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

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

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.