THE DAILY PRAETORIAN: Cybersecurity Trends – 4/15/25

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

“Only total victory can reward the champions of tolerance, and decency, and freedom, and faith.”

-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Another US Aircraft Carrier in Mideast Waters Ahead of Second Round of Iran-US Nuclear Talks
The USS Carl Vinson has joined the USS Harry S. Truman in Mideast waters as part of U.S. efforts to pressure Iran ahead of critical nuclear negotiations, AP satellite imagery confirms. The Vinson’s arrival coincides with ongoing U.S. airstrikes on Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, a campaign seen as linked to broader diplomatic leverage. Talks, originally slated for Rome but now expected in Oman, come amid rising tensions over Iran’s enrichment to near weapons-grade levels. Both nations signal cautious optimism, with Iran hinting it may consider returning to 3.67% enrichment levels under certain conditions. Click here to read more.

OpenAI is building a social network
OpenAI is reportedly developing an X-like social network, potentially integrating it into ChatGPT or launching it as a standalone app, according to sources familiar with the project. The early prototype features a social feed centered on ChatGPT’s image generation, and CEO Sam Altman has been quietly soliciting feedback. The move could heighten tensions with Elon Musk and pit OpenAI directly against Meta, both of which are embedding AI into their platforms. Beyond competition, a social platform would give OpenAI access to valuable real-time user data to train its models. Click here to read more.

US senator seeks to make Easter Monday federal holiday: ‘Celebrate most extraordinary day in history’
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) has introduced a bill to make Easter Monday a federal holiday, aiming to help American families more fully celebrate the Christian holiday together. Citing that 81% of Americans observe Easter, Schmitt argued the U.S. holiday calendar overlooks this sacred tradition, which is already recognized in many Western nations. He framed the bill as “pro-worker, pro-family, pro-faith” and noted potential economic benefits from a longer Easter weekend. The legislation, now in the Senate Judiciary Committee, would make Easter Monday the 13th federal holiday if passed. Click here to read more.

Chrome extensions ask for too many dangerous permissions and see everything
Cybernews researchers found that 86 of the 100 most popular Chrome extensions request high-risk permissions that can track browsing history, inject scripts, or manipulate web traffic, often without clear justification. The average extension asks for 6.4 permissions—5.3 of which are considered moderate to high risk—and many pose serious privacy concerns by accessing all visited sites and modifying tab content. While some permissions are essential for functionality, others suggest overreach or potential for abuse, as seen in two extensions removed from the Chrome Web Store mid-analysis. Experts recommend minimizing extension use, auditing permissions regularly, and using trusted security tools. Click here to read more.

Iran’s goal to destroy Israel is why we’re fighting in Gaza, Netanyahu says
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited northern Gaza on April 15, 2025, where he received a detailed security briefing from IDF commanders on the ongoing military operations aimed at defeating Hamas and securing the release of hostages. Accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and other senior officials, Netanyahu condemned a social media post by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei that called for Israel’s destruction, framing it as a stark reminder of the stakes involved. Both Netanyahu and Katz reaffirmed their commitment to achieving all war objectives, emphasizing the heroism of IDF soldiers and vowing to intensify pressure on Hamas if hostages are not freed. Click here to read more.