Daily Tech Headlines: SharePoint Attack, Apple Care One, AI Subliminal Learning, Uber Preferences

Cybersecurity and National Security

• ⚠️ Attackers linked to China exploited a Microsoft SharePoint zero-day to breach the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration.
• 🎯 This attack is part of a larger campaign affecting over 400 servers globally, prompting CISA to order immediate patching across federal systems.

Apple's New Subscription Service

• 📱 Apple has launched Apple Care One, a $19.99 monthly subscription that covers up to three Apple devices.
• 🛡️ It offers benefits similar to Apple Care Plus, including accident protection, 24/7 support, and now theft and loss coverage for iPads and Apple Watches.

AI Model Behavior and Learning

• 🧠 Anthropic researchers discovered that AI models can exhibit subliminal learning, absorbing risky behaviors from data even when it appears safe.
• 🧩 This phenomenon occurs when teacher and student models share the same architecture, potentially transmitting undetected issues like misalignment.

Fusion Energy and Gadget Innovations

• ⚡ Avalanche Energy achieved a milestone by operating its compact fusion reactor at 300,000 volts, a step towards net energy production, and received a $10 million grant for a testing facility.
• 🛰️ The Starlink Mini is highlighted as a cool gadget for its compact size, reliable speeds up to 245 Mbps, and ease of use, ideal for travel or remote work.

Browser and Wi-Fi Tracking Advancements

• 🌐 Google is introducing built-in vertical tabs to Chrome, a feature previously found in other browsers, to improve tab organization.
• 📶 Researchers developed Hufi, a method using Wi-Fi signals and deep learning to identify individuals with up to 95.5% accuracy, capable of working through walls and in any lighting.

Uber's Rider Safety Feature

• 🚗 Uber is piloting a women preferences feature in the U.S., allowing women riders to specifically request women drivers.
• 🌍 This feature, already active in 40 countries, aims to improve rider safety and potentially recruit more female drivers.