EP 256.5. Deep Dive. EP 256 The IT Privacy and Security Weekly Update for the Week ending August 19th., 2025 and Something Phishy

Phishing Training Effectiveness: A study of over 19,000 employees showed traditional phishing training has limited impact, improving scam detection by just 1.7% over eight months. Despite varied training methods, over 50% of participants fell for at least one phishing email, highlighting persistent user susceptibility and the need for more effective cybersecurity education strategies.

Cybersecurity Risks in Modern Cars: Modern connected vehicles are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. A researcher exploited flaws in a major carmaker’s web portal, gaining “national admin” access to dealership data and demonstrating the ability to remotely unlock cars and track their locations using just a name or VIN. This underscores the urgent need for regular vehicle software updates and stronger manufacturer security measures to prevent data breaches and potential vehicle control by malicious actors.

Nation-State Cyberattacks on Infrastructure: Nation-state cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure are escalating. Russian hackers reportedly took control of a Norwegian hydropower dam, releasing water undetected for hours. While no physical damage occurred, such incidents reveal the potential for widespread disruption and chaos, signaling a more aggressive stance by state-sponsored cyber actors and the need for robust infrastructure defenses.

AI Regulation in Mental Health Therapy: States like Illinois, Nevada, and Utah are regulating or banning AI in mental health therapy due to safety and privacy concerns. Unregulated AI chatbots risk harmful interactions with vulnerable users and unintended data exposure. New laws require licensed professional oversight and prohibit marketing AI chatbots as standalone therapy tools to protect users.

Impact of Surveillance Laws on Privacy Tech: Proposed surveillance laws, like Switzerland’s data retention mandates, are pushing privacy-focused tech firms like Proton to relocate infrastructure. Proton is moving its AI chatbot, Lumo, to Germany and considering Norway for other services to uphold its no-logs policy. This reflects the tension between national security and privacy, driving companies to seek jurisdictions with stronger data protection laws.

Data Brokers and Privacy Challenges: Data brokers undermine consumer privacy despite laws like California’s Consumer Privacy Act. Over 30 brokers were found hiding data deletion instructions from Google search results using specific code, creating barriers for consumers trying to opt out of data collection. This intentional obfuscation frustrates privacy rights and weakens legislative protections.

Android pKVM Security Certification: Android’s protected Kernel-based Virtual Machine (pKVM) earned SESIP Level 5 certification, the first software security solution for consumer electronics to achieve this standard. Designed to resist sophisticated attackers, pKVM enables secure handling of sensitive tasks like on-device AI processing, setting a new benchmark for consistent, verifiable security across Android devices.

VPN Open-Source Code Significance: VP.NET’s decision to open-source its Intel SGX enclave code on GitHub enhances transparency in privacy technology. By allowing public verification, users can confirm the code running on servers matches the open-source version, fostering trust and accountability. This move could set a new standard for the VPN and privacy tech industry, encouraging others to prioritize verifiable privacy claims.