healthy Archives

Winsage

June 13, 2026

For June, Patch Tuesday means an IT scramble

A systematic approach to testing is essential following the latest updates. The process begins with installing the .NET SDK update, then building and executing representative applications to ensure existing projects compile and run without issues. For SQL Server users, the GDR update must be installed on the appropriate branch, followed by a service restart and standard transaction execution to verify stability. Backup and restore verification is also necessary, including checking the health of Always On availability groups and testing patch installation and removal. The Readiness team recommends prioritizing testing for Remote Desktop this month due to its frequent patches and high-risk classification. The focus should be on printer redirection, followed by general connectivity, RemoteApp functionality, clipboard and device redirection, gateway access, and licensing considerations. The next priority is validating NTLM authentication updates, including domain and standalone logon processes, file-share access, and application sign-in capabilities. Other updates are security-focused with no functional changes, requiring routine regression testing across networking, Hyper-V, storage, and graphics components. Office remains MSI-only, with Click-to-Run installations unaffected by these updates. The updates for .NET and SQL Server complete the landscape for developers and database administrators.

AppWizard

June 13, 2026

Dole expands Minecraft campaign with pineapple focus

Dole is launching a 15-week campaign starting June 21 across North America and Europe, focusing on pineapples and targeting younger audiences. This campaign includes in-game rewards for Minecraft players, such as a branded ‘pineapple hoodie.’ The previous campaign resulted in a 20-fold increase in website visits from QR code scans, generating 2 million landing page views and significant social media impressions. Over 60% of participants expressed increased intent to purchase Dole’s fruit after engaging with the campaign. This year's campaign will feature new recipes, digital puzzles, and offline engagement activities, along with QR-enabled stickers in retail environments to connect purchases to digital rewards.

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2026

Don’t get victimized by this updated version of the McAfee email scam

Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent McAfee renewal notices claiming users owe money for antivirus subscriptions they never purchased. These emails create a sense of urgency, warning that devices are unprotected or that charges will be processed automatically. The scams have become more sophisticated, using AI-generated emails and counterfeit invoices to appear credible. Although Microsoft is the most impersonated company, McAfee scams are on the rise, featuring messages about expiring or automatically renewed subscriptions costing hundreds of dollars. Victims are often misled into contacting scammers posing as customer-service agents, who may request sensitive information or control over their devices. McAfee advises customers to verify subscription status through their official website and not to respond to unsolicited emails. Warning signs of these scams include suspicious sender addresses, generic greetings, grammatical errors, unusually large charges, and urgent demands for action. The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about tech-support and antivirus scams, urging them to report phishing emails and monitor accounts for unauthorized activity.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2026

How to set up instant antivirus protection for the whole family

An antivirus program protects personal computers from malware that can steal information or disrupt operations. Antivirus vendors offer family bundles at discounted rates, allowing multiple devices to be protected under a single subscription, which can lead to significant cost savings. To set up family antivirus protection, one should choose an appropriate antivirus app based on cost, compatibility, user experience, and features. Many providers offer family plans that cover multiple devices, such as Webroot Essentials, which offers a plan for five devices at a reduced price. After selecting an app, users can opt for a free trial to assess its features before subscribing. The setup process begins with the administrator's personal device, from which family members can be invited to join the subscription. The administrator can also configure settings for connected devices, including screen time limits and web filters. Antivirus software works by scanning files against a database of malware signatures and using techniques like behavioral analysis, sandboxing, real-time web protection, and external device scans to detect threats. No single antivirus tool is the best for everyone; the choice depends on individual needs. Webroot Essentials is highlighted for its comprehensive protection, covering five devices with features like active scanning and real-time web filtering. Best practices for using antivirus tools include running only one antivirus program, enabling automatic updates, and activating real-time protection to ensure optimal security.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

Behold The New Big PC Gaming Device You Probably Can’t Afford

The MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus is a new handheld gaming device featuring Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme processor, 32GB of dual-channel LPDDR5x memory, and an eight-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200. It will be available in Void Purple and Glacier Blue colors, with pricing expected to be around ,200, and potentially below ,500. 007 First Light sold 1.5 million copies in its first 24 hours, indicating strong sales for IO Interactive. New DLC is coming to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, including a new class set for release in the first half of 2027, which will feature a unique Champion Skin. AMD’s Dr. Lisa Su delivered a commencement address at MIT, emphasizing the role of humanity in shaping technology's future. Infinity Ward has committed to more grounded cosmetic skins in Modern Warfare 4, aligning with the game’s narrative. The Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU) has been formed to advocate for game developers' rights following the termination of 31 staff members. CD Projekt Red's Michał Nowakowski has indicated that there will not be significant expansions for The Witcher 4, as the company plans to release three Witcher titles within six years.

Tech Optimizer

May 20, 2026

PostgreSQL backup tool gets some backup of its own after sole maintainer sounds alarm

A coalition of companies, including AWS, Percona, Supabase, pgEdge, and Tiger Data, has formed to support the maintenance of pgBackRest, an extension for the PostgreSQL database, after its long-time maintainer, David Steele, could no longer continue due to a lack of sponsorship following the acquisition of Crunchy Data by Snowflake. pgBackRest is a backup and restore solution for PostgreSQL, which is widely used by major cloud service providers. Steele had been seeking sponsorship to maintain the project but was unsuccessful, prompting concerns about its future. The coalition aims to provide stability and reduce reliance on a single sponsor by onboarding a new maintainer and seeking additional support. Percona's CEO emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure the project's health for the community.

Tech Optimizer

May 19, 2026

Open Source Stays Open: Percona Sponsors pgBackRest to Keep PostgreSQL Backups Running

Percona has become a sponsor of pgBackRest following the departure of its primary maintainer due to funding challenges. This sponsorship aims to revitalize pgBackRest, a critical backup and recovery tool for PostgreSQL, ensuring its continued development and support. Percona's CEO, Peter Farkas, highlighted the importance of pgBackRest and the decision to coordinate with other companies to maintain its health. The plan for pgBackRest's future includes dedicated time from David Steele for bug fixes and feature enhancements, assistance from Percona's engineering team in onboarding a new maintainer, and efforts to attract additional sponsorship to diversify support. Percona's investment aims to prevent future uncertainties associated with reliance on a single maintainer.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

Free Steam game Beyond the Dark turns out to be malware, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen it

The indie horror game, Beyond The Dark, was initially launched as Rodent Race in December 2024 and underwent a branding and gameplay overhaul, emerging in its current form a few weeks ago. The transition began on May 4, raising concerns about Steam's review process. Cybersecurity expert Eric Parker noted that Beyond The Dark disguised its true intentions by appearing as a standard horror game while collecting personal data from players. The game was ultimately removed from Steam due to community reports. The trend of 'vibe coding' using AI tools poses a risk for malware-infested games on Steam, prompting a need for reevaluation of Valve's protocols. Gamers are advised to remain vigilant and skeptical of enticing offers, especially free-to-play games.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Your SSD has built-in maintenance tools that Windows keeps hidden from you

Modern SSDs are highly reliable and require minimal maintenance. Windows includes tools for SSD health management, such as the TRIM command, which helps optimize performance by allowing the SSD to clean unnecessary data blocks. Users can check if TRIM is active using the Command Prompt. The "Optimize Drives" utility schedules SSD optimization routines and sends ReTrim commands. S.M.A.R.T. technology monitors SSD health, but the information is not easily accessible. Third-party tools like CrystalDiskInfo offer more detailed insights. Windows' Storage Sense feature helps manage storage on smaller SSDs by cleaning temporary files and freeing up space. The write caching policy in Device Manager enhances SSD performance, and users can adjust settings in the BIOS for optimization. Windows reserves SSD space for virtual memory and hibernation, which can be managed to reclaim storage. Overall, Windows provides built-in features to help maintain SSD performance and longevity.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Subnautica 2 has sold 2 million copies in 12 hours, with 9x the players as the first, and at this point I figure that Krafton CEO is already on his second bottle

Subnautica 2 sold two million copies within 12 hours of its launch, with one million copies sold in the first hour. Peak concurrent players exceeded 651,000 across platforms, with over 467,000 on Steam. A judge ordered the reinstatement of former CEO Ted Gill due to a breach of contract by Krafton, which must fulfill its financial commitments. The rapid sales of Subnautica 2 may help meet the criteria for the reinstated leadership's payout.