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Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Snowflake’s Latest Acquisition Targets $350B Market with Enterprise-Grade Postgres for AI Development

Snowflake intends to acquire Crunchy Data, a provider of open-source Postgres technology, to integrate its enterprise-grade PostgreSQL database into the Snowflake ecosystem. This acquisition, announced at the Snowflake Summit 2025, aims to enhance secure and compliant AI applications for enterprises. Snowflake Postgres will utilize Crunchy Data's technology to provide full Postgres compatibility and support for production applications, particularly in FedRAMP-compliant environments. The integration is expected to simplify the development and scaling of AI applications and is set to enter private preview soon. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

Microsoft will stop pestering Windows users about Edge in EU

Microsoft has made adjustments to its Windows operating system to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). Designated as a "gatekeeper" under the DMA in 2023, Microsoft is required to modify its core platform services. The changes announced in March 2024 for European users include the ability to uninstall Edge and Bing, support for third-party web applications on the Windows taskbar, and revisions to sign-on practices. Users will now only receive notifications to set Edge as their default browser after opening it, and the "Set Default" button will cover more file types in the EEA. Some enhancements are available in the Beta Channel, with a broader rollout expected in July. Windows Search will allow EEA users to install applications that designate alternative web search providers, and users will soon be able to uninstall and reinstall the Microsoft Store. Jon S. von Tetzchner, CEO of Vivaldi, praised the changes but noted that the process for setting a preferred default browser still needs improvement.

Winsage

June 3, 2025

Microsoft Makes More DMA-Based Changes to Windows 10/11 in the EU

Microsoft is aligning its Windows 10 and 11 operating systems with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for users in the European Union. In March 2024, Microsoft launched a Digital Markets Act Compliance website detailing plans to adapt Windows and LinkedIn. Recent updates include: - Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) can associate a wider range of file and link types with their default web browser, including ftp, http, https, .htm, .html, and .xml. New options for “Pin to Taskbar” and “Pin to Start” will also be available. - The Windows Search feature will allow applications to provide web search results directly within the interface, enabling users to filter and reorder results. - EEA users will have the option to uninstall the Microsoft Store app, while apps downloaded from the Store will continue to receive updates. Users can reinstall the Store app later. - The Bing and Start Experiences apps will direct web content to the user's default browser instead of Microsoft Edge, which will no longer prompt users to set it as the default unless opened directly. If Edge is uninstalled, other Microsoft applications will not suggest its reinstallation, except for Progressive Web Apps installed via Edge.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

Preinstalled Android Apps Found Leaking PINs and Executing Malicious Commands

On May 30, 2025, CERT Polska disclosed three security vulnerabilities affecting preinstalled Android applications on Ulefone and Krüger&Matz smartphones: CVE-2024-13915, CVE-2024-13916, and CVE-2024-13917. - CVE-2024-13915: The com.pri.factorytest application allows any app to invoke the FactoryResetService, enabling unauthorized factory resets due to improper export controls (CWE-926). - CVE-2024-13916: The com.pri.applock application exposes a public method that allows malicious apps to steal the user’s PIN, representing an exposure of sensitive system information (CWE-497). - CVE-2024-13917: The exported activity in com.pri.applock allows privilege escalation by enabling malicious apps to inject intents with system-level privileges if they have access to the compromised PIN (CWE-926). Users of affected devices are advised to seek firmware updates or mitigations from their vendors.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

People Can Fly lays off staff as it cans two projects

Polish developer People Can Fly has decided to scale down its teams after canceling two projects, Gemini and Bifrost. CEO Sebastian Wojciechowski announced the halt in development due to issues with their publishing partner for Gemini and funding problems for Bifrost. The studio has faced challenges in recent years, including the termination of a publishing deal with Take-Two Interactive in 2022 and two rounds of layoffs in 2024. Despite these setbacks, the studio announced a collaboration with The Coalition on Gears of War: E-Day, set for early 2025.

AppWizard

June 1, 2025

‘We wish to express our deepest regret’: Bulletstorm and Outriders dev People Can Fly suspends unannounced projects in yet another wave of gaming layoffs

Sebastian Wojciechowski, CEO of People Can Fly, announced the indefinite suspension of two game development projects, codenamed Gemini and Bifrost, and a scaling down of the workforce due to unsuccessful negotiations with a publisher that left the studio without necessary resources. The suspension of the Gemini project is attributed to the publisher's failure to provide a draft for a content rider related to the Publishing Agreement and a lack of communication regarding the project's future. Despite these challenges, People Can Fly is still working on three unannounced projects, Bison, Echo, and Delta, and the development of Lost Rift is progressing, with a demo set to be released during the upcoming Steam Next Fest.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

Securing Windows Endpoints in 2025 Enterprise Environments

In 2025, 61% of organizations worldwide have adopted Zero Trust initiatives, up from 24% in 2021. Microsoft's Zero Trust framework centralizes security policy enforcement through the cloud, with integrated solutions like Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. AI is now a critical component of endpoint security, enabling systems to detect irregularities and autonomously isolate compromised devices. Microsoft introduced Quick Machine Recovery (QMR) to allow IT administrators to fix unbootable PCs remotely. Windows Server 2025 features enhanced security measures, including advanced algorithms and a customized security baseline with over 350 preconfigured settings. Additionally, 75% of organizations are consolidating security vendors, favoring comprehensive platforms like SentinelOne Singularity and Microsoft Defender XDR. Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) has been enhanced to better regulate application usage, with Microsoft promoting its adoption over AppLocker.

BetaBeacon

May 29, 2025

You Can Play Classic Pinball from Windows on Android for Free

The classic Pinball game is now available for free for Android users, thanks to Kyle Sylvestre who ported it there.

AppWizard

May 24, 2025

Vietnam to Block Messaging App Telegram

Morgan Williams, the Product Director at B2Core, discussed the company's Introducing Broker (IB) module in a webinar, highlighting its features such as efficient trader onboarding, automated commission tracking, and powerful growth tools for brokers. He addressed challenges brokers face when scaling their IB networks and presented a case study demonstrating the impact of B2Core's solutions.

Tech Optimizer

May 23, 2025

Hackers Exploit PyBitmessage Library to Evade Antivirus and Network Security Detection

The AhnLab Security Intelligence Center (ASEC) has identified a new strain of backdoor malware that works with a Monero coin miner, utilizing the PyBitmessage library for covert P2P communications. This malware uses encryption to secure data exchanges and anonymize identities, complicating detection by security tools. It decrypts resources using XOR operations to deploy a Monero miner and a backdoor component. The Monero miner exploits the cryptocurrency's anonymity, while the backdoor, created with PowerShell, installs PyBitmessage and retrieves files from GitHub or a Russian file-sharing platform. Commands are executed as PowerShell scripts, making detection difficult. The malware may be distributed as legitimate software or cracked files. ASEC advises caution with unverified files and recommends keeping security solutions updated. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): - MD5: 17909a3f757b4b31ab6cd91b3117ec50 - MD5: 29d43ebc516dd66f2151da9472959890 - MD5: 36235f722c0f3c71b25bcd9f98b7e7f0 - MD5: 498c89a2c40a42138da00c987cf89388 - MD5: 604b3c0c3ce5e6bd5900ceca07d587b9 - URLs: - http://krb.miner.rocks:4444/ - http://krb.sberex.com:3333/ - http://pool.karbowanec.com:3333/ - http://pool.supportxmr.com:3333/ - https://spac1.com/files/view/bitmessage-6-3-2-80507747/