News

Twitter Admits Data Breach Compromised Anonymous Accounts

Twitter has released an official statement admitting that it was unable to confirm the number of profiles exposed, but expects the figure to top 5.4 million.

Published

2 years ago

August 9, 2022

Nour Nasir

twitter admits data breach compromised anonymous accounts

Twitter has released a statement acknowledging that in December 2020, a coding error resulted in a data breach of user information. A hacker exploited the flaw before it was discovered and subsequently patched in January 2022.

The vulnerability allowed malicious actors to submit an email address or phone number to verify if it was associated with an existing Twitter account. Hackers could then access the associated account ID, linking the information together.

A researcher uncovered the coding flaw through Twitter’s Bug Bounty program. The social media giant claimed that the vulnerability hadn’t been exploited before engineers were made aware of the issue. However, a hacker who contacted the website Bleeping Computer disputed the official narrative, claiming to have gained access to over 5.4 million user accounts via the flawed code and offering to sell the data for $30,000.

After reviewing the compiled database, Twitter responded with an official statement:

“Because we can’t verify every account that may have been affected, we’re releasing this alert because we’re particularly concerned about people using pseudonymous accounts who may be targeted by the state or other actors. If you use a pseudonymous Twitter account, we realize the hazards that an occurrence like this might bring and we profoundly regret that this happened.”

Also Read: Report Highlights $7.45 Million In Damages From Data Breaches Across The Middle East

Owners of accounts that have been compromised due to the data breach will be notified by direct message from Twitter, with the company advising those who wish to remain anonymous online not to associate a publicly available email or phone number with their account.

Because two or more individuals have already purchased and gained access to the leaked data, users should be wary of targeted phishing scams trying to gain access to login credentials. Although no passwords were revealed during the initial breach, Twitter advises all users to adopt two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security.

News

Apple Announces New iPad Pro With M4 Chip And Updated iPad Air

“This is the biggest day for iPad since its introduction,” said CEO Tim Cook in a video posted to Apple’s website.

Published

21 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Nour Nasir

Apple

Apple’s latest updates to its popular iPad Air and Pro models were announced on Tuesday, May 7. These are the first changes since 2022, the longest stretch between new models since the iconic device was revealed in 2011.

Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch versions of the iPad Pro have received a huge design overhaul. The most noteworthy change is the move to OLED screens, with the 12.9-inch version receiving a small bump in size to 13 inches. Apple claims the new tablets are brighter and more vibrant than outgoing models, thanks to a technology it calls “tandem OLED” or “Ultra Retina XDR”.

The 13-inch model now measures an astonishing 5.1 mm in thickness, which Apple says is its slimmest device ever. (The 11-inch version is 5.3 mm thick.) For those who prefer the look of a matte display, a nano-texture coating will also be available for the first time on the Pro models.

Finally, the new iPad Pros have received a processor bump to the latest M4 chip, which Apple says is an “outrageously powerful chip for AI”, offering an example of its ability to quickly and efficiently isolate subjects from backgrounds in videos.

The iPad Pro 11-inch starts at $999, and the larger 13-inch version starts at $1,299 with 256GB of storage.

Updated iPad Air In Two Sizes

The sixth-generation iPad Air didn’t receive as many upgrades as the iPad Pro but significantly does now come in two sizes. As with the Pro models, buyers now have the choice between an 11-inch and 13-inch screen, meaning they don’t need to invest in a Pro version just to get a 30% bump in display size.

Apple kept the same design for the iPad Air that it first revealed in 2020, complete with a USB-C port and Touch ID in the top button. The only difference is the front camera placement, which has been moved to the center of the iPad when in landscape orientation.

The 11-inch iPad Air is priced at $599 for the entry-level model, while the 13-inch version starts at $799.

Also Read: How To Clean Your Apple Watch Like A Pro

New Magic Keyboard Case

Apple also announced an updated (thinner, lighter) Magic Keyboard for its Pro iPads. The refreshed version now includes a function row (with controls for screen brightness). An aluminum palm rest and large trackpad with haptic feedback also help the premium case feel more like a Macbook.

The new Magic Keyboard is available for both the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros and will be priced at $299 or $349, respectively.

Apple Pencil Pro

Apple also announced a new Apple Pencil, named Pro, at its event. The new model looks exactly the same but adds a “squeeze” function that opens a new tool palette. Meanwhile, a built-in gyroscope sensor lets you alter the orientation of the tools you’re using as you twist the device, offering finer control. Finally, the new pencil gets support for Apple’s Find My network, which should keep minds at rest at the prospect of losing the $129 device.

Finally, to round off Apple’s series of announcements, the entry-level iPad was reduced to $349 — a $100 price cut.