Malicious Obfuscated NPM Package Disguised as an Ethereum Tool Deploys Quasar RAT

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a malicious package on the npm package registry that masquerades as a library for detecting vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts but, in reality, drops an open-source remote access trojan called Quasar RAT onto developer systems. The heavily obfuscated package, named ethereumvulncontracthandler, was published to npm on December 18, 2024, by a […]

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Could We Ever Retrieve Memories from a Dead Person’s Brain?

The possibility of retrieving memories from a deceased person’s brain is being explored by neuroscientists, though the process is considered highly complex and technically challenging. Efforts to understand memory storage in the brain have made significant progress, with scientists identifying engrams — physical traces of memories formed by groups of neurons. These discoveries have sparked […]

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New Species Discovered in Peru’s Alto Mayo Region

A significant biodiversity survey conducted in Peru’s Alto Mayo region has led to the discovery of at least 27 new species, including a striking ‘blob-headed’ bristlemouth armored catfish from the genus Chaetostoma. The research, carried out in 2022, highlighted the region’s ecological importance, spanning approximately 780,700 hectares in the San Martín department. The survey documented […]

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Recyclable Stretchable Plastic Developed with 3D Printing for Multiple Uses

A new material with stretchable, flexible, and recyclable properties has been created by researchers using a 3D printing technique. It is said that the material, made from thermoplastic elastomers, allows objects to possess customisable stiffness and flexibility. The technique combines cost-effectiveness with scalability, making it suitable for industrial use. These advancements are expected to pave […]

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New “DoubleClickjacking” Exploit Bypasses Clickjacking Protections on Major Websites

Jan 01, 2025Ravie LakshmananWeb Security / Vulnerability Threat hunters have disclosed a new “widespread timing-based vulnerability class” that leverages a double-click sequence to facilitate clickjacking attacks and account takeovers in almost all major websites. The technique has been codenamed DoubleClickjacking by security researcher Paulos Yibelo. “Instead of relying on a single click, it takes advantage […]

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Iranian and Russian Entities Sanctioned for Election Interference Using AI and Cyber Tactics

Jan 01, 2025Ravie LakshmananGenerative AI / Election Interference The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Tuesday leveled sanctions against two entities in Iran and Russia for their attempts to interfere with the November 2024 presidential election. The federal agency said the entities – a subordinate organization of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard […]

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AI is uncovering ancient texts, unlocking secrets from the past

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the study of ancient manuscripts, unlocking texts that have remained unreadable for centuries. From deciphering burnt Roman scrolls to analysing damaged cuneiform tablets, AI-driven tools are revealing new information about the ancient world. This advancement allows researchers to examine vast archives, identify previously unknown writings, and reconstruct […]

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Bitcoin was the best investment of 2024, but not without its usual volatility

Bitcoin was far and away the best-performing asset class in 2024 as new exchange-traded funds ushered in more widespread adoption and hopes for deregulation under a new presidential administration lifted digital assets to record levels. But owning cryptocurrency also came with its usual unpredictability and dizzying swings, as this month’s trading clearly illustrates. Bitcoin has […]

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These Were The Biggest AI Announcements of 2024

If 2023 was all about the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its entry into mainstream tech conversations, 2024 became the year when AI began displaying its transformative capabilities. What started as a text-based chatbot fad that could respond to users in a human-like fashion, is today powering many major tech products and platforms […]

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