Dear Readers,
It is my pleasure to introduce to you the last issue of 2023. While this has most certainly been the year of generative AI, there have also been plenty of other interesting developments and innovations across other categories too. We’ll close out the year with some captivating cybercrime tales and a closer look at a recent scientific innovation. Enjoy the issue and enjoy the time with your loved ones this season.
Here are the top stories:
🦹⚖️ Cybercriminal Sentenced for $19 Million Identify Theft Site
🧠🩻 NexGen 7T MRI: A Leap in Brain Imaging Resolution
🏝️👨💻 The Tiny Island Nation of Tokelau and Their Infamous ccTLD
Let’s get to it.
📰 From the Newsroom
🦹⚖️ Cybercriminal Sentenced for $19 Million Identify Theft Site
The SSNDOB Marketplace, named for its trade in Social Security Number (SSN) and Date Of Birth (DOB) information, was an illicit online platform dealing in the personal data of US citizens. The unified law enforcement case against one of its chief administrators culminated on November 28th, 2023, when he was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison.
Operational since at least 2013, the SSNDOB Marketplace impacted approximately 24 million U.S. citizens, and amassed over $19 million in sales.
The platform facilitated various frauds, including tax, unemployment insurance, loan, and credit card fraud. It notably intensified its activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking advantage of relief fund initiatives in the U.S.
Despite the marketplace shutdown and the sentencing of one of its main administrators, the legacy of SSNDOB continues through apparent copycat sites, signaling ongoing challenges in curbing similar cybercrime networks.
This case underscores the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation in cybersecurity and law enforcement to protect personal data and counter cyber threats effectively. With all sympathy to the victims, it also sounds like a great idea for a based-on-a-true-story international crime thriller film.
🧠🩻 NexGen 7T MRI: A Leap in Brain Imaging Resolution
Funded by the BRAIN Initiative, the development of the NexGen 7T MRI scanner represents a major breakthrough in neuroscience and brain disorder diagnosis.
The NexGen 7T MRI scanner provides up to 10 times more detail than current 7T scanners and over 50 times more than the typical 3T scanners used in hospitals. This ultra-high resolution allows scientists to observe functional MRI features as small as 0.4 millimeters.
The improved resolution enables researchers to probe neuronal circuits in the brain’s neocortex more deeply, potentially leading to better diagnosis methods and therapies for brain disorders. It can also track signals across brain regions, offering insights into the functioning and disorders of the brain.
This breakthrough was achieved with a budget of over $22 million, combining advancements in gradient coil and receiver array coils. The collaboration led to the creation of smaller voxels, providing much higher 3D image resolution, essential for detailed brain imaging.
As the NexGen 7T MRI redefines our understanding of the brain, we might eventually find ourselves in a world where a quick brain scan could reveal why you forgot your anniversary or chose to binge-watch a series instead of working out. The possibilities are as vast and intricate as the neural networks the NexGen 7T is now able to map.
🏝️👨💻 The Island Nation of Tokelau and Their Infamous ccTLD
In a remarkable twist of fate, the remote island of Tokelau, which was the last place on Earth to be connected to a telephone network back in 1997, found itself at the center of a global cybercrime saga through its .tk domain ccTLD (Country Code Top-Level Domain).
After receiving the .tk domain from ICANN, Tokelau faced challenges due to its lack of resources and expertise in managing a domain, leading to an agreement with Joost Zuurbier, a businessman from Amsterdam.
Zuurbier's management strategy, offering free domains, attracted a staggering number of cybercriminals, transforming the .tk domain extension (ccTLD) into a haven for illicit online activities such as phishing and malware distribution.
The exploitation of Tokelau's domain serves as a stark example of digital colonialism, where external entities control and benefit from digital resources of a smaller community, often leading to unintended negative consequences.
As of January 2023, .tk domain registrations ceased, with Tokelau cutting all ties with the Dutch businessman (Zuurbier) who was previously managing the extension. All of Tokelau’s email and website addresses are currently hosted on New Zealand’s .nz but some leaders in the country would like to see a return of .tk - this time managed by Tokelauans. Efforts are underway to clean up the .tk domain and restore its reputation.
⛓️ Ten Must See Links of the Month
Detroit, Michigan has unveiled the first wireless electric vehicle charging road in the U.S., enabling electric vehicles to charge their batteries while driving, idling, or parking.
By now most of us have heard about the firing and re-hiring of Open AI CEO Sam Altman, but we still don't know the why behind it. Some observers suspect it might be due to the development of a secretive, next-generation AI model named Q*, or Q star.
Researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology have created an ultra-thin electronic tattoo that can produce touch sensations on the skin in specific patterns.
A Spanish agency, fed up with the unpredictability of human influencers, crafted their own AI-generated model, Aitana, who, as of the time of this writing, has amassed a following of 176K on Instagram, and earns thousands of Euros per month.
In a world where market volatility and fluctuating prices keep farmers on their toes, AI has emerged as a beacon of hope, potentially revolutionizing how they tackle the age-old uncertainties of agriculture.
Aspinity's AML100 chip is leading a surprising resurgence in analog computing, offering an energy-efficient solution that processes data without converting it to digital form, marking a significant shift in modern tech's approach to handling data.
In a startling revelation, Google researchers have discovered a new way to exploit ChatGPT, revealing that it can unintentionally disclose personal information about real people.
📽️🎞️ How has JavaScript and web development changed in 2023? Learn about the top ten updates to Next.js, React, Angular, Vue, and Node.js.
With the recent release of WordPress 6.4 named, “Shirley,” after the iconic jazz artist Shirley Horn, it’s a good time to revisit how to use WordPress block patterns to save time when building a WordPress-based site.
Recently unveiled by LTA Research and backed by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, Pathfinder 1 emerges as the most colossal aircraft since the airships of the 1930s.
🎤 It’s How They Said It
“There are three responses to a piece of design — yes, no, and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for.”
– Milton Glaser, Designer
🧮 The Numbers Game
64.3% is WordPress’ share of the global content management system (CMS) market – making it the most popular CMS for 7 years running. It also powers 43.1% of all websites on the web.
~110,000,000 is the combined number of installs across iOS and Android of the ChatGPT app about one year after the launch of the popular AI tool. The apps themselves were launched in May 2023 (iOS) and July 2023 (Android) respectively.
$26,300,000,000 USD is how much money Google paid in 2021 to various entities, to be the default search engine in their products and services. To put that $26.3 billion in context: Google is allocating about 16% of its search revenue and about 29% of its profit to secure those distribution deals.
⚒️ Tools and Resources
ai2html: Developed by The New York Times, this open-source (free) script for Adobe Illustrator converts Illustrator documents into HTML and CSS. Aimed at enhancing web graphics integration, it simplifies the creation of responsive web content. The tool’s website provides comprehensive instructions and resources, making it easier for you to start utilizing the script effectively.
gridstack.js: This modern Typescript library enables you to swiftly create interactive, customizable dashboards. With gridstack.js, building draggable, resizable, and responsive layouts is a breeze, requiring only a few lines of code. Key features include the ability to drag and drop widgets from a sidebar, create nested grids on the fly, and save or restore layouts. Whether you're using Angular, Vue, React, Ember, or Knockout.js, gridstack.js integrates smoothly, making it a go-to tool for efficient and dynamic web design.
🖼️ Image of The Month
Elon Musk unveiled Tesla’s new, futuristic CyberTruck at a special event last Thursday. The highly anticipated vehicle is truly like something out of a spy thriller movie and Musk himself revealed that it was partly inspired by a car-turned-submarine in the 1977 James Bond movie "The Spy Who Loved Me."
Some of the specs include:
0 to 60 mph / 0 to 96.56 kmh in 2.6 seconds
11,000 lbs / ~4,990 kg towing capacity
2,500 lbs / ~1,134 kg payload capacity
Tesla Stainless Steel Super Alloy and Tesla Armor Glass
18.5 inch / ~47 cm Infinity touchscreen in the front and a 9.4 inch / ~23.9 cm touchscreen in the back
💬 Word of The Month
"Sisu" (Finnish): This Finnish concept goes beyond perseverance, encapsulating a mix of bravery, resilience, and tenacity. It's the gritty determination to tackle head-on challenges that initially seem insurmountable.
For web developers, sisu is that deep-seated power that kicks in when you're facing down a complex coding problem or navigating through the labyrinth of debugging a tricky piece of software.
In embracing sisu, one finds the inner strength to push through moments of frustration and fatigue, often crucial in the final stages of project completion.
📊 Results of Last Month’s Polls
Looking at the results of last month’s polls, it’s clear that the vast majority of you have no ethical problem with 3D printed human organs.
The main disagreement and diversity of responses was split between scenarios of when you’d accept them, with the frontrunner being the most liberal-use position. Only 2% of voters were completely against it.
Fair enough. It’s a bit Frankenstein-ish but no weirder than some of the experiments researchers have already tried with pig hearts and such. 3D bio-printing for the win it is then.
🧑🏻💻👨🏽💻👩🏼💻 Tell a Friend or Colleague
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Until next time,
– Martin
Fascinating issue—especially the $19M identity theft case and the NexGen 7T MRI breakthrough. The Tokelau .tk story is also a strong reminder that infrastructure decisions can have real security consequences. Looking forward to your next year of updates! https://1000games.io
As an avid player of Run 3, I appreciated the insights about its community-driven design. This highlights how games can foster inclusive spaces for diverse players, igniting meaningful connections beyond just gameplay. https://run3-online.io