🚨 Suspected Chinese state-sponsored hackers breached the U.S. Treasury via a compromised API key from BeyondTrust, a third-party vendor.

💡 Here’s what happened:
» Attackers gained access to a key securing BeyondTrust’s cloud-based remote support service.
» They bypassed security to remotely access Treasury workstations and unclassified documents.
» CVE-2024-12356, a critical vulnerability (CVSS 9.8), was actively exploited.

➡️ Read More: https://thehackernews.com/2024/12/chinese-apt-exploits-beyondtrust-api.html

🔒 Department of Justice has finalized a rule blocking bulk transfers of Americans’ sensitive personal data to adversarial nations like China, Russia, and North Korea.

» Data like Social Security numbers, geolocation, biometrics, and health information is now protected.
» These countries have used such data for espionage, AI development, and suppressing freedoms.

Read full story here 👉 https://thehackernews.com/2024/12/new-us-doj-rule-halts-bulk-data.html

Why Linux is not ready for the desktop, the final edition
Article, Comments

Orbit. Mozilla's AI Assistant for Firefox
Article, Comments

RubyConf 2024: Cloud Native Buildpack Hackday (and other Ruby deploy tools, too)
Article, Comments

How to delete your X account and safeguard your data
https://www.gizchina.com/2024/12/31/delete-x-account-guide/

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip FE to feature Galaxy Z Flip6’s display
https://www.gizchina.com/2024/12/31/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-fe-to-feature-galaxy-z-flip6s-display/

Master Smartphone Videography with This Simple Trick
https://www.gizchina.com/2024/12/31/master-smartphone-videography-with-this-simple-trick/

What could possibly go wrong? Used for wrong doing and trying to steer public opinion and manufactured consent comes to mind right off the top.

https://www.makeuseof.com/facebook-ai-generated-people/

Interesting Interview with DeepSeek's CEO
Article, Comments

What Happens to Relicensed Open Source Projects and Their Forks?
Article, Comments

Darktable 5.0.0 Released
Article, Comments

Why it's hard to trust software, but you mostly have to anyway
Article, Comments

How to monitor your local weather with Grafana
Article, Comments

Agentarium: Creating social simulations with AI Agents
Article, Comments

Fewer ads for free members! Sign up if you haven't yet!

https://news.itsfoss.com/tuxmas-day-7/

Rediscover Plan9 from Bell Labs.

https://itsfoss.com/plan9/

Xiaomi again updates rules for unlocking bootloader in China

Last year, with the launch of HyperOS, Xiaomi changed policy for unlocking bootloader in mainland China and now the rules have been updated once again to unlock bootloader in 2025.

The number of unlocking permissions is time-limited in China. Until the end of the year, applications approved between November 8, 2023, and December 31, 2024, allow for a total of up to 3 devices during this period. But from 1st January 2025 onwards, users who have applied for unlocking bootloader can unlock upto 1 device only from 1 account during the validity period. This validity is based on actual unlocking time (not the binding time period).

Honestly, at this point they should just terminate the bootloader unlocking program as it will not suck as much as this. Xiaomi trying to look like still allowing bootloader unlocking while deep within they want to close it so badly is crazy

Follow @TechLeaksZone

BREAKING: Xiaomi Announced New Rules for Bootloader Unlocking for Global Users

Xiaomi recently updates rules for its bootloader unlocking program in China which will be applicable since 1st Jan 2025 onwards. But the same rules are also applicable for global users.

Thus, global users can unlock ONLY 1 device per account in 1 year as the unlocking period is basically around 1 year. After that, you need to again apply for unlocking permissions from Xiaomi. In theory, the permissions should be given instantly but the reality is often disappointing as there have been instances where some users have been trying to gain permission to unlock bootloader for their phone for even 2 months now and still NO luck

Who knows Xiaomi might again updates its bootloader unlocking program rules in 2025 end where they might announce, GAME OVER.

Follow @TechLeaksZone

DNSNet

Allows you to take more control over what internet traffic goes in and out of your device. You can download host files to block a set of known advertising or malicious host names and then create exemptions where you see fit.

🔗 Links:
- Download: F-Droid | GitHub
- Screenshots
- Source Code
- Developer: Charles Lombardo

🏷️ Tags: #android #dns

How One UI 7 is Revolutionizing Background App Management
https://www.gizchina.com/2024/12/31/how-one-ui-7-is-revolutionizing-background-app-management/