Daily News Roundup: MS Office Exploits Now Make Up 70 Percent of Attacks

According to new research from Kaspersky Labs, finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft Office is the new hotness. According to a presentation on its findings, around 70 percent of all attacks detected in Q4 2018 targeted Office.

That’s up by nearly four times the percentage from just two years before, at the end of 2016. What’s most intriguing about Kaspersky’s findings, however, is that none of the most exploited vulnerabilities targeted Office directly, but exploits found in specific components of the software.

So, why Office? Because Office is prolific. What’s more, because of its prolificacy, it’s often the focus of research to find specific vulnerabilities (by the good guys, mind you). But once a specific vulnerability becomes public, an exploit is available on the dark web “in a matter of days,” according to ZDNet. Seriously, you can’t win.

In other news, iOS 13 may get a system-wide dark mode, the Apple Pencil has some weird issues, Google takes steps towards making sure apps from new developers are safe, Microsoft is making its own AirPods, and more. Here are the top stories from April 16th, 2019.

• iOS 13 may get a system-wide dark mode, detachable windows for multitasking, undo gestures, and a lot more. [9to5Mac]
• If you charge your Apple Pencil with your iPad Pro, you may have issues unlocking your car with a key fob. Wait, what? [Apple Support via 9to5Mac]
• Google recently highlighted some changes it’s going to make regarding its relationship with Android app developers. The key here, however, is that it’s going to take “more time to review apps by developers that don’t have a track record.” This means more human interaction to help prevent malware from spreading in Google Play. Good. [Android Developers Blog]
• It looks like the highly-leaked Pixel 3a and 3a XL will be available starting on May 7th. Not only that, but Verizon’s exclusivity for Pixel phones may be coming to an end, as it’s rumored T-Mobile will starting carrying the 3, 3XL, 3a, and 3a XL. This is such a smart move. [Android Police, The Verge]
• Microsoft wants in on this sweet truly wireless earbud action, so it’s developing its own. They’re currently codenamed “Morrisson,” but let’s be real here: they’re going to call them Surface Buds. [Thurrott]
• AT&T solid its share of Hulu back to, well, Hulu, which means Disney now owns 66 percent of the service. As pointed out by The Verge, that could mean big changes for the service as we know it. Ugh. [The Verge]
• Sony recently spilled some details of its upcoming console—presumably called “PlayStation 5” but never explicitly stated—and it sounds like an absolute beast. My excitement is overwhelming. [Wired]
• In super cool science news, scientists were recently able to 3D print a functional heart using the patient’s cells. What an absolutely incredible breakthrough for transplant patients. [Engadget]
• In less happy science news, SpaceX lost Falcon Heavy’s core booster to rough seas. The core was successfully landed on a drone ship (for the first time, no less), but the sea had other ideas. What a downer. [The Verge]

While it has nothing to do with science or technology, yesterday brought the devastating news of the fire at Notre Dame’s Cathedral. It was truly heartbreaking to see a building that has been standing for nearly 700 years engulfed in flames, but the resilience of the French people who watched is nothing short of inspiring. As the Cathedral burned, they gathered together to sing hymns in a powerful display of humanity.