plugin Archives

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Announcing the Microsoft Store Awards 2025 winners

The Microsoft Store Awards recognized exceptional applications that enhance user experiences within the Windows ecosystem. AI Assistants category: - Winner: Perplexity by Perplexity AI - Features native voice dictation, multi-modal AI search, and deep desktop integration for rapid research. - Winner: ChatGPT by OpenAI - Provides instant answers, direct image and file uploads, and enterprise-level privacy controls. Business category: - Winner: Invoice Maker & Estimate Creator by Moon Technolabs Pvt. Ltd. - Streamlines finance tasks with customizable templates and real-time payment tracking. Computer-Using Agents (CUA) category: - Winner: Manus by Manus AI - Automates complex tasks within a secure sandbox and allows users to guide ongoing actions. Creativity category: - Winner: n-Track Studio by n-Track S.r.I. - Transforms devices into recording studios with support for unlimited tracks and advanced effects. Developer Tools category: - Winner: ngrok by ngrok - Facilitates secure tunneling and remote access with automatic updates and compatibility with Windows Defender. Education category: - Winner: Scratch 3 by Scratch Foundation - Empowers students in computational thinking through engaging projects and block coding. Game category: - Winner: Castle Craft by Clever Apps Pte Ltd - Offers an immersive gaming experience with dynamic resource merging and family-friendly design. Music category: - Winner: Moises Live by Moises Systems, Inc - Leverages real-time AI audio separation technology for remixing and practice. Productivity category: - Winner: Notion by Notion Labs Inc - Consolidates tasks and notes into a searchable workspace with automation features. Each winner will receive a Store Award Winner badge in the Microsoft Store.

Winsage

November 23, 2025

6 classic Windows XP apps I miss

Windows XP was a pivotal moment in personal computing, characterized by a unique charm and user-friendly built-in tools. Six notable applications from this era include: - Windows Movie Maker: A user-friendly video editing tool with drag-and-drop functionality that introduced many to video editing. - Windows Media Player: Known for its clean interface and swift performance, it featured iconic visualizations and a library view that many modern media applications struggle to replicate. - MSN Messenger: A popular messaging tool that allowed for self-expression through custom emoticons and personalized screen names, influencing modern messaging platforms. - Space Cadet Pinball: A built-in game that became a cultural touchstone for Windows XP users, evoking fond memories associated with the operating system. - Winamp: A lightweight music playback application known for its customizable interface and robust performance, creating a personal experience for users. - Microsoft Plus!: A premium customization pack that offered wallpapers, themes, and updates for core applications, adding charm to the operating system. These applications marked a groundbreaking moment in software development, shaping user interactions with technology.

Winsage

November 17, 2025

Windows 11 users just got a more convenient way to store passkeys – here’s how it works

The technology behind passkeys involves cryptographic keys and standards like FIDO2 and WebAuthn, but users can enhance their security by creating passkeys whenever offered by websites or apps, using face recognition, fingerprints, or PINs. Users can accumulate multiple passkeys for easier sign-in across services. 1Password is set to integrate a new native passkeys plugin API with Windows 11, allowing users to manage passkeys through 1Password while using Windows Hello for authentication. This integration requires the latest version of Windows 11 and the MSIX version of the 1Password app. Users can enable the passkey feature in 1Password and designate it as the system authenticator in Windows settings. Other password managers may also adopt this integration, and Windows is introducing its own passkey sync mechanism through the Microsoft Password Manager in Edge. Passkeys do not replace existing credentials but serve as a secure alternative to usernames and passwords, with some services offering fully passwordless options.

Tech Optimizer

November 13, 2025

Hackers Using RMM Tools LogMeIn and PDQ Connect to Deploy Malware as Legitimate Software

Cybersecurity researchers at AhnLab Security Intelligence Center (ASEC) have discovered an attack campaign that uses legitimate Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools, specifically LogMeIn Resolve and PDQ Connect, to deploy backdoor malware on users' systems. Attackers lure victims to fake download sites that mimic legitimate software pages for utilities like Notepad++, 7-Zip, and VLC Media Player, delivering modified versions of LogMeIn Resolve. The malicious installers are disguised with filenames such as "notepad++.exe" and "chatgpt.exe." Once executed, these files install the RMM tool and additional malware capable of stealing sensitive information. ASEC has identified three CompanyId values associated with the attacks: 8347338797131280000, 1995653637248070000, and 4586548334491120000. The malware, known as PatoRAT, is a Delphi-developed backdoor that gathers system information and has extensive malicious capabilities, including keylogging and remote desktop access. Users are advised to download software only from official websites and verify digital signatures, while organizations should monitor for unauthorized RMM installations and the identified indicators of compromise.

Winsage

November 13, 2025

Windows 11 now supports 3rd-party apps for native passkey management

Microsoft has introduced native support for third-party passkey managers on Windows 11, including 1Password and Bitwarden, as part of a collaborative effort that resulted in a passkey API. This feature was rolled out with the November 2025 security update. Passkeys adhere to FIDO2/WebAuthn standards and utilize private-public key cryptography, eliminating traditional passwords. Windows generates a key pair upon registration on a passkey-enabled site, storing the private key securely. Users verify their identity using Windows Hello, which enhances security through PIN and biometric authentication. The integration allows for synchronization across Windows devices when signed into Edge with the same Microsoft account, with security measures including Azure Managed Hardware Security Modules and Azure Confidential Compute. Microsoft Edge version 142 and later introduced passkey saving and syncing capabilities, and Bitwarden launched its “Log in with Passkeys” feature in January 2024. Bitwarden's integration with Windows 11 is currently in beta.

Winsage

November 12, 2025

Windows just got native passkey support for one of my favorite password managers

Microsoft is enhancing Windows 11 with native support for passkeys and integrating password managers 1Password and Bitwarden. This update, which aims to improve security and user access, will be fully available with the Windows November 2025 security update. Users can create and save passkeys directly within Windows using the Microsoft Password Manager, and both 1Password and Bitwarden can integrate seamlessly into the Windows environment. The new capabilities allow users to save, manage, and use passkeys across browsers and native apps, with authentication using Windows Hello. Bitwarden has expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with Microsoft, emphasizing the secure management of credentials on Windows.

TrendTechie

November 12, 2025

Релиз qBittorrent 5.1.3

On November 11, 2025, qBittorrent 5.1.3 was released as an open-source torrent client, building on its previous version 5.0 from September 2024. It is compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS and is available on GitHub under the GPLv2+ license. Key features include an integrated search engine, RSS feed subscription, remote control via a web interface, sequential downloading, advanced settings for torrents, bandwidth scheduling, IP filtering, torrent creation interface, and support for UPnP and NAT-PMP. Version 5.1.3 focused on bug fixes, including a correction in the WEBUI for reverse proxy functionality, restoration of application and plugin update checks, updated translations, and resolution of an automatic language detection issue on macOS. It includes updates to libtorrent versions 1.2.20+git3ae563b043 and 2.0.11+git195f94d4a1, Qt 6.9.3, and Boost versions 1.86/1.89.

Winsage

November 11, 2025

1Password can now save passkeys directly in Windows 11

A new Windows API allows third-party applications to manage passkeys more effectively, with 1Password being the first password manager to adopt this innovation. The integration enables 1Password to act as the credential manager on Windows 11, allowing users to create and manage passkeys easily while using Windows Hello for authentication. This feature is available to anyone running the latest version of Windows 11 and the newly released MSIX version of the 1Password app. Users can enable the passkey feature through the 1Password application or manually in Windows settings. Once configured, Windows will use the selected credential manager instead of its default settings. Other password managers like Bitwarden and Dashlane may follow with similar support. Passkeys serve as a convenient alternative to traditional username and password combinations but do not replace existing credentials.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

China-Linked Hackers Exploit Windows Shortcut Flaw to Target European Diplomats

A China-affiliated threat actor, UNC6384, has been conducting cyber attacks targeting diplomatic and governmental entities in Europe, including Hungary, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Serbia. These attacks exploit an unpatched Windows shortcut vulnerability (CVE-2025-9491) through spear-phishing emails that appear relevant to diplomatic events. The emails deliver malicious LNK files that deploy PlugX malware via DLL side-loading. PlugX is a remote access trojan that allows extensive control over compromised systems and has been linked to another hacking group, Mustang Panda. Microsoft Defender can detect these attacks, and Smart App Control provides additional protection. The LNK file executes a PowerShell command to extract a TAR archive containing a legitimate utility, a malicious DLL, and an encrypted PlugX payload. The size of the malicious artifacts has decreased significantly, indicating ongoing evolution. UNC6384 has also begun using HTML Application files to load external JavaScript for retrieving malicious payloads, aligning with Chinese intelligence objectives regarding European defense policies.

AppWizard

October 28, 2025

Arattai Rising: Can India’s Homegrown Messenger Challenge WhatsApp’s Throne?

Arattai, a messaging app in India, gained significant traction in September and October 2025, reaching over 5 million downloads on certain days and surpassing established platforms like Telegram and Snapchat. Its rise was supported by media attention, endorsements from government officials, and alignment with Prime Minister Modi's Swadeshi initiative. Union Home Minister Amit Shah's switch to Zoho email led to a 100-fold increase in Arattai's traffic within three days. The app offers end-to-end encryption for voice and video calls but lacks full encryption for text messages by default. It has a “secret chat” feature and plans to implement comprehensive encryption. User data is stored in Indian data centers, and the app aims to maintain a privacy-focused approach without relying on public cloud providers. Arattai faces challenges in competing with WhatsApp, which has over 500 million users and offers extensive features such as UPI payments and default encryption. For long-term success, Arattai needs to standardize encryption, enhance its infrastructure, and build an ecosystem with integrated payment solutions and business tools. Overcoming user inertia from WhatsApp, establishing a strong brand identity, and navigating regulatory scrutiny are also critical for its growth.