theft Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2025

ViperSoftX Malware Used by Threat Actors to Steal Sensitive Information

The AhnLab Security Intelligence Center (ASEC) has reported that ViperSoftX malware, first identified in 2020, continues to pose a significant threat, particularly targeting cryptocurrency-related information. It disguises itself as cracked software or eBooks on torrent sites and uses deceptive tactics to infect users globally. ViperSoftX exploits the Windows Task Scheduler to execute malicious PowerShell scripts and communicates with its command-and-control server to transmit detailed system information. The malware captures clipboard activity to steal cryptocurrency wallet addresses and employs mechanisms to avoid detection, including self-removal. It also deploys secondary payloads like Quasar RAT and ClipBanker, which hijacks wallet addresses during transactions. ASEC warns that infections can lead to total system compromise and advises users to avoid unverified downloads and maintain updated security measures. Indicators of Compromise (IOCs): - MD5: - 064b1e45016e8a49eba01878e41ecc37 - 0ed2d0579b60d9e923b439d8e74b53e1 - 0efe1a5d5f4066b7e9755ad89ee9470c - 197ff9252dd5273e3e77ee07b37fd4dd - 1ec4b69f3194bd647639e6b0fa5c7bb5 - URLs: - http://136.243.132.112/ut.exe - http://136.243.132.112:881/3.exe - http://136.243.132.112:881/APPDATA.exe - http://136.243.132.112:881/a.ps1 - http://136.243.132.112:881/firefoxtemp.exe - IPs: - 136.243.132.112 - 160.191.77.89 - 185.245.183.74 - 212.56.35.232 - 89.117.79.31

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

Former GTA and Red Dead dev’s ritualistic horror game is expanding on its planned PC-only launch, and is now releasing on consoles too

Ritual Tides is a horror game developed by a team with experience from Grand Theft Auto V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Star Citizen. It features a mysterious island setting and a narrative involving a religious cult. The game was showcased at the Future Games Show Summer Showcase, and its trailer includes a haunting narrator and unsettling visuals, complemented by disconcerting pencil-style artwork. More information can be found on the official website.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Chronicles: Medieval Is a Mount and Blade-Like ‘Dynamic Medieval Sandbox RPG’ Out Next Year in Early Access

Raw Power Games, an independent studio based in Copenhagen, Denmark, introduced its first title, Chronicles: Medieval, during the Summer Game Fest 2025. The studio has around 100 employees with experience from notable games like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077. Chronicles: Medieval is a dynamic medieval sandbox RPG set in 14th to 15th century Europe, utilizing Unreal Engine 5 and proprietary 'Asgard' technology. Players can craft their own narratives, engage in intense combat, and lead armies in battles. The game features character creation, troop recruitment, and third-person battlefield engagement, with historical units like English longbowmen and French cavalry. The combat system emphasizes realism and fluid weapon mechanics, developed in collaboration with HEMA expert Björn Rüther. The game allows for player choices and potential diplomatic interactions, with modding capabilities hinted at. An early access launch on PC is planned for next year.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

ISKP Magazine Questions Encryption Claims Of Messaging App, Cautions

The latest edition of "Voice of Khurasan" critiques Gem Space, a new social media platform attracting Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) members, highlighting security vulnerabilities. The article warns against migrating from Telegram to Gem Space due to concerns over the platform's closed-source nature, unspecified encryption protocols, lack of end-to-end encryption confirmation, unclear ownership, and absence of transparency reports. It suggests that claims of 40+ million downloads may be exaggerated, pointing to a lack of independent validation of the platform's security. The article emphasizes the importance of informed decision-making regarding digital security.

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.

Tech Optimizer

June 5, 2025

Exponential Growth Expected for Computer Security For Business Market With Complete SWOT Analysis by Forecast From 2025 to 2032 | NortonLifeLock, Fortinet, McAfee, Avast, Trend Micro

The Computer Security For Business market is projected to experience significant growth and opportunities leading into 2025. The report provides insights on future trends, growth drivers, consumption patterns, production volumes, and key market statistics, including the compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Notable competitors in the market include NortonLifeLock, Fortinet, McAfee, Avast, Trend Micro, Bitdefender, ESET, Kaspersky Lab, Comodo, F-Secure, and AHNLAB. The market is segmented into various categories such as Network Security, Identity Theft Protection, Endpoint Security, and Antivirus Software, with applications categorized by age demographics (18-30 years old, 30-45 years old, and others). The report highlights factors driving market growth, emerging trends, and shifts in consumer behavior. Stakeholders can benefit from quantitative analyses, Porter’s Five Forces analysis, and strategic recommendations for refining business strategies and conducting competitor analyses. A discount of up to 70% is currently available for the report.

Tech Optimizer

June 5, 2025

UltraAV Delivers Continuous Innovation in Antivirus Protection

UltraAV, an antivirus solution from Point Wild, has introduced significant enhancements to improve threat protection and user experience. Key updates include: - Advanced AV Engine upgrades for faster scans and improved detection rates across versions 12.0, 12.3, 12.4, and 12.7.2. - The ability to scan external USB devices and schedule recurring scans, introduced in version 12.8. - Expanded privacy and identity protections for premium users, including identity theft monitoring and real-time fraud alerts. - Seamless integration with Total Cleaner for premium subscribers, enhancing app reliability (versions 12.7 and 12.7.1). - Self-protection features to safeguard UltraAV binaries from malware (version 12.8). - URL filtering to block harmful URLs for Chrome users (version 12.4). UltraAV is built on over 20 years of research and development, integrating real-time threat intelligence and AI-driven detection. Point Wild, the parent company, provides cybersecurity solutions to over 25 million users globally.

Winsage

June 4, 2025

KDE opens its doors to “Windows 10 exiles” as it claims Microsoft wants to turn your computer “into junk”

Microsoft will cease support for Windows 10 on October 14, leaving users vulnerable to bugs and security threats. Users have options to upgrade to Windows 11, invest in new hardware, or switch to alternative operating systems like Linux. The KDE group is promoting Linux, particularly Linux Mint, as a solution for those feeling abandoned by Microsoft, warning that users may face issues such as data breaches and inability to run new applications without updates. They also highlight the environmental impact of forced upgrades, labeling it "tech extortion." KDE advocates for the adoption of Linux to revitalize older hardware and regain control over computing experiences.

Tech Optimizer

June 4, 2025

I put McAfee and Norton head-to-head in an antivirus showdown, and the results were quite surprising

McAfee and Norton are two leading antivirus providers known for their robust online safety solutions. Both offer essential security features such as real-time threat detection, firewall protection, identity theft protection, VPN services, password management, and parental controls, but they differ in implementation. McAfee uses advanced machine learning for real-time threat detection but has a higher rate of false positives and shows room for improvement against ransomware and phishing. Norton excels in malware detection and has a strong performance against ransomware, blocking 95% of phishing links in tests. McAfee's firewall monitors incoming threats and protects connected devices, while Norton’s firewall prevents untrusted applications from accessing the internet with extensive configuration options. In identity theft protection, McAfee offers comprehensive features with live agent support, whereas Norton partners with LifeLock for enhanced services, including credit monitoring and up to one million dollars in compensation for identity theft losses. McAfee provides unlimited VPN access with basic functionality, while Norton’s VPN includes advanced features like split tunneling and a kill switch. Both include password managers, but McAfee's lacks some functionalities, whereas Norton’s is user-friendly and supports data import from other managers. For parental controls, McAfee allows website blocking and app restrictions, while Norton offers detailed content filtering and monitoring of online activities. In system performance, both have received high marks, with McAfee showing a superior impact score in tests. User experience varies, with McAfee being more accessible for non-technical users and Norton catering to more experienced individuals. Recent testing indicates both effectively blocked nearly all threats, but McAfee had more false positives. Both brands received high ratings from SE Labs for protection and accuracy. The choice between them depends on individual needs, with McAfee being user-friendly and Norton offering advanced features and enhanced identity protection.

Tech Optimizer

June 3, 2025

I tested Bitdefender and McAfee in an antivirus software showdown, and here’s what I found

Bitdefender and McAfee are two leading antivirus software options known for robust malware protection and additional security features. Bitdefender achieves 98% effectiveness in real-time threat detection, while McAfee uses machine learning for threat identification but may produce false positives. Bitdefender offers a basic firewall, not available for macOS, whereas McAfee provides a more advanced firewall with device monitoring. Bitdefender has a standalone Digital Identity Protection service, while McAfee offers comprehensive identity theft protections in its Premium subscription. Bitdefender includes a VPN with a 200MB daily data cap, while McAfee provides unlimited VPN access but with fewer countries and features. Both offer password managers, but Bitdefender lacks two-factor authentication, while McAfee's True Key includes multi-factor authentication. Bitdefender’s parental controls are basic, while McAfee’s Safe Family includes location tracking. Bitdefender is known for lightweight performance, but recent tests suggest McAfee may have better system optimization. Both have user-friendly interfaces, with Bitdefender organizing features into tabs and McAfee offering a simpler design. In terms of protection, Bitdefender has a 98.7% detection rate, while McAfee excels online with 99.6% but struggles offline. Bitdefender's pricing starts at .99 for the first year, while McAfee's Basic plan starts at .99. Overall, Bitdefender is more budget-friendly, while McAfee offers advanced identity theft protection.