Tag Archives: Biz & IT

Authorities carry out global takedown of infostealer used by cybercriminals

“Based on what we see, there is a wide range of cybercriminals admitting they are using Lumma, such as actors involved in credit card fraud, initial access sales, cryptocurrency theft, and more,” Kivilevich says. Among other tools, the Scattered Spider hacking group—which has attacked Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, and other victims—has been spotted using… Read More »

“Microsoft has simply given us no other option,” Signal says as it blocks Windows Recall

But the changes go only so far in limiting the risks Recall poses. As I pointed out, when Recall is turned on, it indexes Zoom meetings, emails, photos, medical conditions, and—yes—Signal conversations, not just with the user, but anyone interacting with that user, without their knowledge or consent. Researcher Kevin Beaumont performed his own deep-dive… Read More »

Apple legend Jony Ive takes control of OpenAI’s design future

On Wednesday, OpenAI announced that former Apple design chief Jony Ive and his design firm LoveFrom will take over creative and design control at OpenAI. The deal makes Ive responsible for shaping the future look and feel of AI products at the chatbot creator, extending across all of the company’s ventures, including ChatGPT. Ive was… Read More »

Windows 11’s most important new feature is post-quantum cryptography. Here’s why.

Microsoft is updating Windows 11 with a set of new encryption algorithms that can withstand future attacks from quantum computers in a move aimed at jump-starting what’s likely to be the most formidable and important technology transition in modern history. Computers that are based on the physics of quantum mechanics don’t yet exist outside of… Read More »

Chicago Sun-Times prints summer reading list full of fake books

Photo of the Chicago Sun-Times “Summer reading list for 2025” supplement. Credit: Rachel King / Bluesky Novelist Rachael King initially called attention to the error on Bluesky Tuesday morning. “The Chicago Sun-Times obviously gets ChatGPT to write a ‘summer reads’ feature almost entirely made up of real authors but completely fake books. What are we… Read More »

The empire strikes back with F-bombs: AI Darth Vader goes rogue with profanity, slurs

To be fair to Epic’s attempt at an AI implementation, Darth Vader is a deeply evil character (i.e. murders sandpeople, hates sand), and the remarks seem consistent with his twisted and sadistic personality. In fact, arguably the most out-of-character “inappropriate” response in the examples above might be the one where he chides the player for… Read More »

Spies hack high-value mail servers using an exploit from yesteryear

Threat actors, likely supported by the Russian government, hacked multiple high-value mail servers around the world by exploiting XSS vulnerabilities, a class of bug that was among the most commonly exploited in decades past. XSS is short for cross-site scripting. Vulnerabilities result from programming errors found in webserver software that, when exploited, allow attackers to… Read More »

OpenAI adds GPT-4.1 to ChatGPT amid complaints over confusing model lineup

The release comes just two weeks after OpenAI made GPT-4 unavailable in ChatGPT on April 30. That earlier model, which launched in March 2023, once sparked widespread hype about AI capabilities. Compared to that hyperbolic launch, GPT-4.1’s rollout has been a fairly understated affair—probably because it’s tricky to convey the subtle differences between all of… Read More »

Google introduces Advanced Protection mode for its most at-risk Android users

Google is adding a new security setting to Android to provide an extra layer of resistance against attacks that infect devices, tap calls traveling through insecure carrier networks, and deliver scams through messaging services. On Tuesday, the company unveiled the Advanced Protection mode, most of which will be rolled out in the upcoming release of… Read More »

GOP sneaks decade-long AI regulation ban into spending bill

The reconciliation bill primarily focuses on cuts to Medicaid access and increased health care fees for millions of Americans. The AI provision appears as an addition to these broader health care changes, potentially limiting debate on the technology’s policy implications. The move is already inspiring backlash. On Monday, tech safety groups and at least one… Read More »