By Dimaz Wijaya, PhD in Cybersecurity and blockchain security engineer. Ticker News crypto contributor. Edited by Keira Wright.
The recent cyber attack on the US’ largest fuel pipeline has shown how we are all vulnerable to hackers. The attack involved almost 100 gigabytes of data and forced the US government to declare a state of emergency. But how can we keep ourselves safe from hackers in the future, and what do we know about the breach?
Darkside hacking group
Darkside is a unique yet professional hacking group. They run their ransomware as a service business. The FBI released a statement that Darkside (or their client) was involved in the most recent hack in Colonial Pipeline.
Darkside claims to donate a portion of their bounty to charity and say they don’t want to cause problems for society. Recently, they released a statement saying they’re apolitical.
Has cryptocurrency made it easier for hackers?
The rise of cryptocurrency makes it easier for ‘bad’ hackers to extort their victims. This is because the anonymous nature of crypto decreases the probability of getting caught.
Hacking has shifted into a profit-oriented activity with ransomware (encrypting the victim’s data and asking for ransom) becoming one of the main tools.
Their choice of cryptocurrency has also shifted from Bitcoin, to privacy coins such as Monero and ZCash. These are much harder to track compared to Bitcoin.
In short, it means the ‘bad guys’ are more likely to get away without anyone prying into their financial transactions.
We now hear news about hacking more often than ever. Everyone is a potential target.
Any modern infrastructure connected to the internet can be hacked. That includes most of us who work from home.
Unfortunately, there is no perfect solution to avoid hacking completely, other than shutting down all network communication from our homes.
But of course, that is not a viable option in our increasingly digital world.
How can we avoid being hacked?
However, as a society, we should be more aware of cybersecurity. We must educate ourselves to quickly identify threats and potential vulnerabilities. Here are some practical tips to avoid being hacked:
Firstly, be more careful when clicking suspicious links
Remove unexpected or suspicious emails from your inbox
Check everything before sharing your credit card details
Ask for identification for suspicious visitors
Always verify incoming information
Update your computer and phone software to include the most recent security patches
And lastly, but most importantly: backup important files
Although these efforts don’t completely erase the risk of being hacked, they make their job a lot more difficult.
OpenAI has taken another giant leap forward with the launch of ChatGPT Atlas — an AI-powered web browser that could redefine how people search, explore, and interact online. Investors and competitors are watching closely as this new technology challenges the dominance of traditional browsers like Google Chrome.
With ChatGPT Atlas, users may soon experience a web that feels less like typing into a search box and more like conversing with an intelligent assistant. The integration of AI could make browsing faster, more intuitive, and more personalised than ever before — but it also raises serious questions about privacy and data use.
As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the digital world, ChatGPT Atlas could represent the next major step toward a fully AI-driven online experience. What does this mean for users — and for the tech giants trying to keep up?
In Short:
– OpenAI partners with Bryan Cranston and unions to combat deepfakes on its Sora app.
– The app now includes options for people to control their likenesses and voices.
OpenAI announced it will work with Bryan Cranston, SAG-AFTRA, and actor unions to combat deepfakes on its AI video app, Sora.Cranston voiced concerns after unauthorized AI-generated clips featuring his likeness emerged after Sora 2’s launch in late September. He showed gratitude to OpenAI for taking steps to safeguard actors’ rights to control their likenesses.
The partnership aims to enhance protections against unauthorized AI content. The Creative Artists Agency and United Talent Agency had previously criticized OpenAI, citing risks to their clients’ intellectual property.
Last week, OpenAI blocked disrespectful videos of Martin Luther King Jr. at the request of his estate, following similar pressures. Zelda Williams also requested the public refrain from sending her AI-generated clips of her late father, Robin Williams.
Policy Changes
Following tensions post-launch, CEO Sam Altman revised Sora’s policy to give rights holders greater control of their likenesses.
The app now allows individuals to opt-out, reflecting OpenAI’s commitment to respond quickly to concerns from performers.
OpenAI backs the NO FAKES Act, supporting legislation that aims to protect individuals from unauthorized AI-generated representations.
OpenAI is focused on ensuring performers’ rights are respected regarding the misuse of their voices and likenesses. Altman reiterated the company’s dedication to these protections.
In Short:
– AWS outage on Monday disrupted major apps like Fortnite, Snapchat, and affected several global companies.
– UK companies including Lloyds Bank and Vodafone reported issues due to the AWS outage.
Amazon’s AWS experienced a significant outage on Monday, impacting major apps including Fortnite and Snapchat. The disruption affected connectivity for numerous companies globally.AWS reported increased error rates and latencies across multiple services and is attempting to recover quickly.
The outage marks the first significant internet disruption since a previous incident last year that impacted essential technology systems globally. AWS offers on-demand computing and storage services and is vital for many websites and platforms.
Multiple companies reported disruptions, including AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood. Perplexity’s CEO confirmed on X that the outages were linked to AWS issues.
Amazon’s shopping site, Prime Video, and Alexa services also faced difficulties, according to Downdetector. Other affected platforms included popular gaming applications like Clash Royale and financial services such as Venmo and Chime.
Uber competitor Lyft’s app was reported down for numerous users in the U.S. Messaging platform Signal also acknowledged connection problems stemming from the AWS outage.
British Companies
In the UK, Lloyds Bank, Bank of Scotland, and telecom services provider Vodafone were notably affected. The HMRC’s website also encountered issues during this outage.
Elon Musk stated that his platform, X, remained operational despite the widespread disruptions.