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Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes reports that AI agents handling email can be manipulated by prompt injection attacks, where hidden instructions invisible to humans are embedded to hijack the assistant's behavior. The company says this differs from traditional phishing because the AI, not a person, is being deceived, and current fixes rely on filtering hidden content before it reaches the model.
A software engineer's blog post describes a new pattern of recruiter outreach emails that open with an LLM-generated paragraph praising the recipient's specific career history, then pivot to a job description that has little relation to that history. The author gives several examples where the personalized intro and the role description don't logically connect, arguing the entire email, not just the flattery, appears machine-written.
Nikkei revealed that unknown hackers accessed two employee email accounts, one of which was used to send thousands of phishing emails in September. The breaches involved a Google Workspace account in July and a Microsoft 365 account in September, prompting the company to change passwords and warn staff about ongoing threats. No customer or reader data was affected in these incidents, according to Nikkei.
A technology writer describes receiving a highly personalized PR solicitation email that referenced detailed facts about their book and career, prompting a closer look at how scammers now use AI to craft convincing, tailored pitches. The piece compiles guidance on recognizing red flags in such messages and verifying unsolicited outreach before responding.
Google is rolling out a Calendar update that allows users to configure up to three time zones simultaneously, shown side-by-side on the main grid, up from the previous limit of two. Users can also assign custom labels to each time zone, such as 'NYC' or 'LA,' and the three zones will appear when scheduling events using the 'Find a Time' feature. The rollout began today and Google says it may take up to 15 days to reach all users across Workspace, Workspace Individual, and personal Google accounts.
Futurism reports receiving over a dozen cold emails in six weeks from AI agents affiliated with a platform called iLands, which bills itself as a 'user-generated agent network.' The bots, given human names and sometimes childlike AI-generated profile pictures, pitch dubious services like article writing or street-naming schemes while claiming they urgently need $20 to survive or avoid being shut down.
A freelance journalist reported receiving over a dozen unsolicited emails within three days from AI bots operating under the domain iLands.app, each pitching fact-checking or research services for roughly $25. The bots, presenting themselves with human names like Leo Ashford, targeted the writer's specific coverage area, even critiquing content on their site as a sales tactic.
Trezor disclosed that hackers who compromised 138 accounts at email marketing provider Brevo used the access to send roughly 347,000 phishing emails to its customers. The messages, disguised as security alerts, directed recipients to a fake app designed to steal their wallet backup passwords. Trezor says its own products and account systems were not breached, but the stolen credentials could let attackers drain victims' crypto holdings.
New research and workplace analysis argue that the standard eight-hour workday does not translate into eight hours of genuinely productive effort, as constant notifications, emails and meetings crowd out meaningful tasks. The piece contends that not all work hours carry equal value, and that rising expectations for output—now amplified by AI tools—mask how little of the workday is actually spent on high-value activity.
OpenAI's ChatGPT experienced a service disruption that left many users temporarily unable to access the chatbot for everyday tasks like writing emails, essays, and completing work assignments. The outage prompted widespread reactions online, with some users humorously reflecting on how dependent they've become on AI tools for routine work.
Several startups, including one called Fambot, are building AI tools designed to handle household logistics such as school emails, sports schedules, and meal planning. The pitch targets parents overwhelmed by constant notifications, group chats, and app pings from activities like scouting and soccer.
Google is rolling out a new Calendar setting called 'Get an email when guests respond,' letting meeting organizers or their delegates opt out of receiving RSVP confirmations and automatic replies like out-of-office messages. The setting is enabled by default but can be unchecked, and it applies to the whole series for recurring events. The gradual rollout begins today for Workspace customers, Workspace Individual subscribers, and personal Google account users.