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In its April 2024 East Asia report (PDF), the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center claims that China is now using generative AI to produce content at scale in an effort to “[stoke] division” in the US and influence the outcome of this year’s presidential election. According to Microsoft, Chinese government-backed social media campaigns have amplified stories like the Kentucky train derailment, the disposal of Japanese nuclear wastewater, US immigration policies, and that an American “weather weapon” created the Hawaii wildfires.

These activities are mostly relegated to X, and it is difficult to gauge what impact they have. The Microsoft team notes that its possible these activities are meant to learn more about how Americans see the world by tracking engagement.

Change Healthcare is once again dealing with a hack, just after recovering from a major ransomware attack earlier this year. The gang RansomHub is now claiming that it holds 4TB of data, and its asking for an extortion payment for the company to protect it. If they don’t receive the payment, they are threatening to sell it in 12 days.

Sensitive medical records and financial information make the data extremely valuable on the dark web. Questions remain about links between RansomHub and ALPHV/BlackCat, the organization behind the earlier Change Healthcare attack.

After a decade, Apple has finally shuttered Project Titan (its autonomous vehicle initiative) resulting in significant job losses. The closure will ultimately affect over 600 positions in California, including those tied to car and smartwatch display projects. Notices were filed with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification program.

This move concludes Apple's ambitious bid to enter the autonomous vehicle market, potentially redirecting some employees to the AI division. Amidst a wave of tech layoffs in 2024, including Sony's 900 PlayStation job cuts, the industry is no witnessing a trend of downsizing.

Interesting Read

Leila Powell is a former astrophysicist turned data scientist who now works in cybersecurity at Panaseer. In this interview for Cybernews, she shares her insights on bridging the gap between galaxies and data security and how critical thinking is reshaping the industry.

She discusses her work with supercomputer simulations of early universe formation and decoding cybersecurity puzzles. Powell also talks about her transition from academia to working on the frontlines of cybersecurity. It’s an interesting perspective.

Employment Tip: Customize Your Resume

When trying to find a job, it’s easy to get into the mindset that it's all about quantity over quality. People often blast out their resume and a boilerplate cover letter to as many openings as they can find. But there is a different way—customizing your resume and cover letter for each position. Adapt to the terms and phrases many companies are searching for in resumes, tailoring how you present yourself to their needs. It's well worth the effort, especially for dream jobs.

For the latest openings in cybersecurity careers, check CybersecurityHQ.

Stay Safe, Stay Secure.

The CybersecurityHQ Team