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China has denied allegations by the US government and Microsoft that a state-sponsored hacking group called the Volt Typhoon has infiltrated US critical infrastructure, according to Bloomberg. The country’s National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center called the claims a “political farce” orchestrated by US officials in a new report. It also reportedly cited more than 50 cybersecurity experts who agreed with the agency that there’s no sufficient evidence linking Volt Typhoon to the Chinese government. 

Moreover, the Chinese agency said that it’s the US that uses “cyber warfare forces” to penetrate networks and conduct intelligence gathering. It even accused the US of using a tool called “Marble” that can insert code strings in the Chinese and Russian languages to frame China and Russia for its activities.

Microsoft and the National Security Agency (NSA) first reported about Volt Typhoon back in May 2023. They said that the group installed surveillance malware in “critical” systems on the island of Guam and other parts of the US and has had access to those systems for at least the past five years. In February this year, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the NSA and the FBI issued an advisory warning critical infrastructure organizations that state-sponsored cyber actors from China “are seeking to pre-position themselves on IT networks for disruptive or destructive cyberattacks.”

The US agencies said Volt Typhoon had infiltrated the US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency, as well as various government agencies in Australia, the UK, Canada and New Zealand. Volt Typhoon doesn’t act like other cyberattackers and espionage groups do. It hasn’t used the malware it installed to attack any of its targets — at least not yet. The group is “pre-positioning” itself so that it can disrupt critical infrastructure functions when it wants to, which the US government believes is “in the event of potential geopolitical tensions and/or military conflicts” with the United States.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/china-calls-allegations-that-it-infiltrated-us-critical-infrastructure-a-political-farce-120023769.html?src=rss

Google TV is an easy to use operating system that provides access to all of the best streaming services in one centralized location. A growing number of modestly priced smart TVs have Google TV built-in. But even if your smart TV runs a different OS, you can get access to Google TV easily by buying a Chromecast for as little as $30, or a new Google TV box for closer to $100. But here’s an open secret: If you use a VPN (virtual private network) with your Google TV set or Chromecast, you can access even more content. Here’s how to set up a VPN on Google TV or a Chromecast and why you may want to use one.

Why use a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast?

For streaming purposes, VPNs have one clear benefit: spoofing your IP address to that of a different country so that you can access geo-restricted content. If you use a VPN and connect to a different country’s server, you can access its content library on any streaming platform.

Let’s say you live in the US but want to watch some award-winning BBC documentaries on the BBC iPlayer streaming service. All BBC iPlayer content is free if you live in the UK, but blocked everywhere else. Using a VPN, you can connect to a UK VPN server and stream to your heart’s content.

VPNs also have considerable security benefits if you use them on your smartphone or PC. Purchasing a single subscription means you can use your VPN on any supported device, so we recommend you shop for a flexible one that supports multiple concurrent logins.

What VPNs are available on Google TV?

Google TV doesn’t have as many VPN apps to install compared to other smart TV systems like Amazon’s Fire TV OS. Although this may seem like a disadvantage, it’s actually a blessing in disguise.

With VPNs, you want to ensure you invest in a quality and trustworthy product. There are many untested or free VPNs available that sell your data or falsify their encryption claims. Although this might not be a huge issue for streaming purposes alone, it generally poses massive security and privacy risks.

When installing a VPN on Google TV or Chromecast, we recommend the following VPN services:

• ProtonVPN

• ExpressVPN

• Surfshark

• CyberGhost

We also have a guide to the best VPNs where we explain why we recommend them.

How to set up a VPN on your Google TV or Chromecast

It’s easy to use a VPN on your Google TV (and perhaps even easier on a Chromecast). Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install one:

Google TV

1. Navigate to the Google Play Store on your Google TV.

2. Search for the VPN you want to install (alternatively, search for the keyword “VPN” to view your options).

3. Install the VPN.

4. Sign up (or login if you already have an account).

5. Navigate the country server list and connect.

Note that you can use your VPN on as many devices as it supports. So, once you’ve purchased a subscription, it’s wise to download it on as many platforms and devices you can to maximize your investment.

Chromecast

If you have a Chromecast, you can still enjoy the benefits of a VPN — you just need to use your smartphone or laptop in tandem with the streaming device. Here’s how to do it:

1. Install a VPN on your smartphone or laptop.

2. Make sure your Wi-Fi is enabled.

3. Turn on the VPN on your smartphone/laptop.

4. Connect your smartphone or laptop to your TV via Chromecast.

5. Begin streaming your content.

Additional tip: VPNs also work with screencasting. As long as your smart TV is under the same Wi-Fi as the device you’re screencasting from, you can use the VPN securely.

VPN options for other streaming platforms

Don’t have Google TV? Good news: Robust VPN options (or alternatives) exist for the other major streaming platforms, too.

• How to use a VPN on your Apple TV

• How to stream via a VPN on Roku

• How to use a VPN to stream with Fire TV (coming soon)

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-stream-via-a-vpn-on-your-google-tv-or-chromecast-140619569.html?src=rss

Meta’s latest play to get you into VR is a cheaper VR headset almost as capable as the $500 Quest 3. The Quest 3S brings some but not all of the top features of the more expensive headset. Compared to the Quest 2, it has a more capable processor, better hand and controller tracking and lets you dip your toes into mixed reality.

Costs have been cut: There are lower-res screens and cheaper Fresnel lenses, but Meta has cleverly cherry picked the right specs to ensure the Quest 3S feels as capable as the more expensive option. You get the same subtle, comfortable controllers and the camera arrays to track your environment.

You can also use the 3S to play Xbox titles and even connect to your PC for VR games like Half Life: Alyx. The Quest 3S starts at $300 with 128GB of storage. If you’re intrigued, check out our full review.

— Mat Smith

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Fujifilm’s X-M5 is its first sub-$1,000 camera in years

It offers most of the X-T50’s capabilities.

Fujifilm

The $799 X-M5 is for photographers on a budget or vloggers stepping up from a smartphone. Fujifilm cut a few features, like a viewfinder (EVF), to get to that price point, but it does have the company’s latest 26-megapixel X-Trans 4 CMOS sensor. There are also handy vlogging features, like a portrait enhancer, background defocus and product priority, much as we’ve seen on Sony’s vlogging Z-series cameras. It’s on presale for $799.

Continue reading.

Google strikes deal to power its AI data centers with nuclear

The company agreed to buy energy from 7 small nuclear reactors.

Google said it will partner with the startup Kairos Power to build seven small nuclear reactors in the US. The deal aims to farm 500 megawatts of nuclear power from the small modular reactors (SMRs) by the decade’s end. The first is expected to be up and running by 2030, with the rest arriving through 2035. It’s the first-ever corporate deal to buy nuclear power from SMRs. Small modular reactors are smaller than existing reactors. Their components are built inside a factory rather than onsite, which can help lower construction costs. It’s not a dead cert: Kairos will need the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission to approve the plans.

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SpaceX successfully catches its Super Heavy rocket

It’s a huge milestone in making Starship and the Super Heavy rocket a fully reusable system.

SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster successfully returned to the pad after liftoff, caught by the launch tower’s mechanical arms. It’s rather incredible — you should watch it. The milestone came during the fifth flight of the company’s Starship and is a huge step for the rocket’s planned reusability goals. Where Falcon 9 typically lands on a drone ship in the ocean, Super Heavy returned to its launch site and had to navigate into the narrow opening between the launch tower’s outstretched “chopsticks.” Just watch it!

Continue reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-our-verdict-on-the-meta-quest-3s-111519614.html?src=rss