Discord to use temporary file links to combat malware

Discord

Discord plans to change its approach to file hosting as it tries to crack down on malware. According to a report by BleepingComputer, the platform will begin using temporary file links for user content shared outside of Discord. These links will expire after 24 hours, which will help Discord’s safety team restrict access to flagged content and reduce the amount of malware distributed using its content delivery network. The change is expected to go into effect by the end of the year.

While the move is aimed at curbing malware, it will also limit the use of Discord as an unofficial file-hosting service. You often upload images and other content to their servers and then post those links elsewhere. However, once the platform moves away from permanent file links, these links will expire after a day, making it difficult to share content outside of Discord.

Discord has recommended that users find a more suitable service if they are using Discord to host files. However, nothing will change for content posted and shared within Discord itself.

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Discord's latest update will force you to change your username

Image: Discord

Discord is changing how identities work on its platform. Up until this point, the company used four-digit tags to identities to distinguish those with the same username. But when the new system rolls out in the "coming weeks," you get a chance to get a unique username. When Discord implemented its system, the aim was to give users the chance to choose any username they wanted. But Discord said it's now become "technical debt," with usernames becoming "too complicated or obscure" to remember.

The company will be sending out messages when the new system goes live. And if you've been on the site for a long time, you'll get priority over newer users. Previous usernames will continue to function as an alias, so users can still find you through those labels.

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Xbox consoles will finally support Discord Voice chats

Source: Discord

Discord recently announced it's bringing voice chat integration to Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. This will allow Xbox owners to talk to their friends on Discord Voice chats from the console. Xbox Insider will be able to use the feature first, with the rest of the users getting access to it later. This feature will also allow you to transfer your voice call from the app (desktop or mobile) to the console via the Xbox mobile app.

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Discord can now show more detailed info on the EA games you're playing

EA

EA is making full use of Discord's Rich Presence, allowing you to link your Discord account with the EA app. Rich Presence is an API that developers can use to connect their games to Discord and make it easy to jump into them from the chat app. EA's doing this at a launcher level. You can connect your accounts by heading to the settings menu in the EA app. Click on "My Account" and then "Connected Accounts" to link them.

Your Discord contacts won't just see the game you're playing on the EA app when you link the two accounts together. It'll also show how long you've been playing and the specific game mode you're in at the moment. They'll also see if you're ready to group up to play something different. That last option might help you convince a friend to play a game with you that they haven't planned.

Source: Engadget