protective measures Archives

AppWizard

February 21, 2025

Messenger rolls out new safety, useful, and fun features

Meta has updated Messenger with new features focusing on privacy, usability, and enjoyment. Privacy and safety updates include the View Once Media option for single-view media messages, screenshot and screen recording blocks, in-app scam alerts via Spam Protection, and streamlined reporting and blocking of suspicious contacts. Usability improvements consist of HD photo sharing, enhanced HD video calls, noise-suppressed audio for clearer calls, and Siri integration for easier navigation. Expressive features allow users to personalize chats with themes, add music to notes, and use new sticker packs, including the Butterbear stickers. Social features encourage community building through Messenger Communities, enabling topic-based chats via QR codes, and engaging with public figures through Broadcast Channels.

AppWizard

February 18, 2025

‘Loophole’ in law on messaging apps leaves children vulnerable to sexual abuse, says NSPCC

Nearly 39,000 child sex abuse image crimes were documented in the past year, with approximately 38,685 crimes recorded in England and Wales during the 2023/24 period, averaging over 100 incidents per day. Snapchat was identified as the most frequently mentioned app in these cases, accounting for 50% of incidents, followed by Instagram (11%), Facebook (7%), and WhatsApp (6%). The NSPCC and other organizations are advocating for stronger enforcement of the Online Safety Act, citing concerns about a loophole that allows direct messaging services to remove harmful content only if deemed "technically feasible." The NSPCC expressed the need for proactive measures from platforms to prevent becoming "safe havens" for abusers, particularly highlighting risks associated with end-to-end encryption. A 13-year-old victim shared her distressing experience on Snapchat, where she was threatened after sending nude pictures to a stranger. NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood called for immediate government action, criticizing separate regulations for private messaging services that allow tech companies to evade responsibility. The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, mandates social media companies to mitigate illegal and harmful content, but protective measures are still being implemented. Ofcom stated that most services should be capable of removing harmful content, while a government spokesperson reiterated the commitment to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse and to implement the Online Safety Act effectively.

AppWizard

February 17, 2025

Government-linked Italian spyware maker caught distributing malicious Android apps

Recent investigations have revealed a connection between the spyware Spyrtacus and the Italian developer SIO, which supplies products to the Italian government. At least three Android applications, disguised as popular services like WhatsApp, have been identified as spyware. This discovery was first reported by an anonymous security researcher in late 2024, leading TechCrunch to notify Google and cybersecurity firm Lookout, both of which confirmed the presence of malicious code in these applications. Researchers traced a connection between SIO and Spyrtacus back to ASIGINT, a subsidiary of SIO that develops "computer wiretapping" software. SIO is listed as the cert holder for a product named SIOAGENT, owned by ASIGINT. ASIGINT's CEO, Michele Fiorentino, acknowledged his involvement in the 'Spyrtacus Project' at DataForense, another company linked to SIO’s servers. Lookout's Kristina Balaam identified 13 samples of Spyrtacus from 2019 to October 2024. Google spokesperson Ed Fernandez stated that no apps containing this malware are currently on Google Play, with protective measures in place since 2022. However, a 2024 Kaspersky report indicated that Spyrtacus has shifted from Google Play to deceptive replicas of Italian internet service provider websites. The Italian government has a history of facilitating spyware manufacturers, exemplified by Israeli developer Paragon Solutions terminating its contract with the government in February 2025 after breaching privacy ethics. Additionally, Italian telephone operators have engaged in surveillance activities, compensated by the justice ministry, raising concerns about the presence of spyware companies in Italy over the past two decades.

TrendTechie

February 15, 2025

Три новые игры про Лару Крофт слили на торренты в день выхода

The remastered collection of Tomb Raider IV, V, and VI, titled Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered, has been released on Steam. Within 24 hours of its release, it appeared on torrent sites, raising concerns among developers and fans. The developers did not use protective measures like Denuvo, leading to discussions about digital rights management. The collection includes Tomb Raider IV: The Last Revelation, Tomb Raider: Chronicles, and Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness. Enhancements include improved graphics, two control schemes, achievements, a photo mode, health bars for bosses, and the option to switch to original polygonal models. Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered is available on PC, the latest two generations of consoles, and Nintendo Switch.

Tech Optimizer

February 14, 2025

XELERA Ransomware Attacking Job Seekers With Weaponized Word Documents

Job seekers are targeted by a ransomware campaign called "XELERA," which uses counterfeit job offers from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) to lure victims. The campaign begins with spear phishing emails containing a malicious Word document named “FCEI-job-notification.doc.” This document hides an OLE object that extracts a compressed PyInstaller executable called “jobnotification2025.exe,” which is designed to evade antivirus detection. The malware's structure includes a core script (mainscript.pyc) and supporting libraries for system monitoring and network operations. A Discord bot serves as a Command-and-Control server, allowing remote command execution, including privilege escalation, system control, credential theft, and visual disruption. The final stage of the attack involves deploying the XELERA ransomware, which demands a ransom in Litecoin and includes functions to terminate Windows Explorer and download a tool for MBR corruption.

AppWizard

February 14, 2025

Android 16 will fight scammers by blocking certain features during phone calls

Google is developing a new security feature for Android 16 that will block changes to sensitive settings during phone calls to protect users from phone scams. This feature will prevent users from enabling sideloading permissions and granting accessibility access while on a call. A warning message will be displayed if users attempt to make such changes, informing them that these actions are prohibited during calls. The sideloading permission is disabled by default, but users can enable it through settings, except for those with Advanced Protection Mode activated. These security features are expected to be included in the public release of Android 16 later this year.

TrendTechie

February 8, 2025

Игра Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 только вышла на ПК, а её сразу же взломали и слили на торренты

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, developed by Warhorse Studios, is set in 15th-century Bohemia and was released without any digital rights management (DRM) system, leading to unauthorized copies appearing on torrent sites shortly after launch. The game has received positive reviews, being recognized as one of the standout RPGs of 2025.

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.

TrendTechie

December 27, 2024

Dragon Age: The Veilguard только вышла и уже попала на торренты

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has been released without Denuvo protection, leading to its immediate availability on torrent sites. This allows players in regions where the game is not officially available to access it for free. The absence of traditional digital rights management may prompt discussions about intellectual property protection versus wider access for players.

TrendTechie

December 25, 2024

Как скачать EA FC 25 с Torrent? Можно ли получить игру бесплатно

The majority of free digital game downloads are pirated versions lacking developer protections. EA FC 25 cannot be acquired through piracy as it remains secure due to the Denuvo protection system, which has not been breached since the game's release over a month ago. Denuvo is known for its robust security, making it time-consuming and resource-intensive to crack. Additionally, many games receive downloadable content post-launch, requiring ongoing efforts to bypass security. Pirating games is illegal and can result in serious legal consequences.