2.9 Billion Hit In One of the Largest Data Breaches Ever; Google Dumps Chromecast; IRS Offers Identity Theft Advice; Cats Appear to Grieve Death of Fellow Pets… and more!
Every day we scan the tech world for interesting news in the world of technology and sometimes from outside the world of technology. Every Wednesday, we feature news articles that grabbed our attention over the past week. We hope you find this week’s ‘Wednesday Newsbytes’ informative and interesting!
2.9 billion hit in one of the largest data breaches ever — full names, addresses and SSNs exposed
Stolen data was then put up for sale on the dark web
Regardless of how careful you are online, your personal data can still end up in the hands of hackers—and a new data breach that exposed the data of 2.9 billion people is the perfect example of this.
As reported by Bloomberg, news of this massive new data breach was revealed as part of a class action lawsuit that was filed at the beginning of this month. A complaint submitted to the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida claims the exposed personal data belongs to a public records data provider named National Public Data, which specializes in background checks and fraud prevention.
The personal data of 2.9 billion people, which includes full names, former and complete addresses going back 30 years, Social Security Numbers, and more, was stolen from National Public Data by a cybercriminal group that goes by the name USDoD. The complaint goes on to explain that the hackers then tried to sell this huge collection of personal data on the dark web to the tune of $3.5 million.
Here’s everything we know so far…
Google is discontinuing the Chromecast line
After over a decade of selling the Chromecast, Google will replace it with the new Google TV Streamer.
Google is done making Chromecasts. In a post on Tuesday, Google says it’s “ending production of Chromecast” after over a decade of selling the streaming dongles.
Even though Chromecast devices will now be available “while supplies last,” Google says it will continue to push software and security updates to its newer devices without specifying which ones. The most recent update to the lineup was the Chromecast with Google TV released in 2022.
But now, Google says “technology has evolved dramatically” since the launch of the original Chromecast in 2013. “We invested heavily in embedding Google Cast technology into millions of TV devices, including Android TV,” Google writes. “We are taking the next step in evolving how streaming TV devices can add even more capabilities to your smart TV, built on top of the same Chromecast technology.”….
Millions of American Taxpayers Issued Identity Theft Advice
The Internal Revenue Service has issued advice to Americans on how to protect themselves from identity theft.
In a news release on Tuesday, the IRS provided details about two tools that can be used to protect against tax-related identity theft for both taxpayers and the tax professionals who hold their sensitive information.
One tool is the IRS Identity Protection PIN program, which provides taxpayers with a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using their Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.
The IRS advised that taxpayers share their Identity Protection PIN with only their trusted tax provider. Tax professionals are advised to never store their clients’ personal identification numbers on computer systems, as this reduces the risk if a system is compromised by an identity thief or cyberattack.
The IRS said it would never call, email or text taxpayers or tax professionals to request a PIN. “This is a sign of a scam,” the agency said in the news release…
Cats appear to grieve death of fellow pets – even dogs, study finds
US researchers say findings challenge view that cats are antisocial and suggest bereavement may be universal
Cats are often considered aloof, independent and fickle in their affections. But, research suggests, they also show signs of grieving after the death of another pet in the same household – even when it is the family dog.
Some cats struggled to sleep, went off their food or made yowling noises. Others were more needy around their caregivers or went off their favourite games, owners reported.
The team behind the work said the findings challenged the view that cats were antisocial and suggested that the psychological experience of loss might be universal.
“They [cats] engaged less in sleeping, eating and playing but more in seeking attention from humans and other pets, hiding, spending time alone and appearing to look for their lost companions,” the authors from Oakland University in the US wrote in their study, which was published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
Mourning is a well-established phenomenon in the animal kingdom…
Internet cables cut as Paris Olympics cat-and-mouse continues
First trains, now the internet. Que se passe-t-il?
Several long-distance fibre-optic cables in France were “sabotaged” overnight, according to local police, causing widespread disruptions to internet services across the country.
The perpetrators remain at large, as the cat-and-mouse between police and criminals at the Olympics continues on the sidelines of sprints, swims, and shot puts.
The internet cables were severed early on Monday morning, said network provider Netalis on X. Junior Minister for Digital Affairs Marina Ferrari condemned the attacks, calling them “cowardly and irresponsible.”
Paris, where most of the Olympic events are taking place, has not been affected. Whether the attacks were intended to disrupt the Games or not is unclear at this time.
However, the incident comes a mere three days after an arson attack disrupted large sections of the French rail network, causing major delays just hours before the Olympic Games opening ceremony.
However, France’s interior minister suggested that the rail sabotage may be connected to far-left activists. It is not yet clear if police are linking the two attacks…
Thanks for reading this week’s Wednesday Newbytes. We hope these articles were informative, interesting, fun, and helpful. Darcy & TC
