🔓 Quantum Breakthrough, Major Data Breach, & U.S. Lithium Push
Good morning. It’s Friday, October 25. Today we are covering:
Chinese researchers break RSA encryption with a quantum computer
UnitedHealth says data of 100 million stolen in Change Healthcare breach
US approves lithium project in push to break China's grip on EV minerals
New 'Call of Duty' Tests Microsoft's $75 Billion Bet on Future of Videogames
Notion is making a super customizable email app
Let’s dive in
Chinese researchers break RSA encryption with a quantum computer
By Gyana Swain via CSO Online
Chinese researchers from Shanghai University have used D-Wave's quantum annealing systems to crack RSA encryption, indicating a faster-than-expected timeline for potential quantum threats to classical cryptographic systems.
The study highlights that quantum annealing enables breaking of widely used SPN-based algorithms, with implications for AES, Present, and Rectangle ciphers, which are crucial to global cybersecurity.
Experts warn that current encryption methods may soon be obsolete, pushing for urgent development and adoption of quantum-safe encryption to protect sensitive data against advancing quantum capabilities.
𝕏: The research team, led by Wang Chao from Shanghai University, found that D-Wave’s quantum computers can optimize problem-solving in a way that makes it possible to attack encryption methods such as RSA. - Dr Martin Hiesboeck (@MHiesboeck)
UnitedHealth says data of 100 million stolen in Change Healthcare breach
By Lawrence Abrams via BleepingComputer
UnitedHealth confirmed that over 100 million individuals had their personal and healthcare data exposed in the Change Healthcare ransomware attack, making it the largest healthcare data breach in recent years.
The February attack, attributed to the BlackCat ransomware gang, involved the theft of 6 TB of data and disrupted U.S. healthcare services, impacting claims processing and prescription discount cards.
UnitedHealth reportedly paid $22 million in ransom, but leaked data still surfaced as attackers demanded further payments, raising the breach’s financial impact to $2.45 billion as of Q3 2024.
𝕏: BREAKING: UnitedHealth Group has finally confirmed that more than 100 million people had their private health information stolen in this year's ransomware attack, which hit its health tech subsidiary Change Healthcare. - Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai (@lorenzofb)
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US approves lithium project in push to break China's grip on EV minerals
By Jamie Smyth via Financial Times
The U.S. government has approved a significant lithium mining project to reduce dependence on China for critical EV battery minerals.
This project aims to strengthen the U.S. supply chain for electric vehicle (EV) production, a sector where China currently dominates mineral processing.
Approval of this project marks a key step in the U.S. strategy to secure domestic sources for sustainable energy transition materials.
𝕏: US approves lithium project in Nevada in push to break China’s grip on EV minerals – FT: ‘Australian producer Ioneer on Thursday said it had received a federal permit for its Rhyolite Ridge lithium-boron mine’ - Sense Hofstede (@sehof)
New 'Call of Duty' Tests Microsoft's $75 Billion Bet on Future of Videogames
By Sarah E. Needleman via Wall Street Journal
Microsoft is testing its $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard with the release of a new Call of Duty game on Game Pass, making it the first time the popular franchise will be available on the subscription service.
The acquisition reflects Microsoft’s strategy to become a leader in gaming subscriptions and streaming, betting that the shift from physical games to streaming will parallel changes seen in TV and film.
Success of this Game Pass release is crucial as Microsoft aims to reshape the video game industry and capture the loyalty of millions of gamers.
Notion is making a super customizable email app
By Emma Roth via The Verge
Notion is launching a customizable Mail app in early 2025, allowing users to personalize their inbox layout, views, and actions, with seamless integration for Google and Gmail accounts.
The app will incorporate Notion AI for automated email management, drafting, and scheduling, and will work across iPhone and Android devices.
In addition to the Mail app, Notion has introduced a Forms tool for collecting responses, expanded layout customization options, and updated its marketplace for templates and automation.
Trending in AI
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