AT&T paid $370K to hacker to delete stolen data, report says | Digital Trends

July 15, 2024July 14, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Following AT&T’s admission on Friday that a security breach had impacted tens of millions of its customers, a new report claims that the carrier paid around $370,000 to the hacker to delete all of the stolen data.

The payment was made in cryptocurrency in May, and as part of the deal the hacker had to provide a video that proved the data had been deleted, Wired reported on Sunday.

The news site carried out its own investigations into the payment and concluded that the transaction did indeed take place.

How to Make Your Construction Business Stand Out at Trade Shows | The Startup Magazine

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A Statista study released in early 2024 revealed that event marketers in the U.S. planned to attend an average of 42.4 regional trade shows throughout the year. This highlights the ongoing importance of in-person events even in our increasingly digital world.

For construction businesses, trade shows provide a crucial platform to present their products and services, connect with industry professionals, and generate new leads.

However, the competition for attention is fierce. To help your construction business stand out, here’s a comprehensive guide, to make a lasting impact at trade shows.

How Long-Distance Transportation Businesses Can Keep Their Fleet Secure | The Startup Magazine

July 12, 2024July 11, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Implementing effective security measures is essential to protect both the trucks and their contents. Several strategies can help achieve this goal. In this article, we’ll explore various approaches long-distance transportation companies can adopt to safeguard their fleets.

Choosing Secure Locations for Parking

The long stretches of highway often leave drivers with limited options when it comes to parking. The fact that trucking is one of the most stressful jobs only worsens this issue. As per a 2023 DAT Freight & Analytics survey, 75% of truck drivers find their job to be mentally and physically taxing.

Prioritizing secure semi-truck parking facilities can help. Opt for locations with well-lit areas, fencing, security patrols, and limited access points. Consider partnering with truck stop chains that offer designated parking areas for trucking companies.

Musk defeats ex-Twitter staff seeking $500m in severance | BBC News

July 11, 2024July 10, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A US judge has dismissed a case brought by former Twitter staff, who had accused billionaire Elon Musk of unlawfully denying roughly $500m in severance payments owed to workers fired after his takeover of the company.

Judge Trina Thompson said the employees had not proven that their claims were protected by federal law.

The ruling is a win for Mr Musk, who purchased Twitter in 2022 and immediately set about making changes, including sacking thousands of staff.

The moves sparked multiple lawsuits from former staff and vendors, accusing the company of withholding payments that had been promised.

China Rocked by Cooking Oil Contamination Scandal | BBC News

July 11, 2024July 10, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The Chinese government has said it is launching an investigation into allegations that fuel tankers have been used to transport cooking oil after carrying toxic chemicals without being cleaned properly between loads.

The controversy has spread online as social media users express concerns about potential food contamination.

Tankers used for transporting fuel were found to be carrying food products, like cooking oil and syrup, and were not decontaminated correctly, according to state-run Beijing News.

Transporting cooking oil in contaminated fuel trucks was said to have been so widespread it was considered an “open secret” in the industry, according to one driver quoted by the newspaper.

Uber for Teens has reignited an old debate over fingerprinting drivers | TechCrunch

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Seven years ago, Uber and Lyft blocked an effort to require ride-hailing app drivers to get fingerprinted in California. But by launching Uber for Teens earlier this year, the company inadvertently resurfaced the issue.

Now a broader debate is underway as startups, Uber, and California regulators hash out when a transportation service should be required to fingerprint its drivers.

Whataburger app becomes unlikely power outage map after Houston hurricane | TechCrunch

July 10, 2024July 9, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Fast-food chain Whataburger’s app has gone viral in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which left around 1.8 million utility customers in Houston, Texas without power. Hundreds of thousands of those people may remain without power for days as Houston anticipates a heat wave, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s.

Amid frustrations with the local utility company CounterPoint Energy, which doesn’t offer an app, some Houstonians got creative with their attempts to track the power outages. They turned to the Whataburger app instead.

Why I Choose to Publicly Share My Startup’s Business Data on LinkedIn — And Why You Should Do the Same. | Entrepreneur

July 9, 2024July 8, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

LinkedIn is a wacky place. Next to business updates from the world’s largest companies, you’ll find posts like “Today, I proposed to my fiance. Here’s what it taught me about B2B sales.” Insightful recaps from industry conferences are juxtaposed with generic, AI-generated thought leadership boosted by engagement pods. And don’t get me started on the endless barrage of irrelevant cold pitches.

Still, if you’re an entrepreneur, LinkedIn is the place to be. Its unique business-oriented nature sets it apart from other social media platforms, offering an unparalleled opportunity to communicate with your customers, business partners and potential team members.

Sam’s Club Is Changing a Beloved Free Perk, Members Unhappy | Entrepreneur

July 9, 2024July 8, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Costco’s rival, Sam’s Club, is taking away a long-beloved free perk — and members are taking to social media to share how they feel about it.

The wholesale retailer emailed club members ahead of the holiday weekend and revealed that starting August 19, free shipping would no longer apply to Plus members’ orders, just orders over $50 or more.

So instead of having their goods delivered for free, members who make purchases under $50 will have to pay an $8 flat rate. Some category exclusions still apply, the company said.

This is likely the biggest password leak ever: nearly 10 billion credentials exposed | Mashable

July 8, 2024July 7, 2024 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Cybersecurity researchers are calling it the largest password compilation leak of all time.

On July 4, a newly registered user on a popular hacking forum posted a file containing nearly 10 billion compromised passwords in plaintext. The post was first noticed by researchers at Cybernews.

“Xmas came early this year,” user “ObamaCare” wrote on the forum. “I present to you a new rockyou2024 password list with over 9.9 billion passwords!”