Latest news with #XFiles
Forbes
4 days ago
- Forbes
Your Passwords Are At Risk — New Windows XFiles Attack Confirmed
Windows passwords come under attack from XFiles threat. Two things that are guaranteed to strike fear into the hearts of anyone concerned about cybersecurity attacks are Windows and passwords. Combine the two, and you have the basis of what can be something of a security nightmare. With Microsoft account password spraying attacks and warnings over opening specific Outlook files in the news as Windows email, passwords and 2FA codes come under attack, this is kind of understandable. Now, with confirmation of a password-stealing threat called XFiles, is there even more cause for concern? The truth, as they say, is out there. A group of self-proclaimed elite threat hunters and cyber analysts has issued a warning that attackers deploying a malware payload called Xfiles, also known as DeerStealer, are targeting Windows users in order to compromise passwords that can then be sold on dark web criminal marketplaces. A June 12 report published by the eSentire Threat Response Unit has revealed how, throughout May, threats actors have been using the XFiles payload in order to steal Windows passwords that can then be sold by a dark web user known only as LuciferXfiles. The methods employed are sadly all too familiar, involving ClickFix attacks during the initial access process. These tech support scams combine seemingly genuine offers of help regarding security issues surrounding account activity with fake ID Captcha prompts that involve executing malicious commands using the Windows Run prompt. Should the victim get to this stage, they will then download something called HijackLoader, often obfuscated using an encrypted PNG image, that downloads the real payload, the XFiles infostealer malware to compromise passwords, browser 2FA session cookies, instant messages and more. Read the full report for a detailed technical analysis of the entire attack chain. When it comes to mitigation, however, the eSentire TRU advice is clear: I would have to add to this that opening the Windows Run prompt and pasting the clipboard's content, which is how ClickFix attacks work, is hardly conducive to good security practice or, frankly, common sense. I mean, how many Captcha or I Am Not A Robot tests have ever asked you to do that? The answer is zero. Protect your passwords by not being tricked into doing something that is so obviously out of the ordinary.
Perth Now
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
David Duchovny reflects on how TV has changed since The X-Files
David Duchovny believes Netflix has wrecked TV "in a way". The 64-year-old actor doesn't believe any programme now could have the longevity or the reach of his former show The X-Files - which ran from 1993 to 2002 and another series in 2016, and also spawned two spin-off films - because there are so many programmes across many streaming platforms, meaning shows just "fade away" as the next big thing comes along. He told the Telegraph: 'Netflix kind of f***** the business in a way. Well, I mean, look at The X-Files, which had a foothold on the culture and then lasted. Now, there's just so much – things become incandescent for a year or two and then they just fade away.' Ryan Coogler is developing an X-Files reboot but without the original stars, though David wouldn't be against playing Fox Mulder opposite Gillian Anderson as Dana Scully one more time. He said: 'The X-Files frame is evergreen in terms of generating stories, and especially today. 'So it's like, well, how would we exist in a way that was different from the way we existed before, but still do interesting work?' At the height of the X Files popularity, many fans believed David was "privy" to real-life information about extra-terrestrial life. He said: "[Some fans thought] that I was privy to certain information. But, you know, I'm just an actor. I'm not privy to anything. One of the strengths of the show was that it appeared to be factual to certain people. 'That's the price of doing business.' The former Californication star understands the appeal of certain conspiracy theories because he believes a particular human strength is to 'weaponise or monetise information." He added: "When you look at conspiracies, it's really just people surviving by their wits.' David himself is interested in ideas around mind control. He said: 'I like any government that takes the expansion of human consciousness, and tries to figure out how to make a better soldier or politician or spy with that kind of information.' However, the actor isn't impressed by the "ridiculous" claims made by President Donald Trump and his administration. He said: 'It's like, oh, there's five new ridiculous things coming out of the White House today. Which am I supposed to focus on? That's the conspiracy, I guess. "I think it's probably the first time in history where the government seems to be deliberately promulgating falsehoods for the purpose of immobilising a people.'
Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
David Duchovny: ‘Netflix kind of wrecked TV'
David Duchovny, who made his name as FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder in The X-Files, acts surprised when I suggest that his presence on screen is not the only thing that connects his latest project – Secrets Declassified with David Duchovny – with that 1990s TV juggernaut. These days, he insists in his droll drawl, speaking via video call from a renovated railway carriage in the grounds of his Malibu home, The X-Files is no longer 'part of my daily creative life or even my personal life'. Yet the very first episode of Secrets Declassified – with its distinctly X-Files-ish tagline, 'The truth will always come to light' – sees the 64-year-old New Yorker walking into a warehouse full of documents about 'covert wars, backroom deals, classified tech' and delivering a warning to viewers: 'Governments and the people who work for them have done strange and even terrible things in the name of national interest.' When X-Files fervour was at its peak, Duchovny, as the more credulous Mulder to Gillian Anderson's sceptical agent Dana Scully, became a kind of poster boy for conspiracy theorists, despite personally being very far from that way inclined. He says that some fans were convinced 'that I was privy to certain information. But, you know, I'm just an actor. I'm not privy to anything. One of the strengths of the show was that it appeared to be factual to certain people.' He shrugs. 'That's the price of doing business.' When Duchovny was offered the starring role in The X-Files, he had already had bit parts in such screen classics as Working Girl (1988) and Twin Peaks (1990), and hesitated before signing up to what he initially saw as 'just a silly science-fiction show'. His performance won him his first Golden Globe award, before he scooped a second as a sex addict in Californication, went into rehab for sex addiction himself in 2008, divorced his actress wife Téa Leoni, wrote five novels and hosted a podcast on failure. Today, he says he understands the appeal of counter-narratives, and believes that one unique human strength is to 'weaponise or monetise information. When you look at conspiracies, it's really just people surviving by their wits.' He even has a soft spot for one himself: mind control. 'I like any government that takes the expansion of human consciousness,' he says, 'and tries to figure out how to make a better soldier or politician or spy with that kind of information.' The alternative facts being issued by the Oval Office are quite another matter, however. 'It's like, oh, there's five new ridiculous things coming out of the White House today. Which am I supposed to focus on? That's the conspiracy, I guess. I think it's probably the first time in history where the government seems to be deliberately promulgating falsehoods for the purpose of immobilising a people.' Duchovny believes that the time is ripe for a reboot of The X-Files; indeed, the Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has a new series in development – though without its original stars, Duchovny insists. Not that he'd be against a new chapter for Mulder and Scully. 'The X-Files frame is evergreen in terms of generating stories, and especially today,' he says. 'So it's like, well, how would we exist in a way that was different from the way we existed before, but still do interesting work?' The original runs of the show – from 1993-2002, 2016 and 2018 – were beset with what Duchovny and Anderson spent years euphemistically referring to as mutual 'tension'. For long periods, the two were not 'even dealing with one another off-camera', as Duchovny revealed last year during a heartfelt conversation with Anderson on his Fail Better podcast, in which he admitted to a 'failure of friendship' with his co-star. Was there something specifically combustible about their two personalities in combination? 'My memory would be faulty, you know? It's like Rashomon,' says Duchovny, vaguely, alluding to Akira Kurosawa's 1950 classic in which every eyewitness to a murder tells a contradictory version of events. 'Just, I don't recall.' Duchovny caught Anderson on the hop when he quit the show in 2001 without even telling her. For the last series, Duchovny admitted feeling a sense of rejection when, this time, Anderson was the one who called it a day. The duo have clearly put the past behind them and now treasure the unique bond they share. And in today's fragmented TV landscape, with content splintered across countless streaming platforms, Duchovny doubts that any future version of The X-Files could ever replicate the enduring reach of the original. View this post on Instagram A post shared by History TV (@historytv) 'Netflix kind of f----- the business in a way,' he says. 'Well, I mean, look at The X-Files, which had a foothold on the culture and then lasted. Now, there's just so much – things become incandescent for a year or two and then they just fade away.' Although he's not short of opinions, Duchovny sensibly refuses to hold forth on global politics. When I ask if he has any thoughts about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – after all, his 2015 debut novel Holy Cow featured a camel that brings Middle East peace – he demurs. 'I'm not knowledgeable enough to wade into that,' he says. 'Forgive me.' What about the explosion of Jew-hatred around the world in the wake of October 7 and the war in Gaza? In 1914, Duchovny's grandfather was one of 6,000 Jews deported from Jaffa to Egypt by the Ottoman government. 'Well, I think anti-Semitism is a zombie idea; it gets reinvigorated,' he says. 'It's a type of conspiracy-thinking that is weak and false and dangerous and vile. But the Jews have been blamed for different s--- many times over, through history.' His father, Amram, a writer of non-fiction, spent years tackling the problem, working in public relations for the American Jewish Committee. Aged 73 – just a couple of years before his death – he published his first novel. Duchovny Jr has shown a similar creative restlessness: since learning the guitar in his 50s, he has released three albums as a singer-songwriter. Earlier this year, he married his longtime girlfriend, 31-year-old Monique Pendleberry – 'We ran off to Santa Barbara and did it at the courthouse there,' he tells me – and he has put his Malibu home up for sale, saying he is 'not sure yet' where he will move next. His wedding ring is not the only new accessory he's sporting today: he also has a moustache, grown for a forthcoming film role as the novelist Kurt Vonnegut. After that, he will shoot another movie, in Pittsburgh, while also promoting his first volume of poetry, About Time. Is there no end to his gifts? Duchovny appears to give this question serious consideration. 'I don't have any other kind of hidden, unexpressed talent,' he says. 'In terms of ways to express myself, I think I'm tapped out.'
The Guardian
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Like trying to float a sinking ship': your reaction to Billie Piper's Doctor Who return
When I saw Billie Piper's face, it felt as if I had been subconsciously waiting 20 years for this moment. It was joyous and completely overwhelming. It was that same iconic Rose Tyler smile that got me – the one we last saw when she was reunited with the Doctor in 2008. Like many others, I was a child when I was introduced to Doctor Who in 2005 and it was unquestionably Rose Tyler who hooked me in, and that transcendental love story. I have been a fan of Piper ever since and hope, for old times' sake, we get to see her again with David Tennant's 14th Doctor. Steph Braithwaite, 31, community relations manager, Toxteth, Liverpool I heard a rumour about the Doctor regenerating into Billie but quickly dismissed it as a joke, so I was pretty surprised to see her pop up. Note that in the credits she wasn't listed as the Doctor. If the rumours are true, the show is likely to be rested for a good few years. So I'm thinking that getting Billie was probably a last-minute inclusion to get everyone talking and ensure the show didn't go out with a whimper. As for the future of the show, stick it on at 9pm. I think it needs to appeal to an older audience (like me) – I'm thinking more like X-Files. Make it dark, scary and occasionally funny. Just not sexy, please. Mike, 48, product designer, Montreal Christopher Eccleston, the former Doctor, vouched for this at a convention three years ago – partly, he said, because he wanted to see how fans would process such a move. Despite my reservations around the episode and this era more broadly, this manoeuvre is an excellently bizarre one, but I'm also confident it wasn't 'always the plan' as has been suggested. Regardless of what is next, the upcoming spin-off looks excellent. Russell T Davies, an incredibly ambitious writer and a visionary, has clearly had to navigate his vision for this era around various obstacles: Disney's lack of commitment to a further series, the pressure this puts on an up-and-coming cast, and the mammoth task of revitalising a franchise which can, and has, been phenomenally successful. What I want to see, really, is for Doctor Who to start challenging for mass appeal again. Ben, 23, London I had become tired of the show and haven't watched more than one or two episodes in the last five years, which is very sad but I just wasn't excited by it any more. I had been a devoted Doctor Who fan since Tom Baker but that died with Capaldi and Whittaker. Billie will bring me back – I hope she will be the next Doctor. Mary, US Billie Piper was never a great companion in my view but many did love her as Rose. If she is set to play the Doctor then she needs to be a very different character type, more in line with a Missy than a 13th Doctor. I do not know if she can do that. There are so many good actors in the UK that could play the character of an alien without trying too hard, something previous Doctors appeared to do, but the last few haven't felt authentic. I believe they need a break, perhaps about five years, before the next series. In that time the show executives and writers can create something special. Just having a familiar face returning, in whatever capacity, isn't enough. Mandy, Midlands In all honesty, I'm a bit unsure how I feel. There are elements of it that makes sense, however, there is something unnerving about taking on the form of a previous love interest and wearing their skin as a suit. I hope it's not just gimmicky – perhaps if there are links back to the Bad Wolf storyline that originated for the ninth Doctor then it may work. However, at the moment it does feel like trying to float a sinking ship. I say this as somebody who has loved Doctor Who since I was a child. Time will tell, but I hope this isn't just another cheap trick to keep us interested. Russell T Davies don't let us down! Gabrielle, freelance photographer and video editor, Bristol I am honestly fine with her being the next Doctor – it could be very interesting. However, I feel for Ncuti Gatwa, whose entrance and exit have been overshadowed by nostalgia grabs. The entire season was set up for viral moments and not storytelling, but this is meant to be swept under the carpet because guess who is back? Billie Piper! Let the team remind you of when Doctor Who was interesting and you cared about the characters, but don't mind the fact they are going to force a companion we barely care about to now have a child. Don't mind the fact the doctor has a complete personality change and gaslights and belittles Ruby. Don't mind the fact women in that season were treated terribly. We have another female Doctor to make all the bad writing seem unimportant. Rachel, 25, research assistant in data science and clinical trials, St Albans I think it feels tired and creatively bankrupt. On its own, it might have felt exciting or refreshing, but after the 60th specials and the number of throwbacks throughout the last two seasons, it feels as if the creative team are barely capable of looking forward. I'd like Billie to at least take on the role properly and have much more screen time. The last thing the audience wants, after so many regenerations since the episode Power of the Doctor, and such a sadly short stint for Ncuti, is to get attached for what feels like five minutes before losing another Doctor. I just feel worn out from it all. Zach, 24, student, Aberystwyth I'm shocked, but in a good way. Billie Piper is such an integral part of NuWho history and the credits didn't introduce her as the Doctor, so the opportunities are endless (is she the Bad Wolf? Or the Moment?). I'm really excited to see what comes next and hope the show gets renewed. The only thing I'm upset about is how poorly parts of the fandom reacted. To bring back old characters is such a Doctor Who thing to do. I have the feeling that loads of people forgot what the show is about: it's fun, it's full of heart and it's always been a little bit wacky, so why not embrace this new development with an open mind? As the Doctor himself said: 'Hate is always foolish, love is always wise.' It would be great if people took that to heart. Isa, Germany This is what Doctor Who should be like – where there is an air of mystery about it, not where they advertise who the new Doctor is months in advance. I am not worried if this is a brief appearance or if she is the new Doctor. I am only worried about whether the show can pull it off well and do a respectable job with it. I just want the show to be good and entertaining. Karl, Australia It was a shock seeing Ncuti regenerate into Rose Tyler. Firstly, this was the first regeneration that didn't seem to cause any pain to the Doctor. Secondly, the regeneration energy being dissipated by his clothes and then Billie saying hello made it more confusing as normally the Doctor does not know what face they will get. I think Doctor Who is going on a hiatus and Billie is not the actual 16th incarnation. I guess we'll have to wait. Muhammad Hashmi, student, Pakistan The Ncuti Gatwa series were the worst series of Doctor Who I've ever seen, and I've followed it since 1963. Billie Piper's return was an act of desperation. I would like the show to have a break of at least 10 years so that Russell T Davies and his production team have nothing to do with it. Stephen John Mitchell, 70, retired, Carlisle I have nothing against Billie Piper. She is a wonderful actor and if she wasn't so ingrained in the show she would be on my shortlist to play the 16th Doctor. But she is as much a part of it as David Tennant and Catherine Tate are. Falling back on nostalgia every two years won't help the show survive. If it's to continue to be the crown jewel of the BBC that it's been for the best part of 20 years, it needs new ideas. A new format for its distribution to help it fit with TV in 2025. Maybe a self-contained five-episode run that can be binged? Olly, 33, musician, Manchester
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sinners 2 Could Happen After Michael B. Jordan Led Part 1 to Box Office Success
A new report hints at what's next for Sinners, suggesting that a follow-up may be taking shape behind the scenes. The update lists Sinners 2 among in-development titles, pointing to the potential return of key cast members and a shift in timeline. Details about the sequel remain limited at this stage. Still, the listing signals early movement on a possible continuation of the story. A sequel to Sinners is reportedly in development, with Sinners 2 listed in Issue 1455 of Production Weekly, dated May 29, 2025. Ryan Coogler, who directed the original film, reportedly plans to return as director and producer. However, production will likely wait until he finishes his upcoming X-Files reboot, a separate thriller project with Warner Bros., and potentially the third Black Panther film. The first film ended with Michael B. Jordan's Stack and Hailee Steinfeld's character confirmed to be alive in the present day. This opens the possibility for the sequel to be set in modern times. If he returns, Coogler is expected to write the script, with Jordan reportedly set to reprise his role as the lead. Coogler and Jordan have worked together on multiple films, including Fruitvale Station, Creed, and Black Panther. Their next film is not on the schedule yet, as Ryan Coogler's immediate focus seems to be a reboot of The X-Files. In an April 2025 interview with Last Podcast on the Left, Coogler confirmed, 'I've been excited about that for a long time and I'm fired up to get back to it. Some of those episodes, if we do our jobs right, will be really f–king scary.' He added that the team aims to create something for longtime fans while attracting new viewers. Production on Sinners 2 is unlikely to begin until The X-Files reboot is completed. The original Sinners made over $260 million at the domestic box office. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it was originally pitched with franchise potential when Warner Bros. acquired the film. The new listing suggests development on a follow-up is now underway. Warner Bros. has not officially confirmed Sinners 2. However, the project's listing in Production Weekly and Coogler's involvement suggest early pre-production planning. Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype. The post Sinners 2 Could Happen After Michael B. Jordan Led Part 1 to Box Office Success appeared first on Mandatory.
