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AppWizard

July 29, 2026

There’s now an app that brings Samsung Messages back from the dead

Samsung has discontinued its native messaging app in the U.S., prompting the emergence of a new application called Messages by OzarksMade, which aims to replicate the Samsung Messages experience. This app closely resembles the original Samsung Messages in layout and design, including a similar app icon. Messages by OzarksMade supports SMS, MMS, group messaging, scheduled messaging, local backups, and RCS through a "Companion Mode" that utilizes Google Messages in the background. There is also a standalone mode for users who do not require RCS. The app is currently available for beta sign-ups on the Google Play Store, with plans for a full release priced at [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Samsung's recent decision to discontinue its native messaging app in the U.S. has left many long-time Galaxy users feeling adrift, forced to adapt to Google Messages and its unfamiliar interface. In response to this shift, a new application named Messages by OzarksMade has emerged, aiming to recreate the beloved Samsung Messages experience. Familiarity at Its Core The standout feature of Messages by OzarksMade is its striking resemblance to Samsung Messages. The developer has crafted an interface that mirrors the layout and design of the original app, including an icon that echoes its predecessor. This attention to detail is intended for users who prefer the aesthetics of Samsung’s messaging platform and are reluctant to transition to the distinctly different Google Messages. Messages by OzarksMade boasts a comprehensive suite of features, including: SMS and MMS support Group messaging capabilities Scheduled messaging Local backups RCS support through a unique “Companion Mode” It’s worth noting that the RCS functionality operates via Google Messages in the background, as third-party developers lack direct access to Google's RCS infrastructure. For users who do not require RCS, the app also offers a standalone mode for SMS and MMS messaging. While the app's premise is intriguing, potential users should exercise caution. As with any new application handling sensitive data such as text messages, it’s advisable to thoroughly evaluate its performance before designating it as the default messaging solution. Furthermore, it’s essential to remember that this app is not an official Samsung product, despite its close visual alignment with Samsung Messages. The app's design could raise legal questions, particularly regarding intellectual property rights. Samsung may take issue with the app's resemblance to its own messaging platform, potentially leading to challenges if it perceives infringement on its branding or interface. For those nostalgic for Samsung Messages, the app presents an interesting alternative. Currently, it is open for beta sign-ups on the Google Play Store, with plans for a full release priced at [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: Joe Maring / Android AuthorityTL;DR A new app called Messages by OzarksMade promises to recreate the Samsung Messages experience after Samsung discontinued its native messaging app in the US. The app clones Samsung Messages’ look, feel, and even its app icon while offering SMS, MMS, and even RCS support. Interestingly, RCS support is offered through a “Companion Mode” that uses Google Messages in the background. Samsung officially pulled the plug on Samsung Messages in the US earlier this month. Much to their disappointment, long-term Galaxy users have had to switch to Google Messages and become familiar with a brand-new interface after years of using Samsung Messages. Now, a new app called Messages by OzarksMade is trying to recreate the Samsung Messages experience almost entirely.The app’s biggest selling point is familiarity. The screenshots shared by the developer, Messages by OzarksMade, look remarkably similar to Samsung Messages, right down to the interface, layout, and even the app icon, which is clearly also inspired by Samsung Messages. The developers say that the app is designed for One UI and Galaxy users who miss Samsung’s messaging experience and don’t want to switch to Google Messages’ different design. According to the developer, the app supports SMS, MMS, group messaging, scheduled messages, local backups, and even RCS. However, there’s an important catch: RCS works through a “Companion Mode” that uses Google Messages in the background, since third-party developers don’t have direct access to Google’s RCS infrastructure. There’s also a standalone mode for SMS and MMS if you don’t need RCS.We haven’t had a chance to try the app ourselves, so we can’t verify how well it works or whether it delivers on its promise of being a Samsung Messages substitute. As with any new app that handles your text messages, it’s worth being cautious before making it your default messaging app. You should also remember that this isn’t an official Samsung product, despite how closely it resembles one. That resemblance could also become an issue. The app intentionally mimics Samsung Messages’ design, and while we’re unsure whether it crosses any legal lines, Samsung could challenge it if it believes its branding, interface, or other intellectual property has been copied too closely.For users who miss Samsung Messages, though, that’s also what makes this app interesting. Whether it sticks around for the long term is another question entirely.The app is currently open for beta sign-ups through the Google Play Store. The developer’s website notes that once it is officially released, it’ll cost $0.99. Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting." temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].99." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].99. However, it is not an official Samsung product, and its design may raise potential legal issues regarding intellectual property rights.

Tech Optimizer

July 28, 2026

ClamAV Setup: Linux Antivirus in 12 Steps [2026]

Malware can threaten Linux systems, which are often mistakenly believed to be immune to viruses. It can be introduced through email attachments, infected files, or compromised plugins, especially when Linux servers interact with Windows clients or handle internet uploads. ClamAV is an open-source antivirus engine maintained by Cisco Talos, designed for scanning mail traffic and file uploads. As of mid-2026, the stable release is ClamAV 1.5.x, with version 1.5.2 being the latest patch. To deploy ClamAV, users need root or sudo access on a compatible Linux machine, at least 2 vCPUs and 2GB of RAM, 5GB of free disk space, and outbound HTTPS access to ClamAV’s signature mirrors. The installation process involves several steps, including configuring freshclam for automatic updates, validating detection with the EICAR test file, and setting up cron jobs for regular scans. ClamAV can also be integrated with mail servers and a SIEM for enhanced security. Common pitfalls in deployment include skipping the initial freshclam run and using clamscan instead of clamdscan for repeated scans. ClamAV is free for commercial use and can also scan Windows systems, although it does not replace comprehensive endpoint protection solutions.

Winsage

July 28, 2026

Your Windows Recycle Bin is a privacy risk—here’s how to actually delete your files

The Recycle Bin in Windows, introduced in 1995, serves as a temporary storage for deleted files rather than permanently removing them. When a file is deleted, it is moved to the Recycle Bin, which requires manual emptying or activation of a Storage Sense policy to clear its contents. This can lead to reduced hard drive space for users unaware of its behavior. The Recycle Bin can contain sensitive information, and if someone gains access to a Microsoft account, they can view its contents. Even after emptying the Recycle Bin, data can be recovered unless overwritten, with different recovery processes for solid-state drives (SSDs) due to maintenance routines like the TRIM command. Risks extend beyond physical access, as compromised accounts or malware can access deleted files. To securely delete sensitive files, users can use the Shift + Del shortcut, file shredding applications, and consider encrypting their drives with BitLocker. Specialized shredders for SSDs exist, and users can optimize drives through Windows settings to manage data recovery risks.

AppWizard

July 27, 2026

My parents’ Android phones were ruined by invasive ads. Here’s how I fixed them for good

Mobile advertising on Android devices has seen a rise in deceptive pop-ups that mimic legitimate notifications or system updates, leaving many users, particularly less tech-savvy individuals, vulnerable. A personal experience highlighted this issue when a family member fell for a misleading PDF ad, leading to the installation of multiple fraudulent applications. Recently, similar deceptive ads were encountered on YouTube, raising concerns about the safety of family members who rely on their devices for important tasks. Discussions on platforms like Reddit have pointed out the prevalence of misleading ads on family-friendly platforms. The author expressed a desire to block all ads if companies cannot ensure their safety. To address the issue, the author sought an ad-blocking solution that allows for remote management and network-wide filtering, ultimately choosing NextDNS. This content filtering solution offers a free account with sufficient monthly DNS queries and supports individual profiles for tailored settings. The setup process for NextDNS involves creating profiles for each family member, allowing for distinct settings and blocklists, and configuring devices with the provided DNS-over-TLS endpoint details. While NextDNS is effective, it does not eliminate all ads, particularly those from platforms like YouTube, indicating that additional measures may be necessary for comprehensive security. Regularly reviewing app permissions and uninstalling unnecessary applications are also recommended for enhancing security.

Winsage

July 24, 2026

Microsoft is cracking down on Windows 11 bloatware ads, forces LG to pull McAfee popup

LG will disable the McAfee ad pop-up in its Monitor App Installer following consumer dissatisfaction and Microsoft's intervention. Users reported that the app was silently installed via Windows Update, leading to unsolicited McAfee trial ads. LG stated that McAfee is not installed without user consent and blamed Microsoft's distribution process, but many users experienced the pop-up without prior consent. Microsoft confirmed LG's agreement to disable the pop-up within three days, emphasizing a commitment to improving user experience. The incident highlights concerns over silent installations and the necessity of third-party antivirus software for Windows 11 users.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Google Fined $1 Billion by EU Over Search, Android Practices

European Union regulators fined Google €890 million for unlawfully leveraging its dominance in search and Android to promote its own services. The European Commission found that Google violated the Digital Markets Act by prioritizing its offerings in search results and restricting Android app developers from directing users to alternative payment methods. Google has 60 days to comply with the ruling or face additional penalties of up to 5% of its global annual revenue. Since 2017, Google has faced fines exceeding €10 billion from EU regulators. The ruling reflects the EU's ongoing efforts to regulate Big Tech and ensure fair competition in digital markets.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Building a True Per-App Android Device Spoofer

Device spoofing in Android applications allows developers to manipulate device information, primarily through altering android.os.Build attributes. Existing spoofer applications often fail to modify native system API calls that retrieve genuine device information. Tweaks is a per-app spoofer integrated into AOSP and LineageOS, which changes device properties by modifying memory-mapped files under /dev/properties. It uses a private mount namespace to bind-mount modified property-context files, ensuring only the targeted application receives spoofed values while the rest of the system remains unaffected. The Tweaks app, which is platform-signed, communicates with the TweaksManagerService to write configurations and manage property overrides. The core functionality is handled by propgen, which generates property context files with spoofed values by identifying and patching properties in place. The TweaksManagerService ensures secure interactions and content-addresses generated property areas to allow sharing among apps with identical overrides. The spawn path in ProcessList.startProcess determines whether to apply spoofing based on conditions evaluated by the TweaksLocalService. Security is maintained through SELinux policies, which restrict access to spoofable properties. However, certain elements, such as /proc/self/mountinfo and /system/build.prop, still reveal authentic device information despite the spoofing capabilities of Tweaks. The source code for Tweaks and related patches is available for public access.

Winsage

July 23, 2026

LG monitors are reportedly automatically installing bloatware on Windows 11 PCs, but there’s an apparent fix

LG monitors are automatically installing McAfee bloatware on Windows 11 PCs without user consent, as indicated in the changelog of the LG Monitor App Installer on the Microsoft Store. This installation occurs when an LG monitor is connected, leading to a McAfee pop-up due to automatic installation triggered by Windows Update, which is logged by the Windows Reliability Monitor. Users can prevent this by enabling a setting in the Group Policy Editor to stop automatic downloads of applications linked to device metadata. It is recommended that users who have manually installed the LG monitor app remove it, as McAfee is a core component of the application. Microsoft has not commented on this issue.

BetaBeacon

July 22, 2026

Microsoft is bringing original XBOX games to your PC and handhelds

Microsoft has launched the XBOX Backward Compatibility program on PC, allowing users to play original XBOX games on PCs and handhelds.

Winsage

July 21, 2026

LG admits its monitor app installs bloatware via Windows Update, and Microsoft is letting it happen

A growing number of LG monitor users have reported that connecting their devices to Windows systems results in the automatic installation of the LG Monitor App Installer, which prompts users with a McAfee trial advertisement. YouTuber Gamers Nexus found that connecting an LG UltraGear monitor led to the installation of LG's driver package and the LG Monitor App Installer, with the McAfee pop-up appearing 31 times over 32 boots. This automatic installation is facilitated by device metadata, which Windows uses to download associated applications without user notification. Users must be signed into the Microsoft Store and connected to the internet for this to occur, leading to frustrations about transparency. Reports of unsolicited McAfee pop-ups have been shared on platforms like Reddit, with users confirming the app's installation was logged as part of a Windows Update. LG has acknowledged the inclusion of McAfee in their app updates, promoting a free trial, which has raised privacy concerns. The app's rating on the Microsoft Store has dropped to around 1 out of 5 due to user dissatisfaction. Users can prevent automatic installations by adjusting Group Policy settings, while macOS requires manual approval for third-party applications. Neither Microsoft nor LG has formally addressed the concerns regarding silent installations and McAfee pop-ups.