Vietnam Archives

Winsage

June 12, 2026

Vietnam launches first criminal case over pirated Windows, Office software

Authorities in Phu Tho province have initiated a criminal case regarding the illegal installation and use of copyrighted software, specifically targeting pirated Microsoft Windows and Office products. Formal charges for "infringement of copyright and related rights" have been made following urgent searches at five locations in Hanoi and Phu Tho. The investigation revealed that individuals and businesses were using various platforms to promote, distribute, and sell unlicensed software, including cracked software and counterfeit license keys. The inquiry began with Song Lam Trading and Service Co, whose director faces allegations of supplying 81 computers pre-installed with unauthorized software. An additional 350 computers linked to a local educational institution were also found to have illegal software activation. The implicated companies include Athena Vietnam Information Systems Co and Tek-Solution Technology Co, whose directors are under police scrutiny. Authorities estimate that the financial losses for copyright holders could reach tens of billions of đồng, and they have raised concerns about cybersecurity threats associated with illegally activated software.

AppWizard

June 10, 2026

Samsung Wallet now holds your passport: Where it works (and where it doesn’t)

Samsung Wallet now allows users to store a TSA-approved digital passport for use at TSA checkpoints in the U.S., thanks to a collaboration with CLEAR. The wallet is available in multiple countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, India, the U.K., and the U.S., and supports various features such as storing debit, credit, and loyalty cards, passwords, and digital keys. However, the digital ID feature is only valid for domestic travel within the U.S., and travelers must carry their physical passports for international trips.

AppWizard

June 3, 2026

Malware campaign targeting Minecraft users infects over 116,000 systems

A recent investigation by McAfee researchers has identified a Malware-as-a-Service (MaaS) operation called WeedHack, which targets Minecraft users. Since its launch in January 2026, WeedHack has compromised over 116,000 systems, with 2,000 to 3,000 new infections daily. The operation uses YouTube and SEO poisoning to distribute malware, promoting Minecraft mods and utilities through videos. WeedHack is accessible for free, with premium features available at low costs. The malware targets Minecraft session IDs, collects system information, and extracts credentials from various platforms. It includes a web-based dashboard for tracking infections and offers tools for injecting malware into legitimate mods. The operation has also been linked to incidents of cyberbullying among its users. McAfee advises caution when engaging with Minecraft-related content on YouTube.

AppWizard

May 28, 2026

‘007 First Light’: How To Buy Video Game Online, PS5, Xbox, PC

James Bond returns to gaming with “007 First Light” after a 15-year hiatus. The game is available exclusively on Amazon for .99 and is compatible with Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. A Nintendo Switch 2 version will launch on September 30. The “Specialist Edition” includes a classic tuxedo skin for Bond. There are two premium options: the “Collector’s Edition” for .99, which includes a life-sized mask, and the “Legacy Edition” for .99, featuring a replica of the Golden Gun. Directed by Hakan Abrak and Martin Emborg, the game is a prequel focusing on a 26-year-old James Bond, played by Patrick Gibson, and includes diverse locations like Slovakia, Mauritania, Vietnam, and Antarctica. The cast features Lennie James, Priyanga Burford, Alastair Mackenzie, Kiera Lester, Gemma Chan, Lenny Kravitz, and Noémie Naka. The game is available through major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and GameStop.

AppWizard

May 26, 2026

007 First Light review roundup: ‘The best James Bond game since GoldenEye’

IO Interactive's 007 First Light officially launches today. ShackNews awarded the game a score of 90/100, describing it as a major departure for IO Interactive and a crowning achievement for the studio. WccfTech rated it 8.5/10, praising its original story. PCGamesN gave it an 8/10, noting its compelling narrative. Eurogamer scored it 4/5, highlighting its cinematic qualities despite some flaws. Polygon's review acknowledged bugs but called it possibly the best Bond game to date. The Guardian rated it 5/5, emphasizing its immersive experience. Newsweek awarded it 10/10, appreciating the character evolution. VGC praised it for combining elements from top-tier studios. Vice noted its polished narrative and world-building. Windows Central also rated it 5/5, calling it essential for fans. User reviews on Steam reflect a "very positive" rating.

AppWizard

May 14, 2026

Facebook Messenger Statistics By Country And Demographics (2026)

In the first quarter of 2026, Meta's Family of Apps, including Facebook Messenger, reported a revenue of USD 55.9 billion. Messenger's in-chat payment services facilitated nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions across 47 countries during the same quarter. The platform had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of Q1 2026, with the largest demographic segment being individuals aged 25-34. By October 2025, the Philippines and Vietnam achieved the highest global user reach for Messenger, at 83.3% and 78.1%, respectively. Southeast Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. Users typically spend nearly 13 minutes per session on the app, with 42.6% accessing it daily. Messenger messages have an 80% open rate within the first hour of delivery. Over 60 million businesses utilize Messenger for various purposes, and the platform supports more than 500,000 active chatbots, with 41% of these employing generative AI. Meta matched 100% of the electricity used across Facebook Messenger with clean, renewable energy in 2026. In Q1 2026, Meta’s Family of Apps generated USD 55.9 billion in revenue. Messenger's business messaging tools contributed USD 3.2 billion to non-advertising revenue in the first half of 2026. In-chat payment services processed nearly USD 6.8 billion in transactions in 2026. Messenger had approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users, equating to about 12% of the global population. As of October 2025, Messenger had nearly 942 million users globally. Users aged 25-34 comprised nearly 32% of Messenger's user base in 2026. By October 2025, 55.8% of Messenger users were men, while 43.5% were women. The highest user reach for Messenger was in the Philippines at 83.3% and in Vietnam at 78.1% as of October 2025. Southeast Asia had 212 million Messenger users by the end of 2025, making up 22.4% of the global total. Users spend about 198-201 minutes per month on the app and open it approximately 183.9 times each month. Each session lasts about 1 minute and 6 seconds. About 42.6% of users open the app daily. Messenger ads reached nearly 947 million users worldwide in 2026.

AppWizard

May 7, 2026

Messenger Statistics By Revenue, Usage And Behavior (2026)

Messenger has approximately 1.12 billion monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2026. In the first half of 2026, it generated USD 3.2 billion in non-ad revenue, reflecting a 63% year-over-year growth. In India, there are 424.3 million Messenger users, making up 28.7% of the country's population. South-Eastern Asia accounted for 212 million Messenger users in 2025, representing 22.4% of the global total. The user base shows a gender disparity with 55.5% male users and 44.5% female users, and is primarily favored by those aged 25–34, who comprise 32.4% of users. Messenger has surpassed 5 billion downloads on the Google Play Store, with users spending an average of 3 hours and 21 minutes per month on the app. It supports customer communication for over 40 million businesses, with approximately 80% of messages opened within the first hour. Messenger.com received 244.62 million visits in March 2026, a 30.67% increase from February. Chatbots on the platform handle up to 80% of routine inquiries, and the engagement rates for campaigns are high, with open rates ranging from 70% to 88%. Overall, Messenger is among the top three or four most-used platforms globally, trailing only behind Facebook and WhatsApp.

AppWizard

April 17, 2026

Hell Let Loose: Vietnam PC playtest signups are now open

Team17 announced on April 16, 2026, that playtest signups for Hell Let Loose: Vietnam are now open for PC users. The game features six expansive maps, 50 vs 50 battles, and emphasizes teamwork and strategy. Players will have access to historically accurate weapons, vehicles, and tactical options, including US aerial units with helicopters, NVA forces with tunnel networks, and patrol boats for river navigation. A new trailer showcasing intense combat scenes was released during the Galaxies Showcase. Team17 Digital, founded in 1990, is a prominent developer and video games label, while Expression Games, established in 2022, is leading the development of the Hell Let Loose franchise.

AppWizard

April 15, 2026

Tags messenger app

A subsidiary of VnExpress operates under license number 71/GP-CBC, issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications on September 22, 2021. The Editor-in-Chief is Pham Van Hieu. Contact information includes the email evne@vnexpress.net and phone number 028 7300 9999 - Ext 8556. The office is located at FPT Tower, 10 Pham Van Bach Street, Dich Vong Ward, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam.

AppWizard

April 3, 2026

Meta to shut down Messenger.com

Meta will close Messenger.com on April 16, 2026, redirecting users to Facebook’s messaging page. Users in Vietnam have started receiving notifications about this change. After the transition, users must either reactivate their Facebook accounts or switch to the Messenger mobile app. For those without a Facebook account, the Messenger mobile app will still be available. Users can retrieve their chat history with a PIN after creating a backup. This decision is part of Meta's strategy to phase out desktop services, following the discontinuation of Messenger applications for Mac and Windows. User feedback on platforms like X and Reddit indicates dissatisfaction with the loss of browser access for Messenger. Messenger was originally introduced as Facebook Chat in 2008, became a standalone app in 2011, and was reintegrated into the Facebook app in 2023.