Science & Tech
Predator Drone Maker General Atomics Flying Spy Missions For the Pentagon
The US military has hired General Atomics to fly some missions — just ISR so far, but what about the future?
Science & Tech
Russia’s Troll Army Is Making Life Harder for US Spies
How Moscow’s robotic feeds and paid social-media commentators complicate open-source intelligence gathering.
Science & Tech
Why Humans Need To Ban Artificially Intelligent Weapons
Unlike self-aware computer networks, self-driving cars tricked out with machine guns are possible right now — as are any number of AI-augmented weapons far deadlier than their human-aimed counterparts.
Science & Tech
A Congressman Goes to DEF CON
Amid the fun and fanfare of the world’s largest hacking conference, the cyber-political battles of the future are taking shape.
Science & Tech
After Ferguson Unrest, St. Louis Police Bought Stink Weapons to Launch at Protesters
If the current situation escalates, protesters could be in for a horrible-smelling surprise.
Science & Tech
Google Earth Is Helping Syrians Call In US Air Strikes
Kurdish militia fighters are using Android tablets and free Google mapping tools to track battle lines and coordinate close air support with the US military.
Science & Tech
How Uber Could Help Change Spycraft
The U.S. intelligence community wants feedback from the innovative car-sharing company and other commercial startups on its 5-year data-analysis roadmap.
Science & Tech
Someone At DEF CON Made a Drone That Hacks Computers
You can buy it for $2,500 — and turn it into a flying malware injector.
Science & Tech
Hackers to Military: Replace Us With Robots? Ha!
Next year’s Cyber Grand Challenge event will pit humans against machines in a grand hacking war. DEF CON’s war gamers like their chances.
Science & Tech
The Robots Taking Your Job Could Get You Killed
Automating processes at chemical and pharmaceutical plants could save money, but at what cost to safety?
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The Pentagon Wants a Secretive Cyber Arms Dealer To Hack Its Networks
The company, Endgame, is part of a legal but controversial industry that sells governments hacking tools called 'zero days' to pinpoint vulnerabilities.
Science & Tech
Hacker Cracks Satellite Communications Network
Satellite tracking of people and objects was supposed to make the world safer. If only it was secure.
Science & Tech
The Air Force Wants To Make Its Drones Smarter and Deadlier
The Reaper's next chapter includes better sensors, more autonomy, bigger weapons.
Science & Tech
Hacking Critical Infrastructure: A How-To Guide
Cyber-aided physical attacks on power plants and the like are a growing concern. A pair of experts is set to reveal how to pull them off — and how to defend against them.
Science & Tech
This Isn’t The Death Star Laser You’re Looking For
Japanese scientists have created the world’s most powerful light beam, but its military use is limited.
Science & Tech
US Drone Pilots Are As Skeptical of Autonomy As Are Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk
There are many reasons to be cautious about greater autonomy in weapons like drones, according to the men and women at the joystick.
Science & Tech
The Military Will Test a New Terrifyingly Loud Noise Gun
The Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Program is developing lasers that create a screaming ball of plasma on their target.
Science & Tech
What’s Inside the Justice Department’s Secret Cybersecurity Memo?
Despite calls for its release, the government will not make public a memo that Sen. Ron Wyden says is crucial to the Senate’s looming cybersecurity debate.
Science & Tech
An Unexpected Voice Speaks Out Against Backdoored Encryption
Former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff joins the league of technologists who have come out against the FBI’s push to put holes in privacy technology.
Science & Tech