An information-stealing malware operation named Arkanix Stealer, promoted on multiple dark web forums towards the end of 2025, was likely developed as an AI-assisted experiment.

The project included a control panel and a Discord server for communication with users, but the author took them down without notification, just two months after the operation began.

Arkanix offered many of the standard data-stealing features that cybercriminals are used to, along with a modular architecture and anti-analysis features.

Kaspersky researchers analyzed the Arkanix stealer and found clues indicating LLM-assisted development, which “might have drastically reduced development time and costs.”

The researchers believe that Arkanix was a short-lived project for quick financial gains, which makes detection and tracking much more difficult.

Arkanix appears online

Arkanix started being promoted on hacker forums in October 2025, offering two tiers to potential customers: a basic level with a Python-based implementation, and a “premium” one with a native C++ payload using VMProtect protection, integrating AV evasion and wallet injection features.

The developer set up a Discord server that acted as a forum for the community around the project to receive updates, provide feedback for proposed features, and receive help.

Also, a referral program was established to promote the project more aggressively, giving referrers an extra free hour of premium access, while potential new customers received one week of free access to the “premium” version.

Data-stealing capabilities

Arkanix malware can collect system information, steal data stored in the browser (history, autofill info, cookies, passwords), and cryptocurrency wallet data from 22 browsers. Kaspersky researchers say that it can also extract 0Auth2 tokens on Chromium-based browsers.

Additionally, the malware can steal data from Telegram, steal Discord credentials, spread via the Discord API, and send messages to the victim’s friends/channels.

Arkanix also targets credentials for Mullvad, NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN, and can archive files from the local filesystem to exfiltrate them asynchronously.

Additional modules that can be downloaded from the command-and-control include a Chrome grabber, a wallet patcher for Exodus or Atomic, a screenshots tool, HVNC, and stealers for FileZilla and Steam.

The “premium” native C++ version adds RDP credential theft, anti-sandbox and anti-debugging checks, WinAPI-powered screen capturing, and also targets Epic Games, Battle.net, Riot, Unreal Engine, Ubisoft Connect, and GOG.

The higher-tier variant also delivers the ChromElevator post-exploitation tool, which injects into suspended browser processes for data theft and is designed to bypass Google’s App-Bound Encryption (ABE) protection for unauthorized access to user credentials.

The purpose of the Arkanix stealer experiment remains unclear. The project may be an attempt to determine how LLM assistance can improve malware development and how quickly new features can be shipped to the community.

Kaspersky’s assessment is that Arkanix is “more of a public software product than a shady stealer.”

The researchers provide a comprehensive list of indicators of compromise (IoCs) that include hashes for detected files, along with domains and IP addresses.

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Windows Update Error 0x80070643 usually occurs when something goes wrong during an update. Unfortunately, since there can be several reasons behind this error, the troubleshooting tips can range from just a simple restart to repairing the .NET Framework. Let’s take a look at the solutions in detail.

What Causes The Windows Update Error 0x80070643?

The Windows Update Error 0x80070643 error usually occurs inside the Windows Update utility, and is accompanied by one of two messages:

1. There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x80070643).
2. Failed to install on [date] – 0x80070643.

Some underlying causes of the errors can include corrupted Windows system files, issues with the .NET Framework, corrupted registry entries, incomplete installations of previous Windows updates, and conflicts with Antivirus programs.

Troubleshoot Windows Update Error 0x80070643

Before proceeding, we recommend restarting your PC and trying the update again. A quick restart flushes the memory and can help solve issues relating to the RAM or storage. If the error still persists, here are some of the methods you can try:

1. Restart Windows Update Services

The most common cause of error 0x80070643 is a glitch in the Windows Update service. Restarting the service may resolve the issue. Here’s how:

1. Press Windows + R, then type services.msc, to open the Services app.
   
2. Navigate to Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) > Windows update.
3. Right-click on the service and select Restart.
   

2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Error Troubleshooter scans your PC for potential issues that could be causing Windows updates to fail. To do so:

1. Open the Settings app, and navigate to Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooter.
2. Select Windows Update and click Run the Troubleshooter.

The troubleshooter will now run and identify the root cause of the problem. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully.

3. Repair the .NET Framework

The .NET Framework is used for building and running applications on Windows. It provides a common platform consisting of a runtime environment and different libraries. But like any other software, the framework can get corrupted and cause errors with Windows updates. Fortunately, there is a framework repair tool for such cases. To use it:

1. Head to the .NET Framework Repair Tool website and download it.
2. Open the tool and follow the on-screen instructions.
   
3. After the repair, restart your system.

4. Disable Antivirus Software

If you have a third-party antivirus software, such as McAfee, installed on your PC, it may be interfering with Windows Update and blocking key files from installation, which can cause the error.

We recommend temporarily disabling the anti-virus software and trying the update again. Remember to re-enable the program after updating.

5. Do a System File Check

As stated above, corrupted system files can be the root cause of the problem. Performing a system file check can identify missing files and help you fix them. Here’s how:

1. Open Command Prompt with administrator privileges.
2. Run the commands given below:
   sfc /scannow
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
   

This command will locate the missing system files and replace them with the appropriate ones from the internet.

Conclusion

That’s it. We hope one of our solutions helped you solve the infamous Windows Update Error 0x80070643. However, if the issue still persists, we recommend contacting Microsoft’s customer service and explaining the issue to them.

As a smart home reviewer, you can well imagine that my home is properly kitted out with connected devices.

What’s become clear over the years is the dearth of smart fire detection products that are actually suitable for UK homes. It’s a perplexing black hole.

Imagine you’re in a meeting, watching a movie at the cinema, or attending an event when your Apple Watch starts beeping or vibrating. It is very embarrassing when everyone around you is quiet. Thankfully, you silence the notifications and taps without missing a step. In this guide, we’ll show you a few different ways to silence your Apple Watch.

Different Methods to Silence Your Apple Watch

1. Quick Mute Using Your Palm

You don’t always have time to tap buttons when your watch goes off. Just cover the screen with your hand, and the sound will stop. However, you need to ensure that the gesture feature is enabled first. To activate this feature:

1. Go to the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
2. Tap on Gestures from the list.
3. Turn on the Cover to Mute option.
   

2. Keep Things Quiet with Theater Mode

If you want your Apple Watch to remain quiet and not display notifications when you move your wrist, Theater Mode is ideal. It’s perfect for dark places like cinemas or late-night events. To turn it on:

1. Open the Control Center by swiping up.
2. Find the icon that looks like “Comedy and Tragedy Masks.”
3. Tap it once. It will turn orange to show it’s active.
   

3. Quickly Silence Sounds with Control Center

Unlike Do Not Disturb, Silent Mode has to be turned on directly from your Apple Watch. It’s great when you want a sound-free experience but still want to receive alerts quietly. To turn it on:

1. Press the Side Button to open the Control Center.
2. Tap on the bell icon once.
3. When the icon shows a line through it, Silent Mode is active.
   

4. Keep Distractions Away with DND Mode

If you want complete silence from your Apple Watch, Do Not Disturb is a great option. It stops all notifications from making noise or lighting up the screen until you decide to turn it off. To turn it on:

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your Apple Watch screen to open Control Center.
2. Tap the Moon symbol.
3. Select Do Not Disturb.
   

Each option provides something slightly different. Use Silent Mode for regular silencing, Do Not Disturb for quiet time, Theater Mode when darkness and quiet are preferred, and Cover to Mute for fast, in-a-hurry situations. Choose what suits you best, based on your current location and activities.

If you’re wondering what happened to the Starship, then rest assured, SpaceX engineers are still working to get it airborne again soon.

In fact, in a post on X on Saturday, SpaceX chief Elon Musk confirmed an earlier stated target window for the 12th launch of the most powerful rocket: next month.

In that case, the Starship could be blasting off from SpaceX’s Starbase site in near Boca Chica, Texas, in a matter of weeks, treating onlookers and those watching online to a spectacular display of raw rocket power.

The 12th Starship flight is particularly special because it involves a new version — the third — of the first-stage Super Heavy booster, which lifts the upper-stage Ship to space.

Version 3 of the Starship rocket is 124.4 meters tall, making it just over a meter taller than its predecessor. Its engines have also been given a power upgrade, together with a number of design tweaks that will improve the rocket’s overall performance.

This year promises to be an exciting one for the Starship as SpaceX is heavily focused on getting it ready for a trip to the moon in the Artemis III mission.

First, it needs to achieve a number of important milestones, including getting the Ship to orbit, refueling the Ship in Earth orbit, and then landing it back at Boca Chica in a similar way to how it’s already landed the Super Heavy booster.

The Artemis III mission is currently set for 2027, though that date could slip due to technical challenges with the rocket. NASA wants to use a modified version of the Ship to land two astronauts on the lunar surface in what would be the first crewed moon landing since 1972.

The astronauts won’t travel to lunar orbit aboard the Ship, flying instead aboard an Orion spacecraft launched by NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Once in lunar orbit, they’ll transfer to SpaceX’s Ship and descend to the lunar surface.

The same Orion spacecraft is about to carry its first crew on a voyage around the moon in the Artemis II mission, which will pave the way for the Artemis III lunar landing in a few years’ time.