IT General

Seventy-thousand. That's the number of users who may have had their government-issued IDs stolen as part of a major breach of the popular chat and messaging app Discord. While that may seem like a small number when considering Discord has hundreds of millions of users, there is a more concerning factor here — tech companies continuing to require identification from some of its users and the security risk involved in maintaining that information.

SEE ALSO: YouTube will begin using AI for age verification next week What happened in the Discord hack?

Last week, the popular chat and messaging platform Discord announced that a third-party customer support vendor had suffered a breach. Any information that a user provided to a customer support representative with this third-party could have potentially been stolen by a bad actor. Discord said this included usernames, names, email addresses, chats with the customer support team, limited billing information such as the last four digits of a credit card, and photos of a "small number" of government IDs.

On Thursday, Discord updated this notice to include more details, including a specific number of affected users. In total, up to 70,000 users had their government-issued IDs exposed. According to Discord, "Of the accounts impacted globally, we have identified approximately 70,000 users that may have had government-ID photos exposed, which our vendor used to review age-related appeals."

What are age-related appeals?

In the past, Discord did not collect government IDs from users. However, many states began requiring certain internet apps and services to prove users are not minors, either through a digital ID or facial recognition.

Discord allows users to submit a photo of themselves to prove their age; those pictures are then run through automated age verification systems. These systems estimate the user's age and either let them proceed on the site or deny them access. Photos submitted are then immediately deleted from the age verification system.

However, in some cases, these age verification systems get things wrong. Users can then submit an appeal along with a photo of their government ID. Discord's breach happened when its third-party vendor that processes its appeals was hacked.

As these age verification requirements spread, more sites will be forced to collect more information from users, giving hackers a trove of new information to pilfer.

What now?

As NBC News reports, hackers claiming to be behind the breach have set up a Telegram channel where they posted thousands of users' names, email addresses, and other sensitive data. Hackers have also posted over 100 photos of individual Discord users holding up their government IDs.

Discord says approximately 70,000 Discord users have had photos of their IDs stolen by hackers who are now attempting to extort the site. The hackers claim to have more than 2,185,000 photos, but Discord has denied that number, claiming the hackers are exagerating to extort a ransom. It's unclear what actions Discord intends to take at this time.

As age verification laws proliferate, tech companies like Discord will likely have to develop new, more secure methods for verifying their users' ages.

Will Discord pay a ransom?

As is often the case in high-profile breaches, the hackers are trying to extort a ransom. However, Discord says that it will not pay a ransom or "reward" the cybercriminals responsible. A Discord spokesperson told The Verge, "we will not reward those responsible for their illegal actions."

With the film festival season drawing to a close, award season is heating up. Now is the time for aspiring Oscar hopefuls to make themselves heard. And props to one of our favorite performers of the year for raising his paw for notice.

Indy is sniffing his way into the Academy Awards conversation with a public letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The lead of the dog-centered horror/thriller Good Boy, Indy has been earning praise for his sensational performance since its world premiere at SXSW last spring. In my review as Mashable's Entertainment editor, I cheered the incredible charisma of this canine, writing, "Indy is just a star from his first frame."

More critical acclaim followed as Good Boy hit festivals ahead of its theatrical debut. Even fans of the trailer were so taken by this canine star that social media was flooded with people asking, "Does the dog die in Good Boy?" So, with such a surge of love from critics and fans, why not the Academy?

In the letter, which you can read in full below, Indy notes he's not eligible to run as Best Actor because it is an all-human category. "This news feels as if someone has yanked my leash short," Indy writes, "as apparently I am not a good enough boy for you."

Of course, Indy's performance isn't only his. Good Boy filmmakers Ben Leonberg and Kari Fischer, a married couple who are the happy humans of Indy, crafted the performance over three years, using thoughtful camera angles and clever methods to get the performance they needed without ever actually having to spook their star.

With How It Hits, contributor Matthew Fornwald explored the difficulty of creating a terrific dog performance by working with his own pet. And when Indy, Ben, and Kari came by Mashable's studios for a visit to our Say More couch, we got to see a bit of their collaboration in action.

All this to say, Mashable is Team Indy, all the way to the Oscars.

Here's Indy's letter to the Academy:

Indy from Good Boy's letter to the Academy. Credit: IFC/Shudder

For more of Indy, check out Good Boy, now in theaters.

My very first phone had a physical keyboard, and I'm as nostalgic for them as the next person. But after spending time with both the Minimal Phone and the Unihertz Titan 2 this year, I'm surprised to learn that I now prefer to keep my keys virtual.

If your default browser homepage and search engine keep mysteriously changing to Yahoo!, your computer is probably infected with a browser hijacker. While resetting the browser might seem to fix the problem, here's how to do the job properly.

As we settle into peak TV season and revel in the bounty of new titles dropping every single day, don’t let the buffet of choices overwhelm you. We’ve done all the hard work and sifted through this week’s best and most anticipated streaming releases so you don’t have to, and yes, you're welcome.

Microsoft is still making improvements to the Dark Mode experience in Windows 11, and this newest update to the Dev Channel brings in dark mode support. This is one of those small, steady improvements that combine to make the entire operating system feel much better overall.

Samsung is trying to eat Apple's lunch in the XR space, and it might have the device to do it.

Android Headlines got a hold of leaked product renders and what seem to be actual specs for Samsung's upcoming Project Moohan XR headset this week. The device, which is rumored to launch sometime this month, still doesn't have an official name, though Android Headlines refers to it as "Galaxy XR" in its piece outlining the specs. We'll stick with Project Moohan for now.

Anyway, you're probably wondering how the reported (though still not official) specs for Project Moohan compare to Apple Vision Pro, perhaps the best-known competitor Samsung has in the space. Let's dig in and find out.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy XR headset early report: Project Moohan beats Apple Vision Pro in 2 key ways Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Design

In terms of looks, both devices are pretty similar. They're both high-tech goggles that sit on your face, and both seem to have little techno-pucks attached via wires, which ideally would sit in your pocket or something while you use them.

One thing that's worth noting here is that Android Headlines claims Moohan isn't very front-heavy and doesn't feel like it's being propped up by your nose, thanks to a strap in the back and some additional cushioning. That stands in contrast to Vision Pro, which our reviewer noted felt a little burdensome to wear for long stretches because of how front-heavy it was. We'll have to wait to see for ourselves if what Android Headlines is saying is true, but that would be a very good thing, if so.

Left: The Apple Vision Pro Credit: Julien de Rosa / AFP / Getty Images Right: Credit: Michaela Vatcheva/Bloomberg via Getty Images

It's also worth mentioning that Moohan is reportedly 545 grams, while Vision Pro is anywhere from 600 to 650 grams depending on various factors. A lighter headset would be welcome here.

Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Display

Display is one area where Samsung is allegedly on top of Apple. According to Android Headlines, Moohan has a pair of 4K micro-OLED displays that offer a total of 29 million pixels. Vision Pro, on the other hand, comes in just below 4K resolution and "only" has 23 million pixels.

Apple's headset has a 100Hz refresh rate, while we still don't know that figure on Moohan yet. It would be surprising if it were any lower than that, but surprises happen.

Project Moohan vs. Apple Vision Pro: Other specs

There are a lot of missing gaps in this report, so we can't paint a full picture of how Vision Pro and Moohan compare to each other just yet. However, there are a few other differences worth pointing out before we're done here today.

For starters, Moohan reportedly has two first-party motion-sensing controllers, while Vision Pro is based around hand gestures and only offers third-party controller support. To be clear, Moohan will also track hand gestures, but that won't be the only or necessarily the primary way of interacting with it, if you don't want it to be. Both devices also support eye tracking, for what that's worth.

In terms of battery life, Android Headlines says Moohan will be rated for 2 to 2.5 hours of use, depending on what you're doing. Our reviewer was able to squeeze about 3.5 hours out of a Vision Pro charge, so this is an area where Apple could potentially have a leg up over Samsung.

Again, we'll have to be patient and wait until the full spec sheet is out there from Samsung itself before we can do a full product comparison. But for now, it seems like Samsung waiting a while to enter the XR market might pay off with a superior device to what Apple is selling.

With Halloween creeping closer, you’ve likely already started throwing on your favorite horror movies. While it’s a fun tradition to dabble in classic monster flicks and cheesy slashers, there are times when you feel the need for a change. There are only so many times you can rewatch Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice before you find yourself longing for something fresher.

There's no shortage of midrange earbuds with good Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The only trouble is finding one that offers a good value for the money. Google is going after that goal with the Pixel Buds 2a — and it's doing an okay, but not great, job.

The Pixel Buds 2a are a decent pair of midrange earbuds. They do some things right and some things wrong. You'll either love them or hate them. I've been using a pair of Pixel 2a earbuds for a week; here's what I learned.

The Pixel Buds 2a are adorably tiny Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The good old earbuds-and-stem build has its merits. Pixel Buds are designed to reside almost entirely inside your earlobe. That's a design that I personally like, even though there are some clear shortcomings. 

The main reason I like them: size. The Pixel Buds 2a are just small enough to sleep on your side with them in. Your mileage will vary depending on the shape of your ear, but I found I could sleep in them. There is a bit of pressure on the ear when I do, but it's barely noticeable.

Despite being diminutive, these buds are good for about seven hours of playback on a single charge, with another two charges in the equally tiny case. In the week I was using them, I never charged the case – and it still has 35% charge as I write this. I'm also not the heaviest earbud user, so again, your mileage will vary.

Left: Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable Right: Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The downside: the stems sticking out of your ears are touch sensitive. This can cause problems when you reach up to push the bud back into your ear … and inadvertently pause your music or turn off ANC. There's also no way to adjust the volume of the buds by touch. You can tell Google/Gemini to do it, but that's a workaround at best, annoying at worst.

The Pixel buds 2a sound and ANC are solid Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The overall sound of these buds is pretty good. Out of the box, you get a pretty balanced tone, though there's a little bit less bass than I would normally like. Google provides a five band EQ that you can use to adjust sound. I'm usually more of a 7 to 9 band EQ fan, but was still able to tweak the sound to my liking. 

One welcome addition to these buds, missing from the previous generation, is ANC. I found it surprisingly good considering the price point. It doesn't drown out everything, to be sure, but it certainly filters out quite a bit. 

During my review, the office in my basement was blasted with sounds from a HVAC system, a 3D printer, and a washer and dryer, all running at the same time. Most of that noise was cancelled out. That was a very pleasant surprise.

Transparency mode is also effective. There is a bit of side tone when you speak, which can be a tad annoying. But overall, I have no complaints about transparency mode. 

These earbuds don't do very well cancelling out wind noise when out riding on a bike (of course,  you should never ride a bike with ANC turned on: don't try this at home). Still, the buds do a good job at eliminating wind noise for callers. Despite the atrocious wind noise I experienced on the phone, the person I was calling didn't even know I was on a bike. So there's that.

Hearing Health is a quiet marvel Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

One Pixel bud feature it's easy to overlook: the hearing health information it feeds you. This is a feature that should be built into Android, and frankly every operating system you can pair earbuds to. It can tell you in real time how loud your audio is, and how that loudness has changed over time.

That's an awesome feature, but Google doesn't quite go far enough with it. What I'd like to see is a widget you can put on your home screen that gives you that same information in real time so you can actually see it. 

As it is, this feature is buried inside the settings of the app; it desperately needs to be more front-facing. I would love it even more if Google didn't make it so easy to ignore.

Controls are limited Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

One pet peeve I have with these buds (and other buds that do the same thing) is they limit what you can do with the touch controls. You can control the Pixel Buds 2a with short and long taps on the buds, which is fine, except for the problem of accidentally pausing your music. But you can't control what those taps do, except for the long tap. 

A single tap pauses your music, a double tap skips forward and a triple tap skips back. You can control what a tap and hold does — either turn ANC on/off or summon Gemini, but that's the only option you have. 

I would much prefer the ability to configure your controls however you want. For the buds, I'd rather double tap left/right to turn volume down or up, and triple tap left/right to skip back/forward; but it's simply not an option. That's not cool. They're my buds; let me control them however I want.

As with the AirPods Pro 3, and some other buds such as the OnePlus Buds Pro 3, the controls are in the Bluetooth settings — but Google automatically adds an "app" to access those settings as well. I put "app" in quotes because it's basically just a shortcut to the same settings panel. Definitely handy, but it's hardly an entire app.

Gemini is at your service… kinda Credit: Adam Doud / Mashable

In 2025, a product cannot be released without having some kind of AI built in. The AI here, of course, is Gemini, which is generally superior to Apple Intelligence — but what's nice about Apple's AI is you can use it to directly control functions in the buds, such as turning ANC on and off. 

Gemini on the buds cannot do that, which is pretty weird. Gemini can control your smart devices, provide masses of information, or get directions. But ANC, apparently,  is not on the table. This seems to fly in the face of using Gemini to turn volume up and down (which works, by the way). Using Google's buds to access Google's AI doesn't make it superior to any other earbuds that answer to "OK Google."

Overall verdict Credit: Joe Maldonado / Mashable

The Pixel Buds 2A weigh in at $129: an okay, but not amazing price for what you get. I like the sound quality and the ANC, but any set of earbuds you buy for around $100 will have pretty good sound and ANC. 

A good transparency mode helps, but the lack of wireless charging in particular is hard to ignore at this price. There are just too many good options at or below that price that have those features and wireless charging besides.

The main thing these buds have going for them over their competitors are their size, which is adorably tiny, with good battery life (considering their size), and the fact that they pair very nicely with your Google-branded phone…if you have one. Hearing health is a feature no other set of earbuds that I've tested has, and Google should build on that and make it as front-facing as possible.

If those are all things that you're absolutely looking for in earbuds, then these are the buds for you. But if you're not necessarily interested in having small buds, or you want the ability to control your volume with touch (which is much more important for me than skipping forward/back) then there are better options.

Ultimately, Google needs to either add wireless charging or bring the price down to $99 to be truly competitive in this space. Being small and having a "G" on the bud isn't enough anymore.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds 2a $129 at Amazon
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Buds 2a $129 at Google
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Whether we want them or not, every major manufacturer will likely release an ultra-thin phone to compete with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air. One unlikely competitor that is familiar with thin phones is Motorola, and its upcoming Moto Edge 70 could fix the Air's biggest problem.

You can get the Ugreen MagFlow 20000mAh Magnetic Power Bank right now for just $80 on Amazon. This is a major 33% discount off its original price of $120. That's a huge saving that puts this high-capacity charger at an excellent price point.

Need to identify the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) in a Linux computer? Here's how you can identify the graphics card from the command line and in GNOME.

As Elvira, Cassandra Peterson has become a true icon, headlining comedies like Elvira: Mistress of the Dark and Elvira's Haunted Hills, hosting hordes of TV B-movie presentations, appearing in comic books, and much, much more. Now, Peterson is resurrecting her Valley girl vamp for Elvira's Cookbook from Hell, a charming coffee table book that boasts goth recipes, glossy photos, crafting guides, and very Elvira-style hosting etiquette.

Peterson came by Mashable's Say More couch for an interview with Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko. Together, they dive into all things Elvira, including her new cookbook, how her dear(ly departed) friend and fellow horror icon Vincent Price was an inspiration, and drag queens.

Having guest judged on RuPaul's Drag Race "Monster Ball" and The Boulet Brothers' Dragula: Titans "Halloween House Party," Peterson was happy to draw a connection between her Elvira character and the queens. "I do everything drag queens do," she said of putting together her goth goddess look, "except 'tuck'!"

Peterson also shared how Elvira's Cookbook from Hell has been a dream project for thirty years, dating back to Martha Stewart's rise. Loving to cook and host herself, Peterson began to pitch a cookbook for the goth crowd — but publishers wouldn't bite. Little did they understand the vision she had, not for a Halloween-specific cookbook, but for one that brings goth flare and Elvira's spirited sense of humor to every occasion, from a graveside picnic to a spooky cocktail hour to a chic and macabre wedding complete with a multi-tier cake. (Please note the Black Widow Smashes that Puchko tested and tasted to prepare for the interview.)

Puchko, who's long been burrowing through Price's cookbooks, wondered if he was an inspiration for a particular cucumber-based recipe in Elvira's Cookbook from Hell. From there, Peterson shared a story of how Price was the source of a recipe that didn't make the final draft of her book, but is treasured by her nonetheless. Dare you give it a try?

Watch our full Say More video to learn more about Elvira, Peterson's cookbook, and how you're not getting the most out of a dishwasher unless you're using it to steam your entree.

Elvira's Cookbook from Hell is now on sale.

When browsing the internet, you've probably enabled notifications by mistake on one or two sites—it gets especially annoying on phones since it's a pop-up that you need to manually reject. Or maybe you enabled notifications for a site you're not visiting all that often these days. Now, Chrome will help you curb all of that if you don't know how to stay on top of it.

SAVE $130: As of Oct. 10, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is on sale for just $369 at Amazon. That's 26% off its list price of $499 and matches its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Beam Gen 2 $369 at Amazon
$499 Save $130 Get Deal

If you're looking to enhance your movie marathons or football Sundays, a soundbar is the ticket to an epic home theater setup. And one of our favorites happens to be on sale for its best price ever.

As of Oct. 10, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is just $369 at Amazon post-Prime Big Deal Days. It's usually $499, so that's 26% or $130 in savings. This is just the third time ever that the sleek soundbar has dropped down to this record-low price.

The second-generation soundbar enhances what we already loved about the first generation Beam, which Mashable tech reporter Raymond Wong said "hits the sweet spot on price, design, sound quality, and features." It features a better processor, a new grill, and Dolby Atmos compatibility in addition to its immersive sound, crystal clarity, and voice assistant support. It's easy to set up and syncs with other Sonos products like a dream. So if you're already in the Sonos smart home ecosystem, it's an especially excellent choice.

Beyond just making your movies, shows, and sports pop, the second generation Sonos Beam also works double duty as a Bluetooth speaker. Even when the TV is off, you can stream music, podcasts, and audiobooks from all your favorite services.

Though the October Prime Day event has wrapped up, you can still snag this soundbar for a budget-friendly $369, making it an extra impressive value for the money.

I‘ve always been a fan of home theater and TV technology. Over the decades, I’ve tried many of the “next big things” the industry has offered: projectors, rear-projection TVs, a 43” tube TV that felt huge at the time, and for a short while a curved TV. Looking back, it’s been a fun ride, but many so-called “game changers” never lived up to the hype.

BUY 3 ITEMS, GET 20% OFF: As of Oct. 10, buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off your purchase at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off Get Deal

Are you all stocked up and ready for Halloween? It's still quite early, so no worries if not. You've still got time to decorate the house, stock up on candy, and pick out costumes for you and the rest of the brood. Amazon is aiming to make the process a little cheaper this year thanks to this sale, which can save you a bundle when you buy all the Halloween goodies you need this year.

As of Oct. 10, buy 3 select Halloween costumes, candy items, or decor and get 20% off your purchase at Amazon. Just choose from the items available on the sale promo page and add to cart. Your discount will automatically be applied at checkout.

SEE ALSO: The Home Depot's comically large Halloween decorations are up to 50% off today only

There's a ton to choose from when it comes to candy: Nerds Ropes, candy corn, Jolly Rancher, Sour Patch Kids, and much more, including multipacks of candy you can give out to the entire neighborhood, as well as chocolates you can just sit home and eat by yourself because you're an adult.

Choose from several kids and adult costumes like pirates, cowboys, the Statue of Liberty, witches, mummies, and more. And don't forget to grab a costume for your dog or cat because they're a part of the family too. You can even shop additional accessories to finish off your costume right.

Finally, don't miss decor and party essentials like plates, napkins, coolers, and other pieces of spooky ephemera to curate your home. Now's the time to make sure you're all ready for the scariest month of the year, so buy from Amazon and save some cash whle you're at it.

Microsoft has started rolling out a new update for the Copilot app on Windows to Windows Insiders. The biggest additions are the introduction of Connectors for personal services and the ability to create and export documents directly from your Copilot session.

SAVE UP TO 42%: As of Oct. 10, both the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) are on sale for $34.99. That's a 30% discount on the standard model (down from $49.99) and a 42% discount on the Kids edition (down from $59.99).

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event may be over, but some of the best deals are sticking around. If you missed out on the main event, you still have a chance to snag some popular tech at a discount.

SEE ALSO: 200+ October Prime Day deals still live: Savings on Apple, Kindle, Sony, Ninja, and Lego

As of Oct. 10, both the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) and the Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) are on sale for $34.99. That's a 30% discount on the standard model (down from $49.99) and a 42% discount on the Kids edition (down from $59.99).

Both models feature Amazon's improved audio for clearer vocals and deeper bass, so you should be able to stream music from services like Spotify or Apple Music without issue. The standard Echo Dot includes motion and temperature sensors to trigger smart home routines, while the Kids edition comes with a year of the Amazon Kids+ subscription for ad-free stories and games, easy-to-use parental controls, and a two-year worry-free guarantee.

Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$49.99 Save $15 Get Deal Echo Dot Kids (5th Gen) $34.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $25 Get Deal

There's a new TikTok trend, and it's dangerous, manipulative, and feeds off the dehumanization of people facing housing insecurity.

People are using AI to generate false images of "homeless" men entering their houses to trick their parents, roommates, or partners. In one viral video, creator Joe Mele used AI to create an image of someone who looks unhoused standing on the other side of his screened front door. He sent the picture to his dad with the text: "Hey dad there's this guy at the front door, he says he knows you?"

"No I don't know him," his dad seemingly said. "What does he want?"

"He said you guys went to school together, I invited him in," Mele responded along with another AI-generated photo of the man sitting on his couch.

"JOE PICK UP THE PHONE," his dad responds. "I DON'T KNOW HIM!!!!!!!!" Followed by, "Hello???" along with three missed calls.

"He said he's hungry, grabbing a quick snack," Mele sent again with another AI-generated photo of the same AI-generated man taking food out of an open refrigerator.

"PICK UP THE PHONE," his dad said. "Are you getting my calls?" along with a screenshot of seven missed calls.

This goes on for some time, as Mele tells it. Mele sends an AI-generated photo of the man using his dad's toothbrush and sleeping in his dad's bed. The video has wracked up over 10.4 million views, and it's not the only one. There are dozens of videos with thousands of of views all following the same trend, many of which use Google Gemini AI, according to one user. Google recently added its new Nano Banana Ai image tool to Gemini, which makes it easy to edit photos.

Of course, Mele's entire video could be some kind of scripted skit, but Mele's hardly the only one making videos like this.

Not all parents, roommates, and partners respond with panicked texts and phone calls, as intended. Some respond with an immediate call to the police. The BBC reported that Dorset Police have received calls based on the prank, and asked people to "please attempt to check it isn't a prank before [dialing] 999" if they "receive a message and pictures similar to the above antics from friends or family."

The Salem Police Department in Massachusetts also posted a news release about the trend, calling the prank "stupid and potentially dangerous."

Not only does the prank involve manipulating loved ones, but it's also a pretty blatant dehumanization of people facing housing insecurity, depicting them as scary, dirty, or invasive — all harmful stereotypes — and using them as a prop for a joke.

"This prank dehumanizes the homeless, causes the distressed recipient to panic and wastes police resources," the City of Salem Police Department wrote. "Police officers who are called upon to respond do not know this is a prank and treat the call as an actual burglary in progress thus creating a potentially dangerous situation."