August 2025 Newsletter

Posted By: Mark Friday 19th September 2025 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

This month: AI Ransomware could be on its way, Humanoid Robot Games showcase progress in robotics, AI revives a mother’s lost voice, AOL dial up service finally closes, plus the latest LaneSystems news.

The Rise of AI-Powered Ransomware

PromptLock Signals a New Era of Cyber Threats

In a chilling development for the cybersecurity world, researchers at ESET have uncovered what they describe as the first known AI-powered ransomware, dubbed PromptLock. While the malware is not yet active in the wild, its discovery marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of cybercrime, where artificial intelligence begins to play a direct role in automating and enhancing malicious attacks.

What Is PromptLock?

PromptLock is a proof-of-concept (PoC) ransomware strain that leverages a freely available OpenAI model. It operates locally on infected machines, dynamically generating scripts to perform tasks such as file enumeration, inspection, data exfiltration, and encryption. These scripts are cross-platform compatible, functioning on Windows, Linux, and macOS systems.

Despite its sophistication, PromptLock is not yet fully weaponised. ESET researchers Anton Cherepanov and Peter Strýcek emphasise that the malware lacks a functioning data destruction module and has not been observed in active campaigns. However, its presence on platforms such as VirusTotal suggests that it is being tested and refined.

Not Active—But It’s Only a Matter of Time

Security experts agree: PromptLock may be a prototype, but it signals what lies ahead. The ability to generate malicious code on demand using AI drastically lowers the barrier to entry for cybercriminals. Attackers won’t need to be skilled developers, as a well-configured AI model can automate complex tasks, adapt to environments, and potentially evade detection.

As John Scott-Railton of Citizen Lab warns, “We are in the earliest days of regular threat actors leveraging local/private AI, and we are unprepared.” The implications are profound. AI-powered malware could soon tailor its behaviour in real time, rendering traditional signature-based defences ineffective.

Implications for Business Cybersecurity

For UK businesses, the emergence of AI-driven ransomware ups the cyber security risk. Traditional ransomware already costs organisations billions annually in downtime, data loss, and reputational damage. With AI in the mix, attacks could become faster, more targeted, and harder to detect.

Moreover, AI can be used to craft convincing phishing emails, impersonate employees, and even automate extortion negotiations. The rise of “extortion chatbots” and “impersonation-as-a-service” models means that cybercriminals can scale their operations with minimal human involvement. Organisations must prepare for a future where malware is not just coded—but trained.

Best Practices for Mitigating Ransomware Threats

While the threat is evolving, the fundamentals of ransomware defence remain essential. Here’s a summary of best practices to help organisations stay resilient:

  • Regular Backups: Maintain offline, encrypted backups of critical data. Test restoration procedures routinely.
  • Patch Management: Keep operating systems, software, and firmware up to date to close known vulnerabilities.
  • Endpoint Protection: Use advanced antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools with behavioural analysis.
  • Network Segmentation: Limit lateral movement by segmenting networks and enforcing least privilege access.
  • Email Filtering: Deploy robust spam filters and sandboxing to detect phishing and malicious attachments.
  • User Training: Educate staff on recognising phishing attempts and practising good cyber hygiene.
  • Incident Response Plan: Develop and rehearse a ransomware-specific response plan, including legal and communication protocols.
  • AI Monitoring: As AI becomes a threat vector,consider tools that detect anomalous AI-generated behaviour or unauthorised API usage.

PromptLock may not be the first ransomware to use automation, but it is the first to weaponise generative AI in a meaningful way. Its discovery is a wake-up call for cybersecurity. The time to prepare is now, because the next version of PromptLock might not be a proof-of-concept.

Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a local enterprise, the integrity of your IT systems can determine your survival. If you’re a business in the North-East of England in need of an IT audit or help with cyber security services, contact us today. Act before it’s too late.

Newsletter image: LaneSystems Team Anniversary & Charity News

LaneSystems News

Windows 10 End of Support Reminder

We’re going to keep leaving a gentle reminder here that Microsoft will no longer officially support Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. After this date, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, bug fixes, or technical assistance for Windows 10. Read more about why it’s essential to keep systems up to date in the article below.

We have been contacting all of our clients during the past year to make them aware, so that we can plan a smooth transition to Windows 11 where necessary. If you’re a business in the North East of England who needs help with the update, contact us today for assistance.

Humanoid Robots Take Centre Stage at Beijing Games

Beijing recently played host to the inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games, a pioneering event to showcase robotic athletes from 16 countries—including the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and China—in a spectacular celebration of engineering and innovation.

Held in mid-August, the competition featured a wide range of events designed to test the limits of humanoid robotics. Robots took part in athletics, football, dance, and martial arts, with each challenge pushing their motor skills, decision-making algorithms, and controller precision to the brink. From clumsy football matches to surprisingly nimble kickboxing bouts, the games offered both entertainment and a glimpse into the future of robotics.

Practical Testing of Robotic Capabilities

Organisers stressed that the event was more than just a spectacle—it served as a practical testing ground for refining robotic capabilities. Sport, they argued, provides a dynamic environment to assess how robots respond to unpredictable stimuli, navigate complex movements, and interact with other machines. These insights could be applied to real-world settings such as manufacturing, elderly care, and domestic assistance.

The event aligns with China’s ambitious national strategy to become a global leader in humanoid robotics. The government has outlined a plan to build a world-class humanoid industry by 2027, and the Games are a clear signal of intent. By showcasing both domestic and international talent, China is positioning itself at the forefront of robotic development.

Robots may not be ready to replace human athletes just yet, but the World Humanoid Robot Games mark a bold step towards a future where machines move, think, and perhaps even dance alongside us.

A Mother’s Voice, Reborn Through AI

AI Revives a Voice Lost to MND—From Just 8 Seconds of Audio

Twenty-five years after motor neurone disease (MND) took her voice, Sarah Ezekiel has it back—thanks to a remarkable blend of assistive tech and AI. Diagnosed at 34, Sarah lost the ability to speak and use her hands within months, and her children grew up only knowing her synthetic, robotic voice.

Bristol-based Smartbox partnered with AI voice specialists ElevenLabs to recreate Sarah’s original voice using just eight seconds of scratchy audio from a 1990s VHS tape. The clip was buried under background noise and distorted visuals, but the AI-software extracted Sarah’s voice from the tape. AI modelling—trained on thousands of voices—filled in the gaps, restoring her London accent and even the slight lisp she once disliked. When Sarah first heard it, she nearly cried. Her children were stunned. “We can feel who she is as a person now,” Aviva said.

Sarah now uses eye-gaze technology to select words on a screen, which are spoken aloud using her newly cloned voice. The transformation has been more than technical—it’s deeply personal. Her family says they feel closer to her, able to hear joy, sadness, and frustration in her speech. “Mum isn’t just a disabled person in the corner with a robot that doesn’t relate to her,” Aviva added.

Sarah’s story is another powerful reminder that AI technology isn’t all doom and gloom. This application can provide benefits to many people who’ve ‘lost their voice’.

AOL Dial-Up Bids Farewell

Filed Under Things You Didn’t Know Were Still a Thing!

After more than three decades of whirring modems and “You’ve got mail!” nostalgia, AOL is officially pulling the plug on its dial-up internet service. Yes, that’s right, dial-up was still a thing. But come 30 September 2025, it won’t be anymore.

AOL’s dial-up service, once the gateway to the web for millions of Americans, connected users via phone lines. It was famous for its chirpy startup tones and mailed CD-ROMs offering free trials. At its peak in the early 2000s, AOL boasted over 30 million subscribers and claimed ownership of nearly 40% of Americans’ online time. It was the internet for a generation.

But broadband swept in, and dial-up slowly faded into obscurity. Still, a small but loyal group (fewer than 300,000 people in the US) clung to the old-school connection, whether due to location, cost, or sheer habit.

Now, AOL says it’s time. “Thanks for the memories. RIP,” wrote co-founder Steve Case, marking the end of an era. The service will no longer be included in AOL plans in the US and Canada, closing a chapter that began in the early 1990s.

It’s a reminder that some tech relics linger far longer than we expect. So, if you thought dial-up was long gone, surprise—it only just retired.

Need Cyber Security?

If you’re a business in the North East of England and looking for professional and reliable cyber security services, IT consultation, and general IT services to keep your company cyber secure, get in touch. Cybersecurity is a continuous process, and staying proactive is key to safeguarding digital assets.

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