Technology

While Xfinity is a great provider in Vancouver, there are other internet providers in the area that might be a better fit for you. Here's what our experts could gather.

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The latest leak suggests Apple has put its novel facial recognition technology into the long-rumored folding iPhone.

• GenAI can hallucinate open source package names, experts warn
• It doesn't always hallucinate a different name
• Cybercriminals can use the names to register malware

Security researchers have warned of a new method by which Generative AI (GenAI) can be abused in cybercrime, known as 'slopsquatting'.

It starts with the fact that different GenAI tools, such as Chat-GPT, Copilot, and others, hallucinate. In the context of AI, “hallucination” is when the AI simply makes things up. It can make up a quote that a person never said, an event that never happened, or - in software development - an open-source software package that was never created.

Now, according to Sarah Gooding from Socket, many software developers rely heavily on GenAI when writing code. The tool could write the lines itself, or it could suggest the developer different packages to download and include in the product.

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Hallucinating malware

The report adds the AI doesn’t always hallucinate a different name or a different package - some things repeat.

“When re-running the same hallucination-triggering prompt ten times, 43% of hallucinated packages were repeated every time, while 39% never reappeared at all,” it says.

“Overall, 58% of hallucinated packages were repeated more than once across ten runs, indicating that a majority of hallucinations are not just random noise, but repeatable artifacts of how the models respond to certain prompts.”

This is purely theoretical at this point, but apparently, cybercriminals could map out the different packages AI is hallucinating and - register them on open-source platforms.

Therefore, when a developer gets a suggestion and visits GitHub, PyPI, or similar - they will find the package and happily install it, without knowing that it’s malicious.

Luckily enough, there are no confirmed cases of slopsquatting in the wild at press time, but it’s safe to say it is only a matter of time. Given that the hallucinated names can be mapped out, we can assume security researchers will discover them eventually.

The best way to protect against these attacks is to be careful when accepting suggestions from anyone, living or otherwise.

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• Change Healthcare suffered a huge cyberattack in 2024
• Disruptions from that attack cost organizations millions
• The firm is now chasing repayment of loans to cover losses from these disruptions

UnitedHealth Group is “aggressively” going after small healthcare organizations that borrowed money following a huge cyberattack on its subsidy Change Healthcare.

The attack is said to have affected almost 190 million Americans, and was the largest US healthcare data breach ever, and was incredibly disruptive, with systems only fully restored 9 months later, costing over $2 billion to recover from.

After the attack, interest-free loans were offered by Change to help medical practices with short-term cash flow needs. The firm is now demanding these funds be “immediately” repaid, with some organizations asked to repay hundreds of thousands of dollars in just a few days.

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Lost revenue

Optum, UnitedHealth’s financial arm, has now confirmed it will withhold separate funds until these loans are repaid.

Doctors with their own private practices used these loans to cover losses from the disruption following the cyber incident, which cost some hundreds of thousands - and some reportedly used personal savings to keep practices afloat.

It’s worth noting UnitedHealth has a net worth of over $470 billion (at the time of writing), and CEO Andrew Witty made over $23 million in compensation in 2023.

Optum has collected over $4.5 billion of the $9 billion debt, but since many practices lost so much in downtime thanks to the disruption, many will struggle to repay the money owed in the just 5 day timeframe Optum have imposed, with one doctor describing it as a “shakedown.”

UnitedHealth paid the ransomware attackers $22 million in cryptocurrency to recover its data - but the operation was still shut down in its entirety, and Change never got its data back. Medical data is, of course, extremely sensitive, and put anyone exposed at risk of identity theft or fraud.

Via CNBC

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With AI agents becoming an increasingly common sight in businesses everywhere, Google Cloud has become the latest major company to ramp up its efforts in the space.

At its Google Cloud Next 25 event, the company unveiled several upgrades to its Agentspace platform to make agent discovery and adoption easier.

Just to give things an extra boost, Google Cloud also announced a new partnership with Nvidia designed at making its offerings even more intuitive.

Google Agentspace expansion

Following the initial launch of Google Agentspace in December 2024, the updates were mainly aimed at making creating and deploying AI agents easier

This includes giving employees access to Agentspace search and analysis tools directly from the search box in Google Chrome. The multimodal search capabilities can help track down exactly the data needed within your business, or give customers access to the answers they need.

The search results can cover content from the web, or from your business' most commonly-used apps and software, including the likes of Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, and apps like Jira, Salesforce, or ServiceNow.

(Image credit: Google Cloud)

Elsewhere, workers can also use a new Agent Gallery to find and deploy new agents quickly as well as creating their own agents with the new no-code Agent Designer platform - or launch some of Google's latest own-brand offerings, Idea Generation agent and Deep Research agent.

In order to make sure all these new agents co-exist effectively, Google Cloud has also launched a new interoperability protocol called Agent2Agent, which it says, "will allow AI agents to communicate with each other, securely exchange information, and coordinate actions on top of various enterprise platforms or applications."

Built on existing standards to allow easier integration, the company has already signed up more than 50 partners for the launch, including enterprise heavyweights such as Salesforce, PayPal, Box, Atlassian and more.

Finally, to harness the power of some of the most powerful computing hardware around today, Google Cloud and Nvidia have signed a collaboration bring the former's AI models to Nvidia Blackwell HGX and DGX platforms, as well as Nvidia Confidential Computing.

“By bringing our Gemini models on premises with Nvidia Blackwell’s breakthrough performance and confidential computing capabilities, we’re enabling enterprises to unlock the full potential of agentic AI,” said Sachin Gupta, vice president and general manager of infrastructure and solutions at Google Cloud.

“This collaboration helps ensure customers can innovate securely without compromising on performance or operational ease.”

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Here are hints -- and the answer -- for today's Wordle No. 1,396 for April 15.

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Even though we live in a world festooned with smart stuff, from slick ways to monitor your activity to generative AI and other such opinion-dividing tools, sometimes it’s the simple things that really feel special. And for me, it’s the iPhone’s Passwords app.

Introduced with iOS 18, the Passwords app effectively builds out on Apple’s iCloud Keychain system, which allows passwords and login credentials to be saved in the cloud and automatically fill in said credentials once a security check via the likes of Face ID has been carried out.

What the Passwords app does is build in a slicker interface on this functionality to facilitate easier password management. There's also support for third-party browsers, the ability to share passwords with trusted groups of people and get alerts of potential security issues.

Naturally, there are third-party password management services that do all this too, but if you forget your master password – something I may have done in the past – you can be a little screwed. So having a native password manager baked into iOS is neat.

And it’s a rather slick app; one that despite getting shown off at WWDC 2024, I sort of forgot about. So going by that, the app may have slipped your mind too, given how easily it integrates with daily iPhone life.

But more recently, I’ve been finding out how handy it is.

A most helpful app

(Image credit: Apple)

The biggest benefit of the app is for when a freeloading family member requests the password to one of the most popular streaming series that rhymes with 'transfix', and I can’t remember it off by heart or have the patience to dig it out of the reams of nonsense that make up the family’s WhatApp chat.

Instead, I simply head over to the Passwords app, let Face ID do its thing, then navigate to one of the services or accounts I use, then tap on the passwords field to reveal the collection of numbers and letters I’ve used to secure the account.

From there it’s easy to copy the password and send it to the requesting party, either in a separate message, via AirDrop or set up a ‘Shared Group’ in which select passwords can be shared with select people.

It’s so easy to use but also feels secure too, arguably more so than the Google password manager function in Chrome.

On top of this easy password access, the app will also note which passwords may have been compromised via a leak. It then lets you trigger the process of changing them; though really that function just pushes you towards the service’s website to login and change your password there.

So while Apple Intelligence tools might grab the headlines, and the Photos app has more interesting functions in iOS 18, it’s this simple Passwords app that’s grabbed my attention lately.

The best Android phones have similar functionality, but in my experience it feels like the iOS 18 Passwords app… well… just works; yes, I hate myself for saying that, but that’s just how I feel.

To use the app, simply search ‘Passwords’ in the drop-down menu in iOS 18. And do make sure your iCloud Keychain is synced with your iPhone to get the most out of the app.

It's also worth noting the Passwords app is on macOS too, which is handy if you want to dive into your saved passwords, and discover accounts you may have forgotten about, on a larger display.

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• The latest AirTag alternative from Chipolo comes in color
• It's a small, circular tracker that works with Apple or Google's Find My network
• It has a built-in keyring hole for easy attachment, a speaker, and an easily replaceable battery

Sure, Apple’s AirTag might be the top dog in the world of iPhone item trackers, thanks to an exclusive feature or two. But what if I told you there is another item tracker that is just as compact, has a built-in key ring for easy attachment, and comes in several vibrant colors?

Sold, right? Well, the Chipolo Pop is precisely that and is simply the colorful AirTag that I’ve always wanted. I bet a few of you've wanted that as well. Chipolo, with several other models, is not a brand-new entrant into item trackers either.

Further, the Chipolo Pop supports Apple’s FindMy standard, so it will fast-pair with an iPhone and live within the FindMy app, but it’s also fully compatible with Android and Google’s network. If you’re already sold, it’s up for order now at $29 / £30 from Chipolo for one or $89 / £90 for four of them. And if you prefer Amazon, it's also up for order there.

Six colors to choose from

(Image credit: Chipolo)

Just like an AirTag or even the MotoTag – a Motorola-made item tracker that looks like Apple’s – the Chipolo Pop is a circular item tracker just 38.8 millimeters in diameter. It’s about the size of an AirTag nut and levels up the experience in two key ways.

First, it comes in six colors: blue, yellow, red, green, black, and white. Second, it has a built-in key ring hole so that you can easily attach it to a set of keys, a bag, or really anything else. Chipolo ships it with a color-matched key ring as well.

It’s also powered by a commonly found battery, the CR2032 – just like the AirTag. Chipolo says the Pop should last for up to a year of use. With the IP55 resistance, it can also handle a bit of water and dust. That’s handy for an item tracker that could get left outdoors.

Maybe the single biggest advantage of the Chipolo Pop is that it integrates with Apple’s or Google’s FindMy device networks. This means that the tracker's location will ping off thousands of these devices to help give an accurate location. Apple’s network is made up of iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

That also means that after you get the Chipolo Pop and are ready to set the item tracker up, you’ll need to hold it next to your Android phone or iPhone and follow the splash screen that appears on the device. During this, it will also link with your Google or Apple account.

(Image credit: Chipolo)

You can also stretch the mileage of the Pop and get more features with the Chipolo app for Android or iOS – here, you can set a custom alert and even have it ring your device if you click the button on the Pop in. That’s a trick even Apple’s AirTag can’t do. On Android, you can also set up alerts to notify you if you leave the Pop behind.

While we haven’t tested it yet, there is a speaker integrated within the Pop – so you can ping it and hear your selected chime – and Chipolo promises it offers a “seriously loud ring.”

So, for those with an iPhone, minus the AirTag’s Precision Finding, the Chipolo Pop is basically the colorful AirTag I’ve always wanted. It nearly checks off all the boxes, doesn’t raise the price, and stretches the value further.

Case in point, if I get a Chipolo Pop, I don’t need to buy an additional accessory to attach it to my keys or a backpack. That isn’t the case with an AirTag.

If you’re eager to add the Chipolo Pop to your keys, backpack, or other items, you can order it right now from Chipolo’s online store or on Amazon.

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• Amazon reports reveals former CEO payments
• Current CEO Andy Jassy’s salary was $365,000 in 2024, Bezos’ was $81,840
• The average Amazon wage was $37,000 in 2024

Amazon paid out more to Jeff Bezos than its current CEO, Andy Jassy in 2024, but this doesn’t mean the founder had a higher salary to live off.

In fact, Jassy’s salary amassed to around 4.5x more than Bezos’ - $365,000 compared with $81,840 - but where the two leaders differed was in other allowable expenses and costs.

Bezos had been awarded $1.6 million in security costs in 2024, with the company defending high security expenses due to the former CEO’s low salary and company benefits.

Jeff Bezos continues to cost Amazon millions

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, together with CFO Brian Olsavsky, Amazon Stores CEO Douglas Herrington and Chief Global Affairs & Legal Officer David Zapolsky received $365,000 in salary, a figure unchanged from the year before. AWS CEO Matt Garman received a slightly smaller $358,750 package.

Defending its decision to compensate Jassy a further $1.2 million, plus tens of thousands for other C-suite execs, the company noted: “We believe that all Company-incurred security costs are reasonable and necessary and for the Company’s benefit.”

“The 2024 annual total compensation of our median compensated employee (identified from all full- and part-time permanent and temporary employees worldwide, excluding our CEO) was $37,181,” Amazon also noted.

Other topics covered in the Annual Meeting of Shareholders included the request for alternative emissions reporting, additional reporting on the impact of data centers and climate commitments, and a report on packaging materials.

The board voted against all three requests, noting existing transparency, adherence to protocols and guidelines and work that’s already been done.

Full details of the meeting can be found in Amazon’s Notice of 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders & Proxy Statement.

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Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Monday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Monday, April 14 (game #1176).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1177) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1177) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 2.

Quordle today (game #1177) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1177) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1177) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• S

• M

• H

• F

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1177) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1177, are…

• SLEET
• MERIT
• HARSH
• FORAY

A very speedy game for me today, as the “first thought best thought” mindset paid off. I didn’t spend too long pondering, just went for it.

On reflection there weren’t too many alternatives with regular letters – guessing BORAX instead of FORAY would have been bonkers, regardless of what might have happened in the past in Wordle.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1177) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1177, are…

• DEIGN
• LADLE
• OWNER
• QUOTA

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE
• Quordle #1175, Sunday 13 April: SHALE, KINKY, SHORN, WHOOP
• Quordle #1174, Saturday 12 April: BLIND, OVOID, CACHE, THING
• Quordle #1173, Friday 11 April: FOLLY, PITHY, SCOWL, CURLY
• Quordle #1172, Thursday 10 April: LEAST, SEWER, UNTIE, NOOSE
• Quordle #1171, Wednesday 9 April: LITHE, LEFTY, KNOLL, MULCH
• Quordle #1170, Tuesday 8 April: WIDTH, VISOR, MEDAL, BROOK
• Quordle #1169, Monday 7 April: BROTH, SHOUT, BRUTE, CABIN
• Quordle #1168, Sunday 6 April: AMBER, GAUZE, STORE, SLICK
• Quordle #1167, Saturday 5 April: GUSTY, VAULT, WHINE, BEGAT
• Quordle #1166, Friday 4 April: OAKEN, LOOPY, CURIO, BUTTE
• Quordle #1165, Thursday 3 April: ASCOT, JETTY, DRUNK, JOLLY
• Quordle #1164, Wednesday 2 April: INDEX, QUEEN, INCUR, STOLE
• Quordle #1163, Tuesday 1 April: HUMUS, BALMY, WORRY, ERECT
• Quordle #1162, Monday 31 March: RECUT, MOODY, WHERE, BRACE
• Quordle #1161, Sunday 30 March: CRIME, DRINK, CLOVE, TRUER
• Quordle #1160, Saturday 29 March: LATER, ODDLY, CUMIN, AGREE
• Quordle #1159, Friday 28 March: TERSE, MUSHY, PROVE, FROND
• Quordle #1158, Thursday 27 March: CRONE, APNEA, LIGHT, AWOKE
• Quordle #1157, Wednesday 26 March: LEFTY, NOOSE, NOISE, TRIAD