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Russian REVIL cyber gang disappears after demanding $70M in Bitcoin

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The REVIL ransomware group has mysteriously disappeared from the web without a trace after demanding a $70M ransom payout in Bitcoin

The infamous ransomware group REVIL has mysteriously vanished without a trace.

Websites and other digital infrastructure that belonged to the hackers, who are believed to be from either Eastern Europe or Russia, went dark on Tuesday.

Information security blog Bleeping Computer says ” All REVIL sites are down, including payment sites and data leak pages”.

Biden promises ‘consequences’ for Russian hackers

It’s unclear why the group has gone dark, but it comes after US President Joe Biden told Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that there would be ‘consequences’ if the Kremlin didn’t address the ongoing spate of ransomware attacks.

Biden has previously stressed the importance of addressing hacks, acknowledging their threat to critical infrastructure that is relied on by Americans. However, speculation is still mounting as to why REVIL has suddenly disappeared.

Cybersecurity firm Exabeam told CNN, “this outage could be criminal maintenance, planned retirement, or, more likely, the result of an offensive response to the criminal enterprise’.

REVIL gang demands $70M in Bitcoin ransom

This comes after the group asked for a $70M ransom in Bitcoin from victims of a recent hack. They promised to release a ‘universal decryptor key’ to all victims if anyone was willing to pay the ransom.

The REVIL gang posted a blog entry on its personal website on the dark web taking credit for the audacious cyber attack on MSP providers in the US which they claim affected over a million systems.

“Everyone will be able to recover from the attack in less than an hour,” the post read.

Will the companies pay the ransom?

The general advice from cyber-security experts is to not pay hackers to retrieve their data, because it encourages future attacks.

However, John Hammond from Huntress Labs doesn’t believe the situation is so simple. The cybersecurity firm Huntress Labs Inc is leading the investigation into the attack.

“This is an extremely intricate and tough situation,” he said in a private Twitter message to Ticker reporters.

“You have to make the decision that is best for your business,” he said.

The Kaseya cyber attack

The attack targeted more than 20 managed service providers (MSP). Yesterday, Huntress Labs anticipated the hack had affected more than 1000 businesses, which expectations that the figure would grow based on reports from the providers and a Reddit thread tracking the hack.

“It’s reasonable to think this could potentially be impacting thousands of small businesses,” tweeted John Hammond from Huntress Labs. Hammond says the attack targeted a software supplier called Kaseya.

Biden has sinced called for US intelligence to conduct a “deep dive” into the attacks. “We’re not sure it’s the Russians,” he said. “The initial thinking was, it was not the Russian government, but we’re not sure yet.”

Sweden closes up shop

Another victim of the attack is Sweden, which has seen around 500 supermarkets unable to trade.

Coop Sweden has closed half of its 800 stores after its point-of-sale tills and self-service checkouts stopped working just before the weekend.

The supermarket itself was not targeted by hackers. However, because it uses on of the affected MSPs it too has fallen victim to the attack.

Cybersecurity becomes and international security issue

This comes as the latest in a string of ransomware attacks in recent months, including the attack on JBS. Experts have also attributed the JBS attack to the REvil cyber gang.

It also comes shortly after President Joe Biden signed an executive order to strengthen cybersecurity defences across the US.

William is an Executive News Producer at TICKER NEWS, responsible for the production and direction of news bulletins. William is also the presenter of the hourly Weather + Climate segment. With qualifications in Journalism and Law (LLB), William previously worked at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) before moving to TICKER NEWS. He was also an intern at the Seven Network's 'Sunrise'. A creative-minded individual, William has a passion for broadcast journalism and reporting on global politics and international affairs.

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Meta initiates layoffs, prioritizing AI focus, efficiency

Meta begins layoffs targeting low performers, aiming to trim 5% of workforce for AI investment amidst industry-wide efficiency drive.

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Meta begins layoffs targeting low performers, aiming to trim 5% of workforce for AI investment amidst industry-wide efficiency drive.

In Short

Meta is laying off about 4,000 employees, or 5% of its workforce, as part of a shift towards AI and greater efficiency. This move, part of a broader trend in Big Tech, has raised employee fears about job security and a culture of fear under CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Meta has initiated significant layoffs, impacting thousands as the company pivots towards AI investment and efficiency.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg aims to eliminate around 5% of the workforce, equating to nearly 4,000 employees. This decision aligns with a broader trend among Big Tech firms to streamline operations after extensive hiring during the pandemic.

Reports indicate employee anxiety regarding these changes, with some claiming a culture of fear under Zuckerberg’s leadership. Concerns include the potential reputational damage for employees laid off under performance-based criteria.

Affected workers in the US will receive severance packages, including 16 weeks of pay plus additional compensation based on service length. Nonetheless, some employees fear that innocent parties could face cuts to meet corporate quotas, hindering workplace morale.

The layoff strategy will target employees receiving low performance ratings, with management instructed to identify up to 15% eligible for cuts. Notifications will occur across different time zones to affected employees via email, with access to company systems revoked shortly thereafter.

European employees in specific countries will follow local regulations, which may alter the process.

As part of restructuring, Meta is consolidating teams, particularly merging Facebook and Messenger groups. The Reality Labs division is being realigned with the main business to reverse previous organizational changes.

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Breakthrough app detects sleep issues in the blink of an eye

OptAlert launches free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues, utilising AI to screen for obstructive sleep apnea with high accuracy.

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Optalert launches free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues, utilising AI to screen for obstructive sleep apnea with high accuracy.

In Short

Australian company Optalert has launched a free iPhone app, Owl Eye, that detects sleep issues by analysing users’ blink patterns and screening for obstructive sleep apnea with 96.6% accuracy. The app is currently available in Australia and New Zealand, with plans for wider release.

Australian company Optalert has introduced a free iPhone test for detecting sleep issues.

The app differs from traditional sleep trackers by assessing users while awake, requiring only ten minutes to complete.

It focuses primarily on screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and is backed by data from leading Australian sleep laboratories.

An AI-based algorithm, developed from this data, classifies individuals with a remarkable 96.6% accuracy regarding OSA.

Optalert is currently pursuing regulatory certification to operate as a medical device across various regions, including the US, Europe, and China.

The app functions by analysing users’ blink patterns during a concentration task facilitated by the iPhone’s camera, disregarding video content to ensure privacy.

This technology helps identify impairment due to insufficient oxygen during sleep.

Those receiving a positive result can seek further diagnosis and treatment for their sleep issues.

The app, named Owl Eye, is currently available on the Apple App Store in Australia and New Zealand, with plans to expand its reach shortly.

Paul Zubrinich, Chief Marketing Officer of Optalert provides his involvement with the app and shares insights on the technology behind Owl Eye.

In the broader context of sleep technology, the trend indicates increasing accessibility to personal health data previously confined to clinical settings, promising advancements in sleep health.

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World leaders, CEOs gather at Paris AI summit

World leaders and CEOs converge at Paris AI summit to discuss advancements and the future of technology.

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World leaders and CEOs converge at Paris AI summit to discuss advancements and the future of technology.

In Short

World leaders and CEOs met in Paris to discuss the rapid advancements and implications of artificial intelligence. The summit focused on collaboration, ethical guidelines, and strategies to prepare for an AI-driven future.

World leaders and CEOs convened in Paris at an AI summit to discuss the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

The event brought together key figures from various sectors to explore the implications of AI technology.

Topics of discussion included the potential benefits of AI, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations around its deployment.

Participants highlighted the need for collaboration between governments and the private sector to harness AI responsibly.

The summit aimed to foster dialogue on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI advancements.

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