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AppWizard

June 1, 2025

Why Elden Ring: Nightreign is both a hit and a headache for fans

Elden Ring Nightreign is a multiplayer game developed by FromSoftware, featuring fast-paced combat mechanics and eight distinct characters called Nightfarers, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Players aim to defeat the Nightlord while surviving three in-game days on Limvel Island, facing various bosses and challenges, including a night boss that tests their skills. The game lasts approximately 14 real-time minutes per day, with a storm circle that closes in, causing damage if players do not move. Players can unlock new characters and relics through boss victories. The game is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series consoles, priced at an undisclosed amount. It has received a mixed reception, with a 78% aggregate score on OpenCritic and a "Mixed" rating on Steam from over 31,000 reviews. Players have expressed frustration with solo difficulty and matchmaking issues. In response, FromSoftware plans to release patch 1.02 to introduce automatic revivals for solo players and increase rewards. A mod called Seamless Co-Op allows PC players to team up without needing a third player.

Tech Optimizer

June 1, 2025

Bitdefender vs. Norton: Which Antivirus Titan Reigns Supreme for Your Digital Safety?

Bitdefender was established in 1996 and rebranded in 2001, becoming the most popular mobile antivirus in North and South America in 2022. Norton was founded in 1982 and became well-known after Symantec's acquisition. Bitdefender achieves over 98% detection rates online and offline, with five false positives in tests, while Norton exceeds 99% online and 97% offline but has a higher false positive rate. Bitdefender offers a configurable firewall in its Total Security package, while Norton provides a customizable firewall across all products. Bitdefender lacks identity theft protection in its core offerings but offers a separate service, while Norton includes comprehensive identity theft protection in its highest tier. Bitdefender includes a VPN with a 200MB daily cap, while Norton offers an unlimited VPN in most tiers. Bitdefender features an integrated password manager without two-factor authentication, while Norton allows credential sharing and has standalone options. Bitdefender provides basic parental controls, while Norton includes additional features like GPS tracking. Bitdefender enhances its packages with a file shredder and vulnerability scanner, while Norton offers SafeCam and Dark Web Monitoring. Bitdefender is known for resource efficiency, receiving awards for performance, while Norton also received recognition for its performance. Bitdefender has an easy-to-navigate interface, while Norton has a more complex interface. In AV-Comparatives tests, Bitdefender slightly surpassed Norton in offline detection and online protection rates. Bitdefender pricing starts at approximately .99/year for one device, while Norton starts at .99/year for one device as well.

Winsage

May 31, 2025

New Malware Compromise Microsoft Windows Without PE Header

A new strain of malware has been operating undetected on Windows systems for several weeks, utilizing advanced evasion techniques that corrupt its Portable Executable (PE) headers to avoid detection. Security researchers discovered this malware embedded in the memory of a compromised system during an investigation, using a 33GB memory dump that revealed its presence in a dllhost.exe process with process ID 8200. The malware, classified as a Remote Access Trojan (RAT) by Fortinet, employs batch scripts and PowerShell commands for its attack and has capabilities for screenshot capture, remote server functionality, and system service manipulation. Its command and control infrastructure uses encrypted communications, complicating detection efforts. The malware's distinctive feature is the deliberate corruption of DOS and PE headers, which hinders reverse engineering and complicates the reconstruction of the executable from memory dumps. Researchers had to manually locate the malware’s entry point and resolve complex import tables for it to function in a controlled environment.

AppWizard

May 31, 2025

What’s New On Max In June 2025? ‘A Minecraft Movie,’ ‘The Gilded Age’ And More Streaming

Warner Bros.' streaming service, Max, will feature the arrival of A Minecraft Movie, which follows a group of heroes transported into the Minecraft universe. The film does not have a specific release date. The third season of The Gilded Age premieres on June 22, focusing on the rivalry between wealthy families in 1800s New York. The reboot of Sex and the City, And Just Like That…, will continue with new episodes throughout June. Max will also offer a variety of films, including Bullet Train, Parasite, and the entire Hunger Games series. New content on Max in June includes: - June 1: A Hologram for the King, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Casino, Fight Club, Parasite, and The Hunger Games series. - June 2: BBQ Brawl, Season 6. - June 3: Bullet Train. - June 4: 1000-lb Roomies, Fatal Destination. - June 5: Bea’s Block, Chespirito: Not Really on Purpose. - June 6: House Hunters International, Parthenope. - June 10: Virgins. - June 11: Guy’s Grocery Games. - June 12: Bitchin’ Rides, Mini Beat Power Rockers. - June 13: Cleaner, House Hunters, Maine Cabin Masters, Super Sara, Toad & Friends. - June 16: Hero Ball. - June 17: Dr. Sanjay Gupta Reports: Animal Pharm, Super Mega Cakes. - June 19: Expedition Unknown, Mystery At Blind Frog Ranch. - June 20: House Hunters, Lu & The Bally Bunch, Now or Never: FC Montfermeil, Teen Titans Go!. - June 21: The Kitchen, The Never Ever Mets. - June 22: The Gilded Age, Season 3. - June 23: Match Me Abroad. - June 24: Enigma, Mean Girl Murders, The Invitation. - June 25: Rehab Addict. - June 27: House Hunters, My Mom Jayne, Pati, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie. - June 29: #Somebody’s Son, Family or Fiancé. - June 30: 90 Day Fiancé: Pillow Talk, Truck U.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

Rematch: All the key details on the 5v5 football game from the masterminds behind Sifu

Sloclap, known for the game Absolver, is developing a new sports game titled Rematch, which is a five-a-side football game. It will be released on Steam, with the release date to be announced. The game features dynamic online multiplayer gameplay where players control a single character, and there are no fixed positions or complex statistics. The base game will cost £21, while the Pro Edition and Elite Edition will cost £30 and £39, respectively, offering early access and additional cosmetic items. The Captain Pass will function as a battle pass with seasonal content, focusing on cosmetics and in-game currency. Rematch does not include fighting elements, as it aims to be a football simulator. The minimum system requirements include Windows 10/11, an AMD Ryzen 5 3400G or Intel Core i5-9400 processor, 8 GB RAM, and a graphics card like the AMD Radeon RX 5500 or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 1060. Recommended specs include an AMD Ryzen 3700x or Intel Core 11600k processor, 8 GB RAM, and a graphics card like the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2025

How to turn off antivirus

Antivirus software is crucial for digital security, providing protection against malware threats. Users may need to disable antivirus temporarily for reasons such as system resource consumption, particularly during resource-intensive tasks like gaming, or to bypass false positives when installing applications. Disabling antivirus software poses risks, especially when browsing the internet, as even legitimate sites can be compromised. Precautions to take when disabling antivirus include disconnecting from the internet, avoiding USB drives, using trusted networks, closing non-essential applications, verifying the legitimacy of downloaded files, and limiting browsing to secure websites. Users should promptly re-enable their antivirus after completing necessary tasks.

Winsage

May 29, 2025

This is what data your Windows PC is actually sending back to Microsoft

Windows collects telemetry data, which includes hardware specifications, installed software, and system events, but does not reveal personally identifiable information. This data is encrypted and sent via HTTPS during significant events like system crashes. Users can manage optional data collection settings during initial setup or in the Privacy section of the Settings app, with enterprise versions offering more control. Mandatory data collection in Windows is more extensive than in macOS, while Linux has minimal data collection due to its decentralized structure. Users can disable some data collection, but some information will always be gathered unless advanced measures are taken.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2025

Sophos warns MSPs over DragonForce threat

Sophos has warned managed service providers (MSPs) about their vulnerability to ransomware attacks targeting remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools. They reported a ransomware incident involving DragonForce, where attackers accessed the SimpleHelp RMM to deploy ransomware across multiple endpoints and exfiltrate sensitive data using a double extortion strategy. An alert was triggered by a suspicious SimpleHelp installer file pushed through the MSP's legitimate RMM instance. MSPs utilizing Sophos's managed detection and response (MDR) services successfully prevented hacker access, while those without security investments were impacted by the ransomware and data exfiltration. Following the incident, the affected MSP sought help from Sophos Rapid Response for digital forensics. Mark Appleton from Also Cloud UK stressed the importance of MSPs investing in advanced exposure management tools to mitigate cyber threats, noting that endpoints are primary targets for breaches. He highlighted the significance of continuous threat exposure management as essential for MSPs to protect themselves and their clients from attacks.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Japanese Government Releases Free ‘Minecraft’ Map

The Japanese government has released a free Minecraft map replicating the G-Cans underground flood facility, developed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The G-Cans, completed in 2006, is the largest underground flood diversion system in the world, designed to manage overflow from Tokyo's waterways during heavy rainfall. The Minecraft map accurately reflects the facility's design, including five large concrete silos and a network of tunnels spanning 6.4 kilometers. It was created using actual blueprints to provide a realistic experience. The G-Cans features a water tank that is 83 feet high and can discharge up to 200 metric tons of water into the Edo River every second. The map is available on the Edogawa River Office homepage.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Telegram Signs $300M Deal With Elon Musk’s xAI to Integrate Grok AI Into Its Messaging App

Telegram has partnered with Elon Musk's xAI to integrate the Grok AI service into its app for one year. The agreement includes a financial component of 0 million in cash and equity from xAI, along with 50% of the revenue from xAI subscriptions sold on Telegram. Telegram is also seeking to raise .5 billion through a bond offering, supported by investors like BlackRock, Mubadala, and Citadel, to repurchase debt from a previous bond issuance in 2021. Telegram reported a profit of million on revenues of .4 billion in 2024, and the TON token, the native currency of the TON Network, rose 18.5% following the announcement.