privacy Archives

AppWizard

July 12, 2026

Your free VPN on Android often offers less protection than you might think

The MVPNalyzer Study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan analyzed various VPN services, focusing on their performance metrics, data privacy practices, and effectiveness in bypassing geographical restrictions. The study revealed that some VPNs excel in speed while others prioritize security features, and not all services provide the same level of data protection, with certain logging practices raising concerns. The findings encourage users to closely examine VPN services regarding speed, privacy policies, and data management, while urging VPN providers to improve transparency and invest in user security technologies.

Winsage

July 12, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows GDID Device Identifier That Cannot Be Disabled, Documented in FBI Case Filing

Microsoft has confirmed the existence of the Global Device Identifier (GDID), a unique identifier assigned to Windows installations, in a federal complaint against an alleged member of the Scattered Spider hacking group. The GDID is generated when a Windows system is set up with a Microsoft Account and remains active through various Windows updates. Disabling the GDID could disrupt Windows activation and access to Microsoft Store applications. The GDID is described as "a persistent, device-level identifier designed to uniquely identify an installation of a Windows operating system on a device." It is created during the provisioning of Windows with a Microsoft Account and is stored in the Windows registry under HKCUSOFTWAREMicrosoftIdentityCRLExtendedProperties. The GDID remains persistent through Windows updates but is not retained after a clean reinstall. A single user can possess multiple GDIDs linked through their account, OneDrive, and activation history. The FBI used the GDID to track Peter Stokes, an alleged member of the Scattered Spider group, across various VPN connections and proxy servers. The GDID was recorded visiting specific websites and was linked to Stokes's accounts on platforms like Snapchat and Facebook. Concerns have been raised regarding user privacy, as the GDID is assigned without user consent and cannot be disabled without compromising essential Windows features. Microsoft has not committed to providing user-facing controls or comprehensive documentation for everyday users regarding the GDID. Legal requests can compel Microsoft to disclose GDID activity data to law enforcement. The GDID is linked to the Microsoft Account rather than the device itself, meaning reinstalling the operating system does not sever this connection.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Police Alert Parents And Gamers To Dangerous Minecraft Malware Campaign

The Montgomery County Police Department has issued a warning about a malware campaign called “WeedHack” targeting Minecraft players. This malware is spread through fake Minecraft modifications and downloads, leading to significant risks for users. Over 116,000 players have been infected since early 2026, with new infections occurring at a rate of 2,000 to 3,000 daily. The malware can steal passwords, hijack accounts, access cryptocurrency wallets, capture screenshots, disable security measures, and install backdoors for ongoing access. More advanced versions can activate webcams and monitor user activity. The department advises downloading mods only from trusted sources, being cautious with links promoting free clients, using strong passwords, keeping antivirus software updated, and discussing the risks of unofficial software with children. Individuals who suspect they have been targeted should report it to the police.

Tech Optimizer

July 11, 2026

ESET NOD32 antivirus just dropped a 1-year subscription to $20

ESET NOD32 Antivirus offers a one-year subscription for .99, reduced from the regular price of .99. It utilizes AI-powered analysis for real-time threat detection, including viruses, spyware, rootkits, and zero-day exploits. The software features a Ransomware Shield, anti-phishing measures, and Intel Threat Detection Technology for enhanced security. It includes a multithread scanning feature to optimize performance and a Gamer Mode that suspends notifications during full-screen applications. The ESET HOME app allows users to monitor licenses and security reports via mobile devices.

AppWizard

July 11, 2026

Z-TEXT, a zk-SNARKs Blockchain Messenger, Launches Channels, Completing a 4-in-1 Privacy App on BitcoinZ

Z-TEXT has launched its Channels feature, transforming its platform into a comprehensive 4-in-1 privacy ecosystem built on the BitcoinZ blockchain. This system features a four-layer security architecture, including local device encryption, zk-SNARKs shielding, BitcoinZ blockchain settlement, and post-quantum protection. The Channels feature allows creators to maintain control over their broadcasts, with subscribers connecting directly through their wallets, ensuring no central authority can seize or delete subscriber information. Users can restore their channel and its history on any new device using a 24-word seed phrase. Z-TEXT emphasizes the importance of permanence in privacy, contrasting with the trend of automatic message deletion. The application requires no phone number, email, or SIM card for identity verification, relying solely on the 24-word seed phrase. Z-TEXT has been in closed beta without critical vulnerabilities and is preparing for public release on major app stores. The average message fee is approximately [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: Z-TEXT, a pioneering zk-SNARKs blockchain messenger, has recently unveiled its innovative Channels feature, marking a significant evolution in its privacy-focused ecosystem. Built on the BitcoinZ blockchain, Z-TEXT is designed with a robust four-layer security architecture that includes local device encryption, zk-SNARKs shielding, BitcoinZ blockchain settlement, and post-quantum protection. The Shift to a 4-in-1 Privacy Ecosystem This launch signifies Z-TEXT's transformation from a conventional messaging platform to a comprehensive 4-in-1 privacy ecosystem. In this new paradigm, users' interactions are securely housed within their wallets rather than in centralized company databases. As Eric Pierrot, the founder of Z-TEXT LLC, aptly notes, "Needing to disappear is proof you can't survive the erosion of time—or what's coming with quantum computing." The Channels feature empowers creators by allowing them to maintain control over their broadcasts. Each subscriber connects directly to the channel through their own wallet, eliminating the risk of a central authority seizing, selling, or deleting subscriber information. This decentralized approach ensures that the integrity of the channel remains intact, regardless of external pressures. Subscribers can receive messages from the broadcaster at a fixed cost, whether the audience comprises ten or ten thousand individuals. In the event of a lost device, users can effortlessly restore their channel and its complete history on any new device using the same 24-word seed phrase that secures their entire account. A Commitment to Privacy and Permanence The launch of Channels builds upon Z-TEXT's commitment to privacy, a principle the company has championed since releasing its privacy manifesto on IPFS and timestamping it on the BitcoinZ blockchain earlier this year. While many messaging applications promote automatic deletion as a feature, Z-TEXT argues that true privacy is rooted in permanence. Pierrot emphasizes, "If your encryption actually holds, the message doesn't need to vanish to stay safe. Eternal memory is our signature—we built for permanence, not for disappearing." Having successfully navigated a closed beta phase without any critical vulnerabilities reported through its on-chain bug bounty program, Z-TEXT is now gearing up for a public release on major app stores, including Google Play and the Apple App Store. The application requires no phone number, email address, or SIM card, with identity verification based solely on a 24-word seed phrase. In addition to its messaging capabilities, Z-TEXT integrates a password manager and a crypto wallet, all while maintaining an impressively low average message fee of approximately [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: Z-TEXT, a zk-SNARKs blockchain messenger built on BitcoinZ The four-layer security architecture behind Z-TEXT: local device encryption, zk-SNARKs shielding, BitcoinZ blockchain settlement, and post-quantum protection. The launch completes Z-TEXT's shift from messenger to a 4-in-1 privacy ecosystem, where audiences live in subscribers' wallets, not company databases. Needing to disappear is proof you can't survive the erosion of time—or what's coming with quantum computing.”— Eric Pierrot, founder of Z-TEXT LLCSHERIDAN, WY, UNITED STATES, July 11, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Z-TEXT, a zk-SNARKs blockchain messenger, built on BitcoinZ, has launched Channels, a broadcast feature where the creator—not a platform—controls the channel. Each subscriber holds their own connection to the channel in their own wallet, so there is no central list a company can seize, sell, or delete. Channels joins Z-TEXT's existing privacy ecosystem of shielded messenger, password manager, and crypto wallet, all accessible through a single 24-word seed phrase.A single Channels transaction reaches any number of subscribers, from ten to ten thousand, at the same fixed cost. No company sits between the broadcaster and the audience with the ability to suspend the channel or hand over the subscriber list. If a device is lost, the channel and its full history can be restored on any new device using the same 24-word seed phrase that recovers the rest of the account.The launch extends a position Z-TEXT has held publicly since June, when the company published a privacy manifesto on IPFS and timestamped it on the BitcoinZ blockchain, arguing that permanence, not disappearing messages, is the stronger privacy guarantee. Most messaging apps market automatic deletion as a safety feature. "Needing to disappear is proof you can't survive the erosion of time — or what's coming with quantum computing," said Eric Pierrot, founder of Z-TEXT LLC. "If your encryption actually holds, the message doesn't need to vanish to stay safe. "Eternal memory is our signature—we built for permanence, not for disappearing."Z-TEXT has been operating in closed beta, during which no critical vulnerability was reported through the company's on-chain bug bounty program. The company said it is preparing for public release on major app stores, including Google Play and the Apple App Store.Z-TEXT is a zk-SNARKs blockchain messenger built on BitcoinZ, a blockchain operating since September 10, 2017, that combines Bitcoin's mathematical structure with Zcash's zk-SNARKs privacy technology. The application requires no phone number, email address, or SIM card; identity is derived from a 24-word seed phrase. Z-TEXT combines a shielded messenger, password manager, crypto wallet, and channels in one application, with message fees averaging approximately $0.00003 per message. The company has published its full threat model publicly, including known limitations, and operates a live bug bounty program funded on-chain.eric pierrotZ-Text llccontact@z-text.comVisit us on social media:LinkedInBlueskyYouTubeOther Z-TEXT: The Architecture of Permanent Data Security Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. You just read: News Provided By July 11, 2026, 18:53 GMT Share This Article EIN Presswire's priority is author transparency. We do our best to weed out false and misleading content. The content above is the sole responsibility of the author who makes it available. If you have any complaints, kindly contact the author above." temperature="0.3"].00003. The company has made its full threat model publicly available, demonstrating transparency regarding known limitations, and continues to operate a live bug bounty program funded on-chain. " max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.7" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].00003.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

Windows 11 Has a Hidden Tracker – Here’s How to Limit It

Peter Stokes allegedly used sophisticated methods to obscure his identity during a breach at a luxury retailer, but the FBI uncovered his identity through a Global Device Identifier (GDID) linked to his Windows installation. GDID is a persistent device-level identifier that uniquely identifies a Windows installation and remains unchanged through operating system updates, only resetting upon complete reinstallation. Users cannot disable GDID, and attempts to remove it may disrupt Windows activation. To minimize data associated with GDID, users can opt for a local account, limit diagnostic telemetry, disable Activity history, and be cautious during reinstallation. VPNs do not prevent Microsoft from logging GDID, IP addresses, and URLs, making them ineffective for privacy on Windows. GDID has been described as a covert tracking beacon, and security experts advise against using Windows for sensitive tasks, suggesting alternatives like Linux.

Tech Optimizer

July 11, 2026

Norton 360 Deluxe by Gen Digital Inc. – multi-device security with VPN bundled

Norton 360 Deluxe is a subscription service from Gen Digital that combines antivirus, firewall, VPN, and password management tools, covering up to five devices across various platforms. It includes features such as Norton Secure VPN, cloud backup for Windows PCs (up to 50 GB), Norton Password Manager, a smart firewall, and real-time malware scanning. The service is priced at €34.99 for the first year in Germany and around .99 in the U.S., with higher renewal prices. It is designed for households and small offices, providing multi-device coverage and ease of use. Norton 360 Deluxe is available through Norton’s website and retailers like Amazon, and it is recommended by review platforms for its comprehensive security features.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

A hacker’s arrest just revealed how Microsoft can track your Windows device

A teenager named Peter Stokes is facing federal charges in Chicago for allegedly hacking a U.S. jewelry retailer while using a VPN to conceal his online activities. Microsoft provided the FBI with data linked to a tracking mechanism called the Global Device Identifier (GDID), which is a unique number assigned to every Windows installation that persists through updates. This identifier allowed authorities to connect Stokes' computer to specific websites, despite his VPN usage. Stokes was arrested in Helsinki in April 2026 while trying to board a flight to Japan, carrying two two-terabyte hard drives. The GDID enabled Microsoft to track Stokes' activities on third-party services, raising concerns about privacy and data tracking.

AppWizard

July 10, 2026

Proton VPN on Android: features, requirements, how to install

Proton VPN is a prominent VPN provider known for its speed and security, with its headquarters in Switzerland, which has strong privacy laws. The Android app features include Secure Core for enhanced anonymity, NetShield Ad-blocker to block ads and trackers, a kill switch to protect data during connection drops, alternative routing for bypassing restrictions, split tunneling for selective app usage, a VPN Accelerator for increased speeds, and P2P support for secure file sharing. The app requires Android 8 or later for installation, which can be done via the Play Store. Users can connect as guests to access limited features of Proton VPN Free.

Winsage

July 10, 2026

Windows 11 Has a Hidden Tracker – Here’s How to Limit It

Peter Stokes is involved in a breach with a luxury retailer, using tactics like VPNs and rotating IP addresses to hide his digital activity. The FBI discovered a Global Device Identifier (GDID) linked to his Windows installation, which is a persistent device-level identifier that uniquely identifies Windows installations. GDID remains unchanged through operating system updates but resets with a full reinstallation. Disabling GDID is not possible, as attempts to do so would disrupt Windows activation. Users can minimize data linked to GDID by using a local account, reducing diagnostic telemetry, disabling Activity history, and carefully managing reinstalls. VPNs do not prevent Microsoft from logging GDID, IP address, and URL data. Privacy researchers view GDID as a covert tracking mechanism, and Windows lacks user-facing options to reset this identifier, unlike Apple and Google.