Why keeping track of user accounts is important

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CISA (the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency) has issued a cybersecurity advisory after the discovery of documents containing host and user information of a state government organization’s network environment—including metadata—on a dark web brokerage site.

An attacker managed to compromise network administrator credentials through the account of a former employee of the organization. The attacker managed to authenticate to an internal virtual private network (VPN) access point, further navigate the victim’s on-premises environment, and execute various lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) queries against a domain controller.

CISA suspects that the account details fell in the hands of the attacker through a data breach. This would not have posed a problem if the account had been disabled when the employee left. But the account still had access with administrative privileges to two virtualized servers including SharePoint and the workstation.

The incident responders’ logs revealed the attacker first connected from an unknown virtual machine (VM) to the victim’s on-premises environment via internet protocol (IP) addresses within their internal VPN range.

On the SharePoint server, the attacker obtained global domain administrator credentials that were stored locally on the server. This account also provided the attacker with access to the on-premises Active Directory (AD) and Azure AD.

The attacker executed LDAP queries to collect user, host, and trust relationship information. The results of these queries are believed to have been among the information that was offered for sale.

Mitigation advice

When an employee leaves there may be several possible reasons not to immediately remove all their accounts. But you should at least remove their privileges as soon as possible and change the password.

The CISA advisory lists several points of advice about user accounts:

  • Review current administrator accounts and only maintain those that are essential for network management.
  • Restrict the use of multiple administrator accounts for one user.
  • Create separate administrator accounts for on-premises and Azure environments to segment access.
  • Implement the principle of least privilege and grant only access to what is necessary. It makes sense to revoke privileges after the task they were needed for is done.
  • Use phishing-resistant multifactor authentication (MFA). The only widely available phishing-resistant authentication is FIDO/WebAuthn authentication.

More general tips are:

  • Account and group policies: Set up a robust and continuous user management process to ensure accounts of offboarded employees are removed and can no longer access the network.
  • Awareness of your environment: Maintain a robust asset management policy through comprehensive documentation of assets, tracking current version information to maintain awareness of outdated software, and mapping assets to business and critical functions.
  • Patching procedures: If you do not have a Vulnerability and Patch Management solution, establish a routine patching cycle for all operating systems, applications, and software.
  • Monitoring and logging: It’s essential to keep an eye on what is happening in your environment so you are aware of atypical events and logs that can help you figure out what happened exactly.

Our business solutions remove all remnants of ransomware and prevent you from getting reinfected. Want to learn more about how we can help protect your business? Get a free trial below.


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Google reveals Galaxy A35 design and specs ahead of launch

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The Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55, Samsung‘s upcoming mid-range smartphones, have been consistently leaking in recent weeks. The devices have appeared in several certification and benchmark listings. The company has also put up support pages for the duo on its official website. The former has now been spotted on the Google Play Console, revealing its design and some specs.

Samsung’s Galaxy A35 listed on the Google Play Console

The Google Play Console listed the global version of the Galaxy A35 (model number SM-A356E) with 6GB of RAM. As confirmed through Geekbench last week, the phone will also come in an 8GB RAM variant. It will be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1380 chipset, also found in last year’s Galaxy A54 and Galaxy Tab S9 FE series. The 5nm processor has four ARM Cortex-A78 CPU cores clocked at 2.4GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz.

Samsung has paired the CPU with ARM’s Mali G68 GPU operating at a maximum frequency of 950MHz. This listing also confirms the rumored display resolution of 1080×2340 pixels with a 450 DPI screen density. We should be looking at a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. The accompanying image confirms a hole-punch display for the Galaxy A35 rather than a notch like its predecessor.

This change makes the device look more premium and modern. Samsung has also recently introduced a new design element that it calls the “Key Island” design. It has raised the frame around the power and volume buttons to make a sort of island around them. We first saw this design on the Galaxy A15 and Galaxy A25 a couple of months ago. The Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 will arrive with the same overall look, though there are a few minor differences.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Google Play Console 2

For example, the Galaxy A55, which is the most superior model in the lineup, has its camera lenses protruding out of the back panel more than the Galaxy A35. It also features a metallic frame, which is confirmed by leaked renders. We exclusively leaked the official renders of both handsets last month. The devices have also leaked through multiple other sources in recent weeks. An official launch date is still missing.

Samsung might unveil the new A-series devices in April

Rumors say Samsung will launch the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 a few weeks later than expected. The 2023 models arrived in March, so the upcoming duo could debut in early April. While the phones look identical, they will differ significantly internally. The devices will pack different processors and cameras, among other things. We expect more leaks about the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55 in the build-up to launch.

Samsung Galaxy A35 Google Play Console 1


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Mark Zuckerberg reveals the forces driving tech industry layoffs

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There has been an increase in the number of IT businesses reporting layoffs in recent months. Many individuals are perplexed. Mark Zuckerberg, one of the most well-known people in the internet sector, recently provided some explanation for why this may be occurring.

Mark Zuckerberg’s explanation

The CEO of Meta appeared in a Friday podcast interview with Morning Brew Daily. He stated that the businesses are still getting used to the post-pandemic environment. In an extensive discussion, he covered a wide range of issues, including competition with Apple.

Mark Zuckerberg points to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on the economy. These were to blame for the tech industry’s current round of layoffs. Many firms have seen a sharp decline in income. As a result, many of them are being forced to close or operate at reduced capacity around the globe. Because of this, tough choices have had to be taken, including making layoffs, to weather the economic storm.

But, why is the epidemic particularly affecting IT businesses so severely? Zuckerberg claims that advertising revenue has been severely impacted by the epidemic. Moreover, it is a big source of income for digital businesses. Tech firms that depend on advertising as their main source of income are suffering the impact of corporations. Hence, they are reducing their advertising budgets and consumers are spending less.

The shift in consumer behaviour

Consumer behaviour has changed significantly as more individuals remain at home and rely on technology for communication, entertainment, and work. It’s possible that certain IT businesses are finding it difficult to adjust to these developments and that, as a result, their services or products are becoming less in demand. This change in customer behaviour may force businesses to make unpopular choices, including layoffs, to survive.

Increased competition

New companies and established firms are always fighting for market share in the tech industry, which is recognized for its intense rivalry. To be competitive in this highly competitive environment, businesses may need to simplify their processes and concentrate on their core competencies. Making difficult choices about employee numbers and reorganizing the company to become more flexible and effective may be necessary to achieve this.

Economic uncertainty

The economic picture is unclear for the future; many analysts anticipate a protracted period of economic recovery. In an environment like this, computer businesses could be recruiting and investing more conservatively to guard against future legal problems. To maintain long-term survival and balance their budgets, corporations may have to lay off employees as a result of this cautious strategy.

The importance of diversification

In addition, Zuckerberg underlined the value of diversity during difficult economic times. Businesses with several revenue sources, such as e-commerce or subscription services, are more resilient to market fluctuations than those that depend just on advertising. Through diversification, businesses may counteract losses in one sector with growth in another, giving them more security in tumultuous times.

The economic difficulties brought on by the epidemic are the primary cause of the present layoffs occurring at IT businesses. Businesses that have diversified their income streams are better positioned to withstand the storm as they must make difficult decisions to survive. It will be interesting to watch how the IT business changes and adjusts to the new normal as we navigate these uncertain times.

In conclusion, Mark Zuckerberg’s justification clarifies the reasons for the current wave of layoffs at IT businesses. Companies now have to make tough choices to survive due to the pandemic’s economic effects, especially on advertising income. The secrets to surviving the storm are diversification and having several revenue streams.


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Nothing Phone (2a) gets benchmarked ahead of launch

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The Nothing Phone (2a) was benchmarked ahead of its launch. The phone appeared over at AnTuTu 10 listing. Do note that this could be a pre-release build, however, so take note that the results may not be the most accurate.

The Nothing Phone (2a) ended up getting benchmarked ahead of launch

Now, in the image below, you’ll see the Nothing Phone (2a), it’s the first in line. Next to it are the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ and the OnePlus Nord CE 3, respectively. The Nothing Phone (2a) seemingly scored the highest out of the three.

Nothing Phone 2a AnTuTu 10

The phone managed to reach 738,164 points on AnTuTU 10, while it reached 236,788 points in the CPU test, and 180,516 points in the GPU test. This test also revealed a score of 137,288 points in the memory portion, and 183.572 points in the UX portion.

These results probably come from the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor. That is the rumored chip for this smartphone. A number of sources reported the same thing, actually, so it’s probably true.

All phones compared here are fueled by the same processor, the MediaTek Dimensity 7200

The other two phones that are included here are also fueled by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chip, by the way, that’s why they were included in this comparison by the source.

What about the phone’s other specs? Well, the Nothing Phone (2a) is said to be available in both 8GB and 12GB RAM flavors, with 128GB and 256GB of storage, respectively.

A 50-megapixel main camera is said to be backed by a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera, and both sensors are said to be provided by Samsung. The phone will support 45W wired charging, and ship with Android 14 out of the box. The Nothing OS 2.5 will be included on top fo Google’s OS.

The phone’s pricing is expected to start at €349 in Europe, while the 12GB RAM model will cost €399. The phone will not launch in the US, it will only be available through the developer program.

The Nothing Phone (2a) will launch on March 5, after the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, for some reason, even though Nothing will be in Barcelona.


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OpenAI wants to own the term “GPT”, but it can’t

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Whenever you think of the term GPT, you usually think of the company OpenAI. The company’s smash-hit chatbot ChatGPT has brought the term GPT into the public mind space. However, this is not a term that the company created. However, OpenAI is now attempting to trademark the term GPT, but the US Patent Trademark Office (PTO) is not letting it.

The term GPT has been tossed around a lot nowadays, and it’s heavily associated with AI technology. This is true, as the term means “Generative Pre-trained Transformer.” It’s all in the name; a generative AI model is a pre-trained piece of technology that generates data. So, any piece of generative AI technology uses a GPT.

OpenAI wants to trademark the term GPT, but it can’t

If you want to get a trademark in the US, you will need to fill out a lengthy application and have the US PTO review it. Getting a trademark is a lengthy and expensive process and, just like any application process, it has the possibility of being rejected. Well, this is the case with OpenAI.

The company wants to trademark the term GPT so that it can claim ownership over it. However, according to the report, the US PTO says that the term GPT is much too broad of a term. This is true, as GPT is a literal branch of technology. Imagine trying to trademark the term OLED.

OpenAI argues that the term GPT isn’t too broad of a term, as it’s not immediately understood by the public. This is true, as not many people outside of the tech space know what GPT means. However, the PTO office argues that it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter if people know about it or not. What matters is that it’s a term that applies to basically the entirety of generative AI.

Google uses GPTs along with Meta, X, Anthropic AI, and the billions of other AI chatbots and image generators that have popped up over the last year and four months. Also, many of the generative AI tools on the market use the term GPT. So, there’s no telling what sort of legal ramifications could occur if OpenAI were able to trademark GPT.

When it comes to trademarking, you’re only able to appeal your claim twice. So, third strike, and you’re out. OpenAI tried to trademark GPT back in May of 2023, and this is now the company’s first appeal. It can only appeal once more before being shut down for good.


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SolarWinds ARM Flaw Let Attackers Execute Remote Code

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SolarWinds has released their Access Rights Manager version 2023.2.3, in which several vulnerabilities associated with Deserialization and Directory Traversal leading to Remote code execution have been fixed. The CVEs of these vulnerabilities were assigned with

  • CVE-2023-40057 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution)
  • CVE-2023-23476 (Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability)
  • CVE-2023-23477 (Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability)
  • CVE-2023-23478 (Deserialization of Untrusted Data Remote Code Execution) and 
  • CVE-2023-23479 (Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability).

The severity for these vulnerabilities ranges between 7.9 (High) and 9.6 (Critical). Several organizations use Access Rights Manager to gather reports about who has access to data and when the data was accessed.

However, SolarWinds has credited multiple security researchers for reporting these vulnerabilities.

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SolarWinds ARM Flaw

Remote Code Execution in SolarWinds ARM : (CVE-2023-40057 and CVE-2024-23478)

These vulnerabilities existed in the SolarWinds Access Rights Manager, which allows an authenticated user to abuse a SolarWinds service that could result in remote code execution on the vulnerable instance. The severity for these vulnerabilities has been given as CVE-2023-40057 (9.0 – Critical) and CVE-2023-23478 (8.0 – High). 

There was no additional information about this vulnerability provided by SolarWinds nor evidence of exploitation in the wild. SolarWinds also thanked Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) for responsibly disclosing this vulnerability.

Directory Traversal Remote Code Execution Vulnerability: (CVE-2024-23476, CVE-2024-23477 and CVE-2024-23479)

These vulnerabilities existed in the SolarWinds Access Rights Manager that could allow an unauthenticated user to perform a remote code execution on the vulnerable instance. The severity for these vulnerabilities has been given as CVE-2024-23476 (9.6 – Critical), CVE-2024-23477 (7.9 – High), and CVE-2024-23479 (9.6 – Critical). 

Moreover, these vulnerabilities were credited to an Anonymous person working with Trend Micro Zero Day Initiative. However, there was no additional information about these vulnerabilities nor any evidence of exploitation of this vulnerability.

All of these vulnerabilities existed on SolarWinds Access Rights Manager 2023.2.2. SolarWinds urges all its users to upgrade to the latest version, 2023.2.3, to prevent these vulnerabilities from being exploited by threat actors.

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1 in 5 Youth Engage in Cybercrime, NCA Finds

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A recent report by the National Crime Agency (NCA) has revealed a disturbing trend: one in five children aged 10-16 in the UK have engaged in online activities that violate the Computer Misuse Act. This raises serious concerns about the increasing prevalence of cybercrime among young people and stresses the urgent need for greater awareness and education.

The report, based on a comprehensive survey, highlights several concerning online behaviours, including:

  • Unauthorized access to computer systems or data: This encompasses hacking into someone else’s account, downloading illegal software, or accessing restricted information.
  • Cyberbullying and harassment: Online harassment and bullying can have severe consequences for both the victim and the perpetrator, inflicting emotional distress and potentially leading to real-world harm.
  • Copyright infringement: Downloading or sharing copyrighted material without permission, such as music, movies, or software, is illegal and can have legal repercussions.
  • Online gaming offenses: This encompasses activities like making in-game purchases without permission, using cheats or hacks to gain an unfair advantage, or engaging in distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks that disrupt online services.

The NCA emphasizes that many children may unknowingly engage in these activities, unaware of the legal implications and potential consequences. This underlines the critical need for open communication between parents, educators, and children about online safety and responsible behaviour.

The report also stresses the importance of proactive education and awareness campaigns targeted at both children and adults. Educating young people about cybercrime, its various forms, and the legal ramifications associated with it can significantly deter them from engaging in risky online behaviour.

Furthermore, the NCA advocates for promoting positive alternatives to encourage children to engage in safe and productive online activities. This can involve fostering their interest in educational resources, creative pursuits, and responsible online communities.

While the report paints a concerning picture, it is crucial to remember that not all online activity by children is illegal. It is essential to distinguish between harmless exploration and deliberate malicious intent based on the specific details and context surrounding each case.

“Many young people are getting involved in cybercrime without realising that they are breaking the law. Our message to these teenagers is simple – don’t play games with your future. Whether you engage in this behaviour knowingly or without realising, you are committing an offence – and could face serious consequences for your actions.”

“We’d encourage any concerned parents and teachers to speak to young people with an interest in tech, help them understand the dangers, and highlight the many rewarding and varied careers available to them. Our Cyber Choices team are here to help children, teachers and parents with advice and guidance.”

Paul Foster – NCA Deputy Director and Head of the National Cyber Crime Unit

The NCA’s report should be a wake-up call, urging parents, educators, and policymakers to work collaboratively to address the growing issue of cybercrime among young people. By fostering open communication, promoting education and awareness, and encouraging responsible online behaviour, we can create a safer and more positive digital environment for future generations.

Editor’s Note: We must have open and honest conversations with young people about their online activities. We need to educate them about the potential risks and consequences of their actions and equip them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

  1. Kids breach and bypass Linux Mint screensaver lock
  2. Snapchat Safety for Parents: How to Safeguard Your Child
  3. 13-year-old student arrested for hacking school computers
  4. Utilizing Programmatic Advertising to Locate Abducted Children
  5. Gender Diversity in Cybercrime Forums: Women Users on the Rise

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The three best USI styli to use on the Amazon Fire 11 Max

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Having a stylus for your tablet can really augment the experience, especially if you want to use it for work. We typically associate iPads and Galaxy Tablets with stylus capabilities. However, thanks to USI (Universal Stylus Initiative), many more tablets have access to advanced stylus capabilities. For example, the Amazon Fire 11 Max is compatible with USI styli. Here’s a rundown of three great options you should consider.

In this piece, we’ll be going over the HP USI Wireless Pen G2, Lenovo USI Pen 2, and Penoval USI stylus. There are all sorts of USI pens out there along with devices compatible with them. So, if the pens in this piece aren’t whetting your appetite, you can look for other devices with the USI symbol.

First off, what is USI?

USI (Universal Stylus Initiative) is a nonprofit organization that defines industry-wide standards for interoperable communication between an active stylus and touch-enabled devices such as phones, tablets, and computing and entertainment platforms.

It defined standards for styli to work across different devices. Many times, like the case of the Apple Pencil and Samsung’s S Pen, styli are proprietary devices. They only work with devices from their company.

However, USI has members including leading OEMs, stylus, and touch controller manufacturers such as Lenovo, Intel, Google & more. It makes high-quality styli more accessible to more users around the world.

The Amazon Fire 11 Max is a great tablet to use

This is the latest and most advanced Amazon Fire tablet on the market. As the name suggests, this tablet has an 11-inch 1080p display that’s perfect for watching content.

That’s what the Fire tablets are mostly for, so the software is closely integrated with the Amazon Prime video platform. You’ll see recommended movies and shows along with games that you can download from the Amazon Fire Store. It’s a central hub for media consumption.

You’ll love consuming this content because of the quad speakers that come with the Fire 11 Max. They deliver a powerful sound to boost the media consumption experience. Also, you’ll be able to enjoy your content for a long time with an up to 14-hour battery life.

You can have all of this for only $229.99.

Buy at Amazon

To clear up any confusion, these aren’t your typical styli

So, it seems odd that companies are advertising their pens as the greatest thing. Styli only do one job, and that’s to make contact with the screen. Well, these styli aren’t the typical pens you’d find at your supermarket.

Store shelf styli needs to have larger tips so that your tablet can register them. However, this leads to a reduction in precision. However, the styli in this piece are powered. This means that a phone or tablet can detect them from a few centimeters away. More importantly, the tips are able to be much thinner in comparison. This means that you’re able to use them with much more precision.

So, if you’re looking for a plain old stylus to tap and swipe, then typical styli will do. However, if you’re looking for a pen to use for writing, signing documents, and drawing, then you’ll want to look into the more advanced powered styli in this piece.

HP USI Wireless Pen G2

This is a stylus to use if you want to have pen-tip precision. Since this is a powered stylus, the point is allowed to be much thinner than your run-of-the-mill store shelf stylus. It’s a lightweight device that feels really nice in the hand when you’re using it. While it’s lightweight, there’s still a bit of a heft to it letting you know that it’s well-built.

HP USI Pen Gen 2

It feels like it’s made from metal, but it’s actually a textured plastic that feels cool to the touch. So, while it’s plastic, it still feels nice when you’re using it. Speaking of using it, the tip of this stylus is not much thicker than what you’d have on a pencil. This allows you to draw and write with ease. You won’t have to guess what part of the screen will register the touch like with store shelf styli. It’s just like writing using pen and paper.

Since this is a powered stylus, you’ll need to charge it every now and then. The charging port is cleverly hidden with this pen. The bottom of the stylus (the side opposite the tip) extends revealing the USB-C port. You’re able to get a few weeks of usage before you’ll need to charge it. A quick 30-minute charge will give you a few days of usage.

As an added bonus, there are magnets in the stylus that allow it to attach to the right side of the Amazon Fire 11 Max. This allows you to carry this stylus around with the tablet without worrying about it falling.

Lenovo USI Stylus 2

Lenovo is a reputable company in the tech industry, and its tablets typically have stylus support. The company also has its own line of USI-compatible styli that give you a high-quality experience, and the Lenovo USI Stylus 2 is one of them. This is a premium stylus that you can use with other USI-compatible devices as well. So, if you don’t have a Lenovo tablet, you can still use it.

Just like the HP USI Wireless Pen G2 stylus, this one is lightweight, and that lends to the usability. However, this pen has a metal body that adds to the overall premium feeling in the hand. Since it’s metal, it can be a little slippery if your hand is dry. That’s something to keep in mind.

Lenovo USI pen 2

The tip of the pen is pretty precise, which is always welcome. It’s about as thin as the tip of the HP Pen G2 stylus if not just a tiny bit thicker. In any case, you’re getting incredible precision.

This stylus comes with a handy clip that you can use to attach it to your clothes. Unfortunately, there aren’t any magnets to attach it to your tablet. So, you’ll want to either attach it to your clothes or slip it into your pocket.

When it comes to the battery life, it has exceptional endurance. Rather than using a rechargeable battery, this stylus uses a AAA battery to run. You’re able to get months of battery power before you need to replace it.

This stylus will give you a nice experience whether you’re using one of the company’s tablets or not. It’s worth the $49.99 if you’re a person looking to push your tablet experience to the next level

Penoval USI 2.0

The last pen on this list is the Penoval USI 2.0. It’s the heaviest of the three pens, but it avoids being too heavy, so you won’t mind using it for extended periods of time. The thing lending to its heavy feeling in the hand is the metal build. So, this is a well-built stylus that will last you a while of usage.

Penoval USI pen

Just like the other pens on this list, the tip is rather fine, so you can expect top-notch precision. You’ll be able to use it just like a regular pen. Also, the tips are replaceable, so you’ll be able to get more longevity out of this stylus. The tips are easy to remove and install.

When it comes to the battery and charging, you’ll see a USB-C charging port near the bottom of the pen. On a single charge, you’re able to use this stylus for weeks, so you won’t have to worry about charging it too often. Overall, this is a great stylus and a wonderful tool to use if you need a high-quality and reliable stylus.


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Meta leaves Apple’s 30% fee for boosted posts to advertisers

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According to Meta’s latest announcement, businesses and influencers who use Facebook and Instagram and want to boost their posts must pay Apple’s 30% service charge. The 30% fee only applies to Facebook and Instagram iOS users. Meta says impacted users can use Instagram.com and Facebook.com on mobile and desktop to avoid paying the fee to Apple.

The change comes on the heels of an update to App Store Review Guidelines in 2022. Back then, Apple said any digital content purchase, including boosted posts, is entitled to use the in-app purchase. This means businesses and influencers aiming to promote their iOS posts should pay a fee to the iPhone maker.

Apple takes a 30% fee from boosted posts on Facebook and Instagram

Starting later this month, every advertiser on Facebook or Instagram iOS app will be billed by Apple after boosting its posts. Meta says it must comply with the App Store policy or remove boosted posts from Facebook and Instagram. Due to the fact that eliminating boosted posts hurts small businesses, Meta opts to comply with App Store changes but leaves the 30% fee to advertisers.

Applying a 30% service fee can drain advertiser’s pockets even more. But, Apple has also designed a new payment procedure for those who want to promote their posts. Advertisers are now required to add prepaid funds to their accounts. It means they should pay for boosted posts before publishing them and also pay Apple’s 30% fee.

Meanwhile, Meta puts another option in front of advertisers. If advertisers add prepaid funds from their payment settings using their desktop computers or mobile web browsers, they’re no longer required to pay the fee. They can “use these funds to boost content from any tool, including from the Instagram or Facebook iOS apps,” Meta added.

The EU is forcing Apple to loosen its App Store rules for developers, and the US might need to do such

Starting in March, Apple is obligated by the EU to allow app sideloading on iOS. The iPhone maker should also allow developers to distribute their apps via alternative stores. European app developers can evade paying a 30% fee to Apple by bypassing the company’s in-app payment system. Lawmakers in the US might also need to consider applying such rules to the giant tech firms in the country.


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Apple to become TSMC’s biggest customer for enhanced 3nm process

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Apple is gearing up for a significant upgrade across its product line with the introduction of TSMC’s next-generation 3nm processors, namely the M4 and A18 chips. Reports from the Economic Daily News suggest that these processors, slated for iPads, MacBooks, and iPhones, will feature a significant improvement in Neural Engine, signaling a substantial boost in orders to TSMC. Industry experts are expecting this surge in demand to drive TSMC’s production volume for its enhanced 3-nanometer process (N3E) up by over 50% compared to the previous year.

Recognizing the growing importance of AI computing, Apple is not only enhancing the AI computing power of its current M3 and A17 Pro chips but is also working on elevating the number and efficiency of AI computing cores in the upcoming M4 and A18 chips. This strategic move aligns with the company’s vision to adopt and enhance the application of AI across all its product lines, aiming for a significant improvement in AI computing performance within its products. Consequently, Apple’s increased computational power demands are resulting in a substantial uptick in orders for TSMC.

Apple’s orders for TSMC’s enhanced 3nm process may surpass last year’s figures by over 50%

Reports suggest that Apple’s orders for TSMC’s enhanced 3nm process may surpass last year’s figures by over 50%, underscoring Apple’s position as TSMC’s largest customer. Additionally, Apple has secured a significant amount of advanced packaging capacity from TSMC. It primarily focuses on advanced packaging technologies like InFO and CoWoS, which are crucial for enhancing performance and efficiency in their devices.

Looking ahead, Apple may push the envelope further by leveraging TSMC’s advanced packaging capabilities to their fullest extent, including exploring options like the 3D structure SoIC advanced packaging. TSMC is gearing up to meet the surge in demand, not only for its 3nm process but also for advanced packaging, driven by major clients like Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD.

TrendForce’s data indicates that TSMC’s 3nm process alone contributed significantly to its Q3 revenue, with advanced processes (≤7nm) dominating nearly 60% of its total revenue. With a substantial portion of its capital budget allocated for advanced processes and packaging, TSMC is expected to cater to the evolving demands of its key clients.


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