execution Archives

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Mythbusters: Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm

Advantech's infographic addresses myths about Microsoft Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, distinguishing it from Windows Home or Professional editions. Myths about the operating system include: 1. Windows on Arm consumes significant power and resources, leading to poor performance. 2. The image size of Windows on Arm is greater than or equal to that of Windows on x86. 3. Desktop mode is unavailable on Windows on Arm. 4. Windows on Arm is a stripped-down version of Windows. 5. Arm architecture may face limitations with complex tasks. 6. All Windows devices are power-hungry, and switching to Arm offers no improvement. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC typically occupies about 6GB of storage, with a minimum requirement of 16GB. - Desktop mode is available on Windows on Arm. - Windows on Arm retains core functionalities, though some hardware drivers may have compatibility issues. - Arm processors are generally more efficient than x86 counterparts. Myths regarding applications and workload include: 7. Windows on Arm exclusively supports Arm64 applications. 8. Multimedia applications perform poorly on Windows on Arm devices. 9. Windows Copilot can be extended to all versions of Windows running on Arm. Key facts include: - An emulation system allows x86 applications to run on Arm hardware. - Multimedia performance depends on hardware acceleration, which is supported by major SoC manufacturers. - Cloud-based services like Windows Copilot operate effectively on Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC for Arm, but on-device Copilot+ requires specific hardware capabilities. Myths about licensing and development include: 10. The Windows license fee for x86 is expensive, and the fee for Windows on Arm is similarly high. 11. Windows on Arm has limited support for certain Windows frameworks. 12. Development and debugging on Windows for Arm architecture present challenges requiring extended transition periods. Key facts include: - Windows IoT Enterprise LTSC is priced between 0 and 0, offering a decade of security updates. - Transitioning from x86 to Arm for application development is streamlined, with common programming languages and frameworks remaining compatible. Tools like Visual Studio facilitate the development process.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Hands on: Microsoft is building an AI Shell for Windows 11 command line

Microsoft has launched the public preview of AI Shell, a command-line utility that integrates generative AI capabilities into Windows PowerShell. It features two AI agents: Azure OpenAI and Copilot in Azure, with the option to add more. The installation requires Windows 10 or later and PowerShell version 7.4.6, using the script: Invoke-Expression “& { $(Invoke-RestMethod ‘https://aka.ms/install-aishell.ps1’) }”. Configuration involves adding API keys after executing the Start-AIShell command. AI Shell can execute commands, provide explanations for cmdlets, assist in writing PowerShell scripts, and generate Python code. It includes commands like /code post to send generated code to the terminal, /code copy to copy code, resolve-error to send errors for resolution, and Invoke-AIShell to send queries.

AppWizard

December 25, 2024

The Best PC Games of 2024

The best PC games of 2024 include: - Duck Detective: The Secret Salami: Players solve the mystery of a stolen salami in a quirky office environment, combining humor and intrigue with a captivating design and storytelling. - Turnip Boy Robs a Bank: A sequel featuring a mischievous vegetable engaging in a heist, noted for its engaging art style and witty writing. - The Crush House: A game blending reality TV and social commentary, exploring entertainment pressures and social media impacts with humor and engaging gameplay. - Conscript: A portrayal of the psychological toll of war, offering a raw narrative crafted by Australian developer Jordan Mochi. - Sumerian Six: A strategic turn-based adventure combining history and fantasy, encouraging thoughtful tactics and creativity. - The Rise of the Golden Idol: A successor to The Case of the Golden Idol, featuring fresh aesthetics and intricate puzzles that promote critical thinking. - Neva: Known for its emotional storytelling and stunning art direction, creating an immersive experience. - Harold Halibut: Reflects on life’s purpose through a handcrafted aesthetic and engaging narrative. - The Plucky Squire: Blends 2D and 3D environments, showcasing innovative mechanics and captivating visuals. - The Sims 4 Life and Death: An expansion pack introducing themes of mortality, enhancing the gameplay experience with new elements like funerals and a Reaper career.

Winsage

December 22, 2024

Asus bombards Windows 11 with christmas.exe malware-like Christmas wreath banner

A festive banner featuring a Christmas wreath and labeled “Christmas.exe” has appeared on some ASUS PCs, causing confusion among users who feared it was malware. This banner is part of a promotional campaign integrated into the Armoury Crate software, which comes pre-installed on certain ASUS systems. Users reported that the banner occupies a large portion of the screen and prompts them to “Press ESC to exit.” The association with the process “Christmas.exe” in Task Manager heightened concerns about a potential ransomware attack. The process is located within ASUS program files and is tied to the Aura effects in the Armoury Crate software. Users expressed frustration over its intrusive nature and reported issues like RAM leaks. To prevent these promotions, users can uninstall ASUS Armoury Crate or disable it from the BIOS. The banner is expected to disappear after the holiday season.

Winsage

December 21, 2024

Predicting the (actually very exciting) future of Xbox hardware

A game analyst predicts that the high-end console market may not support both PlayStation and Xbox, suggesting a possible exit for Xbox. However, the relevance of console exclusives is diminishing as PlayStation expands to platforms like Steam, and Valve allows manufacturers to create consoles based on its operating system. Xbox is likely to increase its device variety, with Microsoft appointing Roanne Sones to lead its hardware ecosystem. Under her leadership, Xbox is expanding beyond traditional consoles, showcasing devices like the ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC and mobile controllers. The upcoming CES 2025 will feature discussions on enhancing Windows for gaming handhelds. Both Xbox and PlayStation rely on x86 AMD architecture, and the industry is exploring monetization strategies amid rising costs and stagnant user growth. Microsoft aims to align Xbox more closely with Windows for easier game deployment and potential integration of third-party stores. There is speculation about eliminating the paywall for premium multiplayer gaming in the next generation. Successful execution of this vision is uncertain, as Microsoft must navigate regional marketing and distribution complexities while ensuring a smooth gaming experience and backward compatibility.

Winsage

December 17, 2024

Hackers Exploit Microsoft Management Console to Drop Backdoor Payloads on Windows

The Securonix Threat Research team has identified a phishing campaign called the “FLUX#CONSOLE campaign,” which targets tax-related themes using Microsoft Common Console Document (MSC) files to deliver a backdoor payload. The attack begins with a phishing email containing a decoy PDF titled “Income-Tax-Deduction-and-Rebates202441712.pdf,” which conceals an MSC file that executes malicious payloads. The campaign employs various tactics, including tax-themed lures, exploitation of MSC files, DLL sideloading using DISM.exe, persistence through scheduled tasks, and advanced obfuscation techniques. The attack chain involves tricking users into opening a malicious MSC file disguised as a PDF, which contains XML commands to download or extract a malicious DLL named DismCore.dll. The DLL is sideloaded using Dism.exe, and the malware communicates with a Command-and-Control server at “hxxps://siasat[.]top,” exfiltrating data via encrypted HTTPS traffic. The attackers maintained access for about 24 hours, targeting victims in Pakistan. The tactics used do not align with known advanced persistent threat groups, highlighting the growing threat of MSC files as a delivery method for malware. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs) include the C2 address siasat[.]top and analyzed file hashes for the malicious files involved in the campaign.

Tech Optimizer

December 17, 2024

Easily Run Windows Apps on Linux Using These Tools

Running Windows applications on Linux can be done using tools like Wine, which is a compatibility layer allowing Windows programs to run without a full Windows installation. Users can utilize Wine through command-line or GUI wrappers such as PlayOnLinux, Bottles, Heroic Launcher, and Lutris. To install Windows applications like Notepad++ using Bottles, users can install Bottles via Flatpak, create a new bottle for the application, and run the installer from within Bottles. For more control, users can install Wine via the command line and execute Windows executables directly. The winecfg command allows users to adjust settings, and Winetricks can be used to install necessary components for certain applications. Virtualization software, such as VirtualBox and VMware Player, can be used to create a virtual Windows environment on Linux, which is beneficial for resource-intensive applications. For gaming, tools like Proton and Lutris can facilitate running Windows games on Linux, with Proton being optimized for Steam. Users can also run a Windows virtual machine for gaming, though it may require more resources. Checking for native Linux versions of games is recommended before using compatibility layers or virtualization.

Tech Optimizer

December 16, 2024

Novel phishing campaign uses corrupted Word documents to evade security

A recent phishing campaign exploits Microsoft’s Word file recovery feature by sending corrupted Word documents as email attachments, which can bypass conventional security measures. Identified by the malware hunting firm Any.Run, these documents appear to be legitimate communications from payroll and human resources, featuring themes related to employee benefits and bonuses. The filenames of the attachments include variations such as "AnnualBenefits&Bonusfor[name]IyNURVhUTlVNUkFORE9NNDUjIw.docx" and "Due&Paymentfor[name]IyNURVhUTlVNUkFORE9NNDUjIw_.docx.bin." Each document contains a base64 encoded string that decodes to "##TEXTNUMRANDOM45##." When opened, Microsoft Word prompts the user about unreadable content and offers recovery options. Upon recovery, users are instructed to scan a QR code, which leads to a phishing site mimicking a Microsoft login page to harvest credentials. These documents often feature company logos to enhance credibility and have been successful due to their ability to evade detection by security solutions, with many returning "clean" results on VirusTotal. Users are advised to exercise caution with unknown emails and verify attachments' legitimacy.

Tech Optimizer

December 16, 2024

7 GitHub Open Source You Need to See

Open-source tools are enhancing productivity and streamlining processes for developers and organizations. Notable projects include: - **Olshansk/postgres_for_everything**: Extends PostgreSQL's capabilities with resources for JSON/JSONB types, TimescaleDB for time-series data, full-text search, pgRouting for graph data, and advanced SQL analytics. - **Biggest Shell Programs in the World**: Analyzes large shell scripts and systems, including the Linux Kernel Build System, Android Build System, and Debian Packaging Tools. - **Pulumi**: An infrastructure-as-code platform that allows management of cloud infrastructure using languages like Python, JavaScript, and Go, with features like multi-cloud support and Kubernetes integration. - **yorukot/superfile**: A Python library for file operations, offering high-level methods for file handling and cross-platform compatibility. - **soci-snapshotter**: An AWS Labs project for optimizing container image management through lazy loading and snapshotting technology. - **Spark UI**: Enhances management and monitoring of Apache Spark applications with live metrics, interactive visualizations, and integration with event logs. - **LFI.dev**: A framework for developing real-time collaborative web applications with offline functionality and synchronization. - **WrenAI**: A tool for creating intelligent chatbots and virtual assistants with prebuilt NLU and NLG capabilities. - **Astro 5.0**: A framework for building content-focused websites with server-side rendering, static site generation, and improved Markdown handling. - **Outerbase Studio**: An open-source database management tool with a browser-accessible UI and compatibility with various relational databases. - **Undici**: A high-performance HTTP client for Node.js, featuring advanced connection pooling, a promise-based interface, and support for streaming requests.