How China’s Patriotic ‘Honkers’ Became the Nation’s Elite Cyberspies
A new report traces the history of the early wave of Chinese hackers who became the backbone of the state’s espionage apparatus.
Security / Cyberattacks and Hacks
Hackers Are Finding New Ways to Hide Malware in DNS Records
Newly published research shows that the domain name system—a fundamental part of the web—can be exploited to hide malicious code and prompt injection attacks against chatbots.
McDonald’s AI Hiring Bot Exposed Millions of Applicants’ Data to Hackers Using the Password ‘123456’
Basic security flaws left the personal info of tens of millions of McDonald’s job-seekers vulnerable on the “McHire” site built by AI software firm Paradox.ai.
Android May Soon Warn You About Fake Cell Towers
Plus: Iran-linked hackers threaten to release Trump campaign emails, Chinese hackers still in US telecoms networks, and an abusive deepfake website plans an expansion.
A Group of Young Cybercriminals Poses the ‘Most Imminent Threat’ of Cyberattacks Right Now
The Scattered Spider hacking group has caused chaos among retailers, insurers, and airlines in recent months. Researchers warn that its flexible structure poses challenges for defense.
Israel Says Iran Is Hacking Security Cameras for Spying
Plus: Ukrainian hackers reportedly knock out a key Russian internet provider, China’s Salt Typhoon hackers claim another victim, and the UK hits 23andMe with a hefty fine over its 2023 data breach.
Iran’s Internet Blackout Adds New Dangers for Civilians Amid Israeli Bombings
Iran is limiting internet connectivity for citizens amid Israeli airstrikes—pushing people towards domestic apps, which may not be secure, and limiting their ability to access vital information.
Israel-Tied Predatory Sparrow Hackers Are Waging Cyberwar on Iran’s Financial System
After an attack on Iran’s Sepah bank, the hyper-aggressive Israel-linked hacker group has now destroyed more than $90 million held at Iranian crypto exchange Nobitex.
Cybercriminals Are Hiding Malicious Web Traffic in Plain Sight
In an effort to evade detection, cybercriminals are increasingly turning to “residential proxy” services that cover their tracks by making it look like everyday online activity.
You’re Not Ready for Quantum Cracks
A quantum computer will likely one day be able to break the encryption protecting the world’s secrets. See how much faster such a machine could decrypt a password compared to a present-day supercomputer.