Articles tagged with "cybersecurity"
Pro-Israel hacktivist group claims responsibility for alleged Iranian bank hack
The pro-Israel hacktivist group Predatory Sparrow (also known as Gonjeshke Darande) claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that allegedly targeted and disrupted Iran’s Bank Sepah. The group stated on social media platform X that they destroyed data belonging to Bank Sepah, which they accuse of helping the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) circumvent international sanctions and finance Iran’s ballistic missile, nuclear, and proxy activities. Reports from Iran International indicated widespread banking disruptions, including branch closures and customers being unable to access accounts, with images circulating of ATMs displaying error messages. However, TechCrunch was unable to independently verify the attack, and Bank Sepah and its affiliates did not respond to requests for comment. This alleged cyberattack occurs amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites. Predatory Sparrow is believed to be a pro-Israel or anti-Iran hacktivist group with a history of targeting Iranian infrastructure, including steel plants
energycybersecuritycyberattackhacktivistIrannuclear-energyindustrial-disruptionPro-Israel hacktivist group claims reponsibility for alleged Iranian bank hack
The pro-Israel hacktivist group Predatory Sparrow, also known by its Persian name Gonjeshke Darande, claimed responsibility for a cyberattack that allegedly targeted and disrupted Iran’s Bank Sepah. The group stated that their attack destroyed data belonging to Bank Sepah, which they accused of helping the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) circumvent international sanctions and finance Iran’s terrorist proxies, ballistic missile program, and military nuclear efforts. Following the claim, reports emerged of widespread banking disruptions in Iran, including closed Bank Sepah branches and customers being unable to access their accounts, with ATMs reportedly displaying error messages. However, independent verification of the cyberattack remains unavailable, and attempts to contact Bank Sepah and Predatory Sparrow for confirmation were unsuccessful. This alleged cyberattack occurs amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran, with both countries reportedly conducting strikes against each other’s military and nuclear infrastructure. While the exact identity of Predatory Sparrow remains unclear, cybersecurity experts consider the group credible based
energycybersecuritycyberattacknuclear-energyindustrial-disruptionhacktivismIranRadio trick turns laptop into a spy speaker that talks through walls
Security researchers from the University of Florida and the University of Electro-Communications in Japan have uncovered a novel vulnerability in modern digital microphones used in laptops and speakers. These MEMS microphones convert audio into digital pulses that inadvertently emit weak electromagnetic signals, which can be intercepted remotely using inexpensive FM radio receivers and antennas. This allows attackers to eavesdrop on private conversations without needing malware, hacking, or physical access, even through concrete walls up to 10 inches thick. Laptops are particularly vulnerable due to their internal microphone wiring acting as antennas that amplify these leaked signals. Alarmingly, the microphone does not need to be actively recording; simply running certain applications like Spotify or Google Drive can enable this leakage. The researchers demonstrated the attack by capturing distorted voice transmissions and then enhancing them using AI speech-to-text tools from OpenAI and Microsoft. The AI models achieved 94.2% accuracy in recognizing spoken digits from up to 2 meters away through walls, with a 14% transcription error rate, making most
IoTcybersecurityelectromagnetic-signalsMEMS-microphoneswireless-eavesdroppingAI-speech-to-textdigital-privacyTrump administration takes aim at Biden and Obama cybersecurity rules
The Trump administration has issued an executive order that significantly revises and rolls back several cybersecurity policies established by former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The administration criticized Biden’s recent cybersecurity order, particularly opposing its encouragement for agencies to accept digital identity documents for public benefit programs, citing concerns about potential abuse by illegal immigrants. Experts like Mark Montgomery argue that revoking digital ID mandates prioritizes immigration concerns over cybersecurity benefits. The new order also shifts the federal AI cybersecurity strategy to focus on identifying and managing vulnerabilities rather than censorship, promotes AI use in defending energy infrastructure and Pentagon cybersecurity, and supports federal AI security research. Additionally, the order removes previous requirements for agencies to adopt quantum-resistant encryption promptly and eliminates mandates for federal contractors to attest to software security, labeling these as burdensome and ineffective compliance measures. It also repeals Obama-era policies that allowed sanctions for cybersecurity attacks, restricting sanctions only to foreign malicious actors to avoid misuse against domestic political opponents and clarify that election-related activities are exempt. Overall, the Trump administration’s changes reflect a move away from some compliance-heavy and expansive cybersecurity measures toward a narrower, security-focused approach with an emphasis on AI and foreign threats.
energycybersecurityAI-securityquantum-resistant-encryptionfederal-researchenergy-infrastructurecybersecurity-policyUS shows world-first quantum communication in live nuclear reactor
energyquantum-communicationnuclear-reactorcybersecuritydigital-transformationquantum-encryptionclean-energyBrain-like thinking AI chip with 100x less energy use developed
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Applespywarecybersecuritygovernment-surveillanceprivacytech-newsnotificationsUK retail giant Co-op warns of disruption as it battles cyberattack
Co-opcyberattackUK-retaildisruptioncybersecurityfood-retailCo-operative-GroupGovernment hackers are leading the use of attributed zero-days, Google says
government-hackerszero-day-exploitscyberattackscybersecurityGoogle-researchattributed-exploitsthreat-intelligenceCitizen Lab say exiled Uyghur leaders targeted with Windows spyware
UyghursspywarecybersecurityChinahuman-rightsdigital-surveillanceexiled-leadersMeet the companies racing to build quantum chips
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