It’s time for Bits & Bytes…

… where we bring you news, innovations, and thought-provoking insights from AI, IT, and beyond. In this week’s newsletter we’re looking at:

• RockYou2024 proves we suck at passwords
• The app that makes your night out everyone’s business
• 440K Taylor Swift tickets leaked, hackers jack up ransom to $8M

 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

 

🗞️ 8.4 Billion Reasons “password123” Was a Terrible Idea

This massive RockYou2024 breach has exposed 8.4 billion passwords, making it the largest collection of leaked passwords ever. That’s right—billion. The data, discovered on a popular hacking forum, comprises both new and previously known passwords, highlighting the issue of password reuse and weak password practices.

If you’re still using “password123” or the name of your favorite pet, it’s time for an upgrade. Change your passwords immediately, make them complex and unique for each account, and give password managers serious thought.

The RockYou2024 breach is a stark reminder: cyber threats are ever-evolving, and so should our defenses.

TL;DR

• RockYou2024 breach exposes 8.4 billion passwords.
• Highlights critical issues of password reuse and weak passwords.
• Assume you have a password that has been compromised and change it.

 

TECH HEADLINES FROM ACROSS THE WEB

 

📹 Privacy? What Privacy?

Meet 2Night, the app turning bars into a live-streaming spectacle, much to the annoyance of privacy-conscious bar-goers. While some users are all about scoping out the scene from their couches, others feel like they’re under constant surveillance. Despite blurring faces, the backlash rages on, showing that not everyone wants their drunken outings to be live-streamed. Who would’ve guessed?

🎟️ Swiftie Heartbreak

Hackers known as ShinyHunters just leaked 440,000 Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets, demanded $8 mil from TicketMaster (was originally $1 mil but realized it was worth more). This breach threatens to ruin a lot of Swifties nights – oh and ruin Ticketmaster’s reputation.

🗒️ Notepad’s Midlife Crisis

It only took four decades, but Microsoft has finally added spellchecking and autocorrect to Windows Notepad. Now, your ancient go-to for quick notes and scripts will help you dodge typos. This long-overdue update is now live in Windows 11 Insider Preview, proving that even old dogs can learn new tricks.

 

TECH FOR GOOD

The brainiacs at Tsinghua University have just unveiled an artificial dendritic neural circuit that’s set to revolutionize neuromorphic computing. It’s like a system that mimics the brain’s dendrites—those tree-like structures that handle complex signal processing—using a slick new device called the “dendristor.” This tool uses multi-gate transistors coated with an ion-doped sol-gel film to replicate the nuanced signal integration of biological neurons.

What does this mean for the future of AI? Well, for starters, the dendristor’s ability to process spatially distributed signals and exhibit branch-specific plasticity can massively boost computational efficiency while slashing energy use. By capturing the dynamic, direction-sensitive properties of real dendrites, this technology could transform how we handle visual and auditory data, making AI systems smarter and more adaptive. Welcome to the future, folks—where silicon meets synapse in the most brainy way possible.