protocols Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Your Android App Needs Scanning – Best Android App Vulnerability Scanner in 2026

The past year saw a 45% increase in new vulnerabilities targeting Android. By the end of 2024, there are projected to be 2.87 million apps on Google Play, with 66% of American employees using personal smartphones for work. Mobile applications are responsible for 70% of digital interactions, and vulnerabilities in these apps contributed to approximately 40% of data breaches involving personal data in 2023. Effective Android App Vulnerability Scanners analyze app security by identifying insecure local storage, hardcoded credentials, weak cryptography, insecure network configurations, broken authentication flows, and misconfigured components. AI-powered scanners, like AutoSecT, can autonomously generate new scanning protocols quickly, detect zero-day vulnerabilities, automate penetration testing, and operate with near-zero false positives.

Winsage

January 7, 2026

Hackers Use Fake Windows BSOD To Spread Malware

Security researchers have identified a social engineering campaign that mimics the Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) to deceive users into installing a remote access Trojan (RAT). The campaign, named PHALT#BLYX, begins with phishing emails that appear to be legitimate cancellation notices from travel websites, leading victims to a fake login page and an interactive CAPTCHA. This culminates in a full-screen imitation of the BSOD, prompting users to follow instructions that ultimately allow attackers to gain control of their computers. The attackers use a “ClickFix” process that involves executing commands through native Windows tools like PowerShell and MSBuild, making detection more challenging. The malware delivered is an obfuscated version of DCRat, which provides attackers with remote control capabilities, keylogging, and the ability to download additional malware. The campaign primarily targets hotels and hospitality businesses in Europe, exploiting the urgency of front-desk staff to respond to apparent technical issues. Indicators of a fake BSOD include the ability to interact with the screen, requests to execute commands via Windows tools, and the presence of CAPTCHA prompts. Organizations are advised to train employees, implement application control, enhance email and web defenses, and prepare for incident response to mitigate risks associated with such attacks.

Tech Optimizer

January 3, 2026

Why AI Workloads Are Fueling a Move Back to Postgres

The database landscape has seen transformative shifts with the rise and fall of various technologies, leading to a resurgence in the adoption of PostgreSQL (Postgres) as a favored database system for modern AI applications. AI workloads have disrupted traditional managed database models, which were designed for predictable workloads, by introducing demands for high parallelism and continuous ingestion of large datasets. Engineering teams face challenges when scaling managed Postgres instances due to IOPS limits, throttling, and latency spikes. Major database vendors are emphasizing PostgreSQL compatibility, recognizing the need for a stable SQL system with strong transactional support. Despite its advantages, traditional managed database models present limitations, including reliance on network storage that introduces latency and IOPS constraints. A new model called Bring Your Own Cloud (BYOC) Postgres is emerging, allowing organizations to control their cloud environments while leveraging managed services, improving performance by colocating data with compute resources. Utilizing local NVMe storage with Postgres can enhance performance by reducing latency and IOPS limitations. Modern Postgres platforms facilitate efficient cloning processes that support parallel experiments in AI development, leading to shorter feedback loops and faster iteration cycles. The robust ecosystem of Postgres allows it to handle diverse workloads, streamlining data management and minimizing operational complexity. Developer velocity is a critical factor in the shift back to Postgres, as it enables rapid feedback and safe testing environments, empowering teams to innovate more effectively.

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Windows Reborn: Microsoft Moves Copilot into the Kernel, Launching the Era of the AI-Native OS

Microsoft is transitioning its Windows operating system to an "AI-native" platform, embedding AI capabilities directly into the Windows kernel, marking a significant architectural shift not seen in three decades. This new approach, called the "Agentic OS," allows AI to manage files, system settings, and workflows proactively. The updated kernel, partially rewritten in Rust, includes a new NPU-aware scheduler that treats the Neural Processing Unit as a primary resource. Microsoft has introduced "Agent Workspace" and "Agent Accounts" for autonomous agents, ensuring actions are logged and audited for compliance. Communication between agents and the system is facilitated by the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Hardware requirements for the new OS have increased, with benchmarks set for NPUs achieving 80 to 100 TOPS. Major PC manufacturers are adjusting their portfolios to accommodate "Agentic PCs." The competitive landscape is evolving, with companies like Alphabet and Apple developing their own AI-native platforms. The introduction of the AI-native kernel raises privacy and security concerns, with Microsoft implementing measures to restrict third-party access to the kernel. Future updates may include "self-healing" capabilities and "Cross-Device Agency," leading to a more integrated personal AI experience.

Tech Optimizer

December 25, 2025

Snowflake Postgres is Now Available in Public Preview

Snowflake Postgres, a fully managed Postgres solution, is now available for public preview, integrating Postgres into the Snowflake ecosystem. It enhances the Snowflake AI data platform, allowing users to utilize data for AI, machine learning, and analytics applications while offering simplified management, robust security, and comprehensive governance. The solution includes enhanced data management tools, advanced security protocols, governance features for compliance and data integrity, and support for various operational workloads.

Winsage

December 24, 2025

Game platform Steam to end support for system 32-bit Windows

Valve has announced the end of support for 32-bit Windows operating systems on its Steam platform, transitioning to a native 64-bit architecture to improve security and performance. Support for the 32-bit client will continue until January 1, 2026, after which it will no longer receive updates or security fixes. Users on 32-bit systems may experience a decline in service quality and access to new features. The decision is driven by memory limitations of 32-bit systems, which can only address a maximum of 4 GB of RAM, and the enhanced security capabilities of 64-bit systems. The latest Steam update also includes support for the Nintendo Switch 2 controller, compatibility with GameCube Adapters in Wii-U mode, and improvements to "Gyro Modes" along with various bug fixes. Users are encouraged to upgrade to 64-bit systems to avoid service disruptions.

AppWizard

December 24, 2025

Android Automotive to enhance privacy with new app lock feature

Android Automotive is introducing a new app lock feature that will require a PIN to unlock individual apps, enhancing user privacy by allowing users to secure specific applications. Currently, users can lock their profiles, but this can lead to privacy concerns when passengers need access to certain apps. The new feature will support PINs from four to sixteen digits, but its rollout timeline is uncertain as it is an unbundled app that requires compatibility with car manufacturers.

Winsage

December 20, 2025

Registry hack enables new performance-boosting native NVMe support on Windows 11 — Windows Server 2025 feature can be unlocked for consumer PCs, but at your own risk

Microsoft has announced that Windows Server 2025 will offer native support for NVMe drives. Early adopters have reported performance improvements of 10% to 15%, including reduced latencies and enhanced transfer speeds. The native support allows for 64,000 queues, each managing 64,000 commands simultaneously, enabling over 4 billion operations, compared to existing SCSI protocols that limit queues to 32 commands. Not all users have experienced performance benefits, and Microsoft recommends backing up systems or testing in a virtual environment before enabling this feature.

Winsage

December 19, 2025

Microsoft patches bug causing multiple Message Queuing errors

Microsoft released an out-of-band update (KB5074976) on December 19 to address Message Queuing (MSMQ) errors caused by December 2025 security updates. These updates have led to operational disruptions in business applications and IIS websites, particularly on systems running Windows 10 22H2, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server 2016, which received updates KB5071546, KB5071544, and KB5071543. Users reported issues such as inactive MSMQ queues, IIS sites generating "insufficient resources" error messages, and applications unable to write messages to queues. The problems stem from modifications in the MSMQ security model, which altered permissions for the system folder C:WindowsSystem32msmqstorage, requiring MSMQ users to have write access typically reserved for administrators. Systems with full administrative rights do not experience these issues. Microsoft is investigating the matter but has not provided a timeline for a resolution.

Winsage

December 19, 2025

Microsoft Phases Out RC4 Encryption by 2026 to Bolster Windows Security

Microsoft has announced the phased discontinuation of the RC4 encryption cipher, with full implementation expected by mid-2026. RC4, created in 1987, has been increasingly recognized as a vulnerability, exploited in various high-profile cyberattacks. Microsoft plans to disable RC4 by default in Windows Kerberos authentication, encouraging organizations to transition to more secure alternatives like AES-256. This decision follows years of warnings from the cybersecurity community and aims to eliminate long-standing cryptographic weaknesses. The transition will require organizations to audit and upgrade their infrastructures, as many legacy applications still depend on RC4. Disabling RC4 is expected to reduce the success rates of attacks exploiting weak encryption. Microsoft has introduced tools to help administrators identify hidden RC4 usage. The change reflects a commitment to zero-trust architectures and aligns with recommendations from organizations like NIST. Experts recommend a multi-step approach for organizations to navigate this transition effectively.