Researcher develops method for fingerprinting cheaters using Counter-Strike mouse and keyboard input patterns

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Tom’s Hardware • Jowi Morales • October 8, 2026

A master’s student from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology developed a technique to identify gamers by analyzing their mouse and keyboard input patterns. The researcher, u/Magga_, tracked signals from over 1,000 players on the r/GlobalOffensive subreddit to correlate movements between devices. This method allows for unique user fingerprinting and matching specific accounts, including those used as smurf accounts. According to u/Magga_, the mouse dataset identified unique players 100% of the time, while keyboard fingerprinting achieved a 98% accuracy rate. Combining these two metrics creates highly accurate detection because they measure entirely different movements.

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American jailed for commanding 10,000 bots to stream his own AI-generated songs

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Tom’s Hardware • Mark Tyson • October 8, 2026

An American citizen named Michael Smith has been sentenced for leading a criminal operation that used artificial intelligence to commit music streaming fraud. The case, investigated by the FBI, concluded with Smith receiving an 18-month prison sentence and an $8 million fine. According to U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald, Smith’s team flooded platforms like Spotify and YouTube Music with automated bots to stream fake songs generated by AI. This activity robbed genuine artists of royalty payments that millions deserved.

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AMD seeks ‘broader partnership’ with Samsung as it looks to secure memory supply

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Tom’s Hardware • Anton Shilov • October 8, 2026

AMD chief executive Lisa Su visited South Korea less than seven months after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Samsung regarding memory supply. The non-binding agreement, signed in March, covered four areas including the supply of next-generation HBM4 and advanced DDR5 memory, co-development for AI systems, exploration of foundry manufacturing opportunities, and co-optimization of packaging technologies. While this MOU remains effective for three years, AMD is now seeking to secure additional HBM memory specifically for its AI accelerators as demand remains extremely high.

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Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s Yandex data centers housing two top supercomputers

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Tom’s Hardware • Anton Shilov • October 8, 2026

Ukrainian drones struck a major Yandex data center in Sasovo, Russia, causing a massive fire that forced the company to shut down the facility, according to Reuters and Meduza. The site reportedly houses two of Yandex’s three supercomputers used for artificial intelligence development, though it remains unclear whether the systems sustained any damage. Russian missiles had previously struck Ukrainian digital infrastructure earlier this month.

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Software could be the easiest fix for hyperscalers’ AI power squeeze, researchers say

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Tom’s Hardware • Chris Stokel-Walker • October 8, 2026

Data center energy demand is rising rapidly, with projections indicating that by 2030, AI will consume approximately 945 terawatt-hours of electricity, a volume comparable to Japan’s total usage. While the industry has traditionally focused on improving hardware efficiency and securing power supplies, researchers suggest that optimizing software could offer a more effective solution. According to a 2025 survey by the Uptime Institute, average power usage effectiveness (PUE) has remained stagnant for six years. PUE measures how efficiently cooling and power systems operate but does not account for whether the software running on servers is performing useful work. Since servers account for about 60% of electricity demand in modern data centers, experts argue that improving efficiency through software changes is a sensible approach.

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Bambu Lab’s 3D printing patent application for a new heatbed design may improve peeling issues

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Tom’s Hardware • Jhet Borja • October 8, 2026

Shenzhen Tuozhu Technology, the parent company of Bambu Lab, has filed a U.S. patent application for a new heatbed design published on September 10, 2026. The goal is to heat the print surface more evenly to reduce peeling issues reported by users of various 3D printer brands. The patent abstract states that the heating unit sits between the bed body and the bottom case, connected to a power supply at both ends to heat the bed body directly. This setup aims to improve adhesion and overall print quality without describing independent zone control.

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Finland orders Google to stop work on two AI data centers over alleged deforestation

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Tom’s Hardware • Jowi Morales • October 8, 2026

The Finnish Licensing and Supervision Agency has ordered Google subsidiary Tuike Finland Oy to halt construction on two data centers in Muhos and Kajaani until environmental impact assessments are finished. The investigation alleges that over 740 acres of forest were cleared for the project without proper authorization. A Google spokesperson admitted the company fell short of its own high standards but stated it acted in good faith under the Forestry Act. They noted they conducted nature surveys and have already begun landscaping plans, including tree planting across 130 hectares at the Muhos site.

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Department of War dishes out $1.5 billion loan commitment to boost semiconductor supply chain

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Tom’s Hardware • Etiido Uko • October 8, 2026

The U.S. Department of War announced on Oct. 7 that Wolfspeed Inc. has received a conditional 30-year loan commitment for $1.5 billion through its Office of Strategic Capital. This financing aims to help the company upgrade its gallium nitride epitaxy capabilities and develop radiation hardening features for silicon carbide and future gallium nitride products. The funds are intended to support applications in defense, aerospace, artificial intelligence, and critical infrastructure.

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The Atari 800XL returns with a ‘faithful’ but modern Retro Games Ltd redesign

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Tom’s Hardware • Mark Tyson • October 8, 2026

Pre-orders for THE 800XL began today from Retro Games Ltd, a modernized recreation of the classic 8-bit home computer popular in the early 1980s. The device features era-appropriate elements like built-in Atari BASIC and a working cartridge slot, alongside modern additions such as a mechanical keyboard, HDMI connectivity, and four USB ports for controllers and storage. Namer Merli, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Plaion, stated that the design captures "an entire way of experiencing technology," emphasizing real keys, cartridges, and discovery through programming and games.

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U.S. suspends green card path for H-1B workers at Microsoft and Adobe — labor certification program blocked due to alleged fraud

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Tom’s Hardware • Bruno Ferreira • October 8, 2026

Vice President JD Vance announced on Thursday that Microsoft and Adobe are blocked from the PERM labor certification program due to alleged fraud. This suspension prevents new or pending applications for these companies’ H-1B workers seeking green cards. The administration also suspended programs for IT firms Cognizant, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling stated that both Microsoft and Adobe faced multiple active federal investigations as the reason for the action.

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