spy Archives

Winsage

December 4, 2025

Your Windows on ARM laptop could someday play real PC games

The Lisuan 7G106 is the first discrete graphics card to operate on Windows on ARM, successfully executing the 3DMark Time Spy benchmark. This marks a significant milestone for the ARM ecosystem, confirming real discrete GPU driver support. The demonstration indicates essential rendering, driver, and API support are operational, suggesting potential for ARM PCs to cater to gaming laptops and high-performance desktops. This development challenges major graphics companies like NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel to consider entering the Windows on ARM market. While the Lisuan GPU is not yet market-ready, it serves as a crucial proof-of-concept for future advancements in ARM computing.

AppWizard

November 29, 2025

The Spy in Your Pocket: How Ordinary Android Apps Are Turning Into Dangerous Spyware

Numerous commonly used Android applications, often appearing harmless, can contain malicious code that functions as spyware. These applications, which include phone cleaners, file managers, and wallpaper apps, can record screens, capture keystrokes, access microphones and cameras without consent, and transmit data to unknown servers. Uninstalling these apps may not eliminate the threat, as they can remain hidden. Users often grant unnecessary permissions to these apps, inadvertently allowing cybercriminals access to personal data. Recent cybersecurity assessments indicate a rise in mobile malware attacks, particularly in India, where weak enforcement and low awareness contribute to the problem. Spyware can drain device resources, leading to rapid battery depletion and lagging performance. Additionally, these apps can steal personal information, enabling identity theft and ongoing repercussions. Trusting apps solely based on their presence in the Play Store is a misconception, as modern spyware can bypass initial checks. To stay safe, users should verify developers, decline unnecessary permissions, conduct security scans, avoid third-party APKs, and keep their devices updated.

AppWizard

November 5, 2025

6 Android apps reportedly recording users’ conversations

Recent investigations have identified a series of malicious Android applications capable of spying on users by extracting messages from platforms like WhatsApp and Signal, and recording conversations without consent. One such app, WaveChat, can capture background audio even when the microphone is not in use. These apps deploy a remote access trojan (RAT) called VajraSpy and are primarily targeting users in India and Pakistan, with only about 1,400 downloads noted. A total of 12 spyware apps were identified, including six available on the Google Play Store. These include Privee Talk, MeetMe*, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat رفاق, and Chit Chat. Users are advised to be cautious about app permissions and to download applications only from reputable sources. ESET researchers also discovered two spyware apps posing as the Android Signal app, targeting users in the United Arab Emirates. One malicious app exploited the popularity of a Pakistani cricket player, although he is not involved in the malicious activity. The development of these spyware apps is attributed to Patchwork APT.

AppWizard

October 31, 2025

Leak claims new Intel gaming CPUs could be even slower than its current ones, which is pretty disappointing

Intel is set to launch its Core Ultra 300 series CPUs in early 2026, featuring the new 18A manufacturing process and built on the Panther Lake architecture. The series includes the Intel Core Ultra X7 385H and Core Ultra 5 338H, with performance benchmarks revealing that the X7 385H achieved a score of 20,000 in Cinebench R23 at 65W, while the Core Ultra 5 338H scored 16,000 points. The X7 385H's integrated GPU scored 6,830 in 3DMark Time Spy, nearly double that of its predecessor, but still behind dedicated GPUs like the RTX 5050. The core configuration of the X7 385H includes four performance cores, eight efficiency cores, and four low-power efficiency cores, which may contribute to its lower CPU performance compared to the Core Ultra 7 255H.

Winsage

October 31, 2025

Windows zero-day actively exploited to spy on European diplomats

A China-linked hacking group, identified as UNC6384 or Mustang Panda, is exploiting a Windows zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-9491) to target European diplomats, particularly in Hungary, Belgium, Serbia, Italy, and the Netherlands. The attacks are initiated through spearphishing emails that disguise malicious LNK files as legitimate invitations to NATO and European Commission events. Once activated, these files allow the deployment of the PlugX remote access trojan (RAT), enabling persistent access to compromised systems for surveillance and data extraction. The vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit and resides in the handling of .LNK files, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely. As of March 2025, the vulnerability is being exploited by multiple state-sponsored groups and cybercrime organizations, but Microsoft has not yet released a patch for it. Network defenders are advised to restrict the use of .LNK files and block connections from identified command-and-control infrastructure.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Battlefield 6’s first batch of soldier skins is more tactical than tacti-cool, but if you thought that one green skin was a step too far, I don’t know what to tell you

The debate over the aesthetics of cosmetics in modern FPS games, particularly in Battlefield 6, focuses on whether to adopt a tactical or 'tacti-cool' approach. As Season 1 progresses, early impressions suggest that the new cosmetics largely maintain a realistic military style, with designs like the Unflinching and Regiment skins aligning closely with the original launch aesthetics. However, some skins, such as the Fearmonger and Samhain, introduce more flamboyant elements reminiscent of styles seen in Call of Duty. Despite these extravagant designs, most new skins integrate well with Battlefield 6's visual identity. EA's goal for Battlefield 6 as a successful live service may lead to a demand for broader appeal in future skins, with Season 2 expected to introduce new designs in the new year.

AppWizard

October 15, 2025

Researchers expose critical Android flaw allowing apps to steal sensitive data

Security researchers have identified a data theft technique called Pixnapping that exploits vulnerabilities in Android devices, specifically targeting sensitive information from various applications without needing special permissions. This method allows malicious apps to capture data from other apps or websites, including sensitive information from platforms like Google Maps, Gmail, Signal, Venmo, and two-factor authentication codes from Google Authenticator. The technique utilizes a hardware side channel known as GPU.zip to read screen pixel data by measuring rendering times. The data leak rate is between 0.6 to 2.1 pixels per second, sufficient to reconstruct sensitive information. The vulnerability is designated as CVE-2025-48561 and affects Android versions 13 through 16, including devices like the Pixel 6 to 9 and Galaxy S25. A partial patch was released in September 2025, with a comprehensive solution expected in December. The attack allows benign applications from the Google Play Store to potentially spy on sensitive on-screen data, highlighting broader concerns regarding side-channel vulnerabilities that arise from hardware data processing rather than software bugs. While Google has stated there is no evidence of exploitation currently, the existence of this attack suggests that malware could bypass traditional security measures. Google is working on additional fixes to limit misuse of the blur API and improve detection capabilities, but the underlying GPU.zip vulnerability remains unresolved. Users are advised to avoid untrusted apps and keep their devices updated, as more side-channel attacks similar to Pixnapping may emerge in the future.

AppWizard

October 13, 2025

The Deus Ex mod that’s a better sequel than Invisible War just got a mondo-update, and playing it couldn’t be easier

Aspyr has released an official remaster of Deus Ex, which has received mixed reactions from the gaming community. In response, many players have turned to Deus Ex: Revision (DX:R), a fan-driven modernization of the original game available on Steam. DX:R includes a compilation of mods, reimagined maps, and gameplay enhancements while allowing players to disable new features for a classic experience. Recently, it received its first update since 2023, improving the game by fixing bugs and adding memory-assistance features, including a password/keycode toggle for terminals. Additionally, The Nameless Mod (TNM), a total-conversion mod launched in 2009, has received a significant update after three years of development. This update includes new levels, secrets, items, and gameplay modes, as well as features from the DX:R update like the password manager. TNM can be installed through the DX:R Steam Workshop, and players can choose to play with the original maps from the 2009 version.

AppWizard

October 12, 2025

Police found secret messaging app on spy suspect’s phones

One of the suspects in the China spy case allegedly used secure communication applications on 'burner phones' intended for Beijing agents. Christopher Berry and Chris Cash were charged with transmitting secrets to China between 2021 and 2023, but the trial collapsed due to the Government's failure to assert that China posed a national security threat at the time of the alleged offences, leading to their not guilty declaration. Berry was stopped at an airport in February 2023, and suspicious applications were discovered on his electronic devices, which contributed to the charges. Berry is accused of transferring about 34 files to a Chinese handler, with the information reportedly obtained by Cash, who worked for the China Research Group and as a Commons researcher. Both men were arrested in March 2023 under the Official Secrets Act for conveying information detrimental to UK safety and interests. Berry is suspected of sharing information about internal government disputes over the Newport Wafer Fab semiconductor factory and accommodations for MPs during a visit to Taiwan. British intelligence identified Berry and Cash after detecting UK-related information in the Chinese intelligence framework. The potential for a successful prosecution was noted by experts, who criticized the government's reluctance to address espionage efforts.