New releases in fiction, nonfiction and comics that caught our attention.

Putnam Pub Group

An agoraphobic engineer named Henry spends his days locked away in his extremely smart home building freaky little robots, including one that looks like a magician and rides around on a tiny bike. His wife, Lily, is the only person he really ever sees, but things have grown tense between them — a situation only worsened by the fact that he’s usually holed up alone in the attic working on a secret project. One day, Lily invites some former coworkers over to encourage Henry to socialize, and Henry takes the opportunity to finally show off his greatest creation: William, an advanced AI system housed in a crude robot body. Horror ensues.

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Mason Coile’s William (stylized W1LL1AM) takes the well-worn trope of a naive creator faced with their out-of-control creation and adds haunted smart-house creepiness, with a twist ending. Naturally, it’s drawn comparisons to Frankenstein and even The Shining, but I’d dare to say there’s a hint of Demon Seed in there, too. This is another short read, coming in at under 250 pages, and it’s just the right thing to get you into the spooky season mood. It takes place, appropriately, on Halloween.

$15 at Amazon

Penguin Press

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Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter and its subsequent transformation into X as we now know it dominated headlines for months, so you couldn’t be blamed for feeling like you’ve heard all there is to know about the whole saga. But for those who do want a deeper look into how it all transpired, journalists Kate Conger and Ryan Mac have dredged up a ton of previously unreported information in their book Character Limit, which pulls from interviews with insiders and internal recordings from the rooms where it all went down to give us the full story of Twitter’s takeover. And it is a messy one.

$26 at Amazon

Image Comics

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I can’t think of another new series in recent memory that’s left me so hungry for the next issue as The Tin Can Society #1. Before I get into it, though, I should note that this first issue opens with a content warning about violence and discussions of ableism and racism. It is intense from the jump. The Tin Can Society begins with a crime scene: tech mogul turned superhero Johnny Moore has been murdered.

Moore, born with spina bifida, rose to fame as the genius creator of advanced exoskeleton-style mobility aids, and he wore a full-body armored version of one of these suits while operating as the vigilante hero, Caliburn. When he’s found dead, the suit is gone. The Tin Can Society follows Moore’s childhood friends, who come together after years apart to get to the bottom of his murder. There’s a lot of heart in the first issue as it bounces between their present-day setting and the past, building out the backstory of Moore’s early life and the tight-knit friend group that once was. I’m excited to see where this one goes. The Tin Can Society will be a nine-part mini series, and the next issue drops in late October.

$5 at Amazon

Hackers are waiting for the moment quantum computing breaks cryptography and enables the mass decryption of years of stolen information. In preparation, they are harvesting even more encrypted data than usual. Here is what businesses can do in response.

Why are hackers harvesting encrypted data?

Most modern organizations encrypt multiple critical aspects of their operations. In fact, about eight in 10 businesses extensively or partially use enterprise-level encryption for databases, archives, internal networks and internet communications. After all, it is a cybersecurity best practice.

Alarmingly, cybersecurity experts are growing increasingly concerned that cybercriminals are stealing encrypted data and waiting for the right time to strike. Their worries are not unfounded — more than 70% of ransomware attacks now exfiltrate information before encryption. 

The “harvest now, decrypt later” phenomenon in cyberattacks — where attackers steal encrypted information in the hopes they will eventually be able to decrypt it — is becoming common. As quantum computing technology develops, it will only grow more prevalent.

How ‘harvest now, decrypt later’ works

Quantum computers make the “harvest now, decrypt later” phenomenon possible. In the past, encryption was enough to deter cybercriminals — or at least make their efforts pointless. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case.

Whereas classical computers operate using binary digits — bits — that can either be a one or a zero, their quantum counterparts use quantum bits called qubits. Qubits can exist in two states simultaneously, thanks to superposition. 

Since qubits may be a one and a zero, quantum computers’ processing speeds far outpace the competition. Cybersecurity experts are worried they will make modern ciphers — meaning encryption algorithms — useless, which has inspired exfiltration-driven cyberattacks. 

Encryption turns data, also known as plaintext, into a string of random, undecipherable code called ciphertext. Ciphers do this using complex mathematical formulas that are technically impossible to decode without a decryption key. However, quantum computing changes things.

While a classical computer would take 300 trillion years or more to decrypt a 2,048-bit Rivest-Shamir-Adleman encryption, a quantum one could crack it in seconds, thanks to qubits. The catch is that this technology isn’t widely available — only places like research institutions and government labs can afford it.

That does not deter cybercriminals, as quantum computing technology could become accessible within a decade. In preparation, they use cyberattacks to steal encrypted data and plan to decrypt it later.

What types of data are hackers harvesting?

Hackers usually steal personally identifiable information like names, addresses, job titles and social security numbers because they enable identity theft. Account data — like company credit card numbers or bank account credentials — are also highly sought-after.

With quantum computing, hackers can access anything encrypted — data storage systems are no longer their primary focus. They can eavesdrop on the connection between a web browser and a server, read cross-program communication or intercept information in transit. 

Human resources, IT and accounting departments are still high risks for the average business. However, they must also worry about their infrastructure, vendors and communication protocols. After all, both client and server-side encryption will soon be fair game.

The consequences of qubits cracking encryption

Companies may not even realize they have been affected by a data breach until the attackers use quantum computing to decrypt the stolen information. It may be business as usual until a sudden surge in account takeovers, identity theft, cyberattacks and phishing attempts. 

Legal issues and regulatory fines would likely follow. Considering the average data breach rose from $4.35 million in 2022 to $4.45 million in 2023 — a 2.3% year-over-year increase — the financial losses could be devastating. 

In the wake of quantum computing, businesses can no longer rely on ciphers to communicate securely, share files, store data or use the cloud. Their databases, archives, digital signatures, internet communications, hard drives, e-mail and internal networks will soon be vulnerable. Unless they find an alternative, they may have to revert to paper-based systems.

Why prepare if quantum isn’t here yet?

While the potential for broken cryptography is alarming, decision-makers should not panic. The average hacker will not be able to get a quantum computer for years — maybe even decades — because they are incredibly costly, resource-intensive, sensitive and prone to errors if they are not kept in ideal conditions.

To clarify, these sensitive machines must stay just above absolute zero (459 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact) because thermal noise can interfere with their operations. 

However, quantum computing technology is advancing daily. Researchers are trying to make these computers smaller, easier to use and more reliable. Soon, they may become accessible enough that the average person can own one. 

Already, a startup based in China recently unveiled the world’s first consumer-grade portable quantum computers. The Triangulum — the most expensive model — offers the power of three qubits for roughly $58,000. The two cheaper two-qubit versions retail for less than $10,000.

While these machines pale in comparison to the powerhouse computers found in research institutions and government-funded labs, they prove that the world is not far away from mass-market quantum computing technology. In other words, decision-makers must act now instead of waiting until it is too late. 

Besides, the average hacker is not the one companies should worry about — well-funded threat groups pose a much larger threat. A world where a nation-state or business competitor can pay for quantum computing as a service to steal intellectual property, financial data or trade secrets may soon be a reality. 

What can enterprises do to protect themselves?

There are a few steps business leaders should take in preparation for quantum computing cracking cryptography. 

1. Adopt post-quantum ciphers

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) soon plan to release post-quantum cryptographic standards. The agencies are leveraging the latest techniques to make ciphers quantum computers cannot crack. Firms would be wise to adopt them upon release. 

2. Enhance breach detection

Indicators of compromise — signs that show a network or system intrusion occurred — can help security professionals react to data breaches swiftly, potentially making data useless to the attackers. For example, they can immediately change all employees’ passwords if they notice hackers have stolen account credentials.

3. Use a quantum-safe VPN

A quantum-safe virtual private network (VPN) protects data in transit, preventing exfiltration and eavesdropping. One expert claims consumers should expect them soon, stating they are in the testing phase as of 2024. Companies would be wise to adopt solutions like these.

4. Move sensitive data

Decision-makers should ask themselves whether the information bad actors steal will still be relevant when it is decrypted. They should also consider the worst-case scenario to understand the risk level. From there, they can decide whether or not to move sensitive data. 

One option is to transfer the data to a heavily guarded or constantly monitored paper-based filing system, preventing cyberattacks entirely. The more feasible solution is to store it on a local network not connected to the public internet, segmenting it with security and authorization controls.

Decision-makers should begin preparing now

Although quantum-based cryptography cracking is still years — maybe decades — away, it will have disastrous effects once it arrives. Business leaders should develop a post-quantum plan now to ensure they are not caught by surprise. 

Zac Amos is features editor at ReHack.

A hopeful entrant in the emerging market of electric watercraft is out of action and being sold for parts.

Pure Watercraft was founded in 2011 with the intention of replacing gas-based outboard motors with fully electric ones. We covered the company in 2016 when it began taking preorders for its first commercial outboards, and in 2020 Pure raised $23 million to step up production. GM even took a 25% stake in Pure as part of its big investment in electric infrastructure.

The company offered a electric outboard and battery combo that could be mounted on a boat like any other outboard, or in a package with a rigid inflatable or pontoon boat. With prices ranging from $21,600 for just propulsion to nearly $100,000 for a full boat, Pure’s products were arguably no more affordable up front than gas options, but they were certainly a lot cleaner and quieter.

But a tough market seems to have put an end to Pure’s ambitions. The company entered receivership — a sort of alternative form of bankruptcy — in July, per filing documents in King County, Washington, where it is based. In August it was also reported that a planned multi-million-dollar factory in West Virginia would not be going forward.

The documents describe numerous creditors, from individual investors to banks to the big one, GM, which put approximately $35 million into the venture. That wasn’t all cash, though: listed among Pure’s assets is some $25 million worth of “manufacturing support,” “know-how,” licensing of the name, and other forms of non-pecuniary goods. (This type of in-kind investment is fairly commonplace.)

On the asset side, we find $3.6 million in “finished goods,” likely the assembled motors and battery units built by Pure, though why those would not have gone out to the more than 900 people who paid a down payment is unclear (nor is whether refunds will be issued). Another $25.5 million of “raw materials” is also listed, but what this may be is unclear — other documents detailing sale of assets like boats and batteries don’t come near that sum.

TechCrunch has asked both Pure and GM for comment on the matter. GM did not offer a substantive response and we have not yet heard back from Pure.

Electric watercraft is a growing but still nascent industry, with startups like Candela, Navier, FleetZero and Zin Boats making a play for cleaner, more efficient waterways and infrastructure.

A looping gif of our late cat Pouncey on my keyboard’s LCD

$209

A gasket-mount 75 percent keyboard with many user-swappable options like a rotary knob, LCD, and decorative external weights / back plates.

The Legend of Zelda Heart Container Icon Light

$40

The iconic heart symbol from the Legend of Zelda — it glows with a soft red light.

Command spring wall clips

$17

Clips for hanging photos, reminders, towels, etc. that won’t damage your walls.

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TWSBI Eco fountain pen

$53

A high-quality good-looking fountain pen at an economical price.

Link amiibo for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

$16

An amiibo of Link using his magic arm in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.

Kirby pencil case

$40

A neon gaming sign in the form of Majora’s Mask from The Legend of Zelda.

Dorothy Parker finger puppet

$8

A plethora of finger puppets made to resemble a variety of celebrities from the past and present, with a magnet on the back so they can hang from your fridge.

Cute desk note holder