infiltration Archives

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Marathon review

Bungie's upcoming title, Marathon, is set to release on March 5, 2026, as an extraction shooter for up to 16 players, priced at £30. The game features a fast-paced multiplayer experience with matches lasting around 15 minutes, emphasizing player-versus-player interactions and strategic gameplay. It showcases a visually original design set in Tau Ceti, with unique environments and weapon aesthetics. The narrative is enriched by a codex with hundreds of entries, allowing for non-linear storytelling. Map designs encourage tactical engagement, and future player engagement may be affected by a seasonal wipe scheduled for June. Overall, the game has received positive feedback for its gameplay, visuals, and narrative depth.

Tech Optimizer

March 19, 2026

ClickFix Lures Power LeakNet’s Growing Ransomware Attack Chain

The ransomware group LeakNet has evolved its tactics, increasing its average targets from three per month and shifting from purchasing stolen network access to launching its own campaigns. They now use deceptive error screens and a new tool that executes malicious code in a computer's memory. Their strategy includes ClickFix lures, which compromise legitimate websites to display fake security checks, tricking users into executing malicious commands. This method broadens their victim reach and reduces costs. The Deno loader, part of this strategy, collects machine information and retrieves additional malicious code without leaving standard files, making detection difficult. After infiltrating a network, LeakNet checks for active user credentials and uses PsExec for lateral movement, employing Amazon S3 buckets for payload staging and data exfiltration. Defenders are advised to monitor for suspicious behavior rather than just known malicious files, focusing on unusual web commands and unexpected cloud storage connections.

AppWizard

March 19, 2026

RUSSIA Mammut virus hits Russia’s patriotic messaging app

A virus known as Mamont is targeting users of the messaging platform Max, which has 100 million registered profiles. Mamont infiltrates online banking applications and spreads primarily through family and parental chat groups, allowing cybercriminals to steal payment information. The virus often begins with a deceptive message prompting users to click, leading to the silent download of a Trojan that siphons off data. Despite claims from the Max press service that the virus's spread is exaggerated, concerns remain about the security of user data, particularly given that all communications on Max are monitored by the state. Many users resort to using a second device, referred to as Maxofon, to comply with the platform's requirements while keeping their primary device for other applications.

AppWizard

March 18, 2026

New app provides secure messaging service for public sector employees

Beam is a secure messaging application developed by the state-backed Belgian Secure Communications (BSC) for approximately 750,000 public sector employees and military personnel in Belgium. The application is currently being used by defense and intelligence staff, with a broader rollout planned for next week. Beam is part of Belgium's investment in “sovereign communication systems” to protect sensitive data within national borders. It limits access to verified users, stores data on servers in Belgium, and has passed rigorous security testing by ethical hackers and cybersecurity firms. The rollout will occur in phases, developed internally within existing IT budgets.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

New Keenadu backdoor found in Android firmware, Google Play apps

A sophisticated Android malware named Keenadu has been discovered embedded in the firmware of various device brands, compromising all installed applications and granting unrestricted control over infected devices. It employs multiple distribution methods, including compromised firmware images delivered over-the-air, access via backdoors, embedding in system applications, modified applications from unofficial channels, and infiltration through apps on Google Play. As of February 2026, Keenadu has been confirmed on approximately 13,000 devices, primarily in Russia, Japan, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands. The firmware-integrated variant remains dormant if the device's language or timezone is associated with China and ceases to function without the Google Play Store and Play Services. While currently focused on ad fraud, Keenadu has extensive capabilities for data theft and risky actions on compromised devices. A variant embedded in system applications has limited functionality but elevated privileges to install apps without user notification. The malware has been detected in the firmware of Android tablets from various manufacturers, including the Alldocube iPlay 50 mini Pro. Kaspersky has detailed how Keenadu compromises the libandroid_runtime.so component, making it difficult to remove with standard Android OS tools. Users are advised to seek clean firmware versions or consider replacing compromised devices with products from trusted vendors.

AppWizard

February 17, 2026

High on Life 2 review – skateboard-powered sequel is much easier to like than its painful predecessor

High on Life 2, the sequel to Squanch Games' first-person shooter, features advancements despite ongoing technical issues. Players return as an intergalactic bounty hunter following the defeat of the G3 cartel, now tasked with dismantling Rhea Pharmaceutical. The game introduces a variety of missions involving eccentric billionaires and mad scientists, with a notable mission set on a convention planet. The gameplay includes skateboarding, enhancing movement and combat. The sequel's tone is improved, with better character development and less abrasive humor, although the shooting mechanics remain lacking. Technical challenges persist, including significant bugs, but accessibility options have been added to enhance inclusivity.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

The Defiant, a Story-Driven, Single-Player WWII FPS, Announced for PC and Consoles

Developer Hoothanes, in collaboration with publisher 4Divinity, is creating a single-player first-person shooter titled The Defiant, set during China's War of Resistance against Japan in World War II. The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5 and features diverse gameplay mechanics, including stealth infiltration, close-quarters firefights, sniping, urban espionage, code-breaking operations, vehicular combat, and large-scale assaults. The developers prioritize historical accuracy, treating weapons as historical artifacts and exploring settings such as occupied villages, frozen forests, fortified supply routes, and enemy-controlled urban zones. The game is available for wishlisting on Steam.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

To celebrate the imminent launch of a new Styx adventure, Epic is giving away Cyanide’s last two goblin-flavoured stealth games for free

In the early 2010s, Cyanide Studios’ Styx was a notable stealth title in a sparse gaming landscape. Styx, a goblin character, gained attention before being overshadowed by the Hitman franchise. In February, a new installment titled Blades of Greed is set to release, and Epic Games is offering the previous titles, Styx: Master of Shadows and Styx: Shards of Darkness, for free on Steam. Both games focus on stealth mechanics, encouraging evasion and cunning rather than direct confrontation. Master of Shadows established the series with intricate environments, while Shards of Darkness improved nonlinear exploration and cooperative play. Blades of Greed promises expansive gameplay with three vast environments, new mechanics like a glider, and a more proactive role for Styx as he assembles a crew for heists from his airship. The game is scheduled for release on February 19, with a demo available on Steam.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

MrBeast’s 1000-Player Minecraft Video Slammed Amid Infiltration Rumors

MrBeast organized a Minecraft competition titled “1000 Players Simulate Civilization: Boys vs Girls,” involving 1,000 players divided into two teams of 500 boys and 500 girls. The event faced controversy due to allegations of unfair play, including claims that boys infiltrated the girls’ team using fake profiles and AI-generated images. Reports indicated early eliminations of female players and accusations of systematic targeting by male infiltrators. Participants like VTuber Zavyy raised concerns about the competition's integrity, while streamer Phoefi criticized the final video edit. There were also unverified claims that some female players sold their accounts to male participants. Despite the issues, the boys’ team won the 0,000 prize.

AppWizard

January 1, 2026

MrBeast’s Minecraft Video Spark Backlash Amid Infiltration Rumors

MrBeast's latest YouTube video features a 1,000-player Minecraft competition titled “1000 Players Simulate Civilization: Boys vs Girls,” where 500 boys compete against 500 girls. Allegations of infiltration arose, with claims that boys used fake profiles and AI-generated images to infiltrate the girls' team, leading to accusations of unfair play and scrutiny over early eliminations of female players. The monitoring team struggled to maintain order, and reports indicated that some boys posed as girls, resulting in systematic eliminations of female participants. VTuber Zavyy and streamer Phoefi expressed concerns about the integrity of the competition and the final video edit. Unverified reports suggested some female players may have sold their accounts to male participants. Despite the controversy, the boys' team won the ,000 prize, and the debate surrounding the event continues on social media.