Digimasters Shorts - Malicious AI Ransomware Hits Microsoft VS Code, TikTok Shop Battles AI-Driven Fraud, MIT Fights Data Center Energy Crisis, and Polar Bears Tracked by AI Radar

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, the no-nonsense podcast delivering quick and insightful updates from the digital world. Hosted by Adam Nagus and Carly Wilson, we cover the latest buzz on cybersecurity threats like malicious extensions on major marketplaces, the evolving challenges of AI-driven e-commerce fraud, and groundbreaking initiatives addressing the energy demands of data centers. We also explore innovative trends such as vibe coding, AI-powered wildlife conservation, and more. Stay tuned for concise, expert-backed breakdowns that keep you informed and ahead in the fast-paced tech landscape.

Transcript

Adam N2: 0:05

Welcome to Digimasters Shorts, we are your hosts Adam Nagus

Carly W: 0:09

and Carly Wilson delivering the latest scoop from the digital realm. A malicious extension named'susvsex' was discovered on Microsoft's official VS Code marketplace, where it remained available for download for a considerable time. Security researcher John Tuckner from Secure Annex identified and reported the extension, which operated as ransomware by automatically encrypting and uploading user files from a specific Windows directory. The extension's description openly detailed its malicious behavior, making it blatantly obvious to users. Tuckner found that the extension used GitHub as a command-and-control channel and was likely created using AI-generated code, as evidenced by misplaced decryption tools and comments within the code. Metadata suggested the attacker could be located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Speculation arose that this extension might have been a test to probe Microsoft's Visual Studio Marketplace review process for future, more sophisticated attacks. Initially, Microsoft appeared to ignore the report and did not remove the extension promptly, prompting Tuckner to publicly express frustration. Approximately eight hours after the issue was highlighted in a blog post, the extension was removed, and its marketplace page now returns a 404 error. This incident raises concerns about the security measures in place for extensions on popular development platforms. It also underscores the need for vigilance and improved review processes to prevent malicious software distribution.

Adam N2: 1:35

Marketplace quality teams at TikTok Shop are facing new challenges as fraudulent sellers use generative AI to create fake brands and counterfeit products. Nicolas Waldmann, TikTok Shop's governance lead, described the issue as"organized crime," with scammers taking money without delivering goods. Although e-commerce fraud is not new, AI has made these deceptive practices more sophisticated and harder to detect. TikTok combines human and AI moderation along with partnerships to tackle fake accounts and listings. In the first half of 2025, TikTok Shop rejected 70 million products and removed 700,000 sellers for policy violations. The platform aims for aggressive growth, with$100 million in U.S. Black Friday sales last year. Despite extensive filtering, some prohibited items like THC syrup and knockoffs still slip through. Automated enforcement has also frustrated some sellers who feel they were unfairly flagged. Amazon uses similar AI tools to combat counterfeit listings, highlighting a shared industry battle. The rise of AI-generated fraud underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining trust within social commerce. Global power demand from data centers is projected to more than double by 2030, prompting the M.I.T Energy Initiative to launch the Data Center Power Forum this September. This initiative brings together M.I.T researchers and industry experts to tackle the escalating energy challenges posed by data centers, especially those driven by artificial intelligence. Data centers already consume 4 percent of U.S. electricity, with estimates suggesting this could rise to 9 percent by 2030, significantly straining the electric grid. M.I.TEI’s effort builds on previous symposia and focuses on developing sustainable, zero- and low-carbon energy solutions. The forum engages industry members to collaboratively explore innovations in energy supply, grid management, and regulatory policies. Research spans from improving grid transmission and service quality to shifting computing tasks to align with grid energy availability. Current projects also explore energy-efficient processors, power electronics, AI-optimized distribution, and advanced cooling technologies. By fostering dialogue across sectors, the forum aims to address the complex power demands of data centers without compromising decarbonization goals. Recent M.I.TEI conferences featured discussions with major technology companies, infrastructure developers, and utilities to highlight practical solutions. This collaborative approach seeks to balance rapid AI growth with energy sustainability and climate mitigation.

Carly W: 4:09

Collins Dictionary has named"vibe coding" as its word of the year for 2025, highlighting a growing trend in software development. Vibe coding refers to using AI to generate apps and software through natural language or voice prompts, eliminating the need for traditional programming skills. The term gained popularity after former Open A.I co-founder Andrej Karpathy tweeted about it in early 2025. Vibe coding involves describing the desired outcome to AI, which then drafts and revises code until it meets user expectations. While some embrace this method for its innovation and ease, others criticize it for producing unpredictable or opaque code. Tools like Open A.I’s G.P.T-5 and Anthropic’s Claude Code are leading options, offering integrated development environments and safeguards against unintended code changes. Beginner-friendly platforms like Google’s Opal make vibe coding accessible to those with no experience. Users are advised to exercise caution, make backups, and clearly define project goals to avoid errors. This emerging coding method is rapidly evolving, with new AI tools continually entering the market. Despite some controversy, vibe coding is reshaping how software is created in 2025. Radar technology powered by artificial intelligence is being used to detect polar bears and alert local communities to prevent dangerous encounters. Climate change is shrinking the Arctic sea ice, forcing polar bears to spend more time on land near human populations. Developed by Polar Bears International and Spotter Global, the system known as"bear-dar" uses AI to track polar bear movements more accurately than traditional radar, which struggles due to the bears’ thick fur. After years of testing in a Canadian town and zoo, the technology is now fully operational at a Canadian Arctic research base just 700 miles from the North Pole. When alerts notify residents of nearby bears, they deploy noisemakers to deter the animals. This proactive approach helps protect both polar bears and local people. The initiative highlights how AI can aid wildlife conservation amid growing climate challenges. By improving detection capabilities, communities can safely coexist with wildlife in increasingly warming Arctic regions. The success of bear-dar marks a significant step in using technology to address environmental issues. Ongoing monitoring and adaptation remain critical as the Arctic continues to change rapidly.

Don: 6:35

Thank you for listening to today's AI and Tech News podcast summary... Please do leave us a comment and for additional feedback, please email us at podcast@digimasters.co.uk You can now follow us on Instagram and Threads by searching for@DigimastersShorts or Search for Digimasters on Linkedin. Be sure to tune in tomorrow and don't forget to follow or subscribe!