Supercharging Large Language Models with Multi-token Prediction

Large language models (LLMs) like GPT, LLaMA, and others have taken the world by storm with their remarkable ability to understand and generate human-like text. However, despite their impressive capabilities, the standard method of training these models, known as “next-token prediction,” has some inherent limitations. In…

Check Point warns of PDF malware surge – CyberTalk

Check Point warns of PDF malware surge – CyberTalk

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

In a startling discovery, Check Point Research has found that nearly 70% of all file-based email attacks worldwide now leverage malicious PDFs. This figure represents a 20% increase, year-over-year.

One out of every 246 email attachments is malicious.

Such a sharp year-over-year spike indicates that cyber criminals perceive PDFs as an effective malware delivery mechanism — one which they will continue to employ until relevant threat prevention tools see widespread adoption.

PDF attacks

As Check Point security engineer Rudi van Rooyen explains it, PDF-based attacks exploit vulnerabilities in traditional, signature-based security scanners. Cyber criminals embed hidden content in PDFs and the content effectively bypasses security checks.

The healthcare industry has been particularly hard-hit by PDF-based threats and, given the operational damage that could occur and the lives that could be affected, the need for effective countermeasures is readily apparent.

AI-powered protection

To address this issue, Check Point has launched an AI-powered engine called Deep PDF. It utilizes deep learning algorithms to review all PDF content components.

Deep PDF examines:

  • The internal structure of PDFs
  • Embedded images and their placement
  • Embedded URLs and their context within the document
  • Raw content within the PDF

Says Van Rooyen, Deep PDF technology is a component of Check Point’s ThreatCloud AI. It’s available to all Check Point customers; from small businesses to multi-national companies that leverage the complete security platform.

To analyze malicious PDFs, Check Point’s ThreatCloudAI not only utilizes the Deep PDF tool, but also deploys over 300 machine learning features to conduct a comprehensive analysis of a given email attachment and its payload.

Call to action for security leaders

The sharp spike in PDF-based malware indicates that security leaders need to take action. Flawed email security (signature-based defense) is no longer good enough.

To stay ahead of attachment-focused adversaries, organizations need to proactively embrace AI/ML-driven threat prevention.

Partner with industry leading security providers, like Check Point, to obtain cutting-edge technologies that can effectively detect and prevent the most sophisticated of malware-based attacks.

Key takeaways for security leaders

  • Leverage AI-powered technologies, like Deep PDF, to enhance your organization’s cyber security posture.
  • Implement regular cyber security awareness programs for employees. Discuss PDF-based attacks, how to approach a potentially malicious PDF, and how to proceed if a suspect file is accidentally downloaded or opened.
  • Ensure that your organization maintains a comprehensive incident response plan. Detail procedures for containing and mitigating cyber security incidents. Regularly test and evolve the plan to reflect new threats, like PDF-based malware.
  • Collaborate across your sector and with security providers, as partnerships can provide stabilizing resources and support.

For technical information concerning PDF-based threats, please visit the Check Point Research website. For more malware-related insights, please see CyberTalk.org’s past coverage.

Lastly, to receive thought leadership insights, groundbreaking research and emerging threat analyses each week, subscribe to the CyberTalk.org newsletter.

CreatorsJet Review: The Ultimate Tool for Content Creators?

If you’re a content creator or influencer, a media kit is a must for landing more brand deals. It gives potential brand collaborators an insight into your work, audience demographics, and more. I recently came across CreatorsJet, a user-friendly AI tool to manage campaigns and instantly…

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits Guides Players To Xbox In August

Kena: Bridge Of Spirits Guides Players To Xbox In August

Kena: Bridge of Spirits is making the leap to Xbox in August. The 2021 action-adventure game has been available only on PlayStation and PC, and its move to Microsoft’s platform comes with some new in-game goodies.

As the debut title by Ember Lab, this story-driven action game stars Kena, a young spirit guide who must unravel the mystery of a destroyed village by helping lost souls move on to the afterlife. She’s assisted by the Rot, tiny, adorable spirits Kena can command to aid in puzzle-solving and combat. The game’s design draws inspiration from series such as The Legend of Zelda, while combat has shades of From Software’s Dark Souls. 

Kena hits Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One on August 15 for $39.99 and will include exclusive pirate-themed Rot hats, a Golden Rot skin, and a unique staff for Kena. A new physical premium edition will also be available and will consist of these items, a digital soundtrack, and an exclusive sticker sheet. The Xbox version also includes the Anniversary DLC update, which includes the Spirit Guide Trials, additional Kena outfits, and New Game+

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We awarded Kena: Bridge of Spirits a 9 out of 10, with former editor-in-chief Andrew Reiner writing in his review, “Bridge of Spirits stumbles a little in spots, yet confidently sprints into the heart of the adventure, rewarding the player with secrets galore and visuals that are almost always worth admiring. If you love Zelda-like games or are just looking for an experience that will make you smile every step of the way, you can’t go wrong with Kena: Bridge of Spirits.” The game was also a sales success, recouping its development costs a month after its initial release in September 2021. 

You can learn more about Kena: Bridge of Spirits by checking out our behind-the-scenes features in our cover story hub.

The PC Adapter For PlayStation VR2 Arrives This August With Some Drawbacks

After teasing PC support tests earlier this year, the PC adapter for PlayStation VR2 arrives this August, the company has revealed. More specifically, the device will cost $59.99 and hit select retailers and PlayStation’s online store starting August 7. With this device, you can use the PlayStation VR2 hardware to play SteamVR games, including the critically acclaimed Half-Life: Alyx

Ironically, PlayStation gamers have been asking for a Half-Life: Alyx port for PlayStation VR (and now PlayStation VR2) for years. Though that still isn’t happening, this PC adapter at least allows players to use their PlayStation VR2 device to play the game through Steam. They can do the same with hundreds of other SteamVR games, like Fallout 4 VR and War Thunder. 

Here’s a look at the minimum PC requirements to use PlayStation VR2 on your PC

The PC Adapter For PlayStation VR2 Arrives This August With Some Drawbacks

However, as exciting as being able to use your PlayStation VR2 device on PC is, it comes with some distinct drawbacks. 

“PS VR2 was designed from the ground up specifically for PS5 – so you’ll notice that some key features, like HDR, headset feedback, eye tracking, adaptive triggers, and haptic feedback (other than rumble), are not available when playing on PC,” the PlayStation Blog post reads. “However, other high-fidelity and sensory immersion features on PS VR2 are supported, including 4K visuals (2000 x 2040 per eye), 110-degree field of view, finger touch detection, and see-through view, as well as foveated rendering (without eye tracking) and 3D Audio in supported games.” 

PlayStation says the most immersive way to experience PlayStation VR2 will remain the PS5, even after this PC adapter is available for purchase. 

To set up the PC adapter, you will have to connect PlayStation VR2 to your PC using the adapter and the DisplayPort 1.4 cable. After that, download the PlayStation VR2 App and the SteamVR app from Steam. This will allow you to set up the device on PC, customize your settings, and play SteamVR games. 

The PlayStation VR2 PC adapter will be available for purchase starting August 7. 

For more, read Game Informer’s review of Half-Life: Alyx, and then read Game Informer’s review of PlayStation VR2


Are you going to purchase the PlayStation VR2 PC adapter? Let us know in the comments below!

X now permits AI-generated adult content

Social media network X has updated its rules to formally permit users to share consensually-produced AI-generated NSFW content, provided it is clearly labelled. This change aligns with previous experiments under Elon Musk’s leadership, which involved hosting adult content within specific communities. “We believe that users should…

Neil Druckmann Says Naughty Dog ‘Will Not Be The Last Of Us Studio Forever,’ Multiple Single-Player Projects In Development

Neil Druckmann Says Naughty Dog ‘Will Not Be The Last Of Us Studio Forever,’ Multiple Single-Player Projects In Development

Naughty Dog won’t be The Last of Us studio forever, according to studio president Neil Druckmann. He told the LA Times this in a new interview, which is where he also said the studio has multiple single-player projects in development, as reported by VideoGamesChronicle.

“I promise you, we will not be The Last of Us studio forever,” Druckmann said, revealing the team is working on “multiple single-player projects.” He continued, adding, “We create experiences that are steeped in story and characters, especially relationships. The stories have some sort of philosophical core that everything is going to revolve around and feed into.”

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Elsewhere in the interview, Druckmann told the LA Times he came up with the idea about a man and a girl crossing a post-apocalyptic landscape – the premise of The Last of Us – in college. He planned to get that story out of his head one day as a graphic novel. Even after getting hired at Naughty Dog, he didn’t bring up this story to the studio, he said. Instead, he was given the task of recreating Jak and Daxter into “something more reality-based,” the publication writes. 

However, he and those on the task were struggling. They went to Naughty Dog’s then-president Evan Wells, who retired last year, and asked, “Do we need to do Jak and Daxter?” Wells said no, and Druckmann told the LA Times, “Immediately the lightbulb went off” as the time for what would become The Last of Us had arrived. And the rest is history. 

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This interview follows Druckmann’s recent interview with PlayStation, which resulted in a public rebuttal of the interview by Druckmann, with him claiming he was heavily misquoted, and PlayStation eventually pulling the interview down completely

Word of multiple single-player projects in development at Naughty Dog follows news from last December where Naughty Dog canceled its Last of Us live-service multiplayer project after years of development

For more, read Game Informer’s review of The Last of Us and then read our review of The Last of Us Part II. After that, read our impressions of Naughty Dog’s remake of The Last of Us

[Source: LA Times via VideoGamesChronicle]


What do you hope Naughty Dog’s next game is? Let us know in the comments below!