* Krebs on Security: Google continues to struggle with cybercriminals running malicious ads on its search platform to trick people into downloading booby-trapped copies of popular free software applications.

The malicious ads, which appear above organic search results and often precede links to legitimate sources of the same software, can make searching for software on Google a dicey affair.

* We Suggest Using: VirusTotal.com

* Water from Air - CES 2024 - GenesisSystems.

* Microsoft Joins Peers by Cutting 1,900 Jobs From Activision Blizzard and Xbox - NYT.

The reductions come three months after the tech giant completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

This month, thousands of employees across the video game industry have been told they are facing layoffs, as the pandemic boom in playing continues to recede.

Riot Games, which makes League of Legends, said it would lay off about 11 percent of its work force.

Twitch, a video streaming platform owned by Amazon that is used heavily by gamers, announced that it would cut 35 percent of its staff.

Discord, a social platform beloved by gamers, is cutting 18 percent of its ranks.

Unity Software, which provides software for game developers, said it was cutting a quarter of its staff, or roughly 1,800 jobs.

They all had layoffs last year as well.

In the meantime, companies are shedding workers and cutting costs to stay competitive.