files Archives

Winsage

May 24, 2026

Avast Free Antivirus for Windows: Features, Limits, and Use

Avast Free Antivirus for Windows is a free antivirus solution designed for home users to protect against malware and phishing. It is developed by Avast, now part of Gen Digital, and is available for download worldwide. The software provides real-time threat detection, continuous scanning, and features such as File Shield, Web Shield, and Email Shield. It allows users to perform smart scans and schedule comprehensive system scans. Avast Free Antivirus is particularly relevant for U.S. consumers who frequently engage in online activities, offering protection against cyber threats. It competes with other antivirus solutions like Microsoft, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and AVG. The software includes real-time scanning for malware and ransomware, web and email shields, and optional features like network inspector and password tools. Users can upgrade to premium security suites if desired.

AppWizard

May 24, 2026

Space Marine 2 gets a steep discount, a free trial and an update that adds a ‘major revamp’ of Siege Mode, as its multiplayer continues to outpace games like Marathon

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 reached a daily peak of over 21,000 concurrent players, surpassing titles like Dune Awakening and Marathon. The game has received numerous updates since its release, including new missions, monsters, and character classes. The latest update, Patch 13.0, introduces a new mission called Purgation, a battle simulator, mid-session perk loadout swapping, and expanded customization options. The siege mode has been revamped to Siege 2.0, featuring a new blessings and atonements system, recalibrated difficulty, and new bosses. A new free trial for the game has been launched, offering two campaign missions, three operations, and all PvP modes, with a promotional price of £16.50 available until June 3.

Tech Optimizer

May 24, 2026

Malwarebytes review: One of the most user-friendly and comprehensive antivirus software suites

Malwarebytes is an antivirus software that offers various plans for consumers and businesses. The consumer plans include: - Standard Plan: Priced at /£29 for essential protection on a single device. - Plus Plan: Available for /£49 annually, includes high-speed VPN and anonymous browsing. - Ultimate/Total Plan: Priced at in the U.S. and £129 in the U.K., includes advanced features like social media monitoring and identity insurance up to million. - Family Plans: Starting from 9/£109 per year for multiple users. For businesses, plans start at for Sole Proprietors covering three devices, with the Small Office plan for 20 devices costing 2. Malwarebytes lacks cloud backup and parental controls, which some competitors offer. Independent testing rated Malwarebytes as "Certified" with high usability scores, but its malware detection was less impressive compared to Bitdefender and Norton 360. The software can be resource-intensive, impacting system performance, particularly during gaming. It offers three scanning modes: Threat Scan, Deep Scan, and Custom Scan, with the Threat Scan completing in 22 seconds and the Deep Scan taking over 14 minutes. Advanced features include a Digital Footprint tool, Scam Guard, a File Shredder, and a VPN. The interface is user-friendly, and 24/7 support is available via email and chat. Malwarebytes has a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Winsage

May 24, 2026

I stopped avoiding PowerShell after these 3 Windows tweaks

The author initially found PowerShell to be less integrated into their daily Windows workflow, often accessing it through the Start menu and closing it after use. To improve accessibility, they began using Windows Terminal more frequently, pinning it to the taskbar and utilizing the "Open in Terminal" option in File Explorer. They also discovered keyboard shortcuts to launch PowerShell quickly. These changes led to increased usage of PowerShell for tasks like checking IP configurations and retrieving system information. To enhance the PowerShell experience, the author customized its appearance by installing Oh My Posh, a prompt theme engine, and experimenting with color schemes, fonts, and transparency in Windows Terminal. They also made modifications to their PowerShell profile, adding aliases and shortcuts for frequently used commands to streamline their workflow. Over time, PowerShell became an essential tool for resolving various Windows issues, transforming from a fallback option to a key component of their toolkit.

AppWizard

May 23, 2026

This Android gaming app might kill handheld PCs

GameNative allows users to play PC games on Android devices without an internet connection, supporting Steam titles, Epic Games Store, Good Old Games (GOG), and standalone game files. It features a known configs capability that optimizes game settings for better performance. The app's creator, Utkarsh Dalal, aims for GameNative to replace handheld PCs within two years, despite challenges related to compatibility with ARM-based chips. The Snapdragon 8 Elite and 8 Elite Gen 5 processors promise significant enhancements, and the release of Turnip drivers in early 2026 has improved gaming experiences on these devices. GameNative is free and open-source, with a monetization strategy focused on partnerships with game stores. It has recently added support for the Pixel 10 family, which uses an Imagination PowerVR GPU. The app collects user feedback to refine game configurations and plans to improve compatibility and support for third-party launchers.

Winsage

May 23, 2026

Microsoft Windows Дефендер тизимидаги хавфли заифликларни бартараф этди

Microsoft has identified two significant vulnerabilities in Windows Defender, specifically related to the Malware Protection Engine, which could allow denial-of-service attacks. These vulnerabilities could destabilize the security mechanism of Windows. Microsoft has released patches in versions 1.1.26040.8 and 4.18.26040.7 of the Malware Protection Engine to address these issues. Users with automatic updates enabled will receive these patches without further action, but it is recommended that users manually check for updates in the Windows Security settings. There is currently no evidence that these vulnerabilities have been exploited in real-world scenarios.

TrendTechie

May 23, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 слили за девять дней до релиза

Unencrypted preload files for Forza Horizon 6, totaling approximately 155 GB, have been discovered on Steam. Some players have reportedly launched a version of the game without the day-one patch, but those who went online with the leaked version received permanent hardware bans tied to specific PC components. The official release date for Forza Horizon 6 is May 19, 2026, on PC and Xbox Series X|S, with a PlayStation 5 version expected later in the year. The Premium edition will provide early access starting May 15. The game features over 550 vehicles, including classic Japanese models and exclusive Forza Edition cars.

Winsage

May 23, 2026

CVE-2026-45585: YellowKey BitLocker Bypass

BitLocker, a security feature for data protection, has a vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-45585, also known as YellowKey, which allows unauthorized access to encrypted data on Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, 26H1, and Windows Server 2025. This flaw does not compromise BitLocker’s encryption but affects the recovery environment supporting it. The vulnerability can be exploited locally through the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) by an attacker with physical access, who can trigger an unrestricted shell and access the BitLocker-protected volume. Microsoft has provided two mitigation strategies: modifying the WinRE image to remove the autofstx.exe entry and transitioning from TPM-only protection to a TPM+PIN requirement at startup. The exploit poses challenges for detection, as it occurs pre-boot and currently lacks vendor-published indicators of compromise. Organizations using BitLocker for unattended devices are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability can lead to loss of confidentiality if an attacker gains access before the legitimate user.

Winsage

May 22, 2026

Microsoft Dismantles Fox Tempest: Ransomware Groups Paid Up to $9,500 to Fake Windows Software Signatures

Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit has filed a lawsuit against Fox Tempest, a criminal enterprise selling fraudulently signed malware to ransomware groups, affecting hospitals, schools, and critical infrastructure in ten countries. The lawsuit was filed on May 19 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Fox Tempest created a portal at signspace[.]cloud, offering a user-friendly interface for uploading malicious files and generating over 580 fraudulent Microsoft accounts to bypass identity verification. The group provided pre-configured virtual machines for customers to upload malicious payloads in exchange for signed binaries. Fox Tempest's operations were linked to a ransomware attack chain involving a counterfeit Microsoft Teams installer that deployed the Rhysida ransomware. This ransomware strain has caused significant breaches, including an October 2023 attack on the British Library, which resulted in a data exfiltration of about 600GB and recovery costs of £6 to £7 million, and a September 2024 attack on Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with a ransom demand of .8 million. Microsoft's civil litigation approach allowed for a quicker legal process, leading to the seizure of the signspace[.]cloud domain and the suspension of around 1,000 Fox Tempest accounts. Despite these actions, Fox Tempest has begun shifting to alternative code-signing services, highlighting the evolving nature of cybercrime and the need for users to verify software through independent channels. The confirmed targets of Fox Tempest included organizations in the United States, France, India, China, Brazil, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain.

Tech Optimizer

May 22, 2026

What the Tech: Phone antivirus apps |Helpful protection or a scam?

Most individuals do not require antivirus apps on their smartphones, as the primary threats have shifted from traditional viruses to scams and deceptive practices. iPhones utilize app isolation, making them less susceptible to conventional viruses but vulnerable to scams like phishing and fraudulent messages. Android phones allow sideloading, increasing the risk of malware from unofficial sources. The main threats include phishing texts, fake login pages, scam calls, reused passwords, and social engineering tactics. To enhance security, users should keep their phones updated, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid suspicious links, and refrain from installing apps from unknown sources. Antivirus apps may be helpful in specific situations, such as frequent link tapping or downloading files from unfamiliar websites, with reputable companies offering mobile security solutions focused on scam detection and account safety.