Monitors Archives

Winsage

June 24, 2025

Microsoft (MSFT) Launches a New Small Language Model Called Mu

Microsoft has introduced a small language model named Mu, designed to perform complex language tasks directly on devices like Copilot+ PCs, operating on a device's Neural Processing Unit. This model improves response times and reduces power and memory consumption compared to larger cloud-based AI models. Mu is developed using insights from Microsoft's Phi models and high-quality educational data, employing techniques such as distillation and low-rank adaptation for fine-tuning. Mu features an encoder–decoder architecture that separates input and output processes, enhancing speed and minimizing latency. It incorporates innovations like rotary positional embeddings, grouped-query attention, and dual LayerNorm. Microsoft also utilized quantization to reduce memory usage and improve speed without sacrificing accuracy, making Mu ideal for on-device applications. To enhance the AI agent in Windows Settings, Mu was fine-tuned with over 3.6 million examples, improving its ability to understand and manage system settings. The model addresses ambiguous commands and provides rapid assistance with precise multi-word commands, while maintaining a compact size that is one-tenth that of similar AI tools. Analysts on Wall Street have a positive outlook on MSFT stock, giving it a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 30 Buys and five Holds, with an average price target of 6.14 per share, indicating a potential upside of 6%.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

Today’s Android app deals and freebies: Endurance, DYSMANTLE, CHUCHEL, and more

- Samsung Smart Monitors are available with savings of up to 0 on the latest models. - The Galaxy S25 Ultra in Jetblack and Jadegreen variants is discounted by 0, the lowest price of the year. - The Lenovo Legion Go PC gaming handheld with 1TB storage is at its best price yet. - The Hisense U7 Google Smart TV, featuring a 165Hz VRR model, is available at all-time low prices.

AppWizard

June 21, 2025

Hundreds of Minecraft mods on GitHub are infested with hard-to-spot spyware

A sophisticated malware campaign known as the “Stargazers Ghost” network is targeting young gamers, particularly those playing Minecraft, to capture sensitive login information and personal data. This operation, based in a Russian-speaking region, uses a two-pronged approach: initially acquiring login credentials and then extracting more extensive personal information, including passwords and cryptocurrency details. The malware has infiltrated over 500 GitHub repositories, disguising itself within Minecraft Java installers to evade antivirus protections. GitHub, while monitoring for malicious content, faces challenges due to the volume of attacks. To enhance safety, parents are advised to vet GitHub pages, test mods on a “burner” account, and restrict access to official mods in the “Bedrock Edition” of the game.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

Enhanced Splinter Cell is the best way to play this classic in 2025

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell, released in 2002, has an unofficial mod called Enhanced Splinter Cell that revitalizes the game with quality-of-life improvements and restored content. The mod enhances lighting effects, allows customization of Sam Fisher's outfit, and incorporates dgVoodoo2 for modern compatibility. It introduces gameplay tweaks such as easier inventory access, HUD toggling, adjustable movement speed, and a new crouch mechanic. Additionally, it includes two previously cut missions, Nuclear Power Plant and Severonickel, along with updated cutscenes for the Kalinatek mission and the new missions. Enhanced Splinter Cell is recommended for players wanting to experience the classic on modern hardware.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

GodFather Android Malware Runs Real Apps in a Sandbox to Steal Data

Cybersecurity researchers at Zimperium zLabs have discovered a new variant of the GodFather Android malware that uses on-device virtualization to hijack legitimate mobile applications, primarily targeting banking and cryptocurrency apps. This malware installs a concealed host application that downloads a genuine version of the targeted app within a controlled environment, redirecting users to this manipulated version. It monitors user actions in real time, capturing sensitive information like usernames and passwords. The GodFather malware targets 484 applications globally, with a focus on 12 financial institutions in Turkey. It employs traditional overlay attacks and uses legitimate open-source tools to evade detection. The malware manipulates APK files, relocates malicious code, and utilizes Android’s accessibility services to deceive users into granting permissions. It also encodes critical information to complicate tracking efforts and transmits screen details back to attackers for real-time monitoring.

Winsage

June 18, 2025

XDSpy Threat Actors Leverages Windows LNKs Zero-Day Vulnerability to Attack Windows System Users

A cyber espionage campaign attributed to the XDSpy threat actor has been discovered, exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Windows shortcut files identified as “ZDI-CAN-25373.” This vulnerability allows attackers to conceal executed commands within specially crafted shortcut files. XDSpy has primarily targeted government entities in Eastern Europe and Russia since its activities became known in 2020. Researchers from HarfangLab found malicious LNK files exploiting this vulnerability in mid-March, revealing issues with how Windows parses LNK files. The infection begins with a ZIP archive containing a malicious LNK file, which triggers a complex Windows shell command to execute malicious components while displaying a decoy document. This command extracts and executes a first-stage malware called “ETDownloader,” which establishes persistence and downloads a second-stage payload known as “XDigo.” The XDigo implant, written in Go, collects sensitive information and employs encryption for data exfiltration. This campaign represents an evolution in XDSpy's tactics, combining zero-day exploitation with advanced multi-stage payloads.

Winsage

June 17, 2025

Windows 11’s new update is reportedly proving a nightmare to install for some, but I’m hardly surprised given its messy rollout

Windows 11's latest update has caused installation issues and bugs for many users. An initial update was paused due to conflicts with an anti-cheat tool, leading to game crashes. A revised patch, KB5063060, has also presented problems, including installation failures, boot loops, taskbar freezes, and issues with external monitors and Bluetooth devices. Gamers continue to experience difficulties with titles like Star Citizen, Fortnite, and efootball25, despite attempts to resolve compatibility issues. Users are advised to manually download the update from Microsoft's website or wait for further fixes, as uninstalling the patch is not recommended due to security vulnerabilities.

AppWizard

June 14, 2025

The Outer Worlds 2 director offers the most sympathetic answer I’ve yet heard for the $80 game question: ‘We don’t set the prices for our games,’ and ‘You’d have to honestly talk to the Xbox folks’

Brandon Adler, the director of The Outer Worlds 2, stated that game developers do not set the prices for their games, emphasizing that pricing decisions are made by corporate executives. He expressed a desire for broader accessibility to games but indicated that pricing inquiries should be directed to Xbox executives. The economic landscape has shifted, making home ownership difficult while consumer electronics have become more affordable. Gamers now have various options, including subscription services and budget-friendly hardware. The perceived normal price for games has shifted to the range of to , with being a stretch, particularly for highly anticipated titles. Pricing challenges reflect deeper issues in the gaming industry, including recent layoffs and rising development costs. Obsidian Entertainment has adopted a strategy of working on multiple smaller projects, resulting in more affordable pricing for some titles, while the upcoming Avowed is set at a full retail price. Concerns exist that The Outer Worlds 2’s price might hinder its success, especially given the unclear metrics Microsoft uses to evaluate sales performance.

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

‘BrowserVenom’ Windows Malware Preys on Users Looking to Run DeepSeek AI

A new strain of Windows malware called "BrowserVenom" is exploiting interest in DeepSeek's AI models by targeting users through deceptive Google ads. These ads lead to a counterfeit website, "https[:]//deepseek-platform[.]com," where users are tricked into downloading a harmful file named “AILauncher1.21.exe.” This malware monitors and manipulates internet traffic, allowing attackers to intercept sensitive data. The operation is believed to involve Russian-speaking threat actors, and the malware has infected users in several countries, including Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, India, Nepal, South Africa, and Egypt. The fraudulent domain has been suspended, but the malware can evade many antivirus solutions. Users are advised to verify official domains when downloading software.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Connected Displays: Android 16’s game-changing multitasking feature lands on select Pixels

Developers and select Pixel devices are currently experiencing the enhanced connected displays feature through the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 release. This feature allows users to connect their smartphones to external monitors, transfer apps seamlessly, and enhances productivity. It supports desktop windowing, flexible window tiling, multiple desktop sessions, and a new taskbar for easier app switching. The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 is available on the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series. The Google Pixel 9 features a Tensor G4 chip, a 6.3-inch Actua Display, a dual-camera system with 50MP wide and 48MP ultrawide lenses, a 4,700 mAh battery, 12GB of RAM, and promises seven years of OS and security updates in an IP68 water-resistant design.