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DropBox E-Signature Breach Exposes Customer Data

  DropBox has announced a breach in its DropBox Sign eSignature platform, formerly known as HelloSign. The breach, uncovered on April 24, ha...

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Outabox
Australia cyber attack Cyber Attacks Facial Recognition System Outabox

Facial Recognition System Breach Sparks Privacy Concerns in Australia

A significant privacy breach has shaken up the club scene in Australia, as a facial recognition system deployed across multiple nightlife venues became the target of a cyberattack. Outabox, the Australian firm responsible for the technology, is facing intense scrutiny in the aftermath of the breach, sparking widespread concerns regarding personal data security in the era of advanced surveillance. Reports indicate that sensitive personal information, including facial images and biometric data, has been exposed, raising alarms among patrons and authorities. 

As regulators rush to assess the situation and ensure accountability, doubts arise about the effectiveness of existing safeguards against such breaches. Outabox has promised full cooperation with investigations but is under increasing pressure to address the breach's repercussions promptly and decisively. Initially introduced as a safety measure to monitor visitors' temperatures during the COVID-19 pandemic, Outabox's facial recognition kiosks evolved to include identifying individuals in self-exclusion programs for gambling, showcasing the company's innovative use of technology. 

However, recent developments have revealed a troubling scenario with the emergence of a website called "Have I Been Outaboxed." Claiming to be created by former Outabox employees based in the Philippines, the site alleges mishandling of over a million records, including facial biometrics, driver's licenses, and various personal identifiers. This revelation highlights serious concerns regarding Outabox's security and privacy practices, emphasizing the need for robust data protection measures and transparent communication with both employees and the public. 

Allegations on the "Have I Been Outaboxed" website suggest that the leaked data includes a trove of personal information such as facial recognition biometrics, driver's licenses, club memberships, addresses, and more. The severity of this breach is underscored by claims that extensive membership data from IGT, a major supplier of gaming machines, was also compromised, although IGT representatives have denied this assertion. 

This breach has triggered a robust reaction from privacy advocates and regulators, who are deeply concerned about the significant implications of exposing such extensive personal data. Beyond the immediate impact on affected individuals, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ethical considerations surrounding the deployment of surveillance technologies. It underscores the delicate balance between security imperatives and the protection of individual privacy rights.
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Ransomware
Cyber Attacks French HealthCare Ransom Ransomware

French Hospital CHC-SV Refuses to Pay LockBit Ransomware Demand

 

The Hôpital de Cannes - Simone Veil (CHC-SV) in France revealed that it has received a ransom demand from the Lockbit 3.0 ransomware gang and refused to pay the ransom. 

On April 17, the 840-bed hospital announced a serious operational disruption caused by a cyberattack, forcing it to shut down all computers and reschedule non-emergency procedures and appointments. 

Earlier this week, the establishment revealed on X that it had received a ransom demand from the Lockbit 3.0 ransomware operation, which it referred to the Gendarmerie and the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI). 

At the same time, the LockBit ransomware organisation added CHC-SV to their darkweb extortion site, warning to release the first sample pack of files stolen during the attack before the end of the day. The healthcare organisation tweeted that they will not pay the ransom and will notify affected individuals if the threat actors begin leaking data. 

“In the event of a data release potentially belonging to the hospital, we will communicate to our patients and stakeholders, after a detailed review of the files that may have been exfiltrated, about the nature of the stolen information.” 

Meanwhile, the hospital's IT workers are currently working to restore compromised systems to normal operational status, as internal inquiries into the incident continue. 

Ruthless stance 

 
The FBI's disruption of the LockBit ransomware-as-a-service operation through 'Operation Cronos' and the simultaneous release of a decryptor in mid-February 2024 have had a negative impact on the threat group. 

Affiliates have lost faith in the project, and others have chosen to remain anonymous for fear of being identified and prosecuted. Despite the inconvenience, the ransomware operation relaunched a week later, with fresh data leak sites and updated encryptors and ransom demands. 

LockBit's attitude regarding assaults on healthcare providers has always been ambiguous at best, with the group's leaders failing to enforce the declared restrictions on affiliates carrying out attacks that compromised patient care. The attack on CHC-SV confirms the threat group's utter disdain for the sensitive topic of preventing disruptions to healthcare services. 

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Sweden
Cyber Security Cyberattacks DDOS Attacks Hackers NATO Safety Sweden

Sweden Faces Influx of DDoS Attacks Following NATO Membership

 


A significant uptick in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks has plagued Sweden as the nation navigates its path towards joining NATO, reports network performance management provider Netscout.

The onslaught commenced notably in May 2023, following a colossal 500 Gbps attack targeting Swedish government infrastructure. Subsequent to this initial strike, the frequency and intensity of DDoS assaults against Swedish entities have steadily escalated, reaching a peak in late 2023 with attacks soaring to 730 Gbps.

However, the year 2024 witnessed a further exacerbation of the situation, particularly intensifying from February onwards. On February 14, Sweden’s Foreign Minister hinted at Hungary's support for their NATO bid, serving as a catalyst for a significant event. 

Netscout documented an astounding 1524 simultaneous DDoS attacks targeting Swedish organizations the subsequent day. This surge indicated a marked escalation in tensions and retaliatory actions from various politically motivated hacker groups, as underscored in Netscout's public statement.

The climax of the attacks occurred on March 4, 2024, when Netscout observed an unprecedented 2275 attacks in a single day, marking a staggering 183% increase compared to the same date in the previous year. Remarkably, this surge transpired merely three days before Sweden's formal admission into NATO.

Netscout's analysis has identified several hacker groups involved in these assaults, including NoName057, Anonymous Sudan, Russian Cyber Army Team, and Killnet, all of which are aligned with Russian interests.
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Password Security
Credential Cyber Security CyberCrime Information Security Password Password Management Password Security

Strengthening Password Security: Addressing Misconceptions and Best Practices

 

According to recent research by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), conducted to mark World Password Day, only one in five people in the UK can correctly identify a secure password over a risky one. This alarming statistic underscores the widespread lack of awareness and understanding when it comes to password security among the public. 

The study revealed that despite expressing concern about the possibility of being hacked in the future, a significant portion of the population continues to engage in risky password practices. For example, 20% of respondents admitted to using the same password for multiple websites and devices, a practice strongly discouraged by cybersecurity experts. 

Additionally, many individuals rely on easily guessable passwords, such as pet names or significant dates, further compromising their online security. Despite the prevailing fear of cyber threats, there exists a notable discrepancy between public perception and best practices in password security. While 84% of respondents believe that hackers are becoming more inventive, many still hold misconceptions about what constitutes a secure password. 

For instance, a significant portion of the population mistakenly believes that replacing letters with numbers in passwords enhances security, when in reality, this practice does little to deter sophisticated cyberattacks. Dr. Junade Ali, a cybersecurity expert and IET fellow, highlighted the critical importance of strong passwords in today's digital landscape. Weak and predictable passwords serve as easy targets for cybercriminals, who employ various tactics, including credential stuffing, to gain unauthorized access to multiple accounts. Credential stuffing exploits the common practice of using the same password across multiple platforms, allowing hackers to compromise multiple accounts with minimal effort. 

To address these vulnerabilities, the IET has issued recommendations aimed at improving password security awareness and practices. Among these recommendations is the suggestion to create randomly generated, long, and unique passwords for each website or online service. Longer passwords are generally more resistant to brute-force attacks and provide an added layer of security against unauthorized access.  

Additionally, the use of a reputable password manager is encouraged to securely store and manage passwords across various platforms. Password managers not only simplify the process of generating and storing complex passwords but also provide alerts in the event of a data breach, allowing users to take immediate action to protect their accounts. 

By following these guidelines and adopting strong password security practices, individuals can significantly enhance their defenses against cyber threats and safeguard their sensitive information online. As cyberattacks continue to evolve in sophistication, proactive measures to strengthen password security are essential in mitigating the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
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Technology
AI Model Gemini AI Googlr GPT-4 Technology

Google’s Med-Gemini: Advancing AI in Healthcare

Google’s Med-Gemini: Advancing AI in Healthcare

On Tuesday, Google unveiled a new line of artificial intelligence (AI) models geared toward the medical industry. Although the tech giant has issued a pre-print version of its research paper that illustrates the capabilities and methodology of these AI models, dubbed Med-Gemini, they are not accessible for public usage. 

According to the business, in benchmark testing, the AI models outperform the GPT-4 models. This specific AI model's long-context capabilities, which enable it to process and analyze research papers and health records, are one of its standout qualities.

Benchmark Performance

The paper is available online at arXiv, an open-access repository for academic research, and is presently in the pre-print stage. In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), Jeff Dean, Chief Scientist at Google DeepMind and Google Research, expressed his excitement about the potential of these models to improve patient and physician understanding of medical issues. I believe that one of the most significant application areas for AI will be in the healthcare industry.”

The AI model has been fine-tuned to boost performance when processing long-context data. A higher quality long-context processing would allow the chatbot to offer more precise and pinpointed answers even when the inquiries are not perfectly posed or when processing a large document of medical records.

Multimodal Abilities

Text, Image, and Video Outputs

Med-Gemini isn’t limited to text-based responses. It seamlessly integrates with medical images and videos, making it a versatile tool for clinicians.

Imagine a radiologist querying Med-Gemini about an X-ray image. The model can provide not only textual information but also highlight relevant areas in the image.

Long-Context Processing

Med-Gemini’s forte lies in handling lengthy health records and research papers. It doesn’t shy away from complex queries or voluminous data.

Clinicians can now extract precise answers from extensive patient histories, aiding diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Integration with Web Search

Factually Accurate Results

Med-Gemini builds upon the foundation of Gemini 1.0 and Gemini 1.5 LLM. These models are fine-tuned for medical contexts.

Google’s self-training approach has improved web search results. Med-Gemini delivers nuanced answers, fact-checking information against reliable sources.

Clinical Reasoning

Imagine a physician researching a rare disease. Med-Gemini not only retrieves relevant papers but also synthesizes insights.

It’s like having an AI colleague who reads thousands of articles in seconds and distills the essential knowledge.

The Promise of Med-Gemini

Patient-Centric Care

Med-Gemini empowers healthcare providers to offer better care. It aids in diagnosis, treatment planning, and patient education.

Patients benefit from accurate information, demystifying medical jargon and fostering informed discussions.

Ethical Considerations

As with any AI, ethical use is crucial. Med-Gemini must respect patient privacy, avoid biases, and prioritize evidence-based medicine.

Google’s commitment to transparency and fairness will be critical in its adoption.

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Technology
Artifical Intelligence Human Intelligence Neuroscience Open AI Technology

AI vs Human Intelligence: Who Is Leading The Pack?

 




Artificial intelligence (AI) has surged into nearly every facet of our lives, from diagnosing diseases to deciphering ancient texts. Yet, for all its prowess, AI still falls short when compared to the complexity of the human mind. Scientists are intrigued by the mystery of why humans excel over machines in various tasks, despite AI's rapid advancements.

Bridging The Gap

Xaq Pitkow, an associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University, highlights the disparity between artificial intelligence (AI) and human intellect. While AI thrives in predictive tasks driven by data analysis, the human brain outshines it in reasoning, creativity, and abstract thinking. Unlike AI's reliance on prediction algorithms, the human mind boasts adaptability across diverse problem-solving scenarios, drawing upon intricate neurological structures for memory, values, and sensory perception. Additionally, recent advancements in natural language processing and machine learning algorithms have empowered AI chatbots to emulate human-like interaction. These chatbots exhibit fluency, contextual understanding, and even personality traits, blurring the lines between man and machine, and creating the illusion of conversing with a real person.

Testing the Limits

In an effort to discern the boundaries of human intelligence, a new BBC series, "AI v the Mind," will pit AI tools against human experts in various cognitive tasks. From crafting jokes to mulling over moral quandaries, the series aims to showcase both the capabilities and limitations of AI in comparison to human intellect.

Human Input: A Crucial Component

While AI holds tremendous promise, it remains reliant on human guidance and oversight, particularly in ambiguous situations. Human intuition, creativity, and diverse experiences contribute invaluable insights that AI cannot replicate. While AI aids in processing data and identifying patterns, it lacks the depth of human intuition essential for nuanced decision-making.

The Future Nexus of AI and Human Intelligence

As we move forward, AI is poised to advance further, enhancing its ability to tackle an array of tasks. However, roles requiring human relationships, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making— such as physicians, teachers, and business leaders— will continue to rely on human intellect. AI will augment human capabilities, improving productivity and efficiency across various fields.

Balancing Potential with Responsibility

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, emphasises viewing AI as a tool to propel human intelligence rather than supplant it entirely. While AI may outperform humans in certain tasks, it cannot replicate the breadth of human creativity, social understanding, and general intelligence. Striking a balance between AI's potential and human ingenuity ensures a symbiotic relationship, attempting to turn over new possibilities while preserving the essence of human intellect.

In conclusion, as AI continues its rapid evolution, it accentuates the enduring importance of human intelligence. While AI powers efficiency and problem-solving in many domains, it cannot replicate the nuanced dimensions of human cognition. By embracing AI as a complement to human intellect, we can harness its full potential while preserving the extensive qualities that define human intelligence.




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Video Games
Artificial Intelligence BBC CyberCrime Cybersecurity Microsoft Technology Video Games

AI Takes the Controller: Revolutionizing Computer Games

 


The computer games industry has been a part of Andrew Maximov's life for 12 years and despite all of this experience, he still marvels at how much money it costs to build some of the biggest games of all time. According to him, artificial intelligence (AI) will be crucial to reducing the soaring cost of video game production and saving video game designers precious time by automating repetitive tasks. 

In addition to providing developers with a set of tools to construct their virtual worlds, Promethean AI offers developers an array of tools. To disrupt the way games are produced today, Mr Maximov hopes to make a tremendous impact. Likely, humans will still play a crucial role in the production process. In the future, artificial intelligence will allow humans to be more creative. 

Californian software company Inworld is also using artificial intelligence to create computer games. This company has developed a game engine that is designed to enhance the realism and emotional depth of game worlds and characters by using the engine. Additionally, the firm is developing a narrative graph that it has partnered with Microsoft, which will make it easier for storytellers to build their characters, which will utilize artificial intelligence. 

In an interview with the BBC, chief executive Kylan Gibbs stated his belief that artificial intelligence would allow developers to dream bigger than they ever had in the past. "In this engine, developers can use artificial intelligence agents that are capable of seeing, sensing, and understanding the world around them, as well as interacting with players and taking actions within the game. It opens up a whole new paradigm for storytelling and gameplay when users can infuse virtual characters with advanced cognitive abilities," he explains. 

 The chief executive of Latitude.io is Nick Walton, who believes artificial intelligence has the potential to personalize the gaming experience in several ways. During his time as CEO of his firm, he said that he was surprised by the huge success of AI Dungeon, a game that allowed players to create their own stories in a variety of worlds. He was pleasantly surprised by how successful the first version of Dungeon was.
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