contest

Winsage
December 18, 2024
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that Google generates more revenue from Windows than Microsoft does. He discussed the competition in the browser market, noting Google's dominance with Chrome and Microsoft's efforts to regain market share with Edge and AI tools like Co-Pilot. Nadella highlighted the open nature of Windows, which allows various AI tools to compete. He expressed satisfaction with OpenAI's partnership with Apple, which he believes benefits Microsoft. He acknowledged the competitive landscape involving major players like Google, Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI, emphasizing that success is not a zero-sum game. Nadella pointed out the shift in consumer expectations from traditional search engines to AI-driven tools and recognized Google's advantage in mobile distribution. He expressed confidence in Microsoft's strategies to reclaim market share and warned of the potential consequences of Google's monopolistic practices, emphasizing the need to change user habits to alter default search engine choices.
Winsage
December 18, 2024
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that Google now generates more revenue from Windows than Microsoft itself. He expressed nostalgia and frustration over the dominance of Chrome in the browser market, indicating a desire for Microsoft to reclaim its position. Nadella noted the challenges of an open Windows ecosystem, which allows competing AI tools to thrive, but remains optimistic about contesting for market share. He discussed the shift from traditional search to AI-driven agents and acknowledged Google's advantages in mobile distribution. Nadella also mentioned his long-standing ambition to secure a search deal with Apple, expressing delight at OpenAI's success in this area. He characterized the AI competition as "very competitive" but not a "winner take all" scenario, indicating Microsoft's commitment to innovation and competition.
AppWizard
December 17, 2024
The Christmas event in the survival shooter game Rust has begun and will run until January 2. Players can enjoy seasonal features such as festive hats, presents, and the "lickable candy cane club." They can hang stockings in their bases and will receive gifts from Santa regardless of their in-game behavior. Players can hear jingle bells signaling the arrival of Santa's sleigh, which drops presents within a 40-meter radius. Upon finding a present, players can open it for resources, weapons, and festive treats, and they can trade smaller gifts for larger ones. The event includes "Rustmas" Twitch drops and a base decorating contest with exclusive rewards. Ice sculptures have been delayed but are expected to be released before Christmas. Full details of the event and a celebratory video marking the game's 11-year anniversary are available.
Winsage
December 9, 2024
Researchers have identified a critical zero-day vulnerability affecting Windows systems. An alleged cyberattack attributed to Ukrainian actors targeted Gazprombank, one of Russia's largest financial institutions. The Russian hacking group BlueAlpha has been reported to exploit CloudFlare services. Microsoft has raised alarms about the Chinese hacking group Storm-0227, which is targeting critical infrastructure and U.S. government agencies. SonicWall has released patches for several high-severity vulnerabilities in its secure access gateway. Atrium Health disclosed a data breach impacting over half a million individuals. Rockwell Automation revealed four critical vulnerabilities in its Arena software that could allow remote code execution. U.S. authorities arrested an alleged member of the Scattered Spider gang, known for telecom hacks. A Nebraska man pleaded guilty to a .5 million cryptojacking scheme.
AppWizard
December 2, 2024
Researchers have identified 15 predatory loan applications on the Google Play Store that collectively garnered eight million downloads before being removed. These apps, which falsely advertised low-interest loans, engaged in extortion and harassment of users, particularly targeting individuals in South America, Southeast Asia, and Africa, including countries like Mexico, Colombia, and Senegal. The apps requested a one-time passcode to access user location information for their predatory practices. Users are advised to check app ratings, download numbers, and reviews to verify app legitimacy.
AppWizard
November 30, 2024
Google Maps and Chrome emerged victorious in the semifinals of a tournament to crown the best Google app icon. Google Maps defeated Google Photos after initially trailing, while Chrome maintained a lead to win against Google Wallet. Chrome's earlier victory over Gmail's 'M' was considered unexpected.
AppWizard
October 30, 2024
Publisher Bandai Namco, in collaboration with developer Grounding, Inc., is set to launch Death Note: Killer Within on November 5 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and PC (Steam). The game is an online social deduction game inspired by the Death Note franchise, allowing up to 10 players to engage in strategic gameplay divided into two teams. Players aim to uncover identities while either eliminating L or seizing control of the Death Note. The game features unique roles, cross-play support, and avatar customization options. It is exclusively online, requires an internet connection, and voice chat is recommended for enhanced gameplay. An announcement trailer and screenshots are available for viewing.
AppWizard
October 30, 2024
Game developer HuneX announced a new project titled Arcana Famiglia Rinato, set to launch in 2025 for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, celebrating the original game's 13th anniversary. The Arcana Famiglia franchise began in 2011, targeting a female audience and achieving over 50,000 copies sold. It has seen two spinoffs, Arcana Famiglia 2, and a PlayStation Vita port. The franchise also includes a 2012 anime adaptation, streamed by Crunchyroll and released on home video by Sentai Filmworks in 2013. The story is set on the island of Regalo, focusing on Felicitá, who competes to determine her father's successor and shape her own future. The franchise has inspired stage plays in 2016 and 2017.
Winsage
October 18, 2024
On May 18, 2024, Kaspersky’s Global Research & Analysis Team conducted the qualifying round of the SAS Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, which involved over 800 teams addressing cybersecurity challenges. One significant challenge highlighted a security vulnerability in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 systems, allowing kernel shellcode to be concealed in the system registry and executed during boot. This vulnerability is linked to an incomplete fix for CVE-2010-4398. Despite the end of security updates for Windows 7 in early 2020, the flaw was known to be only partially addressed, with exploitation evidence dating back to 2018. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems from NT 4.0 through Windows 7, allowing kernel shellcode to persist and execute at boot. Attackers exploit it through stack buffer overflows in the "dxgmms1.sys" and "dxgkrnl.sys" drivers using the RtlQueryRegistryValues function. In the CTF challenge, participants analyzed registry hives to identify a crash source, set up debugging for blue screen events, and examined a keylogger payload. The final competition of the SAS CTF will take place in Bali from October 22-25, 2024.
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