email Archives

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Gmail’s new Material 3 Expressive design is secretly hitting some inboxes

Google's Material 3 Expressive style is being integrated into Gmail, featuring a new interface with lighter, raised cards and rounded edges that enhance visual appeal. The design includes a vibrant color palette, making emails appear more layered and engaging. The rollout is gradual, with some users experiencing changes like the account switcher moving out of the search bar, while others have not yet seen this update. Additionally, a new pill-shaped button animation has been introduced for swipes, providing a fluid user experience with haptic feedback during notification dismissals.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

International authorities dismantle AVCheck in cybercrime operation

International authorities have dismantled AVCheck, a platform used by cybercriminals to test malware against antivirus software. The website avcheck.net now displays a seizure notice from the US Department of Justice, FBI, US Secret Service, and Dutch police. AVCheck was one of the largest counter antivirus services globally, aiding cybercriminals in evaluating their malware's stealth capabilities. Investigators found links between AVCheck's administrators and crypting services like Cryptor.biz and Crypt.guru. Law enforcement had placed a fake login page on AVCheck to warn users about legal risks before its shutdown on May 27, 2025. Undercover agents confirmed the illegal nature of AVCheck through transactions and connections to ransomware attacks. The FBI has also warned about the Silent Ransom Group, which has targeted law firms in the US using social engineering tactics.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Here’s a better look at Gmail’s Material 3 Expressive makeover, rolling out to some users

Google has begun rolling out its Gmail app's Material 3 Expressive redesign through a server-side switch, allowing select users to experience the new design ahead of a broader release later this year. The update, Gmail app v2025.05.11, features a vibrant color palette and a card-based user interface with a lighter background for the message list, rounded corners, and a more visible Compose button. The account switcher has been repositioned outside the search bar for improved navigation. The email screen's card-based UI has been refined, with a full-width order summary snippet and lighter colors. A new pill-shaped button animation for swipe gestures has also been introduced. Users can expect to see these design elements on their devices soon.

BetaBeacon

June 2, 2025

The best Nintendo 3DS emulator on Android just got even better

The update brings performance and compatibility gains on all platforms.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

I switched to indie apps for privacy, and now my workflow is a mess

The attempt to send a file from an Android device to a Windows 11 PC highlighted the challenges of using independent applications instead of major tech tools. The user replaced several Google services with alternatives, including Sync for cloud storage, Obsidian for note-taking, ToDoist for task management, Elemental for chat, Kobo for ebooks, VLC for music, Firefox for browsing, Ecosia for search, and Fastmail for email. Fastmail was noted for its efficiency and privacy, while Sync was criticized for its reliability. The user found the experience of using multiple independent apps to be fragmented and cumbersome, leading to higher costs than anticipated. Despite ethical concerns about Big Tech, the integration and convenience they offer were acknowledged as significant advantages. Ultimately, Fastmail and ToDoist were retained, while the user returned to Google for some services, illustrating the difficulties of maintaining a fully independent digital life.

Tech Optimizer

May 31, 2025

Authorities Dismantled AVCheck, a Tool For Testing Malware Against Antivirus Detection

Law enforcement agencies from multiple nations dismantled a cybercriminal operation that provided malware testing services to evade antivirus detection. This effort led to the seizure of four domains and their servers, disrupting infrastructure that facilitated ransomware attacks globally. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the disruption of an online software crypting syndicate that helped cybercriminals keep their malware undetected. The seized domains offered counter-antivirus tools and crypting services, allowing criminals to obfuscate malware and gain unauthorized access to systems. Investigators conducted undercover purchases and analyzed services, revealing connections to ransomware groups targeting victims in the U.S. and internationally. The operation, part of Operation Endgame, involved collaboration among the U.S., Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Ukraine, and Portugal, with the FBI Houston Field Office leading the U.S. investigation. The seizures occurred on May 27.

Tech Optimizer

May 30, 2025

Police takes down AVCheck antivirus site used by cybercriminals

An international law enforcement initiative has dismantled AVCheck, a service that allowed cybercriminals to test malware against antivirus software. The official website, avcheck.net, now displays a seizure banner from U.S. and Dutch authorities. AVCheck was one of the largest counter antivirus services, providing insights into malware evasion tactics. Investigators found connections between AVCheck's administrators and crypting services, which help obfuscate malware. Law enforcement created a deceptive login page to warn users of legal consequences. The takedown occurred on May 27, 2025, as part of Operation Endgame, which also seized 300 servers and 650 domains linked to ransomware attacks.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

First look: Google’s Phone app is getting a tasty Android 16 redesign (APK teardown)

Google's Phone app has undergone significant design enhancements in its version 177.0.763181107-publicbeta-pixel2024, aligning with the Material 3 Expressive design language. Key changes include larger contact names and caller images, a transition from circular to oval-shaped buttons, and an enlarged pill-shaped end call button. Additional modifications feature the removal of the “call from” text, immediate display of the phone number after answering, and a redesigned “more” menu. The app also introduces an animation for the incoming caller’s profile picture. Similar updates are being rolled out across other Google applications, and these redesigns will be supported on earlier versions of Android as well.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Vietnam to block messaging app Telegram over ‘anti-state’ contents

The Vietnamese government has instructed telecommunications companies to block the Telegram messaging app, citing security concerns and the dissemination of "anti-state" content. This directive was issued by the Telecommunications Department and requires service providers to report compliance by June 2. A document from the Ministry of Public Security indicated that 68% of approximately 9,600 Telegram channels and groups in Vietnam were classified as “bad and toxic,” involved in activities such as anti-state messaging, fraud, and drug trafficking. The government referenced Article 9 of the Telecommunications Law and Decree 147 to justify the ban, claiming Telegram had not complied with regulations. Despite the ban, Telegram remained accessible in Vietnam as of the report date. Telegram expressed surprise at the government's actions and confirmed it is responding to legal requests from Vietnam.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2025

Windows PCs at risk as new tool disarms built-in security

All modern Windows PCs come with Microsoft Defender, a built-in antivirus solution. A tool called Defendnot can disable Microsoft Defender by tricking Windows into believing another antivirus is active. It uses an undocumented API to register a counterfeit antivirus, which leads to Microsoft Defender being automatically disabled without user notification. Defendnot creates a scheduled task for persistence and allows customization of the antivirus name. It is a successor to a previous project, No-Defender, which was removed due to copyright issues. Currently, Microsoft Defender flags Defendnot as a threat.