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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.

AppWizard

May 22, 2026

Jack Black spotted filming Minecraft movie in Thames town centre

Jack Black was spotted filming a sequel in the town of Thames, engaging with fans and attracting attention from locals and tourists. The production is expected to boost the local economy by increasing foot traffic and tourism.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Forza Horizon 6 Now Available on Xbox Series X|S and PC

The official Forza Discord server is a hub for players of Forza Horizon 6 to connect, find companions for adventures, engage in Shared World Meetups, and participate in casual racing and drifting. The community also facilitates discussions about the game and automotive culture, hosts contests, and allows members to showcase their creative talents. Players can follow @ForzaHorizon on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X for updates on new features, events, and community highlights. Members are encouraged to share their creations by tagging official channels.

Winsage

May 19, 2026

Windows 11 Insiders Can Now Move the Taskbar to Any Screen Edge

Microsoft is updating Windows 11 to allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen and resize it. This feature is currently available to Windows Insider program members. The taskbar's icons, text, menus, and other elements will automatically adjust when moved. The resizing option benefits users with widescreen monitors. The movable taskbar feature, first introduced in Windows 95, was absent at Windows 11's launch in October 2021, leading to user backlash. Microsoft has been reinstating features missing from Windows 11, including drag-and-drop functionality in 2022 and improvements to the Start menu in 2023 and 2024. The rollout of the movable taskbar is ongoing for Windows Insider Dev and Beta channels, with no timeline for general availability announced.

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.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

All-girls Kingsbridge Heights team shines in NYC Minecraft sustainability competition

A group of six fifth-grade girls from P.S. 86 Kingsbridge Heights School won the Bronx championship in the Minecraft Education “Battle of the Boroughs,” competing against 3,395 students from 679 teams. They reached the Mayor’s Cup Final, where they presented a design for a cleaner, safer version of the Hunts Point Food Distribution Center. The team utilized Microsoft’s MakeCode for coding and emphasized teamwork and communication during their project. Key roles included Leeah Gonzalez as the speaker, Yafatou Bayo as the primary coder, and Zurisadai Quiroga-Vazquez as the presenter. The girls created a virtual version of their school with sustainable features and prioritized accessibility. Their teacher noted significant personal growth among the girls throughout the competition.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

Homey just turned your Android TV into a full smart home dashboard

Homey has launched dedicated applications for Android TV and LG webOS to integrate device controls, automations, and smart home dashboards on TVs. Users can log in by scanning a QR code, allowing for remote navigation. The app features quick access to favorites, enabling users to manage devices and automations easily. Homey has also introduced a browser-based platform at homey.tv, compatible with vehicle browsers, including those in Teslas, allowing tasks like opening garage doors remotely. The applications support Homey Cloud, Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini, and self-hosted Homey Server setups, with the LG webOS app compatible with smart TVs from 2021 or later, subject to regional availability.

AppWizard

May 16, 2026

PC Free Game Offer Will Save You $80, 2 Games Are Yours To Keep

The Epic Games Store is offering two free titles for PC users: Sunderfolk - Standard Edition, a tactical RPG valued at .99, and The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition, typically priced at .99. Sunderfolk allows up to four players to engage in multiplayer online or local couch co-op, using mobile phones as controllers. It has a 94% rating on Steam. The Telltale Batman Shadows Edition features a branching narrative in the Batman universe and consists of five episodes, holding an 86% rating on Steam. Both games are available for free until 4 PM BST on May 21.

Winsage

May 15, 2026

Improving Windows quality: Making Taskbar and Start more personal

Microsoft is enhancing the Windows experience by focusing on performance, reliability, and craftsmanship, with a commitment to transparency about updates. The Start menu and taskbar are receiving particular attention, with new customization options being introduced for users in the Experimental channel. Users can now reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen, customize icon alignment, and view every window at a glance with ungrouped icons. A more compact taskbar option will also be available for smaller screens. The Start menu will feature section-level toggles for easier customization, separate controls for file recommendations, size settings, and the option to hide user names for privacy. The Recommended section will be renamed Recent to better reflect its purpose. These features will be gradually rolled out, with user feedback being encouraged through the Feedback Hub.

AppWizard

May 15, 2026

One UI 9 makes it easier to spot sideloaded apps on your Galaxy phone

Samsung has begun the rollout of the One UI 9 beta for the Galaxy S26 series, featuring enhanced security measures. Key additions include the Auto Blocker with a security report feature and the reinstatement of USB connection blocking in Maximum restrictions mode. The beta version allows monitoring of "unknown" apps, alerting users to high-risk applications and blocking their execution and installation. Users can access the Manage unknown apps section in Settings to view and uninstall sideloaded applications from non-approved sources. This feature aims to improve user experience and security oversight, with expectations for inclusion in the stable release.