Volume License Keys (VLKs) remained functional for years after the incident. Plummer noted that the media and the key were leaked before the product reached stores, preventing the intended hardware-binding from functioning.
AppWizard
September 15, 2026
Bungie has announced a shift in its development strategy for the game Marathon, moving away from a rigid seasonal schedule to a more flexible timeline for updates. As a result, content originally planned for this month has been postponed until December, although a smaller update focusing on progression and the in-game economy will be released in October. The Nightfall refresh is set to launch on October 6, providing all players with a "fresh starting point." Bungie aims to address previous issues with the seasonal model that left some players behind. The decision to abandon the strict seasonal model comes amid a decline in Marathon's concurrent player numbers on Steam. Players are hopeful for a more comprehensive version of Marathon, including a single-player mode and enhanced social interactivity. Bungie's communications lead, Dylan Gafner, has promised increased communication with the community in the coming weeks and months.
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