tracking Archives

Tech Optimizer

May 3, 2025

Use Protection: 6 Tips to Watch Porn Online Safely

Seventeen U.S. states have enacted age verification laws that effectively prohibit adult websites from operating within their jurisdictions. The use of Incognito Mode can help hide browsing history, but it is not completely secure as data may still be retained by Google. Data theft is a risk when engaging with adult content, especially if personal information is shared on pornographic sites. Using a VPN can enhance anonymity, but it does not protect against voluntarily shared information. Privacy services like IronVest can help create disposable email addresses and phone numbers. Ads on adult websites can contain malware, making antivirus software important for protection. Trusted pornographic sites typically prioritize user privacy and security, so caution is advised when choosing platforms.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Google Play Store just lost a ton of apps, but this is actually a good thing

The Google Play Store has seen a decline in available apps from 3.4 million to approximately 1.8 million since the beginning of 2024, representing a loss of nearly 47%. The "games" category lost 200,000 apps, the education sector lost around 160,700 apps, and the business category saw a reduction of 115,400 apps. This removal is part of Google's effort to combat ad fraud, particularly from "vapor apps" that misled users and generated recurring advertisements. Over 56 million downloads were affected across 180 apps. Google has implemented new policies for tracking and removing spammy applications, including expanded verification requirements, mandatory app testing, and enhanced human reviews.

Tech Optimizer

May 2, 2025

15 PostgreSQL Monitoring Tools

PostgreSQL monitoring tools are essential for database administrators to ensure optimal performance, availability, and reliability of databases. They provide real-time insights into performance metrics such as query execution times, CPU usage, memory consumption, and disk I/O, helping identify potential bottlenecks. Popular monitoring solutions include: - **DynaTrace**: AI-powered full-stack monitoring with real-time anomaly detection and performance insights. - **pgAdmin**: Comprehensive management tool with a graphical interface for database design and performance monitoring. - **Paessler PRTG**: All-in-one network monitoring solution with customizable PostgreSQL sensors and real-time tracking. - **Pganalyze**: Offers deep insights, automated query analysis, and visualizations for optimizing database operations. - **Sematext PostgreSQL Monitoring**: Cloud-based monitoring with detailed metrics, anomaly detection, and alerts. - **SolarWinds**: Database performance analyzer providing profound insights and real-time monitoring. - **Nagios**: Open-source system with PostgreSQL plugins for performance tracking and alerting. - **Pgwatch2**: Lightweight monitoring tool offering dashboards and real-time metrics. - **ManageEngine Application Manager**: Full-stack monitoring with detailed PostgreSQL metrics and alerts. - **DataDog**: Cloud-based platform with comprehensive metrics, anomaly detection, and customizable dashboards. - **Prometheus and Grafana**: Open-source stack with powerful query language, alerting, and customizable dashboards. - **PGObserver**: Tool offering detailed performance statistics, historical data analysis, and alerts. - **ClusterControl**: Management tool with monitoring, backups, and performance tuning. - **AppOptics APM**: Application performance monitoring with real-time metrics and anomaly detection. - **AppDynamics**: Enterprise-grade APM tool with advanced monitoring and root-cause analysis. These tools provide unique features tailored to the needs of PostgreSQL database administrators, facilitating real-time monitoring and advanced analytics for maintaining database performance and reliability.

Tech Optimizer

April 30, 2025

PostgreSQL 18: Part 4, or CommitFest 2025-01

PostgreSQL 18 includes significant enhancements in monitoring capabilities and new features. Key updates include: - Buffer information in EXPLAIN ANALYZE is now enabled by default, providing detailed buffer statistics for better query performance insights. - The pg_stat_io view tracks I/O statistics in bytes (read_bytes, write_bytes, extend_bytes), simplifying monitoring of I/O operations. - Enhanced monitoring of Write-Ahead Logging (WAL) statistics is introduced, allowing tracking of WAL operations and new WAL segment initialization. - The pg_stat_get_backend_io function provides I/O statistics for specific client processes, aiding in performance tuning. - The VACUUM (verbose) command now includes visibility map information, detailing all-visible pages after a vacuum operation. - The pg_stat_all_table view tracks total vacuum and analysis times per table, and users can adjust autovacuum workers without server restarts. - A new uuidv7 function generates UUIDs with a Unix-epoch timestamp for ordered identifiers. - The passwordcheck extension enforces a minimum password length for better security practices. - Improvements to the jsonb type ensure correct handling of null conversions. - The casefold function facilitates case-insensitive searches. - The RETURNING clause in DML commands now supports returning both old and new values. - The to_number function can convert Roman numerals to numeric values.

AppWizard

April 29, 2025

Medieval strategy sim Manor Lords is getting proper AI village-building, an upkeep system and fancier castles

In Manor Lords, a medieval strategy city builder by Slavic Magic and Hooded Horse, developers have announced updates as the game nears its first anniversary. Key updates include: - New buildings such as a quarry for stone mining and a lime kiln for construction. - Visual enhancements to the user interface and map resource nodes, along with improved castle components. - AI improvements allowing it to construct and manage small villages with new features like burgage plots. - Introduction of a new upkeep system requiring consistent resource flow for buildings like smithies and mines. - Modifications to the Record View for regional production and consumption tracking. - A rewritten pathfinding system for multi-story castles to improve unit navigation. The team has expanded since the game's early access debut and is focused on enhancing gameplay and AI capabilities.

Winsage

April 27, 2025

Microsoft continues to dismantle the Control Panel as another feature migrates to Settings

Microsoft is migrating features from the Control Panel to the Settings panel, with keyboard repetition settings being the latest to transition. This change is part of a broader initiative to phase out the Control Panel, which was announced in August 2024. Currently, these keyboard settings are hidden in testing builds and have not yet been rolled out to the live version of Windows. Other settings, such as mouse trails and options to hide the cursor while typing, have already made the transition. Users are generally finding the Settings panel to be a suitable replacement for the Control Panel.

AppWizard

April 26, 2025

Key To Success? Minecraft Study Reveals Adaptability Beats All

A study published in Nature Communications explored human decision-making using the game Minecraft, involving 128 participants who navigated a virtual world to find hidden rewards. The research found that individuals adapt their strategies based on personal success rates; they rely on their instincts when thriving but observe and emulate successful peers when struggling. In clustered reward environments, successful players attracted followers, while in random settings, individuals distanced themselves to minimize competition. The study highlighted the importance of adaptability in decision-making and noted that participants sometimes copied others even when it was unbeneficial. The research was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, with no reported competing interests. The paper was published on April 25, 2025.

Tech Optimizer

April 25, 2025

This antivirus software is for people who hate subscriptions

Priil Internet Security is currently available for .99 for a lifetime subscription, reduced from its regular price of .97. It is certified by Virus Bulletin and effectively blocks 100% of known malware threats. The software includes features such as real-time detection, firewall protection, a VPN, a password manager, a file shredder, and browser safety tools. It also offers custom scan options, a PC optimizer, and safeguards against data leaks and malicious tracking. The user-friendly interface makes it accessible to all users.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Russian army targeted by new Android malware hidden in mapping app

A new strain of Android malware, identified as 'Android.Spy.1292.origin' by Doctor Web, has been found in compromised versions of the Alpine Quest mapping application, which is popular among Russian soldiers for operational planning. Cyber attackers are distributing these trojanized versions as free alternatives to the premium app via Telegram channels and Russian app catalogs. The malware collects sensitive data, including the user's phone number, contacts, geolocation, and files, and can monitor real-time location changes. It also downloads additional modules to extract confidential files, particularly from Telegram and WhatsApp, and searches for location history logs within the app. This tactic is part of a broader trend of targeting military personnel for intelligence gathering, historically linked to Russian state-sponsored hacking operations.

AppWizard

April 23, 2025

Sanso’s chat messenger aims to dethrone usual messengers

LetsTalkh Messenger is a messaging app developed by Sanso Technologies that offers a unique user experience without advertisements or data tracking. It features global roaming chat capabilities, end-to-end encryption, built-in privacy tools, and a focus on user empowerment. Sanso Technologies, led by founder Haroon S Khan, has a strong presence in the EU and UAE and has been recognized by platforms like FORBES. SansoPay is a cross-border digital payment platform that enables secure international transactions for individuals and businesses. It includes features like cross-border capabilities, API integration, a SansoPay Debit Card, and robust security measures compliant with regulations. SansoPay aims to provide financial freedom and cater to various sectors, addressing challenges faced by traditional payment platforms.