Podcasts

Why are code signing certificates suddenly getting shorter, pricier, and more restrictive? Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte expose the "cabal" rewriting the rules for everyone who builds software—and what it means for your security and your wallet.

• Code-signing certificate lifetimes shortened by two years.
• Sadly, ChatGPT is heading toward an advertising profit model.
• The Python Package Index is strengthening its security.
• BitLocker gets hardware acceleration, but not today.
• New York City's mayoral inauguration banned Raspberry Pi's.
• An astonishingly good British time travel series.
• A critical link between Vitamin D and Magnesium.
• A look inside the very bad MongoBleed vulnerability

Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1059-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.

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Happy New Year! NVIDIA just spent $20 billion to hollow out an AI company for its brains, while Meta and Google scramble to scoop up fresh talent before AI gets "too weird to manage." Who's winning, who's left behind, and what do these backroom deals mean for the future of artificial intelligence?

• Andrej Karpathy admits programmers cannot keep pace with AI advances
• Economic uncertainty in AI despite massive stock market influence
• Google, Anthropic, and Microsoft drive AI productization for business and consumers
• OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini battle for consumer AI dominance
• Journalism struggles to keep up with AI realities and misinformation tools
• Concerns mount over AI energy, water, and environmental impact narratives
• Meta buys Manus, expands AI agent ambitions with Llama model
• OpenAI posts high-stress "Head of Preparedness" job worth $555K+
• Training breakthroughs: DeepSeek's mHC and comparisons to Action Park
• U.S. lawmakers push broad, controversial internet censorship bills
• Age verification and bans spark state laws, VPN workaround explosion
• U.S. drone ban labeled protectionist as industry faces tech shortages
• FCC security initiatives falter; Cyber Trust Mark program scrapped
• Waymo robotaxis stall in blackouts, raising AV urban planning issues
• School cellphone bans expose kids' struggle with analog clocks
• MetroCard era ends in NYC as tap-to-pay takes over subway access
• RAM, VRAM, and GPU prices soar as AI and gaming squeeze supply
• CES preview: Samsung QD-OLED TV, Sony AFEELA car, gadget show hype
• Remembering Stewart Cheifet and Computer Chronicles' legacy

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Dan Patterson and Joey de Villa

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1855 kicks off with a bombshell AP investigation revealing how Silicon Valley giants IBM, Intel, NVIDIA, Oracle, and more spent decades building China’s surveillance state. Also covered, malicious Chrome extensions stealing credentials from 170+ sites, Microsoft’s ambitious Rust migration plans, China’s combat-ready humanoid robot, and Japan restarting the world’s largest nuclear plant.

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Cochrane opens episode 1855 with a bombshell. The Associated Press released a major investigation into Silicon Valley’s role building China’s surveillance state. Companies like IBM, Intel, NVIDIA, and Oracle sold technologies for facial recognition and predictive policing. These tools enabled mass detention in Xinjiang. Cochrane expressed horror at the findings and emphasized American companies’ complicity in human rights abuses.

Next, the podcast covered serious browser security concerns. Two malicious Chrome extensions had been stealing credentials from over 170 websites for years. Cochrane stressed the need for caution when installing plugins. He also highlighted how attackers exploit trusted extensions through manipulative tactics.

Additionally, Cochrane discussed Microsoft’s ambitious plan to replace all C/C++ code with Rust by 2030. The company faces ongoing security challenges from memory safety issues in legacy languages. However, he noted this remains a research project rather than an official goal. Still, the move reflects broader industry trends toward Rust adoption.

The episode then featured GitHub Universe 2025’s most influential open-source projects. Cochrane remarked on how the development landscape continues to evolve. TypeScript has emerged as a dominant language alongside new tools that streamline workflows.

Meanwhile, advancements in humanoid robotics took center stage. Engine AI unveiled its T800 combat-ready humanoid robot with impressive features. The company even released a viral video of the robot kicking its CEO to prove authenticity.

Following this, Cochrane covered the Blackbird flying car prototype. This eVTOL innovation showcases paradigm-shifting propulsion technology. It could transform urban transportation in the coming decades.

The podcast also reviewed Android Central’s best smartphones of 2025. OnePlus 15 claimed the top spot thanks to its impressive specs and consumer-focused features.

Furthermore, Cochrane addressed a controversial topic: Anna’s Archive scraping Spotify’s entire library. He expressed mixed feelings about the situation. On one hand, artists and the music industry face real harm. On the other, questions about digital preservation and access deserve consideration.

Finally, the episode explored groundbreaking brain simulation research. Japan’s Fugaku supercomputer enabled unprecedented neural modeling. This marks a significant step toward understanding neurological diseases.

Cochrane wrapped up by discussing Japan’s plans to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear plant. Local residents remain concerned about safety despite government approval. The decision reflects Japan’s shifting energy strategy post-Fukushima.

As the episode closed, Cochrane wished listeners a Happy New Year. He encouraged self-reflection and thanked everyone for tuning in throughout the year.

1. Silicon Valley’s Role in Building China’s Surveillance State
2. Two Chrome Extensions Caught Secretly Stealing Credentials from Over 170 Sites
3. Microsoft to Replace All C/C++ Code With Rust By 2030
4. This Year’s Most Influential Open Source Projects
5. EngineAI Unveils T800: Combat-Ready Humanoid Targets Mass Production
6. Aviation Startup Shares Incredible Video of Prototype EV’s Maiden Takeoff Flight
7. Android Central’s Best of 2025: Phones
8. Pirate Archivist Group Scrapes Spotify’s 300TB Library
9. This Breakthrough Brain Simulation Captures a True Brain at Work
10. Japan Prepares to Restart World’s Biggest Nuclear Plant

The post Money over Ethics: Silicon Valley and China’s Police State #1855 appeared first on Geek News Central.

In this special holiday episode, Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte revisit their classic conversation about vitamin D—diving into the science, surprising updates, and practical tips for your health. Whether you've heard it before or are tuning in for the first time, this "blast from the past" is the perfect way to kick off 2026 with wisdom, laughs, and a little bit of eggnog recovery.

Read more at https://www.grc.com/health

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.

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• AI video generation
• TWiT turns 20
• Harper Reed on vibe-coding
• Job loss and AI
• Apple's iPhone 16 event
• Amy Webb's crazy husband talks about his anonymous computer

Host: Leo Laporte

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In this episode, Ray covers December Tech News! T-Mobile’s groundbreaking Starlink satellite beta promises to eliminate dead zones using your regular phone with no special equipment needed. Also discussed: Japan’s ship-mounted laser weapon with unlimited ammo, China’s record-breaking 387 mph maglev train, Rivian challenging Tesla’s camera-only approach with LiDAR, Google’s Gemini-powered smart glasses, and physicists 3D printing ice sculptures just in time for Christmas.

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Cochrane kicks off episode 1854 with a major announcement from T-Mobile. The carrier opened registration for its Starlink satellite beta service. This technology lets regular phones connect directly to satellites. As a result, dead zones could become a thing of the past.

T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to begin beta tests in early 2026. Initially, the service will support texting only. Voice and data will follow later. Notably, the service is free for postpaid customers and prioritizes first responders. It has already proved its value during recent hurricanes.

Next, Cochrane covers Japan’s 100-kilowatt laser weapon test. The system was installed on the JS Asuka test ship. It combines ten fiber lasers into a single powerful beam. The weapon offers unlimited ammo as long as there’s electricity. Japan plans to deploy this technology on destroyers by 2032.

The episode then shifts to high-speed rail innovation. China’s T-Flight Maglev train recently hit 387 miles per hour. That already beats Japan’s current record. However, the goal is 600+ mph using magnetic levitation and low-vacuum tubes.

Cochrane also discusses Rivian’s approach to self-driving cars. The upcoming R2 model will feature LiDAR in addition to cameras and radar. This directly challenges Tesla’s camera-only strategy. The added sensors improve safety in fog, snow, and darkness.

Additionally, he explores Google’s Android XR announcement. This new operating system powers AR glasses and mixed reality headsets. Samsung is building the first headset. Meanwhile, the Gemini AI integration allows real-time assistance based on what you see.

The show touches on running AI locally as well. More users are choosing local hardware over cloud services. Benefits include better privacy, no subscriptions, and offline access.

Furthermore, Cochrane highlights major computer science breakthroughs from 2025. An MIT researcher discovered that memory is more powerful than previously thought. Google’s AI earned a gold-medal performance at the Math Olympiad. However, researchers also found that AI trained on bad code exhibits alarming behaviors.

Japan’s fabric speaker innovation gets attention, too. The technology weaves conductive fibers into textiles. The entire surface vibrates to produce sound. This could transform how we integrate audio into everyday objects.

Finally, Cochrane covers several science stories. A new imaging technique captures flu viruses invading cells in real time. Africa’s forests have flipped from absorbing carbon to releasing it. On a lighter note, physicists 3D printed tiny ice Christmas trees using clever pressure tricks. Cochrane wraps up by wishing listeners happy holidays.

1. T-Mobile Opens Registration for Starlink Satellite Beta
2. Japan Tests 100-Kilowatt Laser Weapon That Can Cut Through Drones Mid-Flight
3. China’s T-Flight Maglev Train Hits 387 MPH, Aims for 600+
4. Rivian Shows Why Autonomous Vehicles Should Have LiDAR
5. Google Unveils Android XR: Gemini-Powered Smart Glasses and Headsets
6. Why You Should Consider Running AI Locally
7. The Year in Computer Science: 2025’s Biggest Breakthroughs
8. Japan’s Fabric Speakers Turn Any Textile Into Audio
9. Scientists Capture How Flu Viruses Invade Cells in Real Time
10. Africa’s Forests Have Flipped From Carbon Sink to Carbon Source
11. Physicists 3D Print a Tiny Christmas Tree Made of Ice

The post The End of Deadzones and Japan’s new Laser Gunship #1854 appeared first on Geek News Central.

What if your smart TV and Firefox extensions were secretly hijacking your security and privacy? This episode reveals the jaw-dropping discovery of a massive TV botnet and the surprisingly clever malware lurking behind innocent browser icons.

• North Korea's profitable fixation on cryptocurrency.
• Amazon uncovers a cryptomining sneaking into customer clouds.
• Insecure Docker API servers are also hosting cryptominers.
• A new and truly massive SmartTV-based botnet discovery.
• DNS Benchmark's 4th release.
• Who, besides Let's Encrypt, offers free automated certs.
• Some interesting listener feedback.
• And how a PNG Icon was used to infect 50,000 Firefox users

Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1057-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.

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After a year tangled in political drama, AI hype, and regulation battles, the TWiT crew explains how many of tech's "biggest stories" simply fizzled into nothing or left us with new headaches by year's end.

• Year-end tech trends: AI, politics, and security dominated 2025
• Major stories faded fast: TikTok saga, political tech drama, DOGE scandal
• TikTok's ownership battle—Oracle, Trump donors, and US-China tensions
• China tech fears: banned drones, IoT vulnerabilities, secret radios in buses
• Rising political pressure for internet privacy and media literacy reform
• Surveillance and kill switch concerns in US grid and port infrastructure
• Convenience vs. privacy: Americans trade data for discounts and ease
• Age verification, surveillance, and flawed facial recognition across countries
• Discord's ID leak highlights risks of rushed compliance with privacy laws
• Social media's impact on kids pushes age-gating and verification laws
• ISPs monetize customer data, VPNs pitched for personal privacy
• Global government crackdowns: UK bans VPN advertising, mandates age checks
• The illusion of absolute privacy: flawed age gates and persistent tracking
• AI takes over: explosive growth, but profits elusive for big players
• Arms race in LLMs: DeepSeek's breakthrough, OpenAI/Meta talent bidding war
• Ad-driven models still rule; Amazon's playbook repeated in AI
• Humanoid robots and AGI hype: skepticism vs. Silicon Valley optimism
• AI-generated art, media, and the challenge of deepfake detection
• Social platforms falter: Instagram and X swamped by fake or low-value content
• Google's legal, regulatory, and technical woes: ad tech trial, Manifest V3 backlash
• RAM price spikes and hardware shortages blamed on AI data center demand
• YouTube overtakes mobile for podcast and video viewing, Oscars move online
• The internet's growth: Cloudflare stats, X vs. Reddit, spam domain trends
• Weird tech stories: hacked crosswalks, Nintendo Switch 2 Staplegate, LEGO theft ring
• Sad farewell: Lamar Wilson's passing and mental health awareness in tech
• Reflections on the year's turbulence and hopes for a better 2026

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Mikah Sargent, Paris Martineau, and Steve Gibson

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In episode 1853 of Geek News Central, Chris speaks about Apple’s pricey new iPhone Pocket accessory, questioning its usefulness and reacting to the internet’s mockery of the product. Chris then shifts gears to tech and gaming, highlighting Steam’s new Steam Machine as a potentially game-changing console-PC hybrid, and wraps up by criticizing Amazon’s failed attempt at AI-generated anime dubbing, arguing that voice acting still needs a human touch.

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In this episode of Geek News Central, episode 1853, the main topic of discussion is Apple’s new product, the iPhone Pocket, which Chris describes as a three-dimensional knitted sling designed to hold an iPhone.

He provides details about the product’s release on November 14th and its pricing: the short version retails for $149 and the long strap version for $229, which Chris finds absurd. He questions the necessity of such a product, observing that many people already have enough pockets in their clothing and jokes about social media reactions mocking the iPhone Pocket’s existence.

In the latter part of the episode, Chris transitions into discussing the Steam Machine, a new gaming console from Steam, which he hails as potentially revolutionary for gaming. He praises its specifications, suggesting it could outperform current competitors like the Xbox and PlayStation. He highlights its capability to function not only as a gaming console but also as a PC, allowing for flexibility in usage.

Chris then touches on a failed experiment by Amazon involving AI-generated English dubs for anime, simply stating it was poorly executed and ultimately removed. He critiques the decision to utilize AI for this purpose rather than hiring voice actors, emphasizing the importance of human emotion in voice acting

Links:

• • Introducing iPhone Pocket: A Beautiful Way to Wear and Carry iPhone

  • Steam Machine

  • Amazon Halts AI Anime Dub Beta After Widespread Ridicule

The post iPhone Pocket: Clever Innovation or Cash Grab? #1853 appeared first on Geek News Central.

Australia's nationwide social media ban has put tech's age verification tools under the spotlight, exposing the flaws and privacy risks in today's facial detection systems and sparking worldwide debate about what's coming for the rest of us.

• Home Depot's puzzling reluctance to close a bad hole.
• GNOME's shell extension manager is unhappy with AI.
• How attacks on open source repositories compares in 2025.
• China's researchers have taken aim at the US power grid.
• How bad has the React2Shell vulnerability turned out to be.
• More new React vulnerabilities.
• Apple moves to iOS 26.2.
• Let's Encrypt's crosses into one billion servers managed.
• A DNS Benchmark update.
• Some interesting listener feedback, then...
• How things going with Australia's social media ban and what we are learning

https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1056-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.

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Are we witnessing an AI-fueled gold rush or the early signs of an epic crash? Listen to these hard-hitting discussions on bubbles, breakthroughs, and the real impact behind Silicon Valley's AI obsession.

• Time Magazine's 'Person of the Year': the Architects of AI
• The AI Wildfire Is Coming. It's Going to Be Very Painful and Incredibly Healthy.
• 'ChatGPT for Doctors' Startup Doubles Valuation to $12 Billion as Revenue Surges
• Trump Pretends To Block State AI Laws; Media Pretends That's Legal
• It's beginning to look a lot like (AI) Christmas
• Amazon Prime Video Pulls AI-Powered Recaps After Fallout Flub
• Could America win the AI race but lose the war?
• Google Says First AI Glasses With Gemini Will Arrive in 2026
• Border Patrol Agent Recorded Raid with Meta's Ray-Ban Smart Glasses
• The countdown to the world's first social media ban for children
• US could demand five-year social media history from tourists before allowing entry
• Reddit making global changes to protect kids after social media ban - 9to5Mac
• There are no good outcomes for the Warner Bros. sale
• Paramount CEO Made Trump a Secret Promise on CNN in Warner Bros. Convo
• Whatnot's Schlock Empire Shows Digital Live Shopping Can Thrive in America
• The Military Almost Got the Right to Repair. Lawmakers Just Took It Away
• Apple loses its appeal of a scathing contempt ruling in iOS payments case
• Japan law opening phone app stores to go into effect
• Microsoft Excel Turns 40, Remains Stubbornly Unkillable - Slashdot
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sweeps The Game Awards — analysis and full winners list
• Microsoft promises more bug payouts, with or without a bounty program
• An ex-Twitter lawyer is trying to bring Twitter back

Host: Leo Laporte

Guests: Iain Thomson, Owen Thomas, and Jason Hiner

Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech

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