privacy protection Archives

Tech Optimizer

March 27, 2025

Do Macs need antivirus? Debunking the security myth

Many users believe that Macs are immune to cybersecurity threats, leading them to neglect protective measures. This perception originated from Apple's marketing and the historical lower targeting of Macs due to their smaller market share. However, as the popularity of Macs has increased, so has the development of malware aimed at macOS. Reports indicate that malware targeting Macs has now outpaced that targeting Windows on a per-device basis. While macOS includes strong security features like XProtect, Gatekeeper, and System Integrity Protection, these are not foolproof. XProtect only defends against known malware, leaving users vulnerable to new threats. Macs are susceptible to various types of malware, including adware, Trojans, and phishing attacks. Antivirus software is important for Macs as it protects against evolving malware, shields users from phishing and online scams, enhances privacy protection, and prevents cross-platform threats.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

Download BleachBit (free) for Windows, macOS and Linux

BleachBit is an open-source system cleaning tool that helps users enhance disk capacity by removing unnecessary files and improving privacy. It permanently deletes files to prevent recovery, making it suitable for users handling sensitive information. The tool offers features such as shredding unused disk space, clearing browser histories, and removing software logs. BleachBit is free to use, lightweight, and compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS (with limited functionality). It supports cleaning for multiple applications and provides command-line functionality for advanced users. Additionally, BleachBit can be run from a USB drive without installation. Alternatives to BleachBit include CCleaner, Advanced SystemCare, and DaisyDisk, each offering different functionalities and features.

Tech Optimizer

March 7, 2025

Webroot Premium

PCMag editors independently select and review products. Webroot Premium combines device-level protection with identity theft tracking and remediation, but its antivirus protection is limited compared to competitors. Webroot Premium costs .99 per year for five devices and one identity, with a family edition available for .99 covering ten devices and identities. Other competitors like Bitdefender Ultimate Security and Norton 360 With LifeLock offer more comprehensive features at similar price points. Webroot AntiVirus has been rebranded as Webroot Essentials, and older versions have been phased out. The installation process for Webroot Premium is straightforward, and it includes a firewall that monitors network activity. Webroot's antivirus effectively identifies malware, achieving a 100% detection rate in tests. It also offers a secure deletion tool and basic identity protection features, including credit monitoring, transaction monitoring, and dark web monitoring, though these features are less comprehensive than those of competitors. Webroot provides 24/7 support for identity restoration, with a monetary guarantee for remediation services up to million for ten family members. Overall, while Webroot Premium offers solid antivirus protection, its identity protection capabilities are limited compared to other security suites.

Tech Optimizer

March 2, 2025

Your Privacy Sold? FTC Forces Avast to Pay $16.5M for Data Misuse—Find Out If You’re Eligible

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued claim forms to approximately 3.7 million consumers affected by misleading marketing tactics related to Avast antivirus software. The FTC's complaint, filed in February 2024, accused Avast of falsely assuring customers of privacy protection while collecting and selling identifiable browsing data to over 100 third parties through its subsidiary, Jumpshot. As part of a settlement, Avast is required to pay .5 million in compensation and is prohibited from misrepresenting its data usage policies or selling browsing data for advertising. The FTC will notify 3,690,813 customers who purchased Avast software between August 2014 and January 2020, with email notifications sent until March 7, 2025. Eligible consumers can submit claims at www.ftc.gov/Avast, with compensation amounts varying based on the number of claims filed.

Tech Optimizer

February 5, 2025

Everything you need to know about the Surfshark One VPN bundle for Apple

Surfshark One is a comprehensive online privacy solution for Mac users that includes a VPN, antivirus protection, and a leak notification tool. It has been recognized as the top VPN for iPhone in 2025 by AppleInsider. The service offers a 24-month prepayment option at a cost of .69 per month, with an additional three months free, totaling for 27 months. Surfshark VPN provides privacy protection across unlimited devices, includes features like CleanWeb, cookie pop-up blocker, customizable browsing controls, Kill Switch, and Dynamic MultiHop for enhanced encryption. Surfshark Antivirus offers scheduled scans, webcam protection, and regular updates every three hours. Surfshark Search is a private search engine with zero logs, no ads, and no tracking. Surfshark Alert monitors personal data for breaches and provides notifications. The Alternative ID feature generates fake identities for online use to protect users' real information. The entire Surfshark One bundle is available for when prepaid for 24 months.

AppWizard

February 3, 2025

Google blocked 2.36 million risky Android apps from Play Store in 2024

Google blocked 2.3 million Android app submissions to the Play Store in 2024 due to policy violations that posed risks to users. The company also banned 158,000 developer accounts for attempting to introduce harmful applications, including malware and spyware. The number of blocked apps increased from 2,280,000 in 2023 and 1,500,000 in 2022, aided by AI assistance in 92% of human reviews. Google prevented 1.3 million apps from gaining excessive permissions and upgraded Google Play Protect, which scanned over 200 billion apps daily and identified over 13 million new malware apps from outside Google Play. The Google Play SDK index added 80 trusted SDKs, and the Play Integrity API adoption led to an 80% reduction in abuse from untrusted sources. Google's untrusted APK installation blocking system expanded to several countries and thwarted 36 million installation attempts of 200,000 unique apps from reaching 10 million Android devices.

Tech Optimizer

December 10, 2024

Phone Antivirus Software Market to Witness Massive Growth in Years to Come

HTF Market Intelligence has released a study on the Global Phone Antivirus Software Market, covering 143 pages and analyzing market trends from 2024 to 2032. The market is expected to grow from .7 billion in 2024 to a projected value by 2032, with a CAGR of 10.5%. It includes categories such as Mobile Antivirus, Malware Protection, Anti-theft, and Privacy Protection, and applications like Personal Devices, Mobile Security, Data Protection, and App Security. The report highlights North America as the dominating region and Asia-Pacific as the fastest-growing region. It aims to identify key manufacturers, analyze market share, examine growth factors, assess future trends, and investigate recent developments. A five forces analysis and a PESTLE analysis are included to evaluate market conditions. The report's structure includes sections on market overview, pricing analysis, segmentation, competitive analysis, and research methodology.

AppWizard

November 27, 2024

Choosing the right secure messaging app for your organization

Liad Shnell, the Chief Technology Officer at Rakuten Viber, discussed key factors organizations should consider when selecting secure messaging applications. Important features include end-to-end encryption, global accessibility, integration capabilities, AI-driven extensibility, and privacy standards like SOC 2 Type 2 and GDPR compliance. To mitigate phishing and malware risks, users should exercise caution with links and verify sender identities. Leading platforms like Viber implement security measures, such as filtering messages from unknown senders and using algorithms to block suspicious activities. The SANS 2024 Security Awareness Report indicates that 89% of respondents view social engineering attacks as a primary concern, emphasizing the need for security awareness programs, clear communication policies, and AI-driven detection tools. Balancing usability and security is essential, with a focus on user experience through AI-driven automation and zero trust principles. Emerging trends include post-quantum cryptography and enhanced AI detection capabilities to maintain authenticity in conversations as technology evolves.

AppWizard

November 4, 2024

3 ways to stop Android apps running in the background – and why I always do

Managing the number of applications running on an Android device is important for optimizing performance and safeguarding privacy. Having multiple apps open can reduce system resources and pose security risks. To close an app from the overview, swipe up from the bottom of the display to access the app overview, scroll to locate the app, and swipe up to dismiss it. To close an app from Settings, pull down the Notification Shade twice, tap the gear icon for Settings, go to the "Apps" section, find the app, and tap "Force Stop." In Android 15, apps can be closed from the notification shade by pulling down the Notification Shade twice, tapping the pill indicating running apps, and selecting the "Stop" button next to the desired app. Choosing a method to close apps depends on specific needs, with the notification shade being the simplest for halting background services in Android 15, the app overview being the fastest for quick closures, and the Settings app being a reliable option if the app overview is inaccessible.