Monthly Archives: January 2017

Site that sold access to 3.1 billion passwords vanishes after reported raid

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LeakedSource, a legally and ethically questionable website that sold access to a database of more than 3.1 billion compromised account passwords, has disappeared amid an unconfirmed report its operator was raided by law enforcement officers.

“Leakedsource is down forever and won’t be coming back,” a person using the handle LTD wrote Thursday in an online forum. “Owner raided early this morning. Wasn’t arrested, but all [solid state drives] got taken, and Leakedsource servers got subpoenaed and placed under federal investigation. If somehow he recovers from this and launches LS again, then I’ll be wrong. But I am not wrong.”

Attempts to reach LeakedSource operators for comment weren’t successful.

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Source: Ars Technica – Site that sold access to 3.1 billion passwords vanishes after reported raid

Watch This Cheeky Robot Trick a CAPTCHA Into Thinking It's Not a Robot

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When the machines rise up, I’m jumping ship and selling out humanity so fast—we suck, we deserve it. So color me excited to see this cute ol’ robot arm hilariously beat an ‘I’m not a robot’ CAPTCHA (and then let go of the stylus in a perfect mic drop right after). It’s one small step for robots, and one giant leap for…

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Source: Gizmodo – Watch This Cheeky Robot Trick a CAPTCHA Into Thinking It’s Not a Robot

In fight for Americans’ health, Big Soda is winning

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Source: Ars Technica – In fight for Americans’ health, Big Soda is winning

Pokémon Company caught almost 6,000 'Sun' and 'Moon' cheaters

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Cheating in online games is awful because it creates an uneven playing field against those who do play by the rules and those who do not. The Pokémon Company (TPC) noticed some irregularities in Pokémon Sun and Moon online matches and h…

Source: Engadget – Pokémon Company caught almost 6,000 ‘Sun’ and ‘Moon’ cheaters

 Final Fantasy XV’s New Photo Mode Is A Welcome Addition

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The most recent Final Fantasy XV update gave us a new camera mode that allows players to take their own pictures. Although Prompto is the best boy and a great photographer, you now won’t have to rely on him for getting all the photos you need. Here’s a few tips on how it works.

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Source: Kotaku –  Final Fantasy XV’s New Photo Mode Is A Welcome Addition

Verizon Approached Charter About Megamerger

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Verizon wants to buy up a cable company to pump up demand for its wireless products, and that could very well be Charter. While talks have been informal thus far, the CEO of Verizon did reportedly reach out to the Charter guys, though it is unknown whether they told the wireless giant to screw off or are actually contemplating the epic decision. The latter is a very real possibility, though, as their business goals correlate: Verizon would be able to sell wireless-and-wireline bundles to many more consumers, while Charter already had plans to resell Verizon Wireless service so they could become a wireless communications services provider. This all sounds really great, since we have so many choices for cable and internet service already. I wonder if service and costs will improve?



“Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam has made a preliminary approach to officials close to Charter,” and Verizon is “working with advisers to study a potential transaction,” the report said, citing “people familiar with the matter.” It’s still unclear whether Charter’s top executives are interested in a merger. Spokespeople for Verizon and Charter both declined comment when contacted by Ars today. If the companies do merge, they would create a mega-giant. Verizon’s wireless division is the US’ largest mobile carrier, with more than 140 million retail and wholesale connections. Verizon’s wireline division has more than 7 million Internet subscribers over its fiber and DSL networks. Charter, meanwhile, bought Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks last year in a merger that made it the second largest US cable company after Comcast. Charter has more than 22 million Internet subscribers. A combined Verizon/Charter would surpass Comcast’s total of 24 million fixed Internet subscribers.

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Source: [H]ardOCP – Verizon Approached Charter About Megamerger

AOC Announces the AGON AG352UCG 21:9 Curved Display: 35", 3440×1440, 100Hz with G-Sync

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Last week AOC introduced its new high-end curved gaming display, the AGON AG352UCG. The new 35” monitor boasts a considerably higher resolution than AOC’s other large curved gaming display. The 3440×1440 resolution, size, curvature, a 100 Hz refresh rate and G-Sync support make the AG352UCG one of four curved displays with such combination of features. The other AGON AG352QCX 21:9 panel is a 2560×1080 resolution, but with a 200 Hz refresh rate.


The AOC AGON AG352UCG uses a 35” MVA panel with a 3440×1440 resolution, a 21:9 aspect ratio and a native 100 Hz refresh rate (which means that actual panel response times are perfectly aligned with its high refresh rate). We presume the panel is made by AUO (AU Optronics), which reportedly started volume production of such panels in September, 2016. General specifications  of the monitor are similar to many other gaming displays: 300 nits brightness, 2000:1 contrast ratio, 178°/178° viewing angles, 16.7 million colors, a 4 ms response time (grey-to-grey) and so on.



When it comes to connectivity, the AGON AG352UCG has a DisplayPort input and an HDMI input. To take advantage of NVIDIA’s G-Sync as well as the high refresh rate, the DP connector has to be used. The monitor is also equipped with a dual-port USB 3.0 Type-A hub and two integrated speakers.

















AOC’s AGON Curved UWQHD Display with a 100 Hz Refresh Rate
  AGON AG352UCG
Panel 35″ MVA
Native Resolution 3440 × 1440
Refresh Rate Range 30-100 Hz (DP)

NVIDIA G-Sync
Response Time 4 ms
Brightness 300 cd/m²
Contrast 2000:1
Viewing Angles 178°/178° horizontal/vertical
Curvature 2000R
Pixel Pitch 0.23 mm
Inputs 1 × DP

1 × HDMI 1.4
USB Hub 2-port USB 3.0 hub,

one port supports fast charging
Audio 2 W × 2

audio in/out ports
Power Consumption Up to 70 W

As for visual aesthetics, the curved AOC AGON has a rather aggressive yet minimalistic design that emphasizes its gaming nature through a combination of sharp lines and colors. To add further atmosphere, the AG352UCG has six large LEDs with adjustable colors (red, green, blue) located on the back and on the bottom edge of the display.



The key selling point of the AGON AG352UCG is the combination of its features: the resolution (3440×1440), size (35”), curvature (2000R), a native 100 Hz refresh rate and using NVIDIA’s G-Sync variable refresh tech make up for a very interesting gaming display. At present, only three monitors can offer a similar set of technologies: the ASUS ROG Swift PG348Q, the Acer Predator X34 (this one uses an IPS panel with 60 Hz, but it is overclockable to 100 Hz) as well as the upcoming HP Omen X 35”. By launching the AGON AG352UCG, AOC contends for the highest end of the gaming monitor market and that is clearly an important milestone for the company.


AOC has not formally announced the AGON AG352UCG in the U.S. yet, so we do not know its ETA and MSRP. Meanwhile, Hexus reports that the display will land in the U.K. this March for the price of £799 (that’s including 20% sales tax). Therefore expect the AG352UCG to cost around $1000 in the U.S. when it becomes available this spring. Considering the combination of its features (size, resolution, curvature, G-Sync support) and only three direct competitors that retail for $1100-$1300 today, it looks like AOC’s AG352UCG might be priced rather competitively.



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Source: AnandTech – AOC Announces the AGON AG352UCG 21:9 Curved Display: 35″, 3440×1440, 100Hz with G-Sync

Steven Universe Is Returning to a Weekly Run Next Month

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Next week, we’re getting a load of new Steven Universe episodes—episodes promising some pretty big reveals for Steven and the Crystal Gems. But fans of the show are used to huge dumps of episodes and nothing for months when it comes to Steven Universe. Thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be the case this time.

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Source: io9 – Steven Universe Is Returning to a Weekly Run Next Month

Get ready for the next White House e-mail (and Twitter) scandal

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Enlarge / President Trump’s official Twitter account—and those of other key administration members—are not as secure as they could be. And Trump may be breaking the law every time he deletes a tweet for a typo. (credit: Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

If you’ve followed Ars over the last year, you’re likely aware of the potential for scandal with government officials misusing outside e-mail systems. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was politically damaged by inquiries into her use of a private e-mail server and a personal BlackBerry device for official business. And President George W. Bush’s Chief of Staff Karl Rove resigned partly because of a scandal that arose over the deletion of over two million White House e-mails on a private server run by the Republican Party.

With that sort of history—and particularly after President Donald Trump’s campaign frequently used Clinton’s e-mail woes against her last fall—one might imagine that the White House and Republican Party would be eager to show that it knows how to do IT security properly. But early on, it seems like such assumptions may be quite wrong.

In addition to a New York Times report saying that President Trump is still using his unsecured Android phone to continue posting missives to Twitter, Newsweek claims that members of the White House staff are using e-mail accounts hosted by the Republican National Committee through its rnchq.org mail server. And it appears that Press Secretary Sean Spicer has at least twice so far posted his password to his official White House Twitter account.

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Source: Ars Technica – Get ready for the next White House e-mail (and Twitter) scandal

Maybe You'll Manage To Keep Your Fridge Organized and Clean With These Storage Bins

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If you’re one of those people that only decides to clean out the fridge when something smells (check the vegetable drawer. It’s always that bag of lettuce you forgot about), maybe you should invest in these storage bins. Pick up a set of 6 for only $31.

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Source: LifeHacker – Maybe You’ll Manage To Keep Your Fridge Organized and Clean With These Storage Bins

Video Demonstrating How The Original NES Zapper Works With Duck Hunt

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nes-zapper-duck-hunt-explanation.jpg“Hey, that’s how I used to play too!” — everybody

This is a video from Youtube channel Today I Found Out explaining how the original NES Zapper works to shoot ducks in Duck Hunt. It’s not the first time I’ve read or watched a video explaining the surprisingly basic technology, but maybe you haven’t — maybe you’ve been wondering all these years. Just remember: not all who wonder are lost. “It’s wander, not wonder.” Huh? “It’s WANDER, not WONDER.” I’m lost. Just kidding, I know I’m in the men’s room on my laptop.

Keep going for the video.

Source: Geekologie – Video Demonstrating How The Original NES Zapper Works With Duck Hunt

The Tone and Timeline of Deadpool 2 Will Set a Precedent for Future X-Movies

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Fans have become so used to the continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s hard to think of other films doing something different. The first Deadpool did a lot differently, though, joking about continuity, timelines, cameos, and more. Not only will that continue in Deadpool 2, it’ll set the table for other …

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Source: io9 – The Tone and Timeline of Deadpool 2 Will Set a Precedent for Future X-Movies

SiteCop Keeps You from Distracting Sites When You Need to Work

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Chrome: If you need a little help staying away from distracting web sites when you need to focus, or you want to give your sanity a break and block specific topics, SiteCop can help. Once installed, tell it when and how long to keep you focused, give it web addresses or keywords to block, and it’ll do the rest.

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Source: LifeHacker – SiteCop Keeps You from Distracting Sites When You Need to Work