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Guidelines to Protect Your Gadgets from Malicious Code

2025-11-02 19:23:27 By Poppy Murray

Cyber attackers frequently deceive users by bundling malware, viruses, spyware, or other harmful components with genuine software. Here are some top strategies to ensure that you're installing authentic apps and software on your smartphones and computers. Please note that these suggestions are solely for informational purposes.

DESKTOPS AND LAPTOPS (INCLUDING WINDOWS, MAC, AND CHROMEBOOKS)

Acquire from reliable platforms. When seeking software, make sure it's from a reputable source. Investigate the software you intend to use and go to the official site of the provider to confirm its authenticity and compatibility with your system. Download software straight from the provider's official site or from recognized app marketplaces, like the Microsoft Store for Windows or the Mac App Store. Official software vendors check their apps for security issues and frequently roll out updates. Downloading from other sources might put you at risk of security threats and other hazards.
Scan before installation. Use your antivirus program to scan the downloaded file to ensure it's malware-free. This adds an extra layer of safety. Then, find the downloaded file and double-click to initiate the installation. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.
Activate auto-updates. After installing, check for any pending software updates. Visit the software's official site or, if available, use its built-in update feature to make sure you have the most recent version. Enable auto-updates to ensure you don't miss crucial security patches and updates.

Consequences of inadvertently installing malware-infected software on your computer:

Malware can collect sensitive data and potentially take remote control of the affected computer by capturing information and possibly recording keystrokes, executing harmful code. It may install damaging software, jeopardizing security.

While the computer might initially seem normal, a compromised system may later exhibit sluggish performance, display unexpected pop-up ads, or frequently crash. In extreme cases, the attacker gains total control over the device, potentially rendering the computer inoperable and accessing personal accounts leading to financial loss or identity theft.

Keep in mind:

"Free" downloads aren't always free. Be cautious with "free" software or if you're unsure about its legitimacy, as it could be pirated. Such software might have been illegally altered, meaning it won't receive official updates, patches, or feature releases like genuine software. It might also contain malicious extras like malware or create openings for cybercriminals to exploit and control your device.

Watch out for unsolicited links or pop-ups. If you encounter a pop-up urging you to update an app while browsing, it's likely a cybercriminal's trick to gain unauthorized access to your device. Avoid clicking on these links and close the pop-up right away.

Be vigilant against SEO poisoning. Websites ranking high in search results may appear more legitimate, but appearances can be deceiving. SEO poisoning is a cyberattack that manipulates search engines to rank sites with malicious software higher in the results. Always verify the site, even if it's ranked highly. Avoid clicking on sponsored ad links, as they are often misused by malicious entities.

SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS

Many of us choose apps from Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Amazon App Store, which conduct thorough checks before releasing apps – but they're not infallible. Even with trusted app stores, exercise caution when downloading apps. Before installing any app, consider the following steps.

Verify the app's name. Ensure the spelling is accurate and there are no typos or misplaced/extra spaces.Examine the app's permissions. Be wary of apps requesting unnecessary or excessive permissions. For instance, does a calculator app really need access to your camera and location?
Identify red flags in the app's description. These might include grammatical errors, vague or generic information, and a lack of specifics about the app's functionality.
Examine the app's reviews. Look for reviews that mention fake offers or excessive ads.
Consider

Very Supportive

Tech Trends

Strategies for Safeguarding Your Devices from Malicious Software

2025-11-02 19:23:27

Cybercriminals often deceive users by embedding harmful elements such as malware, viruses, and spyware within legitimate-looking software. Here are some key tactics to help you ensure that the apps and software you install on your devices are genuine. Remember, these tips are for informational purposes only. DESKTOPS AND LAPTOPS (INCLUDING WINDOWS, MAC, AND CHROMEBOOKS) Source software from trustworthy platforms. When looking for software, verify its origin to ensure it's from a reputable source. Research the software you plan to use and visit the official website of the provider to confirm its authenticity and compatibility with your system. Download software directly from the provider's website or from recognized app stores, such as the Microsoft Store for Windows or the Mac App Store. Official vendors routinely check their apps for security vulnerabilities and release updates. Downloading from unofficial sources could expose you to security threats and other risks. Scan files before installation. Utilize your antivirus software to scan the downloaded file to confirm it is free from malware. This adds an extra layer of protection. Locate the downloaded file and double-click to begin the installation process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. Enable automatic updates. After installation, check for any pending software updates. Visit the software's official website or use its built-in update feature to ensure you have the latest version. Enable auto-updates to make sure you receive important security patches and updates without delay. Potential consequences of installing malware-infected software: Malware can collect sensitive information and potentially take control of the infected computer by capturing data and possibly recording keystrokes, executing harmful code. It may install additional harmful software, compromising security. While the computer may initially appear normal, a compromised system may later show signs such as slow performance, unexpected pop-up ads, or frequent crashes. In severe cases, the attacker could gain full control over the device, potentially rendering the computer unusable and accessing personal accounts, leading to financial loss or identity theft. Keep in mind: "Free" downloads can come at a cost. Be cautious with "free" software or if you're unsure about its legitimacy, as it could be pirated. Such software might have been illegally modified, meaning it won't receive official updates, patches, or feature releases like legitimate software. It might also contain malicious extras like malware or create opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit and control your device. Beware of unsolicited links or pop-ups. If you encounter a pop-up urging you to update an app while browsing, it's likely a cybercriminal's ploy to gain unauthorized access to your device. Avoid clicking on these links and close the pop-up immediately. Stay vigilant against SEO poisoning. Websites ranking high in search results may seem more legitimate, but appearances can be misleading. SEO poisoning is a cyberattack that manipulates search engines to rank sites with malicious software higher in the results. Always verify the site, even if it's ranked highly. Avoid clicking on sponsored ad links, as they are often misused by malicious entities. SMARTPHONES AND TABLETS Many of us select apps from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, or Amazon App Store, which conduct thorough checks before releasing apps – but they're not infallible. Even with trusted app stores, exercise caution when downloading apps. Before installing any app, consider the following steps. Verify the app's name. Ensure the spelling is correct and there are no typos or misplaced/extra spaces.Examine the app's permissions. Be wary of apps requesting unnecessary or excessive permissions. For instance, does a calculator app really need access to your camera and location? Identify red flags in the app's description. These might include grammatical errors, vague or generic information, and a lack of specifics about the app's functionality.

Tech Trends

Fueling Creativity: The Worldwide Reach of Tech for Social Good

2025-11-02 19:23:27

The inception of the Fueling Creativity program in 2018 marked a pivotal moment, igniting the passion of young innovators to delve into technology and actualize their imaginative concepts. This initiative has profoundly influenced over 73,000 students across more than 300 primary schools, igniting a curiosity in STEM. In 2024, the program was integrated into JPMorganChase's portfolio of Tech for Social Good, significantly extending its global footprint. The charity behind Fueling Creativity was established by two prominent figures from JPMorganChase’s Glasgow Technology Center, with a mission to enrich their community by fostering digital innovation among the youth. Collaborating with a team of six technology experts and educators, Fueling Creativity engaged with four Glasgow schools to initiate an app design contest. The primary objective was to encourage students to conceive an app that could ease daily routines, address a challenge, enhance the world, or provide amusement. The top ideas were subsequently transformed into operational apps by JPMorganChase’s tech volunteers, allowing students to exhibit their creations to their social circles. The tech-savvy youngsters proposed a variety of app ideas, from improving communication to simplifying household tasks, enriching educational experiences, or animating characters and illustrations. Their innovative insights have been an invaluable asset, fostering a novel perspective on our engagement with the world. With a focus on inclusivity, Fueling Creativity has successfully expanded its influence to the most isolated regions of Scotland, including the Scottish islands, ensuring that every young person, irrespective of their background, has an opportunity to engage. The program has organized several nationwide challenges in England and Scotland, concentrating on topics like environmental sustainability, spreading holiday cheer, and advocating for STEM, providing a platform for students from various regions to demonstrate their ingenuity and innovation. To further encourage STEM education beyond the app design contests, Fueling Creativity has crafted workshop materials aimed at enhancing community and family involvement. Equipped with green screens, modular building blocks, and mini robots, Fueling Creativity workshops motivate children aged 5-12 to produce short stop-motion films. Through this experience, they are inspired to think critically and creatively, tackle challenges, grasp the basics of coding, and interact with their peers. Moving forward, the trajectory of Fueling Creativity exemplifies the strength of collaborative endeavors and innovation. With the app design competition now part of Tech for Social Good and the commitment of numerous volunteers and educators, Fueling Creativity is set to inspire the next generation of digital innovators.

Tech Trends

Continuing Our Commitment to Further Open Source Security

2025-11-02 19:23:27

The open source software (OSS) community gathered last week at the Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) Secure Open Source Software Summit in Washington, DC to continue collaboration across industry, government, and critical infrastructure. Open source software is code that is freely available for anyone to use or modify. It drives innovation to many technologists working on world-class solutions, including JPMorgan Chase’s 57,000-plus technologists, who incorporate thousands of open source packages in developing tools that give our company, clients, and customers an edge. Why is securing Open Source Software important? OSS’s collaborative and freely accessible nature empowers technologists to collectively address shared challenges. The result is software that underpins critical functions across government and industry, including national defense systems and critical infrastructure. While the unique accessibility of OSS is a catalyst for innovation, it can also allow bad actors to find and include weaknesses in common code bases and exploit organizations at a large scale. We have witnessed a substantial number of high-profile attacks on OSS, underscoring the importance of strong public-private partnership to develop tools and solutions that will aid the many dedicated volunteers that maintain open source code. We are all responsible for bettering open source security, we encourage others using open source to join us in this critical effort. What has the Open Source Community accomplished in the last year? In May 2022, OpenSSF launched the Open Source Software Security Mobilization Plan, which was pivotal in shaping industry and government’s efforts to secure the open source software supply chain. The plan steered the enhancement of open source security education and the development of tools such as Sigstore, which enables secure validation of software, and Alpha-Omega, which finds and fixes vulnerabilities in the most commonly used packages. JPMorgan Chase, along with other financial institutions, established the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) Supply Chain working group to socialize emerging supply chain threats to the Financial Sector and create guidance to address threats, such as the Software Supply Chain Primer White Paper published in 2025. What happened at the Summit? Participants at the Summit discussed the security challenges for the consumption of OSS in critical infrastructure sectors, potential opportunities to leverage advancements in AI for the greater benefit of open source security, and the need for shared responsibility to improve resilience of OSS in critical infrastructure. The significant presence of U.S. Government officials at the Summit is a testament to public sector’s active involvement and support for initiatives to better open source security and to continue strong public-private partnerships to achieve more secure outcomes. The summit concluded with participants discussing approaches to tangible outcomes aligned to the three objectives to be accomplished in the next year: (1) the need to provide security education for OSS developers and stakeholders, (2) reinforce the safety of OSS repositories, and (3) enable cross-collaboration for incident response. What are we doing next? There is more to be done in improving tooling to address software supply chain attacks. We see significant importance in supporting the enhancement of OSS evaluation tools, like the Security Scorecard, an automated security tool to help open source users understand the risks of the dependencies in their software, and Software Bill of Material (SBOM) capabilities, an inventory that allow users to know what components make up an application. At JPMorgan Chase, our security teams are working towards such solutions and collaborating with organizations like OpenSSF to build better integrated tooling and capabilities that will ultimately promote safer practices and prevent future significant software supply chain security breaches. Doing our part JPMorgan Chase remains committed to our partnerships toward better open source security. As a founding member of OpenSSF and through our leadership in the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC) and the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), we will continue to take an active role in supporting and shaping industry and government’s efforts to secure the open source software ecosystem.

Tech Trends

Tesla Sees First-Ever Year-Over-Year Sales Decline

2025-11-02 19:23:27

Tesla’s production and delivery figures for 2024 have revealed a sobering reality for the electric vehicle leader. The company produced 1.77 million vehicles this year, marking a 4% decrease compared to 2023. In terms of deliveries, Tesla reached 1.79 million, about 1% fewer than the previous year. Additionally, Tesla deployed 31.4 GWh of energy storage, though this alone wasn’t enough to offset the overall sales downturn. Despite these setbacks, the company did experience a strong fourth quarter, setting new records for both deliveries and energy storage deployment. Tesla delivered 495,570 vehicles during the final quarter of the year, with 459,445 units produced, predominantly consisting of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Energy storage deployments also reached a record 11 GWh in Q4. However, this late surge in deliveries wasn’t enough to bring Tesla’s full-year figures up to 2023 levels. Tesla CEO Elon Musk had already signaled earlier in the year that intensified competition and reduced demand for its aging model lineup would weigh on 2024 results. Even the introduction of the Cybertruck, which began deliveries late last year, failed to reverse the trend. While the fourth-quarter performance was strong, it still fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, which had forecast 504,800 vehicles delivered. As a result, Tesla’s stock price took a hit, dropping by about 5% following the announcement of the disappointing numbers. Looking ahead, the future remains uncertain. A potential shift in U.S. policy following a possible second term for President Donald Trump could further impact Tesla’s prospects. If the new administration eliminates key incentives, such as the $7,500 EV tax credit, Tesla vehicles may become less affordable, which could dampen demand. Musk has teased the release of a more affordable Tesla in 2025 and a fully autonomous Cybercab by 2026, but both projects face significant hurdles. Furthermore, Tesla’s position in China is becoming increasingly precarious as the country’s domestic EV market grows at a rapid pace. The Chinese market, which is Tesla’s largest and most important, is seeing rising competition from local manufacturers like BYD, eroding Tesla’s market share.

Tech Trends

5 Creative Ways to Leverage ChatGPT for Your New Year’s Goals

2025-11-02 19:23:27

As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us set grand intentions for self-improvement – but, as history often proves, those resolutions can fizzle out before long. Whether your ambitions include adopting healthier habits, saving more money, or finally tackling the monumental task of reading War and Peace, ChatGPT can be your ultimate companion in staying focused and motivated. From refining your goals to overcoming obstacles along the way, this AI-powered tool is here to provide you with guidance, support, and even the occasional reality check when your goals start to veer off course (like when you try to justify "eating cake for breakfast" as a healthy fruit substitute). Here are five innovative and fun ways you can make ChatGPT your secret weapon in achieving your 2025 goals. 1. Tailor-Made Resolutions Crafting resolutions that speak to your passions is the key to maintaining motivation. ChatGPT shines when it comes to helping you think outside the box and come up with unique goals that suit your personal interests. Forget the usual clichés like "lose weight" or "spend less." Instead, share your hobbies, such as photography, travel, or acquiring new skills, and ChatGPT will help you develop resolutions like starting a daily photo journal, learning to greet people in multiple languages, or unearthing hidden gems in your local area. For instance, imagine telling ChatGPT about your love for photography or your desire to explore new cultures. The AI might suggest a resolution like taking one photo a day to build a digital yearbook, or challenging yourself to learn how to say "hello" in 52 different languages. These kinds of personalized resolutions are more likely to keep you motivated for the long haul. However, beware of setting conflicting goals—like vowing to be a better baker while also committing to a fitness regimen. If you're not careful, you might find yourself baking a cake every day! But with personalized goals, you're more likely to stay engaged and see it through. 2. Step-by-Step Action Plans Large, ambitious goals can feel daunting and difficult to navigate. ChatGPT is great at breaking them down into bite-sized, actionable steps. Suppose your resolution is to write a novel. ChatGPT can suggest a structured timeline, such as spending January outlining your story, dedicating the next six months to writing 500 words daily, and wrapping up the year with editing and feedback from beta readers. A clear, actionable plan like this makes what seemed impossible much more achievable. However, be cautious about overloading yourself. Trying to learn Spanish, write a novel, train for a marathon, and start a side business all at once can quickly become overwhelming. While ChatGPT will happily provide plans for each of these endeavors, by March, you might find yourself juggling too many projects—none of them getting the attention they need. 3. Your Personal Accountability Partner Sometimes, sticking to your resolutions requires an external nudge. ChatGPT can act as your personal accountability buddy, offering a judgment-free space to track progress and setbacks. Instead of sharing your goals with family or friends, where it might feel awkward, you can confide in ChatGPT and receive constant support. You can proudly share milestones—like sticking to your workout routine—and ChatGPT will celebrate your achievements, offering praise and motivation. If you fall short of your goals, the AI will provide gentle suggestions to help you get back on track. However, keep in mind that ChatGPT doesn’t always catch sarcasm or self-deprecating humor. Telling it you ate an entire box of donuts and asking if it's "carb-loading" for a run might prompt concern rather than the laughter you're hoping for. 4. Overcoming Roadblocks Challenges are inevitable when working toward any goal, and this is where ChatGPT can shine. When you're stuck or facing obstacles, simply explaining your issue to the AI can lead to tailored, practical solutions. For instance, if evening workouts aren’t happening due to fatigue, ChatGPT might suggest switching to morning sessions, shortening your workout time, or even finding a workout buddy for extra motivation. The AI's flexibility and personalized advice can help you adjust and move past roadblocks. Just remember—honesty is key. If you're making excuses (like claiming that a walk to the ice cream shop counts as cardio), ChatGPT will see right through it. 5. Celebrating Wins with AI When you reach your milestones, ChatGPT is excellent at helping you recognize your achievements and plan meaningful rewards. It acts like a personal cheerleader, offering suggestions to keep the momentum going. For instance, if you’ve been consistently meditating each day, ChatGPT might recommend treating yourself to a relaxing spa day, upgrading to a premium meditation app, or even sharing your journey with others to inspire them. While you still provide the prompts, these external reminders of your progress can feel more fulfilling, adding an extra layer of motivation to keep you moving forward.

Tech Trends

Make It Happen: Tech for Social Good Expands Globally

2025-11-02 19:23:27

The Make It Happen initiative, which has been motivating youth to delve into the realm of technology and actualize their innovative concepts, has had a significant impact since its launch in 2018. It has reached over 73,000 students across more than 300 primary schools, igniting their passion for STEM subjects. In 2024, this program was integrated into JPMorganChase’s Tech for Social Good portfolio, amplifying its global reach. The Make It Happen charity was established by two top executives from JPMorganChase’s Glasgow Technology Center with the mission of contributing to their community by fostering digital creativity among the youth. In collaboration with a team comprising six technology experts and educators, Make It Happen engaged with four Glasgow schools to initiate an app design contest. The straightforward objective was to have students conceive an app that would simplify life, address an issue, enhance the world, or provide amusement. Subsequently, JPMorganChase’s tech volunteers would transform the winning proposals into fully operational apps for students to present to their social circles. The young tech enthusiasts proposed a variety of app concepts, from improving communication to easing daily tasks, enhancing the learning experience, or animating characters and illustrations. Their fresh viewpoints have been a valuable asset, prompting a shift in perspective on our engagement with the world. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, Make It Happen has successfully extended its influence to the most remote parts of Scotland, including the Scottish islands, ensuring that every young person, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to join. The program has organized several nationwide contests in England and Scotland, highlighting themes such as environmental sustainability, spreading holiday cheer, and advocating for STEM, providing a platform for students from various regions to demonstrate their ingenuity and innovation. To foster STEM learning beyond the app design contests, Make It Happen has crafted workshop materials aimed at enhancing community and family involvement. Equipped with green screens, modular construction toys, and mini robots, Make It Happen workshops stimulate children aged 5-12 to produce brief stop-motion films. Through this process, they are encouraged to think critically and creatively, tackle challenges, grasp the basics of coding, and interact with their peers. As we gaze into the future, the trajectory of Make It Happen stands as a beacon of the potential of collaborative efforts and innovation. With the app design competition now overseen by Tech for Social Good and the commitment of numerous volunteers and educators, Make It Happen is set to inspire the forthcoming generation of digital innovators.

Tech Trends

Apple Settles Siri Privacy Lawsuit for $95 Million Over Accidental Recordings

2025-11-02 19:23:27

Apple has agreed to a $95 million settlement to compensate users whose conversations were unintentionally recorded by Siri and potentially overheard by human contractors. According to Bloomberg, the settlement would provide up to $20 per device for U.S.-based Apple users who own up to five Siri-enabled devices, though the payout amount will depend on the number of claimants. The settlement still requires court approval. If the deal is approved, it will cover users in the U.S. who owned or purchased a Siri-enabled device, such as an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV, between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024. Additionally, claimants must attest under oath that they accidentally activated Siri during a private or confidential conversation. Depending on the number of valid claims, the final payout may be less than the $20 maximum per device. The class action lawsuit stems from a 2019 report by The Guardian, which revealed that Apple contractors were regularly exposed to sensitive and confidential recordings, including medical details, drug transactions, and private conversations. While Siri is intended to be triggered by a specific wake word, a whistleblower revealed that accidental triggers were common, with even a simple sound like a zipper potentially activating the assistant. In response, Apple stated that only a small portion of Siri recordings were shared with contractors and later apologized, announcing that it would stop storing audio recordings. One of the plaintiffs, who was a minor, claimed that their iPhone recorded multiple conversations through Siri, sometimes without any wake word being spoken. Apple is not the only tech company accused of allowing contractors to listen to private recordings. Google and Amazon have also faced criticism for using contractors to listen to recorded conversations, including those captured by accident. Google is currently facing a similar lawsuit over the issue.

Tech Trends

Apple May Not Be at CES, But CES Will Definitely Be About Apple

2025-11-02 19:23:27

CES 2025 is fast approaching, and as always, one glaring omission from the lineup is Apple. The tech giant hasn’t officially attended the event since the early 90s. Despite being the world’s largest technology trade show, Apple has shown little interest in participating. However, even in their absence, the iPhone maker will undoubtedly cast a long shadow over the event. Almost every year, CES articles emerge discussing the impact of Apple’s influence on the show. Last year, for example, Apple strategically dropped the Apple Vision Pro launch date just one day before CES kicked off, shifting attention away from any virtual or augmented reality hardware showcased at the event. Even if Apple isn’t presenting, its presence is everywhere. Whether it’s iOS- or macOS-compatible products being displayed, cleverly placed advertisements around Las Vegas during the show, or industry professionals attending with iPhones and MacBooks in hand, Apple’s footprint is undeniable. This year is likely to be no different. With the impressive M4 chip making its way into iPads and Macs by the end of 2024, and more Mac products on the horizon, Apple has thrown down the gauntlet for its rivals, especially in the laptop and chipmaking arenas. Who Needs to Beat Apple at CES? Let’s start with CPUs and GPUs, as that’s the hot topic right now. Intel, AMD, Qualcomm, and Nvidia are all expected to have a significant presence at CES this year, with Qualcomm revealing its second-gen Snapdragon X Elite chips, and Nvidia teasing its upcoming RTX 5000 GPUs. Apple broke into the first-party silicon game in 2020 with the M1 chip, and since then, the company has elevated its chips—and the devices that use them—to new heights. There’s also buzz about the possibility of an M4 Ultra chip arriving soon, possibly alongside new Mac Studio or Mac Pro models. Whatever happens, Apple is currently in a strong position when it comes to desktop and laptop chip performance, and its rivals will have to surpass these achievements to claim any victory at CES. Today, the competition isn’t just about traditional processors and graphics. Neural Processing Units (NPUs) are becoming increasingly vital as AI tools infiltrate our software and hardware. The M4 generation’s Neural Engine is quite powerful, though I personally suspect Apple might fall behind in this area when it comes to raw specs. The M4 NPU offers 38 trillion operations per second (TOPS), while Qualcomm’s current-gen Snapdragon X Elite can already achieve 45 TOPS. Conclusion: Even though Apple won’t be officially present at CES, it will undoubtedly be a central topic of conversation. From hardware innovations to AI advancements, Apple’s influence continues to shape the global tech landscape. In 2025, CES will still revolve around Apple’s shadow.

Tech Trends

Strengthening Our Commitment to Open Source Security

2025-11-02 19:23:27

Enthusiasts of open source software (OSS) gathered at the Open Source Security Foundation's (OpenSSF) Secure Open Source Software Summit in Washington, DC, to promote collaboration across diverse sectors such as business, government, and critical infrastructure. Open source software, which is freely available for use and modification, is a key catalyst for innovation among many technology professionals. At JPMorgan Chase, our extensive team of over 57,000 technologists incorporates numerous open source components into our tools, offering a competitive edge for our company, clients, and customers. Why is OSS security so important? The collaborative and transparent nature of OSS enables technology experts to address common challenges collectively, resulting in software that supports critical operations in both the public and private sectors, including national security systems and essential infrastructure. While the open accessibility of OSS fosters innovation, it can also be exploited by malicious actors to identify and target vulnerabilities in widely-used code, affecting organizations broadly. The recent increase in high-profile OSS attacks highlights the need for robust public-private partnerships to develop tools and solutions that support the many volunteers maintaining OSS. We all have a role in enhancing OSS security, and we invite others who use open source to join us in this crucial effort. What progress has the Open Source Community made in the past year? In May 2022, OpenSSF introduced the Open Source Software Security Mobilization Plan, which has been pivotal in guiding industry and government initiatives to protect the open source software supply chain. The plan has led to improvements in OSS security education and the development of tools such as Sigstore, for secure software validation, and Alpha-Omega, for identifying and resolving vulnerabilities in popular packages. JPMorgan Chase, in partnership with other financial institutions, established the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC) Supply Chain working group. This group aims to share emerging supply chain threats with the financial sector and develop guidance to counter such threats, as demonstrated by the Software Supply Chain Primer White Paper published in 2025. What happened at the Summit? Summit attendees discussed security challenges in OSS consumption across critical infrastructure sectors, the potential for leveraging AI advancements to enhance OSS security, and the shared responsibility to increase OSS resilience in critical infrastructure. The significant U.S. Government presence at the Summit underscores the public sector's commitment and support for initiatives aimed at improving OSS security and fostering strong public-private partnerships for more secure outcomes. The summit concluded with discussions on strategies for achieving tangible results aligned with three objectives for the coming year: (1) providing security education for OSS developers and stakeholders, (2) strengthening the security of OSS repositories, and (3) facilitating cross-collaboration for incident response. What are our next steps? There is further work to be done in enhancing tools to counter software supply chain attacks. We recognize the importance of supporting OSS evaluation tools like Security Scorecard, an automated security tool that helps users assess the risks associated with their software dependencies, and Software Bill of Material (SBOM) capabilities, which provide an inventory of application components. At JPMorgan Chase, our security teams are committed to developing such solutions and are collaborating with organizations like OpenSSF to create more integrated tooling and capabilities that will foster safer practices and prevent significant future software supply chain security breaches. Fulfilling Our Role JPMorgan Chase is steadfast in our commitment to partnerships aimed at improving open source security. As a founding member of OpenSSF and through our leadership in the Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FSSCC) and the Financial Services Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), we will continue to play an active role in supporting and shaping the efforts of both industry and government to secure the open source software ecosystem.

Tech Trends

Harnessing Information to Amplify the Asian American Voice

2025-11-02 19:23:27

In an era where data forms the backbone of strategic planning, organizations like Kundiman, which are committed to fostering Asian American literature, often face the challenge of managing fragmented data. To address these issues, JPMorganChase's Force for Good initiative steps in—a program within the Tech for Social Good framework that demonstrates the power of corporate knowledge in aiding non-profit entities to surmount technological barriers and broaden their reach. Kundiman, founded in 2004, has been a haven for Asian American authors, providing them with retreats, virtual classes, and workshops. With over 250 writers having attended their retreats and approximately 400 books written by these individuals, Kundiman has made a substantial contribution to the literary world. However, as Kundiman's reach and activities have grown, so too has the intricacy of data gathering required for their operations. Traditionally, Kundiman utilized a donor management system for contact management and gathered data through various survey tools, resulting in inconsistencies, particularly in documenting ethnicities. The array of terms participants used to express their ancestry complicated the standardization and accurate analysis of demographic information. Kundiman's primary objective was to streamline these data streams, minimize manual data intervention, and enhance data precision. The Force for Good team, motivated by Kundiman's mission, tackled this challenge by introducing a pre-configured workflow automation solution to synchronize and automate data transfer across platforms. This strategy ensures that data from multiple sources can be automatically synchronized with a centralized database, eliminating manual input and reducing errors. The project's influence went beyond simple data aggregation. It enabled Kundiman to monitor demographic trends and pinpoint communities requiring assistance. As the pandemic and economic hardships altered the needs of Asian American communities, precise demographic monitoring became critical. A 2022 report by Equitable Growth indicated that Asian Americans in New York City experienced longer unemployment durations and higher poverty rates than other ethnic groups. Armed with this insight, Kundiman's capacity to adjust and extend support became increasingly vital. The project's triumph was a reflection of the collaborative ethos and commitment of all parties involved. The Force for Good team not only delivered a technological solution but also provided training and documentation, ensuring that Kundiman's staff could manage the new system independently. This holistic approach ensured lasting benefits and sustainability for Kundiman. The Force for Good program's partnership with Kundiman illustrates how strategic, considerate technological interventions can drive substantial social change. It highlights the significance of the Force for Good's ongoing support and innovation in the non-profit sector, ensuring that organizations like Kundiman can flourish and persist in their crucial endeavors.