Connect with us

Latest News

Petya Ransomware Afects Millions Of Computers Worldwide

Published

on

In a matter of months, multiple cyber attacks have crippled leading countries worldwide bringing operations to a standstill. The latest such ransomware named Petya, infected computers all over the world and shut down computers at an alarming rate.

Initially called Petya, the ransomware was later identified as GoldenEye by security firm Bitdefender. This latest cyber attack, like WannaCry, infected more than 300,000 computers on Tuesday by encrypting not only the files but the hard drive as well. GoldenEye has two layers that lock up the files and the computers file system by rebooting as soon as it finishes encrypting files. The ransom demands can be seen as soon as a computer is infected.

The hackers behind this latest ransomware were asking for a $300 bitcoin payment for the victims to gain back access. According to researchers at Recorded Future, it also has a hidden Trojan virus that steals the victim’s username and passwords.

Airports, hospitals, national banks and ministry offices were shut down in Ukraine which was the biggest victim of the attack. Russia, Denmark, United States, United Kingdom, France and India were also affected by this ransomware.

Many cyber security researchers said the virus uses an exploit known as EternalBlue, developed by the National Securit Agency (NSA,) of the United States over 5 years ago. This exploit along with other NSA secrets was disclosed by a group called Shadow Brokers in April.

India’s largest port in Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust shut down all operations in one of its three terminals. According to cyber security firm Kaspersky Lab, Russia and Ukraine were the worst hit with Government agencies, financial firms, banks and a power distributor being affected.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman called the attack “unprecedented,” and the official Ukrainian Twitter account also sent a tweet regarding the growing ransomware attack.

In America, A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world’s largest shipping company said it was also a victim of the attack across multiple sites and business units. Since its initial attack on Tuesday, more than $4,600 has been paid to the hackers bitcoin wallet in 19 payments. But the people behind this ransomware attacks are yet to be found.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Tufqdugw

    May 23, 2025 at 9:49 pm

    Explore the ranked best online casinos of 2025. Compare bonuses, game selections, and trustworthiness of top platforms for secure and rewarding gameplaycasino activities.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest News

IIT Hyderabad Unveils Palyanka, Heavy-Lift Drone for Air Ambulance Use

Published

on

Hyderabad - Drone

The Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation Foundation (TiHAN) at IIT Hyderabad has set a new standard in drone technology with the launch of Palyanka, a heavy payload drone designed as an autonomous air ambulance. Capable of carrying up to 200 kg, Palyanka is engineered to swiftly transport patients, medical equipment, or critical cargo across challenging terrains, bypassing traditional barriers like road congestion and remote inaccessibility. This advanced UAV operates autonomously, making it highly effective for rapid response in both urban and rural emergencies, and stands at the forefront of disaster relief operations in scenarios such as floods and fires.

Built for versatility, Palyanka doesn’t just function as an air ambulance. Its robust design enables use in rescue missions, cargo deliveries, and even as an air taxi for metropolitan connectivity. Inspired by the Sanskrit word for palanquin, the name “Palyanka” reflects the drone’s role as a safe and efficient carrier. All components, from conceptual design to IP, have been developed in-house at IIT Hyderabad, ensuring the drone meets stringent standards for durability and performance under extreme conditions.

With a development journey spanning over five years and led by Prof. P. Rajalakshmi, TiHAN’s team has transitioned from early drone prototypes to a full-scale, high-capacity solution like Palyanka. The team is now preparing pilot projects in hilly terrains and working on further enhancing the drone’s endurance with innovative heat-resistant materials. By pioneering such indigenous solutions, IIT Hyderabad’s TiHAN is transforming emergency medical services and logistics, marking a pivotal advancement in India’s urban mobility and public safety landscape.

Continue Reading

Latest News

X’s Major Price Cut in India: Premium Plans Now More Accessible Than Ever

Published

on

StartupStories

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has announced a major reduction in its subscription prices across India, slashing fees by up to 48%. The Basic plan now starts at ₹170 per month, down 30% from its earlier price, while the Premium plan has dropped 34% to ₹427 per month on the web. The Premium+ plan has also become more affordable, now costing ₹2,570 per month—a 26% reduction. For mobile users, the discounts are even steeper, with Premium priced at ₹470 per month and Premium+ at ₹3,000 per month, reflecting the impact of app store commissions.

This marks the first comprehensive price adjustment across all three tiers—Basic, Premium, and Premium+—since the service launched as Twitter Blue in India in February 2023. The move comes shortly after Elon Musk’s AI venture, xAI, rolled out the new Grok 4 model and follows xAI’s acquisition of X earlier this year. The price cuts are seen as a strategic effort to boost adoption in India, one of the world’s largest internet markets, by making premium features more accessible to a wider audience.

Each subscription tier offers a range of features: Basic users can edit and write longer posts, enjoy background video playback, and download videos. Premium subscribers get additional perks like a blue checkmark, creator tools, analytics, and fewer ads, while Premium+ members benefit from an ad-free experience, article publishing, and exclusive access to advanced AI features. These changes are expected to make X’s premium services more appealing to Indian users looking for enhanced social media experiences.

 

Continue Reading

Latest News

Leadership Shakeup at X: Linda Yaccarino Resigns After Two Years at the Helm

Published

on

Linda - Startup Stories

Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X (formerly Twitter), announced her resignation on July 9, 2025, bringing her two-year leadership of Elon Musk’s social media platform to a close. Yaccarino, who previously led NBCUniversal’s advertising division, was appointed in 2023 to help stabilize X’s advertising business and guide the company through its ambitious transformation into an “everything app.” In her farewell message, she expressed gratitude to Musk for entrusting her with the mission of revitalizing the company, protecting free speech, and prioritizing user safety, though she did not specify a reason for her departure.


Her exit comes at a turbulent moment for X, following the recent controversy involving Grok, the AI chatbot developed by Musk’s xAI, which posted antisemitic content referencing Adolf Hitler. This incident intensified scrutiny of X’s content moderation policies and added to the challenges Yaccarino faced, including restoring advertiser trust after a period of strained relations with major brands. Some analysts have suggested that differences in management style between Yaccarino and Musk, as well as the evolving structure of X after its integration with xAI, may have contributed to her decision to step down.

Elon Musk publicly thanked Yaccarino for her contributions, while her departure leaves a leadership gap as X navigates ongoing business, regulatory, and reputational challenges. The company’s next steps will be closely watched as it seeks to maintain its influence in the social media landscape and fulfill Musk’s vision of a multifaceted digital platform.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Recent Posts

Advertisement