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A creative mix.Nintendo's Switch Online Playtest Program struggled to contain leaks when it went live last year and it looks like the inventors behind this concept have now been revealed.According to a new patent doing the rounds, the creative talent leading this playtest includes Yusuke Amano, Tsubasa Sakaguchi, Masaki Wada, and Shinya Yano.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

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Beware the brute force ransomware attackers.gettyWith recent warnings from the FBI as dangerous ransomware groups continue to attack, using methods as diverse as posted extortion threats and fake CAPTCHA tests for initial access, a new report has revealed how some ransomware actors have added a worrying tool to their armory: automated brute force attacks against enterprise VPNs and firewalls.Ransomware Group Create Automated VPN And Firewall Brute Force Attack ToolRecently leaked chat logs from the Black Basta ransomware group have revealed many things, including that passwords and stolen 2FA codes are driving many attacks. Thats not exactly a shocking revelation, it has to be said. Nor, for that matter, that these stolen credentials were used in brute force credential-stuffing attacks against enterprise targets.Newly published research by Arda Bykkaya, a cyber threat intelligence analyst at EclecticIQ, however, has now confirmed a previously unknown brute forcing framework, that has been used by the Black Basta gang to automate the process of gaining access to enterprise VPNs and firewalls.Having analyzed the source code, Bykkaya was able to confirm that the primary capability of this tool is the automated internet scanning and credential stuffing against edge network devices, including widely used firewalls and VPN solutions in corporate networks. Calling the tool Bruted, based on its log-naming conventions, EclecticIQ analysts have assessed that the Black Basta ransomware group targets edge network devices credential-stuffing attacks, exploiting weak or reused credentials to gain an initial foothold for lateral movement, and ransomware deployment. Bruted enables them, and just as significantly their affiliates who don the initial access donkey work in threat campaigns, to automate and scale these attacks, expanding their victim pool for and accelerating monetization to drive ransomware operations.How Ransomware Actors Employ The Bruted Brute Force ToolWritten in PHP, the Bruted script applies specialized brute-force logic for every individual attack platform, using tailored user-agent strings, endpoint paths, and success checks. This broad coverage of VPN and remote-desktop products reflects a highly adaptable approach, Bykkaya said, enabling attackers to systematically probe for weak or reused credentials across multiple enterprise environments.The EclecticIQ threat analysts were able to determine that among the known targets that the Bruted tool was configured to attack, the following vendors and technologies were present: SonicWall NetExtender, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect, Fortinet SSL VPN, Citrix NetScaler (Citrix Gateway), Microsoft RDWeb, and WatchGuard SSL VPN.The tool works by automating subdomain enumeration and IP resolution for any given domain to scan for potentially valid hostnames and IP addresses. It reports any discovered hosts back to a remote command-and-control endpoint, Bykkaya said. Bruted will then collate likely passwords from a remote server and combine them with locally generated guesses, to perform bulk authentication attempts.To mitigate these ransomware attacks, Bykkaya recommended ensuring all devices are fully patched and up to date, password and login policies are strengthened, and unnecessary services and features are disabled.

3D Human Brain With Connection Dots gettyIn a world where AI can write your emails, generate your reports and even code your next application, a concerning question arises: Will these tools enhance your thinking or slowly erode it? As a digital forensics expert whos witnessed technologys transformative effects across industries, Im convinced the answer depends entirely on how you choose to implement these tools in your daily life.AIs Hidden Human Cost: Cognitive OffloadingWhen you reflexively ask ChatGPT to summarize an article you could read yourself or generate a first draft without developing your own framework, youre engaging in what psychologists call "cognitive offloading." This pattern mirrors what research has already confirmed with GPS navigation: people who rely heavily on GPS develop weaker spatial reasoning abilities over time, showing significant decreases in hippocampal activity and spatial memory among frequent GPS users. I can attest to this firsthand.Years ago when I started traveling regularly for work, I bought one of the first TomTom GPS devices on the market. It made my life easier right away. Instead of worrying about maps and directions, I could simply follow the turn-by-turn instructions to reach my destinations. Navigation had never been my strong suit, so this technology seemed like a perfect solution.What I didnt realize at the time was how this convenience was changing my behavior. Today, I know my mental muscles for navigation are atrophied, because, for years, GPS has handled the work of building mental maps for me. I never fully developed that skill myself.This experience offers a straightforward parallel to how we use AI tools today. When we regularly let AI handle certain types of thinking for us, we might be less likely to develop or maintain those same mental skills ourselves. The question becomes: what cognitive abilities do we want to preserve, and which are we comfortable outsourcing to machines?The convenience is undeniable, but the cognitive cost is real. Each time you delegate thinking to AI without first engaging with the material yourself, you miss an opportunity to strengthen neural pathways that support critical thinking, creativity and analytical reasoning. Neuroscientists have documented this phenomenon, showing that the brain's "use it or lose it" principle applies directly to cognitive functions.5 Ways To Strengthen Your Thinking With AIThe good news? You can harness AI's capabilities while still developing your cognitive abilities. Here's how to transform AI from a potential thinking replacement into a tool that makes you smarter:1. Learn To Be Bored Before Using AIThere is neurological magic in doing nothing. Constant stimulationwhether from social media, AI tools, or endless digital notifications prevent our brains from entering their most creative state. Boredom isnt a waste of time. Its a critical cognitive reset button.When we allow our minds to wander, something remarkable happens. The default mode network in our brain activates: a state of neural activity associated with deep thinking, creativity and self-reflection. This is where breakthrough ideas are born. Its where disparate thoughts connect, where innovative solutions emerge and where our most profound personal insights take shape.Digital tools and AI, while powerful, interrupt this natural cognitive process. They provide instant answers, immediate stimulation and constant engagement that leaves no room for true mental exploration. By constantly seeking external input, we rob ourselves of the most important conversationthe one happening inside our own minds.Consider the last time you had a truly original thought. Chances are, it wasnt while scrolling through social media or asking an AI for advice. It likely came during a moment of apparent emptiness. In the shower, during a walk or while staring out a window. These are the moments when our brain makes unexpected connections, processes complex emotions and generates truly novel ideas.So how can you incorporate intentional boredom in your life? it is as simple as taking a daily walk and dedicating that time for original thought. No headphones. No music. No digital distractions. Just you, moving through the world, allowing your mind to explore freely. Start by silencing your phone and turning off notifications, keeping it only as a tool to capture fleeting insights. As you walk, let your thoughts roam without direction. A work challenge might suddenly clarify. An article idea could emerge. A creative solution might take shape.When an insight surfaces, quickly type a few raw, unfiltered sentences in your notes app. Capture the thought exactly as it forms in your mind. No editing. No judgment. Pure, uninterrupted thinking.Later, return to these notes. Expand on the initial thought using your own cognitive skills. Only then do you invite technology to help refine the idea. Ask it to challenge your thinking, suggest perspectives or point out potential gaps. Remember, you are the creator. Technology is simply a tool to support your thinking, not replace it. Review suggestions critically. Integrate what resonates. Continue driving the idea forward with your unique perspective.Alternatively, you could set in your mind a problem you are trying to solve. Use that time as a focused session to think deeply on the subject without outside technological assistance. When you get back from your walk, then use AI to refine and test your ideas. Repeat this process for over days or months. You will be surprised at the power of your mind to develop novel solutions and see connections that would never form otherwise.This approach transforms a simple walk into a powerful thinking ritual. In a world of constant digital noise, you're reclaiming something precious: the ability to think deeply, creatively, and independently.2. Use AI To Create Your Own Learning LaddersInstead of using AI to simplify what you already know, use it to venture into unfamiliar territory with increasing complexity. When learning something new, start by asking AI to explain a concept at a beginner level. After understanding the basics, request the same explanation at an intermediate level, noting new concepts. Work through each new concept before requesting an advanced explanation. Finally, try explaining the concept back to the AI and ask for an evaluation of your understanding. Dont move on to the next question or level of complexity until you can accurately explain a concept back to the AI.This creates a personalized learning progression that continuously challenges you to climb to higher levels of comprehension. A business student I know used this approach when studying advanced analytical methods. Rather than relying on AI to summarize complex concepts, he first asked for basic explanations, then progressively requested more sophisticated treatments of the same topics.He would master each level, working through practice problems himself and testing his understanding, before moving to more complex applications involving multiple variables and real-world conditions. Within a semester, his grasp of these analytical methods surpassed peers who had simply used AI to generate analysis templates without building the underlying conceptual framework themselves. This progressive approach built deeper expertise that showed in his ability to identify subtle factors others missed.This deeper understanding also dramatically accelerated his career path. While most of his classmates were still applying for internships, he secured a paid analyst position. The hiring manager later told him that what set him apart was his ability to explain why certain analytical approaches were appropriate in specific scenarios, rather than just applying them mechanically. Because he understood the fundamental principles rather than just the outputs, he could adapt his analysis to unique situations where standard templates fell short.Educational psychologists call this the zone of proximal development. Pushing just beyond current capabilities with appropriate support, which leads to optimal learning outcomes.3. Use AI for Scaffolding And Not SolutionsWhen facing complex problems, use AI to create frameworks that organize information and highlight relationships without providing the actual answers. Ask AI to create a structured outline of key considerations for your problem or a visual relationship map showing how different aspects connect. Have AI identify the key decision points or critical questions without answering them. Work through each component yourself, using the structure as a guide rather than a crutch.This approach helps you tackle problems that might otherwise overwhelm you while still doing the critical thinking yourself. Consider a marketing professional tasked with developing a comprehensive strategy for entering a new market. Rather than asking AI to generate the entire strategy, she first requests a framework outlining the key elements that need consideration.The AI provides a structured outline organizing the challenge into major categories: market analysis, competitive landscape, regulatory considerations, customer segmentation, positioning, channel strategy, pricing models and success metrics.For each category, it lists critical questions without answering them:"What cultural factors might impact product adoption in this region?""Which competitors have attempted similar market entries and what were their outcomes?""What pricing sensitivities exist in different customer segments?"Using this framework as a guide, she can then conduct her own research into each area, bringing her industry knowledge and company-specific context to the analysis. She might hold workshops with regional experts to answer the cultural questions, analyze competitive case studies herself, and develop pricing models based on her company's unique cost structure.The result would be a market entry strategy that reflects both comprehensive consideration of all factors and deep integration with the company's specific capabilities. When presenting to leadership, she could confidently explain the reasoning behind each recommendation because she had done the analytical work herself, rather than simply presenting AI-generated conclusions.This scaffolding approach leverages AIs organizational capabilities while preserving her own critical thinking skills and subject matter expertise. Rather than having AI solve the problem, it simply helps structure the problem in a way that makes it manageable for human analysis.4. Make AI Your Intellectual Sparring PartnerRather than delegating your thinking, engage with AI collaboratively by challenging its outputs and using them to refine your own ideas. After forming your own opinion, ask AI to present the strongest counterarguments. Request multiple different approaches to the same problem, then synthesize your own solution. Have AI play devil's advocate to your conclusions, then evaluate its critiques.This collaborative approach keeps you firmly in the drivers seat while benefiting from AI's ability to offer diverse perspectives. Attorneys have found particular value in this approach.For example, a trial attorney preparing for a complex employment discrimination case first develops her own case strategy, identifying key arguments, relevant precedents and her theory of the case. Instead of using AI to analyze evidence or case law, she uses it as an intellectual sparring partner to challenge her thinking and strengthen her reasoning.She begins by articulating her strongest arguments and legal theory to the AI, then prompts: "If you were opposing counsel, what would be your most compelling response to this argument?" This forces the AI to adopt a contrary perspective, helping her see potential weaknesses in her reasoning that confirmation bias might otherwise hide.When the AI responds with a counterargument, she doesn't simply accept this critique. Instead, she evaluates it against her knowledge of case law and the specific facts at hand. She determines that while the concern has merit, she can address it by reframing her argument with a slightly different emphasis.Taking the intellectual sparring further, she asks the AI to play different roles: "As a skeptical judge, what questions would you have about my interpretation of this precedent?" and "As a juror with no legal background, what parts of this argument might be confusing or unconvincing?" These perspective shifts help her refine her approach for different audiences.For each exchange, she's not looking for the AI to tell her what to think or to perform analysis tasks. Rather, she's using it to articulate alternative viewpoints that challenge her to strengthen her own thinking. The value comes from the intellectual friction createdsimilar to how practicing oral arguments with a colleague helps sharpen reasoning.The final trial strategy remains fundamentally hers, but it's more robust because it has weathered thoughtful challenges from multiple perspectives. Throughout this process, she recognizes that while AI may have general knowledge of legal concepts, her specific understanding of the jurisdiction's local practices, the tendencies of the judge assigned to her case, and the human nuances that influence how evidence will be perceived are irreplaceable.When the AI suggests a particular line of questioning, she filters it through her years of courtroom experience: "This approach might work in theory, but I know this judge tends to limit this type of examination." Or when the AI proposes a logical argument, she considers how it will land emotionally with a jury: "That's technically correct, but it won't resonate with people in this community given recent local events."This approach transforms AI from a research tool into a thought partner that enhances her legal reasoning without replacing it. Her human judgmentinformed by courtroom experience, emotional intelligence and cultural contextremains the essential ingredient that turns AI-enhanced legal reasoning into effective advocacy.5. Maintain AI-Free Time BlocksPerhaps counterintuitively, using AI to enhance your thinking requires establishing times when you dont use it at all. Designate your first 60-90 minutes of deep work as AI-free. Complete first drafts of creative or analytical work without AI assistance. Schedule regular "thinking walks" without any technology. Practice recall before looking things up, trying to remember facts, concepts, or processes before checking them.These boundaries ensure your core cognitive abilities remain strong while still leveraging AI for appropriate tasks. Creative professionals have been particularly proactive about establishing these boundaries. Writers report keeping first drafts entirely AI-free, believing this preserves their unique voice and creative thinking abilities. Many parents have adopted similar boundaries for their children, establishing clear rules about when AI tools can and cannot be used for schoolwork.In my own home, Ive developed a deliberate approach with my nine-year-old son. He writes stories completely by hand, focusing on original storytelling without AI assistance. Once he completes a section of his narrative, we use AI together to transform his work into an illustrated comic book. This method ensures he performs complex cognitive tasks independently while learning to use AI as a collaborative tool. By keeping human creativity at the forefront, he is learning to master technology rather than be mastered by it.AI And Your Brain: From Consumer To ArchitectThe most powerful shift you can make is from passive consumer of AI outputs to active architect of your cognitive environment. This means deliberately choosing when to use AI rather than defaulting to it, designing workflows that integrate AI at specific points rather than throughout, regularly evaluating whether your AI use is strengthening or weakening your thinking, and adjusting your approach based on observed impacts on your cognitive performance.The question isnt whether to use AI. These tools are becoming unavoidable in professional and educational contexts. The question is how to use them in ways that enhance rather than diminish your unique human capabilities.By implementing these strategies, you position yourself to thrive in an AI-driven world not by competing with machines at tasks theyll always do better, but by strengthening the distinctly human cognitive abilities that AI cannot replicate: a sense of taste, contextual judgment, creative synthesis, ethical reasoning and the ability to navigate ambiguity. The future belongs not to those who simply use AI, but to those who use it in a way that promotes human flourishing in parallel.

The big picture: With at least one court ruling that AI training does not qualify as fair use, OpenAI is looking to the Trump administration's upcoming AI Action Plan to help resolve ongoing copyright disputes. Due out in July, the plan could potentially classify AI training as fair use, granting AI companies unrestricted access to critical training data. OpenAI argues that such a move is essential for the US to maintain its competitive edge in the AI race against China. US courts are currently grappling with whether AI training qualifies as fair use, with rights holders arguing that AI models pose a market threat by potentially replacing them and diluting creative output. OpenAI and several other AI companies are embroiled in multiple lawsuits, contending that AI transforms copyrighted works rather than serving as a direct substitute. However, a landmark ruling has already favored rights holders, with a judge determining that AI training does not constitute fair use, citing its direct threat to Thomson Reuters' legal research firm, Westlaw.The debate is also unfolding internationally, as countries seek to balance copyright protections with the growing demand for AI training.OpenAI asserts that its models do not replicate copyrighted works for public consumption but instead extract patterns and insights to generate new and distinct content. The company argues that this approach aligns with the fundamental principles of copyright and fair use doctrine."OpenAI's models are trained to not replicate works for consumption by the public. Instead, they learn from the works and extract patterns, linguistic structures, and contextual insights," OpenAI explained. "This means our AI model training aligns with the core objectives of copyright and the fair use doctrine, using existing works to create something wholly new and different without eroding the commercial value of those existing works."During a public comment period, OpenAI urged the US to shift its copyright strategy to promote the AI industry's "freedom to learn," warning that restricting American companies from accessing copyrighted data while Chinese firms face no such limitations could cost the US its AI leadership."The federal government can both secure Americans' freedom to learn from AI and avoid forfeiting our AI lead to the PRC by preserving American AI models' ability to learn from copyrighted material," OpenAI stated. // Related StoriesThe company also called for legal protections for AI firms, citing the strain caused by a patchwork of state regulations. As of 2025, legislative tracker MultiState has flagged 832 AI-related laws. OpenAI warned that mirroring the European Union's strict regulatory approach could stifle innovation, impose burdensome compliance costs, and weaken economic competitiveness and national security.Instead, it proposed a federal law that preempts state regulations, offering a voluntary public-private partnership where AI companies share industry knowledge in exchange for liability protections.OpenAI further urged the US to lead global discussions on copyright and AI to prevent less innovative countries from imposing restrictive legal frameworks on American firms. This includes assessing data availability and ensuring US companies retain access to critical training inputs. With China's rapid AI advancements, such as the open-sourced DeepSeek model, OpenAI cautioned that the US lead in AI is narrowing and requires urgent action to maintain.Additionally, the company stressed that national security depends on unfettered access to AI training data and called for a balanced approach that fosters innovation while safeguarding intellectual property rights. As the US Copyright Office prepares to release further guidance on AI training in its upcoming report, the stakes are high for both AI firms and copyright holders.

Love crossword puzzles but dont have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? Thats what The Mini is for!A bite-sized version of the New York Times well-known crossword puzzle, The Mini is a quick and easy way to test your crossword skills daily in a lot less time (the average puzzle takes most players just over a minute to solve). While The Mini is smaller and simpler than a normal crossword, it isnt always easy. Tripping up on one clue can be the difference between a personal best completion time and an embarrassing solve attempt.Recommended VideosJust like ourWordle hints and Connections hints, were here to help with The Mini today if youre stuck and need a little help.Please enable Javascript to view this contentBelow are the answers for the NYT Mini crossword today.New York TimesAcrossHamburger meat, typically BEEFUnit in photography or what a photograph might go in FRAMEPens a letter to WRITESTable manners? WAITERSFamed short story writer behind The Gift of the Magi OHENRYTime is ___ MONEYModel in an anatomy classroom BODYDownSpears who sang Womanizer BRITNEYRestaurant EATERYGritty material on a nail file EMERYAdmit the truth, with up FESSSomeone added on Facebook FRIENDWhoopee! WAHOOGestation station WOMBEditors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsHow to play StrandsHint for todays Strands puzzleTodays Strand answersStrands is a brand new daily puzzle from the New York Times. A trickier take on the classic word search, youll need a keen eye to solve this puzzle.Like Wordle, Connections, and the Mini Crossword, Strands can be a bit difficult to solve some days. Theres no shame in needing a little help from time to time. If youre stuck and need to know the answers to todays Strands puzzle, check out the solved puzzle below.Recommended VideosHow to play StrandsYou start every Strands puzzle with the goal of finding the theme words hidden in the grid of letters. Manipulate letters by dragging or tapping to craft words; double-tap the final letter to confirm. If you find the correct word, the letters will be highlighted blue and will no longer be selectable.RelatedIf you find a word that isnt a theme word, it still helps! For every three non-theme words you find that are at least four letters long, youll get a hint the letters of one of the theme words will be revealed and youll just have to unscramble it.Every single letter on the grid is used to spell out the theme words and there is no overlap. Every letter will be used once, and only once.Each puzzle contains one spangram, a special theme word (or words) that describe the puzzles theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. When you find the spangram, it will be highlighted yellow.The goal should be to complete the puzzle quickly without using too many hints.Todays theme is Free for all.Heres a hint that might help you: stuff we all get.Todays Strand answersNYTTodays spanagramWell start by giving you the spangram, which might help you figure out the theme and solve the rest of the puzzle on your own:SWAGBAGTodays Strands answersTOTEPENCILSHIRTDECALNOTEBOOKLANYARDBOTTLEEditors Recommendations