Search This Blog
Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Footer About

Footer About

Labels

Load More
Trendy Right Now

Popular Posts

Showing posts with label Privacy. Show all posts
wiretapping
Cyber Security keystroke Privacy surveillance Tracking wiretapping

Study Reveals 40% of Websites Secretly Track User Keystrokes Before Form Submission

 

Researchers from UC Davis, Maastricht University, and other institutions have uncovered widespread silent keystroke interception across websites, revealing that many sites collect user typing data before forms are ever submitted. The study examined how third-party scripts capture and share information in ways that may constitute wiretapping under California law. 

Research methodology 

The research team analyzed 15,000 websites using a custom web crawler and discovered alarming privacy practices. They found that 91 percent of sites used event listeners—JavaScript code that detects user actions like typing, clicking, or scrolling. While most event listeners serve basic functions, a significant portion monitor typing activities in real time. 

Key findings revealed that 38.5 percent of websites had third-party scripts capable of intercepting keystrokes. More concerning, 3.18 percent of sites actually transmitted intercepted keystrokes to remote servers, behavior that researchers note matches the technical definition of wiretapping under California's Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA). 

Data collection and privacy violations 

The captured data included email addresses, phone numbers, and free text entered into forms. In documented cases, email addresses typed into forms were later used for unsolicited marketing emails, even when users never submitted the forms. Co-author Shaoor Munir emphasized that email addresses serve as stable identifiers, enabling cross-site tracking and data broker enrichment. 

Legal implications 

Legal implications center on CIPA's strict two-party consent requirement, unlike federal wiretapping laws requiring only one-party consent. The study provides evidence that some tracking practices could qualify as wiretapping, potentially enabling private lawsuits since enforcement doesn't rely solely on government action. 

Privacy risks and recommendations

Privacy risks extend beyond legal compliance. Users have minimal control over data once it leaves their browsers, with sensitive information collected and shared without disclosure. Munir highlighted scenarios where users type private information then delete it without submitting, unaware that data was still captured and transmitted to third parties. 

This practice violates user expectations on two levels: that only first-party websites access provided information, and that only submitted information reaches different parties. For organizations, customer trust erosion poses significant risks when users discover silent keystroke capture. 

The researchers recommend regulatory clarity, treating embedded analytics and session-replay vendors as third parties unless users expressly consent. They also advocate updating federal consent requirements to mirror CIPA's two-party protection standards, ensuring nationwide user privacy protection.
Read more »
Public Key Cryptography
Cybersecurity Data protection Digital Authentication FIDO Alliance Online Identity Passwordless Security Privacy Public Key Cryptography

Understanding Passkeys and Their Everyday Use

 


There has been a longstanding reliance on traditional passwords for digital security; however, these days, more advanced methods of authentication are challenging traditional passwords. As there are billions of compromised login credentials circulating on the dark web, Digital Shadows researchers have recently identified over 6.7 billion unique username and password combinations - consumers face a mounting risk of password reuse and account theft.

Microsoft, Google, and Apple, all technological giants, are recognising these vulnerabilities, which is why they are actively transitioning towards passwordless authentication, a model aimed at eliminating the inherent weaknesses of conventional log-in mechanisms. It is important to remember that FIDO (Fast IDentity Online) Alliance is a leading international organisation that works towards developing open standards and encouraging collaboration among industry leaders in order to create secure, user-friendly alternatives to passwords. 

With the growing popularity and growth of this movement, passwordless authentication is not just an abstract concept anymore, but rather an emerging reality that will shape the future of trust and online safety in the digital age. A variety of solutions have been developed over the years to solve the problems with passwords, but no one has managed to fully resolve them.

Password managers, for instance, provide a practical solution for generating strong credentials, storing them securely, and automating the entry of those credentials into legitimate websites, all at the same time. There is some benefit to this approach; however, it also creates a new dependency on the password manager itself, which makes it a centralised point of failure. 

The two-factor authentication system (2FA) has strengthened security by adding additional requirements, such as biometric verification or one-time codes, to strengthen defences. As long as users and service providers continue to transmit sensitive credentials between them, these methods still expose them to vulnerabilities, including interception and man-in-the-middle attacks, which have the potential to compromise the security of the service. 

Passkeys are emerging as a viable alternative to these limitations, with the support of influential organisations such as FIDO Alliance and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) promoting the use of passkeys. A passkey differs from traditional login methods in that it is based on advanced cryptographic principles that provide seamless authentication that is not susceptible to phishing and credential reuse, in contrast to traditional login methods. 

In addition to reducing the burden of password management, their design aligns with the broader transition toward a digital economy based on a secure, internet-native financial infrastructure. A passkey system, as well as the cryptographic mechanisms underpinning the Bitcoin network, are so similar that those who are familiar with digital keys in cryptocurrency are able to understand how it works intuitively because of the similarity between those two mechanisms. 

It is important to understand that passkeys represent a significant departure from complex passwords that are traditionally reliant on complicated passwords. It provides a more convenient and safer way of identifying a user. Passkeys are not designed to require users to memorise or share sensitive credentials, but rather rely on cryptographic technology that ensures that users are authenticated through trusted devices, like smartphones, rather than requiring them to memorise and share their credentials. 

Consequently, logging into services such as Google accounts can be done using a current phone without having to enter a password or username, since you simply need to approve access. A passkey, according to Andrew Shikiar, CEO of the FIDO Alliance, is a security solution that will replace both traditional passwords and outdated two-factor authentication methods. 

Passkeys are a rare advancement in cybersecurity in that they improve usability while simultaneously raising security standards, making this a rare advancement in cybersecurity. In terms of security, passkeys have a significant advantage over traditional passwords as their structure allows them to function as “shared secrets,” since information is stored on a server and sent across networks—a situation that attackers tend to exploit regularly. 

Passkeys avoid this risk by utilising public key cryptography, which ensures the private element of the password remains within the user's device. There are two keys generated for each user account when enabled with passkeys: one is public, which is stored on the service, and the other is private, which is stored in the user's authenticator, which may be a smartphone or password manager. Access is granted without having to exchange secrets, which minimises the risk of intrusion. 


As the WebAuthn API is now widely supported across all modern browsers and operating systems, passkeys make the process of granting access easy, as a user needs only to verify their identity with a fingerprint, face scan, or device PIN. It is also possible to use passkeys on a device, store them on hardware like YubiKeys, or sync them across multiple devices using password managers, offering users both security and convenience. 

Although passkey adoption is accelerating, there has been an uneven transition to passkeys. It is a fact that many tech giants like Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, and Adobe have implemented support for Passkeys; however, many websites and applications still lag behind. While several directories attempt to collect information regarding passkeys, such as those from 1Password, Hanko, and OwnID, they remain incomplete in this regard.

In addition, a more reliable resource is the nonprofit 2factorauth, which is based in Sweden, hosted on Github and managed by its community, which updates and categorizes all kinds of resources regularly, but experts warn that full adoption will be a slow process, as it takes global coordination across devices, operating systems, and platforms to move beyond a decades-old password system. In spite of this, there is clearly a strong movement towards integrating passkeys into critical services. 

Specialists recommend that, at the very least, you enable passkeys for those accounts that serve as digital gateways - such as Google or Facebook sign-ons - while remembering that no solution is completely impervious. Even though passkeys “secure the front door,” Shikiar notes that organisations must enhance their overall identity journeys, from onboarding and recovery to session management, to provide a comprehensive level of protection. 

The digital ecosystem is moving in the direction of passwordless authentication, and passkeys seem to be one of the most promising developments in the effort to improve online security and simplify user experiences while simultaneously strengthening online security. It is only through consistent adoption and user awareness, however, that this technology can reach its full potential. This shift presents individuals with the opportunity to take proactive action toward their own security: enabling passkeys on essential accounts, staying on top of the latest software and keeping the devices up-to-date, and knowing how authenticators work are all crucial to taking proactive measures. 

In order to ensure successful adoption, organisations must build resilient identity frameworks, maintain transparent communication, and implement robust account recovery strategies in addition to providing enabling support. It is clear, if scaled, that the benefits go well beyond convenience: reducing the dependence on centralised databases, limiting the theft of credentials, and setting up a foundation of digital trust to help businesses innovate into the future. 

 Passkeys are simply a way of safeguarding your login credentials, but they also serve as an overarching security model that reflects the realities of a connected, data-driven world in which the protection of one's identity cannot be taken for granted, but is considered a necessity rather than an option.
Read more »
Privacy
Data Leak Doctor Healthcare Hong Kong Hospital Privacy

2 Doctors in Hong Kong Arrested for Leaking Patient Data


Two doctors at a Hong Kong public hospital were arrested on charges of accessing computers with dishonest or criminal intent, allegedly involved in a data leak. According to police superintendent Wong Yick-lung, a 57-year-old consultant and a 35-year-old associate consultant from Tseung Kwan O Hospital were arrested in Ho Man Tin and Fo Tan, respectively.

Officers seized computers and other records; the pair is in police custody. On Sunday, the hospital stated the alleged leak, but the exact details were not disclosed at that time. The hospital’s chief executive, Dr. Kenny Yuen Ka-ye, said that the data of a few patients had been given to a third party. An internal complaint a month ago prompted the investigation. 

According to Dr Ka-ye, the hospital found at least one doctor who accessed the patient’s personal data without permission. The hospital believes the documents containing information about other patients might have also been exposed to the third party. Police said experts are working to find out more details concerning the number of patients impacted by the incident.

While the investigation is ongoing, the consultant Dr has given his resignation, while the associate consultant has been suspended. At the time of writing this story, the motivation behind the attack is not known. According to Yuen, every doctor has access to the clinical management system that has patient information, but the use is only permitted under a strict “need-to-know” for research purposes or as part of the medical team taking care of a patient. 

The investigation revealed that the two doctors didn’t fit into either category, which was a violation. According to SCMP’s conversation with a source, the portal reported that the two doctors (both members of the surgery department)  sent details of a female pancreatic cancer patient who died after a surgical operation. 

The pair illegally accessed the info and sent it to the family, asking them to file a complaint against the doctor who did the operation. This was done to show the doctor’s alleged incompetence.

The hospital has sent the case to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, and has also reported the incident to the police and the Medical Council.

Read more »
Wearable Devices
Data Privacy Concerns data security Ethical Innovation Gen Z Privacy Smart Glasses Surveillance Technology Wearable Devices

Smart Glasses Face Opposition as Gen Z Voices Privacy Concerns

 


The debate over technology and privacy is intensifying as Meta prepares to announce a third generation of its Ray-Ban smart glasses, a launch that will hold both excitement and unease in the tech community at the same time. In the new model, which will be marketed as Meta Ray-Ban Glasses Gen 3, the features that have already attracted more than two million buyers since they were introduced in 2023 will be refined. 

Even though Meta's success is a testament to the increasing popularity of wearable technology, the company is currently facing significant scrutiny due to discussions regarding potential facial recognition capabilities, which raise significant privacy and data security concerns. 

There has been an increasing trend in smart glass adoption over the past couple of years, and observers believe that the addition-or even the prospect- of such a feature may alter not only the trajectory of smart glasses, but also the public's willingness to embrace them as well. An industry-wide surge in wearable innovation has seen the introduction of some controversial developments, including glasses powered by artificial intelligence, which have been developed by two Harvard dropouts who recently raised $1 million in funding to advance their line of AI-powered smart glasses. 

It was originally known as a company that experimented with covert face recognition, but today the entrepreneurs are focusing their efforts on eyewear that records audio, processes conversations in real time, and provides instant insights. 

The technology demonstrates striking potential to transform human interaction, but it has also caused a wave of criticism over the risks of unchecked surveillance, which has prompted a wave of criticism. It has become increasingly evident that social media platforms are becoming a platform where widespread unease is being expressed, with many users warning of a future in which privacy will be compromised through constant surveillance.

Comparisons with the ill-fated Google Glass project are becoming increasingly common, and critics argue that such innovations could ultimately lead to dystopian territory without adequate safeguards and explicit consent mechanisms. The regulation and advocacy groups for digital rights are also attempting to establish clearer ethical frameworks, emphasising the delicate balance between fostering technological development and protecting individual freedoms. 

It is no secret that most members of Generation Z are sceptical about smart glasses owing to concerns about privacy, trust, and social acceptance, as well as other social issues. Even though most models come equipped with small LED indicators to indicate when the camera is activated, online tutorials have already demonstrated that these safeguards can be easily bypassed by anyone in order to conceal a camera. 

There are numerous examples of such “hacks” on platforms like TikTok, fuelling fears of being unknowingly filmed in the classroom, public space, or private gatherings on platforms like TikTok. These anxieties are compounded by a broader mistrust of Big Tech, with companies like Meta, maker of Ray-Ban Stories, still struggling with reputational damage as a result of past data abuse scandals. 

Since Gen Z has grown up with a much more aware awareness of how personal information is gathered and monetised than older generations, they have developed heightened suspicions about devices that could function as portable surveillance tools, as opposed to older generations. There are, however, cultural challenges beyond regulation. 

Wearing glasses on the face places recording technology directly in front of the eye, which is a situation many find invasive. Some establishments, such as restaurants, gyms, and universities, have acted to restrict their use, signalling resistance at a social level. Furthermore, critics note a generational clash over values, where Gen Z values authenticity and spontaneity in their digital expression, while the discreet recording capabilities of smart glasses risk creating a sense of distrust and eradicating genuine human connections as a result. 

According to analysts, manufacturers should prioritise transparency, enforce tamper-proof privacy indicators and shift towards apps that emphasise accessibility or productivity. If manufacturers do not do these things, the technology is likely to remain a niche novelty and not a mainstream necessity, particularly among the very demographic it aims to reach out to. 

It is MTA's policy to emphasise that safeguards have been built into its devices, and a spokesperson for the company, Maren Thomas, stated that Ray-Ban smart glasses are equipped with an external light that indicates when recording is active as well as a sensor that detects if the light is blocked. According to her, the user agreement of the company prohibits disabling the light. 

Although these assurances are present, younger consumers remain sceptical of the effectiveness of such measures, even though such assurances remain high. Critics point out that online tutorials already circulate showing how to bypass recording alerts, which raises concerns that the system could be misused in the workplace, classroom, or any other public setting. As a result of their concern that they will be covertly filmed, people in customer-facing positions are especially vulnerable. 

Researchers contend that these concerns stem from a generational gap in attitudes towards digital privacy: millennials tend to share personal content more freely, whereas Generation Z tends to think about the consequences of exposure, especially as social media footprints become increasingly influential in job opportunities and college selections. 

There is a growing movement within this generation to establish informal boundaries with their peers and families about what information should be shared and what information should not be shared, and wearable technology poses the potential to upend these unspoken rules in an instant. 

It is important to note, however, that despite the controversy, the demand for Meta Ray-Ban sunglasses in the United States is forecasted to reach almost four million units by the end of this year, a sharp increase from 1.2 million units in 2024, and the results of social media monitoring by Sprout Social show that, despite most online mentions remaining positive or neutral, younger users are disproportionately concerned about privacy. 

It is believed by industry experts that the future of smart glasses may not hinge purely on technological innovation, but instead on the ability of companies to navigate the ethical and social dimensions of their products effectively. Although privacy concerns dominate the current conversation, advocates maintain that the technology can also be very beneficial if deployed responsibly as well. 

In addition to assisting with visual impairments in navigating the world, smart glasses could also provide real-time language translation as well as hands-free communication in healthcare and industry settings. Smart glasses would provide meaningful improvements to accessibility and productivity as well. There is no doubt that manufacturers will need to demonstrate transparency, build trust through non-negotiable safeguards, and work closely with regulators to develop clear consent and data usage standards to reach that point. 

Social acceptance will require a cultural shift as well, one that will reassure people that innovation and respect for individual rights can coexist. In particular, Gen Z, a generation that values authenticity and accountability, will require the industry to design products that empower, not monitor, and connect, rather than alienate. The test will be whether the company can achieve this goal. Achieving that balance will perhaps enable smart glasses to evolve from a polarising novelty into a universally adopted tool that will have a profound impact on the way people see the world, interact with it, and process information.
Read more »
WhatsApp
Chats Encryption EU Privacy Social Media WhatsApp

EU's Chat Control Bill faces backlashes, will access encrypted chats

EU's Chat Control Bill faces backlashes, will access encrypted chats

The EU recently proposed a child sexual abuse (CSAM) scanning bill that is facing backlashes from the opposition. The controversial bill is amid controversy just a few days before the important meeting.

On 12 September, the EU Council will share its final assessment of the Danish version of what is known as “Chat Control.” The proposal has faced strong backlash, as it aims to introduce new mandates for all messaging apps based in Europe to scan users’ chats, including encrypted ones. 

Who is opposing?

Belgium and the Czech Republic are now opposing the proposed law, with the former calling it "a monster that invades your privacy and cannot be tamed." The other countries that have opposed the bill so far include Poland, Austria, and the Netherlands. 

Who is supporting?

But the list of supporters is longer, including important member states: Ireland, Cyprus, Spain, Sweden, France, Lithuania, Italy, and Ireland. 

Germany may consider abstaining from voting. This weakens the Danish mandate.

Impact on encrypted communications in the EU

Initially proposed in 2022, the Chat Control Proposal is now close to becoming an act. The vote will take place on 14 October 2025. Currently, the majority of member states are in support. If successful, it will mean that the EU can scan chats of users by October 2025, even the encrypted ones. 

The debate is around encryption provisions- apps like Signal, WhatsApp, ProtonMail, etc., use encryption to maintain user privacy and prevent chats from unauthorized access. 

Who will be affected?

If the proposed bill is passed, the files and things you share through these apps can be scanned to check for any CSAM materials. However, military and government accounts are exempt from scanning. This can damage user privacy and data security. 

Although the proposal ensures that encryption will be “protected fully,” which promotes cybersecurity, tech experts and digital rights activists have warned that scanning can’t be done without compromising encryption. This can also expose users to cyberattacks by threat actors. 

Read more »
Wireless Encryption
Cybersecurity home network protection IOT Security Online Safety Privacy Wi-Fi Security Wireless Encryption

Experts Advise Homeowners on Effective Wi-Fi Protection


 

Today, in a world where people are increasingly connected, the home wireless network has become an integral part of daily life. It powers everything from remote working to digital banking to entertainment to smart appliances, personal communication, and smart appliances. As households have become more dependent on seamless connectivity, the risks associated with insecure networks have increased. 

It is not surprising that cybercriminals, using sophisticated tools and constantly evolving tactics, continue to target vulnerabilities within household setups, making ordinary homes a potential gateway to data theft and invasion. In recognition of the urgency of this issue, cybersecurity experts and industry experts have consistently emphasized the need for home Wi-Fi security to be strengthened. 

The companies that provide these types of solutions, such as Fing, have helped millions of users worldwide with tools such as Fing Desktop and Fing Agent, are at the forefront of this effort. Fing offers visibility and monitoring, along with expert guidance to everyday users. These experts have put together practical measures based upon global trends and real-world experiences, and they are designed to appeal not just to tech-savvy individuals but also to ordinary homeowners, ensuring that the safeguarding of digital life does not just become an optional part of modern life, but becomes an integral part of it as well. 

The use of radio frequency (RF) connections between devices has made wireless networks a fundamental part of everyday life, integrated into homes, businesses and telecommunication systems as well. However, despite their widespread usage, the technology remains largely misunderstood even today. 

Although many people still confuse wireless and Wi-Fi, the term encompasses a wide range of technologies, including Bluetooth, Zigbee, LTE, and 5G technology, which are all part of the wireless network. This lack of awareness is not merely an academic one, as it has real security implications since Wi-Fi is only a portion of this larger ecosystem outlined by IEEE's 802.11 standards, as opposed to Wi-Fi. 

Unlike traditional wired connections, such as Ethernet, wireless networks enable malicious actors to operate remotely, without requiring physical access to infiltrate the network. As cybercriminals are becoming increasingly dependent on wireless connectivity, these networks have become prime hunting grounds for cybercriminals, since remote targeting is so easy. 

Due to this, the demand for robust wireless security solutions is expected to continue to increase, as individuals as well as organizations struggle to identify intrusions and defend themselves against increasingly sophisticated threats, as well as identify intrusions. It is evident from the evolution of wireless encryption standards that network security must continually adapt to meet the sophistication of cyber threats that are prevailing today. 

Throughout the history of the Internet, people have witnessed technological advances and also the pressing need for users to be vigilant not just due to the outdated and vulnerable WEP protocol but also due to the robust safeguards offered by WPA3. While upgrading to the latest standards is important, security experts emphasize that by using layered approaches to security, the real strength of a secure network lies in combining encryption with sound practices such as using strong password policies, regularly updating firmware, and ensuring that devices are properly configured. 

The adoption of updated standards is not only an excellent practice for businesses; it's also a legal, financial, and reputational shield that protects them from legal, financial, and reputational harm. For households, this translates into peace of mind, knowing that their private information, smart devices, and digital interaction are protected against threats that are always evolving. The rapid development of wireless technologies, including the rise of 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT), continues to make it essential to embrace the current security protocols as a precautionary measure. 

By taking proactive steps today, both individuals and organizations can ensure that their digital futures are safer and more resilient. Increasingly, home Wi-Fi networks have become prime targets for cybercriminals, exposing users to numerous risks that range from unauthorized access, data theft, malware infiltration, and privacy breaches if their connections are unsecured. 

In the world of cybersecurity, even simple oversights—for example leaving the router settings unchanged—can be a gateway to attacks. First of all, changing the default SSID of a router can be an effective way to protect a router, as factory-set names reveal the router's make and model, making it easier for hackers to exploit known vulnerabilities. 

In addition to setting strong, unique passwords, professionals emphasize the importance of enabling modern encryption standards such as WPA3 that offer far greater protection than outdated protocols such as WEP and WPA, and that go beyond simple phrases or personal details. There is also the importance of regularly updating router firmware, as manufacturers release patches to address newly discovered security holes on a frequent basis. 

Besides disabling remote management features, enabling the built-in firewall, and creating separate guest networks for visitors, there are several other measures which can help reduce the vulnerability to intrusions as well. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an excellent way to enhance the security of a household's communications even further. 

By using these VPNs, households can add a valuable layer of encryption to the communication process. Simple habits, such as turning off their Wi-Fi when not in use, can also strengthen defenses. Ultimately, cybersecurity experts highlight that technology alone isn't enough; it's crucial to encourage awareness among the household members as well. 

In order to ensure that all family members share the responsibility of protecting the home network, it is vital to teach them how to conduct themselves when they are online, avoid phishing traps, and keep passwords safe. In the era of digital technology, the need to secure home Wi-Fi has become an essential part of safeguarding the users' personal and professional lives, not only because of its convenience but also because of its fundamental necessity. 

In addition to technical adjustments and preventative measures, experts advise households to adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity—viewing it as a daily practice, rather than as a one-time task. In addition to shielding sensitive information and preventing financial losses, this approach also ensures uninterrupted internet access for work, study, and entertainment, as well as ensuring a safe and secure online environment.

As a result of strong defenses at the household level, cybercriminals are able to reduce the opportunities for them to exploit communities as a whole, thereby reducing the threat of cybercrime. The importance of secure Wi-Fi is only going to grow exponentially in the future as the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices grow exponentially, from camera smarts to personal assistants, and this in itself stresses the need for vigilance in the future as technology becomes more deeply embedded into daily life. 

The key to transforming our Wi-Fi networks from potential vulnerabilities into trusted digital gateways is staying informed, purchasing secure equipment, and educating our family members. By doing so, families can enhance their Wi-Fi networks so that they can serve as trusted digital gateways, protecting their homes from the invisible threats people are facing today while reaping the benefits of living connected.
Read more »
Privacy
Android Compliance Developers Google Play Store Privacy

Google to Confirm Identity of Every Android App Developer

 







Google announced a new step to make Android apps safer: starting next year, developers who distribute apps to certified Android phones and tablets, even outside Google Play, will need to verify their legal identity. The change ties every app on certified devices to a named developer account, while keeping Android’s ability to run apps from other stores or direct downloads intact. 

What this means for everyday users and small developers is straightforward. If you download an app from a website or a third-party store, the app will now be linked to a developer who has provided a legal name, address, email and phone number. Google says hobbyists and students will have a lighter account option, but many independent creators may choose to register as a business to protect personal privacy. Certified devices are the ones that ship with Google services and pass Google’s compatibility tests; devices that do not include Google Play services may follow different rules. 

Google’s stated reason is security. The company reported that apps installed from the open internet are far more likely to contain malware than apps on the Play Store, and it says those risks come mainly from people hiding behind anonymous developer identities. By requiring identity verification, Google intends to make it harder for repeat offenders to publish harmful apps and to make malicious actors easier to track. 

The rollout is phased so developers and device makers can prepare. Early access invitations begin in October 2025, verification opens to all developers in March 2026, and the rules take effect for certified devices in Brazil, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand in September 2026. Google plans a wider global rollout in 2027. If you are a developer, review Google’s new developer pages and plan to verify your account well before your target markets enforce the rule. 

A similar compliance pattern already exists in some places. For example, Apple requires developers who distribute apps in the European Union to provide a “trader status” and contact details to meet the EU Digital Services Act. These kinds of rules aim to increase accountability, but they also raise questions about privacy, the costs for small creators, and how “open” mobile platforms should remain. Both companies are moving toward tighter oversight of app distribution, with the goal of making digital marketplaces safer and more accountable.

This change marks one of the most significant shifts in Android’s open ecosystem. While users will still have the freedom to install apps from multiple sources, developers will now be held accountable for the software they release. For users, it could mean greater protection against scams and malicious apps. For developers, especially smaller ones, it signals a new balance between maintaining privacy and ensuring trust in the Android platform.


Read more »
trending news
Digital Identity digital identity protection online threats Privacy trending news

Age Checks Online: Privacy at Risk?

 

Across the internet, the question of proving age is no longer optional, it’s becoming a requirement. Governments are tightening rules to keep children away from harmful content, and platforms are under pressure to comply. 

From social media apps and online games to streaming services and even search engines, users are now being asked to show they are over 18 before they can continue. Whether in the UK, US, EU, or Australia, more and more websites now demand proof that users are over 18. In Britain, the Online Safety Act introduced strict rules from July 25, 2025.

People must now verify their age by scanning their face, uploading an official ID, or using a credit card. The aim is to keep children away from harmful content, but experts warn these steps could create serious risks by collecting and storing large amounts of sensitive information. 

A Possible Fix

To reduce these risks, governments and companies are exploring digital ID wallets. These apps could confirm a user’s age without exposing full identity details. 

Evin McMullen, Co-Founder of Privado ID, argues that current UK rules are flawed. She warns they build “a centralised honey pot of data” that hackers could exploit. Instead, she believes age checks should be quick, safe, and forgetful." 

Different Approaches Across Regions The European Union is already running pilot projects in five countries. This forms part of the upcoming European Digital Identity Wallet, expected to roll out by 2026. Supporters say it could protect both children and privacy. 

However, concerns remain because EU lawmakers are also debating rules that might weaken encryption, the very technology that keeps data safe. In the United States, there is no single standard. Instead, several states have passed their own age-verification laws. 

This patchwork has left companies struggling to adapt. Some, such as Bluesky, have even withdrawn services from states where rules were too complex or costly to follow. 

What We Should Expect ? 

Technology exists to make age checks secure and private, but trust depends on how governments implement the laws. If privacy protections are weakened, digital ID wallets could end up being more of a surveillance tool than a safety solution. For now, the debate continues, will these wallets safeguard users or become another risk to online privacy?
Read more »
protect user privacy
Chrome Extensions customer data privacy data security Data Theft Free VPN free VPN risks online privacy concerns Privacy protect user privacy

FreeVPN.One Chrome Extension Caught Secretly Spying on Users With Unauthorized Screenshots

 

Security researchers are warning users against relying on free VPN services after uncovering alarming surveillance practices linked to a popular Chrome extension. The extension in question, FreeVPN.One, has been downloaded over 100,000 times from the Chrome Web Store and even carried a “featured” badge, which typically indicates compliance with recommended standards. Despite this appearance of legitimacy, the tool was found to be secretly spying on its users.  

FreeVPN.One was taking screenshots just over a second after a webpage loaded and sending them to a remote server. These screenshots also included the page URL, tab ID, and a unique identifier for each user, effectively allowing the developers to monitor browsing activity in detail. While the extension’s privacy policy referenced an AI threat detection feature that could upload specific data, Koi’s analysis revealed that the extension was capturing screenshots indiscriminately, regardless of user activity or security scanning. 

The situation became even more concerning when the researchers found that FreeVPN.One was also collecting geolocation and device information along with the screenshots. Recent updates to the extension introduced AES-256-GCM encryption with RSA key wrapping, making the transmission of this data significantly more difficult to detect. Koi’s findings suggest that this surveillance behavior began in April following an update that allowed the extension to access every website a user visited. By July 17, the silent screenshot feature and location tracking had become fully operational. 

When contacted, the developer initially denied the allegations, claiming the screenshots were part of a background feature intended to scan suspicious domains. However, Koi researchers reported that screenshots were taken even on trusted sites such as Google Sheets and Google Photos. Requests for additional proof of legitimacy, such as company credentials or developer profiles, went unanswered. The only trace left behind was a basic Wix website, raising further questions about the extension’s credibility. 

Despite the evidence, FreeVPN.One remains available on the Chrome Web Store with an average rating of 3.7 stars, though its reviews are now filled with complaints from users who learned of the findings. The fact that the extension continues to carry a “featured” label is troubling, as it may mislead more users into installing it.  

The case serves as a stark reminder that free VPN tools often come with hidden risks, particularly when offered through browser extensions. While some may be tempted by the promise of free online protection, the reality is that such tools can expose sensitive data and compromise user privacy. As the FreeVPN.One controversy shows, paying for a reputable VPN service remains the safer choice.
Read more »
software vulnerabilities
AI Security Coding Risks Cybersecurity Governance Data Privacy Protection Enterprise Compliance Privacy risk mitigation Secure Development software vulnerabilities

A Comprehensive Look at Twenty AI Assisted Coding Risks and Remedies


 

In recent decades, artificial intelligence has radically changed the way software is created, tested, and deployed, bringing about a significant shift in software development history. Originally, it was only a simple autocomplete function, but it has evolved into a sophisticated AI system capable of producing entire modules of code based on natural language inputs. 

The development industry has become more automated, resulting in the need for backend services, APIs, machine learning pipelines, and even complete user interfaces being able to be designed in a fraction of the time it used to take. Across a range of industries, the culture of development is being transformed by this acceleration. 

Teams at startups and enterprises alike are now integrating Artificial Intelligence into their workflows to automate tasks once exclusively the domain of experienced engineers, thereby introducing a new way of delivering software. It has been through this rapid adoption that a culture has emerged known as "vibe coding," in which developers rely on AI tools to handle a large portion of the development process instead of using them merely as a tool to assist with a few small tasks.

Rather than manually debugging or rethinking system design, they request the AI to come up with corrections, enhancements, or entirely new features rather than manually debugging the code. There is an attractiveness to this trend, in particular for solo developers and non-technical founders who are eager to turn their ideas into products at unprecedented speed.

There is a great deal of enthusiasm in communities such as Hacker News and Indie Hackers, with many claiming that artificial intelligence is the key to levelling the playing field in technology. With limited resources and technical knowledge, prototyping, minimum viable products, and lightweight applications have become possible in record time. 

As much as enthusiasm fuels innovation at the grassroots, it is very different at large companies and critical sectors, where the picture is quite different. Finance, healthcare, and government services are all subject to strict compliance and regulation frameworks requiring stability, security, and long-term maintainability, which are all non-negotiable. 

AI in code generation presents several complex risks that go far beyond enhancing productivity for these organisations. Using third-party artificial intelligence services raises a number of concerns, including concerns about intellectual property, data privacy, and software provenance. In sectors such as those where the loss of millions of dollars, regulatory penalties, or even threats to public safety could result from a single coding error, adopting AI-driven development has to be handled with extreme caution. This tension between speed and security is what makes AI-aided coding so challenging. 

The benefits are undeniable on the one hand: faster iteration, reduced workloads, faster launches, and potential cost reductions are undeniable. However, the hidden dangers of overreliance are becoming more apparent as time goes on. Consequently, developers are likely to lose touch with the fundamentals of software engineering and accept solutions produced by artificial intelligence that they are not entirely familiar with. This can lead to code that appears to work on the surface, but has subtle flaws, inefficiencies, or vulnerabilities that only become apparent under pressure. 

As systems scale, these small flaws can ripple outward, resulting in a state of systemic fragility. Such oversights are often catastrophic for mission-critical environments. The risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence-assisted coding range greatly, and they are highly unpredictable. 

A number of the most pressing issues arise from hidden logic flaws that may go undetected until unusual inputs stress a system; excessive permissions that are embedded in generated code that may inadvertently widen attack surfaces; and opaque provenances arising from AI systems that have been trained on vast, unverified repositories of public code that have been unverified. 

The security vulnerabilities that AI often generates are also a source of concern, as AI often generates weak cryptography practices, improper input validation, and even hardcoded credentials. The risks associated with this flaw, if deployed to production, include the potential for cybercriminals to exploit the system. 

Furthermore, compliance violations may also occur as a result of these flaws. In many organisations, licensing and regulatory obligations must be adhered to; however, AI-generated output may contain restricted or unlicensed code without the companies' knowledge. In the process, companies can face legal disputes as well as penalties for inappropriately utilising AI. 

On the other hand, overreliance on AI risks diminishing human expertise. Junior developers may become more accustomed to outsourcing their thinking to AI tools rather than learning foundational problem-solving skills. The loss of critical competencies on a team may lead to long-term resilience if teams, over time, are not able to maintain critical competencies. 

As a consequence of these issues, it is unclear whether the organisation, the developer or the AI vendor is held responsible for any breaches or failures caused by AI-generated code. According to industry reports, these concerns need to be addressed immediately. There is a growing body of research that suggests that more than half of organisations experimenting with AI-assisted coding have encountered security issues as a result of the use of such software. 

Although the risks are not just theoretical, but are already present in real-life situations, as adoption continues to ramp up, the industry should move quickly to develop safeguards, standards, and governance frameworks that will protect against these emerging threats. A comprehensive mitigation strategy is being developed, but the success of such a strategy is dependent on a disciplined and holistic approach. 

AI-generated code should be subjected to the same rigorous review processes as contributions from junior developers, including peer reviews, testing, and detailed documentation. A security tool should be integrated into the development pipeline so that vulnerabilities can be scanned for, as well as compliance policies enforced. 

In addition to technical safeguards, there are cultural and educational initiatives that are crucial, and these systems ensure traceability and accountability for every line of code. Additionally, organisations are adopting provenance tracking systems which log AI contributions, thereby ensuring traceability and accountability. As developers, it is imperative that AI is not treated as an infallible authority, but rather as an assistant that should be scrutinised regularly. 

Instead of replacing one with the other, the goal should be to combine the efficiency of artificial intelligence with the judgment and creativity of human engineers. Governance frameworks will play a similarly important role in achieving this goal. Organisational rules for compliance and security are increasingly being integrated directly into automated workflows as part of policies-as-code approaches. 

When enterprises employ artificial intelligence across a wide range of teams and environments, they can maintain consistency while using artificial intelligence. As a secondary layer of defence, red teaming exercises, in which security professionals deliberately stress-test artificial intelligence-generated systems, provide a way for malicious actors to identify weaknesses that they are likely to exploit. 

Furthermore, regulators and vendors are working to clarify liability in cases where AI-generated code causes real-world harm. A broad discussion of legal responsibility needs to continue in the meantime. As AI's role in software development grows, we can expect it to play a much bigger role in the future. The question is no longer whether or not organisations are going to use AI, but rather how they are going to integrate it effectively. 

A startup can move quickly by embracing it, whereas an enterprise must balance innovation with compliance and risk management. As such, those who succeed in this new world will be those who create guardrails in advance and invest in both technology and culture to make sure that efficiency doesn't come at the expense of trust or resilience. As a result, there will not be a sole focus on machines in the future of software development. 

The coding process will be shaped by the combination of human expertise and artificial intelligence. AI may be capable of speeding up the mechanics of coding, but the responsibility of accountability, craftsmanship, and responsibility will remain human in nature. As a result, organizations with the most forward-looking mindset will recognize this balance by utilizing AI to drive innovation, but maintaining the discipline necessary to protect their systems, customers, and reputations while maintaining a focus on maintaining discipline. 

A true test of trust for the next generation of technology will not come from a battle between man and machine, but from the ability of both to work together to build secure, sustainable, and trustworthy technologies for a better, safer world.
Read more »
private browsing
Data Safety User Data enhanced user privacy Online Privacy paid VPNs Privacy privacy laws private browsing

VP.NET Launches SGX-Based VPN to Transform Online Privacy

 

The virtual private network market is filled with countless providers, each promising secure browsing and anonymity. In such a crowded space, VP.NET has emerged with the bold claim of changing how VPNs function altogether. The company says it is “the only VPN that can’t spy on you,” insisting that its system is built in a way that prevents monitoring, logging, or exposing any user data. 

To support its claims, VP.NET has gone a step further by releasing its source code to the public, allowing independent verification. VP.NET was co-founded by Andrew Lee, the entrepreneur behind Private Internet Access (PIA). According to the company, its mission is to treat digital privacy as a fundamental right and to secure it through technical design rather than relying on promises or policies. Guided by its principle of “don’t trust, verify,” the provider focuses on privacy-by-design to ensure that users are always protected. 

The technology behind VP.NET relies on Intel’s SGX (Software Guard Extensions). This system creates encrypted memory zones, also called enclaves, which remain isolated and inaccessible even to the VPN provider. Using this approach, VP.NET separates a user’s identity from their browsing activity, preventing any form of link between the two. 

The provider has also built a cryptographic mixer that severs the connection between users and the websites they visit. This mixer functions with a triple-layer identity mapping system, which the company claims makes tracking technically impossible. Each session generates temporary IDs, and no data such as IP addresses, browsing logs, traffic information, DNS queries, or timestamps are stored. 

VP.NET has also incorporated traffic obfuscation features and safeguards against correlation attacks, which are commonly used to unmask VPN users. In an effort to promote transparency, VP.NET has made its SGX source code publicly available on GitHub. By doing so, users and researchers can confirm that the correct code is running, the SGX enclave is authentic, and there has been no tampering. VP.NET describes its system as “zero trust by design,” emphasizing that its architecture makes it impossible to record user activity. 

The service runs on the WireGuard protocol and includes several layers of encryption. These include ChaCha20 for securing traffic, Poly1305 for authentication, Curve25519 for key exchange, and BLAKE2s for hashing. VP.NET is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux systems, and all platforms receive the same protections. Each account allows up to five devices to connect simultaneously, which is slightly lower than competitors like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. Server availability is currently limited to a handful of countries including the US, UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Japan. 

However, all servers are SGX-enabled to maintain strong privacy. While the company operates from the United States, a jurisdiction often criticized for weak privacy laws, VP.NET argues that its architecture makes the question of location irrelevant since no user data exists to be handed over. 

Despite being relatively new, VP.NET is positioning itself as part of a new wave of VPN providers alongside competitors like Obscura VPN and NymVPN, all of which are introducing fresh approaches to strengthen privacy. 

With surveillance and tracking threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, VP.NET’s SGX-based system represents a technical shift that could redefine how users think about online security and anonymity.
Read more »
Privacy Lawsuit
Alexa Amazon Customer Data Data collection Data Privacy Data Privacy Laws Data Safety User Data Personal Data Privacy privacy laws Privacy Lawsuit

Federal Judge Allows Amazon Alexa Users’ Privacy Lawsuit to Proceed Nationwide

 

A federal judge in Seattle has ruled that Amazon must face a nationwide lawsuit involving tens of millions of Alexa users. The case alleges that the company improperly recorded and stored private conversations without user consent. U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik determined that Alexa owners met the legal requirements to pursue collective legal action for damages and an injunction to halt the alleged practices. 

The lawsuit claims Amazon violated Washington state law by failing to disclose that it retained and potentially used voice recordings for commercial purposes. Plaintiffs argue that Alexa was intentionally designed to secretly capture billions of private conversations, not just the voice commands directed at the device. According to their claim, these recordings may have been stored and repurposed without permission, raising serious privacy concerns. Amazon strongly disputes the allegations. 

The company insists that Alexa includes multiple safeguards to prevent accidental activation and denies evidence exists showing it recorded conversations belonging to any of the plaintiffs. Despite Amazon’s defense, Judge Lasnik stated that millions of users may have been impacted in a similar manner, allowing the case to move forward. Plaintiffs are also seeking an order requiring Amazon to delete any recordings and related data it may still hold. The broader issue at stake in this case centers on privacy rights within the home.

If proven, the claims suggest that sensitive conversations could have been intercepted and stored without explicit approval from users. Privacy experts caution that voice data, if mishandled or exposed, can lead to identity risks, unauthorized information sharing, and long-term security threats. Critics further argue that the lawsuit highlights the growing power imbalance between consumers and large technology companies. Amazon has previously faced scrutiny over its corporate practices, including its environmental footprint. 

A 2023 report revealed that the company’s expanding data centers in Virginia would consume more energy than the entire city of Seattle, fueling additional criticism about the company’s long-term sustainability and accountability. The case against Amazon underscores the increasing tension between technological convenience and personal privacy. 

As voice-activated assistants become commonplace in homes, courts will likely play a decisive role in determining the boundaries of data collection and consumer protection. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for how tech companies handle user data and whether customers can trust that private conversations remain private.
Read more »
Privacy
AI Chatbot AI Platform AI Privacy AI technology Chatbots ChatGPT ChatGPT risks Data Privacy data security Privacy

Think Twice Before Uploading Personal Photos to AI Chatbots

 

Artificial intelligence chatbots are increasingly being used for fun, from generating quirky captions to transforming personal photos into cartoon characters. While the appeal of uploading images to see creative outputs is undeniable, the risks tied to sharing private photos with AI platforms are often overlooked. A recent incident at a family gathering highlighted just how easy it is for these photos to be exposed without much thought. What might seem like harmless fun could actually open the door to serious privacy concerns. 

The central issue is unawareness. Most users do not stop to consider where their photos are going once uploaded to a chatbot, whether those images could be stored for AI training, or if they contain personal details such as house numbers, street signs, or other identifying information. Even more concerning is the lack of consent—especially when it comes to children. Uploading photos of kids to chatbots, without their ability to approve or refuse, creates ethical and security challenges that should not be ignored.  

Photos contain far more than just the visible image. Hidden metadata, including timestamps, location details, and device information, can be embedded within every upload. This information, if mishandled, could become a goldmine for malicious actors. Worse still, once a photo is uploaded, users lose control over its journey. It may be stored on servers, used for moderation, or even retained for training AI models without the user’s explicit knowledge. Just because an image disappears from the chat interface does not mean it is gone from the system.  

One of the most troubling risks is the possibility of misuse, including deepfakes. A simple selfie, once in the wrong hands, can be manipulated to create highly convincing fake content, which could lead to reputational damage or exploitation. 

There are steps individuals can take to minimize exposure. Reviewing a platform’s privacy policy is a strong starting point, as it provides clarity on how data is collected, stored, and used. Some platforms, including OpenAI, allow users to disable chat history to limit training data collection. Additionally, photos can be stripped of metadata using tools like ExifTool or by taking a screenshot before uploading. 

Consent should also remain central to responsible AI use. Children cannot give informed permission, making it inappropriate to share their images. Beyond privacy, AI-altered photos can distort self-image, particularly among younger users, leading to long-term effects on confidence and mental health. 

Safer alternatives include experimenting with stock images or synthetic faces generated by tools like This Person Does Not Exist. These provide the creative fun of AI tools without compromising personal data. 

Ultimately, while AI chatbots can be entertaining and useful, users must remain cautious. They are not friends, and their cheerful tone should not distract from the risks. Practicing restraint, verifying privacy settings, and thinking critically before uploading personal photos is essential for protecting both privacy and security in the digital age.
Read more »
Spyware and Stalkerware
CyberCrime Cybersecurity awareness Data location tracking Phishing Scams Privacy Spyware and Stalkerware

Scammers Can Pinpoint Your Exact Location With a Single Click Warns Hacker


 

With the advent of the digital age, crime has steadily migrated from dark alleys to cyberspace, creating an entirely new type of criminal enterprise that thrives on technology. The adage that "crime doesn't pay" once seemed so absurd to me; now that it stands in stark contrast with the reality of cybercrime, which has evolved into a lucrative and relatively safe form of illegal activity that is also relatively risk-free. 

While traditional crime attracts a greater degree of exposure and punishment, cybercriminals enjoy relative impunity. There is no question that they exploit the gaps in digital security to make huge profits while suffering only minimal repercussions as a result. A study conducted by Bromium security firm indicates that there is a significant underground cyber economy, with elite hacker earnings reaching $2 million per year, middle-level cybercriminals earning $900,000 a year, and even entry-level hackers earning $42,000 a year. 

As cybercrime has grown in size, it has developed into a booming global industry that attracts opportunists, who are looking for new opportunities to take advantage of hyperconnectedness. Several deceptive tactics are currently proliferating online, but one of the most alarming is the false message "Hacker is tracking you". 

Many deceptive tactics are being used online these days. Through the use of rogue websites, this false message attempts to create panic by claiming that a hacker has compromised the victim's device and is continuously monitoring the victim's computer activity. There is an urgent warning placed on the victim's home page warning him or her to not close the page, as a countdown timer threatens to expose their identity, browsing history, and even the photos that they are alleged to have taken with the front camera to their entire contact list. 

The website that sent the warning does not possess the capability to detect threats on a user’s device. In fact, the warning is entirely fabricated by the website. Users are often tricked into downloading or installing software that is marketed as protective and is often disguised as anti-virus software or performance enhancers, thereby resulting in the download of the malicious software. 

The issue with downloading such files is, however, that these often turn out to be Potentially Unwanted Applications (PUAs), such as adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software. It is often the case that these fraudulent websites are reached through mistyped web addresses, redirects from unreliable websites, or intrusive advertisements that lead to the page. 

In addition to risking infections, users are also exposed to significant threats such as privacy invasions, financial losses, and even identity theft if they fall victim to these schemes. Secondly, there is the growing value of personal data that is becoming increasingly valuable to cybercriminals, making it even more lucrative than financial theft in many cases. 

It is widely known that details, browsing patterns, and personal identifiers are coveted commodities in the underground market, making them valuable commodities for a variety of criminal activities, many of which extend far beyond just monetary scams. In a recent article published by the ethical hacker, he claimed that such information could often be extracted in only a few clicks, illustrating how easy it can be for an unsuspecting user to be compromised with such information. 

Cybercriminals continue to devise inventive ways of evading safeguards and tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information in spite of significant advances in device security. The phishing tactic known as “quishing” is one such technique that is gaining momentum. In this case, QR codes are used to lure victims into malicious traps. 

It has even evolved into the practice of fraudsters attaching QR codes to unsolicited packages, preying upon curiosity or confusion to obtain a scan. However, experts believe that even simpler techniques are becoming more common, entangling a growing number of users who underestimate how sophisticated and persistent these scams can be. 

Besides scams and phishing attempts, hackers and organisations alike have access to a wide range of tools that have the ability to track a person's movements with alarming precision. Malicious software, such as spyware or stalkerware, can penetrate mobile devices, transmit location data, and enable unauthorised access to microphones and cameras, while operating undetected, without revealing themselves. 

The infections often hide deep within compromised apps, so it is usually necessary to take out robust antivirus solutions to remove them. It is important to note that not all tracking takes place by malicious actors - there are legitimate applications, for example, Find My Device and Google Maps, which rely on location services for navigation and weather updates. 

While most companies claim to not monetise user data, several have been sued for selling personal information to third parties. As anyone with access to a device that can be used to share a location can activate this feature in places like Google Maps, which allows continuous tracking even when the phone is in aeroplane mode, the threat is compounded. 

As a matter of fact, mobile carriers routinely track location via cellular signals, which is a practice officially justified as a necessity for improving services and responding to emergencies. However, while carriers claim that they do not sell this data to the public, they acknowledge that they do share it with the authorities. Furthermore, Wi-Fi networks are another method of tracking, since businesses, such as shopping malls, use connected devices to monitor the behaviour of their consumers, thus resulting in targeted and intrusive advertising. 

Cybersecurity experts continue to warn that hackers continue to take advantage of both sophisticated malware as well as social engineering tactics to swindle unsuspecting consumers. An ethical hacker, Ryan Montgomery, recently demonstrated how scammers use text messages to trick victims into clicking on malicious links that lead them to fake websites, which harvest their personal information through the use of text messages. 

To make such messages seem more credible, some social media profiles have been used to tailor them so they seem legitimate. It is important to note that the threats do not end with phishing attempts alone. Another overlooked vulnerability is the poorly designed error messages in apps and websites. Error messages are crucial in the process of debugging and user guidance, but they can also be a security threat if they are crafted carelessly, as hackers can use them to gather sensitive information about users. 

A database connection string, an individual's username, email address, or even a confirmation of the existence of an account can provide attackers with critical information which they can use to weaponise automated attacks. As a matter of fact, if you display the error message "Password is incorrect", this confirms that a username is valid, allowing hackers to make lists of real accounts that they can try to brute force on. 

In order to reduce exposure and obscure details, security professionals recommend using generic phrases such as "Username or password is incorrect." It is also recommended that developers avoid disclosing backend technology or software versions through error outputs, as these can reveal exploitable vulnerabilities. 

It has been shown that even seemingly harmless notifications such as "This username does not exist" can help attackers narrow down the targets they target, demonstrating the importance of secure design to prevent users from being exploited. There is a troubling imbalance between technological convenience and security in the digital world, as cybercrime continues to grow in importance. 

The ingenuity of cybercriminals is also constantly evolving, ensuring that even as stronger defences are being erected, there will always be a risk associated with any system or device, regardless of how advanced the defences are. It is the invisibility of this threat that makes it so insidious—users may not realise the compromise has happened until the damage has been done. This can be done by draining their bank accounts, stealing their identities, or quietly monitoring their personal lives. 

Cybersecurity experts emphasise that it is not just important to be vigilant against obvious scams and suspicious links, but also to maintain an attitude of digital caution in their everyday interactions. As well as updating devices, scrutinising app permissions, practising safer browsing habits, and using trusted antivirus tools, there are many other ways in which users can dramatically reduce their risk of being exposed to cybercrime. 

In addition to personal responsibility, the importance of stronger privacy protections and transparent practices must also be emphasised among technology providers, app developers, and mobile carriers as a way to safeguard user data. It is the complacency of all of us that allows cybercrime to flourish in the end. I believe that through combining informed users with secure design and responsible corporate behaviour, society will be able to begin to tilt the balance away from those who exploit the shadows of the online world to their advantage.
Read more »
supply chain security
Access control Adversarial attacks agentic AI AI Algorithmic security Data Safety identity management Privacy supply chain security

AI Agents and the Rise of the One-Person Unicorn

 


Building a unicorn has been synonymous for decades with the use of a large team of highly skilled professionals, years of trial and error, and significant investments in venture capital. That is the path to building a unicorn, which has a value of over a billion dollars. Today, however, there is a fundamental shift in the established model in which people live. As AI agentic systems develop rapidly, shaped in part by OpenAI's vision of autonomous digital agents, one founder will now be able to accomplish what once required an entire team of workers.

It is evident in today's emerging landscape that the concept of "one-person unicorn" is no longer just an abstract concept, but rather a real possibility, as artificial intelligence agents expand their role beyond mere assistants, becoming transformative partners that push the boundaries of individual entrepreneurship. In spite of the fact that artificial intelligence has long been part of enterprise strategies for a long time, Agentic Artificial Intelligence marks the beginning of a significant shift. 

Aside from conventional systems, which primarily analyse data and provide recommendations, these autonomous agents can act independently to make strategic decisions and directly affect the outcome of their business decisions without needing any human intervention at all. This shift is not merely theoretical—it is already reshaping organisational practices on a large scale.

It has been revealed that the extent to which generative AI is being adopted is based on a recent survey conducted among 1,000 IT decision makers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. Ninety per cent of the survey respondents indicated that their companies have incorporated generative AI into their IT strategies, and half have already implemented AI agents. 

A further 32 per cent are preparing to follow suit shortly, according to the survey. In this new era of artificial intelligence, defining itself no longer by passive analytics or predictive modelling, but by autonomous agents capable of grasping objectives, evaluating choices, and executing tasks without the need for human intervention, people are seeing a new phase of AI emerge. 

With the advent of artificial intelligence, agents are no longer limited to providing assistance; they are now capable of orchestrating complex workflows across fragmented systems, adapting constantly to changing environments, and maximising outcomes on a real-time basis. With this development, there is more to it than just automation. It represents a shift from static digitisation to dynamic, context-aware execution, effectively transforming judgment into a digital function. 

Leading companies are increasingly comparing the impact of this transformation with the Internet's, but there is a possibility that the reach of this transformation may be even greater. Whereas the internet revolutionised external information flows, artificial intelligence is transforming internal operations and decision-making ecosystems. 

As a result of such advances, healthcare diagnostics are guided and predictive interventions are enabled; manufacturing is creating self-optimized production systems; and legal and compliance are simulating scenarios in order to reduce risk and accelerate decisions in order to reduce risk. This advancement is more than just boosting productivity – it has the potential to lay the foundations of new business models that are based on embedded, distributed intelligence. 

According to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, artificial intelligence is poised to affect “every sector, every industry, every aspect of our lives,” making the case that the technology is a defining force of our era, a reminder of the technological advances of this era. Agentic AI is characterised by its ability to detect subtle patterns of behaviour and interactions between services that are often difficult for humans to observe. This capability has already been demonstrated in platforms such as Salesforce's Interaction Explorer, which allows AI agents to detect repeated customer frustrations or ineffective policy responses and propose corrective actions, resulting in the creation of these platforms. 

Therefore, these systems become strategic advisors, which are capable of identifying risks, flagging opportunities, and making real-time recommendations to improve operations, rather than simply being back-office tools. Combined with the ability to coordinate between agents, the technology can go even further, allowing for automatic cross-functional enhanced functionality that speeds up business processes and efficiency. 

As part of this movement, leading companies like Salesforce, Google, and Accenture are combining complementary strengths to provide a variety of artificial intelligence-driven solutions ranging from multilingual customer support to predictive issue resolution to intelligent automation, integrating Salesforce's CRM ecosystem with Google Cloud's Gemini models and Accenture's sector-specific expertise. 

Moreover, with the availability of such tools, innovation is no longer confined to engineers alone; subject matter experts across a wide range of industries can now drive adoption and shape the next wave of enterprise transformation, since they have the means to do so. In order to be competitive, an organisation must not simply rely on pre-built templates. 

Instead, it must be able to customise its Agentic AI system according to its unique identity and needs. As a result of the use of natural language prompts, requirement documents, and workflow diagrams, businesses can tailor agent behaviours without having to rely on long development cycles, large budgets, or a lot of technical expertise. 

In the age of no-code and natural language interfaces, the ability to customise agents is shifting from developers to business users, ensuring that agents reflect the company's distinctive values, brand voice, and philosophy, moving the power of customisation from developers to business users. Moreover, advances in multimodality are allowing AI to be used in new ways beyond text, including voice, images, videos, and sensors. Through this evolution, agents will be able to interpret customer intent more deeply, providing them with more personalised and contextually relevant assistance based on customer intent. 

In addition, customers are now able to upload photos of defective products rather than type lengthy descriptions, or receive support via short videos rather than pages of text if they have a problem with a product. A crucial aspect of these agents is that they retain memories across their interactions, so they can constantly adapt to individual behaviours, making digital engagement less transactional and more like an ongoing, human-centred conversation, rather than a transaction. 

There are many implications beyond operational efficiency and cost reduction that are being brought about by Agentic AI. As a result of this transformation, a radical redefining of work, value creation, and even entrepreneurship itself is becoming apparent. With the capability of these systems enabling companies as well as individuals to utilise distributed intelligence, they are redefining the boundaries between human and machine collaboration, and they are not just reshaping workflows—they are redefining the boundaries of human and machine collaboration. 

A future in which scale and impact are no longer determined by headcount, but rather by the sophisticated capabilities of digital agents working alongside a single visionary, is what people are seeing in the one-person unicorn. While this transformation is bringing about societal changes, it also raises a number of concerns. The increasing delegating of decision-making tasks to autonomous agents raises questions about accountability, ethics, job displacement, and systemic risks. 

In this time and age, regulators, policymakers, and industry leaders must establish guardrails that ensure that the benefits of artificial intelligence do not further deepen inequalities or erode trust by balancing innovation with responsibility. The challenge for companies lies in deploying these tools not only in a fast and efficient manner, but also by their values, branding, and social responsibilities. It is not just the technical advance of autonomous agents that makes this moment historic, but also the cultural and economic pivot they signal that makes it so. 

Likewise to the internet, which democratized access to information in the past, artificial intelligence agents are poised to democratize access to judgment, strategy, and execution, which were traditionally restricted to larger organisations. Using it, enterprises can achieve new levels of agility and competitiveness, while individuals can achieve a greater amount of what they can accomplish. Agentic intelligence is not just an incremental upgrade to existing systems, but an entire shift that determines how the digital economy will function in the future, a shift which will define the next chapter in the history of our society.
Read more »
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)