protecting Archives

Tech Optimizer

October 16, 2026

NordVPN’s CTO on redefining antivirus for the AI era, and his dream security tool

NordVPN has introduced a new offering called "next-gen antivirus" (NGAV) to address evolving cybersecurity threats, particularly those from artificial intelligence. NGAV aims to redefine online security by protecting against sophisticated threats like socially engineered scams and phishing attacks, rather than just traditional viruses. It operates in the background, alerting users to potential scams, blocking ads and trackers, and removing malware without requiring extensive technical knowledge. The company recognizes that personal AI agents present a new cybersecurity challenge and is developing features to protect these agents. NordVPN has incorporated bespoke AI solutions into its NGAV, using efficient models that can identify phishing attempts while running locally on user devices. The company has also shifted to open-weight models to reduce costs while maintaining capabilities, although sensitive areas like payment processing remain unaffected by AI. Despite privacy concerns regarding AI, NordVPN has not faced significant pushback from customers about its AI features and emphasizes its commitment to not using customer data for model training. Briedis warns that over-regulation could hinder innovation in cybersecurity. Looking ahead, he envisions a comprehensive application that monitors users' digital environments and manages their data presence online, while NordVPN plans to focus on creating localized solutions rather than hardware development.

AppWizard

October 4, 2026

One of the most popular Total War: Warhammer 3 mods was ‘deliberately corrupted’ by its creator to sabotage AI-made copies

The Lords of the End Times expansion for Total War: Warhammer 3 has made the SFO Grimhammer 3 mod incompatible with the latest game version, prompting the creators to work on a fix. Some individuals have been reworking the original mod using AI coding and reuploading it, leading to frustration within the modding community. The creator of SFO Grimhammer 3 has corrupted the mod to prevent unauthorized uploads and has threatened to make it private if the situation escalates. They have stated their opposition to the appropriation of their work for AI purposes and emphasized that their mods will remain free. A functional version of SFO: Grimhammer III for game version 8.1.1 has been restored on Steam in response to community feedback. The creator hopes to raise awareness about the issues caused by AI-generated modifications and advocates for AI to be a supportive tool rather than a replacement for individual creativity in modding.

Tech Optimizer

October 1, 2026

Norton’s antivirus plans drop to Black Friday prices — but the deals end tomorrow

Norton is offering discounts of up to 76% on its antivirus plans, matching last year's Black Friday prices. The current prices for the first year are as follows: Norton AntiVirus Plus for .99 (originally .99), Norton 360 Standard for .99 (originally .99), and Norton 360 Deluxe for .99 (originally 4.99). The AntiVirus Plus plan protects one device and includes features like Scam Protection and 2GB of cloud backup. The Norton 360 Standard plan covers three devices, adds a VPN and Dark Web Monitoring, while the Deluxe plan protects five devices, offers 50GB of cloud backup, Privacy Monitor, and Parental Control. These promotional prices are valid for the first year only, after which standard pricing resumes unless auto-renewal is disabled. Norton provides a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Tech Optimizer

September 28, 2026

Norton’s antivirus plans drop to Black Friday prices — but the deals end tomorrow

Norton is offering substantial discounts on its antivirus plans, with reductions up to 76%. Current prices for the first year are as follows: Norton AntiVirus Plus at .99 (originally .99), Norton 360 Standard at .99 (originally .99), and Norton 360 Deluxe at .99 (originally 4.99). The plans provide protection for one, three, and five devices respectively, with additional features like VPN and dark web monitoring for higher-tier plans. After the first year, prices revert to standard rates unless auto-renewal is canceled. Norton also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Tech Optimizer

September 26, 2026

What Is End Point Security And How Does It Work?

Endpoint security is a suite of technologies and processes designed to protect devices connected to a business network from cyber threats. It includes various devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, servers, and IoT devices. Endpoint security employs a multi-layered approach, scanning for malware, regulating applications, and monitoring device activity for unusual behavior. It is distinct from antivirus software, encompassing a broader range of protective measures, including firewalls, encryption, application controls, patch management, and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR). The rise of remote work and the increasing number of devices create a larger attack surface, making endpoint security essential for preventing breaches and safeguarding business operations.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

HSBC decides Samsung Secure Folder and Android’s Private Space are no place for a banking app

HSBC has restricted its Android app from functioning within Samsung's Secure Folder and Android's Private Space, causing many customers to lose access to online banking services. The bank described this as a "proportionate security control" to mitigate risks, stating that customers must use the app outside these environments. Feedback from users has been largely negative, with complaints about abrupt access loss and inadequate communication regarding the changes. Customers are unable to utilize web banking due to the app's requirement for multifactor authentication, and some have raised concerns about HSBC's compliance with the Financial Conduct Authority's Consumer Duty. HSBC has advised customers to access the app outside of protected spaces and mentioned the option of using a Physical Secure Key for desktop banking.

AppWizard

September 24, 2026

Dutch foundation sues Epic Games over Fortnite’s “pressure” tactics that drive spending

The Massaschade & Consument Foundation has filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, alleging that Fortnite uses deceptive marketing tactics targeting younger players. The foundation claims that countdown clocks during gameplay create a false sense of urgency for limited-time offers, which often remain available after the timers expire, leading to confusion and potential overspending. The lawsuit raises ethical concerns about the responsibility of game developers to protect young gamers. The outcome could impact marketing strategies and consumer protection laws in the gaming industry.

BetaBeacon

September 24, 2026

ARC X1 Packs a 120Hz Screen and 9,300mAh Battery Into an Android Handheld

The X1 handheld gaming device uses Qualcomm's Snapdragon G2 Gen 2 Gaming Platform with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage, expandable up to 1TB. It features a 7-inch 120Hz display and OwlOS software for a controller-first interface. The device also includes TMR sticks for precise control and a 9,300mAh battery for long gaming sessions. The price for the X1 is ₹29,500 for the Community Batch Drop, with reservations starting in October 2027.

Winsage

September 23, 2026

PAYLOAD ransomware hijacks Windows Group Policy in encryption-less attacks

A sophisticated PAYLOAD ransomware attack targeted an unnamed manufacturing organization in the Middle East, exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft Active Directory Group Policy. The attackers accessed the network through a compromised domain account via FortiGate SSL VPN on April 11, escalated privileges to domain administrator by April 13, and created a malicious Group Policy Object (GPO) named "PAYLOAD." This GPO was linked at the root of the domain, allowing it to affect nearly all domain-joined Windows workstations. The attackers distributed ransom notes, altered desktop images, displayed ransom messages at login, and disabled local administrator accounts. A second GPO, "win Firewall Off," was deployed to disable Windows Firewall across all profiles. The malicious policies activated on April 14 after systems were rebooted, causing widespread disruption. The attackers also exfiltrated data from file servers and published it on the dark web, while Kaspersky found no evidence of Windows file encryption or active malware processes. Recommendations for organizations include monitoring GPO creation, checking for unexpected changes, implementing multi-factor authentication for VPN access, and protecting privileged accounts.

Winsage

September 17, 2026

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro reach end of support in October

Devices operating on Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions will stop receiving updates starting October 13, 2026. The Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 11 24H2 will continue to receive mainstream support until October 2027. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 25H2, which became available in September 2024. Systems running Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro that are not managed by IT will automatically upgrade to Windows 11 25H2. Users can check for eligibility for the update by navigating to Settings > Windows Update. Windows Server 2022 will transition to extended support on October 13, 2026, lasting until October 14, 2031. Microsoft has extended the free Windows 10 Extended Security Updates program for home users until October 2027 and will halt security updates for Windows 11 Home and Pro 23H2 in November 2025.