network Archives

Winsage

September 6, 2026

Four REVSTEALER-Linked Modules Disable Windows Update and Defender to Run a Crypto Miner

Elastic Security Labs has identified four previously undocumented programs associated with REVSTEALER, a Windows information stealer that persists on infected machines after self-deletion. The programs are ProManager, WinUpdate, SoftManager, and LockAppHost, each with distinct functionalities. ProManager steals wallet files and logs passwords, WinUpdate monitors the clipboard for cryptocurrency addresses, SoftManager acts as a reverse proxy, and LockAppHost executes a cryptocurrency miner after disabling Windows Update and Microsoft Defender. REVSTEALER has been marketed as a commercial infostealer since February 2026, exfiltrating sensitive data such as browser passwords, cookies, and cryptocurrency wallet information. It deletes itself after reporting its activities but leaves the four programs installed for persistence. These programs share build tradecraft with REVSTEALER, including the use of identical packers and runtime function resolutions. REVSTEALER primarily spreads through game-cheat lures and disguises itself as pirated software. It employs evasion techniques to resist analysis, including checking for sandbox environments and using indirect system calls. Users are advised to avoid unofficial software and to follow specific steps if infected, such as re-enabling Windows Update services and changing passwords. Indicators of compromise include SHA-256 hashes for REVSTEALER and its associated programs, as well as domains linked to their command and control servers.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

4 Android Auto Apps Every EV Owner Needs To Install

Android Auto provides a range of applications designed to enhance the driving experience for electric vehicle (EV) owners. Key apps include: - A Better Routeplanner (ABRP): A navigation app specifically for EV owners that helps plan road trips by generating trip plans with charging stops, estimated charging times, and projected battery levels. It supports over 1,000 EV models and offers a free version with basic features and a premium version with additional functionalities. - Waze: A versatile navigation app that offers real-time traffic updates, estimated arrival times, and turn-by-turn directions. It can display charging stations along routes and is useful for both long and short trips. - PlugShare: An app that provides a detailed overview of charging stations, allowing users to search for locations compatible with their specific EV. It includes community-driven features for reviews and connections among EV owners. - Electrify America: An app for users of the Electrify America charging network that integrates with Android Auto, enabling drivers to find charging stations and access details directly from their vehicle's display. These apps address common challenges faced by EV owners, such as locating charging stations and planning routes effectively.

BetaBeacon

September 6, 2026

Redfinger vs BlueStacks X vs now.gg: Cloud Emulator 2026

Cloud Android emulators move the workload off the device entirely, running the Android instance on a remote server while the PC displays the video stream and sends back taps, clicks, and keystrokes.

AppWizard

September 6, 2026

Pterodactyl Multi-Game Cloud Server: 13 Steps [2026]

In 2026, hosting game servers has become more efficient, allowing multiple game servers to run on a single cloud VPS using Pterodactyl Panel, which utilizes Docker containers for isolation. Pterodactyl is a free, open-source game server management panel that gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface and robust architecture. The latest stable release, v1.12.0, was launched in January 2026, with newer deployment templates available as of August 2026. To set up Pterodactyl, prerequisites include a cloud VPS with specific CPU and RAM requirements, Ubuntu 24.04 LTS, PHP 8.3, MariaDB 11.8.8 or newer, Redis 8.10.0 or newer, Docker Engine, a registered domain for SSL, SteamCMD dependencies, and at least 80 GB SSD storage. The installation process involves provisioning the VPS, installing necessary software, configuring Pterodactyl, setting up Nginx with SSL, and deploying game servers. Common pitfalls include under-provisioning RAM for resource-intensive games, neglecting firewall settings, and allowing backup retention to grow uncontrollably. Troubleshooting may involve addressing PHP-FPM issues, connection problems, and ensuring proper resource allocation. Advanced scaling may require multiple VPS nodes, and security measures like two-factor authentication can help protect the server. Pterodactyl is free to use commercially and can run multiple game containers on a single node.

Winsage

September 6, 2026

I gave Windows 11 an old-school makeover by restoring its classic icons

Users can customize icons in Windows 11 by following different methods depending on the type of icon. For folders and shortcuts, right-clicking the item and selecting Properties allows users to change icons easily. Taskbar items require pressing Shift while right-clicking the closed app. Desktop icons like "This PC" and the Recycle Bin can be modified through Settings > Personalization > Themes > Desktop icon settings. More complex changes, such as altering icons for file types or drives, involve editing the Windows registry. Windows retains a selection of classic icons within DLL files, including moricons.dll, pifmgr.dll, and netshell.dll. Users can also access the Windows Icon Archive project for a repository of icons from various Windows versions, though .png files need conversion to .ico format for use. Limitations include the inability to change icons for new folders automatically, modifications not reflecting in Quick Access for special folders, and restrictions on altering application icons. Programs like OpenShell can help modify taskbar and Start menu icons, but achieving a perfect replica of older versions is not possible.

Winsage

September 5, 2026

Nvidia & Microsoft push local AI agents on Windows

NVIDIA has enhanced the capability to run AI agents locally on its hardware in collaboration with Microsoft and software partners, coinciding with the launch of new RTX Spark Windows PCs. The installation process for local agent software has been simplified, with improved inference speeds and the introduction of NVIDIA PAIR, which distributes inference tasks across multiple PCs on a local network. Three applications benefiting from these enhancements are Hermes Agent, OpenClaw, and Perplexity Portable Computer, all designed to minimize manual configuration. Hermes Agent offers a one-click local setup for RTX and DGX systems, automatically detecting the GPU and optimizing model selection. OpenClaw simplifies local model setups for RTX GPUs with at least 24GB of VRAM, backed by an open-source community. Perplexity Portable Computer, already available on Linux, is extending support to NVIDIA RTX GPUs and Windows. NVIDIA is also improving performance in the open-source inference stack, achieving throughput increases of up to 1.9 times on GeForce RTX 5090 and up to 1.4 times on DGX Spark clusters. The PAIR software identifies compatible PCs on the same network to optimize computing resources, supporting various hardware configurations. The upcoming RTX Spark Windows PCs, set to launch in October, will include compact desktop and laptop designs featuring Blackwell GPU and Grace CPU architecture. Game publishers like Electronic Arts and Ubisoft are developing titles for these systems. Additionally, CyberLink's PhotoDirector AI PC Mode will integrate local AI processing for creative tasks, emphasizing the trend of migrating generative AI workloads from cloud to local devices. NVIDIA notes that over half of U.S. households have two or more PCs, indicating potential for maximizing computing power.

AppWizard

September 5, 2026

NYC Council to grill Mamdani admin over use of influencers, encrypted messaging app

The City Council will examine Mayor Mamdani's administration's use of a secretive encrypted messaging channel for media relations, which connects nearly 200 social media influencers. This discussion is scheduled for a hearing on September 22. Queens Councilman Phil Wong plans to introduce legislation requiring influencers to label posts for city agency campaigns with a disclaimer stating “Paid for by NYC.” A report revealed that city officials communicated with influencers through a Signal app group titled “NYC Creators Announcements,” sharing updates and multimedia content. Some influencers received payment for their involvement, while others supported the mayor's agenda for personal growth. Concerns have been raised about the Signal chat potentially violating record-keeping regulations due to auto-deletion of messages. The identities of the influencers and details of their contracts remain undisclosed. Wong's proposed bill aims to reveal any undisclosed payments to influencers and raise questions about the integrity of the administration's use of external promoters. Critics argue that the administration's secrecy calls for greater transparency in public relations expenditures.

Tech Optimizer

September 4, 2026

Object Storage + WAL: Lakebase Postgres for the agentic era

Agents interacting with traditional OLTP databases face bottlenecks at the storage layer due to data movement required for operations like deploying instances and managing replicas. Object storage solutions, such as Amazon S3, provide a more efficient and cost-effective alternative. The text discusses two OLTP models: data-centric and transaction-centric. The transaction-centric model emphasizes the importance of transaction history, which Postgres retains through its write-ahead log (WAL). The WAL records every modification before it is committed, allowing for the reconstruction of the database state as of a specific point in time. Lakebase Postgres introduces a two-layer architecture separating compute and storage. The compute layer handles SQL operations, while the storage layer ensures data durability and historical integrity. The WAL is streamed to safekeepers for replication, and the pageserver transforms WAL into materialized pages stored in object storage. This architecture allows for efficient read and write operations without direct interaction with object storage during queries. Key features of Lakebase Postgres include branching, which allows agents to create pointers to specific LSNs without copying data; instant restore capabilities that enable point-in-time recovery; time travel queries for accessing historical data; and read replicas that do not require data duplication. The system also supports scaling down idle compute nodes and eliminates the need for separate copies of data for transactional and analytical processing by storing a single durable copy in object storage. Overall, Lakebase Postgres enhances agent interactions with the database by leveraging object storage as a foundational element.

AppWizard

September 4, 2026

The Best Ways to Play a Modpack With Friends

To play modded Minecraft with friends, every player must have the same modpack, including matching mods, versions, and loaders. Sharing the modpack can be done using launchers like CurseForge or Modrinth. There are free options for gameplay, such as LAN worlds for local connections, Virtual LAN tools like Hamachi for distant friends, and direct hosting from one player's PC. However, these methods require one player to act as the host, which can lead to lag and restrict access when the host is offline. For a more stable experience, using a dedicated server is recommended, as it allows 24/7 access without burdening a single player's computer. When choosing a host, look for features like guaranteed RAM, one-click modpack installations, automatic backups, and responsive support.

Tech Optimizer

September 4, 2026

EDB Postgres® AI Gains Momentum as Customers Tell Us the Future of Their Own AI and Data Platform

Organizations are increasingly aiming to establish their own governed AI and data platforms, with 95% of enterprises planning to develop such platforms within the next three years, though only 13% have done so. EDB has reported significant traction for its EDB Postgres® AI (EDB PG AI) platform, which unifies transactional, analytical, and agentic workloads into a single system. PAC 2000A Conad has revamped its data infrastructure using EDB PG AI to support over 1,600 stores and 7,000 connected devices, ensuring compliance with NIS2 regulations. C Platform in Korea is experiencing a surge in demand for hybrid and on-premises capabilities, driven by significant investment in sovereign AI and the AI Basic Act mandating governance for AI deployment. Notable adopters of EDB PG AI include the Industrial Bank of Korea, Shinhan EZ Insurance, NTT East, MNTN, Euronext FX, and Kyobo Book Centre.