sandboxing Archives

Tech Optimizer

November 27, 2025

How Letta builds production-ready AI agents with Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL

AI agents benefit from persistent memory, enabling them to recall past interactions and maintain context, which enhances customer experience in scenarios like customer service. The Letta Developer Platform allows developers to create stateful agents with advanced context management features. It supports self-hosting within a virtual private cloud and uses Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL for long-term memory storage. Aurora PostgreSQL offers capabilities such as efficient similarity searches with the pgvector extension, sub-second query latency, and dynamic storage scaling. Letta operates as a persistent service, allowing agents to function independently and scale horizontally using Kubernetes. The platform supports multi-tenancy and includes enterprise features for security and monitoring. To set up an Aurora Serverless cluster for Letta, users must create a database on Amazon RDS, configure security group access, and install the pgvector extension. Letta connects to Aurora using a PostgreSQL connection string. After establishing the connection, users can create agents, send messages, and view agent states and conversation histories stored in Aurora. Letta organizes data in 42 tables, including those for agents, messages, and memory blocks. Users can explore the database schema and examine the structure of stored messages and embeddings. Finally, it is recommended to delete the Aurora cluster and associated resources after completing the integration to avoid charges.

Tech Optimizer

October 29, 2025

2025 Antivirus Trends, Statistics, and Market Report

In 2025, approximately 66 percent of U.S. adults use antivirus software, with 25 percent using it on both business and personal devices and 41 percent using it only on personal devices. This leaves 34 percent of Americans without antivirus protection. About 169 million Americans actively employ antivirus software, but there is a 20 percentage point gap between the 85 percent who believe antivirus is essential and the 66 percent who use it. Protection levels vary by device type: 63 percent of personal computer owners use real-time antivirus software, 25 percent of smartphone owners do, and only 22 percent of tablet owners utilize antivirus protection. Among personal computer users, 69 percent of Windows users have antivirus software compared to 37 percent of macOS users. Antivirus adoption increases with age, with 73 percent of users aged 60 and older using antivirus on PCs, compared to 51 percent of those aged 18-29. The antivirus market has shifted toward free solutions, with free antivirus usage rising to 61 percent in 2025 from 52 percent in 2024, while paid subscription usage decreased from 44 percent to 36 percent. Free antivirus tools have improved significantly, but they often lack advanced features necessary for high-risk users.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

When the Patches Stop: Protecting Your (Windows 10) Environment with CDR

Microsoft has ceased providing free security updates for Windows 10 as of mid-October 2025, marking the end of support for the operating system. Organizations can purchase Extended Security Updates (ESUs) to extend support temporarily, but these do not protect against zero-day vulnerabilities. Transitioning to Windows 11 presents challenges, including hardware incompatibility and the need for extensive planning and validation in regulated industries like healthcare and finance. Many businesses rely on Windows 10 systems that are integral to their operations and cannot easily be replaced. Cybercriminals exploit unpatched systems, with approximately 70% of successful breaches stemming from zero-day attacks. Traditional defenses are ineffective against undisclosed vulnerabilities, and human behavior remains a significant risk factor. Votiro offers a proactive solution through Content Disarm and Reconstruction (CDR), which sanitizes files in real-time to eliminate malware before it reaches unpatched systems, providing a protective barrier for organizations still using Windows 10.

Tech Optimizer

October 26, 2025

Do Chromebooks Need Antivirus Software in 2025?

Chromebooks are a cost-effective alternative to traditional laptops, appealing to students and young professionals due to their built-in productivity tools and user-friendly interface. They feature sandboxing technology that enhances resilience against malware, making them suitable for users learning about digital security. Chromebooks do not natively support traditional antivirus software, but users can access Android-based antivirus applications via the Google Play Store. While vulnerabilities in Chromebooks account for less than 1% of reported issues, users should remain vigilant against threats like fake browser extensions, scam Android apps, phishing attempts, and insecure websites. Key security features of Chromebooks include automatic updates, sandboxing, verified boot, data encryption, and recovery options. Misconceptions persist about their security, such as the belief that all apps in Google Play are thoroughly checked and that malware cannot self-install. If a Chromebook is suspected of being compromised, users can uninstall recent extensions, reboot the device, or use the Powerwash feature for a factory reset. Over 4% of U.S. desktop users utilize Chrome OS, and 30 million students and educators worldwide rely on Chromebooks. They are modeled closely on Linux OS and, while immune to traditional viruses, can still be susceptible to malware. Recommended antivirus options for Chromebooks include Norton, Bitdefender, and Avast. With proper care, Chromebooks typically last between five to eight years.

Winsage

October 26, 2025

Microsoft Warning—Do Not Open These Files On A Windows PC

Effective October 14, Microsoft will automatically disable the preview feature in File Explorer for files downloaded from the internet that are marked with a "Mark of the Web (MotW)." This measure addresses vulnerabilities related to "NTLM hash leakage," which could allow attackers to exploit the preview feature to capture sensitive credentials. Users must manually unblock these files by accessing the Properties settings. The change will take effect after the next login, and users can also unblock all files from a specific file share address, although this will relax security measures for those files.

Tech Optimizer

October 26, 2025

How Your Computer Protects Itself from Viruses and Cyberattacks

Virus protection is essential in the digital landscape due to threats like ransomware, phishing, spyware, and trojans that can compromise personal data and financial security. Cybercriminals continuously innovate, leading to potential malware infections that can steal sensitive information, lock files for ransom, or degrade device performance. Windows includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which provides real-time protection, automatic updates, cloud-based scanning, and firewall features. macOS offers built-in security tools such as XProtect, Gatekeeper, and the Malware Removal Tool, alongside regular updates. Linux distributions like Ubuntu are designed with security in mind, featuring regular patches, AppArmor, and optional antivirus tools. Key features to look for in antivirus software include real-time scanning, firewall protection, web protection, email scanning, automatic updates, and parental controls. While built-in solutions are often sufficient for everyday users, advanced users may benefit from third-party antivirus software. Best practices for maintaining cyber hygiene include keeping software updated, avoiding unverified applications, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly backing up data.

Tech Optimizer

October 10, 2025

How a single MacBook compromise spread across a user’s Apple devices

Macs are known for their reliability and security but are not immune to malware, which is becoming more sophisticated. A user named Jeffrey in Phoenix reported performance issues with his MacBook, which was used without an Apple ID due to company policy. The malware eventually affected his personal devices, prompting him to seek assistance from Apple. Signs of potential infection include sluggish performance, frequent app crashes, unusual activity in Activity Monitor, redirected web traffic, and altered security settings. macOS includes built-in protections like Gatekeeper, XProtect, System Integrity Protection, and Sandboxing, but these are not foolproof. If a Mac is suspected to be infected, users should disconnect from the internet, back up important files, boot into Safe Mode, run a trusted malware removal tool, check login items and Activity Monitor, consider a clean reinstall of macOS, secure other devices, reset passwords, and seek professional help if needed. To prevent infections, users should install strong antivirus software, consider personal data removal services, use a password manager, enable two-factor authentication, keep macOS and apps updated, review login items and background processes, and use identity theft protection services.

Tech Optimizer

September 27, 2025

Antivirus Statistics 2025: Revealing Growth & Usage

The global antivirus software market is projected to reach approximately billion by 2025 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6.9% through 2029. By 2025, 84% of users are expected to have antivirus software installed on their computers, and approximately 68% will have antivirus protection on their smartphones. In recent testing, antivirus products were evaluated against 212 test cases, with 560,000 new malware variants detected globally each day. Microsoft Defender and Norton achieved perfect protection scores of 100% in evaluations conducted in June 2025. Microsoft is redesigning Windows to relocate antivirus and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) applications out of the kernel. In 2024, the U.S. government prohibited the sale of Kaspersky antivirus software due to national security concerns. Gen Digital anticipates revenue between .70 billion and .80 billion for 2026. The integration of AI into malware frameworks is pushing antivirus vendors to adopt machine learning-driven threat detection models. Antivirus plans are predominantly priced between and , with 32.1% of plans falling within this range. Only 3.6% of antivirus options are free, and 93% of products offer a 30+ day money-back guarantee. 79% include defenses against ransomware and phishing attacks, and 61% come with a built-in firewall. The average maximum coverage per antivirus subscription extends to 24 devices. In 2024, around 121 million Americans used third-party antivirus software, with 17 million adults intending to adopt antivirus software within six months. Among users of commercial antivirus software, 74% reported encountering malware in the past year. Detection effectiveness in malware tests often surpasses 99% for leading antivirus products, while false positive rates vary significantly. Symantec leads the Windows antivirus market with a share of 13.81%, followed by AVAST Software (11.93%) and ESET (11.03%). Approximately 560,000 new malware variants are identified daily, and there are over 1 billion documented malware samples worldwide. Ransomware attacks targeting Windows constitute around 93% of all enterprise ransomware incidents. In 2024, 17% of U.S. adults reported using antivirus software on mobile phones, with 73% opting for paid versions. Free antivirus solutions typically offer basic features but lack advanced modules. The enterprise antivirus market is projected to reach approximately .0 billion by 2024, with significant growth expected in the coming years. North America holds approximately 48.3% of the global antivirus market share, while Europe experiences growth due to regulations. IoT devices are increasingly targeted, with unpatched firmware responsible for about 60% of IoT breaches. The average cost of an IoT security failure incident is approximately 0,000. Typical antivirus subscriptions range from to 0 per year, with many vendors offering multi-device bundles.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

38 Million Downloads Across 224 Malicious Android Apps on Google Play Deliver Harmful Payloads

Researchers from HUMAN’s Satori Threat Intelligence and Research Team discovered a digital advertising fraud operation called “SlopAds,” which involves 224 Android applications that have over 38 million downloads across 228 countries. SlopAds employs a multi-layered obfuscation strategy to deploy fraud modules that siphon ad revenue. The applications connect to Firebase Remote Config to retrieve an encrypted configuration that conceals URLs for PNG images containing fragments of an APK, which are reassembled to create the core fraud component known as FatModule. SlopAds generates approximately 2.3 billion bid requests daily, primarily targeting users in the United States (30%), India (10%), and Brazil (7%). Google Play Protect alerts users and blocks known SlopAds applications, and Google has removed these applications from the Play Store. Users who installed these apps from off-market sources remain vulnerable until they uninstall them.

Winsage

September 8, 2025

Yes, you can run Windows apps on Linux – here are my top 5 ways

Many users of Linux occasionally need to run Windows applications, and there are several methods to do so: 1. Wine: A compatibility layer for running Windows applications on Linux, it has user-friendly graphical interfaces like WineGUI and WineZGUI. Wine is free and available across most Linux distributions. 2. Bottles: Utilizes Wine to create isolated environments for Windows applications, allowing users to select different Wine versions for different apps. Bottles is free and recommended to be installed via Flatpak for security. 3. Steam: A platform for playing Windows games on Linux, it uses the Proton compatibility layer to facilitate this. Steam is free to install and compatible with most Linux distributions. 4. VirtualBox: Allows users to run a full Windows environment in a virtual machine on Linux. It is free and widely available but may not be ideal for gaming. 5. Winboat: An emerging tool currently in beta that aims to provide a user-friendly experience for running Windows applications in a containerized Windows environment. It requires Docker and specific kernel modules for installation.