Live images of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 just leaked

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Live images of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 just leaked
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We’ve been following OnePlus‘ Nord series of budget-friendly phones over the past couple of months, and the leaks just don’t stop. Now, we’re following rumors about the OnePlus Nord CE 3, and a set of leaked images just leaked.

These are live images, but they focus on certain parts of the phone. Thus, they don’t show the phone as a whole, so you’ll want to take this with a grain of salt. We’ll need to wait on more information to confirm these images.

Live images of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 just leaked

These images come from Price Baba, and they show some core components of this phone. While they don’t show much of the phone itself, they’re enough to show some design decisions that OnePlus made with this phone.

Starting off with the camera package, it looks like the phone will have a dedicated camera bump that will gradually rise out of the back. While it’s gradual, the bump will be pretty steep.

Housed in the bump, we see three cameras. It appears that the main camera will have its own cutout, but the other two will share a cutout right below it. On the right of the lenses, we see the LED flash.

Another image shows the side of the phone. We see that the volume rocker and power button are on the same side of the phone. We also notice the lack of a mute slider.

Another image shows the top of the phone’s display. We see that the punch-hole will be centered rather than on the left of the display. Also, it appears that the display will have curved edges. There are also rumors that point to this design feature.

Other rumors point to this phone sporting an IR blaster and an under-display fingerprint scanner. If so, then those will be some interesting and welcomed features.

What are the rumored specs?

Since these are rumored, you won’t want to trust them 100%. We expect this phone to have a 6.7-inch AMOLED display. We’re not sure about the resolution, but rumors point to it running at 120Hz. As for the processor, it could be running the Snapdragon 782G SoC, and that could be backed up by 12GB of RAM.

As for the other specs, we could be looking at a 50MP main camera accompanied by an 8MP and 2MP camera and a 5,000mAh battery (80W charging). More information on this phone will come out as time goes on.


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Google to update ‘Emergency SOS’ after an influx of false calls

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Google to update ‘Emergency SOS’ after an influx of false calls
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Google has announced an update for Android’s Emergency SOS feature after an influx of false calls across the UK. The company hasn’t detailed what changes it will make but says the update will address the issue. The changes will roll out shortly, a Google spokesperson confirmed.

Android’s Emergency SOS feature is leading to false emergency calls

Android smartphones let users make emergency calls by repeatedly pressing the power button five times in quick succession. Introduced with Android 12, Google allows device manufacturers to tweak the feature on their end. Just that it should serve the desired purpose. Samsung, which had this feature on its One UI software before Android, previously triggered emergency calls after just three presses. It adopted the stock Android approach (five presses) later.

This change is supposed to lower the risk of users accidentally making an emergency call. But it doesn’t seem to be helping much. Police forces in the UK are reporting a huge influx of false calls lately. “Nationally, all emergency services are currently experiencing record high 999 call volumes. There’s [sic] a few reasons for this but one we think is having a significant impact is an update to Android smartphones,” the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) tweeted recently.

The major problem here is that accidental calls are often unattended by the user. They may place the call when the device is in their pocket or a bag, likely when trying to lower the volume, or some other object may be repeatedly pressing the power button. Android devices do have a ten-second countdown before the call is placed, so users can cancel it. But since users are unaware of the call, it goes through as a “silent” call (the operator cannot hear anyone on the line).

Meanwhile, emergency services don’t ignore calls even if no one is speaking. “Call handlers will then need to spend valuable time trying to call you back to check whether you need help,” the NPCC said. According to a BBC report, silent calls often take about 20 minutes to deal with. The NPCC urges users to don’t abruptly hang up the call after they notice it. Instead, you should “stay on the line and let the operator know it was an accident and that you don’t need any assistance.”

Google announces an update for the feature

While this feature has been around for almost two years now, accidental calls have increased since the Android 13 update last year. It’s unclear what’s causing the problem but Google says it will fix the issue soon. “To help these manufacturers prevent unintentional emergency calls on their devices, Android is providing them with additional guidance and resources.” a company spokesperson told BBC.

“We anticipate device manufacturers will roll out updates to their users that address this issue shortly. Users that continue to experience this issue should switch Emergency SOS off for the next couple of days,” they added. Interestingly, Samsung recently removed the ability to disable Emergency SOS on its devices, including the Galaxy S23 series. It also lets users turn off the countdown. It remains to be seen if the company will be forced to reverse this change following Google’s update for the feature.


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Twitter Hacker Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

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Twitter Hacker Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison
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Joseph James O’Connor, 24, a UK citizen, was responsible for one of the biggest social media hacks in 2020, where Twitter accounts of several celebrities and verified accounts were hacked for posting about a “double your cryptocurrency” scam.

O’Connor was kept in pre-trial custody for two years and faced a trial in a New York Federal court where he was sentenced to five years in prison after he pled guilty to Computer hacking, wire fraud, and cyberstalking of two victims (one of them was a minor).

CSN

The Biggest Hack and Prison Sentence

O’Connor was known by his online alias PlugWalkJoe. He belonged to a threat group that was responsible for hacking into many brand accounts, including Apple, Binance, and high-profile accounts like Bill Gates, Joe Biden, and Elon Musk, using them for a cryptocurrency scam in July 2020.

Infamous Twitter hack

The group used Vishing (VoIP or Voice Phishing) social engineering techniques to trick Twitter employees into that they were calling from Twitter’s IT department and gaining access to Twitter’s Network. 

Graham Ivan Clark, known by the name Kirk, was also part of this hack.

Once the group gained access to Twitter’s network, Graham abused an internal admin tool to reassign Twitter accounts of high-profile users.

Biggest Hack
Image: Twitter admin panel.

Twitter WhistleBlower

Twitter faced allegations of having low concern about cybersecurity controls. The company then implemented hardware security keys for the employees to prevent such future incidents.

Months after this data breach, Peiter “Mudge” Zatko was hired as the head of security at Twitter.

After investigating, Zatko mentioned that the hackers gained “god mode” in this attack and became imposters of several high-profile accounts for pulling a large scam.

Twitter WhistleBlower
Image: Imposter tweets (Scam Tweets).

Zatko accused his former employer (Twitter) of cybersecurity failure, making this one of the largest hacks on a social media platform. 

In a post published by TechCrunch, they mentioned that Twitter auto-replied with a “poop” emoji when they asked for comments about this.

Manage and Secure Your Endpoints Efficiently – Free Download


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Microsoft Teams Flaw Sends Malware to Employees’ Inboxes

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Microsoft Teams Flaw Sends Malware to Employees’ Inboxes
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During their test, researchers from JUMPSEC managed to trick Microsoft Teams’ security mechanism into sending malware to the organization’s inbox by making it think that an external user was internal.

JUMPSEC’s Red Team members, Max Corbridge and Tom Ellson have discovered a security vulnerability in the External Tenants feature of Microsoft Teams that allows malware to be directly delivered to an organization’s employees. Attackers can inject malware into any system that uses Microsoft Teams’ default configurations and leverage the flaw to bypass almost all conventional payload delivery security measures.

With over 280 million users, Microsoft Teams is widely used by businesses globally, and before COVID-19, 91 of the Fortune 1000 organizations relied on Teams. This vulnerability makes all these businesses vulnerable.

Many organizations allow permissive security controls for Microsoft 365 users (external tenants) to enable communication with service providers, third parties, and employees of other organizations through MS Teams. Users from one tenancy can exchange messages with users from another tenancy.

However, these tenants cannot send files to internal users by default unless the client-side security controls are bypassed. This vulnerability allows threat actors to bypass client-side security controls and send malware to employees’ MS Teams inboxes. The message appears with an External banner, but some users may still be tricked into clicking on it.

Corbridge and Ellson exploited the flaw by altering the recipient ID in a message’s POST request feature for both internal and external recipients. This allowed them to trick the system into labelling an external user as internal. The researchers then successfully infiltrated a C2 payload into their targeted organization’s inbox.

“Exploitation of the vulnerability was straightforward using a traditional IDOR technique of switching the internal and external recipient ID on the POST request,” researchers wrote in a blog post.

Researchers have also discovered that if they register a domain similar to their target’s Microsoft 365, they can create messages that appear internal, increasing the likelihood of the target downloading it without suspecting any wrongdoing. To do this, they must use an email ID that mimics the address of known members of their target company.

 “When this vulnerability is combined with social engineering via Teams, it becomes very easy to start a back-and-forth conversation, jump on a call, share screens, and more,” Corbridge explained.

Microsoft Teams Flaw Sends Malware to Employees' Inboxes

It is unique because it can bypass all anti-phishing security mechanisms, especially those linked to emails. While employees may ignore unsolicited emails, they would not suspect emails sent via Teams IDs.

Microsoft was notified about the flaw, and the tech giant acknowledged it. However, this issue did not meet its threshold for immediate intervention. Therefore, the company may take some time to address this issue.

Until this issue is fixed, organizations relying on Microsoft Teams to communicate with external users should disable the External Access feature by opening the Microsoft Teams Admin Center and disabling the chat with the external unmanaged Team users option.

You may also create an allow-list for desired domains to prevent exploitation without impacting external communication channels.

  1. Zoom Phishing Scam Steals Microsoft Exchange Credentials
  2. Microsoft Office Most Exploited Software in Malware Attacks
  3. 10 Security Tips to Reduce Data Loss in Microsoft Office 365
  4. Flaw allowed hijacking of Microsoft Teams account with a GIF
  5. Scammers Leveraging Microsoft Team GIFs in Phishing Attacks

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 leaks in its first live photo

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 leaks in its first live photo
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After several leaked renders over the past few weeks, we may have just got our first look at an actual Galaxy Z Flip 5. A photo shared on Twitter by @Tech_Reve shows what appears to be the upcoming Samsung foldable wrapped in a hard protective case. The big folder-shaped cover display gives it away. 

It’s unclear when and where this photo was taken or who was using the Galaxy Z Flip 5. But it may have been some Samsung executive testing out the unreleased device ahead of its launch next month. The photo leaked shortly after the company held multiple executive meetings to discuss business strategies last week. Some of the attendees at the meetings may have brought the upcoming foldable to the conference.

The presence of a BMW keyfob next to the device can also be linked to the Korean firm’s recent partnerships with the German carmaker. Moreover, the case doesn’t quite fit the phone perfectly, suggesting that it’s designed to hide the foldable from public eyes ahead of its launch. But the leaked live photo of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 does give away a few things. It confirms two rear-facing cameras above the folder-shaped cover display, with a LED flash unit sitting next to them.

The external screen is in Always-On Display (AOD) mode and shows a circular clock. Elsewhere, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded in the power key on the right side. Volume rockers sit above this multi-function key. The device seemingly has flat edges and a flat hinge. Rumors are that Samsung has switched to a new waterdrop-type hinge this year. It allows the foldable to shut properly when folded without any gap.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 live photo leak

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will also get the redesigned hinge

Samsung is using the same hinge design in the Galaxy Z Fold 5 as well. The change allowed it to cut some weight from the device’s body and make it marginally thinner. The 2023 Galaxy foldables may not bring many other major upgrades, though. If rumors are anything to go by, it’s the same display, cameras, battery capacity, and charging speed as last year. The only notable upgrade is the hinge and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 “for Galaxy” processor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 will debut during Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event on July 27. This year’s big launch event will take place in the company’s homeland South Korea. The new foldables will be accompanied by the Galaxy Tab S9 series flagship tablets and the Galaxy Watch 6 series smartwatches. You can expect to hear more about the upcoming Samsung products over the next few weeks.


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ChatGPT gets US lawyers a $5,000 fine due to fake case citations

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ChatGPT gets US lawyers a $5,000 fine due to fake case citations
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They are a lot of areas where ChatGPT is helpful, but the courthouse might not be a great choice. Well, not everybody thinks that way, as some US lawyers have got themselves fine due to their reliance on the AI model. This is a very interesting case, and it highlights the flaws of AI and the need to do proper research before trusting AI search results.

The fine in question is worth $5,000 and will be spread across various parties involved in the case. Steven Schwartz, the attorney in the court case, brought this upon his client and other parties. He did this by letting ChatGPT get important points he was to use in court against the defendant, and yes, there were serious errors.

Unlike the AI model, ChatGPT, the court was able to do their findings and found Steven Schwartz’s AI-generated citing to be false. This finding means that Steven Schwartz came to court to present a case before the court with false citations, hence warranting a fine. But how exactly did the attorney make use of ChatGPT for his case, and what exactly went wrong?

A $5,000 fine for getting facts off ChatGPT for a court case

Steven Schwartz was the attorney on the case involving his client and the Colombian airline, Avianca. For some reason, Steven’s client was suing the airlines and needed a lawyer to support his client. To be better prepared for the case, Steven let ChatGPT do some homework on similar cases.

This was a bad idea that he could have prevented if he had vetted the ChatGPT search results. As we all know, AI models tend to formulate information from thin air when they can’t find a sensible response to give. The New York attorney Steven was not aware of the ‘manipulative’ nature of AI models, and now he is learning the hard way.

ChatGPT gave Steven fake court cases similar to the one he was about to face in court. Unknowing to him that the information was wrong, he took it to court as a precedent. Well, the court did their homework and found out that the “Martinez v. Delta Airlines and Miller v. United Airlines,” cases are non-existent.

The court was quick to figure this out and give a $5000 fine to Steven Schwartz and his associates in the case. Certainly, the court acknowledges the presence of AI in law, but there is a need for confirmation of the information it gives. Yes, AI plays a vital role in many industries, but there is a need to be careful about its usage.


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Mullvad VPN Launches Leta Search Engine Sans Online Trackers

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Mullvad VPN Launches Leta Search Engine Sans Online Trackers
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Shortly after releasing a private web browser, Mullvad VPN has now unveiled the Mullvad Leta search engine to prevent online tracking. This search engine is already available to Mullvad Browser users with premium subscriptions.

Mullvad Leta Search Engine Is The New Privacy Alternative

In a recent post, Mullvad VPN providers shared details about their new privacy-focused release. Named “Mullvad Leta,” the new product is basically a search engine that empowers users to browse links without fearing being tracked.

But this tracking prevention doesn’t mean users must bear with irrelevant search results. Instead, the Mullvad Leta relies on Google Search API for caching each search. This caching enables the search engine to share the results with all users.

For searches not previously cached, Mullvad Leta fetches information from Google by sharing the search term only (without user information). This way, the tool strives to provide better and more accurate search results with minimal costs.

Moreover, this caching also helps the search engine to ensure maximum privacy for the users while blocking tracking links. The tool does not collect user data (per Mullvad VPN’s policy) nor sell ads.

Presently, Mullvad Leta is available to Mullvad VPN users only. Users of the Mullvad Browser can access this search engine directly from their browsers. (This is just another search engine option for the users, alongside the default search engine DuckDuckGo.) Whereas other web browsers’ users need to have an active Mullvad VPN connection to connect to the search engine’s URL (https://leta.mullvad.net/).

For now, the tool has some limitations, even for premium users. First, one registered account can perform up to 100 searches per day. And that includes viewing subsequent search results pages. However, this comes with unlimited cached searches.

Another limitation is that not all searches may display recent results since the searches remain cached for 30 days.

While limitations may seem disappointing, the feature still works great for privacy freaks. Moreover, given the tool’s initial development stage, we can expect Mullvad Leta to provide an improved experience in the future.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.


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Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 puzzle comes together as specs & renders leak

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Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 puzzle comes together as specs & renders leak
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A new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 leak has just appeared, showing us renders of both devices, and also providing info on their specifications. There’s quite a bit of info here, so let’s get started.

The information you see here has been provided by SnoopyTech, a tipster, and shared by XDA Developers. Both devices are shown here. The featured image shows them, in a number of color variants. You’ll also find two galleries below, if you’d like to take a closer look at the phones.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 & Flip 5 renders and specs get shared ahead of time

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is shown in black, blue, and white-ish colors here (Phantom Black, Icy Blue, and Cream color, officially). The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, is shown in black, green, pink, and that white-ish color (Graphite, Mint, Lavender, and Cream color, officially), just like the Fold 5.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 will look a lot like the Fold 4, actually. The aspect ratio of its outer display will be the same, and overall the phone will look quite similar. It will fold flat, though, allegedly, unlike its predecessor.

Samsung’s upcoming foldable, however, the Flip 5, will be easy to differentiate from its sibling. Why? Well, mainly thanks to its larger cover display. On top of that, the phone will also fold flat, unlike its predecessor.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 will offer two 120Hz displays, a 4,400mAh battery & more

What about the specs? Well, let’s talk about the Fold 5 first, shall we? The tipster claims the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will include a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 2176 x 1812 resolution. It will also offer a dynamic refresh rate of up to 120Hz, but it’ll be able to go down to 1Hz too.

A 6.2-inch cover display will also be included. That will be a Dynamic AMOLED display with a resolution of 2316 x 904, and a 120Hz refresh rate.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will fuel this phone, while the company will include 12GB of RAM here You’ll be able to choose between 256GB and 512GB storage options. A 4,400mAh battery is also mentioned.

Android 13 will come pre-installed on the device, along with Samsung’s One UI 5.1.1 on top of it. The phone will be IPX8 rated for water resistance, in case you were wondering.

A 50-megapixel main camera (f/1.8 aperture) is mentioned by the tipster, as is a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (f/2.2 aperture). A 12-megapixel telephoto shooter (f/2.2) will also be included on the back.

On the inside, Samsung will utilize a 4-megapixel under-display camera, while a 10-megapixel selfie camera (f/2.2) will be used on the outside. There will be two SIM card slots, here, and the phone will support Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E it seems. We’d expect Bluetooth 5.3 here, actually, so that could be a mistake.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is said to measure 154.9 x 67.1 x 13.4mm, and weigh 253 grams.

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 will have a large cover display, and 8GB of RAM

The Galaxy Z Flip 5, on the other hand, is tipped to include a 6.7-inch fullHD+ (2640 x 1080) Dynamic AMOLED display with a variable refresh rate (1-120Hz). Its outer display will measure 3.4 inches, and it will be a 748 x 720 panel. It will also offer a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and will be able to go down to 1Hz.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 will fuel this phone too, while you’ll get 8GB of RAM here. 256GB and 512GB storage options will allegedly be available.

A 12-megapixel main camera (f/1.8 aperture) will be on offer, along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (f/2.2 aperture). A 10-megapixel selfie camera (f/2.4 aperture) will sit on the main display (centered hole punch).

A 3,700mAh battery will also be a part of the package, while Android 13 will come pre-installed. The device is said to support Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E, and offer dual SIM connectivity. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 is said to measure 85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1mm when folded. Other measurements are not yet available.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Flip 5 will launch next month in Seoul, Korea. The launch date has not been confirmed just yet, but July 26 is rumored.

Galaxy Z Fold 5:

Galaxy Z Flip 5:


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The impact of Binance USD on blockchain scalability issues

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The impact of Binance USD on blockchain scalability issues
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Blockchain technology has revolutionized various industries, but its scalability limitations have hindered its widespread adoption. In this article, we explore the impact of Binance USD (BUSD) on addressing blockchain scalability issues, case studies and real-world examples. If you’re interested in the potential of cryptocurrency, consider signing up for a Bitcoin trading account at Immediate Connect

The Impact of Binance USD on Blockchain Scalability

Firstly, the introduction of BUSD has greatly improved transaction throughput. Traditional blockchain networks often suffer from congestion and slower transaction processing times, resulting in delays and increased fees. However, BUSD’s integration provides a scalable solution by facilitating faster and more efficient transactions. The enhanced transaction throughput not only improves the overall user experience but also enables blockchain networks to handle a larger volume of transactions without compromising on speed or security.

Moreover, BUSD plays a crucial role in reducing congestion on blockchain networks. The increasing popularity of cryptocurrencies and decentralized applications (DApps) has put a strain on existing blockchain infrastructures, leading to congestion and network congestion-related issues. By leveraging BUSD as a stablecoin, users can transact with a stable digital asset that is not subject to the same price volatility as other cryptocurrencies.

Additionally, the integration of BUSD enhances the user experience for decentralized applications. DApps are integral to the blockchain ecosystem, providing various services and functionalities. However, the scalability limitations of blockchain networks often hinder the smooth operation of these applications. BUSD addresses this challenge by offering a stablecoin that enables seamless and efficient transactions within DApps. Users can engage with DApps without being concerned about transaction delays or exorbitant fees, ultimately fostering a more user-friendly and accessible decentralized economy.

Furthermore, the adoption of BUSD opens up new possibilities and use cases for blockchain technology. Its stability and scalability make it an ideal medium for various applications, including decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces. BUSD enables DeFi platforms to offer stablecoin-based financial services, such as lending, borrowing, and liquidity provision, with improved scalability and efficiency. Similarly, NFT marketplaces can leverage BUSD for seamless and secure transactions, expanding the ecosystem and encouraging broader adoption.

Overall, the integration of Binance USD has had a profound impact on blockchain scalability. By improving transaction throughput, reducing congestion, enhancing user experience, and enabling new use cases, BUSD has become a valuable asset in overcoming the scalability challenges that have plagued blockchain networks. As the decentralized economy continues to evolve, the role of stablecoins like BUSD in driving scalability and innovation becomes increasingly vital.

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

One notable case study is the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), a blockchain platform that has integrated BUSD as its native stablecoin. BSC offers a high-performance and scalable infrastructure, enabling developers to build decentralized applications (DApps) with ease. The integration of BUSD as the primary medium of exchange on BSC has significantly contributed to its scalability and success. BSC’s ability to handle a high transaction throughput and provide low-cost transactions has attracted a wide range of projects and users, cementing its position as a leading blockchain platform.

In the realm of decentralized finance (DeFi), BUSD has played a crucial role in enhancing scalability. DeFi applications often face scalability challenges due to the high volume of transactions and interactions with smart contracts. By utilizing BUSD as a stablecoin, DeFi platforms can offer users the ability to transact with stability, lower fees, and faster transaction confirmations. This scalability advantage has fueled the growth of various DeFi projects, ranging from decentralized exchanges to lending protocols, providing users with a seamless and efficient experience.

Moreover, non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces have also leveraged BUSD to address scalability issues. NFTs, which represent unique digital assets, have gained significant popularity, leading to increased demand and congestion on blockchain networks. By integrating BUSD as a stablecoin for NFT transactions, marketplaces can ensure smoother and faster transactions, reducing the burden on the underlying blockchain. This integration has enabled artists, collectors, and enthusiasts to trade NFTs with ease while maintaining the stability of value provided by BUSD.

Several successful projects serve as real-world examples of how BUSD has contributed to blockchain scalability. For instance, decentralized lending platforms powered by BUSD have experienced exponential growth, allowing users to access liquidity quickly and efficiently. Additionally, BUSD has been integrated into decentralized payment systems, enabling merchants to accept stablecoin payments and bypass the scalability limitations of traditional payment methods.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Binance USD (BUSD) has made a significant impact on addressing blockchain scalability issues. Through improved transaction throughput, reduced congestion, enhanced user experience, and successful case studies, BUSD has proven to be a valuable solution. As the decentralized economy continues to grow, BUSD’s role in driving scalability and fostering innovation remains crucial.


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‘PlugWalkJoe’ Gets 5 Years for Twitter Hack and Sim Swapping

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‘PlugWalkJoe’ Gets 5 Years for Twitter Hack and Sim Swapping
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The mastermind behind the Twitter hack, Graham Ivan Clark, is already serving a three-year sentence.

A New York court has formally sentenced Joseph James O’Connor for his involvement in an extensive SIM-swapping scheme and other crimes. The 24-year-old British hacker has received five years behind bars.

The accused pleaded guilty to four counts of wire fraud, computer hacking, and cyberstalking in May 2023. O’Connor will also return $749,000, which he admitted to stealing from a Manhattan-based cryptocurrency firm.

In 2020, the then-22-year-old O’Connor pulled off a massive hacking spree targeting Twitter accounts, impacting dozens of high-profile personalities. Using SIM swapping, the notorious hacker and his accomplices stole their victims’ cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, and LiteCoin.

It is worth noting that the mastermind behind the Twitter hack, Graham Ivan Clark, is already serving a three-year sentence. Clark was arrested on July 31st, 2020, in Tampa, Florida, when he was 17 years old. Therefore, he has been sentenced as a youthful offender.

Jail Time: 'PlugWalkJoe' Gets 5 Years for Twitter Hack and Sim Swapping
Graham Ivan Clark (Left) – Graham Ivan Clark (Right)

On the other hand, O’Connor used his online handle PlugWalkJoe to carry out the breaches. In a SIM swapping attack, hackers obtain control of their victims’ cellphone numbers by linking them to SIM cards.

The prosecutors argued that O’Connor possessed immense technical knowledge and capabilities. However, he used it to hijack around 130 Twitter accounts, many belonging to well-known politicians, companies, entrepreneurs, and celebrities including the following:

  1. Apple
  2. Bill Gates
  3. Joe Biden
  4. Jeff Bezos
  5. Elon Musk
  6. Kanye West
  7. Warren Buffet
  8. Barack Obama
  9. Kim Kardashian and more.

Additionally, he was involved in cyberstalking two individuals, one of whom was a minor. The gang tricked Twitter employees into giving them access to Twitter’s internal tool by claiming to be part of its IT department.

The hackers then used this access to abuse an internal admin tool, which, according to Twitter’s head of security Peiter Mudge Zatko, helped them gain god mode. They could hijack and tweet from any Twitter account they desired. This is how they pulled off the “largest hack of a social media platform in history,” claims Zatko.

The gang exploited these accounts to post cryptocurrency scams, which impacted millions of users as their Twitter timelines were flooded with the “double your Bitcoin” scams from the hijacked accounts. The hackers made $120,000 from this breach. Twitter had to block access to these accounts to prevent further damage while it fixed the issue.

Prominent & verified Twitter accounts hacked to run crypto scam
Bill Gates and Elon Musk had their account compromised in the Twitter hack (Image: Hackread.com)

An investigation by the New York Department of Financial Services declared Twitter responsible for the breach due to weak and inadequate cybersecurity mechanisms. This prompted the microblogging platform to introduce hardware security keys for employees to prevent phishing attacks and improve its cybersecurity mechanisms.

Further, O’Connor acknowledged swatting a teenage girl in June and July of 2020. He contacted the sheriff’s department and sent messages to a high school and restaurant, falsely claiming that the girl was planning a mass shooting and providing her address. A month later, he threatened to kill the girl’s family. During the sentencing hearing, O’Connor acknowledged his crimes were pointless and foolish.

“I am ashamed to be here. I’m sorry to all the victims of my crimes. I’m here because I did stupid and shameful things. I will never break the law again,” O’Connor told Manhattan federal court’s Judge Jed S. Rakoff.

O’Connor has remained in pre-trial custody for a long time. Therefore, the judge said he will only serve half of his term. He was extradited to the US from Spain in April 2023 and faced a maximum penalty of 77 years. However, prosecutors asked for 7 years in prison.

  1. Owner of Breach Forums Pompompurin Arrested in New York
  2. Twitter hack’s mastermind trial zoom bombed with pornography
  3. Alcasec Hacker, aka “Robin Hood of Spanish Hackers,” Arrested
  4. Estonian Arrested: Accused of Supplying Hacking Tools to Russia
  5. Twitter Scraping Breach: 209m Accounts Leaked on Hacker Forum

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