ID.me, the controversial biometric identification verification company whose facial match technology provoked a major privacy backlash at the IRS earlier this year, may have misled the public and lawmakers when its CEO claimed the U.S. lost $400 billion to fraudulent pandemic unemployment claims. Its biometric…
Source: Gizmodo – House Committees Slam ID.me for ‘Baseless’ Unemployment Fraud Claims
Meta has fired or disciplined more than two dozen employees and contractors over the last year whom it accused of improperly taking over user accounts, in some cases allegedly for bribes, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter and documents. From the report: Some of those fired were contractors who worked as security guards stationed at Meta facilities and were given access to the Facebook parent’s internal mechanism for employees to help users having trouble with their accounts, according to the documents and people familiar with the matter. The mechanism, known internally as “Oops,” has existed since Facebook’s early years as a means for employees to help users they know who have forgotten their passwords or emails, or had their accounts taken over by hackers.
As part of the alleged abuse of the system, Meta says that in some cases workers accepted thousands of dollars in bribes from outside hackers to access user accounts, the people and documents say. The disciplinary actions are part of a lengthy internal probe led by Meta executives, according to the documents and one of the people. “Individuals selling fraudulent services are always targeting online platforms, including ours, and adapting their tactics in response to the detection methods that are commonly used across the industry,” said Meta spokesman Andy Stone. He added that the company “will keep taking appropriate action against those involved in these kinds of schemes.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – Meta Employees, Security Guards Fired for Hijacking User Accounts
Based on the recently released Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.1, AlmaLinux 9.1 is a 1:1 binary compatible distro with RHEL. Learn more here.
The post AlmaLinux 9.1 Released With Security Enhancements and Updated Tools appeared first on Linux Today.
Source: Linux Today – AlmaLinux 9.1 Released With Security Enhancements and Updated Tools
Everyone has different levels of interest when it comes to home automation, but I’d argue that a smart lock is one of the best and most impactful ways of upgrading your abode. And with the Assure Lock 2, Yale’s latest smart deadbolt is easy to install, it’s simple to use and it works with all the major smart home platforms (including the recently finalized Matter protocol). Also, because the device is available in a wide range of finishes and configs, there’s a good chance it’ll fight right in with your home’s design. In a lot of ways, it’s the do-everything smart lock.
The Assure Lock 2 is available in three finishes (black suede, bronze and satin nickel) across four basic configurations: a $160 keypad version with physical buttons that can be specced both with and without a physical keyhole and a slightly more sophisticated $180 touchscreen model, which once again supports both keyed and key-free setups. By default, the lock features Bluetooth connectivity, but for people who want deeper integration with smart home ecosystems, Yale sells modules that can add support for WiFi, ZigBee and Matter. (Note: There are also versions of the lock that come with the WiFi module pre-installed starting at $240. However, while Yale says the Assure Lock 2 is fully compatible with the Matter standard, its Matter modules aren’t expected to be available until early 2023).
For the purposes of this review, I’ll be focusing on the keypad model with WiFi and a dedicated keyway, as it offers the best combo of traditional convenience and new school smarts.
I admit the idea of installing a deadbolt might sound a bit intimidating for some, but there’s really not much to be concerned about. Yale says the Assure Lock 2 is designed to work with most doors used in the U.S. and Canada, with support for boreholes up to 2 ¾-inches in diameter on slabs up to 1 ¾-inches thick. The only tool you need is a Phillips head screwdriver, so even mildly handly city folk like myself had no trouble screwing everything down in under 30 minutes. And that includes a small bit of troubleshooting I had to do with customer service.
The first step is removing your old deadbolt. After that, you can use the included installation manual or download the Yale Access app (you’ll need it later anyways) which features a really thorough step-by-step guide, complete with videos and visual aids. The box also includes a paper template to help you figure out the size of your door, which is important because there are a few packs of different-sized screws you’ll need to use depending on its specific dimensions.
Once the deadbolt is installed, the next thing you need to do is mount the DoorSense module, which is what allows the Assure Lock 2 to figure out when your door is open or closed. You can choose to stick it on the door frame near the lock, which just requires a couple of included screws and some pre-installed double-sided tape. Or you can go for a more seamless installation by hiding the sensor inside the frame of the door. But you’ll need a ⅝-inch drill bit for that so you can hollow out a hole for the DoorSense’s magnet.
The one part where the device got tripped up was during calibration, which is when the lock attempts to latch and unlatch itself in order to figure out when the door is properly secured. Unfortunately, even though my previous deadbolt was a WiFi Smart Lock from August (which like Yale is owned by Assa Abloy), the depth of my latch was a bit too shallow, preventing the lock from extending all the way. However, after calling Yale’s customer support, a friendly agent named Victor had me email a picture of my lock, which helped us sort out the issue. And after digging out the cavity for the latch a bit more, everything worked perfectly.
Once you get everything up and running, the Assure Lock 2 really shines. It’s like a Ronco rotisserie oven, you just set it and forget it. You can assign multiple entry codes and invite guests as needed via the Yale Access app. If someone uses the PIN you assigned them, the app records a log of when they entered. However, if you use the auto-unlock feature, you may never need to use the keypad at all. That’s because anytime you go more than 200 meters away from home, it uses Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to determine when you are coming back so it can unlock automatically as you walk up. And even though on Android devices you get a warning that the auto-unlock feature may be a little slow on certain devices, I never had any issues when using either a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 or Google Pixel 6.
When you’re leaving, you can simply press the Yale logo to lock your door. Or you can be even lazier and enable the auto-locking feature. I have mine set to a latch a minute and a half after the door is closed, which is just enough for me to leave, walk to the trash chute in my building and get back before the deadbolt re-engages, but not so long that someone could feasibly sneak in behind me without being spotted. And because the deadbolt also supports voice assistant integration, you can unlock your door just by asking Google, Alexa or Siri. (For those worried about voice controls being a security issue, the system makes sure to ask for a PIN when using spoken commands. So don’t use them if someone you don’t trust is around.),
The unlocking options don’t stop there though, because for those with Apple Watches, you can simply move your wrist near the lock and use Bluetooth to let you in. And as always, you can simply open the app if you prefer a more manual approach. Most importantly none of these options failed me even once during testing. So you may never need to use a physical key again unless you really want to (though, I still like having one as a backup in case of emergency).
Another bonus of the Assure Lock 2’s new design, is that now it’s around 30 percent smaller than before. And when compared to something like August’s locks, it also sports a more traditional, so you don’t have to explain how to unlock the door visitors want to leave (which happens a lot more often than you might imagine). However, the downside is that because you’re replacing the entire deadbolt instead of adding a device on top of your existing hardware like with some of Yale’s rivals, the Assure Lock 2 might not be a great option for renters or people with strict HOAs.
Also, while I didn’t do this myself, if you want to upgrade to a new lock but really don’t want to change out all your keys, Yale even offers a service called Keyed Alike. For a small fee ($4), you can send Yale the code for you current lock’s cylinder and when your new deadbolt arrives, it will work with your existing set of keys.
Yale says the Assure Lock 2 with WiFi’s battery life is around three months, depending on how often you’re coming and going. And while I was initially a bit disappointed that the lock relies on four disposable AA batteries, Yale says that due to fire safety regulations, the company isn’t allowed to use rechargeable cells. You can put your own rechargeables in if you really want, but if anything goes wrong, that’s on you. Oh, and for anyone who goes with a keyless model, in the event that the lock’s batteries die while you’re out, you can tap a 9-volt battery on the contacts on the underside of the housing, which gives the lock just enough juice to let you in.
With the Assure Lock 2, Yale has created a smart deadbolt that really covers all the bases. You get four different configs in a variety of finishes. And thanks to compatibility with a wide range of standard door sizes, there’s a high chance it’ll fit right in on your home. So while other smart locks offer similar features like auto-unlock and the ability to detect when your door is ajar, they often don’t provide the flexibility of both keyed and keyless options while also lacking support for all the major smart home protocols (WiFi, Zigbee and Matter). But my favorite thing about the lock is that it accomplishes what every really great smart home device should do: it gets out of your way. Once it’s installed and configured how you like, you don’t really have to worry about it again. The Assure Lock 2 makes it easier to track and control who’s going in and out of your house and if you’re looking at getting a new smart lock, this one needs to be at the top of your list.
Source: Engadget – Yale Assure Lock 2 review: The do-everything smart lock
If you happen to be a cat’s human, you know that keeping them entertained is no easy task. Sure, cats spend a good chunk of their day sleeping, but in their waking hours, they yell for food, they climb on the keyboard in the middle of a Zoom meeting, or they race around the house. Given these shenanigans inevitably…
Source: LifeHacker – Distract Your Cat With These Video Game Apps
While you’ll be responsible for securing much of your own gear once you touch down on Al Mazrah, Warzone 2.0 does allow you access to custom loadouts and preset perks packages. But if you’re used to loadouts and perks as they work in Modern Warfare II’s regular multiplayer, you might be in for a bit of a surprise as…
Source: Kotaku – Call of Duty: Warzone 2: What’s Worth Knowing About Loadouts And Perks
Amazon has kicked off another sale on its Echo Show smart devices ahead of Black Friday. Among the discounts are the Echo Show 5 down to $35, the Echo Show 8 down to $70, and both the Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15 each down to $170. The Kids edition of the Echo Show 5 is also on sale for $40.
Buy Echo Show 5 at Amazon – $35Buy Echo Show 8 at Amazon – $70Buy Echo Show 10 at Amazon – $170Buy Echo Show 15 at Amazon – $170
We’ve seen all of these deals at various points in the past, but each match the lowest prices we’ve tracked to date, including the discounts we saw during the company’s Prime Early Access Sale in October. There’s a chance things drop lower on Black Friday proper, but since Amazon is advertising these offers as “early Black Friday deals,” we’d expect them to carry over.
Within the lineup, the Echo Show 8 offers the best balance of price and performance. Its 8-inch, 1,280 x 800 resolution is sizable enough for most streaming and video calling needs, its processor can keep up with most Alexa-related tasks and its speakers are powerful enough to fill a room. The Echo Show 5 and its 5.5-inch display are a step down across the board, but it can still be useful as a smart alarm clock. We gave the two review scores of 87 and 85, respectively, last year. The Kids version of the Echo Show 5, meanwhile, is essentially the same as the original model, but includes a year of the company’s Kids+ content service, a simplified interface, and a two-year warranty (the standard model comes with one).
The Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15 are more niche — the former has a rotating base that lets its 10.1-inch display follow you around during video calls, while the latter’s 15.6-inch panel is designed to be mounted on a wall. We gave them review scores of 83 and 78, respectively. Both are still difficult to recommend to most when the Echo Show 8 can do most of the same Alexa things for less, but if you want a bigger display, they’re at least a bit more affordable here.
If you’re into the idea of a smart display but prefer the Google Assistant to Alexa, Google’s 7-inch Nest Hub and 10-inch Nest Hub Max are also currently on sale for $50 and $164, respectively. The broad strokes of those devices are similar to their Amazon counterparts, though the Nest Hub lacks a built-in camera for those who don’t want another one of those in their home. We gave the Nest Hub a review score of 89 last year, while the larger Nest Hub Max earned a score of 86 back in 2019.
Get the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers by following @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribing to the Engadget Deals newsletter.
Source: Engadget – Amazon’s Echo Show displays all return to lowest prices in early Black Friday sale
Linux Foundation presents IT and help to key volunteers – and some wonder if this is a deal with the Devil. Special report The free and open source software (FOSS) community is caught in a love triangle of sorts, and it’s all down to money.…
Source: LXer – Open source community split over offer of ‘corporate’ welfare for critical dev tools
We don’t know what the next version of the Switch will be, but as handheld consoles continue to grow in size, it’s a safe bet that Nintendo will move beyond the OLED Switch’s seven-inch screen. Hardware hacker Pavlo Khmel decided not to wait for Nintendo to embiggen the Switch and took things into their own hands with…
Source: Gizmodo – Supersized Switch With 12.5-Inch Screen Stretches the Definition of Portable Gaming
Pumpkin pie spice is nice, if overexposed. But there’s another blend out there that deserves your attention. Allow me to introduce you to garam masala: It has all the things you love about the “pumpkin” assortment, in addition to some other key players. With those few familiar ingredients to bridge the switch, you’ll…
Source: LifeHacker – Garam Masala Is the ‘New’ Pumpkin Spice
The Xbox Series S is without question my favorite home console in years. It’s small, sleek, and runs like a Swiss watch. It’s also incredibly affordable at just $300, but somehow it just got even cheaper. Microsoft announced earlier today that the Game Pass juggernaut will be discounted to $250 throughout the holiday…
Source: Kotaku – The Xbox Series S Is Now Even Cheaper Than The Nintendo Switch
In 2009, Epic Games released what was known as the Unreal Development Kit which was a free version of Unreal Engine 3. Following that up Epic later released Unreal Engine 4, first as a subscription model, but later available for free, including the entire source code. Later again, a major upgrade including Lumen and Nanite features allowing
Source: Hot Hardware – Unreal Engine 5.1 Releases With Epic Graphics Upgrades And Robust Next-Gen Game Support
Enlarge (credit: SOPA Images via Getty)
Sam Bankman-Fried’s failed FTX business empire misused customer funds and lacked trustworthy financial statements or any real internal controls, according to the new boss of the collapsed $32 billion crypto exchange.
John Ray III, a veteran insolvency professional who oversaw the liquidation of Enron, said in a US court filing on Thursday that FTX was the worst case of corporate failure that he had seen in his more than 40-year career.
“Never in my career have I seen such a complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information as occurred here,” he wrote.
Read 18 remaining paragraphs | Comments
Source: Ars Technica – FTX lacked “accurate list” of bank accounts, failed at basic bookkeeping
Former SpaceX employees say they were fired in June for writing and circulating an open letter criticizing the behavior of the company’s CEO, Elon Musk. The eight ex-employees have filed unfair labor practices charges with the National Labor Relations Board. They claim SpaceX retaliated against them for writing the…
Source: Gizmodo – SpaceX Workers Say They Were Illegally Fired for Open Letter Criticizing Elon
The merge window for the 6.1 release brought in basic support for writing kernel code in Rust
— with an emphasis on “basic”. It is possible to create a “hello world”
module for 6.1, but not much can be done beyond that. There is, however, a
lot more Rust code for the kernel out there; it’s just waiting for its turn to be
reviewed and merged into the mainline. Miguel Ojeda has now posted the next
round of Rust patches, adding to the support infrastructure in the
kernel.
Source: LWN.net – [$] Rust in the 6.2 kernel
Just how bad do you have to be for a 40-year veteran of corporate undoings to call you one of the most faulty, most compromised entities he’s ever seen? John J. Ray III was tapped to handle the chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings of FTX’s multiple major corporate entities. In his latest bankruptcy filing released…
Source: Gizmodo – The Guy in Charge of FTX Bankruptcy Calls Crypto Company ‘A Complete Failure’ of Corporate Controls
As Pokémon Scarlet and Violet reviews hit the internet one day before the twin games are released, the overriding message has a grim tone: the Switch just can’t handle the game. Despite most effusively praising the game itself, few reviews can ignore that the open-world game struggles to run on the five-year-old…
Source: Kotaku – The Nintendo Switch Can’t Seem To Handle Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
NVIDIA disclosed its financial results for its third quarter of fiscal 2023, and revealed within its earnings report is a 17 percent year-over-year decline in revenue to $5.93 billion. That’s also a 12 percent drop sequentially. Much of that can be attributed to “lower GPU sales for both desktops and laptops,” which the company pinned on Ethereum’s
Source: Hot Hardware – NVIDIA Blames Crypto Crash For Sagging GPU Sales But The Data Center Is Booming
NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment plan to end their 14-year partnership after January, depriving the Chinese firm of a slice of revenue and suspending service for some of the country’s most popular games. From a report: The Hangzhou-based publishing giant and Activision Blizzard Inc. subsidiary failed to agree on an extension to their long-running collaboration, which had encompassed famed franchises like StarCraft, Diablo, Overwatch and World of Warcraft. Blizzard will suspend most online game services in mainland China from Jan. 23, the US company said on Wednesday. Game sales will also halt in the coming days. Beyond financial terms, key sticking points to the NetEase extension were ownership of intellectual property and control of the data of millions of players across China, people familiar with the discussions said. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks weren’t public.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Source: Slashdot – NetEase, Blizzard To End Deal That Brought Warcraft To China
ESA’s Solar Orbiter spotted a snake slithering through the Sun’s magnetic field recently. The sighting of the snake was a precursor to a much larger eruption.
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Solar Orbiter is billed as “the most complex scientific laboratory ever to have been sent to the Sun.” The spacecraft is helping to unravel the mysteries
Source: Hot Hardware – Fiery Video Shows A Solar Snake Slithering Across The Sun At 380,000 MPH
