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Prompt Injection Attacks Are Thwarting AI Hacking Agents

WIRED

"Context bombing" tricks malicious AI agents into shutting down before they can do harm. Prompt injections, the malicious commands attackers embed into content to entice large language models to follow them, have been attackers' go-to tool for turning AI platforms against their users. A well-phrased command sneaked into an email or calendar invitation is often all it takes to cause the LLM to exfiltrate sensitive data or follow other harmful actions. Now, defenders are embracing the prompt injection, too. Researchers from Tracebit on Monday said they found that placing prompt injections alongside passwords, cryptographic keys, and other secrets stored on Amazon Web Services was often all that was needed to shut down attacks from AI hacking agents.


SteelSeries Coupon Codes: 15% Off in July 2026

WIRED

Gaming is better with great gear. A powerful gaming headset and a good keyboard are two must-haves for me, whether I'm playing or firing up my latest unfinished run of (I'll move on eventually to, I promise). A longtime favorite brand of WIRED's for this kind of gaming gadgetry comes from SteelSeries. SteelSeries' latest gaming headphones and mice have been a hit in testing, and now you can score your very own with the help of a SteelSeries discount code. Whether you're shopping for a new gaming headset or keyboard, or looking for a discount on your first order, a SteelSeries coupon code can get you deals on just about anything SteelSeries offers.


AWS Billing Glitch Hits Customers With Billion-Dollar Fees

WIRED

An error with the cloud computing giant's billing operation caused some customers' monthly bills to rise from a few cents to billions of dollars. A glitch with Amazon Web Services' billing operation led some customers to believe they owed the world's fifth most valuable company billions of dollars. Bill Radjewski, who runs CollegeFootballData.com, was one of the affected customers. This morning, he woke up to a jarring email alert from AWS: He had racked up more than $1.5 billion in usage fees, and his August 1 bill was on track to be upwards of $3 billion. "I've had this account for 6+ years and in that time my monthly spend has never exceeded $0.02," Radjewski tells WIRED.


Zoox issues software recall because its robotaxis may be confused by smoke

Engadget

The NHTSA recently called for autonomous vehicle companies to improve how cars respond in emergency situations. Zoox has issued a software recall for 105 of its robotaxis because of their inability to safely drive through heavy smoke. According to the company's recall report, a Zoox robotaxi interfered with an active fire emergency, prompting the company to develop a software update and issue the recall. On June 20, a Zoox robotaxi encountered heavy smoke from a fire in a traffic lane that hadn't been cordoned off with cones. The Zoox vehicle entered the scene, then braked hard while attempting to steer away before coming to a stop, Zoox's report says.


Apple regains top spot as world's most valuable company

Al Jazeera

Apple regains top spot as world's most valuable company Apple has surpassed chipmaker Nvidia as the world's most valuable company as artificial intelligence-driven market pressures weigh on investors. Apple is now worth $4.88 trillion compared with Nvidia's $4.86 trillion, following a 3.5 percent decline in Nvidia's market value. The milestone marks the first time the Cupertino, California-based iPhone maker has held the top spot in more than a year. Last month, Apple unveiled a revamped version of its assistant, Siri AI, which enables the personal assistant to better understand the personal context of users' questions, access real-time information from the Web, and perform more complex tasks on behalf of users. "Market sentiment has shifted from rewarding model makers, then to semis, and now on to those companies that can turn compute into experiences and outcomes the customer will pay for, thus driving corporate earnings," Michael Monaghan, founder of Founder ETFs, told Al Jazeera. "Apple investors first questioned Apple's lower AI spend, but now have treated Apple's lower AI capital expenditure as an advantage, with the bull case being that Apple benefits from consumer AI without spending at cloud-infrastructure scale."


Amazon's Zoox recalls self-driving vehicles amid emergency response issues

Al Jazeera

Amazon's Zoox recalls self-driving vehicles amid emergency response issues The Amazon subsidiary company Zoox has said that it will recall its fleet of 105 autonomous vehicles in the United States. The technology company announced the recall on Friday due to mounting concerns that the vehicles may not detect heavy smoke and could impede emergency personnel. Zoox said on Friday that on June 20 an unoccupied Zoox autonomous vehicle encountered heavy smoke that obscured an active emergency fire scene. The Zoox vehicle entered the scene, then braked hard while attempting to steer away, before coming to a stop. The Zoox vehicle, under teleguidance, reversed, after which first responders placed traffic cones at the scene, blocking two of the three lanes.


Apple and Google ordered by San Francisco attorney to take action against 'nudify' apps

Engadget

Apple and Google ordered by San Francisco attorney to take action against'nudify' apps Apple and Google ordered by San Francisco attorney to take action against'nudify' apps Both companies were sent cease-and-desist letters regarding 13 apps on their respective stores. Apple and Google have been sent cease-and-desist letters that demand they remove AI-powered nudify apps from their respective app stores. As reported by Wired, San Francisco city attorney David Chiu ordered the two tech giants to take down a total of 13 apps that can be used to create AI-generated deepfake nude images. The letters appeal to Apple and Google to stop aiding and abetting the spread of nonconsensual intimate images, and ask them to stop working with the app developers in question. This isn't the first time Chiu has taken on deepfake platforms, having previously filed a lawsuit against 16 websites that allow users to turn images of real women and girls into pornography using AI.


5 Windows 11 features from July's update you shouldn't overlook

PCWorld

PCWorld highlights five important Windows 11 features from July 2026's update that users should pay attention to despite gradual rollout. Microsoft is implementing a staggered activation process to prevent server overload, meaning users may need patience before accessing new features. These updates include significant functionality and security improvements that enhance the Windows 11 experience once fully activated. Windows 11 got so many features and security updates this month that it's easy to overlook the most exciting ones. Here are the five most important new Windows 11 features you shouldn't miss.


Apple dethrones Nvidia to regain title of world's most valuable company

The Guardian

The Apple Store signage is seen at Grand Central Station in New York City earlier this year. The Apple Store signage is seen at Grand Central Station in New York City earlier this year. Apple dethrones Nvidia to regain title of world's most valuable company Apple overtook Nvidia on Friday to become the world's most valuable company, reshuffling the top ranks of tech heavyweights as investors reassess the outlook for artificial intelligence. Apple was last valued at $4.88tn as its shares held steady, while Nvidia was roughly at $4.86tn, after a 3.5% decline. Nvidia became the first company in the world to surpass a $5tn market valuation in October, a landmark that propelled it into a rarefied territory that was far beyond the reach of its rivals.


Most VPN deals are fake. This ExpressVPN discount for 84% off isn't

PCWorld

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Most VPN deals are fake. It's 84% off and comes with 4 bonus months on top. ExpressVPN has knocked its price down to just $2.49 per month if you grab this promotion: a standard two-year plan with four extra months added on top, all for just $69.72. While plenty of VPN "sales" are smoke and mirrors, this one holds up.