TECH NEWS
Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways * Smart plugs can automate dumb devices, but they shouldn't power everything. * Devices you can connect include lamps, chargers, fans, string lights, and TVs. * Skip smart plugs for devices that heat up, have a
TECH NEWS
You might use a VPN yourself, but have you considered giving one to your AI agent? It might be more important than you think. 3 min read A VPN, or virtual private network, is an important tool for privacy and security. It works by hiding your IP address from public
TECH NEWS
Foldable phones that open up to reveal large displays were supposed to be the next big thing. In theory, the idea sounds great — you can slip a little rectangle in your pocket, then convert it into what is essentially a tablet when needed. However, the early hardware that started to
TECH NEWS
* Researcher Hyunwoo Kim discloses Dirty Frag, a nine‑year‑old kernel flaw enabling root privilege escalation across major Linux distros * The exploit chains two page‑cache write bugs, works reliably without race conditions, and currently has no CVE or patch * Mitigation requires disabling vulnerable kernel modules, but this breaks IPsec
TECH NEWS
New microcontroller development boards are released all the time. In many cases, there is little to point to that differentiates a new board from those that are already on the market. The new board may cost a little less than others, or it might have a few extra GPIO pins
TECH NEWS
* A spoofed site (claude-pro[.]com) delivers poisoned installers that sideload DonutLoader and the Beagle backdoor * The operation mimics legitimate Claude software, likely tied to PlugX operators using DLL sideloading * Researchers warn of malicious ads and SEO poisoning, urging users to verify links before downloading If you’re looking to download
TECH NEWS
As telecom networks become more complex with the rise of 5G, cloud-native systems, and billions of connected devices, the industry is increasingly relying on AI-driven automation and predictive intelligence to reduce outages, improve reliability, and reshape the future of network operations. The telecommunications sector is experiencing a profound operational shift
TECH NEWS
The tech industry laid off more than 73,000 workers in the first four months of 2026. In a classroom inside a Hollywood recording studio, a 51-year-old hip-hop artist was teaching 75 college students how to build the AI agents that are replacing them. will.i.am, born William Adams,
TECH NEWS
* ESET uncovered 28 fraudulent apps on Google Play, downloaded 7.3M+ times, falsely claiming to reveal call/SMS/WhatsApp histories * The apps generated fake data and charged $6–$80 subscriptions, with most victims in India * Google removed the apps and refunded Play‑based payments, but third‑party payment victims must
TECH NEWS
* OpenAI introduces GPT‑5.5‑Cyber following uproar around Anthropic Mythos * It's a modest upgrade focused on permissive cybersecurity tasks like vuln triage and malware analysis * Access is limited to vetted teams in the Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program, unlike Anthropic’s more restricted Mythos Preview OpenAI
TECH NEWS
Smart lighting company Nanoleaf has been unusually quiet recently. While competitors such as Govee and Philips Hue have been pumping out new products and innovative features at an impressive pace, Nanoleaf has launched just a handful of smart lighting products in the last two years. There’s a reason for
TECH NEWS
* ShinyHunters briefly hijacked login portals for ~330 institutions, posting ransom demands and threats * The group extended its deadline to May 12, warning of full data leaks if no settlement is reached * Instructure confirmed the earlier breach but maintains sensitive financial and ID data was not exposed The Instructure cyberattack has
