Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a massive, seven-year-long Chinese hacking operation called DarkSpectre. It used hundreds of fake browser extensions to infect over 8.8 million users across Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
The European Space Agency is investigating a cyber incident after a hacker claimed to access its systems for a week in mid-December. The attacker, known as “888,” is now trying to sell the allegedly stolen data online. This is just the latest in a series of breaches for the agency.
OpenAI is hiring a new Head of Preparedness, a role CEO Sam Altman calls “critical.” The job pays $555,000 plus equity and comes as the company faces lawsuits, including wrongful death cases linked to ChatGPT.
In a Dark Reading interview, CISO Patricia Voight shares her journey from telecom security to leading cybersecurity at a regional bank. She champions diverse hiring and sees the intense, regulated world of financial services as a prime training ground for new talent.
The battlefield for cybersecurity has shifted decisively to artificial intelligence. According to TechCrunch’s latest Startup Battlefield, the top contenders are all using AI to fight AI, from automated penetration testing to real-time deepfake detection.
In a massive cybersecurity deal, ServiceNow has agreed to acquire Armis for $7.8 billion. The all-cash transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026 and aims to combine Armis’s asset intelligence with ServiceNow’s workflow automation.
France’s national postal service, La Poste, has been hit by a massive cyber incident described as a “major network incident.” The attack, suspected to be a DDoS, has taken key online and mobile services offline, impacting parcel deliveries and banking right before Christmas.
The FCC has officially banned new drones and critical components made in foreign countries, citing unacceptable national security risks. This follows a Congressional defense bill deadline from December 23.
Aflac has confirmed the massive scale of a June data breach, notifying nearly 22.65 million people. The stolen data includes Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and health information. The hackers are believed to be part of a known criminal group targeting the insurance industry.
Rome-based Exein has secured a massive €100 million funding round to accelerate its global expansion in embedded device security. This brings its total raised in 2025 to €170 million, making it a dominant force in a year of smaller, niche security deals.
