Monthly Archives: September 2020

SpaceX Starlink brings Internet to emergency responders in wildfire areas

Enlarge / A Starlink user terminal and wildfire-devastated areas seen in images shared by Washington state’s Emergency Management Division. reader comments 188 with 87 posters participating Share this story SpaceX Starlink is providing Internet access to Washington state emergency responders in areas ravaged by wildfires. The group has deployed seven Starlink user terminals (i.e. satellite… Read More: SpaceX Starlink brings Internet to emergency responders in wildfire areas »

Senator asks DHS if foreign-controlled browser extensions threaten the US

Enlarge / Photo illustration by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images Getty Images reader comments 67 with 50 posters participating Share this story A US senator is calling on the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity arm to assess the threat posed by browser extensions made in countries known to conduct espionage against the US. “I am… Read More: Senator asks DHS if foreign-controlled browser extensions threaten the US »

5 Games That Would Make Great Video Game Movies

Sonic The Hedgehog has proven that it’s possible to make good video game movies—so, now, can we get them? Because there have been quite a few games practically built for Hollywood and big animation budgets. And when I say “movie,” I don’t mean mini-series. I don’t mean live-action trailers. I mean a full-length, made to… Read More: 5 Games That Would Make Great Video Game Movies »

“Joker”—the malware that signs you up for pricey services—floods Android markets

reader comments 118 with 60 posters participating Share this story September has been a busy month for malicious Android apps, with dozens of them from a single malware family alone flooding either Google Play or third-party markets, researchers from security companies said. Known as Joker, this family of malicious apps has been attacking Android users… Read More: “Joker”—the malware that signs you up for pricey services—floods Android… »

How Zendikar Rising Changed Magic

Zendikar Rising Brought The Serious Innovation Zendikar Rising snuck up too fast to cover the set before it came out, and I don’t draft enough to have a good sense of the whole card pool. But there is one aspect of the new set I think needs to be discussed. And that’s the modal land… Read More: How Zendikar Rising Changed Magic »

When coffee makers are demanding a ransom, you know IoT is screwed

reader comments 357 with 209 posters participating, including story author Share this story With the name Smarter, you might expect a network-connected kitchen appliance maker to be, well, smarter than companies selling conventional appliances. But in the case of the Smarter’s Internet-of-things coffee maker, you’d be wrong. Security problems with Smarter products first came to… Read More: When coffee makers are demanding a ransom, you know IoT… »

Alphabet, shareholders settle in lawsuits over sexual harassment at Google

Enlarge / Google’s corporate headquarters. reader comments 53 with 40 posters participating Share this story Alphabet, Google’s parent company, said today it has settled a set of shareholder lawsuits related to the company’s handling of sexual harassment claims. Alphabet will commit $310 million to corporate diversity programs over the next decade, and the company agreed… Read More: Alphabet, shareholders settle in lawsuits over sexual harassment at Google »

Microsoft boots apps out of Azure used by China-sponsored hackers

Enlarge / Computer chip with Chinese flag, 3d conceptual illustration. reader comments 74 with 43 posters participating Share this story Fortune 500 companies aren’t the only ones flocking to cloud services like Microsoft Azure. Increasingly, hackers working on behalf of the Chinese government are also hosting their tools in the cloud, and that’s keeping people… Read More: Microsoft boots apps out of Azure used by China-sponsored hackers »

Friday Fiction: Our Reflections (Part 9)

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, may I have your attention, please?! You’ve been patient! You’ve been diligent! You’ve been loyal! Now, for demonstrating such tremendous qualities, such incredible attributes, such unbelievable resolve, you shall be rewarded! Friends, bloggers, Earthlings, lend me your ears! The time has come, yet again, for you to get your proper dose of excitement, adventure,… Read More: Friday Fiction: Our Reflections (Part 9) »