encryption

Winsage
August 21, 2025
LibreOffice 25.8 has been released by The Document Foundation, supporting GNU/Linux, Android, macOS, and Windows. Key enhancements include up to 30% faster file opening times in Writer and Calc, support for exporting to PDF 2.0, optimized memory management, and improved scrolling for large documents. New features include a Viewer mode for read-only access, background images as bitmap thumbnails, SHA384 with AES_192 encryption, streamlined PDF signature timestamping, enhanced import capabilities for encrypted PDFs, and support for Bitcoin currency. Writer introduces a new Move Line hyphenation rule, improved text selection control, and collaborative features like per-window track changes. Calc adds new functions and customizable conditional formatting, while Impress improves font management for PowerPoint compatibility. The user interface features various enhancements, including a diacritic matching option and hyperlink insertion via the context menu. LibreOffice 25.8 is available for download, with support through seven maintenance updates until June 12, 2026.
Winsage
August 20, 2025
Windows 11 Pro was released in October 2021, featuring a streamlined interface and enhanced tools. A current promotion on StackSocial offers a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro at a significantly reduced price when using the code MSO5 at checkout. After purchase, an activation code will be sent via email, which must be redeemed within 30 days. The license is non-transferable and valid for a single PC, including future updates. Minimum hardware requirements include 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a 1GHz or faster processor, UEFI firmware, Secure Boot capability, and TPM 2.0 support. Windows 11 Pro includes features like BitLocker encryption, Windows Hello, Smart App Control, Azure Active Directory, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V, Remote Desktop, and a built-in Copilot feature for productivity.
Winsage
August 19, 2025
Open-source software provides alternatives to proprietary applications for Windows users, enhancing productivity without traditional software licenses. 1. LibreOffice is a free office suite that includes word processing, spreadsheets, and a database component, operates locally, and supports MS Office formats. 2. Flow Launcher is a free file search and application launcher that allows quick access to applications and files through a customizable hotkey. 3. Duplicati is a free backup solution that supports various storage destinations, offers encryption, scheduling, and remote management for data security. 4. Nextcloud is a free, locally hosted file storage and collaboration solution that allows users to control their personal data. 5. Franz is a free application that consolidates multiple messaging platforms into a single interface for easier communication. 6. YAZB (YAZB Reborn) is a free tool that customizes the Windows experience by creating a top bar displaying system information. 7. File Converter is a free application that allows users to convert various file formats through a right-click context menu option. 8. Bitwarden is a free open-source password manager that offers password generation and secure file sharing, with premium features available. 9. AutoHotKey is a free tool for automating tasks through scripting, enabling the creation of hotkeys and macros. 10. Ollama is a free open-source AI application that allows local interaction with AI models, ensuring data privacy.
AppWizard
August 19, 2025
Recent research from Arizona State University and Citizen Lab has identified connections among three families of Android VPN applications with over 700 million downloads, raising concerns about user privacy and security. The analysis revealed three groups of VPN providers: 1. Group A: Eight apps from three providers sharing identical Java code and libraries, exhibiting vulnerabilities such as: - Collecting location data against privacy policies. - Using weak encryption methods. - Hard-coded Shadowsocks passwords that could allow traffic decryption. 2. Group B: Eight apps from five providers supporting only the Shadowsocks protocol, sharing libraries and hard-coded passwords, with all servers hosted by GlobalTeleHost Corp. 3. Group C: Two providers with one app each, using a custom tunneling protocol and sharing similar code, vulnerable to connection inference attacks. The research highlighted significant privacy breaches, including undisclosed location data collection and vulnerabilities that could allow eavesdroppers to decrypt communications. Alarmingly, these VPN providers are linked to Qihoo 360, a Chinese company that has concealed this connection, raising concerns about potential data sharing with the government due to China's strict laws. Additionally, the Tech Transparency Project found that many free VPN apps on the Apple App Store are also linked to companies in mainland China or Hong Kong without disclosing these ties.
AppWizard
August 18, 2025
Russian regulators, through Roskomnadzor, are implementing partial restrictions on phone calls made via WhatsApp and Telegram, citing their use in fraudulent activities. This action is part of a strategy to promote a government-managed "super app" called Max, developed by VK, which aims to consolidate various services into one platform. The initiative aims to enhance oversight over communications and information access for Russian citizens. WhatsApp has acknowledged the restrictions while emphasizing the importance of maintaining end-to-end encryption. Activist Mikhail Klimarev has warned that severe restrictions could negatively impact the economy and public perception.
AppWizard
August 15, 2025
Residents and visitors in Morong, Rizal, and Mambajao, Camiguin Island can now make emergency calls through messaging apps and social media platforms as part of a modernization initiative for emergency response systems. Mambajao activated its local 911 emergency hotline on February 27, becoming the first next-generation 911-enabled command center in Northern Mindanao, reducing response times to three to seven minutes. The Next Generation Advanced (NGA) 911 Philippines launched the NEXiS Message platform, allowing emergency calls via traditional voice methods, text messages, video calls, and popular applications like Facebook Messenger. This system consolidates incoming messages into a single platform, improving efficiency and response times while ensuring the security of shared information through encryption. NEXiS Message integrates with legacy and modern communication technologies and facilitates inter-agency collaboration. NGA 911 Philippines aims to expand next-generation 911 technology to more communities in the country and has received certification from the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
AppWizard
August 14, 2025
A new wave of Android malware is targeting banking applications, utilizing techniques such as NFC relay fraud, call hijacking, and root-level exploits. Variants like PhantomCard, SpyBanker, and KernelSU are designed to infiltrate devices and manipulate transactions in real time. PhantomCard mimics legitimate NFC payment processes, SpyBanker hijacks calls from financial institutions, and KernelSU exploits kernel vulnerabilities for persistent access. This malware has affected thousands of devices, with attackers using disguises on the Google Play Store and phishing campaigns. A related variant, Anatsa, impacted over 90,000 users through fake PDF applications. The rise of such malware correlates with the increasing adoption of contactless payments, particularly in Europe and Asia. Experts recommend that banks enhance their defenses with behavioral analytics and that users enable app verification. Additionally, malware like KernelSU allows evasion of detection by operating at the system's core. Cybersecurity firms suggest a multi-layered security approach, including device encryption and AI-driven threat detection, to combat these evolving threats.
Winsage
August 14, 2025
Microsoft has advised users to disregard certain CertificateServicesClient (CertEnroll) errors following the installation of the July 2025 preview update and subsequent Windows 11 24H2 updates. Users were also encouraged to overlook Windows Firewall configuration errors after rebooting post-installation of the June 2025 preview update. In April 2025, Microsoft confirmed and rectified a known issue causing invalid 0x80070643 failure errors after applying April 2025 Windows Recovery Environment updates, and addressed a bug triggering BitLocker drive encryption errors on Windows 10 and 11 devices. In October, Microsoft clarified that a specific issue primarily affected managed Windows environments with enforced drive encryption. Recently, Microsoft updated its Windows release health dashboard, asking users to ignore an error logged in Event Viewer with Error ID 57, related to the 'Microsoft Pluton Cryptographic Provider' not loading due to initialization failure. They emphasized that this error can be safely ignored and does not indicate issues with active Windows components, as it stems from a feature still under development.
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