THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/5/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/5/25

by | Aug 5, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Army Sgt. Brianna Badder | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.”

 

-Oswald Chambers (My Utmost for His Highest)

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

  • Army releases ‘spiritual fitness guide’ to help soldiers strengthen their will to fight

  • The U.S. Army has released a 112-page Spiritual Fitness Guide aimed at helping soldiers strengthen their inner resilience, find purpose, and bolster their “will to fight.” Developed by the Army Chaplain Corps as part of the broader Holistic Health and Fitness program, the guide highlights belief systems, creative expression, and emotional intelligence as key elements of spiritual readiness alongside physical and mental health. It outlines stages of spiritual development and includes exercises to help soldiers move from helplessness to empowerment. Army leaders say spiritually grounded soldiers are more prepared for both war and life. Click here to read more.

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

  • OpenAI releases a free GPT model that can run on your laptop

  • OpenAI has launched GPT-OSS, its first open-weight model in over six years, offering both a 120-billion and a 20-billion parameter version that can run on a single Nvidia GPU or a laptop with 16GB of memory, respectively. Released under the Apache 2.0 license via platforms like Hugging Face and Azure, GPT-OSS is designed for commercial use and supports reasoning, coding, web browsing, and agent operation. OpenAI touts it as its most rigorously tested model for safety and hopes it will empower smaller developers seeking more control. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Federal Workers Granted Freedom to Express Christian Faith at Work

  • A new memo from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management affirms that federal employees are now explicitly encouraged to express their Christian faith—and other religious beliefs—openly at work, marking a significant policy shift toward religious freedom in the government workplace. The guidance permits religious displays, prayer, Bible study, witnessing, and even inviting coworkers to places of worship, provided it doesn’t disrupt operations. Backed by constitutional and statutory protections, the memo urges agencies to revise restrictive policies and follows an executive order reinforcing faith-based engagement in government. Click here to read more.

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

  • Top hacker is a bot, yet humans still steer cyber defence

  • AI-driven hackbots like XBOW are now leading vulnerability discovery platforms such as HackerOne in volume, but humans still outperform them in identifying critical, high-impact flaws. XBOW, a tool built by an offensive security firm, has found over 250 vulnerabilities using automation—but it’s not fully autonomous, and its findings still require human validation. HackerOne co-founder Michiel Prins emphasizes that while hackbots excel in speed and scale, the most severe bugs still come from “bionic hackers”—humans who use AI to enhance their work. However, challenges persist, including AI-generated exaggerations or hallucinated reports. For now, human insight remains essential to steering and verifying AI discoveries, especially in complex areas like broken business logic. Click here to read more.

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

  • Security cabinet to discuss potential full Gaza takeover

  • Israel’s Security Cabinet will meet Thursday to consider a full military takeover of Gaza, including areas with hostages, following a tense high-level discussion between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir. While Netanyahu argued a shift in strategy is needed to free hostages, Zamir warned such a move risks becoming a strategic trap. Defense Minister Israel Katz reinforced the government’s dual goal of defeating Hamas and securing hostage releases. Meanwhile, negotiations remain stalled as Hamas leaders distance themselves from Qatari mediators and reject Israel’s warnings. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/4/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/4/25

by | Aug 4, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / Sherrodphoto | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“This system changes the game.”

 

Lt. Gen. Joel Vowell

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

  • Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system makes overseas debut during Talisman Sabre

  • The U.S. Army’s Dark Eagle hypersonic missile system made its overseas debut during the Talisman Sabre exercise in Australia’s Northern Territory, highlighting the military’s ability to rapidly deploy cutting-edge weapons with allies. Though not fired, the system—capable of speeds over Mach 5 and ranges up to 1,700 miles—was showcased to allied troops by the 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force. The joint U.S.-Australian efforts underscore a strategic shift toward long-range precision strike in response to China’s military buildup. The exercise also featured Typhon missile live fire and Australia’s HIMARS debut. Click here to read more.

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

  • Why tech is racing to adopt AI coding

  • AI-powered programming tools are reshaping how software gets built—and fast. In a wide-ranging interview, Anysphere CEO Michael Truell explains how Cursor, their AI coding platform, is helping engineers write, debug, and delegate code tasks more efficiently by blending integrated development environments with smart assistants trained on massive codebases. Cursor users, including major tech companies, now rely heavily on the tool, which has quickly become one of the most popular developer aids in the post-ChatGPT era. While some fear job losses, Truell argues that automation will empower developers rather than replace them, and even open the door for “vibe coders”—non-experts experimenting with building software. Still, he maintains that true transformation in programming and AI will unfold gradually, not overnight. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Two-state solution conference against Israel relies on Hamas’ lies

  • A recent U.N.-hosted conference on a two-state solution—co-led by France and Saudi Arabia—has drawn sharp rebuke from critics who say it rewards terrorism and embraces Hamas propaganda. The summit’s call for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian aid to Gaza, and recognition of Palestinian statehood—regardless of Hamas’s disarmament or the release of hostages—was condemned as both dangerous and morally upside-down. Critics, including Israeli advisor Caroline Glick and faith-based leaders like Tony Perkins, argue this response ignores the reality that Hamas initiated the war and continues to exploit civilians and aid. They highlight that Israel, unique among nations, is being pressured to feed its enemies mid-conflict and surrender key war aims while facing global double standards. The article also emphasizes the spiritual battle for truth, citing biblical references like Proverbs 26:2 and Isaiah 5:20, warning that the widespread acceptance of Hamas’s lies in media and diplomacy is a moral deception. In contrast, Israeli leaders assert their right to defend themselves, refusing to be “devoured” again—invoking historical and biblical resolve. Critics insist that genuine compassion means supporting Israel’s mission to defeat Hamas, not empowering evil through appeasement. Click here to read more.

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

  • St. Paul extends emergency amid cyberattack: experts plead caution

  • St. Paul, Minnesota has extended its state of emergency for 90 more days following a significant cyberattack that began July 28, prompting shutdowns of city IT systems and involvement from the Minnesota National Guard. Mayor Melvin Carter called it a “deliberate, coordinated digital attack,” while cybersecurity experts warn the breach may have far-reaching consequences, particularly if critical data like property records or tax payments were altered or lost. Experts highlighted motivations behind such attacks—including ransom, revenge, and data theft—and emphasized the vulnerability of local governments due to outdated systems and limited resources. Officials are urging cities to improve cybersecurity defenses and awareness amid a rising wave of digital threats. Click here to read more.

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

  • Netanyahu decides on full occupation of Gaza Strip, IDF activity in areas with hostages, PMO says

  • Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to pursue full occupation of the Gaza Strip, including IDF operations in areas where Israeli hostages are still held, according to the Prime Minister’s Office, which warned IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to resign if he disagreed. The decision comes amid failed ceasefire-hostage negotiations with Hamas, who continue to use aid and emaciated hostages as leverage while demanding open humanitarian corridors and a halt to Israeli air operations. Hamas dismissed Israel’s threats as meaningless, even as international efforts to deliver aid directly to hostages intensify. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/1/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 8/1/25

by | Aug 1, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

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

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

“Big results require big ambitions.”

 

-Heraclitus

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

  • U-2 Just Set New Records On The 70th Anniversary Of Its First Flight

  • On the 70th anniversary of its first flight, a U-2 Dragon Lady spy plane set new endurance and altitude records for its category and class, according to an Air Force official. The mission began the night before from California and concluded with a dramatic zoom climb before landing, marking a symbolic achievement as the aging reconnaissance jet nears its planned 2026 retirement. Despite its Cold War origins and vulnerabilities to modern air defenses, the U-2 remains a uniquely high-flying platform for intelligence gathering, recently aiding border missions and monitoring foreign surveillance balloons. Click here to read more.

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

  • Reddit wants to become the next Google search

  • Reddit is aiming to become a full-fledged search engine, expanding its AI-powered tool, Reddit Answers, as a core feature of the platform. Launched in December, Reddit Answers already sees up to six million weekly users, and the company plans to deepen its integration and roll it out globally. CEO Steve Huffman told shareholders the focus is on turning user intent—millions seeking advice weekly—into Reddit’s native search experience. With over 416 million weekly visitors, Reddit’s move to boost its own search capabilities could reduce reliance on Google, even as the platform’s traffic has benefited from users adding “Reddit” to Google queries for human-generated results. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Lauren Daigle Surprises Camp Mystic Survivor Who Rewrote ‘Hallelujah’ to Honor Camp Victims

  • Lauren Daigle surprised 12-year-old Skyler Darrington on Fox and Friends after the young flood survivor went viral for rewriting and performing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” in memory of the 27 girls lost in the catastrophic July 4 flood at Camp Mystic. Skyler, whose cabin was hardest hit, co-wrote the tribute with her mother, Lacey, during what she called a day of grief and healing. Daigle praised Skyler’s strength and faith, saying, “You took the tragedy and turned it into something beautiful.” Skyler said the experience deepened her faith, adding, “We sang during the tragic event, and it just helped us grow.” Click here to read more.

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

  • Gen Z in the Crosshairs: Cybercriminals Shift Focus to Young, Digital-Savvy Workers

  • Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting Gen Z workers due to their tech fluency, polyworking lifestyles, and risky digital habits like password reuse and mixing personal and professional device use. Kaspersky and other experts warn that fake job offers, phishing, and social engineering attacks are tailored to this group, who often manage freelance gigs and corporate tasks from unsecured locations and devices. The blending of personal and work life makes them easy entry points into corporate networks. Experts recommend using strong password managers and staying alert to red flags like too-good-to-be-true offers. Click here to read more.

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

  • What are Israel’s choices in Gaza?

  • Israel’s objectives in Gaza—returning hostages, dismantling Hamas, and preventing future threats—remain consistent since the October 7 attack, yet double standards and misconceptions cloud international discourse, argues military strategist John Spencer. He critiques the insistence on a postwar plan before victory, unrealistic demands on civilian displacement, and selective outrage over Israel’s military tactics—all standards not applied to other nations at war. Spencer outlines possible paths to achieving Israel’s goals, including temporarily relocating civilians, continued military pressure, or Hamas’s surrender. He insists these aims are legal, achievable, and grounded in international norms. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/31/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/31/25

by | Jul 31, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / nespix | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”

 

-John F. Kennedy

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

  • China is betting on a real-world use of AI to challenge US control

  • As China races to catch up with the U.S. in artificial intelligence, it is doubling down on real-world applications to close the gap created by American chip export restrictions. At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Beijing showcased AI’s integration across hospitals, police departments, and public services, led by companies like DeepSeek. China’s government is pushing a top-down strategy, encouraging widespread adoption of AI to “empower the real economy,” while emphasizing open-source development and positioning itself as a responsible global AI leader. Despite economic challenges and limited access to cutting-edge chips, China’s approach contrasts with the U.S. focus on developing advanced models like GPT-5. Experts say the Chinese model may face scalability and ethical issues, but the country’s aggressive deployment aims to reshape global AI leadership. Click here to read more.

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

  • Why AI researchers are getting paid like NBA All-Stars

  • Top AI researchers are being courted like NBA All-Stars as Big Tech companies, including Meta and Google, engage in a high-stakes hiring war to dominate the artificial intelligence landscape. Amid a surge in demand, companies are offering massive compensation packages to lure elite talent, with some engineers being offered deals so lucrative they rival those in professional sports. Meta, led by Mark Zuckerberg, is making aggressive moves to attract experts, while others like Google are choosing to hire over acquiring startups. Yet, insiders say many AI researchers are now driven less by money and more by the opportunity to shape the future of the technology itself. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • The Silicon Valley Revival Has Momentum. Next Comes Maturity.

  • A surprising revival of Christian faith is gaining traction in Silicon Valley, with tech workers, investors, and founders increasingly engaging in worship, faith discussions, and discipleship efforts in corporate and public spaces. This spiritual momentum echoes past religious awakenings and is being met with efforts to cultivate “exilic discipleship”—a framework for Christians to navigate tension between professional success and personal convictions in a largely secular environment. Leaders aim to turn this spark into lasting maturity by promoting humble, resilient, and redemptive engagement in workplaces like labs, startups, and boardrooms. Click here to read more.

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

  • ChatGPT conversations are showing up on Google, internet users shocked

  • ChatGPT users are alarmed after discovering that conversations shared via the “Share” button are showing up in Google search results. These shared links, meant for collaboration, are being indexed by search engines if posted on social media or websites, exposing everything from resumes with personal details to emotional confessions and even potentially illegal plans. Despite OpenAI’s warnings not to include sensitive data in shared chats, many users were unaware that deleting a conversation from their account doesn’t remove its shared link. To ensure privacy, users must manually delete any shared links. Click here to read more.

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

  • Hamas cut off contact, escalation in Gaza likely unavoidable, Israeli official tells ‘Post’

  • An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that Hamas has cut off contact with negotiators, making a major military escalation in Gaza likely unavoidable. Talks are reportedly on the brink of collapse, with Hamas also reducing communication with Qatar and Egypt, while focusing more on ties with Turkey. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu met with U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff for nearly three hours Thursday, with officials saying the U.S. and Israel are aligned on next steps. Witkoff plans to visit Gaza’s humanitarian centers Friday to assess the situation. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/30/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/30/25

by | Jul 30, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / viper-zero | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“The sea—like life itself—is a stern taskmaster. The best way to meet it is head-on.”

 

-Admiral Chester Nimitz

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

  • US military bases brace for potential tsunamis in wake of powerful earthquake

  • Following a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, U.S. military bases across the Pacific issued tsunami alerts and precautionary evacuations. Bases in Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and along the U.S. West Coast activated emergency protocols, with ships repositioned to avoid possible waves and personnel moving to higher ground. Though waves observed were minor—ranging from 8 inches to 2 feet—forces remain on alert until the threat fully subsides. No significant damage has been reported so far. Click here to read more.

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

  • Microsoft reports strong cloud earnings, with Windows and Xbox up too

  • Microsoft wrapped up its 2025 fiscal year with a powerful Q4, posting $76.4 billion in revenue and $27.2 billion in net income—up 18% and 24% year-over-year, respectively. Cloud services led the charge: Azure alone brought in $75 billion in annual revenue, up 34%. Despite recent layoffs, Microsoft’s workforce remains steady at 228,000. Windows and device revenue grew modestly as businesses prepare for Windows 10’s end of support. Xbox content and services, including Game Pass, rose 13% this quarter, though hardware sales dropped 22%. Notably, Microsoft claimed the title of top publisher on both Xbox and PlayStation, with six of the top 10 PlayStation games this quarter. Meanwhile, Microsoft 365 added 89 million consumer subscribers, LinkedIn hit record engagement, and search advertising rose 21%—a boost aided by AI-powered Bing. The company sees continued momentum in AI and cloud, even as it forecasts slight gaming revenue dips next quarter. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • ‘Jerusalem Is the Place’: Israel Urges Nations to Follow US Lead, Relocate Embassies to Jewish Capital

  • Since the U.S. moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Paraguay have followed suit — and Israel is calling on others to do the same. At a recent event, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee praised the move, calling Jerusalem the “undisputed, undivided capital” of Israel. NGO leader Chaim Silberstein and former deputy mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum stressed the spiritual, political, and historical importance of Jerusalem, while urging more global recognition. With ongoing conflicts and misinformation, Israeli leaders say international support is more vital than ever. Click here to read more.

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

  • Will AI go rogue now that it can bypass some CAPTCHA tests?

  • OpenAI’s latest ChatGPT agent has stunned the internet by reportedly bypassing Cloudflare’s “I am not a robot” CAPTCHA—sparking fears about AI going rogue. While the bot hasn’t yet cracked complex image CAPTCHAs, researchers say it’s only a matter of time. Combined with other alarming developments, like Replit’s AI erasing databases and ByteDance’s Trae IDE allegedly spying on users, critics fear AI’s growing autonomy. Even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman compared GPT-5’s progress to the Manhattan Project. As oversight lags behind innovation, experts stress that human responsibility—not AI—is still the real wild card. Click here to read more.

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

  • PMO: All countries ‘that truly want to help’ welcome to join humanitarian aid airdrops to Gaza

  • The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced on Wednesday that “any country that truly wants to help” is welcome to participate in humanitarian aid airdrops over Gaza. The statement comes as Israel confirmed it has been conducting aerial deliveries of food aid to civilians in the enclave and called on others to follow suit. So far, the UAE, Jordan, and Egypt have joined the effort, with 32 aid packages delivered Wednesday following 52 on Tuesday. Israel accused Hamas of stealing food from civilians, saying it secured airspace and ensured successful delivery. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/29/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/29/25

by | Jul 29, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / AlxeyPnferov | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Japan is our indispensable partner in deterring Communist Chinese military aggression.”

 

-U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

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

  • Japan moves to expand missile reach near China and North Korea

  • Japan is set to deploy upgraded long-range Type-12 missiles on Kyushu by spring 2025 as part of its push to strengthen defenses in the Nansei Islands amid rising threats from China, North Korea, and Russia. With a new range of 620 miles, the missiles could reach parts of China and North Korea. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani emphasized the urgency of building standoff capabilities given Japan’s increasingly complex security environment. Additional deployments are planned for other sites in Kyushu and Okinawa. Click here to read more.

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

  • Why is Sam Altman afraid of GPT-5?

  • Sam Altman’s recent comments comparing GPT-5 to the Manhattan Project and admitting he’s “nervous” about its development have sparked speculation: is he truly afraid, or shaping the narrative? By invoking historical gravity and warning of “no adults in the room,” Altman may be building anticipation around GPT-5’s rumored leaps in reasoning, multimodal capabilities, and agent-like behavior. Critics suggest this fear-driven framing could be a strategic move to justify safety controls and boost hype ahead of release. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • In Those Days, There Was No King Over AI

  • The artificial intelligence industry today operates like ancient Israel during the time of the judges—without a “king” or centralized authority to guide its actions. In his Christianity Today article, Stephen Carradini draws a powerful biblical analogy to critique the largely unregulated and ethically inconsistent state of AI development. While companies like OpenAI advocate for regulation in theory, they often resist concrete legislation, leaving decisions up to individual entities acting “in their own eyes.” Carradini argues that Christians must avoid both hype and fear in responding to AI and instead be guided by love for God and neighbor. This means critically evaluating AI’s impact on work, the environment, data privacy, and society. He shares his own experience developing a water conservation chatbot in Arizona—highlighting the difficult balance between serving public good and confronting AI’s ecological and ethical costs, including massive water and energy use and potentially exploitative data practices. Carradini ultimately urges Christians to lead by example, weighing their AI use with humility, prayer, and a commitment to neighborly love—because while AI has no king, Christians serve one who calls them to justice, mercy, and stewardship. Click here to read more.

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

  • US Fermilab hit in cyberattack targeting Microsoft’s SharePoint, Bloomberg News reports

  • Fermilab, one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s premier national labs, was recently targeted in a cyberattack exploiting flaws in Microsoft’s SharePoint software, Bloomberg reports. While hackers attempted to breach Fermilab’s servers, officials say the threat was quickly identified, and no sensitive or classified data was accessed. The servers have since been restored. This attack follows a broader campaign exploiting a critical SharePoint vulnerability that Microsoft’s June patch failed to fully resolve. Click here to read more.

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

  • IDF to continue attacking Hezbollah until it disarms, even if leads to another war

  • Despite the November 2024 ceasefire, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has vowed to continue strikes against Hezbollah until the group is fully disarmed—even if it risks sparking another war. Since the ceasefire, the IDF has launched over 500 operations, significantly weakening Hezbollah’s arsenal and manpower. Rocket stockpiles are down by up to 80%, launchers have been reduced drastically, and elite Radwan forces have shrunk by half. The IDF also credits improved U.S.-backed cooperation with the Lebanese army for addressing ceasefire violations. Click to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/28/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/28/25

by | Jul 28, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Joshua Conti, Space Force | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Quantum inertial sensing allows for robust navigation capabilities when GPS navigation is not possible.”

 

-Col. Ramsey Horn

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

  • Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane is heading back to orbit

  • The U.S. Space Force’s secretive X-37B space plane is returning to orbit on August 21 for its eighth mission, launching from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. While much of the mission remains classified, officials confirmed it will test advanced laser communications and a “quantum inertial sensor” to enhance secure data transmission and GPS-free navigation — key for operations in contested environments. This marks a rapid turnaround from its last mission, which ended in March after 434 days in orbit. The X-37B continues to play a critical role in orbital experimentation and military space strategy. Click here to read more.

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

  • Microsoft Edge transforms into an AI browser with new Copilot Mode

  • Microsoft is testing a new AI-powered Copilot Mode in its Edge browser, transforming it into a more interactive assistant. The experimental feature allows Copilot to search across open tabs, help book restaurants, compare products, and even appear in the address bar. Users can grant access to browsing history and credentials to let Copilot make reservations or organize their web activity into topic-based “journeys.” Voice navigation is also supported. While optional and free for now, Microsoft hints that usage limits may lead to future subscriptions. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Hulk Hogan’s Pastor Shares Stories of His Faith and Discipleship

  • Hulk Hogan, known in church as Terry Bollea, was remembered by his pastor as a joyful, Jesus-loving man who lived out his faith humbly and faithfully. Pastor Aaron Filippone of Indian Rocks Baptist Church in Florida shared how Hogan, baptized last December with his wife Sky, worshiped weekly and brought others to church to share the hope he found in Christ. Though imperfect, Hogan walked in grace and boldly lived for Jesus until his passing at age 71. His pastor says he is now “more alive than ever.” Click here to read more.

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

  • ByteDance’s AI coding tool Trae IDE caught allegedly spying on users

  • ByteDance’s AI-powered coding tool, Trae IDE, is under fire for allegedly collecting extensive user data—even when telemetry is disabled—raising serious privacy concerns. A developer known as segmentationf4u1t revealed that Trae sends hardware specs, user activity, and file paths to ByteDance servers, triggering an outcry on Hacker News. Attempts to discuss the issue on Trae’s Discord led to censorship. Despite updates that reduced RAM usage and background processes, the tool still reportedly transmits large volumes of sensitive data. Click here to read more.

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

  • ‘No choice but to expand Gaza op.’ if talks continue to stall, source tells ‘Post’ – exclusive

  • An Israeli official has told The Jerusalem Post that if ceasefire talks continue to stall, the government may have “no choice but to expand the military operation” in Gaza. The IDF is expected to present new operational plans at a cabinet meeting, amid mounting criticism from Opposition Leader Yair Lapid, who warned the current approach risks further soldier casualties and diplomatic isolation. Lapid proposed a comprehensive hostage deal and regional administration of Gaza as an alternative. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/25/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/25/25

by | Jul 25, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) / Navy Chief Petty Officer Ruben Reed | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“Anti-submarine warfare is not just submarine versus submarine — it is a fleetwide effort.”

 

-Gen. David H. Berger

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

  • The Marine Corps Is Using Ospreys in the Hunt for Submarines

  • In a major step toward deeper naval integration, the U.S. Marine Corps used MV-22 Ospreys in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) mission during the Atlantic Alliance 2025 exercise—dropping sonar-equipped sonobuoys to help detect enemy subs. Though not part of the Osprey’s usual mission set, Marine aviators and crew chiefs adapted quickly, reflecting a broader strategic pivot since 2020 to counter rising Russian and Chinese undersea threats. While ASW remains a secondary role for Marine aviation, officials say its value lies in expanding reach and awareness when traditional assets are stretched. Click here to read more.

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

  • Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature is now blocked by Brave and AdGuard

  • Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature—which captures screenshots of nearly everything on Copilot Plus PCs—is now being actively blocked by more privacy-focused apps. Following Signal’s earlier move, both AdGuard and the Brave browser have now disabled Recall access by default, citing serious privacy concerns. AdGuard criticized the constant background screen capturing as invasive, while Brave noted its decision was “partly inspired by Signal.” Unlike Signal, Brave can block Recall while still allowing other screenshot tools, thanks to Microsoft’s browser-specific controls. Developers are urging Microsoft to extend these granular privacy settings to all apps, not just browsers. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • 4 Ways to Spot Fake News on Facebook and Why It Matters to God

  • Millions of people are falling for viral stories on Facebook that aren’t true, from fake celebrity donations to fabricated news events. According to recent studies, Facebook’s algorithm promotes the spread of misinformation, often shared habitually rather than intentionally. For Christians, this poses a spiritual issue: we’re called to be people of truth (Ephesians 4:25), and spreading falsehoods—knowingly or not—undermines our witness. In a world full of digital noise, discerning fact from fiction is vital. Want to know how to spot fake news before sharing it? Click here to read more.

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

  • Notorious ransomware gang BlackSuit disrupted: site seized by authorities

  • The notorious BlackSuit ransomware gang has been disrupted in a major international sting, with its dark web extortion site seized by U.S. Homeland Security and 16 global partners as part of Operation Checkmate. BlackSuit, suspected to be a rebrand of the Royal gang, had extorted over $500 million from 180+ victims. The gang is now believed to be operating under a new name, “Chaos ransomware,” which continues similar double extortion tactics. Authorities have yet to release full details of the takedown. Click here to read more.

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

  • Vueling pilot of plane that saw Jewish kids removed was flight instructor of two 9/11 terrorists

  • The pilot of the Vueling flight involved in the controversial removal of Jewish children has been identified as Iván Chirivella, a Spanish aviator who once instructed two of the 9/11 terrorists, Marwan al-Shehhi and Mohamed Atta, while working at a Florida flight school. Though officially cleared of any wrongdoing and unaware of their intentions, Chirivella’s connection to the hijackers resurfaced amid renewed scrutiny. His role in the incident and his past have drawn sharp criticism, including from Israel’s Diaspora Minister. Vueling acknowledged his background in training over 100 pilots globally. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/24/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/24/25

by | Jul 24, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / Marie_Liss | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“A well‑organized, well‑planned, and well‑flown air force attack will constitute an offensive that cannot be stopped.”

 

— Kennedy Walker

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

  • Israeli F-16I Navigator Opens Up About Striking Iran

  • In an 80-minute War Zone exclusive, Lt. Col. “I,” the Israeli Air Force’s first Druze F-16I “Sufa” navigator, details the jet’s long-range punch, intelligence tools and two-crew tactics, recounting sorties from Lebanon in 2006 to precision strikes during 2025’s Operation Rising Lion against Iran—where, he says, not a single SAM was fired at Israeli aircraft. The veteran describes how F-35s gathered stealthy intel for F-16Is and F-15s, why conformal-tanked Sufas haul heavier loads than Adirs, and his reliance on JDAMs, Rampage and other standoff weapons to hit Gaza targets while trying to spare civilians. He defends Israel’s conduct as uniquely restrained, praises ground–air integration, lauds maintenance crews keeping decades-old jets flying an intense tempo, and calls the Iran raids a textbook case of training and tech yielding “unbelievable” success. Looking ahead, he wants bunker-buster heft akin to America’s MOP and sees more F-35s and new F-15EX-style Eagles—not additional F-16s—as Israel’s future edge. Click here to read more.

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

  • Google rethinks search results with its new AI-curated ‘Web Guide’

  • Google’s latest Search Labs experiment, “Web Guide,” lets opted-in users trade the usual AI Overview for a Gemini-powered “Web” tab that fans out queries, surfaces two top links, then clusters the rest under AI-generated categories (e.g., “Mango Tree Care in Specific Climates”), reviving a cleaner, link-first experience while still offering quick summaries and follow-up prompts; early impressions praise the tidy layout—even if the explanatory blurbs feel obvious—and Google says the tool, now live in Labs, could soon migrate to the main “All” results page. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • A new dawn for the Middle East?

  • A new wave of diplomatic momentum under President Donald Trump is accelerating the Abraham Accords, with hopes of expanding them to include Syria, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Mauritania, signaling a potential transformation in Middle East relations. Backed by the decline of Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, Trump’s administration is leveraging weakened adversaries to push normalization between Israel and former foes. Economic incentives, shifting leadership in Syria, and quiet Saudi-Israeli cooperation all point to a fragile but historic opportunity for regional integration and peace—though public skepticism and the unresolved Palestinian issue remain significant hurdles. Click here to read more.

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

  • A Luggage Service’s Web Bugs Exposed the Travel Plans of Every User—Including Diplomats

  • Cybersecurity researchers at CyberX9 uncovered major security flaws in Airportr, a UK-based premium luggage service used by diplomats and airline passengers, exposing sensitive data including travel plans, passports, and boarding passes from 92,000 users. Exploiting basic vulnerabilities, the team gained full admin access—potentially allowing hackers to reroute luggage or impersonate Airportr via emails and texts. Despite Airportr’s quick patch after being alerted, experts warn this incident highlights the hidden risks of third-party travel services trusted by airlines like American, British Airways, and Lufthansa. Click here to read more.

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

  • Netanyahu, Israeli leaders slam Macron for recognizing Palestinian state

  • Israeli leaders reacted with sharp condemnation after French President Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognize a Palestinian state, calling the move a reward for terrorism and a threat to Israel’s security. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned it could create “another Iranian proxy” like Gaza, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged Israeli sovereignty over Judea and Samaria in response. Defense Minister Israel Katz called the recognition a “surrender to terrorism,” and other officials—including Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar—accused Macron of betrayal and undermining regional stability. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security
THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/23/25

THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 7/23/25

by | Jul 23, 2025 | THE DAILY PRAETORIAN

Image Credit: iStock / Zerbor | Imagery Disclaimer

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

“The best propaganda is not propaganda.”

 

– Joseph S. Nye Jr.

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

  • US military must scale up AI use in psyops to reach par with Russia and China, study finds

  • A Pentagon-commissioned RAND report warns that Russia and China now outpace the U.S. in influence operations and urges the Defense Department to “rapidly adopt” generative-AI tools—such as the voice-cloning Ghost Machine—to let smaller psychological-operations teams create tailored audio, video, and graphic content at the speed of online narratives, swiftly expose disinformation (e.g., inflated civilian-casualty claims), and counter adversary messaging worldwide; while bulk AI output can “balance the battlefield,” the study cautions against copying Moscow and Beijing’s high-volume, low-credibility flood tactics, urging a precision-targeted “sweet spot” instead to retain trust and effectiveness. Click here to read more.

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

  • Trump unveils his plan to put AI in everything

  • President Donald Trump’s newly released 28-page “AI Action Plan” calls for a “try-first” culture that fast-tracks AI adoption across industry and the Armed Forces, dismantles state and federal regulations that slow data-center and chip-factory construction, and prizes “objective truth” by barring federal contracts with AI developers deemed ideologically biased—while stripping references to misinformation, DEI, and climate change from risk rules. The three-pillar blueprint—accelerating innovation, expanding U.S. AI infrastructure, and advancing global AI diplomacy—also hints at tighter export controls on advanced chips even as it urges wider deployment of American AI tools abroad, framing the race as vital to national security and economic dominance. Click here to read more.

     

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

  • Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Saves 165 People from Camp Mystic, ‘I Was Just Doing My Job’

  • On his very first mission, 26-year-old Coast Guard rescue swimmer Petty Officer Scott Ruskan was air-lifted into flood-stricken Camp Mystic, Texas, where—acting as the sole first responder on site—he triaged terrified campers, coordinated two helicopter loading zones with the National Guard, and helped evacuate 165 people to safety; despite his heroic effort, 27 campers and counselors perished, and searches continue, yet the humble swimmer credits his elite training and says he was “just doing my job.” Click here to read more.

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

  • Chinese hackers behind SharePoint server attacks, Microsoft says

  • Microsoft has tied an active SharePoint remote-code-execution campaign to three Chinese state-backed groups—Linen Typhoon (APT27), Violet Typhoon (APT31), and ransomware-linked Storm-2603—that upload malicious *spinstall *.aspx scripts to internet-facing servers, steal MachineKey data, and gain full unauthenticated control; more than 100 systems—including those at the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, Education Department, and state agencies—are already breached, and thousands of unpatched servers stay exposed despite urgent calls to install fixes, rotate keys, and harden defenses as investigations expand. Click here to read more.

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

  • Turkey’s Eurofighter jet deal ‘a headache’ for Israel, Israeli official tells ‘Post’

  • Turkey’s deal to buy 40 Eurofighter Typhoon jets from Germany will modernize Ankara’s air force and, while not matching Israel’s F-35s, still worries Jerusalem: an Israeli official calls the fourth-plus-generation fighters a “headache” that signals Turkey’s rapid military build-up, which already includes bids for new F-16s, hopes of rejoining the F-35 program, and expanded naval and drone power. Click here to read more.

     
Tags: Information Security, Information Technology, News, Security

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