protective measures Archives

AppWizard

April 9, 2025

Instagram’s Teen Accounts feature is coming to Facebook and Messenger soon

Meta is expanding its Teen Accounts protections, initially launched on Instagram, to Facebook and Messenger for users aged 13-15. These accounts limit messaging capabilities, filter out inappropriate content, and remind users to take breaks from screen time. Teens under 16 need parental permission to change default settings, with 97% choosing to maintain protections. The rollout of similar Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger is happening in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, with global expansion planned. New features for Instagram Teen Accounts will require parental approval for going Live and disabling a feature that blurs suspected nude images in direct messages. An Ipsos survey indicated that 94% of US parents find Teen Accounts beneficial, and 85% believe they promote positive online experiences. Meta has over 54 million active Teen Accounts globally and is committed to enhancing safety for young users.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

We’re Introducing New Built-In Restrictions for Instagram Teen Accounts, and Expanding to Facebook and Messenger

Last year, Instagram introduced Teen Accounts with built-in protections for users under 16, requiring parental consent for any changes to default strict settings. A survey indicated that 97% of teens aged 13-15 chose to keep these protective measures. New safeguards for Instagram Live and direct messages will require parental approval for teens under 16. Teen Accounts will also be expanded to Facebook and Messenger, initially targeting users in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. Since their launch, over 54 million teens have used Teen Accounts, which include features like automatic private settings, content controls, and reminder notifications. A survey showed that 94% of parents found Teen Accounts beneficial, with over 90% supporting the default protections.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

After Instagram, Teen Accounts now available on Facebook and Messenger

Meta has introduced Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger to create a safer online environment for younger users by limiting exposure to inappropriate content. The feature is currently being rolled out in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, with plans for expansion to more regions. This initiative follows the introduction of Teen Accounts on Instagram last year in response to scrutiny from US lawmakers about protective measures for adolescents.

AppWizard

April 6, 2025

Unfinished Version of ‘Minecraft Movie’ Leaks Online as Film Sets Soars Past Box Office Expectations

An unfinished version of “A Minecraft Movie” has leaked onto piracy websites, featuring incomplete visual effects, raising concerns about the film's security during production. Despite this leak, the film is projected to earn 0 million by the end of the weekend, having made million on its opening day, the highest for 2025 so far. Warner Bros. and Legendary are working to remove the unauthorized version from piracy sites. The film has received lukewarm reviews from critics but is attracting a strong audience turnout, primarily from Gen Z viewers, who are largely indifferent to critical opinions.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Beware new Google ‘yellow warning’ that saves you from costly nightmare

Google has introduced a yellow warning banner in the Google Play Store to alert Android users about apps that are frequently uninstalled. This banner indicates that an app may not be meeting user expectations and could be due to poor functionality, excessive advertisements, or inflated costs. Additionally, Google has implemented two other notifications: one indicating lower user engagement with an app and another showing fewer users compared to other apps. These features aim to help users make more informed app choices and avoid potentially harmful applications. Google Play Protect is also available to scan downloaded apps for security, including those from outside the Play Store. Users can enable settings to improve harmful app detection, enhancing overall safety in the app ecosystem.

AppWizard

April 1, 2025

Gemini could be the next Google service reimagined for kids

Google is developing a child-friendly version of its AI chatbot, Gemini, as indicated by code references found in the Google app for Android version 16.12.39. This version may include a welcome screen for children and features such as story creation, question answering, and homework assistance. Google has implemented protective measures for teenagers using Gemini, including strict content policies to prevent exposure to age-inappropriate material. The company has also introduced other child-friendly features, such as Google Wallet for kids, and has previously collaborated with Samsung on the Galaxy Watch for Kids and offers the Fitbit Ace LTE smartwatch for children.

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

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affecting various Windows operating systems, including Windows 7, Server 2008 R2, Windows 11 v24H2, and Server 2025, allows attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through interactions with malicious files in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been fully documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches available for free until Microsoft releases a permanent fix. These micropatches support a wide range of Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems. The micropatches have been automatically distributed to affected systems with the 0patch Agent installed.

Winsage

March 26, 2025

New Windows 0-Day Vulnerability Let Remote Attackers Steal NTLM Credentials

A critical vulnerability affects all Windows operating systems from Windows 7 to Windows 11 v24H2 and Server 2025, allowing attackers to capture NTLM authentication credentials through malicious files viewed in Windows Explorer. Exploitation can occur when users open shared folders, insert USB drives with malicious files, or view previously downloaded files. The vulnerability is similar to a previously patched flaw (CVE-2025-21377) but has not been publicly documented. Security researchers have developed micropatches through 0patch to temporarily mitigate the issue, which will be available at no cost until Microsoft releases a permanent solution. The micropatches support various Windows versions, including legacy and currently supported systems, and can be automatically deployed without requiring system reboots.

AppWizard

March 26, 2025

Google Play Store will get more tools to protect users from scammy apps

Google has announced a plan to enhance the safety of its Play Store by implementing protective measures by 2025. Google Play Protect will target malicious applications impersonating financial apps, responding to a rise in fraudulent activities, including ad fraud. The company has already removed 180 fraudulent apps from the Play Store and will alert users about unsafe apps, especially those from outside the Google Play ecosystem. Google will extend its pilot program to additional countries facing malware-based financial threats. Users are encountering significantly more Android malware from external sources. Google aims to make it harder for malicious actors to deceive users and plans to introduce a "verified badge" for secure VPN applications, with plans to expand this to other app categories. For app developers, Google is enhancing the Play Integrity API tool and providing self-help tools for dealing with tampered apps, with features expected to roll out by May. Google is also improving support channels for developers, including expanding the Google Play Developer Help Community to additional languages.