Wednesday Newsbytes: 49 Million Dell Customers’ Breached; 12 Phrases That Alert You to Scams; Google Now Has a “Web” Search Button; The Most Relaxing Song In the World… 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!
Dell API abused to steal 49 million customer records in data breach
The threat actor behind the recent Dell data breach revealed they scraped information of 49 million customer records using an partner portal API they accessed as a fake company.
Yesterday, BleepingComputer reported that Dell had begun to send notifications warning customers that their personal data was stolen in a data breach.
This data breach contained customer order data, including warranty information, service tags, customer names, installed locations, customer numbers, and order numbers.
A threat actor known as Menelik put the data up for sale on the Breached hacking forum on April 28th, with the moderators soon taking down the post.
Menelik told BleepingComputer this morning they were able to steal the data after discovering a portal for partners, resellers, and retailers that could be used to look up order information.
Menelik says he could access the portal by registering multiple accounts under fake company names and had access within two days without verification.
“It is very easy to register as a Partner. You just fill an application form,” Menelik told BleepingComputer…
Read more at Bleeping Computer.
Scammer Alert: If Someone Calls You Using Any of These 12 Phrases You’re About To Be Scammed
In an era where phone scams are increasingly sophisticated and widespread, it’s crucial to stay vigilant. Scammers constantly refine their tactics, using specific phrases designed to trick unsuspecting individuals. This article identifies 12 common phrases that should immediately raise red flags for a scammer alert. However, awareness and other preventative measures can help protect you from falling victim to these deceitful tactics.
1. “This is an urgent public service announcement.”
When you hear this, your first reaction might be to listen closely and act quickly. Scammers use this phrase to create a sense of urgency, mimicking official alerts. The intentional use of this phrase causes people to bypass rational thinking and act without skepticism. But remember, genuine public services have other ways of getting in touch. Always double-check these alerts by contacting official sources through their verified channels…
Google now offers ‘web’ search — and an AI opt-out button
For some, the new “web” button will be the biggest improvement in years
This is not a joke: Google will now let you perform a “web” search. It’s rolling out “web” searches now, and in my early tests on desktop, it’s looking like it could be an incredibly popular change to Google’s search engine.
The optional setting filters out almost all the other blocks of content that Google crams into a search results page, leaving you with links and text — and Google confirms to The Verge that it will block the company’s new AI Overviews as well.
“Isn’t every search a web search? What is Google Search if not the web?” you might rightfully ask.
But independent websites like HouseFresh and Retro Dodo have pointed out how their businesses have gotten “buried deep beneath sponsored posts…
Neuroscientists say this is the most relaxing song in the world
Enya’s got nothing on this song.
Stressed? Of course you are. Luckily for you, and the entire U.S. population, scientists believe they may have identified the most relaxing song in the world.
Music has forever been associated with bringing about relaxation, happiness, and serenity — whether it’s a Gregorian chant or some Enya accompanied by a glass of merlot.
Neuroscientists in the United Kingdom think they have found the one song that relieves stress and soothes our souls more than any other.
Mindlab International, a market research firm, conducted a study a few years ago in which participants completed difficult (and possibly stressful) puzzles while their brain activity was monitored. To study its effect, music was played while they completed the puzzles.
One song stood out above the rest. “Weightless” by Marconi Union (listen below), an English ambient music band…
A Chinese criminal organization, dubbed “BogusBazaar,” appears to be behind thousands of fake online shops targeting Americans. A study linked one Chinese criminal organization to over 75,000 fraudulent online shops. The group, known as ‘BogusBazaar,’ has processed over $50 million in fake orders, the study found. The majority of the 850,000 victims are based in the US and Europe.
Have you encountered an online shop with deals too good to be true? Well, they probably are, and the website probably is too.
As the rise of online shopping took hold during the pandemic, so did the rise of fake online shops and products.
SR Labs is a German-based cyber security company that consults with clients in more than 21 countries. The company last week announced the findings of a three-year study, which found that one Chinese criminal organization was linked to more than 75,000 fraudulent online shops..
Read more at Business Insider.
Thanks for reading this week’s Wednesday Newbytes. We hope these articles were informative, interesting, fun, and helpful. Darcy & TC
