Technology

• Set Forth confirms suffering a data breach in May 2023
• Roughly 1.5 million people were affected by the incident
• Set Forth offers 12 months of identity theft protection

American debt services company Set Forth has confirmed suffering a data breach incident in which sensitive information on more than a million people was stolen.

In a data breach notification letter sent to affected customers, the company said it identified “suspicious activity” on its systems on May 21 2024.

After implementing its incident response protocols, and engaging third-party forensic experts which investigated the incidents, the company determined that some personal information from its customers, as well as their spouses, co-applicants, or dependents, was stolen.

Defending the premises

The data stolen in the attack includes people’s names, postal addresses, birth dates, and social security numbers. In a subsequent filing with the Office of the Maine Attorney General, Set Forth confirmed that 1.5 million people were affected by this breach.

At press time, there was no information on who might have stolen the archives. No threat actors have yet assumed responsibility for the break-in.

To prevent similar incidents from happening in the future, Set Forth outlined a number of implementations, including enhanced endpoint monitoring, a global password reset, and additional security controls. Furthermore, the company is now offering identity theft protection services for affected individuals for 12 months, through Cyberscout.

“Again, at this time, there is no evidence that your information has been misused. However, we encourage you to take full advantage of this service offering,” Set Forth concluded in its letter.

In the meantime, multiple law firms have started looking into the matter, to see if there is grounds for a class-action lawsuit.

Via Cybernews

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• The EU has warned Apple to stop blocking media content based on where the user lives.
• The App Store, iTunes Store, Music, Apple Arcade, Books, and Podcasts are all named in the report.
• Apple has one month to reply with suggestions on how to improve.

The European Commission – the executive arm of the European Union – has warned Apple to desist from geo-blocking activities that it calls “discriminatory”.

In a press release posted to the official European Commission website, the Commission warned Apple to discontinue its practice of blocking Apple Media Services content based on where a user lives.

Apple Media Services comprises Apple’s digital storefronts and streaming services, and includes the App Store, Apple Arcade, Music, the iTunes Store, Books, and Podcasts.

It’s no secret that Apple tailors and restricts the content delivered through these services to specific national and regional markets, but this is rarely considered a form of discrimination.

However, the European Commission and the EU’s Consumer Protection Network have now notified Apple that these actions could contravene two EU regulations.

The EU’s Geo-blocking regulation forbids “unjustified discrimination” against an EU customer based on nationality, residence, or place of establishment when providing goods or services to customers in a different member state.

The Services Directive contains similar protections that forbid discriminatory provisions based on a customer's nationality or place of residence.

Apple is, seemingly, generally loathe to cooperate with authorities if it can avoid doing so – see the company’s long history with the FBI – but the EU has managed to twist the arm of the world’s erstwhile most valuable company before.

It’s generally accepted that pressure from the EU was the main reason Apple switched to USB-C from the proprietary Lightning port. Though the rest of the mobile industry had long-since switched to USB-C, the Lightning port served as a valuable source of revenue for Apple through first-party sales and the “Made for iPhone” licensing scheme.

However, the EU announced regulation in 2022 forcing all device makers to adopt USB-C by the end of 2024, to reduce e-waste – Apple complied with the iPhone 15 lineup in 2023. Furthermore, the EU has successfully forced Apple to enable sideloading of apps and third-party App stores on iPhones sold in Europe.

We’ll probably see Apple fall in line with these regulations again, though there could be some consequences down the road – Apple Intelligence is still missing from EU iPhones, and Apple could continue to withhold features as retaliation for strong regulations. This is mostly conjecture at this point, though.

Apple has been given one month to reply to the European Commission, with suggestions on how to alleviate its own geo-blocking practices. Until then, be sure to keep up with our iPhone coverage for the latest updates.

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• Metal Gear series producer Noriaki Okamura has revealed new insight into the making of Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
• One reason why it decided to make the game is due to the younger generation being unfamiliar with the series
• Konami says it wants to preserve the series for future generations

Konami has revealed that Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater was made for the younger generation who might be unfamiliar with the series.

Speaking in the latest Play issue (via GamesRadar), Metal Gear series producer Noriaki Okamura explained that the studio noticed that some new and younger gamers were unacquainted with the iconic series, which originally sparked the idea to remake Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

"One of the things that really sparked us to do the remake in general is because we realized that a lot of the newer, younger generation of gamers aren’t familiar with the Metal Gear series anymore”, Okamura said.

The original game was released 20 years ago in 2004, but Okamura said that although the upcoming remake is as much for the old-time fans as new ones, Konami also wants to preserve the series for future generations.

"It was basically our mission, our duty, to kind of continue making sure that the series lives on for future generations," Okamura continued. "After all, we leave behind much more than just DNA, as Solid Snake would say - but again, who is Solid Snake?"

Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater doesn't have a release date just yet, but we know it will be launching in 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Konami has also confirmed that all original voices from the 2004 Metal Gear Solid 3 will be used in the remake.

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Max is the next streaming service hoping to put a stop to password sharing among subscribers. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) confirmed the password-sharing crackdown plans earlier this year and has since revealed when we can expect to learn more about when the new account restrictions will start to be enforced.

This news comes after a Max price hike, which saw an increase of $1 a month and $10 per year in June 2024. The streamer's proposed password-sharing crackdown is essentially another form of a price rise, and more may be on the way over the coming months.

If you're subscribed to some of the best streaming services, you'll be all too familiar with their efforts to crack down on password sharing. Netflix's password-sharing clampdown began in May 2023 and was followed by the Disney Plus password-sharing crackdown in Canada, the US, and UK (alongside Hulu in the US) in September 2024.

So, if you want to continue watching the best Max shows and best Max movies, you'll want to know when these changes might take effect and what they'll involve, which we'll go into below. We'll be updating this article as soon as we have more up to date information regarding Max's password crackdown plans.

What are the Max password sharing rules?

(Image credit: Max)

Max is in the early stages of implementing a password-sharing crackdown. We learned more about Max's password-sharing crackdown in November following WBD's earnings call, where the company's CEO of streaming JB Perrette said that it would start to share some "very soft messaging" later in December 2024.

We don't have a confirmed date for when the changes will officially take effect, but Perrette did say that more progress on the crack down would occur during 2025 and 2026, so we can expect to hear more about when the changes will be enforced soon.

How will Max stop password sharing?

The Penguin is one of the critically acclaimed shows you can stream on Max. (Image credit: Macall Polay/HBO)

Max has not yet given clear guidance, but it has previously noted how well Netflix implemented the changes with its own service, so it is likely they will adopt a similar format to ensure people from different households aren't sharing the same accounts.

Speaking at Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom conference in March 2024, WBD head of global streaming and games JB Perrette said: “We’re launching in a bunch of European markets as we go into the second and third quarter.

"And password sharing crack down, which, obviously, Netflix has implemented extremely successfully. We’re going to be doing that starting later this year and into ‘25, which is another growth opportunity for us.”

How much is Max charging for password sharing?

Dune: Prophecy is a prequel to the epic sci-fi movie series and a Max exclusive. (Image credit: Max)

Max hasn't enforced the restriction yet, but Max does have a more expensive tier called "Ultimate Ad Free", which allows you to stream on four devices at once in the same household, so provided you're living together, you'll be able to share the account with up to four other people.

The Max plan costs $20.99 per month or $209.99 per year. This is the highest of the available tiers, as the cheapest is "With Ads" for $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year or "Ad-Free" at $16.99 per month or $169.99 per year – both of which only let you stream on two devices at the same time.

As well as the ability to stream simultaneously with other household members, there are other benefits that come with the higher price tag, so it might be worth it if you use Max often.

These include the ability to stream in 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio, but these are as available on selected titles so there's no guarantee every title in the library will be compatible with high definition streaming. You can also have up to 100 downloads to watch on the go if you're traveling and need to stream offline.

What if I subscribed through a bundle from another company?

All eight seasons of Game of Thrones are on Max. (Image credit: HBO)

We are anticipating that all Max subscribers will be affected by the change, if it will be following Netflix and Disney Plus' password crackdown models. That means that the Disney Plus, Hulu, and Max mega bundle will also be impacted by the new account restrictions when these are enforced.

What if I want to use my Max account on holiday, or if I'm travelling for work?

Max can be watched on the go via the app. (Image credit: Chris Delmas)

We don't know about Max's plans around this yet. At the time of writing, if you want to stream Max content while you're abroad, you can only do so if it is available in the country you're visiting.

The service is now accessible outside of the US. It's available in Europe, except the UK, Latin America and the Caribbean. It's also expected to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2025. For a full list of all the countries, visit the help page on Max's site to find where it's available.

Will Max let me use a VPN?

Proton VPN is available in 110 countries. (Image credit: Proton)

Max, like other streaming services does block known IP addresses associated with some VPN networks, so it is not always guaranteed that you can stream using one.

If you are considering trying one of the best VPNs, you should be aware that it's a potentially risky move, and what works today may well be blocked tomorrow.

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• Halliburton confirmed losses in 8-K filing with the SEC
• Ransomware attack attributed to RansomHub occured in summer 2024
• The crooks stole some sensitive data, but the details are still unknown

Halliburton confirmed the ransomware attack which recently hit the company cost the business $35 million in losses.

The oil giant shared the news via a quarterly financial report, filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In late August 2024, the company reported discovering an unauthorized third party in its systems, which forced it to take certain systems offline. As a result, its operations were limited, and certain clients disconnected, causing the company to lose millions of dollars.

Stealing data

Soon after the breach was announced, a threat actor called RansomHub assumed responsibility for the attack. This group gained notoriety after the Change Healthcare breach, having been confirmed as the affiliate that forced the healthcare giant to part ways with more than $20 million in ransom.

Unfortunately for the hackers, they never saw any of that money, since the ransomware’s operators, ALPHV, took all the loot and disappeared into the digital wilderness.

Still, RansomHub said it stole sensitive data from Halliburton, something the company also confirmed in a subsequent 8-K form. However, there is no word on the type of data stolen, or its amount.

"We experienced a $0.02 per share impact to our adjusted earnings from lost or delayed revenue due to the August cybersecurity event and storms in the Gulf of Mexico," commented Jeff Miller, Chairman, President, and CEO at Halliburton.

"Our full year expectations for free cash flow and cash return to shareholders remain unchanged, and we expect both to accelerate in the fourth quarter."

Halliburton is a global American multinational corporation that provides products and services to the energy industry, especially in oil and gas exploration, development, and production. It is present in more than 70 countries, and earns more than $20 billion in revenue. It currently employs more than 45,000 people.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Hot Topic data breach effects continue to emerge
• Leaked dataset reportedly includes encrypted credit card numbers
• Threat actor 'Satanic' has claimed responsibility

Breach notification site Have I Been Pwned has confirmed the personal data of 56,904,909 users was found online, leaked from Hot Topic, Torrid, and Box Lunch customers.

Threat actor ‘Satanic’ claimed responsibility for the breach, which was allegedly carried out through an infostealer infection, and made possible by weak security practices.

The dataset is reportedly on sale for $20,000 (although this has since been lowered to $4,000) and the hackers are demanding a $100,000 ransom from Hot Topic to remove the listing from the forums. Apparently, no notifications have been sent to customers as of yet.

Risk of identity theft

The leak reportedly occurred on October 19, but the data spans back all the way to 2011, so if you’ve used the Hot Topic website since then, we recommend being vigilant with your information just in case.

The data is said to have included email addresses, encrypted credit card numbers, physical addresses, and email addresses.

Reports suggest an employee's device was infected with malware, which resulted in the theft of more than 240 credentials, leading to the extensive data breach.

When a person is affected by a data breach, the worry is that a threat actor may purchase their details and use them to commit identity theft. We’ve listed the best identity theft protections to help keep you safe.

Via BleepingComputer

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• Fujifilm's first-ever dedicated filmmaking camera is called the GFX Eterna
• Release date planned for 2025
• It will feature the same 102MP medium-format sensor as the GFX100 II

Fujifilm has announced the development of its first-ever cinema camera, the Fujifilm GFX Eterna, which is slated for a 2025 release.

Fujifilm's official statement does not provide much information, but it does contain enough to give us a picture of what to expect and to get excited about. It even includes the very first images of the medium-format beast, which you can see below.

It'll use exactly the same 102MP medium-format CMOS II HS sensor and X-Processor 5 engine as the five-star-rated GFX100 II. This costly mirrorless camera leans more heavily toward video than the watered-down GFX100S II. However, the new GFX Eterna will go one further than the hybrid GFX100 II – which, in addition to 8K video skills, is also an excellent stills camera – as a fully-fledged filmmaking tool.

Its name, Eterna, is an obvious nod to one of Fujifilm's most popular Film Simulations, a color profile that Fujifilm describes as "Based on ETERNA, a film designed for motion pictures, this Film Simulation mode minimises saturation to ensure that none of the colors stand out. It provides an extremely soft tonal gradation in highlights and deep shadows to prevent clipping, to reproduce a cinematic look."

Alongside announcing the GFX Eterna, Fujifilm is developing a 32-90mm power-zoom cinema lens and a GF to PL mount adapter – the latter is an industry-standard lens mount. We don't know the GFX Eterna's list price yet, nor that of the lens, although to give you a rough ballpark, the GFX100 II was launched at $7,499 / £6,999 / AU$12,599.

(Image credit: Fujifilm ) A filmmaking industry shake-up?

Like Nikon with its RED camera takeover, Fujifilm is looking to disrupt the indie filmmaking market with an altogether different offering. Its larger medium-format sensor is a clear selling point over industry staples such as the RED Digital Camera Komodo and the Blackmagic Ursa-series. However, its infancy in the market could leave filmmaking stalwarts unconvinced.

On the other hand, Nikon is surely leveraging the RED name and the filmmaking tech it has owned since acquiring RED for its future video-focused cameras, including coveted color profiles developed by RED. Fujifilm is coming in new, utilizing its own sensor tech, which could be enough to tempt pros to give it a whirl. While its widely recognized Film Simulations could eventually win acclaim in this part of the industry that's historically closed off to newcomers.

To be one of the best video cameras in this professional realm, Fujifilm needs to develop the Eterna hardware wisely. It will, of course, need the inputs demanded by pros, including an XLR input for serious audio equipment and built-in ND filters, which are likely a must. There's also work to be done in creating cine lenses for the GF-mount, which are currently all photography-first lenses by design.

However, regarding the GFX Eterna, I'd have every confidence in Fujifilm making something pretty special at the first time of asking.

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• LG concepts give us a glimpse of future infotainment systems
• Advanced AI can order a coffee if the car detects drowsy drivers
• Even the steering wheel has a screen

Keen to position itself as a leader in next-generation automotive infotainment systems, LG Electronics has unveiled the third edition of its Mobility Labworks Series Digital Cockpit concept.

Designed to be a ‘modular’ system that automotive brands can easily implement in future vehicles, the concept consists of future displays, a look at next-generation human-machine-interface and the inclusion of advanced AI for safer driving and increased convenience.

The LG Vision Display concept is arguably the most recognizable modern infotainment system in the series, as it consists of a 12.3-inch Transparent OLED screen that offers key data, such as navigation, current speed and points of interest.

Like many of LG’s other innovations in its latest series, it is designed for high levels of autonomous driving and also features a 14.2-inch 'roll-in-and-out Plastic OLED' (P-OLED) display that's embedded in the center console. This can be retracted when not in use to keep a clean interior aesthetic.

Continuing to riff on the idea that the next generation of drivers won’t actually have to do much driving, LG also showcases a touch-sensitive curved OLED display that has been integrated into the steering wheel.

(Image credit: LG)

This takes care of driving settings and allows the driver to easily manage navigation and climate control when piloting the car, but also doubles-up as a multimedia hub for when the car takes over driving duties.

More importantly, LG has incorporated what it refers to as its ‘AI-based virtual assistant’ that can detect if a driver is getting tired and will suggest entering autonomous modes.

Furthermore, it can even navigate to a nearby coffee shop for a rest, as well as order and pay for said coffee via the screen’s built-in fingerprint recognition sensor.

Arguably the most audacious of all the concepts is LG’s slightly long-winded ‘Connectivity & Content Solution for Seamless Entertainment and Smart Mobility’. This effectively transforms the rear passenger seats into an interactive entertainment hub, highlighting the company’s webOS platform via a plethora of screens.

It features a large display console that’s attached to an armrest, as well as an entire unit that wraps over the heads of passengers and places another high-definition screen in front of their eyes.

According to the electronics specialist, this system allows users to navigate content and control volume using hand gestures.

LG continues its advance into the automotive space

(Image credit: LG)

It comes as no surprise that South Korean electronics giant LG has already started to work alongside fellow homegrown talent in the Hyundai Motor Group.

The upcoming EV3 features LG’s Automotive Content Platform (ACP), which is powered by webOS, while the Genesis GV80 debuted an earlier version last year.

Designed to mimic the user-interface found on LG’s range of smart TVs, the operating system is constantly being updated with new content that can be listened to on-the-move or streamed while stationary.

In some markets, the Hyundai Motor Group offers access to LG Channels, which offers over 80 live TV channels, real-time news updates and over 400 VOD content options, including movies, dramas, and animated series for children.

The natural next step for LG is to start designing and manufacturing the physical displays that this operating system will run on (as handily highlighted by its Mobility Labworks Series), taking some of the technological heavy lifting out of the hands of automotive manufacturers.

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