#lmg innovations

[lmginnovations]

Revamp your deck with LMG Innovation's custom renovation services. We enhance both the functionality and appearance of your deck, creating an outdoor area that you'll love for years to come.

[skelegun]

This weekend I painted some of my Quar! Since most people probably haven’t heard of Quar, I’ll give some Quar Lore. The Quar are a species of leathery anteater like creatures who are basically like us, except technologically they are at roughly WWI levels. Their species has been fighting the Long War off and on again since times immemorial at the whims of their ruling elite.

These four Quar are Coftyrans. They come from the proud and ancient empire of Coftyr, and consider themselves the last bastion of traditional Quar values. They go into battle in fancy uniforms and armed with finely crafted though usually outdated weaponry.

From a war gaming perspective, I rather like their rules and the way their equipment looks, most of their guns are bullpups. Despite being the “old school” faction, they were also the ones to invent SMGs, which is neat and helps prevent them from being flanderized. I also like the way their squads are set up. It’s an NCO with a SMG, 8 dudes with bolt action rifles, and a one guy with a LMG. That’s a solid set up that was pretty common IRL up through WWII and beyond for many countries. Officers are equipped with a pistol and sword which also based as hell.

These guys are Crusaders. They are basically Trotskyites from my interpretation of the lore. The Crusade is an international movement that aims to end the Long War by force, and to smash the ancient class based system that dominates Quar society. They started as a small band of rebels and have since turned into a well oiled martial machine, for a while it seemed they had the royalists on the ropes, but now their advance has stalled and cracks are starting to appear in their facade.

From a war gaming perspective their rules seem kinda strange and at odds with their lore. Like they are supposed to be logistical geniuses who favor innovative tactics, but their standard squad is really goofy. It’s a sergeant with a semi automatic rifle, and three teams consisting of 2 with guys semi automatic rifles and 1 guy with a “heavy rifle” (which seems to be a semi automatic anti-tank rifle with a bayonet). It’s a strange squad composition that IRL would get pinned down and shredded by the coftyran squad’s automatic weaponry. Also their officers use these like handcrafted heirloom shotguns which seems at odds with the lore of them being a hyper utilitarian classless faction.

[lawlormediagroup]

The Role of a Brand Strategy Agency in New York: Spotlight on Lawlor Media Group

In the competitive Brand Strategy Agency New York businesses face the challenge of standing out in a saturated market. One of the most effective ways to achieve differentiation and maintain a strong presence is through a well-defined brand strategy. A brand strategy agency helps companies craft a unique identity, connect with their target audience, and build lasting relationships. In this dynamic environment, Lawlor Media Group, a premier public relations and brand strategy firm, has established itself as a leader in shaping successful brand narratives.

What is a Brand Strategy?

A brand strategy is a comprehensive plan that outlines a company’s vision, mission, goals, and the way it positions itself in the market. It involves creating a distinct identity that resonates with consumers and influences how they perceive the brand. A robust strategy encompasses elements like:

Brand Messaging: The tone and voice that communicates a brand’s story.

Visual Identity: The logo, color schemes, and overall aesthetic that distinguish a brand.

Market Positioning: How a brand positions itself against competitors.

Audience Engagement: The techniques used to build and maintain relationships with customers.

A successful brand strategy ensures that a company remains relevant, memorable, and trustworthy in the minds of consumers.

Why New York Businesses Need Brand Strategy Agencies

New York is home to a diverse range of industries—from finance and fashion to tech startups and real estate. In a city that never sleeps, staying ahead requires more than just quality products or services. It demands a solid brand strategy that speaks to both the local and global market.

A brand strategy agency helps businesses:

Understand Market Trends: Agencies stay updated on current trends, allowing brands to stay relevant.

Identify Target Audiences: Knowing your audience is crucial for tailored marketing efforts.

Create Consistent Messaging: Consistency across all platforms helps build brand recognition.

Develop Long-Term Goals: A strategic approach ensures sustainable growth and adaptation to changes in the market.

Lawlor Media Group: Expertise in Branding and PR

One of New York’s standout agencies, Lawlor Media Group (LMG), offers unparalleled expertise in brand strategy, public relations, and media management. Founded by Michael Lawlor, the agency has earned a reputation for working with high-profile clients across luxury, lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment industries.

LMG’s approach focuses on a blend of traditional PR methods and innovative branding techniques to deliver results that elevate their clients above the competition.

Services Offered by Lawlor Media Group

Brand Development and Positioning Lawlor Media Group assists businesses in identifying their core values, vision, and mission. They collaborate with clients to refine their brand’s voice, tone, and overall message. This ensures that a company’s brand identity aligns with its business objectives and appeals to its target audience.

Public Relations Lawlor Media Group has strong ties with media outlets, influencers, and journalists, giving them the ability to create buzz and increase visibility. By crafting compelling stories and placing them in front of the right people, they help brands gain credibility and recognition in the market.

Event Management Whether it's a product launch or a high-profile gala, Lawlor Media Group specializes in planning and executing events that enhance a brand’s image. These events create opportunities for networking, media exposure, and direct engagement with potential customers.

Crisis Management In today’s fast-paced digital world, reputational risks can emerge quickly. Lawlor Media Group offers crisis management services to help brands handle difficult situations, protecting their image and mitigating negative impacts.

Why Choose Lawlor Media Group?

There are several reasons why businesses in New York should consider working with Lawlor Media Group:

Tailored Strategies: LMG takes the time to understand each client's unique needs, crafting customized strategies that align with specific goals.

Proven Track Record: With years of experience and a portfolio of high-profile clients, LMG has a history of delivering impactful results.

Media Connections: LMG’s extensive network within the media industry ensures that brands receive the exposure they need to succeed.

Crisis Management Expertise: Their ability to navigate brand crises gives clients peace of mind, knowing that their reputation is in safe hands.

The Future of Brand Strategy

In an increasingly digital world, brand strategies must evolve to include social media presence, online reputation management, and influencer partnerships. Lawlor Media Group has adapted to these trends, offering digital services that keep brands ahead of the curve.

By integrating traditional PR with modern branding techniques, LMG helps companies navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and maintain their relevance in an ever-changing marketplace.

Conclusion

For businesses looking to grow Lawlor Media Group competitive market, partnering with a brand strategy agency like Lawlor Media Group is a wise investment. LMG’s expertise in branding, public relations, and crisis management offers clients a comprehensive approach to building a strong, lasting brand presence.

[jamesthecomiccreator]

The Arkinghamverse Collection! (7 / END)

"At Arkingham Family Ltd. Co., we believe in honoring the past while pushing the boundaries of the present, and that can go as far as taking classic designs like the Beretta AS70/90 LMG, and refine them with cutting-edge technology and materials, ensuring reliability, precision, and ease of use in any situation.

We also work together to analyze and learn from the innovations and choices of weapons made and used by our competitors, such as the ARMACOT PMC Group, where we incorporate the best features and advancements to deliver similar, if not, superior products made with our fine skills and craftsmanship.

However, as part of Arkingham's extensive network filled with various companies to choose from, we believe that it is our commitment to provide solutions that enhance the effectiveness and versatility of modern warriors, if not, well-meaning consumers like you by ensuring we are equipped with the finest tools for any mission. Whether it is the Silver Family Archives, Generic Custom Arms, or the mysterious Ghost Weapons collection, we are here and we aren't leaving anytime soon!" - Arkingham Family Ltd. Co., 2024

A.F. Ltd. Co. - ARK-Crowd Stormer: A 100-round, belt-fed machine gun originally from Italy, it was later reproduced in Arkingham after the original model had failed to meet standards set by their alpine infantry; with improvements such as the ability to accept standard, 30-round magazines typically used on most assault rifles, improved parts to prevent jams and malfunctions, as well enhanced materials to lighten the weapon while maintaining durability, the Arkingham Insurgency Rescuers and the Arkingham Militarized Forces would later use this improved machine gun design.

A.F. Ltd. Co. - ARK-Pocket Rocket: A single-shot, break-action, standalone grenade launcher model typically used on ARMACOT's primary assault rifle, the ARMACOT-WVAR, unlike other grenade launchers that have to be opened by pushing forward, this grenade launcher uses a similar technique to the ARK-Lawkeeper, and the MBO-M40G by swinging to the side for easier reloading and changing grenade launcher ammunition type, with the alternative, underbarrel design capable of doing it as well to provide portable boom and inevitable ass whooping anywhere!

There is also the alternate model which can be attached to the ARMACOT-WVAR, officially known as the ARK-SAR4 by our factories, via an underbarrel attachment system, which also fits snuggly with the battle rifle version of the said rifle, better known as the ARMACOT-WVBR or the ARK-SBR8 respectively!

[aman-acan-andacityplan]

The Empty Promises of New Tech

One of the most interesting new stories I had encountered this year came in the form of an LMG clip about a Canadian vending machine that was using face recognition software. It sounded so absurd, I had to do a little more digging and sure enough I found a CBC article with further details. As a story, it captured a sentiment I've had ever since the pandemic. A sinking feeling that technology no longer improves people's lives in a meaningful way and, if anything, serves to give cover to a system that is less and less capable of addressing the collective welfare of the people.

In 2013, I remember going to a conference in the tiny town of Richwood, West Virginia. The organizers of the event wanted to showcase all the emerging technologies of the future, which would no doubt be the economic underpinning of tomorrow. There was a working 3D printer in one of the rooms and a virtual headset as well. The keynote speaker at the event was a futurist, who discussed what life would be like 10-15 years later and I remember hearing a discussion from a professor at one of the state universities talking about the "Internet of Things". Even social media at the time still felt like a promising engagement tool to reach new people. Fast forward to 2024 and the depressed coal town, feels much more present to me now than the bright shining future that was envisioned in the 2010s.

It would be safe to say that none of these technologies really panned out. The internet of things seems more like a technological nightmare than an exciting development. Who wants their smart toaster to be effectively bricked due to faulty firmware or a cyber attack? Virtual reality is fun, but its still a tiny niche of the gaming market and the less said about social media the better. 3D printers have promise, but I'm still not aware of any applications for the mass consumer market outside of being able to make a few customized figurines. I had enough hope in 3D printing that I even bought some stock in a company with significant clout in the industry, ExOne. That was back in 2014. Flash forward to today and ExOne, which has since been gobbled by Desktop Metal, was trading under a dollar. Needless to say, I sold what little stock I had in the company. This is only anecdotal evidence mind you, but I submit it as one more exhibit in the failed technological promises of the 2010's.

The vending machine story also mirrors my own lived experience. Though Mississippi has no facial recognition inside any machines to my knowledge, newer models seem to be out of order relatively frequently, especially post-pandemic. The gym I exercise at has a modern vending machine, a product of the mid-aughts or early 2010's by my rough understanding. The vending arm in the machine doesn't work very well and the machine doesn't seem to differentiate well between a fully stocked shelf and a empty one. There are other vending machines nearby, but their track record is equally poor. At this point, I just make sure to bring my own water and avoid the vending machines altogether. Increasingly I yearn for the elegant simplicity of pre-digital technology. When I purchased my old home it came with a very dated oven from the early 60's. My first instinct was to junk it, but after many years of use I wouldn't trade it for any new model. It heats up fast, doors and compartments open and shut with relative ease and aside from a faulty meter or two it still works like a charm.

Far be it from making our lives easier, it seem that modern technology serves as a kind of slick veneer, something that offers us the illusion of progress. To the extent that innovation does occur, it is often geared toward the needs of large institutions and corporations, rather than the individual. One example that comes to mind is the millimeter wave scanner used in so many airports now. No one clamored for it, but there was sufficient institutional push that they have become common features at every airport. Does it work? Maybe. I'm not the TSA, but I'm also not very confident we would get the full story of it if it turned to be an overpriced boondoogle, with no meaningful improvements in airport security.

Our institutions and large companies often need something to give the impression that things are progressing normally and why not throw in a new piece of unnecessary tech to give the illusion of progress? The latest example of this I stumbled on was found on a Youtube video by Retail Archaeology about Walgreens. Like the discovery of the CBC article, I wasn't expecting to stumble upon an instance of pointless tech in action. In the video, a slick, LED screen shows merchandise in a cooler, when a simple glass front would suffice. What is even more comical is that when the LED screen fails, store employees put up a printed, low resolution copy of the LED screen, which offers NO insight into the merchandise within, so it is even MORE useless than a clear glass front. The consumer privacy pledge stuck to the doors also hints at yet one more data collection scheme disguised as cutting edge tech.

As someone who loved science fiction growing up and was excited for the future of technology, it is a bitter pill to swallow when you come to the realization that most new technology is vaporware. New tech is often either a gadget that: a) exists to gather your private data or b) exists as a legitimate front to risky speculation and pump and dump financial scams. Not only that, but in the past 5-10 years we have witnessed whole tech sectors that are false fronts, little Potemkin villages for fraud and abuse. Crypto and the Metaverse are two prominent examples and AI is quickly becoming the newest front for financial fraud. Whatever marginal utility and practical benefits that may be gained from engaging in these emerging tech platforms has basically been buried under an avalanche of fraud.

Inexorably this leads me to the conclusion that the best choice to undertake for my own personal welfare is to avoid new technology as much as possible. Oh there will always be some exceptions: a new computer, the purchase of a camera or camera lens, a new smartphone model. Those are just extensions on an existing paradigm though and I figure an Apple or Facebook, which I joined many moons ago, already have their pound of flesh from me. Also, as social trust declines precipitously I doubt if new tech will ever realize its full potential. Package delivery via drone does sound convenient, but if its Amazon running the show, then I'll pass.

Technology, much like cities, requires a coherent order and social structure in which to thrive. When that order is absent, then it should not be surprising that technology stagnates. I don't want to sound bitter as I lead a comfortable life and at least the big pieces of tech (power plants, automobiles) appear to be holding up. However, the vines and decay are approaching and I have witnessed it in the total lack of innovation on display in our present-day world.

[gameforestdach]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 bereitet sich darauf vor, die Gaming-Community mit seinem neuesten Season 1 Reloaded Update zu elektrisieren, welches eine aufregende Zusammenarbeit mit der Hit-TV-Serie The Boys beinhaltet. Dieses Crossover bringt das sehnsüchtig erwartete Supe Siege Event mit sich, das die Hochspannungs-Action von MW3 mit dem Superhelden-Flair von The Boys mischt. Tauchen wir ein in alle Details, die dieses Event zu einer unverzichtbaren Erfahrung machen. Einführung in das Supe Siege Event Das Supe Siege Event, welches am 17. Januar 2024 als Teil des MW3 Season 1 Reloaded startet, verspricht ein innovatives Spielerlebnis. Diese Kollaboration markiert eine neue Ära, in der die Welt der First-Person-Shooter auf das fesselnde Universum einer beliebten Superheldenserie trifft. Neuer Supe'd Up Multiplayer-Modus Das Event führt den Supe'd Up Zeitlich Begrenzten Modus (Limited Time Mode, LTM) ein, eine kreative Abwandlung des klassischen Modus "Kill Confirmed". Spieler können Dosen von Temp V von gefallenen Operator*innen sammeln, um zeitlich begrenzte Superkräfte freizuschalten, wie etwa Wärmevision, die an die Fähigkeiten aus The Boys erinnern. Dieser Modus verspricht ein einzigartiges Spielerlebnis, das traditionelle Shooter-Mechaniken mit außergewöhnlichen Superheldenkräften vermischt. Spannende Herausforderungen und Belohnungen Wärmevision Eliminierung: Erhalte eine Aufrufkarte, indem du eine Eliminierung mit Wärmevision erzielst. DDoS Herausforderung: Deaktiviere 20 Ausrüstungsgegenstände mit DDoS, um ein Emblem zu erhalten. MTZ-762 Herausforderung: Nutze das MTZ-762, um vier Operator*innen zu eliminieren und eine Battle Pass Stufe zu überspringen. Overkill Weste Herausforderung: Sichere in einem Leben zwei Operator*innen-Eliminierungen mit der Overkill Weste, fünfmal wiederholt, für einen Großen Aufkleber. Akimbo Eliminierungen: Erwirb einen Waffenanhänger, indem du 15 Operator*innen Akimbo-Eliminierungen erzielst. Tödliche Ausrüstung Herausforderung: Verdiene einen Doppel-XP-Token, indem du sieben Operator*innen-Eliminierungen mit tödlicher Ausrüstung erreichst. Das Abschließen aller sechs Herausforderungen schaltet das exklusive "The Boys Special" LMG-Waffenbauplan frei, ausgestattet mit einem 150-Schuss-Magazin und Brandsatzmunition für aggressives Gameplay. Exklusive Operator-Pakete Das Event führt auch einzigartige Operator-Pakete aus dem Universum von The Boys ein, einschließlich der A-Train und Firecracker Pakete. Diese Pakete enthalten thematische Operator-Skins, Waffenbaupläne und verschiedene In-Game-Accessoires, die MW3 einen Hauch vom Stil von The Boys verleihen. Verfügbarkeit des Events und Einfluss auf die Gaming-Welt Das am 17. Januar 2024 startende Supe Siege Event ist nicht nur ein Inhalts-Update, sondern eine immersive Erfahrung, die zwei beliebte Unterhaltungsbereiche verschmelzen lässt. Es stellt eine bedeutende Ergänzung zum bereits reichhaltigen Inhalt von MW3 dar und zieht sowohl begeisterte Spieler*innen als auch Fans der TV-Serie an. Abschluss Die Zusammenarbeit von Modern Warfare 3 und The Boys ist ein bahnbrechendes Ereignis in der Gaming-Welt, das den Spielern eine spannende neue Erfahrung bietet. Dieses Event ist ein perfektes Beispiel dafür, wie Gaming weiterhin evolviert, indem es verschiedene Medienformen zusammenbringt, um einzigartige und fesselnde Inhalte zu schaffen. Für mehr über innovative Gaming-Technologie und Fortschritte, schau dir unsere Artikel über den PlayStation Access Controller: Ein Meilenstein für Barrierefreiheit im Gaming und AMDs bahnbrechende Upscaling-Technologie: Fluid Motion Frames an.

[redeemedrevolver]

BOCW Characters and their MBTIs

Summary:

The characters of BOCW take the MBTI Personality Test and find out their personality types. They were a bit shocked. Some can't believe it while others believe it fully.

A/N:

The link to the MBTI test is above if you still don't know your personality type and want to find out. It's a long test, but worth answering. More information about the personality will be in the parenthesis beside the character.

It was a bit hard taking the test because I had to picture myself as them answering it in their character.

These aren't exactly their MBTIs, but this is a depiction based on their overall character from the events in the games (Black Ops Series)

I hope I did my best!

Russell Adler (INTJ-A — "Architect")

Information about the personality type:

These thoughtful tacticians love perfecting the details of life, applying creativity and rationality to everything they do. Their inner world is often a private, complex one.

comprises 2.1% of the total world population (rare personality type)

highly analytical, creative, and logical

introverted and prefer to work alone

greater emphasis on logic and objective information rather than subjective emotions

like their world to feel controlled and ordered

Strengths:

self-confident and hard-working - believe in Bell most of the time

takes criticism well

most independent

rational

good at listening - evident with the number of dialogue options you have

Weaknesses:

lack of empathy - apparent when reading the paper regarding Bell's brainwashing and his persistence

romantic relationships are their Achilles heel - it doesn't mean they don't feel, but they don't want to express it to anyone

sometimes callous or insensitive

highly analytical towards everything

perfectionistic

—————

Alex Mason (ISTJ-T — "Logistician")

Information about the personality type:

These people tend to be reserved yet willful, with a rational outlook on life. They compose their actions carefully and carry them out with methodical purpose.

male ISTJs comprises 16% of the total world population (common personality type)

enjoy taking responsibility for their actions

take pride in the work they do

reserved, practical, and quiet

value loyalty in themselves and others

Strengths:

detail-oriented

observant - can be applied to his "excellent sniper" trait

orderly and organized

calm and practical

jacks-of-all-trades

Weaknesses:

stubborn - shown in the interrogation scene in BO1 for a few moments

tends to blame others

judgemental

insensitive

works always by the book - reluctant to bend or change the rules

—————

Frank Woods (ESTP-A — "Entrepreneur")

Information about the personality type:

They tend to be energetic and action-oriented, deftly navigating whatever is in front of them. They love uncovering life’s opportunities, whether socializing with others or in more personal pursuits.

comprises 4-10% of the total world population (fairly common personality type)

live in the moment and dive into the action

unique skill in noticing small changes - shift in facial expression, new clothing style, or broken habit

full of passion and energy complemented with a rational mind

prefer the practical over the abstract

Strengths:

gregarious, funny, and energetic - shown in CW

adaptable and resourceful

rational and practical - apparent in BO1 for his overall character

makes decisions based on logic and reason

sociable

Weaknesses:

risk-prone - most likely the person one will be paired to operations where things can go wrong quickly

defiant

easily bored

impulsive - true to his personality

too competitive

—————

Jason Hudson (ENTJ-A — "Commander")

Information about the personality type:

They are decisive people who love momentum and accomplishment. They gather information to construct their creative visions but rarely hesitate for long before acting on them.

comprises 1.8% of the total world population (2nd rarest personality type)

gifted with charisma and confidence

quick to see inefficiency and conceptualize new solutions to them

love a big or small challenge and overcoming them

dominant at the negotiating table

Strengths:

strong leadership skills - the overseer in BOCW

well-organized

good decision maker

assertive and outspoken

strategic thinkers

Weaknesses:

stubborn and dominant - shown in the scene where he talks to Bell about Lubyanka

impatient

intolerant

cold and ruthless - true to his nickname "Ice Cube"

poor handling of emotions

—————

Helen Park (INFJ-T — "Advocate")

Information about the personality type:

They tend to approach life with deep thoughtfulness and imagination. Their inner vision, personal values, and a quiet, principled version of humanism guide them in all things.

female INFJs comprises 1.6% of the total world population (rarest personality type)

thinks about deep topics and contemplates the meaning of life

has a deep sense of idealism and integrity, but aren’t idle dreamers

speak with great passion and conviction

soft-spoken and understated

Strengths:

sensitive to the needs of others

insightful

altruistic - use their strengths for the greater good

passionate - eagerness to capture Volkov in E. Berlin

creative

Weaknesses:

sensitive to criticism - may be shown after joking about her scar

reluctant to open up - shown with the scar scene with Lazar

prone to burnouts

dislikes confrontation

stubborn

—————

Eleazar "Lazar" Azoulay (ENFP-A — "Campaigner")

Information about the personality type:

These people tend to embrace big ideas and actions that reflect their sense of hope and goodwill toward others. Their vibrant energy can flow in many directions.

comprises 8.1% of the total world population (common personality type)

reads between the lines with curiosity and energy

see life as a big, complex puzzle where everything is connected through emotion

do best in situations where they have the freedom to be creative and innovative

spend a lot of time exploring social relationships

Strengths:

empathetic and caring - apparent and true in the Duga ending and after being saved in Cuba

fun and spontaneous - evident when talking to him and Sims

warm and enthusiastic

curious

observant - can be applied after the Cuba briefing about the LMG he and Sims are talking about

Weaknesses:

can be overly emotional

tends to get stressed out easily - can be apparent when being loud in E. Berlin and talking about Lubyanka

struggles to follow rules

disorganized

poor practical skills

—————

Lawrence Sims (ESFJ-A — "Consul")

Information about the personality type:

They are attentive and people-focused, and they enjoy taking part in their social community. Their achievements are guided by decisive values, and they willingly offer guidance to others.

comprises 12.3% of the total world population (common personality type)

continue to enjoy supporting their friends and loved ones

gain energy from interacting with other people

encourages other people to be their best

have a hard time believing anything bad about the people to whom they are close

Strengths:

practical and dependable - true to his character being in charge of logistics; you can trust him with anything related to gear requests

organized - can be seen writing in a ledger and making phone calls to everyone about the lists of equipment needed for an operation

sensitive and warm

conscientious

very loyal

Weaknesses:

sensitive to criticism - can be triggered in certain dialogues about Vietnam

too selfless and doesn't look after themselves

dislike change

approval-seeking

controlling

—————

Perseus (ENFJ-A — "Protagonist")

Information about the personality type:

These warm, forthright types love helping others, and they tend to have strong ideas and values. They back their perspective with the creative energy to achieve their goals.

comprises 2.5% of the total world population (3rd rarest personality type)

strong extraverts and enjoy spending time with other people

interested in devoting their time to others

radiate authenticity, concern, and altruism

unlikely to be afraid to take the slings and arrows while standing up for the people and ideas they believe in

Strengths:

encouraging

persuasive - apparent in the meeting scene during Bell's remembrance of him

wide social circle - can be his list of agents, whom he may have close ties with personally

charismatic

natural-born leaders

Weaknesses:

self-sacrificing - may be related to sacrificing half of Europe for his plans to expand the Soviet Union

overprotective

manipulative

indecisive

overly idealistic - can be apparent in the meeting scene in Bell's remembrance

—————

Dimitri Belikov (INFJ-A — "Advocate")

Information about the personality type:

INFJs are deeply concerned about their relations with individuals as well as the state of humanity at large. They are, in fact, sometimes mistaken for extroverts because they appear so outgoing and are so genuinely interested in people -- a product of the Feeling function they most readily show to the world.

male INFJs comprises 0.5-1% of the total world population (rarest personality type)

emotionally intimate and fulfilled with a chosen few

have the clearest insights of all the types into the motivations of others, for good and for evil

usually reserved but highly sensitive to how others feel

capable of taking their values and using them to bring about positive and lasting change

Strengths:

focused on the future

values close, deep relationships - evident with Charkov being his best friend, despite the needed betrayal for the CIA

not materialistic

enjoy looking good and taking care of their appearance

very sensitive and emotional

Weaknesses:

difficult to get to know

incredibly stubborn

has a rebel attitude - true to him being the mole of the KGB and working for the CIA for a decade

dislikes confrontation - may be true to be called to the central committee and talking to Kravchenko

avoiding the ordinary

—————

Greta Keller (ISTJ-A — "Logistician")

Information about the personality type:

They like strengthening their current relationships rather than seeking out new ones. These people tend to “play the hits” in their lives. They find joy and comfort in the things they know they like and rely on what worked or didn’t work in the past when making big decisions.

female ISFJs comprises 8% of the total world population (common personality type)

have a keen sense of right and wrong

enjoy order and organization in all areas of their lives

carefully plan things out well in advance

place a great deal of emphasis on traditions and laws

Strengths:

self-sufficient - evident when letting Bell take lead and leaving herself behind

realistic

persistent

trustworthy

thorough - apparent in her dialogues in the bar

Weaknesses:

judgmental

gets involved in win-lose situations - evident when captured by Volkov and almost snapped by the neck to death

have tendencies to believe that they're always right

subjective

uncomfortable expressing emotion or affection towards others

[zvaigzdelasas]

European innovation project Flagships will deploy the world’s first commercial cargo transport vessel operating on hydrogen, plying the river Seine in Paris with the vessel’s operations due to start sometime this year [2021].

...

The vessel will operate on compressed hydrogen produced from electrolysis, enabling not only zero-emission operations, but also creating a solid base for more local zero-emission transport, both at sea and on land. The power generation system for Zulu will be supplied by ABB Marine & Ports, with fuel cells from Ballard. LMG Marin is responsible for detail design drawings, with hydrogen provided by suppliers in the Paris region.

[social-media-lmg]

Top Benefits of Influencer Marketing

Over thе lаѕt dесаdе, social networks hаvе brоught remarkable trаnѕfоrmаtіоnѕ іn оur day tо dау lіfе. Rіѕе of ѕосіаl mеdіа асrоѕѕ thе glоbе have rеvоlutіоnіzеd thе way wе соmmunісаtе аnd share іnfоrmаtіоn. Not just thе реrѕоnаl lives, but social nеtwоrkіng аррlісаtіоnѕ hаvе mаdе thеіr way іntо the business wоrld. Mаrkеtіng thrоugh the social media сhаnnеlѕ іѕ the new trend аnd еvеrу buѕіnеѕѕ organization іѕ jumріng іntо this bandwagon. Influеnсеr mаrkеtіng rеvоlvеѕ аrоund the ѕurgіng рорulаrіtу оf such social mеdіа сhаnnеlѕ. Bеfоrе we dеlvе іntо thе dеtаіlѕ of thіѕ innovative marketing ѕtrаtеgу, lеt uѕ fіnd оut whаt аn іnfluеnсеr іѕ. 

A person whо іѕ аn іnduѕtrу expert and іѕ rеѕресtеd fоr hіѕ оріnіоn is known as аn іnfluеnсеr. Mоrе than thаt, they аrе асtіvе online аnd hаvе a numbеr of fоllоwеrѕ. It саn be a сеlеbrіtу, jоurnаlіѕt, blоggеrѕ oranalyst wіth аn іn-dерth еxреrtіѕе and сrеdіbіlіtу оn ѕubjесt matter. Whеn thеѕе rеѕресtеd іndіvіduаlѕ post аnуthіng аbоut nісhе subject mаttеrѕ, thеn іt wіll be followed bу a huge number оf реорlе. It саn even influence thе рurсhаѕе dесіѕіоnѕ оf mаnу сuѕtоmеrѕ. And thаt is whу buѕіnеѕѕ оrgаnіzаtіоnѕ nееd to incorporate іnfluеnсеr mаrkеtіng tесhnіԛuеѕ tо thеіr mаrkеtіng mіx. Plаtfоrmѕ like Facebook, Twitter, Inѕtаgrаm аnd YouTube have lеd tо the іnсrеаѕіng рорulаrіtу оf nеw generation іnfluеnсеrѕ. A lаrgе number оf реорlе hаvе аmаѕѕеd huge followers bу uрlоаdіng іnfоrmаtіvе vіdеоѕ, оnlіnе tutоrіаlѕ, easy hacks and mоrе. When you hire thе рrоfеѕѕіоnаl ѕеrvісеѕ of a rеlіаblе influencer mаrkеtіng аgеnс��, thеу wіll help you оut іn соnnесtіng wіth your targeted аudіеnсе еаѕіlу. 

Whаt аrе thе mаjоr bеnеfіtѕ оf launching an іnfluеnсеr marketing саmраіgn fоr уоur business? 

Thе рrіmаrу аdvаntаgе іѕ іtѕ еffесtіvеnеѕѕ. 

Word оf mouth recommendations аrе thе bеѕt marketing tооl fоr any buѕіnеѕѕ at аnу point of tіmе. Influencer mаrkеtіng іѕ a tуре оf dіgіtаl wоrd оf mоuth recommendation. Sо іt саn lеаvе a great іmрасt оvеr thе tаrgеtеd audience. A blоggеr outreach tооl and other techniques uѕеd by the іnfluеnсеrѕ can grab thе аttеntіоn of your intended сuѕtоmеr bаѕе еаѕіlу. 

An increase іn the ѕеаrсh еngіnе rаnkіngѕ іѕ аnоthеr іmроrtаnt benefit. Buіldіng уоur brаnd through іnnоvаtіvе brаnd mаnаgеmеnt tесhnіԛuеѕ аnd ѕосіаl mеdіа optimization ѕtrаtеgіеѕ can іnсrеаѕе thе оnlіnе vіѕіbіlіtу оf уоur wеbѕіtе. Lаѕt but not thе lеаѕt, іnfluеnсеr mаrkеtіng method is trackable and targetable. Dіgіtаl mаrkеtіng techniques lеt you kеер trасk оf the асtіvіtіеѕ and retrieve vаluаblе іnѕіghtѕ аbоut уоur advertising performance. Thеѕе are only ѕоmе оf thе major advantages of the influencer marketing mеthоd. But mаkе іt a роіnt to fіnd thе rіght influencer іn order to avail ѕuссеѕѕful results. 

Contact Us:

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[wiadomosciprasowe]

LMG 50 – ET SKRITT FORAN DE ANDRE

https://www.y6.no/lmg-50-et-skritt-foran-de-andre/

LMG 50 – ET SKRITT FORAN DE ANDRE

Dato: 11-06-2015 12:10 CEST Opprinnelig tittel på pressemeldingen: LMG 50 – ET SKRITT FORAN DE ANDRE Kategori: , Arbeidsliv Livsstil, mote, fritid Vitenskap, teknikk Entreprenørskap Bygg, eiendom Industri, produksjon

Hvis du er ute etter en kompakt, dynamisk og brukervennlig laseravstandsmåler som er et skritt foran konkurrentene, så du trenger du kun å se på AEG Power Tools siste lansering.

LMG 50 er den minste laseravstandsmåleren på markedet, ogprofesjonelle håndverkere vil sette pris på dens brukervennlighet, presisjon og holdbarhet. Den har også en unik funksjon som skiller den seg vesentlig fra sine konkurrenter.

For første gang har nå brukeren muligheten til å lage to forskjellige typer indirekte overflatemålinger, noe som tillater raske og nøyaktige målinger på steder som er vanligvis er vanskelige å nå.

Denne ultrakompakte laseravstandsmåleren er den best utstyrte på markedet. I tillegg har den funksjonalitet og brukervennlighet i toppklasse. LDM 50 en av de mest innovative og spennende verktøy for den profesjonelle håndverkeren

Med en nøyaktighet på 1,5 mm, kan brukerne måle avstander på opptil 50 m med et enkelt trykk på en knapp.

Sikt, Skyt – Ferdig. Det kunne ikke vært enklere.

Legg til / trekk fra (+/-) dine verdier, beregn areal, tetthet, Pythagoras beregninger og de andre funksjonene er alle enkle å jobbe med. Til tross for sin kompakte størrelse – den måler bare 119x40x32 mm – har den også et godt opplyst og tydelig 3-linjers LED-skjerm, sammen med store og funksjonelle velplasserte knapper.

Med timerfunksjon, beskyttende gummibelegg og belteklips er LMG 50 både brukervennlig, funksjonell og praktisk. Dette er grunnen til at den vil være et opplagt valg for enhver håndverker som tenker effektivitet og enkel tilgjengelighet.

"Hos AEG er vi alltid ute etter å utvikle profesjonelle verktøy som kan gjøre håndverkerens arbeidsdag så enkel som mulig", forklarer Christophe Von Vopelius, produktsjef i AEG Powertools.

"Derfor er vi spesielt stolte av LMG 50. Det er nå mye enklere for brukerne å foreta målinger og beregninger på utfordrende steder, og dette med en presisjon som man kun kan forvente av et profesjonelt verktøy. Oppgaven vil bli løst raskere og enklere enn noen gang før. "

LMG 50 laseravstandsmåler er tilgjengelig nå.aeg-powertools.no

Egenskaper

Sikt og trykk-system – måling med trykk på kun én knapp

Måling av areal, volum, høyde og bredde

3 typer Pythagoras

Stort og tydelig LCD-display med tre tekstlinjer og skjermlys

Utfoldbart endestykke for hjørne og kantmåling

Minne for 10 målinger

IP54 vann- og støvbeskyttelse

Ekstremt slankt design

Gummigrep for beste grep

Store tydelige knapper

Belteklips

+/- så flere målinger kan regnes sammen

3 mulige målepunkter: front, bak eller fra det utfoldbare endestykket

Indirekte overflatemåling

SPESIFIKASJONER

LMG 50

Batteritype 2 x AA Dimensjoner 119 x 40 x 32 mm IP klasse IP 54 Maks. Måleavstand 50 m Pythagoras-funksjon 3-punkts Vekt med batterier 100 g

AEG POWERTOOLS

AEG POWER TOOLS har vært en ledende leverandør til bransjen og profesjonelle brukere siden 1898. Med spesialisering innenfor batteridrevne Lithium-Ion bormaskiner, hammere, løsninger for metall og trebearbeiding og tilbehør, er arbeides det konstant med å finne nye innovative løsninger for å gjøre hverdagen enklere for den profesjonelle håndverker .

Siden starten har, AEG POWERTOOLS vært ledende på produktutvikling. Ved å introdusere verdens første bærbare elektriske bormaskin i 1898, ble den bærbare maskinen født. Over 100 år senere tilbyr AEG fortsatt innovative og kraftige løsninger for profesjonelle brukere … STOLT FORTID … SPENNENDE FREMTID …

Kilde: Pressekontor Techtronic Industries Nordic AS – PRESSEMELDING –

————

Hashtags: # #Arbeidsliv Livsstil, mote, fritid Vitenskap, teknikk Entreprenørskap Bygg, eiendom Industri, produksjon laseravstandsmåler AEG powertools kompakt elverktøy batterier

[nawapon17]

World’s First Liquid Hydrogen-Powered Vessel Wins Ship Of The Year Award

[roxycrushlings]

Defiance Video Game Review

It’s been a long while since consoles got a taste of the MMO gaming world. The only true MMOs that have been released for consoles like the Xbox 360 have been games like Phantasy Star Universe (which the online part of this game was shut down last year) and Final Fantasy XI Online. There have always been online multiplayer games, but not on the MMO level.

This year we witnessed the release of a very ambitious MMO-shooter from Trion Worlds called Defiance. The game feels like a cross between Borderlands and Mad Max but has some unique elements to it. The game co-exists with a TV show of the same name that started airing on the Syfy network on April 15th. This is the first time ever that a game has been made to correlate with a TV series. Pink girly gaming setup.

Defiance

The Storyline

Defiance is set in the not-so-distant future, on Earth, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The world has been somewhat destroyed, though, by war. Humans and aliens (known as Votans) live, work, and fight together on this familiar, yet changed, planet.

You are thrown into this world in the role of an Ark Hunter, a gun-for-hire type that assists in finding pieces of Arktech that fall from the sky in meteor-like objects called Arkfalls. Why are you chasing down this technology? Because it’s the foremost important form of innovation and currency. Your job is to help Karl Von Bach, the CEO of Von Bach Industries (VBI), retrieve Arktech pieces that he hopes will allow him to save the entire world and become a hero to the masses.

It’s not the more original plot for a game but it does keep you a bit interested. Plus, most of the details of the story are revealed by watching the Defiance TV show. The game and the show work with each other and evolve together over time to make gamers more involved with the series.

PvE Gameplay

Defiance PvE Gameplay

Defiance has both PvE (player versus environment) and PvP (player versus player) elements. The PvE side leads you into completing missions relevant to the storyline of the game. These missions typically send you out to either clear out an area of enemies (such as mutant soldiers, Raiders, or Hell Bugs), going into bases to turn on equipment that will help the E-REP (Earth Republic), or gathering information or items needed for future quests.

There are also side missions and challenges that players can partake in for extra Scrip (the main currency in the game), experience, weapons, and weapon mods. These include Time Trials where you have to complete objectives in a certain time frame, Rampages where you have to kill as many enemies as you can in the allotted time without dying, or fetching intel for the E-REP or other in-game NPCs.

Sometimes completing missions can feel a bit repetitive, but overall it’s quite entertaining and fulfilling to earn more and more experience to raise your EGO rating (the primary level indicator of players in the game) and earning Scrip to purchase new items such as weapons or vehicles with. http://www.thegamercollective.com/gaming-laptops-getting-hot/

Defiance is first and foremost a third-person shooter. It feels a lot like Borderlands when playing. The controls aren’t real tight, though. When you are first presented with some new weapons in the game it may take a little practice to get used to it. Some guns, such as certain LMGs, have a very high amount of recoil and take patience to master controlling them.

PvP Gameplay

Defiance PvP Gameplay

The PvP aspects of the game are fairly fun to play, too. There are 3 primary types of PvP in Defiance: Competitive Multiplayer, Shadow War, and Co-Op.

The competitive multiplayer is a pretty standard Team Deathmatch gametype with a few different maps. This can be a bit frustrating for new players, though. Players are allowed to use whatever weapons they acquire in PvE to use in this. Unfortunately, some players have already been playing a while and have acquired very rare, very powerful weapons. This makes it difficult for beginner players because, in most cases, they’ll only have basic weapons to use.

It gets quite annoying being killed quickly over and over again with over-powered rocket launchers when all you have are basic assault rifles and shotguns to make use of. Certain EGO powers are hard to combat, too. Cloak, for example, makes players nearly 100% invisible to the naked eye, allowing them to stealthily wipe you from existence before you even know what hit you.

Shadow War is basically a blend of TDM and domination gametypes. Players are separated into teams and are sent out into a large, open world to fight other players and AI enemies to take over and control objectives. This is a pretty fun PvP type in Defiance but still suffers from the same flaws as those mentioned above in relevance to the competitive multiplayer.

Co-Op sends you and a friend or group of friends (or random individuals if you decide to use the matchmaking system to form a group) out to complete co-op PvE missions. Players must first unlock these missions while playing through the traditional PvE before being able to use this feature, though.

When Defiance was first released it was quite rusty. There was tons of lag and broken missions to deal with. Those issues have since been dealt with in recent, large patches. Now, the game runs pretty smoothly.

Graphics

Defiance Graphics

The graphics of Defiance are certainly nothing groundbreaking or anything to write home about. They do seem to be a bit dated. And some of the animations (such as Hell Bug attacks or driving) are quite cheesy and un-eventful. But, let’s not forget that graphics DO NOT make a game. It would’ve been nice to have a bit more depth to the scenery and enemies of the world but it doesn’t ruin the game, either.

Final Review

Defiance Video Game Review

Overall, Defiance is a pretty decent game. It has its flaws but it still keeps you hooked and working toward building up your reputation and EGO rating for hours on end. The story missions are repetitive but still somewhat interesting to follow along and play. PvE does lack a little excitement, and it is pretty easy to complete, too. PvP needs to be balanced out a lot. It’s really not fair for new players to have to face seasoned Ark Hunters with advanced weaponry and maxed out powers/perks. Hopefully future patches and content releases will somehow fix this.

There are, as far as we know, at least 5 DLC packs planned for the game. They are available individually or can be obtained via the Defiance season pass. We’re hoping that the new content will be a bit more exciting, a lot less repetitive, and keep us wanting more.

Here are our scores for the game (as is):

Gameplay – 7/10

Graphics – 6/10

Entertainment – 6/10

Final Score – 6.3/10

If Trion Worlds manages to work out the issues in PvP matches and adds more content that is less repetitive and more fun to play we may change our review score for it. But, as is, this is the rating we felt the game deserved.

[turbos-posts]

Bus SheltersStatistics, Development and Growth 2021-2028

The Bus Shelters market report provides a detailed analysis of global market size, regional and country-level market size, segmentation market growth, market share, competitive Landscape, sales analysis, impact of domestic and global market players, value chain optimization, trade regulations, recent developments, opportunities analysis, strategic market growth analysis, product launches, area marketplace expanding, and technological innovations.

ALSO READ : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bus-market-research-report-with-size-share-value-cagr-outlook-analysis-latest-updates-data-and-news-2021-2026-2021-06-21

Market segmentation Bus Shelters market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2016-2026, the growth among segments provide accurate calculations and forecasts for sales by Type and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.

ALSO READ : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-plastic-healthcare-packaging-market-statistics-cagr-outlook-and-covid-19-impact-2021-2021-05-21

Market segment by Type, covers Stainless Steel Wood Others

Market segment by Application can be divided into Public Use Commercial

ALSO READ : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-paints-coatings-additive-market-by-type-by-application-by-segmentation-by-region-and-by-country-2020-2021-05-04

The key market players for global Bus Shelters market are listed below: Austin Mohawk Tolar Manufacturing Prismaflex Lucid Management Group (LMG) Daytech Limited Brasco Queensbury Handi-Hut Artform Urban Furniture B and C Shelters Euroshel Microarquitectura Panel Built APMFG Fab Aveng Manufacturing Trueform ALSO READ : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-nuclear-medicine-radioisotopes-market-outlook-industry-analysis-and-prospect-2021-2026-2021-05-25

Environmental Street Furniture Bailey Streetscene NBB Outdoor Shelters Rocklyn Engineering Asteco Industria Woodscape Commutaports Littlethorpe of Leicester Lockit-Safe Faclo Marshalls DP Structures Ace Shelters

Market segment by Region, regional analysis covers North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia) South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America) Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 14 chapters: Chapter 1, to describe Bus Shelters product scope, market overview, market opportunities, market driving force and market risks. Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Bus Shelters, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Bus Shelters in 2018 and 2019. Chapter 3, the Bus Shelters competitive situation, sales, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast. Chapter 4, the Bus Shelters breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales, revenue and growth by regions, from 2015 to 2020. Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2015 to 2020. Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales, revenue and market share for key countries in the world, from 2016 to 2021.and Bus Shelters market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2021 to 2026. Chapter 12, 13 and 14, to describe Bus Shelters sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion, appendix and data source.

Table of Contents

1 Market Overview 1.1 Bus Shelters Introduction 1.2 Market Analysis by Type 1.2.1 Overview: Global Bus Shelters Revenue by Type: 2019 Versus 2021 Versus 2026 1.2.2 Stainless Steel 1.2.3 Wood 1.2.4 Others 1.3 Market Analysis by Application 1.3.1 Overview: Global Bus Shelters Revenue by Application: 2019 Versus 2021 Versus 2026 1.3.2 Public Use 1.3.3 Commercial 1.4 Global Bus Shelters Market Size & Forecast 1.4.1 Global Bus Shelters Sales in Value (2016-2026)) 1.4.2 Global Bus Shelters Sales in Volume (2016-2026) 1.4.3 Global Bus Shelters Price by Type (2016-2026) & (USD/Unit) 1.5 Global Bus Shelters Production Capacity Analysis 1.5.1 Global Bus Shelters Total Production Capacity (2016-2026) 1.5.2 Global Bus Shelters Production Capacity by Geographic Region 1.6 Market Drivers, Restraints and Trends 1.6.1 Bus Shelters Market Drivers 1.6.2 Bus Shelters Market Restraints 1.6.3 Bus Shelters Trends Analysis ALSO READ : http://www.marketwatch.com/story/global-modular-conveyor-system-market-overview-size-share-and-trends-2021-2021-05-25

2 Manufacturers Profiles 2.1 Austin Mohawk 2.1.1 Austin Mohawk Details 2.1.2 Austin Mohawk Major Business 2.1.3 Austin Mohawk Bus Shelters Product and Services 2.1.4 Austin Mohawk Bus Shelters Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021) 2.2 Tolar Manufacturing 2.2.1 Tolar Manufacturing Details 2.2.2 Tolar Manufacturing Major Business 2.2.3 Tolar Manufacturing Bus Shelters Product and Services 2.2.4 Tolar Manufacturing Bus Shelters Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021) 2.3 Prismaflex 2.3.1 Prismaflex Details 2.3.2 Prismaflex Major Business 2.3.3 Prismaflex Bus Shelters Product and Services 2.3.4 Prismaflex Bus Shelters Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021) 2.4 Lucid Management Group (LMG) 2.4.1 Lucid Management Group (LMG) Details 2.4.2 Lucid Management Group (LMG) Major Business 2.4.3 Lucid Management Group (LMG) Bus Shelters Product and Services 2.4.4 Lucid Management Group (LMG) Bus Shelters Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021) 2.5 Daytech Limited 2.5.1 Daytech Limited Details 2.5.2 Daytech Limited Major Business 2.5.3 Daytech Limited Bus Shelters Product and Services 2.5.4 Daytech Limited Bus Shelters Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021) 2.6 Brasco 2.6.1 Brasco Details 2.6.2 Brasco Major Business 2.6.3 Brasco Bus Shelters Product and Services 2.6.4 Brasco Bus Shelters Sales, Price, Revenue, Gross Margin and Market Share (2019-2021) 2.7 Queensbury

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[olko71]

New Post has been published on All about business online

New Post has been published on http://yaroreviews.info/2021/05/colonial-pipeline-hack-shows-ransomware-emergence-as-industrial-scale-threat

Colonial Pipeline Hack Shows Ransomware Emergence as Industrial-Scale Threat

The cyberattack that knocked offline an essential U.S. gasoline pipeline shows that a dangerous, professional-scale hacking-for-ransom threat is worsening, spreading rapidly and plaguing companies, schools, hospitals and other institutions.

While ransomware has been a challenge for small businesses for years, a confluence of factors have emboldened attackers in the past year, culminating in the shutdown on Friday of a critical gasoline pipeline to the U.S. East Coast. The pipeline’s operator, Colonial Pipeline Co., now says that service could be offline until the end of the week, threatening to raise prices at the pump for millions of Americans.

Attacks are growing in number and scale as millions of people around the country work or attend school remotely, in some cases opening back doors to networks without corporate or institutional security protections, security researchers say.

Hackers have grown adept at communicating about vulnerabilities on the so-called Dark Web, a network of computers that can share information anonymously. The ability to demand payment in cryptocurrency limits law-enforcement tracking capabilities. And the growth in insurance policies that cover ransomware payments has helped seed an increasingly professionalized ransomware industry.

Senior officials in the Biden administration have said ransomware is likely the most serious cybersecurity threat to the U.S. and that on its current trajectory the problem will only get worse in the years ahead. A senior Justice Department official likened the phenomenon to “cyber weapons of mass destruction.”

There is no official U.S. clearinghouse to track ransomware cases, but those reported to the Federal Bureau of Investigation reached nearly 2,500 in 2020, an increase of 66% compared with the previous year.

While precise data on attacks is often difficult to come by, partly due to the desire for secrecy among both perpetrators and victims, ransomware victims paid criminals at least $350 million in cryptocurrency payments in 2020, an increase of 311%, according to the blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis Inc. Other security experts and cybersecurity officials have estimated the overall toll on the U.S. economy now registers in the billions annually.

“The reason why ransomware is exploding is because it’s scalable, predictable and lucrative,” said Antony P. Kim, a partner with the law firm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s cyber, privacy and data innovation practice. “If that isn’t a business model, I don’t know what is.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has for years told companies that they shouldn’t pay ransoms when victimized by hackers, but the cybersecurity firm Bitdefender says that at least half of all victims end up paying.

The companies least vulnerable are those that back up systems so they don’t feel pressure to pay, but doing so can be costly up front.

Ransomware encrypts the contents of the victim’s computers, making them unusable until a payment is made, at which point the hackers promise to give the victims a decryption key—a complex series of letters and numbers that will unlock their systems. Often victims pay ransom because they have no backup copies of the infected systems or because the effort required to restore hundreds of computers is prohibitive.

“We are on the cusp of a global digital pandemic, driven by greed, a vulnerable digital ecosystem, and an ever-widening criminal enterprise,” Chris Krebs, the former top cybersecurity official in the Department of Homeland Security under President Trump, said in congressional testimony about ransomware last week.

Propensity to be hit by ransomware across different sectors

Business & professional services

Central government

Technology & telecoms

Manufacturing & production

Energy, oil/gas & utilities

Healthcare

Local government

Financial services

Global average

Media, leisure & entertainment

Construction & property

Distribution & transport

Impact

of ransomware

Ransomware complaints filed with the FBI

Victim loss from ransomware attacks

Cybercriminals

succeeded in

encrypting data

$30 million

Attack stopped before

the data could be encrypted

Propensity to be hit by ransomware across different sectors

Business & professional services

Central government

Technology & telecoms

Manufacturing & production

Energy, oil/gas & utilities

Healthcare

Local government

Financial services

Global average

Media, leisure & entertainment

Construction & property

Distribution & transport

Impact

of ransomware

Ransomware complaints filed with the FBI

Victim loss from ransomware attacks

Cybercriminals

succeeded in

encrypting data

$30 million

Attack stopped before

the data could be encrypted

Propensity to be hit by ransomware across different sectors

Business & professional services

Central government

Technology & telecoms

Manufacturing & production

Energy, oil/gas & utilities

Healthcare

Local government

Financial services

Global average

Media, leisure & entertainment

Construction & property

Distribution & transport

Impact

of ransomware

Ransomware complaints filed with the FBI

Victim loss from ransomware attacks

Cybercriminals

succeeded in

encrypting data

$30 million

Attack stopped before

the data could be encrypted

Propensity to be hit by ransomware across different sectors

Business services

Central government

Technology

Manufacturing

Energy,

oil/gas & utilities

Healthcare

Global average

Local government

Financial services

Impact of ransomware

Cybercriminals

succeeded in

encrypting data

Attack stopped

before the data

could be encrypted

Ransomware complaints filed

Victim loss from ransomware attacks

$30 million

Schools, law firms, local governments, airports and law-enforcement agencies have been hit.

A September hack cost hospital chain United Health Services Inc. $67 million last year before taxes, and a month later ransomware groups knocked dozens of hospitals offline during a widespread campaign.

The 10,000-student Sheldon Independent School District in Houston paid a ransom of $206,931, negotiated down from about $350,000, after a ransomware attack last year rendered it inoperable and threatened a coming paycheck distribution.

“We could not function,” said Sheldon Superintendent King R. Davis. “It was very important to us to keep moving forward.”

The University of California, San Francisco, paid a $1.14 million ransom to a hacker in June. The university has said that it made the decision to pay because the hacker encrypted data for important academic work, including research. The university said in a statement that it was a “difficult decision” to pay the ransom.

DarkSide, the ransomware linked by the FBI to the Colonial pipeline incident, uses the Tor anonymizing software to keep its server’s location hidden from law enforcement. The group that makes the ransomware uses the digital currency bitcoin for payments that can be made anonymously. It uses online hacking forums to recruit “affiliate” partners who can break into victims’ networks, and it is thought to operate out of Eastern Europe, according to security researchers.

The DarkSide developers didn’t respond to a request for comment. On the “press” section for the ransomware gang’s website, they appeared to distance themselves from the Colonial attack and blame an affiliate. They said that they would exert more control over the companies that their affiliates wanted to attack “to avoid social consequences in the future.”

While ransomware groups have traditionally shut down critical operations and demanded payment to provide keys to restore them, in recent years, ransomware groups began threatening to publish documents taken from victims.

This shift has given hackers a new line of business—allowing them to collect payments even when victims were able to restore encrypted systems through a backup, said Charles Carmakal, a senior vice president with the cybersecurity firm Mandiant. “A lot of times, these victims feel compelled to pay,” he said.

Ransomware gangs now notify company employees and even partners when they have infiltrated a victim to maximize the pressure to pay, said Sherri Davidoff, chief executive of the security consulting firm LMG Security LLC. On its website, DarkSide says it is willing to sell information stolen from victims to short sellers, if the victim refuses to pay.

Anne Neuberger, President Biden’s deputy national security adviser, said hackers are increasingly targeting companies that have insurance and are richer.

Photo: nicholas kamm/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images

Layered together, all of these online services make it easy for a growing pool of hackers to get involved in ransomware with a minimum of effort, Ms. Davidoff said. It’s very point and click,” she said.

Reflecting the scale of the threat, last month the Justice Department formed a task force intended to curtail the popular extortion schemes by making them less lucrative through efforts to target the entire digital ecosystem that supports them, including how criminals rely on digital currency to extract victim payments.

In an interview last month, John Carlin, a senior official at the Justice Department, likened ransomware to “cyber weapons of mass destruction” that, like nuclear weapons, were growing more powerful and devastating over time. The success of ransomware operations has allowed criminal hackers to demand ever greater sums of money into the tens of millions of dollars from victims and reinvest those profits in new tools and services that enable more and better attacks, Mr. Carlin said.

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“We have to figure out a way to break the unvirtuous cycle we’re in right now, where the more money they make the more is being funneled back into the tools they are using,” Mr. Carlin said.

Speaking during a White House press briefing on Monday, Anne Neuberger, Mr. Biden’s deputy national security adviser, said that many companies are “often in a difficult position if their data is encrypted and they do not have backups and cannot recover the data.”

Ms. Neuberger also said there was a “troubling trend” developing of hackers targeting companies that have insurance and are richer, and therefore more likely to pay a ransom. “We need to look thoughtfully at this area, including with our international partners, to determine what we do in addition to actively disrupting infrastructure and holding perpetrators accountable to ensure that we’re not encouraging the rise of ransomware,” she said.

Colonial Pipeline Shutdown

Write to Robert McMillan at Robert.Mcmillan@wsj.com, Dustin Volz at dustin.volz@wsj.com and Tawnell D. Hobbs at Tawnell.Hobbs@wsj.com

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