Elon Musk’s X / Twitter once again purged journalists — among others — who were critical of the billionaire’s politics. But as quickly as they went, they seemingly soon came back.
This time X barred a handful of journalists, podcasters, and other users. Among the purged: the Intercept’s Ken Klippenstein, the Texas Observer’s Steven Monacelli, podcaster Rob Rousseau, and the account for the leftwing podcast TrueAnon. But just as some of the previous, seemingly arbitrary bans of other journalists didn’t last, this incident was quickly resolved on Tuesday.
For a guy who claims to be all for free speech, Elon Musk loves to ban the Twitter accounts of people that speak freely and criticize him. Talk about having a thin skin. This highlights that journalists are not welcome on Twitter and should find better places to be like Threads or Mastodon where they can do their jobs without the interference of a billionaire who acts like a child.
Panther Labs today announced its recognition in Built In’s 2024 Best Places To Work Awards. This prestigious accolade highlights Panther Labs’ commitment to creating an outstanding work environment.
Demonstrating an unwavering commitment to cultivating a superior work environment, Panther Labs has been distinguished in several categories, reflecting its versatility and excellence in fostering a supportive and dynamic workplace. The company has earned esteemed positions in the following categories:
U.S. Best Places to Work
U.S. Best Midsize Places to Work
San Francisco, CA Best Places to Work
San Francisco, CA Best Midsize Places to Work
Remote Best Places to Work
Remote Best Midsize Places to Work
The annual awards program includes companies of all sizes, from startups to those in the enterprise, and honors both remote-first employers as well as companies in large tech markets across the U.S.
Built In determines the winners of Best Places to Work based on an algorithm, using company data about compensation and benefits. To reflect the benefits candidates are searching for more frequently on Built In, the program also weighs criteria like remote and flexible work opportunities, programs for DEI and other people-first cultural offerings.
Posted in Commentary with tags Hacked on January 9, 2024 by itnerd
I woke up to the news that the Toronto Zoo has been hit with a cyberattack. They posted a statement here. Here’s the relevant part:
Your Toronto Zoo is currently experiencing a ransomware/cyber incident. It was first detected early Friday, January 5, 2024 and Zoo staff took immediate steps to start to determine the extent of the incident.
We are investigating the impact, if any, to our guests, Members and donor records. We can confirm we do not currently store any credit card information. Once we have more information we will share it broadly.
Currently, our animal wellbeing, care and support systems have not been impacted by this incident and we are continuing with normal Zoo operations including being open to guests. The Zoo website is not impacted, and ticket purchases can continue to be made online at torontozoo.com.
We are working with the City of Toronto’s Chief Information Security Office and third-party cyber security experts to resolve the situation and have reported it to Toronto Police Services.
This is the latest attack to hit a public institution in Ontario. The Toronto Public Library, LCBO, and a bunch of Ontario hospitals have been pwned as of late. Now it’s early days when it comes to the Toronto Zoo. So it will likely take some time to find out how bad this is. But what is clear is that public institutions need to do more to stop this sort of thing from happening. Because this sort of thing is happening way too often.
Posted in Commentary with tags Visa on January 9, 2024 by itnerd
Visa and CIBC announced a new collaboration that will enable the bank’s clients to send funds to family and friends across borders more conveniently. Thanks to the innovative money movement capabilities of Visa Direct, CIBC and Simplii clients will soon be able to send money to a new range of digital wallets in key remittance destinations including the Philippines, China, Bangladesh, and Kenya, where they are the primary method for people to pay and get paid. The new capability will be made available early this year.
Driven by rapidly changing consumer demands, digital wallets are among the fastest growing financial instruments in the world, with global numbers expected to cross 5.2 billion by 2026. Particularly for unbanked individuals in emerging markets, digital wallets serve as a valuable gateway to the financial system.
This announcement builds on the companies’ earlier collaboration that enables CIBC and Simplii clients to use Visa Direct-enabled cross-border person-to-person (P2P) and business-to-consumer (B2C) payouts through CIBC’s and Simplii’s Global Money Transfer service.
Despite the swift global shift to digital platforms recently, certain cross-border money movement channels remain fragmented. The latest findings from Visa’s ‘Money Travels: 2023 Digital Remittances Adoption’ study suggest that consumers anticipate a future driven by digital technology in this area. Canada ranks among the world’s top ‘sender’ nations—those that send the highest amounts of money to recipients in foreign countries.3 In fact, 60% to 70% of remittance users in Canada and the U.S. have utilized an app-based digital payment method for international money transfers.
Research by Simplii Financial revealed that three-quarters (75%) of respondents send money overseas at least once a month; nearly eight in ten (79%) are seeking a more convenient way to send money to friends and family outside Canada, and half spend more than $100 annually on transfer fees.
Visa Direct provides access to nearly 8.5 billion endpoints, including 3+ billion accounts, 3+ billion cards and 2.5+ billion digital wallets. Visa Direct is helping transform global money movement by facilitating the delivery of funds to eligible wallets, bank accounts, and cards around the world.
Posted in Commentary with tags Jabra on January 9, 2024 by itnerd
Jabra is set to unveil a suite of experience-enhancing updates to its latest Elite wireless earbuds, the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10.
The initial updates, which will be available in January, will include an easy-to-use on/off toggle for Adaptive Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), HearThrough, and Sidetone features, as well as new voice tone prompts. This enables enhanced interaction and empowers users to tailor their earbuds to their own/individual preferences. Additionally, users will be able to customize the device name of their earbuds.
By March, users can expect an optimization for Elite 10 call clarity for bustling environments like offices, restaurants, and busy streets. Jabra’s latest noise suppression algorithms are designed to identify and diminish background voices, ensuring uninterrupted conversations.
Jabra’s improvements on the Adaptive ANC on Elite 8 Active paired with HearThrough will be even more effective in windy conditions. This is thanks to upgraded wind noise detection technology.
These updates will be available in two waves, the first in January 2024 and the second in March 2024. Updates are via the Sound+ app, and will be available to all users, existing and new, via a hassle-free, over-the-air update at no cost.
Even as Americans continue to overshare on social media, 46 percent (or as many as 105 million) are using virtual privacy networks (VPNs) to encrypt Internet traffic, up 39 percent from last year.
New research shows 95 percent of adults are now familiar with VPNs and as many as 10 million could begin using them in 2024, according to Security.org’s annual VPN market research. Key findings include:
The most popular VPNs were NordVPN, Proton VPN, and Google One VPN, which has surged in popularity since Google began offering it free with cloud storage subscriptions and Pixel 7 phones last year
About half of all users rely on VPNs for work or business applications, and an equal number use them on personal devices
Nearly 40 percent of users rely on VPNs to prevent tracking from search engines or social media sites
Despite the risks, about 43 percent of users have free VPNs, which can jeopardize data security
As we stand at the beginning of 2024, it’s an opportune moment to assess the current state of the cybersecurity landscape and gear up for the upcoming year. The past year posed unique challenges with the evolving array of targets, exploits, and tools available to threat actors.
In 2023, supply chain attacks gained prominence as a rapidly growing vector for cyber threats, and both businesses and criminals embraced Large Language Models (LLMs). The surge in geopolitical tensions led to an increase in zero-day attacks, while the adoption of multi-cloud strategies hindered organizations’ visibility into their environments.
For CISOs and security teams, navigating this dynamic landscape is paramount. Our forecasts, drawing insights from various analysts and Hadrian’s experts, aim to offer actionable perspectives. By anticipating emerging trends and threats, organizations can proactively fortify their cybersecurity measures to tackle the challenges ahead.
Proliferation of LLM Code Injection Attacks
Generative AI is poised to revolutionize business’ products and services by significantly improving both customer experience and agent productivity. The technology’s ability to automate interactions with customers using natural language has already garnered attention, with McKinsey estimating a potential value of $404 billion for customer operations sources.
However, the implementation of data subjects’ rights with Large Language Models presents notable challenges. The European Data Protection Supervisor states that “rectifying, deleting or even requesting access to personal data learned by LLMs, whether it is accurate or made up of “hallucinations”, may be difficult or impossible.”
“Prompt injection attacks in Large Language Models (LLMs) are like unlocking a backdoor into the AI’s brain. It’s not just about tricking the model; it’s about understanding and exploiting the foundational weaknesses of these systems.” Himanshu Patri, Hacker at Hadrian.
Despite this challenge, 85% of data scientists and engineers say they have or plan to deploy LLM applications within the next 12 months.
1% – deployed more than 2 LLMs into production
13% – deployed 1-2 LLMs into production
44% – deployed LLMs for experimentation only
27% – plan to start using LLMs in the next 12 months
15% – have no plans to use LLMs
Security risks associated with Large Language Models are brought to the forefront through the concept of prompt injection attacks, as outlined in the OWASP Top 10 for Large Language Model Applications. The group defines prompt injection as “This manipulates a large language model (LLM) through crafty inputs, causing unintended actions by the LLM. Direct injections overwrite system prompts, while indirect ones manipulate inputs from external sources.”
This manipulation technique can cause unintended actions by LLMs, with NCC Group providing further insights into how prompt injection attacks work and why Large Language Models are vulnerable to the technique. Among the unintended actions that LLMs can make, they can reveal proprietary information about how the model was trained and customer’s personal information.
“The challenge with LLMs, particularly in the context of data privacy, is akin to teaching a parrot sensitive information. Once it’s learned, it’s almost impossible to ensure the parrot won’t repeat it in some form.” said Himanshu Patri, Hacker at Hadrian
Microsoft’s “New Bing” search engine represents a real-world case study and illustrates the vulnerabilities of these AI systems. Just one day after the service’s launch a prompt injection attack by a Stanford University student named Kevin Liu unveiled the initial prompt governing end user interactions.
Looking ahead, the future of AI/LLM technology holds both promise and challenges. As these technologies continue to advance, security becomes an increasingly complex problem. Simon Willison’s exploration of GPT-4-V highlights potential new vectors for prompt injection attacks. In his analysis, Simon demonstrated how an injection attack could be carried out using images uploaded to GTP-4-V, emphasizing the need for proactive security measures.
In response to these challenges, basic recommendations include implementing input allow-listing, input deny-listing, controlling input length, validating outputs, and incorporating robust monitoring and audit practices. However, prompt-based models will always be vulnerable to such attacks and companies should consider alternatives, such as fine-tuned learning models, as a potential solution to mitigate security risks associated with prompt-based models.
Mandatory Continuous Cloud Monitoring
Cloud services have gained widespread adoption due to a range of benefits, including low-cost data storage, rapid deployment of computing infrastructure for app development, and user access to valuable SaaS applications. A Google survey revealed that 41.4% of respondents planned to increase investment in cloud-based services and products, showcasing the growing significance of these solutions.
Furthermore, the survey revealed that selecting a trustworthy cloud provider was an important selection criterion. Enterprise cloud decision-makers prioritize capabilities such as “strong capabilities for protecting and controlling my data in the cloud” (40%) and compatibility with existing security solutions (38%).
Despite this prioritization, 39% of businesses reported experiencing a data breach in their cloud environment in the previous year, according to Thales research. This becomes more alarming as 75% of businesses reveal that over 40% of their cloud-stored data is sensitive, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
The lag in security practices maturity at defending the cloud is notable with 43% of organizations either in the early stages or had not yet initiated implementing practices to secure their cloud environments according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report.
34% were at midstage.
23% were at the mature stage.
26% were in early-stage.
17% had no cloud security.
“Encrypting data and implementing robust access controls are fundamental, but they’re just the start. Real security in the cloud is about continuous vigilance and being able to react in real-time to emerging threats.” Arpit Borawake, Hacker at Hadrian
To address these challenges, organizations should take proactive measures alongside vigilant monitoring. This includes implementing robust access controls, encrypting data, conducting regular security assessments, and ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
“In the cloud, your security perimeter is as vast as the services you use. Without continuous monitoring, you’re giving attackers a playground to find and exploit vulnerabilities.” Arpit Borawake, Hacker at Hadrian
Considering the dynamic nature of cloud infrastructure, where developers can rapidly spin up virtual servers, maintaining an up-to-date map of cloud assets becomes challenging. Adopting a continuous approach to cloud monitoring becomes crucial, providing a timely perspective of the cloud attack surface and aiding in the identification of a broader range of potential security vulnerabilities.
Spearphishing’s Acceleration in the AI Era
People represent the most vulnerable aspect of an organization in the face of phishing, scams, and fraud, a susceptibility further heightened by the introduction of generative AI chatbots. These advancements have increased the efficacy of hackers in executing spear-phishing and Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks, leading to cybersecurity breaches, including financially motivated ransomware and data theft.
According to SlashNext, since the launch of ChatGPT at the end of 2022, there has been a staggering 1,265% increase in malicious phishing emails. Notably, 68% of all phishing emails employed text-based BEC tactics, solidifying concerns over the role of chatbots and jailbreaks in the exponential growth of phishing. Credential phishing has experienced a remarkable 967% increase, primarily driven by ransomware groups seeking access to companies in exchange for financial gain.
”AI-generated phishing attacks are a game-changer. We’re not just combating rogue emails; we’re up against a system that learns how to better trick us with each interaction. It’s a wake-up call for more advanced cybersecurity measures.” Melvin Lammerts, Hacking Manager at Hadrian
One emerging malicious generative AI is WormGPT, a model based on the open-source ChatGPT equivalent, GPT-J. While the exact training data remains undisclosed, it is rumored to involve malware-related content. This tool, available at a subscription price of €60 per month, has been discussed in hacker forums and was tested by a journalist, revealing its capability to craft well-written and personalized phishing emails.
Beyond WormGPT, FraudGPT is a malicious AI tailored for cyberattacks such as spear phishing and malware creation. While other cybercriminals use specialized generative AI, others exploit curated prompts to jailbreak ChatGPT in order to use it for malicious purposes. An online community named “ChatGPTJailbreak” on Reddit, boasting over 15k subscribers, discusses methods to circumvent the boundaries set by OpenAI.
The use of AI tooling in phishing attacks is expected to persist and multiply. The defense side typically lags behind attackers, emphasizing the need for reliable software utilizing AI to detect phishing attacks across various mediums. However, the development of such software is gradual and not without challenges such as cost, privacy concerns, and potential false positives.
“Implementing least privilege access and routinely testing employees with fake phishing emails are fundamental steps in creating a resilient defense against AI-powered phishing attacks.” Melvin Lammerts, Hacking Manager at Hadrian
To mitigate the threat, organizations should enforce least privilege access to make it harder for hackers to target specific individuals and their devices. Hadrian also recommends implementing routine and mandatory training on identifying phishing attacks, facilitating reporting measures, periodically sending fake phishing emails for employee awareness, and utilizing software that analyzes emails for potential threats.
Mass Attacks Targeting Network Zero-Days
Google Project Zero, an initiative comprising security analysts employed by Google to identify zero-day vulnerabilities, distinguishes zero-day vulnerabilities from “zero-day exploits in the wild,” which are vulnerabilities already exploited in cyber-attacks. According to Project Zero’s research there have been 56 zero-days exploited in the wild in 2023, the second highest ever recorded.
This is an increase from 2022 when Google Project Zero noted a 40% drop in detected and disclosed zero-days compared to 2021. This was attributed to a combination of security improvements and regressions. Furthermore, they found that over 40% of the discovered zero days were variants of previously reported vulnerabilities.
Notable instances of zero-days exploited in the wild in 2023 include:
A critical vulnerability in Cisco IOS XE software, was exploited by an unknown actor to backdoor vulnerable networks. Over 10,000 switches, routers, and other devices are known to have been compromised by the zero-day.
Citrix Systems addressed three critical security flaws in Citrix Application Delivery Controller (ADC) and Citrix Gateway. These vulnerabilities enabled remote code execution and are known to have been actively exploited by threat actors.
Fortinet issued updates for FortiGate products to address a critical vulnerability allowing remote code execution in its SSL VPN appliances. Shodan scans revealed that approximately 250,000 accessible Fortinet firewalls globally, making them susceptible to attack
“Proactive defense against zero-day exploits requires more than just monitoring CVE feeds; it requires a deep technical understanding of how regression or bypass mechanisms work. Attackers are leveraging sophisticated technical knowledge, and defenders must match that level of expertise.” Melvin Lammerts, Hacking Manager at Hadrian
During a Google Cloud event, it was claimed that Chinese hackers have been the top state-sponsored threat actors in zero-day usage over the past three years, being responsible for most of the exploited zero-days in 2023.
“Observing the trend of zero-days, especially the exploitation of known vulnerabilities in Fortinet firewalls, indicates a methodical approach by attackers. They are not just finding new vulnerabilities; they’re adept at recognizing and leveraging regression in security patches.” Melvin Lammerts, Hacking Manager at Hadrian
These zero-days often involve regression, bypasses, or loose connections to previous Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), allowing organizations to proactively defend themselves to some extent. Recommendations for mitigation include prompt patching and logging, monitoring CVE feeds for relevant technologies, and products used by organizations, and employing proper firewall usage to minimize exposure.
Accelerating Momentum of Supply Chain Attacks
Modern applications used by businesses, governments, and individuals heavily rely on the software supply chain. This digitization of the supply chain, however, exposes these areas to heightened vulnerabilities from cyberattacks. Notably, the integration of digital elements into both product delivery and traditional supply chains necessitates a broadened assessment of security considerations.
“Supply chain attacks exploiting known or zero-day vulnerabilities represent a strategic shift in cyber warfare. Attackers are no longer just knocking on the front door; they’re silently altering the building plans.” Himanshu Patri, Hacker at Hadrian.
Common types of software supply chain attacks can vary:
Exploiting Vulnerabilities: Threat actors may use known or zero-day vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to crucial developer resources, accounts, or software within the software supply chain.
Targeting Open Source Components: Cyberattacks focus on open-source software, including libraries and dependencies in global projects. Tampering with these projects can lead to the widespread distribution of malicious code.
Typosquatting: Threat actors upload subtly misspelled malicious packages to code repositories, impersonating popular packages and tricking developers into downloading malware.
Stolen Credentials: Attackers use stolen usernames and passwords to access developer environments or software supply chain resources, allowing covert data theft or manipulation of code.
Compromising CI/CD Pipelines: Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) pipelines, crucial for DevOps and software supply chains, can be breached by attackers, potentially compromising the entire software supply chain.
“Typosquatting in software supply chains is a cunning blend of social engineering and technical skills. It’s a clear indication that attackers are leveraging both psychological and technical vulnerabilities.” Himanshu Patri, Hacker at Hadrian
A pivotal tool in enhancing software supply chain security is the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), which serves as an inventory of all components and software dependencies linked to a specific application. Covering both proprietary and open-source components, SBOMs provide comprehensive transparency, including the origins and licensing details of components. The transparency provided by SBOMs empowers organizations to comply with legal requirements and proactively address vulnerabilities. By breaking down applications into components, SBOMs facilitate systematic vulnerability checks, enabling companies to implement safeguards before potential cyberattacks.
The increasing recognition of SBOMs as a valuable tool is evident, in a survey 42% of respondents were already utilizing them, and an additional 31% were planning adoption in the near future, signaling impressive growth in their use. Given the far-reaching impact of supply chain attacks, the most effective approach is to incorporate security measures during vendor selection. Furthermore, securing the software supply chain is a crucial responsibility for developers, and testing should be carried out pre- and post-release of code to production.
Posted in Commentary with tags HP on January 9, 2024 by itnerd
Yesterday at CES 2024, HP Inc. unveiled its most personalized gaming portfolio yet with innovations across its OMEN and HyperX brands. New laptops, accessories, and software are all designed to work together to create a seamless gaming ecosystem so gamers can focus on what they do best – play.
Lightning-Speed Gaming with Advanced Creative Capability
Those who value a gaming lifestyle crave versatile machines capable of handling the rigor of top-tier AAA games while boasting the performance to manage visually demanding creative endeavors from multitasking projects to operating robust creative platforms. Specifically crafted for gaming and creative work, including students, the OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop is offered with an advanced OLED display, an elegantly slim body, and superior-grade internals, which make up the world’s coolest and lightest 14-inch gaming laptop.
The new OMEN Transcend 14 brings hybrid lifestyle gaming to life with:
Exceptionally Vivid Display: Immersive for gameplay and perfect for content creation, this stunning device is offered with an IMAX Enhanced Certified 2.8K 120Hz VRR OLED display for incredible details and vibrant true-to-life color. The world’s first gaming laptop with a lattice-less sky printed RGB keyboard extends the vibrant color experience beyond the screen.
Luxurious and Compact Design: Gamers want significant power in easily portable designs. This device weighs in at world-class 1,637 g with up to 11.5 hours battery life and a type-C PD 140W adapter to make charging on-the-go easier than ever before.
Epic Speed Through AI: Maximize your experience with up to an Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 185H processor and up to NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 4070 Laptop GPUs to effortlessly engage with the latest games or handle compute-intensive tasks. Streamers and gamers can leverage the device’s NPU and OpenVINO™ plugins for OBS studio to make streaming and gameplay smoother than ever with up to a 24.6% Frames Per Second (FPS) improvement. Take full advantage of Auto Dynamic Refresh Rate (DRR) in OMEN Gaming Hub for a smoother gameplay experience by automatically switching between different refresh rates depending on content and power mode which can improve battery life up to 7%. Get up to 20% longer battery life in ECO mode.
Thermal Revolution: No one wants scorching hot hands when they’re gaming, creating, or working. A redesigned chassis utilizes inbound airflow to create a pressurized zone using a vapor chamber for direct heat dissipation through rear vents. This thermal innovation co-engineered with Intel’s dual channel flow technology produced in the world’s coolest 14-inch gaming laptop, which can achieve 4x higher static pressure with an 80w thermal capability within a 12 mm base.
Boost Your Play and Productivity: Perfect for the student gamer, OMEN Transcend 14 offers both local AI capabilities through its Intel® and NVIDIA® processors, as well as built-in AI with Otter.ai for features like live transcript and real-time captions during meetings or classes, a record function for transcribing audio, and AI-generated notes.
The World’s First Gaming Laptop with Audio tuned by HyperX: The HyperX audio team worked closely with the OMEN Transcend 14 engineers to custom tune the laptop’s sound performance, elevating clarity and spectral balance to enhance the overall gaming audio experience, ensuring that subtle details are not overshadowed by louder sounds.
HP has also updated its OMEN Transcend 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC with the addition of up to a striking 2.5K 240Hz OLED display option as well as its OMEN 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC and Victus 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC – all updated with Intel® Core™ i7 HX processors.
A Seamless, Personalized Gaming Experience with HyperX
Seamless connectivity is a critical part of any gamer’s wireless headset experience. Expanding on last year’s first gaming laptops with an embedded module for intuitive audio pairing and ultra-low latency (ULL) solution, the all-new OMEN Transcend 14 ups the ante with a bundled option for the world’s first gaming laptop with 2.4 GHz ULL connectivity for the HyperX Cloud III Wireless Headset. This gives gamers easy switching between your PC and console. Its straightforward setup enables anyone to dive into a flawless gaming experience with outstanding audio, from the get-go.
New offerings designed for the next level in personalization from HyperX include:
Small, Compact and Mighty: The HyperX Cloud Mini Headsets are tailored for younger gaming enthusiasts to provide comfort and safe sound experiences with volume-limiting capabilities to ensure a safer auditory experience. Available in both wired and wireless versions, both boast immersive audio, and a handy flip-to-mute microphone with multi-platform compatibilities. The HyperXClutch Tanto Mini Wired Controller is a lightweight choice that promises easy access to all standard buttons and controls while also being compatible with Xbox Series X|S consoles, PC, Steam Deck, and Android devices, including a mobile mode switch and a 3.5mm stereo jack for wired headsets.
Built for Personalization and Customization: The first hot-swappable keyboard with a gasket mounted design from HyperX, the HyperXAlloy Rise Keyboard is available in full-size and 75% options with dedicated arrow keys. Equipped with pre-lubed HyperX Linear Switches and pre-installed HyperX PBT Keycaps, it features enhanced RGB lighting with an ambient light sensor for auto-adjusting brightness, ensuring optimal visuals. The keyboard comes with HyperX’s signature onboard memory, allowing gamers to save 10 keyboard profiles directly onto the keyboard for personalized settings on the go. Built for even greater personalization, the keyboards feature hot-swappable key switches, magnetic top plates, badge packs, a new 3D Mythic Themed Collection, along with robust construction, ensuring durability and flexibility.
High Performance with a Smaller Footprint: The new HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini, a compact gaming mouse, has been designed for gamers who appreciate ultra-lightweight, high-performance tools, and offers an impressive battery life of up to 100 hours. It features a highly precise HyperX 26K Sensor, dual wireless mode connectivity, dust-proof HyperX Switches, and adaptable grip tape for superior handling.
Travel Ready: The HyperXKnight and Delta Gaming Backpacks offer a place to securely stow gaming laptops and gaming accessories with durable and weather-resistant polyester, classic HyperX colors, and compiles with most airlines carry-on size regulations for gaming on the go.
The Pinnacle of Gaming Display Technology
Whether you’re a gamer deeply immersed in a digital world, or a creator conceiving a new one, you need a device capable of keeping up and pushing the envelope of what’s possible. Driven by a relentless desire to offer a transformative experience, the OMEN Transcend 32 UHD 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor is the world’s most advanced gaming monitoroffering gamers:
A Sea of Firsts: As the world’s first gaming monitor with independent switchable USB Ports,16 seamlessly switch between devices or utilize the incredibly smart KVM features to drag and drop files across devices. Experience easy and seamless connectivity with the world’s first OLED gaming monitor with 140W USB-C power delivery. Enjoy game audio and music to the fullest on the world’s first gaming monitor with audio tuned by HyperX, which includes a 10 band EQ that is fully customizable within OMEN Gaming Hub.
Breathtaking Visuals: Action pops of the screen like never before thanks QD-OLED Panel Technology that enables an insane 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio across its 4K UHD, 240Hz refresh rate, and 0.3 ms response time panel. As OMEN’s first monitor to feature Dolby Vision, compatible games yield a truly magnificent HDR experience. It’s the first OMEN display to be certified with VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 providing up to 50x greater dynamic range and 4x improvement in rise time compared to DisplayHDR 1000.
Live Long and Prosper: Panel life is of vital importance for OLED, and OMEN Tempest Monitor Cooling Technology addresses burn-in concerns, backed with a 3-year warranty for peace of mind.
Pricing & Availability
OMEN Transcend 14Gaming Laptop PC is expected to be available for pre-order beginning on Jan. 8, 2024 at HP.com for a starting price of $1,499.99. The device is also expected to be available at BestBuy.com.
OMEN Transcend 16 Gaming Laptop PC with up to the latest Intel processors and up to an OLED display is expected to be available on January 10, 2024 at HP.com for a starting price of $1,899.99.
OMEN 16 Gaming Laptop PC is expected to be available on January 10, 2024 at HP.com for a starting price of $1,199.99.
Victus 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop PC is expected to be available in February at HP.com for a starting price of $1,199.99.
HyperX Cloud Mini Headsets are expected to be available in Spring 2024 for a MSRP of $49.99.
HyperX Clutch Tanto Mini Wired Controller is expected to be available in Spring 2024 for a MSRP of $39.99.
HyperX Alloy Rise Gaming Keyboard is expected to be available in Spring 2024 at HyperX.com for $199.99.
HyperX Alloy Rise 75 Gaming Keyboard is expected to be available in Spring 2024 for a MSRP of $169.99.
HyperX Alloy Rise Top Plate is expected to be available in Spring 2024 for a MSRP of $39.99 & $49.99.
HyperX Linear & Tactile Switch Packs are expected to be available in Spring 2024 at HyperX.com for $24.99.
HyperX Badge Packs are expected to be available in Spring 2024 for a MSRP of $24.99.
HX3D Mythic Themed Collection is expected to be available in February for a MSRP of $14.99-$49.99.
HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Mini is expected to be available in January for a MSRP of $79.99.
HyperX Delta Gaming Backpack is expected to be available in February for a MSRP of $39.99.
HyperX Knight Gaming Backpack is expected to be available in February for a MSRP of $69.99.
OMEN Transcend 32 Gaming Monitor is expected to be available later this year. Pricing will be shared closer to availability.
Posted in Commentary with tags HP on January 9, 2024 by itnerd
Yesterday at CES 2024, HP Inc. ushered in a new era of computing with its latest portfolio of PCs, monitors, and peripherals designed to reimagine how we interact and live with technology.
Power Your Possible with New Spectre x360 Laptops
Today’s PC is no longer a personal computer, but a personalized companion that anticipates your needs for more responsive and optimized experiences, and the HP Spectre x360 14 inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC and the HP Spectre x360 16 inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC do just that with:
A PC That Adapts to You: A 9 MP camera with hardware-enabled low-light adjustment for clear calls day or night; a dedicated AI chip that delivers built-in security features including walk away lock, wake on approach, and privacy alerts to warn you of snooping eyes; adaptive screen adjustments like a screen dimmer when you look away to save power and variable refresh rate for immersive performance and power efficiency; and, automatic performance optimization that adjusts fan noise and temperatures based on applications being used, placement of the laptop, and battery status.
Powerful AI Technology:Three engines (CPU, GPU, and NPU) across Intel® Core™ Ultra processors and optional NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 Laptop GPUs offer some of the most exciting technology available today to perform a variety of local AI workloads like photo and video editing for faster, more efficient content creation and collaboration.
Advanced Collaboration: The latest Spectre laptops are the first consumer devices to feature audio tuning by Poly. Poly brings decades of audio tuning experience to these devices, delivering the best voice clarity and remarkable sound. Further enhance calls and video with Windows Studio effects, which offloads AI features like automatic framing, background blur, and the ability to maintain eye contact onto the NPU for engaging connections.
Picture Perfect Views: The latest Spectre laptops offer the world’s most immersive experience display, with up to a 2.8K OLED screen for sharper images and more vibrant colors, along with an IMAX Enhanced Certification for watching movies. The 16:10 aspect ratio allows you to view more content, and the display can adjust from 48 Hz to 120 Hz based on the type of content you are viewing.
Get Connected with HP Peripherals That Adapt to Your Every Move
HP is also introducing new peripherals to adapt to your everyday digital experiences. Whether you’re an avid music lover, a tech-savvy professional, or simply someone who appreciates comfort and efficiency in your everyday interactions, HP’s range of products adapts to a broad spectrum of needs and lifestyles.
Designed for those on the go, the Poly Voyager Free 20 wireless earbudsdeliver powerful sound and style. Whether listening to music or taking a call, these earbuds come equipped with hybrid adaptive active noise canceling (ANC) to filter out ambient noise, so you never miss a beat. Poly’s legendary audio and intelligent noise reduction enable you to speak confidently, knowing you will be heard with total clarity on every call. Plus, you can power through your day with up to eight hours of listening time expected on the earbuds, and a portable Qi charging case that extends earbud battery life by 2.5 times. To enhance your comfort and overall listening experience, the Poly Lens Mobile App offers a personalized fit test with recommendations for the ideal ear tip size.
Experience a seamless blend of comfort and customization with the HP 960 Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard, the world’s most versatile ergonomic split wireless keyboard. Designed with a split-zone layout, it adapts to your typing style, while the 20 programmable keys and a separate numeric keypad take customization to the next level. The keyboard offers Bluetooth® and dongle connectivity, ensuring you have the right tools for any task. Beyond enhancing your well-being, it also helps protect our shared future. This keyboard contains 50% post-consumer recycled materials and its external packaging is sustainably sourced.
Additional peripherals designed to enhance your digital experience include:
HP 690 Rechargeable Wireless Mouse: Introducing the world’s first Qi-charging Bluetooth® mouse with six or more programmable buttons,enabling you to connect wirelessly with ease. Personalize your productivity through the HP Accessory Center App.
HP 430 Programmable Wireless Keypad: Experience the world’s most customizable Bluetooth® mechanical keypad. Its compact and portable design makes it an ideal travel companion.
HP USB-C Travel Hub G3: Add five essential ports to your notebook with this compact mobile hub, including one USB-C port®, two USB-A ports, and an HDMI port. It offers scalable power delivery and plug-and-play connectivity across almost any device.
HP 400 Backlit Wired Keyboard: Simplify your workspace with this spill-resistant and sanitizable keyboard. It comes with a USB-C® cord and USB-A adapter for easy connectivity.
Series 5 Displays
HP is reimagining its consumer displays lineup with its first HP Series 5 Monitors. Available in 24-, 27-, and 32- models, these displays now offer a 1500:1 contrast ratio and enhanced 100Hz refresh rates. Along with their thin and light design, effortlessly connect to multiple devices with an added HDMI port. The displays’ unifying design with ultra-thin bezels and integrated cable management easily allows connections of multiple monitors for a seamless look and feel.
Pricing and Availability
The HP Spectre x360 14 inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC is available now at HP.com for a starting price of $1,499.99. The device is also available at BestBuy.com.
The HP Spectre x360 16 inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC is available now at HP.com for a starting price of $1,599.99. The device is also available at BestBuy.com.
Elon Musk Starts The New Year By Banning Journalists That He Doesn’t Like… Then Un-Banning Them
Posted in Commentary with tags Twitter on January 9, 2024 by itnerdStop me if you’ve heard this before. But Twitter has banned a bunch of journalists that were critical of Twitter. But then un-banning them quickly:
Elon Musk’s X / Twitter once again purged journalists — among others — who were critical of the billionaire’s politics. But as quickly as they went, they seemingly soon came back.
This time X barred a handful of journalists, podcasters, and other users. Among the purged: the Intercept’s Ken Klippenstein, the Texas Observer’s Steven Monacelli, podcaster Rob Rousseau, and the account for the leftwing podcast TrueAnon. But just as some of the previous, seemingly arbitrary bans of other journalists didn’t last, this incident was quickly resolved on Tuesday.
For a guy who claims to be all for free speech, Elon Musk loves to ban the Twitter accounts of people that speak freely and criticize him. Talk about having a thin skin. This highlights that journalists are not welcome on Twitter and should find better places to be like Threads or Mastodon where they can do their jobs without the interference of a billionaire who acts like a child.
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