TechRadar News

• ESET 2024 Threat Report outlines the year's top risks
• Crypto scams are using deepfake videos to trick victims
• New ransomware groups are growing to replace Lockbit

If you’ve encountered any social media scams this year, you’re not alone. The ESET 2024 threat report has revealed investment and crypto scams are dominating the digital landscape, alongside ransomware and infostealers -despite law enforcement's best efforts.

Most social media users will probably have noticed a serious rise in the number of scams this year, and especially in ‘investment opportunities’ targeting hopeful crypto entrepreneurs. Criminals are increasingly using deepfakes and AI generated content, often featuring celebrity images to legitimize the brand.

The primary goal of these scams is to harvest data from victims, and encourage them to invest money into fraudulent products and schemes, even going as far as to create fake testimonials, adverts, and positive reviews on X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, in order to seem authentic - so be skeptical of any online endorsements.

Filling Lockbit’s shoes

Elsewhere in 2024, the infamous Lockbit disruption has left a vacuum which is being filled by new and existing groups. RansomHub stepped up to the challenge, and has claimed almost 500 victims so far, including Kawasaki and Halliburton. Although Lockbit is rebuilding its infrastructure, its reputation has taken a hit, and the group has struggled to recruit skilled hackers into its ranks.

There’s also been some upheaval in the infostealer arena, with huge players RedLine and Meta taken down by Dutch authorities in October of this year. As a result of this, competitor Lumma stealer has become more popular than ever, seeing a 368% increase in the second half of 2024.

One of the top malware players, Agent Tesla, has seen a 26% decrease in detections in the second half of the year. This doesn’t mean malware is on the decline though, as Formbook saw a resurgence, even hitting 7,000 detections in one day.

The cyberthreat landscape is fickle and unpredictable. Law enforcement have seen some important victories this year, but inevitably any disrupted groups are soon replaced by their competitors.

“The second half of 2024 seems to have kept cybercriminals busy finding security loopholes and innovative ways to expand their victim pool, in the usual cat-and-mouse game with defenders.” said ESET Director of Threat Detection Jiří Kropáč.

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• The FBI warned about the existence of new HiatusRAT malware
• The malware can take over devices and grant remote access
• Hackers are also targeting government agencies with it

A new Remote Access Trojan (RAT) malware has been detected targeting Chinese-branded web cameras and DVRs used in Western companies.

HiatusRAT, and it allows threat actors to “take over and control a targeted device from a distance”, says the FBI, which released a new Private Industry Notification (PIN) warning Hiatus’ operatives most likely kicked off their campaign in July 2022, and were looking to spy on US government organizations.

“Cybersecurity companies have also observed these actors using the malware to target a range of Taiwan-based organizations and to carry out reconnaissance against a US government server used for submitting and retrieving defense contract proposals,” the PIN says.

DVRs and web cams

The PIN noted the attackers were especially targeting web cameras and DVRs with known vulnerabilities, especially those who reached end-of-life, and those whose vendors are yet to patch the flaws.

Xiongmai and Hikvision were some of the names mentioned in the PIN, although the wording suggests that there are more vendors whose equipment is being targeted.

The FBI also said HiatusRAT scanned for IoT devices in the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the UK, for flaws including CVE-2017-7921, CVE-2018-9995, CVE-2020-25078, CVE-2021-33044, CVE-2021-36260. The crooks were also looking for devices with weak vendor-supplied passwords.

To run the scans, the attackers apparently used off-the-shelf, open-source software: “They used Ingram — a webcam-scanning tool available on Github — to conduct scanning activity,” the FBI said. “And they used Medusa — an open-source brute-force authentication cracking tool — to target Hikvision cameras with telnet access. Targeted TCP ports have included: 23, 26, 554, 2323, 567, 5523, 8080, 9530, and 56575.”

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• Roku's upping its ecosystem integration with new smart home features
• Select TVs and streaming players will now offer a picture-in-picture mode
• Smart home notifications will also appear on the big screen, thanks to this update

Roku has been on a streak of adding additional features. After updating its iconic “City” screensaver, it’s unveiling a slew of smart home features that will arrive on its streaming players and TVs.

Suffice it to say that the leading feature has been coming for a long time and will be a big win for anyone with single or multiple security cameras. Roku is bringing ‘picture-in-picture’ to its smart TV interface, meaning that if motion is detected, it won’t take over your whole screen but instead will appear in the corner of the TV.

Furthermore, if it’s an area you want to keep an eye on, you can pin that live feed to a corner of your TV. This allows you to take in whatever content you’re watching while keeping an eye on the security feed. Super handy, especially if you have a baby monitor or a dog camera. This matches the smart home picture-in-picture functionality we’ve seen on other smart TVs like Samsung’s Tizen or Google TV.

(Image credit: Roku)

As you might expect, the picture-in-picture functionality will be rolling out to select Roku TVs and streaming players, and it works with the brand's indoor and outdoor wired cameras.

While this picture-in-picture feature is the leading new attraction, Roku's update also introduces several other features, including a “Camera Carousel,” an innovative fix for scrolling through cameras. This feature cycles through your Roku cameras and automatically switches to one if motion is detected.

We're also pleased to see smart home notifications for Roku devices finally appearing on Roku TVs. This way, you’ll get notified if motion is detected and you can easily jump into the live feed.

If you ever want to view your Roku cameras outside of the proprietary app or on the big screen, they’ve also created a website – cameras.roku.com – where you can authenticate and access a live feed.

These latest updates for Roku TVs and streaming players – like the new Ultra – strengthen the brand's ecosystem and give you deeper integration between all the devices. It’s a win if you already have a Roku TV and a camera, and it might make you invest further into Roku’s product lineup.

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• Spain, Italy, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, Germany and Greece get the green light
• European Union will fund half of the projects together with nation-state funding
• More applications are being welcomed until February 2025

The European Union has announced €750 million in investment to establish AI supercomputers across seven sites on the continent.

The initiative forms part of a broader €1.5 billion joint project, with the other half of the funding set to come from EU member states, as part of an effort to take on US tech giants and become what EVP for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, envisions as an ‘AI continent.’

As part of the announcement, we now know the seven chosen locations for AI supercomputers in Europe - Barcelona, Spain; Bologna, Italy; Kajaani, Finland; Bissen, Luxembourg; Linköping, Sweden; Stuttgart, Germany and Athens, Greece.

Seven EU AI supercomputers confirmed

The supercomputers in Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Sweden will be deployed as “brand-new world-class AI-optimised supercomputers,” with the Spanish and Greek sites getting upgrades to raise their status.

By deploying the seven new supercomputers, the Commission hopes to more than double its EuroHPC computing capacity, with rollout scheduled for 2025-2026.

“Today we are one step closer to setting up AI Factories. Using European supercomputers, we will enable AI start-ups to innovate and scale up," Virkkunen added.

“Now we are ready to lead with the right infrastructure in our ambition for the EU to become the AI continent. We are on track to make the AI factories initiative a reality in the first 100 days of the new European Commission.”

The AI Factories are part of a broader strategy in the European Union to encourage AI development and deployment across sectors where it can really make a difference, like healthcare, finance and manufacturing. Other member states have also been invited to submit proposals by February 2025.

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• Millions of dollars worth of crypto is being stolen from wallets
• The victims are being linked to the 2022 LastPass hack
• The hack saw both encrypted and unecrypted data stolen from the password manager provider

The hacker responsible for the huge LastPass breach in 2022 has continued their rampage by using stolen data to take $5.36 million from 40 crypto wallets.

The August 2022 hack saw the attacker gain access to information that allowed them to later successfully breach a cloud-based storage environment which stored customer keys, API tokens, multi-factor authentication (MFA) seeds, and encrypted password vaults.

While the password vaults were encrypted, the master password used to open them could still be brute forced if it was weak, reused, or previously leaked, which may be the reason for a string of crypto thefts against LastPass users since 2022.

The fallout continues

The latest theft is being linked to the LastPass breach by a blockchain expert known as ZachXBT (via The Block). ZachXBT claims in a Telegram post this is just the latest in a long line of crypto thefts affecting victims of the LastPass breach, with $4.4 million being stolen in October 2023, and a further theft of $6.2 in February 2024.

“Stolen funds were swapped for ETH and transferred to various instant exchanges from Ethereum to Bitcoin,” ZachXBT wrote in their Telegram message. “Cannot stress this enough, if you believe you may have ever stored your seed phrase or keys in LastPass migrate your crypto assets immediately.”

The Verge previously reported between the time of the breach in August and December of 2022, over $35 million was stolen from 150 apparent victims of the LastPass breach.

These subsequent breaches of crypto wallets highlight the importance of using unique passwords for every single account, and ensuring that each password adheres to recommended password security standards by using one of the best password generators.

Even if you have changed your password manager provider since the LastPass breach, any compromised passwords that are still being reused are at risk, as evidenced by these crypto thefts. It is also recommended to use a strong authenticator app that uses biometric verification to secure your accounts even if an attacker knows your username and password.

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• Netflix has renewed A Man on the Inside for season 2
• Created by Michael Schur, the series became Netflix's no. 1 TV show when it was released
• A Man on the Inside follows a retired professor who goes undercover in a retirement home to find a stolen family heirloom

I wasn't expecting to cry at a comedy series, but the hit Netflix show A Man on the Inside did just that – and I can't wait to experience the emotional rollercoaster all over again as the show has been renewed for season 2.

Debuting with a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score from the critics, the sitcom quickly became Netflix's number one most-watched show and has remained in the 'Top 10' for the past three weeks. It's no surprise though since A Man on the Inside was created by comedy connoisseur Michael Schur, the mastermind behind hugely successful series like The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Parks and Recreation, and The Office.

Series creator Schur told Tudum: “We are thrilled to make another season of A Man on the Inside, starring young up-and-comer Ted Danson. From our partners at Netflix and Universal TV to the writers, cast, and crew, it’s a truly exceptional team of talented and lovely people, with one notable exception (young up-and-comer Ted Danson, who’s kind of a nightmare).”

A MAN ON THE INSIDE. SEASON 2.The heartwarming comedy series from Mike Schur and starring Ted Danson is set to return in 2025! pic.twitter.com/fUFsbuZHhWDecember 16, 2024

What can we expect in A Man on the Inside season 2?

At the moment, there are no details regarding the plot for A Man on the Inside season 2, but we can expect that Ted Danson will go on another undercover adventure after his comedic escapades in an assisted-living facility. The first season of the best Netflix show has even earned a Golden Globe nomination for Danson's performance.

Based on Maite Alberdi's 2020 documentary The Mole Agent, Danson plays Charles, a retired professor still grieving his wife's death. However, he's given a new lease of life when he goes undercover at a retirement home to help a private detective solve the mystery of some stolen jewelry.

Although, keeping a low-profile proves to be harder than expected as the lovable Charles quickly connects with his fellow residents. Being a "man on the inside" helps Charles realize that there's a lot more to life and allows him to reconnect with his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) in the process.

As one of three new Netflix shows I've watched in December and would highly recommend, A Man on the Inside sensitively handles issues that me and many other people can connect to with plenty of heartwarming humor. If you haven't already, your mission is to watch A Man on the Inside before the second series arrives on the best streaming service in 2025.

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• Windows 11 (Build 26120.2702) is currently being tested
• One new feature is support for multiple apps accessing the webcam at once
• More webcam settings are coming

Microsoft continues to tinker with Windows 11, but this time it looks like it’s added a feature many of us had been asking for (rather than shoving yet more ads into the Start menu): support for multiple apps to access the webcam at once.

As Windows Central reports, an early version of Windows 11 (Build 26120.2702) is currently being tested by people signed up to the Windows Insider program, and it includes a new multi-app camera feature.

At the moment, you can only use one camera app at a time in Windows 11, so if you’re on a video call using Google Meet, for example, and also want to stream on Twitch at the same time, you won’t be able to – you need to pick which app has access to the camera.

New advanced camera configuration: “Allows multiple applications to access the camera stream simultaneously” https://t.co/N4KJvg1nHnDecember 13, 2024

This new feature will mean you don’t have to pick one app at a time to access your webcam – multiple apps will be able to access it at the same time. I’m not sure if there’s a limit to the amount of apps you can run at once with access to the webcam, but using a lot could have a big impact on your PC’s performance.

A welcome accessibility addition

While there are plenty of scenarios where you would want two or more apps to access your webcam at the same time, Microsoft highlighted the accessibility benefits of this new feature, especially with the hard-of-hearing community.

Since the pandemic, more people than ever rely on webcams to keep in touch with friends, family and coworkers, so any additional features like this could prove popular. Windows Central also claims that Microsoft is working on further webcam settings that will allow you to control the resolution, frame rate and media type of your footage as well.

It’s certainly a welcome addition, and a nice change from Microsoft forcing features into Windows 11 that no one wants. More updates like this, and fewer of the kind that tries to add more adverts or force us to use AI features, would do wonders for Windows 11’s reputation.

Hopefully the feature proves successful during testing and will be included in an official Windows 11 update soon.

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• 120 hours of battery life
• Wireless, wired and Bluetooth modes
• £137

One of the frustrating things about even the best wireless headphones is that Bluetooth connections are often prone to significant latency – which means there's a slight delay between the signal being sent and it reaching your ears. That's not an issue for listening to music, but it's a problem for making it: if you're a DJ matching beats or a musician recording takes, even a little bit of latency can really ruin your day.

The new Studio Max 1 headphones from OneOdio have a clever solution to that: an ultra-low latency wireless connection, wired connectivity and Bluetooth too. So when you're on the bus you can stream your tunes over Bluetooth; when you're mixing, mastering or monitoring you can use the lower latency connections instead.

And there's another boon for music makers: a claimed 120 hours of battery life.

OneOdio Studio Max 1: key features and pricing

The frequency range is 20Hz to 40kHz and the headphone are Hi-Res Audio certified with support for LDAC streaming.

The included wireless transmitter operates in the 2.4GHz frequency range and the Bluetooth version is 5.3. Playing time is up to 120 hours and you can recharge fully from flat in about two hours.

If you're using the wireless transmitter, OneOdio says you can expect 10 to 15 days of use if you're averaging 4 hours of daily streaming. Fast charging gives you 2.5 hours of transmission time in about 5 minutes.

There are four modes: DJ Wireless Mode, which uses the wireless transmitter; Wired Monitoring mode, which uses the 3.5mm interface; DJ Wired Mode, which uses the 6.5mm connector for studio and DJ kit; and Portable Bluetooth Mode.

They'll hot shelves officially in February next year, priced $169.99 / £137 (which is around AU$275, where sold) but for now, you can find out more about the Studio Max 1 on the OneOdio website.

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• The Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 updates the ZS80 / TZ80 with USB-C charging
• It features a massive 30x optical zoom, and shoots 20MP photos and 4K video
• Panasonic also announced the Lumix G97 mirrorless camera, designed to replace the cheap Lumix G95

One thing I didn't have on my 2024 bingo card was a new Lumix point-and-shoot camera, even though it's a trending market. But Panasonic just surprised us by announcing the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 (it's called the former in the US and the latter elsewhere), which will be available from February 2025.

The Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 packs a Leica lens with a whopping 30x optical zoom – a 24-720mm range that's way more versatile than your smartphone, and which can be doubled digitally to 60x using Panasonic's iZoom feature.

It's a pocketable snapper that weighs just 11.35oz / 322g and features a 1.84m-dot tilt touchscreen, plus a new quick-send image button for smartphone uploads via Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth v5.0.

You can shoot 20.3MP photos, 4K video up to 30fps, and HD video 120fps, plus there's a new vertical video mode, all supported by Panasonic's 5-axis Hybrid Optical image stabilization, which should ensure crisp detail even when you're zoomed right in.

However, we've seen virtually all of this tech before in the Panasonic Lumix ZS80 / TZ80, the 2016 model that the new ZS99 / TZ99 essentially replaces. So why are we getting a new Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 all these years later? Well, crucially the new camera supports USB-C charging, thus adhering to the EU's Common Charger Directive that comes into force in 2025. We saw a similar move by Panasonic earlier in the year when it revived one of its bridge cameras.

Panasonic also launched the Lumix G97, a new mirrorless camera with 20.3MP Micro Four Thirds sensor. It updates the cheap Lumix G95 with USB-C charging (again in order to keep it on the shelves in 2025 and beyond) plus a couple of new buttons, but it's otherwise the same camera. Sales start in mid-February 2025, and it will cost $849.99 / £799 (Australia pricing TBC) with the 12-60mm lens. (Image credit: Panasonic) Panasonic keeps point-and-shoot alive, just

The USB-C charging port is the only significant update in the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 that I can see over the Lumix ZS80 / TZ80 model it replaces. That predecessor is now almost 10 years old, although, as is the case with other Lumix point-and-shoots, you'll struggle to find one new to buy, especially since they will all eventually be pulled from the shelves.

Panasonic has even downgraded the newer model by removing the predecessor's electronic viewfinder, presumably in order to squeeze in the new USB-C port and buttons. That's a real shame, and it hardly fills me with excitement for the new model.

While I would have preferred meaningful updates and certainly no downgrade, it's good to see Panasonic keeping the Lumix point-and-shoot line alive. The Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 on-sale date is set for mid-February 2025, and it'll cost $499 / £469 (Australia pricing TBC).

Might we see a properly upgraded point-and-shoot in the future? I hope so. For now, though, I can recommend the Lumix ZS99 / TZ99 for those looking for a decent cheap compact camera.

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Google has announced its new AI video generation model, Veo 2, and you can join the waitlist to start creating videos of your own, today.

The new AI video generator looks set to take on OpenAI's newly launched Sora in the battle for AI video supremacy in 2025, and if Veo 2 is as good as Google says it is, then the ChatGPT creator is under real pressure.

In a blog post, Goggle says, "Veo 2 creates incredibly high-quality videos in a wide range of subjects and styles." The announcement also highlighted Veo 2's ability to capture "an improved understanding of real-world physics and the nuances of human movement and expression, which helps improve its detail and realism overall."

Meanwhile, OpenAI's Sora launched in the US last week, and one of the biggest criticisms so far is that the AI video generator can't capture movement in a way that looks truly natural to the eye. The Veo 2 press release hints that Google thinks its own video generator can outshine Sora in this department.

Another major improvement in Veo 2 compared to OpenAI's Sora is the ability for Google's offering to output in resolutions up to 4K, a stark contrast to Sora Turbo's (the premium tier of Sora for ChatGPT Plus subscribers) 1080p max output.

Veo 2 launches today in the US, although there is a waitlist, and Google plans to expand the video generation tool to YouTube Shorts and "other products" next year.

Better than Sora in benchmarks?

(Image credit: Google)

Google also claims that in testing, Veo 2 outperformed rivals in human testing where participants viewed over 1,000 prompts and respective videos on MovieGenBench, a benchmark dataset. In those results, Veo 2 was preferred to Sora Turbo on 58.8% of occasions compared to 14.5% who were neutral, and 26.7% who preferred Sora Turbo. While one benchmark isn't enough to clearly indicate which AI video generator is better, it's a good sign for Google that Veo 2 passes the eye test.

We won't know how Veo 2 compares to Sora until we get our hands on the video creation tool. That said, Google's emphasis on cinematographic understanding could lead to Veo 2 being deemed the best AI video generator. Like any AI product, the proof is in the pudding and we looking forward to putting the new model through its paces ourselves.

How to get early access to Veo 2

(Image credit: Google)

To gain access to Veo 2, you'll need to be over 18 and reside in the US. If you meet those requirements, follow the steps below.

• Head to the Google Labs website
• Sign into your Google account and select "Join the waitlist"
• Fill out the early access form
• Google will inform you once you've gained access to Veo 2

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• A brand new look at the Nintendo Switch 2 has seemingly leaked
• The leak comes from a third-party accessory company Dbrand and features a 3D render of the console
• Dbrand's CEO says the model is based on a "3D scan of the real hardware"

A new leak may have given us our first proper look at the Nintendo Switch 2.

Dbrand, the third-party game accessory manufacturer, has just announced its new Killswitch 2 case for the upcoming Nintendo Switch successor alongside a 3D render with what appears to be the Switch 2 inside.

The web page for the accessory is still live at the time of writing, showcasing a looping 360-degree animation. It provides us with perhaps our best look at Nintendo's unannounced console.

According to Dbrand's CEO Adam Ijaz, who spoke to The Verge following the Killswitch 2 reveal, these are the "actual dimensions" of the Nintendo Switch 2, not a guesstimate, and are based on a "3D scan of the real hardware".

With Dbrand's measurements, the Switch 2 is larger and taller than the original Switch model and the Switch OLED - which aligns with previous reports - but has roughly the same thickness.

Ijaz claims that the console will measure 270mm wide, 116mm tall, and 14mm thick, compared to the Switch's measurements of 242mm x 102mm x 13.9mm.

The featured kickstand should also measure around 55mm and the CEO said it's his "understanding" that the device's Joy-Cons are "magnetically attached" with an ejection button on the back of the Joy-Cons to release them.

There's also a new square-shaped button with the letter "C" featured under the Home button, but Ijaz doesn't know its purpose.

Just last week, another third-party accessory company, Satisfye, also leaked what appeared to be the design of the Switch 2 alongside its new ZenGrip 2 attachment for the console.

The reveal trailer provided a blurry glimpse of the device which gained online attention before the video was deleted.

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• CXL 3.2 provides a range of key improvements
• Security updates are a major focus for 3.2
• CXL has become increasingly vital in the age of AI

CXL Consortium has announced the release of its new Compute Express Link (CXL) 3.2 specifications, bringing a raft of optimized funcationalities to the technology.

In its announcement, the consortium revealed the upgraded specification will improve CXL Memory Device monitoring and management capabilities, and enhance the functionality of CXL Memory Devices for both operating systems and applications.

Security improvements are also a key talking point with the introduction of the Trusted Security Protocol (TSP).

What to expect from CXL 3.2

CXL plays a crucial role in how GPUs and CPUs interact with memory, helping to standardize cross-device communication and reduce delays. All told, this helps make systems faster and more efficient when handling large volumes of data.

With the advent of generative AI, CXL has become increasingly important given the rapid data processing requirements of applications, and this latest update will further improve upon previous specifications, particularly in terms of CXL Memory Device monitoring and management.

The new specification will include a new CXL hot page monitoring unit (CHMU) aimed specifically at streamlining memory tiering.

Similarly, the consortium unveiled compatibility with PCIe management message pass through (MMPT) alongside improvements to CXL online firmware.

Security improvements are a key focus in this latest update through TSP, the consortium noted, including new meta-bits storage features, the expansion of IDE protection, and enhanced compliance tests for interoperability.

Full backwards compatibility with previous CXL specifications was also assured by the consortium.

“We are excited to announce the release of the CXL 3.2 Specification to advance the CXL ecosystem by providing enhancements to security, compliance, and functionality of CXL Memory Devices,” said Larrie Carr, president of CXL Consortium.

“The Consortium continues to develop an open, coherent interconnect and enable an interoperable ecosystem for heterogeneous memory and computing solutions.”

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• Pika just released the Pika 2.0 AI video creator with advanced customization tools
• You can upload and customize characters, objects, and settings with the new Scene Ingredients feature
• Pika 2.0 offers a contrast to OpenAI's Sora by aiming at individuals rather than big studios

AI video creator Pika Labs is metaphorically elbowing OpenAI and Sora for some of the limelight with a new version of its platform. Pika 2.0 comes with a suite of new features for making custom videos with AI and arrives only weeks after the company released the Pika 1.5 model with its host of new visual effects.

Pika is even taking unsubtle jabs at OpenAI by describing Pika 2.0 as "Not just for pros. For actual people. (Even Europeans!)" in reference to the enterprise focus of Sora and its limited global release that so far doesn't include European countries.

Rivalry aside, Pika 2.0 has plenty of new perks, making it fairly appealing. The most notable is Scene Ingredients. Imagine a virtual kitchen with a pantry of video elements you can pick from. You choose the characters, props, backgrounds, and other bits you want to incorporate and let Pika's AI blend and bake them.

Let’s say you want to make a clip of a surfing cat in space. Until now, you'd need to write a prompt for the video, perhaps with an image reference for the cat. With Scene Ingredients, you can upload your favorite cat's photo, a stellar background image of the sky at night, and a picture of your dream surfboard, and Pika will mash it up into a delicious, cohesive scene.

Even without images to embed in videos, Pika 2.0 better understands text prompts thanks to its upgraded text alignment. If you’ve ever typed a prompt into an AI tool and gotten something that only vaguely resembled what you wanted, you'll likely notice how Pika is less likely to mess up your idea when making the video.

If you ask for a dragon to fly over a medieval castle during sunset, the AI will be much more likely to show a video with a dragon that actually flies, a castle that looks like a castle, and a sunset that doesn’t look like a lava explosion. And with upgraded motion rendering, all the characters in the video will walk, fly, roller skate, or cartwheel without looking like they are floating or that their joints don't all connect.

Pika for all

Pika’s pitch is about giving the average person or small group control over making videos without making it too complicated. Hence, the deliberate, if oblique, mocking of OpenAI and Sora for their Hollywood-level focus projects. Pika 2.0 is aimed at those making clips for TikTok of marketing videos for side hustles.

That doesn't mean Pika has no other competition besides OpenAI, though. There are AI video platforms for all kinds of projects: Pollo, Runway, Stability AI, Hotshot, and Luma Labs' Dream Machine have something to offer the average aspiring AI filmmaker.

If you want to try out Pika 2.0, it’s available to free and paid users, with limits on the free tier. You can also switch back to earlier models if you desire to.

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Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,000 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 #1058) - 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 #1058) - 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 0.

Quordle today (game #1058) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1058) - 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 #1058) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• E

• S

• A

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

Quordle today (game #1058) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1058, are…

• DOING
• ENJOY
• SNAKY
• AMPLE

I’m used to forgetting the titles of songs, the names of actors (the ones who were in that other thing I watched the other day), and the actual thing I went to the supermarket for, but today I forgot a letter.

The tried and trusted Quordle technique is to get all of the vowels in your first two words. I know this, but somehow today A went, erm AWOL.

Still, I managed to rescue things, despite the sneaky SNAKY and rarely seen letter J popping by for ENJOY.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Daily Sequence today (game #1058) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1058, are…

• SHRUG
• SCALE
• CRUMP
• WEDGE

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1057, Monday 16 December: HYDRO, CREAM, CHIDE, SLIME
• Quordle #1056, Sunday 15 December: DROVE, STILT, LINEN, GIANT
• Quordle #1055, Saturday 14 December: SPIEL, ONSET, TIGER, DITTO
• Quordle #1054, Friday 13 December: ERECT, REBAR, MOIST, IDIOM
• Quordle #1053, Thursday 12 December: MILKY, CRIER, STORK, DRIER
• Quordle #1052, Wednesday 11 December: BRIAR, NASAL, SHARD, FLUFF
• Quordle #1051, Tuesday 10 December: BEGAN, TRIAL, IDEAL, GUIDE
• Quordle #1050, Monday 9 December: TITAN, FORTE, SPEED, BRIAR
• Quordle #1049, Sunday 8 December: BUNCH, SHINY, MOULT, INTRO
• Quordle #1048, Saturday 7 December: SHAKY, CROOK, GHOUL, VERSE
• Quordle #1047, Friday 6 December: BRAWL, UNTIL, DOWRY, STING
• Quordle #1046, Thursday 5 December: AGING, BICEP, CLOVE, SPILL
• Quordle #1045, Wednesday 4 December: JUDGE, GIVER, GNASH, CLOAK
• Quordle #1044, Tuesday 3 December: FUDGE, THICK, CRANK, STASH
• Quordle #1043, Monday 2 December: TROPE, HOVER, SAUNA, SHAPE
• Quordle #1042, Sunday 1 December: NAIVE, CIRCA, STEAD, MICRO
• Quordle #1041, Saturday 30 November: MAMMA, SNUCK, CRYPT, TAROT
• Quordle #1040, Friday 29 November: JOIST, DROOL, DUSKY, GLIDE
• Quordle #1039, Thursday 28 November: GRADE, WORRY, NOISE, DAISY
• Quordle #1038, Wednesday 27 November: HEART, ROGUE, INEPT, UTILE

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

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

NYT Connections today (game #555) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• TISSUE
• CARPET
• WAX
• PLUCK
• DRAG
• NERVE
• CLAY
• GRAPH
• GRASS
• ARTERY
• HARD
• HEART
• DRIVE
• GRIT
• CONSTRUCTION
• AVENUE

NYT Connections today (game #555) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: Spirit
• GREEN: On the… 
• BLUE: For wrapping and writing
• PURPLE: 40-15

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #555) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: INTREPIDITY
• GREEN: ROAD
• BLUE: KINDS OF PAPER
• KINDS OF TENNIS COURTS

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

NYT Connections today (game #555) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #555, are…

• YELLOW: INTREPIDITY GRIT, HEART, NERVE, PLUCK
• GREEN: ROAD ARTERY, AVENUE, DRAG, DRIVE
• BLUE: KINDS OF PAPER CONSTRUCTION, GRAPH, TISSUE, WAX
• PURPLE: KINDS OF TENNIS COURTS  CARPET, CLAY, GRASS, HARD

• My rating: Hard
• My score: 2 mistakes

Perhaps if we were in the thick of the tennis season I would have got there a bit more quickly today, but having said that CARPET does not automatically spring to mind when you think of tennis surfaces. Presumably tennis carpet is different to the shag-pile material you might find in a living room – although I like the idea of Sinner and Alcaraz duking it out in their slippers.

Meanwhile, the only reason I got the Green group is because I used to have a friend who was always going on about going to the main DRAG on Saturday night. “You going down the drag?” he’d ask relentlessly.

I have to admit I was reluctant. Hitting the crowded bars and clubs in the center of town might be some people’s idea of a great night out, but I’ve always found it a bit of a drag. I’d rather watch tennis. Or play Connections.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Monday, 16 December, game #554)

• YELLOW: TYPES OF RADIO AM, HAM, SATELLITE, WALKIE-TALKIE
• GREEN: KINDS OF PLAY FIGHTS FOOD, PILLOW, SNOWBALL, WATER BALLOON
• BLUE: SNACK CAKES DEVIL DOG, DING DONG, HOHO, YODEL
• PURPLE: CLASSIC JOKE STAPLES BAR, CHICKEN, KNOCK-KNOCK, LIGHT BULB

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

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

NYT Strands today (game #289) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… It's lit!

NYT Strands today (game #289) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• STAIR
• LAST
• CART
• FIRST
• SWEET
• LATE

NYT Strands today (game #289) - hint #3 - spangram What is a hint for today's spangram?

• Book types

NYT Strands today (game #289) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: left, 4th row

Last side: right, 4th row

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

NYT Strands today (game #289) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #289, are…

• CRIME
• FANTASY
• ROMANCE
• WESTERN
• HISTORICAL
• SPANGRAM: FICTION GENRE

• My rating: Easy
• My score: 1 hint

According to Writer’s Digest there are 114 FICTION GENREs and sub genres – and that’s not including WESTERN (a genre of literature set in the American Old West frontier and typically set from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century).

Alternative genres today’s Strands could have included: Fabulist, Dark fantasy, Biopunk, Supernatural Menace, and Bangsian Fantasy (stories speculating on the afterlives of famous people). Oh, and Wuxia (fantasy tales set within the martial arts traditions and philosophies of China). I suspect if any of those had been included I might have struggled more than I did here.

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Monday, 16 December, game #288)

• SMOG
• SPORT
• BRUNCH
• ZORSE
• ATHLEISURE
• ANKLET
• SPANGRAM: PORTMANTEAUX

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

• You won't need to search for another app to make an EOY recap for Instagram
• The app is rolling out a new Collage type for Stories to create your own
• There are new secret effects for DMs and more 'Add Yours' stickers

Between Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay, it’s a reminder that 2024 is coming to a close, and that might have you thinking about making end-of-year recaps for Instagram. But, rather than searching for the best collage apps to download, like Top 9 or whatever the latest craze is – maybe a new CapCut template? – Instagram’s going to do some of the heavy lifting this year.

That’s right – Instagram is rolling out a new Collage style for Stories, which will let you recap your year with the right style. It’s an “EOY-themed Collage” and will be an easy way to share your top moments with friends, family, and the rest of your followers.

Judging from the example photos shared of the new Collage, you should be able to freely place several images on one Story slide and choose from themed fronts. For instance, there’s a neon “How 2024 Started” that can be paired with “How 2024 Ended” and a smaller, just as spicy “HNY.” There is even a countdown sticker type, which looks similar to the reminder functionality currently available in Instagram Stories.

(Image credit: Instagram)

To encourage others to share their favorite moments of the year, Instagram will debut four new “Add Yours” stickers. You can also theme your DMs for New Year's Eve with lasers, but there are more festive ones, including a Mariah Carey Christmas.

(Image credit: Instagram)

You also might want to try sending “Happy New Year” or “Hello 2025” in an individual DM or a group chat, as it will cause a new special effect on-screen.

As with most Instagram updates, these are a gradual rollout – so that’s beginning today and it’s wise to make sure your app is up to date and keep checking back, as it should hit most users by the end of the week and will stick around until the beginning of January 2024.

Of course, while Instagram is hoping you won't be reaching for another app – and since I have a crowded home screen – if these end-of-year collages don't fit the bill, rest assured there will be alternatives off the app. We'll just need to wait and see.

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• ChatGPT brings its conversational search engine to everyone

Day eight of the 12 Days of OpenAI was shorter than the previous days by several minutes, but the brevity fits with the ChatGPT Search news OpenAI CPO Kevin Weil and his team unveiled. Unlike the Projects feature unveiled on Friday, most people using the Internet understand the concept of searching for things online.

Still, it wasn't without some exciting news for ChatGPT users, especially those not paying for a subscription. Only ChatGPT Plus subscribers had access to the search feature when it launched as a beta a few months ago, but now it's universally accessible if you log in to your account.

(Image credit: Future)

And it's not just the same ChatGPT Search that subscribers have played with until now. OpenAI claims the search performs better and more accurately than before. And, when you ask a question, the AI will decide if it needs to pull fresh data from the web or answer based on what it already knows. You get results with web previews, images, and even videos that play right in the chat, which might put an end to tab-hopping.

ChatGPT mobile app users will also notice that the search feature integrates more smoothly into Android and iOS. The iOS version even links with Apple Maps to provide directions. Furthermore, ChatGPT Search now works with voice mode on the mobile app, so you can get the AI to search online without typing.

(Image credit: Future) Search AI

Say, for instance, you’re in the mood for sushi. You can use ChatGPT as your local guide and ask, “Where’s a good sushi spot nearby?” ChatGPT will give you options, complete with photos, links, and directions, linking to Apple Maps on iOS. Because ChatGPT looks up recent information online, it can even work for seasonal outlets.

Ask, “What time does the Christmas market close?” and ChatGPT will fetch up-to-date hours and details so you’re not left out in the cold. Or if you're wrapped in a blanket on the couch, you can ask, “What’s a good comedy movie on Netflix?” and even watch the trailer directly in the chat.

Thanks to the voice mode connection, the search can be done hands-free. So, if you’re hands-deep in a cooking project and need a quick recipe or measurement conversion, just ask ChatGPT out loud. It’ll give you answers while you stir the pot.

ChatGPT Search may not immediately replace the classic search engines, but its conversational style brings something fresh. Of course, OpenAI isn't the only one pursuing AI-powered search. That's the main use of tools like Perplexity, which Claude and, naturally, Google Gemini have variations on as well.

Still, ChatGPT Search is a solid addition to the 12 Days of OpenAI, which promises a more developer-focused announcement tomorrow. We will see if the company can search for anything more exciting to close out the rest of the event this week.

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• BADBOX most likely originates from China
• The malware can run ad fraud, residential proxies, and more malicious activity
• The network was recently disrupted by German authorities

German authorities have managed to disrupt a major malware operation that affected thousands of Android devices across the country.

The Federal Office of Information Security (BSI) said BADBOX came preloaded on Android devices with older firmware, which were essentially sold as infected.

Some 30,000 devices across the country were compromised, the agency added, with digital picture frames, media players, and streaming devices being the most common endpoints - however, some smartphones and tablet devices were possibly infected as well.

Outdated Android devices

"What all of these devices have in common is that they have outdated Android versions and were delivered with pre-installed malware," the BSI said in a press release.

The agency outlined how BADBOX was capable of carrying out a number of malicious activities.

Mostly, it was built to silently create new accounts for email and message services, which were later used to spread fake news, misinformation, and propaganda, but BADBOX was also designed to open websites in the background, which would count as ad views - a practice generally perceived as ad fraud.

Furthemore, the malware was able to act as a residential proxy service, lending the traffic to malicious third parties for different illegal activities. Finally, BADBOX can be used as a loader, as well, dropping additional malware on the devices.

The operation was reportedly first documented by HUMAN’s Satori Threat Intelligence more than a year ago, and that it most likely originates from China. The same threat actors allegedly operate an ad fraud botnet called PEACHPIT, as well, designed to spoof popular Android and iOS apps, and its own traffic from the BADBOX network.

"This complete loop of ad fraud means they were making money from the fake ad impressions on their own fraudulent, spoofed apps," HUMAN said at the time. "Anyone can accidentally buy a BADBOX device online without ever knowing it was fake, plugging it in, and unknowingly opening this backdoor malware."

Via The Hacker News

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• The Ray-Ban Meta glasses just got new Live AI in Early Access
• Shazam music recognition is here too
• All new features are only available in the US and Canada

Meta is rounding out the year with a major update to its Ray-Ban smart glasses with two Live features it teased at Meta Connect 2024. It’s also adding Shazam integration to help you find the names of tunes you hear while wearing your specs.

The only downside of the awesome-sounding Live features are that they’re in early access, so expect them to be less reliable than your typical AI tools. They'll also only be available to Early Access Program members in the US and Canada. You can enroll at Meta’s official site.

But if you are in the Early Access Program you can now try Live AI and Live Translation.

Live AI is like a video version of Look and Ask. Instead of taking a quick snap, your glasses will continually record your view so you can converse with it with about what you can see – or other topics. What’s more, while in a Live AI session you won’t need to say “Hey Meta” over and over again.

Meta adds that “Eventually live AI will, at the right moment, give useful suggestions even before you ask.” So be prepared for the AI to butt in with ideas without you prompting it directly.

The babelfish gets closer

Shazam is coming to your Ray-Ban specs (Image credit: Shazam)

Live Translation is another real-time AI tool. This time it allows the AI to automatically translate between English and either Spanish, French, or Italian.

When you’re speaking to someone who is using one of those three languages you'll hear what they say in English through the glasses’ open-ear speakers, or see it as a transcript on your phone – and they'll be able to hear or read a translation of what you’re saying in their language.

Thankfully, the update isn't all about just early access features.

If you’re out at an end-of-year party and like the sound of a tune you can also ask your glasses “Hey Meta, Shazam this song,” and it will tell you what song is playing via the Shazam music recognition tool.

Unfortunately, while this feature is available more widely it is once again only available in the US and Canada – so folks in the UK and beyond won’t have access to it yet.

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