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Info stealing malware spreads from Windows to macOS

Microsoft has warned that info stealing malware is increasingly targeting macOS alongside Windows, using cross platform tools and social engineering. The company said the trend accelerated from late 2025.

Attackers are luring macOS users to fake websites and malicious installers, often promoted through online ads. Microsoft said these campaigns steal credentials, crypto wallets and browser sessions on macOS and Windows.

Python based malware is also playing a larger role, enabling attackers to target macOS and Windows with the same code. Microsoft reported growing abuse of trusted platforms such as WhatsApp to spread infostealers.

Microsoft urged organisations and individuals to strengthen layered cybersecurity on macOS and Windows. The company said better user awareness and monitoring could reduce the risk of data theft and account compromise.

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Agent-based automation in Claude Cowork sparks fears of a SaaS disruption wave

Anthropic has expanded its AI assistant Claude with Cowork, an agent-based workspace for everyday office tasks. Users can grant controlled folder access so Claude can create, edit, and organise files within workflows. Cowork is available in research preview for Claude Max subscribers on macOS.

Claude Cowork breaks work into step-by-step plans and carries out tasks independently. Multiple jobs can run at once, from sorting documents to producing reports from notes or screenshots. The system is positioned as a digital colleague rather than a chatbot.

Anthropic has introduced 11 plug-ins that extend Claude Cowork across legal, sales, marketing, support, and data analysis. Organisations can define workflows, apply brand rules, and integrate business data into task execution. The tools are designed to be customisable without technical complexity.

The company has open-sourced its initial plug-ins and expects enterprises to build tailored versions. Previously part of Claude Code, the tools are now integrated into Claude Cowork through a simplified interface. Anthropic frames the update as embedding AI directly into operations.

Market reaction has highlighted fears that agent-based AI could disrupt software services. Major IT stocks in India reportedly fell following the launch. The term ‘SaaSpocalypse’ reflects unease about AI becoming core infrastructure.

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New multi-stage scams use PDF files to harvest corporate credentials

Phishing continues to succeed despite increasingly sophisticated AI-driven threats, with attackers relying on familiar tools such as PDFs and cloud services. Researchers have identified a new campaign using legitimate-looking documents to redirect victims to credential-harvesting pages impersonating Dropbox.

The attack starts with professional emails framed as procurement or tender requests. When recipients open the attached PDF, they are quietly redirected through trusted cloud infrastructure before reaching a fake Dropbox login page designed to steal corporate credentials.

Each stage appears legitimate in isolation, allowing the campaign to bypass standard filters and authentication checks. Business-style language, reputable hosting platforms, and realistic branding reduce suspicion while exploiting everyday workplace routines.

Security specialists warn that long-standing trust in PDFs and mainstream cloud services has lowered user vigilance. Employees have been conditioned to view these formats as safe, creating opportunities for attackers to weaponise familiar business tools.

Experts say phishing awareness must evolve beyond basic link warnings to reflect modern multi-stage attacks. Alongside training, layered defences such as multi-factor authentication and anomaly detection remain essential for limiting damage.

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Amazon expands AI film production tools as Hollywood trials new systems

The US tech giant, Amazon, is preparing a new phase for its proprietary production tools as the company opens a closed beta that will give selected studios early access to its AI systems.

Developers created the technology inside Amazon MGM Studios to improve character consistency across scenes and speed up work in pre and post-production instead of relying on fragmented processes.

The programme begins in March and is expected to deliver initial outcomes by May. Amazon is working with recognised industry figures such as Robert Stromberg, Kunal Nayyar and former Pixar animator Colin Brady to refine the methods.

The company is also drawing on Amazon Web Services and several external language model providers to strengthen performance.

Executives insist the aim is to assist creative teams rather than remove them from the process. The second season of the series ‘House of David’ already used more than 300 AI-generated shots, showing how the technology can support large-scale productions instead of replacing artistic decision-making.

Industry debate continues to intensify as studios explore new automation methods. Netflix also used generative tools for major scenes in ‘The Eternaut’.

Amazon has repeatedly cited AI progress when announcing staff reductions, which added further concern over the long-term effects on employment and creative roles.

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Independent UN AI panel formed to guide evidence-based global governance

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has formally submitted, for consideration and appointment by the United Nations General Assembly, the proposed composition of a new Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, marking a step towards evidence-based global AI governance.

The panel brings together 40 experts from across regions and disciplines, selected through an open global call that attracted more than 2,600 applications, and members serve in a personal and independent capacity.

In his submission to the General Assembly, Guterres said the body would act as the first fully independent global scientific authority focused on closing the AI knowledge gap and assessing real-world impacts across economies and societies.

According to the UN chief, a reliable and unbiased understanding of AI has become essential as technologies reshape governance, labour markets, and social systems at an accelerating speed.

The panel will operate for an initial three-year term, aiming to provide a shared scientific foundation for international cooperation amid rising geopolitical tension and technological competition.

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Tinder tests AI Chemistry feature to cut swipe fatigue and revive engagement

The dating platform is expanding its reliance on AI, with Tinder experimenting with a feature designed to ease swipe fatigue among users.

A tool, known as Chemistry, that builds a picture of each person through optional questions and by reviewing their Camera Roll with permission, offering a more personalised route toward potential matches instead of repetitive browsing.

Match is currently testing the feature only in Australia. Executives say the system allows people to receive a small set of tailored profiles rather than navigating large volumes of candidates.

Tinder hopes the approach will strengthen engagement during a period when registrations and monthly activity remain lower than last year, despite minor improvements driven by AI-based recommendations.

Developers are also refocusing the broader discovery experience to reflect concerns raised by Gen Z around authenticity, trust and relevance.

The platform now relies on verification tools such as Face Check, which Match says cut harmful interactions by more than half instead of leaving users exposed to impersonators.

These moves indicate a shift away from the swipe mechanic that once defined the app, offering more direct suggestions that may improve outcomes.

Marketing investment is set to rise as part of the strategy. Match plans to allocate $50 million to new campaigns that will position Tinder as appealing again, using creators on TikTok and Instagram to reframe the brand.

Strong quarterly revenue failed to offset weaker guidance, yet the company argues that AI features will help shape a more reliable and engaging service for users seeking consistent matches.

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Google issues warning on malware affecting over 40% of Android devices

The US tech giant, Google, has alerted users that more than 40% of Android phones are vulnerable to new malware and spyware due to outdated software. Phones running older versions than Android 13 no longer receive security updates, leaving over a billion users worldwide at risk.

Data shows Android 16 is present on only 7.5% of devices, while versions 15, 14, and 13 still dominate the market.

Slow adoption of updates means many devices remain exposed, even when security patches are available. Google emphasised that outdated phones are particularly unsafe and cannot protect against emerging threats.

Users are advised to upgrade to Android 13 or newer, or purchase a mid-range device that receives regular updates, instead of keeping an old high-end phone without support. Unlike Apple, where most iPhones receive timely updates, older Android devices may never get the necessary security fixes.

The warning highlights the urgent need for users to act immediately to avoid potential data breaches and spyware attacks. Google’s message is clear: using unsupported Android devices is a growing global security concern.

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EU tests Matrix protocol as sovereign alternative for internal communication

The European Commission is testing a European open source system for its internal communications as worries grow in Brussels over deep dependence on US software.

A spokesperson said the administration is preparing a solution built on the Matrix protocol instead of relying solely on Microsoft Teams.

Matrix is already used by several European institutions, including the French government, German healthcare bodies and armed forces across the continent.

The Commission aims to deploy it as a complement and backup to Teams rather than a full replacement. Officials noted that Signal currently fills that role but lacks the flexibility needed for an organisation of the Commission’s size.

The initiative forms part of a wider push for digital sovereignty within the EU. A Matrix-based tool could eventually link the Commission with other Union bodies that currently lack a unified secure communication platform.

Officials said there is already an operational connection with the European Parliament.

The trial reflects growing sensitivity about Europe’s strategic dependence on non-European digital services.

By developing home-grown communication infrastructure instead of leaning on a single foreign supplier, the Commission hopes to build a more resilient and sovereign technological foundation.

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Malaysia enforces a total ban on e-waste imports after corruption probe

Authorities have imposed a full and immediate ban on the import of electronic waste in Malaysia to end the long-standing practice of foreign dumping.

The Anti-Corruption Commission reclassified all e-waste as an absolute prohibition, removing the earlier discretion that allowed limited exemptions. Officials argue that the country should protect its environment rather than accept hazardous materials from other nations.

Authorities have spent years intercepting containers loaded with discarded electronics suspected to contain toxic metals that contaminate soil and water when mishandled.

Environmental groups have repeatedly urged stronger controls, noting that waste from computers, mobile phones and household appliances poses severe risks to human health. The government now insists that firm enforcement must accompany the new restrictions to prevent continued smuggling.

The decision comes amid a widening corruption inquiry into oversight of e-waste. The director-general of the environment department and his deputy have been detained on suspicion of abuse of power. At the same time, investigators have frozen bank accounts and seized cash linked to the case.

The Home Ministry has pledged increased surveillance and warned that Malaysia will safeguard its national security by stopping illegal e-waste at its borders.

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Harvard researchers highlight contextual risks in medical AI systems

Medical AI promises faster analysis, more accurate pattern detection, and continuous availability, yet most systems still struggle to perform reliably in real clinical environments beyond laboratory testing.

Researchers led by Marinka Zitnik at Harvard Medical School identify contextual errors as a key reason why medical AI often fails when deployed in hospitals and clinics.

Models frequently generate technically sound responses that overlook crucial factors, such as medical speciality, geographic conditions, and patients’ socioeconomic circumstances, thereby limiting their real-world usefulness.

The study argues that training datasets, model architecture, and performance benchmarks must integrate contextual information to prevent misleading or impractical recommendations.

Improving transparency, trust, and human-AI collaboration could allow context-aware systems to support clinicians more effectively while reducing harm and inequality in care delivery.

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