Google to shut down Google+ after exposure of 500,000 users’ data

Google announced that it will shut down Google+ for consumers after revealing that the social networking site suffered from a security vulnerability that affects as many as 500,000 of its users. It’s believed that the personal data of hundreds of thousands of Google+ users may have been exposed on the site between 2015 and March 2018, though Google claims that it does not believe that data from its users were misused as part of the glitch.

The security flaw could have revealed personal details that about its users to potential hackers, such as a user’s name, gender, email address, and occupation. In its report, Google claims that the bug was discovered when it launched Project Strobe to review third-party developer access to Google account and Android device data.

“We made Google+ with privacy in mind and therefore keep this API’s log data for only two weeks,” Google revealed in a blog post after the Wall Street Journal reported the flaw. “That means we cannot confirm which users were impacted by this bug. However, we ran a detailed analysis over the two weeks prior to patching the bug, and from that analysis, the Profiles of up to 500,000 Google+ accounts were potentially affected. Our analysis showed that up to 438 applications may have used this API.”

Google claimed that after the bug was discovered, it was quickly patched and that it was not aware of any abuse. However, it did not reveal the flaw initially as a way to preserve its reputation and not invite regulatory scrutiny, according to a report on the Wall Street Journal. In addition to shutting down consumer accounts, Google also plans to announce changes to its privacy policy in response to the potential data breach, the Journal reported, including new changes to its APIs to limit developers access to user’s data on Gmail and Android devices.

Rival Facebook is still reeling from a public relations fiasco after it revealed earlier this year that data from its users was misused as part of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. More recently, Facebook also discovered a bug that allowed hackers access to its users’ private data. The Facebook security flaw affected 50 million users, and Facebook made a decision to forcibly log off 90 million of its users as a result of the issue. Affected users could log back into their Facebook account to regain access to the social network. Facebook also forced to implement sweeping changes to how it handles data in an effort to rebuild trust as a result of its recent breaches.

Google made the decision to shutter Google+ over the next 10 months, citing a lack of user engagement. “The consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement: 90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds,” Google said.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Facebook’s latest data breach could earn Europeans thousands in compensation
• Is Google launching an A.I. fitness coach for smartwatches?
• Google’s Titan Key ensures your phone and apps are virtually unhackable
• Riddled with problems, Chrome 69 isn’t the celebration Google hoped for
• Google will warn businesses if state-sponsored hackers target G Suite users

Chrome 70 could break thousands of websites, but that’s their own fault

As a result of using old security certificates, thousands of sites on the internet may stop working as soon as October 16. When Google begins rolling out its next version of the Chrome browser  — called Chrome 70 — users navigating to these sites will be greeted with a security warning once Google drops trust for HTTPS security certificates issued by Symantec prior to June 2016.

When Google discovered more than a year ago that Symantec had improperly issued security certificates, it warned that it will drop support for the affected batches of certificates from the security firm. In essence, security certificates issued by Symantec prior to June 2016 won’t be trusted by Chrome 70, and web developers had more than a year to prepare for the change. Security researcher Scott Helme found more than 1,000 sites in the top million websites ranked by Alexa that may be affected by the change once Google rolls out Chrome 70, including a few notable government sites from India and Tel Aviv. A few of the sites on Helme’s list recently changed to new certificates, so they won’t be affected.

In addition to Symantec certificates, users visiting websites using certificates issued by Thawte, VeriSign, Equifax, GeoTrust, and RapidSSL prior to June 2016 will also be greeted with a security warning on Chrome 70, TechCrunch reported.

Google also made recent headlines for some of its efforts in building trust on the internet. The company came under fire with the release of Chrome 69 for trying to hide the “www” portion of a web address in the Chrome omnibox. After users protested, Google reversed course, but it said that the change is still incoming once Chrome 70 launches. An even more radical change that Google is exploring includes killing web addresses altogether. Google hasn’t revealed what the alternative to URLs would be, but the company stated that this is an idea that it is still working on as part of its effort to help build a safer web experience.

Chrome 70 follows on the heels of Chrome’s major redesign with the launch of Chrome 69. The next version of Google’s web browser will introduce new features, such as shape detection and barcode scanning, Web Authentication support with biometric scanners on MacOS and Android where available, and Web Bluetooth support on Windows 10, Google announced. With Chrome 70, Google will also reverse its recent controversial decision to forcibly sign users into the browser once they log into a Google account on the web.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google tried to kill ‘www,’ until Chrome users protested the change
• Chrome 70 allows users to opt out of controversial auto sign-in feature
• Your Google Chrome extensions are about to get a lot safer
• Google’s Pixelbook 2 tablet could debut with fingerprint security
• Chrome 69 logs you in without consent, but Google says it’s for your own good

Portable hard drives, gaming consoles, and more are discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

There’s never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We’ve handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From portable hard drives to 24-ounce water bottles, these are today’s best deals.

Tech Deals

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Everyday Essentials

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Best Replacement Bands for Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm

The Galaxy Watch is one of the best companions for your phone, and you can personalize the heck out of it. You can choose your own watch face, and swap the watch band out for any 20mm strap. If you’re only going to get one watch band, check out the Speidel Stretch Band. You’ll likely need to a visit a jeweler to get the perfect size, but after that the watch band will go on in an instant and won’t need to be re-sized if your wrists get bigger.

Here are the best replacement bands for the Samsung Galaxy Watch 42mm!

Totally metal

Kai Tian Stainless Steel Band

This band from Kai Tain is made of brushed stainless steel, and it comes with a free resizing kit to make the perfect fit. It’s available in black or silver, and the standard clasp makes putting the band on a breeze.

$20 at Amazon

Wooden wonder

LDFAS 20mm Wood Band

This band has something you don’t see every day: red sandalwood in between each link. You can get this band with black, rose gold or silver steel, and all look great with the red wood. There’s a clasp to easily get the band on and off your wrist, and quick release pins to make installation a piece of cake.

$30 at Amazon

Stretch armstrong

Speidel Stainless Steel Watch Band

Stretch watch bands are awesome because they go on in an instant, and they’re always the perfect fit. Getting that perfect fit means visiting a professional jeweler, but it’s worth the time. This band from Speidel comes with either a straight or curved end, and the company offers a few color options.

$35 at Amazon

Lust after the leather

Barton 20mm Top Grain Leather Watch Band

Top Grain leather is the highest quality leather available, and this band lets you wear some right on your wrist. There are 15 different color combinations to best match your personal style, and the quick release pins make putting the band on a breeze.

$24 at Amazon

Less expensive, still stylish

WOCCI Vintage Leather Watch Strap

This band is a thinner leather, so it’ll flex a bit easier on your wrist. There are only a few color options — 3 to be exact — that’ll fit your Galaxy Watch. The watch doesn’t feature quick release pins, but it does include an installation kit.

$13 at Amazon

Minimalist style

Benchmark Straps Suede Watch Band

If you want a watch band to match your Blue Suede Shoes, this is the one for you. The suede has a minimal design, with no stitching along the sides. There are seven different colors to choose from that’ll fit your Galaxy Watch, and genuine leather underneath to make the strap a bit sturdier. Finally, there’s a kit included to install the band onto your watch.

$20 at Amazon

For your daily workout

Moretek Silicone Replacement Strap

While the Galaxy Watch comes with a silicone band, this one would be a bit better for your workouts. The extra perforations on the band makes your wrist breathe easier, and lets you get a more exact fit, leading to a more accurate heart rate reading. The strap comes in 13 different colors, and features quick-release pins so you can swap it for something classier after your workout.

$10 at Amazon

Totally secure

STYLELOVER NATO Strap

If you want a watch band that won’t budge, you want a NATO strap. This one from STYLELOVER is made of heavy duty nylon, and it comes in 16 different colors. The only buckle color is silver, so keep that in mind if you want one for your Galaxy Watch.

$9 at Amazon

Mix and match

Ritche NATO Strap 4 pack

If you like to mix and match your bands, this pack from Ritche is a great way to do just that. You get four NATO straps, so you can swap them out so the pattern fits your mood. All of the bands have silver buckles and keepers, so you won’t have to deal with paint chipping. Finally, there’s an installation kit and a few extra pins included inside.

$12 at Amazon

All of these are great options, but the Galaxy Watch works with any 20mm strap. Again, my personal favorite is the Speidel Stretch Band since it goes on and off in an instant and will always have a perfect fit, but feel free to get any strap to make the watch perfect for you!

Charge your phone faster with Aukey’s $8 Quick Charge 3.0 USB wall charger

A faster charge is always better.

The Aukey Quick Charge 3.0 18W USB wall charger is down to $7.92 with code 9ZMNJXPJ. The charger goes for $13 without the code and that’s the price it regularly sells at. We’ve never seen this model drop so low before.

You can use this charger to plug directly into an outlet and charge, but you’ll also need one of these if you ever want to get the most out of a wireless charger like this because these devices usually do not come with a Quick Charge wall adapter and need one for the fastest possible juice. This is a Qualcomm-certified Quick Charge 3.0 device, so any smartphone or tablet or other device compatible with that technology can use this to get super fast charging speeds. It’s also backwards compatible to work with previous generations of Quick Charge, and it will charge non-QC compatible devices with standard USB power up to 2.4A. Aukey backs it up with a two-year warranty.

See on Amazon

Canada Daily Deals: Mechanical keyboards, Nintendo Switch, and more

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on Aukey mechanical gaming keyboards, Nintendo switch consoles and games, Arlo Pro home security, ILIFE Robotic Vacuum Cleaners, and much more!

View the rest of the deals

Each day, the Thrifter Canada team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the ‘net.

For more Canadian deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter CA, sign up for the Canadian newsletter and follow the team on Twitter.

AMD Ryzen will add two budget CPUs, gaming-oriented update October 29

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper 2000 range will soon be fully fleshed out with additional WX and X-series CPUs. Due to arrive on October 29, the new 2970WX and 2920X CPUs complement existing offerings with more affordable price tags than the previously released 2990WX and 2950X chips. Their release will be joined by a new software update for Ryzen Threadripper WX chips called Dynamic Local Mode, which we’re told could have a dramatic increase on gaming performance and apps that scale well with multiple cores.

AMD’s second-generation Threadripper CPUs doubled down on their predecessors with additional cores and threads, alongside a die shrink, support for faster memory, and an increase in power requirements in turn. But the August launch of the new range was only partial, with just two CPUs debuting at that time. That all changes at the end of October.

On October 29, AMD will unleash its ‘entry-level’ Threadripper CPU, the 2920X. Replacing its 2017 counterpart in the 1920X, it has the same 12 cores and 24 threads, but increases the boosted clock speed by 100Mhz and has a lower launch price of $649. It will be joined by the second most powerful CPU AMD has ever released to the public, the Threadripper 2970WX, which has no real counterpart with the last generation. It will debut with 24 cores and 48 threads, reaching a clock speed of 4.2GHz when boosted and requiring 250w of power. It will debut with a price tag of $1,299.

Their launch will flesh out the new range of Ryzen Threadripper chips, providing modern analogs for the first-generation Threadripper CPUs and offer a wide array of pricing options for prospective buyers.

Arguably the most exciting launch this October though isn’t new hardware, but new software. Dynamic Local Mode (DLM) is a feature that AMD touts as having dramatic performance-enhancing capabilities for its two WX Threadripper chips, potentially making them far more capable gaming CPUs. Neither the 2990WX or 2970WX are really designed with gaming in mind (these are the best CPUs for gaming) but DLM could make them capable of supporting gaming requirements and in theory, better at it than just about any chip AMD (and maybe even Intel) has ever released.

“Dynamic Local Mode is a new piece of software that automatically migrates the system’s most demanding application threads onto the Threadripper 2990WX and 2970WX CPU cores with local memory access,” AMD says of the new feature in a blog post.

AMD went on to cite a 47-percent improvement in performance in Battlefield 1 on a 2990WX when switching to DLM, and 18 percent in Alien Isolation. While these numbers should be taken with a grain of salt, they are enticing and suggest that benchmarkers may have a new darling when it comes to pushing the boundaries of the world’s most powerful gaming PCs in the future.

Editors’ Recommendations

• AMD’s new 32-core Ryzen Threadripper desktop CPU rips into wallets at $1,800
• AMD’s new 32-core Ryzen Threadripper chip is out, and you can get one for free
• New Intel CPUs bake in gigabit wireless and Alexa support
• The best Intel processors
• AMD vs. Intel

Ready to upgrade? Intel announces the Core i9-9900K processor

At an event in New York City today, Intel officially announced the Intel Core i9-9900K processor. As long rumored, this is Intel’s first processor with a 5GHz Turbo Boost maximum, 8 cores, and 16 threads.

Intel noted this newest processor was tested with 19 of the most popular games today, and across genres, shooters, RPGs. In fact, the firm demoed in the keynote that the chip is able to run two games at once on a brand new PC. That adds up for anywhere between 10-11% more performance over the previous generation in popular games like Hitman 2 and World of Tanks.

Pre-orders on the i9-9900K processor are open today, and a ship date of October 19. New desktops from Acer Predator, Lenovo Legion, Dell Alienware will also have the processor onboard, and a few of those machines were briefly showcased on the stage during the keynote. We don’t final retail pricing yet. An earlier leak suggested a price of $580 at retail. The bulk pricing listed in the image below suggests $580 may be a bit high, but probably not far off the mark.

Other notable specs on board the Core i9-9900K processor include a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz, 16MB Intel Smart Cache, and up to 40 platform PCI-E Lanes. The Core i9-9900K processor will also be compatible with the new Intel X390 Chipset, and all Intel Series 300 Chipsets, support up to two channels of DDR4-2666 memory and come with the benefits of Intel Optane Memory and Intel Optane SSD support.

Aimed at developers, Intel announced new Xeon W-3175X and X-series processors at this event. The Xeon series processors come packed with 28 cores, 56 threads, and a 4.3 GHz frequency out of the box. As for the X-series processors, those come packed with up to 18 cores, and 36 threads, 68 lanes of Platform PCIe, Quad Channel DDR4 memory, and solder TIM for better overclocking.

Earlier in the month, the Core i9-9900K processor leaked on Amazon. That leak provided a look at some stylish dodecahedron packaging, which indeed held up to be true.

Considering that this is Intel’s response to AMD’s new eight-core Threadripper chips, there is definitely a lot to be excited about this holiday season. Keep tuned for more, as you can expect for laptop makers to refresh their devices with the new Intel processors before the end of the year.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Leak shows Intel’s 9th-gen Core i7 desktop CPU won’t have hyper-threading
• How to watch Intel’s Fall desktop event live from NYC
• Leak shows Intel’s Core i9-9900K comes in a cool 12-sided box, but costs $580
• The best Intel processors
• Intel upgrades the entry-level workstation market with six-core Xeon E CPUs

Dell’s XPS Tower, Alienware Aurora desktops get Intel 8-core 9th-gen processor

Dell took the wraps off its refreshed XPS Tower Special Edition and Alienware Aurora desktops today, October 8. The devices are packed with the much-anticipated 9th-generation K-Series processors, marking the first time that 8-core CPU configurations will be available on either desktop, with Core i5, i7, and i9 options.

With the Alienware Aurora Desktop, consumers will be able to combine the power of the 9th-generation K-Series with liquid cooling and a multipurpose-built thermally advantaged chassis. Dell promises that this makes for the “ultimate gaming experience whether it be in 4K, VR, or in the latest esports titles.” The updated model will be available globally on October 30, starting at $900, direct from Alienware.com and in retail stores.

As for the XPS Tower Special Edition, that model is aimed at consumers looking for a “subtle yet sophisticated performance-based PC,” according to Dell. This gaming desktop packs fully accessible expandability options, and will be available in the U.S. and China on October 29 with pricing starting at $1,100.

The Dell Alienware desktop

Dell also is announcing a new and updated Alienware Command Center. The software first launched with the Alienware Area-51 and gives complete control over system lighting, Alienware’s keyboards, mice, and headphone, and access to the Alienware Aurora’s advanced overclocking tools. This is meant to tie in with Intel’s new Solder Thermal Interface Material, which adds in a new simple interface for quick fixes or peeking into processor information like clocks and voltages.

Prior to today, the Alienware Aurora and XPS Tower were running 8th-Gen 6-Core Intel CPUs and the upgrade in chipset marks a significant boost in power for consumers who are looking to move beyond stock experiences.

“The Intel 9th-gen is supercharged for creating faster video editing and easy sharing using today’s top tools. Intel Quick Sync Video provides hardware acceleration for the latest video codecs, and Intel Optane memory intuitively learns what applications you use most and loads your most-used apps and tools faster,” explained Dell.

The upgrade to the 9th-generation K-Series processors marks a full 12-month gap between processor generations for Dell, and arrives just in time for the holidays. You can expect other laptop makers to come on board with the new chips soon, too, making for an exciting shopping season.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs are coming to Alienware and Predator gaming desktops
• The best gaming laptops of 2018
• Alienware 17 R5 review
• The best desktop computers
• What matters (and what doesn’t) when buying a gaming desktop

A monstrous 28-core Xeon leads Intel’s new processor lineup

Alongside the new Core i9-9900K processor, Intel today also announced new high-end Xeon and Core X Series processors. The new chips come packed with increased frequencies, and more cores and threads, with the primary target on developers, creatives, and PC enthusiasts.

First up are the Intel Core X-Series processors, which come with 8- to 18-core scalable options, and a turbo boost of up to 4.5GHz. Other features on this processor include solid thermal interface material, up to 68 platform PCIe Lanes, 4 Channel DDR4 Memory Support at 2666MHz, and Intel Optane SSD Support. Intel suggests a starting bulk pricing of $585, but didn’t confirm individual pricing just yet.

Then there’s the Xeon W-3175X processor, primarily made for content creators and professionals with heavily threaded workloads. Intel noted this processor packed with 28 cores and 56 threads, and up to 4.3GHz and 38.5 MB Intel Smart Cache. The processor also has up to 68 platform PCIE Lanes, and supports 6-Channel DDR4 Memory Support, with up to 512GB at 2666MHz. Pricing was not clear, but the processor is set to shop in December, according to Intel.

Creators are the key word in this story, and Intel showcased how the Xeon and X Series processors can help game developers craft up some truly impressive games and nail the finest details. This series of processors are not necessarily for gamers, who instead might want to opt for the Core i9-9900K. That processor is Intel’s first with a 5GHz Turbo Boost maximum, 8 cores, and 16 threads, and was tested with 19 of the most popular games today, and across genres, shooters, RPGs.

In a shot at AMD, Intel went big on gaming with today’s announcements. The chipmaker had a professional CS:Go gamer, and some other notable esports gamers, on the stage at this event. There also was a lot of talk about Fortnite, and a segment featuring David Hearn from Tangent Animation. He showcased how Intel’s latest processors help the game company crunch data and craft up 3D animations with little to no latencies in the process. Though not exciting for consumers, these chips can make a difference for these studios, especially when it comes to making big games.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Ready to upgrade? Intel announces the Core i9-9900K processor
• Leak shows Intel’s Core i9-9900K comes in a cool 12-sided box, but costs $580
• Intel’s 9th-generation processor could launch next month with 8 cores
• Lenovo’s new mobile workstations pack a punch with Xeon CPUs, Quadro graphics
• How to watch Intel’s Fall desktop event live from NYC