Monthly Archives: January 2024

LoanDepot discloses that hackers breached personal data of 16 million customers

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As mortgage lender LoanDepot continues recovery efforts from a ransomware attack, it revealed on Monday that hackers stole data from more than 16 million customers. A Securities and Exchange Commission filing from the mortgage lender did not detail what kind of information the hackers breached, only that "an unauthorized third party gained access to sensitive personal information."

LoanDepot first revealed it has fallen victim to attack on January 8. The company took some IT systems offline, but it faced a slow recovery. Customers took to social media to complain payment issues, struggles to access their accounts and even trouble closing deals on mortgages. By Friday, about two weeks since LoanDepot first came forward about the incident, systems like customer portals and other internal sites returned back online. It appears that LoanDepot fell victim to a ransomware attack, where hackers demand money in exchange for access or information, according to reporting from TechCrunch.

"Unfortunately, we live in a world where these types of attacks are increasingly frequent and sophisticated, and our industry has not been spared. We sincerely regret any impact to our customers,” LoanDepot CEO Frank Martell said in a statement.

Still, the true aftermath of the attack is still coming to light. LoanDepot did not provide additional comment, or explain what types of sensitive information may have been revealed. It did say it would offer free credit monitoring and identity protection services to impacted customers. Notably, three other major financial institutions — Mr. Cooper Group, Fidelity National Financial, First American Financial — have also been hit by cyberattacks in recent months. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/loandepot-discloses-that-hackers-breached-personal-data-of-16-million-customers-172702402.html?src=rss

Apple just dropped a mysterious trailer for its latest sci-fi series Constellation

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Apple just dropped a trailer for its forthcoming sci-fi mystery series Constellation. The series follows an astronaut, played by Noomi Rapace, after an emergency return to Earth. However, the homecoming is fraught with mysterious occurrences and plain-old sci-fi weirdness, leaving audiences wondering what happened to her up there.

We don’t exactly know what type of sci-fi this is. There are hints that it could be a multiversal story, something that draws from false memory theories like the Mandela Effect. There are also hints that Rapace is being toyed with by an alien intelligence. There are clues that point to Rapace herself being an alien intelligence. Whichever way it goes, the show premieres with three episodes on February 21, followed by new entries each Wednesday.

In addition to Rapace, Constellation stars Jonathan Banks from the Breaking Bad television universe, James D’Arcy, Julian Looman, William Catlett and Barbara Sukowa. The show was created by Peter Harness, who wrote a bunch of Doctor Who episodes, and directed by Michelle MacLaren, who has a fantastic track record in genre TV, having helmed episodes of Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Westworld and, going way back, The X-Files.

This is going to be a trippy show, according to the above footage. It’s also cool that Apple releases trailers in HDR, so they’ll really pop on that Vision Pro headset, if you have more disposable income than Scrooge McDuck on tax return day.

Apple TV+ and sci-fi go together like peanut butter and space jelly. The streamer has quietly become the de facto source for science fiction TV. There’s For All Mankind, which just ended a stellar fourth season, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters, which just completed its first season. The streamer also recently put out the first season of Silo, based on the Hugh Howey books, and the second season of Invasion.

But wait, there’s more. Apple TV+ is home to the blockbuster hit Severance and a loose adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s seminal Foundation book series. Both shows have been renewed. Additionally, there’s Hello Tomorrow, Extrapolations, Dr. Brain and See. Even shows that don’t seem to be steeped in sci-fi, like Schmigadoon and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, have otherworldly elements. Apple loves itself some sci-fi. I’m down with this. The real world is boring and dumb.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-just-dropped-a-mysterious-trailer-for-its-latest-sci-fi-series-constellation-164245481.html?src=rss

Cute Camera for Kids Concept gets budding shutterbugs started early

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Smartphone photography is a huge part of modern culture today, whether it’s for preserving precious memories or for taking food photos to flaunt on social media. And just like how big touch screens like tablets have become children’s toys in one way or another, it might only be a matter of time before the younger generation becomes interested in taking photos. Of course, camera apps even on the most kid-friendly tablet aren’t exactly kid-friendly, not to mention the device itself won’t be the best medium for inducting toddlers into the wonderful world of digital photography. This concept design tries to address those issues by turning a digital camera into an object that kids are most familiar with: a toy.

Designer: Nicola Morelli

While smartphone manufacturers are indeed trying to make taking photos as simple as tapping on the shutter button, especially with the help of AI, there will always be occasions when you need to manually adjust some settings. That’s true not just for changing ISO, focus, and shutter speed, but also for the selfie timer. Typical camera apps make these settings easy to change if you’re an adult, but toddlers 3 years or older are a very different story. And there’s the fact that a touchscreen isn’t exactly the best interface for kids still developing cognitive and motor abilities.

This Camera for Kids concept design attempts to transform the digital camera into a more tactile experience by using physical controls for using the camera. And it’s not just any old physical control, which would make it similar to a complicated professional camera. Instead, it uses metaphors that kids might be more familiar with for those same actions, ensuring that their functions remain understandable even if the underlying concepts aren’t.

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The shutter button, for example, takes the form of a water gun trigger that most kids will probably know how to use. A crank lever is used to change focus and brightness, and taking selfies involves pulling a “TNT” string that shortens as it counts down to the shot. The toy-like operation as well as the appearance of these parts help instill a sense of confidence and fun, encouraging the child to explore and discover rather than be intimidated by the device.

The camera also has a modular design that makes it easier to use, like an actual mirror for those selfies, a flash for lighting, and a strap for carrying around the kid’s neck. Almost like building blocks, kids or their parents can mix and match these parts, depending on what they need or want to do at the time. It’s an example of a thoughtful design that truly puts the target audience, in this case, little photographers, at the center of the experience, shaping technology around them rather than forcing them to adopt to something their minds aren’t yet ready to tackle.

The post Cute Camera for Kids Concept gets budding shutterbugs started early first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Features Revealed (Video)

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Samsung Galaxy S24

In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra emerges as a beacon of innovation and technological prowess. As you delve into the realm of this latest offering from Samsung, you’ll be greeted with a suite of features that not only enhance your daily digital experience but also promise longevity and efficiency. The […]

The post Top Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Features Revealed (Video) appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.

Carnegie Mellon reveals it was hit by a cyberattack over the summer

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A cyberattack hit Carnegie Mellon University last summer and the attackers breached personal data, according to a disclosure from the school last week. The Pittsburgh-based university known for its top tech and computer science programs said on Friday that the attack impacted 7,300 students, employees, contractors and other affiliates.

"There is no evidence of fraud or inappropriate use of the information from those files," a statement from CMU said. Still, the attackers likely accessed and copied data that included names, social security numbers and birth dates. With help from law enforcement, CMU disabled any access to that copied data, according to the school.

It started on August 25 when unauthorized users accessed CMU's systems. The university says it began recovery processes and an investigation into the incident that included months later in December, while notifications to impacted parties began to go out last week. Impacted parties will receive credit monitoring services to mitigate further damage.

CMU did not respond to a request for comment and further information about the attack by the time of publication.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/carnegie-mellon-reveals-it-was-hit-by-a-cyberattack-over-the-summer-155618462.html?src=rss

Apparel supplier for North Face, Vans admits its cyberattack led to a data breach of 35 million customers

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Major apparel supplier VF Corp followed up on its December cyberattack disclosure, with its latest Securities and Exchange Commission form admitting to a data breach impacting up to 35.5 million customers. That means if you've purchased from its major brands like Vans, North Face, Timberland, Dickies and more, you may have been impacted. But VF Corp still insists that the incident won't hurt its financial performance.

Initially, VF Corp warned customers that the cyberattack it experienced in December could have an impact on its holiday order fulfillment. The company said "unauthorized occurrences" on its IT systems caused operational disruptions, and the attackers likely stole personal information. Now, it's come out just how widespread the damage from the attack could be. 

VF Corp did not respond to a request for comment clarifying what type of data the hackers stole. In the SEC filing, however, the company said it did not collect consumer social security numbers, bank account information or payment card information, and that there is no evidence the hackers stole passwords. It also said that the unauthorized users were "ejected" from its systems by December 15, after being discovered two days earlier. 

"Since the filing of the Original Report, VF has substantially restored the IT systems and data that were impacted by the cyber incident, but continues to work through minor operational impacts," the latest filing states. VF still has not confirmed who was behind the attack.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apparel-supplier-for-north-face-vans-admits-its-cyberattack-led-to-a-data-breach-of-35-million-customers-153411926.html?src=rss

2024 Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze launched

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2024 Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze

Ford is launching a special version of its Mustang Mach-E GT, the 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze and the car gets a range of upgrades over the standard model, which includes 20-inch Sinister Bronze painted wheels, a new Bronze Grille, and more. The car will be available in a range of colors including Shadow Black, […]

The post 2024 Mustang Mach-E GT Bronze launched appeared first on Geeky Gadgets.