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Tech Optimizer
August 24, 2026
Overall Rating: 4.3/5 ⭐ Protection: 4.3 ⭐ Performance: 3.9 ⭐ Features: 4.4 ⭐ Support: 4.8 ⭐ Value: 4.2 ⭐ Pricing starts at .99 for the first year, verified August 2026. Malwarebytes earned the AV-TEST TOP PRODUCT award in March-April 2026, scoring 17.5 out of 18 points. It successfully removed all infections in remediation tests and had no false detections across 1.5 million legitimate samples at AV-TEST. The software can coexist with other antivirus solutions and offers a free version with limited features. The free version lacks ongoing protection after 14 days, while the paid version provides real-time protection. Malwarebytes has a privacy policy stating it does not sell customer data and collects only necessary identifiers. The company was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, having raised a total of 0 million, including a recent investment from Vector Capital in September 2022. It acquired AzireVPN in November 2024. Malwarebytes offers various plans, including Standard, Plus, and Total, with consistent renewal pricing. The Windows version includes comprehensive features, while the Mac version targets adware and browser hijackers. The Android app provides scanning capabilities and phishing protection, and the iPhone app focuses on scam text filtering. Customer support is efficient, with quick responses.
Winsage
August 24, 2026
Microsoft's update for Windows 11, designated “KB5121003,” has caused issues for users with RGB peripherals, leading to system freezes, game crashes, and Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors. The problems are linked to drivers associated with RGB lighting, particularly a driver named “inpoutx64,” which disrupts system stability when certain games are launched. Affected games include Arc Raiders, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, and The Finals, with BSOD errors citing “EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION.” Microsoft has suggested a workaround involving temporarily disabling the inpoutx64 driver via the Windows registry, but users are cautioned about potential complications. Disabling this driver may affect the functionality of RGB features on peripherals, and re-enabling it carries risks as well.
Winsage
August 23, 2026
Microsoft's clipboard history service operates asynchronously, which can cause issues when executing multiple copy commands quickly. This design choice can lead to scenarios where the clipboard is locked by another program, preventing new content from being copied. Common culprits include the Remote Desktop clipboard redirector and various background utilities like Intel Arc Control and HP Smart. The clipboard may fail to register rapid Ctrl+C presses, often only storing the last copied item due to the way the Clipboard history service notifies programs of changes. Developers can manage clipboard changes more effectively by using the Clipboard.HistoryChanged event from the WinRT clipboard API. Additionally, some applications may experience delayed rendering, leading to outdated or empty clipboard history. These clipboard issues have been present in earlier versions of Windows as well.
Tech Optimizer
August 23, 2026
Splashtop has launched its antivirus product, Splashtop Shield, after over two decades in remote access solutions. The antivirus received a four-star rating but is still being refined. It offers remote care capabilities for families, with various licensing options: an Individual license for two computers, a Family Lite license for up to five devices, and a full Family subscription for ten devices. Pricing is competitive within the market. Splashtop Shield enhances security by blocking unapproved remote access tools and provides a control console for family members to manage antivirus settings. In testing, it scored 7.8 out of 10 for malware protection, lower than competitors, and blocked 86% of malware-hosting URLs. It excelled in phishing protection, detecting 99% of fraudulent attempts. The Family Guardian feature allows comprehensive control over family members' antivirus settings, facilitating remote assistance. However, the antivirus component lacks the robustness of established competitors, and its performance raises concerns.
AppWizard
August 22, 2026
Tim Cain, co-creator of the Fallout series, emphasized the importance of analyzing unsuccessful video games to learn from their shortcomings. He highlighted that understanding the traits contributing to a game's failure can be as informative as studying successful games. Cain referred to this as survivorship bias, advising developers to examine features common among unsuccessful titles. He noted that many successful games have flaws such as low frame rates and poor user interfaces, suggesting that analyzing less successful games can enhance creators' understanding of what makes a game enjoyable.
AppWizard
August 22, 2026
A leaker known as "CyberLeek" has released gameplay clips of Grand Theft Auto VI, suggesting access to a playable build of the game. The clips feature a character named Jason engaging in various activities, including combat and piloting a plane. The game will include a dialogue system similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 and a new fuel depletion mechanic for vehicles. Take-Two Interactive's stock briefly declined due to the leaks but later rebounded. Files claiming to be the playable build have appeared on torrent sites, likely malicious. Grand Theft Auto VI is scheduled for release on November 19 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles, with an official gameplay preview set to debut on Netflix on August 27. A PC version is expected to be released at a later date.
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