Google Launches Global Initiative To Educate Workers And Lawmakers On AI Risks - 1

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Google Launches Global Initiative To Educate Workers And Lawmakers On AI Risks

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

Google is prioritizing educational programs on AI aimed at workers and lawmakers worldwide.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • Google is developing educational programs on AI to shape public perception, workforce readiness, and policymaking.
  • Deputies have been traveling worldwide to discuss AI policy recommendations with governments.
  • Alphabet wants to expand educational programs like Grow with Google and reach public-private partnerships.

According to Reuters , the tech giant intends “to shape public perception and policies on artificial intelligence ahead of a global wave of AI regulation.”

Kent Walker, Alphabet—Google’s parent company—and Google’s president of global affairs, told Reuters more about the company’s vision. “Getting more people and organizations, including governments, familiar with AI and using AI tools, makes for better AI policy and opens up new opportunities–it’s a virtuous cycle,” said Walker.

Alphabet’s deputies, including Walker and the president and chief investment officer Ruth Porat, have been traveling across the world to discuss AI policy recommendations with multiple governments.

“There’s a lot of upside in terms of helping people who may be displaced by this. We do want to focus on that,” Walker said.

Google wants to expand its educational programs like Grow with Google and establish public-private partnerships to train workers for future AI-related jobs and prepare for potential job market transformations driven by AI’s impact and role replacements.

The company has been engaging in multiple educational programs in the past few months. In November, they launched a new free AI feature called Learn About with textbook-like information and interactive content in topics like biology, history, and astronomy.

These decisions come as Alphabet faces multiple antitrust regulations. The U.S. government has been pressuring Alphabet to sell its Chrome browser and other products to address monopoly concerns. A similar situation is happening with European countries like Italy which recently launched an antitrust investigation against Google and Alphabet. A few weeks ago, Japan issued a cease-and-desist order against the tech giant for violating the antitrust laws in the country.

Phishing Campaign Targets Mobile Users With Malicious PDFs - 2

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Phishing Campaign Targets Mobile Users With Malicious PDFs

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Former Lead Cybersecurity Editor

A new phishing campaign is targeting mobile users by impersonating the United States Postal Service (USPS) and using fake PDF documents to steal sensitive information. Security researchers at Zimperium’s zLabs detailed today this campaign, which utilizes advanced social engineering tactics and a novel method to hide malicious links within PDFs.

In a Rush? Here are the Quick Facts!

  • The attack uses malicious PDF files with sophisticated evasion techniques to bypass security.
  • Over 20 malicious PDFs and 630 phishing pages were uncovered in the operation.
  • The campaign spans over 50 countries and uses deceptive tactics to steal credentials.

The campaign works by sending SMS messages containing seemingly legitimate PDF attachments. These PDFs appear harmless but include hidden links that redirect users to phishing websites. Victims are prompted to provide personal information, such as their name, address, email, and phone number.

By exploiting the trust users place in PDFs as secure, professional documents, attackers have managed to evade detection by many traditional security systems.

The researchers note that PDFs are a staple in business communication, valued for their compatibility and ability to maintain formatting. However, this popularity also makes them a prime target for cybercriminals.

Malicious PDFs can embed links, scripts, or other harmful content that is hard to detect, especially on mobile devices, where users typically preview files with limited scrutiny.

Zimperium’s investigation revealed a large-scale operation involving over 20 malicious PDF files and 630 phishing pages, impacting users across more than 50 countries. The campaign employs a unique evasion technique to obscure malicious links, bypassing many endpoint security tools.

Unlike standard methods that use visible links, these PDFs hide URLs within their structure, making the attack harder to detect, as noted by Zimperium’s analysis.

When victims click the embedded links, they are taken to fake USPS websites designed to look authentic. These phishing pages request personal details under the pretense of resolving delivery issues. Without advanced mobile threat defenses, such attacks can lead to data breaches, credential theft, and financial loss.

This campaign underscores the growing need for advanced security solutions to protect against increasingly sophisticated phishing attacks targeting mobile devices.