copyright

Tech Optimizer
July 11, 2025
Google has addressed a critical vulnerability in its Chrome browser, identified as CVE-2025-6554, which is the fourth zero-day exploit uncovered this year. This high-severity flaw originates from a type confusion bug within Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine, allowing attackers to execute malicious code or access sensitive areas of a system. Google has rolled out an emergency update for Chrome users across Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. The latest stable versions addressing this exploit are 138.0.7204.96/.97 for Windows, 138.0.7204.92/.93 for Mac, and 138.0.7204.96 for Linux. Users are urged to update their browsers and verify they are running the most recent version. Additionally, it is recommended to install reliable antivirus software for enhanced protection against cyber threats.
TrendTechie
July 1, 2025
A new method for downloading torrent files using Google Colab has been developed to avoid notifications from internet service providers and copyright infringement penalties. This method uses the aria2 utility to mask the user's IP address by executing scripts in Google Colaboratory, which runs aria2 on a Google-hosted virtual machine. Users can download files via magnet links while their IP address remains hidden, displaying the Google server's IP instead. Downloaded files are stored in Google Drive for later access, enhancing privacy and simplifying file retrieval.
Tech Optimizer
July 1, 2025
All software is susceptible to security vulnerabilities, but open-source solutions can enhance defenses against cyber threats, according to Jeremy Wilson, CTO for the North America public sector at EDB. He noted that the global community continuously inspects open-source code, leading to fewer issues and quicker resolutions. EDB's PostgreSQL database product is designed for online transaction systems, data warehousing, and analytics, incorporating security enhancements and performance improvements. EDB synchronizes its release cycles with the open-source community and aims to meet regulatory requirements, including obtaining FedRAMP High certification. EDB collaborates with Red Hat to implement security controls and has integrated features like transparent data encryption and APIs to support zero trust cybersecurity initiatives. Wilson acknowledged challenges agencies face when transitioning to open-source solutions, including legacy systems and regulatory compliance hurdles. EDB aims to provide a turnkey enterprise database that simplifies the migration of applications, ensuring compliance with FIPS 140-3 and DISA STIGs.
TrendTechie
June 27, 2025
The Piraeus Court of Appeals has upheld a five-year prison sentence for a 59-year-old Greek man who operated the torrent tracker P2PLanet from 2011 to 2014, along with a €10,000 fine. The platform had over 44,000 users and 14,000 torrent files available before it ceased operations in 2014 after a cyberattack and the administrator's arrest. The Greek cybercrime unit raided the suspect's residence in 2014, seizing a computer hard drive. The domain name p2planet.net has been inactive for a decade. Legal actions against torrent site operators in Greece are rare, indicating a potential shift towards stricter enforcement of copyright laws. In 2019, a Greek court sentenced another individual to five years in prison for managing multiple pirate sites. Global trends show a decline in piracy, with visits to illegal sites projected to drop from 229 billion in 2023 to 216 billion in 2024.
TrendTechie
June 26, 2025
Western users have discovered a technique for downloading torrents that helps evade warnings from internet service providers and financial penalties for copyright infringement. This method uses Google Colab with the aria2 downloader to mask the user's IP address. The process involves running programs in Google Colaboratory, which installs aria2 on a virtual machine, allowing users to download torrent files via magnet links. The downloads occur on Google’s servers, displaying a Google IP address to the torrent network. Files are stored in Google Drive for retrieval. Although this method conceals the user's IP address, downloading copyrighted materials remains illegal in many jurisdictions.
Winsage
June 26, 2025
Microsoft veteran Raymond Chen recounted issues during the development of Windows 9x, particularly regarding software copyright violations among PC manufacturers. The Windows 95 team aimed to ensure compatibility with various PCs, discovering a BIOS string "Not Copyright Fabrikam Computer" while examining firmware. In the early 1990s, branded PCs often had preinstalled software that unlocked premium features based on specific BIOS strings. Some manufacturers, like the fictional "Contoso," manipulated these strings to bypass licensing fees, which was likely illegal. The developers faced challenges retrofitting Plug and Play technology onto older systems while navigating these deceptive practices.
TrendTechie
June 24, 2025
A Greek court has sentenced the former administrator of the torrent site P2Planet.net to five years in prison, a €10,000 fine, and €1,800 in court costs. This is the first case in Greece where an individual has been imprisoned for file sharing via BitTorrent. The 59-year-old man operated the site from 2011 to 2014, which had over 44,000 registered users and approximately 14,000 torrents. The case was initiated after a police raid over ten years ago, and the verdict was delivered by the Piraeus Appeals Court after years of legal proceedings. Greek authorities are intensifying efforts against copyright infringement, with previous sentences given to administrators of other torrent sites.
AppWizard
June 23, 2025
The Harbour Masters have developed a native PC port of Mario Kart 64 called SpaghettiKart, allowing players to race without an emulator. Users must provide their own legally acquired ROM to comply with copyright laws. The project is still in development, featuring some bugs and crashes. The Harbour Masters are known for successful ports of other classic games, like Starfox 64. Detailed instructions and information about the required ROM can be found on the project's GitHub page.
Winsage
June 9, 2025
A recent Microsoft security update has created a new folder named "inetpub" on Windows systems, which is essential for system security. If users delete this folder, it can lead to significant vulnerabilities. Microsoft has released a Powershell script, Set-InetpubFolderAcl.ps1, to restore the "inetpub" folder and set the correct permissions. Systems that installed the April security update (KB5055528) must take immediate action if the "inetpub" directory is missing. The script also updates access rights for the "DeviceHealthAttestation" directory, if it exists. Administrative rights are required to run the script. This issue was highlighted by IT security researcher Kevin Beaumont, who noted that deleting the "inetpub" folder could disrupt the installation of future security updates.
Tech Optimizer
May 29, 2025
All modern Windows PCs come with Microsoft Defender, a built-in antivirus solution. A tool called Defendnot can disable Microsoft Defender by tricking Windows into believing another antivirus is active. It uses an undocumented API to register a counterfeit antivirus, which leads to Microsoft Defender being automatically disabled without user notification. Defendnot creates a scheduled task for persistence and allows customization of the antivirus name. It is a successor to a previous project, No-Defender, which was removed due to copyright issues. Currently, Microsoft Defender flags Defendnot as a threat.
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