Independent – Page 47 – Computer Security Articles

Just weeks after President Biden signed an executive order designed to prevent the US government from purchasing commercial spyware used to subvert democracies, researchers have identified yet another shameful zero-click, zero-day exploit that targeted iPhone users. This spy-for-hire ‘solution’ was sold by an Israeli firm called QuaDream.

Making everyone less safe

QuaDream’s attacks have been exposed by security researchers at Microsoft and Citizen Lab. QuaDream is a more secretive entity than NSO Group but shares much of the same pedigree, including being founded by ex-NSO Group employees and having connections to Israeli intelligence. Its attacks were first exposed last year, but the researchers have since found more about how these digital mercenaries worked.

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Independent Krebs

April 11, 2023 admin

Microsoft (& Apple) Patch Tuesday, April 2023 Edition

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2023 00:06:51 +0000

Microsoft today released software updates to plug 100 security holes in its Windows operating systems and other software, including a zero-day vulnerability that is already being used in active attacks. Not to be outdone, Apple has released a set of important updates addressing two zero-day vulnerabilities that are being used to attack iPhones, iPads and Macs.

ComputerWorld Independent

April 10, 2023 admin

Tech bigwigs: Hit the brakes on AI rollouts

More than 1,100 technology luminaries, leaders, and scientists have issued a warning against labs performing large-scale experiments with artificial intelligence (AI) more powerful than ChatGPT, saying the technology poses a grave threat to humanity.

In an open letter published by Future of Life Institute, a nonprofit organization with the mission to reduce global catastrophic and existential risks to humanity, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk joined other signatories in agreeing AI poses “profound risks to society and humanity, as shown by extensive research and acknowledged by top AI labs.”

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ComputerWorld Independent

April 10, 2023 admin

Still using Windows 10 21H2? Time to upgrade

So you have a Windows 10 computer — or a fleet of them. But which exact version of Windows 10? If you are on Windows 10, version 21H2, its end of servicing is coming up on June 13, 2023. For Windows 10 Home, Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Pro Education, and Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, version 21H2 will stop being offered updates — including security updates — after June. (For Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education customers, support for 21H2 lasts another year.)

Why should you upgrade to a new feature release if your existing machines are working just fine? As Windows 10 comes into its final years of support (through to 2025), it’s key to keep machines on supported versions so you can receive security updates. Take the time to review the machines under your control and ensure that they are ready for the end of 21H2 support.

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Independent Krebs

April 4, 2023 admin

FBI Seizes Bot Shop ‘Genesis Market’ Amid Arrests Targeting Operators, Suppliers

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2023 21:04:11 +0000

Several domain names tied to Genesis Market, a bustling cybercrime store that sold access to passwords and other data stolen from millions of computers infected with malicious software, were seized by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) today. Sources tell KrebsOnsecurity the domain seizures coincided with “dozens” of arrests in the United States and abroad targeting those who allegedly operated the service, as well as suppliers who continuously fed Genesis Market with freshly-stolen data.

ComputerWorld Independent

April 4, 2023 admin

UK fines TikTok $15.8 million for GDPR violation of children's privacy

Chinese-owned social media sensation TikTok has been fined almost $16 million for violating provisions of the UK’s General Data Protection Regulation.

ComputerWorld Independent

April 4, 2023 admin

Samsung shows we need an Apple approach to generative AI

It feels as if practically everyone has been using Open AI’s ChatGPT since the generative AI hit prime time. But many enterprise professionals may be embracing the technology without considering the risk of these large language models (LLMs).

That’s why we need an Apple approach to Generative AI.

What happens at Samsung should stay at Samsung

ChatGPT seems to be a do-everything tool, capable of answering questions, finessing prose, generating suggestions, creating reports, and more. Developers have used the tool to help them write or improve their code and some companies (such as Microsoft) are weaving this machine intelligence into existing products, web browsers, and applications.

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ComputerWorld Independent

April 4, 2023 admin

UK data regulator issues warning over generative AI data protection concerns

The UK's Information Commission’s Office reminds organizations that data protection laws still apply to unfiltered data used to train large language models.