Knifings, firebombings, shootings, and murder-for-hire plots are linked to a splinter group of the 764 crime network called “No Lives Matter.” The group’s manifesto claims it aims to “purify mankind through endless attacks,” and it has produced at least two “kill guides” associated with violent plots in the U.S. and Europe. Intelligence analysts express growing concern as the group’s influence spreads, but effective countermeasures remain unclear.
In related news, X experienced intermittent outages following a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Monday. The attack, involving a surge of junk traffic, targeted the social network’s systems. Elon Musk claimed it originated from Ukrainian IP addresses, suggesting that Ukraine, amid its conflict with Russia, might be responsible. However, security experts dispute this attribution, clarifying that DDoS attacks don’t typically work as Musk suggested.
Inside the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), mass layoffs are reportedly hampering U.S. cyber defenses against foreign threats. These cuts have left remaining staff overworked and have strained vital international partnerships. Employees express anxiety over the agency’s uncertain future, noting, “A lot of people are scared. We’re waiting for that other shoe to drop."
Meanwhile, the GSM Association announced that its Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol will soon support end-to-end encryption for messages exchanged between Android and iOS platforms. Apple will integrate this enhancement into its iOS devices. Prior to this, messages between iOS and Android lacked the same encryption as iMessages or Android-to-Android texts, rendering them vulnerable to interception. Exact launch dates for the new features remain unannounced, but until then, users are advised to rely on encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal. Read about the upcoming encryption.
In leadership news, Sean Plankey has been nominated to head CISA. Previously, Plankey held multiple cybersecurity roles during the first Trump administration and has experience in US Cyber Command where he earned a Bronze Star for his work in Afghanistan. His appointment comes at a time when CISA has faced significant personnel reductions.
In a surprising revelation, an unnamed co-founder of the crypto recovery firm Unciphered has been accused of sexual assault. Morgan Marquis-Boire, once a respected hacker and security researcher, was reportedly involved with the company during its notable successes, such as unlocking a USB drive containing over $500 million in bitcoins. His past has surfaced now, complicating the firm’s reputation and leaving it in disarray.
Furthermore, journalist Raphael Satter is battling to regain his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status after his involvement in a story about a hacker-for-hire firm led to severe legal repercussions. The Indian government revoked his OCI status, claiming he created adverse opinions about Indian institutions abroad. Satter is contesting this decision in court, asserting his right to visit family in India.
For more details on these stories, check the following sources:
- End-to-End Encrypted Texts Between Android and iPhone Are on the Way
- Sean Plankey Nominated as Head of CISA
- Elon Musk Visits the National Security Agency
- A Buzzy Crypto Cracking Firm Had a Hidden CoFounder Accused of Sexual Assault
- A Reporter Behind an Indian Hacker-for-Hire Story Is Fighting to Regain His Citizenship
