risk Archives

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Minecraft was fine, except for one pesky little phrase

A family outing to the cinema featured the film A Minecraft Movie, which received negative reviews prior to its release. Despite this, the film appealed to the author's child, Sam, who wanted to see it "for the memes." The author had previously endured several children's films and was surprised that A Minecraft Movie exceeded expectations, performing better than titles like Snow White, Wish, Paddington in Peru, DC League of Super-Pets, and Moana 2. The film's cast did not include acclaimed actors Barry Keoghan and Paul Mescal, and it avoided the influence of Phoebe Waller-Bridge. The film had a runtime of 100 minutes, which was appreciated for being shorter than many contemporary films, and it successfully engaged both young and older viewers with its humor and adventure.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

‘Intrusion Detection’ might help Android 16 users catch suspicious phone activity

Google is set to introduce a security feature called "Intrusion Detection" in its upcoming Android 16, aimed at enhancing user security against threats. This feature, found in a beta version of the Google Play Services app, will log encrypted entries of essential device information to help users identify suspicious activity. "Intrusion Detection" is expected to be part of the Advanced Protection Program, which includes measures against malicious downloads and supports passkey sign-ins, moving away from traditional passwords. The feature's development has progressed, but it is unclear if it will launch with Android 16 or later. Android 16 Beta 4 was released to testers in mid-April, leading up to the anticipated full launch in May 2025.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

TeleMessage suspends services after hackers claim breach

TeleMessage has temporarily suspended all services due to a reported security breach, with the parent company Smarsh investigating the incident. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has discontinued using the app as a precaution. A hacker claimed to have accessed a centralized TeleMessage server and downloaded data, including a screenshot of the contact list for employees at Coinbase, which confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot but stated that customer data remained secure. Multiple U.S. government agencies have contracts with TeleMessage or related entities. Another hacker also claimed to have breached TeleMessage, providing evidence of their claims. The investigation into the breach is ongoing, and it is unclear if sensitive communications from U.S. officials were compromised.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Nightmare Frontier, a New Tactical Turn-Based Strategy Game, Announced for PC

Developer Ice Code Games has announced their new tactical turn-based strategy game, Nightmare Frontier, described as "XCOM meets Hunt: Showdown with a dash of Cthulhu." The game is set in an alternate 19th-century America, altered by a mysterious event, where survivors face the Dreadweavers—monstrous entities representing humanity's deepest fears. Players take on the role of a ringleader, navigating a treacherous environment and rallying scavengers for missions to find loot. The gameplay combines turn-based "gun-n-slash" mechanics with horror elements, featuring a risk-reward system. Nightmare Frontier is available for wishlisting on Steam.

Tech Optimizer

May 5, 2025

VIPRE Advanced Security Awarded Highest Ranking in AV-Comparatives’ Malware Protection Test 2025

VIPRE® Advanced Security received the Advanced+ award from AV-Comparatives in the March 2025 Malware Protection Test for its effectiveness against cyber threats. The test evaluated 19 security products using 10,030 malware samples on a Windows 11 system, focusing on both online and offline threats. VIPRE achieved a 98.7% detection rate in all scenarios, a 99.93% overall protection rate during execution testing, and had one of the lowest false positive counts among the products tested. VIPRE's security solutions are integrated into other Ziff Davis products, enhancing their protection capabilities. VIPRE is a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc., specializing in cybersecurity solutions with over 25 years of experience.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2025

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – May 2025 round-up

- Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE is a game included with Apple Arcade subscription where players roll katamari to make them bigger in a mock livestream format. - The gameplay of Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE remains similar to its original version from 2004, with some minor changes in controls and influencer window dressing.

Winsage

May 4, 2025

Microsoft explains why Windows 11 Copilot+ PCs are way better than old Windows 10 ones

Microsoft is encouraging users to transition from Windows 10 to Windows 11, especially as support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. Upgrading to Windows 11 on new devices, such as the Surface Copilot+ PCs, can enhance productivity, with workflows reportedly running up to 50% faster compared to older devices. Organizations using Windows 11 Pro have experienced a 62% reduction in security incidents, and features like Secure Boot can reduce firmware attacks by three times. Additionally, deployment of these systems is approximately 25% faster, aiding IT teams in transitioning users efficiently.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation Was Once The Cause Of Laptop Crashes

Janet Jackson's song "Rhythm Nation" caused laptops to crash due to its bass-heavy sound generating a resonant frequency that affected mechanical hard drives. Microsoft investigated the issue and found that the song could induce slight movements in the hard drives, leading to data corruption and system freezes. They implemented a "notch" filter to eliminate the problematic frequency from the launch of Windows XP in 2001 until Windows 7 in 2009. This issue was specific to laptop hard drives and did not affect external models. With the introduction of solid-state drives (SSDs), the problems associated with mechanical drives and resonance have been largely resolved.

Winsage

May 3, 2025

Microsoft’s Free Upgrade Offer Hits New High—Check Your Windows PC Now

Microsoft is alerting Windows users about a significant cyber threat as many PCs will stop receiving essential security updates. A free upgrade to Windows 11 is recommended, which offers enhanced security, but 240 million users remain at risk. Microsoft encourages users with outdated PCs to transition to Windows 11, which requires a TPM 2.0 security module. As of April, Windows 11's adoption has reached 44%, while 53% of users are still on Windows 10, though this percentage is declining. The gap between Windows 11 and Windows 10 usage has narrowed to within 10%. Users unable to upgrade may face security risks and should consider safer alternatives, including transitioning to passkeys instead of passwords for their Microsoft accounts.

Tech Optimizer

May 3, 2025

Use Protection: 6 Tips to Watch Porn Online Safely

Seventeen U.S. states have enacted age verification laws that effectively prohibit adult websites from operating within their jurisdictions. The use of Incognito Mode can help hide browsing history, but it is not completely secure as data may still be retained by Google. Data theft is a risk when engaging with adult content, especially if personal information is shared on pornographic sites. Using a VPN can enhance anonymity, but it does not protect against voluntarily shared information. Privacy services like IronVest can help create disposable email addresses and phone numbers. Ads on adult websites can contain malware, making antivirus software important for protection. Trusted pornographic sites typically prioritize user privacy and security, so caution is advised when choosing platforms.