Airlines

Winsage
May 22, 2025
US and European authorities have seized computer systems used by hackers to access a sophisticated hacking tool called Lumma, which has been involved in high-profile cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks and bank thefts. Microsoft took offline approximately 2,300 web domains linked to this activity. Around 394,000 computers worldwide running Windows software were found to be infected by Lumma, targeting various institutions, including airlines, universities, banks, and hospitals, resulting in credit card losses of .5 million in 2023. The primary developer of Lumma is based in Russia, where he markets the tool on platforms like Telegram, charging between [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: US and European authorities have taken significant steps to dismantle a sophisticated hacking tool that has been instrumental in a series of high-profile cybercrimes, including ransomware attacks and bank thefts. On Wednesday, the US Justice Department announced the seizure of the computer systems utilized by hackers to access the tool, known as Lumma. Concurrently, Microsoft executed a court order to take offline approximately 2,300 web domains associated with this cybercriminal activity. Impact on Cybercrime This coordinated effort represents a substantial setback for a global hacking enterprise that has proliferated over the past two months. Microsoft reported discovering around 394,000 computers worldwide running Windows software infected by Lumma. The tool has been leveraged to target a range of institutions, from airlines and universities to banks and hospitals, with several Fortune 500 companies also falling victim. Brett Leatherman, the FBI’s deputy assistant director for cyber operations, revealed that Lumma-related attacks resulted in credit card losses totaling .5 million in 2023 alone. However, the crackdown faces challenges, particularly due to the involvement of Russian sovereignty. Analysts from Microsoft have identified the primary developer of Lumma as being based in Russia, where he markets various access levels to the tool on platforms like Telegram and other Russian-language forums, charging between 0 and ,000. The US has previously charged numerous Russian hackers with serious cyber offenses against American entities, yet only a fraction of these individuals have been brought to trial in the US. Russian diplomats have consistently opposed the extradition of accused cybercriminals, complicating efforts to hold them accountable. When asked whether the FBI believes Lumma’s lead developer is currently in Russia, Leatherman refrained from providing specific details, stating, “Regardless of where these individuals sit, even if we can’t charge them with criminal conduct, our victim-centric approach is really focused on targeting that underlying ecosystem … because it brings relief to victims.” The law enforcement operation was a collaborative effort involving Europol, several American and European tech firms, and a Japanese organization. This strategy underscores a growing trend in combating cybercrime, leveraging the extensive reach of software companies within the global economy. Leatherman emphasized the broader implications of this investigation, stating, “This is part of a greater law enforcement investigation into the group [behind Lumma], and we hope that this will also fracture trust within the ecosystem itself.”" max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"] and ,000. The law enforcement operation involved Europol and several tech firms and aims to disrupt the ecosystem supporting cybercrime.
AppWizard
May 17, 2025
Google I/O is set to begin on May 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater in California, with live updates from Android Central. Google has revealed advancements including Gemini, Material 3 Expressive, and enhanced safety tools. Gemini will integrate across the Android ecosystem for a hands-free AI experience. Material 3 Expressive will enhance the user interface in Android 16, focusing on five design components. Wear OS 6 will receive a visual refresh. New warning systems in Android's caller and Google Messages will combat fraud, while the Find My Device feature will evolve into Find Hub with improved tracking capabilities. Warner Bros. Discovery will rebrand Max back to HBO Max this summer, marking the second rebranding in three years. Nothing's Phone 3 is set to launch this summer, priced around £800. Samsung introduced a limited-edition Galaxy Ring in South Korea, featuring a new colorway.
AppWizard
May 14, 2025
Google's Android operating system update on May 13 rebranded Find My Device to Find Hub, adding Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tag support and satellite connectivity for improved tracking. Google plans to partner with airlines to enable Bluetooth tag location sharing for lost luggage recovery, launching early next year. The update is part of the Android 16 revamp, which includes personalization options and the introduction of Material 3 Expressive. Additionally, Google I/O announced the transition from Google Assistant to Gemini Live across various platforms for a more intuitive AI experience.
AppWizard
May 14, 2025
Android's Find My Device is evolving into Find Hub, enhancing tracking for both possessions and loved ones. New features include built-in luggage tracking from July, a partnership with Peak for ski tracking, and Disney-themed Bluetooth tags from Pixbee. Find Hub will introduce nearby finding capabilities using ultra-wide band (UWB) technology with the moto tag. Later this year, satellite connectivity will be integrated for safety in areas without cellular service. Upcoming partnerships will allow easy sharing of Bluetooth tag locations with select airlines to aid in recovering lost luggage, set to roll out early next year.
Winsage
November 19, 2024
Microsoft is introducing a feature called "Quick Machine Recovery" to help IT administrators remotely fix unbootable systems via Windows Update, following a significant outage in July 2024 caused by a problematic update to the CrowdStrike Falcon software. This outage affected various critical sectors globally, leading to issues like boot loops and the Blue Screen of Death for users. The Quick Machine Recovery feature will allow targeted fixes without physical access to the machines and is expected to roll out in early 2025 for Windows 11 Insider Program participants. Additionally, Microsoft is working with security vendors on the Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) to develop tools that allow security software to operate outside the Windows kernel, reducing risks associated with kernel-level access. This initiative includes adopting Safe Deployment Practices for gradual and monitored updates. A private preview of these developments will be available in July 2025. Microsoft has also launched a new Windows 11 administrator protection feature and is focusing significant resources on security challenges through its Secure Future Initiative (SFI).
AppWizard
October 23, 2024
Huawei unveiled HarmonyOS NEXT, marking a shift away from the Android ecosystem. Public beta testing has started for select smartphones and tablets using Kirin and Kunpeng chips. This version does not support Android applications, emphasizing Huawei's goal of creating a self-sufficient platform. Notable native apps for HarmonyOS NEXT include Meituan, Douyin, Taobao, Xiaohongshu, Alipay, and JD.com, with over 15,000 native applications and meta-services launched. HarmonyOS NEXT features 110 million lines of code, a 30% performance enhancement, and extends battery life by an average of 56 minutes while freeing up about 1.5GB of memory. Currently, Huawei has no plans to introduce HarmonyOS NEXT outside of China. The launch signifies a step towards technological independence, as previous versions relied on the Android Open Source Project due to US sanctions. Huawei aims to extend HarmonyOS to personal computers, planning to phase out Windows, though timelines and adoption by other PC manufacturers are uncertain.
Winsage
August 28, 2024
CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) will release its fiscal Q2 2025 financial results on August 28, with analysts projecting earnings of [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) is preparing to unveil its fiscal Q2 2025 financial results on August 28. The company has experienced a notable boost from the ongoing trends in artificial intelligence, with analysts projecting earnings of [cyberseo_openai model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Rewrite a news story for a business publication, in a calm style with creativity and flair based on text below, making sure it reads like human-written text in a natural way. The article shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. The article shall NOT start from a title. Response language English. Generate HTML-formatted content using tag for a sub-heading. You can use only , , , , and HTML tags if necessary. Text: Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike Holdings (CRWD) is set to release its fiscal Q2 2025 financials on August 28. The company has significantly benefited from AI trends, with analysts predicting earnings of $0.97 per share and revenues of $958.3 million. These figures represent year-over-year increases of 31% and 30%, respectively, according to TipRanks. As we approach Q2, it’s crucial to note that CrowdStrike stock has faced significant declines recently. A global IT outage in July, triggered by a faulty update from CrowdStrike, led to a drop in its share price. This incident had widespread repercussions, impacting banks, airlines, and emergency services worldwide. In the past three months, the stock has fallen by 23.3%. While analysts forecast growth in both revenue and earnings for Q2, the financial and reputational fallout from the outage remains unclear. This uncertainty raises concerns about its potential impact on CRWD’s upcoming results. Analysts’ Mixed Sentiment on CrowdStrike Amidst Recent Outage According to TipRanks’ Bulls Say, Bears Say tool, bears contend that CrowdStrike’s recent outage revealed Quality Assurance issues, potentially causing customers to delay purchases. They also believe the outage stalled many deals, creating a moderate headwind to Q2 FY25 ARR (Annual Recurring Revenue). Additionally, they expect management to reduce Q3 ARR projections to about $200 million. Nevertheless, bulls view the current stock pressure as a compelling buying opportunity. They highlighted that in a Zero-Trust environment, the importance of endpoint security is growing, and CrowdStrike is well-positioned to be a key player in the cyber platform market. What Do Options Traders Anticipate? Using TipRanks’ Options tool, we can see what options traders are expecting from the stock immediately after its earnings report. The expected earnings move is determined by calculating the at-the-money straddle of the options closest to expiration after the earnings announcement. If this sounds complicated, don’t worry, the Options tool does this for you. Indeed, it currently says that options traders are expecting a 9.93% move in either direction. Is CrowdStrike a Buy or Sell? Ahead of Q2, most Wall Street analysts have maintained their Buy ratings on the stock over the past week, with the exception of Deutsche Bank’s Brad Zelnick, who is among the top 1% of Wall Street experts and has maintained a Hold rating on CRWD. Based on analysts’ consensus ratings, CrowdStrike stock is a buy ahead of Q2 earnings. It sports a Strong Buy consensus rating, reflecting 30 Buy, six Hold, and one Sell recommendations. At an average price target of $339.65, the average CRWD stock price target implies 27.75% upside potential. See more CRWD analyst ratings Disclosure  " temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" ].97 per share and revenues reaching 8.3 million. These anticipated figures reflect impressive year-over-year growth of 31% and 30%, respectively, as reported by TipRanks. As the second quarter approaches, it is important to acknowledge that CrowdStrike's stock has encountered considerable declines in recent weeks. A global IT outage in July, caused by a problematic update from CrowdStrike, resulted in a significant drop in share price. This incident had far-reaching effects, impacting banks, airlines, and emergency services across the globe. Over the past three months, the stock has seen a decline of 23.3%. Analysts’ Mixed Sentiment on CrowdStrike Amidst Recent Outage According to the Bulls Say, Bears Say tool from TipRanks, bearish analysts argue that the recent outage has exposed quality assurance issues within CrowdStrike, potentially leading customers to postpone purchases. They also suggest that this incident may have stalled several deals, presenting a moderate challenge to the company's Q2 FY25 Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). Furthermore, they anticipate that management might lower Q3 ARR projections to around 0 million. Conversely, bullish analysts perceive the current pressure on the stock as an attractive buying opportunity. They emphasize that in a Zero-Trust environment, the demand for endpoint security is on the rise, positioning CrowdStrike as a pivotal player in the cyber platform market. What Do Options Traders Anticipate? Utilizing TipRanks’ Options tool, we can glean insights into what options traders expect from the stock following its earnings report. The anticipated earnings movement is calculated by assessing the at-the-money straddle of the options closest to expiration after the announcement. According to the tool, options traders are currently forecasting a 9.93% move in either direction. Is CrowdStrike a Buy or Sell? As we near Q2, the majority of Wall Street analysts have upheld their Buy ratings on the stock over the past week, with the exception of Deutsche Bank’s Brad Zelnick, who ranks among the top 1% of Wall Street experts and has opted for a Hold rating on CRWD. Based on the consensus among analysts, CrowdStrike stock is considered a buy ahead of the Q2 earnings release. It boasts a Strong Buy consensus rating, comprising 30 Buy recommendations, six Holds, and one Sell. With an average price target of 9.65, the expected price target for CRWD implies a potential upside of 27.75%." max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.3" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].97 per share and revenues of 8.3 million, representing year-over-year increases of 31% and 30%, respectively. Recently, CrowdStrike's stock has declined by 23.3% due to a global IT outage in July caused by a faulty update, which affected various sectors worldwide. Analysts have mixed sentiments; bearish analysts cite quality assurance issues from the outage that may delay customer purchases and stall deals, while bullish analysts see the stock pressure as a buying opportunity, emphasizing the growing importance of endpoint security. Options traders expect a 9.93% price movement following the earnings report. Most Wall Street analysts maintain their Buy ratings on the stock, with a consensus rating of Strong Buy, reflecting 30 Buy, six Hold, and one Sell recommendations, and an average price target of 9.65, indicating a potential upside of 27.75%.
Winsage
August 12, 2024
Cricket Liu, Chief DNS Architect at Infoblox, discussed a global outage of Windows computers caused by a bug in CrowdStrike software on July 18. The software update led to widespread system failures in various sectors, including airlines and retail, with recovery efforts expected to take hours or days. The incident highlighted the risks of hosting critical network services like DNS and DHCP on Windows Servers, which are often targeted and vulnerable. Organizations are advised to run these services on dedicated servers independent of Windows infrastructure to reduce the risk of outages.
Tech Optimizer
August 5, 2024
A global IT outage caused by a flawed software update from CrowdStrike has led to increased cybercriminal activity, with phishing campaigns and malware distribution targeting individuals and businesses. The outage, which began at 1:20 a.m. ET on Friday, affected organizations reliant on Windows computers using CrowdStrike Falcon, resulting in widespread system failures. The Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning about the surge in online criminal activity and advised caution when interacting with communications related to the incident. CrowdStrike's CEO, George Kurtz, acknowledged the disruption and the company's efforts to assist affected customers. CrowdStrike is working to deploy a previous version of its Falcon software and has provided workaround steps for users experiencing issues.
Search