France to ditch Windows for Linux to reduce reliance on US tech

France is trying to move on from Microsoft Windows. The country said it plans to move some of its government computers currently running Windows to the open source operating system Linux to further reduce its reliance on U.S. technology. Linux is an open source operating system that is free to download and use, with various … Read more

After fighting malware for decades, this cybersecurity veteran is now hacking drones

Mikko Hyppönen is pacing back and forth on the stage, with his trademark dark blonde ponytail resting on an impeccable teal suit. A seasoned speaker, he is trying to make an important point to a room full of fellow hackers and security researchers at one of the industry’s global annual meet-ups. “I often call this … Read more

ICE says it bought Paragon’s spyware to use in drug trafficking cases

The acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told lawmakers that it has bought and used spyware made by Paragon Solutions in drug trafficking cases, according to a letter seen by TechCrunch. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons wrote in the letter to three congresspeople that he approved the agency’s criminal investigative unit Homeland Security … Read more

Apple says no one using Lockdown Mode has been hacked with spyware

Almost four years after launching a security feature called Lockdown Mode, Apple says it has yet to see a case where someone’s device was hacked with these additional security protections switched on.  “We are not aware of any successful mercenary spyware attacks against a Lockdown Mode-enabled Apple device,” Apple spokesperson Sarah O’Rourke told TechCrunch on … Read more

FBI seizes pro-Iranian hacking group’s websites after destructive Stryker hack

The FBI seized and took down two websites linked to the pro-Iranian hacktivist group Handala, which last week claimed responsibility for a destructive cyberattack against the U.S. medical tech giant Stryker.  As of Thursday, the contents of a website where Handala publicized its hacks, as well as another website that the group used to dox … Read more

OpenAI says AI browsers may always be vulnerable to prompt injection attacks

Even as OpenAI works to harden its Atlas AI browser against cyberattacks, the company admits that prompt injections, a type of attack that manipulates AI agents to follow malicious instructions often hidden in web pages or emails, is a risk that’s not going away anytime soon — raising questions about how safely AI agents can … Read more

FTC upholds ban on stalkerware founder Scott Zuckerman

A stalkeware maker who was banned from the surveillance trade after an information breach that uncovered the private info of its prospects, in addition to the individuals they have been spying on, will be unable to return to promoting the invasive software program, in accordance the U.S. Federal Commerce Fee. The FTC denied a request … Read more

Cybersecurity firm Deepwatch lays off dozens, citing move to “accelerate” AI investment

Deepwatch, a cybersecurity firm that makes an AI-powered detection and response platform, laid off dozens of employees on Wednesday, citing AI as one of the reasons. John DiLullo, CEO at Deepwatch told TechCrunch in an email that the company “is aligning our organization to accelerate our significant investments in AI and automation.” A current Deepwatch … Read more

Italian businessman’s phone reportedly targeted with Paragon spyware

A prominent Italian businessman was targeted with Paragon spyware, according to local news reports. On Thursday, Italian online investigative website IrpiMedia and newspaper La Stampa reported that Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone was among around 90 people who received a notification from WhatsApp in January, alerting him that he had been targeted with spyware made by Paragon … Read more

HR giant Workday says hackers stole personal data in recent breach

Workday, one of the largest providers of human resources technology, has confirmed a data breach that allowed hackers to steal personal information from one of its third-party customer relationship databases. In a blog post published late Friday, the HR technology giant said the hackers stole an unspecified amount of personal information from the database, which … Read more