TikTok vulnerability allows fake coronavirus content on your account
You’re carelessly scrolling through TikTok. Next thing you know, you see a fake coronavirus post, posted by your account. It’s possible for hackers to post content to a target’s account without their knowledge, according to developers Tommy Mysk and Talal Haj Bakry. In a post, the two explain that TikTok uses Content Delivery Networks (or CDNs), which are used to effectively transfer their data around the world. These CDNs use HTTP servers to transfer data, instead of the more secure HTTPS, opening up its data to more privacy risks. “Any router between the TikTok app and TikTok’s CDNs can easily list all the videos that a user has downloaded and watched, exposing their watch history… Public Wifi operators, Internet Service Providers, and intelligence agencies can collect this data without much effort,” explains Mysk and Bakry. TikTok uses HTTP servers to transfer things like profile pictures and videos, which means that all of this content can be intercepted by hackers before being published on an account. “Basically, they could alter the content in transmission and swap out a real video on an account with a fake one of their choosing” Mashable explains.
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Burning Man is going virtual this year, how will that work?
The industries hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic stretch far and wide. Arguably those that will suffer most are the ones who make a living from gathering groups of people together. This includes performance artists, conferences and festivals. Which is why it was interesting to see the organisers of annual Burning Man festival (in the US, Nevada) not cancel the event earlier this year. Recently the organisers announced that it is bringing Black Rock City to ticket holders, but this time virtually. How do you make a festival that thrives on physical contact and communication virtual, you may ask? Well, we’re not completely sure. “After much listening, discussion, and careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to build Black Rock City in 2020,” the organisers said in their statement. It’s going to be a difficult year for many, and in the statement, the organisers ask for tax-deductible donations, or for ticket holders to donate the value of their tickets to the Burning Man Association. In return, they will host a virtual Black Rock City event online, which anyone will be able to join from home. We don’t know how this will happen, but we’re intrigued.
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Razer’s new earbuds are Pika-dorable
This is the kind of tech news we live for right now. No corona, no Zoom-related content. Just wholesome tech reveals. Razer, the gaming brand responsible for gaming laptops and peripherals, has announced a pair of earbuds. Not any earbuds, mind you — the best earbuds to grace the internet since… like ever. If you want to charge and carry your earbuds in a replica PokéBall, check out Razer’s new wireless earbuds. Razer announced its new Pokémon Pikachu True Wireless earbuds this weekend and they boast some primo specs. Unfortunately, they don’t offer active noise cancelling, but that doesn’t matter as you’ll want to hear everyone compliment your adorable new ‘buds. They’re fitted with 13-millimetre drivers, which should prove some excellent bass. Razer says that they will have a three-hour battery life, or 15 hours in total when topped off using the charging case. Oh and that charging case is what makes these earbuds so great. It’s almost an exact replica of a PokéBall, probably the exact same size as they would be IRL. “The yellow paint job on the Pokémon Pikachu True Wireless earbuds is cute, and you won’t look like another AirPods zombie with these crammed in your earholes, but having a practical reason to carry around an authentic-looking Poké Ball is something dedicated Pokémon fans have been yearning for,” Gizmodo says. This is the only time we’ll prefer aesthetic value above actual specs, because just look at it!
Huawei is working on a credit card, because of course it is
Remember the P40 launch event? Yeah that happened amid all the coronavirus hype two weeks ago, and we saw Huawei unveil its new lineup of brilliant flagship devices. But, along with all the cool stuff, Huawei announced another piece of hardware called the Huawei Credit Card. We’re guessing Huawei took more than a few cues from competitor Apple. The Huawei Electronic Card is based on Huawei Pay and promises strong security features. The company detailed what you would be able to buy with the card, from groceries to clothing with just a tap. Well, isn’t that how credit cards work? Just like the Apple Card, the Huawei Card is both physical and virtual. So you can use it both IRL as well as with your Huawei device. Despite security concerns, Huawei seems keen on promoting other perks. “There’s no first-year annual fee, and the company will waive the second-year fee for those who spend a certain amount through Huawei Pay. The card also comes with travel benefits. After spending a certain amount of money, users can get lounge access at train stations and airports,” Engadget details. We’re guessing the card will only roll out in China for the time being. The rest of the world doesn’t appear super keen on Huawei because of the Google trade ban.
