Down The MiddleSorry, physical game collectors, but a digital only future looks more likely than ever as US physical sales have apparently halved since 2021Better hold on tightly to your collection. News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 27, 2025 Things aren't looking good for physical game collectors, as it appears that sales for physical copies have halved in the US over the past four years.It's been pretty clear that the games industry has been headed towards a digital only world for a while now. Both Sony and Microsoft opted to release disc-drive-less versions of their consoles with the PS5 Slim and Xbox Series S this generation, and the PS5 Pro, a beefier version of the more popular console, doesn't have one either (though you can buy one separately). But thanks to some statistics from Circana's Mat Piscatella, it's a bit clearer just how close we are to physical games being a complete thing of the past - well, unless the Switch 2 has anything to say about it.The rate of decline in US physical video game software spending accelerated in 2024.Spending on physical video game software in the US has been cut in more than half since 2021 and is now more than 85% below its 2008 peak.We'll see if Switch 2 can help slow/reverse this trend in 2025.[image or embed] Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) January 24, 2025 at 7:24 PMTo see this content please enable targeting cookies.Piscatella shared a graph, which you can see above, showing the past 25 years of "US physical video game software consumer spending", i.e. from 2000 to 2024, showing how spending has changed over the years. It peaked way back in 2008, but from then to last year there's been an 85% decrease. Not only that, since 2021 alone physical game spending has been cut in more than half, which obviously isn't a good sign for those of you that like to buy your games physically. It is worth noting that overall spending since 2019, which includes digital software, subscriptions, microtransactions, etc. has increased, so it's not like the games industry is doing worse overall, right (just forget about those layoffs)?To see this content please enable targeting cookies. As noted by Piscatella, there is a chance we'll see a difference in 2025 with the release of the Switch 2, as Nintendo generally is a physical-first company (we all know how bad it is at online, and the eShop continues to be a nightmare to navigate), so things could be looking a bit different in a year's time.

Image: Nintendo LifeOne of the biggest surprises of 2024 was undoubtedly Black Myth: Wukong, an action RPG from Chinese developer Game Science. Though not necessarily regarded as one of the all-time greats, it was certainly well-received and went on to sell an extraordinary amount of copies within a very short timeframe; reportedly over 18 million in just two weeks.Naturally, then, this means that some sort of knock-off has inevitably appeared on the Nintendo Switch eShop, though the exceedingly blatant nature of this one has made it necessary for us to at least warn you not to fall for such shenanigans.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794kWatch on YouTube Published by 'Global Game Studio' (what a terrific, original name!), Wukong Sun: Black Legend launched late last year in North America and turned up on EU eShops on Friday. It bears absolutely no resemblance to Game Science's 3D title, instead offering a woefully animated 2D action game with bland visuals and a main protagonist that looks nothing like its key art. Check out the trailer below for a sample.Speaking of which, the key art is what makes us concerned about this game's potential reach amongst more casual Switch gamers. Along with the game's name, it really feels like it's been created to specifically dupe people into believing that there's some legitimate connection between Wukong Sun: Black Legend and Black Myth: Wukong. It's abhorrent.Obviously, Game Science's title was heavily inspired by the novel Journey to the West, and we're sure the producers of Black Legend would be quick to point to the book and the rich history of adaptations rather than the award-winning game from last year. Hmm.So please, folks, if you're even remotely interested in Black Myth: Wukong but perhaps don't have the necessary hardware to play it right now, don't fall for Global Game Studio's scam. Avoid.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube794kHave you stumbled upon this game on the eShop and perhaps done a double take? What do you make of the similarities between the titles and key art? Let us know with a comment. Sea of low-qualityRelated GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Nintendo Lifes resident horror fanatic, when hes not knee-deep in Resident Evil and Silent Hill lore, Ollie likes to dive into a good horror book while nursing a lovely cup of tea. He also enjoys long walks and listens to everything from TOOL to Chuck Berry. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Three More TitlesIncluding a special Super Famicom release...Opinion: My Daughter Made Me Realise That Mario Wonder's Difficulty Options Need WorkYoshi or Nabbit, make your choiceSega Launches Its Own Free Account Service With Unique Member RewardsSign up! Y'know, if you wantXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition Metal Poster Pre-Order Bonus RevealedAvailable now in the USCeleste Dev Makes "Difficult Decision" To Cancel New Game EarthbladeFollowing "a disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste"

Bye bye, box.We've known about the decline of physical game sales for quite some time, but according to the latest numbers from Circana's Mat Piscatella, this downward trend accelerated in 2024 (thanks, VGC).Sharing the research firm's latest numbers on BlueSky, Piscatella stated that last year's US physical game spending was "cut in more than half since 2021", with the 2024 numbers more than 85% lower than the physical spend peak of 2008.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

If youve been following the AI industry, Mistral should be a familiar name by now. The French AI startup with a $6 billion valuation is arguably the biggest AI company working on foundation models in Europe.Alan, on the other hand, isnt as well known. The health insurance unicorn has been quietly growing to become a digital companion for your health. Over 680,000 people are covered by Alans insurance in a handful of countries.The connection between those two companies is Jean-Charles Samuelian-Werve, Alans co-founder CEO and Mistrals co-founding advisor.Bloombergs published a curious story explaining his role and some insights into Mistrals origin story. Arthur Mensch is the public face of French AI champion Mistral, but another startups CEO has been critical to its$6billion valuation, Bloomberg wrote. While Samuelian-Werve has been listed as a co-founding advisor since the inception of Mistral, no one had quite ascribed so much credit to him in the founding and growth of the French AI company.According to Bloomberg, Samuelian-Werve saw the AI boom coming before the release of ChatGPT. He first reached out to Xavier Niel, the telecom billionaire behind Station F and Kima Ventures, to create an AI non-profit.But when Samuelian-Werve met Arthur Mensch and Mistrals other co-founders, he dropped the non-profit idea in favor of what is now known as Mistral. Its around that same time that Alans other co-founder and CTO Charles Gorintin as well as former digital minister Cdric O also became founding advisors to the Paris-based AI juggernaut.According to Bloomberg, Samuelian-Werve convinced Lightspeed to lead Mistrals seed round and contacted many of the investors who ended up backing the AI startup.We have reached out to Mistral for a response to the story, and the credit it ascribes to Samuelian-Werve in its founding and growth. We will update this post with any new information we receive.In February 2024, Samuelian-Werve mentioned his interest in artificial intelligence when he presented Alans financial results.We continue to invest in AI throughout Alan. As you may know, Im a co-founder and board member of Misral. But that just represents the fact that weve been investing for a very long time in AI at Alan even before the generative AI buzz both to reduce our management costs, to be the most efficient on the market, to provide the best services, and also to create new services, Samuelian-Werve said at the time. And certainly in 2024 well be announcing some new services that are related to generative AI and that are very exciting for us.In November 2024, Alan introduced an AI-powered chatbot called Mo. What makes Mo different from regular chatbots is that answers are checked by a doctor within 15 minutes. They can either confirm the medical advice or correct what has been said in the conversation.As for Xavier Niel? He ended up funding Kyutai, a French AI research lab focused on (truly) open-source AI development. But he didnt completely part ways with Mistral, as he also invested in Mistrals seed round.Today, Mistrals office is still located in the same building as Alans office, near the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris. Samuelian-Werve and Mensch still meet once a week to discuss Mistrals strategy. Alan is also a shareholder in Mistral.In the Bloomberg profile, Samuelian-Werve reiterated that Mistral is not for sale, confirming what Mensch said a few days ago at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This topic as well as the connection between Alan and Mistral will certainly come up once again next month during the AI Action Summit in Paris. But its worth remembering that you often hear that a company is not for sale when a company is for sale or at least that some shareholders are exerting pressure to sell.

Chinese AI firm DeepSeek has emerged as a potential challenger to U.S. AI companies, demonstrating breakthrough models that claim to offer performance comparable to leading offerings at a fraction of the cost. The companys mobile app, released in early January, has lately topped the App Store charts across major markets including the U.S., UK, and China, but it hasnt escaped doubts about whether its claims are true.Founded in 2023 by Liang Wenfeng, the former chief of AI-driven quant hedge fund High-Flyer, DeepSeeks models are open source and incorporate a reasoning feature that articulates its thinking before providing responses.Wall Streets reactions have been mixed. While brokerage firm Jefferies warns that DeepSeeks efficient approach punctures some of the capex euphoria following recent spending commitments from Meta and Microsoft each exceeding $60 billion this year Citi is questioning whether such results were actually achieved without advanced GPUs. Goldman Sachs sees broader implications, suggesting the development could reshape competition between established tech giants and startups by lowering barriers to entry.Heres how Wall Street analysts are reacting to DeepSeek, in their own words (emphasis ours):JefferiesDeepSeeks power implications for AI training punctures some of the capex euphoria which followed major commitments from Stargate and Meta last week. With DeepSeek delivering performance comparable to GPT-4o for a fraction of the computing power, there are potential negative implications for the builders, as pressure on AI players to justify ever increasing capex plans could ultimately lead to a lower trajectory for data center revenue and profit growth.If smaller models can work well, it is potentially positive for smartphone. We are bearish on AI smartphone as AI has gained no traction with consumers. More hardware upgrade (adv pkg+fast DRAM) is needed to run bigger models on the phone, which will raise costs. AAPLs model is in fact based on MoE, but 3bn data parameters are still too small to make the services useful to consumers. Hence DeepSeeks success offers some hope but there is no impact on AI smartphones near-term outlook.China is the only market that pursues LLM efficiency owing to chip constraint. Trump/Musk likely recognize the risk of further restrictions is to force China to innovate faster. Therefore, we think it likely Trump will relax the AI Diffusion policy.CitiWhile DeepSeeks achievement could be groundbreaking, we question the notion that its feats were done without the use of advanced GPUs to fine tune it and/or build the underlying LLMs the final model is based on through the Distillation technique. While the dominance of the US companies on the most advanced AI models could be potentially challenged, that said, we estimate that in an inevitably more restrictive environment, US access to more advanced chips is an advantage. Thus, we dont expect leading AI companies would move away from more advanced GPUs which provide more attractive $/TFLOPs at scale. We see the recent AI capex announcements like Stargate as a nod to the need for advanced chips.BernsteinIn short, we believe that 1) DeepSeek DID NOT build OpenAI for $5M; 2) the models look fantastic but we dont think they are miracles; and 3) the resulting Twitterverse panic over the weekend seems overblown.Our own initial reaction does not include panic (far from it). If we acknowledge that DeepSeek may have reduced costs of achieving equivalent model performance by, say, 10x, we also note that current model cost trajectories are increasing by about that much every year anyway (the infamous scaling laws) which cant continue forever. In that context, we NEED innovations like this (MoE, distillation, mixed precision etc) if AI is to continue progressing. And for those looking for AI adoption, as semi analysts we are firm believers in the Jevons paradox (i.e. that efficiency gains generate a net increase in demand), and believe any new compute capacity unlocked is far more likely to get absorbed due to usage and demand increase vs impacting long term spending outlook at this point, as we do not believe compute needs are anywhere close to reaching their limit in AI. It also seems like a stretch to think the innovations being deployed by DeepSeek are completely unknown by the vast number of top tier AI researchers at the worlds other numerous AI labs (frankly we dont know what the large closed labs have been using to develop and deploy their own models, but we just cant believe that they have not considered or even perhaps used similar strategies themselves).Morgan StanleyWe have not confirmed the veracity of these reports, but if they are accurate, and advanced LLM are indeed able to be developed for a fraction of previous investment, we could see generative AI run eventually on smaller and smaller computers (downsizing from supercomputers to workstations, office computers, and finally personal computers) and the SPE industry could benefit from the accompanying increase in demand for related products (chips and SPE) as demand for generative AI spreads.Goldman SachsWith the latest developments, we also see 1) potential competition between capital-rich internet giants vs. start-ups, given lowering barriers to entry, especially with recent new models developed at a fraction of the cost of existing ones; 2) from training to more inferencing, with increased emphasis on post-training (including reasoning capabilities and reinforcement capabilities) that requires significantly lower computational resources vs. pre-training; and 3) the potential for further global expansion for Chinese players, given their performance and cost/price competitiveness. We continue to expect the race for AI application/AI agents to continue in China, especially amongst To-C applications, where China companies have been pioneers in mobile applications in the internet era, e.g., Tencents creation of the Weixin (WeChat) super-app. Amongst To-C applications, ByteDance has been leading the way by launching 32 AI applications over the past year. Amongst them, Doubao has been the most popular AI Chatbot thus far in China with the highest MAU (c.70mn), which has recently been upgraded with its Doubao 1.5 Pro model. We believe incremental revenue streams (subscription, advertising) and eventual/sustainable path to monetization/positive unit economics amongst applications/agents will be key. For the infrastructure layer, investor focus has centered around whether there will be a near-term mismatch between market expectations on AI capex and computing demand, in the event of significant improvements in cost/model computing efficiencies. For Chinese cloud/data center players, we continue to believe the focus for 2025 will center around chip availability and the ability of CSP (cloud service providers) to deliver improving revenue contribution from AI-driven cloud revenue growth, and beyond infrastructure/GPU renting, how AI workloads & AI related services could contribute to growth and margins going forward. We remain positive on long-term AI computing demand growth as a further lowering of computing/training/inference costs could drive higher AI adoption. See also Theme #5 of our key themes report for our base/bear scenarios for BBAT capex estimates depending on chip availability, where we expect aggregate capex growth of BBAT to continue in 2025E in our base case (GSe: +38% yoy) albeit at a slightly more moderate pace vs. a strong 2024 (GSe: +61% yoy), driven by ongoing investment into AI infrastructure.J.P.MorganAbove all, much is made of DeepSeeks research papers, and of their models efficiency. Its unclear to what extent DeepSeek is leveraging High-Flyers ~50k hopper GPUs (similar in size to the cluster on which OpenAI is believed to be training GPT-5), but what seems likely is that theyre dramatically reducing costs (inference costs for their V2 model, for example, are claimed to be 1/7 that of GPT-4 Turbo). Their subversive (though not new) claim that started to hit the US AI names this week is that more investments do not equal more innovation. Liang: Right now I dont see any new approaches, but big firms do not have a clear upper hand. Big firms have existing customers, but their cash-flow businesses are also their burden, and this makes them vulnerable to disruption at any time. And when asked about the fact that GPT5 has still not been released: OpenAI is not a god, they wont necessarily always be at the forefront.UBSThroughout 2024, the first year we saw massive AI training workload in China, more than 80-90% IDC demand was driven by AI training and concentrated in 1-2 hyperscaler customers, which translated to wholesale hyperscale IDC demand in relatively remote area (as power-consuming AI training is sensitive to utility cost rather than user latency). If AI training and inference cost is significantly lower, we would expect more end users would leverage AI to improve their business or develop new use cases, especially retail customers. Such IDC demand means more focus on location (as user latency is more important than utility cost), and thus greater pricing power for IDC operators that have abundant resources in tier 1 and satellite cities. Meanwhile, a more diversified customer portfolio would also imply greater pricing power.Well update the story as more analysts react.

This week, we begin a series looking at the state of investing in the 3D printing sector. The series will feature interviews with leading additive manufacturing investors and analysts.After several turbulent years, the industrial 3D printing sector is finding its footing. Investment in additive manufacturing during 2024 remained stable at approximately $650 million across approximately 40 deals, according to IDTechEx data. The figure is a marked decline from the pandemic-era highs of 20212022 but signaling a shift toward sustainability and focus. As the industry matures, the frenzy for 3D printing innovation has given way to disciplined funding and a clear-eyed emphasis on measurable results.The End of HypeAccording to interviewees in our series, the heady days of venture capital pouring into hardware-focused startups promising marginally faster or cheaper printers are over. Investors now demand evidence of how technologies solve tangible problems for customers. Convince me youre solving a problem. That alone sets you apart, says Tali Rosman, Business Advisor at RHH Advisory.Gone are the promises of untapped potential driving mega-valuations. Instead, industrial 3D printing firms must deliver cost savings, operational efficiencies, and results that justify investment. For example, application-focused companies producing niche industrial components, such as aerospace heat exchangers or healthcare implants, are emerging as favored recipients of capital.Hardware Innovators Lead, Applications Gain GroundIn 2024, 3D printer manufacturers raised $315 million, over double the prior years total, bolstered by innovations in production methods for previously underserved niches. Materials firms, led by 6K and Equispheres, captured $115 million, while application-driven companies, such as Conflux Technology, raised $160 million by integrating AM into verticals from aerospace to healthcare.However, software investments remained minimal, highlighting a lag in digital tools for streamlining AM processes. One notable exception is the $30 million raised by Backflip. Investors have also recalibrated expectations, favoring modest funding rounds aimed at incremental growth. Startups no longer chase aggressive targets to justify oversized rounds, says Sona Dadhania, Principal Technology Analyst at IDTechEx. Its about building a track record of steady returns.Opportunities in SpecializationThe crowded marketplace, exhibitor numbers at Formnext of over 800 for example, has led to fragmentation, confusing both investors and end-users. The experts interviewed suggest focusing on vertical specialization as the best route to success. Startups concentrating on specific industries are better positioned to establish credibility and use resources efficiently.Rosman notes that the shift to end-to-end solutions, where companies deliver both IP and production capabilities, is pivotal. Instead of relying on printer sales alone, firms can capture the larger profit pools tied to customer cost savings.Consolidation: Necessary but ElusiveThe state of consolidation in the 3D printing sector remains a point of discussion. Market observers continue to anticipate consolidation in AM to rationalize the fragmented sector, but progress has been slow. Acquisitions have often failed to create shareholder value, with poor integration and cultural mismatches derailing synergies.Defense and Macroeconomic DriversGeopolitical pressures and reindustrialization efforts are boosting interest in AM, particularly in defense applications. NATOs 1 billion Innovation Fund has backed ventures like Space Forge and iCOMAT, highlighting the potential for lightweight composites and microgravity manufacturing. Yet Europes fragmented procurement processes contrast sharply with the centralized Pentagon model in the U.S., creating barriers to scaling defense technologies across borders.Defense remains a fertile ground for AM innovation, with dual-use technologies (spanning military and civilian applications) gaining traction. We need the technological edge, says Professor Dame Fiona Murray of the NATO Innovation Fund, citing cybersecurity, quantum sensing, and advanced semiconductors as critical areas of focus.Challenges PersistDespite optimism, AM still faces hurdles. Post-processing bottlenecks remain a weak link, while consistency in materials performance and quality assurance is critical to building trust with industrial users. AI offers a potential solution by enabling real-time error detection and streamlining production, but adoption remains in its infancy.Meanwhile, consolidation continues to lag behind the entry of new startups, and funding levels are unlikely to rebound dramatically in 2025. Instead, experts predict stability, with growth concentrated in application-driven businesses.A Sector on the Brink of BalanceThe AM industry is maturing, trading speculative exuberance for rational valuations and sustainable business models. As investors prioritize clear market logic and measurable results, the future of AM appears more grounded.Startups that solve specific customer problems, target underserved niches, and integrate AM into broader manufacturing ecosystems are positioned to thrive. While the sector faces challenges, its alignment with macroeconomic trends like decarbonization and reindustrialization suggests a steady path forward. The years of hype may be over, but additive manufacturings potential to reshape industries is only just beginning.Dont miss the upcoming articles in our State of Investing in 3D Printing series; subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter.To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, follow 3D Printing Industry on LinkedIn.You can also find us on Twitter, and Facebook.Featured image shows Canary Wharf. Photo by Michael Petch.Michael PetchMichael Petch is the editor-in-chief at 3DPI and the author of several books on 3D printing. He is a regular keynote speaker at technology conferences where he has delivered presentations such as 3D printing with graphene and ceramics and the use of technology to enhance food security. Michael is most interested in the science behind emerging technology and the accompanying economic and social implications.

6K Additive, a division of 6K specializing in advanced material solutions for additive manufacturing, has been chosen alongside EOS as a key participant in the America Makes sustainability and environmental benefits project. Announced on January 23, 2025, this collaboration highlights 6K Additives leadership in sustainable production of titanium powder. Partnering with Texas A&M University, 3Degrees, Wichita State University, and the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), the project aims to enhance the sustainable manufacturing of aerospace and defense products through innovative additive manufacturing techniques.The 6K Additive facility in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Paul Hanaphy. The initiative is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineerings (OSD(R&E)) Manufacturing Technology Office, with a total allocation of $2.1 million. Under Topic 6, EOS and 6K Additive will utilize a portion of these funds to develop and demonstrate sustainable additive manufacturing (AM) practices. Key objectives include optimizing design processes, enhancing material selection and development, improving material handling, and advancing recycling techniques. These goals align with 6K Additives mission to lead in sustainable material solutions within the additive manufacturing sector.Jon Walker, Government Relations & Key Account Manager at EOS, stated, When it became time to decide on a material development partner for this project, 6K Additive was quickly identified as a frontrunner. Their expertise in sustainable materials and proven track record in supporting Department of Defense (DoD) grant projects made them the clear choice for partnership. Frank Roberts, President of 6K Additive, added, We are truly excited to be selected again by America Makes and equally excited to be working hand in hand with EOS and the other team members on this project. This collaboration underscores our dedication to sustainability in additive manufacturing and highlights the superior environmental benefits of our titanium powder.the logo of America Makes. Image via America MakesBuilding on Sustainable Innovations in Additive ManufacturingThe additive manufacturing industry has increasingly prioritized sustainability. In 2024, Stratasys Ltd., a leading provider of 3D printing solutions, released its third Mindful Manufacturing ESG and Sustainability Report, showcasing significant advancements in reducing environmental footprints and enhancing sustainable practices. Stratasys achieved a 73% reduction in energy usage and a 78% decrease in carbon emissions through innovative recycling and material handling programs, setting a benchmark for companies like 6K Additive to follow.Additionally, a 2024 report by the National Engineering Policy Centre emphasized the critical need for sustainable material strategies within the UK. The report, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering, highlighted the importance of recycling and reusing critical materials to achieve economic security and net-zero goals. 6K Additives UniMelt microwave plasma technology, which converts used battery minerals into cathode active materials, directly supports these initiatives by fostering a circular supply chain and reducing reliance on imported scarce materialsGlobal material extraction, four main material categories, 19702024. Image via the National Engineering Policy Centre.Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows the logo of America Makes. Image via America Makes.

close 'CyberGuy': Scammers find sneaky way to bypass your iPhone's safety features Tech expert Kurt Knutsson says cybercriminals are exploiting iMessage phishing protection, tricking users to reactivate links. In an alarming development, cybercriminals have devised a new method to circumvent Apple's built-in phishing protection for iMessage, potentially exposing you to malicious links and scams. This sophisticated tactic exploits a security feature designed to protect you, turning it into a vulnerability that could lead to significant personal and financial risks.Enter the giveaway by signing up for myfree newsletter. Scammers phishing text message sent to iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The trick unveiledApple's iMessage automatically disables links in messages from unknown senders as a security measure. However, cybercriminals have found a way to exploit this protection. By instructing you to reply to the message, often with a simple "Y," the attackers can re-enable previously disabled links. This seemingly innocuous action not only activates the links but also signals to the scammers that they've found an engaged target for future attacks.We reached out to Apple for a comment but did not hear back before our deadline. Scammers phishing text message sent to iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Common phishing luresThese deceptive messages often masquerade as notifications from trusted organizations, such as:Undeliverable packages from courier services (USPS, DHL, FedEx)Unpaid road tollsOutstanding payments or feesThe messages typically end with instructions like: "(Please reply Y, then exit the SMS, re-open the SMS activation link, or copy the link to open in Safari)." Scammers phishing text messages sent to iPhone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The rising threat of smishingThis new tactic is part of a broader trend ofsmishing (SMS phishing) attacks targeting mobile users. With the increasing reliance on smartphones for various activities, including financial transactions and personal communications, these attacks pose a significant threat to users' security and privacy.How to protect yourselfTo safeguard against these sophisticated phishing attempts, consider the following steps.1) Never reply to suspicious messages: Avoid responding to texts from unknown senders, especially those asking you to reply to activate links. Additionally, make sure to delete suspicious text messages and block the sender to prevent further attempts. Since the sender is not in your contact list, you can click Report Junkat the bottom of the text. Then clickDelete and Report Junk. This will report the conversation as junk by sending it to your wireless carrier and Apple using your phone number.2) Verify sender identity: Contact organizations directly through official channels if you're unsure about a message's legitimacy.3) Be skeptical of urgency: Scammers often use urgent language to prompt quick, thoughtless actions.4) Enable message filtering: Use your device's built-in filtering options to sort messages from unknown senders. Here are the steps:OpenSettingsScroll down and clickAppsTapMessagesTurn onFilter Unknown SendersThis feature allows you to automatically sort messages from unknown senders, easily filter unread messagesand manage your message inbox more efficiently.5) Use two-factor authentication (2FA):2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message or authentication app, in addition to your password. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access, even if your password is compromised.6) Have strong antivirus software:The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. 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.7) Invest in personal data removal services: By reducing your online footprint, you make it harder for cybercriminals to obtain your contact information, potentially preventing them from sending you these deceptive iMessage phishing texts in the first place. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.What to do if you've been targetedIf you suspect you've fallen victim to a smishing attack:Report the incident to relevant authorities and institutionsFreeze your credit to prevent potential identity fraudChange passwords and PINs for all your accounts; consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwordsMonitor your finances and online accounts for suspicious activityUse an identity theft protection service:Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.One of the best parts of some identity theft protection services is that they have identity theft insurance ofup to $1 million to cover losses and legal feesand a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses.See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.Kurt's key takeawaysThis latest trick targeting iMessage users serves as a reminder that even seemingly secure systems can be vulnerable to social engineering. By remaining cautious and following best practices for digital security, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these sophisticated phishing attempts.What other cybersecurity challenges have you encountered with your mobile devices, and what questions do you have for us? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.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.

Broadcoms 2023 acquisition of VMware for US$69bn led to disruptive changes in the virtualisation providers pricing.Key here is a move from perpetual licences to a subscription model. This has left some enterprises facing higher costs, with some considering a move to alternative virtualisation environments.For those considering that, the challenge is to ensure any migration provides adequate backup and recovery measures for new hypervisors. This is as well as protecting remaining VMware workloads.The main reason CIOs cite for moving away from VMware is cost, with worries over increasing overheads from the new subscription model prominent. VMware also discontinued its free edition of VMware vSphere ESXi, which was popular with smaller firms.For enterprises looking to move, VMware alternatives include competing virtualisation technologies, such as Nutanix, Microsoft Hyper-V and Oracle Linux Virtualization. There are also open source options that include Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, Linux Kernel-level Virtual Machines (KVM) and Proxmox Virtual Environment.As yet, there are few signs of a mass exodus, however. One survey, carried out by backup provider Nakivo, suggested a third of its customers planned to move away from VMware to Proxmox. The supplier points to a smaller number of customers moving to Nutanix and Hyper-V.This suggests a larger percentage of VMware users have either decided to stay with the technology and the new commercial terms, some of which including simpler storage licensing can favour some workloads.Naturally, the first reaction is to say, Right, Im going to go somewhere else, Im going to use somebody elses technology, says Patrick Smith, field chief technology officer for EMEA at Pure Storage.And some organisations have fairly rapidly moved off VMware onto other platforms, but they are either small or very agile to be able to do that.Other enterprises might be biding their time, not least because moving between hypervisor platforms is complex and carries risk. Nor do the alternatives offer all VMwares features and functionality or not in one place, at least.If moving workloads from one hypervisor to another is difficult, then ensuring those workloads and data are backed up adds another layer of complexity.Much will depend on how an enterprise currently protects its systems, including VMware, alternative hypervisors it is considering, and the backup and recovery tools it uses. For the majority of organisations, it is probable the data protection systems they use will work if they choose to stay with VMware as a major platform or migrate to alternatives Tony Lock, Freeform DynamicsThe good news is the larger backup and disaster recovery suppliers already have support for competing virtualisation platforms. Hyper-V, in particular, is well supported for businesses that also run on Microsoft infrastructure.At the same time, providers such as Veeam, Rubrik and Nakivo have strengthened support for open source platforms, especially Proxmox.This raises the prospect of firms being able to continue with their current backup and recovery provider, even if they move to a mixed approach to virtualisation. Alternatively, if their current disaster recovery supplier falls short, there is the chance to move to a toolset that does support a multi-supplier approach.For the majority of organisations, it is probable the data protection systems they use will work if they choose to stay with VMware as a major platform or migrate to alternatives, suggests Tony Lock, principal analyst at Freeform Dynamics. This is especially likely to be the case if they have a data protection solution that protects a mixed environment.However, even if a data protection or backup and recovery tool supports alternatives to VMware, IT teams should anticipate carrying out configuration and testing before their alternatives go live.If they do not, there is a risk that by attempting to save money on licensing, they expose the business to risk and additional costs down the line. Backup is turning out to be a quite a polarising aspect of moving away from VMware Bruce Kornfeld, StorMagicVMwares maturity and market share means products such as ESXi and vSAN are well-understood and well-supported by independent software suppliers, integrators and in-house teams. Not all hypervisors enjoy that industry support.One area where this is apparent is where backup and recovery providers offer agentless integration directly with hypervisors. This is not yet on offer for all the alternatives, and CIOs might need to consider agent-based backup.Backup is turning out to be a quite a polarising aspect of moving away from VMware, says Bruce Kornfeld, chief product officer at StorMagic, a supplier of hyper-converged storage.The leaders in virtualisation have had the attention of the backup software industry over the last 20-plus years, and tight agentless integration directly with their hypervisors is something that many users have come to expect. However, the backup software industry hasnt had the research and development capacity to work with every hypervisor on the market there just hasnt been the return on investment in the past.VMware customers that have made the decision to move away from VMware need to re-address their backup strategy, he says. They need to look at using an agent-based approach. This is the way backup has been done for decades and will work with any hypervisor. This should not, Kornfeld says, come with extra costs.Firms also need to consider the time and resources they need to set aside for backup and disaster recovery testing, once they have decided to move workloads away from VMware. This includes testing file and virtual machine-based backup routines.In fact, changing hypervisors can present a good opportunity to review the strength of disaster recovery and backup arrangements across the business. These might not be as robust as CIOs expect.It is fair to say that some organisations are not totally happy with their data protection solutions and processes, says Tony Lock.In such circumstances, it is certainly something they will need to look at, but the issue is do they have the resources and budgets to potentially modify two important systems at once? And even if they do, would they be happy that they can manage the risk of change, since any major platform change carries some element of risk?It is here where careful supplier evaluation and selection, and potentially bringing in additional supplier or third-party engineering support, should pay for itself.Read more about VMware and backupBackup technology explained: The fundamentals of enterprise backup: We look at backup and its role in enterprise data protection, including what to backup and how often, RPO and RTO, full and incremental, and if backups can be replaced by snapshots.12 common virtual machine backup mistakes: Despite an administrators best efforts, virtual machine backups can fail. Determine the cause of the failure and modify the VM backup strategy to prevent future mistakes.

Without a clear plan for AI, costs can spiral quickly.