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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Alphabet earnings shine with help of AI; Tesla profits drop; Microsoft server hack has hit 400 victims
Google's parent company Alphabet has reported their quarterly results that exceeded analyst expectations owing to AI helping all segments of their business. The second-quarter profit posted was of $28.2 billion on revenue generated of $96.4 billion and another $10 billion added to its capital expenditure that had been earlier planned. CEO Sundar Pichai said that there was robust growth shown with new additions in search like AI Overviews and AI mode 'performing well.' Ad revenue from YouTube also continued to grow with the platform's subscription services. Alphabet shares climbed by nearly 2% in after-market trades post the earnings were released. The steep expenses devoted for AI tech has been worrying for investors who are keeping an eye on how much AI summaries in search will convert into fewer opportunities to make ads. Meanwhile, Google is also battling lawsuits including a U.S. antitrust case against its online ad and search businesses. The decision on the online search business is pending with a decision expected within the coming days or weeks. The U.S. Department of Justice has already suggested solutions including divesting Chrome and banning exclusive deals with smartphone manufacturers like the one with Apple to set Google Chrome as the default search engine. In the online ad market case too, Google was found to run a monopoly. The company is planning to appeal both the cases. Tesla profits drop Tesla has reported another fall in their quarterly profits as CEO Elon Musk warned that the EV maker could be facing 'rough' quarters after Trump cancelled the big fiscal package that would give federal tax credits to EVs. He said that while Tesla was still in a place to have long-term profitability, the company will be facing a tough period in the between. He also added that once Tesla achieved autonomy at scale, by the second-half od 2026, the company's economics would be sorted. The company reported second-quarter profits of $1.2 billion, down by 16% from a year ago while revenue fell by 12% to $22.5 billion. The revenue was also affected by lower vehicle selling prices and higher operating expenses due to AI and other research. Musk did not offer an outlook for the full year due to changing trade and fiscal policies. Last month, Tesla launched a robotaxi service in Texas capital Austin, the first fully autonomous launch after multiple delays. Musk also teased the need for a cheaper vehicle. Previously, the company said they started making a 'more affordable model' in June while pushing more volume in the second half of the year. Musk's bitter fall out with Trump led to him announcing a new political party called the 'America Party.' Trump responded to the news with threats to deport Musk and revoke his government contracts. Microsoft server hack has hit 400 victims Researchers from a Netherlands-based firm called Eye Security have said that the vulnerable versions of Microsoft's server software have now impacted 400 victims. The firm has also said that the actual figures maybe more than this. Over the weekend, it was estimated that 100 organisations had been affected by the cyberattack. The campaign was initiated after Microsoft failed to patch a security vulnerability that had been discovered in their SharePoint server software. The company later confirmed that Chinese hacker groups were found to have taken advantage of the security flaw. Beijing however, has refuted the claim. It is still unknown as to who began the attack and which organisations are victims. Chief hacker of Eye Security, Vaisha Bernard has said that there are 'many more' organisations because not all attack vectors have left artifacts that can be scanned.
Dubai Eye
a day ago
- Dubai Eye
Microsoft says some SharePoint server hackers now using ransomware
A cyber-espionage campaign centered on vulnerable versions of Microsoft's MSFT.O server software now involves the deployment of ransomware, Microsoft said in a late Wednesday blog post. In the post, citing "expanded analysis and threat intelligence," Microsoft said a group it dubs "Storm-2603" is using the vulnerability to seed the ransomware, which typically works by paralyzing victims' networks until a digital currency payment is made. The disclosure marks a potential escalation in the campaign, which has already hit at least 400 victims, according to Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Eye Security. Unlike typical state-backed hacker campaigns, which are aimed at stealing data, ransomware can cause widespread disruption depending on where it lands. The figure of 400 victims represents a sharp rise from the 100 organizations cataloged over the weekend. Eye Security says the figure is likely an undercount. "There are many more, because not all attack vectors have left artifacts that we could scan for," said Vaisha Bernard, the chief hacker for Eye Security, which was among the first organizations to flag the breaches. The details of most of the victim organizations have not yet been fully disclosed, but on Wednesday a representative for the National Institutes of Health confirmed that one of the organization's servers had been compromised. "Additional servers were isolated as a precaution," he said. The news of the compromise was first reported by the Washington Post. Other outlets said the hacking campaign had breached an even broader range of U.S. agencies. NextGov, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, reported the Department of Homeland Security had been hit, along with more than five to 12 other agencies. Politico, which cited two U.S. officials, said multiple agencies were believed to have been breached. DHS' cyberdefense arm, CISA, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the reports. Microsoft did not immediately return a message seeking further details on the ransomware angle of the hacking or the reported government victims. The spy campaign began after Microsoft failed to fully patch a security hole in its SharePoint server software, kicking off a scramble to fix the vulnerability when it was discovered. Microsoft and its tech rival, Google-owner Alphabet GOOGL.O, have both said Chinese hackers are among those taking advantage of the flaw. Beijing has denied the claim.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Microsoft says some SharePoint server hackers now use ransomware
Agencies A cyber-espionage campaign centered on vulnerable versions of Microsoft's server software now involves the deployment of ransomware, Microsoft said in a late Wednesday blog the post, citing "expanded analysis and threat intelligence," Microsoft said a group it dubs "Storm-2603" is using the vulnerability to seed the ransomware, which typically works by paralyzing victims' networks until a digital currency payment is made. The disclosure marks a potential escalation in the campaign, which has already hit at least 400 victims, according to Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Eye Security. Unlike typical state-backed hacker campaigns, which are aimed at stealing data, ransomware can cause widespread disruption depending on where it lands. The figure of 400 victims represents a sharp rise from the 100 organizations cataloged over the weekend. Eye Security says the figure is likely an undercount."There are many more, because not all attack vectors have left artifacts that we could scan for," said Vaisha Bernard, the chief hacker for Eye Security, which was among the first organizations to flag the details of most of the victim organizations have not yet been fully disclosed, but on Wednesday a representative for the National Institutes of Health confirmed that one of the organization's servers had been compromised."Additional servers were isolated as a precaution," he said. The news of the compromise was first reported by the Washington outlets said the hacking campaign had breached an even broader range of U.S. agencies. NextGov, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, reported the Department of Homeland Security had been hit, along with more than five to 12 other which cited two U.S. officials, said multiple agencies were believed to have been cyberdefense arm, CISA, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the reports. Microsoft did not immediately return a message seeking further details on the ransomware angle of the hacking or the reported government victims. The spy campaign began after Microsoft failed to fully patch a security hole in its SharePoint server software, kicking off a scramble to fix the vulnerability when it was discovered. Microsoft and its tech rival, Google-owner Alphabet , have both said Chinese hackers are among those taking advantage of the flaw. Beijing has denied the claim. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Can victims of Jane Street scam be compensated by investor protection funds? Did the likes of TCS, Infosys, Wipro let India down in AI race? How India's oil arbitrage has hit the European sanctions wall Apple has a new Indian-American COO. What it needs might be a new CEO. Stock Radar: Tata Chemicals breaks out from 1-month consolidation; time to buy the dip? Power sector companies: Will they be able to outperform? 5 power stocks with an upside potential ranging from 6 to 29% For risk-takers with long-term perspective: 7 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of over 26% Multibagger or IBC - Part 16: Regulatory tailwind turns compliance into cash. This auto ancillary could be a winner
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Amid violence in Syria, pressure on interim government grows
Amid violence in Syria, pressure on interim government grows (Image: AP) Although the ceasefire in the southern Syrian province of Sweida is currently holding, the conflict between the groups involved is far from resolved. As a precaution, the Syrian government was sending Bedouin-Sunni families out of the area over the weekend, the country's state media outlet SANA reported. Altogether, around 1,500 people were transported out of the province by bus. Violence escalated after conflict broke out between local Druze fighters and Bedouin communities in Sweida around 10 days ago. According to the Netherlands-based monitor, Syrian Network for Human Rights, around 600 people have been killed so far. Another organization in the UK, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, has suggested the death toll could be twice as high. The deadly violence and large casualty count has put the country's new interim government, headed by former rebel militia leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, under even more pressure. It's most urgent task now is to end the violence in Sweida — permanently. That necessitates reconciliation between different community groups in the country, groups that have been split for decades, with the previous authoritarian Assad regime using their differences to remain in power. The violence in Sweida between Druze and Sunni-Bedouins is not the first of its kind since the Assad regime was ousted in December. In March, clashes between members of the Alawite minority and other Syrians saw around 1,500 people killed, including many civilians. It's possible that members of militias close to the Syrian government were responsible for some of the crimes committed in Alawite-majority areas. The Assad family, which ruled Syria for over four decades, were also Alawites, and some Syrians mistakenly see the whole community as supporting the brutal dictatorship. Government struggles to unify Syria An investigation into the March events has just been handed to the interim government. The fact-finding committee concluded that more than 1,426 people were killed and that there was widespread criminal activity, including killing and looting, but that Syrian military commanders did not order any of these acts. The government will have to decide how to act on the report. Al-Sharaa faces significant challenges, said Middle East expert Carsten Wieland, who has written several books about Syria. Recent events have undermined al-Sharaa's claim that he can be president for all Syrians, in a unified country. "Many Syrians are growing skeptical of a state that apparently does not have its own security forces under control," Wieland told DW. This makes the fact-finding report all the more important, he added. "It is of enormous importance that there are public explanations about who is responsible for what and that they are held accountable." Syria still has a long way to go, confirmed Ronja Herrschner, a lecturer in political studies and researcher in Middle East studies at the University of Tübingen in southern Germany. "Still, despite all his shortcomings, I've heard that al-Sharaa continues to enjoy a fairly good reputation, at least among Sunni Syrians," said Herrschner. "He's still seen as the man who liberated Syria from the Assad regime. That's why he continues to enjoy a certain degree of trust among Sunnis. But that's not necessarily true for members of [Syrian] minority groups." According to an op-ed in the pan-Arabic media outlet, Asharq al-Awsat, al-Sharaa is facing serious pressure from both outside and inside his government. External pressure comes from former supporters of the Assad regime, forces affiliated with Iran — Assad's former backer — and criminal groups involved with drug trafficking, with Assad funding his regime with money from manufacturing and selling the amphetamine Captagon. Internal pressure is also coming from more hardcore elements among al-Sharaa's own supporters. These more extremist-Islamist forces are likely to clash with community groups who don't share their worldview. That, in turn, could draw in foreign actors and start a new civil war, the newspaper comments. Communities seeking revenge Al-Sharaa's support base is actually quite thin, Wieland argue, with many of the fighters who support him thinking along sectarian lines. "This is the dangerous part of this younger generation," Wieland explained. "They constitute a political reality and the question is how al-Sharaa gets rid of these people without falling victim to them." After the various intercommunal conflicts, there are increasingly large numbers of community groups that also want to take revenge on others. "Al-Sharaa needs to get them under control too," said Wieland. Foreign allies are continuing to support al-Sharaa, said Herrschner. She explained that the US wants to withdraw from Syria altogether and can only do so if the country remains stable, a condition they hope al-Sharaa's interim government can achieve. "The same applies to the Gulf states," Herrschner told DW. "They too are naturally interested in stability in Syria. And that's why they too are counting on al-Sharaa." Wieland agreed, adding that Syrai's foreign allies don't want to see another proxy war starting there. "Israel is clearly pursuing the opposite goal at the moment," he said. "Namely to divide the society there, in order to weaken the country. This should raise alarm bells in a region where state failure and civil wars are widespread phenomena." This is precisely why the US recently opposed Israel's bombing of Syria, he added. Over the past week and a half, Israel again bombed Syria — including central Damascus — and said it was doing so in order to "protect" the Druze in Sweida. However, Israel then agreed to a ceasefire with the Syrian government, apparently under pressure from the US. An unstable and increasingly divided Syria is not in the interests of the US or the Europeans, said Wieland. "And at the moment, none of those countries sees an alternative to al-Sharaa."
Business Times
a day ago
- Business Times
Microsoft says some SharePoint server hackers now using ransomware
[WASHINGTON] A cyber-espionage campaign centred on vulnerable versions of Microsoft's server software now involves the deployment of ransomware, Microsoft said in a late Wednesday (Jul 23) blog post. In the post, citing 'expanded analysis and threat intelligence', Microsoft said a group it dubs 'Storm-2603' is using the vulnerability to seed the ransomware, which typically works by paralysing victims' networks until a digital currency payment is made. The disclosure marks a potential escalation in the campaign, which has already hit at least 400 victims, according to Netherlands-based cybersecurity firm Eye Security. Unlike typical state-backed hacker campaigns, which are aimed at stealing data, ransomware can cause widespread disruption depending on where it lands. The figure of 400 victims represents a sharp rise from the 100 organisations catalogued over the weekend. Eye Security says the figure is likely an undercount. 'There are many more, because not all attack vectors have left artifacts that we could scan for,' said Vaisha Bernard, the chief hacker for Eye Security, which was among the first organisations to flag the breaches. The details of most of the victim organisations have not yet been fully disclosed, but on Wednesday, a representative for the National Institutes of Health confirmed that one of the organisation's servers had been compromised. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 'Additional servers were isolated as a precaution,' he said. The news of the compromise was first reported by The Washington Post. Other outlets said the hacking campaign had breached an even broader range of US agencies. NextGov, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, reported the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had been hit, along with more than five to 12 other agencies. Politico, which cited two US officials, said multiple agencies were believed to have been breached. DHS' cyberdefense arm, Cisa, did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the reports. Microsoft did not immediately return a message seeking further details on the ransomware angle of the hacking or the reported government victims. The spy campaign began after Microsoft failed to fully patch a security hole in its SharePoint server software, kicking off a scramble to fix the vulnerability when it was discovered. Microsoft and its tech rival, Google-owner Alphabet, have both said Chinese hackers are among those taking advantage of the flaw. Beijing has denied the claim. REUTERS
