A global police operation just took down a notorious ransomware gang

PLUS: This Tiny Website Is Google’s First Line of Defense in the Patent Wars, and more. [View this email in your browser]( | [Manage newsletter subscriptions]( 02.20.24   [Collage of a lightbulb, a patent drawing, and a Google sign]( PRIOR ART | 5-MINUTE READ [This Tiny Website Is Google’s First Line of Defense in the Patent Wars]( BY PARESH DAVE [TDCommons is a free space for inventors to lay claim to breakthroughs without having to file a patent. Why is it so off the radar?](   [scrap metal]( STAINLESS STEAL | 6-MINUTE READ [Metal Prices Are Soaring. So Is Metal Theft]( BY CHRIS BARANIUK [It’s a multibillion-dollar global problem, and in a rapidly electrifying world, the profits—and ease—of stealing metals are only going to increase.](   [Illustration of a hand drawing another hand, which is in turn erasing the hand drawing it]( FEED THE MACHINE | 6-MINUTE READ [The Skilled Workers Training AI to Take Their Jobs]( BY MORGAN MEAKER [A new workforce of language experts, creative writers, and nuclear physicists are turning to data labor—and potentially making their future jobs obsolete in the process.](   [Image may contain: Adult, Person, Computer Hardware, Electronics, Hardware, Monitor, Screen, Chair, Furniture, and Computer]( BUSTED | 6-MINUTE READ [A Global Police Operation Just Took Down the Notorious LockBit Ransomware Gang]( BY MATT BURGESS [LockBit’s website, infrastructure, and data have been seized by law enforcement—striking a huge blow against one of the world’s most prolific ransomware groups.]( ADVERTISEMENT [GET WIRED]( [Stay WIRED-IN during our email exclusive sale. Get full tech coverage with a subscription to WIRED for just$30 $5.Plus free stickers!Subscribe Now.](   [Person holding the Oppo Find X7 Ultra smartphone]( PRODUCT REVIEW | 4-MINUTE READ [Oppo’s Flagship Phone Has a Killer Camera]( BY SIMON HILL [Oppo’s flagship Find X7 Ultra has an amazing, versatile quad-lens main camera. Too bad you can’t buy it anywhere but China.](   [Aerial of LAX; planes ]( GREEN MILE | 1-MINUTE READ [The Transport Companies Leaving Fossil Fuels Behind]( BY STEPHEN ARMSTRONG [Hydrogen-powered planes, more fuel-efficient aircraft designs, and all-electric parcel delivery services are just some of the ways in which the transport sector is looking to decarbonize.](   [Silhouette of a person with a name tag sticker over their face]( CODE WORDS | 4-MINUTE READ [Signal Finally Rolls Out Usernames, So You Can Keep Your Phone Number Private]( BY ANDY GREENBERG [We tested the end-to-end encrypted messenger’s new feature aimed at addressing critics’ most persistent complaint. Here’s how it works.](   [Illustration of a person holding an AI version of Starry Night and looking unhappy]( CLOUD SUPPORT | 4-MINUTE READ [Help, My Friend Got Me a Dumb AI-Generated Present]( BY MEGHAN O'GIEBLYN [WIRED’s advice columnist on the true purpose of gift giving.](   [Recycled rubber can covers in different colors]( LESS MESS | 16-MINUTE READ [The Best Reusable Products We Actually Love]( BY MEDEA GIORDANO AND GEAR TEAM [Ditch your single-use products and cut down on waste. Here are some of our favorites, from water bottles to menstrual products.](   Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world on [jobs.wired.com](. [Senior SOC Design Engineer]( [NVIDIA]( [Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA]( [APPLY NOW]( [Enterprise Account Director]( [Adobe]( [Location: New York City, USA]( [APPLY NOW]( ADVERTISEMENT   [WIRED logo image]( Thanks for reading. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? [Sign up here](. Plus, [browse more newsletters]( from WIRED. [(image) WIRED on Facebook]( [(image) WIRED on Twitter]( [(image) WIRED on Instagram]( [(image) WIRED on LinkedIn]( [(image) WIRED on YouTube]( [Podcasts]( [TikTok](   You’re receiving this email because you signed up for the Daily newsletter from WIRED. [Manage your preferences]( | [View our Privacy Policy]( | [Unsubscribe]( Have questions or comments? [Send us a message](mailto:hello@wired.com?subject=Daily newsletter feedback). Need help? [Contact us](. Copyright © Condé Nast 2024. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.