Ukraine Archives

AppWizard

June 13, 2025

I’m glad Sony PlayStation finally got rid of PC game region locks

Sony has begun to reverse its policy of region-locking PC games, allowing titles such as Helldivers 2, God of War Ragnarök, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 to be purchased in previously restricted regions. This change follows backlash against the region locks implemented over a year ago, which had led to negative reactions from players. While many restrictions have been lifted, seven countries—Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Vietnam—remain blacklisted.

AppWizard

June 10, 2025

How Russian Spies Are Analyzing Data From China’s WeChat App

Moscow's skepticism towards foreign messaging applications has intensified, particularly regarding the Chinese app WeChat, which has weak encryption protocols. Russian counterintelligence is analyzing WeChat data to identify individuals in contact with Chinese operatives. A recent intelligence document reveals concerns about China's influence in Russia, particularly as Russia's isolation from the West grows due to geopolitical tensions. The F.S.B. is using an analytical tool called "Skopishche" to enhance surveillance, aggregating data from sources like WeChat, including account logins, contact lists, and message archives. This data is often collected from mobile devices seized from significant individuals. The shared focus on surveillance by Russian and Chinese authorities highlights their concerns about external influences and internal dissent.

AppWizard

June 7, 2025

Putin’s WeChat wager Moscow is betting on a super-app strategy to sideline foreign platforms and control digital communications

In late May, a significant amendment was introduced to a draft bill aimed at establishing a government-backed instant messaging platform, endorsed by President Vladimir Putin, which would have unique privileges compared to competitors. The proposed legislation includes features like document certification using electronic signatures and replacing physical identification with the platform's identification, which private enterprises would be required to accept. The platform is intended to function as an alternative to Russia's existing digital government services but will not replace them. The government will select an organization to manage the platform, which may be a private Russian company with over 500,000 users. VK, the company behind Russia's leading social network, is the frontrunner to develop the super-app called "Max," which offers various features and aims to integrate with external services. The Russian government may consider blocking competitors to Max, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, with the latter having a user base of 68 million daily users. President Putin has instructed his cabinet to promote the Russian messaging platform by migrating services from government agencies and financial institutions.

Tech Optimizer

May 31, 2025

Authorities Dismantled AVCheck, a Tool For Testing Malware Against Antivirus Detection

Law enforcement agencies from multiple nations dismantled a cybercriminal operation that provided malware testing services to evade antivirus detection. This effort led to the seizure of four domains and their servers, disrupting infrastructure that facilitated ransomware attacks globally. U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei announced the disruption of an online software crypting syndicate that helped cybercriminals keep their malware undetected. The seized domains offered counter-antivirus tools and crypting services, allowing criminals to obfuscate malware and gain unauthorized access to systems. Investigators conducted undercover purchases and analyzed services, revealing connections to ransomware groups targeting victims in the U.S. and internationally. The operation, part of Operation Endgame, involved collaboration among the U.S., Netherlands, France, Germany, Denmark, Ukraine, and Portugal, with the FBI Houston Field Office leading the U.S. investigation. The seizures occurred on May 27.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Elon Musk’s xAI partners with messaging app Telegram in $300 million Grok deal

Elon Musk has launched xAI, aiming to uncover fundamental truths of the universe. The startup has partnered with Telegram, agreeing to a 0 million investment for the Grok AI chatbot. Telegram will receive the initial payment and 50% of revenue from xAI subscriptions sold through its platform. Telegram's CEO, Pavel Durov, mentioned that users can expect advanced AI technology by summer, although Musk later stated that "no deal has been signed." Telegram has over one billion monthly users as of 2025 and is preparing to raise at least .5 billion through a bond issue. Durov is under investigation in France for allowing criminal activities on Telegram and is restricted from leaving the country. xAI has merged with X, valuing the AI company at billion and the social media platform at billion. Grok faced criticism for generating controversial responses, which xAI attributed to an unauthorized modification. The company is working to improve Grok's transparency and reliability.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Waltz’s Use of Messaging Platform Raises New Security Questions

Michael Waltz, the former national security adviser, mistakenly included a journalist in a sensitive chat on Signal during a cabinet meeting, raising concerns about communication practices among senior officials. A photograph captured him using a different messaging app that promotes archiving for record-keeping, which raises compliance questions with federal regulations. Visible contacts on his screen included Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal complicates the National Archives' role in preserving governmental records, highlighting the tension between secure communication and the need for transparency in government operations.

AppWizard

May 5, 2025

Microsoft shuts down Skype — messenger worked for over 20 years

The Skype app officially ceased operations on May 5. Microsoft announced that all Skype accounts and users' chat histories will be transitioned to the Microsoft Teams app. Skype users can upgrade to the complimentary version of Microsoft Teams, which retains most of Skype's features and introduces new functionalities. Users can sign in to Microsoft Teams Free using their existing Skype credentials, with contacts and chat histories automatically transferred. A notification will guide users through the migration process. Users who do not adopt Microsoft Teams Free can save their Skype data. Skype was launched in 2003 by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis and was acquired by Microsoft in 2011 for .5 billion. Microsoft introduced Teams in 2017 as a collaboration platform based on Skype.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Caught on camera: Mike Waltz using less secure version of Signal messaging app – The Times of India

Mike Waltz has come under scrutiny due to a photograph showing his use of a modified messaging application, TM SGNL, raising security concerns. The photo, taken by Reuters on April 30, 2025, during a White House cabinet meeting, revealed Waltz's phone screen with conversations involving JD Vance, Marco Rubio, Tulsi Gabbard, and Steve Witkoff, who are key figures in foreign relations and national security regarding Ukraine. TM SGNL is a variant of Signal, known for its encryption, but its archiving feature risks compromising end-to-end encryption. Messages displayed included a note to Rubio stating, "there is time," and Vance's message about confirmation from a counterpart. Following these events, President Trump appointed Waltz as UN ambassador and Rubio as interim national security advisor. The White House stated that "Signal is an approved app for government use and is loaded on government phones."

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

Russian military personnel on the front lines targeted with new Android spyware

A sophisticated Android malware, identified as Android.Spy.1292.origin, targets Russian military personnel by disguising itself within a modified version of the Alpine Quest mapping application. This malware is designed to steal contacts and monitor locations, evading detection while collecting sensitive data such as the user's mobile phone number, contacts, current date, geolocation, information about files on the device, and the app's version. It is distributed through a dedicated Telegram channel and unofficial Android app repositories. The malware's modular architecture allows for updates that enhance its capabilities, particularly in extracting confidential documents exchanged via Telegram and WhatsApp.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Trojanized Alpine Quest app geolocates Russian soldiers

Russian soldiers are facing a digital threat from a modified Android application, Alpine Quest, which has been tampered with to track their locations and extract sensitive information. The malware, known as Android.Spy.1292.origin, was embedded in an older version of the app and distributed as a free upgrade to Alpine Quest Pro via a fraudulent Telegram channel. Once installed, the trojan collects various types of information, including geolocation, downloaded files, phone numbers, and app versions, and can download additional modules to exfiltrate specific files. Additionally, researchers at Kaspersky discovered a backdoor hidden in counterfeit software updates for ViPNet, a secure networking suite. The malware, disguised as msinfo32.exe, connects to a command-and-control server to steal files and deploy more malicious components. On the Ukrainian side, Russian operatives are conducting a phishing campaign targeting Ukrainian officials and allies, using social engineering tactics to hijack Microsoft 365 accounts. Attackers contact victims via messaging apps, invite them to video calls, and trick them into providing OAuth codes, granting access to their accounts.