trend Archives

Winsage

September 24, 2026

Microsoft’s new AI‑powered Ink Canvas aims to reinvent how Surface users write, sketch, and create — debuts alongside refreshed smaller Surface Pro and Surface Laptop

Microsoft has introduced updates to its Surface lineup, including the Surface Pro 12-inch (2nd Edition), Surface Laptop 13-inch (2nd Edition), and a new Surface Mouse, all powered by Snapdragon X2 Plus processors. Additionally, Microsoft launched Microsoft Ink Canvas, a pen-first workspace that integrates handwriting, sketches, annotations, and AI functionalities. This follows an update to the Ink Workspace in Windows 11, which allows users to pin applications for easier access to inking experiences. The integration of AI with inking capabilities is part of a broader trend in the tech industry.

Tech Optimizer

September 23, 2026

BigDiskBuster PoC Blocks Windows Defender Updates

A new tool named BigDiskBuster has been released on GitHub, which disrupts Microsoft Defender Antivirus by preventing it from installing updates. It does this by consuming available disk space during the update process, causing Defender to remain on its current version and unable to receive new platform or signature updates. BigDiskBuster operates as a local denial-of-service technique and requires prior access to the target machine to execute. The tool was created by researcher Abdelhamid Naceri, known as Nightmare Eclipse, who has previously worked on similar projects. As of now, there is no CVE identifier, patch, or advisory from Microsoft regarding this issue.

AppWizard

September 23, 2026

Mid-week Android app deals and freebies: Dwarves, Hitman GO, Hitman Sniper, more

Today's Google Play deals include: - Dwarves: Glory, Death and Loot - Hitman GO - Hitman Sniper - Deus Ex GO - Metal Soldiers 4 Pro - Tower Defense: Epic Turret Pro Additionally, the following tech products are on sale: - Nothing CMF Buds Neo with Active Noise Cancellation - Nothing CMF Clip Pro at all-time low pricing - Galaxy Z Fold 8 with discounts of up to 0

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Microsoft’s most useful Windows toolkit turns 30 this year, and it still doesn’t ship with Windows 11

A fresh installation of Microsoft Windows 11 includes features like Copilot but lacks certain user control tools. The Sysinternals suite, maintained by Microsoft since its acquisition in 2006, consists of over 70 utilities and has received regular updates since its establishment in 1996. Notable updates include a modern interface for DebugView and enhanced support for startup apps in Autoruns. Sysinternals tools, such as Process Explorer and Autoruns, offer advanced functionality compared to standard Windows tools. Microsoft is integrating some Sysinternals utilities into PowerToys, starting with ZoomIt, and Sysmon has been introduced in Windows 11 Insider builds. Users have expressed interest in further integration of Sysinternals tools, particularly Process Explorer.

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Windows has been so buggy I paused monthly updates, and now I wait for reports before installing anything

Users frequently express frustration with Windows updates due to unexpected restarts and frequent breakdowns, leading to a perception of being beta testers for Microsoft. Problems often arise with updates, including significant disruptions from routine maintenance updates. Recent issues included difficulties with the Windows Subsystem for Linux and copy-paste functionality in Microsoft Excel. In July, Microsoft paused an update due to unexpected shutdowns on some Dell PCs. Users are increasingly adopting a wait-and-see approach before installing updates, utilizing Windows 11's ability to pause updates for several weeks. Historically, Windows lacked robust update management, but recent changes have extended the pause period. There is a significant concern regarding the limited control users have over updates and the need for improved quality control from Microsoft.

Winsage

September 22, 2026

Microsoft Defender is causing slow VLC startups. Here’s the fix

Recent investigations have shown that a specific update to Microsoft Defender has caused performance issues for VLC Media Player, particularly a slowdown in startup times. Jean-Baptiste Kempf, a VideoLAN developer, attributed this sluggishness to a bug in the Microsoft Defender update, which quarantined VLC's plug-in cache. The problematic Defender signature update is version 1.455.50.0, linked to Windows Update KB5121003 released on August 11th. Users can reset the plug-in cache to improve performance by either reinstalling VLC or using the built-in functionality to regenerate the cache with vlc-cache-gen.exe. Alternatively, users can reset preferences and cache files by searching for "VLC" and selecting the reset option. Microsoft has not yet provided a fix for these issues, and users may need to set an exclusion in Microsoft Defender for VLC Media Player to prevent unnecessary scans, enhancing its performance.

Tech Optimizer

September 21, 2026

Fake LastPass Authenticator Installer Abuses Microsoft-Signed Driver to Kill Antivirus and EDR

On September 17, researchers from LastPass and Delphos Labs discovered a counterfeit LastPass Authenticator installer on GitHub that installs a malicious Windows kernel driver designed to disable antivirus and steal passwords. The driver, named Alinubx.sys, was signed through Microsoft's hardware compatibility program and initially scored zero detections on VirusTotal. The fake installer is hosted on a fraudulent GitHub page that mimics a legitimate LastPass product page. When executed, the installer uses DLL side-loading to gain SYSTEM-level access and terminates security processes, allowing it to harvest saved passwords from various browsers and applications. The driver is a renamed variant of a known malicious driver, evading detection due to its new file hash. Delphos reported the driver to Microsoft, but it was not considered a security vulnerability. Users who executed the fake installer should treat their passwords and sensitive data as compromised and change them from a secure device. The malicious server has been linked to impersonation pages for multiple brands, and the loader was likely created using a specific crypter tool.

Winsage

September 21, 2026

How to use Xbox mode on your Windows PC

In 2026, Microsoft introduced Xbox mode for Windows 11 users to enhance the gaming experience, responding to the popularity of Valve's SteamOS. Xbox mode transforms the Windows interface by removing the taskbar and providing a layout suited for controller users, organizing game libraries within a revamped Xbox app. To enable Xbox mode, users must navigate to Settings > Gaming > Xbox mode and toggle the feature on. A gamepad must be connected, and users can access Xbox mode using keyboard shortcuts or through the Xbox app. While Xbox mode streamlines access to games from various platforms, it does not inherently improve gaming performance; users should enable Game Mode separately for that purpose. Xbox mode consolidates access to multiple game launchers, allowing users to launch games directly without opening their respective launchers. Additionally, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can access their library within Xbox mode, and the Cloud Gaming tab allows setting Nvidia GeForce Now as the default streaming service.

Tech Optimizer

September 21, 2026

Thousands of hacked sites trick you into installing malware

More than 5,400 websites across over 2,200 organizations have been compromised to propagate malware, primarily affecting small businesses like clinics and online retailers. The attack mechanism involves malicious code that triggers a deceptive CAPTCHA, instructing users to execute commands that can download malware. Attackers are using the BNB Smart Chain test network to store instructions, making it harder for investigators to shut down operations. A newer variant of the attack uses WebRTC technology to establish encrypted connections for delivering additional malicious code. To protect against these threats, users should avoid pasting commands from websites, be suspicious of unusual CAPTCHA instructions, use strong antivirus protection, keep systems updated, take action if commands are executed, and small business owners should regularly verify their website's integrity.

Tech Optimizer

September 20, 2026

How to Remove a Keylogger: 12 Steps, 60 Min [2026]

A keylogger captures every keystroke made on a device and sends that information to an external source. In 2025, infostealer malware, including keyloggers, resulted in the theft of 642.4 million credentials from 13.2 million infections globally. In Australia, approximately 30,000 banking passwords were compromised between 2021 and 2025 due to this malware. The Australian Cyber Security Centre reported over 42,500 calls related to credential theft in one year, a 16% increase. Four main malware families dominate the landscape, with LummaC2 accounting for nearly 60% of credentials linked to infostealers in 2026. Keyloggers can be detected through signs such as typing lag, unexpected antivirus notifications, new browser extensions, and unexplained spikes in outbound data usage. Detection and removal steps include checking running processes, auditing startup programs, reviewing installed programs, running antivirus scans, and resetting passwords from a clean device. Keyloggers can infiltrate systems via phishing emails, malicious attachments, or compromised software downloads. Mobile devices can also be targeted by keyloggers disguised as legitimate apps.