inspection Archives

Winsage

March 30, 2026

Part 2 – Babylon.js 9.0: Tooling updates and new geospatial features

Babylon.js 9.0 introduces several significant enhancements: - The Babylon.js Editor has improved rendering capabilities and functionality, providing an artist-friendly environment for building experiences on Windows, macOS, and Linux. - Inspector v2 is a complete overhaul of the debugging tool with a modern architecture, supporting custom extensions and a React-based UI. - The Lightweight Viewer has enhanced shadow rendering features and simplifies embedding 3D content on web pages. - The Playground has received upgrades including multi-file editing, ESM module imports, and local session history, along with automatic saving to local storage. - Large World Rendering and Floating Origin systems address precision loss in expansive scenes, ensuring smooth rendering and physics interactions. - The Geospatial Camera allows intuitive navigation of spherical planets with various interactive features and integrates with Large World Rendering. - Babylon.js now supports 3D Tiles for efficient visualization of large geospatial datasets, enhancing map data rendering capabilities. - A new Physically Based Atmosphere addon enhances realism in sky rendering using advanced scattering models. These updates aim to empower developers in creating stunning digital experiences.

Winsage

March 28, 2026

To BSOD or not to BSOD? Only Microsoft knows the answer

At the RSAC 2026 Conference, Microsoft showcased two screens displaying the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), one resembling Windows 98 and the other Windows 8. The Windows 98 BSOD featured unusual hexadecimal values, suggesting it might not be a genuine error message. The Windows 8 screen displayed a message indicating a problem with the PC, raising questions about its authenticity. Microsoft has not clarified the intent behind these displays, which could either be a marketing strategy or a retrospective on Windows errors. The situation highlights the complexities of software reliability and user experience.

AppWizard

March 25, 2026

Why Did Messaging App Telegram Fall From Grace in Russia

Russia plans to implement a full block on the messaging app Telegram on April 1, 2026, following increased pressure from authorities over six months, including halting calls, conducting regional shutdowns, and slowing functionality nationwide. Telegram has nearly 96 million users in Russia and serves as a media outlet and communication tool for various state agencies and military personnel. The app was initially embraced by the Russian government but faced conflicts leading to previous blocking attempts in 2017, which were largely unsuccessful. In 2020, Telegram was allowed to operate freely again, but the situation changed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with increased scrutiny following the launch of VK's messaging app, MAX. Recent developments suggest Telegram could be classified as an extremist organization, posing legal risks for its founder and users. Additionally, the Federal Antimonopoly Service claimed advertising on Telegram was illegal, complicating its market presence in Russia, where it hosts about 40 percent of the influencer market.

AppWizard

March 21, 2026

Russia thwarts protests over the blocking of a popular messaging app, but frustration persists

Authorities in nearly a dozen Russian regions have employed various justifications to cancel demonstrations against internet censorship and the blocking of Telegram, including citing "tree inspections," snow removal issues, and COVID-19 restrictions. Activists have largely refrained from unauthorized rallies due to increased crackdowns, opting instead for court challenges or smaller indoor gatherings. Telegram, with approximately 93.6 million users in Russia, is crucial for communication among government agencies and military bloggers, despite the government's push for a state-backed alternative. Protests against Telegram's restrictions have occurred, even among groups typically supportive of the Kremlin, with some activists being detained during attempts to demonstrate. Instances of small pickets have emerged, although many requests for rally permits are denied. Legal actions against the government regarding Telegram's restrictions have also begun, with a growing number of plaintiffs challenging the measures as violations of free speech and privacy rights.

Tech Optimizer

March 16, 2026

Avast One Basic Tops Free Malware Scanners in 2026 Amid Rising Cyber Threats

Avast One Basic has been recognized as the leading free malware scanner for PC protection in 2026, noted for its virus and spyware detection capabilities, Wi-Fi vulnerability scans, and seamless performance during resource-intensive tasks. It features automatic software updates and email spam protection. The tool conducts thorough system scans, manages app patches, and has a user-friendly interface. It outperforms competitors like Microsoft Defender in Wi-Fi analysis and has superior detection rates for emerging threats. Avast One Basic plays a crucial role in driving adoption for Gen Digital products, with high download numbers translating into premium subscriptions. It addresses rising cyber threats, including AI-powered attacks, and is compliant with stringent data standards in Europe. Future enhancements are planned to target zero-day attacks and integrate additional services.

TrendTechie

March 14, 2026

МТС начал взимать ежедневную плату за использование VPN

MTS, a major mobile operator in Russia, has reclassified virtual private networks (VPNs) as equivalent to torrent services, imposing a daily fee of up to 87 rubles for users who wish to engage in private browsing. Traffic routed through VPNs will no longer be included in standard service packages, leading to additional charges for accessing blocked resources or securing connections. The new tariff structure charges users based on their region and plan, with fees ranging from 80 to 87 rubles per day for a quota of five gigabytes of specialized traffic. Users can block this service to avoid charges, resulting in the complete unavailability of VPN connections. This policy is seen as a response to pressures for new monetization strategies and aligns with government efforts to limit internet circumvention. The potential for other major telecom operators to adopt similar practices could impact net neutrality in Russia.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Microsoft adds internet speed test tool to taskbar in Windows 11, but it’s no different from a desktop shortcut

Microsoft has begun rolling out its March 2026 update for Windows 11, which includes security enhancements and a new feature that allows users to test internet speed. This feature is accessible via a “Perform speed test” option when right-clicking the WiFi or Ethernet icon in the taskbar. Selecting this option directs users to their default web browser, opening a speed test page on Bing with the search query “internet speed test.” The feature serves as a shortcut to a webpage rather than a fully integrated application. It respects the system's default browser setting, allowing users to open the speed test in their preferred browser. The speed test utilizes technology from Ookla, moving away from Microsoft's previous Azure-based tool for better accuracy and reliability.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2026

Attackers Use Malformed ZIP Archives to Evade Antivirus and EDR Tools

Cybersecurity researchers at the CERT Coordination Center (CERT/CC) have identified a new evasion technique, VU#976247, used by threat actors to exploit malformed ZIP archives and bypass Antivirus (AV) and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. Attackers manipulate the internal headers of ZIP files, particularly altering the compression method field, which causes security tools to fail in analyzing the malicious payload. While some security products may flag the modified files as corrupted, they often do not detect the underlying malicious code. Standard extraction tools typically trust the tampered metadata and may return errors, leaving the hidden payload undisclosed. Attackers use custom malware loaders to extract and execute the malicious data, circumventing traditional AV detection. Cisco has been confirmed as affected, while other vendors, including AhnLab, Avast, Bitdefender, and Avira, have an “Unknown” status regarding their vulnerability. To mitigate this threat, organizations should enhance archive handling processes, avoid relying solely on declared metadata, adopt aggressive detection modes, flag metadata inconsistencies, and consult with AV and EDR providers about vulnerabilities.

Tech Optimizer

March 11, 2026

Malformed ZIP Files Allows Attackers to Bypass Antivirus and EDR Detections

A vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-0866 allows malicious actors to exploit malformed ZIP headers to bypass antivirus and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems. This flaw occurs because most security solutions rely on metadata within ZIP archives to scan and process files. When the compression method field is altered, security scanners may fail to decompress the archive correctly, resulting in a false negative and leaving the malicious payload undetected. Attackers can then use a custom loader to access the embedded malicious data, circumventing standard extraction tools. Cisco has been confirmed as affected by this vulnerability, while nearly 30 other security vendors have not disclosed their status. The cybersecurity community is urged to evolve scanning methodologies, including not relying solely on declared metadata and implementing aggressive detection modes. Organizations should verify their antivirus and EDR solutions for vulnerability to CVE-2026-0866 and monitor for custom loaders.

AppWizard

March 4, 2026

Google stuffs Gemini into Android Studio Panda 2 to build apps from prompts

Google has released Android Studio Panda 2, featuring an AI agent that generates applications and an AI-enhanced version upgrade assistant. This version is based on JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA's community edition. The AI capabilities are powered by Gemini, Google's large language models, with a free tier offering a lightweight version of Gemini 2.5 Pro. Developers can create prototypes with a single prompt, and the AI agent automates project planning, code generation, error analysis, and self-correction. Users must sign into Gemini and enable AI integration, with data collection practices in place. A demonstration showed the AI generating a bridge deal analyzer, which functioned but had inaccuracies in the generated code. Android Studio also experienced performance issues and deprecated certain features, including the Custom View preview and 3D mode in the layout inspector.