Communications of the ACM
The news archive provides access to past news stories from Communications of the ACM and other sources by date.
April 2022
From ACM TechNews
Chinese Hackers Abuse VLC Media Player to Launch Malware Loader
Symantec researchers have identified a campaign perpetrated by a hacker group associated with the Chinese government using VLC Media Player to launch a custom malware loader.
From ACM News
Quantum Datacenter Intranet Advances
While these breakthroughs must be considered proofs of concept, they demonstrate the pieces of future quantum datacenters are coming together, says independent analyst Bob Sorensen.
From ACM News
U.S. Agencies Warn of Custom-Made Hacking Tools Targeting Energy Sector Systems
The alert said the actors are specifically targeting Schneider Electric MODICON and MODICON Nano PLCs, and OMRON Sysmac NJ and NX PLCs.
From ACM TechNews
Understanding Software Engineering Salaries in 2022
Online employment marketplace Hired's 2022 State of Software Engineers report found mounting cyberattacks last year raised demand for security engineers.
From ACM TechNews
Google Bans Apps With Hidden Data-Harvesting Software
Google has pulled dozens of applications from its Google Play store amid researchers' findings that they contain software that secretly harvests data.
From ACM TechNews
Physical Sensations in VR Go Hands-Free
A new virtual reality haptics system eliminates hand-based hardware by manipulating the forearm instead of the hand to generate physical sensations.
From ACM TechNews
Scientists Spy on Mount Etna with Fiber-Optic Cables
Scientists are monitoring Italy’s Mount Etna through fiber-optic cables, using distributed acoustic sensing to detect seismic signals that conventional sensors overlook.
From ACM News
Carla E. Brodley of Northeastern University to Receive Inaugural ACM Frances E. Allen Award for Outstanding Mentoring
Brodley developed, disseminated data-driven mentoring practices to make computer science more diverse, inclusive, and equitable.
From ACM News
CISA Adds Google, Microsoft and QNAP Bugs to Exploited Vulnerabilities List
CISA has added 15 vulnerabilities to its catalog in April.
From ACM News
Ukraine Thwarts Cyberattack on Electric Grid, Officials Say
The attack, which was set for last Friday, used software similar to the 'industroyer' code used in a 2016 hack of Kyiv's grid, experts noted.
From ACM TechNews
Satellite Modems Nexus of Worst Cyberattack of Ukraine War
A cyberattack anchored on a satellite network owned by U.S-based Viasat and used by Ukraine's government and military underscores the vulnerability of commercial satellite networks.
From ACM TechNews
AI-Based Model Can Use ECG Images to Diagnose Multiple Heart Rhythm, Conduction Disorders
An artificial intelligence model can diagnose several heart rhythm and conduction disorders using electrocardiogram images in various formats and layouts.
From ACM News
The Failings of Machine Learning Models
Risk assessment, accountability, explainability, and bias, among other factors, challenge the success of machine learning.
From ACM News
Craig Newmark Philanthropies Pledges $50 Million to Cyber Civil Defense
The Cyber Civil Defense will focus on basic cyber education and literacy for people and small businesses, will help people get jobs cybersecurity, and work with Big Tech to make these initiatives happen.
From ACM News
How Ukraine Has Defended Itself Against Cyberattacks: Lessons for the U.S.
In Ukraine in recent years, hackers entered poorly protected networks by techniques as simple as guessing passwords or intercepting their use on unsecure computers.
From ACM News
The Huge Endeavor to Produce a Tiny Microchip
As the global chip shortage continues, we take an inside look at how semiconductors are fabricated.
From ACM TechNews
Engineer Makes Footgear to Guide People with Vision Problems
Japanese engineer Wataru Chino has designed footwear that incorporates a flexible motor-mounted device embedded to guide vision-impaired users.
From ACM TechNews
U.S. FBI Says It Disrupted Russian Hackers
U.S. officials said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had seized control of thousands of routers and firewall appliances from Russian hackers.
From ACM TechNews
Does This AI Think Like a Human?
Scientists have developed the Shared Interest method for rapidly analyzing a machine learning model's behavior by evaluating its individual explanations.
From ACM TechNews
Better, Faster, Energy Efficient Predictions
The research combines artificial intelligence and computational science for accurate and efficient simulations of complex systems.
From ACM TechNews
Hackers Target Bridges Between Blockchains for Crypto Heists
Hackers pulled off a $540-million cryptocurrency heist by exploiting Ronin Network software that lets players of the online game "Axie Infinity" transfer digital assets across blockchains.
From ACM News
The Senate Bill That Has Big Tech Scared
The proposal would stop the biggest platforms from giving themselves an advantage over the little guys. Who's afraid of a little competition?
From ACM News
Spreadsheets Are Hot—and Cranking Out Complex Code
The venerable (and yes, super dull) piece of officeware is getting reinvented as a tool for non-coders to automate and simplify their lives.
From ACM News
Meet DALL-E, the A.I. That Draws Anything at Your Command
New technology that blends language and images could serve graphic artists—and speed disinformation campaigns.
From ACM TechNews
Volunteers Scramble to Preserve Ukraine's Digital Culture
More than 1,300 volunteers are working to preserve Ukraine's digital culture.
From ACM TechNews
Facial Recognition Goes to War
Hoan Ton-That enlisted his facial recognition company Clearview AI in Russia’s war on Ukraine by tapping its technology to help bring some clarity to the conflict.
From ACM TechNews
Meet Geoffrey, the Pink Robot with Heart-Shaped Eyes that Delivers Coffee in Charlotte
Toronto, Canada-based robotics company Tiny Mile deployed the first of its "Geoffrey" delivery robots in the U.S. as part of a two-month test in Charlotte, NC.
From ACM TechNews
Brokenwire Hack Could Let Remote Attackers Disrupt Electric Vehicle Charging
Researchers have identified a method for attacking the Combined Charging System and interrupting electric vehicle charging sessions.
From ACM News
AI Could Help Night Vision Cameras See Color in the Dark
Could an AI algorithm better predict colors in an image from a night vision camera that uses multiple wavelengths of infrared light?
From ACM News
New Federal IT Dashboard Falls Short of Its Aims
Unfortunately, it does not appear GSA designed the new dashboard for all users, but rather seems to have tailored it to OMB or GSA staff engaged in monitoring and reporting activities.