wreak havoc Archives

Winsage

November 24, 2025

Scary experiment shows an infamous Windows XP build sending an old PC into chaos

Windows XP is no longer officially available for modern machines, but tech enthusiasts continue to explore its interface, particularly through virtual machines. The MetraByte YouTube channel recently showcased an experiment with "Windows XP Horror Edition," a version designed to disrupt and destabilize systems. This version can corrupt files and disable essential features, creating unsettling visuals and a chaotic user experience. The creator installed it on an isolated machine to avoid damaging their primary computer, emphasizing the importance of caution. A "Peaceful version" of the OS, which maintains the horror aesthetic without destructive elements, is also available on archive.org, but neither version should be installed on a primary PC.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Destiny 2’s latest game-breaking bug: Players can no longer respawn in solo activities… Like, at all

Players are currently unable to respawn in Solo Ops activities after dying, and this issue is being investigated by Bungie. The respawn button is unresponsive post-countdown, forcing players to exit to orbit or switch characters to rejoin. This bug also extends into Patrol zones, although self-revival is sometimes possible. Additionally, the exotic hand cannon Sturm is providing an unintended +380% damage boost, leading Bungie to disable it in the Trials of Osiris PvP mode while allowing the bug to persist in PvE. Bungie has paused non-critical balance fixes, but Sturm is considered a critical issue. There are several known issues, including players being killed immediately upon respawning in specific activities and engrams dropping at lower Power levels than advertised. Bungie's community team has expressed frustration over the ongoing issues and their impact on player trust. They have also allowed players to earn a previously paid armor set as an in-game reward.

AppWizard

August 22, 2025

Steam Drops 9 Free Games You Can Keep Forever, Zero Subscriptions Needed

Steam has released nine new free games for users to download. The games include: 1. FlipSum: A puzzle game inspired by Sudoku. 2. Cheese Run: A game where players roll down a hill in pursuit of a runaway wheel of cheese. 3. Kimchi: A puzzle platformer featuring a cat. 4. Clean Break: A narrative experience set in a quiet house. 5. Haus Of Irndrous: A first-person horror game in a creepy mansion. 6. MetaDOS: A battle royale where time is used as currency. 7. Fourmiworld: An open-world ant farm metroidvania. 8. Psycutlery: A 2D platformer with a mind-controlled spork. 9. Wish Upon a Cat: An interactive fiction game about searching for a runaway cat. Users can access these games by visiting their store pages on Steam and clicking the “Play Game” button, ensuring their PC meets the necessary specifications.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

These apps tricked Google to list them in the Play Store and you must delete them from your phone

The Google Play Store has been infiltrated by deceptive applications that are part of a phishing campaign, as revealed by an investigation by Cyble. These applications mimic legitimate digital wallets, including names like SushiSwap, PancakeSwap, Hyperliquid, and Raydium, and have utilized over 50 domains to evade detection. The primary threat involves the extraction of users' mnemonic phrases, which are critical for accessing cryptocurrency and tokens. Users are advised to uninstall nine specific apps identified by Cyble: Pancake Swap, Suite Wallet, Hyperliquid, Raydium, BullX Crypto, OpenOcean Exchange, Meteora Exchange, SushiSwap, and Harvest Finance Blog, to protect their digital assets. Although many of these malicious apps have been removed from the Play Store, the risk persists for those who still have them installed.

Tech Optimizer

June 2, 2025

International authorities dismantle AVCheck in cybercrime operation

International authorities have dismantled AVCheck, a platform used by cybercriminals to test malware against antivirus software. The website avcheck.net now displays a seizure notice from the US Department of Justice, FBI, US Secret Service, and Dutch police. AVCheck was one of the largest counter antivirus services globally, aiding cybercriminals in evaluating their malware's stealth capabilities. Investigators found links between AVCheck's administrators and crypting services like Cryptor.biz and Crypt.guru. Law enforcement had placed a fake login page on AVCheck to warn users about legal risks before its shutdown on May 27, 2025. Undercover agents confirmed the illegal nature of AVCheck through transactions and connections to ransomware attacks. The FBI has also warned about the Silent Ransom Group, which has targeted law firms in the US using social engineering tactics.

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.

Tech Optimizer

May 30, 2025

Police takes down AVCheck antivirus site used by cybercriminals

An international law enforcement initiative has dismantled AVCheck, a service that allowed cybercriminals to test malware against antivirus software. The official website, avcheck.net, now displays a seizure banner from U.S. and Dutch authorities. AVCheck was one of the largest counter antivirus services, providing insights into malware evasion tactics. Investigators found connections between AVCheck's administrators and crypting services, which help obfuscate malware. Law enforcement created a deceptive login page to warn users of legal consequences. The takedown occurred on May 27, 2025, as part of Operation Endgame, which also seized 300 servers and 650 domains linked to ransomware attacks.

AppWizard

May 30, 2025

This underwater city builder had me more emotionally invested in my corals than SimCity does in my human citizens, and you can try it at the next Steam Next Fest

Life Below is a city-building game available on Steam that focuses on underwater ecosystems and highlights the fragility of marine life. Players manage resources such as fish, algae, anemones, and corals, while dealing with challenges like lionfish infestations that threaten local wildlife and coral structures. The game offers a narrative-driven experience and features a relaxed gameplay pace with a pause button for strategic planning. A demo of the game will be available during the Steam Next Fest from June 9 to 16.

AppWizard

May 12, 2025

Beware: 2.5 Million Monthly Downloads of These Risky Android Apps Could Endanger Your Device!

The Kaleidoscope attack is an ad-fraud scheme targeting Android users by tricking them into downloading malicious versions of legitimate apps, primarily via third-party app stores. Approximately 2.5 million devices are infected each month, with notable occurrences in India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brazil. Users are advised to uninstall suspicious apps and avoid downloading from unverified sources to protect their devices.

Winsage

May 8, 2025

Ransomware hackers target a new Windows security flaw to hit businesses

Several ransomware groups, including RansomEXX and Play, are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in the Windows Common Log File System to elevate system privileges and deploy malware. This flaw was identified and patched during Microsoft's Patch Tuesday update in April 2024.