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Researchers Discover 14,000 Routers Wrangled Into Never-Before-Seen Botnet

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Researchers say they have uncovered a takedown-resistant botnet of 14,000 routers and other network devices -- primarily made by Asus -- that have been conscripted into a proxy network that anonymously carries traffic used for cybercrime. The malware -- dubbed KadNap -- takes hold by exploiting vulnerabilities that have gone unpatched by their owners, Chris Formosa, a researcher at security firm Lumen's Black Lotus Labs, told Ars. The high concentration of Asus routers is likely due to botnet operators acquiring a reliable exploit for vulnerabilities affecting those models. He said it's unlikely that the attackers are using any zero-days in the operation.

The number of infected routers averages about 14,000 per day, up from 10,000 last August, when Black Lotus discovered the botnet. Compromised devices are overwhelmingly located in the US, with smaller populations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Russia. One of the most salient features of KadNap is a sophisticated peer-to-peer design based on Kademlia (PDF), a network structure that uses distributed hash tables to conceal the IP addresses of command-and-control servers. The design makes the botnet resistant to detection and takedowns through traditional methods.

[...] Despite the resistance to normal takedown methods, Black Lotus says it has devised a means to block all network traffic to or from the control infrastructure." The lab is also distributing the indicators of compromise to public feeds to help other parties block access. [...] People who are concerned their devices are infected can check this page for IP addresses and a file hash found in device logs. To disinfect devices, they must be factory reset. Because KadNap stores a shell script that runs when an infected router reboots, simply restarting the device will result in it being compromised all over again. Device owners should also ensure all available firmware updates have been installed, that administrative passwords are strong, and that remote access has been disabled unless needed.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Microsoft's 'Xbox Mode' Is Coming To Every Windows 11 PC

In April, Microsoft will be rolling out a full-screen "Xbox mode" to all Windows 11 PCs, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. The move follows last week's confirmation of its next-generation Xbox console, known internally as Project Helix, which will be capable of running both Xbox titles and PC games. The Verge reports: Technically, you've been able to try the Xbox Full Screen Experience (FSE) in preview since November 2025, if you were part of both the Windows Insider and Xbox Insider Programs. But it needed work, as well as a better name. When Microsoft originally shipped it on the Asus-designed Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds, we were clear: it didn't meaningfully turn a PC experience into an easy-to-use Xbox one. But if Microsoft is putting its full weight behind PC as the future of Xbox gaming, perhaps that will change change.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

Stowaway fox travels on cargo ship from England to US

Animal that boarded ship in Southampton to make 3,400 mile journey to New York is now at Bronx Zoo

A sly fox slipped on to a cargo ship and travelled from Southampton to New York, according to officialsat Bronx Zoo.

The zoo, which is looking after the animal, said it appears healthy after early examinations.

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The Register

Biting the hand that feeds IT — Enterprise Technology News and Analysis

Atlassian to shed ten percent of staff, because AI

Company is ‘reshaping our skill mix’ amid long share price slide and SaaSpocalypse whispers

Australian collaborationware company Atlassian has announced it will shed ten percent of staff – around 1,600 people.…

Perplexity Comet hurtling toward Amazon ban

Court issues preliminary injunction but delays it to allow an appeal

Perplexity's AI browser Comet has been banned from accessing Amazon's website after the e-commerce giant obtained a court-ordered preliminary injunction.…

golden reed collars in the rising sun

BertvB posted a photo:

golden reed collars in the rising sun

Australian Carpet Python

ntomlin124 has added a photo to the pool:

Australian Carpet Python

At a reptile rescue centre.

kottke.org

Jason Kottke's weblog, home of fine hypertext products

This photo of an Icelandic glacier is really something.

This photo of an Icelandic glacier is really something.