Perth Labor MP Sam Lim blames ‘scary’ misinformation for fake Whatsapp post over Anthony AlbaneseA grand jury indictment, filed Sept. 19 and unsealed Tuesday, charges Guan Tianfeng, 30, with conspiring to commit computer fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. According to the indictment, Tianfeng worked for a China-based private company, Sichuan Silence Information Technology Co. Ltd., that sold hacking services to Chinese government agencies from July 2018 to May 2020. Tianfeng and other unnamed co-conspirators allegedly infected approximately 81,000 firewall devices sold by Sophos Ltd., an IT company based in the United Kingdom that sells cybersecurity products. More than 23,000 of the infected firewalls were located in the United States. Many were in the Northern District of Indiana. The primary purpose of a firewall is to secure a network from cyberattacks. "Guan Tianfeng and his co-conspirators placed thousands of computer networks, including a network in the Northern District of Indiana, at risk by conducting this attack," U.S. Attorney Clifford Johnson said. Tianfeng and others allegedly "obtained internet domains, servers and firewalls to test malicious computer code for exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in an identified, widely used firewall, testing such code, and ultimately using that code to conduct mass, indiscriminate intrusions targeting such firewalls worldwide," the indictment states. A zero-day exploit is a previously unknown vulnerability in a computer software or hardware product that can be used in a cyberattack. Over three days in April of 2020, Tianfeng allegedly used the zero-day exploit to deploy malware on 81,000 firewalls owned by thousands of businesses across the world. Feds believe Tianfeng intentionally accessed computers in the United States without authorization. In doing so, he allegedly obtained information from a U.S. government entity. His actions caused software damage to at least one computer used by the U.S. government, the indictment alleges. The code Tianfeng installed stole victims' usernames and passwords. If the victim tried to reboot their device, the code would attack every Windows-based computer on the victim's network with ransomware — a type of malicious software that prevents a user from accessing data stored on their device. The U.S. State Department on Tuesday announced it is offering a reward of up to $10 million to anyone who has information about Tianfeng or his tech company. Feds believe Tianfeng is currently living in Sichuan Province, China. He also has ties to or may visit Bangkok, Thailand, they say. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has issued sanctions against Tianfeng and Sichuan Silence, it said.
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NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The toys market in europe size is estimated to grow by USD 9.27 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.39% during the forecast period. Expanding product portfolio influencing product premiumization is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing number of strategic alliances. However, availability of low-quality counterfeit products poses a challenge. Key market players include 4M Industrial Development Ltd., Clementoni Spa, Evertoys, First Celtic Toys and Learning Ltd., Goliath Games, HABA Group B.V. And Co.KG, Hamleys of London Ltd., Hasbro Inc., JWS Europe Ltd., Kids2 Inc., Learning Resources Ltd., LEGO System AS, Mattel Inc., MGA Entertainment Inc., Ravensburger AG, Simba Dickie Group GmbH, Takara Tomy Co. Ltd., The Toy Co., Theo Klein GmbH, and VTech Holdings Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The European toys market is thriving, with a focus on providing children with toys that foster play, creativity, and social interaction. Action figures, dolls, puzzles, board games, building blocks, and electronic devices are popular choices, developing motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities. Educational toys, including letters, numbers, shapes, and STEM toys, are essential for cognitive skills and technological literacy. Traditional toys and technology-driven toys coexist, with movies, TV shows, and video games influencing toy trends. Parents seek quality toys that promote skill development, critical thinking, and social skills. E-commerce platforms cater to a global audience, offering eco-friendly practices, recycled materials, and interactive features. Urbanization and living spaces influence the shift towards indoor toys, while outdoor play areas remain essential for physical development and a healthy lifestyle. The European toys market is highly competitive with numerous vendors offering distinctive products. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter facilitate active funding for toy development by partnering with manufacturers and distributors. Vendors are forming strategic partnerships to expand their businesses through new product offerings and distribution channels. In February 2021 , Hasbro, Inc. Announced a collaboration with Epic Games, introducing the first-ever Hasbro character integration with Fortnite as a special Snake Eyes Outfit. These initiatives enable vendors to gain a competitive edge and sustain their market positions. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The European toys market is a vibrant industry that caters to children's play and entertainment needs. With a focus on creativity, social interaction, and skill development, this market includes various types of toys such as action figures, dolls, puzzles, board games, building blocks, electronic devices, and more. Parents seek quality toys that enhance motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and cognitive development. Traditional toys and technology-driven toys coexist, with educational components and media franchises playing a significant role. Societal values and cultural significance are reflected in toys, promoting social skills like sharing, cooperation, and negotiation. Interactive features, digital interfaces, and augmented reality add to the enriching experiences. E-commerce platforms cater to a global audience, offering eco-friendly practices and recycled materials to reduce packaging waste. The market continues to evolve, responding to urbanization, living spaces, and the need for physical activity and healthy lifestyles. Counterfeit toys in Europe pose a significant challenge to the legitimate toys market. These products, made from substandard raw materials, can be hazardous to children. The rise of e-commerce has expanded the distribution network for counterfeit toys, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish authentic from imitation products. This market fragmentation leads to decreased price standardization, eroding brand equity for major vendors, and an uneven competitive landscape. The affordability of counterfeit toys increases demand, negatively impacting sales and pricing strategies for genuine products. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This toys market in Europe report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Activity toys and accessories 1.2 Soft toys and accessories 1.3 Outdoor and vehicle toys 1.4 Games and puzzles 1.5 Infant and preschool toys and Others 2.1 Specialty stores 2.2 E-retailers 2.3 Hypermarkets 2.4 Department stores 3.1 Europe 1.1 Activity toys and accessories- The European toys market encompasses construction toys, activity toys, action figures, and accessories. Construction toys consist of building blocks, construction vehicles, sets, and worker models, primarily made of plastic, metal, or wood. These items have a low replacement cycle due to their usage. Activity toys include frisbees, hula hoops, and other outdoor recreational items. Children aged two and above often engage with these toys. The demand for outdoor and sports toys is projected to rise due to health concerns and increasing birth rates. Brands like Melissa & Doug, LEGO System AS, and TOMY Co. Ltd. Dominate the activity toys sector. Macroeconomic factors, such as expanding middle-class population, increasing disposable income, decreasing child mortality, and rising birth rate, fuel the toys market growth. The expanding target market for the activity toys and accessories segment offers opportunities for vendors. Additionally, increasing disposable income and household final consumption expenditure enhance consumers' purchasing power, enabling them to buy premium and branded construction toys, thereby driving the value sales of construction and activity toys. Consequently, the rising demand for activity toys and accessories, including Lego sets and skipping ropes, will boost the growth of the European toys market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The European toys market is a vibrant and diverse industry that caters to the play and entertainment needs of children. It offers a wide range of toys that foster creativity, social interaction, and intellectual growth. From action figures and dolls to puzzles, board games, building blocks, electronic devices, and educational toys, there's something for every child's developmental stage and interest. Toys play a significant role in a child's life, helping them develop essential motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and imaginative play. They also promote emotional and physical growth, as well as social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy. Moreover, toys hold cultural significance and reflect societal values. They can help children learn letters, numbers, and shapes, and provide opportunities for intellectual growth and exploration. With a focus on fun and learning, the European toys market continues to evolve, offering innovative and engaging toys that inspire and delight children. Market Research Overview The European toys market is a vibrant and diverse industry that caters to the play and entertainment needs of children. It encompasses a wide range of toys, from traditional building blocks and puzzles to modern electronic devices and STEM toys. The market prioritizes creativity, social interaction, and skill development, offering children opportunities for imaginative play, educational growth, and cognitive development. Toys serve as cultural significance and societal values, promoting social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and negotiation. Interactive features, digital interfaces, and e-commerce platforms expand the reach of toys to a global audience. Parents seek quality toys that foster motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving abilities, and technological literacy. The market includes action figures, dolls, board games, and puzzles, as well as outdoor toys, eco-friendly practices, and sustainable materials. Urbanization and living spaces influence the market, with a growing emphasis on indoor toys and outdoor play areas. The toys industry continues to evolve, integrating cutting-edge technology, educational components, and media franchises, while prioritizing eco-friendly practices and sustainability. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Product Activity Toys And Accessories Soft Toys And Accessories Outdoor And Vehicle Toys Games And Puzzles Infant And Preschool Toys And Others Distribution Channel Specialty Stores E-retailers Hypermarkets Department Stores Geography Europe 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioSINGAPORE: News emerged in late November that over 100 Singaporean public servants, including five ministers, received extortionary emails with deepfake images . The messages demanded US$50,000 of cryptocurrency in return for not publishing “compromising” videos. The emails contained purported screenshots of those videos showing the victim’s faces, which seemed to be taken from public sources such as LinkedIn. This is not the first extortion plot against public servants in Singapore. Earlier this year , several members of parliament received threatening letters containing obscene images manipulated in a similar way. Such incidents highlight concerns over the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential to augment blackmail attempts. DEEPFAKE BLACKMAIL ON THE RISE Similar attempts have also occurred in Asia. An extortion scheme in November targeted male politicians in South Korea, where victims’ faces were superimposed on explicit images and ransom was demanded in return for keeping the altered images private. In 2019, an alleged deepfake sex video targeting a Malaysian politician was circulated on WhatsApp. The capacity for AI to create realistic content carries significant risks for harmful exploitation. With AI-powered tools being widely available, anyone can easily and rapidly create a deepfake, using tactics such as face swapping to switch an individual’s likeness with another. Cybercriminals have also adopted deepfake technology for other malicious purposes such as investment scams . Such deepfakes affect not only politicians and celebrities but ordinary people. DEEPFAKES AS PART OF A CYBERCRIMINAL’S TOOLBOX Public figures such as politicians and businessmen are prime targets for deepfake extortion, given the wealth of images and videos of them available online. Malicious actors can utilise deepfakes not only for financial gain, but to obtain information or compromise their careers. This is cause for concern due to the influence and sensitive data politicians and businessmen have access to. Cybercriminals have also used similar strategies against ordinary people. In June 2023, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warned of “sextortion schemes” where bad actors create deepfake pornography using content posted on social media, to pressure victims either for payment or to send real explicit photos or videos of themselves. Such blackmail attempts could cause severe reputational harm and mental distress to individuals. Victims are afraid of the potential embarrassment from not paying ransoms and having their deepfakes leaked online. Even though they are aware that the content is fake, there remains the fear that the public might believe otherwise. Sadly, women make up the overwhelming majority of victims in deepfake pornography campaigns. A 2023 study by cybersecurity firm Security Hero analysing almost 100,000 deepfake pornographic videos found that 99 per cent of its victims were women. Another 2024 study by cybersecurity firm ESET UK revealed that nearly two-thirds of women worry about being a victim of deepfake porn. UNDERMINING CREDIBILITY AND SEEDING DOUBT In some respects, the authenticity of a video or image might not really matter to public perception. This calls to mind the notion of the “liar’s dividend”, where those who spread misinformation benefit from undermining credibility and casting doubt on what is being perceived. Deepfakes are a powerful tool in persuading people to believe in events that never happened, and can be co-opted by malicious actors to further their goals. The mere suggestion of scandal can already damage a victim's reputation. On the other hand, there is a risk that with the rise of deepfakes, those accused of misconduct could discredit legitimate photos and videos by alleging that they are manipulated. This presents certain challenges. For instance, if a whistleblower reports evidence of wrongdoing by a corporate entity, the company in question could claim that the content is fake. Public uncertainty over truthfulness could result in diminishing levels of trust, increased scepticism and even cynicism about information online. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Advances in AI will make identifying deepfakes more difficult, further empowering them for malicious uses. Greater understanding of AI capabilities and the danger of deepfake sextortion will go a long way. When all our lives are online, there is an abundance of content available for malicious actors to exploit. We can be more cautious of what we post online or limit our privacy setting on social media accounts to trusted friends and people we know. Reporting any sextortion attempts or activity to the police and relevant social media platforms is also a good first step. In discerning whether something we see online is real or not, we can try to ascertain the motivation behind its creation and dissemination. One of the best strategies is to question content that elicits an emotional reaction. As deepfake technology evolves and malicious actors adapt, it is crucial that we stay updated on the latest developments and remain vigilant to such online threats. Dymples Leong is an Associate Research Fellow with the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
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EXCLUSIVE Donald Trump announces he is making Kimberly Guilfoyle his ambassador to Greece in stunning move Guilfoyle is a former Fox News host and a big Trump fundraiser By ROB CRILLY, CHIEF U.S. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Published: 17:35 EST, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 18:24 EST, 10 December 2024 e-mail 32 shares 136 View comments Donald Trump announced Tuesday he was appointing ex-Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle as his ambassador to Greece . Guilfoyle, 55, studied international law and entered public life as a prosecutor in San Francisco and Los Angeles , but entered the Trump orbit as fiancee to the president-elect's son Don Jr , 46. 'Her extensive experience and leadership in law, media, and politics along with her sharp intellect make her supremely qualified to represent the United States, and safeguard its interests abroad,' Trump said in a Truth Social post. 'Kimberly is perfectly suited to foster strong bilateral relations with Greece, advancing our interests on issues ranging from defense cooperation to trade and economic innovation.' The announcement comes just hours after Daily Mail published photographs of Don Jr. hand-in-hand with the Palm Beach socialite , Bettina Anderson, showing his days with Guilfoyle are clearly over. Don Jnr and Guilfoyle began dating in 2018 and became engaged in 2020. However, Daily Mail has reported extensively that their relationship is all but over since September. Donald Jr. continued to be photographed with 55-year-old Guilfoyle after our revelation, but she has not been snapped with him since November 12 – and was reported to have been 'blindsided'. 'There are a ton of people vying for this. It is one of the hottest posts in the world,' said a source familiar with the president-elect's thinking. 'Not just because it's an amazing place place to live, but because it's a hotbed of activity with everything that is happening in Syria , throughout the middle east, and the migrant crisis.' The source added that Guilfoyle, aside from her relationship with Don Jr. had known Trump for 20 years, and raised hundreds of millions of dollars for his campaigns. 'He wants her to represent him on the world stage,' the source added. Kimberly Guilfoyle is the favorite to be Donald Trump's next ambassador to Greece Guilfoyle was a host on Fox News for more than a decade and has known Trump for 20 years 'She studied international law and will be amazing spokeswoman for Donald Trump. 'She'll be the Jackie O of the MAGA movement.' Guilfoyle was assistant district attorney in San Francisco from 2000 to 2004. But it was her marriage to Democratic politician Gavin Newsom that brought into the public eye, when she was first lady of San Francisco during his first two years as mayor of that city. Insiders said that experience would help her cope with the demands of being Trump's representative overseas. Guilfoyle was an energetic campaigner for Trump and appeared on stage with the family at the election night party in West Palm Beach. She addressed foreign policy during her convention speech in Milwaukee. 'In our vision, America will combat foreign aggressors and ensure our service members are protected, not abandoned, as they carry out their dangerous missions abroad, because we know we can only have peace through strength,' she said in July. Donald Trump, Jr., and Bettina Anderson hold hands leaving Buccan restaurant in Palm Beach, Florida on Monday Donald Trump, Jr., and Bettina Anderson leave Buccan together on Monday night She appeared with other members of the Trump family in their box at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in July Guilfoyle addressed the party faithful on day three of the Republican National Convention But the appointment comes as her fiancee Don Jr. has been repeatedly pictured with Bettina Anderson , 38, around Palm Beach, suggesting his six-year engagement in well an truly over. The new couple's latest date saw them attend exclusive hotspot Buccan for two hours to celebrate Anderson's birthday. The restaurant is just three miles from Bettina's townhouse, where Don often stays. They looked every bit a new couple, with Don Jr holding her Bettina's hand as they left the venue just before 10pm. Guilfoyle's new role means she will likely be swapping life in Florida for Jefferson House, the American ambassador's residence in the Greek capital Athens. It comes with a swimming pool in the backyard and enough reception space to entertain hundreds of dignitaries. It was named for Thomas Jefferson who held up Greek democracy as the most important influence on the founding of the American republic. Donald Trump Jr Politics Greece Los Angeles Share or comment on this article: Donald Trump announces he is making Kimberly Guilfoyle his ambassador to Greece in stunning move e-mail 32 shares Add comment