Hi everyone,
Here are a few recent happenings in cyber security and artificial intelligence that you must be aware of.
Today, we cover urgent security update requirements for your Apple products, how to save battery life on your smartphone, and how artificial intelligence has beaten real doctors in diagnosing and recommending patient treatment plans.
There’s also a terrifying (and funny!) video of Donald Trump and Joe Biden eating ice cream on the beach, showing you how powerful deepfakes are nowadays. Be aware, be educated, and keep your wits about you. The cybercriminals are getting more sophisticated by the minute. You will be okay if you approach things with a layer of scepticism. Make sure you have strong passwords and two-factor authentication in place when available, and if you have any doubts, ask us.
At the end of this bulletin, I also offer you a simple breathing exercise that will calm you right down, if you feel stressed.
Update Apple now!
If you use any Apple products, ensure they run the latest security patches. Apple has just released fixes for vulnerabilities that Cybercriminals are currently exploiting. To check if you’re using the newest software version, go to Settings > General > Software Update. It’s also worth turning on Automatic Updates if you haven’t already, which you can do on the same screen.
Battery draining tips
Here’s a great article from ZDNet advising you on what to do if your Android battery is running low all the time.
Ford Car Company Breached
The carmaker Ford is investigating allegations that it has suffered a data breach after a hacker claimed to have leaked the customer records of over 44,000 people on a notorious hacking forum. The data included full customer names, addresses, purchase details, dealer information, etc. These details are extremely sensitive as they could be used in Phishing and social engineering attacks targeting the exposed individuals. The hacker just gave the information to show you how little these data breaches are worth on the dark web. Well, they charged approximately $2 for the personal information of 44,000 people. If you have a Ford car, cybercriminals could be targeting you. Be on the lookout.
Artificial Intelligence has beaten real doctors.
Here is a fascinating article from the New York Times showing how chat GPT outperforms regular doctors in diagnosing patients’ conditions and recommending treatment plans. When you go to see a doctor, you are benefiting from their years of education and their years of research. When you talk to them, they can use their experience to help diagnose and recommend a treatment plan.
When you’re using chat GPT, for example, you benefit from the experience of every doctor who has ever lived. You benefit from every research paper written and every clinical trial carried out. Chat GPT has access to everything.
I remember speaking to a doctor about a year ago and asking if Chat GPT could replace her. She laughed at me and said a machine can never replace real doctors. This conversation happened less than a year ago.
Also, the world of robotics is advancing at a rate of knots, so shortly, we will have AI combined with robotics, which will entirely replace the surgeon, the doctor, and maybe even the nurses.
Artificial Intelligence Deepfakes
Here is a video that gives you another example of how artificial intelligence can create very realistic videos and images of things that are not real. Take a look at this video of Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Six months ago, this would’ve been unheard of; now, it’s a reality. In six months from now, it will have advanced even more. You cannot trust your eyes or your ears on the Internet anymore. Face-to-face conversations are always best 🙂
Are you a ‘hacker’? – Why not make some real money
Microsoft announced expanding its bug bounty programs to include zeroDayQuest, a new hacking event focusing on cloud and AI products and platforms. They will pay you if you find bugs or security holes in various systems. The challenge is open to everyone and will run until January 19. There is an additional $4 million available for payouts if you can find any vulnerabilities 🙂
Speaking of hackers – Italian Made Spy Software
There was an article from the great Bruce Schneier about spyware makers in Italy. As Bruce comments, so much attention is given to the Israel NSO group (Pegasus) that the Italian spyware marketplace has been able to operate under the radar (we have been tracking several spyware makers in Italy for a long time). The article explains how law enforcement agencies in the country could rent spyware for €150 a day. A few years ago, spyware of this sophistication would be sold for several hundred thousand euros. Now, it can be rented for a few dollars, showing the competition in government espionage.
As a result of this low price, thousands of spyware operations have been carried out by Italian authorities in recent years. Italian spyware is cheaper and easier to use, which makes it more widely used. We’ve seen it used a lot in Asia, for example.
Speaking of Pegasus, here’s a great article about how the makers of Pegasus, the NSO group based in Israel, operate the spy software on behalf of customers. The customers do not need to learn how to use it; Pegasus does everything. All you have to do is give it a name and a number of the target. The article also talks about how Pegasus successfully infiltrated WhatsApp servers occasionally.
Find Your Calm: A Simple Guide to Mindfulness and Heart Coherence
Are you stressed out and need to calm yourself down? Here are a few simple steps for someone beginning their journey into mindfulness and meditation. I do it every day, and it helps me 🙂
Begin by focusing on your breath, allowing each inhalation and exhalation to anchor you in the present moment. Set a gentle intention to connect with peace and understanding. Each breath can be a doorway to calm and insight.
For a structured approach to relaxation and focus, try the 365 breathing technique for heart coherence:
* Practice 3 times daily (morning, midday, and evening).
* Take 6 breaths per minute (inhale for 5 seconds, exhale for 5 seconds).
* Continue for 5 minutes.
This simple practice encourages heart coherence, harmonizing your heart rate and calming your nervous system. It’s even better if you visualize a balloon in your stomach: inflate it as you inhale and deflate it as you exhale. Regular practice can enhance focus, reduce stress, and prepare your mind for restful sleep.
Why not start your journey today? With just a few breaths, you can reset your story and create a space for clarity and strength.
Trust me – it works 🙂 Try it now and feel the difference 🙂
That’s it for me for today. Let me know if you need anything at all. Our team are on standby.
All the best,
Max :-))