Author: Robin Edgar

Organisational Structures | Technology and Science | Military, IT and Lifestyle consultancy | Social, Broadcast & Cross Media | Flying aircraft

Boeing demos ground-based satellite anti-jam system

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Boeing has hit a milestone with its anti-jam satellite communications. According to the aircraft maker, it demonstrated successful integration of its Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) software elements with an industry partner’s user terminal. The ground-based military satellite communications system allows Boeing-built Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) satellites and terminals to transmit data using the US Read more about Boeing demos ground-based satellite anti-jam system[…]

Microsoft is finally making it easier to switch default browsers in Windows 11

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Microsoft is finally making it easier to change your default browser in Windows 11. A new update (KB5011563) has started rolling out this week that allows Windows 11 users to change a default browser with a single click. After testing the changes in December, this new one-click method is rolling out to all Windows 11 Read more about Microsoft is finally making it easier to switch default browsers in Windows 11[…]

Bungie lawsuit aims to unmask YouTube copyright claim abusers

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YouTube’s copyright claim system has been repeatedly abused for bogus takedown requests, and Bungie has had enough. TorrentFreak reports the game studio has sued 10 anonymous people for allegedly leveling false Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) claims against a host of Destiny 2 creators on YouTube, and even Bungie itself. The company said the culprits Read more about Bungie lawsuit aims to unmask YouTube copyright claim abusers[…]

Researchers discover source of super-fast electron rain

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The researchers observed unexpected, rapid “electron precipitation” from low-Earth orbit using the ELFIN mission, a pair of tiny satellites built and operated on the UCLA campus by undergraduate and graduate students guided by a small team of staff mentors. By combining the ELFIN data with more distant observations from NASA’s THEMIS spacecraft, the scientists determined Read more about Researchers discover source of super-fast electron rain[…]

GitLab issues security fix for hardcoded password flaw in OmniAuth

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The cloud-hosted software version control service released versions 14.9.2, 14.8.5, and 14.7.7 of its self-hosted CE and EE software, fixing one “critical” security vulnerability (CVE-2022-1162), as well as two rated “high,” nine rated “medium,” and four rated “low.” “A hard-coded password was set for accounts registered using an OmniAuth provider (e.g. OAuth, LDAP, SAML) in Read more about GitLab issues security fix for hardcoded password flaw in OmniAuth[…]

Fraudsters use ‘fake emergency data requests’ to steal info

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Cybercriminals have used fake emergency data requests (EDRs) to steal sensitive customer data from service providers and social media firms. At least one report suggests Apple, and Facebook’s parent company Meta, were victims of this fraud. Both Apple and Meta handed over users’ addresses, phone numbers, and IP addresses in mid-2021 after being duped by Read more about Fraudsters use ‘fake emergency data requests’ to steal info[…]

Ubiquiti Files Case Against Security Blogger Krebs Over ‘False Accusations’ (for doing his job)

Posted on by Robin Edgar

In March of 2021 the Krebs on Security blog reported that Ubiquiti, “a major vendor of cloud-enabled Internet of Things devices,” had disclosed a breach exposing customer account credentials. But Krebs added that a company source “alleges” that Ubiquiti was downplaying the severity of the incident — which is not true, says Ubiquiti. Krebs’ original Read more about Ubiquiti Files Case Against Security Blogger Krebs Over ‘False Accusations’ (for doing his job)[…]

Viasat confirms satellite modems were wiped with AcidRain malware – 7th wiper deployed against Ukraine this year

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A newly discovered data wiper malware that wipes routers and modems has been deployed in the cyberattack that targeted the KA-SAT satellite broadband service to wipe SATCOM modems on February 24, affecting thousands in Ukraine and tens of thousands more across Europe. The malware, dubbed AcidRain by researchers at SentinelOne, is designed to brute-force device Read more about Viasat confirms satellite modems were wiped with AcidRain malware – 7th wiper deployed against Ukraine this year[…]

Copyright Is Indispensable For Artists, They Say; But For All Artists, Or Just Certain Kinds?

Posted on by Robin Edgar

One of the central “justifications” for copyright is that it is indispensable if creativity is to be viable. Without it, we are assured, artists would starve. This ignores the fact that artists created and thrived for thousands of years before the 1710 Statute of Anne. But leaving that historical detail aside, as well as the Read more about Copyright Is Indispensable For Artists, They Say; But For All Artists, Or Just Certain Kinds?[…]

Pokémon-Like NFT Game Axie Infinity Scammed Out Of $600 Million

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Pokémon-style NFT battler Axie Infinity was one of the biggest “success” stories in the world of crypto gaming. Now it’s responsible for one of the biggest thefts in the history of the technology. The gaming-focused blockchain Ronin Network announced earlier today that an Axie Infinity exploit allowed a hacker to “drain” roughly $600 million worth Read more about Pokémon-Like NFT Game Axie Infinity Scammed Out Of $600 Million[…]

GameStop, AMC Stocks Halted On NYSE after reaching above $500,- per share

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GameStop  (GME) – Get GameStop Corp. Class A Report shares extended declines Tuesday, after being halted by officials on the New York Stock Exchange, in a move that could snap the meme stock’s longest winning streak in more than a decade. Both GameStop and AMC Entertainment  (AMC) – Get AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. Class A Report names Read more about GameStop, AMC Stocks Halted On NYSE after reaching above $500,- per share[…]

New method for making tissue transparent could speed the study of many diseases

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Scientists at Scripps Research have unveiled a new tissue-clearing method for rendering large biological samples transparent. The method makes it easier than ever for scientists to visualize and study healthy and disease-related biological processes occurring across multiple organ systems. Described in a paper in Nature Methods on March 28, 2022, and dubbed HYBRiD, the new Read more about New method for making tissue transparent could speed the study of many diseases[…]

Global science project links Android phones with satellites to improve weather forecasts

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Collecting satellite data for research is a group effort thanks to this app developed for Android users. Camaliot is a campaign funded by the European Space Agency, and its first project focuses on making smartphone owners around the world part of a project that can help improve weather forecasts by using your phone’s GPS receiver. Read more about Global science project links Android phones with satellites to improve weather forecasts[…]

Unprecedented videos show RNA switching ‘on’ and ‘off’

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Similar to a light switch, RNA switches (called riboswitches) determine which genes turn “on” and “off.” Although this may seem like a simple process, the inner workings of these switches have confounded biologists for decades. Now researchers led by Northwestern University and the University at Albany discovered one part of RNA smoothly invades and displaces Read more about Unprecedented videos show RNA switching ‘on’ and ‘off’[…]

Chemists cook up way to remove microplastics using okra

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Extracts of okra and other slimy plants commonly used in cooking can help remove dangerous microplastics from wastewater, scientists said Tuesday. The new research was presented at the spring meeting of the American Chemical Society, and offers an alternative to the synthetic chemicals currently used in treatment plants that can themselves pose risks to health. Read more about Chemists cook up way to remove microplastics using okra[…]

NeRF Research Turns a few dozen 2D Photos Into 3D Scenes really quickly

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[…] Known as inverse rendering, the process uses AI to approximate how light behaves in the real world, enabling researchers to reconstruct a 3D scene from a handful of 2D images taken at different angles. The NVIDIA Research team has developed an approach that accomplishes this task almost instantly — making it one of the Read more about NeRF Research Turns a few dozen 2D Photos Into 3D Scenes really quickly[…]

Justice Department indicts four Russian government workers in energy sector hacks

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The US Justice Department today announced indictments against four Russian government employees, who it alleges attempted a hacking campaign of the global energy sector that spanned six years and devices in roughly 135 countries. The two indictments were filed under seal last summer, and are finally being disclosed to the public. The DOJ’s decision to Read more about Justice Department indicts four Russian government workers in energy sector hacks[…]

Scientists find microplastics in blood for first time

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Scientists have discovered microplastics in human blood for the first time, warning that the ubiquitous particles could also be making their way into organs. The tiny pieces of mostly invisible plastic have already been found almost everywhere else on Earth, from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains as well as in the air, soil Read more about Scientists find microplastics in blood for first time[…]

HP staffer blew $5m on personal expenses with company card

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A now-former HP finance planning manager pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns that follow from the misappropriation of company funds. According to the US Justice Department, Shelbee Szeto, 30, of Fremont, California, worked at HP Inc from August 2017 through June 2021, first as an Read more about HP staffer blew $5m on personal expenses with company card[…]

British cops arrest seven < 21 yr kids in Lapsus$ crime gang probe after they break into and dox the tech giants

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British cops investigating a cyber-crime group have made a string of arrests. Though City of London Police gave few details on Thursday, officers are said to be probing the notorious extortionware gang Lapsus$, and have detained and released seven people aged 16 to 21. In a statement, the force said: “Seven people between the ages Read more about British cops arrest seven < 21 yr kids in Lapsus$ crime gang probe after they break into and dox the tech giants[…]

Owners Of ‘Gran Turismo 7’ Locked Out Of Single Player Game When Online DRM Servers Go Down – when you don’t own the game you bought

Posted on by Robin Edgar

When someone asks me what DRM is, my answer is very simple: it’s anti-piracy software that generally doesn’t stop pirates at all, and, instead, mostly only annoys legitimate buyers. Well, then why do software and video game companies use it at all? Couldn’t tell you. Businesses really want to annoy their own customers? Apparently, yes. Read more about Owners Of ‘Gran Turismo 7’ Locked Out Of Single Player Game When Online DRM Servers Go Down – when you don’t own the game you bought[…]

EU, US strike preliminary deal to unlock transatlantic data flows – yup, the EU will let the US spy on it’s citizens freely again

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Negotiators have been working on an agreement — which allows Europeans’ personal data to flow to the United States — since the EU’s top court struck down the Privacy Shield agreement in July 2020 because of fears that the data was not safe from access by American agencies once transferred across the Atlantic. The EU Read more about EU, US strike preliminary deal to unlock transatlantic data flows – yup, the EU will let the US spy on it’s citizens freely again[…]

Virtual Kidnappers Are Scamming Parents Out of Millions of Dollars

Posted on by Robin Edgar

[…] cases have become so widespread that the bureau has a name for them: virtual kidnappings. “It’s a telephone extortion scheme,” says Arbuthnot, who heads up virtual-kidnapping investigations for the FBI out of Los Angeles. Because many of the crimes go unreported, the bureau doesn’t have a precise number on how widespread the scam is. Read more about Virtual Kidnappers Are Scamming Parents Out of Millions of Dollars[…]