Last week, during the iPhone announcement, Apple also announced that iCloud+ was getting a couple of new storage options – 6TB and 12TB. Unfortunately, there’s nothing between 2TB and 6TB. But those plans are now available.
You can sign up for these new plans just like you would any other iCloud+ plan. Just head into the Settings on any Apple device, tap on iCloud and then Manage Storage. You’ll notice that the pricing for the 6TB and 12TB options are linear to the other pricing. So 6TB now starts at $29.99 per month and 12TB is $59.99 per month.
Apple is saying that this storage upgrade is the “perfect compliment” to the new 48-megapixel main cameras on all four new iPhone 15’s – launching this Friday. These images can be very large, if you like to take photos in RAW. A ProRAW 48-megapixel image can be up to 75MB for a single image. So safe to say your storage will fill up quickly.
iCloud+ is a really useful subscription
On top of the extra storage, iCloud+ is a really useful subscription to have. And as someone that is invested in both Android and Apple ecosystems, I don’t use as much iCloud storage, but still have the 200GB plan. That’s because some of the iCloud+ features are worth paying $3/month.
Some of those features include Private Relay which is basically a VPN to hide your internet traffic. Or Hide my Email, HomeKit Secure Video, Custom Email Domains and so much more. It’s a lot more feature-rich than Google One, which is fairly surprising.
Apple should add some other storage options, as those that need more than 2TB of storage, likely doesn’t need 3x that much storage. Providing 2TB increments would be better: 2TB, 4TB, 6TB, etc. But with the amount of data that some iCloud users have, it’ll get put to good use.
Researchers have found a new variant of the MidgeDropper malware typically targeting Windows systems. In fact, the malware specifically aims at work-from-home users with Windows PCs, potentially indicating the attackers’ intentions to exploit the likely security weaknesses that usually exist in remote working environments.
MidgeDropper Malware Variant Infects Windows Work-from-Home Users
Researchers from Fortinet’s Fortiguard Labs have found a new MidgeDropper malware variant that targets Windows devices. The threat actors behind this campaign seemingly aim at remote employees or work-from-home users to spread the malware. What makes this variant noteworthy is its complex functionalities, such as sideloading and code obfuscation.
In brief, the attack begins with a malicious archive file – the one that the researchers found was named “!PENTING_LIST OF OFFICERS.rar.” This archive contained two other files – a PDF file with a dummy image to bluff users with an error message (bearing the name “Notice to Work-From-Home groups.pdf”) and an executable “062023_PENTING_LIST OF SUPERVISORY OFFICERS WHO STILL HAVE NOT REPORT.pdf.exe”. This executable simply included the “.pdf” extension in the file name to trick the victims into believing it was a PDF.
That’s because, by default, Windows does not display the file names with extensions. Hence, after supposedly failing at opening the PDF file, the victim user would likely click on the executable file, believing it as another PDF. Once done, the executable would download four other files, including an application “seAgnt.exe” – a renamed copy of the Microsoft Xbox Game Bar Full Trust COM Server “GameBarFTServer.exe” – for sideloading malicious DLL.
The researchers have shared a detailed technical analysis of this variant in their post. They couldn’t analyze the final payloads for now as they found the subsequent links in the chain reaction being taken down.
Exact Attack Vector Is Yet Unclear – But Is Likely Phishing
While Fortinet discovered and analyzed the malware in detail, the researchers couldn’t identify the exact attack vector. However, considering the archived files associated with this attack that usually form email attachments, the researchers suspect phishing emails as the likely vector.
To avoid such threats, users must stay cautious when interacting with unsolicited emails or messages, particularly those with attachments/URLs.
Besides, since this attack mainly relies on the default Windows settings where the file extensions do not appear with the file names, a key strategy to avoid this and similar malware attacks is to enable the file extension view in Windows Explorer. It helps the users spot dubious files, like executables, with deceptive file names and conflicting extensions.
It’s 10AM on Monday, the week of the new iPhone release. Which means one thing. A new version of iOS is releasing to everyone, worldwide.
That’s right, iOS 17 is rolling out starting right now, to everyone sporting an iPhone Xs/Xr and newer. You can see the complete list of supported iOS 17 devices here. The update is fairly large, coming in at about 6GB for the iPhone 14 series. So it’s going to take some time to download it and update your device.
Keep in mind that you will want to have your phone on the charger, and at least 10GB of free space available, when updating. The last thing you want is for your iPhone to run out of juice in the middle of an update and potentially brick it. And while the update is 6GB in size, you’re going to want a bit more space, so that it’s not slow to update.
What’s coming in iOS 17?
In the lead up to the announcement of iOS 17 at WWDC in June, many believed it would be a small update. But it’s actually a pretty large one. With some really useful features like StandBy, improved autocorrect, NameDrop and much more. There’s actually plenty of user-facing updates here.
This includes a much-anticipated change to widgets. They are now interactive in iOS 17. This is going to allow you to interact with them on your home screen instead of opening the app. Basically, you can now turn your lights on and off in the Home app without opening up the Home app or swiping down on Control Center. It’s all right there on your home screen. The same goes for music apps like Apple Music.
The update is rolling out now. If you’re not as excited about the update, we’d recommend waiting a few hours, for the rush to die down. Since there are over 100 million iPhones being updated today, servers are going to be running a bit slow.
Samsung and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) in New York, USA, are partnering to bring 38 artworks to the Samsung Art Store, according to The Verge. The Met’s treasures from various departments, selected by the Samsung Art Store curator Daria Greene, will now be accessible to users of Samsung’s The Frame TVs. According to the company, these are “some of the Museum’s most treasured works of art”.
This digital marketplace transforms TVs into digital picture frames, boasting around 2,600 artworks by renowned artists worldwide. Art enthusiasts can set these works as wallpapers on The Frame TV, enhancing their home décor. Access is available through monthly or yearly subscriptions priced at $4.99 and $49.90, respectively. This collaborative effort seeks to elevate the cultural experience for viewers, offering a diverse range of artistic expressions. Currently, Samsung Art Store operates in 44 countries, and this partnership extends its collection with masterpieces from The Met’s American Wing, Asian Art, Egyptian Art, European Paintings, Islamic Art, and more. It’s a fusion of technology and art that enriches homes worldwide.
What subscribers gain from the Samsung and the Met partnership
Subscribers gain access to over 2,300 artworks, collaborating with global art entities. Famous artworks at home like Degas’ “Ballet Onstage,” Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers,” and Cézanne’s “Still Life.” Other artworks accessible are the Egyptian eye amulet and medieval marvels, including “The Unicorn Rests in a Garden.” Japanese and American art, such as Hokusai’s “Mannen Bridge”. Leutze’s “Washington Crossing the Delaware” is also a work that’s available in the Samsung art store. Samsung boasts the largest TV art gallery. Frame TVs offer innovation with matte displays, customizable bezels, and a vast art collection. Available in sizes from 32 to 85 inches, maintaining compatibility with previous models and delivering exceptional picture quality. An auto-rotating mount suits vertical artwork or photography lovers. Expect Samsung’s latest TV innovations at CES 2024.
This partnership promises a captivating and culturally enriching home entertainment experience.
INTERPOL, Europol, with the help of the Spanish Police, have dismantled a highly sophisticated and organized crime group that was using satellite technology for an unfair betting advantage.
KEY FINDINGS
An international operation has dismantled an organized illegal betting and match-fixing syndicate.
The syndicate exploited satellite technology to obtain an unfair advantage over others while placing bets.
The gang used its knowledge of the time delay caused when HD feeds were transmitted from stadiums to television screens worldwide.
Investigators searched four houses and seized two properties, two large satellite dishes and signal receives, three luxury vehicles, 47 bank accounts, 80 cellphones, cash, and counterfeit banknotes worth around €13,000.
The syndicate bribed the athletes, including players from Romanian football teams, and fixed matches based on their deals.
A large-scale international operation recently concluded with the dismantling of an organized illegal betting and match-fixing syndicate for exploiting satellite technology to obtain an unfair advantage over others while placing bets. At least 23 individuals have been arrested, including its masterminds and a person involved in manipulating international table tennis events.
The operation was launched in 2020 with the support of Europol, Interpol, Romanian and Spanish national police, and the Spanish tax agency. According to Europol, this criminal network exploited video signals from high-profile sporting events, such as the World Cup 2022, to get an edge in high-speed betting.
The gang used its knowledge of the time delay caused when HD feeds were transmitted from stadiums to television screens worldwide. This 20 to 30-second delay was enough to make monetary gains by making informed bets.
Interpol’s secretary-general, Jurgen Stock, said this was a crafty criminal gang as they benefitted from such a brief time delay.
“Organized crime groups will exploit the tiniest of gaps given the opportunity. In this case, we’re talking about a 20 or 30-second advantage that led to significant gains.”
Jurgen Stock – INTERPOL
During the operation, investigators searched four houses and seized two properties, two large satellite dishes and signal receives, three luxury vehicles, 47 bank accounts, 80 cellphones, cash, and counterfeit banknotes worth around €13,000.
Investigation began in 2020 when Spanish law enforcement agencies detected a gang, operating from Romania and Bulgaria, involved in deceptive betting activities. At that time, they believed the group targeted international table tennis events. They bribed the athletes, including players from Romanian football teams, and fixed matches based on their deals.
Later, investigators detected that the gang used satellite technology to get match results. They received live feeds from games before the information reached legit bookmakers and placed bets knowing what was going to happen next beforehand.
The group exploited this knowledge and placed bets on almost every prominent sporting event, including South American and Asian football leagues, the UEFA Nations League, Bundesliga games, the 2022 Qatar World Cup, and ITF and ATP tennis tournaments.
They avoided suspicions by hiring people who placed bets on their behalf and collected winnings for the gang. They also bribed a trader from one of the leading betting firms to ensure bets got validated every time without raising an alarm.
“Successful operations such as the one led by Spain only reaffirm our engagement in ensuring our entire suite of notices, databases and expert networks fully support the police in closing these gaps,” Stock stated.
A shocking rumor has just surfaced regarding the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Noted tipster Ice Universe claims that the new Samsung flagship will lack a 10x optical zoom camera. It’s unclear whether the company will replace it with something else or completely remove the 10x lens.
The tipster first shared this information last Friday. He said Samsung will drop the telephoto camera with 10x optical zoom from the Galaxy S24 Ultra. However, the source deleted the X/Twitter post later, suggesting that it was a false alarm. But not to be. The tipster followed up with another post saying he was verifying the details and would share more information soon.
It appears his source has confirmed the lack of a 10x optical zoom camera on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. In a new post, Ice Universe said he’s “worried about [the] S24 Ultra” because “it removes the 10x optical camera.” The post is accompanied by 1x, 10x, 30x, and 100x photos captured using the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The tipster is trying to highlight the zoom capabilities of the current Samsung flagship.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra missing a 10x zoom camera would be shocking
If this rumor turns out to be accurate, then it would be a shocking decision by Samsung. Its Ultra flagships have had a 10x optical zoom camera since the Galaxy S21 Ultra in 2021. It has given the company an edge over its rivals. No other company has been able to match Samsung’s optical zoom levels. It’s hard to believe that the company would be removing a major feature that sets its phones apart from the competition.
While the source has a fairly decent track record of Samsung leaks, we still advise you to be cautious with this information. After all, no one is perfect. Maybe the Korean firm will replace the 10x lens with something better. There also have been rumors of the Galaxy S24 Ultra featuring variable zoom. In that case, a single telephoto lens would offer optical zoom at all magnification levels between 3x and 10x.
Speaking of a 3x optical zoom camera, rumors are that Samsung will upgrade this lens from 10MP to 50MP resolution on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. The other two rear cameras may remain unchanged from the current model. The 2024 flagship will reportedly feature the same 200MP primary shooter, though with some optimizations. It will retain the 12MP ultrawide lens as well. Samsung is planning to unveil the Galaxy S24 lineup in January 2024.
The new iPhone 15 is out and available now. It’s $799, and offers a beautiful 6.1-inch display. But that display is glass and glass breaks. As Apple has worked to make the screen more durable, it is also a bit softer now, and can scratch pretty easily. So grabbing a screen protector for your new iPhone 15 is a really good idea. Thankfully, we have rounded up the very best screen protectors that you can buy for the Apple iPhone 15.
Caseology Snap Fit Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is a really good option for screen protectors. As it will feel like there’s no screen protector there, and it’s also more durable to scratches, compared to the plastic ones. Now this one here does come with a nice installation kit, so you are able to install your screen protector without any bubbles, and have it aligned properly.
Caseology does include two in this pack which is $16, so you can take it off and replace it in a few months when it starts to get disgusting. It will also work with any of the iPhone 15 cases mentioned in our buyers guide.
The TORRAS Diamond Shield is a really good screen protector, that the company claims is shatterproof and unbreakable. Which is alway great to see here. This is tempered glass as expected, and it comes in a two-pack for $26.
Like a lot of the other screen protectors on this list, this one does also come with an easy-to-use installation kit. It also has military-grade protection.
Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Tempered Glass Screen Protector
The Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT is a really popular tempered glass screen protector, and it’s available as a two-pack for just $17. Spigen does include an easy-to-use installation kit here, so you can install your screen protector without worrying about having it aligned improperly, or having bubbles under the screen protector.
It does also have extreme clarity, that will preserve the original screen brightness. So this will not affect how bright your screen is on the iPhone 15.
This is tempered glass so it will shatter if you bend it. Which means that it is super important to be delicate while you are installing this screen protector. amFilm claims that it is the easiest to install, and it is also case-friendly. So you can use Apple’s new FineWoven cases on this one.
Now this screen protector is a bit different. This one is going to block out the blue light on your phone. This is supposed to be better for your eyes. So it’s really useful if you use you phone a lot. This is available for $18 from Amazon.
This is still a tempered glass screen protector,, and is pretty rugged. magglass does include a bubble-free applicator in the box. Making it easier than ever to install.
ZAGG claims that Glass XTR3 is made from Hexiom impact technology, which is the company’s most technology advanced screen protector. It is also using a blue light filter and anti-reflective technology, which is going to enhance the color depth and vibrancy of your screen. There’s also an ultra-touch sensitive surface and a smooth nano-coating that is able to reduce friction as you move your finger across the screen of your iPhone 15.
You might be wondering why you should buy a screen protector, seeing as Apple claims CeramicShield is so good at keeping your display from shattering. And well, it is. But, while making you display less prone to shattering when it is dropped, that makes the actual display softer. Which means that it is going to scratch more easily. And that’s where a screen protector comes in.
With a screen protector, you can keep your display from shattering or getting scratched. And when the screen protector gets scratched, just peel it off and apply a new one. A lot of the options on this list actually come in a two-pack, so you’ll always have one in reserve, which is really good.
UPDATE: It appears both apps have been removed from the Play Store by Google, but it’s still advised that you check if you didn’t happen to install them on your phone by accident.
One simple tip you can follow when you want to get a particular app, in order to make sure you’re getting the legitimate one, is to check the name of the developer who’s published the app in the App Store or Play Store. This is the easiest way to ensure you’re about to download the correct app. If the name of the developer isn’t what you’d expect it to be, at the least it’s worth double checking if the app is the right one. Another telltale sign are user reviews and ratings: it’s always a smart move to take a quick glance at any user feedback left, because bogus apps would often have negative reviews or low ratings. The original story follows below…
If you installed two apps on your Android phone that you thought were messaging apps Signal and Telegram, delete them immediately if not sooner. Per BGR, the two apps are Signal Plus Messenger and FlyGram and have subsequently been removed from the Play Store, the Galaxy Store, and third-party app storefronts from where they were sideloaded (installed from third-party app storefronts) on Android phones.
Bogus versions of the Signal and Telegram messenger apps were installed from the Play Store and Galaxy Store
But these apps were not removed before Signal Plus Messenger was listed for nine months in the Play Store and it was installed over 100 times before Google yanked it out of its app storefront. Thank Google for Play Protect, but it obviously isn’t always nimble enough in removing malicious apps. FlyGram was created by the same developer and removed in 2021. Slovak cybersecurity firm ESET said that essentially these two apps were versions of Signal and Telegram that delivered malware to the phones that the apps were loaded on.
The legit Signal app on iOS at left, and Android at right
But just because apps are removed from the Play Store, if you were unlucky to have downloaded it on your phone, it would still be on your phone ready to create mischief with your personal data until removed from your own handset. Google labeled the pair as malicious apps capable of stealing your personal data. If you do uninstall these apps from your phone, make sure that before you do, unlink your Signal and Telegram accounts from them before you delete the malicious apps.
ESET researchers say that the fake Telegram app could snatch basic device information from a phone with the app installed along with sensitive data including the contact list, the phone user’s Google accounts, and his/her call logs. The researchers also said that the fake Telegram app had a feature that would back up the app’s data to a remote server controlled by the attacker.
The malicious Signal Plus app could be used to monitor both sent and received messages and even have these messages sent to a remote server from where they could be read. The malware was linked to a Chinese-based malware group called BadBazaar. Dedicated websites for both apps were created to make the bogus apps seem legitimate and included links to install the app to an Android device directly from the Google Play Store.
Both bogus apps could also record phone calls and access the cameras of the infected devices. Users in China were originally targeted and this has been expanded to target users in Ukraine, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Hong Kong, and the United States,
No matter what enticing features you’re promised, stick to the legitimate and official version of an app to install
It makes sense, and we certainly aren’t looking to insult anyone who installed the bogus apps, but when it comes to downloading apps on your phone, always stick to the official app available from a legitimate app storefront no matter what bogus features you are being promised.
It’s also suggested that you check your Connected Devices list every now and then to make sure that no unknown new device has been given access to your account. And here’s the thing; if you did install either or both of the fake apps, you might have to buy a new handset or wipe your phone to remove any unknown devices from your Signal or Telegram accounts.
Because both the Signal Plus app and the FlyGram app were listed at one time in the Galaxy Store (although the listings now say “Application not supported” and “This app is no longer available for purchase or is not supported in this country”) if you do own a Galaxy phone, you might want to make sure that you didn’t install either one on your Galaxy handset.
Again, when it comes to installing apps on your phone, sometimes being smart and using common sense is just not enough to keep attackers from accessing your handset. Why get into this position? In this case, there was no reason to install a bogus version of Signal or Telegram on your phone in the first place.
You could always use a new USB-C charger, seeing as literally everything uses USB-C these days. And UGREEN has a great deal on one of their chargers. That’s the 30W USB-C charger which is now discounted to just $11.99.
This is normally priced at $19.99. You can save 30% by clipping the coupon on the page, and then you can bring it down further by using the code 10UGREEN at checkout. Making it just $11.99.
This charger from UGREEN is a great one to pick up. It’s a 30W charger, so it’ll be great for the new iPhone 15, the Pixel 7 and Pixel 8, as well as Samsung’s latest and greatest smartphones – including the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Since none of them charge faster than 30W.
It also has a foldable design, making it easy to just toss it into your bag when you’re traveling. It also has over 238 temperature readings per second, to ensure that it does not overheat. Though, at only 30W, it really shouldn’t be getting that hot. But still nice to have this included here.
You can pick up the UGREEN 30W USB-C charger from Amazon today by clicking the link below.
With Apple finally announcing the iPhone 15 series and completing its annual launch cycle, all eyes now turn to 2024. Although there were earlier speculations about Apple revealing the M3 series of Macs in late 2023, Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman now suggests that we can anticipate a range of new devices in 2024.
Apple Vision Pro will have the spotlight
Arguably the most anticipated Apple product of all time, the Apple Vision Pro has the potential to set industry trends for years to come. This is because if Vision Pro proves successful or performs as well as Apple’s demonstrations, it could signify a pivotal moment in the company’s quest to find the successor to the iPhone.
However, its success remains uncertain as there is currently no clear target consumer for the headset. Is it a computing device, or is it more akin to a home theatre setup? These questions can only be answered once the headset is released to the public. Additionally, the company faces significant production challenges, with its two micro-OLED displays manufactured by Sony and TSMC suffering from low yields.
Redesign throughout the products
Despite the recent release of the iPhone 15, there are already substantial rumors suggesting that Apple plans to make the next lineup even larger. Reports indicate that the iPhone 16 Pro could feature a 6.27-inch display, while the Pro Max version might offer an even more spacious 6.86-inch screen.
Furthermore, Gurman’s newsletter hints at a new Apple Watch Series X. This may include a significant redesign and incorporate new health-related features, such as blood pressure monitoring. Moreover, the 7th-generation iPad Pro is rumored to receive its first major redesign in years, and the new M3 series Macs could represent a significant leap forward in performance.
New foray in generative AI
While details about Apple’s efforts in generative AI remain scarce, there are reports that the company is conducting internal tests on its own AI chatbot. This move could not only position Apple in competition with Google and Microsoft but also enhance Siri, which has seen limited development in recent years.
