privacy Archives

AppWizard

July 9, 2026

This open-source app fixed my notification chaos when Android couldn’t

Megan Ellis shared her experience using the app DoNotNotify, which helped her manage and reduce the number of notifications on her smartphone. She found that many apps, including Pokémon Go and Temu, sent numerous vague notifications that were difficult to filter effectively. Despite Android's notification channels, she often had to disable notifications entirely for certain apps. DoNotNotify allowed her to customize her notification preferences without requiring personal data or account creation. The app features tabs for History, Rules, and Blocked notifications, enabling users to track and manage alerts. Ellis successfully used DoNotNotify to block unwanted notifications, particularly from games and shopping apps, and appreciated its privacy-focused design and adaptability to changes in notification content. She recommends the app for users overwhelmed by notifications.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 Bug That Can Consume Over 500GB of Storage Through Permission Log File

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in Windows 11 that causes the Capability Access Manager's write-ahead log file to expand indefinitely, potentially exceeding 500GB of storage on affected devices. This issue is addressed in update KB5095093, which includes builds 26200.8737 and 26100.8737. Users can manually install this update via the optional updates section of Windows Update or wait for its automatic rollout during the July 2026 Patch Tuesday. The Capability Access Manager manages app permissions and logs usage of privacy-sensitive features, but the WAL file continues to grow unchecked on affected systems. The file can reach sizes from 70GB to over 513GB. To check if a system is affected, users can check storage settings or use Robocopy to verify the file size. The update is available through the Optional updates section and will be included in the cumulative update on July 8, 2026. The excessive size of the WAL file can lead to critical storage shortages and related issues, but it does not compromise the security or core functionality of the permission system. Microsoft has not confirmed if Windows 11 26H1 Insider builds are affected.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

Windows hides a secret identifier that Microsoft hands over to the FBI

19-year-old Peter Stokes, a member of the Scattered Spider group, was arrested by the FBI due to a unique number embedded in his Windows operating system known as the Global Device Identifier (GDID). This identifier, assigned during Windows installation, remains unchanged and can leak user information despite the use of VPNs. The FBI identified Stokes by obtaining a history of IP addresses linked to his GDID from Microsoft, which allowed them to trace his online activities across various platforms. Microsoft tracks over a billion devices with this permanent identifier, which cannot be disabled.

Winsage

July 9, 2026

GDID Windows – Cut the tracker that follows you even through a VPN

In April 2026, the FBI apprehended an individual associated with the Scattered Spider group, who had concealed his online activities using a VPN. His efforts were thwarted by the GDID, a 64-bit Persistent Unique Identifier assigned by Microsoft upon logging into Windows. The GDID is stored in plain text in the registry and is linked to Microsoft’s servers, remaining unaffected by changes to IP addresses or attempts to delete it. Disabling Windows telemetry does not prevent the GDID from being accessed, as it operates through other services. To mitigate its transmission, users can disable certain services and modify the hosts file, although the GDID itself remains stored on Microsoft’s servers. Scripts are available on GitHub to audit and implement changes regarding the GDID. Transitioning to a local account does not guarantee anonymity, and for sensitive activities, using a live Linux system is recommended for better data control.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Arrest and extradition of Scattered Spider hacker shines light on how Windows telemetry GDIDs can identify and track users — Microsoft device identifier is just one digital fingerprint in a software world rife with them

Peter Stokes, a 19-year-old from Estonia, was arrested and extradited to the United States on charges related to digital crimes, with the FBI using telemetry logs from Microsoft Windows to trace his online activities. These logs included his Global Device Identifier (GDID) and records of websites he visited. Stokes likely had his telemetry settings configured to Optional/Full, which allowed the transmission of URL data. The FBI connected Stokes to his ngrok account and linked his travel records to a New York IP address and a rental at the Empire Hotel, aided by photos he shared. Google and Apple assisted in the investigation by tracing Stokes' phishing phone number back to the same IP address used for his ngrok account. Stokes attempted to obscure his digital footprint using a VPN and other services, but modern digital identification methods made it difficult to remain anonymous.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Windows 11 cleanup is finally simple with this powerful open‑source tool that strips bloat, boosts speed, and gives you real control

Windows 11 includes built-in tools like Storage Sense, Temporary Files settings, and Storage Recommendations for managing storage. BleachBit is a free, open-source cleanup utility for Windows 11 that removes temporary files, caches, logs, and browsing data without ads. Users can download it via a standard installer or a portable version, with installation possible through the command line. BleachBit features a "Preview" option to estimate storage recovery before deletion and offers recommended cleanup options such as temporary files, logs, and the Recycle Bin. It includes a file shredder for securely deleting sensitive files and can wipe free disk space, although this is not recommended for regular maintenance. BleachBit does not have a Registry cleaner, which can prevent potential system issues. While it does not directly speed up Windows 11, it can free up storage space and resolve some cache-related issues. Users comfortable with Windows 11's built-in tools may not need BleachBit, but it offers greater control for those wanting to manage browser data and temporary files more effectively.

Winsage

July 8, 2026

Microsoft flips Windows Backup to on by default unless you’re in the EU

Microsoft has enabled Windows Backup for Organizations by default in the 26H2 version of Windows 11, except in the European Union. This feature allows organizations to restore device settings and installed Microsoft Store applications easily during events like lost laptops or system resets. Devices running Windows 11 25H2 and earlier, as well as those with a backup policy that disables this setting, will not be included in the automatic backup initiative. Organizations can opt out of this feature if they have stringent privacy policies or data sovereignty concerns. Administrators must explicitly disable the policy if they do not wish to use the feature. Microsoft clarifies that this service is not a comprehensive backup solution but part of a broader Windows resiliency effort. Eligible devices with the backup policy in a Not Configured state will enable backup automatically when Windows 11, version 26H2 becomes generally available.

Tech Optimizer

July 7, 2026

Avast Premium Security from Gen Digital – multi-device protection tuned for US households

Avast Premium Security is a multi-device security suite developed by Gen Digital, designed for U.S. households and small offices. It includes antivirus, ransomware protection, firewall, and web shield features. The product offers plans for one device, up to ten devices, or unlimited devices, with pricing around .99 per year for a single device and .99 for up to ten devices. It is compatible with Windows PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets, and iOS devices. Key features include real-time malware scanning, advanced ransomware shields, phishing site detection, and a configurable firewall. The software operates quietly in the system tray and provides notifications when threats are detected. Avast Premium Security is positioned in a competitive market alongside brands like Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, and Kaspersky, and is part of Gen Digital's strategy for recurring subscription revenue. The product is available for purchase online and targets U.S. households and small offices seeking comprehensive protection.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Discord Banned 8,000 Users for Posting Chessboards and Minecraft Screenshots

In May 2026, Discord's content moderation system mistakenly banned over 8,200 users due to a hash-matching system that identified harmless grid patterns as harmful content. This incident was worsened by two bugs: one that bypassed the intended upload-pause for human review and another that prevented the lifting of bans even after staff cleared the accounts. The images that triggered these bans included chessboard screenshots, Minecraft inventory grids, game texture patterns, Google Drive and spreadsheet tables, and standard UI grid layouts. Following the incident, all affected accounts were reinstated, and the problematic hash was neutralized. The situation occurred alongside Discord's efforts for age verification, which faced scrutiny due to a breach exposing ID documents of approximately 70,000 users.

AppWizard

July 7, 2026

Why There’s A Briefcase Symbol On Your Android Phone’s Screen (And How To Turn It Off)

Android has introduced a feature called Work Profile that creates a dedicated workspace on devices, separating professional applications from personal ones. This allows users to maintain distinct versions of applications, such as having separate Gmail accounts for work and personal use. The data within the Work Profile is encrypted and accessible only to an organization's IT administrators, ensuring privacy for personal applications and data. Users can identify work apps by a briefcase icon in the status bar, which disappears when the app is closed. To temporarily pause the Work Profile, users can access the Quick Settings panel or navigate to the app drawer and select the Work tab. When paused, work apps will vanish from the app drawer, and notifications will cease. Users can reactivate the Work Profile through the same methods. Additionally, Android's Digital Wellbeing settings allow users to schedule the activation and deactivation of the Work Profile. To permanently disable the Work Profile, users must delete it from the device, which removes all associated work apps and data. This can only be done if the device was originally owned by the user or if ownership has been transferred. The steps include accessing the Settings app, selecting Passwords and accounts, navigating to the Work tab, and tapping on Remove work profile. A factory reset can also delete the Work Profile but will erase personal apps and data as well.