personal accounts Archives

AppWizard

June 15, 2026

Facebook, Messenger, Instagram outage trends on X

On the evening of June 12, 2026, users in the Philippines and globally reported widespread outages on Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. At approximately 8:54 a.m. US time, Downdetector recorded over 113,000 outage reports, with 56% related to the mobile app, 25% to login difficulties, and 13% to the website. Meta's communications director, Andy Stone, acknowledged the issue on X, stating the company was working to restore services. Users expressed confusion and humor about the situation, with many fearing their accounts had been hacked. The outage affected millions worldwide, and the spike in traffic to Downdetector's site caused it to temporarily crash. Users felt relief upon realizing the outages were a global issue rather than isolated incidents.

Tech Optimizer

May 21, 2026

What the Tech? Antivirus protection for your smartphone

Most users do not require an antivirus app on their smartphones, as the predominant threats are scams such as phishing texts and fraudulent websites rather than traditional viruses. iPhones operate on a design that isolates apps, limiting the effectiveness of antivirus software, while Android devices allow sideloading, which can increase the risk of malware. The real danger lies in deception tactics used by cybercriminals, making personal account security more important than antivirus software. To enhance security, users should keep their operating systems updated, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, avoid suspicious links, and refrain from installing apps from unknown sources. Antivirus apps may be beneficial for users who frequently click on unverified links, download files from unfamiliar sites, or engage in Android sideloading. Reputable security apps focus on scam detection and web protection rather than traditional virus scanning.

AppWizard

April 10, 2026

I didn’t know how much I needed Gemini’s scheduled actions until I tried them

Megan Ellis, a user of the Gemini app, has found scheduled actions to be a valuable feature that automates routine tasks, saving her time and enhancing her productivity. Scheduled actions allow users to set automated prompts for the chatbot to generate responses at designated intervals, such as weekly or monthly reports and daily news summaries. Access to this feature varies by account type: personal accounts require Google AI Pro or Ultra plans, while work and school accounts have access limited to specific Google Workspace editions. To set up a scheduled action, users can chat with the AI, input a prompt, and instruct Gemini to repeat the action at specified times. Notifications alert users when their scheduled actions are ready. Megan uses scheduled actions to receive weekly summaries of consumer tech news and curated series recommendations, helping her stay informed and manage her viewing preferences. She wishes the feature were available to free users with some limitations.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

Russia’s Max Messenger Down Amid Efforts to Curb Telegram

Max, a state-run messaging application in Russia, is facing operational challenges as authorities increase efforts to restrict access to Telegram. Users have reported issues such as the app failing to launch, inability to send or receive messages, and loss of chat histories. Complaints have primarily come from major cities, including Moscow and St. Petersburg. This is the second outage for Max within three days, with the previous disruption on March 30. Despite being marketed as a reliable alternative, the app's reliability is questioned as Roskomnadzor plans to block Telegram on April 1. Over 6,600 complaints regarding Telegram were documented in the past 24 hours, with accessibility reportedly reduced to around 30%. Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, criticized the government's actions as an attempt to force citizens to use Max, which he claims is designed for surveillance and political censorship. The situation stems from Roskomnadzor's intention to block Telegram, first announced on February 10, following a complete ban on WhatsApp and other restricted platforms.

AppWizard

April 1, 2026

NCSC warns of messaging app targeting | National Cyber Security Centre

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued guidelines for individuals vulnerable to targeted attacks via messaging applications, particularly due to increased malicious activities from actors based in Russia. High-risk individuals, such as those with access to sensitive information, are especially susceptible. Past incidents involve state-affiliated groups like APT31 from China, the Russian FSB actor Star Blizzard, and Iran's IRGC targeting government officials. Attackers may use deceptive methods to obtain login codes, add devices to accounts, infiltrate group chats, impersonate contacts, and execute phishing attempts. To mitigate risks, individuals should avoid sharing sensitive information via messaging apps, use corporate services for work-related communications, refrain from sharing verification codes, activate two-step verification, utilize passkeys, regularly review linked devices, stay alert for impersonations, and consider using disappearing messages. The NCSC also provides guidance for enhancing account and device security for high-risk individuals.

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.