When I first read about the new South Korean action film Project Wolf Hunting, the description called it “Con Air on a boat.” So… Con Boat. And that is 100% accurate for about a third of the film. Eventually though, the film gets taken over, quite literally, by something much more sinister, and the results are very…
Source: Gizmodo – Project Wolf Hunting Starts as Con Air, But Turns Into Friday the 13th
Microsoft is about to eliminate a method for logging into its Exchange Online email service that is widely considered vulnerable and outdated, but that some businesses still rely upon. From a report: The company has said that as of Oct. 1, it will begin to disable what’s known as “basic authentication” for customers that continue to use the system. Basic authentication typically requires only a username and password for login; the system does not play well with multifactor authentication and is prone to a host of other heightened security risks. Microsoft has said that for several types of common password-based threats, attackers almost exclusively target accounts that use basic authentication. At identity platform Okta, which manages logins for a large number of Microsoft Office 365 accounts, “we’ve seen these problems for years,” said Todd McKinnon, co-founder and CEO of Okta. “When we block a threat, nine times out of 10 it’s against a Microsoft account that has basic authentication. So we think this is a great thing.” Microsoft has been seeking to prod businesses to move off basic authentication for the past three years, but “unfortunately usage isn’t yet at zero,” it said in a post earlier this month.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – Microsoft Exchange Online Users Face a Key Security Deadline Saturday
There’s a reason why a breakup often feels like a death. Whether you’ve initiated the breakup or on the receiving end of one, there is a definite mourning period that comes at the end of a relationship.
Source: LifeHacker – The Stages of Grief After a Breakup (and How to Survive Each One)
Not gonna lie: I think weapon durability sucks. For all its supposed realism, I find the mechanic cumbersome and needlessly complicating. So you can imagine I haven’t been too keen to hear that Dambuster Studios just made extensive comments defending the mechanic’s presence in its upcoming Dead Island 2, saying it…
Source: Kotaku – Sorry Y’all, Dead Island 2 Weapon Breaking Isn’t Going Anywhere
Hurricane Ian is barreling toward Florida’s west coast. The Category 3 storm is about 265 miles south of Sarasota, as of writing. It’s projected to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane and to move north and northeast, making landfall on Florida’s west coast just south of Tampa on Wednesday evening, according to …
Source: Gizmodo – 2.5 Million Floridians Ordered to Evacuate as Hurricane Ian Intensifies to Category 3
Overwatch 2 is set to go live and free-to-play on October 4th, and in preparation for the big day, Blizzard has outlined a suite of moderation tools aimed at curbing abusive and disruptive player behavior. The new system will require a phone number to be linked to every account, and will introduce audio transcriptions of reported voice chat interactions, among other changes. Blizzard is calling the initiative Defense Matrix, named after D.Va’s hologram shield ability.
The phone-linking system, SMS Protect, means every Overwatch 2 player will need to connect a phone number to their Battle.net account, and that number can’t be used to operate or create another account. This makes it easier to enforce suspensions and bans, and makes it harder for players to cheat the matchmaking system. SMS Protect isn’t a new idea in the world of competitive online gaming, and it’s a proven way to reduce smurfing — a practice where skilled players create new accounts and creep into lower-tier matches, whether to boost their friends, avoid a ban or simply troll.
Another notable feature of Defense Matrix is the addition of audio transcriptions for problematic voice chat recordings and automated review tools for the resulting text. The transcription process relies on players reporting abusive speech as it happens — but once someone is reported, this system collects a temporary recording of the match’s voice chat and transcribes it to text. That text is then analyzed by Blizzard’s existing AI-driven abuse-detection tools.
When it comes to the longevity of the recordings and text files, Blizzard said the following: “Once the audio recording has been transcribed to text, it’s quickly deleted as the file’s sole purpose is to identify potentially disruptive behavior. The text file is then deleted no later than 30 days after the audio transcription.”
The studio said audio transcriptions will roll out in the weeks after launch. Additionally, the general chat feature won’t exist in Overwatch 2, leaving Twitch streamers one fewer outlet for their watch-me spam. Blizzard outlined the complete Defense Matrix strategy on the Overwatch blog, alongside checklists for existing and new players. October 2nd is the final full day to play the original Overwatch, and Overwatch 2 is scheduled to go live worldwide at 3pm ET on October 4th.
Source: Engadget – ‘Overwatch 2’ moderation tools include voice chat transcriptions and SMS verification
If you’ve ever found yourself reeling in your chair, heart rate thumping, and skin burning red after angrily sending link and after link of CDC data to that anti-vaxxer in your life who just doesn’t get it, turns out you’re probably doing it wrong.
Source: Gizmodo – Researchers Say Fewer Pricks Could Help Combat Covid Vaccine Hesitancy
Seeing corrupted photos in your Google Photos library? This has become a “trending” issue on the Google support pages in recent days. Fortunately, Google knows about it and plans to dole out a fix.
Source: Gizmodo – Look Out for “Water Stained” Images When Accessing Google Photos
If you’re a parent whose kids play sports, you probably noticed that it costs a pretty penny. While you may be able to get away with a $20 jersey in kiddie soccer, once they get older and start playing on teams or rehearsing for large performances, you’ll be faced with much higher participation and equipment fees.…
Source: LifeHacker – How to Keep Your Kids Playing Sports Without Going Broke
Podcast companies live and die by their download numbers: the more of them they have, the more listeners, clout, and ad revenue comes rushing in. But apparently, not all companies come by those numbers honestly. A new report shows some of the web’s biggest podcast distributors have been essentially “buying” downloads…
Source: Gizmodo – Podcast Companies Are Buying Millions of Downloads via Scuzzy Adware Deals
After years of hype, Nissan is finally close to releasing its first electric crossover. Autoblognotes the brand has confirmed the Ariya EV will reach US dealerships in late fall starting at $43,190 for the front-wheel drive Engage trim with a 63kWh battery. Only FWD configurations will ship at first, with some all-wheel drive editions waiting until early 2023. Customers who reserved the Venture+ model will still pay the quoted $45,950 price instead of the $47,190 for new buyers.
That starter Engage variant delivers an estimated 216 miles of range and 214HP. That’s modest, but you’ll also get a solid technology suite with driver and safety aids (such as hands-on ProPilot Assist), a heads-up display and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with Alexa, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. It’s clearly meant to lower the Ariya’s perceived price and upsell you to higher-end models, but it might do the trick if you’re mainly interested in an around-town people carrier.
You’ll have to pay considerably more to get Nissan’s previously touted performance figures. The Venture+ jumps to an 87kWh battery, 238HP and the peak 304 miles of range. All other front-wheel trims offer up to 289 miles of range. The $50,190 Evolve+ FWD offers perks like a power moonroof and an “around view” monitor, while the $53,690 Empower+ FWD includes hands-free ProPilot Assist 2.0 and automated parking.
All-wheel drive, as usual, boosts power and prices while decreasing range. The $47,190 Engage e-4orce tops out at just 205 miles of range, but delivers 335HP. The $51,190 Engage+ e-4orce extends that range to 270 miles while delivering 389HP and the extras of its FWD counterpart. The Evolve+ e-4orce costs $54,190, while those who insist on the best can buy the $60,190 Platinum+ with 265 miles of range, a hands-free liftgate and Nappa leather seating along with other models’ luxuries.
The Ariya may not be the most value-laden EV. There’s no mention of the destination fee, and the Japanese manufacturing rules out the updated $7,500 federal tax credit (state credits might still be valid). All the same, the machine may be worth considering if Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, the VW ID.4 and other electric crossovers don’t quite offer the blend of design or technology you’re looking for.
Source: Engadget – Nissan Ariya EV will start at ,190
Robinhood is finally rolling out a beta version of its non-custodial crypto wallet to 10,000 customers on its waitlist after announcing the product in May, its CTO and general manager of crypto, Johann Kerbrat, told TechCrunch. The product is called Robinhood Wallet and will be the company’s first internationally-available app, Kerbrat said. From a report: The company revealed new details about the offering in conjunction with the beta launch, most notably that it will launch exclusively with Polygon, a popular layer-two blockchain that plugs into Ethereum and makes the network faster and cheaper to use. This means beta users will be able to purchase the Polygon MATIC token on Robinhood’s main exchange app and transfer it to their Robinhood Wallet. They will also be able to access dApps directly on the Polygon network, including DeFi apps such as Uniswap, Balancer and Kyberswap, and metaverse games such as Decentraland, a spokesperson for Polygon said in an email to TechCrunch. Over time, the Robinhood team plans to build out multi-chain support for the wallet beyond the Polygon ecosystem, Robinhood crypto product manager Seong Seog Lee told TechCrunch.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – Robinhood Debuts New Non-Custodial Crypto Wallet
Out of nowhere this evening, Ryan Reynolds teased that a new Deadpool film, coming in 2024, will bring Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine into the Marvel Cinematic Universe—alongside his beloved take on the merc with a mouth, of course.
Source: Gizmodo – Deadpool 3 Will Bring Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Into the MCU
Edward Snowden has gained Russian citizenship nine years after fleeing the United States and landing in Russia. On Monday, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting citizenship to 75 foreigners residing in the country, with Snowden among them.
Snowden, a former NSA contractor, publicly exposed the US National Security Agency’s
Source: Hot Hardware – US Cybersecurity Whistleblower Edward Snowden Granted Russian Citizenship By Putin
Instagram seems to be caught up in an ever-accelerating vortex of app updates, tweaks, new features, and changes. The feed is different now from what it was before—and if you find yourself wistful for an Insta without Reels, incessant sponsored content, and suggested posts, know that you’re not alone.
Source: Gizmodo – ‘OG App’ Says It Can Transport You to the Old Instagram
For many, there are only two types of cornbread: right and wrong. Or Southern and Northern. [Editor’s note: What is Northern cornbread? I don’t know her.] For me, both styles are simply blank canvases that I can add flavors to. If you’re brave enough to break tradition with me, try this spicy, tomato ketchup cornbread.
Source: LifeHacker – Break Tradition With This Hot Tomato Ketchup Cornbread
Enlarge / These jagged, colorful blocks are exactly what the concept of image compression looks like. (credit: Benj Edwards / Ars Technica)
Last week, Swiss software engineer Matthias Bühlmann discovered that the popular image synthesis model Stable Diffusion could compress existing bitmapped images with fewer visual artifacts than JPEG or WebP at high compression ratios, though there are significant caveats.
Stable Diffusion is an AI image synthesis model that typically generates images based on text descriptions (called “prompts”). The AI model learned this ability by studying millions of images pulled from the Internet. During the training process, the model makes statistical associations between images and related words, making a much smaller representation of key information about each image and storing them as “weights,” which are mathematical values that represent what the AI image model knows, so to speak.
When Stable Diffusion analyzes and “compresses” images into weight form, they reside in what researchers call “latent space,” which is a way of saying that they exist as a sort of fuzzy potential that can be realized into images once they’re decoded. With Stable Diffusion 1.4, the weights file is roughly 4GB, but it represents knowledge about hundreds of millions of images.
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Source: Ars Technica – Better than JPEG? Researcher discovers that Stable Diffusion can compress images
When I first ran across PwnDrop, I was intrigued at what the developers had in mind with it. For instance, if you’re a white-hat hacker and are looking to share exploits safely with your client, you might use a service like PwnDrop. If you’re a journalist communicating with, well, just about anyone who is trying to keep their identity secret, you might use a service like PwnDrop. In this tutorial, we’re going to look at how easy it is to set up and use in just a few minutes.
Source: LXer – Pwndrop on Linode
You’ve almost certainly heard the bombshell news that EVGA is leaving the graphics card business entirely over a purported personal dispute with NVIDIA. The company insists that it isn’t going anywhere despite graphics cards comprising some 78% of EVGA’s revenue, at least for now. Almost as if to prove that point, EVGA is among the vendors
Source: Hot Hardware – Refocused EVGA Announces ‘Unbelievable’ Z790 Raptor Lake Motherboards For Overclockers
Though it’s not expected until next year, this week we got an even closer look at the upcoming HBO TV adaptation of the PlayStation 3 megahit, The Last of Us. Previous glimpses of the show revealed some stunning parity to the source material, and the first teaser trailer shows even more synergy with the game’s set…
Source: Kotaku – HBO’s The Last Of Us Trailer: 11 Things That Caught Our Eye
