Month: November 2024

Meta is going to use AI to check if its users are lying about their ages and restrict teens to teen accounts.

Meta to use AI age-prediction software to spot teenagers lying about their ageMove comes after Instagram introduced teen accounts in SeptemberMeta will begin moving teens automatically to its new accounts

According to a new Bloomberg report, Meta is set to use AI to predict the age of its Instagram users and automatically transfer anybody under 18 to a teen account, if it believes they are lying about their age.

In the wake of national outcry about the impact of social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook on the mental health of teenagers, Meta introduced teen accounts in September. Teen accounts, for children aged 13-17, have built-in limits on who can contact them, and what content they can see. They are automatically set to hide potentially offensive comments and message requests.

Secure accounts for teenagers will only work if those under 18 volunteer to use them or are honest about their ages, which is why Meta has devised a way of enforcing the appropriate accounts. The proprietary software tool Meta has developed, called ‘adult classifier’, will come into play next year and is designed to classify users into two groups: under or over 18 years of age. According to Allison Hartnet, Meta’s director of product management for youth and social impact, the tool will scan a user’s profile, what content they interact with, and their follower list to determine their age. Even innocuous “happy birthday” messages can be used to help determine a user’s true age.

Busted

Meta’s own research from 2019 indicates that social media apps like Instagram can be bad for the mental health of teenagers. (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Since teen accounts are new and currently voluntary there’s a large user base of teens on Instagram who are using regular adult accounts. Meta plans to start moving teens who have volunteered their age information onto the new teen accounts very soon, and introducing the ‘adult classifier’ early next year.

The move is Meta’s latest attempt to redress some of the public outcry over the effect of social media on teens. In 2021 a report published in the Wall Street Journal showed that Meta’s reports indicated that it knew Instagram was harmful to the mental health of teenagers, especially teenage girls. “We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls,” said one slide from Meta’s own report from 2019.

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Nintendo has revealed that the Switch 2 will indeed be backwards compatible.

Nintendo has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be backwards compatibleIt will also support Nintendo Switch OnlineMore details to come at a later date

We now know for sure that the Nintendo Switch 2, our tentative name for a Nintendo Switch successor, will be backwards compatible with Nintendo Switch software.

In a new post to the official Nintendo investor relations X / Twitter account, CEO Shuntaro Furukawa said that “at today’s Corporate Management Policy Briefing, we announced that Nintendo Switch software will also be playable on the successor to Nintendo Switch.”

The post then goes on to explain that “Nintendo Switch Online will be available on the successor to Nintendo Switch as well” with more details set to be “announced at a later date.”

Rumor mill

Although quite sudden, this news won’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been following the latest rumors about the upcoming console, many of which have pointed toward backwards compatibility. Back in 2023 a Nintendo executive even hinted at the possibility that the Nintendo Switch 2 could be backwards compatible.

Backwards compatibility could be hugely important for existing Nintendo Switch owners thinking about an upgrade, as it will allow them to play some of the best Nintendo Switch games on their new system right out of the box.

Hopefully, any software played on the Nintendo Switch 2 will be able to benefit from its almost inevitably improved technical specs, with smoother frame rates and potentially improved resolutions. Just bear in mind that this is pure speculation at this time and we’ll just have to wait and see what Nintendo has in store.

The confirmation that Nintendo Switch Online will be coming to the platform is quite interesting too, suggesting that the transition between the two platforms could be quite smooth.

In case you need a recap, in May this year Nintendo confirmed that a “successor to the Nintendo Switch” will be announced, “within this fiscal year”. As the Japanese fiscal year ends on March 31, 2025, there’s a strong chance that we will learn even more about the system in the coming months.

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The convergence of OT and IT systems presents both opportunities and challenges.

Global cybercrime is projected to escalate by 15% annually over the next five years, reaching a staggering $10.5 trillion per year by 2025. Operational Technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) systems are prime targets for cyber threat actors. A cyberattack on an OT system can halt production, resulting in significant downtime and financial losses potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. Consequently, IT leaders are tasked with fortifying their organization’s OT cybersecurity posture.

Historically, OT systems were not considered significant threats due to their perceived isolation from the Internet. Organizations relied on physical security measures, such as door locks, passcodes, and badge readers, to protect against hands-on access and disruption to physical operational processes. However, the advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, has introduced smart technologies and advanced software to optimize efficiency through automation and data analysis. This digital transformation has interconnected OT and IT systems, creating new attack vectors for adversaries to exploit and access sensitive data.

The notorious Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack underscores the critical importance of IT/OT security. In May 2021, the Georgia-based oil pipeline system suffered a ransomware attack on its IT infrastructure. The company preemptively shut down its OT systems in an abundance of caution, halting all pipeline operations to contain the attack. This incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of interconnected systems and the widespread societal impact of such breaches.

Common misconceptions and emerging cybersecurity trends

Many organizations are unaware that their OT systems connected to the Internet often lack proper password protection or secure remote access, making them easy targets for hackers. Some organizations mistakenly believe they are immune to attacks, while others are overwhelmed by the task of regularly updating passwords.

Cybercriminals have refined their tactics, becoming more sophisticated in breaching network systems. Instead of deploying malware, they often steal employee credentials to gain unauthorized access. The use of generative AI to create deepfakes or phishing emails is a growing threat, as attackers manipulate individuals into divulging sensitive information or transferring funds. In 2023 alone, nearly 300,000 individuals reported being victims of phishing attacks, a number that continues to rise as threat actors enhance their techniques.

Best practices for strengthening OT cybersecurity

Fortunately, there is now more publicly available information on cyberattacks and response strategies. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission recently introduced the Cybersecurity Disclosure Rule, mandating public companies to disclose all breaches, including those affecting OT systems. Failure to disclose can result in severe financial penalties, asset seizures, or even imprisonment for responsible parties. This transparency fosters greater visibility and accountability in cybersecurity practices.

Securing OT systems is not as daunting as it may seem. By implementing a few best practices, organizations can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture and reduce their vulnerability window.

First, security leaders should isolate OT networks from IT networks and the Internet to limit the attack surface and verify that the networks are segmented. This should be monitored 24/7 to ensure network segmentation effectiveness and proper functioning of security controls. This containment strategy helps prevent lateral movement within the network during a breach.

Real-time network monitoring and the appropriate alert escalation (often notifying the plant supervisor or controls engineer who are in the best position to verify if access or a configuration change is appropriate and planned, not the IT SOC) aids in the rapid detection and response to threats. Next, make sure to conduct frequent security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate potential weaknesses. This proactive approach helps maintain a robust security posture and reduces the likelihood of future cyberattacks.

Many breaches could be avoided by simply educating employees on cybersecurity best practices and the importance of vigilance. Training programs should cover phishing awareness, password management, and incident reporting. Lastly, IT teams should develop and regularly update an incident response plan to ensure a swift and coordinated response to cyber incidents. The plan should outline clear roles and responsibilities, communication protocols, and recovery procedures.

In an era where cyber threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, the convergence of OT and IT systems presents both opportunities and challenges. By embracing proactive cybersecurity measures, IT leaders can not only protect their organizations from potentially devastating attacks but also drive innovation and resilience in their operations. The stakes are high, but with the right strategies in place, businesses can turn cybersecurity from a daunting challenge into a competitive advantage, ensuring a secure and prosperous future in the digital age.

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