portals Archives

AppWizard

September 10, 2026

How to mine the petrified Gammeltroll in Valheim

The Gammeltroll is a 30-foot tall creature found in the Deep North biome of Valheim. After defeating it, the Gammeltroll transforms into a statue called the "Petrified Gammeltroll." To mine this statue, players must first defeat the Ashlands boss, Fader, to build the Eternal Pyre, which generates embers. Players then need to collect seal pelts from adult seals in the Deep North and craft ember charges. By throwing these charges at the petrified Gammeltroll's ankles, players can destroy it and collect the Petrified Tissue resource. This resource is heavy, cannot pass through wooden portals, and can be processed in a blast furnace.

Tech Optimizer

August 26, 2026

How to Protect Against Ransomware: 13 Steps [2026]

Global ransomware attacks increased by 0.8% quarter-over-quarter in Q2 2026. The group Qilin has 279 confirmed victims, maintaining its position as the leading threat actor for four consecutive quarters. The rival group The Gentlemen saw a 62% increase in victims, reaching 269. Checkpoint Research's report indicates a shift in the ransomware landscape, challenging the narrative of declining attacks. IBM's analysis shows breaches within supply chains and third-party vendors have quadrupled over the past five years. Effective ransomware protection requires administrative access to endpoints, firewalls, and backup systems, along with specific software versions and tools. The 3-2-1-1-0 backup strategy is recommended, emphasizing offline, immutable backups. Organizations should implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) across all access points and actively patch known vulnerabilities. Network segmentation is crucial to limit ransomware spread, and canary files can provide early warnings of attacks. Regular phishing simulations and a well-documented incident response plan are essential for preparedness.

AppWizard

August 12, 2026

Inspired by the Minecraft Redstone system, minimalist puzzler ‘Pight’ is a real gem

Pight is a minimalist puzzle game developed by Mindlabor, known for titles like Quadrata, Lovux, and Netoo. The game features gameplay mechanics that involve solving grid puzzles using elements like pistons, sticky blocks, and portals. It includes 90 levels with eight unique mechanics introduced every ten levels, and it has no text or penalties, allowing for unlimited undos and no time constraints. The game is designed to be relaxing, with a soothing soundtrack. The gameplay duration varies based on individual problem-solving skills, with puzzles becoming more challenging as players progress. Pight is priced at £3.59 and has a review score of 4 out of 5. The release date is August 8, 2026.

AppWizard

August 10, 2026

If you drove yourself mad building computers in Minecraft, Pight’s redstone-inspired puzzling is an affordable palate cleanser

Pight is a 2D block-shoving puzzle game developed by the Turkish team Mindlabor, featuring challenges that involve moving a lightbulb block onto a power source using elements like pistons, dynamite, portals, and electricity blocks. The game is inspired by Minecraft's redstone mechanics and offers 90 levels with new mechanics introduced every ten levels. It includes an unlimited Undo feature and a level editor for players to create and share their own puzzles. Pight is available on Steam for £2.87 or €3.32.

Winsage

August 3, 2026

Microsoft warns Windows PC users of Russian hackers on hotel WiFi

Microsoft has issued a warning to Windows PC users about Russian hackers targeting individuals using hotel WiFi networks. The campaign, named CaptiveCrunch and attributed to the Storm-2945 group, focuses on corporate travelers and employs tactics like credential theft and malware distribution through compromised guest networks. Microsoft has been monitoring this activity since May, noting its impact on hospitality networks utilizing captive portals. Hackers have been redirecting users to counterfeit sign-in pages to steal credentials without phishing emails. The threat may also extend to Android devices, with hackers using deceptive techniques to manipulate users into downloading malicious APK files. The hackers employ fake verification checks and sign-in prompts, sometimes misleading users into Microsoft's legitimate authentication process to gain access to accounts. Microsoft has identified a specific remote-access trojan named CornFlake, which can record keystrokes, steal credentials, and capture screenshots. Recommendations for travelers include using mobile hotspots, avoiding updates through captive portals, strengthening authentication methods, and blocking unnecessary device-code authentication.

AppWizard

August 3, 2026

Villagers in Minecraft: What You Actually Need to Know

Villagers in Minecraft have 13 distinct professions that dictate their trades, such as librarians offering enchanted books, farmers trading crops, and armorers providing diamond gear. To assign a job to a villager, a job site block is required. Villagers trade based on specific items they desire, such as crops for farmers and emeralds as currency. Zombies can infect villagers, but they can be cured with a splash potion of weakness and a golden apple, resulting in significant trading discounts. Breeding villagers requires beds, food, and their willingness, while a well-structured trading hall can enhance trading efficiency. Protecting villagers from threats like zombies and pillager raids is essential. Transporting villagers can be done using minecarts, boats, water streams, or Nether portals. Server management requires attention to CPU, RAM, and storage to handle villagers efficiently. If villagers stop breeding or trading, check their access to beds, food, and job sites. Ultimately, trading with villagers can replace traditional resource gathering in the late game.

Winsage

August 1, 2026

Microsoft Issues Hotel Wi-Fi Warning For Windows PC Users

Microsoft has issued a warning to organizations regarding the risks associated with public and hospitality network infrastructures, citing a new hacking threat from Russian cyber actors targeting travelers for malware distribution and credential theft. This warning follows the identification of a global campaign named CaptiveCrunch, linked to Storm-2945, which has been targeting corporate travelers since early May by exploiting compromised guest networks. Attackers are manipulating hospitality networks to facilitate credential theft and malware delivery, using tactics such as redirecting network traffic to counterfeit sign-in pages. The campaign affects both Windows and Android devices and employs techniques that include presenting fake verification checks and software updates. Some victims have been misled into participating in Microsoft’s legitimate device-code authentication process, allowing attackers to gain access to accounts without stealing passwords. Microsoft advises travelers to treat guest networks as untrusted and recommends using mobile hotspots, avoiding updates through captive portals, and enhancing security measures. Malicious tools identified include the Windows remote-access trojan (RAT) named CornFlake, which can steal credentials, record keystrokes, and hijack audio and video capabilities.

AppWizard

July 26, 2026

Modding wizard creates Grand Theft Auto multiverse that lets players travel instantly between Rockstar’s first three games: ‘We got inter-GTA portals before GTA 6’

A modder named DryxioGTA has created a mod for the Grand Theft Auto series that allows players to travel between Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas using portals. The mod enables instantaneous travel between the three worlds while maintaining distinct saves, missions, and settings for each game. Players can interact between the cities, such as shooting through a portal, which triggers responses from civilians in the current world. A video showcasing the mod was shared on YouTube, demonstrating its functionality. Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to be released in November.

Tech Optimizer

July 23, 2026

Optimizing PostgreSQL on Azure directly in Visual Studio Code

Poor database performance can lead to missed SLAs, delayed releases, customer dissatisfaction, and lost revenue. Microsoft has enhanced PostgreSQL on Azure, transforming it into a fully managed platform that meets enterprise demands. Azure Database for PostgreSQL and the new Azure HorizonDB offer significant performance improvements, with HorizonDB being three times faster than self-managed PostgreSQL. The PostgreSQL extension for Visual Studio Code integrates performance management into development workflows, providing tools for managing PostgreSQL throughout its lifecycle. Key features include a server metrics dashboard that displays performance indicators, Azure Advisor recommendations for actionable insights, improved query plan visualization, and AI-assisted query analysis. The extension also enhances schema design and query formulation experiences, ensuring secure and governed interactions with PostgreSQL. Azure HorizonDB is in public preview, designed for AI-native workloads. These advancements aim to reduce friction, enhance clarity, and enable faster actions for enterprise teams managing PostgreSQL at scale.

AppWizard

July 23, 2026

Active Exploitation Alert: Fake Bahrain Alert App Deploys Advanced Android Surveillance Malware Targeting Gulf Region Users

A cyber-espionage campaign has been identified involving a counterfeit Bahrain Alert Android application designed to surveil individuals in Bahrain and the Gulf region. The app masquerades as an official civil defense tool and employs social engineering tactics to compromise Android devices, extract sensitive data, and maintain remote access. It targets high-value individuals such as activists and journalists, particularly during civil unrest and missile alerts, leveraging trusted government branding to increase infection rates. The malware features a complex, multi-stage architecture with advanced evasion techniques and is distributed through phishing links and malicious websites. It initiates a four-stage infection process, ultimately installing a remote access trojan (RAT) that enables covert surveillance and encrypted communications. The malware can monitor device activity, capture credentials, and intercept communications, while also employing mechanisms to avoid detection and maintain persistence. The campaign primarily targets Bahraini citizens, exploiting fear during crises to encourage app installation. Although there are indications of Russian-speaking developers involved, there is no definitive attribution to a specific nation-state or APT group. Mitigation strategies include monitoring for suspicious app installations, user education on verifying app authenticity, and blocking known malicious domains.