Security Now 1054: Bots in the Belfry

Jacob Ward of The Rip Current is hosting Tech News Weekly this week, joined by Abrar Al-Heeti of CNET as well! Samsung unveils its upcoming tri-folding phone. OpenAI declares a 'code red' to improve the quality of ChatGPT. How do you feel about the idea of ChatGPT being a dating coach for you? And Scott Weiner's work on shaping AI regulation. Abrar chats about Samsung's unveiling of its upcoming tri-folding phone, the Galaxy Z TriFold. Jacob shares how, after Google and Anthropic have made considerable strides in their own AI models, Gemini 3 and Claude Opus 4.5, respectively, OpenAI has declared a 'code red' to divert all resources into improving its ChatGPT model. Journalist Rita Omokha joins the show to chat about her recent article talking about how slowly more women are utilizing AI in providing advice towards aspects of their lives, such as relationship advice. And reporter Adam Rogers stops by to chat with Jacob about California Senator Scott Weiner and the work the senator has done on AI regulation and what could be next down the road. Hosts: Jacob Ward and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Rita Omokha and Adam Rogers Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: hoxhunt.com/securitynow zapier.com/tnw veeam.com zscaler.com/security

Is the future of Xbox really a PC you can hold in your hands? Paul Thurrott puts the new full-screen Xbox app for handheld gaming PCs to the test and reveals why Microsoft's latest move could reshape how—and where—you play. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Discover unexpected ways Apple's accessibility features can make any iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch easier to use, whether you need extra-large text at bedtime or want an edge with hands-free controls. Find out how these settings quietly power mainstream features and solve problems you didn't know had solutions! • Reduce White Point and night-time usability tips • Display and text size customization for comfort and legibility • Magnifier, Zoom, and hover text make small details readable • Color filters and PWM toggle for migraines and color blindness • Accessibility for temporary or situational needs (not just disability) • Using pointer devices, sign language support, and Control Center options • Voice control features — set custom commands and hands-free solutions • Fine-tuning button and touch sensitivity for Apple devices • Astropad Bookcase: physical accessory for easier phone handling • Troubleshooting wireless CarPlay connection issues after iOS updates • App Caps: Art of Fauna: Cozy Puzzles is a chill animal puzzle game with neat artwork! Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard Contact iOS Today at [email protected]. Download or subscribe to iOS Today at https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Ever wonder why apps suddenly disappear from your iPhone, just when you need them most? This episode reveals the iOS feature quietly sweeping your unused apps off your device and shows you how to take control. • How to find and adjust App Store app settings in iOS • Reviewing app permissions and privacy controls in App Store settings • Managing automatic app downloads, updates, and in-app content • Using cellular data for app downloads: controls and limits • How to handle in-app ratings, reviews, and update prompts • Offload Unused Apps explained: storage, data, and user experience • Personalized recommendations and privacy management in App Store settings • Resetting your App Store identifier for privacy Host: Mikah Sargent Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Jeremy Kipnis had what is probably the most extensive—and expensive—home theater in the world. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2019, and his incredible theater is no more. But it's worth remembering for its staggering grandeur. Host: Scott Wilkinson Download or subscribe to Home Theater Geeks at https://twit.tv/shows/home-theater-geeks Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Spies aren't just in the shadows anymore—AI has turned every smartphone and social feed into a battlefield of influence and surveillance. This episode exposes how intelligence agencies, rogue states, and even TikTok are using machine learning to reshape what we know, believe, and fear. Apple AI Chief Retiring After Siri Failure Claude 4.5 Opus' Soul Document OpenAI CEO Declares 'Code Red' to Combat Threats to ChatGPT, Delays Ads Effort AI helps drive record $11.8 billion in Black Friday online spending I love AI. Why doesn't everyone? Dozens of US universities and colleges have announced new AI departments and programs over the last two years; an AI program is now MIT's second-largest major Austria's Rebel Nuns Refuse To Give Up Instagram To Stay In Their Convent Don't get angry, but the 2025 Oxford Word of the Year is 'rage bait' AI Slop Recipes Are Taking Over the Internet — And Thanksgiving Dinner The race to AGI-pill the pope Suno Creates an Entire Spotify Catalog's Worth of Music Every Two Weeks, Says Investor Pitch Deck for $250M Fundraise Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paris Martineau, and Jason Howell Guest: Dr. Anthony Vinci Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: Melissa.com/twit agntcy.org ventionteams.com/twit monarch.com with code IM

Can the AI boom survive its own hype? This episode takes on the future of OpenAI, tech's subscription fatigue, and why "Made with AI" labels might be the new scarlet letter. Plus, Microsoft's ugly sweaters are back for some reason. Windows 11 Week D comes a week late and in the wrong month, but it's a big one, and a preview of what to expect next week in Patch Tuesday More pervasive dark mode Copilot+ PC exclusives: Improvements to Click to Do, Windows Search, Windows Studio Effects, Agent in Settings Expansion of FSE availability Improvements across Settings, Share, File Explorer, Desktop Spotlight, more Aluminium OS is the name of the ChromeOS/Android Frankenstein that will take on Windows Android 16 QPR2 is here with about 1,000 new features and maybe a saner approach to OS updating than what we see on Windows AI AI slop is no enshittification: Human error is still a much bigger issue Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney is right: The "Made with AI" label is silly and needs to go OpenAI declares a "code red" after Google finally figured out AI Opera quietly does an about-face on AI in its browsers Opera Neon gets one-minute deep research, Gemini 3, and Nano Banana Xbox and gaming Mortal Kombat 1, more coming to Game Pass in first half of December Valve is quietly bringing SteamOS, Windows games to Arm Tips & picks Tip of the week: Time to cull Tip of the week #2: Time to look back RunAs Radio this week: The M365 Copilot Data Readiness Checklist with Nikki Chapple Brown liquor pick of the week: Stumbras Starka Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit helixsleep.com/windows bitwarden.com/twit framer.com/design promo code WW

Cisco has finally admitted it's time for real change and is vowing to build "secure by default" gear after decades of criticism. Steve Gibson reacts to a rare moment when a tech giant actually gets security right—and what it means for everyone running critical infrastructure. • Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters strikes (Salesforce) again. • Cisco actually (no kidding) sees the light. • Next week, Australia bans all underage social media. • The EU Parliament moves to replace US computer tech. • When to use Passwords, Passkeys or Yubikeys. • Do unpowered SSDs lose their data. • How about a "Joy of Coding" podcast. • A Bitwarden Passkeys integration glitch. • XSLT is sneaky. It's where you don't expect it. • We know where last week's picture came from. • The long-awaited return of a new Stargate series. • A simple test to check our networks for any bot infections. Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1054-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to Security Now at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT vanta.com/SECURITYNOW bitwarden.com/twit threatlocker.com/twit canary.tools/twit - use code: TWIT

John Giannandrea is stepping down from his role as VP for Machine Learning & AI Strategy and retiring in Spring 2026! Could Apple re-partner with Intel on a future product? Apple overtakes Samsung as the world's top phone maker. And Apple's new holiday season TV ad charms the panel! John Giannandrea to retire from Apple. From Ming-Chi Kuo: "Intel expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M processor as early as 2027..." Apple to resist India order to preload state-run app as political outcry builds. Apple set to become world's top phone maker, overtaking Samsung. EU to examine if Apple Ads and Maps subject to tough rules, Apple says no. Apple releases 2025 holiday season TV ad: 'A Critter Carol'. Apple Music replay 2025 now fully available. Apple security bounties slashed as Mac malware grows. MKBHD's wallpaper app Panels is shutting down. Apple TV series The Hunt postponed due to plagiarism allegations. Apple TV debuts trailer for all-new holiday special "The First Snow of Fraggle Rock," premiering globally Friday, December 5. Apple and (RED) announce limited-time $3M Apple Pay partnership. After Apple originally announced the first version of Halo in 1999, Xbox apparently called Bungie and said 'Steve Jobs can't have that. We're going to buy you.' David Lerner, a Mr. Fix-it of Apple computers, dies at 72. 34 years ago, Apple created a multimedia file format for the Mac, and it's still all around us. Picks of the Week Alex's Pick: Logic Pro for iPad Andy's Pick: 'I Made Apple's Widget Clock" Jason's Pick: Govee Christmas Lights 2 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: outsystems.com/twit 1password.com/macbreak zocdoc.com/macbreak framer.com/design promo code MACBREAK

Is Black Friday really booming, or are inflated prices and AI shopping assistants just muddying the waters? This episode rips into the data, exposes retailer tactics, and debates if smarter tech is actually making us better shoppers. Black Friday data shows online sales strong, store results mixed Silicon Valley's man in the White House is benefiting himself and his friends View: Trump's AI agenda sails toward an iceberg of bipartisan populist fury 'We do fail ... a lot': Defense startup Anduril hits setbacks with weapons tech Solar's growth in US almost enough to offset rising energy use Datacenters in space are a terrible, horrible, no good idea China leapfrogs US in global market for 'open' AI models Danish authorities in rush to close security loophole in Chinese electric buses The Ford F-150 Lightning was supposed to transform the industry. Now, Ford may pull the plug Roblox is a problem — but it's a symptom of something worse Warner Music and Suno strike deal for AI music, giving artists control over their likeness Leak confirms OpenAI is preparing ads on ChatGPT for public roll out Jony Ive, Sam Altman: OpenAI plans elegantly simple device One tech tip: Modern cars are spying on you. Here's what you can do about it How a GM EV1 was sold for the first time GPU prices are coming to earth just as RAM costs shoot into the stratosphere Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Daniel Rubino, Sam Abuelsamid, and Mike Elgan Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: ventionteams.com/twit deel.com/twit zapier.com/twit Melissa.com/twit zscaler.com/security