monitoring

AppWizard
August 26, 2025
Spotify has launched an in-app messaging feature that allows one-on-one chats between users, enhancing interaction around shared music and podcasts. To start a conversation, users need to connect through shared content like collaborative playlists or family plans, and chat requests must be approved by the recipient. Users can also send invite links to contacts. The feature includes emoji reactions and ensures messages are encrypted, though not end-to-end encrypted. Users can disable the feature in the Settings menu. It is currently rolling out on mobile devices for users aged 16 and older in select markets in Latin and South America, with plans to expand to other regions soon.
Tech Optimizer
August 26, 2025
A team decided to test PostgreSQL's capabilities with a one-petabyte database, setting a challenge for December 10, with a report due by January 20. They initially sought cloud storage but found no provider could meet their requirement for a single chunk of storage, leading them to rent physical servers. They used Shardman, a distributed database engine, to manage the database across seven servers. They employed the YCSB benchmark for performance testing and faced various challenges, including data loading issues and hardware problems. By January 15, they reached 863 terabytes of data generation, falling short of their petabyte goal, and documented their findings for future reference.
Tech Optimizer
August 25, 2025
Norton VPN offers a variety of features including: - Integration of artificial intelligence for real-time detection of scams and threats such as phishing, malware, and ransomware. - Cloud storage options ranging from 10GB with the Plus plan to 50GB with the Ultimate plan, providing secure online storage for sensitive data. - Dark web monitoring that scans for users' personal information and alerts them if it surfaces. - A Kill Switch feature that halts internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, protecting users' real IP addresses and unencrypted data. - IP masking that conceals users' real IP addresses and encrypts data before it reaches its destination. - IP rotation that changes the assigned IP address every 30 seconds to complicate tracking attempts. - A Double VPN option that routes data through two servers for enhanced privacy. - A no-log policy ensuring that users' IP addresses, browsing histories, and DNS queries are not logged, with independent audits for validation. - A Norton Password Manager included in select plans for creating and storing complex passwords and securely managing online transactions. - Parental controls and location supervision available with the Ultimate plan, allowing parents to monitor web access and track children's locations.
Tech Optimizer
August 25, 2025
Doctor Web’s antivirus laboratory has identified a sophisticated Android backdoor malware named Android.Backdoor.916.origin, which has been evolving since January 2025. This spyware primarily targets Russian businesses through focused attacks, disseminated via private messages as a fake antivirus application called “GuardCB.” The app's icon resembles the Central Bank of the Russian Federation's emblem and is presented in Russian. Variants of the malware include names like “SECURITY_FSB” and “FSB,” falsely claiming to be security tools linked to Russian law enforcement. Upon execution, the malware simulates an antivirus scan, requesting extensive system permissions for surveillance and data exfiltration, including access to geolocation, audio recording, SMS, contacts, call logs, media files, and camera functions. It establishes connections to command-and-control servers, allowing attackers to send and receive sensitive data, initiate audio and video feeds, and execute commands. The malware employs keylogger functionality to intercept keystrokes and monitor specific applications for content theft. Doctor Web has notified domain registrars to disrupt the malware's infrastructure and confirms that all known variants are detected and neutralized by their antivirus solutions. Organizations are advised to enforce strict APK sideloading policies and verify app authenticity to counter such threats.
AppWizard
August 25, 2025
Security experts at Doctor Web have identified a sophisticated Android spyware campaign targeting Russian business leaders, utilizing malware named Android.Backdoor.916. First detected in January 2025, this malware is distributed through APK files disguised as security applications, particularly under the name GuardCB, which mimics the emblem of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. Other variants include “SECURITY_FSB” and “FSB,” and the app interface is exclusively in Russian. The malware is disseminated via private messages on popular messaging platforms, avoiding official app stores. Upon installation, it simulates device scans and generates fictitious threat reports while activating extensive spyware modules that request permissions for geolocation, camera and microphone usage, SMS and contact access, call logs, and background operation. It can transmit SMS messages, upload contact lists, forward call history and location data, and exfiltrate media. It also enables real-time audio streaming, video capture, and screen activity monitoring, using Accessibility Service to maintain a keylogger for intercepting sensitive content from various applications. Control over the malware is maintained through a modular system that reconnects to the command server every minute, with fallback connectivity options to multiple hosting providers. The malware is designed for targeted cyber-espionage rather than mass infections, focusing on corporate executives and business figures. Doctor Web's antivirus solutions for Android can detect and eliminate known variants of this backdoor, highlighting the vulnerability of high-value individuals to mobile spyware disguised as legitimate applications. Experts recommend enhancing mobile security policies and educating high-risk employees about social engineering tactics.
Tech Optimizer
August 25, 2025
Norton 360 Deluxe is currently available for A.99, reduced from A9.99, offering a 40% discount for a year's subscription. It includes antivirus protection for up to three devices and features such as Norton Secure VPN, SafeCam for PC, Password Manager, Parental Controls, Dark Web Monitoring, 50GB of Cloud Storage, and Genie Scam Protection. Norton 360 Deluxe has been recognized as an Editors’ Choice winner by PCMag.
Tech Optimizer
August 24, 2025
A new strain of Android malware, named 'Android.Backdoor.916.origin,' has emerged from Russia's Federal Security Services (FSB) and targets executives in Russian businesses. Identified by Dr. Web, this malware is a standalone entity with no ties to previous malware families. It has capabilities including monitoring conversations, streaming video from the camera, logging user input, and exfiltrating data from messaging applications. Since its detection in January 2025, it has shown multiple iterations, indicating ongoing enhancements. The malware is specifically designed for Russian enterprises, using the Russian language in its interface and employing branding efforts that impersonate the Central Bank of Russia and the FSB. The malware masquerades as an antivirus tool but lacks protective features, simulating scans that yield false positives. It requests high-risk permissions such as geo-location access, SMS and media file access, and camera and audio recording capabilities. Once installed, it can exfiltrate SMS messages, contacts, call history, geo-location data, and stored images, activate the microphone and camera, capture text input from messaging and browser applications, and execute shell commands. It can switch between 15 different hosting providers, indicating resilience and adaptability. Dr. Web has made the complete indicators of compromise related to this malware available on their GitHub repository.
AppWizard
August 24, 2025
A devoted cat owner faced challenges in managing vaccination schedules and health notes for their pets, leading to the use of Notion as a pet care management tool. The owner found existing pet care apps lacking in functionality and opted for Notion due to its customizable templates, reminders feature, and cross-device compatibility. They created a pet care page using the Pet Care Planner template, setting up profiles for their cats, Black Velvet and Loxi, and incorporating health information, medication details, and vet notes. Notion's database capabilities allowed for effective tracking of expenses and health incidents, especially with Loxi's diagnosis of Stage 2 Chronic Kidney disease. The owner also noted some limitations of Notion's free plan, such as restrictions on automations and mobile optimization issues, but found it effective for documenting health incidents and setting reminders. Future plans include expanding the template to manage pet-related chores.
Tech Optimizer
August 23, 2025
Kerberus Cyber Security acquired Refract, the developer of the Pocket Universe browser extension, in a seven-figure deal confirmed on August 16, 2025. This acquisition aims to create the first dedicated antivirus solution for the cryptocurrency industry. Kerberus plans to enhance its existing Sentinel3 browser extension and expand its security framework to cover all Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) chains and Solana. The development of a minimal viable product is expected to take at least four months, with Pocket Universe’s co-founders transitioning to advisory roles. Kerberus emphasizes user privacy by not requesting access to private keys or user funds and warns against potential antivirus scams in the crypto space.
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