Risks Digest 34.51

Posted by RISKS List Owner on Dec 29RISKS-LIST: Risks-Forum Digest Sunday 29 December 2024 Volume 34 : Issue 51 ACM FORUM ON RISKS TO THE PUBLIC IN COMPUTERS AND RELATED SYSTEMS (comp.risks) Peter G. Neumann, founder and still moderator ***** See last item …
Sydney Quigley · 3 days ago · 3 minutes read


Overall topic/title:

Exploring Emerging Technologies and Current Events in Computer Security

First subtopic:

AI advancements and ethical dilemmas

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming various industries, but it also raises ethical concerns. ChatGPT's susceptibility to manipulation and deception, Microsoft's prioritization of AI interpretability over human comprehension, and the deceptive nature of AI-powered medical assistants all highlight the need for caution and ethical considerations in AI development and deployment.

Second subtopic:

Emerging threats to critical infrastructure

Critical infrastructure, including food supply chains, transportation systems, and financial institutions, is increasingly vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Ransomware attacks targeting Canadian farmers, technical glitches grounding American Airlines flights, and digital license plate technology enabling traffic violations and tolls being pilfered showcase the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.

Third subtopic:

Cybercrime and surveillance

Cybercriminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities, as seen in the theft of millions of dollars from a Canadian arts organization by exploiting a banking security lapse. Hackers' ability to jailbreak digital license plates and foreign influence over phone-cracking tools used by authorities to install spyware raise questions about individual privacy and the potential for abuse.

Fourth subtopic:

Privacy and data collection

Digital surveillance and data collection are on the rise. AI-powered traffic cameras watch and tickets motorists, while Australia plans to verify underage social media users by analyzing hand movements. The extent of data collection and the use of that data raise serious privacy concerns.

Fifth subtopic:

Technological disruption and legacy systems

Advancements in technology can disrupt established systems and processes. The closure of the State Department's Disinformation Office leaves the US without a dedicated agency to counter foreign disinformation abroad, highlighting the challenges of adapting to evolving threats. The continued use of Commodore 64 computers in modern bakeries underscores the need to balance technological progress with preserving legacy systems.

Optional quote or additional content:

Expert quote from Matt Wojciakowski of Microsoft, on the company's decision to reject a documentation fix: "We have decided to keep [the documentation] as-is ... part of that decision is that more and more folks are using AI chat to access guidance and tables don't always translate well in that context."

This quote illustrates the ongoing tension between human comprehension and AI interpretability in the development of user documentation.

Wrap-up:

The dynamic landscape of computer security presents both opportunities and challenges. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial to address ethical implications, protect critical infrastructure, combat cybercrime, safeguard privacy, and navigate the complexities of technological disruption.