personal accounts Archives

AppWizard

March 31, 2026

Zero ceases trading with banking app to shut down today

Fintech app Zero ceased trading on March 18 due to its inability to secure additional funding. It plans to keep the app operational until March 31, but this is not guaranteed. There are over 21,500 registered users affected by the closure, which includes Zero Personal Accounts, Zero Debit Mastercards, and Planet Safe Savers. Users are advised to withdraw funds as soon as possible. Zero Personal Accounts are linked to UK current accounts, allowing users to withdraw funds back to these accounts. Funds in e-money accounts are not safeguarded by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For Planet Safe Saver accounts, funds must be transferred to a personal account before withdrawal, with transfers potentially taking until 1pm the following day to process. Any deposits not moved by around March 26 will be automatically transferred to the Zero Personal Account. Cash in the Planet Safe Saver is fully FSCS protected.

AppWizard

March 22, 2026

Russian Intelligence targets American messaging app users, FBI says

FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that hackers linked to Russian intelligence are targeting the messaging accounts of high-profile U.S. individuals, including current and former government officials, military personnel, political figures, and journalists. The FBI has identified these cyber actors, who have gained unauthorized access to thousands of accounts globally, allowing them to view private messages, send impersonating messages, and conduct phishing attempts. The campaign specifically targets users of commercial messaging applications like Signal, which has been blocked in Russia due to alleged legal violations. Dutch intelligence agencies reported that Russian hackers are also engaged in a global cyber campaign against WhatsApp and Signal accounts, using phishing tactics to access sensitive information. Signal acknowledged recent targeted phishing attacks leading to account takeovers. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, its cyber operations have increasingly focused on disruptive tactics against Western allies.

TrendTechie

March 14, 2026

МТС начал взимать ежедневную плату за использование VPN

MTS, a major mobile operator in Russia, has reclassified virtual private networks (VPNs) as equivalent to torrent services, imposing a daily fee of up to 87 rubles for users who wish to engage in private browsing. Traffic routed through VPNs will no longer be included in standard service packages, leading to additional charges for accessing blocked resources or securing connections. The new tariff structure charges users based on their region and plan, with fees ranging from 80 to 87 rubles per day for a quota of five gigabytes of specialized traffic. Users can block this service to avoid charges, resulting in the complete unavailability of VPN connections. This policy is seen as a response to pressures for new monetization strategies and aligns with government efforts to limit internet circumvention. The potential for other major telecom operators to adopt similar practices could impact net neutrality in Russia.

Winsage

March 12, 2026

Microsoft Introduces Phishing-Resistant Windows Sign-Ins With Entra Passkeys

Microsoft will introduce phishing-resistant passwordless authentication through passkeys for Windows devices, integrated with Microsoft Entra. This feature is expected to enter public preview between mid-March and late April 2026 for global tenants, while government cloud environments will receive the update from mid-April to mid-May. Users can access Entra-protected resources using device-bound passkeys stored securely within Windows Hello, allowing authentication through biometric or local verification methods. This update expands passwordless authentication to unmanaged or personal Windows devices. Passkeys utilize public-key cryptography, enhancing security by storing a private key on the device and registering a matching public key with the service. Each passkey is uniquely associated with a specific device and cannot be exported or synchronized. Organizations must enable the Passkeys (FIDO2) authentication method in Entra for the preview. This initiative is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to eliminate passwords, responding to rising cybersecurity concerns related to password-based authentication.

Winsage

March 11, 2026

Microsoft brings phishing-resistant Windows sign-ins via Entra passkeys

Microsoft is introducing passkey support for Microsoft Entra on Windows devices, enabling phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication through Windows Hello. The feature will be available on an opt-in basis in public preview from mid-March to late April 2026 for global tenants, with a subsequent rollout for government cloud environments from mid-April to mid-May. This feature extends passwordless sign-in to unmanaged Windows devices, reducing reliance on traditional password-based methods. Passkeys are device-bound, stored in the Windows Hello container, and cannot be synced across devices. IT administrators must enable the Passkeys (FIDO2) authentication method within Entra's Authentication Methods policies to participate in the public preview. Additionally, Microsoft announced that all new Microsoft accounts will be "passwordless by default" starting in May 2025, following the rollout of passkey authentication for personal accounts in 2024.

AppWizard

December 17, 2025

Google warns all Android users to delete ‘fake apps’ as urgent advice issued

Android users are warned about fraudulent VPN applications that pose significant security threats by installing malware on devices and compromising personal and banking information. These malicious apps mimic reputable VPNs and use enticing advertisements to lure users. Once installed, they can introduce various forms of malware, including trojans and remote access tools, leading to severe consequences such as unauthorized access to personal accounts and financial loss. Cybercriminals employ sophisticated tactics, including professional advertising and AI-generated content, to create an illusion of legitimacy. Google advises users to download VPN services only from trusted sources, look for the verified VPN badge on the Google Play Store, and be cautious of free VPN services that may collect excessive data or contain malware.

AppWizard

December 15, 2025

Meta Shuts Down Standalone Messenger Desktop App on December 15, 2025

Meta Platforms Inc. will discontinue its standalone Messenger desktop application for Windows and macOS on December 15, 2025. Users will be directed to use browser-based access or the main Facebook platform instead. The Messenger app was introduced to compete with video communication tools but has seen a decline in usage as users prefer mobile devices and web browsers. The shutdown will affect businesses that use Messenger for customer service, impacting features like notifications and offline message queuing. Users have expressed frustration over potential loss of chat histories and concerns about increased dependency on Meta's web portal. Alternatives like Signal and Telegram may attract former users. Meta's decision reflects a broader industry trend toward prioritizing mobile experiences and could allow the company to focus resources on metaverse development and AI features.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

New Windows 11 AI agents can work in the background but create new security risks

Microsoft has introduced "experimental agentic features" in the latest Windows 11 build for Windows Insider Program testers, which includes a feature called Copilot Actions. These agentic features are designed to autonomously perform tasks such as organizing files, scheduling meetings, and sending emails, acting as an "active digital collaborator" to enhance user productivity. The features are currently optional, off by default, and available only in early test builds. To address potential risks, Microsoft has implemented a strategy where AI agents operate under separate user accounts, ensuring they cannot make significant system changes without user approval. Agents maintain activity logs for accountability, and users can supervise their operations.

Winsage

September 16, 2025

Google’s new Windows desktop app brings a Spotlight-like search bar to PC

Google is piloting a search application for Windows users that allows seamless searching of local files, Google Drive content, and the web using the Alt + Space shortcut. The app requires users to sign in for a personalized experience and integrates Google Lens for image selection and text translation. It offers various result toggles, including AI Mode, Images, Shopping, and Videos, and features customizable dark and light modes. The app places a search bar on the desktop that can be resized and minimized with the shortcut. It is currently available in English for users in the United States with Windows 10 or later. Users can activate the experiment in Google’s Search Labs.

AppWizard

June 27, 2025

Your Android phone is getting a big security upgrade for free

Google has introduced various security features for Android users to protect against scams and malware. Key enhancements include: 1. Protection against scam calls with warnings and blocking actions related to disabling Google Play Protect, sideloading apps, and granting accessibility permissions. Screen sharing reminders will be provided on devices running Android 6 or higher. 2. In-call protections for banking apps, alerting users to potential risks when sharing screens with unknown callers, available for participating banks on devices running Android 11 or higher. 3. Improved scam detection in Google Messages, targeting various types of scams, including job scams, cryptocurrency scams, and technical support scams. 4. The Key Verifier tool for verifying contact identities through public encryption keys, ensuring private conversations. 5. Enhanced mobile theft protection with the Identity Check tool expanding to more devices running Android 16, reinforced protections against unauthorized factory resets, and hidden one-time passwords on the lock screen. 6. An Advanced Protection Program for targeted attacks, cryptographically verifying login operations on devices running Android 16. 7. Improvements to Google Play Protect, utilizing new on-device rules for malware detection and providing warnings about potentially malicious apps. 8. Ongoing commitment to enhancing overall Android security with each new version and updates to Google Play services.