The recent leak of footage from the highly anticipated game, Grand Theft Auto 6, has shed light on the surprising ease with which hackers can breach the security measures of even the biggest gaming companies. The perpetrator of this leak, Arion Kurtaj, a member of the hacking group Lapsus$, managed to infiltrate Rockstar Games, the creators of GTA, while already on bail for allegedly hacking NVIDIA.
Kurtaj, an 18-year-old hacker, not only gained unauthorized access to Rockstar Games but also boldly announced himself as an “attacker” in the company’s Slack channel. Despite being prohibited from accessing the internet while on bail, Kurtaj circumvented these restrictions by utilizing an Amazon Fire TV Stick, which he accessed from a cheap UK hotel located just outside Oxford. He also purchased a new smartphone and keyboard to aid in his illicit activities.
Further details of Kurtaj’s attack on Rockstar Games, as well as his hacking exploits on Revolut and Uber, were revealed during a seven-week trial, which ultimately found him guilty on multiple counts. Another member of Lapsus$, a 17-year-old, was also convicted but remains out on bail. Lapsus$, comprised mostly of teenagers from Brazil and the UK, reportedly targeted several other high-profile companies, including Samsung, T-Mobile, and Microsoft, between 2021 and 2022. The motives behind their cybercrimes seem to range from financial gain through blackmail to sheer amusement.
The financial implications of Lapsus$’s activities remain uncertain, as no companies have publicly admitted to paying the hackers. However, the group’s ability to breach the security systems of such prominent companies serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat of cyberattacks in the modern digital landscape.
In other news, Sony recently announced the PlayStation Portal, a new $200 handheld device that can only stream games from the PS5. The announcement has sparked conversations about the demand for a new PlayStation handheld and whether Sony missed an opportunity to create a more versatile and innovative product. Additionally, Devindra and producer Ben Ellman discuss their excitement for Armored Core VI in the latest episode of the Engadget podcast.
The release of Dune: Part Two, originally scheduled for November 3rd, has been pushed back to March 15th due to ongoing writer and actor strikes. This decision was made to ensure that the film receives the necessary publicity and support from its star-studded cast, ultimately maximizing its box office potential. Other movies, such as Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire and Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, have also faced delays to accommodate Dune: Part Two’s new release date.
In the realm of space exploration, the Solar Orbiter spacecraft has captured images of picoflare jets for the first time. These jets, originating from a dark region of the sun, contain around one-trillionth the energy of the largest solar flares. They travel at speeds of approximately 100 kilometers per second and can emit enough high-temperature plasma to contribute significantly to solar winds.
The breach of Rockstar Games by Arion Kurtaj highlights the pressing need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within the gaming industry. Companies must remain vigilant against the constant threat of cyberattacks and invest in robust security systems to protect their intellectual property and customer data. As technology continues to advance, hackers are finding increasingly innovative ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Only through proactive defense strategies can companies hope to stay one step ahead of these malicious actors.
