Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG), the parent company of brands including Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Regent hotels, has confirmed that it has been subject to a cyberattack.
In a statement, IHG said it was aware of the situation and promises it isinvestigating “unauthorized access” to its systems.
It added that it continues to assess the, “nature, extent and impact of the incident”, and that it plans to notify “relevant regulatory authorities”.
IHG cyberattack
The announcement continues to emphasize that “IHG’s hotels are still able to operate and to take reservations directly.” Any customers looking to arrange or amend a booking should contact the relevant hotel directly, for example by phone, rather than use the company’s affected booking system.
At present, there are no suggestions that customers’ data has been lost or compromised, though we await further updates from the company.
TechRadar Pro has reached out to IHG for comment, and will post an update here if we get a response.
Among other parts of its services, IHG’s booking channels have not been functioning properly since September 5, 2022. Disgruntled customers have taken to social media, with one user saying on Twitter Tuesday evening:
“What is going on with your system? For at least 19hrs. Phones and apps not working- afraid to book anything. No customer service at all”.
Another user publicly tweeted Holiday Inn asking whether their reservation was still in place, to which the company replied.
“We are still experiencing a system issue and our teams are looking into this. We advise contacting the hotel directly for immediate assistance. We're sorry for the difficulties.”
iPhone 14 series was launched globally on Wednesday. The series consists of iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. The iPhone 14 prices start from $799 (roughly Rs. 63,700).
Apple, today, hosted the ‘Far Out’ launch event. During the event, the company unveiled the Apple Watch Series 8 and Watch SE (2nd Generation). The Watch Series 8 features new watch faces and a temperature sensor that enables female wearers to monitor their ovulation cycles. It can be ordered today, and will be available starting September 16.
AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) truly wireless stereo (TWS) earphones were launched on Wednesday at Apple’s ‘Far Out’ event. The Cupertino-based company announced the successor to its AirPods Pro TWS earphones that were launched in 2019 with Spatial Audio with head tracking support and Dolby Atmos audio.
At Apple's September 2022 event, the company updated the more-affordable Apple Watch SE with a redesigned back case, new motion sensors and faster processing.
First up, the Apple Watch Series 8. It's packing new features including the much-touted skin temperature sensor, which performs the dual function of improving sleep tracking and menstrual tracking simultaneously. It can detect shifts of 0.1 degree Celsius thanks to its two-sensor design.
Apple says tracking temperature changes can indicate ovulation, and help notify you of cycle deviations which can indicate other health disorders. However, Apple is also placing an emphasis on the privacy of this data, which is encrypted on your device with two-factor authentication.
Vehicle crash detection is a new feature using several motion sensors including an accelerometer, barometer, and GPS. It will automatically notify an emergency contact should you get into a fender-bender.
The Apple Watch Series 8 still has all-day 18-hour battery life, while a new low-power mode can give you 36 hours of battery life. International roaming for cellular watches will be available in 30 countries.
The watch comes in four colors: midnight, starlight, silver and, product red, and metallic shades of silver, gold and graphite. It starts at $399 for the GPS model and $499 for the cellular version in the US, and will ship on September 16.
(Image credit: Apple)
Next up is the Apple Watch Ultra, which costs $799 in the US. It's rugged, able to withstand temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius or 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and the biggest Apple Watch ever thanks to its 49mm titanium case.
The key feature is a new customizable Action button. The Ultra's Action button can now start your workout, transition between race legs for triathletes, and operate the new Depth app underwater. It's got a 36-hour battery life, and its low-power workout mode reportedly allows you to run a long race with full GPS coverage.
It uses a new, precise dual-GPS solution, L5, with custom positioning algorithms, which Apple claims to be “the most accurate GPS of any smartwatch in the market”. It's tailor-made for adventures: an orienteering view on the compass app allows you to add waypoints with the Action button, the BackTrack functionality allows you to easily retrace your steps on the trail, while WR100 water resistance and aforementioned Depth app make it perfect for divers. The Watch also functions as a dive computer, which can be used underwater with the Action button and larger digital crown.
Finally, the Apple Watch SE 2 is outfitted with many of the same features and specs that come with the Watch 8, and at a great price –$249 for the GPS model and $299 for the cellular model. It's also due for release on September 16. You've got a choice of silver, midnight, and starlight colors with an aluminum casing.
The Apple Watch SE 2, like the Series 8, is swim-proof and dust-proof and incorporates the new Crash Detection feature and skin temperature sensor.
The screen is 30% larger than the Watch 3, and 20% faster than the previous Apple Watch SE thanks to the new S8 processor, but otherwise Apple has skimped on new hardware to keep the price down. It's a good move in our book – the new processor is going to allow it all of the fantastic features of watchOS 9, without excessive updating of parts driving the price up too much.
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A new hacking tool can supposedly beat any security protections set up to prevent cyberattacks, and gain access to some of the world's most popular websites, reports suggest.
The operator behind the EvilProxy tool says it is able to steal the authentication tokens needed to bypass the multi-factor authentication (MFA) systems used by the likes of Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter.
The service is particularly concerning as it promises to make such attacks available to all hackers, even those who may not have the precise skills or knowledge needed to attack such prominent targets.
Phishing threat
The tool was discovered by security firm Resecurity, which notes that EvilProxy (also known as Moloch) is a reverse-proxy Phishing-as-a-Service (PaaS) platform being advertised on the dark web.
It offers to steal usernames, passwords, and session cookies, for a cost of $150 for ten days, $250 for 20 days, or $400 for a month-long campaign - although attacks against Google attacks will cost more, coming in at $250, $450 and $600 respectively.
Reverse proxies typically sit between a website and some form of online authentication endpoint such as a login page. EvilProxy tricks its victims using phishing lures, taking them to a legitimate page where they are asked to enter login credentials and MFA information. This data is then sent to the intended, legitimate website, logging them in, and also generating a session cookie containing an authentication token, which is sent to the victim.
However, this cookie and the authentication token can then be stolen by the reverse proxy, which, as noted, is located in between the user and the legitimate website. The attackers can then use this token in order to log in to the site masquerading as their victim, bypassing the need to re-enter information on the MFA process.
Resecurity notes that aside from the cleverness of the attack itself, which is simpler to deploy than other man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, what also sets EvilProxy apart is its user-friendly approach. After purchasing, customers are given detailed instructional videos and tutorials on how to use the tool, which boasts a clear and open graphical interface where users can set up and manage their phishing campaigns.
It also offers a library of existing cloned phishing pages for popular internet services, which along with the names mentioned above, include the likes of GoDaddy, GitHub, Dropbox, Instagram, Yahoo and Yandex.
"While the sale of EvilProxy requires vetting, cybercriminals now have a cost-effective and scalable solution to perform advanced phishing attacks to compromise consumers of popular online services with enabled MFA," Resecurity noted.
"The appearance of such services in the dark web will lead to a significant increase in ATO/BEC activity and cyberattacks targeting the identity of the end users, where MFA may be easily bypassed with the help of tools like EvilProxy."
The most powerful phones you can buy today are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, but Qualcomm makes mobile platforms at a variety of prices and power levels. Only the series 8 and series 7 platforms had gotten the new “Gen 1” designation, but today the company unveiled the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 4 Gen 1. The announcement comes only a day before Apple is expected to announce its flagship mobile chip, the A16 Bionic.
These new Qualcomm Snapdragons will power mid-range phones and super-cheap devices, respectively. To understand the difference, the current OnePlus Nord N20, which costs around $300, uses a Snapdragon 6-series chipset, and the Nord N200, which costs closer to $200, uses a Snapdragon 4-series chipset.
Qualcomm advertises a number of new advantages for these Gen 1 platforms over the older generation, but it’s truly up to the manufacturers to implement all of the benefits. For instance, the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 can take photos up to 108MP, but that only matters if the phone maker includes a 108MP sensor and the appropriate camera hardware and software. The Snapdragon 4 platform can now do the processing work, as long as the phone can shoot the image.
Analysis: Why on this night do we get new Snapdragons?
Tomorrow Apple is expected to announce the Apple iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max with a brand new A16 Bionic chipset. The new Apple iPhone 14 will have to live with the existing A15 Bionic. Clearly Qualcomm sees an opportunity to strike.
By launching new hardware for cheaper phones, Qualcomm is effectively pointing out that even cheaper new Android phones use brand new Qualcomm chips with new capabilities, while only the newest and most expensive Apple device gets an upgrade this year.
Google is also expected to update its new Tensor chips this year, which should debut on the announced Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro phones. However, rumors suggest that next year’s Pixel Tablet may see last year’s Tensor chips. This makes sense for a mid-range tablet device, but would add fuel to Qualcomm’s brand new chipset fire.
Apple is lackadaisical when it comes to the upgrade cycle, often taking more than a year to upgrade the external designs and internal components in its phones. We’ve long seen device makers like Samsung and Google take advantage of its slow pace with multiple smartphone launches per year. Finally we’re seeing the chip makers playing the same game.
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Microsoft has told customers it will no longer be accepting payment by check as it looks to modernize its accounting systems.
The Register uncovered an advisory from the computing giant issued to direct-bill partners transacting through its Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) program in the US and Canada confirming that it would not accept check payments from the end of this month.
“Effective October 1, 2022, Microsoft will remove the check payment option from new commerce invoices. This change affects only the United States (including Puerto Rico) and Canada," the advisory states.
No more checks
Microsoft went on to add that all new and prospective partners will be required to send payments to the company via wire transfer or ACH (automated clearing house - also known simply as direct payments) only, and that it would also stop including details on how customers could pay by check on invoices issued from October 1.
The company hasn't said exactly why it's bringing in the changes now, but the use of check payments has been steadily declining in recent years as customers increasingly turn to online methods.
The costs incurred from manually processing checks, as well as the lengthy amount of time they take to transfer from one account to another are also likely motivations for Microsoft to move on to better methods.
The news comes as Microsoft customers are being confronted with price rises across some of its most popular offerings.
In March 2022, the company announced its first “substantive” price increase for Office 365 since launching the software back in 2011, with enterprises set to pay more depending on how many employees they have when they need to renew their subscriptions.
And in April 2022, it also confirmed that the price of its Microsoft 365 suite would be rising for non-profit organizations, with some packages seeing an increase of almost 30%.
Apple is set to host the ‘Far Out’ launch event on September 7. The event will be livestreamed via the company’s official YouTube channel. Viewers can also watch the event via Apple TV and Apple’s event page on its website. The company is expected to launch the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Max, iPhone 14 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Pro, a...
Is it just me, or is the premium Dolby Atmos soundbar category exploding?
Last week’s IFA 2022 in Berlin was a literal showcase for upscale, full-featured soundbars, with Philips unveiling the powerful and stylish Fidelio FB1 ($899 / €899 / $1,316 AU) and Sennheiser the Ambeo Plus ($1,499 / £1,297), a compact version of its regular Ambeo offering (now upgraded in name to Ambeo Max).
Based on specs alone – as well as my subjective impressions following demos at IFA – both of these models are clear contenders for our list of the best soundbars alongside the formidable Sonos Arc. But they weren’t the only premium soundbars to make their debut in Berlin. TCL was also showing its X937U, a 7.1.4 soundbar system that really looks primed to steal some of the Arc’s thunder.
At around $800 / €800 / $AU 1,200, or $100 less than the Sonos Arc, the X937U is a very potent soundbar package for the price. The 7.1.4-channel system features both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing and supports Dolby Vision pass-through on its 3 HDMI ports (including one with eARC).
Beyond making a TV, streaming box, or disc player HDMI connection to the X937U, listeners can wirelessly beam high-res music to it using the DTS Play-Fi protocol. It also supports streaming via AirPlay, Chromecast, and Spotify Connect, and works with Alexa and OK Google voice commands.
Unlike the Sonos Arc, the X937U comes bundled with wireless surrounds (with both front-facing and upfiring speakers for Atmos) and a wireless subwoofer. Three 2-way speakers are used for the left, center, and right channels, and full-range speaker drivers for the remaining channels, with power specified at 1,020 watts total.
What you see on the surface of the X937U soundbar is an attractive gray fabric wrap (TCL says it uses “eco-friendly” materials) that’s also applied to the surround speakers. What you don’t see is the Ray-Danz acoustic lens design that works with the speaker drivers to expand the soundstage and create a more immersive effect without digital processing.
Sitting down to give the X937U a listen, I was impressed with the powerful, dynamic sound the system was able to muster in TCL’s sprawling, but not overly crowded, IFA booth. Achieving sufficient loudness will not be a problem with this soundbar! While the high-ceilinged exhibit hall was a way less than optimal environment for demonstrating Dolby Atmos, I still experienced some degree of immersion, and certainly heard the wraparound effects of surround sound.
TCL's 7.1.4 soundbar system includes both a wireless subwoofer and surround speakers (not shown in photo).(Image credit: Future)
Premium soundbars: the (sound) wave of the future
Two days prior to my encounter with TCL’s X937U soundbar at IFA, I sat through a Philips presentation for its new Fidelio FB1 where the company shared data indicating that premium models were the fastest growing segment of the soundbar market – rivalling even the inexpensive entry-level offerings that have continually been popular. The upshot of the presentation was that viewers are eager to get not just better sound with their TVs, but fully immersive 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos sound.
Systems like the TCL X937U, Philips FB1, and Sennheiser Ambeo Plus that were all introduced at IFA are all well-engineered premium offerings that deliver 7.1.4 sound in a compact form factor – in the Sennheiser’s case, from a single, fully integrated soundbar.
Both the Philips and the TCL models also feature DTS Play-Fi, a wireless streaming tech similar to AirPlay and Chromecast that distinguishes itself through its support for up to 24-bit/192kHz high-res audio. Not only that, but Play-Fi also supports multi-channel streaming, and at IFA DTS parent company Xperi announced an update to Play-Fi expanding its capabilities to 7.1.4 immersive sound.
Between these three new offerings alone, the Sonos Arc will imminently be getting serious competition in the premium soundbar space. TCL’s new system looks particularly promising in that it delivers 7.1.4 sound using a full array of physical speakers instead of Atmos virtualization processing – something used by both the Sonos Arc and Sennheiser Ambeo Plus. And it’s priced at $800, making it more affordable than most other premium 7.1.4 Atmos sound packages by a long shot.
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The blockbuster, coming to Disney Plus and digital on Thursday, fails to give Natalie Portman and Christian Bale enough time to shine as it tries to stuff in too much.
