35M devices DDoS, Australian Teen ban, $700M+ Settlement, US AI x Politics.

[Available Now!] Book Report: Q3 2024 - GenAI Safety and Security

Highlights:

• 35M Devices: Massive Matrix botnet DDoS attack.

• Australia Bans: Social media for under-16s.

• Equifax Breach: $425M settlement underway.

• AI's Future: Sam Altman & experts about potential.

• AI guardrails: US Dem lawmaker calls for more.

Deep Dive

1. 35 Million Devices Under Blue Pill Attack Forbes

• Almost 35 million devices globally vulnerable.

• DDoS campaign masterminded by "Matrix" actor.

• Likely Russian-based, financially motivated.

• Attacked telnet, SSH, Hadoop, and HugeGraph.

• Exploits weak credentials and public scripts.

• AI makes scripts kiddies or plug & play hacking worse.

• Slow internet speeds and operational disruption.

Mitigation: Update router firmware, use strong passwords, avoid default credentials.

2. Australia Bans Social Media for Children Under 16 AP News

• World-first law passed by Australian Parliament.

• Platforms face A$50M/ $33M USD fines for non-compliance.

• Overwhelmingly approved by the legislators.

• One-year implementation period before penalties.

• Privacy concerns raised by critics and experts.

Mitigation: Platforms must develop robust age verification systems. Parents need to engage in open discussions with children about online safety.

White house AI meeting, Australia Ban, Apple Intelligence, Airport Ransomware, 23andMe Settlement

3. Equifax Data Breach Compensation Forbes

• Up to $425 million settlement for impacted individuals.

• 147 million people affected by the 2017 data breach.

• Official website for eligibility verification.

• Requires last name and last six digits of SSN.

• Scammers exploiting the situation; verify legitimacy.

Mitigation: Verify all communications through official channels. Be wary of unsolicited emails or letters.

4. US Experts on AI for upcoming Presidency Fox News and Fox News

• Maintaining US leadership in AI, and the race against China.

• Concerns about job displacement, security risks, health impacts.

• Need for infrastructure investment and responsible development.

• Debate over appropriate regulation vs. its impact on innovation.

• Views on the balance between speed of development and safety.

• Lessons learned from social media's development.

Notice: Top priorities in AI infrastructure, energy, policy, fast development, digital well-being and national securities.

5. Dem lawmaker calls out WH for lack of AI ‘guardrails’ Fox News

• Criticism of the White House's lack of AI regulation.

• Concerns about systemic risks and market manipulation.

• Emphasis on protecting children from AI-related harms.

• Call for international cooperation on AI safety.

• Discussion of potential risks in AI-powered warfare.

Notice: Advocate for more comprehensive AI legislation addressing systemic risks and child safety.

Palo Alto Networks, Nearest Neighbor, Microsoft, AI safety taskforce & summit.