I recently found out that Screwbean Mesquite is ground into meal and flour and used in baking. As a kid we would chew on Mesquite Beans, but we never messed with these.

Pokemon fans have been left perplexed after being commanded by the official Pokemon Twitch channel to 'Discover Oddish' for over 19 hours, with a soundless stream showing nothing but the company's logo for the best part of a day.

The Pokemon Company's Twitch channel is a pretty active one, so to see it streaming something isn't out of the ordinary. With that being said, 'Discover Oddish' certainly managed to turn heads, and you can see why. As the hours passed, fans on Twitter began to question what was going on. Why was there a mostly-blank stream on the channel? Why are we discovering Oddish? What did Oddish do? And perhaps most importantly, when will it end?

Walking on the river road along side the Rio Grande yesterday and noticed this through the brush.

Years ago I purchased a Google home hub. It is almost exclusively used to play music while I am cooking. First I used Google music or YouTube music (I forget which) then Spotify. I now have left Android and Spotify behind. In the Google home app I do not see an option to use tidal music. And when I try and share audio from my iPhone the hub does not appear on Bluetooth or WiFi devices.

Even when using Spotify I would have to start the music on the hub then open the app on my phone to put on the music I wanted.

Is there a way to keep using the hub? Or should I get another HomePod?

Apple's Macs are less targeted by malware than Windows PCs, but that doesn't mean they are immune. Increasingly, insidious types of Mac malware are being developed that have researchers concerned enough to issue public warnings, and that's the case again today.

As reported by Hacker News, Cado Security has identified a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) targeting macOS users named "Cthulhu Stealer." First spotted in late 2023, the malicious software is designed to steal sensitive information from infected Macs, such as saved passwords from iCloud Keychain, information from web browsers, and even details from Telegram accounts. 

What's particularly concerning is that it's being sold as a service on the dark web for $500 per month, potentially allowing multiple bad actors to use it against unsuspecting Mac owners.

Cato Security researcher Tara Gould reportsthat Cthulhu Stealer disguises itself as popular software to trick users into installing it. It might appear as CleanMyMac, Grand Theft Auto IV, or even Adobe GenP (a tool some users employ to bypass Adobe's subscription model). The malware comes packaged as a disk image (DMG) file.

If a user tries to open the fake app, macOS's built-in security feature, Gatekeeper, warns that the software is unsigned. But if a user chooses to bypass this warning, the malware immediately asks for the user's system password, mimicking a legitimate system prompt. This technique isn't new – other Mac malware like Atomic Stealer and MacStealer use similar tricks.

Once it has the necessary permissions, Cthulhu Stealer can access and steal a wide range of sensitive data. For crypto users, it specifically targets MetaMask digital wallet information. All of this stolen data is then sent to the attackers' servers.

Notably, reports suggest that whoever designed Cthulu Stealer is no longer active, apparently following disputes over payments and accusations of scamming their own customers, i.e. other cybercriminals who were using the malware.

While Cthulhu Stealer isn't the most sophisticated malware out there, it's still a significant threat to Mac users who might be tricked into installing it. General security pointers include only downloading software from trusted sources like the App Store or official developer websites, being wary of any app asking for your system password during installation, and keeping your Mac updated with the latest security patches from Apple.

In macOS Sequoia, expected to be released in mid-September, Apple plans to remove the ability to easily override Gatekeeper warnings by Control-clicking. Instead, users will need to go through System Settings to allow unsigned software to run, adding an extra step that might make users think twice before running potentially dangerous apps.

Catch an Incineroar with the Mightiest Mark!
Incineroar will be appearing at black Tera Raid crystals from Friday, September 6, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 23:59 UTC, then again from Friday, September 13, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 23:59 UTC.

The Incineroar appearing during this event has Dark as its Tera Type. Be prepared—this Pokémon is a formidable foe, and it’s got the Mightiest Mark to prove it! Work together with your friends to topple this powerful Tera Pokémon!

During the latter half of this event—from Friday, September 13, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 23:59 UTC—Blissey will be appearing more frequently in 5-star Tera Raid Battles. These Blissey will have various Tera Types, so prepare wisely before challenging them! Defeating Blissey will yield some delightful rewards, such as various Tera Shards and bonus Exp. Candies.
\

This special Incineroar can be caught only once per save data. If you caught this Incineroar previously during a Tera Raid Battle event, you cannot catch it again. You can still participate in Tera Raid Battles against this Incineroar to obtain other rewards if you’ve already caught it. This Incineroar may be featured in future events or become obtainable through other methods.

\

Event Schedule

Friday, September 6, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 23:59 UTC

Friday, September 13, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 23:59 UTC
\

Incineroar will have the same mark, Ability, and moves regardless of when it is caught during the event.

\

Featured Pokémon

7-star Tera Raid Battles: Incineroar with the Mightiest Mark

5-star Tera Raid Battles: Blissey (Friday, September 13, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Sunday, September 15, 2024, at 23:59 UTC)

Every Monday morning I get a spreadsheet from one of my distributors that lists all items I have on pre and back order. I download that file, and then do my spreadsheet sorting. However, since I started to use the ProtonMail app on MacOS (vs in Safari) when I download the file, it gives an error that there is already a file by that name. When I save with Safari it adds a number to make it unique. I am unsure if this is a MacOS issue, or a ProtonMail app issue.

I got this picture a few weeks ago coming home from my morning hike with my dogs.

It had I think two flat cars one of which had a crane mounted to it. I do not recall the cars past those flats, I was too focused on the engine.

I saw it again yesterday coming home from my dad’s house.

Not only does the credit bureau max out their password length, you have a small list of available non-alphanumeric characters you can use, and no spaces. Also you cannot used a plused email address, and it had an issue with my self hosted email alias, forcing me to use my gmail address.

Both Experian and transunion had no password length limitations, nor did they require my username be my email address.

Update: I have been unable to log into my account for the last 3 days now. Every time I try I get a page saying to call customer service. After a total of 2 hours on hold I finally found the issue, you cannot connect to Equifax using a VPN. In addition there is no option for 2FA (not even email or sms) and they will hang up on you if you push the issue of their security being lax. Their reasoning for lax security and no vpn usage is "well all of our other customers are okay with this".

Beginning in early September, 2024, we will be holding an event—Suicune Research!

You can exchange samples of Suicune Mane that you collect during the event for Suicune Incense, which you can use to research Suicune’s various sleep styles!

Water-type helper Pokémon will be particularly effective during this event, so we recommend raising your Water-type helper Pokémon to get ready! Water-type helper Pokémon: Squirtle, Wartortle, Blastoise, Psyduck, Golduck, Slowpoke, Slowbro, Vaporeon, Totodile, Croconaw, Feraligatr, Wooper, Quagsire, Slowking, Quaxly, and Quaxwell.

We’re also preparing some functions and rewards that will allow everyone—even Pokémon Sleep beginners—to research Suicune’s sleep styles and befriend it more easily.

More details and the event’s start date are coming in a later update. We hope you’re looking forward to this event!

A Seasonal Event Celebrating the 2024 Pokémon World Championships! It’s time to celebrate Pokémon featured in the 2024 Pokémon World Championships key art with special Tera Raid Battles and mass outbreaks! Until Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 23:59 UTC, Chest Form Gimmighoul will be appearing in 1- to 5-star Tera Raid Battles while Riolu, Comfey, and Wattrel will be appearing in mass outbreaks across various locations.

Tera Raid Battle Event During this event, Chest Form Gimmighoul will be appearing in 1- to 5-star Tera Raid Battles. These Chest Form Gimmighoul will have various Tera Types. If you challenge one in a 5-star Tera Raid Battle, you’ll have a small chance to encounter a Shiny Chest Form Gimmighoul, which doesn’t normally appear during regular gameplay!

Featured Pokémon 1- to 5-star Tera Raid Battles: Chest Form Gimmighoul

Mass Outbreak Event During this event, mass outbreaks of Wattrel will be appearing throughout the Paldea region, mass outbreaks of Riolu will be appearing throughout the land of Kitakami, and mass outbreaks of Comfey will be appearing throughout the Terarium at Blueberry Academy.

Shiny Pokémon are more likely to appear in these special mass outbreaks. Pokémon appearing in these special mass outbreaks are also more likely to have the Pumped-Up Mark, so don’t miss your chance to find one!

Locations and Featured Pokémon Paldea: Wattrel

Kitakami: Riolu

Blueberry Academy: Comfey

Event Schedule Friday, August 9, 2024, at 00:00 UTC to Thursday, August 22, 2024, at 23:59 UTC