The hottest Security Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Import AI 360: Guessing emotions; drone targeting dataset; frameworks for AI alignment

Import AI • 379 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Datasets Security Language Models Ethics
  1. Teaching AI to understand complex human emotions like joy, surprise, and anger can help in applications like surveillance and advertising.
  2. AI systems, like other software, are vulnerable to attacks, as shown by a demonstration breaking MoE models with a buffer overflow attack.
  3. Frameworks are being developed to ensure AI systems align with diverse human values, considering various perspectives and how to measure alignment.
  4. The development of AI systems is advancing in areas like emotion recognition, system security, and value alignment.
  5. Researchers are pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities, from emotion recognition to security to ethical alignment.
  6. Current AI trends indicate growth in researching human emotions, security vulnerabilities, and ethical considerations.

XZ Backdoor: Times, damned times, and scams

Rhea's Substack • 254 HN points • 30 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Security Software Analysis Holidays
  1. The recent discovery of a backdoor in the xz/liblzma tarball raises concerns about trust in the free software ecosystem.
  2. Analyzing the time patterns of code commits can reveal valuable insights about a developer's work habits and potential attempts at deception.
  3. Changing time zones to manipulate commit timestamps can be a deceptive tactic in software development, but inconsistencies can ultimately reveal the truth.
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Pager Explosions

Vigilainte Newsletter • 5 HN points • 18 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Communication Hacking Devices Security
  1. The recent explosions of Hezbollah pagers might be due to a cyberattack, which raises concerns about security. Experts believe these devices could have been compromised before they were even delivered.
  2. There are two main theories: either explosives were included in the pagers or they were hacked to cause overheating. The second option is tricky because hacking multiple devices is quite difficult.
  3. This incident highlights a bigger issue: all communication devices can have weaknesses. It's really important to use good security measures and encryption to keep sensitive information safe.

Bitcoin DeFi (Part 2) - Rootstock and Babylon Chain

DeFi Education • 359 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🔮 Crypto Blockchain DeFi Investment Security Usability
  1. Rootstock and Babylon Chain are important platforms in Bitcoin's decentralized finance (DeFi) space. They enhance usability and security for users dealing with Bitcoin.
  2. Layer 2 chains like Rootstock inherit security from the main Bitcoin network. This allows them to operate safely while expanding the functions available on Bitcoin.
  3. Understanding the potential of these DeFi platforms can help users make smarter investment choices. It's crucial for anyone interested in Bitcoin and DeFi to stay informed about these developments.

Accessing Microsoft Security Copilot Promptbooks

Rod’s Blog • 436 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Security Microsoft AI
  1. A promptbook in Microsoft Security Copilot is a set of prompts for specific security tasks, each needing specific inputs.
  2. Promptbooks like incident investigation can help create executive reports, while threat actor profile provides quick summaries about specific actors.
  3. To start using promptbooks in Security Copilot, go to the home screen, enter a "*" in the prompt bar, select a promptbook, fill required parameters, and run.

Anomaly detection firm tied to numerous former CIA officials affiliated with Beacon Global accidentally published its confidential data brokerage and persona management agreements

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 854 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Intelligence Security National Defense Surveillance Government Contracts
  1. Orbis Operations, led by former CIA officials, accidentally published confidential data agreements.
  2. Anomaly detection techniques used by intelligence agencies and corporations focus on detecting anomalies and insider threats.
  3. National security data brokers like Orbis fuse various data sources for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Responsible AI in Security

Rod’s Blog • 396 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Security Ethics Data Privacy
  1. AI in security offers enhanced threat detection and response capabilities by analyzing data and providing insights.
  2. Responsible AI in security involves principles like transparency, safety, human control, and privacy to ensure ethical use.
  3. Security professionals can leverage responsible AI to improve performance while safeguarding data, privacy, and safety.

Open Thread, and also: The Dumbest Knife Law of All Time

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 126 implied HN points • 16 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Security Immigration Governance Public Safety
  1. Germany is trying to pass a new knife law, which may not actually make anyone safer. It includes strict rules but has lots of exceptions that make it confusing.
  2. The proposed law suggests no knives at public events, but then lists many situations where knives are still allowed. This makes it seem like there's no real restriction at all!
  3. Although the government is making changes, it might still not stop the real issues, like violence. It's more about giving the appearance of action rather than truly improving safety.

TLP Week in Review, 2/4-2/10

The Liberal Patriot • 334 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Foreign Relations Domestic Policy Analysis Security
  1. The post discusses the impact of Trump's actions on US national interests and the dangerous world he may have already created.
  2. There is a strong criticism of Republicans for favoring Russia over Ukraine, and the consequences outlined could be catastrophic.
  3. The report highlights Russia's crimes in Mariupol, Ukraine, and raises questions about accountability in the midst of devastation.

🧠 Knowledge Series #23: Passkeys explained

Department of Product • 314 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Security Product Development User Experience Cybersecurity Authentication
  1. Passkeys are digital keys replacing traditional passwords, enhancing security and creating unique keys for each account and device.
  2. Major companies like Uber, Apple, Google, and Microsoft are actively supporting and implementing passkeys for a passwordless future.
  3. Product teams can implement passkeys by understanding how they work and following a step-by-step guide for integration.

He Hunted al-Qaeda. Now He Hunts Neo-Nazis

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 626 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Extremism Security Military Terrorism Justice
  1. Kristofer Goldsmith founded Task Force Butler to combat neo-Nazi terrorism in the US, facing credible threats and dangerous situations as a former Army sergeant.
  2. Task Force Butler infiltrates and monitors online Nazi groups, providing legal evidence that has led to convictions and lawsuits against extremist organizations.
  3. Goldsmith's personal journey, from Army veteran suffering from undiagnosed PTSD to leading an effort to dismantle white supremacist groups, highlights his resilience and dedication to fighting against hate.

The Magnet 084: Mystery of the Motorized Garage Door

The Magnet • 373 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Mystery Security
  1. The garage door in the author's property mysteriously stopped working, leading to a puzzling situation.
  2. Despite efforts to manually open the garage door, the issue was resolved by simply plugging in the motor power cord.
  3. The author was left questioning how and why the motor power cord was pulled out, as there were no easy access points.

Safary Hack, Paid Post Explains How to Avoid the Losses...

DeFi Education • 439 implied HN points • 29 Nov 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Security Investing Decentralized Finance Hacking
  1. Check your DeFi transactions carefully before approving them to avoid losing funds. Malicious attacks can trick you into giving away your money.
  2. Frontend attacks can make trusted websites seem normal but steal your crypto. Always be cautious when interacting with these sites.
  3. Even experienced users can fall victim to these hacks, so it's important to stay informed and learn how to protect your assets.

Microsoft Security Copilot Gets Its Own Blog

Rod’s Blog • 337 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Security Blogging IT AI Ethics
  1. A new blog has been launched in Microsoft Tech Community for Microsoft Security Copilot, focusing on insights from experts and tips for security analysts and IT professionals.
  2. The blog covers topics such as education on Security Copilot, building custom workflows, product deep dives into AI architecture, best practices, updates on the roadmap, and responsible AI principles.
  3. Readers are encouraged to engage by sharing feedback and questions with the blog creators.

Fuzzing Ladybird with tools from Google Project Zero

awesomekling • 522 HN points • 16 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Security Web Development Software Testing Open Source
  1. Using tools like Domato from Google Project Zero can stress test software and reveal potential security issues.
  2. Implementations in software can be prone to issues like null pointer dereferences, especially when assumptions about the DOM structure are not validated.
  3. Finding and fixing bugs, whether real bugs or spec bugs, is essential to improving software stability and ensuring it can handle unexpected inputs.

FBI And Secret Service Are Covering Up Their Role In Alleged January 6 “Pipe Bomb” Plot, New Evidence Suggests

Public • 673 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Scandal Investigation Security Government Officials
  1. New evidence suggests FBI and Secret Service may be covering up their role in the alleged January 6 'Pipe Bomb' plot.
  2. Video footage raises questions about the mishandling and seriousness of investigations by multiple agencies.
  3. Former FBI agents and analysts have raised doubts about the true nature of the pipe bombs and the authenticity of the investigation.

Poland's Alarm

Diane Francis • 919 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Military International relations Security European Politics
  1. Poland is increasing its military to protect against Russian threats, wanting to lead Europe in security efforts. This shows Poland's strong belief in standing up to aggressors.
  2. European leaders need to pay attention to warnings about rising threats from Russia and China. If they ignore these problems, it could lead to bigger issues for the whole continent.
  3. There is a need for unity among European countries to ensure their security. Smaller nations are stepping up while larger ones like Germany and France may not be doing enough.

German lawmaker denounces Ukraine 'proxy war' and US 'terrorist attack' on Nord Stream pipelines

Geopolitical Economy Report • 538 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Diplomacy Security
  1. German lawmaker Sevim Dağdelen criticizes NATO's involvement in Ukraine as a 'proxy war' and highlights the EU acting as 'vassals' to the US.
  2. Dağdelen condemns the economic war against Russia and calls for Europe to assert its independence and prioritize diplomacy to end the conflict in Ukraine.
  3. The lack of outrage over the alleged US 'terrorist attack' on the German-Russian Nord Stream pipelines illustrates Germany's subservience to the US, revealing the need for truth and peace initiatives to counter war propaganda.

Bowling with Bowe Bergdahl on Bragg

The Hunt for Tom Clancy • 275 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Military Legal Proceedings Government Security
  1. The event took place on the day before a pre-trial hearing at Fort Bragg for the Bowe Bergdahl trial.
  2. There was a festive atmosphere at Fort Bragg, with paratroopers, families, and press attending a Christmas/holiday concert.
  3. Significant costs were incurred for the legal proceedings of Bergdahl's case, estimated to be in the millions of dollars.

NATO/West or Global Majority? Unipolar destruction or multipolar development? The world must choose

Geopolitical Economy Report • 358 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics International relations Globalization Security Imperialism
  1. The world is at a critical point between NATO/West and the Global Majority, offering a choice between unipolar destruction or multipolar development.
  2. Political economists analyze the fracturing international order, discussing conflicts in Israel, Ukraine, Russia, Argentina, and Europe.
  3. There is a growing polarization within Western countries, with emphasis on pursuing militaristic policies versus policies favoring peace and development in line with other global majority countries like China and Russia.

Russia vs. Ukraine & the West: Who Has a Firmer Grip on Reality?

John’s Substack • 6 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
🌍 World Politics Conflict International relations Geopolitics Diplomacy Security
  1. Russians have a clearer understanding of the war in Ukraine, which affects their strategy and decision-making.
  2. The differences in perspective between the Russians, Ukrainians, and the West could make it harder to reach a peace agreement.
  3. Having a firmer grip on reality might give Russia an advantage in negotiations.

Mysteries at the Top of Sky and at the Bottom of the Swamp: Drones, Barbarians and Gatekeepers (Part One)

Dr. Pippa's Pen & Podcast • 27 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Security Defense Surveillance Government International relations
  1. There are many mysterious drone sightings happening all over the world, especially close to sensitive areas like military bases and nuclear sites. This raises questions about who is operating these drones and why they are flying in these restricted airspaces.
  2. The U.S. government's lack of response or clarity about these drone activities seems strange. It leads people to wonder if there is more going on that the public isn't being told, or if they fear that acknowledging these threats could escalate tensions with foreign nations.
  3. Some theories suggest the drones might be linked to foreign powers or even covert government operations. This uncertainty leaves local authorities frustrated and worried about potential dangers.

Staking Ethereum and Safe Wallets

DeFi Education • 659 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🔮 Crypto Blockchain Wallets Staking DeFi Security
  1. Using hardware wallets like Trezor is recommended for better security. Metamask is also a good software wallet, but be cautious with privacy.
  2. Solo staking is the best option if you have the technical skills and resources. It offers full control and rewards, but requires a lot of maintenance.
  3. If you prefer not to manage everything yourself, consider pooled staking services like Rocket Pool. They can simplify the process but come with some extra risks.

Import AI 343: Humanlike AI; LLaMa 2 protests; the NSA's new AI center

Import AI • 439 implied HN points • 09 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Robotics Data Security Generative models
  1. Google DeepMind and 33 labs created a large dataset for training robots, showing that using heterogeneous data and high-capacity models improves robot performance.
  2. Protests have begun against Facebook for releasing AI models that can be easily modified, raising concerns about AI safety becoming a political issue.
  3. Generative image models are displaying human-like qualities in tasks, like shape bias and understanding perceptual illusions, suggesting a convergence between AI systems and humans.

Caution: Hack Impacting Crypto-Savvy Users (+ Market Update)

DeFi Education • 839 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Security Wallets Tokens Market
  1. There is a troubling trend of hacks affecting experienced crypto users, including early Ethereum wallet holders. These users are usually security-conscious, which raises questions about how the hacks are happening.
  2. The hacks started in December 2022 and have resulted in over $10 million in stolen assets across multiple chains. A wide variety of wallets have been targeted without a clear pattern emerging.
  3. Even users of hardware wallets are not safe from these hacks. It's crucial to understand how crypto transactions work to really protect your assets, as malware can trick you into signing bad transactions.

Leaked details of new collaboration between U.S. and Australian intelligence, by way of former Google CEO Eric Schmidt

All-Source Intelligence Fusion • 630 implied HN points • 04 Dec 23
🌍 World Politics Intelligence Collaboration Technology Policy Security
  1. Leaked details reveal collaboration between U.S. and Australian intelligence officials and tech industry executives.
  2. The workshop focused on 'human-machine teaming' for AI policy in defense and intelligence sectors.
  3. The event involved key figures from major tech companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Scale AI, and Palantir.

New DARPA Tidbit

FOIA Around And Find Out • 432 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🕹 Technology Government Security
  1. ODNI engaged DARPA for litigation consultation on October 7, 2016 attribution statement
  2. Connection between Alfa Bank researchers, DARPA, and DNC hack attribution being explored
  3. Progress being made in uncovering information related to the DNC hack