Image by Anastasiia Nelen, from Unsplash
Former #1 Movie Piracy Site Linked to Global Malware Outbreak
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
FMovies was found operating a worldwide malware campaign which exposed more than 32 million devices to severe security risks.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- FMovies linked to global infostealer malware activity.
- Over 32 million devices reportedly infected worldwide.
- Microsoft traced malware to pirate streaming platforms.
A growing body of evidence is linking the now-defunct FMovies movie piracy site, which held the title of world’s most popular before its 2024 shutdown, as first reported by Torrent Freak (TF).
Microsoft researchers first identified in March 2025 that the malware spread through various pirate streaming sites , and had already infected more than one million devices.
TF reports that Fmovies campaign demonstrated strong connections to attacks which targeted users worldwide. The infostealers would silently extract sensitive data from compromised devices, including personal information, valuable credentials, stored credit card details, cookies/session tokens and crypto wallets.
Despite widespread anti-piracy campaigns warning users about malware threats, many users remained skeptical, as noted by TF. Users of piracy sites frequently dismiss corporate warnings because they believe that these alerts exist only to protect corporate financial interests.
However, TF reports that Hudson Rock’s Cavalier OSINT platform, combined with breach data from Infostealers.com, shows over 32.2 million infected machines and 4.8 million compromised employees. The majority of these infections originated from piracy-related vectors that included domains which the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment previously seized.
FMovies, in particular, remains a notable case. Although shut down, data shows it still ranks high in infostealer-linked infection rates. In the end, vague warnings may not resonate, but hard data speaks volumes.
Image by Swanson Chan, from Unsplash
Could AI Help Decode Whale Communication And Boost Conservation?
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
Researchers are employing artificial intelligence to analyze the complex clicking sounds made by whales, with the hope of better understanding their communication and boosting conservation efforts.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Project CETI uses AI to decode sperm whale communication.
- MIT researchers identified hundreds of distinct whale codas with complex patterns.
- Some experts doubt whale clicks form a language with clear meaning.
Sperm whales produce patterns of clicks called codas, which help them identify individuals and social groups. According to a Sierra NGO publication , Shane Gero, a biologist who has studied sperm whales near Dominica since 2005, said, “Each one of these animals is its own being […] They’re unique individuals.”
His team recently observed a rare birth, underscoring the importance of these animals’ social bonds.
In 2020, Gero joined Project CETI (Cetacean Translation Initiative), a nonprofit focused on using AI and technology to decode whale sounds. David Gruber, CETI’s founder, explained, “We feel like we’re in search for inter-terrestrial intelligence,” as reported by Sierra.
The project collects data through underwater microphones, drones, and suction-cup tags that record not only sounds but also physiological data. Gruber noted, “The best sound we get is when [the device] is right on the whale,” reported Sierra.
A 2024 study from MIT led by Daniela Rus identified hundreds of distinct codas, revealing that whales arrange these sounds in complex, rule-governed ways. Rus described this as “an important step toward understanding [codas] as a true language-like system,” according to Sierra.
However, some experts remain cautious about interpreting the clicks as language. Luke Rendell, a biologist at the University of St. Andrews, said, “Unless we get to the meaning, it doesn’t matter whether it looks like language or not.” He suggested the clicks might serve social functions similar to music or coordinated group behavior, as noted by Sierra.
Despite differing views, there is consensus on the need to protect sperm whales and their habitats. Sierra reports that Rendell stated, “They’re going to say, ‘Stop killing us.’ They’re going to say, ‘Stop polluting us.’ They’re going to say, ‘Be quiet for a while.’”
In 2025, Sierra reports that Dominica established the world’s first sperm whale preserve, a move supported in part by CETI’s work.
Daniela Rus concluded, “I still don’t understand what they’re saying—but I’ve come to respect that they’re saying something, and that changes everything.”
