Technology

Destiny 2 has recently made a major change that is causing quite a stir among its dedicated player base. The popular first-person shooter game, developed by Bungie, has removed an easy method for players to farm power levels. This change, made through a patch update, has sparked a debate among fans, with some praising the move while others are criticizing it.

The method in question involved an exploit where players could repeatedly complete the same mission to gain easy power levels. This led to a power level cap of 1,200 being reached in a matter of hours, which is usually a time-consuming process. This exploit, known as the “Easy Encore Power Farm,” was a quick and simple way for players to increase their power levels and progress in the game.

However, Bungie has now put an end to this exploit with the release of patch 2.9.1.2. The patch notes state that the developers have fixed an issue where players could earn multiple pinnacle rewards from the same source. This means that the exploit will no longer work, and players will have to rely on the traditional methods of gaining power levels.

This move by Bungie has caused a divide among the Destiny 2 community. Some players are happy with the change, as they believe it will make the game more fair and balanced. They argue that the exploit was not intended by the developers and was essentially cheating. With the exploit gone, players will have to earn their power levels through normal gameplay, which many believe is the proper way to progress in the game.

On the other hand, there are also players who are upset with the removal of the exploit. They argue that the exploit was a fun and harmless way to quickly increase power levels and that it did not harm anyone else’s gameplay experience. They also claim that the removal of the exploit will create a divide between players who have already used it and those who have not, as there will now be a significant difference in power levels among players.

This debate has also extended to social media, with many players expressing their opinions on the matter. Some have even started a petition to bring back the exploit, stating that it was a fun and enjoyable aspect of the game.

However, Bungie has made it clear that they will not be reversing the patch and bringing back the exploit. They stand by their decision to remove it and have stated that they will continue to monitor and address any other exploits that may arise in the future.

This is not the first time that Destiny 2 has faced controversy over exploits and changes made by the developers. In the past, players have found and used various exploits to gain an advantage in the game, leading to similar debates within the community.

Overall, the removal of the Easy Encore Power Farm has caused a divide among Destiny 2 players. While some believe it was a necessary move to maintain balance in the game, others argue that it was a fun and harmless aspect that added to their enjoyment of the game. Only time will tell if this change will have a lasting effect on the community and the game itself.

A Chinese state-sponsored threat actor known as Salt Typhoon has been confirmed to have infiltrated the network of the US Army National Guard for nine months. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the hackers were present in the networks between March and December 2024, during which time they stole sensitive data and personally identifiable information (PII) of service members.

The group, which is part of the wider “typhoon” organization that includes Brass Typhoon, Volt Typhoon, and others, is known for exploiting existing vulnerabilities (CVEs) in Cisco’s routers and similar hardware. This tactic has been used in recent attacks against top Canadian telecom firms and US networks, including AT&T, Verizon, Lumen, Charter, Windstream, and Viasat.

The goal of the campaign was to gain access to critical organizations within the US, including government, military, and defense organizations, in case tensions between the US and China over Taiwan escalated into a full-blown war. By having a presence in these networks, Salt Typhoon would have the ability to disrupt networks and steal key intelligence.

During their nine-month presence in the National Guard’s network, the hackers were able to steal vital intelligence, administrator credentials, network traffic diagrams, geographical maps, and PII. They also had access to data traffic between the state’s network and every other US state, as well as at least four additional territories. This means that they could have potentially pivoted to other networks, compromising even more government and military targets.

The breach was not discussed in detail, but DHS did mention that the group is known for targeting unpatched Cisco routers and deploying custom malware like JumblePath and GhostSpider. These tactics have been used in previous attacks and have proven to be successful for Salt Typhoon.

This recent attack on the US National Guard raises concerns about the security of government and military networks and highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity measures. It also serves as a reminder for organizations to regularly update and patch their systems to prevent vulnerabilities from being exploited.

In response to the news, the US Government has issued a warning to all organizations to be on high alert for potential cyber threats. They are also urging companies and individuals to practice good cybersecurity hygiene, such as using strong and unique passwords, implementing multi-factor authentication, and regularly backing up important data.

This breach also serves as a reminder for individuals to be cautious and vigilant about their personal information and to regularly monitor their credit reports for any suspicious activity.

The news of Salt Typhoon’s infiltration into the US National Guard’s network has caused concern among experts, who believe that the group’s ultimate goal is to gain access to critical infrastructure and potentially disrupt vital services in the event of a conflict between the US and China.

As this story continues to develop, experts are urging organizations to take immediate action to secure their systems and prevent future attacks. It is clear that Salt Typhoon is a highly sophisticated and persistent threat that should not be taken lightly.

In addition to the National Guard breach, Salt Typhoon has also been linked to recent attacks on top satellite communications company Viasat, further highlighting the widespread reach and impact of this group.

As the threat of cyber attacks continues to grow, it is crucial for organizations and individuals to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from malicious actors like Salt Typhoon.

Nintendo is bringing back its popular “online playtest” event from last year. The gaming giant announced that it will be conducting another online test program for its Nintendo Switch Online service, which will allow 40,000 players to participate in a mysterious game.

Last year, Nintendo conducted a similar test program where players were able to test out an unannounced game. This year, the company is looking for 40,000 participants to test a new game that has yet to be revealed.

The online playtest will take place from August 6 to 8 and will be open to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Interested players can apply for the program through Nintendo’s website, and successful applicants will be notified via email.

Nintendo has not revealed any details about the game that will be tested, but the company has stated that it will be a “mysterious” game. This has sparked speculation among fans, who are eagerly waiting to find out what Nintendo has in store for them.

Last year’s online playtest was a huge success, with players praising the unique and fun experience. This year, Nintendo is expanding the program by allowing more players to participate. This is a great opportunity for fans to get a sneak peek at a new game and provide valuable feedback to Nintendo.

The test program will not only give players a chance to play an unreleased game, but it will also give Nintendo important insights into how players interact with their online service. This will help the company improve its online gaming experience and make it more enjoyable for players.

Nintendo has been known for its secrecy when it comes to new game releases. The company is notorious for keeping its upcoming games under wraps until they are ready to be revealed. This has created a lot of hype and anticipation among fans, who are always eager to know what Nintendo has in store for them.

The online playtest is just one of the ways Nintendo engages with its fans and allows them to be a part of the gaming experience. The company has also conducted beta tests for popular games like “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” and “Splatoon 2.”

In addition to the online playtest, Nintendo has also launched a new program called “Nintendo Switch Game Trial.” This program allows Nintendo Switch Online subscribers to play certain games for free for a limited period of time. This is another way for Nintendo to engage with its fans and allow them to experience new games.

With the success of last year’s online playtest and the expansion of this year’s program, it is clear that Nintendo is committed to providing its fans with unique and exciting gaming experiences. The company’s dedication to engaging with its fans and improving its online service shows its commitment to providing the best gaming experience possible. Fans can only wait and see what Nintendo has in store for them with this mysterious new game.

Google Leverages Android Phones to Detect Earthquakes Early

In 2020, Google initiated a project that would use the millions of Android phones around the world to detect earthquakes early. Now, a new study has revealed that this project has proven to be successful, with the data from these phones providing accurate and timely warnings for earthquakes.

The project, known as the Android Earthquake Alerts System, works by using the accelerometers in Android phones to pick up the vibrations caused by an earthquake. These vibrations are then sent to a central server, where they are analyzed and compared to known earthquake patterns. If the data suggests that an earthquake is occurring, a warning is sent out to all Android phones in the affected area.

According to the study, which was published in the journal Science Advances, the system was able to detect earthquakes in California, Japan, and other regions with a high level of accuracy. In fact, the system was able to provide warnings for earthquakes ranging from magnitude 4.5 to 5.4, which are considered moderate to strong earthquakes.

The success of this project is due to the large amount of data that is collected from the millions of Android phones around the world. This data allows for a more comprehensive and accurate analysis of earthquake patterns, which in turn leads to more reliable warnings.

The system also has the potential to save lives and reduce damage caused by earthquakes. With early warnings, people can have more time to prepare and take necessary precautions. This is especially beneficial for areas that are prone to earthquakes, as it can help prevent injuries and fatalities.

The Android Earthquake Alerts System is also cost-effective compared to traditional earthquake detection methods. Traditional systems rely on expensive sensors and equipment, whereas the Android system leverages existing technology in smartphones. This makes it more accessible and affordable for regions that may not have the resources to invest in expensive detection systems.

Google is not the first to use smartphones for earthquake detection. In 2016, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley developed an app called MyShake that also uses accelerometers in smartphones to detect earthquakes. However, the Google project differs in its scale and reach, as it has access to a much larger pool of data from millions of Android phones.

The success of this project also highlights the potential for technology to aid in disaster management and response efforts. With advancements in technology, it is becoming increasingly possible to use data and algorithms to predict and respond to natural disasters.

While the Android Earthquake Alerts System is still in its early stages, it has already shown promising results. Google plans to continue expanding the project to more regions and improving its capabilities. This could potentially lead to a more robust and effective early warning system for earthquakes.

In addition to earthquakes, Google has also initiated similar projects to detect floods and wildfires. These efforts demonstrate the company’s commitment to using technology for the greater good and making a positive impact in the world.

In conclusion, the Android Earthquake Alerts System has proven to be a successful and innovative way to detect earthquakes early. With the potential to save lives and reduce damage, this project has the potential to make a significant impact in disaster management. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more projects like this that leverage data and algorithms to improve our ability to respond to natural disasters.