scam

Tech Optimizer
March 5, 2025
Norton AntiVirus offers comprehensive protection for various devices, including desktops, laptops, smartphones, and tablets, with plans covering up to ten devices. Key offerings include: - Norton AntiVirus Plus: Covers one device (PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone) with essential protections against viruses, malware, and ransomware, priced at .99 (50% discount). - Norton 360 Standard: Protects up to three devices, adds a VPN and dark web monitoring, priced at .99 (57% discount). - Norton 360 Deluxe: Covers five devices, includes all previous features plus privacy monitoring and parental controls, priced at .99 (58% discount). - Norton 360 Select: Covers up to ten devices with identity theft protection, priced at .99 (47% discount). Norton’s software protects against a wide range of digital threats, including viruses, Trojans, coin-miners, crypto-jacking, keylogging, spyware, and malicious ads. Norton Family helps parents manage their children's online experiences, allowing web supervision, screen time limits, and activity monitoring. A seven-day trial is available for users to experience the protection risk-free.
AppWizard
March 5, 2025
In March 2025, Google began rolling out a security update for eligible Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6 series to Pixel 9, Pixel Fold, 9 Pro Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The update versions are BP1A.250305.019 for Pixel 6, 7, 8, and Fold, and BP1A.250305.020 for Pixel 9 series and Tablet. The update addresses various issues, enhancing display stability and performance, and includes fixes for camera and WebView stability. An audio issue with Bluetooth call volume is resolved, except for the Pixel 6 series. The changelog includes fixes for launcher theme misalignment, transparent home screen icons, app-switching issues with third-party launchers, and themed icon display problems. The update also introduces nine high-severity framework fixes and 21 system fixes for security, including two notable vulnerabilities. The rollout started on March 4, following a Pixel feature drop that added functionalities like Loss of Pulse detection and scam detection alerts.
AppWizard
March 5, 2025
Google has begun rolling out the March 2025 Pixel Drop, which includes significant updates for the Pixel 9 series. The Pixel Studio app has been upgraded to allow users to generate images of people using text prompts, a feature that was previously unavailable. Users can create personalized images by describing individuals or scenes and specifying artistic styles like “video game” or “3D cartoon.” This feature supports English, Japanese, and German, though availability may vary by region. Additional enhancements in the update include AI-powered scam protection, multi-cam streaming support, improvements to the screenshot experience, an expanded Satellite SOS feature for more users in the U.S., and new photo and video tools specifically for the Pixel Fold.
AppWizard
March 5, 2025
Google's latest Pixel Drop update enhances the Pixel series with new features, including expanded satellite messaging capabilities for the Pixel 9 series, which now supports users in Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, and parts of Europe. This feature allows users to connect to compatible satellite networks for emergency assistance when cellular service is unavailable. The update will also support Verizon and T-Mobile for satellite messaging. Additionally, the Pixel 9 family introduces a video recording feature that enables simultaneous recording from multiple angles using another Pixel device or a compatible GoPro camera. The AI-powered scam detection feature will be available on all currently supported Android devices, allowing Google Messages app users to identify potential scam texts, while comprehensive phone call scam alerts will remain exclusive to the Pixel 9 series.
AppWizard
March 5, 2025
Google Messages has introduced several new features for Android and Pixel users, focusing on user safety and connectivity. Key updates include an AI-driven scam detection tool that analyzes SMS, MMS, and RCS messages in real time to identify potential scams, alerting users to suspicious messages. This feature is initially available in English in the US, UK, and Canada, and it prioritizes user privacy by processing data on the device. Users can also share their live location with trusted contacts through a new feature integrated with the Find My Device app, which allows for real-time location sharing while maintaining control over who can access this information. Additionally, exclusive features for the Pixel 9 model include enhanced connectivity options for linking GoPro cameras and other Pixel phones, as well as upgrades to the Pixel Studio app for creating stylized images and stickers.
AppWizard
March 5, 2025
Google has announced the March 2025 Pixel Feature Drop alongside Android 15 QPR2, which includes various enhancements for first-party applications, camera functionalities, and connectivity options. The update features Gemini Live powered by Gemini 2.0 Flash, enabling multilingual conversations in over 45 languages. The Pixel 6+ introduces Talk Live for discussions about images and videos, while the Pixel 9 series gains a "Connected Camera" feature for livestreaming with GoPro HERO10 Black or newer devices. The Pixel Fold series adds Dual Screen mode for video recording. The Satellite SOS service is now available in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, the UK, and Europe for Pixel 9 users, allowing emergency contact without cellular coverage. T-Mobile and Verizon users can utilize carrier satellite messaging for emergency calls and texts. The Pixel Studio app on the Pixel 9 series can now generate images of people, and Pixel Screenshots will suggest items for Collections. Japanese users gain access to Pixel Screenshots, Studio, AI summaries, and weather reports, while German users receive similar enhancements. The Phone by Google app introduces real-time Scam Detection, and Google Messages will show scam alerts in conversations. The Gboard Voice Toolbar is now available on phones.
Tech Optimizer
March 1, 2025
Norton 360 provides robust malware protection, including features to combat malicious email attachments, phishing attacks, and ransomware, with a Community Watch program for enhanced threat detection. McAfee uses a cloud-based infrastructure and machine learning for threat identification, with a malware scanner that analyzes suspicious code on its servers. Norton excels in malware detection but has some false positives, while McAfee achieved a perfect score in detecting existing malware and zero-day exploits, also with some false positives. Norton includes a two-way firewall, password manager, and 2GB of online storage, while McAfee focuses on phishing protection and personal data privacy tools, often at an additional cost. Benchmark tests show Norton has minimal system impact, while McAfee significantly slows down during full scans. Norton offers two interface options and is user-friendly, while McAfee's interface is simple but lacks customization. McAfee has a quick installation process under five minutes and 24/7 support, while Norton’s installation is longer but includes conflict checking and extensive support options. Ultimately, Norton is noted for comprehensive security features and performance, while McAfee is recognized for its user-friendly interface and quick installation.
Tech Optimizer
February 28, 2025
Norton has introduced Genie Scam and Genie Scam Protection Pro to enhance its cybersecurity offerings, focusing on protecting personal communications such as texts, calls, emails, and web interactions. The Genie AI analyzes language semantics to identify hidden scam patterns. Users subscribed to Norton 360 with LifeLock Ultimate Plus receive additional benefits like reimbursement coverage and dedicated scam support. Genie Scam Protection is available at no extra cost for users of Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton Mobile Security, or Norton 360. An AI-powered scam assistant is also included to help users recognize scams. Currently, these AI tools are available in the United States, with other regions awaiting access.
AppWizard
February 27, 2025
Google is introducing Scam Detection features for the Phone app on Pixel devices, powered by Gemini Nano, with a rollout anticipated for March 2025. A beta phase began in November, allowing users to test the Scam Detection capabilities, which include background monitoring of incoming calls and warning notifications for potential scams. Users will receive a red pop-up notification stating "likely scam" if a potential threat is detected, with options to end the call or report it as not a scam. The feature will be disabled by default to prioritize user privacy, but can be enabled in the app's settings. Additionally, the Messages app has been testing alerts for hazardous links since October. This update may coincide with the feature drop for Android 15 in March 2025, with ongoing testing for Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 and plans for an early Android 16 update in the second quarter of 2025.
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