Short Takes – 3-17-25

ClickFix: How to Infect Your PC in Three Easy Steps. KrebsOnSecurity.com article. Pull quote: “Organizations that wish to do so can take advantage of Microsoft Group Policy restrictions to prevent Windows from executing the “run” command when users hit the Windows key and the “R” key simultaneously.”

NASA gets extension to submit layoff plans. SpaceNews.com article. Pull quote: “That would be followed by a Phase 2 ARRP, due April 14. NASA and other agencies are required to submit a “future-state organizational chart” reflecting consolidation and any plans to move offices from the greater Washington area to “less-costly parts of the country.” Agencies will also have to provide “competitive areas for subsequent large-scale RIFs.””

Trump, Musk defy predictions of ugly fallout. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The lovefest has defied predictions from Republicans and Democrats alike, including some in the president’s orbit, that Trump and Musk were doomed to have a messy falling out. Trump, those skeptics argued, would not be able to stand sharing the spotlight with Musk, the world’s richest man.”

Trump's Cyber Team is Taking Shape. Here's Who to Know. GovInfoSecurity.com article. Pull quote: “Against that background of uncertainty, the administration is filling out its network of cyber leaders across the federal government and military. A wave of newly announced cyber leaders - some freshly nominated, others recently confirmed - is stepping into the key roles that will realize a Trumpian vision for cybersecurity.”

Mississippi reports first outbreak of highly pathogenic bird flu strain in US since 2017. TheHill.com article. Pull quote: “The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Department of Agriculture confirmed the outbreak was linked to the H7N9 strain, marking the first outbreak of this strain occurring in commercial poultry in the U.S. since 2017. The APHIS noted this outbreak is unrelated to the H5N1 bird flu outbreaks currently impacting commercial flocks in other parts of the U.S.”

Los Alamos boffins whip up a speedometer for satellites. TheRegister.com article. Pull quote: “"These measurements are necessary for improving our ability to accurately predict satellite locations so that we can perform maneuvers to avoid other active satellites and debris," said Carlos Maldonado of LANL's Space Science and Applications group.”