Following a report highlighting the use of China-based engineers to maintain cloud computing systems for the U.S. Department of Defense, Microsoft has announced changes to prevent this practice moving forward. The previous system involved "digital escorts" supervising the engineers, but concerns were raised about the escorts' technical expertise. Microsoft's chief communications officer, Frank X. Shaw, stated that no China-based engineering teams will provide technical assistance for DoD Government cloud and related services.

This curated list highlights essential cybersecurity books covering a range of topics from historical hacks to modern digital espionage.

These books offer valuable insights into the world of cybersecurity, from its historical roots to its current challenges and implications.

AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, prompting concerns about excessive access to personal data. AI-powered web browsers and assistants often request broad permissions, such as managing emails, accessing calendars, and even company directories. This raises significant privacy and security risks, as users grant AI autonomous control over sensitive information. Experts warn against blindly trusting AI with personal data, emphasizing the importance of carefully evaluating the cost-benefit ratio before granting access.

Security researchers have uncovered a surveillance company in the Middle East exploiting a novel attack to deceive phone operators into revealing a subscriber's location. This attack circumvents security measures designed to prevent unauthorized access to SS7, a protocol used by global phone carriers for call and text message routing. The exploitation, observed since late 2024, allows the surveillance vendor to pinpoint individuals' locations via cell tower connections.

Enea, a cybersecurity firm, reported the bypass attack targeted specific subscribers, but its effectiveness varied across carriers. The attack can narrow a person's location to within a few hundred meters in urban areas. While the affected phone operator was notified, the surveillance vendor remains unnamed.

The use of such exploits is reportedly on the rise, with surveillance vendors, often working for government clients, employing them for intelligence gathering. Despite phone companies implementing firewalls, vulnerabilities persist within the global cell network, leaving subscribers with limited defense options.

SpaceX's Starbase facility has significantly higher worker injury rates compared to other company sites and industry averages. The Total Recordable Incident Rate (TRIR) at Starbase reached 4.27 injuries per 100 workers in 2024, far exceeding the average for space vehicle manufacturing.

This high injury rate has persisted since 2019, raising concerns about safety protocols. Starbase is crucial for SpaceX's Starship program, and the rapid pace of development may contribute to the increased risk of accidents.

NASA, which relies on Starship for lunar missions, closely monitors SpaceX's safety practices. While the high TRIR doesn't automatically trigger contract penalties, it highlights potential safety issues that require attention.

Other SpaceX facilities generally have lower TRIR rates compared to Starbase. External investigations have uncovered numerous unreported worker injuries, further emphasizing the need for improved safety measures.

DuckDuckGo has launched a new feature that allows users to filter out AI-generated images from their search results. This setting, accessible via the Images tab or search settings, aims to reduce the prevalence of low-quality AI content, also known as "AI slop."

The filter utilizes manually curated open-source blocklists like uBlockOrigin and uBlacklist Huge AI Blocklist to identify and hide AI-generated images, though it may not catch every instance.

DuckDuckGo plans to introduce additional filters in the future to further refine search results. This update addresses user feedback about AI images cluttering search results and hindering the discovery of desired content.

SpaceX's Starbase facility in Texas has significantly higher injury rates compared to other SpaceX manufacturing sites and the broader aerospace industry. In 2024, Starbase's injury rate was almost six times higher than the average for comparable space vehicle manufacturing outfits. This high injury rate has persisted since 2019. The data suggests that SpaceX's rapid progress with Starship may be contributing to the safety issues. OSHA data reveals Starbase's TRIR was 4.27 injuries per 100 workers in 2024. NASA is closely monitoring SpaceX due to its reliance on Starship for lunar missions, but the high TRIR does not automatically trigger contract action. Other SpaceX facilities also report TRIR rates exceeding industry averages, though not as high as Starbase.