Daily Tech News 31 March 2024

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A little more background on that security disaster that almost was. (Substack)

It looks like it started with "social engineering" - a confidence scam - two years ago, with one person attacking the maintainer of the xz utility and another one offering to help, and then actually helping. That warped over time into slipping more and more suspect code into the package, until they got caught.

It's a bit of an odd one because it took a lot of care and planning but was guaranteed to get caught and removed if it ever went mainstream. So it's not a targeted attack on particular groups, and not subtle enough to pass unnoticed long-term.

If you infect one server you're likely to get away with it, but if you infect every server in the world, there are literally hundreds of honeypot servers set up by security researchers specifically to detect weird stuff like this.

Purely speculation but I'm wondering if this was North Korea rather than China or Russia. It looks like the kind of miscalculation they would make.

Tech News

Software needs to be more expensive. (Glyph)

There's a well-known XKCD cartoon illustrating that the modern world is utterly dependent on some random bit of code maintained by one guy in Nebraska since 2003.

Not specifically true, but true in general; we nearly had a global disaster with a small but useful library called xz because the maintainer wasn't getting paid anything despite the code being used on hundreds of millions of computers. (If it's included in iOS or Android, which it probably is, billions.)

The solution proposed here is to make it easy to pay these people.
Meanwhile AT&T is resetting customer passcodes after millions of customers' account details were leaked... In 2019. (Tech Crunch)

Or possibly earlier. AT&T doesn't know or isn't saying. But yeah, the data has been out there for five years and they're responding now.
The world needs more gadgets like this (checks notes) overpriced underwhelming 27" 1080p monitor in a briefcase. (The Verge)

The world needs fewer websites like The Verge. If that leaves me with nobody to mock, so be it.
Banning TikTok could harm blah blah blah. (Tech Crunch)

Don't care, didn't ask.

Disclaimer: I think "Don't care, didn't ask" would make a great state motto.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 hallooooooo

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:03 AM (o3SCB)

2 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 04:04 AM (fwDg9)

3 There was sort of a timewarp:

588 Pixy's up at his other site:

https://ai.mee.nu
Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 03:09 AM (o3SCB)

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:05 AM (o3SCB)

4 ... or A Failure to Post.

*gasp*

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:05 AM (o3SCB)

5 See report they are working on King Charles funeral arrangements, he has 2 years to live.
But look at Jimmy Carter, he has been on hospice last 5 years or so.

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 04:05 AM (fwDg9)

6 >>>Don't care, didn't ask.

Laissez-faire, sort of.

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:11 AM (o3SCB)

7 bbc

Marvin Gaye: Never-before heard music resurfaces in Belgium

https://tinyurl.com/3dmrap7k

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:15 AM (o3SCB)

8 No point laying here a hour today, might as well go put on coffee

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 04:20 AM (fwDg9)

9 "I'm wondering if this was North Korea "

More likely team Biden.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:22 AM (+xYe0)

10 9 "I'm wondering if this was North Korea "

More likely team Biden.

If they'd accused the prior maintainer of being racist, maybe.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 31, 2024 04:24 AM (BLOW1)

11 Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 31, 2024 04:24 AM (BLOW1)

Your source changed their opinion to "state actor" in one of the comment threads.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:25 AM (+xYe0)

12 There is only one solution to 'not be cracked.' Isolation.

Do not connect yourself to anything. I've been around since the PDP-11. If you're connected, I can get in.

Stuxnet was a dream come true, and they some how fucked that up.

Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 31, 2024 04:26 AM (WtvCN)

13 9 "I'm wondering if this was North Korea "

More likely team Biden.
Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:22 AM (+xYe0)

Biden himself. Joe "Hacker" Biden.

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:31 AM (o3SCB)

14 If you're connected, I can get in.
Posted by: Dr. Bone at March 31, 2024 04:26 AM (WtvCN)

Horse feathers. With physical access, perhaps.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:31 AM (+xYe0)

15 Biden himself. Joe "Hacker" Biden.

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:31 AM (o3SCB)

ISIS-K

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:32 AM (+xYe0)

16 5 See report they are working on King Charles funeral arrangements, he has 2 years to live.
Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 04:05 AM (fwDg9)

I went over to the bbc site to find something, and I don't see anything yet.

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:33 AM (o3SCB)

17 Software doesn't need to be more expensive. People who provide products and services need to stop bloating the software they develop with features nobody wants or needs. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put a computer in my refrigerator?

Posted by: Ace's liver at March 31, 2024 04:33 AM (B9Dv5)

18 bbc on King Charles

3 days ago: King Charles III has spoken of his "great sadness" at missing the traditional Maundy Thursday service.
The King is not attending public events while he has treatment for cancer but recorded a message that was played at the service at Worcester Cathedral.

but

12 minutes ago: King Charles is due to make his most significant public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer.
The King will join the Queen and other members of the Royal Family at an Easter Sunday service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle.

Posted by: m at March 31, 2024 04:37 AM (o3SCB)

19 But look at Jimmy Carter, he has been on hospice last 5 years or so.

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 04:05 AM (fwDg9)

Undead.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:39 AM (+xYe0)

20 https://tinyurl.com/3t8kkb27

It comes after it has been reported by the Insiders exclusively to In Touch Weekly that the King is battling pancreatic cancer and has been given two years to live.

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:44 AM (+xYe0)

21 https://youtu.be/-rxKQ8Tr94s

Baltimore (What's Going on With Shipping?
March 29, 2024).

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:48 AM (+xYe0)

22 “There's a well-known XKCD cartoon illustrating that the modern world is utterly dependent on some random bit of code maintained by one guy in Nebraska since 2003.“

4 8 15 16 23 42

Posted by: Hurly at March 31, 2024 04:50 AM (rb1J+)

23 Today os hereby the Trans Day Of Visibility

Given unto my hand this 28th day of March in the Year of Our Lord 2024

-Joe F'ing Biden.

No kidding, he really did that.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 04:51 AM (N3GIM)

24 What I meant is, he proclaimed Easter Sunday to be the Trans day of visibility.

And also banned Christian symbols from the WH Easter art.

And had the guts to sign it in the Year of our Lord.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 04:53 AM (N3GIM)

25 And had the guts to sign it in the Year of our Lord.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 04:53 AM (N3GIM)

Not ARSH ?

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 04:54 AM (+xYe0)

26 I see there are increasing calls for the wise Latinxxx to retire from the Court.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 04:55 AM (N3GIM)

27 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 31, 2024 04:55 AM (ju2Fy)

28 'Computer in the frig' Your right, it was a Japanese company who came up with that great idea. The country that makes toilets computer operated, with the complexity of a regular computer. Much like making a simple device as complicated as hell.
Long ago I remember Sears sold a microwave with a small TV built in to the front, I bet they didn't sell very many.

Posted by: Colin at March 31, 2024 04:55 AM (/z/eU)

29 I would expect him to use Satan's calendar.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 04:56 AM (N3GIM)

30 Easter during the George Floyd month, how crazy is that. /s

Posted by: Colin at March 31, 2024 04:58 AM (/z/eU)

31 Long ago I remember Sears sold a microwave with a small TV built in to the front, I bet they didn't sell very many.
Posted by: Colin

The door was heavy because it had to support the CRT. And there wasn't much room left inside the box because they had to leave room for the cathode.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 04:59 AM (N3GIM)

32 You have an entire month set aside. Pick a day during June for your attention seeking.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at March 31, 2024 05:02 AM (N3GIM)

33 he proclaimed Easter Sunday to be the Trans day of visibility.

Twitchy: "Here's Why the White House Had to Proclaim Trans Day of Visibility on Easter"

https://is.gd/lGh2ss

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 31, 2024 05:02 AM (ju2Fy)

34 https://tinyurl.com/5cc933f8

Ann Barnhardt on "Turbo Cancer" ... FWIW :-)

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 05:03 AM (+xYe0)

35 33 https://is.gd/lGh2ss

Especially as the devout Catholic he is.

LOL

Posted by: You Really Don't Want to Know at March 31, 2024 05:05 AM (+xYe0)

36 Evening and morning to all the early risers and late toilers out there! 'Tis 68 F., humidity back up to 89%, but wind very low. I tell myself if I go work out this morning, I can sleep a little later tomorrow and Tuesday. (I tell myself a lot of things, though. Six impossible things before breakfast, etc.)

How does your Easter Sunday look?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 31, 2024 05:06 AM (omVj0)

37 You have an entire month set aside. Pick a day during June for your attention seeking.
Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy
-----

Ackshually, they have 2-3 more. Oct. LGBT History Month. Nov. Trans Awareness Month. And maybe March, Bisexual Health Awareness Month.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 31, 2024 05:08 AM (ju2Fy)

38 Whoever thought it was a good idea to put a computer in my refrigerator?
Posted by: Ace's liver at March 31, 2024

***
Or to program my car's instrument panel to tell me "Ice Possible -- Drive With Care" when the outside temp is close to freezing? On the Regal's display, Buick even included a stylized ice crystal, just in case we didn't get the English message.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 31, 2024 05:10 AM (omVj0)

39
So, yep, just what I figured. Every day, and every week, and every month is some sort of National Pervert Day.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at March 31, 2024 05:11 AM (w6EFb)

40 Necesito mas cafe

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 31, 2024 05:11 AM (omVj0)

41 Happy Easter Sunday

Posted by: rhennigantx at March 31, 2024 05:19 AM (ENQN6)

42 We need more mental illness awareness days, just not a so called holiday

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:20 AM (fwDg9)

43 After starring in the Pet Thread yesterday, my cats have not had their heads turned and have not gone Hollywood. To be fair, they already thought they were the bright shining centers of the universe, just like all cats do. So it would be hard for them to become *more* egocentric.

Miss Linda prepared an Easter basket for them, hollow plastic eggs with a dash of catnip inside each one, and brought it out last night. The little furry potheads immediately went ballistic on it. This morning the basket is empty and all the eggs are scattered across the living room floor as if there'd been a Easter egg hunt.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 31, 2024 05:23 AM (omVj0)

44
Good morning, Hordians. Happy Easter!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at March 31, 2024 05:28 AM (MoZTd)

45 Miss Linda prepared an Easter basket for them, hollow plastic eggs with a dash of catnip inside each one, and brought it out last night. The little furry potheads immediately went ballistic on it. This morning the basket is empty and all the eggs are scattered across the living room floor as if there'd been a Easter egg hunt.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere'

You still have your Rolex, right?

Posted by: LenNeal at March 31, 2024 05:29 AM (9yXr+)

46 hiya

Posted by: JT at March 31, 2024 05:30 AM (T4tVD)

47 I didn't make enough coffee, it's almost gone

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:33 AM (fwDg9)

48 When I was a wee one, I remember searching through all that fake grass for every last bit of candy. And the chocolate Easter bunny was hollow, how day they. Nothing worse than biting into a chocolate bunny and its just a shell. My family was poor, but I didn't know that.

Posted by: Colin at March 31, 2024 05:35 AM (/z/eU)

49 I still have licorice from Christmas around

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:47 AM (fwDg9)

50 If anyone is interested, 'psywarrior' site has an interesting, if possibly somewhat biased, overview of current psyops in Gaza.

https://www.psywarrior.com/GazaPSYOP2.html

Posted by: LenNeal at March 31, 2024 05:47 AM (9yXr+)

51 I think everyone got hollow chocolate Easter bunnies

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:48 AM (fwDg9)

52 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere'

That's cute!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 31, 2024 05:51 AM (vPYr2)

53 I think everyone got hollow chocolate Easter bunnies
Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:48 AM (fwDg9)

I got a rock.

Posted by: JT at March 31, 2024 05:51 AM (T4tVD)

54 Good morning morons

Wishing a joyous Easter to all the Christian morons.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at March 31, 2024 05:51 AM (RIvkX)

55 You still have your Rolex, right?
Posted by: LenNeal at March 31, 2024

***
Yep. The watch shop was closed for Easter yesterday, so I didn't buy a new strap for it yet. But yes, I did wear it to Aldi when we shopped there on the way home.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 31, 2024 05:52 AM (omVj0)

56 Hiya Fen !

Happy Easter !

Posted by: JT at March 31, 2024 05:52 AM (T4tVD)

57 Colin, around the time I hit 30, I wondered how mom ever managed to keep me in milk and ball cleats. And all three of us kids in clothes and fed,,, on a secretary's salary.
When us kids got old enough, around 15, 11 and 8, she started selling wigs then World Book encyclopedias in the evening.
I was mid-kid and started mowing yards around then. Of course, evening and summer jobs when I hit 16.
Compared to some others, we lived like royalty.

And...
I serve a risen Savior
He's in my heart today

Posted by: TeeJ at March 31, 2024 05:54 AM (dWUm0)

58 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere'
*
That's cute!
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 31, 2024

***
Each of the eggs has a tiny pinhole in it, so their hunting carnivore noses immediately picked up the aroma of kitty pot. Otherwise I don't know if they'd be aware of the contents -- unless they knocked the eggs open, which sometimes they do in chasing them across the floor.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 31, 2024 05:54 AM (omVj0)

59 KRAK OF DAWN HAS ARRIVED

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:57 AM (fwDg9)

60 Grab a cup and head upstairs

Posted by: Skip at March 31, 2024 05:59 AM (fwDg9)

61 Somebody on the site, "Christian Post" was saying that Obama actually declared March 31st "Transgender Visibility Day" in 2009 to declare the "successes" of transgengers Apparently it was being lifted up again because the powers behind Biden force him to sign whatever is put in front of him. Yes, bald cross dressing nuclear reg guy who stole luggage is a symbol of success." It goes along with banning religious symbols to decorate eggs at the WH Easter egg roll. Contrary to what leftist anti Christian bigots suggest, no, this doesn't "own me." It's on the level of rude middle schoolers.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 31, 2024 06:00 AM (vPYr2)

62 Happy Easter, JT.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 31, 2024 06:02 AM (vPYr2)

63 TeeJ: Much the same with my mother. Dad was working two jobs of various kinds and wasn't home that much. We ate well as she was a good cook. When your 4-14 years old you don't know that much about how much money you family has. I was more interested in sports and playing games.
My first real job getting a paycheck was when I was 14, got a summer job working for the town, mostly cutting brush and mowing lawns at cemetery's. Keeping the stones going into the spreader when repaving a road. (I bet today they wouldn't allow a 14 year old do that). One year (checking the SS records) I see my dad made less than 1000 dollars for a year.

Posted by: Colin at March 31, 2024 06:06 AM (/z/eU)

64 Happy Easter!

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at March 31, 2024 07:12 AM (TirNb)

65 I annoy my students by saying "DK, don't care". They correct me "It's DC" and I respond every time with "DK, don't care" until they give up. 😁

Posted by: Heresolong at March 31, 2024 11:36 AM (k/XYA)

66 >>>A little more background on that security disaster that almost was. (Substack)

Thanks for that.

Posted by: m at April 01, 2024 01:46 AM (o3SCB)

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