Latest news with #EpicGames
International Business Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- International Business Times
What is XBOW? An AI Tool that is America's 'Best Hacker' Secures $75M in Funding
An unexpected hacker has topped the leaderboard in discovering real-world cyberthreats, beating some of the very talented human reviewers. Its name is XBOW, a new artificial intelligence system designed to explore for vulnerabilities in software, and it just claimed first place on HackerOne, an international bug bounty-based competition in which hackers work to uncover bugs for big companies. It marks the first time that autonomous systems have surpassed all people on the leaderboard. In the past few months alone, XBOW's AI has identified more than 1,000 vulnerabilities. These are not just guesses—companies such as AT&T, Epic Games, Ford, and Disney have verified 132 of these threats and have issued fixes. 330+ more bugs are targeted for resolution, with hundreds more still under review. XBOW is unique in the way it operates; it continuously scans apps and systems like a tireless red team. Instead of being human-driven—requiring scheduled penetration scans—XBOW runs 24x7. It's AI that detects, models, and emulates attacks against live networks—without the need for manual guidance. The result? Faster identification of genuine security issues—including those deeply buried within complex codebases. The creators of XBOW say that the shift is crucial since cyberattacks have become more intricate as hackers have also started leveraging AI to initiate large-scale attacks. In this accelerating arms race, being capable of thinking and acting at machine speed is no longer a luxury—it's a requirement. But the trend of automated testing tools also raises issues. The increasing number of bug reports from AI is worrying some developers. They fear that if services such as XBOW are replicated, it could flood security personnel with too many alerts, some of which may be duplicative or not warrant attention. XBOW, however, asserts that its reports are not only valid but frequently crucial and notes that human reports can also come in varying qualities. Whatever the merits of that debate, the impact of the platform is clear. It can execute full-scale security tests in hours—something that previously took days or even weeks. And it's not just for cybersecurity experts or researchers; the product is already being used by banks, tech giants, and other major organizations. To fuel its burgeoning ambitions, XBOW recently secured $75 million in a Series B round of funding. The round was led by Altimeter's Apoorv Agrawal and included follow-on from Sequoia Capital and Nat Friedman. The investment brings the company's total raise to $117 million. With the fresh funds, XBOW plans to grow its engineering team and build out its go-to-market plan.
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to play Squid Game's Red Light Green Light in Fortnite?
Image via Epic Games. Over the years since its launch, Fortnite has collaborated with hundreds of popular franchises 0 be it movies, TV series, anime, music labels, celebrities, or even other games. So, there is no way this fan-favorite battle royale title would miss out on Squid Game. As the Season 3 of this popular Netflix TV series has just been released today, it was a perfect opportunity for the makers of Squid Game to promote it through this hugely popular gaming title. The collaboration brought themed event, a new map, skins, bundles, and a lot more. And yes, you can play the famous 'Red Light Green Light' game in Fortnite as well. How to play the 'Red Light Green Light' game from Squid Game in Fortnite? As previously mentioned, Fortnite has introduced a new map called the Squid Ground on the occasion of this epic collaboration with Squid Games. Just as shown in the series, players will be able to take part in many Squid Game activities, and yes, they are as deadly as the series. However, amongst all of them, the most exciting one has to be the 'Red Light Green Light' game, which you can play in Fortnite. In order to play the Red Light Green Light game, players need to find out the Red Green POIs in the map. However, finding them won't be that tough, because those POI's have been marked with red and green colors on the map. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Thailand (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search Ads Search Now Undo Upon finding them, players need to enter the POIs and find a stair which will lead them into the actual room where the Red Light Green Light game will be hosted. Red Light Green Light Gameplay - Fortnite Squid Game Map Now, here is a double-trouble. Be cautious before entering that room because you will be instantly eliminated if the giant robotic doll is facing towards you. Also beware from other players because you can be eliminated by them as well before entering the room. For those who haven't watched Squid Game, playing the Red Light Green Light game needs a lot of precision and patience. Players need to move behind the large standing doll only when it is not facing backwards and specific music is being played. If you move even slightly when the music stops and the doll rotates its head towards you, then you will be instantly killed. However, after reaching the finish line, you can leave the room. Completing this game grants you several previous rewards, like rare and normal chests. Players will be given a port-a-potty as well to escape the Red Light Green Light room. Although the Red Light Green Light game was already available via Fortnite Creative, players can enter this code: 9068-3864-7570 (By GINGERJAY91) to find it on that platform. But it can be said that after the Squid Collaboration, the official one is way more exciting. Read More: All Squid Game skins coming to Fortnite prices, release schedule, and more Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
CNET
14 hours ago
- CNET
It's Not Too Late to Claim a Part of Fortnite's $245 Million Settlement. Learn How to File
The FTC has sent almost 1.6 million payments already to Fortnite gamers. Epic Games It's been a good week for Fortnite gamers who felt cheated by accidental in-game purchases. The Federal Trade Commission announced it was distributing $126 million in compensation to 969,173 claimants this week, and it also extended the time to file a claim -- the process had previously ended on Jan. 10, 2025. Games who were charged by Fortnite for unwanted purchases between January 2017 and September 2022 who haven't already filed now have until July 9, 2025, to participate in the settlement by filing a claim. The FTC says that since December, 629,344 payments went out to players who made those in-game purchases and who filed a valid claim by Oct. 8, 2024. The average payout was about $114 per customer and totaled $72 million. In the settlement, the FTC concluded that Epic Games used design tricks known as dark patterns to make in-game sales. "Fortnite's counterintuitive, inconsistent, and confusing button configuration led players to incur unwanted charges based on the press of a single button," the agency said in its March 2023 announcement. The FTC has more money left, so it's extending the claim deadline The FTC apparently still has about $47 million left to distribute from the settlement. On June 25, the agency posted a notice alerting those who haven't yet filed that they now have until July 9, 2025, to submit a claim at The Fortnite settlement applies to anyone who was charged for in-game currency for items they did not want to purchase between January 2017 and September 2022; if a child made credit card charges without a parent's knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018; or if an account was locked after a charge was disputed between January 2017 and September 2022. Eligible Fortnite claims will be paid via check or PayPal. Screenshot by CNET Those filing must be 18 or older; minors can ask a parent or guardian to complete the form on their behalf. One CNET staffer received his PayPal deposit (for $95.98) from a Fortnite claim in January, a pleasant surprise since he had forgotten about the settlement. Epic's Fortnite is wildly popular, especially with teens; in one game event last year, 44.7 million players participated on a single day. But the free-to-play game relies on players buying Battle Passes and other items with V-Bucks, the in-game currency. Like other games-as-platforms that have a large audience of young people, such as Roblox, Fortnite has evolved on how to make its game secure for young people and to ensure that payments aren't being generated without the player's authorization. How can I file a Fortnite claim? When you visit the FTC's Epic Games/Fortnite page to file a claim, you will be asked if you received a notification email from the FTC with a claim number. If you have a claim number, select Yes, click Next, then provide your claim number and solve a CAPTCHA test to submit your claim. If you didn't receive a notification or can no longer find your claim number, you can apply for a Fortnite claim using your Epic account ID. If you're not sure of your Epic account ID, follow these steps from the Epic Games support page. Epic Games introduced LegoFortnite in December 2023. Epic Games When and how will I receive my money from the FTC? Eligible claims submitted by Oct. 8, 2024, and January have already started receiving payments. The FTC has not specified when money for new claims filed by July 9 will be distributed. During the claims process on the FTC site, you will be able to specify whether you'd like to be paid with a check or via PayPal. Checks must be cashed within 90 days, and PayPal payments must be accepted within 30 days. For questions about your payment, you can call a claims support hotline at 1-800-915-0880 or email admin@ Will filing a claim against Epic Games affect my Fortnite account? According to the FTC, filing a claim will not affect the status of a player's Fortnite account. For more information, see the FTC's Fortnite refunds FAQ.
The Verge
15 hours ago
- The Verge
The FTC has reopened claims for Fortnite settlement refunds: here's how you can submit one
Eligible Fortnite players who felt bamboozled into making unwanted purchases have been given a second chance to request a refund. The Federal Trade Commission has reopened applications to receive refunds from the $245 million settlement that Epic Games reached with the agency until July 9th, after previously closing requests in February. The agreement was announced in 2022 as part of a broader $520 million FTC settlement over privacy violations and alleged use of design tricks that duped players into accidentally buying in-game items. The first wave of 629,344 refunds was issued in December 2024, with the FTC now announcing that it sent out 969,173 new payments on Wednesday and Thursday, bringing the total amount of refunds to nearly $200 million. You can apply to receive a refund by visiting Specific details about eligibility are also available on the site, but the FTC says you can submit a claim if: You were charged in-game currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022. Your child made charges to your credit card without your knowledge between January 2017 and November 2018. Your account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 after you complained to your credit card company about wrongful charges. Applications are limited to Fortnite players in the US who are aged 18 or over, otherwise, the FTC says a parent must apply on your behalf. The FTC says it expects additional payments to be sent out in 2026 'after we have reviewed and validated all claims.'
Phone Arena
20 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Epic Games CEO furious after Apple's latest EU App Store move, calls it "blatantly unlawful"
Mere hours ago, Apple announced new App Store rule changes for developers in the European Union, but Cupertino's latest move is not making Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney happy… at you know, there's an ongoing Epic Games vs Apple scandal. It began in 2020 when Epic added a direct payment option to Fortnite on iOS, bypassing Apple's 30% commission and violating App Store rules. Apple removed the game, prompting Epic to sue, accusing Apple of monopolistic control over app distribution and in-app the following years, a judge ruled that Apple was not a monopoly but did violate California law by preventing developers from linking to alternative payment methods. While most of Epic's claims were dismissed, the court upheld an injunction forcing Apple to allow developers to steer users to external payment Apple has made major changes to how the App Store works in the European Union to comply with the EU's new Digital Markets Act (DMA). Developers now have more freedom to promote their apps, use multiple external links, and direct users to outside payment options (these were previously restricted).At the same time, Apple is introducing new fees, including a 2% Initial Acquisition Fee for new users and a split-tier system for Store Services, charging 5% or 13% depending on what level of features developers choose. This is precisely what has made Tim Sweeney furious: Image source – X Besides calling the latest Apple move "a malicious compliance scheme" that is "blatantly unlawful in both Europe and the United States and makes a mockery of fair competition", Tim says that "Apple blocks auto-updates to these apps, cripples search for them, and blocks customer support and family sharing": Image source – X Tim Sweeney suggested that instead of just pointing out flaws, it's important to offer real solutions: Image source – X He believes the App Store should offer its full set of features to every developer equally, without restrictions. Developers should have the freedom to decide how they handle payments – whether through Apple, their own systems, or a mix of both. Apple should only charge for the services it actually provides, without adding extra fees or penalties for using alternative options. According to Sweeney, this approach would create a healthier, more balanced system – similar to how things work on Windows and Mac – encouraging innovation and growth while reducing the dominance of mobile app store monopolies. Personally, I don't see an easy way out of it. Some regulators wave their finger at Apple and threats are made, Apple says it'll see what it can do, then takes action, but in its own style, often repackaging and renaming the same thing they used to push previously. X users are joking that Apple might keep behaving the same way, just calling it with new names, like "Platform Participation Surcharge, "Digital Infrastructure Tariff", or "Mandatory Mutual Prosperity Fee". Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
