Month: August 2024
Windows 0-day was exploited by North Korea to install advanced rootkit
FudModule rootkit burrows deep into Windows, where it can bypass key security defenses.
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images)
A Windows zero-day vulnerability recently patched by Microsoft was exploited by hackers working on behalf of the North Korean government so they could install custom malware that’s exceptionally stealthy and advanced, researchers reported Monday.
The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2024-38193, was one of six zero-days—meaning vulnerabilities known or actively exploited before the vendor has a patch—fixed in Microsoft’s monthly update release last Tuesday. Microsoft said the vulnerability—in a class known as a “use after free”—was located in AFD.sys, the binary file for what’s known as the ancillary function driver and the kernel entry point for the Winsock API. Microsoft warned that the zero-day could be exploited to give attackers system privileges, the maximum system rights available in Windows and a required status for executing untrusted code.
Lazarus gets access to the Windows kernel
Microsoft warned at the time that the vulnerability was being actively exploited but provided no details about who was behind the attacks or what their ultimate objective was. On Monday, researchers with Gen—the security firm that discovered the attacks and reported them privately to Microsoft—said the threat actors were part of Lazarus, the name researchers use to track a hacking outfit backed by the North Korean government.
Wyoming Voters Face Mayoral Candidate Who Vows To Let AI Bot Run Government
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: Voters in Wyoming’s capital city on Tuesday are faced with deciding whether to elect a mayoral candidate who has proposed to let an artificial intelligence bot run the local government. Earlier this year, the candidate in question — Victor Miller — filed for him and his customized ChatGPT bot, named Vic (Virtual Integrated Citizen), to run for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He has vowed to helm the city’s business with the AI bot if he wins. Miller has said that the bot is capable of processing vast amounts of data and making unbiased decisions. In what AI experts say is a first for US political campaigns, Miller and Vic have told local news outlets in interviews that their form of proposed governance is a “hybrid approach.” The AI bot told Your Wyoming Link that its role would be to provide data-driven insights and innovative solutions for Cheyenne. Meanwhile, Vic said, the human elected office contender, Miller, would serve as the official mayor if chosen by voters and would ensure that “all actions are legally and practically executed.”
“It’s about blending AI’s capabilities with human judgment to effectively lead Cheyenne,” the bot said. The bot said it did not have political affiliations — and its goal is to “focus on data-driven practical solutions that benefit the community.” During a meet-and-greet this summer, the Washington Post reported that the AI bot was asked how it would go about making decisions “according to human factor, involving humans, and having to make a decision that affects so many people.” “Making decisions that affect many people requires a careful balance of data-driven insights and human empathy,” the AI bot responded, according to an audio recording obtained and published by the Washington Post. Vic then ran through a multi-part plan that suggested using AI technology to gather data on public opinion and feedback from the community, holding town hall meetings to listen to residents’ concerns, consulting experts in relevant fields, evaluating the human impact of the decision and providing transparency about the decision-making. According to Wyoming Public Media, Miller has also pledged that he would donate half the mayoral salary to a non-profit if he is elected. The other half could be used to continually improve the AI bot, he said. Miller has faced some pushback since announcing his mayoral campaign. Wyoming’s Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, launched an investigation to determine if the AI bot could legally appear on the ballot, citing state law that says only real people that are registered to vote can run for office. City officials clarified that Miller is the actual candidate, so he was allowed to continue. However, Laramie County ruled that only Miller’s name would appear on the ballot, not the bot’s.
OpenAI later shut down Miller’s account, but he quickly created a new one and continued his campaign.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Guardian: Voters in Wyoming’s capital city on Tuesday are faced with deciding whether to elect a mayoral candidate who has proposed to let an artificial intelligence bot run the local government. Earlier this year, the candidate in question — Victor Miller — filed for him and his customized ChatGPT bot, named Vic (Virtual Integrated Citizen), to run for mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming. He has vowed to helm the city’s business with the AI bot if he wins. Miller has said that the bot is capable of processing vast amounts of data and making unbiased decisions. In what AI experts say is a first for US political campaigns, Miller and Vic have told local news outlets in interviews that their form of proposed governance is a “hybrid approach.” The AI bot told Your Wyoming Link that its role would be to provide data-driven insights and innovative solutions for Cheyenne. Meanwhile, Vic said, the human elected office contender, Miller, would serve as the official mayor if chosen by voters and would ensure that “all actions are legally and practically executed.”
“It’s about blending AI’s capabilities with human judgment to effectively lead Cheyenne,” the bot said. The bot said it did not have political affiliations — and its goal is to “focus on data-driven practical solutions that benefit the community.” During a meet-and-greet this summer, the Washington Post reported that the AI bot was asked how it would go about making decisions “according to human factor, involving humans, and having to make a decision that affects so many people.” “Making decisions that affect many people requires a careful balance of data-driven insights and human empathy,” the AI bot responded, according to an audio recording obtained and published by the Washington Post. Vic then ran through a multi-part plan that suggested using AI technology to gather data on public opinion and feedback from the community, holding town hall meetings to listen to residents’ concerns, consulting experts in relevant fields, evaluating the human impact of the decision and providing transparency about the decision-making. According to Wyoming Public Media, Miller has also pledged that he would donate half the mayoral salary to a non-profit if he is elected. The other half could be used to continually improve the AI bot, he said. Miller has faced some pushback since announcing his mayoral campaign. Wyoming’s Secretary of State, Chuck Gray, launched an investigation to determine if the AI bot could legally appear on the ballot, citing state law that says only real people that are registered to vote can run for office. City officials clarified that Miller is the actual candidate, so he was allowed to continue. However, Laramie County ruled that only Miller’s name would appear on the ballot, not the bot’s.
OpenAI later shut down Miller’s account, but he quickly created a new one and continued his campaign.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Quordle today – hints and answers for Tuesday, August 20 (game #939)
Looking for Quordle clues? We can help. Plus get the answers to Quordle today and past solutions.
Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now nearly 1,000 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.
Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles.
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 #939) – hint #1 – Vowels
How many different vowels are in Quordle today?
• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.
* 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 #939) – hint #2 – repeated letters
Do any of today’s Quordle answers contain repeated letters?
• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.
Quordle today (game #939) – hint #3 – 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 #939) – hint #4 – 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 #939) – hint #5 – starting letters (2)
What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?
• C
• S
• O
• M
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
Quordle today (game #939) – the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today’s Quordle, game #939, are…
CHIEFSNORTOUNCEMILKY
It’s always helpful when a word has been a recent Wordle answer then appears in Quordle too, and so it was today with OUNCE, which appeared in that other game a couple of weeks ago. In terms of my game, I would have spotted it anyway – my three start words gave me four of the letters in green, and the final one in yellow – but it might be useful for other players, because it could be a tricky answer in isolation (you don’t get that many words that begin with two vowels together).
That aside there were no major complications here, although somehow I played LIMBY – which is a stupid guess – rather than MILKY, when faced with an -I–Y answer. Silly.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Daily Sequence today (game #939) – the answers
(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)
The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #939, are…
DRANKRACERVIDEOGUEST
Quordle answers: The past 20
Quordle #938, Monday 19 August: GIVEN, STIFF, STOOL, ANTICQuordle #937, Sunday 18 August: DEPTH, JUICY, GAWKY, INLAYQuordle #936, Saturday 17 August: HUMUS, FRONT, FUNNY, DRYLYQuordle #935, Friday 16 August: BRICK, CABLE, INBOX, FLOSSQuordle #934, Thursday 15 August: STINT, TRAIL, DECAL, BRAINQuordle #933, Wednesday 14 August: TENOR, CLEFT, USHER, CREEPQuordle #932, Tuesday 13 August: LIMIT, AMBLE, ALBUM, BULLYQuordle #931, Monday 12 August: CHEER, FUNKY, TRITE, THUMPQuordle #930, Sunday 11 August: COURT, LOAMY, TOAST, OCCURQuordle #929, Saturday 10 August: MOLAR, FLIER, HEFTY, JAZZYQuordle #928, Friday 9 August: WEARY, SWILL, CUMIN, COBRAQuordle #927, Thursday 8 August: GUSTO, SPRIG, SOLID, SWOREQuordle #926, Wednesday 7 August: GONER, PEACH, SWUNG, USHERQuordle #925, Tuesday 6 August: AWFUL, BLAST, WRING, SCOLDQuordle #924, Monday 5 August: CHUCK, VILLA, JIFFY, FLAKEQuordle #923, Sunday 4 August: MUDDY, SCARF, DECAL, SURLYQuordle #922, Saturday 3 August: UNMET, EJECT, MAPLE, LUCKYQuordle #921, Friday 2 August: TIGHT, HONEY, RETRY, SPOUTQuordle #920, Thursday 1 August: SUING, CRAFT, STUFF, SPIKEQuordle #919, Wednesday 31 July: NOSEY, SHEIK, PHONE, SKIER
NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Tuesday, August 20 (game #170)
Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here’s all you need to know to solve today’s game, including the spangram.
Strands is the NYT’s latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it’s great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.
Want more word-based fun? Then check out my Wordle today, NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
NYT Strands today (game #170) – hint #1 – today’s theme
What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?
• Today’s NYT Strands theme is… I think we’re covered
NYT Strands today (game #170) – hint #2 – clue words
Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.
GAITSAGESTEALSAILSILKPAIL
NYT Strands today (game #170) – hint #3 – spangram
What is a hint for today’s spangram?
• Keeps you dry
NYT Strands today (game #170) – hint #4 – spangram position
What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?
First: left, 4th row
Last: right, 4th row
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Strands today (game #170) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Strands, game #170, are…
UMBRELLAHOODSLICKERPONCHOGALOSHESGAITERSSPANGRAM: RAINGEAR
My rating: ModerateMy score: Perfect
I’ve marked this as moderate, despite the fact I solved it without needing any in-game hints, because a few of the answers are a bit obscure. I’ve never heard of GAITERS, for instances, and GALOSHES was probably a word I last heard about 40 years ago when my grandmother was taking me out for a walk in the rain. Are they still a thing? Or actually, is this another American English vs British English thing? Plus, the spangram is that well known phrase RAINGEAR. Ahem.
Still, UMBRELLA, PONCHO and HOOD were all easy solves, and the way the letters fell meant solving it via a combination of random guessing and actual brainpower was possible.
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Monday 19 August, game #169)
LEOPARDCHEETAHPANTHERLIONJAGUARCOUGARTIGERSPANGRAM: BIGCAT
What is NYT Strands?
Strands is the NYT’s new word game, following Wordle and Connections. It’s now out of beta so is a fully fledged member of the NYT’s games stable and can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
I’ve got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you’re struggling to beat it each day.
NYT Connections today — hints and answers for Tuesday, August 20 (game #436)
Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here’s all you need to know to solve today’s game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.
Good morning! Let’s play Connections, the NYT’s clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need clues.
What should you do once you’ve finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I’ve also got daily Wordle hints and answers, Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too.
SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don’t read on if you don’t want to know the answers.
NYT Connections today (game #436) – today’s words
(Image credit: New York Times)
Today’s NYT Connections words are…
CATCRANKBLOWPOPLIONGRINCHWINDTURTLECRABREELDRAFTRAMPUFFBULLTURNGUST
NYT Connections today (game #436) – hint #1 – group hints
What are some clues for today’s NYT Connections groups?
Yellow: Is there a breeze in here?Green: TwistBlue: Heavenly creaturesPurple: Doctor of rhymes
Need more clues?
We’re firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today’s NYT Connections puzzles…
NYT Connections today (game #436) – hint #2 – group answers
What are the answers for today’s NYT Connections groups?
YELLOW: RUSH OF WINDGREEN: ROTATEBLUE: ZODIAC SYMBOLSPURPLE: DR. SEUSS TITLE FIGURES
Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM.
NYT Connections today (game #436) – the answers
(Image credit: New York Times)
The answers to today’s Connections, game #436, are…
YELLOW: RUSH OF WIND BLOW, DRAFT, GUST, PUFFGREEN: ROTATE CRANK, REEL, TURN, WINDBLUE: ZODIAC SYMBOLS BULL, CRAB, LION, RAMPURPLE: DR. SEUSS TITLE FIGURES CAT, GRINCH, POP, TURTLE
My rating: ModerateMy score: 2 mistakes
Damn you, NYT. Putting WIND in a puzzle with BLOW, DRAFT, GUST and PUFF is guaranteed to cause problems with anyone stupid enough to fall into your trap – and that’s exactly what I did. Damn you!
To make matters worse, that yellow group was the easiest of the four today, although it was the one that cost me two mistakes. I had already spotted the Dr Seuss connection for purple, with POP (in socks), CAT (in the hat) and GRINCH, but couldn’t work out what the final one was. So I left that and focused on the others, and after my brief foray into getting wind-related answers wrong, was able to solve yellow and green.
That left five answers: BULL, LION, TURTLE, CRAB and RAM. One went with Dr Seuss, the other four formed the blue group. I deliberated for ages, then spotted the zodiac group, and was able to play TURTLE to complete purple by default. And in case you’re wondering, it was Yertle the turtle…
How did you do today? Send me an email and let me know.
Yesterday’s NYT Connections answers (Monday, 19 August, game #435)
YELLOW: MUSIC GENRES BLUES, COUNTRY, FOLK, ROCKGREEN: BRATWURST GO-WITHS BRAT, BUN, MUSTARD, SAUERKRAUTBLUE: YOGA POSES CHAIR, MOUNTAIN, TREE, WARRIORPURPLE: STARTING WITH PIXAR MOVIES COCONUT, SOULMATE, UPDO, WALLET
What is NYT Connections?
NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.
On the plus side, you don’t technically need to solve the final one, as you’ll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What’s more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.
It’s a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.
It’s playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.
Robot coaches are reading brain signals to support stroke rehabilitation
Robot coaches that read brain signals could pave a new way for the rehabilitation of stroke and brain injury survivors. That’s according to the EU-funded VITALISE project, led by researchers from the UK’s National Robotarium and developed in partnership with the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. The three-month trial, which was completed in Vienna, targeted individuals with upper limb impairments. These affect approximately 80% of acute stroke survivors and are a common side effect of brain injuries. Improving arm function in such cases involves practicing task-specific exercises repeatedly. But often, lack of motivation or visual progress indicators can negatively affect…This story continues at The Next Web
Robot coaches that read brain signals could pave a new way for the rehabilitation of stroke and brain injury survivors. That’s according to the EU-funded VITALISE project, led by researchers from the UK’s National Robotarium and developed in partnership with the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology. The three-month trial, which was completed in Vienna, targeted individuals with upper limb impairments. These affect approximately 80% of acute stroke survivors and are a common side effect of brain injuries. Improving arm function in such cases involves practicing task-specific exercises repeatedly. But often, lack of motivation or visual progress indicators can negatively affect…
This story continues at The Next Web