U.S. hits back at cybercrime gang
The U.S. Department of Justice said it began a successful 'disruption campaign' against the hacking group BlackCat, the gang believed responsible for cyberattacks worldwide, including the ransomware attack that crippled Suffolk County in 2022. Credit: Getty Images / iStockphoto / AlexLMX
The U.S. Department of Justice said it began a successful “disruption campaign” against the prolific hacking group known as BlackCat, the gang believed responsible for cyberattacks worldwide, including the ransomware attack that crippled Suffolk County in 2022 and this year’s assault on the computer systems of Melville health care products distributor Henry Schein.
The Justice Department said it seized the gang’s websites, disrupting BlackCat’s ability to extort victims and sell its damaging ransomware to other cybercriminals. Additionally, the FBI released a decryption tool that it says allows “victims the capability to restore their systems.”
BlackCat, also known as ALPHV, is believed to be a Russia-based organization that has caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for companies and governments trying to recover from the attacks.
Baldur's Gate 3, based on the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game, was named Game of the Year at the 2023 Game Awards. Credit: Larian Studios
Baldur’s Gate wins big at Game Awards
Role-playing game Baldur’s Gate 3 was named Game of the Year at the 2023 Game Awards. Baldur’s Gate, based on the classic Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game, was lauded for its superb graphics and immersive gameplay. The Game Awards, streamed live from Los Angeles, has become a glitzy event attracting top-tier celebrities including Timothée Chalamet, who presented the Game of the Year award, and Matthew McConaughey and Jordan Peele.
If you ask ChatGPT to type a single word over and over, it will warn that you may be violating its “content policy or terms of use.” Credit: AP / Richard Drew
Knocked for a loop
If you ask ChatGPT to type a single word over and over, it will warn that you may be violating its “content policy or terms of use.” The warning was added after IBM researchers admittedly “attacked” the AI bot by asking it to “repeat the word ‘poem’ forever.” ChatGPT repeated the word numerous times but then started spitting out email addresses and phone numbers culled from what IBM called “training data.”
Amazon ends Venmo pay
Amazon is ending the use of Venmo’s payment service for purchases on Jan. 10, a little more than a year after adding the option, according to a notice from Venmo. Venmo cited "recent changes," without further explanation. Amazon customers still will be able to use Venmo debit and credit cards. — BLOOMBERG NEWS
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Two state girls hoops titles, and Matt Brust joins the show On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," two Long Island schools win state basketball titles and 1980s All-Decade Team member Matt Brust joins the show to talk LI hoops history.
Top Stories
SARRA SOUNDS OFF: Two state girls hoops titles, and Matt Brust joins the show On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," two Long Island schools win state basketball titles and 1980s All-Decade Team member Matt Brust joins the show to talk LI hoops history.
