Technology

• The UK Government's guidelines no longer include mentions of E2EE
• The move follows a dispute between the British Government and Apple
• Apple recently pulled its encryption service in the UK after a backdoor request

The dispute between the UK government and Apple continues, with the former quietly deciding to remove its recommendation in using the tech firm’s end-to-end encryption (E2EE), also known as Advanced Data Protection (ADP).

The move, spotted by blogger Alec Muffett, comes weeks after Apple pulled ADP from the country following the Government’s alleged request to build a backdoor into the encryption for law enforcement - which would have allowed agencies to access protected photos, messages, and other data.

Previously, in advice from the NCSC and GCHQ, the agencies recommended barristers, solicitors, and legal professionals turn on encryption, including ADP for iOS - but the encryption advice is no longer available.

The importance of encryption

Apple doubled down on its encryption, promising to “never build a backdoor”, and privacy campaigners argue that this “jeopardizes the security and privacy of millions.”

Encryption is a tool that scrambles information, and end-to-end means that this is done both as the information is sent, and received. Apple’s ADP means that even Apple cannot access the data.

The tech firm argues that once a backdoor, or ‘master key’, is built, that leaves the risk that the key will be stolen by threat actors, or that the information could fall into the wrong hands.

“With Apple removing Advanced Data Protection (ADP) for UK users, consumers need to focus on alternative ways to secure their data,” said Matt Aldridge, Senior Principal Solutions Consultant at OpenText Cybersecurity.

“While iMessages, Facetime, Health data and iCloud keychain remain secure, users should review what they store in iCloud, especially with backups no longer being encrypted. Sensitive files and data may need to be stored securely elsewhere, such as on external encrypted drives or alternative cloud services that still offer end-to-end encryption.”

You might also like

• Take a look at our picks for the best VPN providers around
• Check out our recommendations for the best encrypted messaging apps for Android
• Apple to take legal action against British Government over backdoor request

Sensitivity to sound, light and touch affect neurodivergent people differently. Here are the strategies and tech products I use to help me function.

Eleven11bot infects webcams and video recorders, with a large concentration in the US.

• Android 16 beta 2.1 is reportedly causing major battery drain for some users
• Comments posted to Reddit complain about the need to charge as much as twice a day
• Android 16 is expected to release at some point between April and June

Android 16 is due to release some time between April and June this year, and as we get closer to that window Google is continuing to roll out beta versions of its latest mobile operating system.

However, these beta versions are still pre-release builds designed to trial and test new features, and as such can have unfortunate side effects – in fact, a recent Android 16 beta seems to be hitting users’ phone batteries’ harder than expected.

As Android Authority reports, users with Android 16 beta 2.1 installed have been reporting a serious impact on battery life as a result of updating.

A Reddit thread started by the official u/androidbetaprogram account in the r/android_beta subreddit contains multiple reports of this battery issue.

User u/jordanl171 said: “The battery life on 2.1 is so much worse than it was on 2.0 [on the] Pixel 9 Pro”.

Others complained of unspecified charging issues, while a now-deleted user said they were “forced to charge twice a day”.

Naturally, this isn’t the type of change you’d want to see with a newer version of any operating system, but I’m not particularly worried about this battery bug.

Beta versions of operating systems are bound to have some annoying or even experience-breaking issues every now and then – it’s part of the process, and much better for users and developers that these issues come to light before full release.

So long as Google follows up on its community outreach via platforms like Reddit and other social media, I’m fairly certain that this issue will be fixed before launch, and probably even in a later beta build.

Though I’ve not been affected by this battery drain issue myself – I don’t have a Google Pixel phone and at the moment you need one to access Android 16 betas – I don’t think this will still be a red light for anyone looking to update to Android 16 at release.

However, it might be worth skipping this particular build. Phone batteries are consumable components, with maximum lifespans that decay over time, so having to recharge more often might have an impact on your device’s longevity.

In any case, I’m still excited for Android 16 to make it to the best Android phones later this year. Let us know what you want to see from the new Android update in the comments below.

You might also like

• iPhone 17 Air leaks suggest it'll get next-gen battery – as offset the 17 Pro Max's weight gains
• Exclusive: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will have durability to match its ‘sexy’ design
• New survey suggests the vast majority of iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users find AI useless – and I’m not surprised

• Google Maps has become the first app to support Live Updates in the latest Android 16 beta
• The new notification style allows some information to persist on the lock screen and status bar
• Android 16 is expected to release some time between April and June 2025

Though many of the best Android phones just recently got support for Android 15, beta versions of Android 16 are already available for Google Pixel users, bringing key upgrades to the operating system as well as to Google’s suite of default apps.

One of the most keenly anticipated upgrades coming with Android 16 is Live Updates, a new notification feature that allows notifications to display much more information as well as persist on the lock screen. A comparable feature, called Live Activities, rolled out to iOS devices last year.

As it turns out, Google Maps is the first app to support this new feature, with Android 16 adding the ability to see directions, time until your next turn, and your estimated time of arrival all in one Live Update notification.

This new Live Update is visible on the lock screen, and an estimated time of arrival persists in the status bar when the phone is unlocked, though as Android Authority notes, the new notification style is currently collapsed on the always-on display.

In a prior build of Android 16, Live Updates were available on the always-on display as an outline, so Google will likely re-enable this in the stable release or later betas.

Live Updates were technically introduced with the first beta of Android 16 back in January 2025, but as mentioned, no apps have supported them until now.

Android 16 is rolling out at a faster pace than normal, and we’ve previously heard that the next mainline update to Google’s mobile operating system will arrive sooner than usual in the second quarter of 2025 – that’s somewhere between April and June.

The update is due to bring Live Updates to a wide selection of the best Google Pixel phones as well as Android phones from other brands like Samsung and OnePlus. Of course, there’s much more on the way than a new style of notification – other keenly awaited Android 16 features include new camera tools and better app resizing for folding phones.

We’ll have the latest through our dedicated Android coverage, but for now, let us know what you’d like to see from Google’s next mobile operating system in the comments below.

You might also like

• Exclusive: the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will have durability to match its ‘sexy’ form
• The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 could have a Motorola Razr-style full-sized cover screen – and I think it’s about time
• Android's Find My Device can now let you track your friends – and I can't decide if that's cool or creepy

• Researchers find malicious browser extensions can assume the appearance of any other installed in the browser
• It can also disable other extensions, completely tricking the victim
• The extension can steal sensitive passwords, cryptos, and more

Cybersecurity researchers have found malicious shapeshifting Google Chrome browser extensions in the wild, able to change their appearance to pretty much anything else installed on the target device, opening the doors for credential theft, cryptocurrency theft, and possibly even wire fraud.

Researchers from SquareX said they spotted a malicious browser extension which at first, seems benign. It can be an “unassuming AI tool”, or pretty much anything else. When it’s first installed, it will behave as expected, for at least a while, while it analyzes which other extensions are installed in the browser.

If it spots anything particularly interesting (such as a crypto wallet, for example), the extension will completely transform its appearance, including the interface, the shortcut icon, and everything else, to look exactly the same. It will then disable the legitimate extension, so that it is the only one offering that particular functionality - meaning it is almost impossible for the victim to realize they are being targeted.

Feature, not a bug

To make matters worse, the researchers said that the malware just abuses the design of browsers and extensions.

There is no bug, no vulnerability being exploited, meaning that cybersecurity solutions, antivirus programs, and other endpoint protection tools, cannot flag it or remove it. It gets worse, too - the extensions only require medium risk permissions, the same ones required by password managers and similar tools. Therefore, the malware cannot even be spotted by Chrome Store and other security teams simply looking at the code.

They are calling them “polymorphic extensions” and believe they are an entirely new class of malware. They said the malware impacts “most major browsers, including Chrome and Edge”.

“Browser extensions present a major risk to enterprises and users today,” commented SquareX founder, Vivek Ramachandran.

“Unfortunately, most organizations have no way of auditing their current extension footprint and to check whether they are malicious. This further underscores the need for a browser native security solution like Browser Detection and Response, similar to what an EDR is to the operating system.”

Google has been notified, but has yet to respond.

You might also like

• Google Chrome extensions hit in major attack - dozens of developers affected, so be on your guard
• We've rounded up the best password managers
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app

There seems to be a rather large elephant in the room of the smartphone industry right now. The likes of Samsung, Apple, and Google are investing heavily in the development (and marketing) of AI software, but consumers seem less than interested in a technology that has yet to be proven game-changing for their everyday lives.

At least, that’s the impression we get from reader comments, and a recent survey of more than 2,000 iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users found that 73% of iPhone-owning respondents and a whopping 87% of Galaxy-owning respondents feel that AI adds little to no value to their smartphone experience. That’s got to be tough reading for the technology executives who are collectively betting hundreds of billions on an AI-powered future.

Of course, adoption takes time, and Samsung, for its part, is committed to the long game. At MWC 2025, I spoke to Annika Bizon, Mobile Experience (MX) VP of Product and Marketing at Samsung UK, who spoke on the company’s “number one aim” with Galaxy AI – and whose own adoption figures paint a more optimistic picture.

“Last year we launched Galaxy AI into the market, and we've now got over 5 million people using it on a regular basis in the UK. It took the internet eight years to get to that figure," said Bizon. "Once you start using something, it becomes behavior, and our job is to change behavior, so people can see the benefits."

“Now,” Bizon continued, “you can only change behavior if people do see a benefit. So [that’s the] number one aim. The second thing for us: Galaxy AI is our hero messaging because we want to own that space and bring credibility to that space. But we also need to demystify it, right? Because AI means a million things. Look around today [at MWC]. What we're saying is: AI makes the mundane easier. It makes you more creative, giving you back time to do the things you love. However, you can't forget that people buy a phone for the camera, the battery life, the durability. Those are principles that will sit below every single product we bring to market.”

Galaxy AI was a key feature of Samsung's latest Galaxy Unpacked showcase (Image credit: Samsung)

It’s clear, then, that Samsung hasn’t forgotten about the importance of hardware to consumers – despite the dizzying number of Galaxy AI-related ads you’ve likely seen over the past year. AI is Samsung’s “hero messaging”, but it’s a matter of synergy, not prioritization.

“If you think about hardware and software, they work together,” Bizon told me. “AI optimizes the battery on your phone, AI optimizes the camera on your phone – you can always iterate through hardware, but when you start adding AI into that, you really take the whole experience up to another level.

“[Our customers are using AI] because it's making their lives easier, whether that be Circle to Search, Live Interpreter, or the fact that I can book a restaurant through my voice and send an invite directly to my friend's calendar. That's all about saving time. If you save time, and you’ve got the best hardware [working alongside] the best software, you start to really change the customer experience. And that’s the important thing. Working in a way where technology works for you rather than you working for technology. AI is the space where we see all of our [technology] coming together – it’s like a PA in your pocket.”

Democratization is key to adoption

The mid-range Samsung Galaxy A56 and Galaxy A36 launched with AI last week (Image credit: Future)

Where smartphone-based AI was the preserve of the very best phones only a year or so ago, companies have now pivoted to offering AI at almost every step of the price ladder.

Google, for instance, offers the same AI features on the budget-friendly Google Pixel 8a as it does on the premium Google Pixel 9 Pro, while Apple recently debuted the Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone 16e, lowering the cost of entry to its AI feature suite. Removing the exclusivity from AI will allow these companies to refine and stress-test their AI features in a way that simply isn’t possible with a limited sample size, and Samsung, to its credit, realized this earlier than most.

After launching Galaxy AI in January 2024 on the Galaxy S24 series, Samsung rolled out the same features to the Galaxy S23 series just two months later. Galaxy AI compatibility now covers everything from the high-end Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra to the mid-range Galaxy A55.

We've got over 5 million people using Galaxy AI on a regular basis in the UK.

Annika Bizon, Samsung

“AI for All is really important to us,” Bizon explained. “Everybody has a chance to use AI. Personally, I’m really proud of the fact that we took the step last year to take [Galaxy AI] onto previous-generation devices – that’s over 200 million devices globally, and we gave people the opportunity to experience it. You can only really get adoption when you've got a mass market to do that with.”

What’s more, the figures behind AI aren’t all bad. Those aforementioned survey results reflect the current sentiment towards smartphone-based AI, but recent research conducted by TechRadar publisher Future suggests people are increasingly swapping traditional search engines for AI tools such as ChatGPT.

Consumer habits are changing, and although Galaxy AI might seem gimmicky now, it won’t be long before millions of smartphone users really are using their voices to make restaurant reservations. Consider this: cars, laptops, and cheeseburgers were all perceived as dumb fads when they originally came to market. Now they’re crucial to the global economy.

You might also like

• Best Samsung phones: top Galaxy handsets ranked
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will have durability to match its ‘sexy’ design
• Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review: the ultimate Android

• King Charles III has pre-recorded a radio broadcast for Apple Music 1 to celebrate Commonwealth Day
• The broadcast features personal anecdotes and songs that have helped shape His Majesty's soundtrack to his life
• It will be available to listen on the 24/7 Apple Music 1 radio station on Monday March 10

As well as its stature of being one of the best music streaming services, Apple Music’s commitment to delivering top-notch listening experiences extends beyond albums, playlists and podcasts into radio, with stations such as Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits. For its next special radio broadcast Apple Music has enlisted a bona fide music lover, yet an unexpected one – King Charles III.

To celebrate Commonwealth Day happening on March 10, the sovereign himself will step into the role of emcee in a special broadcast for Apple Music 1 which was pre-recorded at Buckingham Palace.

Set to air at 6am GMT / 1am ET on March 10 on Apple Music 1, The King’s Music Room will take a dive into His Majesty’s experiences with music from around the Commonwealth and even reveal some hidden parts of his music identity.

The King’s Music Room has been described as “a musical journey that reflects His Majesty’s personal taste” as per Apple Music’s blog post, packing a recollection of personal anecdotes that recall His Majesty’s experiences with traveling Commonwealth countries and how these have impacted the evolution of the soundtrack to his life. Weaved in between these reflective moments are pockets of personal insights to his favorite songs and artists – and his taste might surprise you.

So, what will a playlist curated by the sovereign sound like? Well, it’s pretty much a given that there’ll be quite a bit of vintage, so you can expect to hear the sounds of smooth 1930s jazz. But what may come as a surprise is that King Charles III has his ear to the ground when it comes to new music releases, as artists such as Raye and Kylie Minogue have crept their way into the King’s Apple Music special.

In addition to music legends Grace Jones and Bob Marley, King Charles III’s Apple Music 1 broadcast promises a mixed-genre spectacle from Afrobeats, to Reggae, to modern pop and RnB.

There’s no denying that music has a very special place in His Majesty’s life, elaborating on his passion through a video statement: “Throughout my life, music has meant a great deal to me. I know that is also the case for so many others. It has that remarkable ability to bring happy memories flooding back from the deepest recesses of our memory, to comfort us in times of sadness, and to take us to distant places”.

If you have an Apple Music subscription, you can listen to The King’s Music Room anytime on demand, after the initial broadcast. However, you don't need a subscription to listen to the broadcast live on Apple Music 1.

You might also like

• Shazam now makes it super-easy to add identified songs to a Spotify or Apple Music playlist – here’s how it works
• I switched through all the best music streamers for a month to compare them – here are the 7 biggest things I learned
• A cheaper YouTube Premium Lite tier could roll out soon – and as a Spotify fan I'm ready to sign up

No matter whether you’re streaming movies or playing Overwatch, AOC’s QD-OLED gaming monitor shines.

A big bandwidth boost when you fly is just one advantage for United Airlines to adopt the SpaceX service.

• United Airlines has installed Starlink on its first regional aircraft
• The install time is just four days per aircraft versus 10+ days for other Wi-Fi systems
• The airline expects to install Starlink on over 40 aircraft a month starting in May

Back in January, right ahead of the 2025 Consumer Electronics Show, United Airlines announced that it was speeding up its rollout and installation of Starlink across its fleet. It was good news as Grant Milstead, VP of Digital Technology for the airline, told us that it was “kind of enabling the living room in the sky experience.”

How? Well, once Starlink is installed on United Airline’s aircraft, the result is free, fast Wi-Fi while on the ground and in the air as long as you are a member of MileagePlus, which is free to join. United Airlines sped up its planned rollout by confirming that the first commercial flight was expected on an Embraer E175 in the spring and that its entire regional fleet would be covered by the end of the year. Its first mainline aircraft would also have Starlink installed by the end of the year.

Now United Airlines has successfully installed Starlink on its first regional aircraft, learned some new lessons, and confirmed some theories about what this process would look like. And for anyone who flies United Airlines, it’s great news as you’re one step closer to getting this stronger, more stable connection in the sky.

(Image credit: United Airlines)

The most significant learning is that installing the Starlink antenna, the wiring, and the wireless access points inside the cabin of the aircraft is a lot less time-consuming than a typical antenna for traditional airline Wi-Fi. United says that it takes about eight hours to install the Starlink equipment, which is about 10 times faster than the current in-flight Wi-Fi equipment (though that eight-hour window doesn’t include de-installation or the testing equipment).

And here’s the best part for me as someone who tends to fly United Airlines, and for any others who do – you can expect Wi-Fi speeds up to 250Mbps on these regional aircraft, which is 50 times faster than current internet speeds. That means, when connected, you won’t have to worry about missing a text – even one with images – being able to browse the web, stream a show, or be productive and accomplish some work while cruising in the sky. I, for one, can’t wait to put that to the test.

Additionally, the Starlink antenna and corresponding equipment weigh 85 pounds and are electronically steered, which means no moving parts inside. That makes it easier to move, and less likely to need maintenance. It’s also a lot lighter (other antennas weigh upwards of 300 pounds) and United Airlines says it “means the aircraft requires less fuel to operate than with other inflight providers.”

The faster installation process also means the aircraft will be out of service for a shorter time. Currently, non-Starlink Wi-Fi installations for United take over 10 days, meaning the plane will not be flying for that period. United Airlines expects the Starlink installation and testing to take just four days, and that includes removing the old equipment. Remember, it’s outside on the aircraft's hull and inside under panels, where access points are located.

(Image credit: United Airlines)

Here are the steps for the installation process as it stands for United Airlines regional aircraft:

• Uninstall the existing Wi-Fi system.
• Install the Starlink system, which consists of the main antenna, an internal reinforcement structure, wireless access points for the cabin, and a power supply.
• The install team tests the whole system before and after closing the aircraft's interior.

It’s clear that United Airlines is still operating on this sped-up schedule and is eager to get Starlink-powered internet to more passengers, starting with regional aircraft. It’s not a small set of flyers either – while United Airlines' entire fleet is over 1,000 aircraft, the regional fleet is over 300 airplanes.

With one of those airplanes already done, United Airlines expects to install Starlink on over 40 aircraft a month starting in May before wrapping at the end of 2025. The goal is to cover all regional aircraft and then at least one mainline airplane.

You might also like

• United Airlines and Apple AirTags are ready to help reunite you with your lost bags
• Delta Air Lines just announced its vision for the future of flying – here are my 3 favorite features coming to its planes and app
• No, iOS 18.3 doesn't install Starlink on your iPhone – here's what the latest update does, and why you should download it

• Garmin Fenix 6, Enduro, Marq and Tactix watches are getting a new update
• The update fixes a list of bugs, including a problem which could cause the watches to crash
• The update is currently in beta

If you've got a Garmin Fenix 6, original Garmin Enduro, Quatix, Tactix Delta or MARQ watch, a new update is on the horizon, although it's currently only available to those who've signed up to Garmin's public beta program.

The update, version 28.01, doesn't add any of the new software features present on the best Garmin watches to these older watches, so it might not seem terribly exciting at first glance. However, it does make a few vital fixes to some potential issues on these watches.

Notably, Notebookcheck reports at least one user complaining that accessing music controls on their Garmin Enduro watch resulted in the device unexpectedly crashing, and others mentioning that update 28.00 results in faster-than-expected battery drain. Both issues are reportedly fixed in beta, according to Garmin's change logs.

Other issues fixed during the update include a user interface problem on the Garmin MARQ Aviator, errors with loading courses saved to the watch, and slow notifications.

What if I'm not part of Garmin's public beta program?

If you're experiencing any of the problems above, and you're not part of Garmin's public beta, don't fret: this means the fix is being actively trialled on user watches, and will be coming to the wider community very soon.

Garmin's public beta program, like all beta testing, is a bit of a double-edged sword: yes, you can access new features to test before anyone else, but you also open up your watch to a lot of potential bugs, which helps Garmin solve these issues before pushing them out in wider updates.

It's a necessary service for a smoothly-run, regular update schedule, but it does mean your day-to-day experience can be a little inconsistent.

If you'd like to know more about signing up for Garmin's public beta program, our guide on how to sign up for the Garmin Beta Software program can get you started.

You might also like...

• Google rolls out major Pixel Watch upgrade for all users – here's what's new in Wear OS 5.1
• Garmin Instinct 3 review: Instinctively a winning fitness watch
• Strava does a u-turn as users are allowed to post external links again

Leading VPN firm, ExpressVPN, has just released its biggest ever update to its Linux app, promising to deliver a user-centric experience with usability and enhanced security at its core.

ExpressVPN's new Linux application finally introduces the much-requested Graphical User Interface (GUI), meaning that users will be able to interact with the same easy-to-use interface used across other platforms. The upgrade also includes some new features like an advanced kill switch, split tunneling, and more.

The new Linux VPN app is currently available for beta testing only and is compatible with Ubuntu 24.04+, Debian10, Fedora30, Raspberry Pi OS Buster, Mint 20, and Arch. If you wish to keep using the command-line interface (CLI) app, you can still benefit from the upgraded version and its new advanced features.

More customization and security, with an intuitive interface

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN providers on the market, known for its feature-packed and easy-to-use applications. The upgrade comes then as a response to the popularity of Linux products and the need for high-quality VPN solutions.

"We recognized that the rapidly growing Linux community needed a powerful and intuitive VPN experience and got to work immediately," said Himmat Bains, ExpressVPN Head of Desktop apps.

This is where the new GUI comes in. The improved interface, which is available in light and dark modes across 17 languages, allows users to take control of their digital life in just a few clicks.

As Bains points out, though, the GUI is only one part of the upgrade. He said: "The new app integrates a host of advanced features that enable users to tailor their digital security experience – for more control and privacy while benefitting from the ease of use that ExpressVPN is known for."

For the first time, in fact, also Linux users can benefit from a split tunneling feature to select specific apps or IPs to be routed through the VPN or bypass it. An advanced kill switch option (here called Network Lock) also allows them to prevent internet access at all times unless the VPN is connected.

Image 1 of 3

Thanks to the new light and dark modes, you can fully customize your app's look in 17 different languages. (Image credit: ExpressVPN)Image 2 of 3

Head on the network tab to enable the advanced kill switch protection and LAN access. The latter allows you to securely connect to local devices on your network. (Image credit: ExpressVPN)Image 3 of 3

From the split tunneling tab, you can select which apps and IP you want to either include or exclude from the VPN connections for better usability. (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

Other security features that come with the new ExpressVPN's Linux app also include post-quantum encryption, alongside some advanced protection features to block intrusive ads, web trackers, malicious websites and adult content.

As with other platforms, the Linux app also comes with a choice of VPN protocol options that include OpenVPN and ExpressVPN's very own Lightway. Users will also be able to choose across servers in 105 countries worldwide.

As mentioned earlier, ExpressVPN will keep supporting CLI users, too, extending many of the same upgrades also for its Linux CLI new version. The provider suggests uninstalling your existing ExpressVPN Linux app (v3 and older) before installing the new Linux app (v4) to avoid any issues.

ExpressVPN’s new Linux app is now available for download in beta from the ExpressVPN website.

All in all, Bains said: "At ExpressVPN, our users have always been the driving force behind our innovations. Our major Linux enhancements are just one example, and reinforce our mission of making robust privacy protection accessible to everyone."

• S-RM outlines how a company was targeted by Akira ransomware gang
• It was protected by an EDR solution, but had an unprotected webcam
• The webcam allowed Akira to deploy a Linux-based encryptor

Criminals from the Akira ransomware group have been found using an unsecured webcam to launch their attack and encrypt their target’s entire network.

This is according to cybersecurity researchers S-RM, who found the threat actors first accessed their target’s remote access solution, either by brute-forcing the login credentials, or buying them off the black market. From there, they installed AnyDesk to pivot to other devices on the network, establish persistence, and steal sensitive data.

Then, they tried to deploy the encryptor for Windows, but were stopped by the company’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) mechanism. After hitting this roadblock, Akira looked for other devices, outside EDR’s watchful eye, and found a live webcam vulnerable to remote shell access.

Avoidable incident

The webcam ran on a different operating system based on Linux, allowing Akira to use its Linux encryptor. Speaking to BleepingComputer, S-RM said Akira used the webcam to mount Windows Server Message Block (SMB) network shares of the company's other devices. Then, they encrypted the network shares over SMB, successfully working around EDR.

"As the device was not being monitored, the victim organization's security team were unaware of the increase in malicious Server Message Block traffic from the webcam to the impacted server, which otherwise may have alerted them," S-RM said.

To make matters worse, S-RM confirmed that a fix for the webcam was available, meaning the entire attack could have been avoided with timely patching.

Other details were not disclosed, so we don’t know who the victims were, or what type of files Akira stole in this attack. We also don’t know if the company paid any ransom demands, or if the stolen files made it to the dark web.

Next to the infamous LockBit, Akira remains one of the bigger ransomware threats out there, so users should be on their guard.

You might also like

• Hundreds of GitHub repositories hijacked to trick users into downloading malware
• We've rounded up the best password managers
• Take a look at our guide to the best authenticator app

This efficient, smart hair dryer would feel more intelligent if it got the basics right.

• Another leak predicts the thinness of the iPhone 17 Air
• However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max may get thicker
• The iPhone 17 Air could also feature a high-density battery

It sounds very much like we're going to get a brand new iPhone model this year in the form of the iPhone 17 Air – which is apparently replacing the iPhone 16 Plus – and a couple of fresh leaks give us a bit of a better idea about what to expect from it.

First up, in his post about Apple's plans for a foldable iPhone, well-respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo mentions that the folding iPhone will "use the same high-density battery cells as the ultra-thin iPhone 17".

The suggestion is that both the iPhone 17 Air and the foldable iPhone will make use of tweaked battery tech that packs more capacity into a smaller space – very handy when you're talking about super-slim handsets (one of which folds).

That should allay some concerns about the iPhone 17 Air having a relatively short battery life, due to its thinness. The new Apple C1 chip that made its debut in the iPhone 16e should also improve internal efficiency and help battery life on the iPhone 17 series.

Size matters

Exclusive revelation: The length, width, screen size, and bezel（same iPhone 16 Pro Max） of the iPhone 17 Air and iPhone 17 Pro Max are exactly the same.Only the thickness is different. The iPhone 17 Air is 5.5mm thick, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max is 8.725mm thick. pic.twitter.com/YjcMFva5IWMarch 7, 2025

So, how thin is the iPhone 17 Air going to be? Regular tipster @UniverseIce suggests it's going to be a mere 5.5 mm (0.22 inches) front to back, which fits in neatly with what we've previously heard from other sources.

The same tipster also hints at the dimensions of the iPhone 17 Air, which are apparently also the same as the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max: a height of 163 mm (6.42 inches) and a width of 77.6 mm (3.06 inches).

However, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is said to have a thickness of 8.725 mm (0.34 inches), compared to the 8.3 mm (0.33 inches) of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. This increased thickness could be down to improved cameras and a significant redesign.

So the iPhone 17 Pro Max is likely to be going thicker, while the iPhone 17 Air goes thinner – something for everyone, no matter what the size of your hands or pockets. If Apple sticks to its usual annual schedule, these phones will appear in September 2025.

You might also like

• The iPhone 17 Air could get a mid-range price
• Our full review of the iPhone 16e
• The world's thinnest phone was just revealed

If you're considering GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic, this is what you should know beforehand.

Here's everything we know about Project Kuiper.

This emergency first aid kit will be ready to rescue your Mac or Windows machine when disaster strikes.

• The latest Xbox Insider Program Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead update seems to be causing problems
• Users are reporting that their profiles have been wiped from their consoles with others unable to install the update at all
• The issue has now reportedly been fixed, but you should still be careful

I've got some bad news if you're a member of the Xbox Insider Program, as it seems as though the latest update pushed to the Alpha and Alpha Skip-Ahead channels could be wiping user profiles from Xbox consoles.

According to the comments on a recent post to the r/xboxinsiders subreddit, users were finding their Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles seemingly reset when turning them on over the last couple of days. If you're unlucky enough to be impacted, this means that you will have to go through most of the setup process again in order to sign in with your Xbox account. While your purchases and game installations are thankfully unlikely to be impacted, customization settings and quick resume data are going to be missing and it might take a bit of time to get back to your desired setup.

Some users also reported being unable to get the update working at all, with multiple failed installations. One unlucky Redditor even stated that the language setting of their Xbox console is now "randomly set in what appears to be Chinese" leaving them completely unable to use the system because they "can’t read anything".

The issues have now reportedly been resolved, but that doesn't mean that you shouldn't tread carefully. This is a good reminder that you likely shouldn't have your main Xbox console signed up to the Xbox Insider Program as, while very rare, there is always a chance that early updates like this can go wrong.

This latest update was first released on March 5, becoming mandatory on March 6. It was intended to introduce a few small fixes to the profile system, TV options, and various small localization tweaks.

You might also like...

• Sid Meier's Civilization 7 update 1.1.0 finally stops AI leaders from flooding your territory with armies of explorers
• PlayStation Direct now lets you rent, yes rent, a PS5 from £11.99 a month
• FragPunk drops tomorrow for PC, but its console launch has been delayed at the last minute