NZCity NewsLinks -

All Links

5 Apr 2025

Search

Samsung’s compact 256GB flash drive is only $21 right now
One thing that everyone should have in their desk drawer is a flash drive because you never know when you’ll need one to move documents, photos, videos, or software around. And right now, this tiny 256GB Samsung FIT Plus flash drive is only $21 on Amazon! That’s a 40% discount, down from its original $35 price. When we say this thumb drive is tiny, we mean it—it’s barely the size of a wireless dongle. It works with just about anything with a USB-A port, from laptops and desktops to gaming consoles. It can also work with USB-C ports if you grab an adapter (sold separately). The Samsung FIT Plus has up to 400 MB/s transfer speeds, so it’s fast and ready to move large files around in a blink. It’s also rated as waterproof and shock-proof, and it will also keep your data safe in extreme temperatures, in the presence of magnets, and through X-ray machines. But the size is its main draw. It’s so compact, you won’t even notice it. At this price, the 256GB Samsung FIT Plus is an absolute bargain and a perfectly justifiable impulse buy, so get your order in before the deal runs out—and before tariff price bumps kick in. This compact 256GB flash drive is a bargain for just $21Buy now at Amazon

Gamers beware! This new malware hides in your GPU
There’s a new family of malware that’s impersonating Asus’s Armoury Crate software and infecting PCs with malicious code. The malware known as CoffeeLoader may sound like a futuristic kitchen appliance that automatically pours you some morning brew, but its intent is much more nefarious. Once it has infected your PC, it connects to a server to download additional malware in the form of an infostealer, then steals your information and credentials. Armoury Crate is Asus’s proprietary gaming app for the company’s lineup of gaming PCs. It allows users to control critical aspects of their gaming performance, including their PC’s operating mode, the speeds of fans, and more. Gamers using Asus’s desktop PCs and gaming laptops are at risk of infection, since these are things most gamers will want to do. The thing that makes CoffeeLoader so gnarly is how well-coded it is to infect gamer PCs. Not only does it mimic Asus’s software, but it also uses a packer called “Armoury” that loads part of its code onto the victim’s GPU (or graphics card). Since all users with Asus gaming PCs have GPUs, they’re vulnerable to this technique. And the fact that it targets a user’s GPU rather than their CPU is also a sneaky way for the malware to evade detection, since most virus scanners don’t typically scan the GPU. The CoffeeLoader malware mimics Asus’s Armoury Crate app. Mark Hachman / Foundry The CoffeeLoader malware also uses other techniques to avoid being discovered by antivirus software. One is called Sleep Obfuscation, whereby it locks itself up in system memory within an inactive, encrypted file that can’t be read. The malware also utilizes unusual pathways to remain unnoticed, such as Windows fibers (which are utilized by a user’s PC when they’re multitasking). Additionally, CoffeeLoader can carry out Call Stack Spoofing to eradicate traces of itself. Typically, when programs run, they leave traces of code behind like footprints in the snow. But CoffeeLoader is able to change the code it leaves behind just enough to appear like a benign program, thus fooling antivirus programs looking for traces of malicious code. Zscaler, the cybersecurity firm that discovered the malware, dates CoffeeLoader back to September 2024. With it having technical similarities to another malware called SmokeLoader, they surmise that this could point to CoffeeLoader being a new variant of that malware. But it’s too early to say for sure. Right now, the best way to avoid infection with CoffeeLoader is to ensure you download Asus’s Armoury Crate software directly from the company’s website rather than any third-party site.

China hits back hard in global trade war with tariffs on US goods
The world's second biggest economy has announced additional tariffs of 34 percent on US goods

This Ryzen 7 mini PC with triple 4K ports is super cheap now: $249
If you’re suffering from cramped desk space—whether due to an enormous desktop tower or a bulky laptop with peripherals—then one of the best things you can do is switch to a mini PC. You just can’t beat the incredible price-performance ratio or compactness of a mini PC. And the Acemagician K1 mini PC is only $249 right now, a good 29% off its original $349 price. It’s extremely affordable and the specs are pretty good for what you pay: a Ryzen 7 5700U processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. (You’ll need Prime to score this special price. Don’t have it? Snag a 30-day free trial!) That’s about as low as we’d go as far as RAM for Windows 11 Pro (included), and the overall config is more than capable of basic tasks like browsing the web, streaming videos, and productivity work. And if you need upgradeability, you can always boost it up yourself later on down the line, adding a second M.2 2280 drive (up to a maximum of 4TB) and a second SO-DIMM memory module (up to a maximum of 64GB). With that much packed in, this mini PC will be super responsive. This mini PC is great for multitaskers, too, because it supports up to three 4K displays via the HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C video ports. Don’t expect too much out of the integrated Radeon RX Vega graphics, but it should be able to handle triple 4K and some light gaming. Don’t miss out! Get this Acemagician K1 mini PC for $249 on Amazon and score the affordable price-performance you deserve. You’ll need Prime to unlock this price, so grab a free Prime trial if you don’t have it yet. Save $100 on the Acemagician K1Buy now at Amazon