THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 11/4/24

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 11/4/24

Image Credit: Pexels / Element5 Digital | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law. “

 

-Alexander Hamilton

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • National Guard on Standby in Many States as America Faces Tense Election Day

  • On the eve of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, National Guardsmen from 18 states and Washington, D.C., are activated or on standby. Activated Guardsmen—126 in total—are deployed in states including Alabama, Arizona, Iowa, and Washington. Additionally, Colorado, Florida, Texas, and others have Guardsmen on standby. Many of the deployed troops are cyber specialists supporting election security. Washington state and Nevada, where incendiary incidents and security concerns arose, are among those with heightened readiness. The Pentagon describes these preparations as routine for national security events.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

     

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Next-gen navigation without GPS: Maxar will match images to accurate 3D map

  • Maxar is developing a 3D mapping tool called Pinpoint, aimed at providing precise, GPS-free navigation by aligning sensor data with a detailed 3D model of Earth. Set to launch broadly next year, the system leverages Maxar’s Precision3D Registration (P3DR) technology, achieving a resolution of 50 cm and a 3 m accuracy worldwide. The tool is designed to aid aircraft navigation, especially in GPS-jammed scenarios, offering a referential navigation system likened to traditional star-based methods. The system can process both real-time videos and single images with a built-in accuracy indicator for suboptimal conditions.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Two Christian Activists Urge Followers of Jesus to Act as Influencers in American Politics

  • Christian activists Lecrae, Justin Giboney, and Cory Ruth are encouraging believers to engage in politics, emphasizing their potential influence in restoring civility in American discourse. Discussing a survey revealing 41 million Christians may not vote in 2024, Giboney highlighted voting as an act of “stewardship” and service to others. Ruth echoed this, stressing that informed Christians can impact society by bringing knowledge and clarity to the political sphere. Both argued for calm, informed engagement, seeing it as an opportunity for Christians to be “major influencers” by promoting a knowledgeable, respectful approach to politics.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Inside the Massive Crime Industry That’s Hacking Billion-Dollar Companies

  • A hacker known as Dark X claims to have accessed and stolen data from 350 million Hot Topic customers, including emails, addresses, phone numbers, and partial credit card details, exploiting credentials from a developer. This breach highlights the expanding role of “infostealers” — malware targeting passwords and cookies stored in users’ browsers. Infostealers like RedLine and LummaC2 facilitate extensive credential harvesting, often spread through social media platforms and dark web channels. With stolen data available on Telegram and marketplaces, infostealers continue to challenge tech giants like Google and Microsoft, which strive to block their exploits.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • IDF heightens state of alert in anticipation of Iranian response

  • The IDF has heightened its alert status, preparing for a potential Iranian response to recent Israeli strikes. While an Iranian attack may come from Syria, Yemen, or Iraq rather than directly from Iran, Israeli military officials are reinforcing intelligence, air defenses, and collaboration with U.S. forces, including the THAAD missile defense system. With hundreds of U.S. troops in Israel and active coordination with U.S. CENTCOM, both nations are closely monitoring the situation. Amid U.S. elections, Iran appears to be carefully considering its options, with the IDF prepared for various retaliation scenarios.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

     
     
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 11/1/24

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 11/1/24

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Air Force | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“With great power there must also come great responsibility!”

 

—Stan Lee

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Pentagon Bolsters the US Presence in the Middle East with Bomber Aircraft and Warships

  • Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is bolstering U.S. military presence in the Middle East by deploying additional B-52 Stratofortress bombers, tanker aircraft, and Navy destroyers as the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group prepare to return to their home port. The Lincoln’s departure will create a temporary absence of an aircraft carrier in the region, so destroyers equipped to intercept ballistic missiles will be positioned as a replacement. This move aims to maintain strong U.S. defenses amid ongoing regional conflicts and to support Israel, particularly in deterring threats from Iran and Houthi forces in Yemen.

    For more on this update, click here to read more.

     

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Halloween ‘chaos’ in Dublin as hundreds fall for AI hoax

  • Hundreds of people gathered on Dublin’s O’Connell Street for a Halloween parade that turned out to be a hoax, sparking chaos as crowds blocked streets and angry drivers honked to pass. The event was falsely advertised on a website, “My Spirit Halloween,” which claimed Galway-based Macnas would hold a parade in Dublin. Eyewitnesses reported no police presence initially and public transport disruptions, while Dublin police later used social media to clarify that no parade was scheduled and asked crowds to disperse safely. The incident highlights concerns about the rapid spread of misinformation, now amplified by AI-generated content.

    For more details, click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Newly Deciphered Ancient Babylonian Map Supports Bible, Points to Noah’s Ark Spot, Archeologists Say

  • Scientists have deciphered a 3,000-year-old Babylonian clay tablet called the Imago Mundi, believed to be the world’s oldest map, and found references that may point to the location of Noah’s Ark. According to Dr. Irving Finkel of the British Museum, the map, showing Mesopotamia and surrounded by a “Bitter River,” contains instructions for travelers, mentioning a region called “Urartu” (known as “Ararat” in the Bible). This aligns with the Biblical story of Noah’s Ark resting on Mount Ararat after the flood. The tablet’s inscriptions reference a vessel as thick as a “parsiktu,” used in Babylonian flood narratives, similar to the Ark’s description in Genesis. The artifact was acquired by the British Museum in 1882 and is now on display.

    For more information, click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Sophos Warns Chinese Hackers Are Becoming Stealthier

  • Sophos reports on the evolving tactics of Chinese APT groups Volt Typhoon, APT31, and APT41/Winnti after a five-year analysis of attacks. Initially, these groups conducted widespread, indiscriminate attacks, but since mid-2022, they have shifted to more focused operations against high-value targets like government agencies, critical infrastructure, and healthcare in the Indo-Pacific. Sophos observed increased use of stealth tactics, with attackers utilizing sophisticated malware and exploits targeting network devices, often blocking telemetry to evade detection. These adversaries, suspected to be tied to Chinese government interests, show significant resourcefulness, operational security, and firmware expertise.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Bombing Hezbollah’s drug empire is the key to weakening its power – opinion

  • Hezbollah’s vast funding from the drug trade, once focused on opium, now centers on Captagon, a synthetic amphetamine primarily produced in Syria. With control over Middle Eastern trade routes, Hezbollah reportedly generates $5.7 billion annually from Captagon, a significant part of its budget. Israel recently targeted Hezbollah’s financial infrastructure, including its bank in Beirut, as part of its war efforts. Experts suggest further strikes on Hezbollah’s drug labs in Lebanon could disrupt its operations, potentially gaining support from the U.S. and other nations concerned with Hezbollah’s global narcotics trafficking.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

     
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/31/24

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/31/24

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Marine Corps Cpl. Maurion Moore | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“If we maintain our faith in God, love of freedom, and superior global air power, the future looks good.”

 

-Curtis LeMay

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Lasers, Microwaves, Missiles, Guns Not On The Table For Domestic Drone Defense

  • The U.S. military is prioritizing electronic and cyber warfare over kinetic or directed energy counter-drone systems for defending domestic bases from drone threats due to regulatory challenges and concerns over collateral damage. At the Falcon Peak 2025 counter-drone exercise, NORTHCOM Deputy Test Director Jason Mayes discussed the limitations and ongoing legal barriers of using more aggressive anti-drone tactics domestically. Instead, the military focuses on non-kinetic defenses like jamming and RF signal tracking, though the lack of comprehensive regulations and high-collateral options present challenges. This approach underscores a need for updated policies and collaboration with federal agencies to ensure rapid, safe responses.

    For further details on these developments, click here to read more.

     

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Microsoft and Google are at war again

  • Microsoft has accused Google of funding “shadow campaigns” to damage its cloud business, revealing that Google is behind the new Open Cloud Coalition lobbying group. Microsoft claims Google has masked its involvement by recruiting European cloud providers as the face of the organization. This development follows Google’s unsuccessful attempt to thwart a Microsoft settlement with CISPE, a European trade group, over licensing practices. Microsoft alleges Google offered financial incentives to CISPE members to reject the settlement.

    For more on this tech rivalry, click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • The Antidote to Election Anxiety

  • In the fiery red landscape of West Texas, where Trump triumphed in 2020, Election Day anxiety is high. However, stereotypes of rural voters as threats don’t match the reality for most, who simply feel unheard. The “exhausted majority,” who believe in cooperation despite differences, represents a substantial, if quiet, segment of America. Reflecting on fears and stereotypes, the author emphasizes that Christians should seek perspective over partisanship, keeping faith in God rather than politics. The real danger, they argue, is losing the church’s witness by seeking worldly power at the expense of spiritual integrity.

    For more, click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Beware: fake ads on Facebook spreading account-stealing malware

  • Cybercriminals have initiated a campaign on Facebook using Meta’s ad platform to distribute the SYS01 infostealer malware, Bitdefender reports. This malware is disguised in ads for popular services like Netflix, Office 365, and CapCut. Once downloaded from platforms like MediaFire, the malware runs hidden in a fake application, targeting user accounts and personal data—especially from Facebook business pages. SYS01 can dynamically update through command and control servers to evade security tools, with new ads launching regularly. Since its detection in September 2024, the campaign has reached millions globally, particularly targeting men over 45.

    For more on this campaign, click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Iran preparing to strike Israel from Iraqi territory, Khamenei orders preparations – report

  • Israeli intelligence reports indicate that Iran may launch an attack on Israel from Iraq in the coming days, potentially before the U.S. presidential election on November 5. According to Axios, the planned assault would involve drones and ballistic missiles, likely coordinated through pro-Iran militias in Iraq to minimize direct retaliation against Iranian territory. The New York Times adds that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has directed Iran’s Supreme National Security Council to prepare for this operation following damage assessments of Iran’s missile and air defense systems from a recent Israeli strike.
     

    For further details, click here to read more.

     
     
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/30/24

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/30/24

Image Credit: Pexels / Sora Shimazaki | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”

 

– Abraham Lincoln

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Time running out for military members to cast their absentee ballots

  • With the November 5 election approaching, military service members and their families voting absentee are advised to mail ballots promptly. Absentee voting rules vary by state, with many requiring ballots by Election Day, though some allow counting postmarked ballots after. Overseas voters can expedite mailing with the free Label 11-DOD service at military post offices, and if ballots haven’t arrived, backup options like the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) are available.

    For details, check FVAP.gov for state-specific guidance and tracking options and read the full article here. 

     

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Turn Your Smart Home Into a Haunted House With Spooky Tech

  • To create a high-tech Halloween, WIRED recommends enhancing decorations with smart lighting, spooky sounds, and eerie projections. Use smart lights like Philips Hue or Govee to set chilling color scenes, and link them with motion sensors for automated effects. Add hidden Bluetooth speakers to play horror sounds via Spotify or ask Alexa or Google Assistant for spooky music. For immersive visuals, consider projecting digital decorations from AtmosFX on windows or pumpkins for a haunting display that’s sure to thrill trick-or-treaters.

    For more on these tech tips, click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Supreme Court Rules Virginia Can Resume Purge of Possible Non-Citizen Voter Registrations

  • The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed Virginia to continue its removal of approximately 1,600 alleged non-citizen voter registrations just before the general election. This decision follows an appeal by Virginia’s attorney general after a lower court blocked the removals, citing the National Voter Registration Act’s 90-day cutoff before elections. Virginia argues the action ensures only citizens vote, while opponents, including the Department of Justice, argue that valid citizens may have been mistakenly removed.

    For more information, click here to read more.

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Timely Cybernews intervention helps protect PayDo customers’ financial data

  • Cybernews discovered an unprotected PayDo Elasticsearch instance containing millions of sensitive financial records, attributed to a firewall misconfiguration during AWS migration. Fortunately, no data breaches were confirmed, thanks to quick action by Cybernews and subsequent third-party audits. PayDo has enhanced its security with a predictive detection system and plans a bug bounty program. Lessons include ensuring accessible communication channels, sanitizing sensitive data, and implementing proactive error-prevention measures to limit exposure risk.

    For more details, click here.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Israeli pilots reflect on Days of Repentance strike

  • Israeli Air Force personnel shared reflections on their critical roles in Operation “Days of Repentance,” a recent mission targeting Iranian sites. Key figures, including technical officer Maj. R., fighter pilot Maj. S., and air traffic controller Maj. Anael, described the extensive preparation and sense of duty involved. They emphasized the importance of accuracy and national security, noting the weight of responsibility as the country remained largely unaware. The operation underscored their dedication to Israel’s defense and readiness for future missions.

    For more on their experiences, click here.

     
     
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/29/24

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/29/24

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Space Force Senior Airman Spencer Contreras | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“Neither a wise nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”

 

-Dwight D. Eisenhower

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • US Space Force moves to make its systems battle-ready by 2026

  • The U.S. Space Force is accelerating its efforts to integrate key command-and-control (C2) systems to be fully prepared for potential conflicts by 2026. This involves closing gaps across its command architecture and ensuring critical, classified systems work cohesively. Led by Gen. Stephen Whiting’s directives, the Space Force aims to build a resilient C2 architecture to handle threats in space and support terrestrial operations. Integration challenges, especially security clearances, may require reprioritizing resources to meet this timeline.

    For more details, click here to read more.

     

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Musk predicts ‘more robots than people’ by 2040 in latest interview. Here’s what else he said, from AI to Zed.

  • At the Future Investment Initiative, Elon Musk discussed AI’s rapid advancements, projecting a 10,000x improvement in four years and expressing 80-90% optimism for a positive impact. Musk anticipates a future where AI can perform any human task by 2028, bringing a low-cost, high-abundance economy. He also foresees humanoid robots outnumbering humans by 2040, with Tesla’s Optimus Prime leading production. Musk emphasized the need for AI safety, critiquing “woke” biases in current models and advocating for AI that genuinely benefits humanity.

    For more insights, click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Trump Proclaims Religion Is the ‘Glue that Holds’ America Together

  • During an interview with Paula White at the National Faith Summit, Donald Trump emphasized religion’s vital role in America, attributing societal issues to declining faith. He reflected on his upbringing, his parents’ religious values, and the influence of Norman Vincent Peale and Billy Graham, whom he admired in his youth. Trump warned of threats to religious freedom under the current administration and praised the faith leaders present as “the most important people.” He shared memories of attending Peale’s sermons and Graham’s crusades, underscoring faith’s significance in his life and values.
     

    For more details, click here to read more.

     

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • Delta Sues Cybersecurity Firm CrowdStrike Over Tech Outage That Canceled Flights

  • Delta Air Lines has sued CrowdStrike, claiming that a faulty update from the cybersecurity company caused a major system outage in July, leading to over 7,000 flight cancellations and costing Delta more than $500 million. Delta argues CrowdStrike failed to test the update properly, while CrowdStrike blames Delta’s outdated IT infrastructure for the slow recovery. The U.S. Department of Transportation is also investigating Delta’s prolonged recovery time and customer service response during the disruption.

    For more details, click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Gallant: Hezbollah rocket arsenal down to 20%; Disagreements about how long to continue invasion

  • Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced that Hezbollah’s rocket arsenal has been reduced to 20% of its pre-war capacity due to Israeli airstrikes targeting command structures and missile capabilities. The ongoing military operation in Lebanon has sparked debate within Israel’s government over its duration, with some advocating for a prolonged campaign to secure Israel’s northern border. IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi warned Iran of potential future strikes if aggression continues.

    For further details, click here to read more.

     
     
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/28/24

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 10/28/24

Image Credit: pixabay | Imagery Disclaimer

Securing Tomorrow: Your Daily Dose of Cyber Safety, Tech Trends, National Defense News, and Inspiration.

“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”

 

-Marcus Aurelius

I. National Defense: Key developments in national defense, particularly cyber and technological warfare.

  • Israeli Strikes Knocked Out All Of Iran’s S-300 Air Defense Systems: Officials

  • Israel has reportedly targeted Iran’s critical S-300 air defense systems in recent airstrikes, diminishing Iran’s long-range defensive capabilities. These attacks, part of Israel’s response to Iran’s recent missile barrages, included strategic locations near Tehran and important energy infrastructure sites. With its S-300s out of action, Iran’s defenses are weakened, making it vulnerable to potential follow-up strikes. Analysts suggest this move also serves as a strategic deterrent. Further operations could target Iranian government sites, though nuclear facilities remain off the current target list.

    For additional details, click here to read more.

     

II. Tech Trends: Updates on emerging technology trends shaping the digital world.

  • Frank Sinatra, Kurt Cobain also getting screwed by AI, new study finds

  • A new study by musicMagpie reveals that AI-generated covers of deceased artists, like Frank Sinatra, Freddie Mercury, and Kurt Cobain, are impacting music royalties, with an estimated $13.5 million in lost revenue. Universal Music Group is addressing this issue by collaborating with KLAY Vision to create an ethical AI model that respects copyright and artists’ rights. This aligns with recent efforts by major music labels and artists to oppose unlicensed AI usage, aiming to protect artists’ legacies and creative rights.

    For more on this study, click here to read more.

     

III. Inspiration: Articles centered on faith that offer guidance and reflection.

  • Is Gen Z turning back towards traditional Christian morals and faith?

  • A new trend shows some Gen Z adults rejecting secular, progressive values and moving towards traditional Christian beliefs and conservative morals. This shift, while not universal, includes young influencers, pro-life advocates, and those attending the Traditional Latin Mass, sparking discussions around traditional values, especially concerning family, sexuality, and social roles. Notable figures and studies highlight an uptick in conservative leanings among young men and a backlash against the sexual revolution’s liberal norms, signaling a potential cultural shift among younger generations.

    For more on this trend, click here to read more.

     

IV. Cyber Safety: A focus on the latest cybersecurity threats, tips, or breaches impacting individuals and organizations.

  • FOMO not enough as businesses decide if AI is friend or foe

  • Companies are increasingly investing in AI, spurred by competitive pressure, though adoption varies. Some, like Blubrry and Roseman Labs, use AI strategically for content and healthcare improvements, while others face employee resistance due to job security concerns. Experts advise using AI for specific problems, not just trends, emphasizing ethical practices and employee training. Clear policies are recommended to prevent misuse, and careful adoption is key for genuine business value, allowing AI to assist rather than replace human roles.

    For more details, click here to read more.

V. Shield of Israel: Coverage from The Jerusalem Post, providing an Israeli perspective on ongoing conflicts.

  • Netanyahu vows to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons following IDF strikes

  • Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the recent Israeli airstrike on Iranian military targets, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Netanyahu praised the IDF’s successful strikes on Iranian missile production and air defense systems, stressing that the action was a response to threats posed by Iran’s expanding missile and nuclear ambitions. While under pressure not to target Iran’s nuclear sites, Netanyahu affirmed Israel’s independence in security decisions and vowed to continue its efforts to safeguard its borders and citizens.
     

    For further details, click here to read more.

     

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