safety features

AppWizard
December 4, 2025
Google is adding new in-call scam protection tools to Android for users in the United States. The feature warns users when they share screens with unknown numbers during financial app calls and includes a 30-second alert to prevent sharing sensitive banking details. This protection has already been rolled out in the UK, India, and Brazil and applies to calls involving banking applications and peer-to-peer payment platforms.
Tech Optimizer
December 2, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the cybersecurity landscape by enabling sophisticated cyberattacks, such as ransomware and deepfakes. Ransomware has evolved from manual coding to AI-driven automation, making attacks more efficient and harder to stop. AI automates the targeting of victims by analyzing large datasets to identify vulnerabilities. Machine learning allows malware to change its form to evade detection, and ransomware can operate autonomously within networks. Phishing attacks have become more convincing through AI-generated messages that mimic real communications. Deepfakes can create realistic impersonations, leading to financial fraud and extortion, as demonstrated by a 2024 incident resulting in a million loss. Deepfakes also pose risks for manipulation and disinformation, affecting public perception and market dynamics. On the defensive side, AI is utilized in cybersecurity to detect and prevent attacks through anomaly detection, zero-trust security models, and advanced authentication methods. Human training and awareness are crucial for recognizing AI-generated threats. Effective defense requires regulations, shared accountability, and preparedness within organizations, including continuous monitoring and employee training. Collaboration between public agencies and private security firms is essential for a robust response to cyber threats.
AppWizard
November 22, 2025
Google Fit is a foundational tool for Android users, but many are looking for more comprehensive fitness insights and community engagement. Alternative applications provide enhanced features and deeper analytics tailored to various training styles. Strava is a social platform for endurance athletes with over 100 million users, offering features like segment leaderboards and route planning, making it ideal for GPS-centric sports. Samsung Health integrates sleep coaching, stress metrics, and body composition estimates, providing a holistic dashboard for daily monitoring, especially effective with Galaxy devices. MyFitnessPal focuses on nutrition and weight goals, featuring a database of over 14 million foods for easy meal logging and customizable macro goals. Hevy is designed for strength training, offering a streamlined logging system for workouts and progress tracking, with a lightweight social component. AllTrails caters to hikers and trail runners, providing access to over 400,000 curated routes and safety features, including offline maps and GPS tracking. Users can choose an app based on their primary fitness goals, with options for GPS and community engagement, overall wellness, nutrition tracking, strength training, or outdoor adventures, all benefiting from data interoperability through Health Connect by Android.
Tech Optimizer
November 18, 2025
A newly released open-source tool called SilentButDeadly, developed by Ryan Framiñán and launched on November 2, 2025, can disable Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems and antivirus software without terminating processes. It exploits the Windows Filtering Platform to sever cloud connectivity for security products, leaving systems vulnerable to attacks. SilentButDeadly operates through a seven-phase execution sequence, starting with verifying administrator privileges, then scanning for active EDR processes like SentinelOne and Windows Defender. It establishes network filters that block communications for these security applications, preventing them from receiving updates or transmitting telemetry data. The tool also attempts to disable EDR services by changing their startup types. SilentButDeadly features dynamic, self-cleaning filters and builds on techniques from EDRSilencer, introducing enhanced operational safety. Organizations using cloud-based threat detection face risks when their security solutions lose connectivity. Security teams are advised to monitor Windows event logs for specific filter creation events and implement real-time monitoring and redundant communication channels for EDR telemetry.
AppWizard
October 23, 2025
Google is enhancing the safety and privacy features of its Pixel phones, focusing on the Live Threat Detection tool. This tool uses on-device AI to identify harmful applications and provides real-time alerts for suspicious activity. Upcoming updates include a dedicated page displaying a list of flagged apps and new alerts for apps monitoring device location or activity.
AppWizard
October 15, 2025
Google has introduced two safety features for its Messages app: the Android Key Verifier and a spam protection feature. The Android Key Verifier is available for users on Android 10 and above, using QR codes to verify end-to-end encrypted message exchanges. Users can verify keys by tapping on the contact's name and selecting “Verify keys.” A confirmation message appears upon successful verification, and users are alerted if a contact's key changes due to reasons like acquiring a new device or SIM card, key expiration, or encryption protocol upgrades. Potential malicious reasons for key changes include man-in-the-middle attacks and SIM swapping. Users are advised to keep the Android System Key Verifier app updated. The spam protection feature prevents access to harmful links in texts unless marked as “not spam,” and it is now available worldwide.
Winsage
October 12, 2025
Windows 11 Pro is available for .97, reduced from its standard retail price of 9. This offer expires tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. The upgrade includes features such as Hyper-V for virtualization, Windows Sandbox for secure testing, BitLocker encryption for data protection, Azure AD integration, and Copilot, Microsoft’s AI-powered assistant.
AppWizard
September 29, 2025
Kakao Corp. will revert part of the redesign of its KakaoTalk messenger in response to user complaints about the new feed-style interface, which many users felt compromised their privacy. The "friends" tab will return to its previous format, allowing users to choose between old and new display styles. The redesign was the most extensive in 15 years, but received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users stating it made the app resemble Instagram. A dual-display feature will be implemented in a technical update expected in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Kakao is enhancing safety features for minors using its short-form video function. Following these announcements, Kakao's shares closed at 60,300 won, marking a 1.69 percent increase.
AppWizard
September 26, 2025
Meta is expanding the Teen Accounts feature across Facebook and Messenger after a successful introduction on Instagram, integrating hundreds of millions of teens into these accounts. The Teen Accounts come with automatic protections to limit interactions and exposure to harmful content, addressing parental concerns about safety and screen time. Enhancements include limits on live streaming, increased restrictions in direct messages, and improved age-appropriate experiences. Moreover, Meta has launched a School Partnership Program for middle and high schools in the U.S. that allows educators to report safety concerns, with a prioritized review within 48 hours. This program was piloted over the past year and is now accessible through a waitlist system.
AppWizard
September 25, 2025
Meta is transitioning more teenagers on Facebook and Messenger to specialized "teen accounts," which include enhanced parental controls and protective measures. Hundreds of millions of teenagers are using these accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. The rollout, which began on Instagram a year ago, has expanded globally and is now mandatory for all teens, requiring parental consent for younger teens aged 13 to 15 to modify safety-related settings. Meta uses artificial intelligence to identify users misrepresenting their age. Parents can monitor their children's interactions, screen time, and messaging insights through these accounts, which also feature stricter privacy settings. Additionally, Instagram is expanding its program to facilitate the reporting of bullying in US middle and high schools. Meta's efforts to enhance parental control features and youth safety come amid ongoing lawsuits and investigations regarding the company's protection of children online.
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