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NYT Strands today — hints, answers and spangram for Thursday, November 14 (game #256)

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 #256) – hint #1 – today’s theme

What is the theme of today’s NYT Strands?

Today’s NYT Strands theme is… Name of the game

NYT Strands today (game #256) – hint #2 – clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

CARTCARDCARDSLUMPLUMPSLOCK

NYT Strands today (game #256) – hint #3 – spangram

What is a hint for today’s spangram?

It’s a mystery

NYT Strands today (game #256) – hint #4 – spangram position

What are two sides of the board that today’s spangram touches?

First: top, 3rd column

Last: bottom, 5th column

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

NYT Strands today (game #256) – the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today’s Strands, game #256, are…

PLUMGREENPEACOCKMUSTARDORCHIDSCARLETSPANGRAM: CLUESUSPECTS

My rating: ModerateMy score: 2 hints

I have mixed feelings about today’s Strands puzzle. On the one hand, it’s a nicely challenging instalment that I had to use my brain (and memory) to solve. On the other, it has a couple of anomalies that slightly detract from the experience.

The theme here is CLUESUSPECTS, as the spangram has it, and setting aside the fact that it’s called CLUEDO in the UK, I have no issue with it as a concept. However, I am a little miffed about the fact that one of the answers is ORCHID. I’m not an expert, but my online research has led me to understand that ORCHID was only added as a character, in place of Mrs (or Chef) White in 2016, and was removed again in 2023. Given that CLUE/CLUEDO has been around since the 1940s, that seems an oddly short change to reflect here. Plus, Mrs SCARLET was called Mrs SCARLETT with two Ts from 1949 until 1963, then lost the second T in the US, then regained it in 2016. Which is fine – but then you have the SCARLET spelling from one era and the ORCHID character from another. It’s all just a little messy.

On the other hand, I’m being petty. This Strands puzzle is fine, though I needed two hints to establish what the concept actually was. Once I had it, it was easy enough to solve, even allowing for the slight weirdness around a couple of the answers. Anyway, it made me want to play it again for the first time in several decades, so that’s no bad thing.

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

Yesterday’s NYT Strands answers (Wednesday, 13 November, game #255)

HUMANGIBBONKANGAROOPANGOLINMEERKATOSTRICHSPANGRAM: BIPEDAL

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.

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Quordle today – hints and answers for Thursday, November 14 (game #1025)

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 more than 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 #1025) – 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 #1025) – 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 1.

Quordle today (game #1025) – hint #3 – uncommon letters

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

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today’s Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1025) – 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 2.

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 #1025) – hint #5 – starting letters (2)

What letters do today’s Quordle answers start with?

• E

• T

• C

• C

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

Quordle today (game #1025) – the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle, game #1025, are…

EXALTTASTECRONYCLOUT

I’m on a bit of a roll with Quordle at the moment. Having suffered a couple of losses a few months ago, I now have a 55-game streak and even seemingly tough games are proving no match for my three-start-word-strategy. This, obviously, is the kiss of death and I wouldn’t be surprised if my luck changed tomorrow, but for now at least I’m on easy street.

EXALT and TASTE are the two potentially difficult words today, on account of the uncommon X and the repeated T respectively. But my start words gave me the other 18 letters I needed, so adding in that X and T was a simple task. Harder challenges no doubt await.

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

Daily Sequence today (game #1025) – the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today’s Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1025, are…

RUPEEBUILTSNORESTACK

Quordle answers: The past 20

Quordle #1024, Wednesday 13 November: YEARN, ELBOW, SURGE, PINEYQuordle #1023, Tuesday 12 November: CHORD, ATTIC, OLIVE, EIGHTQuordle #1022, Monday 11 November: COPSE, REGAL, GRUNT, GOODYQuordle #1021, Sunday 10 November: GROIN, FAULT, FERRY, SUITEQuordle #1020, Saturday 9 November: FLUME, THERE, ATOLL, SANERQuordle #1019, Friday 8 November: DELAY, NAVAL, MOLAR, SWARMQuordle #1018, Thursday 7 November: REPAY, SYNOD, LOATH, PITHYQuordle #1017, Wednesday 6 November: SASSY, DRUID, THREW, SLOSHQuordle #1016, Tuesday 5 November: BEGET, AMUSE, STONY, LOUSYQuordle #1015, Monday 4 November: CHILL, TACKY, GRAPH, PLAZAQuordle #1014, Sunday 3 November: QUIRK, HEART, ELBOW, KNOWNQuordle #1013, Saturday 2 November: SWUNG, FLOOR, PARER, CRUSTQuordle #1012, Friday 1 November: FIFTY, GULCH, RECUT, TWEETQuordle #1011, Thursday 31 October: TWINE, RIGID, BELCH, AMENDQuordle #1010, Wednesday 30 October: SLOOP, BRINE, BROOD, FLUIDQuordle #1009, Tuesday 29 October: CLIFF, BURNT, SNAKY, POLYPQuordle #1008, Monday 28 October: MACAW, LIEGE, GOUGE, CARGOQuordle #1007, Sunday 27 October: STUNG, CLOUT, SOWER, BASISQuordle #1006, Saturday 26 October: DUCHY, CANNY, BLOCK, SMARTQuordle #1005, Friday 25 October: PRANK, EXIST, RUDDY, PICKY

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Daisy the AI granny is here to answer calls from scammers and waste their time

O2 Virgin Media have created an AI granny to waste scammers’ time.

O2 has created an AI granny that will trap scammers in meandering conversations to waste as much of their time as possibleDaisy is trained on real anonymized scammer data in partnership with well-known scambaiter Jim Browning of the YouTube channel Tech Support Scams New survey reveals that 7 in 10 (71%) of Brits would like to get their own back against scammers that have tried to trick them or their loved ones.

You might not have thought it possible, but grannies will be leading the AI revolution and fighting back against scammers. We’re talking about Daisy (also written dAIsy), the AI granny created by O2 to trap scammers into a long and futile conversation, so they waste as much time as possible on the phone as they try to get her to input her bank details into her computer.

If you listen to dAIsy working her AI-magic on scammers in the video below you’ll be able to hear that she is indistinguishable from a human and responds to the scammers by playing into people’s preconceptions about senior citizens not being comfortable with technology. Scammers become increasingly frustrated as they try and try to get her to enter a fake web address into her browser, or enter her personal information, only to have to endure long and meandering conversations that ultimately lead to nowhere.

Thanks Grandma

Daisy isn’t an AI feature you can add to your personal phone account, rather it is a phone number that O2 Virgin Media has managed to get added to a list of online ‘mugs lists’ used by scammers targeting UK consumers. dAIsy is available to answer the phone to scammers no matter what time they call, 24/7. Her goal is to keep the scammers on the phone for as long as possible so that they have less time to ply their treacherous trade against real people.

Murray Mackenzie, Director of Fraud at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re committed to playing our part in stopping the scammers, investing in everything from firewall technology to block out scam texts to AI-powered spam call detection to keep our customers safe. But crucially, Daisy is also a reminder that no matter how persuasive someone on the other end of the phone may be, they aren’t always who you think they are.”

O2 Virgin Media has set up a webpage offering tips, tricks, and advice on dealing with scammers. A recent survey by the company revealed that 7 in 10 (71%) of Brits would like to get revenge on scammers who have tried to trick them, or their loved ones. But why waste your own time when a convincing chatbot with all the time can help fight back against scammers?

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It’s official — FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023

These were most exploited vulnerabilities this year, security agenices reveal.

Five Eyes alliance has revealed the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023Zero-day exploits were the primary concern, with CVE-2023-3519 was at the top of the listBusinesses urged to patch as soon as possible to stay safe

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance has revealed the most routinely exploited vulnerabilities for 2023. The joint advisory, made with contributions from agencies in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, has called for organizations to patch the security flaws to mitigate network exposure.

The agencies confirmed what many in the industry will know all too well, that threat actors focus their attacks on zero-day attacks, with 12 out of the top 15 exploited vulnerabilities initially exploited as a zero-day.

“In 2023, malicious cyber actors exploited more zero-day vulnerabilities to compromise enterprise networks compared to 2022, allowing them to conduct cyber operations against higher-priority targets,” the advisory warned.

Injections and escalations

The top vulnerability for 2023 was CVE-2023-3519, a code injection in NetScaler ADC/Gateway using Citrix as the vendor, which was the tactic used in critical infrastructure attacks in the US last year, and had a severity rating of 9.8, making it a critical flaw.

Another high severity flaw in the top three, CVE-2023-20198, was one that Cisco issued a patch for in October 2023, which allowed attackers to create accounts on affected devices with privileged access, gaining full control over the device.

The agencies, as always, strongly encouraged end-user organizations to continually update software and applications, implement a robust patch management process, and perform regular secure systems backups to ensure your company stays safe against cyberattacks.

“Malicious cyber actors continue to have the most success exploiting vulnerabilities within two years after public disclosure of the vulnerability,” the advisory warned,

“The utility of these vulnerabilities declines over time as more systems are patched or replaced. Malicious cyber actors find less utility from zero-day exploits when international cybersecurity efforts reduce the lifespan of zero-day vulnerabilities.”

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Apple’s latest Logic Pro for Mac and iPad update simplifies things and recreates an iconic reverb effect

An easier way to add natural sound to a track

Whether you’re a singer or songwriter, in a band, a musician, or a podcaster, there is a good chance that you use Logic Pro on the Mac or iPad to produce, edit, and eventually export. Apple gave Logic Pro a significant upgrade in May alongside new iPads and truly infused it with AI in the form of session players.

Now, though, with Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1, Apple’s expanding on some core capabilities and adding a plugin with some historical significance – at least in the music industry.

A bevy of new features, led by the Quantec Room Simulator plug-in, are rolling out today as a free update for both platforms. First, a bit of a history lesson on the Quantec Room Simulator – it’s built from the original documentation and algorithms of the physical piece of hardware created by Wolfgang Buchleitner, which enables a distinct and accurate reverb adjustment. It’s been used by countless artists, including Peter Gabriel, who uses it at live shows for building harmonic drones and on records including Passion and Us.

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple essentially acquired the tech to rebuild the Quantec Room Simulator as a plugin that’s now included with Logic Pro for Mac and iPad. This lets you add natural-sounding effects to anything – be it spoken word, music, or even foley sounds. There are two routes for using it: one that is more vintage and one that is updated modern.

Beyond the Quantec Room Simulator plug-in, Logic Pro is getting “Reorder Mixer Channels” that allow you to rearrange various strips individually or in groups. You can also add your own personal sounds on the iPad via Sample Folders, which can pull from connected storage, the Files app, or iCloud Drive. You can now more easily search for plug-ins on the Mac thanks to a new categorization. These are some handy additions that should let you make the most of Logic Pro, either by using the built-in tools or pulling from other sources.

The Quantec Room Simulator will also be one to try out, and of course, a Logic Pro update wouldn’t be complete without some new sounds. To fill that need, Apple’s also adding a Modular Melodies Synth Pack at no additional cost.

Of course, if you’re new to Logic Pro for Mac or iPad, there is a cost associated with it. On the Mac, it’s a one-time purchase of $199.99 in the United States, and on the iPad, it’s either $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. These updates are now rolling out with Logic Pro for Mac 11.1 and Logic Pro for iPad 2.1.

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I sat inside an Afeela and I am so ready for this Sony Honda Mobility EV future

We finally got to step inside an Afeela, the Sony Honda collaboration that is stuffed with technology

Sony Afeela might be just what this sleeping self-driving EV industry needs. There, I said it, and it’s a change of heart that comes from finally sitting inside the prototype collaboration between Sony and Honda. Sony Afeela, the EV with the silliest name, may offer everything you want, including AI, in a next-level self-driving electric automobile.

It’s been a long road for Sony Honda Mobility’s Afeela EV prototype self-driving car. We first heard about it years ago when it was still called Sony Vision S. The rebrand introduced two years ago at CES 2023 was met with some head-scratching, though.

Vision S was cool. Afeela is a softball for wordplay mockery. Part of the problem is that Sony, for the most part, kept the media at arm’s length. That changed this week when Sony started inviting the press to a Classic Car Club hanger on Manhanttan’s West side.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Afeela is a joint project between Sony and Honda, and company reps insist that it’s a 50-50 endeavor. Honda did not simply build an EV and ask Sony for its branding consent. Instead, the fingerprints of both companies are all over the car.

In hindsight, the Classic Car Club might not have been the best place to showcase Afeela’s relatively low-key design. Outside the building, a collection of pricey, eye-popping sports and classic cars sat. The gray Afeela sat lonely in the cavernous hanger, looking much the same as it did when I saw it at CES last year and the year before that. Sony did tell me that other color options will be available when the EV goes on pre-order next year and ships in 2026.

Step inside

Sony’s intention this time, though, was not just to antiseptically tout Afeela’s capabilities. I was almost immediately invited to sit in the mostly white interior.

First, though, I had to figure out hope to open one of the sedan’s four doors. While most EVs have recessed handles, the Afeela has none. I was quickly shown how the car could communicate with the companion app on your phone and swing the door open as you approached the car. If app control is not your thing, small buttons are hidden near each window. One press and the door swung open on its own. There’s another button inside the door that I used to open and close the car door.

As I settled into the comfortable bucket seat, the chair shifted forward, and the yoke-style steering wheel lowered toward my lap. My gaze was instantly drawn to the virtually full dashboard touchscreen. We swiped it to see various content options. It supports customization, gaming (there was somewhat incongruously a PlayStation controller sitting just below the dash, but we never got it to work with the car), and even movies. You can slide content toward or away from the driver. There will be a method for assuring that a movie playing on the far right of the screen does not distract the driver, though Sony could not describe the technology that will make this possible.

(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

My favorite use of this display was as a giant navigation map. We pinched and zoomed in and out on it and swept up to transform it into a 3D, 360-degree rendering view.

The dash right in front of me, which is also customizable, has an image of the car and the Fortnite logo above it. I never got to drive the EV, and Sony Honda Mobility has been mum about certain key specs, such as range. However, this screen offered a clue.

I noticed the 0 MPH readout and a “Range” readout to the far left. The bar appeared to be 84% full and promised 234 miles remaining. That could mean Afeela will be in the 250 or even 275mph range, which would more or less match the base range of a rear-wheel motor Tesla Model 3.

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

This being a prototype, there were many things I couldn’t experience (like a test drive) or examine, like the trunk and frunk. Even the 360 spatial audio sound system was incomplete, but they were willing to let me listen. It played music. but also sonic soundscapes that were ear and cabin-filling. The EV will include sound-suppressing features that should mean even if we blasted the music, people outside the car might not be able to hear it.

Afeela uses a combination of cameras (they would not tell me how many) and Lidar sensors for autonomy and to deliver information about surroundings, other cars, and pedestrians to the driver. Along with a standard side view and a rearview mirror, a pair of screens can show you a more complete view from each side of the car (Sony never turned these on in my demo). The rearview can switch between a standard mirror and a rear camera feed.

I also slipped into the spacious rear seats and was confronted by what looked like a 12-inch touchscreen (there was one on the back of each front seat). They showed maps but could be used to display movies, play games, access music, and more.

The EV is big on themes, and depending on which one you choose (or even create), the ambient lighting embedded throughout the car will adjust, as will the sounds. I like the Fortnite blue hue we ended up with.

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

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(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

A rolling computer

Afeela is a smart car. While Sony Honda Mobility wouldn’t detail the manufacturer, they claim the EV has a powerful system on a chip (SoC) capable of 800 ToPs (Trillions of Operations Per Second) and that supports on-board machine learning AI that, in combination with all the cameras and sensors, should deliver Sony Honda Mobility’s goal of Level 3 and Level 2+ autonomy.

That means the car will be able to drive itself, but it’ll still require the driver to maintain contact with the steering wheel as a backup. Company representatives told me the system is well-equipped to handle nighttime driving and bad weather. The car will also get regular over-the-air system updates.

Afeela uses these smarts to get to know you and make adjustments, like switching up the morning commute routine if it knows – via access to your calendar – that you have a meeting this morning and offers faster routes to ensure you make it on time.

The app-connected bumper displays is kind of cool. It can show off special messages and, as seen here, even tell you how much battery is left. I wonder if they would consider letting drivers rent out the space to advertisers. (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)

Even though Sony Honda Mobility is promising pre-orders next year and delivery by 2026, it still has nothing to say about the price. While the car and its technology-crammed interior are exciting, and the exterior is pleasantly attractive, the Afeela adds up to a big question mark in the EV space.

No one outside the company knows how it will drive, exactly how far it can go, what its 0-to-60mph capabilities are, or how all those in-cabin capabilities will work for the driver and passengers in the real world.

What we do know, though, is what Afeela means. Here’s how one Sony Honda Mobility representative described it to me:

At the center of the mobility experience is to create a feeling. Take that idea of creating a feeling, sandwich in augmentation, economy, and affinity, and you get A Feel A, and that’s where Afeela comes from.”

Okay, we’ll take his word for it.

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Amazon launches Haul to fill your stockings for under $25

Amazon Haul is a Temu, Shein, or TikTok Shop alternative where all products are $20 or less.

Amazon just launched Haul, where all products are $20 or less … way lessYou won’t score free shipping with PrimeThis Temu, Shein, or TikTok Shop alternative is home to a host of products

Look at Temu, Shein, and TikTok Shop – now Amazon wants a piece of the ultra-low-cost, generally patience-required shopping buzz. The answer? Well, that’s Amazon Haul.

Amazon Haul is a new mobile-only experience within the Amazon app that offers dozens upon dozens of ultra-affordable products, including fashion, home goods, tech accessories, and even jewelry. While Amazon normally heralds Prime at every opportunity, it’s not featured here.

To score free shipping that isn’t all that fast – delivery estimates are one to two weeks – you’ll need to spend at least $25. Otherwise, shipping is $3.99 for that same time frame. In fact, that fee might be more than what the product you want costs, as some items – including a Stainless Steel Couple Ring—are just $0.99.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

All products on Amazon Haul are under $20, and the experience is very much like a social feed. A rolling top banner rotates with options like “Warm layers. Cool prices.” or “Activewear that won’t stretch your budget.” This is a quick attention grabber, with rolling stats below it and then many featured products across categories. Amazon is also leaning toward emojis and bright colors for the design here. Regardless of product type, Amazon offers additional discounts for Haul, including 5% off when you spend $50 or more and 10% off when you spend $75 or higher.

Haul might be safer than purchasing from Temu or Shein because Amazon backs it with the brand’s A-to-Z Guarantee, which offers some consumer protection. Also, you can contact Amazon’s customer support if something goes wrong. You can return any item that costs more than $3.00 within 15 days; it seems like you’re out of luck for lower-priced options, though.

Like TikTok Shop, Temu, or Shein, Haul is clearly designed to encourage purchasing and you can move through it pretty quickly – from homepage to category to product to checkout. The product pages are also a bit more brief than a standard Amazon one. Take this Water Ripple Pattern Phone Case” for example; it has six photos, most of which are of the actual product and minimal details, including an estimated delivery time frame, details on the product, and then similar choices in case you don’t like this one.

(Image credit: Future/Jacob Krol)

Amazon Haul is live now in beta in the Amazon app and on the mobile version of the shopping site in the United States. It’s early days, though, with Amazon’s VP of Worldwide Selling Partner Services, Dharmesh Mehta, saying that Amazon will “continue to listen to customers as we refine and expand it in the weeks and months to come.”

Further, it’s evident what Haul is all about – lower-priced products from a more trusted name, at least in Amazon’s eyes, as all purchases are “ backed by Amazon’s A-to-Z product guarantee so customers can shop with confidence that the products they’re purchasing are safe, authentic, and in the condition expected.”

It offers a wide range of products, including fashion – shoes and jewelry – as well as home goods, electronics, accessories, kitchen, beauty, and sports. You’ll also find seasonal items, including a ton of stuff geared toward the holidays; you’ll just want to order soon enough so you can haul, haul, haul.

I was able to start browsing Amazon Haul in beta right from the Amazon app on an iPhone, though if you’re not seeing it, you may want to check for an update and ensure you’re in the United States. I’ll browse the virtual aisles of this new low-cost experience and report on what I find – just give me about two weeks time.

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GitHub users targeted by dangerous new phishing threat

Golssue tool targets GitHub users specifically, allowing crooks to extract emails in bulk.

Researchers discover Golssue – a new tool for extracting GitHub user emailsIt is being sold for $700 on the dark webSuch a high-precision tool could lead to dangerous supply chain attacks

GitHub users are allegedly being targeted in a brand new phishing campaign, according to SlashNext.

The company recently published an article titled “GoIssue – The Tool Behind Recent GitHub Phishing Attacks”, detailing the tool, which, from the headline, appears to have already been put to use.

However, the article’s body mostly discusses the potential risks and the ways it could be used to facilitate targeted phishing campaigns and other cyber attacks. It outlines the features of GoIssue and how attackers “could” use it to target GitHub users, suggesting hypothetical scenarios rather than confirming any specific incidents where the tool has been deployed.

Discount for early adopters

In any case, Golssue is definitely a sophisticated hacking tool, and GitHub users should be on their guard.

SlashNext claims Golssue can extract email addresses from public GitHub profiles, and send bulk emails directly to people’s inboxes. That way, crooks could craft highly targeted, convincing phishing emails, which could result in GitHub users losing access to their profiles, or having projects compromised with malware in supply-chain attacks.

“Whether you’re aiming to reach a specific audience or expand your outreach, GoIssue offers the precision and power you need,” Golssue’s developer, a threat actor called ‘cyberdluffy’ said in an ad posted on the dark web.

To purchase a custom build of the tool, you will need to pay $700. Access to the source code can also be acquired, but for $3,000. TheHackerNews found on October 11, the developer slashed the prices to $150 and $1,000 respectively – for the first five customers. So, we might assume that no groups used it just yet.

GitHub is a web-based platform that provides version control and collaboration features for software development projects. It is extremely popular, and as such, often targeted by various criminal groups.

Via SlashNext

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US grocery stores hit by cybersecurity outage at food giant

Many details about the incident are still unknown at this time.

Ahold Delhaize confirms being hit by cyberattackMultiple retail stores across the US were affected by the attackOther details are not known at this time

Multinational retailer Ahold Delhaize has confirmed recently suffering a cyberattack which forced it to shut down parts of its IT infrastructure. As a result, some of its grocery stores and pharmacies, mainly those in the United States, could not service their customers properly.

In a press release, the company said it recently detected a cybersecurity issue within its US network, brought in third-party experts to assist, notified the police, and brought its network offline.

The company operates a variety of supermarket, convenience store, and online grocery brands across Europe and the United States, including brands like Food Lion, Stop & Shop, and Giant.

Delivery delays and other problems

“This issue and subsequent mitigating actions have affected certain Ahold Delhaize USA brands and services including a number of pharmacies and certain e-commerce operations,” the company said in its announcement.

“Each of Ahold Delhaize USA’s brands’ stores are open and serving customers. We will continue to take actions to further protect our systems. The security of our customers, associates and partners is a top priority.”

A report from The Register claims woes for US retailers have been going on for a week now, resulting in even the staff voicing their annoyance on social media.

Not all retailers were affected the same way, however – as at one point, the pharmacy at Stop & Shop could not refill prescriptions. The problem was only exacerbated with phone lines being down, as well. The Food Lion, on the other hand, had to address missing and delayed deliveries. Instacart orders return dates were constantly being pushed back.

At the moment, further details are scarce, and The Register claims that employees were told not to discuss the incident with the media.

Usually, when a company shuts down its systems, it’s to prevent them from being encrypted, and to prevent hackers from exfiltrating information – which usually happens in a ransomware attack.

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Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses too expensive? Cheaper rivals could be coming soon

Xiaomi apparently wants to ship AI specs in 2025 to rival the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Xiamoi might be entering the smart glasses market, according to a new report.The rumored glasses will look to undercut the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses.These should offer a similar feature set with cameras built-in.

The Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses are among the best smart glasses (and the best AI wearable in general) around. They have a sleek, stylish shape and solid Meta AI integration (with helpful tools like Look and Ask, which rely on the glasses’ camera). But they aren’t cheap, which is where these rumored Xiaomi smart glasses might come in.

Per a report from Chinese media outlet 36Kr, industry insiders have said that Xiaomi will launch AI glasses that will “fully benchmark against Meta Ray-Ban,” – suggesting they’ll pack all the same tools and features. This would include a version of the Xiaomi AI – which looks awfully similar to Apple Intelligence if you ask us – but also the cameras and built-in speakers.

There’s no precise word on how much they’ll cost when they launch, but Xiaomi is known for producing more affordable tech than its better-known rivals, so we expect its smart specs to start at less than Meta Ray-Ban’s $299 / £299 / AU$449 starting price.

Not a surprise, not a guarantee

Though, we shouldn’t have to wait too long to find out precisely how much the Xiaomi glasses cost, with industry insiders claiming they’ll arrive in Q2 2025. The Mi Fan Festival is usually held in April, which, as 36Kr notes, would align with this schedule, so perhaps the 2025 Fan Festival will be where we see these AI glasses in action.

Obviously, as with all rumors, we should take this leak with a pinch of salt. What’s more, even if these glasses turn out to be real and arrive next year, there’s a non-zero chance they’ll be exclusive to China and/or Asia.

Considering the Ray-Ban Meta glasses continue to prove wildly popular, we would be surprised if the Xiaomi specs were the only AI glasses to arrive in 2025. As Xiaomi, Apple, Google, Amazon, and others continue to push AI advancements, it makes sense for them to push out AI accessories to rival the Ray-Ban Meta glasses – and hopefully, this competition means better prices for us.

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