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Daily Archives: February 25, 2025

Fired cybersecurity chief for Veterans Affairs site warns that health, financial data at risk

AP: “Sensitive financial and health data belonging to millions of veterans and stored on a benefits website is at risk of being stolen or otherwise compromised, according to a federal employee tasked with cybersecurity who was recently fired as part of massive government-wide cuts. The warning comes from Jonathan Kamens, who led cybersecurity efforts for VA.gov — an online portal for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and services used by veterans, their caregivers and families. Kamens was fired Feb. 14 and said he doesn’t believe his role will be filled, leaving the site particularly vulnerable. “Given how the government has been functioning for the last month, I don’t think the people at VA … are going to be able to replace me,” Kamens told The Associated Press Monday evening. “I think they’re going to be lacking essential oversight over cybersecurity processes for VA.gov.” Kamens said he was hired over a year ago by the U.S. Digital Service, whose employees’ duties have been integrated into presidential adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which is leading the downsizing effort. Kamens was a digital services expert and the VA site’s information security lead when he was fired by email at night, along with about 40 other USDS employees, he said…”

Nearly 40% of contracts canceled by Musk’s DOGE are expected to produce no savings

AP: “Nearly 40% of the federal contracts that President Donald Trump’s administration claims to have canceled as part of its signature cost-cutting program aren’t expected to save the government any money, the administration’s own data shows. The Department of Government Efficiency, run by Trump adviser Elon Musk, published an updated list Monday of nearly 2,300… Continue Reading

How to Get PFAS Out of Drinking Water—and Keep It Out

Wired [unpaywalled]: “Filters in water pitchers or under-sink systems capture dangerous chemicals, only for them to be returned to the environment. A researcher from North Carolina is pioneering a new system that could get rid of forever chemicals forever. There’s something scary in the water at Cape Fear. For years, chemicals giant DuPont and the… Continue Reading

The 88×31 GIF Collection

quantum of sollazzo – This is all about distraction, so if you find you want a get away from all the news for few minutes and watch the blinking lights, check in on these memories of how the “web” used to be  [note – there are some NSFW gifs here] The 88×31 GIF Collection: A… Continue Reading