students Archives

Winsage

March 1, 2026

Windows 11 Pro Upgrade Now $12.97 in Rare Deal

A Windows 11 Pro license is available for .97, representing a 93% discount from the standard retail price of 9. This license activates on one machine and includes features such as BitLocker full-disk encryption, Windows Sandbox, Hyper-V virtualization, Remote Desktop host, Group Policy, and Domain join support. Windows 11 Pro also integrates Microsoft’s Copilot for AI-assisted tasks and offers workflow enhancements like Snap Layouts and multiple desktops. To qualify for Windows 11, a PC must have a compatible 64-bit CPU, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, at least 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Users upgrading from Windows 11 Home typically retain their files and applications. Caution is advised regarding the purchase source to avoid gray-market or region-locked keys. Key differences between Windows 11 Pro and Home include enhanced security and management features, making Pro suitable for users handling sensitive data or requiring remote access.

AppWizard

February 27, 2026

Facebook designed an app for teens called Bell but never launched it, court records reveal

In 2018, Facebook proposed an app named Bell aimed at high school students to create a safe space for communication about school events and social interactions. Internal documents indicated that Facebook intended for Bell to engage teens and transition them to the main platform after graduation. The app was designed to include features like group chats, event organization, and an anonymous confessions section. Facebook aimed for Bell to reach 80% of U.S. high schools by the end of 2020, with plans to expand globally. However, the app was never developed, and a spokesperson described it as an early exploratory idea dependent on strong content moderation. Meta has faced legal challenges regarding the impact of its platforms on minors' mental health and has implemented features in its Teen Accounts to empower parental control.

Tech Optimizer

February 26, 2026

Avast Antivirus Just Got Smarter: Is It Finally Worth Your Money?

Avast Antivirus has introduced advanced AI tools, enhanced browser protection, and new privacy features in the U.S. market. It offers real-time malware protection, phishing shields, and Wi-Fi scanning. Avast's product lineup includes a free version, a premium security plan, and Avast One, catering to different user needs. Independent lab tests show Avast ranks highly in malware blocking, competing with brands like Bitdefender and Kaspersky. However, users should be cautious of upselling practices and data collection concerns. The free version provides strong protection, while paid plans offer additional features like VPN and advanced ransomware protection. Avast is accessible on various platforms, and pricing fluctuates due to promotions. Users are advised to assess their needs and be mindful of renewal rates before subscribing.

AppWizard

February 26, 2026

How Your Android Apps Keep Talking — Even When You’re Not Using Them

When connecting to public Wi-Fi, using a VPN is essential as it encrypts traffic and creates a secure tunnel between the device and a remote server, keeping activities concealed from the local network. Android devices continuously communicate in the background, performing tasks such as updating emails and syncing notes, which increases data visibility on public networks. Public Wi-Fi has become common due to remote work and shared spaces, leading to increased privacy risks as smartphones now store sensitive information like banking apps and personal photos. Users are encouraged to adopt simple security habits, including using a VPN when connecting to public networks. Android devices are always connected, making network-level protection important to safeguard background communications.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

SU students dominate the world of Minecraft

SU E-Sports organized a Minecraft Build Battle competition on February 20, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. in Charlie’s Lounge, allowing walk-in participants without prior registration. A bake sale was held on February 12 in Lower Deg to fund the event, featuring Minecraft-themed treats. Participants had one minute to select building blocks and three minutes to construct designated structures over eleven rounds. Notable builds included a cow, cat, headphones, desk, apple, soda, pizza, Freddy Fazbear, treehouse, car, and flower. Jason Petersen won at least three rounds, including the cow, headphones, and desk builds. Other winners included Tommy Wright for the cat build and Malichite Merenda for the apple build. The event fostered creativity and community spirit within SU E-Sports.

AppWizard

February 25, 2026

Wary of strangers recording you? This app warns you when smart glasses are nearby

A new Android application called Nearby Glasses, developed by Yves Jeanrenaud, alerts users when smart glasses are nearby by scanning for specific Bluetooth signatures. It is available on the Google Play Store and GitHub, functioning by identifying Bluetooth advertising frames from brands like Meta and Luxottica Group S.p.A. The app aims to address privacy concerns associated with smart glasses, particularly in light of reports about facial recognition technology being integrated into these devices. Jeanrenaud created the app to provide a countermeasure to surveillance technology, though he warns it may generate false positives with other devices that emit similar signals. The market for smart glasses is expanding, with companies like Google, Samsung, and Apple expected to enter the market.

AppWizard

February 24, 2026

Local school district files civil complaint against Roblox, Microsoft and creator of Minecraft

The Champion Local School District has filed a civil complaint against gaming companies Roblox, Mojang AB, and Microsoft in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The lawsuit claims these companies contribute to a mental health crisis among children by designing addictive video games that utilize operant conditioning to encourage prolonged gameplay. The district alleges that this addiction leads to increased anxiety, depression, declining academic performance, chronic absenteeism, and worsened ADHD symptoms among students. The district has had to hire counselors and implement measures to address video game addiction. The lawsuit also criticizes the companies' marketing strategies for portraying their products as educational while allowing access to younger players than recommended. The district is seeking a jury trial, damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The defendants have not yet responded to the allegations.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google banned 80,000 developer accounts, blocked 27 million dangerous apps from outside Google Play and more: How Google kept Android users safe in 2025 – The Times of India

Google's annual review highlighted its security measures for Android and Google Play, reporting that in 2025, it prevented over 1.75 million policy-violating apps from being published and banned more than 80,000 developer accounts. Google Play conducted over 10,000 safety checks on every app, blocked 160 million spam ratings, and Google Play Protect scanned over 350 billion Android apps daily. New fraud protection features were introduced, blocking 266 million risky installations and protecting users from 872,000 high-risk applications. Developer tools were enhanced with Play Policy Insights and expanded pre-review checks, while the Play Integrity API conducted over 20 billion checks daily. Google plans to invest further in AI-driven defenses and implement developer verifications in 2026.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Google cleans house, bans 80,000 developer accounts from the Play Store

Google blocked the publication of over 1.75 million policy-violating applications on its Google Play platform in 2025 and took action against over 80,000 developer accounts attempting to introduce harmful apps. The company conducted more than 10,000 safety checks on every app and integrated generative AI models into its app review process, preventing over 255,000 apps from gaining excessive access to sensitive user data. Google blocked 160 million fake or manipulated ratings and reviews in the previous year and identified more than 27 million new malicious apps from outside Google Play, thwarting 266 million risky installation attempts in 2025. Google introduced in-call scam protection to prevent users from disabling Google Play Protect during phone calls. The Play Policy Insights tool provides developers with real-time feedback, and the Play Integrity API performs over 20 billion daily checks to prevent abuse. Google plans to extend developer verification to all developers and has implemented protections for sensitive data in Android 16.

AppWizard

February 20, 2026

Keeping Google Play & Android app ecosystems safe in 2025

The Android ecosystem focuses on preventing real-world harm, including malware and privacy invasions, by enhancing investments in AI and real-time defenses. In 2025, over 1.75 million policy-violating apps were prevented from being published, and more than 80,000 malicious developer accounts were banned. Google Play conducts over 10,000 safety checks on each app, blocking over 255,000 apps from accessing sensitive user data and 160 million spam ratings and reviews. Google Play Protect scans over 350 billion apps daily, identifying over 27 million new malicious apps last year. Enhanced fraud protection was expanded to 185 markets, blocking 266 million risky installation attempts. Developer tools like Play Policy Insights and the Play Integrity API were introduced to streamline app development and enhance security. Developer verification is being extended to ensure accountability, and Android 16 includes features to protect sensitive information with minimal code.