Latest news with #Nmap
Mint
08-07-2025
- Mint
Hidden cameras in hotel rooms and Airbnbs? 5 things to check
You've travelled far, looked forward to your stay at a carefully chosen hotel or Airbnb after thorough research, only to be hit with the unsettling thought, 'What if someone's watching me?' Despite stricter policies and platform guidelines, hidden cameras in accommodations remain a growing concern for travellers. While not every room has a hidden camera, the rising number of incidents where travellers have discovered recording devices disguised as everyday items is enough to set off alarm bells. But the good news is that spotting hidden cameras doesn't require expensive equipment or tech skills. All it takes is a few simple steps and a little extra attention when you enter your room. Step 1: Check the usual suspects If there's one place you should inspect the moment you walk into your hotel or Airbnb room, it's the ceiling. Security experts say smoke detectors on the ceiling are one of the most common spots for hidden cameras. Look for strange holes, odd blinking lights or designs that don't match standard models. Also, check the corners of the ceiling and wall joints. You'll often find motion sensors or passive infrared (PIR) devices installed there. These are typically used for lights or alarms, but with a little tweaking, they can double as hidden cameras. If you notice one pointing straight at the bed or bathroom, that's a red flag. Step 2: Trust your eyes and gut Take a moment to scan the room carefully. Look for objects that seem oddly placed, especially electronics or furniture angled toward the bed or bathroom. Be wary of random USB chargers left plugged in; they're rarely provided by hotels and could be suspicious. Common hiding spots include air purifiers, alarm clocks, mirrors, routers, TV boxes and decorative items. Watch for tiny holes, strange reflections or anything that feels out of place. Trust your instincts, and if something doesn't sit right, don't ignore it. A second look might just help you spot a hidden lens before it catches you. Your smartphone can be a handy tool for spotting hidden cameras. Turn off the lights in the room, then use your phone or smartwatch flashlight to slowly scan mirrors, electronics, and corners. Camera lenses, even tiny ones, often reflect light and a quick glint might give them away. You can also install a Wi-Fi scanning app like Fing or Nmap to check all devices connected to the network. Look for anything unusual, like devices labelled 'IP camera' or unfamiliar names. Keep in mind, some cameras may use separate networks, but this method can still help spot the obvious ones hiding in plain sight. Step 4: Carry a detector (Optional, but handy) If you travel often or feel uneasy about privacy, investing in a portable camera detector can be a good idea. These pocket-sized devices use infrared technology to spot hidden lenses, even in low light. Simply scan suspicious areas and watch for a flashing signal indicating a potential camera. However, they're not foolproof, they work best at close range and can sometimes pick up signals from harmless electronics. Use them as part of your overall room check, not a standalone solution. Step 5: What to do if you spot something If you find a suspicious device, don't tamper with it immediately. Take clear photos, unplug it if safe and notify hotel staff or your Airbnb host. If the response feels shady or dismissive, leave the property and report the issue to local authorities and the platform you booked through. If they don't take it seriously and you are unable to leave, use tape or gum to cover the hidden camera lens temporarily until you have a chance to go out or change the room. Make camera checks part of your travel routine Don't just check in, check around as well. Most hosts and hotels are honest and value your privacy. But in today's world, it's wise to stay alert. Making a quick privacy check part of your travel routine, like checking for the Wi-Fi password, can go a long way in keeping your trip safe and stress-free.
Arabian Post
08-06-2025
- Arabian Post
Kali GPT Delivers AI Co‑Pilot for Penetration Testing
Kali GPT demonstrates a new frontier in cybersecurity, embedding an AI‑powered assistant directly into Kali Linux to streamline penetration testing for professionals and learners. Leveraging GPT‑4 architecture, the tool generates payloads, explains complex tools such as Metasploit and Nmap, and recommends relevant exploits—all within the terminal. For expert practitioners, the assistant accelerates assessments; for novices, it serves as an interactive mentor by translating technical concepts into clear guidance . Advanced educational institutions are rapidly integrating Kali GPT into curricula, citing its capacity to present example‑driven instructions that engage students more effectively than traditional documentation . This trend enhances practical cybersecurity education, addressing skill‑gap challenges facing the industry. Core to Kali GPT's offering is its real‑time assistance: users receive immediate diagnostics for errors encountered in tools like Nmap, along with actionable remedies. It can also generate tailored Linux commands—such as identifying files larger than 100 MB—customised to the user's needs, cutting down the manual effort required . ADVERTISEMENT A standout feature is adaptive learning. Kali GPT adjusts its guidance based on the user's proficiency level—offering foundational explanations to beginners while providing intricate technical depth to seasoned testers . This reduces wasted time searching through forums and documentation, acting as a dynamic mentor that evolves with the user. Corporate users report that Kali GPT enhances efficiency during routine vulnerability scans and network audits. By automating repetitive tasks, it enables security teams to focus on complex threat scenarios and strategic decision‑making. Observers note that the AI assistant effectively democratizes penetration testing by enabling a broader range of talent to contribute meaningfully to security assessments . Despite its promise, expert voices caution that human oversight remains essential. Kali GPT might generate code that contains false positives or is improperly optimised. Developers stress that it complements—but does not replace—the deep technical understanding and judgment that cybersecurity professionals provide . Kali GPT's emergence aligns with broader academic exploration of AI‑assisted security tooling. Three recent LLM‑powered systems highlight this trend. AutoPentest, based on GPT‑4o and LangChain, performs autonomous black‑box penetration tests, achieving task success rates comparable to manual ChatGPT use while offering cost efficiencies . PenTest++, introduced in February 2025, integrates generative AI for reconnaissance, scanning, exploitation, and reporting with structured human validation at key points . Earlier, PentestGPT demonstrated substantial improvements—delivering over 228 percent better task completion on benchmarks compared with GPT‑3 . These developments reinforce Kali GPT's capacity to complement ongoing advances in AI‑enhanced penetration testing. However, the academic studies also flag limitations. LLMs often struggle to maintain holistic scaffolding across testing phases, and there is a risk of hallucinations or weak context‑awareness . Responsible deployment thus requires layered oversight. ADVERTISEMENT A key benefit of tools like Kali GPT is their educational value. They elevate learning in a field traditionally dependent on self‑study and documentation. For novices, the ability to request practical walkthroughs—such as step‑by‑step deployment of an exploit or interpreting tool output—makes cybersecurity more approachable. Mid‑level professionals gain quicker troubleshooting, and experts reclaim time from routine scripting and documentation, focusing on analytical tasks. Ethical considerations are integral to the tool's design. Kali GPT includes guidelines urging permission‑based operations and discouraging misuse. The developer community emphasises that best outcomes require integration into structured, policy‑driven environments where outputs undergo review by qualified professionals . Integration with Kali Linux—an extensively used open‑source, Debian‑based distribution hosting over 600 tools such as Aircrack‑ng, Metasploit, Nmap, Wireshark and Burp Suite—intensifies its impact . By embedding AI within an established toolkit, Kali GPT minimizes workflow disruption, enabling users to stay within familiar terminals rather than switching contexts. Industry analysts predict that such tools will accelerate the frequency and depth of security assessments. With AI assistance, organisations can conduct more thorough penetration tests at lower costs, increasing coverage across both internal and external environments. However, vigilance is needed: overreliance on AI may obscure the imperative to maintain up‑to‑date threat intelligence, deep systems knowledge, and manual oversight. Community feedback highlights interest tempered by concern. One seasoned LinkedIn commentator described Kali GPT as 'a concrete example of how AI can become a powerful tool in penetration testing,' while cautioning that its deployment requires 'awareness and responsibility' . Another user remarked that the tool 'could speed up red team tasks and makes advanced techniques more accessible. On the other, it raises serious concerns around misuse, accuracy, and data exposure' . In the academic realm, research such as PenTest++, AutoPentest and PentestGPT underscores a pattern: AI boosts efficiency, but project design must include ethical control, regular evaluation, and human‑in‑the‑loop checkpoints . Ethical frameworks—such as clear use policies and expert validation—mitigate risks of AI‑assisted errors or malicious deployment. As cybersecurity professionals weigh its adoption, Kali GPT reinforces the evolving division of labour: AI handles routine code generation, troubleshooting, and command synthesis, while humans retain oversight, strategic thinking, and contextual judgement. The most effective deployments will integrate the tool into formal penetration‑testing protocols where professionals validate, adapt, and interpret AI output.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Urgent need to upskill workers on cybersecurity tools in retail, BFSI sectors: Nuvepro study
With organisations constantly facing security risks and malware attacks, 96% of the employees said that information gathering is important in an organisation as it helps uncover vulnerabilities and assess risks, said a survey by Nuvepro indication learning with cybersecurity tools is critical for mastering security practices and tool efficacy. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India stares at a 'water bomb' threat as it freezes Indus Treaty India readies short, mid & long-term Indus River plans Shehbaz Sharif calls India's stand "worn-out narrative" In fact, 90% of the participants stressed on the need for implementation of AI in enterprises. 'Cyber security has become the need of the hour and there is an urgent need to upskill our workforce to be able to use cyber security tools effectively. If gaps are plugged in advance, enterprises will be subjected to lower security risks. Al adoption in enterprises will also help screen potential cyber threats,' said Giridhar LV founder and CEO Nuvepro. 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Karnataka - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo The survey had participants from various enterprises and 72% of them had been working on cyber security projects. Passive forms of information gathering that are popularly used by the respondents working in the cyber security space include port scanning with Nmap and searching DNS records. Port Scanning is one of the features of Nmap wherein the tool detects the status of the ports on active hosts in a network. Searching DNS records is important in cybersecurity for identifying malicious activities, understanding network infrastructure, and verifying domain ownership. Live Events Most of the respondents also said that they prefer active reconnaissance which interacts directly with the target. Passive reconnaissance, meanwhile, uses third party sources. Reconnaissance refers to the initial stage of a cyberattack where attackers gather information about their target to identify vulnerabilities and plan attacks. About 23% of the respondents belonged to the retail sector . BFSI, healthcare, and energy were some other sectors that the respondents worked for. In order to solve complex breaches with regards to cyberattacks, the participants outlined the use of multi-agent solutions like use cases, developer tools, Langgraph, traffic management, HITL (Human-in-the-Loop), evaluation and robotics. Respondents said that there is need for hands-on labs for risk-free AI implementation. The biggest advantage for hands-on learning for AI was to build job-ready skills in real-world environments.
Biz Bahrain
09-02-2025
- Business
- Biz Bahrain
NGN Center Hosts Transformative Event to Empower Bahraini Youth in Cybersecurity
The NGN Training Center, in collaboration with the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), USA—a globally recognized authority in IT certifications—successfully hosted an engaging event titled 'CompTIA: Leading Cybersecurity' at its headquarters in the Bahrain World Trade Center. This initiative aimed to emphasize the critical importance of cybersecurity while encouraging Bahraini youth to seize exciting opportunities in this dynamic and fast-growing sector. The event featured distinguished speakers from CompTIA, alongside an insightful panel discussion with leading cybersecurity experts, including Mr. Hasan Muhi, Cybersecurity Expert; Mr. Hamad AlNakal, Security Researcher and Penetration Tester; and Mrs. Eman Ahmed, Cybersecurity Specialist. The session provided a platform for industry professionals to share their visions and experiences in the cybersecurity sector, discuss the key challenges faced by specialists in the field, and offer valuable guidance to aspiring young professionals looking to embark on careers in cybersecurity. The event included two interactive workshops provided participants with practical, hands-on learning experiences. The first workshop, 'Introduction to Cybersecurity Tools,' enabled attendees to explore essential tools such as Nmap for network scanning and vulnerability assessment, and Wireshark for packet analysis and network troubleshooting. The second workshop, 'Network Security,' focused on foundational network concepts, including TCP/IP and the OSI model, and delved into identifying common vulnerabilities such as port scanning and phishing. Participants learned to implement basic security measures, such as configuring firewalls and antivirus software, and engaged in a practical exercise using Nmap to perform network scans. Mr. Yaqoob Al Awadhi, CEO of NGN Group, expressed pride in the partnership with CompTIA, underscoring the significance of their globally recognized certifications, and stated, 'This collaboration reflects our commitment to providing Bahraini youth with world-class training programs that cover both fundamental and advanced technical areas, empowering them to thrive in an ever-evolving technological landscape.' Mr. Al Awadhi further highlighted that this event represents an essential step towards raising awareness about the importance of cybersecurity in Bahrain and guiding young talents to explore this vital field, which is a cornerstone of building a robust digital economy, and added, 'The event aligns with NGN's mission to meet the vocational education needs of individuals, contribute to sustainable development, and strengthen Bahrain's position as a leading regional technology hub.' Mr. Yaqoob Al Awadhi also reaffirmed NGN's dedication to introducing high-quality initiatives designed to empower Bahraini youth to excel in the IT sector, particularly in pivotal areas such as data protection and system security. These initiatives, as highlighted by Mr. Al Awadhi, align seamlessly with Bahrain's vision for fostering innovation and establishing leadership in technological advancements.
