The State of Maine says it was compromised via a known vulnerability in secure transfer service MOVEit Transfer. This vulnerability is known to be used by the Cl0p ransomware gang.
The type of stolen data varies from person to person, likely because the data breach affected multiple agencies in the State. More than 50% of the data exposed in the breach came from Maine’s Department of Health and Human Services, while between 10 and 30% came from the state’s Department of Education. The breach also impacted several other departments.
For what we can gather, the cybercriminals may have obtained names, Social Security numbers (SSN), dates of birth, driver’s licenses, state identification numbers, and taxpayer identification numbers. The stolen data may involve certain types of medical information and health insurance for some individuals.
Progress Software, who make MOVEit Transfer, issued a patch for the exploited vulnerability on May 31, 2023. However, the State of Maine says the cybercriminals gained access and started downloading files between May 28 and 29, 2023, before the patch was available.
Data breach
The State of Maine is encouraging people to contact Maine’s dedicated call center to find out if their data was involved or if they have questions about this incident. The phone number is (877) 618-3659, with representatives available from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 9 PM ET.
If your Social Security Number or taxpayer identification number is involved, the call center will provide you with a complimentary credit monitoring code which give you two years of credit monitoring and identity theft protection services.
If you suspect your data has been stolen, it’s worth watching out for people posing as the State of Maine. There’s nothing like a data breach to bring out the scammers, and they will be looking to target people affected by the breach. If someone does contact you, make sure to verifying they are who they say they are using another communication channel. Watch out for phishing emails, too.
We don’t just report on threats – we help safeguard your entire digital identity
Cybersecurity risks should never spread beyond a headline. Protect your and your family’s personal information by using Malwarebytes Identity Theft Protection.
The European Union is tightening its grip on Apple and forcing the company to bow down to the continent’s laws. Apple was first obligated to ditch the Lightning port on its iPhones and switch to USB-C. The EU is also working to force Apple to allow for app sideloading on iOS.
To double down pressure on Apple, the European regulators subjected iMessage and App Store to interoperability rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). This means Apple should open iMessage to third-party messaging services and let users sideload apps. Last week, Google and Europe’s biggest carriers sent a letter to the European Union to call for the inclusion of iMessage as a gatekeeper, claiming the decision would “benefit European consumers and businesses.”
A report by Bloomberg now points out that Apple wants to appeal the inclusion of iMessage and App Store as a gatekeeper service. Apple formerly claimed iMessage is not big enough to be included in the list. The tech firm also wants to know which part of the App Store falls under the DMA rules.
The EU is looking to force Apple to open its eco-system for third-parties
The appeal request isn’t yet filed. The iPhone maker still has time until next Thursday, November 16, to appeal the decision.
The EU has requested Apple to comply with the rules by March 2024. Appealing to the decision won’t affect the deadline. As TechCrunch already reported, Apple’s Form 10-K filing reveals the company is considering changing the App Store business model. We’ve been hearing rumblings about iOS sideloading features for many years. But it might soon come true thanks to EU obligations.
Apple engineers were already spotted working on software changes for the iOS 17 release cycle that lets users sideload apps. It remains to be seen when Apple finally opens the iOS gates to third-party app stores.
It’s worth noting that interoperability rules only apply to Apple’s business in the EU. This means sideloading apps to iOS and opening up iMessage to third-party messaging apps might be exclusive to the EU customers. Apple could continue with its current business practices in the US, Asia, and the rest of the world. The lawmakers in the US might decide to force Apple to allow app sideloading in iOS if EU obligates the tech firm to do so.
The RedMagic 9 Pro handset is on its way, as the company has just revealed its launch date. The RedMagic 9 Pro will become official in 10 days, on November 23. This smartphone will launch in China, but its global variants will almost certainly become a thing.
The RedMagic 9 Pro gaming smartphone is coming, as its launch date has been revealed
RedMagic announced the news via Weibo, by sharing the image you can see below. The press event will start at 2 PM China time on November 23. That translates to 7 AM CET / 6 AM BST / 1 AM EST / 10 AM PST (November 12).
That press event won’t play a huge role for almost any of you, as it will be in Chinese. Now, the RedMagic 8 Pro and 8S Pro did launch globally, so chances are this smartphone will too. Chances are it will launch soon after the Chinese model too, based on what we’ve seen before.
Now, I’ve reviewed the RedMagic 8S Pro a while back, and that is a really compelling device. RedMagic managed to fix most of the main complaints people had with the RedMagic 8 Pro, and release a really compelling device.
That thing is a true beast for gaming, not only does it offer outstanding performance, but it also has plenty of gaming features. On top of all that, it’s not as expensive as you’d think, considering the spec sheet it offers.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will fuel the RedMagic 9 Pro
That being said, the RedMagic 9 Pro will come with Qualcomm’s brand new chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. That processor was announced recently, and it packs even more power than its predecessor, of course.
Based on rumors, the RedMagic 9 Pro will pack in an even larger battery. It is tipped to include a 6,500mAh unit, while the RedMagic 8S Pro came with a 6,000mAh battery. The RedMagic 8S Pro offered really good battery life, but RedMagic wanted to up the ante, it seems.
We’re expecting to see a similar display size as the RedMagic 8S Pro offered. That device came with a 6.8-inch panel, which was a fullHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone will also include plenty of RAM and storage, and also fast charging.
Generative AI is making waves in the tech world with a flood of new tools and companies boasting the latest and greatest platforms. The surge in generative AI solutions promising workflow improvements has sparked widespread excitement. While it is exciting, it’s essential to exercise caution amidst the buzz since not everything that shines is gold. Reinforcing this point, Google has taken legal action against scammers peddling malware disguised as a version of Google Bard.
A recent Google press release addresses its current fight against scammers. Google says, “Today we’re taking legal action against two groups of scammers. The first sought to exploit public enthusiasm for generative AI to spread malware. The second weaponized the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) to harm their business competitors by submitting thousands of blatantly fraudulent copyright notices.”
As introduced earlier this year, Google Bard stands out as a conversational AI service driven by cutting-edge language and conversation capabilities. Its foundation lies in Google’s proprietary Language Model for Dialogue Applications, commonly known as LaMDA. This innovation propelled Bard into the limelight, attracting significant attention and curiosity. Unfortunately, scammers seized the opportunity presented by the hype surrounding Google Bard.
Google has taken legal action against scammers peddling malware disguised as a version of Google Bard
A group of scammers, whom Google has previously served around 300 takedowns, exploited the public’s enthusiasm for generative AI to distribute malware. Leveraging Google Bard’s name, they deceived users into downloading what they believed was the legitimate application, only to find themselves victims of malware.
It’s important to note that Google Bard is freely accessible without the need to download it. The scammers used deceptive ads to entice users, leading them to inadvertently download harmful software. This malware then compromised the users’ social media accounts. Google is “seeking an order to stop the scammers from setting up domains like these and allow us to have them disabled with U.S. domain registrars.”
On a separate note, Google is in another lawsuit targeting bad actors abusing the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). This U.S. law protects copyright holders in the digital realm, allowing them to request the removal of infringing content from online platforms. In this case, the perpetrators exploited the DMCA by setting up multiple Google accounts. They used these accounts to submit thousands of fraudulent copyright claims against their business rivals. These illegal practices resulted in the removal of more than 100,000 business websites, causing significant financial losses and thousands of hours of lost employee time.
Scammers are opportunistic, capitalizing on the confusion surrounding new and complex technologies to deceive unsuspecting users. The next time you encounter an ad prompting you to download a technology you don’t fully understand, consider taking a moment for independent research rather than falling prey to potential scams.
Huawei’s upcoming HarmonyOS Next is almost ready. However, there’s one major feature that’s missing, the support for Android APKs. This means that you’ll not be able to install Android apps on the operating system. It seems that Huawei is trying to fill the gap and enter the mobile market as the third OS, besides Android and iOS.
Huawei boss Richard Yu announced HarmonyOS Next in September, touted as the successor to HarmonyOS. Two months later, the in-house OS is set to roll out. It is fully self-developed and ditches the AOSP (Android Open Source Project) code. Hence, APK support has been removed and the new OS now only supports HAP file apps, which is Huawei’s answer to APKs.
Huawei has big plans for HarmonyOS Next
HarmonyOS Next looks the same as the current HarmonyOS, but Huawei has removed support for Android libraries. The Chinese phone maker appears to be prioritizing its operating system. The company is actively hiring, GSMArena reported, for multiple roles in software development and overall OS experience.
Notably, Huawei’s development of HarmonyOS Next is likely an outcome of the US-China tension. The US government has banned Huawei from dealing with US companies, including Google. This is why Huawei is serious about HarmonyOS Next.
Before the update, Huawei phone users could still download and run Android apps with the exception of Google apps. However, with this update, Huawei is dropping support for Android libraries, meaning that only HAP file format apps will be compatible.
Huawei may be trying to create its mobile OS, but this could cause problems for users if their favorite apps are not available. Similar instances have taken place for Windows Phone, which failed to gain traction and lack of dev support. Huawei’s HarmonyOS Next is likely to roll out to eligible devices by the end of 2024. However, the specific timeline for each device remains under wraps.
It’s the time of the year when you need to start thinking about Christmas gifts. Sometimes, there’s no better gift than a great set of headphones or earbuds. There are people who can’t go anywhere without music or a podcast in their ears. So why not surprise them with a nice pair? Here’s a list of some of the best headphones that you can buy your loved ones for the holidays.
This list consists of great products chosen for some of their best qualities. Along with the main selections, there will also be some honorary mentions that demand your attention. These are still great examples of headphones to pick up, and you might want those over the main entries. Without further ado, let’s hop right into this list.
Best noise cancelation: Galaxy Buds FE
These earbuds truly turn off the world when you enable ANC
These are the newest budget-friendly pair of earbuds from Samsung. Once you put these on and activate the active noise cancelation (ANC), you’ll have trouble believing that these are affordable. However, they’re extremely affordable. They only cost $99, but you’re getting the performance of earbuds that cost double that price.
I reviewed these earbuds myself, and I could not believe that Samsung only wanted $99 for them. Let’s start off with the audio quality. Just about every genre of music I listened to with these earbuds, from classical to 2000s pop, sounded amazing. Samsung delivered a notably balanced sound with a pleasing amount of low-end to add depth and warmth. There was also a nice emphasis on high-end that balanced out the sound to great effect.
One major aspect of these headphones is the ANC. Out of all the earbuds that I tested out, I can say that these have the best ANC. When it turns on, you don’t hear it as much as you feel it. You feel this intense sense of isolation as the world just shuts off. They filter a wide range of noise that you’d hear in your environment. With other devices, you’d sometimes hear a high-pitched hiss from them missing those tones. I didn’t hear that with the Galaxy Buds FE.
I’ve heard earbuds that cost more than twice as much as these that didn’t have as good ANC as these. I honestly believe that the ANC is the best part of these earbuds; it’s professional quality.
You will also be able to listen to the Galaxy Buds FE for a while without needing to charge them. You should be able to have a full day of listening if you use the earbuds along with the charging case. These are amazing earbuds for their price.
The Free BYRD give you such a well-balanced and amazing sound
These are the first-ever TWS earbuds from the company beyerdynamic, and the company knocked it out of the park with these. The Free BYRD are meant to be professional in just about every way from their design to their audio quality, and the company delivers on that. I reviewed these earbuds, and every aspect of them just screams high quality.
Starting off with the audio, these drivers were specially tuned to give you an extremely balanced sound, Nothing overwhelms the ears. There’s a nice boost to the lower tones that make the bass in what you’re listening to just pop. Also, the higher tones are accented, but they’re kept well in check to avoid sounding shrill or overwhelming. Additionally, if you want to finetune the audio to your liking, there’s a feature in the app that will automatically optimize the audio to your ears.
beyerdynamic put a bunch of TLC into the ANC for these earbuds. The noise cancelation is top-notch. They do a great job of canceling out a wide range of ambient noise that would otherwise ruin your listening experience. This includes AC units, traffic, and other sounds that you would experience outside or inside. You get that same sense of isolation that you would get from larger and more expensive headphones.
If you take that into account with the superior audio quality, you have an amazing audio experience on your hands. You or your loved one will feel like they’re wearing a pair of headphones crafted specifically for them with the personalized audio profile. They’re not the kind of earbuds you’d want to pass up if you’re looking to add to your arsenal of potential Christmas gifts. They’re truly a treat for the ears, and your loved one will definitely more than appreciate it.
Being strapped for cash doesn’t mean that you need to skimp on quality
You already have a ton of gifts on your list, so you can’t quite spend too much on the headphones. Well, that’s not an issue with these earbuds. For the low price of $49.99, you’re getting a pair of earbuds with some nice features thrown in. So, if you’re looking for some earbuds that will give you some nice bang for your buck, then these are the ones for you to pick up.
Not to mince words, these aren’t meant to give you a premium experience for the price. These are proudly mid-range earbuds. So, you’re not getting ANC or ambient mode. There’s also no EQ in the companion app. That shouldn’t discourage you from getting them, however. Maybe the person you’re buying these for doesn’t really care about the super premium features.
While these aren’t the most feature-packed, they still have some nice additions. These earbuds do have touch controls on the side, so you only have to tap them to change the tracks. Also, these are compatible with digital assistants. So, you’ll be able to access Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa using the earbuds. That’s always a great addition. The only downside is that you can’t control the volume using the touch controls.
The JBL Vibe 200 can be controlled individually. This means that you can listen to one of them while the other one is in the charging cradle. This is great for a job where you need to have only one in your ear. Speaking of charging, these earbuds will last you about five hours on a single charge without the charging case. That jumps to 20 hours with the case included.
So, the JBL Vibe 200 are a pair of earbuds that will give you a nice experience at a nice and low price.
Honorary Mention: Raycon The Everyday Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds
These earbuds bring top-notch performance down to an affordable price
These earbuds are also affordable, and you should consider getting them if you have a bit more money to spare. Like the ones above, these also don’t come with noise cancellation. However, they still come with some nice features to give you an all-around good experience. They’re really meant to scratch at the heels of premium headphones without being quite as expensive.
The Raycon everyday earbuds are meant to be all-around reliable earbuds that are great for different scenarios. While they’re pretty inexpensive, they still give you some superior sound quality. If you’re into more bass-heavy music, then these will definitely satisfy you. They’re tuned to offer deep and rich bass, so they’ll give you a fully immersive listening experience. You’ll feel all the warmth of the bass no matter what genre you’re listening to.
These aren’t only for you if you are a music enthusiast. You can also be into health and fitness and greatly benefit from these earbuds. The Raycon Everyday Earbuds come with an IPX6 water resistance rating. This means that they can survive in any rainstorm. You’ll just want to make sure not to fully submerge them into water. With this water resistance rating, it’s perfectly suited to resist your sweat, so if you typically work out, and you work up a heavy sweat, then you’re covered.
If you’re giving the earbuds a workout, they will also go the distance, as they boast up to 8 hours on a single charge. With the charging case, that gets boosted to a full 24 hours. The Raycon everyday earbuds are all-around reliable and high quality for their price. They’ll make the perfect gift for a person who’s just getting into pro audio.
These earbuds are definitely deserving of the “Pro” moniker in their name
Google has its own line of mobile products, and these include earbuds. The Pixel Buds Pro have been a part of the Pixel Buds ecosystem, and even non-Pixel phone users can use these Earbuds. The Pixel Buds Pro are not meant to be specifically good at one certain thing. Rather, they’re designed to give you an all-around good experience.
One part of the experience is the superior audio quality. When you’re listening to music, podcasts, and calls, everything just sounds so crisp and clear. They’re powerful enough to give you some great and well-balanced space to help balance out the overall sound. We’re talking about rich and enveloping low-end performance that makes every genre of music sound warm and immersive. This also works in tandem with crisp high tones that make for an overall dynamic sound.
The other part of the experience is the arsenal of features that come with them. Google typically launches new features for these earbuds every now and then. The company is really big on AI, and there are some powerful AI features that you can get through the Google Pixel Buds app. They’re constantly being supported by Google, so you’ll have the peace of mind that you are in Google’s hands.
These are amazing earbuds that excel in many ways. They’re very comfortable in your ear, and you can listen to them for extended periods of time without them feeling uncomfortable. Speaking of listening to them for extended periods of time, you should expect about 11 hours of listening on a single charge. With the charging case included, you should be looking at about 31 hours of listening time. This makes them perfect for using them during work or long trips. These earbuds are definitely deserving of the “Pro” moniker in their name.
Jabra is a top-tier audio company, and it churns out all sorts of wearable audio equipment. The Jabra Elite 7 Active is a line of premium wireless earbuds that cover all the bases and then some. These are a great fit for you if you want to enjoy superior audio quality along with a great workout experience. The “active” in the name means that these are well suited for an act of Lifestyle.
Starting off with the audio quality, you can tell that Jabra put a lot of attention into making a well-balanced sound. Many modern earbuds focus a lot on emphasizing the low end for bass-heavy music. However, these deliver a high-quality experience for the full range of tones. So, while the base does get a notable and helpful boost, it doesn’t overshadow the rest of the sound. That’s something you’ll appreciate if you’re an audiophile.
It’s not just about the sound that you hear, it’s also about the sound that you don’t hear. The Jabra Elite 7 Active come with solid noise cancellation. They’re able to filter out a wide range of ambient noise that would otherwise distract you from your music. In fact, the noise cancellation is some of the best on the market.
Since these are active earbuds, they’re meant for an act of lifestyle. They will not break if exposed to your sweat, so feel free to run, lift, or do whatever exercises you need to. You can work up a good sweat without worrying about them getting broken or slipping out of your ear.
If you tend to wear your earbuds for long periods of time each charge, don’t worry. You’re able to get up to 8 hours of listening on a single charge. That gets boosted to a full day using the charging case.
Edifier is a high-quality audio brand with a special emphasis on producing quality speakers. However, the company is no stranger to wearable audio equipment, and the Edifier WH950NB is a testament to the company’s commitment to superior audio. These headphones strike a great balance of design, performance, and portability. They’re an amazing pair of headphones, and I’ve had the opportunity to review them myself.
These are the kind of headphones that don’t have a singular standout feature. Rather, they’re just amazing in pretty much every category. From the moment I picked them up, I could tell that Edifier put a lot of care into the design. They have a nice reassuring heft to them, and the ear cups rotate smoothly without any creaks or sounds.
Moving on to the audio quality, I had no complaints. These headphones produce a nice very balanced sound with equal emphasis on the high end as well as the low end. You get the full range of sounds from warm and relaxing to cool and high-pitched. I tested these with several genres of music, and they impressed me.
Another great feature is the noise cancellation. Edifier does a great job with the noise cancellation of its headphones, and the WH950NB did not disappoint in that department. I used these both inside and outside, and overall, these headphones did a great job of filtering out the noise of the world. Everything from traffic to ambient voices and other types of noise was completely cut out.
I have no trouble getting a couple of days worth of usage on a single charge. If I needed a quick top-up, it only took about 15 minutes on the charger. These headphones are just great in so many ways, that it’s hard not to recommend them for a gift idea.
Skullcandy is a company that’s known for both its budget and mid-range headphones. However, the company also dabbles in premium high-quality headphones. The Skullcandy Crusher 2 come in at a notable $229.99, and they excel in several categories to make these a great pair of premium headphones. They also bring a unique feature that bass lovers will very much enjoy.
When it comes to the overall sound, these headphones produce a very well-balanced and high-quality audio signal. Out of the box, the highs, lows, and mids, all sound nice and well-balanced. You’ll be able to listen to pretty much any genre of music and have a good time. However, they might be lacking in the bass department out of the box. This is something that the company anticipates, and it comes with a special dial.
On one of the ear cups, there’s a dial called the Adjustable Sensory Bass dial. Basically, when you turn the dial, the headphones will deliver even more powerful low-end sound. This is great if you want some more low-end in your audio. If you like listening to Modern bass bass-heavy music like dance, hip-hop, dubstep, etc., then you will love these headphones. The combination of the superior audio quality and the ability to add more bass make these headphones a viable option for most users.
The only drawback is that the noise cancellation is not exceptional. They do a good job of filtering out most of the noise around you, but it won’t be the best noise cancellation you hear on the market. However, if you’re more accustomed to listening to music inside a less noisy environment, then these will serve you just fine. This is what makes them one of the best overall headphones that you can buy for the holiday season.
These headphones offer you a nice experience at a low price
You’re used to seeing all of the premium and professional headphones that are on the market. They’re great to have, but they’re also expensive! If you’re looking for a nice and affordable pair of headphones that also sound nice, it might seem that your options are extremely limited. However, that’s not the case. The BERIBES are a set of very affordable headphones, and they’ve been making waves through the market recently. This is because these headphones offer some nice features for their low price.
Let’s not mince words; you’re not getting these headphones or a remotely premium experience. You’re not getting features like ANC or ambient mode. You’re not going to find a robust suite of premium features or luxuries. Instead, you’re getting a well-rounded experience that just makes listening to music fun. First and foremost, the BERIBES headphones have some decent audio. The drivers sound nice, and they’re pretty powerful. They’re a little light on the low-end, but it’s not bad.
As for the audio quality itself, you’re getting a nice Hi-Fi sound coming from these headphones. It’s not studio-quality, of course, but it’s definitely better than the $27.99 price would suggest. The music sounds pretty detailed and punchy. You’ll be able to listen to all types of music with them and not skip a beat.
To top things off, there are EQ preset modes that you can switch between to adjust your listening experience. If you don’t like how the headphones sound out of the box, you can choose between the six EQ presets to give the sound a different personality.
If you take these features along with the impressive 65H battery life, you’re looking at a pretty solid headphone experience for under $30.
These are the headphones to get if you want to break into the premium headphones market
If you’re looking for a pair of affordable headphones that give you a premium experience, there are options out there for you. One of the best options would be the Edifier W820N. These are a great option to consider because they’re worth more than they actually cost. They’re a great option if you’re looking to enter the premium headphone market.
At $79.99, these are up there in price if you’re used to cheaper headphones. However, the sheer quality of audio and features that you get with these headphones make the price more than worth it. I personally reviewed these headphones, and the main thing that impressed me during my testing was the ANC. It’s as good as what you would hear in more expensive headphones.
They do a great job at canceling out a wide range of ambient noise. As for the overall sound quality, they produce an extremely balanced sound with a fair amount of low-end. I enjoyed listening to different genres of music using these headphones and I think you will too.
You will also have access to all of the different features and additions with the Edifier Connect app. These are a great option if you’re looking to up your headphone game.
Google is looking to add a new AI-based feature to the Google Photos app that can come in handy. If you are the type that takes photos of bills and invoices but forgets that they are stored in the app and you end up failing to make a payment on time, this new feature will help you save those awful late charges that add up over time. In SpAndroid, AssembleDebug (via AndroidPolice) says that he discovered code strings indicating that a Reminder feature was being added to the Photos app.
Google has added Calendar permission in a recent version of the Google Photos app. AssembleDebug says that he has tested version 6.61 of the app and was able to enable it on his phone.
When you select a photo of an invoice from the Google Photos app, there are some options near the bottom of the screen found inside chips that say things like “Copy Text,” or “Lens.” A new chip will say, “Set Reminder.” Tap on it and a pop-up will appear asking you to give the picture of the invoice a name, select the Calendar account you want the invoice to be synced with, select the date and time you want the reminder to appear on Google Calendar, and a link to the photo will be included automatically on the bottom of the pop-up..
AssembleDebug says that the “Set Reminder” chip won’t show up on every photo, only those photos with text or dates. That is where the AI comes in as Machine Learning will help the app determine if the subject of your photo is an invoice. Currently, the feature is hidden behind a flag but Assemble Debug does state that the reminders appear instantly on Google Calendar.
Google Photos will soon add a reminder to your Google Calendar app telling you that a bill needs to be paid. Image credit-SpAndroid
If you are tired of having to pay late fees because you are constantly forgetting to pay some of your bills on time, this new feature might not only be useful, it could be a money saver.
BulletProftLink, a prolific phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) and initial access broker (IAB) operation was operating since 2015.
In a significant blow to the cybercrime community, Malaysian police have dismantled BulletProftLink, a prolific phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) and initial access broker (IAB) operation.
The seizure was a result of a collaborative effort between the Royal Malaysian Police, the Australian Federal Police, and the FBI. The authorities arrested eight individuals on 6 November, 2023 including the platform’s alleged mastermind and a software engineer.
Additionally, security agencies also seized cryptocurrency wallets containing approx. $213,000, apart from jewellery, servers, payment cards, and computers.
BulletProftLink, a prolific phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) and initial access broker (IAB) operation was operating since 2015. It served thousands of threat actors with tools and resources to conduct phishing attacks through its extensive collection of phishing templates (over 300), including login pages for prominent services like DHL, Microsoft Office, Naver, and financial institutions.
Some of these pages were hosted on legit cloud services such as Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. It also aided attackers in bypassing MFA (multi-factor authentication) protections by offering the Evilginx2 reverse-proxying tool that could lead to Adversary-in-the-Middle phishing attacks.
According to Malaysian police, the platform had become intensely active since 2018, and that’s when it came to their radar. Since its inception, BulletProftLink has attracted over 8000 clients, many of whom paid up to $2,000/month for accessing credential logs regularly. Malicious actors preferred it for buying stolen accounts to conduct frauds and cyberattacks.
“From our investigations, not only the syndicate has compromised websites those of financial and education institutions, and official government sites in Australia, but they are also involved with the selling of stolen credentials,” stated Royal Malaysian Police’s inspector general, Sri Razarudin Husain.
This platform remained a key source for cybercriminals to infiltrate corporate networks, conduct reconnaissance, and laterally move towards valuable targets. Intel471, a threat intelligence platform, was monitoring the platform’s activities, and the following screenshot has been captured from their coverage of the event.
The screenshot reveals phishing templates for various platforms that were previously accessible on the BulletProofLink website.
The authorities haven’t yet disclosed the identities of the arrested individuals. As per cyber threat intelligence professionals, a threat actor, AnthraxBP, could be linked to the platform, and certain operational mistakes from BulletProftLink could have led to its dismantling.
The authorities have taken down multiple domains of the platform. Its closure is certainly a huge victory against cybercriminals because BulletProftink had remained a crucial source of stolen credentials for threat actors. Now that it is out of the picture, cybercriminals will need to look for alternative sources to gain initial access to corporate networks.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series is coming in January next year, almost certainly. January 17 is tipped as the launch date, even though Samsung hasn’t confirmed it yet. Well, as we’re waiting for that to happen, the expected Galaxy S24 specifications have just surfaced.
The expected Galaxy S24 specifications have just surfaced
Do note that we’re referring to the vanilla Galaxy S24 model here. This list comes from Nithin Prasad, a tipster. He decided to round up some details in a single X post. We’ve heard most of this info already, by the way, but not everything.
Having said that, he claims that the phone will feature a 6.2-inch fullHD+ panel. That will be a customized M11 OLED panel, with a 120Hz refresh rate. He originally wrote M13, but that was a mistake, he corrected himself in the comments.
In any case, that display will be flat, and it will have extremely thin bezels around it, possibly even uniform ones. A display camera hole will be included, and centered up top. The display will be able to achieve a top brightness level of at least 2,500 nits, possibly more.
This phone will come in two SoC variants, for better or worse
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Exynos 2400 SoCs will fuel the phone. The availability of a particular SoC will be market-dependent. Europe will most likely get the Exynos 2400 version, while almost every other region will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. That’s what’s expected, at least.
A 4,000mAh battery is tipped here, so a slightly larger battery than in the Galaxy S23. The phone will still support 25W wired and 15W wireless charging, just like its predecessor. A charger won’t be included in the box.
The Galaxy S24 will include three cameras on the back. A 50-megapixel main camera (OIS), will be backed by a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit, and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom). A single 12-megapixel camera is tipped for the phone’s front side.
The tipster also notes that Samsung will utilize LPDDR5X RAM here, and UFS 4.0 flash storage. The Galaxy S24 will also come with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance.
Foldables have undeniably brought a fresh perspective to the smartphone landscape. Although relatively new to the market, they have had their fair share of challenges. From concerns about battery life to handling mishaps, and notably, the scarcity of apps fully optimizing the expansive display. Fortunately, Samsung and Google have addressed a common concern with the release of Android 14. Both Samsung and Google foldables now allow third-party apps to use both displays simultaneously.
One of the significant drawbacks in the foldable market has been the challenge for third-party developers to harness the full potential of these devices. Android 14 addresses this hurdle, offering developers the tools they need to cater to the strengths of foldables more effectively. By empowering developers, the foldable market is poised for a surge in innovation, breaking down barriers that previously hindered the growth of these unique devices.
If you’re investing an extra couple hundred dollars in a foldable device, it’s only reasonable to expect your favorite apps to use the entire display without any UI glitches. Fortunately, as highlighted by Android Police, Google has tackled these concerns and streamlined the process for developers to tap into the full potential of foldable displays with Android 14.
Samsung and Google will implement an Android 14 feature that allows third-party apps to use all foldable displays simultaneously
The key enhancement in Android 14 revolves around the Window Area module in the Jetpack Window Manager support library. This change empowers developers to create more refined and efficient foldable apps. A foldable device’s orientation and display arrangement are closely linked to its hinge position. Therefore, it is crucial for developers to have access to this information to be able to tailor their apps to a foldable’s unique layout.
With this update, developers can now access and interpret the hinge position. In addition, access to the new modules allows them to showcase data simultaneously in a multi-pane layout. Google and Samsung’s foldables have already integrated this feature into the Android 14 release. The broader question remains whether other companies will follow suit.
Consider the Google Pixel Fold’s dual-screen interpreter mode, which illustrates the capabilities of multi-pane support. This mode simultaneously uses inner and outer screens to enable live translations. Dual-screen interpreter mode has become a favorite for its ease of communication across language barriers. Another similar feature is the Pixel Fold’s rear camera selfie. This showcases how developers can tap into the distinctive strengths of foldables in creating engaging and unique functionalities.
The Android 14 update emerges as a critical milestone in the trajectory of foldable smartphones. This update not only acknowledges and tackles existing challenges but also paves the way for a future where the unique advantages of foldables are fully realized, thanks to the collaborative efforts of third-party developers.
