AllYouCanTech

Google Reports Kremlin-Supported Hackers Employing Commercial Spyware Vulnerabilities

### The Perilous Rise of Commercial Surveillance Exploits: An Escalating Global Concern

In recent times, the emergence of Commercial Surveillance Vendors (CSVs) has ignited considerable discussion and alarm among cybersecurity professionals, advocates for human rights, and governmental bodies. These firms, which orchestrate the development and sale of sophisticated hacking tools and exploits, frequently assert that their offerings are designed for use by law enforcement entities to tackle crime and terrorism. Nevertheless, detractors have persistently cautioned that these potent tools can readily end up in inappropriate hands, representing a grave risk to worldwide security. Recent insights from Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) have furnished persuasive proof that these apprehensions are well-founded.

#### The Rise of CSVs and Their Disputed Influence

Commercial Surveillance Vendors, including Israel’s NSO Group and Ireland’s Intellexa, have established themselves as significant entities within the global cybersecurity sphere. These companies focus on inventing intricate exploits capable of circumventing even the most fortified systems, typically zeroing in on zero-day vulnerabilities—deficiencies that remain unknown to the software provider and for which no patch has been issued. The exploits crafted by CSVs are highly coveted by governments and law enforcement agencies globally, who deploy them to observe and track offenders, terrorists, and other crucial targets.

However, the intrinsic nature of these tools renders them perilously dangerous. Once an exploit is conceived and sold, there is minimal deterrent against its utilization for ends other than those purported by the vendor. This has stirred rising anxiety that these formidable tools might be wielded by authoritarian regimes to target political activists, journalists, and human rights proponents, or even by cybercriminals and state-sponsored hackers to execute assaults on vital infrastructure.

#### APT29: An Example of CSV Exploits Misuse

The recent disclosures by Google’s TAG underscore the tangible risks linked to the spread of CSV exploits. TAG researchers have found that APT29, a hacking group widely assumed to be connected with Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), has been employing exploits that are “identical or remarkably similar” to those crafted by NSO Group and Intellexa. APT29, which goes by other names such as Cozy Bear and Midnight Blizzard, is a notorious advanced persistent threat (APT) entity that has been associated with numerous prominent cyber espionage operations.

As per TAG, APT29 has utilized these exploits in various watering hole assaults—a strategy where attackers compromise websites frequently visited by their targets and embed malicious code that targets vulnerabilities in the visitors’ browsers. In this instance, the group aimed at websites affiliated with the Mongolian government, including mfa.gov[.]mn and cabinet.gov

The Legendary Lecture by Grace Hopper from 1982 is Now Accessible on YouTube

**Grace Hopper: An Innovative Trailblazer in Computing and Her 1982 Lecture on Prospective Developments**

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper, a pioneering figure in computer science, has made a significant impact on the realm of technology. Famously referred to as “Grandma COBOL,” Hopper’s innovations in computing have influenced today’s digital world. Her 1982 lecture, dubbed “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People,” exemplifies her visionary outlook and capacity to anticipate the computing landscape’s evolution. Once presumed lost due to outdated media forms, this lecture has recently been digitized and made accessible to the public, providing a unique insight into the intellect of one of computing history’s most prominent personalities.

### Early Life and Career

Grace Hopper was born on December 9, 1906, in New York City. From a young age, she exhibited a strong talent for mathematics and science, earning her undergraduate degrees in math and physics from Vassar College. In 1930, she achieved a PhD in mathematics from Yale University, becoming one of the few women of her era to attain such an honor. Hopper returned to Vassar as a faculty member, but her career trajectory shifted dramatically with the commencement of World War II.

Despite facing initial setbacks due to her age and physical size, Hopper was resolute in her wish to serve her country. She ultimately enlisted in the US Naval Reserve and was assigned to the Bureau of Ships Computation Project at Harvard University. There, she contributed to the Mark I computer, one of the earliest electromechanical computers, under Howard H. Aiken’s supervision. This experience established the groundwork for her subsequent contributions to the field of computer science.

### The Emergence of COBOL

After the war, Hopper continued her computing journey by joining the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Corporation in 1949. She played a crucial role in developing the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC), the first commercial computer in the United States. It was during this period that Hopper began championing the idea of a programming language grounded in English words rather than the intricate symbols and codes commonly employed.

Her vision faced skepticism, yet she remained steadfast. She created the first compiler, known as the A-0 compiler, which converted English-like instructions into machine code. This groundbreaking advancement ultimately led to the establishment of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language), a programming language still extensively utilized today in business, finance, and administrative systems.

### The 1982 Lecture: A Preview of the Future

In August 1982, Hopper presented a lecture to National Security Agency (NSA) employees titled “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People.” This lecture, now accessible on YouTube due to the efforts of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the NSA, provides an intriguing look at Hopper’s views on the future of computing.

Hopper’s lecture addressed various topics, such as the progression of data processing, the potential of hardware innovations, the significance of software development, and the impact of individuals in shaping technology’s future. She employed analogies and anecdotes from her experiences to clarify her points, rendering complex concepts understandable to her audience.

One of the primary messages from Hopper’s lecture was her conviction in the value of collaboration and the necessity of pairing computers to enhance computational capability. She compared this to using oxen pairs to transport large logs before tractors existed, underscoring that often the simplest approaches are the most effective.

### Legacy and Influence

Grace Hopper’s contributions to computing have had a profound and lasting influence on the discipline. Her work on compilers and programming languages laid the foundation for contemporary software development, and her advocacy for user-friendly programming languages helped democratize computing, widening accessibility to a larger audience.

Hopper’s impact transcended her technical accomplishments. She served as a role model and mentor to numerous individuals within computer science, especially women. Her commitment to education and her aptitude for inspiring others earned her multiple honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded posthumously in 2016.

Even after retiring from the Navy in 1986, Hopper continued to contribute as a senior consultant for Digital Equipment Corporation, where she acted as a “goodwill ambassador” for the company, delivering lectures and imparting her knowledge to the next generation of computer scientists.

### Conclusion

Grace Hopper’s 1982 lecture on “Future Possibilities: Data, Hardware, Software, and People” stands as a significant historical artifact that offers a glimpse into the mind of a genuine visionary. Her capacity to envision the future of computing and her commitment to making technology attainable for all have forged an enduring legacy. As we continue to navigate the rapidly changing technological landscape, Hopper’s insights and ideas hold as much relevance today as they did more than forty years ago.

For those captivated by the history of computing and the contributions of one of its most influential figures…

Eli Lilly Raises Zepbound Price, Reveals Discount on First Vials

### Eli Lilly’s Zepbound Pricing: A Two-Faced Sword in the Battle Against Obesity

Pharmaceutical powerhouse Eli Lilly has captured attention with its declaration of a notable price cut for its well-known weight-loss medication, tirzepatide, sold under the name Zepbound. The organization unveiled a fresh vial format for the drug, presenting starting dosages at a significantly reduced price compared to the previously offered injectable pens. Although this initiative was initially well-received, it soon faced backlash as observers pointed out a concurrent increase in the price of the existing pen format, prompting concerns about the company’s pricing tactics and their consequences for patients.

#### The Potential of Zepbound

Zepbound has proven to be revolutionary in combating obesity, an issue impacting millions globally. The injectable medication mimics the function of hormones that manage blood sugar and appetite, resulting in marked weight loss. Clinical studies indicated that patients given the maximum dose of 15 mg lost an average of 21% of their body weight over 17 months, while those receiving a 5 mg dose shed approximately 15% of their weight.

Until recently, Zepbound was exclusively available in injectable pens, priced at $1,060 for a month’s supply. The pens are offered in various dosages—2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 mg—allowing patients to gradually raise their dosage until reaching a maintenance level. Higher dosages correlate with more substantial weight loss, making the drug a highly desirable choice for individuals facing obesity challenges.

#### A Welcome Price Reduction

In an effort that appeared to alleviate the financial strain on patients, Eli Lilly revealed it would now supply Zepbound in vials, at a substantially lower cost. A month’s supply of the 2.5 mg vial is set at $399, while the 5 mg vial is priced at $549. This marks a considerable decrease from the $1,060 cost for the pen form, enhancing accessibility for a wider array of patients, particularly those lacking insurance.

“This new option enables millions of adults with obesity to access the necessary medication,” Lilly asserted in its announcement. The company also received commendations from James Zervos, Chief Operating Officer of the nonprofit Obesity Action Coalition, who praised Lilly for advancing equitable care.

Even President Joe Biden took to social media to recognize the price cut, voicing his approval while calling on pharmaceutical firms to reduce prices “across the board.”

#### The Controversy: An Increase for the Pens

Nevertheless, the initial enthusiasm was short-lived. Concurrent with the launch of the lower-priced vials, Lilly discreetly raised the price of the Zepbound pens for patients whose insurance policies do not cover the medication. Previously, these individuals could utilize a “savings card” to buy a month’s supply of any dosage for $550. This cost has now escalated to $650, nearly a 20% increase.

This price lift has incited anger among critics, who contend that the company is taking advantage of its market position. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a longstanding critic of the pharmaceutical sector, swiftly condemned the decision. While he recognized that the vial prices represent a “modest step forward,” he noted that even with the reduction, the drug remains out of reach for many Americans. At $549 a month, the expense is comparable to the average monthly payment for a used car, which was $523 in the first quarter of this year, per Experian.

“Moreover, Eli Lilly continues to refuse to lower the exorbitant price of Mounjaro that Americans battling diabetes urgently require,” Sanders remarked, referring to another of the company’s medications. “There is no logical explanation, other than greed, for why Mounjaro should cost $1,069 a month in the U.S. when it is only $485 in the U.K. and $94 in Japan.”

#### The Wider Consequences

The controversies surrounding Zepbound’s pricing form part of a larger conversation regarding healthcare costs in the U.S. In May, a Senate committee report cautioned that the steep prices and high demand for weight-loss and diabetes treatments like Zepbound could potentially “bankrupt our entire health care system.” This report, generated by the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee, chaired by Sanders, underscored the pressing need for pricing reforms within the pharmaceutical industry.

Eli Lilly’s choice to lower the price of Zepbound vials while hiking the cost of the pens raises significant inquiries about the company’s intentions and the broader drug pricing dilemma in the United States. While the new vial format may increase access for some patients, the price rise for the pens could render it unaffordable for others.

MPA Declares Closure of Significant Pirate Website, Concluding “Whac-a-Mole” Strategies

### The Shutdown of Fmovies: A Significant Triumph in the Battle Against Online Piracy

In a substantial setback for worldwide digital piracy, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and its enforcement division, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE), have declared the successful dismantling of Fmovies, a notorious illegal streaming operation based in Hanoi, Vietnam. This operation, which the MPA has referred to as the “largest piracy network globally,” had posed a serious challenge to the film industry, attracting billions of visits from individuals seeking unauthorized access to copyrighted materials.

#### The Extent of Fmovies’ Activities

Established in 2016, Fmovies swiftly rose to prominence in the realm of online piracy. The platform, along with its affiliated sites such as bflixz, flixtorz, movies7, myflixer, and aniwave, amassed over 6.7 billion visits from January 2023 to June 2024. These platforms provided an extensive catalog of movies and TV series, rendering them a popular choice for users attempting to evade legitimate streaming options.

The magnitude of Fmovies’ operations was astonishing, with reports indicating that the platform experienced over 160 million visits each month. This volume of traffic not only denied content creators and studios of income but also presented considerable hazards to consumers, who frequently encountered malware and other security vulnerabilities while utilizing these unlawful services.

#### A Unified Initiative to Counter Piracy

The shutdown of Fmovies resulted from a collaborative initiative involving ACE, the Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam, and the Hanoi Municipal Police. The campaign also focused on Vidsrc.to, a well-known video hosting service run by the same group responsible for Fmovies. This operation culminated in the closure of hundreds of additional piracy websites, significantly damaging the global piracy network.

Charles Rivkin, CEO of the MPA and chair of ACE, celebrated the operation as a “remarkable triumph” for the creative sector worldwide. “We have taken down the mothership,” Rivkin stated to Variety, underlining the importance of this action in the overall battle against digital piracy. He highlighted that the industry is shifting from the “Whac-a-Mole” strategy of targeting single sites and is now concentrating on dismantling the core of piracy operations.

#### The Wider Repercussions of the Shutdown

The successful closure of Fmovies is anticipated to create a ripple effect throughout the digital piracy arena. By striking at the central node of a significant piracy network, ACE and its collaborators have interrupted the distribution of pirated content on a global basis. This initiative serves as a clear warning to other illegal streaming service operators that they are not beyond the grasp of law enforcement.

Larissa Knapp, Chief Content Protection Officer at the MPA, indicated that this initiative is merely the starting point. The MPA and ACE expect to maintain ongoing cooperation with Vietnamese authorities, as well as with US agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Justice’s International Computer Hacking and Intellectual Property (ICHIP) program, to hold the Fmovies operators accountable.

#### The Call for Stricter Anti-Piracy Regulations

The closure of Fmovies underscores the persistent challenges the film industry faces in addressing digital piracy. In his April 2024 address at CinemaCon, Rivkin noted that a considerable portion of Fmovies’ traffic originated from the United States, where the absence of a site-blocking statute has hindered efforts to prevent users from accessing illegal streaming platforms.

Rivkin and the MPA are now advocating for Congress to introduce legislation mandating Internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to piracy websites. This initiative for more stringent anti-piracy measures reflects the industry’s discontent with the shortcomings of current regulations and the necessity for more effective tools to safeguard intellectual property in the digital era.

#### The Legal Dispute Regarding ISP Responsibilities

The film industry’s initiatives to combat piracy have also expanded into legal confrontations with ISPs. Recently, Cox Communications, a prominent US cable company, petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court decision that would obligate ISPs to disconnect users accused of piracy. The ruling, stemming from a lawsuit filed by Sony, has raised apprehensions among ISPs about the implications of unsubstantiated allegations leading to the disconnection of internet service for households and businesses.

This situation illustrates the intricate legal framework surrounding digital piracy and the ongoing discourse concerning the obligations of ISPs in preventing copyright violations. As the film industry continues to advocate for enhanced anti-piracy measures, these legal disputes are likely to play a pivotal role in determining the future of digital content distribution.

#### Conclusion

The dismantling of Fmovies signifies a notable achievement in the worldwide struggle against online piracy. Through coordinated actions with international law enforcement and governmental bodies, the MPA and ACE have inflicted significant damage on one of the largest piracy networks globally. However, the