What’s a story or a post without tagging a friend or two? But honestly, who has the time to individually tag every single friend in their posts? It’s a bit of a headache, isn’t it? Well, it seems Instagram is poised to address this issue.
In a recent announcement on the Instagram Updates broadcast channel, Adam Mosseri, the CEO of Instagram, revealed that the company is currently testing a potentially game-changing feature: the ability to tag a group of individuals in a story using a single mention.
Screenshot from the Instagram Updates broadcast channel
After you create a group mention, it can be reused by other people in the group to automatically tag everyone in any new stories. This new feature might be quite convenient for all the vacations or parties you attend with friends and family. Just imagine not having to tag individually every single person on the photo or video from your latest outdoor barbeque, for example.
This feature is currently in the testing phase, but if the results are favorable, it could become a part of our Instagram experience in the not-so-distant future and get in line with all the new updates Instagram received lately.
Recently, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has addressed a long-standing user request that has been echoing since the inception of direct messaging on the platform: an update that allows users to control and limit who can send them DM requests.
In addition, there are rumors of Instagram venturing into the realm of artificial intelligence with the integration of an AI-powered chatbot. With a staggering user base of over 1.5 billion monthly active users, it’s a strategic move for Instagram to continuously introduce innovative features, ensuring the platform’s continued growth and user engagement.
Xiaomi has confirmed that the MIX Fold 3 will be its lightest and thinnest foldable smartphone. Xiaomi managed to achieve all this despite the fact there will be four cameras included on the back of the device.
Xiaomi says the MIX Fold 3 will become its thinnest & lightest foldable yet
Needless to say, that’s quite impressive. The Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 was very thin for a book-style foldable of its size, so it will be interesting to see how much thinner will the MIX Fold 3 be.
As a reminder, the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2 is 5.4mm thick when unfolded, and 11.2mm thick when folded. It weighs 262 grams. The HONOR Magic V2 leads the pack in the thickness and weight department, it’s both the thinnest and lightest book-style foldable.
The phone measures 4.8mm when unfolded, and 10.1mm when folded. It weighs 231 grams (eco leather back model) / 237 grams (glass back model). It will be interesting to see if Xiaomi can trump this, or at least get close to it.
One thing is for sure, it will beat the Xiaomi MIX Fold 2, which, on its own, are great news. We still don’t know the details, though, but Xiaomi could reveal them even before the launch event. The company has been sharing various details constantly.
It will also be certified for up to 500,000 folds
We already know that the device is certified for up to 500,000 folds, and that it will include an 8.02-inch foldable AMOLED main display. That panel will offer a 120Hz refresh rate, and peak at 2,600 nits of peak brightness. It will also offer a QHD resolution.
The phone will also feature great battery life, based on the info Xiaomi shared. The company is using a dual battery system and its Surge chips in order to make this possible.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will almost certainly fuel the device, while Xiaomi will include LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 flash storage inside of this phone. The Xiaomi MIX Fold 3 will become official on August 14 in China, and it remains to be seen if it will launch globally.
In this article, we delve into the intriguing connection between Bitcoin (BTC) adoption and extortion rates in El Salvador. Exploring the impact of the cryptocurrency on criminal activities, we seek to understand its role in shaping the nation’s security landscape. Immediate Growth contains a wealth of facts and information that you can utilize to enhance your knowledge and understanding.
The Impact on El Salvador’s Economy and Society
From an economic standpoint, BTC adoption has shown promise in fostering financial inclusion and expanding access to digital payment methods. With a sizable portion of the population previously unbanked or underbanked, BTC’s accessibility through smartphones provides a gateway to financial services that were once out of reach for many.
However, with the volatility inherent in cryptocurrencies, there are concerns about potential risks to the stability of the national economy. The value of BTC can experience rapid fluctuations, which might lead to uncertainties in pricing and transactions. Businesses and individuals must navigate this volatility, especially in the absence of regulations specifically tailored to cryptocurrency transactions.
Beyond the economic sphere, the societal impact of BTC adoption in El Salvador is multifaceted. On one hand, the government’s efforts to promote cryptocurrency usage have sparked interest and curiosity among the population, with a growing number of citizens exploring BTC and other digital assets. This technological exposure could pave the way for increased digital literacy and technological innovation, potentially positioning El Salvador as a tech-forward nation in the long run.
On the other hand, there are concerns related to security and criminal activities. As BTC transactions offer a certain degree of anonymity, there is potential for its misuse in illegal activities, including money laundering and extortion. The government and law enforcement agencies face the challenge of striking a balance between embracing technological advancements and mitigating the risks associated with criminal exploitation.
The impact of BTC adoption on El Salvador’s economy and society is a complex subject that requires careful consideration and strategic planning. The nation stands at the forefront of this financial experiment, and while there are clear benefits in terms of financial inclusion and technological advancement, it is equally vital to address potential risks and challenges that come hand in hand with embracing a new financial paradigm.
Mitigating Extortion Risks in a BTC Economy
Firstly, implementing robust regulatory measures is paramount. The government should collaborate with financial experts and cryptocurrency specialists to develop comprehensive laws and guidelines specific to BTC transactions. These regulations should focus on identifying and preventing extortion-related activities, ensuring transparency in financial transactions, and safeguarding users against fraudulent schemes.
Secondly, enhancing the capabilities of law enforcement agencies is vital. As cryptocurrencies provide a degree of anonymity, specialized training and resources are necessary to investigate and track criminal activities involving BTC. By equipping law enforcement with the right tools and knowledge, the chances of successfully combatting extortion and related crimes can significantly improve.
Furthermore, cooperation with international partners and organizations can strengthen El Salvador’s efforts in combating cross-border extortion schemes involving cryptocurrencies. Information sharing and joint investigations with other countries experiencing similar challenges can provide valuable insights and lead to more effective global strategies against extortion networks.
Educating the public about the risks and best practices associated with BTC usage is equally important. The government, in collaboration with financial institutions, should launch awareness campaigns to inform citizens about potential scams, phishing attempts, and other threats prevalent in the cryptocurrency space.
Moreover, promoting the use of secure and reputable cryptocurrency platforms can bolster security measures in the BTC economy. Encouraging the adoption of trusted wallet services and exchange platforms that adhere to stringent security protocols can minimize the risk of users falling prey to malicious actors.
Lastly, fostering a culture of reporting and cooperation can go a long way in mitigating extortion risks. The government should create a supportive environment that encourages individuals and businesses to report suspicious activities related to BTC. Whistleblower protection and anonymity measures can incentivize people to come forward with valuable information, aiding law enforcement in their efforts to dismantle extortion networks.
Mitigating extortion risks in a BTC economy demands a comprehensive strategy encompassing regulation, law enforcement capabilities, public education, international cooperation, and a culture of vigilance. As El Salvador takes bold steps in its cryptocurrency adoption, addressing these risks with a proactive and collaborative approach will pave the way for a more secure and prosperous BTC-based economy.
Conclusion
As El Salvador navigates its path as an early BTC adopter, it becomes crucial to address the potential risks associated with extortion and criminal activities. By implementing effective regulations and learning from others’ experiences, the nation can strive towards a safer and more prosperous BTC-based economy.
The dark mode is one of humanity’s better recent inventions. For years we were out in the dark (pun intended), blasting our eyeballs with radiant bright backgrounds. That changed in 2016 when Microsoft introduced the dark mode in a Windows 10 update, then in 2018 Apple followed with a similar feature in macOS Mojave, and in 2019 both iOS and Android introduced dark modes.Many mobile applications quickly got on the bandwagon, offering eye-soothing dark modes since, but not all did as well. For example, Snapchat delivered only halfway through – iOS users got it for free, while on Android the option to go dark was locked behind a paywall ($4/month for the Snapchat+ subscription). Now that’s about to change (via 9to5Google).
“Mr. Snapchat, tear down this paywall!”
Well, that’s not exactly an authentic Ronald Reagan quote, but Snapchat users on Android sure have been making that exact request for years now. Why Android users only? That’s because Snapchat iOS users have had it built-in for free since 2021. There were several workaround ways to use Snapchat in dark mode on Android by forcing the system’s darker color scheme on various applications, but thankfully you won’t be needing those anymore.Snapchat’s tearing down of the Android paywall was spotted by developer Shubham, here it is: As the screenshot post shows, there’s the option to choose between titled modes “Always light” and “Always dark” – it’s to be received via an app update. The option to enable the dark mode can be found in the Settings menu, then hit “App Appearance”.
The Second quarter of 2023 has shown a significant increase in the overall cyber-threat risks. The blocking of unique web attacks rose to 24% which accounts for more than 700 million unique blocked attacks each month.
Among these cyber risks, Social engineering and web-related threats have surged drastically, which include scams, Phishing, Adware, Trojans, File Infectors, and other types of risks when compared to other cyber threats.
Threat Vectors Based on Attack Types
Furthermore, the shielding of blocked attack statistics showed 594 million web-related attacks, 37 million file-based attacks, 14 million email-based attacks, 5 million behavioral threats, 3 million exploits, 600k scripts, and 500k other types of attacks.
In addition, blocked URLs accounted for 147 million and blocked files contributed to 61 million during the second quarter of 2023.
Among these attack vectors, Desktop-related attack types and Mobile-related malware types were analyzed which yielded further depth to the attacking methodologies of threat actors.
Statistical Analysis
The highest number of ransomware attacks were in Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan, Angola, Ghana, Republic of Korea.
Along with this, the Avast threat report showed most common coin miners were Web miners (various strains), XMRig, FakeKMSminer, VMiner, CoinBitMiner, CoinHelper, and NeoScrypt, which were the most common coin miners.
Information stealer malware saw a 14% decrease in Q2 of 2023. However, the most common info stealer malware were AgentTesla, FormBook, Raccoon Stealer, RedLine, Fareit, Lokibot, and ViperSoftX.
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Threat actors targeting desktop devices have been increasing day by day and organizations are taking several precautionary methods to prevent attacks from breaching their security measures. However, Desktop-related threats still remain prevalent.
In the pool of Desktop-related threats, Scams accounted for 51%, Phishing 25.6%, Trojan 3.5 %, Adware 3.8 %, File infectors 2.9 %, and other types of attacks 13.1%.
The scam has seen a surge of 101.9%, followed by Phishing with 6.6%. However, Trojan and File infectors have seen a reduction from the last quarter.
However, Mobile related threats showed dropper malware having a huge surge of 86% in the last quarter. The overall report showed Adware at 73.6% risks, followed by Dropper at 6.1%, Banker malware at 5.8 %, Trojan at 3.9%, and other types of malware at 7.5%.
Avast has released a complete report on the threat report of Q2 of 2023 which showed detailed information on the threats, malware, info stealers, ransomware, and related attack vectors.
Samsung‘s Galaxy S24 series flagships may bring a handful of notable upgrades over current models. Along with a newer processor, rumors have also hinted at improved cameras, bigger batteries, more RAM, and a titanium body. The Korean media is now reporting that the 2024 models will feature improved displays as well.
According to a new report on chosun.com, Samsung is planning to equip the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+, and Galaxy S24 Ultra with new OLED displays made using the M13 material. These panels are thinner and more power-efficient than the M12 OLED panels found on the Galaxy S23 lineup. They also boast better picture quality. The company is almost certain to use the advanced display on the Ultra model but is also evaluating its application on the two smaller models.
Samsung has been using M12 OLED displays on its flagships since the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 last year (M11 on the Galaxy S22 series). The newly launched Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldables also feature M12 panels. The same display technology is also found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. This year’s iPhone 15 series will feature M12 OLED panels as well. Samsung has already received Apple’s approval for the mass production of iPhone 15 displays.
The Galaxy S24 series looks destined to get an Exynos chip with more RAM
Along with revealing Samsung’s planned display upgrades for the Galaxy S24 series, the new report also confirmed earlier rumors that the company’s in-house Exynos processors will make a return to its flagships next year. The 2024 models will ship with the Exynos 2400 in some markets and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in others.
The report reiterates previous claims that Samsung is going back to Exynos to cut manufacturing costs. Buying chips from Qualcomm is costlier for the company’s mobile division than buying chips from its sister firm (semiconductor division). The Korean firm plans to pass this cost-saving to consumers courtesy of more RAM and storage (the display upgrade is also reportedly a benefit of reduced processor cost).
As suggested by earlier rumors, the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24+ will come with 12GB of RAM across the board, up from the 8GB RAM found on the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23+. The Ultra will also see its RAM increase by 4GB, going from 12GB to 16GB. Samsung is also considering increasing the base storage to 256GB for all models. You can expect more leaks and rumors about the Galaxy S24 series in the coming months. The devices won’t launch before 2024.
Language is an integral part of culture, intrinsically linked to one’s formative years, and often additional markers such as interpersonal relationships, views and beliefs. Given its ubiquitous uses, it becomes pretty simple to see where the language barrier can arise. This situation includes any miscommunication that intervenes when people speak different languages or even dialects. An individual’s original language will also impact the use of any other languages acquired throughout their lifetime.
While the misunderstandings are generally mild and inconsequential, easy to brush off, or even joke about, there are also instances where the situation is more serious. The language barrier can sometimes cause frustration and even offense and hurt feelings. In extreme cases, conflict and even violence can arise. In the business environment, such situations might result in wasting time, money and effort to try and solve the issues. That’s why many companies are interested in discovering solutions to this problem, the best of which is to ensure quality translations.
Translator earbuds are the best solution for business using
The best way to deliver translations within your business is through an easily accessible method that won’t let anyone feel confused or out of depth. The WT2 Edge translator earbuds have a simple, minimalistic design, not unlike that of AirPods. Since it is an unassuming device, you can be sure that it won’t be distracting during crucial business meetings when everyone has to focus on the task at hand.
By providing real-time translation, they are among the most convenient gadgets you can use. Not only are they accurate, but the speedy delivery also means that all members of your team can keep up, and nobody is left behind. Words are instantly delivered to the listener’s ear in as little as 0.5 seconds. If you have been struggling with obsolete translation methods so far, it’s time to let them in the past and embrace the technological developments that allow you to ensure seamless communication.
Employees can use the earbuds while conversing among themselves, helping to make your team stronger and more engaged.
Simultaneous translation
Yet, you might consider these in-ear devices too much hassle just to offer translations. But what makes the WT2 Edge translators unique is their added functionality. The Integrated HybridComm technology enables simultaneous interpretation for efficient communication. That makes the earbuds ideal for long, complex and highly detailed conversations. These are the situations in which misinterpretations are most likely to occur. But since every word counts in a lengthy discussion, you want to ensure you get the best translation option. There is no need to pause following every single sentence, causing delays and affecting the quality of the discussion. The translator earbuds enable you to enjoy an experience that is as accurate as possible. The technology is also unmatched by any other solutions available at the moment.
Translation Modes
Not all translations were created equal, and different situations require different types of translation. Luckily, Timekettle WT2 Edge offers four different translation modes that morph perfectly into different scenarios you might encounter. The Simul Mode permits seamless-real time conversations, just as if you were speaking the same language. All you need to do is share the earbuds and start talking. You don’t have to worry about figuring out complex processes to make the translator device work or pausing the flow of conversation to leave time for the translation to be completed.
In Touch Mode, you tap the earbuds to begin communicating, instantly translating your words to the other person’s device. It is suitable for friends talking and people that are close nearby since it requires usage by two people. Speaker Mode enables voice recognition, instantaneous interpretation, and then broadcasting through your phone speaker or sound system. It is ideal for short questions, such as the ones you might have when traveling and asking for directions or ordering food. And, of course, as part of the Listen Mode, you get swift renditions through your phone’s mic. The interpreted speech is then played back in the translator earbuds, allowing you to keep track of the conversation. This one is the best for international students attending lectures.
Continuous connectivity
The translation earbuds don’t just help with one-on-one conversations but can also be used for multi-person meetings. Touch mode is ideal for these situations, enabling up to six people to have multilingual discussions. All earbud pairs can be connected to the same device through Bluetooth connectivity. You can choose between the bilingual options available, such as one to five, two to four or three to three. This allows all team members to continue the dialogue, eliminating the gap between the different languages and all the issues that can arise from inaccurate understanding.
And, of course, there’s also the option to use the earbuds when traveling. Many people have to go across borders for business purposes. Some areas have limited internet access, meaning that you might find yourself stranded somewhere you require language knowledge to get by. Even then, roaming charges can mount after a while, and you will likely want to avoid the extra fees. The offline translation packages include English, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, Spanish and German translations, covering many areas where you can use the services.
Who needs it?
Which members of the general public are most likely to require the use of these earbuds? Since they are designed for both personal and business use, anyone could benefit from utilizing them. Company owners, entrepreneurs and corporate teams need accurate translations, especially as the business landscape is becoming more globalized. Expat individuals can use translation earbuds to make the employment process easier and enjoy easier, stress-free access to administrative, customer or health services.
Multicultural classrooms that rely on English proficiency and diverse families where the in-laws come from different cultural backgrounds can avoid many difficulties by using WT2 Edge. Since the continuous translation time is up to three hours long, and charging only takes a little over an hour, you can be confident that the product is highly reliable. The standby time is quite impressive, 720 hours, so you don’t have to charge after every use.
Timekettle translator earbuds offer various possible uses, from daily work to classes, strengthening cross-language family bonds, interacting with peers and navigating the complexities of expat life. Since they’re integrated with the HybridComm technology, you can also ensure you get the best experience, regardless of language.
Try it now
If you want to try a unique product that can improve the way your business works, don’t hesitate to try it yourself. The price is 349 USD for offline and 299 for online packages. The offline package supports 13 pairs of languages which include the main language in the world. The language pairs that are supported for offline use at the moment include:
In the future, the brand is likely to update the list in order to make it more comprehensive and see that it includes even more languages.
If you want to use the online version, you’ll require Internet connection to use the translation feature that supports over 40 languages and 93 accents.
For the offline version, Internet connection is NOT required to use the translation feature. You can download our language pack in your smartphone, this way you can use the translation feature even without internet connection. However, you should know that support of languages is limited when using the Offline version. You can also join the affiliate program to enjoy additional benefits like monthly commission checks, newsletters, promotion updates, global support and a 10% commission on referred sales.
The WT2 Edge translator earbuds are one of the most important innovations in communication and translation that can help across several different areas, including business and education by facilitating easier conversations.
Shorts, YouTube’s alternative to TikTok, has grown considerably since its launch back in 2021. The amount of content published on YouTube has increased at a speed that completely overwhelmed the service, which is why we’re seeing a lot of spammers and scammers taking advantage of Shorts.
In an attempt to prevent spammers and scammers to continue to share links in Shorts comments and descriptions, YouTube announced a handful of long-overdue changes. Since these clickable links posted by spammers and scammers usually lead users to malware, phishing, or scam-related content, YouTube will no longer allow clickable links to be posted in Shorts comments and descriptions.
Although the service already has systems and policies in place capable to detect and remove these kinds of links, many spammers and scammers have found ways around the system, which is why YouTube has decided to take additional preventative measures to make it even harder to take advantage of users via links.
That being said, starting August 10, clickable social media icons from all desktop channel banners will no longer show, YouTube announced today. Additionally, starting August 31, links in Shorts comments, descriptions, and links in the vertical live feed will no longer be clickable.
To provide creators with alternative options to showcase their important links, YouTube Shorts will add “prominent clickable links” on channel pages. These will be available for creators beginning August 23. Viewers on mobile and desktop should start seeing prominent clickable links on creators’ channel profiles near the “Subscribe” button.
Last but not least, YouTube revealed plans to introduce a safer way for creators to direct viewers from Shorts to their other YouTube content by the end of September.
Ransomware groups often recycle tools, techniques, and procedures. Even some of them also provide playbooks for affiliates as well.
Numerous use Cobalt Strike for remote access, employ RDP brute force, and target Domain Controller servers to control network machines.
Cybersecurity researchers at Sophos X-Ops recently reported their investigation on ransomware attacks from Jan 2023 publicly, under which they examined four ransomware attacks.
They investigated the following attacks:-
One attack by Hive
Two attacks by the Royal
One attack by Black Basta
In these attacks, the most shocking thing that researchers unveiled publicly is they found several similarities in the attack pattern of these ransomware groups.
Patterns of Behavior
Here below we have mentioned all the patterns of behavior that are observed by the security analysts at Sophos MDR:-
Attackers crafted admin accounts on hijacked Domain Controller servers with non-random, unique usernames and complex passwords.
Applied steady tool persistence methods using identical names.
Utilized matching pre-deployment batch scripts to set up ransomware.
The final ransomware payload is deployed via a .7z archive named after the targeted organization. Here with the same password, the .7z archive is password-protected and executed with a matching shell command.
Ransomware Attacks that Follow the Same Pattern
What caught Sophos MDR’s attention was the inclusion of Royal ransomware in the attack cluster, a group known for exclusivity, avoiding outside “affiliate” attackers.
Royal ransomware ransom note (Source – Sophos)
A cluster doesn’t guarantee attribution, but in some scenarios, it could do the same with strong evidence. Shared behaviors don’t confirm the same attackers, but suggest a similar playbook, as Kroll Inc. analysis shows a fifth attack aligns with this cluster.
Here below we have mentioned the same batch scripts and files that are used:-
file1.bat
file2.bat
ip.txt
gp.bat
Threat actors use the Scheduled Tasks for the creation of persistence methods, and they name the tasks with the following types of names:-
Microsoft Update
Windows Update
Windows Update 1
Windows Update 2
Windows Sensor qe
Windows Sensor qe 1
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Common Tools & Techniques
Common tools and techniques used:-
Network reconnaissance using Advanced Port Scanner
Extensive use of PowerShell commands converted into base64 strings
Installation of a secondary backup remote access with Cobalt Strike
Use of commercial tools like TeamViewer, WizTree, or Citrix Enterprise Browser
Lateral movement via Remote Desktop
Dumping the NTDS and Registry hive for credential extraction
Use of dual-use tools like PsExec
Payloads hosted on public services like Pastebin
Use of rclone to move off the system
For final protection evasion, threat actors reboot the systems into Safe Mode.
Logs from the Hive ransomware attack earlier this year against a target with a different endpoint security product revealed the first signs of the threat cluster behavior.
Examining these attacks reveals both similarities and key differences; however, the initial access methods differ, possibly due to Royal buying access from distinct Initial Access Brokers.
After a false start earlier this week, Samsung has finally opened up the One UI 6 beta. It’s open now to Samsung Galaxy S23 users in the US, Germany and South Korea.
To opt into the beta, you’ll need to open the Samsung Members app on your Galaxy S23, and tap on the banner at the top of the app. A few minutes after opting in, you should see an OTA available for your device. This will be a fairly large update, and will bring you into One UI 6.
One UI 6 is based on Android 14 – which is set for its final release in about a month. And Samsung has brought along some changes to One UI with this update. Though it is a fairly small update, from a user perspective, there is a fairly large redesign that users will definitely notice right away.
One UI 6 brings a new, simplified design
With One UI 6, Samsung is debuting a new and simplified design. Giving everyone a more modern look with elements like a new default font as well as new emojis in the Samsung Keyboard. The Quick Panel is also getting a new look, which will allow users to easily access the features that they use the most.
Now when you pull down the Quick Panel all the way, you’ll see two big toggles for WiFi and Bluetooth, with room to show you what they are connected too. The rest of the quick settings are in the middle, with a larger brightness slider below that which also brings in toggles for Eye comfort shield and Dark Mode. And finally at the bottom is the new Smart View and Device Control buttons.
Samsung is giving users more customization with One UI 6. You’ll be able to set different lock screens according to Modes and Routines, along with a new custom camera widget that users can preselect a camera mode and photo save location.
Finally, Samsung has simplified the mobile experience with updated software. So users are able to complete everyday tasks quicker, enhancing productivity.
You can sign up for the One UI 6 beta today on your Galaxy S23, keep in mind that this is a beta, so it might be pretty rough as far as bugs are concerned.
