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NYT Connections hints and answers for Thursday, August 21 (game #802) - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:00
Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, August 20 (game #801).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #802) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

  • DIPSY
  • DREAM
  • CHEESE
  • SATELLITE DISH
  • LA-LA
  • GOOGLE
  • TELETUBBY
  • NO-NO
  • YANKEE
  • BOO-BOO
  • RADIO TOWER
  • NEVER NEVER
  • FLUB
  • INSECT
  • FANTASY
  • GAFFE
NYT Connections today (game #802) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: A clumsy mishap 
  • GREEN: Make believe kingdoms
  • BLUE: Linked by a receiving system
  • PURPLE: Add a word that’s a bit like a scribble

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #802) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

  • YELLOW: BLUNDER 
  • GREEN: LANDS OF THE IMAGINATION
  • BLUE: THINGS WITH ANTENNA/E 
  • PURPLE: ____ DOODLE

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #802) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #802, are…

  • YELLOW: BLUNDER BOO-BOO, FLUB, GAFFE, NO-NO
  • GREEN: LANDS OF THE IMAGINATION DREAM, FANTASY, LA-LA, NEVER NEVER
  • BLUE: THINGS WITH ANTENNA/E INSECT, RADIO TOWER, SATELLITE DISH, TELETUBBY
  • PURPLE: ____ DOODLE CHEESE, DIPSY, GOOGLE, YANKEE
  • My rating: Easy
  • My score: Perfect

Connections teased us with two Teletubbies, and had I not known that the missing characters were Tinky-Winky and Po I may have been tempted to cobble a quartet together with BOO-BOO and FLUB, both of which sound as if they could be rotund primary-colored aliens.

Instead, I remembered that a prime feature of the TELETUBBY species was the curly antenna on top of their bulbous heads, something they have in common with INSECT, RADIO TOWER and SATELLITE DISH.

I’m glad I had this useless knowledge as I would never have put together _____ DOODLE, having never heard the phrase DIPSY doodle or having any inkling as to what a CHEESE doodle could be; this particular variety of cheese puff is not available in the UK, where the Wotsit rules supreme.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Wednesday, August 20, game #801)
  • YELLOW: BLACK-AND-WHITE THINGS DOMINO, PIANO KEYS, YIN-YANG SYMBOL, ZEBRA
  • GREEN: PAIRS OF RODS CHOPSTICKS, CLAVES, KNITTING NEEDLES, SKI POLES
  • BLUE: THINGS THAT ROTATE ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS BARBER POLE, CAROUSEL, CEILING FAN, LAZY SUSAN
  • PURPLE: RODS THAT CURVE AT ONE END CANDY CANE, CROCHET HOOK, CROOK, CROWBAR
What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Quordle hints and answers for Thursday, August 21 (game #1305) - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:00
Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Wednesday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Wednesday, August 20 (game #1304).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1305) - hint #1 - VowelsHow many different vowels are in Quordle today?

The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1305) - hint #2 - repeated lettersDo any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 0.

Quordle today (game #1305) - hint #3 - uncommon lettersDo the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• Yes. One of Q, Z, X or J appears among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1305) - hint #4 - starting letters (1)Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 0.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1305) - hint #5 - starting letters (2)What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• Q

• S

• W

• A

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1305) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1305, are…

  • QUEST
  • SPARK
  • WHITE
  • ACUTE

In every case today it was a three-letter combination that helped me find the correct word – U-T-E led to ACUTE, I-T-E to WHITE, E-S-T to QUEST and S-P-A to SPARK.

On a day where Q made a rare appearance, I’m pleased to have got through without an error. However, I was brought crashing down to earth by the far trickier Daily Sequence, where it took me five attempts to get FOUND.

Daily Sequence today (game #1305) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1305, are…

  • FOUND
  • CRAVE
  • ALLAY
  • WRECK
Quordle answers: The past 20
  • Quordle #1304, Wednesday, 20 August: DOLLY, MERRY, BUGLE, WORST
  • Quordle #1303, Tuesday, 19 August: KNAVE, SMART, CARRY, MAMMA
  • Quordle #1302, Monday, 18 August: FIBER, TRADE, RAYON, TEASE
  • Quordle #1301, Sunday, 17 August: FUNGI, AMITY, DRIER, CHECK
  • Quordle #1300, Saturday, 16 August: OWING, QUAKE, SLIDE, ELITE
  • Quordle #1299, Friday, 15 August: WHALE, PRISM, DRAKE, TEPEE
  • Quordle #1298, Thursday, 14 August: LAPEL, IDIOM, RENEW, LIVER
  • Quordle #1297, Wednesday, 13 August: CACTI, HOMER, EMAIL, ALBUM
  • Quordle #1296, Tuesday, 12 August: SPOOL, TITLE, JAUNT, OVINE
  • Quordle #1295, Monday, 11 August: ADULT, BROOM, PURER, CRUEL
  • Quordle #1294, Sunday, 10 August: SCRUM, PIPER, TROLL, SPORE
  • Quordle #1293, Saturday, 9 August: NOOSE, INLET, ELEGY, VIRUS
  • Quordle #1292, Friday, 8 August: KNEEL, KINKY, RALPH, BOOZY
  • Quordle #1291, Thursday, 7 August: PLUNK, PROXY, CURVY, PEARL
  • Quordle #1290, Wednesday, 6 August: RISKY, APART, FAUNA, HANDY
  • Quordle #1289, Tuesday, 5 August: ROAST, SLICK, AUDIT, BILLY
  • Quordle #1288, Monday, 4 August: MACAW, SINCE, COLON, CHIRP
  • Quordle #1287, Sunday, 3 August: MOTIF, LEERY, LOFTY, BURST
  • Quordle #1286, Saturday, 2 August: WARTY, PUPAL, CLEAR, SLICE
  • Quordle #1285, Friday, 1 August: ACTOR, MEALY, WIDTH, ADOBE
Worried about Chat Control? This website can help you get your say - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:11
  • A new citizen-led initiative can now help you have your say about the controversial EU child sexual abuse (CSAM) scanning bill
  • Experts are concerned about the negative impact the bill will have on citizens' communications privacy and security
  • The Danish version of the so-called Chat Control could be adopted as early as October 14, 2025

If you're in the EU, you can now take action against the controversial child sexual abuse (CSAM) scanning bill, which is currently being discussed in the EU Council, thanks to a new citizen-led initiative.

Deemed by critics as Chat Control, the proposal was first unveiled in May 2022 to halt the spread of CSAM content online by scanning all communications, especially those that are encrypted.

A proposal that has attracted strong criticism and pushback among experts and lawmakers alike, Chat Control has never been closer to passing. The Danish version of the bill could be adopted as early as October 14, 2025.

(Image credit: Fight Chat Control, Mastodon)

"Our goal is to empower citizens with the knowledge they need to understand the implications of this legislation and to encourage them to take action by contacting their elected representatives in the European Parliament and national governments," explain the people behind the Fight Chat Control initiative, launched on August 6.

The website includes easy-to-understand information about the CSAM scanning proposal, while tracking the positions of EU Member States and EU representatives.

By heading to the Take Action tab, you can contact your country's MEPs within a couple of clicks to ask them to scrap the controversial proposal. The website drafts the message for you based on your concerns about the proposed law.

"We believe that privacy is a fundamental right, and that end-to-end encryption is essential for protecting our personal communications, financial information, and digital identities. The Chat Control proposal would undermine these protections, potentially exposing citizens to new security risks and surveillance without meaningful benefits."

What's next for Europeans' chats?

From its first unveiling in 2022, the Chat Control proposal has seen many twists and turns as privacy advocates, technologists, and even politicians raised concerns. Worries for which the Council has failed to find an agreement.

The most contentious point is around encryption, the technology that the likes of WhatsApp, Signal, encrypted email providers like ProtonMail, and even the best VPN apps use to ensure the content of your communications remains private from you and who you are talking to.

Over the years, the EU Council has tried to find a compromise – without any success.

As per its first version, all messaging software providers would be required to perform indiscriminate scanning of private messages to look for CSAM. The backlash was strong, with the European Court of Human Rights proceeding to ban all legal efforts to weaken the encryption of secure communications in Europe.

In June 2024, Belgium proposed a new, more compromising text to target only shared photos, videos, and URLs, with users' permission. In February 2025, Poland tried to find a better compromise by making encrypted chat scanning voluntary and classified as "prevention."

Fast-forward to July 2025, Denmark reintroduced Chat Control as a top legislative priority on its first day of Presidency, and put forward a new compromise text, which former MEP for the German Pirate Party and digital rights jurist, Patrick Breyer, deemed the "more radical version" so far.

Crucially, momentum is growing among EU member states backing up the legislation. At the time of writing, according to Fight Chat Control's latest data, 15 member states support the law (including France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and Ireland), nine are undecided (such as Estonia, Germany, and Belgium), and only three oppose the bill in its current form (Austria, Netherlands, and Poland).

On September 12, 2025, the Council is expected to share its final positions, with the vote set to take place on October 14.

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Pixel 10 launch live – last-minute rumors ahead of today's Made by Google event - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:14

(Image credit: Future / Google )

The next Made by Google event, where the search giant shows off its latest hardware, will take place today (August 20) at 10pm PT / 1pm ET and 6pm UK time, and 3am on August 21 in Australia.

At the showcase, we expect announcements of the Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, Pixel Watch 4 and the Pixel Buds 2a, going by the rumors and tidbits of information we've seen. And that should mean a bumper product refresh for Google, and very likely a whole lot of artificial intelligence features added into the mix, as the search giant builds out its consumer-grade AI tools.

So let's get into it: below I'll go over all the rumors and last-minute news so far, along with what we expect, and once the showcase kicks off, TechRadar will be live reporting on the event.

What you need to knowHow to watch the Made by Google event

Simply check out the embedded YouTube video below. If you can't watch the event live, do check back with TechRadar, as we'll bring you all our first impressions and reactions from the Made by Google showcase.

Good morning. Managing Editor of Mobile Computing Roland Moore-Colyer here to take you through the run up to the Made by Google event.

(Image credit: Google / Android Authority)

If all the rumors I've seen so far prove to be true, then we could be looking at a big showcase for Google later on today, with new phones, a new Pixel Watch and new earbuds.

And I'll buy a hat and eat it if Google doesn't spend a good amount of time discussing what it's been doing on the AI side for its Pixel devices.

Expect to see four new Pixel phones today: the Google Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. This will be a refresh of the whole main Google Pixel phone lineup.

Don't expect any drastic design changes, at least going by the rumors, but I do expect to see new Tensor chips, perhaps some improvements on the camera side such as new sensors, and a big injection of AI software upgrades.

(Image credit: Google)

Going by a rather last-minute rumor, it looks like magnetic accessories will be a big part of the Pixel 10 lineup, with an Apple MagSafe-style system facilitating a magnetic charging stand for the phones.

I currently use a Pixel Stand from 2021 to charge my phones that support wireless charging, so an upgrade here would be much appreciated, especially if it enables a wider range of accessories ot be used with the new Pixel phones.

One thing that's will be new, is the Made by Google event will be hosted by TV's Jimmy Fallon, which is unusual for Google as it tends to use its own executives and marketing folks to spearhead the showcases.

Check out the teaser video below...

I'm not sure what secret Jimmy could be referring to... maybe it'll be some new AI tool or assistant, or maybe something to do with mixed reality. So far there have been scant rumors on any big surprises from the Google event.

A big last-minute leak!

(Image credit: Google)

We've just got another last-minute Pixel 10 leak, with it pointing towards an eSIM only approach by Google for its new phones, and new AI features tipped.

And a promo clip has been shared too.

Bonjour, Pixel 10 pic.twitter.com/KYvJPYpbN8August 19, 2025

But there's more too, with serial tipster Evan Blass seemingly leaking the pricing for all the Pixel devices we expect to see.

Pricing. The Buds 2a slot in at $129. Enjoy the launch tomorrow, especially those planning to buy. pic.twitter.com/ZSKwq52LDMAugust 20, 2025

The standard Pixel 10 seems to be missing from that price leak, but we expect it to come in around the same price as the Google Pixel 9.

And overall, those prices look reasonable for a flagship range of phones.

Some people might baulk at the idea of paying iPhone 16 Pro and Galaxy S25 Plus prices for phones with Tensor chips in them. But I feel AI performance, rather than raw silicon horsepower, will be the key to these Pixel phones.

(Image credit: Peter Hoffmann)

In fact, I've already touted how I think the Pixel 10 needs to bring more AI stuff to the table to keep at the top of the AI phones pile.

To quote myself: "with the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 landing with improved AI features, and Apple Intelligence starting to get up to speed and offer a solid suite of features on compatible iPhones, as well as some synchronicity with Macs, Google’s AI phone crown could be up for grabs.

"So I feel that for Google to keep ahead and continue to blaze a trail for practical, and hopefully safe, consumer use, it'll need to bring more to the table with the Pixel 10."

Don't expect major hardware changes

As I've mentioned before, a lot of the rumors and claimed leaks so far have all pointed at the Pixel 10 lineup being a minor evolution on its predecessors, rather than bringing in any dramatic upgrades.

For me, that's kinda fine, as the Pixel 9 phones are so good, I don't think I'd appreciate Google messing with a winning formula quite yet.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

One rumor did hint at the standard Google Pixel 10 going for a triple rear-camera system, adding a telephoto snapper into the mix. I've already written how I'd be a fan of that and how it could tackle the looming phone threat of the iPhone 17.

But I'm not really all that convince Google will do that, especially given the price leaks, which would suggest Google will still keep the telephoto camera for the Pro Pixels.

(Image credit: Future)

The same can be said for the Google Pixel Watch 4 which looks a lot like its predecessors.

Not a bad thing in my opinion as I've always like the design of Google's smartwatch, But I do hope its got snappier performance and a host of AI features to make it feel like an 'AI smartwatch'.

I expect boosts in the sensor and performance capabilities on the Pixel Watch 4 could make it a lot more appealing than its rumored design might tip.

(Image credit: Android Headlines)

On the Pixel Buds 2a side, the rumors so far point towards an evolved design, more power, new features like head tracking, and better sound isolation.

In terms of hardware upgrades, they could offer the biggest leaps out of all the products Google is set to reveal today.

However, the Pixel Buds 2a could bring with them a price hike: where the Pixel Buds A came in at €99, the Buds 2a will supposedly be €149. That's a hefty price increase and if it's reflected in other markets would mean $149 / £149 / AU$195.

(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

So you might ask, what Pixel device am I most looking forwards to?

Even if you didn't I'm still going to ponder that question. I tend to like the Pixel Pro phones, with the Pixel 9 Pro offering a neat blend of specs and AI smart all in a decently compact package. So the Pixel 10 Pro is sure to appeal to me.

But I'm also curious to see what Google does with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which will be the search giant's third stab at a foldable phone. I hope AI is employed to make that extra screen space a lot more usable and helps make the folding phone a productivity powerhouse.

Now over to my Phones Editor Axel Metz, who I've tapped up for what he's looking forward to from Google today:

"It feels wrong to say that an accessory announcement is my most anticipated reveal at today's Made by Google showcase, but the Pixel 10 series potentially getting its own MagSafe-style technology is a bigger deal than it sounds. We love Google phones for their clean software, but true Qi2 charging support would give Pixels rare hardware edge over Android competitors."

Editor-at-Large, Lance Ulanoff, just pointed out a suite of things he recalls older Pixel phones sporting.

He detailed the rear fingerprint reader, how the Google Assistant was front and center to the Pixel experience, how good the cameras were, and how some people shrugged at the design.

So the Pixel phones have evolved a lot since then, but I feel they always tried to put smart features front-and-center, which means their evolution into AI phones seemed logical.

I also reckon Pixel phones have consistently delivered on impressive cameras, although Samsung and Apple have certainly caught up and often surpassed Google.

(Image credit: Future)

I do miss the innovation that Google used to bring to the Pixel phones, such as the radar sensor found in the Google Pixel 4, and the squeezable sides of the Pixel 3 series.

I also think the rear fingerprint scanner was also rather neat. But each to their own when it comes to smartphone preferences.

I should say I always rather liked the older Pixel phone design. I liked the simple, utilitarian look of them. But I do think the design language introduced with the Pixel 6 and then iterated on has been my favourite so far.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

Back to the Pixel 10, and we've already seen early benchmarks of the phones, but as Senior Editor Philip Berne points out, they don't really matter.

"Pixel phones can do everything Google says they can do, unlike some faster phone makers. I’m still waiting for the promised AI features from Apple and Samsung, but I don’t remember Google overpromising Gemini’s ability to make career decisions for me (Siri) or turn out the lights when it detects I’m asleep (Bixby)," Berne said, pontificating on the benchmarks.

As Phil notes, a focus on AI is what all the Pixel phones are about, and I'm hoping we'll see Google go hard on AI today.

After Apple fumbled the ball a bit with Apple Intelligence, and Samsung hasn't made Galaxy AI as neatly integrated into its phones experience as I'd like, I think Google has a clear opportunity to really set the standard here.

Not seeing much on the last-minute leaks front, so I suspect things could be quiet until the main show.

White House Joins TikTok With New Account. Here's What It's Posted So Far - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 11:35
An official White House account has appeared on TikTok, with one video featuring the caption: We're so back.
Hundreds of Thousands of User Chats with AI Chatbot Grok Are Now Public - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 11:37
Photos and other uploaded documents from chats are also visible on the website of Elon Musk's rival to ChatGPT.
Sony Raises Prices of PlayStation 5 Consoles - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 11:38
Starting Thursday, you can expect to pay more for a new PlayStation, thanks to "a challenging economic environment."
Google's New Pixel Buds 2A Look a Lot Like the Pro 2, but Cost Way Less - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
Shipping Oct. 9, the $130 Pixel Buds 2A don't seem to vary much from Google's flagship Pixel Buds Pro 2, but I found some key differences.
Well Played, Google: The Pixel Watch 4 May Give Apple Watch Loyalists a Wandering Eye - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
First impressions: From satellite SOS to a Gemini-powered health coach, here's why the Pixel Watch 4 feels like the upgrade we've been waiting for.
I'm Stoked That Google Made the Pixel 10 a $799 Value-Packed Feature Monster - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
The Pixel 10 takes a step closer to Google's budget phone line. It's part Pixel 10 Pro and part Pixel 9A and has three rear cameras, including a 5x telephoto lens.
Pixel 10 Pro Fold Is Tougher, Smarter and Totally Dust-Resistant - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
With an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Google's new foldable can boldly go where no foldable has (safely) gone before: the beach.
I Tested Google's Pixel 10 Pro XL in Paris, and I'm Impressed - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
Google hasn't radically transformed its new flagship Android phones, but some key updates will take on the iPhone 17.
I Took Hundreds of Photos With the Pixel 10 Pro XL in Paris. These Are My Favs - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
The camera hardware might not have changed much, but Google's new flagship can take great images.
Pixel Watch 4 First Look: Google Just Raised the Bar video - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
From satellite SOS to a Gemini-powered health coach, here's why the Pixel Watch 4 feels like the smartest upgrade yet.
Pixel 10 Phones Get an Added T-Mobile Perk: Expanded T-Satellite App Access - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:00
A few of Google's apps, such as Google Maps, will be able to connect to T-Satellite when you're off the grid.
Google’s Pixel 10 Lineup Is Here, and I’ve Found All the Cases Worth Buying Right Now - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 12:38
Ensure Pixel perfect protection with a sturdy case for your shiny new device.
A clever new Linux malware is breaking into systems - and then shutting the door behind it to avoid detection - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:28
  • Researchers spot cybercriminals abuse bug to access a cloud Linux server
  • The hackers then proceeded to patch the flaw, closing the doors behind them
  • There could be different reasons for fixing flaws

A hacker was recently spotted patching someone’s vulnerable cloud Linux instance - but they did not do it out of the goodness of their heart.

Security researchers Red Canary observed a threat actor abusing a maximum severity flaw, tracked as CVE-2023-46604, to break into a cloud Linux system.

The vulnerability is found in Apache ActiveMQ, and grants persistent access, among other things - but however, after breaking in, they patched the bug, essentially locking the doors behind them.

DripDropper

Red Canary argues that there are different reasons why a cybercriminal might fix a problem after exploiting it, including locking out other adversaries, or hiding their tracks.

The latter makes a lot of sense, especially knowing that cybercriminals often fight for control over different compromised endpoints.

Besides patching the flaw, the hackers did a number of things, including installing the Sliver implant, which granted them unrestricted access to the system.

They also modified the existing sshd configuration file to enable root login, and after that installed a previously unknown downloader that Red Canary named “DripDropper”.

The downloader itself is rather advanced, requiring a password to run, which hinders sandbox analysis.

It communicates with the threat actors via a Dropbox account that has hardcoded bearer tokens, and since Dropbox and similar platforms (Telegram, or Discord) are not malicious by nature, the traffic blends in and is harder to spot. Finally, DripDropper is most likely used to deploy two separate pieces of malware.

Red Canary says that vulnerable web servers are one of the most common initial access vectors to Linux systems.

“Given the prevalence of *NIX-based, or Unix-like systems in modern infrastructure, particularly in rapidly expanding cloud environments, ensuring they’re protected is essential,” the researchers said.

“This requires the development of specialized incident response strategies tailored to the complexities of both cloud architectures and Linux environments and ensuring defenders are equipped with effective, actionable guidance to safeguard these critical assets."

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Sony has just unveiled two new pieces of Inzone gaming audio gear and PS5 owners should take note - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:30
  • Sony has unveiled two new audio products ahead of Gamescom 2025
  • The Inzone H9 II is an overhauled version of an existing gaming headset
  • The Inzone E9 is a pair of FPS gaming earbuds

Just ahead of the start of Gamescom 2025, Sony revealed a suite of new products for its Inzone gaming accessory line. This includes two new bits of gaming audio gear: the Inzone H9 II gaming headset and the Inzone E9 gaming earbuds.

The Inzone H9 II is an overhauled version of the existing Inzone H9. It features the same driver unit as the superb Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones, which achieved four and a half stars thanks to its excellent audio performance in our recent review.

You also get full active noise cancellation and the ability to tweak the equalizer (EQ) settings through the compatible Sony Sound Connect up on PC and PS5.

The Inzone H9 II boasts a wide-band adjustable boom microphone complete with AI-optimized noise filtration technology to help cut out background interference. It's also fully detachable, unlike its predecessor.

The II comes in lighter, too, at just 260g, which is presumably a result of its slimmer-looking headband and more streamlined mic.

The Inzone H9 II is available to pre-order now in either white or black for $349.99 / £299.99 and will ship in September.

Image 1 of 2

The Inzone H9 II at Gamescom 2025. (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

The Inzone E9 at Gamescom 2025. (Image credit: Future)

The Inzone E9 is a pair of in-ear gaming earbuds that comes with a USB-C audio box that can store your customized EQ settings.

They were developed in collaboration with the esports team Fnatic and are intended for "elite FPS play". They cost $149.99 / £129 in either white or black and are up for pre-order now with shipping in October.

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What is Model Context Protocol and why does it matter to software engineers? - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:31

There’s a quiet but profound transformation underway in how businesses interact with backend systems. It’s not a flashy app or piece of consumer technology - it’s happening at the infrastructure level, where machine learning, automation, and natural language processing are beginning to rewrite how software is built, configured, and controlled.

At the heart of this shift is Machine Communication Protocol (MCP), a new approach being pioneered by fintech leaders like Stripe and Adyen. MCP allows large language models (LLMs) to interact directly with APIs - automating the translation of human intent into technical execution. It’s a change that could streamline how software engineering teams operate, empower business users, and reduce the friction between what people want and what systems deliver.

Although the idea sounds abstract, it’s already being tested in a very practical context: payments. The infrastructure behind every transaction is now where we’re seeing some of the earliest, most meaningful applications of MCP. In this sense, payments teams are acting as canaries in the coal mine for a much broader shift across the software engineering world.

What is MCP and why does it matter?

At its core, MCP is a way for LLMs - like ChatGPT - to interact with APIs on behalf of a user. Traditionally, if a business wanted to make a change to its backend system (say, issuing a payment link or modifying risk rules), someone - typically a developer - would have to write an API call, handle authentication, test responses, and integrate it into workflows.

With MCP, that integration layer is abstracted, and a user can issue a request in natural language - “Create a PayByLink for £100 in EUR” - and the LLM handles the translation, executes the API call, and returns the result. It can even ask follow-up questions to clarify intent. The entire interaction becomes conversational, not code based. Adyen recently demonstrated this in a proof-of-concept and Stripe launched a similar capability at its Sessions conference in May, positioning it as part of a longer-term bet on LLMs reshaping developer workflows.

For the user, it feels seamless. For the underlying system, it’s a major shift - automating the middle layer that once required deep technical fluency.

Why start with payments?

Payment systems are already heavily API-driven and deeply embedded in enterprise architecture. But despite their flexibility, they’ve historically been gated by technical teams. Every change - like adding ApplePay or updating parameters - requires someone in engineering to write code, test logic, and deploy updates.

That works, but it creates bottlenecks. In developer-centric environments like Stripe’s, MCP represents a way to streamline workflows. In enterprise-first setups like Adyen’s, it’s about empowering operations, product, and risk teams to make changes directly - without joining a development queue or waiting for a sprint cycle.

In both cases, MCP moves control closer to the people who understand the business problem - and speeds up the cycle from intent to execution.

Implications for software engineering

MCP doesn’t just matter to payments - it’s an early example of something much bigger. It signals how software engineers and infrastructure management may evolve over the next few years.

MCP doesn’t eliminate the need for technical expertise. But it does change the role. Software engineers may move from executing tasks to supervising them - designing secure, auditable systems that allow AI agents to operate safely and effectively.

In that sense, MCP isn’t just a new interface - it’s a new paradigm. One that requires engineers to think like systems architects and strategic enablers, rather than gatekeepers of functionality.

Still early, but moving fast

Adyen’s POC is limited, Stripe’s implementation is still evolving, and right now, most MCP use cases are simple: generating a payment link, updating a rule, querying a transaction status, but it won’t stay that way for long.

MCP-based workflows could soon handle more complex interactions - onboarding new markets, configuring multi-step authentication, deploying checkout experiments, or dynamically routing transactions - all through natural language.

That won’t stop with payments. MCP could apply to any API-rich system: cloud infrastructure, observability platforms, compliance tooling, data pipelines. The building blocks are already there. The real question is how quickly engineering teams adapt.

The next phase of engineering won’t be about who can write the cleanest Python. It will be about who can define intent clearly, interpret outcomes effectively, and manage AI-driven systems responsibly.

MCP is just the beginning. The businesses - and engineers - that understand what it unlocks will be the ones shaping what comes next.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

Untangling complex cybersecurity stacks in a supercharged risk environment - Wednesday, August 20, 2025 - 10:41

Cyber threats are increasing in both scale and sophistication, prompting businesses to significantly ramp up their investment in security. From firewalls to threat intelligence feeds, today’s enterprises have access to an expansive arsenal of digital defenses. Yet despite this unprecedented spending, breaches are still occurring, and systems are still underperforming. In fact, according to the Logicalis 2025 CIO report, 88% of organizations experienced cybersecurity incidents in the past 12 months, and 43% endured multiple breaches.

The same research found that over half of CIOs surveyed say their security patching systems have become too complex to manage effectively. What’s more, 50% acknowledge that they are not getting good value from their security tools because the features go unused. In other words, CIOs are spending more, but they are spending inefficiently, and in some cases, ineffectively.

The growing complexity of security systems could become one of the biggest vulnerabilities in enterprise IT.

The illusion of more

Over the past decade, the IT market has exploded with tools. The typical security stack has grown exponentially in response to emerging threats, new regulations and gaps that have been revealed when a breach elsewhere sets off alarm bells. While each solution is well-intended, its cumulative effect can be counterproductive.

Rather than strengthening security posture, the “more is better” approach has led to environments where vulnerabilities hide in plain sight. In fact, only 58% of CIOs feel confident in their ability to identify potential security gaps. This highlights a troubling disconnect between IT leaders’ awareness of cyber risk and their actual capacity to defend against it. The very tools designed to safeguard the business can end up creating blind spots. When security systems become too complex, they overwhelm teams, slow down decision-making, and give threats more time to cause damage.

Simple but effective

Simplifying cybersecurity doesn’t mean cutting corners or weakening defense areas, it's about assessing tools with intent in order to create a manageable system.

This can start with a foundational assessment: what are we trying to protect and why? What tools overlap? Where are the gaps? Which capabilities are going unused? Where is the complexity slowing the team down?

Organizations need a clear, continuously updated understanding of their digital assets, attack surfaces, and business priorities. Maintaining an accurate asset inventory is more than good cyber hygiene, it’s essential to prioritizing risk and responding quickly when incidents occur.

From this foundation, businesses can begin to:

  • Consolidate tools - Through the use of integrated platforms, businesses can protect multiple areas at once. They offer layered security for various elements of a business in a single unified framework, increasing visibility and reducing the operational load on already stretched IT teams
  • Outsource - Outsourcing functions such as monitoring and threat detection, and patching to security specialists frees up internal resources to focus on more strategic initiatives
  • Introducing automation - Manual processes can often be overwhelming, time-consuming and prone to error. Automation can slash task times and help with overall efficiency
  • Align security purchases with business outcomes - By ensuring spend is directly tied to business objectives, businesses can direct their investments to where matters the most

This urgency to simplify is further underscored by the tightening of global regulations such as the EU AI act. A growing wave of privacy and data protection laws is pushing businesses toward greater transparency and accountability. These regulations demand that organizations have their systems in order, as they may be required at any moment to produce records and demonstrate clear, auditable compliance.

With this approach, businesses can build a leaner security posture where threats are anticipated instead of constantly chased. By taking bold, proactive steps to streamline cybersecurity today, businesses will be far better equipped to handle the risks and seize the opportunities of the digital landscape now and in the future.

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This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

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