News
- Researchers discover critical vulnerability in forensic software that allows the undetectable modification of DNA samples on crime-scene evidence
- The vulnerability allows much of the crime-scene evidence from the past 30 years to be modified
- A patch is in the works, and the company responsible for the software says that digital signatures have been implemented to monitor for modification attempts
A group of forensic and computer scientists have raised concerns about the security of software used by top US crime labs to analyze DNA evidence.
By using an AI model, the researchers were able to undetectably modify computerized scans of physical DNA evidence, exclusive Wall Street Journal reported. As the vulnerability relates to digital files made by crime labs since 1995, the vulnerability places 30 years of crime files at risk of being tampered with.
“Effectively, what we have are data files that are legitimately referred to as the gold standard of forensic science that lack the same level of tamper-evident markings that we require for a paper bag,” said Laura Gaydosh Combs, a University of New Haven professor and forensic scientist who contributed to the research.
No known instances of ‘undetectable’ exploitationThe researchers disclosed the vulnerability in May. Thermo Fisher Scientific, the company that builds the crime-lab equipment used across most US facilities, privately acknowledging the vulnerability in July 2026. The company said that a fix is currently in progress.
In a separate note to customers, Thermo Fisher Scientific said there were no known instances of the vulnerability being exploited.
But the researchers themselves have said that they could not find a way to detect if tampering had taken place. The vulnerability was tested by Nathan Adams, a systems engineer at Forensic Bioinformatics. In just 45 minutes, Adams managed to successfully exploit the vulnerability using Anthropic’s Claude, and modify a file.
Despite some of the files being sealed using a more advanced encryption algorithm, Adams was able to find and use a decryption key available on the internet to crack into these files.
The researchers highlighted that by using AI tools to gain the necessary skills and tools, a hacker could abuse the vulnerability to add or remove DNA profiles from crime-scene evidence. Therefore allowing a suspect’s DNA to be removed, or an innocent person’s DNA added.
“Lessons learned from other industries haven’t been imported into forensic science in a serious way,” said Sarah Chu, the director of policy and reform at the Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice who worked on the research. “We’ve been behind the ball for so long. That kind of all rolls downhill into this incident.”
The lack of any centralized regulator on forensics has left over 200 labs with a patchwork of security measures, Chu added.
In a statement to the WSJ, Thermo Fisher Scientific said, “We have been working closely with the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency since the software issue was raised. We appreciate the work of forensic researchers on this topic, and we have released a software update that implements the use of digital signatures to add an extra layer of protection that moving forward will help customers verify that data files have not been modified.”
If you're tired of juggling multiple chargers and tangled cables, a high-capacity desktop charging station can make a huge difference, and the price of the Anker Prime 200W 6-Port GaN dock and charging station has dropped to $56 (was $80) at Amazon.
The compact desktop charger delivers up to 200W of combined power through four USB-C ports and two USB-A ports, allowing you to charge up to six devices from a single unit. In the UK, the charging station also gets a price cut to £55 (was £70) at Amazon.co.uk.
Two of the USB-C ports can each provide up to 100W when used together, making it suitable for power-hungry laptops as well as phones, tablets, earbuds, and other accessories. Despite the high output, the charger measures just 4.4 x 3.0 x 1.4 inches, includes a five-foot power cable, and comes backed by a 24-month warranty.
Should you buy it?✅ Buy the Anker Prime Charging Station if...
You regularly charge multiple devices throughout the day and want to replace a collection of separate chargers with one compact desktop unit. With a combined 200W output, four USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and dual 100W USB-C charging, it has enough power for laptops, phones, tablets, and accessories while taking up very little desk space.
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You only need to charge one or two devices at a time or want something to carry in a backpack. This charger is designed as a permanent desktop solution rather than a travel accessory, and its 200W output and six-port layout will be more than many people need.
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Why we recommend itOne of the biggest strengths of the Anker Prime Charging Station is that it combines high power output with a practical desktop design that genuinely reduces cable clutter. In his review, senior writer Harry said: "Charging products really don’t get much better than the Anker Prime Charger."
He went on to add, "This charging station boasts high power output, multiple port types and quality design, all at a fantastic price-point. There’s no display here, as seen with some of the other Anker Prime products, but otherwise this is a near-perfect station that will fulfill all your charging needs."
Price Context & Historical ValueAt $55.99 the Anker Prime Charging Station is at its lowest price in 30 days, and although it has been cheaper in the past, only by a couple of dollars. If you're thinking of buying this product, this is a great time to do so, and you definitely won't be disappointed at this price.
The Catch: What to know before you buyThe Anker Prime is built for people charging multiple devices every day, so it's probably overkill if you only need to top up a phone or tablet. Plenty of cheaper single and dual-port chargers will handle those tasks for less.
It's also a fairly straightforward charging station, with no display or companion app for monitoring power delivery or customizing settings. This isn't the most feature-rich option available.
- Proton VPN silently issued a major client-side rebuild of the existing WireGuard codebase
- Proton Protocols introduces automatic network conflict detection, quicker server connections, and an in-app connection rating system
- The upgrade is currently in beta on Windows, Android, and Linux
When choosing the best VPN to protect your digital life, the underlying architecture is just as important as the server count. Now, Proton VPN has quietly delivered a massive under-the-hood upgrade designed to turbocharge performance and bypass online restrictions more effectively.
Discovered in the version 5.1.5 release notes for its Windows application, the Swiss-based privacy giant has officially introduced Proton Protocols. Described as a complete client-side rebuild of the provider's existing WireGuard codebase, this new architecture entirely overhauls how the application communicates with Proton's global network of servers.
For everyday users, this translates to immediate, noticeable improvements in the app's responsiveness. The update promises quicker, more stable connections, alongside new smart tools designed to eliminate frustrating connection errors.
Notably, the update introduces automatic network conflict detection, which can identify when other software on your device — like a strict firewall or third-party antivirus — is interfering with your VPN tunnel.
The rebuild also serves a crucial purpose for users navigating restrictive digital environments. By overhauling the underlying code, Proton is actively boosting its anti-censorship capabilities, ensuring journalists, activists, and everyday citizens can maintain safe, unrestricted access to the open web.
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The popular privacy-first VPN continues to invest in delivering the best Linux VPN possible. Before adding support for its Stealth protocol, the provider has been upgrading its apps with features like split tunneling, better stability across the board, and broader distro compatibility. Subscriptions start from the equivalent of $2.99 per month and are all protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal
The shift to the new Proton Protocols codebase isn't just a simple bug-fixing patch. It represents a foundational shift, originally teased in the provider's recent Spring/Summer 2026 roadmap, designed to unify performance and features across all operating systems.
A Proton spokesperson explained to TechRadar that the new codebase is easier to integrate with all the languages natively supported and can be deployed across platforms, while adapting to different environments and bringing improved feature parity.
"For example, it has allowed Proton VPN to bring the Stealth protocol to Linux, improve anti-censorship capabilities, and lay the groundwork for post-quantum encryption," said Proton's spokesperson.
In other words, by standardizing the codebase, the company can deploy complex features to operating systems that are traditionally left behind. And, beyond preparing the platform for next-generation security threats like quantum computing, the rebuild makes life significantly easier for the development team.
"Issues within our apps will be easier to diagnose and fix, and it unlocks the next generation of Proton VPN performance," the spokesperson added.
What else is new in version 5.1.5?While the new architecture steals the spotlight, the 5.1.5 Windows release also packs in several important quality-of-life updates aimed at refining the user experience.
If you occasionally run into issues where a sudden app or device crash leaves your DNS rules active, potentially blocking your regular web browsing after disconnecting from the VPN, this update officially fixes that bug. It also patches a known reconnection flaw specifically impacting users with IPv6 connectivity.
Furthermore, Proton is leaning on its community to help fine-tune future updates by introducing a direct connection feedback tool. Users can now instantly rate their connection quality with a simple thumbs up or thumbs down directly within the interface.
While the 5.1.5 update brings these features to Windows users today, the wider deployment of the new architecture is still ongoing.
"The update is currently in beta on Windows, Android, and Linux, with Apple coming soon," the company confirmed to TechRadar.