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LayerX discovers networks of browser extensions acting as spyware
Security firm LayerX identified over 80 networks of browser extensions, including 24 media extensions and 12 ad blockers, operating legally to collect and resell user data. These extensions, installed on 800,000 browsers, harvest viewing history and demographics from streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. The discovery highlights significant privacy risks for consumers and corporate data leakage for businesses, as these tools often bypass traditional security evaluations focused on malicious indicators rather than data selling practices. Experts warn that the proliferation of such extensions, exacerbated by AI browser adoption, creates new attack surfaces for adversaries.
US tech giants promise to pay for data center power upgrades
In response to rising utility bills and local moratoriums on AI data center projects, major US technology companies including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Oracle have committed to paying for necessary grid upgrades to ensure residential customers do not face higher electricity rates. While AWS has not issued a direct public commitment, its head of power and water stated the company aims to pay its fair share. Conversely, a recent report by S&P Global indicates the sector will require 22% more grid power by the end of 2025, fueling concerns among residents and state representatives in states like Michigan, Georgia, and Virginia regarding grid capacity and cost allocation.
Ingram Micro reports strong Q1 2026 revenue growth driven by AI infrastructure deals
Ingram Micro Holding Corp reported Q1 2026 net revenue growth of nearly 14% and non-GAAP EPS of $0.75, exceeding guidance. Growth was led by Advanced Solutions and Cloud segments due to large GPU and AI infrastructure deals in North America and Asia Pacific. The Asia Pacific region became the second-largest by revenue, with India showing significant progress. However, gross margins declined 12 basis points due to a mix shift towards lower-margin projects. CFO Michael Zilis and CEO Paul Bay highlighted operational efficiency gains from the Xvantage platform and partnerships with Microsoft, while noting headwinds from supply constraints and geopolitical risks in the Middle East.
AI jailbreakers manipulate chatbots to expose safety flaws
Valen Tagliabue and David McCarthy lead a community of AI jailbreakers who manipulate large language models to bypass safety filters. They use psychological tactics and linguistic tricks to extract dangerous information, such as biological weapon designs and cyber-attack techniques, to help developers patch vulnerabilities. While some jailbreakers face mental health challenges from the process, their work highlights the difficulty of securing AI systems against manipulation. The article notes that while some firms have improved safety, others lag, and the risk of catastrophic misuse remains high as models integrate into physical hardware.
US tech giants report strong Q1 earnings driven by AI and cloud investments
Alphabet, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft reported robust first-quarter earnings for 2026, driven by advancements in cloud and artificial intelligence services. The combined capital expenditure commitment exceeds $600 billion, underscoring the US tech sector's determination to maintain its technological edge. This earnings cycle highlights the ongoing US-China race for AI supremacy, with significant implications for global technology sovereignty and data governance discussions.
OpenAI restricts GPT-5.5 Cyber access to critical cyber defenders
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the limited rollout of GPT-5.5 Cyber, a frontier cybersecurity model, to a select group of users designated as critical cyber defenders. The company is implementing a controlled distribution via its Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program, requiring a rigorous application process with credentials and specific use cases. This decision mirrors recent restrictions by rival Anthropic on its Mythos model, reflecting an industry-wide shift towards tighter access controls for powerful dual-use AI tools to ensure responsible deployment in defense against cyber-attacks.
Samsung expects RAM shortage to worsen until 2027
Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron plan capacity increases to meet rising demand, yet production is projected to cover only 60% of needs. Analysts suggest the shortage could persist until 2030 due to data centre and AI application growth. Despite the scarcity, Samsung reported a Q1 operating profit of 37.9 billion dollars from its semiconductor division, with high prices sustaining massive order volumes.
Google to spend $190 billion on AI in 2026
Alphabet (Google) announced a commitment to spend $190 billion on AI infrastructure in 2026, double India's defence budget. The funds will support servers, data centres, and networking equipment to meet unprecedented demand. CEO Sundar Pichai and CFO Anat Ashkenazi highlighted growth in Gemini usage and cloud backlog. Major competitors like Microsoft and Meta are also increasing capital expenditure significantly.
AI-powered ransomware attacks surge to 7,831 victims worldwide in 2025
Global ransomware attacks reached 7,831 victims in 2025, a 389% year-over-year increase driven by AI-powered tools like WormGPT and BruteForceAI. Attackers now weaponize vulnerabilities within 24 to 48 hours of disclosure, utilizing automated scanning and pre-built exploit frameworks. The United States recorded the highest victim count at 3,381, followed by Canada and Germany. Manufacturing, business services, and retail sectors were most targeted. While brute-force attempts dropped by 22%, attackers use AI to target high-probability accounts with greater precision. International collaboration, including INTERPOL operations, aims to dismantle criminal infrastructure.
Wireshark Foundation releases version 4.6.5 to patch critical vulnerabilities
The Wireshark Foundation has released version 4.6.5 of its network protocol analyzer to address over 40 security flaws. This update specifically patches four critical vulnerabilities, including CVE-2026-5402, CVE-2026-5403, CVE-2026-5405, and CVE-2026-5656, which allow arbitrary code execution via malformed packets in TLS, SBC, RDP, and profile import functions. The release also fixes numerous denial-of-service issues affecting protocols such as SMB2, HTTP, ICMPv6, and MySQL. Administrators are urged to upgrade immediately.
TeamPCP group executes Mini Shai-Hulud attack affecting 1,800 developers
The TeamPCP hacking group launched a Mini Shai-Hulud supply chain attack impacting over 1,800 developers across the PyPi, NPM, and PHP ecosystems. Malicious versions of SAP, Lightning, and Intercom packages were injected with information-stealing malware. The campaign, continuing from late 2025, exfiltrated credentials, keys, and tokens to GitHub repositories. Specific compromised packages include Lightning Python versions 2.6.2 and 2.6.3, intercom-client NPM versions 7.0.4 and 7.0.5, and intercom-php version 5.0.2. The malware targets Kubernetes environments and HashiCorp Vault secrets, with over 1,800 repositories created containing stolen data.
India shifts to zero-trust architecture to combat AI-driven cyber fraud
India is reassessing digital identity frameworks and adopting zero-trust architecture to address a surge in AI-assisted cyber fraud. Investigations reveal a shift from basic phishing to sophisticated scams involving voice cloning, identity mimicry, and automated attacks targeting UPI users. Government agencies and financial institutions are deploying real-time monitoring, behavioural analytics, and stronger authentication protocols to counter these threats. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has expanded its role, while policymakers focus on balancing security with user convenience to protect the digital economy.
Glasgow hosts inaugural Scottish Defence Procurement and Supply Chain Summit
Glasgow will host the inaugural DPRTE Scottish Defence Procurement and Supply Chain Summit on 20 May. Officially supported by the Ministry of Defence and ADS Scotland, the event connects Scottish industry with increased defence investment opportunities. Keynote speakers include Douglas Alexander MP and Calum Taylor. The summit aims to strengthen Scotland's position in the UK and global defence ecosystem by enabling access to procurement routes and building supply chain resilience. Topics include naval platforms, submarine support, radar, space capability, and digital technology.
Defence Minister warns of AI dual-use perils citing BrahMos and Sudarshan systems
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh warned at the ANI National Security Summit 2.0 that artificial intelligence presents significant dual-use risks, including deep fakes, cyber warfare, and autonomous weapons. He highlighted India's application of AI in defence operations such as Operation Sindoor and within the BrahMos and Sudarshan missile systems. Singh noted that while AI enhances precision and security, it requires robust deterrence strategies against potential misuse. He also mentioned AI initiatives for pension processing to improve soldier welfare.
India approves Ghatak stealth drone project worth 39,000 crores
The Indian Defence Ministry has recommended the acquisition of 60 Ghatak stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) developed by the DRDO under the Remote Piloted Strike Aircraft (RPSA) initiative. Valued at approximately ₹39,000 crore, the project aims to deliver deep-strike capabilities and operates under a development-cum-production partner model involving the private sector. The aircraft, designed for autonomous operations in contested airspace, is intended to support the Indian Air Force's Vision 2047 roadmap alongside manned fighter jets.
EON Space Labs launches germanium-free thermal drone camera for long-range surveillance
Hyderabad-based start-up EON Space Labs has launched Lumira_E40I50, India's first germanium-free thermal drone camera. The device uses chalcogenide glass and onboard AI to detect humans from two kilometres and vehicles from eight kilometres. This development addresses India's reliance on imported germanium, whose supply chain has been disrupted by geopolitical tensions and export restrictions, particularly from Israel. The camera is designed for aerial intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, offering a strategic step towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
Apple attributes Mac mini shortage to AI demand surge
Apple states that the scarcity of Mac mini and Mac Studio units is driven by unexpectedly high demand fueled by the artificial intelligence industry. Tim Cook noted during financial results that customer response to these machines as local AI platforms was faster than predicted. The surge is attributed to the use of these devices for developing and running AI applications locally, rather than relying on cloud services. Apple expects several months to pass before supply and demand reach equilibrium.
North Korea establishes AI research center for cyber warfare
In March 2025, North Korea opened Research Center 227 under the Reconnaissance General Bureau in Pyongyang. The unit employs 90 specialists to develop AI-based offensive techniques for cyber espionage, digital asset theft, and critical infrastructure disruption. This institutionalizes a strategy previously used by hacker groups like Lazarus Group, which stole approximately $2 billion in 2025. The center aims to overcome human resource bottlenecks by leveraging AI to automate attacks and improve phishing capabilities, significantly increasing operational efficiency and threat potential.
Anthropic's Mythos AI reveals critical vulnerabilities in global digital infrastructure
Anthropic released Mythos Preview, an AI model capable of identifying thousands of high-severity software vulnerabilities in major operating systems and browsers. The tool poses significant risks to essential services including banking, electricity, and communications if misused. While Anthropic restricted access to forty major companies via Project Glasswing, experts warn that unauthorised access and rapid replication by other developers could expose global infrastructure. The release has prompted regulatory concern internationally, with Australia's former e-safety commissioner criticising the lack of mandatory guardrails in local AI policy.
David Sacks says AI will reshape cyber offense and defense
David Sacks, a member of the US Council of Advisers on Science & Technology, stated that AI models are tools reshaping cybersecurity rather than doomsday devices. He noted that while AI discovers existing vulnerabilities, it can also help patch them, potentially hardening systems. Sacks emphasized the need for defenders to access these models before attackers, citing rapid development in China. He predicted a market shift towards a new equilibrium between AI-powered offense and defense.