Cisco Talos Blog: Care what you share

Apr 17, 2025

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Source URL: https://blog.talosintelligence.com/care-what-you-share/
Source: Cisco Talos Blog
Title: Care what you share

Feedly Summary: In this week’s newsletter, Thorsten muses on how search engines and AI quietly gather your data while trying to influence your buying choices. Explore privacy-friendly alternatives and get the scoop on why it’s important to question the platforms you interact with online.

AI Summary and Description: Yes

**Summary:** The text discusses the implications of AI on user privacy within online interactions, particularly regarding search engines, while also addressing the security landscape related to ransomware and major vulnerabilities. It emphasizes the importance of user awareness in the context of data sharing and the risks associated with AI models gathering user behavior information.

**Detailed Description:**
The content of the Threat Source newsletter outlines several key themes relevant to professionals in security, privacy, and compliance:

– **User Experience and AI Influence:**
– Users often feel overwhelmed and manipulated by AI-enhanced search results that aim to predict buying behavior, leading to frustration over irrelevant advertisements.
– Search engines not only provide information but also collect extensive data about user behavior and preferences, raising concerns about privacy.

– **Privacy-Focused Alternatives:**
– The author discovered SearXNG, an open-source meta-search engine that aggregates results without tracking or profiling users. This platform offers several advantages:
– Option to self-host, enhancing control over personal data.
– Integration with existing browser setups for seamless use.
– Simple syntax for advanced searches and multilingual support.

– **Risks Associated with AI and LLMs:**
– The text draws parallels between traditional search engines and AI models, noting both collect user data.
– Users need to evaluate the trustworthiness of AI tools before sharing sensitive information, especially when dealing with advanced queries.

– **Ransomware Threats:**
– The newsletter continues a focus on ransomware, revealing alarming statistics from the Talos’ 2024 Year in Review. Highlights include:
– Nearly 70% of ransomware incidents involved valid accounts for unauthorized access.
– Public-facing applications were exploited in about 20% of incidents.
– A catalog of known vulnerabilities indicates that cybersecurity vigilance remains critical, with an emphasis on software updates and credential protection.

– **Cyber Hygiene Principles:**
– Emphasizing basic security practices is crucial in mitigating risks, including:
– Regularly updating and patching software.
– Ensuring strong password management.

– **Current Security Headlines:**
– News about OpenAI reducing safety testing timeframes raises concerns about AI reliability.
– Description of recent malware trends including ‘slopsquatting,’ which combines AI vulnerabilities and traditional malicious tactics.

– **Conclusion and Recommendations:**
– The text encourages professionals to stay informed about emerging threats and adopt proactive security measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) to further protect organizations from identity threats.

This comprehensive overview serves as a significant resource for security and compliance professionals, highlighting the intersection of AI, privacy, and security within today’s rapidly evolving digital environment.

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