Hardware Giant MSI Hacked – Ransomware Group Issues Demand

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Hardware Giant MSI Hacked

A cyberattack was recently launched on some of the information systems of the multinational Taiwanese technology company Micro-Star International (MSI) Co., Ltd.

According to MSI’s statement, the incident was swiftly reported to law enforcement authorities, and recovery efforts have begun.

“Upon detecting network anomalies, the information department promptly activated relevant defense mechanisms and carried out recovery measures, and reported the incident to government law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity units,” MSI explains.

micro-star-msi-report.png

With annual sales of $6.5 billion, MSI is a major manufacturer of motherboards, graphics cards, desktops, laptops, servers, industrial systems, PC peripherals, and infotainment products.

Money Message Ransomware Gang Claims MSI Breach and Demands $4 Million Ransom

The company was added to the list of victims of the “Money Message ransomware” group this week. The group claims to have stolen the company’s CTMS and ERP databases and files holding source code, BIOS firmware, and private keys.

According to cybersecurity experts, the group only started operating this week. If MSI doesn’t comply with its demands for a ransom payment, Money Message now threatens to expose all of these supposedly stolen documents in around five days.

https://www.bleepstatic.com/images/news/u/1220909/2023/Ransomware/20/msi.jpg

Notably, the threat actors allegedly demanded a $4,000,000 ransom in discussions viewed by BleepingComputer at the time, claiming to have stolen 1.5TB of data from MSI’s systems, including source code and databases.

In a communication with an MSI agent, a Money Message operator claimed, “Say your manager, that we have MSI source code, including framework to develop bios; also we have private keys able to sign in any custom module of those BIOS and install it on PC with this bios.

Chat between the threat actor and the victim's representative

According to the company, there hasn’t been a significant impact on financial business as the damaged systems have progressively resumed normal operations.

“MSI urges users to obtain firmware/BIOS updates only from its official website, and not to use files from sources other than the official website”, the company said.

Struggling to Apply The Security Patch in Your System? – Try All-in-One Patch Manager Plus


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Vivo X Flip pops up in several official images prior to launch

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The Vivo X Flip has just surfaced in several official images, as the launch event is looming. This handset will become Vivo’s first-ever clamshell smartphone. It is expected to launch at some point this month, but an official date hasn’t been revealed just yet.

The Vivo X Flip has appeared in several official images prior to launch

In any case, if you take a look at the gallery below the article, you’ll see the device in the flesh. Three images are shared here, and have appeared to complement the one that surfaced a couple of days ago.

The Vivo X Flip will certainly look a lot better than it did in the sketches that surfaced. It will have a rather sizeable cover display. It looks to be similar in size to the one on the Motorola Razr 2022.

A circular camera island will sit above that panel, or below it, depending on whether the phone is folded or not. The phone seems to be truly thin when unfolded, and it’s shown in a purple color here Black and Gold colors are also expected to launch.

The phone got modeled by a well-known Chinese actress

The person holding the device in these images is the Chinese actress Wang Ziwen. These images have popped up on Weibo, by the way. Vivo did confirm a launch event for April, but we still don’t know the exact launch date.

The Vivo X Fold 2 and the Vivo Pad 2 are also expected to launch this month. So, all three devices will likely launch at the same time, in China. It remains to be seen if any of those devices will be on offer outside of China. The Vivo X Fold and Vivo X Fold+ were not.

The Vivo X Flip name got confirmed recently too, and some of its specs leaked, in addition to some of them being confirmed by a company exec. The company’s exec did confirm that the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 will fuel this handset. He also confirmed that a 50-megapixel main camera will be in use, and that it will offer OIS. A 32-megapixel camera will be included on the main display.

A 6.8-inch fullHD+ display is expected, along with a 4,400mAh battery

That’s basically all the info he confirmed. We are expecting a large 6.8-inch fullHD+ main display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will likely offer up to 12GB of RAM, and ship with Android 13 out of the box. A 4,400mAh battery was also mentioned, as was 44W wired charging.


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YouTube Music sleep timer to let you fall asleep to your fav jams

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Smartphones nowadays are pretty amazing. We all know that they do more than phone calls, but one of the coolest things that some of the best smartphones can do is the ability to keep you connected to all of your favorite media.

And that links some of us to more than habit. You can’t really appreciate the power of being able to continuously play a sound, song or voice you like at will, until you are in the not so pleasant situation of needing more than silence in order to fall asleep.

Hence, sleep timers on media players are awesome! Not only because they remove the necessity before it becomes a distraction when you fall asleep, but also because even people who like falling asleep while listening to music or podcasts, can take advantage of.

YouTube Music is one of the big dogs in the music streaming services game. After the platform started offering podcasts, the developers added an aforementioned sleep timer, The issue, however, was that it was limited to when users were listening to podcasts only.

It took awhile, but now this feature is finally becoming available for all types of media on the platform through a new update to YouTube Music. The feature can be found on the Now Playing overflow menu, signified with an icon, depicting a Z and a crescent moon.

The Sleep Timer isn’t widely available as of now, as the YouTube Music team is still working on rolling out live lyrics and podcast support for everyone. However, if you notice an update to the app being installed, it’s worth checking if you haven’t gotten the timer too.

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Americans can’t stop spending money on Chinese shopping app Temu thanks to low prices, free shipping

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Chinese shopping app Temu first caught my eye when I kept seeing ads for a pair of Lenovo true wireless earbuds they were selling for some ridiculously cheap price lower than $3. According to AFP News, Temu has been the most downloaded app in the U.S. since the beginning of the year. There is no denying that the Temu app is full of low-priced items. It reminds this writer of the Spencer Gift catalogs that are full of cheap and often useful items.
The Temu app includes electronics (like cheap charging cables and adapters), products for the kitchen and the home, and make-up. First-time users get to spin a virtual wheel that could result in the shopper getting as many as two free items with the purchase of one item. Shipping is always free.

And it seems that American consumers can’t get enough of the stuff that Temu is selling. A 65-year-old Californian named Silva told AFP, “I’ve seen so many things in their catalog… offered on Amazon and other online retailers for much more.” She has gone on to place 20 orders through the app buying jewelry, craft supplies, and gifts.

Delivery of the items ordered from Temu is pretty fast according to another customer, 38-year-old Stephanie Wolfe, who says, “It got here so quick, I couldn’t believe it. Once I realized it was legit, I just started ordering more.”

Helping to promote the app, Temu ran expensive ads during this year’s Super Bowl game. The commercials, viewed by 100 million people, told Americans that through the Temu app they can “shop like a billionaire.” The ads helped as the app has been installed over 33 million times in the U.S. since its launch. The company has a U.S. office located near Boston although most of its products are sourced and shipped from China.

One concern is that the app is collecting huge amounts of personal data from U.S. consumers. However, a research paper written by Georgia Institute of Technology professor Milton Mueller, using Chinese short-form video app TikTok as an example, stated that “data collected by TikTok can only be of espionage value if it comes from users who are intimately connected to national security functions and use the app in ways that expose sensitive information.”

Wolfe, one of the Temu shoppers we mentioned earlier in this article, said that she is not concerned although she uses a VPN (virtual private network) and pays for her purchases with PayPal. “Because I’m taking precautions, I’m not worried,” she said.
If you’d like to install Temu on your Android phone, click on this link which will take you to the Google Play Store. If you use an iPhone, tap on this link to be taken to the App Store so you can install the app on your iPhone.

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Some Vivo X Flip specs confirmed by the company’s executive

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Vivo’s executive, Jia Jingdong, went to Weibo to confirm some Vivo X Flip specs. That phone is expected to launch soon, possibly even by the end of this month. Its name got confirmed recently, while its real-life image also popped up.

Vivo’s exec confirmed some of the Vivo X Flip specs ahead of launch

That being said, what exactly did Jia Jindong share? He mentioned that the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC will fuel the phone, as expected. A 50-megapixel main camera with OIS will be included on the back, in addition to an unknown secondary camera.

A 32-megapixel selfie camera will sit under the display, with a display camera hole, most likely. He also said that a Flex Mode-style option for hands-free use will be offered. That’s basically it.

Based on the specs that leaked earlier, however, we do expect a 6.8-inch fullHD+ main display to be included. That panel will offer a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will allegedly include 12GB of RAM too.

44W charging will be included, and its cover display won’t exactly be small

A 4,400mAh battery was mentioned, as did 44W wired charging. A 12-megapixel secondary camera sensor was tipped earlier too. The phone will likely feature a side-facing fingerprint scanner.

Now, based on the image that leaked recently, the Vivo X Flip will look a lot better than the sketches indicated. It will have a rather nice cover display, similar to what the Motorola Razr 2022 offers in terms of size.

This handset will become Vivo’s first clamshell foldable. It will likely launch alongside the Vivo X Fold 2, which is expected to make an appearance later this month. We still don’t know how much will it cost, nor will it make its way to global markets. It is possible this phone will remain exclusive to China, even though that would be a shame.


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This case brings 5G to the Huawei P60 & P60 Pro

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Huawei recently announced its flagship P60 smartphone series in China. They’re also expected to come to global markets, by the way, likely in the near future. In any case, it’s not exactly a secret that Huawei phones do not offer 5G connectivity due to the US ban, but there’s a way to enable it on the Huawei P60 and P60 Pro.

There is a way to get 5G on the Huawei P60 & P60 Pro, by using this case

No, you don’t need to root the device, and tinker with the software. All that is needed is a smartphone case. A company called Soyealink has presented a ‘5G communication case’ for the Huawei P60 and P60 Pro.

If you’re wondering about the band support, here’s a list:
– Standalone 5G (SA): N1, N3, N28, N41, N77, N78, N79
– Non-standalone 5G (NSA): B3+N41, B3+N78, B3+N79, B1+N78, B1+N41, B39+N41, B39+N79, B41+N79, B5+N78, B8+N78

Considering the bands on offer here, the use case is definitely not limited to China. Those are great news for those of you who aim to buy one of these phones once they launch outside of Huawei’s homeland.

Once this case is placed on the Huawei P60 or P60 Pro, you’ll be able to manage your 5G connectivity via an on-screen tool. Do note that the case uses an eSIM in order to function. So, you will need to have an active eSIM on your phone.

Both phones are expected to launch in more markets in the near future

We’re not sure when exactly will the Huawei P60 series arrive to markets outside of China, but it will happen soon. They are expected to make their way to Europe first.

These two phones look basically the same. They have very thin bezels, and an interesting-looking camera island on the back. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC fuels both phones, while both devices have LTPO OLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate.

They also include rather compelling camera setups on the back, with a variable aperture on the main camera. Both devices offer 50W wireless charging, and fast wired charging too. The Huawei P60 supports 66W wired charging, while the ‘Pro’ model offers 88W wired charging.

If you’d like to know more about the devices, check out our initial announcement.

Huawei P60 5G case image 2


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Moto G Power 5G announced with 120Hz display, audio jack & more

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Following the Motorola Edge 40 Pro announcement, the company announced another smartphone, though a more affordable one. The Moto G Power 5G is now official, as it got announced in the US.

This handset comes with a flat display, and a rather pronounced ‘chin’. A display camera hole is included, and it’s centered at the top of the display. There are three cameras included on the back of this phone.

The Moto G Power 5G is official, and it comes in two color options

The phone comes in two color options, black and white. You can check out both of them in the image below. A side-facing fingerprint scanner is also included, as the phone’s power/lock button doubles as a fingerprint scanner.

Motorola Moto G Power 5G image 2

The Moto G Power 5G features a 6.5-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. MediaTek’s Dimensity 930 processor fuels the phone. This is a 6nm chip, by the way.

Motorola announced two variants of the phone, one with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, and the other with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Do note that both offer memory expansion of up to 1TB.

A 5,000mAh battery is also included in the package, and the phone supports 10W charging. Android 13 comes pre-installed on the phone, while Bluetooth 5.3 is also on offer here.

There are three cameras included on the back, and the phone’s pricing starts at $299.99

A 50-megapixel main camera (f/1.8 aperture) sits on the back, along with a 2-megapixel depth unit (f/2.2 aperture), and a 2-megapixel macro camera (f/2.2 aperture). The phone is also equipped with an audio jack, and stereo speakers. Dolby Atmos support is also a part of the package.

The Moto G Power 5G measures 163.06 x 74.8 x 8.45mm, and it weighs 185 grams. The device is priced at $299.99 for the 6GB RAM model, and it will be available in the US starting from April 13.

The phone will be available unlocked from Amazon, Best Buy, and Motorola. Now, the device will also be on sale from Metro by T-Mobile, Spectrum Mobile, and Xfinity Mobile, but that will happen later on.


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Google’s ‘Find My Device’ feature to work even when your phone is off

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Google is reportedly working on a “Find My Device” feature for Android devices. The alleged feature is said to be capable of locating a device even if it’s turned off. According to a report by 91Mobiles, the search giant is creating a vast network of all Android devices. The feature will include optional support for UWB, locater tags akin to Apple AirTags.

The feature will reportedly be called Pixel Power-off Finder, at least on Pixel phones. To leverage this feature effectively, the Bluetooth chip should always remain activated.

Google taking cues from Apple’s “Find My Device”

Apple’s ‘Find My Device’ network is remarkable, as it enables users to locate their lost or stolen iPhone, iPad, Mac, or AirTag even if switched off. Now, leaker Kuba Wojciechowski has revealed (via 91Mobiles) that Google has a similar feature in store. In December 2022, Google offered a sneak peek of a similar feature that can track missing Android phones even without internet connectivity.

The leaker revealed that Google has shared the early source code of Android 14 with OEMs that are a part of the Early Access Program (EAP). He also revealed that Google also has an Apple AirTags-like tag codenamed “grogu” in the works.

Leaked source code reveals Google’s plans

The leaked source code contains a fresh Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) definition with the string “hardware.google.bluetooth.power_off_finder.” The code implies that the Bluetooth chip of the device will remain enabled at all times, allowing users to locate their device using the precomputed Finger Network keys.

It remains to be seen whether existing devices, such as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, have the necessary hardware to facilitate the technology. However, the upcoming Pixel 8 will likely feature built-in support for the alleged feature.

If this is the direction Google intends to take for its new Android devices, we might see the tech soon. The company might spill more beans about the feature and the hardware capabilities at I/O 2023, slated to take place on May 10.


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Motorola Edge 40 appears in four colors ahead of launch

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The Motorola Edge 40 has just leaked in four colors ahead of launch. Earlier this week, the company announced the Motorola Edge 40 Pro, and the Motorola Edge 40 is expected to launch soon.

The Motorola Edge 40 appeared in four colors, as its launch is incoming

These renders got shared by Roland Quandt, a well-known tipster. He shared the images via Twitter, by the way. The colors in question are Eclipse Black, Lunar Blue, Nebula Green, and Viva Magenta.

You can check out all four images in a gallery below the article. Do note that the Viva Magenta color was first introduced for the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion, and that it is the Pantone Color of the Year 2023.

Another thing to note is that the Lunar Blue color variant comes with a matte acrylic back. The other three colors actually feature a vegan leather backplate, which should make them considerably less slippery. All models come with a sandblasted aluminum frame.

When it comes to specs, the tipster did not share them, but they did surface earlier. All in all, we know what to expect here. The Motorola Edge 40 is expected to feature a 6.65-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED curved display with a 144Hz refresh rate.

MediaTek’s SoC will fuel it, while you can expect fast charging too

The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC will probably fuel the phone, while you can expect to get 8GB of RAM here. Motorola will likely offer 128GB and 256GB storage options. Do note that LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage is expected, but that may change.

A 4,600mAh battery will likely be used, while 68W fast wired charging will be on offer. 15W wireless charging is also rumored, and the same goes for 5W reverse charging.

The phone will be IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. A 50-megapixel main camera is expected on the back, along with a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera. A single 32-megapixel unit will sit on the front.

Android 13 will come pre-installed on this phone, and the device will offer two SIM card slots. You can also expect a set of stereo speakers to be included here.


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All iPhones running iOS 16 may get iOS 17 after all

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It seems like all iPhones running iOS 16 will get iOS 17 after all. This goes against a recent rumor that claimed some iPhones and iPads won’t get updated to iOS 17 and iPadOS 17.

Yesterday’s rumor claimed that the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, first-generation iPad Pro (9.7-inch and 12.9-inch), and the fifth-generation iPad will all lose support. Well, this new rumor goes against those claims.

All iPhones that got iOS 16 will also get iOS 17, it seems

This new report comes from MacRumors, who got the info from an anonymous tipster. MacRumors does say the source is “reputable”, though. The previous one was too, though, and they can’t both be right.

In any case, this new source does say that all devices that got iOS 16 will get iOS 17 too. That goes for devices using the Apple A11 Bionic processor. That chip does have a bootrom jailbreaking vulnerability that Apple can’t fix, which is one of the reasons previous rumor claimed devices powered by that chip will lose support.

This very same source leaked Apple’s Dynamic Island feature last year

This tipster does seem to be quite reputable, though. He did leak the Dynamic Island feature last year. He allegedly has a source inside Apple’s development team. If true, that would explain his accuracy.

That’s also the same source that said that Apple will use an ultra-low energy chip in the iPhone 15 Pro series this year. That chip will be used to allow the solid-state buttons to function even when the phone’s power is off.

It remains to be seen how accurate all that info is. We’ll have to wait until September to find out, basically. That’s when Apple is expected to announce the entire iPhone 15 lineup. On the other hand, iOS 17 will launch during WWDC, which will take place in June. iOS 17 will likely become official on June 5, during Apple’s keynote.


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