The World’s Real ‘Cybercrime’ Problem

From US state laws to the international stage, definitions of “cybercrime” remain vague, broad, and increasingly entrenched in our legal systems.

A Spy Wants to Connect With You on LinkedIn

Russia, North Korea, Iran, and China have been caught using fake profiles to gather information. But the platform’s tools to weed them out only go so far.

Ransomware Attacks Have Entered a ‘Heinous’ New Phase

With victims refusing to pay, cybercriminal gangs are now releasing stolen photos of cancer patients and sensitive student records.

How a Catholic Group Doxed Gay Priests

Plus: A data breach exposes Washington, Ring camera footage has a new problem, and the George Santos scandal slips into the world of cybercrime.

‘Pig Butchering’ Scams Are Now a $3 Billion Threat

The FBI’s latest Internet Crime Report highlights the stunning rise of investment-themed crimes over the past 18 months.

Congressman Darin LaHood Says FBI Targeted Him With Unlawful 'Backdoor' Searches

Representative Darin LaHood's claim that he was the subject of “backdoor” searches comes at a dicey moment for the bureau.

The FBI Just Admitted It Bought US Location Data

Rather than obtaining a warrant, the bureau purchased sensitive data—a controversial practice that privacy advocates say is deeply problematic.

The US Air Force Is Moving Fast on AI-Piloted Fighter Jets

After successful autonomous flight tests in December, the military is ramping up its plans to bring artificial intelligence to the skies.

How Denmark’s Welfare State Became a Surveillance Nightmare

Once praised for its generous social safety net, the country now collects troves of data on welfare claimants.

This Algorithm Could Ruin Your Life

A system used by the Dutch city of Rotterdam ranked people based on their risk of fraud. The results were troubling.

A Privacy Hero's Final Wish: An Institute to Redirect AI's Future

Peter Eckersley did groundbreaking work to encrypt the web. After his sudden death, a new organization he founded is carrying out his vision to steer artificial intelligence toward “human flourishing.”

The LastPass Hack Somehow Gets Worse

Plus: The US Marshals disclose a “major” cybersecurity incident, T-Mobile has gotten pwned so much, and more.

What to Do When Your Boss Is Spying on You

Employee monitoring increased with Covid-19’s remote work—and stuck around for back-to-the-office.

The High-Stakes Blame Game in the White House Cybersecurity Plan

The Biden administration’s new strategy would shift the liability for security failures to a controversial target: the companies that caused them.

The Sketchy Plan to Build a Russian Android Phone

Amid isolating sanctions, a Russian tech giant plans to launch new Android phones and tablets. But experts are skeptical the company can pull it off.

This Hacker Tool Can Pinpoint a DJI Drone Operator's Exact Location

Every DJI quadcopter broadcasts its operator's position via radio—unencrypted. Now, a group of researchers has learned to decode those coordinates.

China Is Relentlessly Hacking Its Neighbors

New details reveal that Beijing-backed hackers targeted the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, adding to a string of attacks in the region.

Apple Users Need to Update iOS Now to Patch Serious Flaws

Plus: Microsoft fixes several zero-day bugs, Google patches Chrome and Android, Mozilla rids Firefox of a full-screen vulnerability, and more.

Security News This Week: Sensitive US Military Emails Exposed

Plus: Iran’s secret torture black sites, hacking a bank account with AI-generated voice, and Lance Bass’ unhinged encounter in Russia.

You Can’t Trust App Developers’ Privacy Claims on Google Play

Mozilla researchers found that apps often provide inaccurate data use disclosures, giving people “a false sense of security.”

Batteries Are Ukraine’s Secret Weapon Against Russia

With Russia regularly knocking out Ukraine’s power grid, the country has turned to high-capacity batteries to keep it connected to the world—and itself.

The Push to Ban TikTok in the US Isn’t About Privacy

Lawmakers are increasingly hellbent on punishing the popular social network while efforts to pass a broader privacy law have dwindled.

Ukraine Suffered More Wiper Malware in 2022 Than Anywhere, Ever

As Russia has accelerated its cyberattacks on its neighbor, it's barraged the country with an unprecedented volume of different data-destroying programs.

A New Kind of Bug Spells Trouble for iOS and macOS Security

Security researchers found a class of flaws that, if exploited, would allow an attacker to access people’s messages, photos, and call history.

How to Protect Yourself From Twitter’s 2FA Crackdown

Twitter is disabling SMS-based two-factor authentication. Switch to these alternatives to keep your account safe.

How to Unlock Your iPhone With a Security Key

Passcodes are out.

Twitter’s Two-Factor Authentication Change ‘Doesn't Make Sense’

The company will soon require users to pay for a Twitter Blue subscription to get sign-in codes via SMS. Security experts are baffled.

Hackers Ran Amok Inside GoDaddy for Nearly 3 Years

Plus: The FBI got (at least a little bit) hacked, an election-disruption firm gets exposed, Russia mulls allowing “patriotic hacking,” and more.

Data Breaches: The Complete WIRED Guide

Everything you need to know about the past, present, and future of data security—from Equifax to Yahoo—and the problem with Social Security numbers.

Crypto Buyers Beware: 1 in 4 New Tokens of Any Value Is a Scam

And according to tracing firm Chainalysis, one very prolific scammer ran at least 264 of those scams in 2022 alone.

The East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Created a Perfect TikTok Storm

The social media platform helped push the story into the mainstream while also fueling misinformation and conspiracy theories.

US Border Protection Is Finally Able to Check E-Passport Data

After 16 years, the agency has implemented the software to cryptographically verify digital passport data—and it’s already caught a dozen alleged fraudsters.

What to Look for When Buying a Security Camera (2023): Tips and Risks

Eufy's recent scandal shows it's not so much about the data breach but about how a company responds. Here are a few ways to shop smart.

The More You Look for Spy Balloons, the More UFOs You’ll Find

No, there’s not a sudden influx of unidentified objects in the skies above the US—but the government is paying closer attention.

Pig Butchering Scams Are Evolving Fast

Investment schemes are ensnaring victims with increasingly compelling narratives and believable tech.

How to Make Sure You’re Not Accidentally Sharing Your Location

Keep your movements private.

North Korean Hackers Are Attacking US Hospitals

Plus: Deepfake disinformation spotted in the wild, Android privacy problems in China, Reddit gets phished, and more.

The FBI’s Most Controversial Surveillance Tool Is Under Threat

A review of the FBI’s access to foreign intelligence reveals troubling misuse of powerful surveillance tech.

Meet the Creator of North Korea’s Favorite Crypto Privacy Service

The world’s most prolific crypto thieves have used Sinbad.io to launder tens of millions. Its creator, “Mehdi,” answers WIRED’s questions.

Russia’s Ransomware Gangs Are Being Named and Shamed

Members of the Trickbot and Conti cybercrime gangs have been sanctioned in an unprecedented wave of action against the country’s hackers.

Want to Delete Your Twitter DMs? Good Luck With That

People in Europe are making GDPR requests to have their private messages erased, but Elon’s team is ignoring them.

The Political Theater Behind the State of the Union Data Privacy Push

Biden’s speech calling for better data protections got a standing ovation from both sides of the aisle. So, where’s a federal privacy law?

How the US Can Stop Data Brokers' Worst Practices—Right Now

Legal experts say a key law should already prevent brokers from collecting and selling data that’s weaponized against vulnerable people.

Biden’s SOTU: Data Privacy Is Now a Must-Hit US State of the Union Topic

Biden’s speech proves that protecting personal info is no longer a fringe issue. Now, Congress just needs to do something about it.

Inside Safe City, Moscow’s AI Surveillance Dystopia

Moscow promised residents lower crime rates through an expansive smart city project. Then Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.

Googling for Software Downloads Is Extra Risky Right Now

Plus: The FTC cracks down on GoodRx, Microsoft boots “verified” phishing scammers, researchers disclose EV charger vulnerabilities, and more.

The Chinese Spy Balloon Shows the Downsides of Spy Balloons

A popular military tool during the Cold War, spy balloons have since fallen out of favor—for good reason.

Congress Has a Lo-Fi Plan to Fix the Classified Documents Mess

As unsecured docs pile up, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is itching to overhaul the nation’s secret secret-sharing operation.

Netflix’s US Password-Sharing Crackdown Isn’t Happening—Yet

Accidental revisions to a US Help Center page sparked confusion about the streamer's next moves. But restrictions on account sharing are still coming soon.

Enter the Hunter Satellites Preparing for Space War

True Anomaly, a startup backed by US senator JD Vance's VC firm, plans to launch prototype pursuit satellites on a SpaceX flight later this year.

You Really Need to Update Firefox and Android Right Now

January saw a slew of security patches for iOS, Chrome, Windows, and more.

The Untold Story of a Crippling Ransomware Attack

More than two years ago, criminals crippled the systems of London’s Hackney Council. It's still fighting to recover.

A Link to News Site Meduza Can (Technically) Land You in Russian Prison

Plus: Hive ransomware gang gets knocked offline, FBI confirms North Korea stole $100 million, and more.

ADS-B Exchange, the Flight Tracker That Powered @ElonJet, Sold to Jetnet

ADS-B Exchange, beloved for resisting censorship, was sold to a company owned by private equity—and now even its biggest fans are bailing.

Most Criminal Cryptocurrency Funnels Through Just 5 Exchanges

The crypto money-laundering market is tighter than at any time in the past decade, and the few big players are moving a “shocking” amount of currency.

The Unrelenting Menace of the LockBit Ransomware Gang

The notorious Russian-speaking cybercriminals grew successful by keeping a low profile. But now they have a target on their backs.

Flaw in Diksha App Exposed the Data of Millions of Indian Students

A mandatory app exposed the personal information of students and teachers across the country for over a year.

How to Encrypt any File, Folder, or Drive on Your System

Trust us, it’s safer this way.

The Biggest US Surveillance Program You Didn’t Know About

Plus: A leaked US “no fly” list, the SCOTUS leaker slips investigators, and PayPal gets stuffed.

T-Mobile's New Data Breach Shows Its $150 Million Security Investment Isn't Cutting It

The mobile operator just suffered at least its fifth data breach since 2018, despite promising to spend a fortune shoring up its systems.