Issue: Google has linked its outage this week to an issue with its API, a protocol that allows data to easily be exchanged from one system to another. Google has clearly stated that the outage was not the result of a breach and that the issue has since been resolved.
Resolution: No action is needed.
Risk 2: Low
Issue: Cloudflare suffered an outage of services this week that has since been resolved. Representatives from Cloudflare insist this was not an attack and that no data was released.
Resolution: No action is needed.
Risk 3: High
Issue: Microsoft acknowledged EchoLeak, a zero-click AI vulnerability in Copilot that accesses Microsoft 365 e-mail. Yes, you read that correctly, this is zero-click mean that Copilot had a vulnerability that did not require the user to click on an e-mail or a link; just the AI scanning messages triggered the exploit.
Resolution: Microsoft has since corrected the vulnerability, but this should serve as a scary reminder that these newer AI platforms are be targeted at greater rates. While there may be influencers out there saying they are just as safe, the fact of the matter is that they are not. Sure, the same technology might be used to secure the data, but they are a hot and large target right now, under attack moreso than many other systems. It is still the best practice to limit the places you store your PII.
Risk 4: Medium
Issue: Microsoft has released a mid-sized security update, included approximately 20 security patches.
Resolution: Users of Windows 10 and 11 should apply the most recent Windows Update.
Risk 5: Medium
Issue: Turbo VPN, VPN Proxy, Snap VPN, Signal Secure VPN: Multiple Google and Apple app store-based VPNs have been discovered to have ownership roots to China, despite complicated shell configuration.
Resolution: It is best to select a strong enterprise-level VPN solution. Financial Guardians recommends ProtonVPN if you do not currently have one.
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