portals Archives

AppWizard

June 30, 2025

Urgent money requests on messaging apps? Stay alart!

Ensuring safety in the digital realm involves protecting one's entire online presence, especially from breaches of smartphone applications like social media and messaging platforms. Such breaches can lead to fraudulent activities, where scammers impersonate individuals to request money from their contacts. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of urgent financial requests received through messaging apps before taking action. Individuals should exercise caution when sharing personal information online, particularly in messaging groups where information can spread quickly. A real-life example involves a university student whose messaging app was compromised, leading to fraudulent money requests sent to his contacts. To stay safe, individuals should verify requests through different channels, be wary of unusual payment methods, scrutinize messages for odd language, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share personal or banking details. They should also be aware that requests may originate from compromised accounts and report suspicious messages to the app and authorities. Maintaining awareness and skepticism is essential to avoid falling victim to fraud.

Winsage

June 22, 2025

Microsoft to stop pushing older Windows 11 drivers through Windows Update

Microsoft is implementing a policy change in Windows Update that will no longer display older legacy drivers when a newer version is available. This update is being rolled out but does not affect the replacement of newer drivers manually installed from Intel, AMD, or Nvidia. The initiative is described as a “periodic cleanup of drivers from Windows Update,” primarily targeting OEMs. When a driver expires and a newer version exists, the older driver will be removed from Windows Update listings. This cleanup focuses on legacy drivers, and while users may not notice significant changes, it aims to streamline the update process. Future expansions may include expired drivers without replacements, but currently, the focus is on legacy drivers with available updates. OEMs can republish expired drivers with justification. The policy will not resolve issues where manually installed drivers are replaced by older versions via Windows Update, as Windows Update drivers may have higher version numbers despite being older. The policy does not affect users on unsupported hardware, as a driver is only marked as “expired” when a new replacement is available.

AppWizard

June 19, 2025

‘Stargazers’ use fake Minecraft mods to steal player passwords

A malware campaign targeting Minecraft players has been identified, utilizing malicious mods and cheats to infect Windows devices with infostealers that steal sensitive information, including credentials and cryptocurrency wallets. The campaign, orchestrated by the Stargazers Ghost Network, has been active on GitHub and has previously infected over 17,000 systems with a new type of malware. Researchers found around 500 GitHub repositories linked to this operation, disguised as Minecraft mods. The malware employs a Java-based loader that downloads a stealer targeting Minecraft account tokens and user data, as well as Discord and Telegram tokens. It also includes a .NET-based stealer called '44 CALIBER,' which collects data from browsers, VPNs, and applications like Steam and Discord. The stolen data is sent via Discord webhooks, indicating a potential Russian origin for the operators. To protect against these threats, players are advised to download mods from reputable sources and use separate accounts for testing.

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Splitgate 2 review

Splitgate 2 is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by 1047 Games, featuring portals in its gameplay. It is free-to-play and offers cosmetic bundles and a battle pass, and is compatible with the Steam Deck. The game includes a class system with three distinct classes, each having unique abilities, but with minimal differences in weaponry. The maps are designed with narrow corridors and expansive plazas but lack depth and character. The monetization strategy includes multiple tiers of season passes and a cosmetic store, which some find excessive. The battle pass system feels uninspired, and the game struggles to differentiate itself in the battle royale genre, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I grew up playing Halo, I’m tired of playing the same Call of Duty every year, and I wish we could have Titanfall 3!’: Splitgate 2 boss slams the state of shooters as he surprise launches a battle royale mode

Ian Proulx, CEO of 1047 Games, announced a battle royale mode for Splitgate 2 at the Summer Game Fest. This new mode introduces portals into the battle royale format, promising a unique gameplay experience. The game aims to blend elements from popular franchises while maintaining its distinct charm. The announcement has generated significant anticipation among players.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

‘I grew up playing Halo, I’m tired of playing the same Call of Duty every year, and I wish we could have Titanfall 3!’: Splitgate 2 boss slams the state of shooters as he surprise launches a battle royale mode

Ian Proulx, CEO of 1047 Games, announced at the Summer Game Fest that Splitgate 2 now features a battle royale mode, available for players immediately. This new mode has been anticipated by the gaming community, and Proulx noted the game's evolution while expressing nostalgia for classic round-based modes. The integration of portals into the battle royale format aims to provide a unique gameplay experience.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

GTA-style action meets Minecraft-style creation: Everything we know about Everywhere

Leslie Benzies, the former lead developer of the Grand Theft Auto series, is set to release his first game, MindsEye, on June 10, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. MindsEye is an action-adventure game set in the world of Everywhere, an upcoming open-world, massively multiplayer online game developed by Benzies' studio, Build a Rocket Boy. Everywhere features a futuristic city called Utropia and allows players to create their own experiences using a system called Arcadia. MindsEye follows the story of Jacob Diaz, a former soldier in a desert metropolis, and incorporates elements reminiscent of GTA gameplay, including driving, shooting, and exploration. The release of Everywhere is dependent on the success of MindsEye, which is currently in its testing phase.

Tech Optimizer

May 28, 2025

Hackers Mimic Popular Antivirus Site to Deliver VenomRAT & Steal Finance Data

Cybercriminals are executing a sophisticated malware campaign through a counterfeit Bitdefender antivirus website, specifically the domain “bitdefender-download[.]co,” which mimics the legitimate site. This fraudulent site distributes three types of malware: VenomRAT, StormKitty, and SilentTrinity, aimed at stealing financial data and maintaining persistent access to victims’ computers. When users click the “Download For Windows” button, they inadvertently download a ZIP file containing these malicious programs. VenomRAT acts as a remote access tool, allowing attackers to steal files, cryptocurrency wallets, and browser data, including credit card information. StormKitty quickly harvests sensitive credentials, while SilentTrinity provides stealthy long-term access for further exploitation. The fake Bitdefender site is linked to other malicious domains impersonating banks, indicating a coordinated phishing operation. The attackers utilize the same command and control infrastructure, with the IP address 67.217.228.160:4449 identified as a connection point. Bitdefender is working to take down the fraudulent site, and Google Chrome has begun flagging the link as malicious. Security experts recommend verifying website authenticity and downloading software only from official sources.

AppWizard

May 21, 2025

Doritos and Minecraft Movie Mixed Reality Campaign Ends with a Golden Chip

A mixed reality campaign called ‘The Nether Lands’ promoted ‘A Minecraft Movie’ and positioned Doritos as the ultimate movie snack. The campaign was initiated by United Playgrounds, with creative direction from Fitzroy and real-time activation by Livewall, while immersive tech was developed by Beyond. It launched on March 28 with a full-scale Minecraft portal in Amsterdam’s Museumplein, allowing players to collect resources and battle Piglins using their phones for a chance to win an 18-karat gold Dorito chip worth €1,000. The activation expanded to cinemas, train stations, and over 135 DOOH screens in the Netherlands and Belgium, enabling anyone with a bag of Doritos to access an AR-powered Minecraft adventure. The campaign gained global attention, particularly in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus, and was covered by international media. Key results included 400,000 unique interactions, 42.5 million impressions, a 185% lift in association with “movie nights,” and a 27% increase in brand preference.

AppWizard

May 17, 2025

PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, PC, Switch video games to play this week. Release dates, system requirements

This week, three new video games are being released: "Deliver At All Costs," "Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping," and "Doom: The Dark Ages." "Deliver At All Costs" features Winston Green, a courier in 1950s America, and will be available on May 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, and PC. "Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping," starring gumshoe Eugene McQuacklin, also launches on May 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch, and PC. "Doom: The Dark Ages," part of the iconic Doom series, allows players to control the Doom Slayer in a quasi-medieval setting and is available starting May 15 on Xbox X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. All games can be played on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, PC, and Switch.