Insights Into Things

We cover a critical GitLab vulnerability, a Microsoft VPN fix, device code phishing, and two AI-related security stories. Full credits and links in the show notes.
Daily Tech Insights — Monday, November 2, 2026
This episode examines the active exploitation of a critical GitLab remote code execution flaw, urging immediate patching for self-managed instances. It also covers a Microsoft Always On VPN fix, rising device code phishing threats, and the Northflank breach that compromised AI API keys. Finally, we discuss a new AI-driven malware strain that ranks stolen data by resale value.
In this episode
Over 1,000 GitLab servers remain unpatched against CVE-2026-97229, a critical remote code execution flaw now added to the CISA KEV catalog.Microsoft has released KB5127936 to resolve Always On VPN failures caused by recent Windows 11 updates, with a recommendation to use a single tunneling protocol.Device code phishing is emerging as a threat where attackers trick users into entering codes to gain account access and send phishing emails.The Northflank security breach resulted in the unauthorized use of customer AI API keys, potentially causing unexpected billing and data leaks.A new Windows malware named VOLTA-AUTODOXER uses AI to rank stolen credentials and data by their potential cash value for resale.
News stories
Northflank security breach leads to abuse of customers' AI API keys — BleepingComputerDevice code phishing: what it is, how to spot it and what to do if you entered a code — 2-SpywareWindows 11 VPN Fix: Microsoft Resolves Always On VPN Failures — The 420.inWindows malware VOLTA-AUTODOXER uses AI to rank stolen victim data by cash value — news.lavx.huManager threatened to fire a colleague, then gave them a critical task – which they flubbed — The RegisterOver 1,000 GitLab servers vulnerable to ongoing RCE attacks — BleepingComputer
Sources
Northflank security breach leads to abuse of customers' AI API keys — BleepingComputerDevice Code Phishing: What It Is and What To Do — 2-SpywareWindows malware VOLTA-AUTODOXER uses AI to rank stolen victim data by cash value — LavX News
Music credits
Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

History Insights Today — Nov 2: Balfour Declaration, ISS crew, and F1 title. Sources and further reading in the show notes.
History Insights Today — Monday, November 2, 2026
This episode explores five pivotal moments from November 2nd, ranging from the political ripple effects of the Balfour Declaration to the dramatic final corners of Lewis Hamilton's first Formula One championship. We also examine the quirky history of Australia's military campaign against emus, the devastating impact of Tropical Storm Linda on Southeast Asia, and the historic arrival of the first resident crew on the International Space Station.
In this episode
The 1917 Balfour Declaration expressed British support for a Jewish national home in Palestine, a move that significantly influenced the region's modern political landscape.In 1932, the Australian military launched a unique campaign using artillery and aircraft to control emu populations that were damaging crops in Western Australia.Expedition 1 launched in 2000, marking the first time humans lived continuously on the International Space Station and establishing a new era of international cooperation in space.Tropical Storm Linda struck the Mekong Delta in 1997, causing widespread flooding and thousands of fatalities across Vietnam and Thailand, highlighting the vulnerability of coastal communities.Lewis Hamilton secured the 2008 Formula One World Drivers' Championship by overtaking Timo Glock in the final corners of the Brazilian Grand Prix, finishing just one point ahead of his rival.
News stories
2008: Lewis Hamilton overtook Timo Glock in the final corners of the Brazilian Grand Prix to become the Formula One World Drivers' Champion by one point. — Wikipedia — On this day2000: As members of Expedition 1, American astronaut William Shepherd and Russian cosmonauts Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko (all pictured) became the first resident crew to arrive at the International Space Station. — Wikipedia — On this day1997: Tropical Storm Linda made landfall in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, causing more than 3,000 deaths.) — Wikipedia — On this day1932: The Australian military began a "war against emus", flightless native birds blamed for widespread damage to crops in Western Australia. — Wikipedia — On this day1917: The British government issued the Balfour Declaration in support of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, then an Ottoman region with a small Jewish minority. — Wikipedia — On this day
Sources
Lewis Hamilton - Wikipedia — Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

History Insights Today — Oct 30: North Korea's failed raid, Argentina's democratic return, Orson Welles' radio scare, the Aegean tsunami, and Michael Jackson's final album. Sources and further reading in the show notes.
History Insights Today — October 30, 2026
This episode of History Insights Today explores key events from October 30th across history, including a failed North Korean raid on South Korea, Argentina's return to democracy, a radio broadcast that sparked panic, a deadly Aegean Sea earthquake, and the release of Michael Jackson's final album.
In this episode
In 1968, North Korea attempted a commando raid on South Korea to overthrow Park Chung Hee but failed due to strong defenses.In 1983, Argentina held its first democratic election in a decade, ending the military dictatorship and marking the start of civilian rule.In 1938, Orson Welles' radio drama 'The War of the Worlds' caused widespread panic, showcasing the power of mass media.In 2020, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in the Aegean Sea triggered a tsunami, killing 119 people and displacing thousands.
News stories
2020: A magnitude-7.0 earthquake occurred in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey, triggering a tsunami and causing 119 deaths. — Wikipedia — On this day2001: Michael Jackson released Invincible, his final studio album and the most expensive album ever produced. — Wikipedia — On this day1983: As the military dictatorship came to an end, Argentina's first democratic election in a decade resulted in Raúl Alfonsín being elected president. — Wikipedia — On this day1968: A squad of 120 North Korean Army commandos landed in boats along a 25-mile long section of the eastern coast of South Korea in a failed attempt to overthrow the dictatorship of Park Chung Hee and reunify Korea. — Wikipedia — On this day1938: CBS Radio broadcast "The War of the Worlds", a radio drama that newspapers accused of tricking Americans into believing there was an actual Martian invasion. — Wikipedia — On this day
Sources
Eight unforgettable ways 1968 made history | CNN — CNN
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

Daily Tech Insights — Oct 30: Microsoft fixes VPN issues, AI scams, and a crypto heist. Full credits and links in the show notes.
Daily Tech Insights — Friday, October 30th, 2026
Today's episode covers four key stories impacting IT operations: Microsoft's fix for Always On VPN issues, AI-powered scams targeting retailers, a cybersecurity roadmap for DoD contractors, and a massive Binance hack. These stories highlight the need for vigilance in patch management, scam detection, compliance, and AI security.
In this episode
Microsoft released a fix for Always On VPN connection failures caused by recent Windows 11 updates, with a temporary workaround available until the next Patch Tuesday.Scammers are rapidly rebuilding fake shopping sites using look-alike domains, emphasizing the need for strong authentication and user training.A free cybersecurity roadmap from Associated Builders and Contractors helps DoD contractors meet Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level 1 requirements.A $6.3 billion hack of Binance underscores the importance of multi-factor authentication and real-time monitoring for cryptocurrency and SMB security.
News stories
ABC publishes free cybersecurity roadmap for DOD contractors — Construction DiveResearchers find bugs in 5 AI developer tools, with OpenAI and Microsoft flaws still unpatched — The Register[Is Windows Defender Enough? Paid Plans From $59.99 [2026]](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilwFBVV95cUxPN2E1b19qUVAzQjMzMzhSTlVpbXZoeENuR3ZORWNsWE0weDVrbUxBZklVVldxTU9zTVFsTjZmZDNtV1NRS1lobGlBMUs1YTNNOE1IbERja2RpR2s1NkEwWThrNEpLYXNHRkd4TmZ6aHNhUnBtejlnc1hWUWU0ejhRcGpVaWNsR3B2OEVKdnpNakZaSGc0V0hj?oc=5) — https://tech-insider.org/Scammers rebuild fake shopping sites within hours of a takedown — Help Net SecurityThe $6.3 Billion Binance Hack Was Pulled Off in Just 20 Minutes — Wired SecurityMicrosoft finally fixes VPN issues caused by September updates — BleepingComputer
Sources
ABC publishes free cybersecurity roadmap for DOD contractors — Construction Dive
Music credits
Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

Daily Tech Insights — Oct 29: PHP flaw exploited, stolen logins spread attacks, cyber insurance becomes audit
Daily Tech Insights — Thursday, October 29th, 2026
Today's episode covers a critical PHP vulnerability being exploited in the wild, a growing threat of stolen staff logins spreading attacks across K-12 schools, and how cyber insurance is now treated as a security audit. The FBI warns of a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting small businesses, while IT teams are urged to patch PHP systems and prepare for cyber insurance audits.
In this episode
The PHP2Shell vulnerability allows attackers to execute remote code with web server privileges, already exploited in the wild and added to CISA's KEV list.Stolen staff logins are being used to spread phishing attacks across K-12 school districts, with malware often delivered via malicious ads on legitimate websites.Cyber insurance applications are now treated as detailed security audits, requiring honest answers backed by evidence to avoid coverage loss.A suspected China-nexus threat actor used PHP2Shell and other exploits to breach U.S. government-affiliated servers, highlighting the vulnerability's real-world impact.
News stories
PHP2Shell is in CISA KEV: why runtime visibility matters — Security BoulevardStolen staff logins are spreading attacks between K-12 school districts — Help Net SecurityYour Cyber Insurance Application Is Now an Audit. Answer It Like One. — The Future of Things[[New Threat Trend Data] When Bad Actors Use Reality Against Us](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxNak84RGpvN3RCb0UzX1RMZ19JSTFDTnYtVEwwSlRtd3VwalpDTGhtTjVGbjlUTU94eGZwVU1RdTBLdUR0Y2dwVDJoek5SS1dsN3lKWTc3bFJieWVEUnRuTTE2T3BFaTNFVmJzRjRPRjNzQVdfc0VhZEl6dzhnb1daUEFGelJDWE1kd3dHRGlR?oc=5) — KnowBe4 BlogFBI issues warning after fraudsters target New Jersey trading card shops — News12 | New JerseyPHP2Shell Password Risks: Which Accounts Should You Secure? — Cybernews
Music credits
Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

History Insights Today — Oct 29: Nanbu clan surrenders, M25 opens, John Glenn flies again, Sandy hits shore. Sources and further reading in the show notes.
History Insights Today — October 29, 2026
This episode of History Insights Today explores key events from October 29th across military history, politics, science, and disaster. From the fall of the Nanbu clan in Japan to the opening of the M25 motorway in Britain, John Glenn’s return to space, and the impact of Hurricane Sandy, the episode highlights moments that shaped nations and lives.
In this episode
The Nanbu clan's surrender in 1868 marked a pivotal shift in Japan's transition from feudal rule to imperial modernization.Margaret Thatcher's opening of the M25 in 1986 symbolized Britain's focus on infrastructure and economic growth.John Glenn's 1998 spaceflight at age 77 advanced research on aging and space adaptation, bridging science and exploration.Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the second-most destructive storm in U.S. history, highlighted the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather.
News stories
2012: Hurricane Sandy, the largest Atlantic hurricane on record, made landfall in New Jersey and caused nearly $75 billion in damages, becoming the second-most destructive storm in U.S. history. — Wikipedia — On this day1998: At 77 years old, former astronaut John Glenn (pictured) returned to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-95 mission. — Wikipedia — On this day1986: British prime minister Margaret Thatcher officially opened the M25, one of Britain's busiest motorways. — Wikipedia — On this day1868: The Nanbu clan of Honshu surrendered to Japanese imperial forces during the Boshin War. — Wikipedia — On this day1899: The Kansas City Journal reported that the association had its best year, with successful exhibitions and events. — Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

History Insights Today — Oct 28: British capture White Plains, Tutankhamun's mask found, first British satellite launched, Hōei earthquake, Royal Marines born. Sources and further reading in the show notes.
History Insights Today — October 28th, 2026
History Insights Today — Oct 28: Key events from across history, from battles and discoveries to natural disasters and military formations.
In this episode
In 1776, the British captured White Plains, marking a strategic loss for the American Revolutionary War.The 1925 discovery of Tutankhamun's mask sparked global fascination with ancient Egypt's artistry and beliefs.Britain launched its first satellite, Prospero, in 1971, advancing its space program capabilities.The 1707 Hōei earthquake and tsunami devastated Japan, becoming one of the country's most destructive natural events.
News stories
1971: Prospero (flight spare pictured), the first British satellite launched on a British rocket, lifted off from Launch Area 5B in Woomera, South Australia.) — Wikipedia — On this day1925: The funerary mask of Tutankhamun, possibly originally made for Queen Neferneferuaten, was uncovered for the first time in approximately 3,250 years. — Wikipedia — On this day1776: American Revolutionary War: As George Washington's Continental Army retreated northward from New York City, the British Army captured the village of White Plains. — Wikipedia — On this day1707: The Hōei earthquake ruptured all segments of the Nankai megathrust simultaneously – the only earthquake recorded to have done so. — Wikipedia — On this day1664: The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot, the forerunner to the Royal Marines, was established at the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company in London. — Wikipedia — On this day
Sources
Prospero (spacecraft) - Wikipedia) — Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

We examine firewall exploits, AI session theft, and recent breaches to ask if you are compromised without knowing it. Full credits and links in the show notes.
Daily Tech Insights — Wednesday, October 28, 2026
This episode investigates whether small and mid-sized businesses are suffering silent breaches, highlighting a China-linked threat actor actively exploiting PHP vulnerabilities to gain root access on firewalls. We also examine the rise of infostealers targeting AI assistant sessions and recent incidents at major providers like 123 Reg and GMO, which underscore the critical detection gap in lean IT teams. The core argument is that silence does not equal safety, prompting a shift toward assuming breach until proven otherwise.
In this episode
A China-linked threat actor is chaining PHP vulnerabilities with a Linux kernel bug to drop persistent webshells on unpatched, internet-facing firewalls.A new infostealer named Aokigahara targets developer keyrings and active AI assistant sessions, stealing live tokens and API keys rather than just static passwords.The 123 Reg breach, suspected to be linked to the Artex group, highlights the expanding blast radius of third-party service provider compromises for SMBs.The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center incident, where 36,000 systems were compromised, serves as a wake-up call to audit privileged identity accounts and Active Directory integrity.The GMO data breach illustrates the detection gap in lean IT teams, reinforcing the need to assume breach and focus on limiting the critical harm of data leakage.
News stories
PHP2Shell Exploits Trigger 'Black October' Cybersecurity Surge — 조선일보The Reality Revealed by the GMO Data Breach: In an Era Where Even the Digital Agency Gets Hit, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Are 'Being Hit Without Realizing It' — note'Aokigahara' Stealer Targets 'Developer Keyrings' & AI Assistants — Dark Reading[UNM Health Ransomware: 36,000 Systems Claimed [2026]](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijAFBVV95cUxNQUhENjkwaERWWmtIRGd2UFBEWnpMZXlDczNCV21VTV9xdm9vcDh3RnNOS2M2RjFqU3ZEY3FsOTlJUXNRXzF4ejk2NkhwTzVfbzF4NkNXdGZSZ05nZk9UTldyczJBcWdmVTZKTHBWVkhoaEFfZ3hWR0tEUWVnQmNoMzNVQ292T0hzMXdncQ?oc=5) — https://tech-insider.org/China-Linked Hackers Exploit PHP2Shell to Root Firewalls — SecurityWeek123 Reg discloses 'AI cyberattack' on customer data, suspects China nexus — The Register
Music credits
Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

History Insights Today — Oct 27: NYC subway opens, Santa Cruz battle, Bihar riots, Widerøe crash. Sources and further reading in the show notes.
History Insights Today — October 27, 2026
Today's episode explores key historical events from October 27th across different domains, including the opening of New York's first underground subway, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, the Bihar riots of 1946, and the crash of Widerøe Flight 744. Each event highlights significant moments in transportation, warfare, communal conflict, and aviation safety.
In this episode
On October 27, 1904, the first underground segment of the New York City Subway opened, revolutionizing urban transportation and setting the stage for one of the world’s busiest transit systems.In 1942, Japan achieved a tactical victory at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, though it marked a turning point in the Pacific War as Japan’s naval dominance began to wane.The 1946 Bihar riots, fueled by disputes over alleged abductions, led to widespread violence and a highly disputed death toll, reflecting the complex nature of communal conflict in post-independence India.Widerøe Flight 744 crashed in 1993 due to pilot error and systemic failures within the airline, highlighting the importance of standardized procedures in aviation safety.
News stories
1993: Widerøe Flight 744 suffered a controlled flight into terrain while on approach to Namsos Airport, Norway, killing two crew members and four passengers. — Wikipedia — On this day1946: Inter-religious riots in which Hindu mobs targeted Muslim families began in the Indian state of Bihar, resulting in thousands of deaths. — Wikipedia — On this day1942: The Empire of Japan achieved a pyrrhic victory against the United States at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. — Wikipedia — On this day1914: World War I: The Royal Navy dreadnought HMS Audacious was sunk by a mine, but its loss was kept secret for four years. — Wikipedia — On this day1904: The first underground segment of the New York City Subway opened, connecting New York City Hall (station pictured) with Harlem. — Wikipedia — On this day
Sources
Widerøe Flight 744 - Wikipedia — Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.

Daily Tech Insights — Oct 27: Free cloud security tools and ransomware risks for SMBs. Full credits and links in the show notes.
Daily Tech Insights — Thursday, October 27th, 2026
Today's episode explores new cloud security tools, ransomware risks, and critical updates for SMBs, emphasizing preparedness and proactive defense strategies.
In this episode
Seesa has released free, open-source tools like ScubaGear and ScubaGoggles to help secure Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace environments.A recent ransomware report highlights that nearly half of SMBs lack confidence in their ransomware protection strategies.Mega breaches have nearly tripled in 2026, with the health sector seeing the highest number of data breaches in Australia.Microsoft is ending native SMS authentication in Entra ID, urging users to transition to passkeys to improve security against phishing.
News stories
Cybersecurity Flashpoints This Week: Data Leaks, Key Theft, Software Backdoors Rock Tech Ecosystem — BW BusinessworldMega breaches nearly triple as health sector tops Australia’s data breach count — Insurance BusinessMicrosoft">https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-entra-id-ending-native-sms-authentication-pushing-users-to-passkeys//RK=2/RS=RqhOp0IvtYCyebEWlJWfhv7tbxY-">Microsoft Entra ID ending native SMS authentication, pushing users to passkeys — NeowinHornetsecurity by Proofpoint Ransomware Report 2027 reveals nearly half of companies don't trust their own defences — PR Newswire UKCISA Offers Two Free Tools to Detect Security Misconfigurations in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace — CyberSecurityNewsRansomware Incident at Paylogix Affects 41K Individuals — The HIPAA Journal
Sources
Hornetsecurity GmbH: Hornetsecurity by Proofpoint Ransomware Report 2027 reveals nearly half of companies don't trust their own defences — FinanzNachrichten.de
Music credits
Music: "Werq" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) (CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)
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Voices in this episode were generated with AI text-to-speech from the hosts' script.Research and drafting for this episode were assisted by AI tools. All content was reviewed and fact-checked by the host.Views expressed are my own and do not represent my employer.