Author: Frank Salvato

Microsoft is rolling out an update that will automatically enable key messaging security features in Microsoft Teams starting January 12, 2026, for tenants still using standard, unmodified settings. The new defaults include weaponizable file type protection, malicious URL detection with warning labels on suspicious links, and a feedback mechanism for reporting false positives, aiming to curb phishing and malware risks without requiring admin action. Administrators are advised to review and adjust settings ahead of time if they want custom configurations to remain in place; those who ignore the change will have Microsoft’s stricter policies applied automatically. This marks a broader…

Venezuela’s possession of advanced Israeli military technology traces back to a largely forgotten period when Caracas maintained pragmatic defense relationships with Western-aligned suppliers, including Israel, before the ideological realignment under Hugo Chávez. As reported by The Jerusalem Post and supported by independent defense and aviation records, Venezuela acquired Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ Python 4 short-range air-to-air missiles and Rafael Litening targeting pods for integration onto its U.S.-built F-16 fighter jets. These purchases occurred when Venezuela was still viewed as a conventional regional military actor rather than a sanctioned adversary, allowing Israeli systems—also used by U.S. and NATO forces—to be legally…

A U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General audit has revealed that the Pentagon failed to properly track a significant portion of the estimated $13.4 billion worth of U.S. military equipment and weapons supplied to Israel following the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, with only about 44 percent of weapons subject to enhanced end-use monitoring accounted for as of November 2024, down from 69 percent pre-war, and oversight failures attributed to operational restrictions, staffing shortages and shifting battlefield conditions; the report warned that weak tracking increases the risk of sensitive arms falling into the hands of adversaries, cited inadequate…

Several artificial intelligence start-ups, including OpenAI and Perplexity, are launching AI-powered web browsers and integrations aimed at challenging Google’s long-standing dominance of the browser market — a shift being described as the most significant in decades. These new offerings seek to embed advanced AI capabilities directly into browsing experiences, with features like proactive assistance, enhanced task automation, and model choice, positioning AI browsers as potential rivals to Google Chrome’s 63%+ global market share. Despite this, Google continues to push its own Gemini AI and experimental projects like Disco, maintaining a competitive edge. The rise of AI browsers highlights both innovation…

Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders face heightened risks of identity theft and extortion following a series of major cyberattacks, including a massive breach of the ManageMyHealth patient portal and a separate intrusion into the Neighbourly community platform that exposed sensitive user data. The ransomware group Kazu claims it stole hundreds of thousands of files from ManageMyHealth, potentially exposing personal health records of roughly 126,000 individuals, and demanded a ransom under threat of public release. Independent cybersecurity experts warn that such stolen health and location information could fuel identity fraud and other crimes, with critics blaming weak security practices and…

The landscape of anti-surveillance design — from clothing to everyday accessories — is evolving as individuals push back against increasingly ubiquitous facial recognition and other monitoring technologies that gather biometric data and track movement across public and private spaces. A January 5, 2026 piece from 404 Media highlights that even simple items like cloth masks and sunglasses can degrade the effectiveness of many facial recognition systems, and more advanced wearables (like infrared-blocking glasses) are entering the market as privacy-focused consumers seek ways to resist surveillance algorithms. Independent reporting and privacy-technology discussions show a broader trend toward anti-surveillance fashion and tech…

Microsoft is rolling out a significant user interface redesign for its Edge browser, borrowing the visual language and layout cues from its Copilot AI assistant app in early Canary and Dev channel tests. The overhaul includes a refreshed settings panel, updated context menus, a redesigned new tab page, rounded UI elements, and consistent use of Copilot’s fonts and colors—all signaling a strategic push to visually unify Edge with Microsoft’s broader AI ecosystem. This change is separate from Copilot Mode and reflects the company’s larger aim to embed AI experiences throughout its software products. Early reports suggest the new look may…

NuraLogix debuted its Longevity Mirror, an $899 AI-enabled smart mirror that claims to assess key health indicators and predict future wellness in just about 30 seconds by analyzing a short facial video using transdermal optical imaging, generating a Longevity Index score and metrics tied to cardiovascular, metabolic, and stress levels; it supports up to six user profiles and includes an AI Health Assistant with personalized lifestyle advice, though the company makes clear it’s a wellness tool rather than a clinical diagnostic device, and some observers question its accuracy without personal data like height or weight and the overall utility of…

Google has confirmed it will remove support for two long-standing Gmail features beginning January 2026: the ability for Gmail to fetch mail from third-party accounts using the POP3 protocol, and the “Gmailify” service that applied Gmail’s advanced inbox features (such as spam protection, inbox categorization, and enhanced notifications) to external accounts. The change means that Gmail on the web will no longer automatically pull emails from other mail services (like Outlook, Yahoo, or ISP mail) into a single unified inbox via POP3, and linked accounts using Gmailify will stop receiving Gmail’s organizational benefits. Instead, Google recommends using IMAP connections in…

Tech industry veterans Biz Stone (Twitter co-founder) and Evan Sharp (Pinterest co-founder) have raised fresh funding to develop Tangle, a new social platform designed as an antidote to what they describe as the “terrible devastation” wrought by traditional social networks. Backed with a reported $29 million in seed financing led by Spark Capital, Tangle launched in an invite-only mode in late 2025 and encourages users to share daily intentions rather than endlessly scroll algorithmic feeds. The app aims to foster real-world connections, meaningful planning, and mindful engagement with technology. Its founders argue this model could help reshape how people use…