Hello hello!I am studying Technical Art currently and have found joy in VFX. Im starting a project where I intend to make some A-rpg sword swings with different elemental properties heavily inspired by FF16, any tips and tricks and or feedback would be appreciated!First swings I made is without any elemental effects.Unaspected sword swingsShould hopefully have some swings every couple days, only have halfdays of the schooltime to focus on this project.

Published January 13, 2025 3:00pm EST close Lawsuit accuses automakers of spying on drivers, selling data without consent Fox News' Douglas Kennedy on millions of Americans impacted by surveillance data collection in some cars. German automaker Volkswagen isn't having a great time. The company is planning to cut capacity at five factories, reducing production by about 700,000 vehicles, while also laying off more than 35,000 workers in its home country. Now, reports suggest the company had a massive data leak at its subsidiary software company Cariad, which exposed personal data, including geolocation data, of around 800,000 EV owners online and accessible for months. Such information could be valuable to criminals for extortion purposes. What's interesting is that a hacker association informed the company about this data leak after receiving a tip from an anonymous hacker.Enter the giveaway by signing up for myfree newsletter. Image of VW signage (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to know about the data leakAs reported by Germanys Der Spiegel magazine, Volkswagen is facing a major data security issue after movement data from 800,000 electric cars and the personal contact information of their owners were left exposed on the internet. This data revealed sensitive details, such as the precise locations where cars were parked, including private locations like peoples homes, government buildings and even questionable spots like brothels.The exposed data includes detailed movement patterns of these vehicles, allowing for the creation of comprehensive profiles of individuals' daily activities. This could be particularly concerning for public figures or anyone with privacy concerns.Several car brands under the Volkswagen group, including VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda, were affected by the breach, which exposed sensitive data across multiple countries. The information was stored on Amazon cloud servers without adequate protection, leaving it vulnerable for months before the issue was discovered.For around 466,000 of the 800,000 affected vehicles, the location data was detailed enough to map out drivers daily routines. Spiegel reported that the list of affected users included German politicians, business leaders, the entire EV fleet used by Hamburg police and even suspected intelligence agents.The breach came to light when an anonymous hacker tipped off the Chaos Computer Club. While Volkswagen left the data easily accessible during this time, there is no indication so far that anyone misused or accessed it maliciously.We reached out to Volkswagen for comment but did not hear back by our deadline. VW emblem on vehicle (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How can this data leak affect you?The Volkswagen data leak is more than just a tech issue. It is a real concern for anyone who values their privacy. With precise location data out in the open, someone could figure out where you live, work or spend your free time. This information could be misused in many ways, from targeted scams where hackers pretend to be Volkswagen or its partners to trick you into giving up sensitive information, to more personal threats like stalking or harassment.Imagine someone knowing your daily routine or identifying places you visit that you would prefer to keep private. Visits to clinics, legal offices or other sensitive locations could expose you to embarrassment or blackmail.The breach also raises concerns for business leaders, government officials and military personnel as their movements linked to high-security or restricted areas could be exposed, increasing the risk of corporate espionage or national security threats. Moreover, when paired with other vulnerabilities, such as app credentials, hackers could potentially exploit the data to unlock or even control vehicles remotely. VW electric SUV (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)6 ways you can stay safe after this leakIn light of the recent Volkswagen data breach, it is crucial to take proactive measures to safeguard your personal data. Here are 6 ways you can stay safe after this leak:1) Check your app settings:Review the permissions and data-sharing settings in your car's companion app. Disable features that track or share your location if they are not essential for your use. Regularly update the app to ensure you have the latest security patches.2) Be alert to scams:Keep an eye out for suspicious emails, messages or calls pretending to be from Volkswagen or related services. Avoid clicking on links or sharing sensitive information without verifying the sender.3) Consider data opt-out options:Many vehicles with online features allow you to limit or disable certain data-sharing functionalities. Check your cars settings to reduce the amount of personal data being collected.4) Strengthen your online accounts:If you use the same email or password across multiple accounts, update them immediately. Enabletwo-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.5) Beware of snail mail scams: While most people focus on digital threats, physical mail scams can also follow a data breach like this. If your contact information was exposed, you might receive fraudulent letters pretending to be from Volkswagen or related services. These could ask for payments, personal details or even encourage you to visit fake websites.6) Install strong antivirus software: Ensure that you have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices, especially those connected to your vehicle or its apps. This can help protect you from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurts key takeawayThe Volkswagen data leak is a glaring example of how companies need to take user data security more seriously. Exposing personal details and precise locations is not just a technical mistake. It is a massive breach of trust. While VW has patched the issue, the damage shows how important it is for businesses to be more responsible with the data they collect. People deserve to know their information is safe and used only when necessary. If companies cannot protect their customers privacy, they risk losing their confidence altogether. It is time for the industry to step up and do better.Do you think stricter regulations should be in place for companies that handle user data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Related Topics

Two separate announcements have highlighted the aggressive cost-cutting measures banks are putting in place as digital technologies replace thousands of people from the back-office of their organisations.Bloomberg Intelligences recent report predicts 200,000 middle and back-office jobs will be lost to artificial intelligence (AI), while Lloyds Banks branch announcement means more closures and job losses are inevitable.One CIO in the UK banking sector, who wished to remain anonymous, said banks will push AI and branch closures as far as they can before something breaks and they have to reverse a bit.They always try to cut as many costs as they possibly can and thats basically people, buildings and computers, but they cant cut computers because thats the bit theyre relying on to cut buildings and humans.The balance is shifting more towards spending money on computing and reducing costs on people and buildings, the CIO added. With AI, they have got their teeth into it, and theyre thinking, We can automate loads of stuff and save a load of money with branches, head offices or staff until it goes wrong.Banks have been reducing their human workforce for years through branch closures as digital banking has taken grip, and the middle and back office at banks also face huge cuts as AI learns their roles.This week, the reducing need for people within banks was highlighted both overtly and covertly through two announcements.Recent figures from Bloomberg Intelligence put the number of jobs set to be replaced by AI at hundreds of thousands, with CIOs questioned by the organisation expecting on average 3% of their workforce on average to be cut. About a quarter of respondents expect the workforce to be cut by between 5% and 10% as AI takes over roles, with the back and middle offices to be most affected.But its not just back and middle-office jobs in banking that will disappear people working in branches face uncertain futures in the UK as big banks shutter branches across the country.Although more covert and on a smaller scale, the announcement by Lloyds Banking Group that customers will be able to use branches at any of its three high street brands will inevitably lead to job cuts.Lloyds Banking group has branches for its Bank of Scotland and Halifax brands as well Lloyds Bank.The ability for customers of all the brands to use any of the branches will give Lloyds an opportunity to close branches without removing access to banking on high streets.The reduction of branch numbers has been driven by the adoption of digital banking servicesJayne Opperman, CEO of consumer relationships at Lloyds Banking Group, told staff: We know more people are choosing mobile over any other way to bank, but we also need to evolve how we support customers in other channels.Thats why from later this year well make it possible for customers to use any of our Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, regardless of brand they bank with, giving them access to the biggest combined branch network.High street traditional banks have been cutting their branch networks amid competition from digital-first banks. These challengers dont have the huge cost of real estate and branch staff with services mobile and online.Traditional banks have invested heavily in the same online and mobile services and, at the same time, have been cutting costs through branch closures.The rapid digitisation of banking and the increased use of technology by consumers to do their banking has meant job cuts, which followed the financial crisis of 2008, have continued.As long ago as 2009, union Unite described the strategy at the Lloyds Bank then known as Lloyds TSB as death by a thousand cuts.Read more about bank branch closuresUK bank branches are being shuttered in large numbersas consumers choose online banking, with Lloyds Banking Group announcing more closures.Consumer rights protector saysbanks should pause branch closuresuntil they can ensure people have access to cash and services.Big banks continue to close branches and invest more in technology as the Covid-19 pandemicmakes a case for digital banking.

Despite its shortcomings, the Xgimi Horizon S Max is one of the brightest and most capable projectors I've tested.

Futuristic digital background. AgettyTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against Allstate and its subsidiary, Arity, accusing them of unlawfully collecting and selling sensitive data from more than 45 million Americans without their consent.The lawsuit alleges that Arity paid mobile app developers millions of dollars to embed tracking software within their applications, including apps such as Routely, Fuel Rewards, GasBuddy, Life360. This software covertly harvested trillions of miles of driving data from users' cellphones, including location and movement information. The collected data was then allegedly sold to various insurance companies, including Allstate.Attorney General Paxton contends that these actions violate the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, which mandates that companies obtain clear consent from consumers before collecting or sharing their personal data. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, along with a court order requiring Allstate and Arity to delete the improperly obtained data, Reuters reports.This lawsuit is part of a broader initiative by the Texas Attorney General's office to enforce data privacy laws and protect consumers from unauthorized data exploitation. It follows previous actions against other companies for similar violations.MORE FOR YOUWhy Location Data Matters for Privacy and CybersecurityLocation data is one of the most sensitive types of personal information because it reveals where you are, where youve been, and, by extension, aspects of who you are. For both privacy and cybersecurity, the misuse or leakage of location data can have profound implications.Day in the Life : Tracked by Your Location DataIt starts like any other day. You wake up at home, your phone on your nightstand. Without a second thought, you check your messages, revealing your location to a nearby cell tower. As you leave for work, your phones GPS logs your route, tracking every stoplight and turn. Your daily commute creates a digital footprinta pattern that, over time, tells exactly where you live, play, and work.At lunch, you stop by a pharmacy to pick up a prescription. Later, you visit a counseling center or attend a meeting at your place of worship. These moments, while private and personal, are silently logged by apps and devices, painting a detailed picture of your habits and routines.After work, you head to a local political rally or a community event. Whether youre there to listen or participate, your presence is logged by location services, adding another layer to your digital profile. By the end of the day, your phone has created a near-perfect map of your movementsrevealing not just where you were, but potentially why you were there.This story isnt hypotheticalits the reality of how location data works. From your home address to the places you visit, the information collected can reveal intimate details about your life, including aspects you may want to keep private:Health conditions, based on visits to specific medical facilities.Religious affiliations, through attendance at places of worship.Political views, inferred from attendance at rallies or protests.When this data is tracked over time, it becomes a powerful tool for profiling individualssometimes with far-reaching consequences. Whether used for targeted ads, surveillance, or other purposes, the story your location data tells may be more revealing than you realize.In digital forensics, location data plays a prominent role in what is known as lifestyle analysis, where patterns of movement and behavior are used to profile individuals. Imagine a normal day: your phone logs your location as you commute, shop, and attend personal appointments. By the end of the day, apps have silently built a map of your movements. When location data is misused or leaked, it poses privacy and cybersecurity risks, such as stalking, identity theft or unwarranted surveillance.Lifestyle Analysis: Digital Forensics Case ExampleIn a medical malpractice case I worked on, the plaintiff suffered severe complications during a routine surgery, which led to a lifetime of additional care needs. The case hinged not only on the surgical error but on the personal lifestyle of the operating surgeon, whose behavior in the months leading up to the procedure came under intense scrutiny.Through the use of lifestyle analysis, I pieced together cell phone location data and social media posts, which alongside witness testimony and receipts painted a picture of the surgeons life in the months preceding the incident. The analysis revealed that the surgeon behavior had changed dramatically after finalizing a contentious divorce.Cell phone data showed frequent late-night visits to bars and clubs, sometimes as late as 4 AM, only hours before scheduled surgeries. The location data allowed the attorneys and investigators to find witnesses, who reported seeing the surgeon at social events appearing intoxicated on multiple occasions during the work week.Medical experts testified that lack of sleep and potential impairment from substance use could significantly impact decision-making, reaction times, and motor skills. The plaintiffs attorneys argued that these factors likely contributed to the surgeons error, turning a routine procedure into a life-altering tragedy.Forensic experts use location data to reconstruct behavior and establish patterns, but when these insights are obtained without consent, they become a breach of privacy and a gateway to potential exploitation. When misused or leaked, location data doesnt just show where a person has been; it reveals their routines, habits, and even deeply personal aspects of their lives, such as health conditions, religious affiliations and political views.Arity has been contacted for comment. This article will be updated accordingly when they respond.

Facepalm: Automattic and WP Engine are competing for control of the WordPress.org project, and users will bear the consequences. After its initial legal setback, Matt Mullenweg's company has now confirmed that it will "align" its development efforts with the minimal code contributions provided by other third-party companies. A California judge recently granted WP Engine a temporary injunction against Automattic, the organization managing many crucial aspects of the WordPress project. The judge ruled that WordPress.com can no longer prevent hosting company WP Engine from accessing its online resources. However, Automattic is now escalating matters further.A recent post by Mary Hubbard confirmed that the company is being forced to "rebalance" the resources it allocates to WordPress.org, the open-source project at the core of the entire WP platform. Automattic will reduce its "sponsored" contributions to the WordPress.org project, instead prioritizing for-profit ventures such as WordPress.com, Pressable, WPVIP, Jetpack, and WooCommerce.Volunteer contributions will be slashed to about 45 hours per week, a sharp drop from the 3,988 hours previously committed. Automattic will match the support provided by WP Engine and other WP players, focusing primarily on security patches and critical updates. The company was apparently forced to reallocate its resources after WP Engine's lawsuit, as considerable time and energy must now be diverted to addressing legal issues.Hubbard stated that Automattic is forced to spend significant time and money defending itself against WP Engine, a WordPress hosting company backed by private equity firm Silver Lake. The organization is also lamenting the criticism and even personal attacks coming from the WP "community" aimed at Automattic and Matt Mullenweg's leadership role.Members of the community have argued that working on WordPress.com and similar initiatives should count as a contribution to WordPress, Hubbard said. As a result, Automattic will now comply with the community's request. Mullenweg had previously referred to WP Engine as a "bastardized simulacrum" of WordPress, urging the third-party company to use its own resources to serve its WP users. // Related StoriesRuby on Rails creator David Hansson has stated that both Automattic and WP Engine are misguided about WordPress and open-source principles. Hubbard added that Automattic remains committed to the WordPress platform and hopes to resume active contributions to WordPress core, including the controversial Gutenberg editor, and other WP elements once WP Engine's legal challenges subside.

Its a new year, but bad actors are still at it with an old trick repackaged for iPhone users. Bleeping Computer reports a rise in phishing attacks targeting iPhone users that involves tricking them into disabling built-in protections and clicking on malicious links.In an increasing number of cases, text messages appear to come from fake delivery agents posing as service messages from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Two Digital Trends contributors have received such sham messages recently in North America.Reddit / Digital TrendsWe have also come across reports of a similar tactic being deployed in other regions, including India, where online frauds are posing as DHL or FedEx employees.Recommended VideosAnyone fancy finding out who kathlyn afaf could be?They are trying to Royal Mail scam people but gone via iMessage so their email address has popped up pic.twitter.com/jr5yPGaA3O Sanny Rudravajhala (@Sanny_Rudra) January 11, 2024Please enable Javascript to view this contentFrom the user posts that we have seen on social forums so far, the tactic has been in use for at least the past couple of years. If you look closely at the samples attached below, you will notice a pattern in the scammy text messages:Please reply Y, then exit the SMS and open it again to activate the link, or copy the link to your Safari browser and open it.Reddit / Digital TrendsThis is a recurring theme, with slight modifications in the language. Reply with a Y looks harmless on the surface, but its a clever way of disabling the built-in phishing protection protocol on iPhones.Apple has created a system for iMessage that automatically blocks links in messages from unknown senders. You can only open those links if you add the sender to your contact list (identifying them as a known contact) or reply to it.Reddit / Digital TrendsWhen you reply to a message, as the fraudulent message asks, iMessage switches the bad actor to a known status. Now, the link is active. Once you tap on it, the URL opens in a browser of your choice.In some cases, the spammy message asks users to copy-paste the URL into the Safari browser. Now, where the link leads remains uncertain. As per a few reports, users are led to a page where they are required to enter their credit card information.Reddit / Digital TrendsIf you receive a text from a supposed mail service, do not reply or click on the link in the message. Start with the senders name or number. If theres a spelling error, or if its a personal number (or iCloud address), its certainly a sham.Also, pay attention to the country code. If its coming from another country, avoid interacting with it at all costs. If you have any active mail assignments, always check the progress or reach out to customer care via the details mentioned on the companys official website.Every time you receive a message from an unknown sender, the iMessage app shows a Report Junk option at the bottom, followed by the delete prompt in the next step. Do keep in mind that you cant report a message after replying to it.@IndiaPostOffice I received this today, I know its some kind of scam as it is asking for 25 rs directly and its sent using iMessage using thus mail id but still I want to confirm this with officials. @Cyberdost pic.twitter.com/4FXX7UZMjT Vikash Gathala (@vikashgathala) May 30, 2024If you havent opened the message yet, simply swipe left on it, select the Bin-shaped red delete icon, and then select Delete and Report Junk. As an added layer of assurance, you can also go ahead and block the sender.A few weeks ago, the governments Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released a detailed advisory on keeping your phone safe from all kinds of cyberattacks. We compiled the core findings for an average smartphone user, and you should check that out to cultivate safe digital habits this year.Editors Recommendations

An optimistic outlook can nudge us to take steps to make the world and its futureour own future includeda little less terrible.

Neverwinter Nights came out in 2002 and received an enhanced edition in 2018. In 2024, that should really be it, but there's something special about Bioware's second dip into theDungeons & Dragons universe. The energy from the game's community is strong enough that, based largely on the work of "unpaid software engineers," the game received a new patch last week.Neverwinter Nights (NN) Enhanced Edition (on Steam and GOG)now has anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering built in, major improvements to its networking code and performance, and more than 100 other improvements. As noted by PC Gamer,NN was originally built for single-core CPUs, so while it may seem odd to seek "major" improvements to performance for a 23-year-old RPG, it is far from optimized for modern systems.NNreceived a similar fan-led patch, described as "a year-long love effort" by community developers, in 2023.Perhaps it's not so surprising thatNN achieved this kind of fan-driven immortality. Opinions vary on the virtues of its single-player campaigns, but its "persistent worlds," essentially tiny MMOs run by people with DM-like powers, kept it from giving off the abandoned feel of other "massive" online games. Fantasy author Luke Scull credits the game with launching his writing career and continues to work on an unofficial sequel to the game, The Blades of Netheril, with a roadmap of seven chapters through at least 2027.

SpaceSuzie Imber is a co-investigator for the BepiColombo mission, currently on its way to Mercury. She explains how it will cast new light on the planet's many oddities, from its massive core to its epic solar storms 13 January 2025 Paul RydingAs planets go, Mercury is a world of extremes and one that doesnt always make a great deal of sense. Its iron core is absurdly and inexplicably huge. Despite its searing temperature, it has ice trapped at its poles. It is also pummelled every day by wild solar storms the likes of which Earth only experiences once a century.Suzie Imber hopes she can help us get to know the planet a little better through her work as a co-investigator with Europe and Japans BepiColombo mission, which last week made its final and closest flyby of Mercury, helping it to slow down before it enters orbit in 2026. Imber, based at the University of Leicester, UK, is an expert on space weather and says her studies of Mercury could help us prepare for the worst solar storms here on Earth. She was also, in 2017, the winner of the BBCs Astronauts: Do you have what it takes?, a gauntlet that pitted contestants against the rigours of space travel.Imber told New Scientist why she is so excited about sending a mission to Mercury, what we hope to learn about this intriguing planet and whether she might one day venture out to the final frontier herself.Jonathan OCallaghan: Why are we returning to Mercury now?Suzie Imber: There are loads of reasons. From a high-level perspective, its a pretty unexplored planet. Weve had three flybys and one orbital mission NASAs MESSENGER, which orbited between 2011 and 2015 but the more we learn,