Welcome to today’s edition of the Spiceworks Snap!
It’s your daily dose of security and tech news, in brief, along with a mix of other odd or interesting things that might come up. We’re glad you came.
Now, let’s jump right in…
Image by Suzanne from Spiceworks (AI-generated)
Flashback: July 17, 1997: Major E-Mail Disruption (Read more HERE.)
Flashback: July 17, 2014: Happy World Emoji Day! (Read more HERE.)
Security News:
• Salt Typhoon Hacked US National Guard (Read more HERE.)
• One in 12 US/UK Employees Uses Chinese GenAI (Read more HERE.)
• US Army soldier pleads guilty to extorting 10 tech, telecom firms (Read more HERE.)
Something Spacy
NASA preps key piece of Artemis IV moon rocket for lunar mission
According to Space.com:
"The massive, dark circular payload adapter was carefully lowered from Test Stand 4697 to Test Stand 4705 for storage, after successfully completing initial structural tests. The next stage is for flight engineers to run quality checks on the adapter before building the final device.
The payload adapter plays an important role in spacecraft launches, as it connects the spacecraft or satellite to a launch vehicle. Without an adapter, the two parts of the spacecraft can’t interface. . . .
The payload adapter is just one piece of equipment that is being tested as part of NASA’s planned Artemis IV mission. This crewed lunar mission will focus on the first lunar space station, Gateway, according to NASA. The international hub will allow astronauts to study both the moon and the planets beyond, especially Mars.
To get the astronauts to Gateway, NASA plans to launch the crew using the Orion spacecraft with an upgraded SLS rocket. Before that happens, all launch materials, from boosters to payload adapters, have to be thoroughly tested and cleared for takeoff."
Learn more HERE.
Something Odd
Hate calling businesses? Google’s AI can do it for you through Search
According to TechSpot:
"Good news for people who hate talking on the phone, but less welcome for businesses: Google is rolling out a new feature directly into Search that uses agentic AI to call local companies on your behalf.
Google announced that its new feature harnesses the power of agentic AI to make phone calls to local businesses on your behalf, meaning there’s no need to endure the horror of interacting with another human being.
Google gives the example of searching for nearby pet groomers. Doing so will show a new option in the results to “Have AI check pricing.” From here, users can input details like their breed of dog, what services are required (bath, nails, etc.) and when they need an appointment. Google’s AI can call multiple businesses and compare the results. . . .
In case business owners start wondering if every person they talk to is real or an AI, Google says that each call begins with an announcement that it is an automated calling system from Google speaking on behalf of a user."
Learn more HERE.
Something Interesting
Science reveals dogs’ favorite type of TV
According to Popular Science:
"At the end of a long day, many of us humans unwind with an episode of a favorite TV show. If you’ve got a dog at home, you might have wondered if your beloved pet can do the same. Despite the modern proliferation of dog-centered TV programs, the answer is a little bit complicated, according to new research.
It turns out whether or not your dog enjoys time in front of the tube depends on both Fido’s individual temperament and what’s playing. Traits like excitability and anxiety level determine how pets engage with television, per a survey-based study published July 17 in the journal Scientific Reports.
*“Personality of the dog influences their viewing habits,” Jeffrey Katz, lead study author, psychology professor, and comparative cognition researcher at Auburn University in Alabama, tells Popular Science. He and his co-authors also found that the subject of a show plays a big role in canine engagement levels, with animal-centric content yielding a more enthusiastic response than footage of people. *
The findings build on our understanding of how our canine companions view the screen. In addition to offering insight into pet psychology, this line of research might even help veterinarians create standardized tests for dog vision."
Learn more HERE.
Did You Know?
Linux just surpassed 5% market share on US desktops for the first time
(Read more HERE.)
Tip of the Day
Be careful buying used games for your Switch 2. If someone else retains a copy, Nintendo could brick you.
(Read more HERE.)
Just for Josh
The Atomic Purple Game Boy of VR Headsets Is Here, and It’s Glorious
(Read more HERE.)
IT Zodiac Sign of the Day
Sign of Power
(Read more HERE.)
Lucky Hex for the Day
9eacae3006d63634dce57e9520e72a0b
(Read more HERE.)
What was the most interesting story today? Vote in our poll below.
- Flashback 1997: Major E-Mail Disruption
- Flashback 2014: Happy World Emoji Day!
- Salt Typhoon Hacked US National Guard
- One in 12 US/UK Employees Uses Chinese GenAI
- US Army soldier pleads guilty to extorting 10 tech, telecom firms
- NASA preps key piece of Artemis IV moon rocket for lunar mission
- Hate calling businesses? Google’s AI can do it for you
- Science reveals dogs’ favorite type of TV
- Did You Know? Linux just surpassed 5% market share
- Today’s Tip: Be careful buying used games for your Switch 2
- Just for Josh: The Atomic Purple Game Boy of VR Headsets is Here
- IT Zodiac: Sign of Power
- Lucky hex: 9eacae3006d63634dce57e9520e72a0b
- None: leave suggestions below
Missed a day? If so, check out previous editions of Snap! HERE.
