Microsoft detects ‘SesameOp’ backdoor that uses OpenAI API as a stealth command channel
November 4, 2025Ravi LakshmananArtificial intelligence/malware Microsoft has revealed details of a new backdoor called SesameOp that uses the OpenAI Assistants application programming interface (API) for command-and-control (C2) communications. “Instead of relying on traditional techniques, the attackers behind this backdoor are exploiting OpenAI as a C2 channel as a way to covertly communicate and coordinate malicious […]
a16z suspends popular TxO fund for underserved founders, lays off staff
Andreessen Horowitz is suspending its Talent x Opportunity (TxO) fund and program, according to four sources familiar with the matter, including several of the program’s founders. In 2020, the company announced TxO to support founders who don’t have access to traditional venture networks. Many of TxO’s participants are women and minorities, and overall they receive […]
Elad Gil Who are the winners in the AI market and which ones are still open?
Elad Gil, a prominent individual investor, said on stage at TechCrunch Disrupt that AI is one of the most unpredictable technology booms he’s ever seen. Gill has been on the cap tables of virtually every hit company of the past decade, including many of today’s leading AI companies. Still, he believes that over the past […]
Lawmakers claim police login information was stolen and Flock’s surveillance cameras were exposed to hackers
Lawmakers have asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate license plate scanning camera operator Flock Safety for allegedly failing to implement cybersecurity protections that exposed the company’s camera network to hackers and spies. In a letter sent by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) on Wednesday, the lawmakers are asking FTC Chairman […]
Studio Ghibli and other Japanese publishers want OpenAI to stop training their works
A Japanese industry group representing publishers such as Studio Ghibli sent a letter to OpenAI last week, calling on the AI giant to stop training AI models on copyrighted content without permission. Studio Ghibli, the animation studio behind films like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, is particularly inspired by OpenAI’s generative AI products. When […]
Altman and Nadella want more power in AI, but it’s unclear how much
How powerful is enough for AI? Nobody knows, not even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman or Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. That leaves software-first companies like OpenAI and Microsoft in a bind. Much of the technology industry has focused on computing as a major barrier to AI adoption. And while tech companies are scrambling to secure power, […]
How L3 Harris Trentent’s former boss stole a cyber exploit and sold it to Russia
Peter Williams, former general manager of Trenchent, a division of defense contractor L3Harris that develops surveillance and hacking tools for Western governments, pleaded guilty last week to stealing and selling some of those tools to Russian brokers. Court documents filed in the case, exclusive reporting by TechCrunch, and interviews with Williams’ former colleagues explain how […]
Justice Department accuses US ransomware negotiators of launching their own ransomware attacks
U.S. prosecutors have charged two rogue employees of a cybersecurity firm that specializes in negotiating ransom payments to hackers on behalf of victims with carrying out ransomware attacks themselves. Last month, the Department of Justice indicted Kevin Tyler Martin, who worked as a ransomware negotiator at Digital Mint, and another unnamed employee on charges of […]
Waymo’s robotaxis expansion accelerates in three new cities
Waymo announced Monday that it will launch robotaxi services in Detroit, Las Vegas and San Diego as the Alphabet-owned company accelerates its expansion plans. The announcement marks Waymo’s recent evolution from a self-driving car technology developer to a commercial company. This follows comments from Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 last week, where […]
Malicious VSX extension ‘SleepyDuck’ uses Ethereum to keep command server alive
November 3, 2025Ravi LakshmananCryptocurrency/Threat Intelligence Cybersecurity researchers have flagged a new malicious extension in the Open VSX registry that harbors a remote access Trojan called SleepyDuck. According to John Tuckner of Secure Annex, the extension in question, juan-bianco.solidity-vlang (version 0.0.7), was first published as a completely benign library on October 31, 2025, then reached 14,000 […]