patterns Archives

Winsage

February 11, 2026

Prometei Botnet: Windows Server Takeover & Monero Mining

Cookies play a crucial role in digital analytics by tracking user behavior on websites. Common cookies like tuuid, tuuidlastupdate, um, and umeh collect data on site visits, including frequency, duration, and specific pages accessed. Cookies such as nascx are used by social sharing platforms to record visited sections and recommend related content. APID and IDSYNC gather anonymous user visit data to inform marketing strategies. Demographic and geographical data are collected by cookies like ccaud, cccc, ccdc, and ccid to create targeted advertising campaigns. The dpm cookie links user navigation with offline survey data for targeted ads. Unique identifiers such as acs, clid, KRTBCOOKIE_#, PUBMDCID, and PugT help identify users across visits for targeted advertising. Security-focused cookies like SIDCC protect user data, while Google’s reCAPTCHA measures user interactions. Cookies like utmx and utmxx are used in A/B testing to optimize website performance and user satisfaction.

Tech Optimizer

February 11, 2026

Hackers Used Hugging Face to Distribute Android Banking Trojans

Cybersecurity researchers have identified a malware campaign that exploited Hugging Face's AI infrastructure to distribute Android banking trojans. The attackers used a deceptive app called TrustBastion, which tricked users into installing what appeared to be legitimate security software. Upon installation, the app redirected users to an encrypted endpoint that linked to Hugging Face repositories, allowing the malware to evade traditional security measures. The campaign generated new malware variants every 15 minutes, resulting in over 6,000 commits in about 29 days. It infected thousands of victims globally, particularly in regions with high smartphone banking usage but lower mobile security awareness. The operation is believed to be linked to an established cybercriminal group. Security experts warn that this incident highlights vulnerabilities in trusted platforms and calls for improved security measures, including behavioral analysis systems and verification of application authenticity. The incident has also sparked discussions about the need for enhanced security protocols for AI platforms.

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Trust Me, I Nailed It is a turn-based strategy game where you make sick video edits of a really rubbish hero

Trust Me, I Nailed It is a turn-based strategy game that allows players to create video edits transforming a warrior into a legendary monster slayer. The game features a fictional software called World Movie Weaver, reminiscent of Windows Movie Maker, where players manage enemy attack patterns on a grid-based battlefield. Players can orchestrate movements, execute attacks, and block damage using clips, with modifiers allowing for teleportation and invulnerability. The narrative unfolds through emails and posts on the Mana Scroll Network, enhancing player engagement. The game will be available for free on February 6th.

AppWizard

January 30, 2026

DoubleVerify warns of ‘zombie’ Android app fraud surge

DoubleVerify has raised concerns about a mobile scam involving the hijacking of dormant Android developer accounts, referred to as "zombie" accounts, which are exploited to publish fraudulent gaming applications on Google Play. This new tactic allows fraudsters to bypass automated checks due to the accounts' history of legitimate activity. The fraudulent apps generate invalid traffic, drain advertiser budgets, and excessively consume device battery power. DoubleVerify has identified unusual traffic patterns, such as surges at early morning hours, which do not align with typical gaming behavior, indicating the presence of bot clusters generating ad requests. Specific examples include dormant accounts that suddenly shifted to publishing gaming apps after years of inactivity. The reliance on developer history as a trust signal poses risks for advertisers, as it can lead to distorted campaign measurements and brand risks. DoubleVerify advocates for real-time behavioral analysis to enhance detection and protection against these threats.

Winsage

January 29, 2026

Microsoft’s Quiet Exodus: Why Enterprise Developers Are Abandoning Windows for Linux Workstations

Microsoft developers and enterprise technology leaders are increasingly choosing Linux over Windows for development tasks, driven by performance concerns, workflow inefficiencies, and the rise of cloud-native development. The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has facilitated this shift by allowing developers to work in a Linux environment while still using Windows. Tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and Terraform, which are primarily designed for Linux, have led to a reevaluation of desktop strategies across various industries. Linux provides direct access to the same kernel and toolchain used in production, reducing discrepancies that can lead to bugs. It typically requires less memory at idle compared to Windows, making it more efficient for developers managing multiple containers or virtual machines. Microsoft has responded by investing in platform-agnostic tools like Visual Studio Code and embracing Linux on its Azure cloud platform, where over 50% of virtual machines run Linux. The introduction of WSL2 has improved compatibility and performance, but it has also highlighted Windows' limitations, leading to frustrations among developers. Security considerations favor Linux due to its open-source nature, allowing for greater customization and auditing. Financially, Linux can be more economical for enterprises due to lower licensing costs and reduced hardware requirements. Organizations that have switched to Linux report significant improvements in build times and overall developer experience. Hybrid strategies are emerging to accommodate developer preferences while ensuring security, with cloud-based development environments gaining traction. The trend toward Linux workstations reflects broader industry movements toward open source and platform independence, as companies adapt to attract and retain technical talent.

AppWizard

January 29, 2026

‘Secret’ car button can save lost drivers without opening Google Maps…

News Group Newspapers Limited has reminded users of its strict policies against automated access to its content, prohibiting data mining and activities related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, or large language models. For commercial use inquiries, users can contact crawlpermission@news.co.uk. Legitimate users mistakenly flagged by the system are encouraged to reach out to customer support at help@thesun.co.uk for clarification.

AppWizard

January 28, 2026

Man sues Minecraft and Fortnite saying they fueled his video game addiction

A video game player, Cayden Breeden, has filed a lawsuit against the creators of Fortnite and Minecraft, as well as Microsoft, in the New York Southern District Court, claiming he developed an addiction to these games. The 56-page complaint alleges that the companies failed to implement necessary safeguards against gaming addiction, which Breeden argues poses significant risks to players. He accuses the companies of negligence and fraud, stating that their business practices are deceptive and exacerbate gaming addiction for profit. Breeden describes his gaming habits as compulsive and disordered, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms such as anger and antisocial behavior. He is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, and attorney's fees. This lawsuit reflects a growing trend of legal actions against game developers for practices that encourage addictive behaviors, with similar cases being filed in recent years.

Tech Optimizer

January 28, 2026

Top Android Antivirus Apps for 2026: Reviews and Key Features

Android users face increasing cyber threats as we approach 2026, with AI-driven malware and ransomware becoming more prevalent. The antivirus market has evolved to include advanced features like real-time threat intelligence and integrated privacy tools. Norton Mobile Security is noted for its machine learning-powered malware detection, VPN, app advisor, and dark web monitoring, achieving a 99.9% detection rate. TotalAV offers user-friendly antivirus scanning and system optimization, with features like real-time phishing protection and cloud-based scanning. Aura Antivirus combines antivirus with identity theft protection and family safety features, excelling in AI-driven behavioral analysis. Bitdefender Mobile Security is recognized for its lightweight design, anti-theft features, and effective web protection. McAfee Mobile Security provides secure Wi-Fi scanning and IoT integration, with high user satisfaction reported. Norton leads in predictive analytics, while TotalAV includes a VPN for remote workers. Aura offers family-oriented tools and compliance-friendly features, incorporating blockchain technology for secure identity verification. Bitdefender is efficient in battery usage and has a high detection rate. McAfee supports multi-device protection and has strong customer support. Norton’s dark web monitoring helps prevent identity theft, and TotalAV blocks trackers and ads. Aura links antivirus protection to financial security with credit monitoring. Bitdefender automates threat responses and has a strong anti-ransomware module. McAfee scans for vulnerabilities in smart devices and provides threat intelligence feeds. Future developments may include quantum-resistant encryption. TotalAV is praised for its user interface, while Aura encourages user feedback for improvements. Bitdefender uses machine learning to reduce false positives, and McAfee employs predictive modeling for personalized security. Organizations must evaluate antivirus solutions based on integration with existing security frameworks, cost, and performance impact. Emerging trends include biometric authentication and deeper hardware-level security protections.

Tech Optimizer

January 27, 2026

Not a virus: What it means and why antivirus flags it

The term “not a virus” is used by antivirus software to indicate that a file does not match known malware signatures but still triggers a detection. This means the file is not automatically blocked or confirmed as a threat; the alert highlights something unusual, leaving the decision to the user. Alerts typically arise when software exhibits behavior associated with increased risk, despite lacking clear evidence of malicious intent. Malware is specifically designed to inflict harm, while files labeled “not a virus” may perform actions that raise security concerns but are not classified as harmful. Antivirus programs identify threats through signature detection and heuristic behavior-based detection. Legitimate programs, such as system utilities, download managers, and game cheats, can inadvertently trigger “not a virus” alerts. Common types of detections include adware, riskware, and potentially unwanted applications (PUA). The primary security risk of “not a virus” files is exposure rather than direct attacks, and privacy concerns often arise from data collection by these programs. If an antivirus detects “not a virus,” users should identify the file, review recent changes, compare detections, and decide whether to keep or remove it. To reduce unwanted alerts, users should download from official sources, use custom installation options, and remove unused software.

Tech Optimizer

January 27, 2026

EDB Announces Industry-First Book for Building Sovereign Data and AI Platforms with PostgreSQL

EnterpriseDB (EDB) has released a publication titled "Building a Data and AI Platform with PostgreSQL," authored by experts in PostgreSQL and data platforms. The book aims to guide executives and architects in transitioning generative and agentic AI into production-ready platforms. Research from EDB shows that while 95% of organizations plan to establish AI platforms in the next three years, only 35% currently use PostgreSQL for complex workloads, with just 13% achieving success at scale. The book emphasizes the importance of foundational platform design for successful AI deployment and offers a framework for establishing a platform mindset, identifying necessary architecture and governance, and mitigating data challenges. It has received endorsements from industry leaders, highlighting its practical guidance for moving AI from pilot projects to production. The book is available for purchase and will be distributed at the NVIDIA GTC 2026 conference.