SpywareSpyware: Why the Booming Surveillance Tech Industry Is Vulnerable to Corruption and Abuse By Christian Kemp Published 22 July 2021 The latest revelations about NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware are the latest indication that the spyware industry is out of control, with licensed customers free to spy on political and civilian targets as well as suspected

Water securitySmartphone Screens Effective Sensors for Soil or Water Contamination Published 22 July 2021 The touchscreen technology used in billions of smartphones and tablets could also be used as a powerful sensor, without the need for any modifications. Researchers from the University of Cambridge have demonstrated how a typical touchscreen could be used to identify common

CrimeBringing the Jury to the Crime Scene Via a 3D Headset Published 22 July 2021 Delivering the correct verdict on car accident and murder cases is contingent on good spatial awareness, but short of being at the scene of the crime, jurors confined to the court room may be more prone to errors. Thanks to

Pegasus affairGrowing Unease in Israel over Pegasus Case Published 21 July 2021 Israel is worried that the Pegasus spyware revelations may turn a PR black eye into a diplomatic crisis. Israel never exhibited any qualms about dealing with and selling arms to pretty unsavory regimes, but such deals were typically kept secret. The fact that

DronesDrone Popularity, Potential Risk Soar, So Too Should Preparedness Published 21 July 2021 Benign hobbyists often use drones, but these small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) can be exploited for any number of illegal activities, thereby posing a significant threat to facilities related to critical infrastructure and national security. In the last few years, drones have flown

Truth decayOn the Internet, Nobody Knows You’re a Dog – or a Fake Russian Twitter Account Published 21 July 2021 Legacy media outlets played an unwitting role in the growth of the four most successful fake Twitter accounts hosted by the Russian Internet Research Agency (IRA) which were created to spread disinformation during the 2016

FloodsHow Do We Prepare for Extreme Flooding? By Martin Kuebler and Tim Schauenberg Published 21 July 2021 As the floodwaters recede following the devastating deluge in western Europe, survivors have begun the long, difficult process of cleaning up and rebuilding. But what can be done to reduce future risks? Extreme flooding in western Germany and neighboring

Power-grid protectionDetecting, Blocking Grid Cyberattacks Published 21 July 2021 Researchers have designed and demonstrated a technology that can block cyberattacks from impacting the nation’s electric power grid. Researchers from Idaho National Laboratory and New Mexico-based Visgence Inc. have designed and demonstrated a technology that can block cyberattacks from impacting the nation’s electric power grid. During a recent live

Our picksAlgorithmic Warfare | Future of WMD Verification | Terrorists as Preachers, and more Published 21 July 2021 ·  Algorithmic Warfare: Russia Expanding Fleet of AI-Enabled Weapons ·  Anjem Choudary: Radical Preacher’s Public Speaking Ban to Be Lifted ·  Convicted Terrorists Lead Religious Services in Federal Prisons: IG ·  Court Upholds Dismissal of Lawsuit That Blamed Websites for

Energy securityNo Excuse to Continue Reliance on Fossil Fuels: Nano-Technologist Published 21 July 2021 One of the leading thinkers in nano-science has called on the energy materials community to help finally put an end to the world’s reliance on fossil fuels. The expertchallenges the scientific community to lead the world away from a reality where