Security

Power Tool

A Top Democrat Is Urging Colleagues to Support Trump’s Spy Machine

Congressman Jim Himes claims a sweeping surveillance authority should stay intact because he hasn't seen abuses by Kash Patel's FBI, according to internal messaging obtained by WIRED.

Dell Cameron

Flip-Flops

The Danger Behind Meta Killing End-to-End Encryption for Instagram DMs

Lily Hay Newman

DDoS RIP

US Takes Down Botnets Used in Record-Breaking Cyberattacks

Andy Greenberg

Cyberattacks and Hacks

Hundreds of Millions of iPhones Can Be Hacked With a New Tool Found in the Wild

A powerful iPhone-hacking technique known as DarkSword has been discovered in use by Russian hackers. It can take over devices running iOS 18 that simply visit infected websites.

Andy Greenberg

A Hacker Accidentally Broke Into the FBI’s Epstein Files

Plus: A porn-quitting app exposed the masturbation habits of hundreds of thousands of users, Russian hackers are trying to take over people’s Signal accounts, and more.

Andy Greenberg, Maddy Varner, and Andrew Couts

How ‘Handala’ Became the Face of Iran’s Hacker Counterattacks

Amid a paralyzing breach of medical tech firm Stryker, the group has come to represent Iran's use of “hacktivism” as cover for chaotic, retaliatory state-sponsored cyberattacks.

Andy Greenberg, Matt Burgess, and Lily Hay Newman

GPS Attacks Near Iran Are Wreaking Havoc on Delivery and Mapping Apps

Delivery apps are glitching and navigation routes are changing abruptly thanks to electronic warfare disrupting the satellite signals that power everything from missiles to your ride home.

Carla Sertin

Privacy

Signal’s Creator Is Helping Encrypt Meta AI

Moxie Marlinspike says the technology powering his encrypted AI chatbot, Confer, will be integrated into Meta AI. The move could help protect the AI conversations of millions of people.

Lily Hay Newman and Matt Burgess

US Lawmakers Move to Kill the FBI’s Warrantless Wiretap Access

A bipartisan bill would force the FBI to get a warrant to read Americans’ messages and ban the federal purchase of commercial data on US residents ahead of a critical April deadline.

Dell Cameron

DHS Ousts CBP Privacy Officers Who Questioned ‘Illegal’ Orders

Department of Homeland Security leaders removed top privacy officers who objected to mislabeling government records to block their public release, WIRED has learned.

Dell Cameron

CBP Used Online Ad Data to Track Phone Locations

Plus: Proton helped the FBI identify a protester, the Leakbase cybercrime forum was busted in an international operation, and more.

Lily Hay Newman, Matt Burgess, Andy Greenberg, and Dell Cameron

Security Advice

How to Organize Safely in the Age of Surveillance

From threat modeling to encrypted collaboration apps, we’ve collected experts’ tips and tools for safely and effectively building a group—even while being targeted and tracked by the powerful.

Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman

How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance

Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.

Andy Greenberg and Lily Hay Newman

8 WhatsApp Features to Boost Your Security and Privacy

Meta’s end-to-end encrypted messaging app is used by billions of people. Here’s how to make sure you’re one of the most locked-down ones out there.

Kate O'Flaherty

How to Protect Your iPhone or Android Device From Spyware

Being targeted by sophisticated spyware is relatively rare, but experts say that everyone needs to stay vigilant as this dangerous malware continues to proliferate worldwide.

Kate O'Flaherty

Security News

Join Our Next Livestream: The War Machine

On March 26, a panel of WIRED experts will dissect the defense tech industry’s impact on modern warfare. Submit your questions now.

Tim Marchman, Paresh Dave, and Carla Sertin

‘100 Video Calls Per Day’: Models Are Applying to Be the Face of AI Scams

Dozens of Telegram channels reviewed by WIRED include job listings for “AI face models.” The (mostly) women who land these gigs are likely being used to dupe victims out of their money.

Matt Burgess

Meta Ramps Up Efforts to Disrupt Industrialized Scamming

Meta removed 10.9 million Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to “criminal scam centers” last year, the company announced on Wednesday.

Lily Hay Newman

How Each Gulf Country Is Intercepting Iranian Missiles and Drones

As missiles and drones cross the region’s skies, the Gulf’s layered air-defense networks—from THAAD to Patriot batteries—are being tested in real time.

Dana Alomar