evaluation Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2025

Bitdefender Antivirus Review 2025: I Found This Top-Rated Security Software Effective and Efficient

Bitdefender Antivirus has a score of 9.5 out of 10, with the following breakdown: Performance: 9/10, Security: 10/10, Customer Support: 9/10, Usability: 10/10, Value: 9/10, Features: 10/10. It has over 500 million users worldwide and offers real-time protection against malware, a scam detector, a VPN, password manager, ad blocker, digital identity protection, dark web monitoring, and data breach detection. Bitdefender's plans include a free version for single-device use and various Ultimate Security packages for individuals and families, all priced at 0 for the first year. The software is user-friendly, with a straightforward setup process and minimal impact on system resources during operation. It consistently achieves high marks in third-party lab tests for security and offers various customer support options, though the initial steps to reach a representative can be cumbersome.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

How we test antivirus software

Robust antivirus software is essential for protecting sensitive data in personal and business contexts. Different antivirus solutions vary in malware detection and overall protection. The ideal antivirus balances comprehensive coverage with system performance. Resources like AV-Comparatives and AV-Test provide impartial testing of antivirus capabilities, including real-world protection tests and evaluations of false alarms. Performance and customer support are critical factors in antivirus software evaluation. The impact on device speed and resource consumption is important, as is the quality of customer support for troubleshooting. Reliable support options enhance user satisfaction. Thorough testing of antivirus software is crucial due to the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. Not all antivirus solutions are equally effective, and rigorous evaluation helps identify subpar options and false positives. Free antivirus options may suffice for casual users, but premium versions often offer better features and protections. Meticulous testing ensures that security software meets its promises and helps users make informed decisions.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

Three ways to run Windows apps on a Linux box

If you're transitioning to Linux and need to run Windows applications, you have several options, including dual-booting, using a virtual machine (VM), or employing a compatibility layer like WINE. For virtualization, VirtualBox is a popular open-source choice, while VMware is another option that has been free since late 2024. Both require a Windows ISO, which can be obtained for free from Microsoft. VirtualBox suggests allocating 2GB of RAM and one processor core, but 8GB of RAM and two cores are recommended for better performance. Running a VM requires significant resources, and a valid Windows license is necessary for the guest OS. Dual-booting allows both Windows and Linux to run natively, providing full hardware access and optimal performance. WINE translates Windows application calls into Linux commands and is included in most Linux distributions. Its effectiveness varies by application. Bottles is a user-friendly wrapper around WINE that simplifies installation. For enhanced compatibility, CodeWeavers CrossOver is a premium alternative to WINE, with a free evaluation version available. For gaming, Lutris and Valve’s Proton are tools that facilitate running Windows games on Linux.

AppWizard

May 27, 2025

Nacon secures WRC rights

French publisher Nacon has become the new partner of the World Rally Championship (WRC) and has secured exclusive rights to develop PC and console titles based on the tournament from 2027 to 2032. This announcement follows Electronic Arts' decision to pause development on its own WRC series. Nacon's CEO, Alain Falc, highlighted the company's ambition to create a refined driving experience and emphasized the importance of their previous partnership with WRC Promoter from 2015 to 2023. FIA WRC's chief marketing officer, Arne Dirks, expressed optimism about the collaboration, indicating it could lead to innovative developments in rally gaming.

Winsage

May 27, 2025

Computers running on Microsoft’s Windows 10 must be updated

Microsoft will end support for Windows 10 on October 14, meaning devices will no longer receive security updates, bug fixes, or technical support, which could lead to security vulnerabilities. At Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), many computers can be upgraded to Windows 11 without disruption, and the upgrade process is being managed by University Technology ([U]Tech). Some devices may need assessment for compatibility, and [U]Tech will contact those affected. Early planning is important to avoid disruptions, ensure budget allocation, and maintain security. Users should contact [U]Tech if they have not been reached by June 30 and provide their device information. Assistance is available through various channels, including a support form and the [U]Tech C.A.R.E. Center.

Tech Optimizer

May 27, 2025

Microsoft Defender vs Bitdefender: Compare Antivirus Software

eSecurity Planet maintains editorial independence in content and product recommendations, ensuring financial gain from partner links does not influence information integrity. Microsoft Defender and Bitdefender are prominent small business security providers. Microsoft Defender is ideal for larger SMBs, starting at .00 per user per month, while Bitdefender is suited for startups with over 10 employees, starting at .33 per user per month. Microsoft Defender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.7/5 - Pricing: 4.4/5 - Features: 3.4/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.8/5 - Customer Support: 3.7/5 - Features include next-gen antivirus, vulnerability management, and EDR. Bitdefender Overview: - Overall Rating: 3.4/5 - Pricing: 3.8/5 - Features: 3/5 - Ease of Use and Administration: 3.4/5 - Customer Support: 4/5 - Features include identity protection, a VPN, and a password manager. Pricing Comparison: - Microsoft Defender: Free Trial: 90 days; Least Expensive Plan: .00/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: .50/user/month; Most Expensive Plan: .00/user/month. - Bitdefender: 30-day money-back guarantee; Least Expensive Plan: .33/user/month; Mid-Range Plan: Not specified; Most Expensive Plan: Not specified. Feature Comparison: - Microsoft Defender offers robust endpoint protection but lacks clarity on web browsing protection and ad-blocking. - Bitdefender offers identity exposure protection, a VPN, and a password manager but also lacks web browsing and ad-blocking features. Ease of Use and Administration: - Microsoft Defender supports macOS, Windows, and Linux Server; Bitdefender supports macOS and Windows but lacks Linux support. Customer Support Comparison: - Microsoft provides phone and live chat support; Bitdefender offers email and chat support, with limited phone support for small business users. Alternative Solutions include Norton, McAfee, and Trend Micro, each offering different features and pricing structures. Evaluation Methodology focused on pricing, features, ease of use, and customer support, with Microsoft winning in pricing, features, and ease of use, while Bitdefender excelled in customer support.

AppWizard

May 26, 2025

A month after Electronic Arts mashed the brakes, WRC rally racing games are coming back with a ‘complete reboot’ under a new publisher

The FIA has partnered with Nacon to revive the World Rally Championship (WRC) gaming series, set to launch in 2027, following the end of its licensing agreement with Codemasters. Nacon will have exclusive rights to develop WRC games for PC and consoles over the next six seasons. Arne Dirks, the FIA's chief marketing officer, expressed excitement about the collaboration. Kylotonn, the studio likely to develop the games, has received mixed reviews for its past WRC titles, with WRC 7 rated "very positive" and WRC 10 rated "mostly positive" on Steam. Community reactions are mixed, with some fans disappointed by the change from Codemasters, while others are cautiously optimistic about Kylotonn's progress in game quality.

Tech Optimizer

May 25, 2025

Microsoft’s Smart App Control blocks malware and has ‘lighter impact on your PC’s performance’

Microsoft has introduced Smart App Control (SAC) with the rollout of Windows 11 22H2, enhancing its security framework by proactively blocking untrusted or unknown applications. Users must perform a fresh installation of Windows to utilize this feature. Unlike traditional antivirus solutions that operate on a reactive basis, SAC employs a "Guilty until proven innocent" approach, assessing applications against Microsoft's Intelligence Security Graph and verifying digital signatures to determine legitimacy. If an application is deemed potentially harmful or unsigned, it is blocked by Windows Security.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov launches $50K viral video contest to expose WhatsApp’s ‘cheap copycat’ moves | – The Times of India

Telegram has launched a contest with a prize pool of 0,000 inviting participants to create a viral video that showcases Telegram's technological innovations compared to WhatsApp. The contest was announced on May 19, 2025, and submissions are due by May 26, 2025. It is open to global participants, with videos required to be in English and suitable for platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. The contest allows the use of AI tools and evaluates entries based on clarity, visual impact, meme potential, and virality. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has publicly accused WhatsApp of smear campaigns and emphasizes Telegram's commitment to privacy and political neutrality, rejecting government requests to censor political content. The contest aims to expand Telegram's user base and engage content creators by promoting its unique features, which include end-to-end encrypted chats, large group chats, bots, and advanced privacy controls. Winners will be announced in June 2025.

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2025

Achieve up to 1.7 times higher write throughput and 1.38 times better price performance with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL on AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances

Upgrading to Graviton4-based R8g instances with Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible 17.4 in an Aurora I/O-Optimized cluster configuration results in significant performance improvements. The new instances provide up to 1.7 times higher write throughput, 1.38 times better price-performance, and reduce commit latency by up to 46% on r8g.16xlarge instances and 38% on r8g.2xlarge instances compared to Graviton2-based R6g instances. The Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition now supports AWS Graviton4-based R8g instances and PostgreSQL 17.4, which introduces performance enhancements for I/O-Optimized configurations, optimizing write operations and batch processing. R8g instances offer up to 192 vCPUs and 1.5 TB of memory, supporting larger configurations and providing up to 50 Gbps of network bandwidth. PostgreSQL 17 includes vacuum improvements, eliminates the need to drop logical replication slots during upgrades, and expands SQL/JSON standards. Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible separates compute from storage, enabling independent scaling and maintaining six-way replication for durability, while processing changes as log records to reduce I/O operations. Performance benchmarks using HammerDB show improvements in throughput and commit latency across various workloads. For small workloads on 2xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 50.25% and commit latency improved by 33.87%. For medium workloads on 16xlarge instance size, throughput increased by 30% and commit latency improved by 17.44%. The most significant performance benefits arise from combining hardware upgrades from Graviton2 to Graviton4 with database engine upgrades from PostgreSQL 15.10 to 17.4. For small workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 38.71%. For medium workloads, throughput increased by 70% and commit latency improved by 46.67%. Cost efficiency is also enhanced, with a 38% improvement in price performance and a 61.26% improvement in price-performance ratio when comparing Graviton2 and Graviton4 instances. Reserved Instances for Graviton4-based R8g instances offer additional cost-optimization opportunities.