harvesting Archives

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

ThreatsDay: Android Spyware, PLC Attacks, AI Image Prompt Injection + 12 More Stories

GitHub will reject command-line support bundle uploads from outdated versions of GitHub Enterprise Server lacking security patches starting August 18, 2026. The npm package @copilot-mcp/apex has been identified as a post-install dropper that installs a macOS infostealer, phishing for sensitive information and maintaining a connection to an attacker's server. A rogue extension on the Microsoft Visual Studio Code marketplace, "Markdown All Pro," impersonates a legitimate tool and opens a backdoor after installation. A phishing campaign targeting Portuguese users delivers the Lampion banking malware, which has been active since 2019. DoubleVerify reports a rise in "AfterCall" apps that exploit user permissions for ad fraud. The GhostCommit attack method hides malicious instructions within PNG images in pull requests. The U.S. government has updated its advisory on Iranian-affiliated cyber activity targeting operational technology devices. An Android app posing as a civil defense alert system has been found to contain malware for data harvesting. An Iranian threat actor is distributing MarkiRAT malware through fake applications. An analysis of 28 AI-coded applications revealed 434 vulnerabilities, prompting Cisco to introduce Antares to identify vulnerabilities in codebases. A Russian-speaking threat actor is dismantling guardrails on AI models to create offensive tools.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

For years, survival games have convinced us that chopping down 400 trees is somehow part of the fantasy—Palworld proves them wrong

Survival games often involve repetitive tasks like gathering resources and building bases. Palworld, released on Steam's early access, differentiates itself by allowing players to capture "Pals" that perform laborious tasks, reducing the grind typical of the genre. Players initially engage in standard survival activities but can later assign Pals to chop wood, water crops, gather resources, and manage planting and harvesting. This transforms the player's base into a self-sustaining entity, enabling them to explore without the anxiety of leaving their base unattended. The game encourages players to consider the utility of Pals in addition to their combat abilities, allowing for a more dynamic gameplay experience. Palworld retains core survival mechanics while minimizing repetitive tasks, focusing on adventure and exploration.

AppWizard

July 18, 2026

As Google sits back and watches, terrible ads are ruining Android’s free app ecosystem

The mobile advertising landscape has shifted from simple banner ads to aggressive monetization tactics that often manipulate users. Common intrusive ad experiences include unclosable interstitial ads, interactive playable ads that mislead users, and unsolicited notifications promoting unrelated games. This shift has negatively impacted independent developers, who struggle to compete against large ad networks and feel pressured to adopt disruptive ad practices. Google, which controls the Play Store and ad services, benefits financially from these intrusive ads but has not effectively addressed the issue, allowing low-quality ads to proliferate. The current state of advertising is eroding user trust in free applications, threatening the integrity of the Android ecosystem.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

How to get hardwood in Palworld

The Palworld 1.0 update introduces a new crafting material called hardwood, which is essential for recipes between levels 40 and 50. Hardwood can be found in the Twilight Dunes and the Dancing Sakura Shrine area. Players can unlock fast travel locations at Anubis Dunes and Moonflower Tower Entrance to access these areas efficiently. Harvesting hardwood requires a Metal Axe, and it can be gathered from twisting trees in the Twilight Dunes and Sakura trees in the shrine area. Each High Quality Wooden Board crafted at level 43 requires 10 hardwood.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Arrest and extradition of Scattered Spider hacker shines light on how Windows telemetry GDIDs can identify and track users — Microsoft device identifier is just one digital fingerprint in a software world rife with them

Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old from Estonia, was arrested and extradited to the United States on charges related to digital crimes, with the FBI using telemetry logs from Microsoft Windows to trace his online activities. These logs included his Global Device Identifier (GDID) and records of websites he visited. Stokes likely had his telemetry settings configured to Optional/Full, which allowed the transmission of URL data. The FBI connected Stokes to his ngrok account and linked his travel records to a New York IP address and a rental at the Empire Hotel, aided by photos he shared. Google and Apple assisted in the investigation by tracing Stokes' phishing phone number back to the same IP address used for his ngrok account. Stokes attempted to obscure his digital footprint using a VPN and other services, but modern digital identification methods made it difficult to remain anonymous.

AppWizard

July 5, 2026

Android users warned about fake app stealing bank details

A malicious application posing as a document reader has been downloaded over 100,000 times and installs the Anatsa banking trojan on Android devices. This app has bypassed Google's security checks and remains available on the Play Store. The Anatsa Trojan is designed to steal sensitive financial information by monitoring users' banking apps and intercepting login processes through a fake overlay that mimics legitimate interfaces. It requests extensive permissions, allowing it to observe screens, capture keystrokes, and interact with the device. Users are advised to review installed applications and monitor bank statements for unauthorized activity.

AppWizard

July 4, 2026

How to Get Shelf Mushrooms in Minecraft 26.3

The autumn season introduces Shelf Mushrooms, which grow on Poplar trees and fallen logs. They can be found in the Dappled Forest, where they are recognizable by their shell-like shape. Larger specimens yield two mushrooms when harvested, and they can be collected by hand or with tools. Alternatively, players can cultivate Poplar trees at their base to grow Shelf Mushrooms or purchase them from the Wandering Trader for one Emerald. Shelf Mushrooms are useful as a renewable food source, an ingredient for brewing, and can be composted with a 65 percent chance of increasing the composter's level, producing Bone Meal.

AppWizard

June 21, 2026

The Useful Privacy Feature That Isn’t Enabled By Default On Your Android Phone

Private Space is a privacy feature available on Pixel and select Android devices, while Secure Folder is exclusive to Samsung devices. Both create a secure area within the smartphone for sensitive applications and data storage, operating independently from the primary user profile. Users can install apps and store files in these secure spaces without compromising their main profile's integrity. To activate Private Space, users navigate to Settings > Security and Privacy > Private Space, requiring a Google Account sign-in and a unique lock. For Samsung devices, the path is Settings > Security and Privacy > More Security Settings > Secure Folder, requiring a Samsung account. Private Space cannot be used on managed devices or with supervised accounts, and only the primary user can manage these secure areas. The Private Space or Secure Folder icon can be hidden for added security. The private area is distinctly separated from the core user profile, preventing open communication between the two spaces to safeguard against data harvesting. Android allows granular control over app permissions, and users are advised to isolate questionable apps within Private Space or Secure Folder to protect sensitive information.

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2026

Fake ChatGPT download site infects Windows and Mac users with malware

A counterfeit website, openew[.]app, is impersonating OpenAI's official ChatGPT download page and distributing malware. Windows users who download from this site receive a credential-stealing malware loader, while macOS users are infected with Odyssey Stealer, a variant associated with cryptocurrency theft. The fake site mimics the legitimate ChatGPT interface and uses HTTPS to appear trustworthy. The Windows malware, Chat_GPT.exe, creates a back channel to an attacker-controlled server, while the macOS malware captures sensitive data and attempts to replace legitimate cryptocurrency wallet applications with compromised versions. Users who download from official sources remain safe, but those who click on ads or unfamiliar links risk compromising their online accounts and sensitive information. Malwarebytes offers protection against this malware. Indicators of compromise include specific file hashes and network indicators associated with the malicious site.

AppWizard

June 4, 2026

Apple Removes Russian State-Backed Max Messenger From App Store Amid Spyware Questions

Apple has removed the Russian state-backed messaging application, Max, from its App Store, stopping new downloads of the platform. VK, the developer of Max, confirmed this action and stated that existing users can still use the app. VK is seeking clarification from Apple and advising users to consider alternative download options. Earlier, Cloudflare had flagged Max's domain as spyware, a designation that was later lifted. The removal of Max follows a similar action against another VK service, Telega, which Apple removed after Cloudflare identified its domains as spyware. Concerns about Max's functionality as a surveillance tool have been raised, with reports of hidden features such as remote microphone recording and contact list harvesting. Since September 2025, Max has been preinstalled on new smartphones sold in Russia.