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Tech Optimizer
September 10, 2026
If you hold Microsoft 365 E5, you have access to Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, which provides enterprise-grade endpoint protection at no additional cost. For organizations without a dedicated security specialist, Sophos is recommended for its user-friendly platform. CrowdStrike is suggested for those with a mature Security Operations Center (SOC) and sufficient budget. Other options include SentinelOne for mid-sized organizations needing automation, ESET for older hardware and virtual desktops, Avast Business for very small businesses, VIPRE for budget-conscious mixed estates, and Expel for tool-agnostic managed detection and response. Antivirus and EDR are now unified under a single agent, and organizations should inquire about update staging processes to avoid issues like those experienced in July 2024 with a major vendor's faulty content update. Independent tests from organizations like AV-Comparatives and AV-TEST are crucial for evaluating protection rates and false positives. Linux servers require attention as they are often targeted by ransomware. When deploying endpoint protection, avoid running two real-time agents simultaneously, activate prevention features promptly, and test deployments on critical applications first. Organizations should confirm their Microsoft licensing covers necessary features and ensure there is a plan for responding to alerts. Common pitfalls include neglecting identity management and failing to test response workflows before incidents occur.
Tech Optimizer
September 10, 2026
Apple provides built-in security features for macOS, including XProtect, Gatekeeper, and automatic malware removal, which contribute to the safety of Macs. However, these protections do not effectively address threats like infostealers, phishing, and adware. For enhanced security, third-party antivirus solutions are recommended. Bitdefender is noted for its strong detection rates and minimal system impact, making it suitable for most users. Intego specializes in Mac-specific threats and is ideal for users focused solely on Apple products. ESET and Trend Micro are recommended for businesses needing centralized management. F-Secure is recognized for its privacy-focused approach, while Norton offers a comprehensive suite of security features. AVG provides free real-time protection suitable for low-risk personal use, but may not be adequate for business needs. CleanMyMac is a maintenance tool rather than a traditional antivirus, focusing on system cleanup and optimization. Users should avoid running multiple real-time scanners simultaneously and ensure they purchase appropriate licenses for business use. It's important to evaluate the necessity of additional features and consider long-term pricing when selecting antivirus software.
AppWizard
September 10, 2026
IKEA has created a mod for The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim™ called Kallax Storageborn, featuring a companion that acts as a shelf and is voiced by Matt Berry. The mod includes a new questline where players visit an abandoned dwemer emporium to uncover the origins of a mysterious master. The quest offers engagement and dialogue, although it is less intricate than those in other games like The Witcher 3. The Kallax Storageborn mod is available for free on Bethesda's Creations page, and YouTuber ESO has streamed a complete playthrough.
Tech Optimizer
September 10, 2026
Bitdefender is recognized for its strong detection capabilities, mid-range pricing, and minimal system impact. Malwarebytes offers a free scanner for cleaning infected Macs, while Intego specializes in macOS with features tailored for Apple users. Norton provides a comprehensive security package with VPN, backup, and identity monitoring features. Gen Digital owns Norton, Avast, AVG, and Avira, indicating that these brands share threat intelligence and engineering resources. The 2026 Mac Antivirus Scorecard ranks Bitdefender highest with a score of 8.8, followed by Intego (8.2), Malwarebytes (8.3), ESET (8.3), and Norton (7.4). Pricing structures often include discounted first-year rates that can double upon renewal. Free options include Avast and Avira with real-time protection, while Malwarebytes offers a free on-demand scanner. Multi-device licensing can provide better value, and business Macs should use business licenses for essential features. macOS has built-in protections like XProtect and Gatekeeper, but third-party antivirus solutions can enhance security against newer threats.
AppWizard
September 9, 2026
A new hotfix for The Blood of Dawnwalker has been released, focusing on stability improvements, resolving progression blockers, and fixing controller-related frame rate drops. Key enhancements include: - Improved game stability. - Resolved tutorial progress issues with the Voracious Bite ability. - Fixed character Coen becoming trapped in buildings. - Enabled dialogue between Crake and Coen during training. - Prevented dead NPCs from initiating conversations. - Addressed blocking issues under specific conditions. - Resolved game saving problems. - Ocha will no longer attack Coen when guards are present. - Fixed a bug causing Coen to get stuck in a cave during the "Deep Down" quest. - Ensured Murohn spawns correctly. - Corrected premature ending of a solution in the "Hive and Seek" quest. - Resolved infinite loading screens in the "On the Run" quest. - Accurate display of difficulty level for "A Lone Wolf's Hunt." - Fixed a soft-lock issue after following Sara. - Investigating the rag in the "Smoke and Ashes" quest is now optional. - Resolved a blocker in "The Heart Wants What It Wants" quest. - Coen and Iorgu will drink from cups at lower graphical settings. - Removed the red pipe asset. - Fixed music stopping during the prologue. - Fixed frame rate drops from outdated GameInput software. - Torches will no longer grow uncontrollably. - Resolved issues with Quality preset mods. - Fixed VSync issues with FSR Frame Generation. The hotfix is now live on Steam.
Winsage
September 9, 2026
The September 2026 security cycle revealed a bifurcated approach to vulnerability management by Microsoft, focusing on cloud-side identity services with silent mitigations and traditional Patch Tuesday updates for on-premises Windows infrastructure. On September 3, Microsoft addressed nine cloud-side vulnerabilities, including two with a CVSS score of 10.0: CVE-2026-83711 (Azure AD B2C elevation of privilege) and CVE-2026-70352 (Azure AI Language Authoring missing authentication). Additionally, CVE-2026-83941 (Entra ID elevation of privilege, rated 9.9) and CVE-2026-80098 (Copilot Studio cryptographic flaw) were noted. On September 8, the Patch Tuesday update addressed 70 CVEs, including critical issues in the on-premises stack, such as CVE-2026-83939 (Windows Secure Kernel Mode elevation of privilege). CVE-2026-69414 (ShieldBreak), an elevation of privilege vulnerability in the Defender Malware Protection Engine, was patched out-of-band on September 3 after being publicly exposed for three weeks. Microsoft is shifting its Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) enforcement to default to passkeys as of September 7, with plans to phase out SMS and voice-based authentication by February 2027. This aims to enhance security by moving away from legacy credentials.
AppWizard
September 8, 2026
The RPCS3 team has expanded their PlayStation 3 emulator to allow users to play PS3 discs on macOS, Linux, and FreeBSD, in addition to Windows. This update enables users to enjoy titles dating back to 2006 on modern hardware. Minimum specifications for a suitable PC include an Nvidia GTX 400 series or newer GPU. To set up the emulator, users need to install the RPCS3 software, download the PS3 system software, and acquire a decryption key from a community-maintained database. A Quickstart guide is available for installation, and additional resources can be found in forums and Reddit threads for troubleshooting.
AppWizard
September 8, 2026
A recent update to Android Auto, version 17.5, has caused a glitch in the Waze navigation app, preventing users from seeing essential trip information such as estimated time of arrival (ETA), distance to destination, and remaining travel time when Waze is displayed in full-screen mode. The information is visible when Waze is shown in the Coolwalk screen alongside other applications. Some users have noted that the journey information briefly reappears during Waze alerts but disappears after the alert is dismissed. There is currently no identified workaround, but users are considering reverting to a previous version of Android Auto or Waze to resolve the issue. Google has not officially acknowledged the glitch, but a Community Specialist has requested additional information from users to assist in diagnosing the problem. Meanwhile, Google Maps remains a reliable alternative for navigation.
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