Defense Department Scrambles to Pretend It’s Called the War Department
President Donald Trump said the so-called Department of War branding is to counter the “woke” Department of Defense name.
Security / Security News
US Congressman’s Brother Lands No-Bid Contract to Train DHS Snipers
DHS says retired Marine sniper Dan LaLota’s firm is uniquely qualified to meet the government’s needs. LaLota tells WIRED his brother, GOP congressman Nick LaLota, played no role in the contract.
Automated Sextortion Spyware Takes Webcam Pics of Victims Watching Porn
A new specimen of “infostealer” malware offers a disturbing feature: It monitors a target’s browser for NSFW content, then takes simultaneous screenshots and webcam photos of the victim.
No, Trump Can’t Legally Federalize US Elections
The United States Constitution is clear: President Donald Trump can’t take control of the country’s elections. But he can sow confusion and fear.
This Is the Group That’s Been Swatting US Universities
WIRED spoke to a self-proclaimed leader of an online group called Purgatory, which charged as little as $20 to call in fake threats against schools.
The Era of AI-Generated Ransomware Has Arrived
Cybercriminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to fuel their attacks, with new research finding instances of AI being used to develop ransomware.
The Mysterious Shortwave Radio Station Stoking US-Russia Nuclear Fears
A popular shortwave Russian radio station dubbed “UVB-76” has been an enigma for decades. But its recent messages have turned it into a tool for Kremlin saber-rattling.
US Government Seeks Medical Records of Trans Youth
Plus: Google wants billions of Chrome users to install an emergency fix, Kristi Noem is on the move, and North Korean IT workers are everywhere.
Phone Searches at the US Border Hit a Record High
Customs and Border Protection agents searched nearly 15,000 devices from April through June of this year, a nearly 17 percent spike over the previous three-month high in 2022.
Senate Probe Uncovers Allegations of Widespread Abuse in ICE Custody
Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of states.