scheduling Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 16, 2025

Norton Antivirus Review 2025: Solid Value for Fast, Effective Protection

Norton Antivirus has a score of 8.6 out of 10 and was established in 1982. The Norton 360 Deluxe package includes features such as real-time protection, manual and automated scans, the Genie Scam Detector, a password manager, and 2GB of cloud backups. It offers four plans: Norton Antivirus Plus, Norton 360 Standard, Norton 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 with LifeLock Select Plus, each with varying identity protection features and cloud backup space. The installation process is user-friendly, and the software operates efficiently, using minimal CPU and disk space. Norton has maintained a perfect security ranking from AV-Test for over a decade but has experienced a data breach in the past five years. Customer support includes a knowledge base, community forum, and 24/7 live chat and phone support, with an overall customer support score of 8 out of 10. Norton’s pricing is competitive, particularly for higher-tier plans, resulting in a value ranking of 8 out of 10.

Winsage

June 15, 2025

Microsoft Starts Testing New Settings AI Agent and Recall Export Experience

Microsoft is testing a new AI agent for Windows 11 within the Settings, available for Windows Insiders on Copilot+ PCs with the Dev build 26200.5651. Users in the European Economic Area (EEA) will have access to a revamped Recall export experience in the Beta channel build 26120.4441. The new features include the ability to reset Recall and erase all associated data, new Click to Do actions for Microsoft 365 Copilot and Teams, a larger clock option in the taskbar, improved Windows Share for OneDrive files (not available in the EEA), and enhancements to Voice Access for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese. Insiders are receiving updates based on Windows 11 version 24H2, with version 25H2 expected later this year.

Winsage

June 14, 2025

6 registry tweaks every tech-savvy user must apply on Windows 11

Windows 11 provides customization tools such as the Settings app, Control Panel, and Group Policy Editor, but advanced users often utilize the Registry Editor for deeper control. Key Registry tweaks include: 1. Disable the Home page in Settings: Modify the Registry to revert the Settings app to open directly to the "System" section instead of the "Home" page by creating a string value named SettingsPageVisibility and setting it to hide:home. 2. Disable automatic Windows Update: Prevent automatic downloads and installations by creating a key named WindowsUpdate under Policies, then a subkey AU, and a DWORD value NoAutoUpdate set to 1. 3. Disable the Lock Screen experience: Expedite the sign-in process by creating a key named Personalization and a DWORD value Nolockscreen set to 1. 4. Enable automatic Registry backup: Restore automatic Registry backups by creating a DWORD value EnablePeriodicBackup set to 1 and scheduling a task to run daily for backup. Editing the Registry carries risks, and it is advised to back up the PC before making changes.

Tech Optimizer

June 13, 2025

It’s time to stop believing these lies about antivirus software

The proliferation of social media misinformation, deep fakes, and sophisticated phishing attacks has made online safety challenging. Many individuals hold outdated beliefs about cybersecurity, such as the myth that Macs are immune to viruses and that caution alone can replace antivirus software. Regardless of the operating system, using a robust antivirus program is recommended, as built-in security features are not foolproof. Third-party antivirus software can provide additional functionalities like parental controls and VPN services, but they are not a complete safety net. Users must remain vigilant and practice good cybersecurity hygiene, including regular scans, strong passwords, and recognizing phishing attempts. Modern antivirus programs have become more user-friendly and less resource-intensive. Some malware can operate stealthily, making detection difficult, which emphasizes the need for regular scans and monitoring personal accounts for unusual activity. Antivirus protection should extend to mobile devices as well, as they are also vulnerable to cyber threats. Users should check if their antivirus program covers mobile devices and familiarize themselves with security settings on their smartphones.

Winsage

June 13, 2025

Microsoft’s Copilot Vision can now see and analyze your entire PC screen – not just what’s in Edge

Microsoft has integrated its Copilot Vision AI into the Copilot Windows app, currently available in the United States for Windows 10 and 11, with plans for expansion to additional non-European countries. This feature allows users to interact with items on their screens, providing assistance with files, applications, and on-screen content. Users can request analyses, summaries, or guidance on specific software features. Copilot Vision can connect multiple applications or files, helping users manage tasks like scheduling events. To use it, users access the Copilot Windows app, select items to share, and can ask questions about the shared content. The AI respects user privacy by only analyzing explicitly shared content.

Winsage

June 12, 2025

Windows Task Scheduler Vulnerability Let Attackers Escalate Privileges

A critical security vulnerability, designated as CVE-2025-33067, has been identified in the Windows Task Scheduler, allowing attackers to escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access without prior administrative rights. This vulnerability is rated as "Important" with a CVSS score of 8.4 and is due to improper privilege management within the Windows Kernel’s task scheduling component. It affects multiple Windows versions, including Windows 10 (Versions 1607, 1809, 21H2, 22H2), Windows 11 (22H2, 23H2, 24H2), and Windows Server 2016-2025. Microsoft released security updates on June 10, 2025, to address this flaw across 27 different Windows configurations. The vulnerability requires local system access, no prior privileges, and no user interaction, making it particularly dangerous. Security researcher Alexander Pudwill discovered and disclosed the vulnerability.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

Six new Android features just dropped, and you can try them out today

Android 16 introduces several new features, including enhancements to RCS group chats, a redesigned Google Photos editor, and improved functionality in the Google Home app. RCS group chat updates allow users to customize group chats with unique icons and names, check RCS status of friends, and mute notifications for specific groups. The Google Photos app features a new image editor with AI-driven suggestions, a Reimagine feature for creative expression, and an Auto frame function for better image cropping. The Google Home app now includes device-specific shortcuts for easier management of smart devices and an upgraded Safety Check feature for scheduling check-ins. WearOS smartwatches can now tap city transit cards even when the Google Wallet app is closed, provided the feature is activated.

Tech Optimizer

June 6, 2025

Bitdefender Antivirus Review 2025: I Found This Top-Rated Security Software Effective and Efficient

Bitdefender Antivirus has a score of 9.5 out of 10, with the following breakdown: Performance: 9/10, Security: 10/10, Customer Support: 9/10, Usability: 10/10, Value: 9/10, Features: 10/10. It has over 500 million users worldwide and offers real-time protection against malware, a scam detector, a VPN, password manager, ad blocker, digital identity protection, dark web monitoring, and data breach detection. Bitdefender's plans include a free version for single-device use and various Ultimate Security packages for individuals and families, all priced at 0 for the first year. The software is user-friendly, with a straightforward setup process and minimal impact on system resources during operation. It consistently achieves high marks in third-party lab tests for security and offers various customer support options, though the initial steps to reach a representative can be cumbersome.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Citadel Launches Digital Signage Software, Android App

Citadel Texas has launched an upgraded version of its Citadel Digital Signage software suite, featuring a new Android app and media player aimed at enhancing customer engagement through dynamic video content and real-time updates. Key features include enhanced engagement tools, effortless management, and accessibility at an affordable price. The software allows businesses to create impactful visuals, influence purchasing decisions, and transform displays into educational hubs. The Android app and media player offer features like integrated Google Reviews, live weather widgets, and reliable connectivity. The solution is particularly beneficial for healthcare settings, improving patient experiences during wait times. Pricing starts at a competitive rate, making it accessible for various businesses.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

Migrate Google Cloud SQL for PostgreSQL to Amazon RDS and Amazon Aurora using pglogical

PostgreSQL is a popular open-source relational database used by enterprise developers and startups, enabling rapid prototyping and supporting mission-critical applications. Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL and Amazon Aurora PostgreSQL-Compatible Edition facilitate easy setup, operation, and scaling of PostgreSQL deployments in the AWS Cloud, automating administrative tasks like software installation, storage management, and backups. The pglogical extension, compatible with PostgreSQL versions 9.4 and higher, allows for asynchronous replication and is supported on RDS for PostgreSQL and Aurora PostgreSQL from version 12. It uses a publisher/subscriber model for logical streaming replication. To migrate a PostgreSQL database from Google Cloud SQL to RDS for PostgreSQL or Aurora PostgreSQL, users must configure the primary database in Cloud SQL, create a PostgreSQL user with replication privileges, enable logical replication parameters, and create the pglogical extension. The RDS instance also requires a special user for replication, enabling logical replication parameters and creating the pglogical extension. Known limitations of pglogical include the inability to replicate primary key changes directly, the need to manually transfer extensions, and the lack of support for materialized views and large objects. Workarounds involve using surrogate keys for primary keys, manually creating extensions, and converting large objects to bytea columns or storing them in Amazon S3. DDL statements are not automatically replicated, but can be queued using the pglogical.replicate_ddl_command function.