A new form of ransomware, Zeppelin, is being used in targeted attacks against technology and health care companies in the US, Canada and Europe. Evidence suggests it is being sold as a service, with cybercriminals buying the right to use it, then customizing it for specific targets; researchers fear that recent attacks could be a test run for a larger campaign.

Google Cloud has hired Jeanette Manfra, a top cybersecurity official with the Department of Homeland Security, as the tech giant works to establish itself in federal cybersecurity contracting. Manfra's expertise includes election security and working as a liaison between the government and the private sector.

5G has arrived, but before upgrading, consumers should be aware of the tiers of frequencies being deployed by the four major carriers, writes Rob Pegoraro. He details what each carrier offers, and he explains the differences between millimeter-wave frequencies, which deliver fast speeds but with a limited radius; midband 5G, which offers more radius at a slower speed; and 5G, which operates on the same frequencies as 4G.

Cisco Systems unveiled its Silicon One switch chip, which will be sold to operators of exascale data centers, such as Facebook and Microsoft. The company also debuted the Cisco 8000 router, based upon the switch chip, for use as a backbone for 5G wireless networks.

Canadian financial services cooperative Desjardins said this week that a data breach revealed in June exposed information not just of 4.2 million Desjardins individual members and 173,000 businesses, but also of 1.8 million holders of Mastercard and Visa credit cards issued by Desjardins. The information includes details such as loans and savings data, but not card numbers or passwords, Desjardins said.

ConnectSense is getting smarter with its In-Wall Outlet, which allows users to control devices plugged into it via Apple's HomeKit or any of the three main smart assistants -- Google, Siri and Alexa. The device also helps users assess energy efficiency by providing voltage readings through the ConnectSense app.

Facebook is getting in on the hype for "The Rise of Skywalker" by allowing fans to create "Star Wars"-themed AR effects and send them via Messenger to contacts. The limited-edition feature can be used to create posts and share them via Facebook Stories or Instagram.

The Rewound app is bringing nostalgia to iPhones by allowing users to relive the feel of classic iPods, complete with the click wheel and haptic feedback. The app, available in the App Store, can access only Apple Music for now, but plans for Spotify are in the works.

A recent leak suggests that Fortnite may be preparing to offer fans the 2020 Annual Pass, which would give gamers access to Battle Bundles, exclusive cosmetics and 25% of Battle Pass content when released. An announcement could be made at tonight's Game Awards.

Qualcomm, Broadcom, Nvidia and other fabless semiconductor companies saw their third-quarter revenue decline, at least partly due to the trade war between China and the US, TrendForce notes. Advanced Micro Devices and Xilinx were the only leading US chip design companies to increase their Q3 revenue.