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Latest Tech News

More information has been revealed about how criminals are using the recently-discovered PaperCut security flaws, which looked to use humble office printers to gain entrance to corporate networks.

According to a new report on BleepingComputer, cybercriminals are using two flaws in the popular print management software to deliver the Atera remote management software to vulnerable endpoints. Such software allows the attackers to take full control of the target devices. 

We have also gotten two proofs-of-concept (PoC) showcasing exactly how the vulnerabilities could be exploited, exponentially increasing their destructive potential. The first PoC was released by attack surface assessment firm Horizon3, which explained that the exploit allows for "remote code execution by abusing the built-in 'Scripting' functionality for printers."

Few targets

The managed cybersecurity platform providers Huntress also showcased their PoC, but only in the form of a video demo. The actual PoC is yete to be released.

The silver lining is that there are only around 1,700 internet-exposed PaperCut servers that the attackers could target, BleepingComputer says, citing data from a Shodan search. Still, even one successful attack is one too many.

There are patches and workarounds for the flaws, though, so users are advised to address the problem immediately and minimize any potential risk. System admins should make sure their software is patched to versions 20.1.7, 21.2.11 (MF), and 22.0.9 (NG). 

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The second flaw can also be mitigated by applying “Allow list” restrictions found in Options > Advanced > Security > Allowed site server IP addresses, and only allowing verified Site Server IP addresses to access the network.

Those interested in double-checking whether or not your systems were compromised are out of luck, as PaperCut says it’s impossible to determine, with absolute certainty, if a threat actor breached the network. 

The devs suggested IT teams look for suspicious activity in the PaperCut admin interface under Logs > Application Log, including updates from a user called [setup wizard]. They can also look for new users being created, or configuration keys changed. 

• Here are the best malware removal tools right now

Via: BleepingComputer

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Latest Tech News

New rumors for Apple’s virtual reality headset, the reportedly named Reality Pro, suggest the company is taking an unusual approach by giving it an external battery pack.

This round of information comes from a recent Bloomberg newsletter by notable industry analyst Mark Gurman who claims Apple made the choice in an effort to “reduce weight and improve comfort.” The battery pack is said to be small enough to fit inside your pocket and will connect to the VR headset via cable. This design choice flies in the face of most headsets which typically have an internal battery like the Oculus Quest 2.

Gurman goes on to say the pack looks similar to the iPhone MagSafe battery. However, it’s bigger at “about the size of an iPhone but thicker.” It's revealed that the Reality Pro will have two ports: a USB-C connector for handling data while the other is a proprietary charger input. Gurman states the charging cable jutting from the pack will connect to the port magnetically where future users will then have to “rotate it clockwise to lock it in” place.  

Clunky design

Now here’s the kicker: the charging cable is integrated into the battery and apparently that battery only lasts about two hours. You won’t be able to hot-swap in a third-party power bank with a longer lifespan, making what should be a simple process pretty cumbersome.  What’s strange is the pack can be charged via USB-C and can connect to a MacBook Pro power adapter, according to the newsletter. Given the short battery life, future users will probably be forced to purchase extra battery packs, something that Gurman imagines will be the case. He also points out that the short battery life is most likely a consequence of the Reality Pro sporting an M2 chip plus two 4K displays.

The newsletter doesn’t show what the battery pack looks like; however, Twitter user Marcus Kane took Gurman’s description to create a render of what the device may look like. He did take some creative liberties as his render looks thinner and taller than the MagSafe battery. Kane speculates that “two battery packs will be enough for indefinite use [as] you could charge one as you use the other.” 

Pricey tech

Funny enough, Kane’s comments speak to the other major problem with Apple’s rumored headset: the price tag. Rumors suggest the Reality Pro is predicted to cost around $3,000 USD (Ouch!). With customers potentially needing extra battery packs, you’re looking at a really expensive gadget. People already complain about the PSVR 2 being more than a PS5 and that’s, like, about a sixth of what Apple’s headset is reported to cost.

The company is set to hold WWDC 2023 from June 5 to 9. Hopefully, we’ll learn more about the VR headset then, but don’t hold your breath. Another notable Apple analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo, claimed back in late March some production delays “have created ‘uncertainty’ around the device” even making an appearance at the big event.  

• TechRadar's best VR headsets in 2023

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Latest Tech News

Apple will reportedly drop support for a few iPads with the release of iPadOS 17, including the first-generation iPad Pros. This rumor comes after a previous one that claimed Apple would be dropping support for older iPhones too.

According to French tech publication, IPhoneSoft – citing an internal source at Apple – the company will not be updating iPads running Apple’s own A9 and A9X processors; eliminating the 2015 iPad Pro (both the 9.7-inch model and the 12.9-inch model) and the iPad 5 from the running. Processors are often a benchmark that Apple uses to decide which devices to upgrade year over year, as they provide a baseline of supported features.

Apple is expected to continue to update the current best iPads, including all subsequent iPad Pros, for the foreseeable future. At the time of writing, it’s not exactly clear what the company is putting in iPadOS 17 to differentiate it from iOS 17. We’ll learn more about that when Apple announces these updates at WWDC 2023 in June.

 The track always runs out

Though Apple supports its iPhones and iPads with OS updates for far longer than most Android rivals, this support is never indefinite. As devices age, their chips are less able to keep up with the demands of new operating system releases and features. The passage of time also means that the hardware physically begins to degrade, with battery life dropping and performance slowing to the point where an older device becomes more trouble than it’s worth.

It’s not just owners of older iPads that will be looking nervously over their shoulders, as Apple is expected to also cull some iPhones with the release of iOS 17. Specifically, it’s rumored to be ending support for the iPhone X and iPhone 8. Though the iPhone X is iconic for kickstarting the current bezel-less smartphone design paradigm, both the best iPhones and the best Android phones have moved away from that look in their own respective ways.

With the iPhone 15 and 15 Ultra on their way to shape the future of iOS (and iPadOS by implication), it's bittersweet to watch the past retreat further into the rearview.

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Latest Tech News

Criminals are aiming to steal Fortnite user accounts, and is using websites belonging to American universities to do so. 

A new report from BleepingComputer claims to have found an ongoing phishing campaign leveraging compromised websites belonging to Stanford, MIT, Berkeley, UMass Amherst, Northeastern, Caltech, and other universities.

Tipped off by Twitter user g0njxa, the publication says that there are multiple websites, powered by TWiki or MediaWiki (content management systems and web app platforms), that are hosting Fortnite and gift card spam sites.

No free lunch

Apparently, someone managed to compromise these websites and upload wiki pages that promote fake websites that offer free gift cards and free Fortnite in-game currency, among other things. 

Visitors that click the links promoted on these pages will see a login form mimicking Fortnite. Should they try to enter their credentials, they’d give them directly to the attackers. 

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“Are you an avid Fortnite player looking for the most efficient way to get your hands on V Bucks? If so, you've come to the right place!” one of the malicious pages reads.

Besides university sites, some government websites were also abused for the same purpose, the publication claims, mentioning mini-sites hosted by a Brazilian state government, as well as European Union’s Europa.eu. In the latter’s case, the Europass e-Portfolio service (a job search portal) seems to have been leveraged. 

Aside from BleepingComputer, no cybersecurity researchers have yet joined the investigation, it seems. At the moment, we don’t know who is behind the attack, or if they used any malware, or leveraged any zero-day vulnerabilities, to compromise these websites. The publication says that MediaWiki released security updates last month, but none of those addressed this campaign.

System admins operating MediaWiki and TWiki sites should run a search on their sites for malicious content such as “gift card”, “Fortnite”, and similar. 

• These are the best firewalls today

Via: BleepingComputer

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Latest Tech News

It's time for your daily dose of Quordle hints. And you might need them - because this popular online game takes the Wordle format and quadruples the difficulty. So if you already find yourself searching for Wordle hints, you'll probably need some for Quordle too. 

I'm a Quordle and Wordle fanatic who's been playing since December 2021, so I can definitely help you solve Quordle today and improve your game for tomorrow. Read on for my Quordle hints to game #455 and bookmark this page so you can easily return. 

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers. 

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #1 - Vowels

How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 5*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too). 

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #2 - total vowels

What is the total number of vowels in Quordle today?

• The total number of vowels across today's Quordle answers is 9.

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #3 - repeated letters

Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #4 - total letters

How many different letters are used in Quordle today?

• The total number of different letters used in Quordle today is 13.

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #5 - uncommon letters

Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #6 - starting letters (1)

Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #455) - hint #7 - starting letters (2)

What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• D

• B

• N

• Y

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #455) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #455, are…

• DEUCE
• BEAST
• NOISY
• YOUNG

Today's Quordle is not one of the more difficult games in recent memory. I solved all four in short order, with two guesses remaining and with no real hiccups. DEUCE contains a repeated E, but the other three words are all standard CONSONANT-VOWEL-VOWEL-CONSONANT-CONSONANT answers and use common letters throughout.

I had slightly more trouble with Quordle's new Daily Sequence game, which challenges you to solve each of four Quordles in turn, but using the letters you've already played. You get one extra guess to complete them all, but it can prove quite difficult. If you've not tried it yet, I recommend you give it a go! 

How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.

---

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #454, Sunday 23 April: FALSE, LUSTY, EMPTY, FLESH
• Quordle #453, Saturday 22 April: LIMIT, IRONY, TERRA, ARBOR
• Quordle #452, Friday 21 April: WARTY, SEVER, KNAVE, PUBIC
• Quordle #451, Thursday 20 April: JELLY, PRONG, GLOBE, BLOOM
• Quordle #450, Wednesday 19 April: PURGE, OPINE, LILAC, CHEAP
• Quordle #449, Tuesday 18 April: MOLAR, PROBE, DRIER, BORNE
• Quordle #448, Monday 17 April: ASSAY, SLANT, NADIR, DENIM
• Quordle #447, Sunday 16 April: SLATE, BENCH, QUASH, FOGGY
• Quordle #446, Saturday 15 April: HAZEL, BERET, FALSE, COVEN
• Quordle #445, Friday 14 April: BROWN, PLAZA, DRUNK, DODGE
• Quordle #444, Thursday 13 April: DELVE, PIXEL, MINOR, CLOAK
• Quordle #443, Wednesday 12 April: INCUR, DRUNK, COVEN, THERE
• Quordle #442, Tuesday 11 April: CHIME, DRAIN, WHOSE, BOXER
• Quordle #441, Monday 10 April: THUMB, CHESS, SYRUP, HOTEL
• Quordle #440, Sunday 9 April: VERGE, CAMEL, PUTTY, GRASS
• Quordle #439, Saturday 8 April: CRUEL, LIVID, SPIED, BLEND
• Quordle #438, Friday 7 April: RIVET, VISOR, CEASE, AFOOT
• Quordle #437, Thursday 6 April: COVEY, BREAK, AWASH, STALK
• Quordle #436, Wednesday 5 April: SKULL, POLAR, SPREE, THOSE
• Quordle #435, Tuesday 4 April: OUNCE, WHINE, FROCK, POSIT

Quordle FAQs: Everything you need to know

What is Quordle?

Where Wordle challenges you to guess a new five-letter word each day, Quordle presents you with four puzzles to solve. And rather than complete them in turn, you do so simultaneously. You get nine guesses, rather than the six for Wordle, but the rules are otherwise very similar. 

It's played online via the Quordle website and you can also get to it via the Merriam-Webster site, after the dictionary purchased Quordle last year. 

As with Wordle, the answers are the same for every player each day, meaning that you're competing against the rest of the world. And also as with Wordle, the puzzle resets at midnight so you have a fresh challenge each day.

The website also includes a practice mode - which I definitely recommend using before attempting the game proper! - and there are daily stats including a streak count. You also get Quordle Achievements - specific badges for winning a game in a certain number of turns, playing lots of times, or guessing particularly hard words.

Oh, and it's difficult. Really difficult.

What are the Quordle rules?

The rules of Quordle are almost identical to those of Wordle.

1. Letters that are in the answer and in the right place turn green.

2. Letters that are in the answer but in the wrong place turn yellow. 

3. Letters that are not in the answer turn gray…

4. …BUT the word you guess appears in all quadrants of the puzzle at the same time, so an A could turn green in one square, yellow in another and gray in the final two. 

5. Answers are never plural.

6. Letters can appear more than once. So if your guess includes two of one letter, they may both turn yellow, both turn green, or one could be yellow and the other green.

7. Each guess must be a valid word in Quordle's dictionary. You can't guess ABCDE, for instance.

8. You do not have to include correct letters in subsequent guesses and there is no equivalent of Wordle's Hard mode.

9. You have nine guesses to find the Quordle answers.

10. You must complete the daily Quordle before midnight in your timezone.

What is a good Quordle strategy?

Quordle needs to be approached in a different way to Wordle. With four puzzles to solve in nine guesses, you can't blindly throw letters at it and expect to win - you'll stand a far better chance if you think strategically.

That's the case in Wordle too, of course, but it's even more important in Quordle.

There are two key things to remember. 

1. Use several starting words

Firstly, you won't want just a single starting word, but almost certainly two or three starting words. 

The first of these should probably be one of the best Wordle starting words, because the same things that make them work well will apply here too. But after that, you should select another word or possibly two that use up lots more of the most common consonants and that include any remaining vowels.

For instance, I currently use STARE > DOILY > PUNCH. Between them, these three words use 15 of the 26 letters in the alphabet including all five vowels, Y, and nine of the most common consonants (S, T, R, D, L, P, N, C and H). There are plenty of other options - you might want to get an M, B, F or G in there instead of the H, maybe - but something like that should do the trick.

If all goes well, that will give you a good lead on what one or sometimes two of the answers might be. If not, well good luck!

2. Narrow things down

Secondly, if you're faced with a word where the answer might easily be one of several options - for instance -ATCH, where it could be MATCH, BATCH, LATCH, CATCH, WATCH, HATCH or PATCH - you'll definitely want to guess a word that would narrow down those options. 

In Wordle, you can instead try several of those in succession and hope one is right, assuming you have enough guesses left. It's risky, but will sometimes work. Plus, it's the only option in Hard mode. But in Quordle, this will almost certainly result in a failure - you simply don't have enough guesses.

In the scenario above, CLAMP would be a great guess, as it could point the way to four of the seven words in one go.

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