reputation Archives

Tech Optimizer

July 10, 2025

New Survey Reveals Strong Demand for High Availability as Businesses Increasingly Use PostgreSQL in Mission-Critical Applications and to Alleviate Cloud Outage Concerns

pgEdge, Inc. conducted a survey revealing that 91% of organizations using PostgreSQL require a maximum of 4 minutes of downtime per month, with 24% aiming for less than 30 seconds. While 21% experienced an outage in the past year, 82% are concerned about potential cloud region failures. Additionally, 79% of respondents are considering or piloting a distributed PostgreSQL solution within the next year. Over half (51%) use PostgreSQL in a hybrid database environment, and 35% use it as their primary database for customer-facing applications. Strategies for high availability include 58% relying on read replicas and automated failover, while 47% have implemented multi-master replication across multiple cloud regions. Businesses exceeding downtime thresholds face delays (56%), damage to brand trust (40%), and increased support requests (49%). Organizations using high availability PostgreSQL solutions report benefits such as increased uptime (53%) and cost savings (36%). The survey included 212 IT decision-makers, with 75% from enterprises with over 500 employees, and the top industries represented were financial services, software and computing, and manufacturing.

AppWizard

July 10, 2025

Chief Surgeon Simulator Announced For PC & Consoles

Indie game developer RingZero Game Studio has announced Chief Surgeon Simulator, a simulation game for PC and console where players act as a chief surgeon, performing surgeries and managing a hospital. The game features dual role gameplay, allowing players to engage in surgical operations and hospital management, with authentic procedures based on real-world insights. It includes two modes: a structured Story Mode and an open-ended Sandbox Mode. A reputation system rewards players for delivering exceptional care, impacting funding and hospital growth. A release date is not yet set, but it may be speculated for 2026.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

GetPairr’s wireless Android Auto and CarPlay adapters have streaming apps too, and they’re on sale

GetPairr offers a range of wireless adapters for Android Auto and CarPlay, including the GetPairr Max Pro, which features built-in streaming applications, the GetPairr T7, which supports app downloads and has SIM card capability, the compact GetPairr Mini for budget-conscious users, and the GetPairr TV with an HDMI plug for connecting various devices. All models are currently available at a 20% discount using the coupon code 9T20, in addition to a 15% discount from Amazon's Prime Day sale, which can be combined with the coupon code PD15 at checkout.

AppWizard

July 8, 2025

Call of Duty takes PC game offline after multiple reports of RCE attacks on players

Call of Duty has temporarily taken its PC games offline due to reports of remote code execution (RCE) attacks that have compromised players' computers. The developers are investigating the issue. Players have shared videos of their systems being hacked during gameplay, with incidents including game freezes and unauthorized command executions. The vulnerability is linked to the shift from dedicated servers to peer-to-peer networking, which has made older games more susceptible to attacks. MalwareBytes has noted that this issue has become well-known in the community, leading many to avoid these titles. Previous vulnerabilities allowing RCE through the Steam platform were identified six years ago. The official Call of Duty X account has not provided updates on the investigation or the status of the games.

Tech Optimizer

July 2, 2025

NordVPN blocks 90% of phishing sites and earns AV-Comparatives certification

NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro feature has successfully blocked 90% of phishing websites in independent testing by AV-Comparatives, making it the only VPN with certified phishing protection. This feature has been recognized for two consecutive years for its effectiveness in detecting phishing attempts, surpassing the 85% threshold required for certification. Threat Protection Pro is available to subscribers of NordVPN Plus, Complete, and Ultra plans, while Basic tier users only have access to a DNS filter. NordVPN has also ranked third among 35 competitors for avoiding online shopping scams in 2024 and achieved a 99.8% malware protection rate according to testing by West Coast Labs.

Winsage

July 1, 2025

Teams Classic Is Officially Dead: IT Leaders Face Double Deadline with Windows 10 End-of-Life Looming

Microsoft Teams Classic has officially ceased operations, with all backend services disabled and servers shut down. Many organizations delayed their migrations despite prior announcements, leading to user disruptions and increased support tickets. A study by the UK’s Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found that over a quarter of UK businesses experienced cyberattacks in the past year, and nearly three-quarters of business leaders anticipate cybersecurity disruptions within the next one to two years. The end of support for Windows 10 is set for October 14, 2025, presenting further challenges for IT teams, particularly in regulated sectors. Organizations face hurdles in migration due to budget constraints, lack of visibility into legacy dependencies, and staff turnover. IT teams must deploy the new Teams client, disable Teams Classic, and ensure clear communication and documentation to mitigate risks.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

I played Lovecraftian doctor simulator Do No Harm, and let me tell you, my brother in Cthulhu, I did some serious harm

The protagonist, humorously named "Dr. Doctor Eadful," operates in a Lovecraftian world where he faces challenges in his unconventional medical practice. A mishap with a patient named Victor Harlow triggers a series of unfortunate events. Players engage in narrative adventure and light puzzles, diagnosing patients based on the four humours and administering treatments, which become increasingly complex. Incorrect treatments can lead to severe consequences, including patients worsening or dying, impacting the doctor's reputation and financial stability. The protagonist is pressured to make ethically questionable decisions, including accepting a proposition from a gravedigger to misadminister treatments for profit. The game explores the tension between ethical medical practice and survival, leading to a descent into madness.

Tech Optimizer

June 28, 2025

Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac

Windows is the primary target for malware attacks, leading to a focus on antivirus applications for the platform, while macOS users have fewer options. Norton AntiVirus Plus for Mac offers robust cross-platform protection and has received perfect scores from independent testing labs, excelling in phishing protection. It is priced at approximately .99 annually for a single license and .99 for a five-license subscription. Norton supports the latest three macOS versions: Sequoia (15), Sonoma (14), and Ventura (13). The Gen stack, a new antivirus engine, consolidates technology from Norton, Avast, and AVG, ensuring consistent performance. Norton achieved a perfect score of 18 points in independent testing, with a 100% detection rate for Mac malware and Windows-specific threats. It offers flexible scanning options, with quick scans completing in 30 seconds and full scans in 27 minutes. Norton has a 100% detection rate for phishing sites and includes a smart firewall and intrusion prevention system. Its password manager offers basic functions but lacks advanced features. Norton Genie is an AI-based scam detection tool integrated into the ecosystem. The software includes performance improvement tools like File Cleanup and Startup Manager, but privacy components require separate purchases.

AppWizard

June 28, 2025

Hellblade 2 is getting an enhanced edition that brings back the fake permadeath system from the first game, but there’s every chance it’s real this time

Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 will receive an enhanced edition on August 12, featuring improved graphics, including a new "very high" graphics setting. The update will reintroduce the Dark Rot mechanic from the first game, which grows with each death and can lead to losing all progress if it reaches Senua's head. The enhanced edition will be Steam Deck Verified and will include improvements to the photo mode and developer commentary. Critics have noted concerns about the game's focus on gameplay mechanics and Senua's character feeling disconnected from the story.

BetaBeacon

June 27, 2025

WhizKid World: The #1 Educational Android Game for Kids in 2025 (Free Download)

WhizKid World is a top educational Android game for kids in 2025. It offers offline play, zero ads or distractions, and curriculum-based learning. It provides age-appropriate content for preschoolers and toddlers, with activities tailored to different developmental stages.