operations Archives

AppWizard

August 11, 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Messaging apps alleged coup conspirators used for communication

The choice of communication methods, such as WhatsApp and Zangi, influenced the outcome of a clandestine operation related to an alleged coup against President Bola Tinubu's government. Retired navy captain Erasmus Victor, facing treason charges, mentioned being recruited to find financial backers for the coup by Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji, who introduced him to Zangi for its security features. Zangi claims it does not store communication histories and uses end-to-end encryption, but investigators may still access data on users' devices. The investigation includes evidence from devices rather than relying solely on messaging companies. Mr. Victor and his co-defendants have denied wrongdoing and are challenging the admissibility of their statements in court.

Winsage

August 10, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 Ships as an Enablement Package With Movable Taskbar, Local Search, and Default Cloud Recovery

Windows 11 version 26H2 is expected to launch around October 2026 as a small enablement package using the same Germanium platform as versions 24H2 and 25H2. Key enhancements include a movable taskbar, expanded Start menu controls, deeper Copilot integration, and new default cloud recovery settings for managed PCs. Users on versions 24H2 or 25H2 will experience a quick upgrade process requiring only one reboot. The taskbar will allow repositioning and smaller icon sizes, and the Start menu will have new configuration options and privacy settings. Search functionality will prioritize local content, with an option to disable web results. The update will enhance cloud-assisted setup and recovery for eligible Microsoft Entra devices, enabling automatic backup of settings and app lists. Copilot will be integrated into Search and File Explorer, and Windows Security will improve Administrator Protection. The support timeline for 26H2 will reset, offering 24 months for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions. Hardware requirements remain unchanged, and Arm devices on Windows 11 26H1 will not receive the 26H2 update.

Winsage

August 9, 2026

Windows 11’s built-in Weather app wastes more than 1 GB of RAM

Windows Latest and Wccftech reported significant updates in the Windows ecosystem aimed at enhancing user experience. Key features include enhanced security protocols to protect against threats, an improved user interface for smoother navigation, and performance optimizations for faster load times and better responsiveness. The community response has been positive, with users eager to explore the benefits of these updates.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Android apps could be leaking your precise location

Third-party advertising tools embedded in Android applications are automatically collecting location data, often without the app developers' awareness. Software development kits (SDKs) used for advertising come with location data collection enabled by default, unless developers actively disable this feature. Historical location data has been sold to military and intelligence agencies, including the FBI, and used in immigration enforcement actions in the US. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) reported that app-level location permissions do not provide meaningful consent for location collection by third-party advertising SDKs. The EFF identified four advertising SDKs—InMobi, BidMachine, Verve's HyBid, and Huawei's Petal Ads—that collect and share location data by default. Two analyzed apps had been downloaded 60 million times without providing a privacy notice or seeking user consent for third-party location sharing. Users can manage location permissions through their device settings, but the EFF emphasizes that developers should ensure user data is not shared by default.

AppWizard

August 9, 2026

Organized crime is using encrypted messaging apps to enlist youth. This spells trouble for police

Toronto has seen an increase in gunfire incidents aimed at the U.S. consulate, leading to the arrests of a 19-year-old and a 15-year-old. These incidents are linked to alleged gun-for-hire plots that also target Jewish schools, synagogues, and waste management facilities in the Greater Toronto Area. Investigators are facing difficulties in identifying the masterminds behind these operations, partly due to the use of encrypted messaging apps to recruit young individuals. The federal government's Bill C-22 aims to provide law enforcement with tools to address these challenges, but it has faced criticism for potential overreach and privacy concerns. Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized the need for effective tools to prevent violence facilitated through encrypted communication. Technology analyst Carmi Levy raised concerns about balancing law enforcement needs with privacy rights. Additionally, there is a societal responsibility to protect children from online recruitment by criminal networks, with calls for proactive conversations between parents and children and educational initiatives in schools.

Winsage

August 8, 2026

Windows 11 26H2 is a small update with big quality-of-life improvements, expected around October 2026

Windows 11 will undergo a significant transformation with the upcoming annual update, version 26H2, which introduces enhancements to the interface, search functionality, backup processes, and AI integration. The update will allow users to reposition the taskbar to any edge of the screen and adopt a smaller layout with reduced icon sizes. The Start menu will have new configuration options and a privacy feature for hiding account details during screen sharing. Search functionality will prioritize local content over web results, with an option to disable web results entirely. Cloud-assisted setup and recovery will become a default setting for eligible Microsoft Entra devices, automatically saving configuration settings and app lists. Copilot will be more integrated into daily operations, including a dockable side panel in File Explorer. Updates will also be made to traditional system tools, including a modernized Run dialog and enhanced security for administrator-level operations. The support timeline for Windows 11 installations will reset, with Home and Pro editions receiving 24 months of support and Enterprise and Education editions receiving 36 months. The hardware requirements remain unchanged, and the rollout of 26H2 is anticipated in the latter half of 2026, likely around October.

Winsage

August 7, 2026

Microsoft Flags BNB Chain Malware Campaign Targeting Windows Users

Microsoft has identified a sophisticated malware campaign that uses the infrastructure of BNB Chain to spread harmful code through compromised websites. The attackers deceive visitors into executing malicious commands disguised as standard security checks, exploiting vulnerabilities in conventional website security measures. This campaign affects both businesses and individual users, utilizing ClickFix lures and EtherHiding techniques. An injected Base64-encoded JavaScript communicates with a BNB Smart Chain RPC gateway to facilitate these malicious operations.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

Smarter Business Starts with a Better Operating System—Get Windows 11 Pro for Just $11.23 Right Now

A lifetime license to Microsoft Windows 11 Pro is available for , down from the regular price of 9, valid through August 9 with the promotional code AUG25. Key features include BitLocker for encryption, Hyper-V for virtual machines, Windows Sandbox for secure testing, and Azure AD support. The licensing model is a one-time purchase for a single compatible PC, eliminating recurring fees. Users should confirm their PC meets Windows 11 system requirements before purchasing.

AppWizard

August 5, 2026

Are your Android apps secretly sharing your location with advertisers? Some developers are accidentally leaving on this critical data-invading setting when using third-party SDKs

Developers often rely on third-party software development kits (SDKs) for mobile app monetization, which can compromise user privacy due to invasive data-collection features. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has raised concerns about these SDKs' default settings that collect sensitive location data without explicit user consent. Location data is valuable for advertisers, allowing targeted marketing, but permissions granted to apps often extend to SDKs, enabling data collection without informed consent. The EFF emphasizes that app-level location permissions do not signify meaningful consent for third-party SDKs. The location data collected has been used by intelligence agencies and law enforcement, raising ethical privacy concerns. The EFF recommends that developers prioritize user privacy, regulators hold app developers accountable for unlawful data sharing, and legislators consider enacting federal laws similar to the GDPR to protect user privacy and potentially ban behavioral advertising.

Winsage

August 5, 2026

How to Disable Windows Recall in Windows 11 Home and Pro

Microsoft's Windows Recall feature captures periodic snapshots of user screens on Copilot+ PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) to create a visual timeline of digital activities. Users can pause, disable, or remove Windows Recall on Windows 11 Home or Pro, but system updates may reactivate it. Methods to disable Windows Recall include: 1. Settings Toggle: Users can turn off snapshot collection through the Privacy & Security settings and reset recorded history. 2. Windows Optional Features: Users can uninstall the Recall feature via the optional features menu. 3. Group Policy Management: Windows 11 Pro users can block Recall through the Group Policy Editor. 4. Registry Editor Modification: Windows 11 Home users can modify the registry to disable Recall, though this method carries risks. Each method requires specific steps and may necessitate a system restart to take effect.