Encryption

Microsoft begins password deletion in six weeks

Microsoft has announced that it will begin deleting saved passwords from its Authenticator app in six weeks, urging users to shift to more secure passkeys. The company confirmed that by August 2025, saved passwords will no longer be accessible, marking a decisive move away from traditional logins.

Users can transition their credentials to Microsoft Edge or adopt passkeys, which are less vulnerable to phishing and breaches. Despite growing risks, Google is making similar recommendations as most users still rely on passwords or outdated two-factor authentication.

The changes reflect a broader industry push to phase out passwords entirely, citing their inherent insecurity and the surge in credential-based attacks. Microsoft also warned that attackers are intensifying efforts to exploit passwords before their relevance fades.

Authenticator will continue supporting passkeys, but users must keep it enabled as their passkey provider. Microsoft’s message is clear: act now to secure your accounts before password support disappears.

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UK cyber agency warns AI will accelerate cyber threats by 2027

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has warned that integrating AI into national infrastructure creates a broader attack surface, raising concerns about an increased risk of cyber threats.

Its latest report outlines how AI may amplify the capabilities of threat actors, especially when it comes to exploiting known vulnerabilities more rapidly than ever before.

By 2027, AI-enabled tools are expected to shorten the time between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation significantly. The evolution could pose a serious challenge for defenders, particularly within critical systems.

The NCSC notes that the risk of advanced cyber attacks will likely escalate unless organisations can keep pace with so-called ‘frontier AI’.

The centre also predicts a growing ‘digital divide’ between organisations that adapt to AI-driven threats and those left behind. The divide could further endanger the overall cyber resilience of the UK. As a result, decisive action is being urged to close the gap and reduce future risks.

NCSC operations director Paul Chichester said AI is expanding attack surfaces, increasing the volume of threats, and speeding up malicious activity. He emphasised that while these dangers are real, AI can strengthen the UK’s cyber defences.

Organisations are encouraged to adopt robust security practices using resources like the Cyber Assessment Framework, the 10 Steps to Cyber Security, and the new AI Cyber Security Code of Practice.

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Google warns against weak passwords amid £12bn scams

Gmail users are being urged to upgrade their security as online scams continue to rise sharply, with cyber criminals stealing over £12 billion in the past year alone. Google is warning that simple passwords leave people vulnerable to phishing and account takeovers.

To combat the threat, users are encouraged to switch to passkeys or use ‘Sign in with Google’, both of which offer stronger protections through fingerprint, face ID or PIN verification. Over 60% of Baby Boomers and Gen X users still rely on weak passwords, increasing their exposure to attacks.

Despite the availability of secure alternatives, only 30% of users reportedly use them daily. Gen Z is leading the shift by adopting newer tools, bypassing outdated security habits altogether.

Google recommends adding 2-Step Verification for those unwilling to leave passwords behind. With scams growing more sophisticated, extra security measures are no longer optional, they are essential.

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Workplace deepfake abuse: What employers must know

Deepfake technology—AI-generated videos, images, and audio—has entered the workplace in alarming ways.

Once difficult to produce, deepfakes are now widely accessible and are being used to harass, impersonate, or intimidate employees. These synthetic media attacks can cause deep psychological harm, damage reputations, and expose employers to serious legal risks.

While US federal law hasn’t yet caught up, new legislation like the Take It Down Act and Florida’s Brooke’s Law require platforms to remove non-consensual deepfake content within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, employers could face claims under existing workplace laws if they fail to act on deepfake harassment. Inaction may lead to lawsuits for creating a hostile environment or for negligent oversight.

Most workplace policies still don’t mention synthetic media and something like this creates blind spots, especially during investigations, where fake images or audio could wrongly influence decisions.

Employers need to shift how they assess evidence and protect both accused and accuser fairly. It’s time to update handbooks, train staff, and build clear response plans that include digital impersonation and deepfake abuse.

By treating deepfakes as a modern form of harassment instead of just a tech issue, organisations can respond faster, protect staff, and maintain trust. Proactive training, updated policies, and legal awareness will be crucial to workplace safety in the age of AI.

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Anubis ransomware threatens permanent data loss

A new ransomware threat known as Anubis is making waves in the cybersecurity world, combining file encryption with aggressive monetisation tactics and a rare file-wiping feature that prevents data recovery.

Victims discover their files renamed with the .anubis extension and are presented with a ransom note warning that stolen data will be leaked unless payment is made.

What sets Anubis apart is its ability to permanently erase file contents using a command that overwrites them with zero-byte shells. Although the filenames remain, the data inside is lost forever, rendering recovery impossible.

Researchers have flagged the destructive feature as highly unusual for ransomware, typically seen in cyberespionage rather than financially motivated attacks.

The malware also attempts to change the victim’s desktop wallpaper to reinforce the impact, although in current samples, the image file was missing. Anubis spreads through phishing emails and uses tactics like command-line scripting and stolen tokens to escalate privileges and evade defences.

It operates as a ransomware-as-a-service model, meaning less-skilled cybercriminals can rent and use it easily.

Security experts urge organisations to treat Anubis as more than a typical ransomware threat. Besides strong backup practices, firms are advised to improve email security, limit user privileges, and train staff to spot phishing attempts.

As attackers look to profit from stolen access and unrecoverable destruction, prevention becomes the only true line of defence.

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Quantum computing threatens Bitcoin: Experts debate timeline

Recent breakthroughs in quantum computing have revived fears about the long-term security of Bitcoin (BTC).

With IBM aiming to release the first fault-tolerant quantum computer, the IBM Quantum Starling, by 2029, experts are increasingly concerned that such advancements could undermine Bitcoin’s cryptographic backbone.

Bitcoin currently relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and the SHA-256 hashing algorithm to secure wallets and transactions. However, both are potentially vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm, which a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could exploit.

Google quantum researcher Craig Gidney warned in May 2025 that quantum resources required to break RSA encryption had been significantly overestimated. Although Bitcoin uses ECC, not RSA, Gidney’s research hinted at a threat window between 2030 and 2035 for crypto systems.

Opinions on the timeline vary. Adam Back, Blockstream CEO and early Bitcoin advocate, believes a quantum threat is still at least two decades away. However, he admitted that future progress could force users to migrate coins to quantum-safe wallets—potentially even Satoshi Nakamoto’s dormant holdings.

Others are more alarmed. David Carvalho, CEO of Naoris Protocol, claimed in a June 2025 op-ed that Bitcoin could be cracked within five years, pointing to emerging technologies like Microsoft’s Majorana chip. He estimated that nearly 30% of BTC is stored in quantum-vulnerable addresses.

‘Just one breach could destroy trust in the entire ecosystem,’ Carvalho warned, noting that BlackRock has already acknowledged the quantum risk in its Bitcoin ETF filings.

Echoing this urgency, billionaire investor Chamath Palihapitiya said in late 2024 that SHA-256 could be broken within two to five years if companies scale quantum chips like Google’s 105-qubit Willow. He urged the crypto industry to start updating encryption protocols before it’s too late.

While truly fault-tolerant quantum machines capable of breaking Bitcoin are not yet available, the accelerating pace of research suggests that preparing for a quantum future is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.

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Google pushes users to move away from passwords

Google urges users to move beyond passwords, citing widespread reuse and vulnerability to phishing attacks. The company is now promoting alternatives like passkeys and social sign-ins as more secure and user-friendly options.

Data from Google shows that half of users reuse passwords, while the rest either memorise or write them down. Gen Z is leading the shift and is significantly more likely to adopt passkeys and social logins than older generations.

Passkeys, stored on user devices, eliminate traditional password input and reduce phishing risks by relying on biometrics or device PINs for authentication. However, limited app support and difficulty syncing across devices remain barriers to broader adoption.

Google highlights that while social sign-ins offer convenience, they come with privacy trade-offs by giving large companies access to more user activity data. Users still relying on passwords are advised to adopt app-based two-factor authentication over SMS or email, which are far less secure.

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UK remote work still a major data security risk

A new survey reveals that 69% of UK companies reported data breaches to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) over the past year, a steep rise from 53% in 2024.

The research conducted by Apricorn highlights that nearly half of remote workers knowingly compromised data security.

Based on responses from 200 UK IT security leaders, the study found that phishing remains the leading cause of breaches, followed by human error. Despite widespread remote work policies, 58% of organisations believe staff lack the proper tools or skills to protect sensitive data.

The use of personal devices for work has climbed to 56%, while only 19% of firms now mandate company-issued hardware. These trends raise ongoing concerns about end point security, data visibility, and maintaining GDPR compliance in hybrid work environments.

Technical support gaps and unclear encryption practices remain pressing issues, with nearly half of respondents finding it increasingly difficult to manage remote work technology. Apricorn’s Jon Fielding called for a stronger link between written policy and practical security measures to reduce breaches.

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Real-time, on-device security: The only way to stop modern mobile Trojans

Mobile banking faces a serious new threat: AI-powered Trojans operating silently within legitimate apps. These advanced forms of malware go beyond stealing login credentials—they use AI to intercept biometrics, manipulate app flows in real-time, and execute fraud without raising alarms.

Today’s AI Trojans adapt on the fly. They bypass signature-based detection and cloud-based threat engines by completing attacks directly on the device before traditional systems can react.

Most current security tools weren’t designed for this level of sophistication, exposing banks and users.

To counter this, experts advocate for AI-native security built directly into mobile apps—systems that operate on the device itself, monitoring user interactions and app behaviour in real-time to detect anomalies and stop fraud before it begins.

As these AI threats grow more common, the message is clear: mobile apps must defend themselves from within. Real-time, on-device protection is now essential to safeguarding users and staying ahead of a rapidly evolving risk.

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NSA and allies set AI data security standards

The National Security Agency (NSA), in partnership with cybersecurity agencies from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and others, has released new guidance aimed at protecting the integrity of data used in AI systems.

The Cybersecurity Information Sheet (CSI), titled AI Data Security: Best Practices for Securing Data Used to Train & Operate AI Systems, outlines emerging threats and sets out 10 recommendations for mitigating them.

The CSI builds on earlier joint guidance from 2024 and signals growing global urgency around safeguarding AI data instead of allowing systems to operate without scrutiny.

The report identifies three core risks across the AI lifecycle: tampered datasets in the supply chain, deliberately poisoned data intended to manipulate models, and data drift—where changes in data over time reduce performance or create new vulnerabilities.

These threats may erode accuracy and trust in AI systems, particularly in sensitive areas like defence, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure, where even small failures could have far-reaching consequences.

To reduce these risks, the CSI recommends a layered approach—starting with sourcing data from reliable origins and tracking provenance using digital credentials. It advises encrypting data at every stage, verifying integrity with cryptographic tools, and storing data securely in certified systems.

Additional measures include deploying zero trust architecture, using digital signatures for dataset updates, and applying access controls based on data classification instead of relying on broad administrative trust.

The CSI also urges ongoing risk assessments using frameworks like NIST’s AI RMF, encouraging organisations to anticipate emerging challenges such as quantum threats and advanced data manipulation.

Privacy-preserving techniques, secure deletion protocols, and infrastructure controls round out the recommendations.

Rather than treating AI as a standalone tool, the guidance calls for embedding strong data governance and security throughout its lifecycle to prevent compromised systems from shaping critical outcomes.

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