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User Security
Cyber Crime Email scam Indian Citizens Threat Landscape User Security

Threat Actors Are Sending Fraudulent Legal Notices to Target Indians

 

The Indian authorities have issued an urgent warning to residents over the widespread circulation of counterfeit emails impersonating Rajesh Kumar, CEO of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). 

These fraudulent emails, with misleading subject lines like "Urgent Notification!" and "Court Notification," falsely accuse recipients of cybercrime and pressure them to respond. The PIB Fact Check team has identified these emails as fraudulent, emphasising that they were sent with malicious purpose to trick recipients and exploit their fears. 

Fake email threat

The bogus emails exploit the logos of prominent Indian institutions, such as the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Intelligence Bureau (IB), and Delhi Police, as proof of legitimacy. They also represent themselves by using the names and contact information of senior officials to deceive recipients. These fake emails have been sent to government offices, people, and organisations, posing as official correspondence. 

In a tweet from its official handle, @PIBFactCheck, the bureau clarified that these emails are absolutely fraudulent and deceitful. "It is vital to note that neither the undersigned nor this unit originated such emails. Furthermore, no permission has been obtained for the creation or distribution of such content," the release noted. 

Cybercrime impact in India 

Concern over the rise in cybercrime in India is growing. Avinash Mohanty, the commissioner of police for Cyberabad, claims that cybercrime makes up more than 30% of the commissionerate's cognisable offences and that it may soon reach 50%. It is alarming to learn that every minute, Indian residents lose between 1.3 and 1.5 lakh rupees to hackers. This startling statistic emphasises the importance of raising awareness and vigilance against online fraud and scams. 

The recovery rate for cybercrime damages in the nation remains dismally low, averaging less than 20%. This increases the financial and emotional toll on sufferers. The increase in cybercrime impacts not only individuals and businesses, but also government institutions, which have been targeted in cases of espionage and data breaches.

In recent years, India has had a number of high-profile data breaches, the most significant of which involved Aadhaar, the country's unique citizen identification system. This breach affected over a billion Indians' personal information, including bank account numbers, addresses, and fingerprints. In 2024, the cost of data breaches in India would exceed two million US dollars, illustrating the increasing sophistication of cyberattacks and their devastating consequences.
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KYC
Cyber Crime Financial Security Identity Theft IDS KYC

Cybercriminals Exploit Identity Verification Systems

 


Cybercriminals on the dark web have developed new ways to exploit identity verification systems. Rather than hacking or stealing personal information, they are purchasing it directly from individuals, as revealed by security researchers at iProov. This approach allows them to bypass Know Your Customer (KYC) processes used by businesses to verify customer identities. Researchers found that a criminal group in Latin America is gathering identity documents, such as passports and driver's licenses, along with corresponding facial images. 

In some cases, these criminals pay individuals for their personal data. While the exact amount paid remains unclear, this practice raises serious concerns. This group’s activities extend beyond Latin America, with similar tactics reported in Eastern Europe. Law enforcement agencies in these regions have been alerted to the threat. 
 
Why Is This Dangerous? 
 
Selling personal data equips fraudsters with real identity "kits," which combine authentic documents with matching biometrics. This makes it challenging to identify the kits as counterfeit. According to iProov Chief Scientific Officer Andrew Newell, these kits enable criminals to execute sophisticated impersonation scams, putting victims’ financial security and personal identities at risk. 
  
What Can Be Done? 
 
Classic verification methods have proven inadequate against such advanced attacks. iProov recommends implementing multi-layered security measures to combat these threats. Key steps include:
  • Real-Time Authentication: Verifying that the user is a human being in real-time.
  • Identity Verification: Ensuring the user matches the rightful owner of the presented identity.
These layered methods significantly hinder cybercriminals, even when they possess convincing identity data. iProov notes that even sophisticated attackers struggle to bypass such systems while maintaining realistic interactions.
  • Never sell or share your personal information, regardless of incentives.
  • Be cautious of schemes offering money for personal data, as they can fuel large-scale fraud.
  • Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to relevant authorities.
As cybercriminals continue to innovate, businesses must invest in robust security systems, and individuals must take proactive steps to safeguard their sensitive information.
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International
Cyber Crime Digital Arrest Fraud Calls International

Getting Fake International Calls? Here’s What You Need to Know

 

 
Fraudulent international calls are on the rise, targeting mobile users nationwide. The scams involve unknown numbers pretending to be from trusted organizations, deceiving individuals into sharing sensitive information or making payments. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently reported identifying over 1.35 crore fake calls within just 24 hours of launching its new detection system. 
  
How Scammers Operate 
 
Fraudsters use international numbers, often genuine ones, to pose as representatives of government agencies or organizations. By exploiting the trust of unsuspecting users, they gather personal data or extort money. The use of legitimate international numbers makes it harder to identify these scams. 

To combat this issue, the government introduced the International Incoming Fake Call Prevention System on October 22. Within a single day, it flagged 90% of suspicious calls, which were then blocked by telecom operators. As scammers switched to using legitimate international numbers, further action was taken. The DoT has advised caution when answering calls from unknown international numbers, especially those not starting with India’s country code, +91. Citizens are encouraged to avoid such calls and report those claiming to represent government agencies. 
  
The New ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam 
 
Scammers are now employing a tactic called the ‘digital arrest’ scam. They pose as police or CBI officers during video calls, accuse victims of serious crimes, and demand immediate payments to avoid arrest. The convincing nature of these scams can leave victims feeling compelled to comply. 
  
Here's How to Prevent Yourself
  • Never share personal or financial information with unknown callers.
  • Verify the caller’s identity before engaging in any conversation.
  • Avoid picking up calls from unfamiliar international numbers.
With scams becoming more sophisticated, staying informed and vigilant is crucial. If you suspect fraudulent activity, refrain from responding and report the incident to the appropriate authorities.
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Ransomware
Cyber Crime LockBit RaaS Ransomware

Look Who’s Back: LockBit Gears Up for a Comeback With Version 4.0

 



The infamous LockBit ransomware group has announced its return with the upcoming release of LockBit 4.0, set for February 2025. This marks a big moment for the group, which has had major setbacks over the last year. A global law enforcement crackdown shut down its operations, with arrests and recovery of nearly 7,000 decryption keys. As other ransomware groups like RansomHub take the lead, it remains uncertain if LockBit can reclaim its former dominance.  


Challenges Facing LockBit’s Return

LockBit's return is definitely not in the cards, though. The group did a lot of damage to itself, mainly because law enforcement was doing their job and newer Ransomware groups were outperforming it. Probably, the development of this 4.0 version involves deep changes in its codebase since the previous variant had been compromised. Experts therefore wonder whether LockBit manages to overcome these obstacles or gets back into the crowded field of ransomware services.

Another emerging favorite is ransomware-as-a-service, where groups start to sell their tools and infrastructure to affiliates in a specific ratio of the profits being extracted by that affiliate. LockBit will find itself competing not just with opponents such as RansomHub but also with variants from the same ransomware assembled using leaked source code.


What to Expect With LockBit 4.0

The group's announcement for LockBit 4.0 has bold claims, enticing potential affiliates with promises of wealth and success. The official launch is scheduled for February 3, 2025, and keys are provided to access their dark web leak site. While specific details about the 4.0 version are unclear, cybersecurity researchers are closely monitoring its development.

The group may also change its tactics to stay off the radar of international law enforcement. In the past, LockBit has been criticized for hitting high-profile victims, including the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children in 2022. After public backlash, the group issued an apology and provided a free decryption key, an unusual move for a ransomware organization.  


The Future

LockBit's ability to stage a successful comeback will depend on its capacity to adapt to the challenges it faces. With competitors gaining ground and its credibility in question, the group's path forward is uncertain. Cybersecurity experts will be watching closely to see how LockBit 4.0 impacts the ransomware infrastructure.

For now, organizations are advised to remain vigilant, as ransomware groups continue to improvise their tactics. Implementing robust security measures and staying informed about emerging threats are critical steps in defending against such attacks.



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Zero-day vulnerability
Cyber Crime Cyber Hackers CyberCrime Cybersecurity CyberThreat Internet Explorer Microsoft North Korea South Korea Zero-day vulnerability

Cyber Threat Alert for South Korea from North Korean Hackers

 


In a recent cyber-espionage campaign targeted at the United States, North Korean state-linked hacker ScarCruft recently exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Internet Explorer to distribute RokRAT malware to targets nationwide. APT37, or RedEyes as it is sometimes called, is one of the most notorious North Korean state-sponsored hacking groups, and its activities are thought to be aimed at cyber espionage. 

There is typically a focus on human rights activists from South Korea, defectors from the country, and political entities in Europe from this group. An unknown threat actor with ties to North Korea has been observed delivering a previously undocumented backdoor and remote access Trojan (RAT) called VeilShell as part of a campaign targeted at Cambodia and potentially other Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. 

Known to Securonix as SHROUDED#SLEEP, the activity is believed to have been carried out by APT37, which is also known as InkySquid, Reaper, RedEyes, Ricochet Chollima, Ruby Sleet, and ScarCruft as well as several other names. ScarCruft, also known as APT37, InkySquid, Nickel Foxcroft, Reaper, RedEyes, and Ricochet Chollima, is a state-sponsored cyber-espionage threat group that almost entirely targets South Korean individuals and organizations. 

It uses spear phishing to deliver customized tools via phishing, watering holes, and zero-days for Internet Explorer. It has been reported by AhnLab that APT37 compromised one of the servers of a domestic advertising agency. Hence, the purpose is to push specially crafted 'Toast ads' as a part of an unidentified free software that is widely used by South Koreans. As a result of the CVE-2024-38178 flaw found in the JavaScript 9.dll file (Chakra) of Internet Explorer used for displaying these advertisements, it caused the JavaScript file named 'ad_toast' to trigger remote code execution via CVE-2024-38178 in the JavaScript9.dll file.

There is a deep correlation between the malware that was dropped in this attack and the RokRAT malware, which ScarCruft has been using for years to launch attacks. In essence, RokRATs primary function is to exfiltrate to Yandex cloud instances every 30 minutes file matching 20 extension types (including .doc, .mdb, .xls, .ppt, .txt, .amr) that match these extensions. In addition to keylogging, Keylogger also monitors for changes made to the clipboard and captures screenshots (every three minutes) as well. 

In July 2022, ScarCruft, a North Korean threat actor who operates in North Korean cyberspace, began experimenting with oversized LNK files as a delivery route for RokRAT malware, just a couple of months after Microsoft began blocking macros by default across several Office documents. Check Point has released a new report on its technical analysis of RokRAT that concludes that the malware has not changed significantly over the years, but the deployment method has evolved. RokRAT now uses archives that contain LNK files, resulting in infection chains that move through multiple stages. 

As a result of this round of activity, is another indication of a major trend in the threat landscape, where both APTs, as well as cybercriminals, will try to overcome the restriction on macros coming from untrusted sources. Having made the news in the past few days, a new campaign with the intriguing name "Code on Toast," has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of software still embedded in widely used systems, even after the retirement of Internet Explorer. According to a joint report by the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) of South Korea, and AhnLab (ASEC), the incident occurred earlier this year. 

There was a unique way for these malware infections to be spread by using toast pop-up ads as how the campaign was delivered. There is a unique aspect of this campaign that focuses on the way ScarCruft distributes its malware through the use of toast notifications and small pop-ups that appear when antivirus software or free utilities are running. As a result of ScarCruft’s compromise of the server of a domestic ad agency in South Korea, a malicious "toast ad" made by ScarCruft was sent to many South Korean users through a popular, yet unnamed, free piece of software. 

To accomplish ScarCruft’s attack, a zero-day Internet Explorer vulnerability, CVE-2024-38178, with a severity rating of 7.5, must be exploited cleverly. As a consequence of this, Edge users in Internet Explorer mode can potentially execute remote code through a memory corruption bug in the Scripting Engine, which can result in remote code execution. This vulnerability was patched for August 2024 as part of Microsoft's Patch Tuesday update, part of this annual update program. 

By using toast notifications, typically harmless pop-up ads from anti-virus software or utility programs, the group silently delivered malware through a zero-click infection method using a zero-click virus delivery mechanism. As a result, it has become necessary for an attacker to convince a user to click on a URL that has been specially crafted to initiate the execution of malicious code to successfully exploit a vulnerability. 

Having used such advanced techniques, ScarCruft clearly emphasizes the need for South Korea's digital landscape to remain protected from such threats in the future. It is unfortunate that no matter how much effort is put into phasing out outdated systems, security vulnerabilities have caused problems in legacy components like Internet Explorer. Although Microsoft announced it would retire Internet Explorer at the end of 2022, many of the browser's components remain in Windows, or they are being used by third-party products, allowing threat actors to come across new vulnerabilities and exploit them for their purposes. As a result of this campaign, organizations will be reminded of the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity updates and maintaining robust defences against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats backed by governments.
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Telecom Firm
Cyber Crime France GSMA Online fraud Telecom Firm

French Telecom Companies Band Together to Combat Rising Fraud

 

The four leading mobile network carriers (MNOs) in France have teamed up to combat identity theft and online fraud. To help online companies fight fraud and digital identity theft, Bouygues Telecom, Free, Orange, and SFR announced on December 3 that they will introduce two network Application Programmable Interfaces (APIs) for the French market in the first half of 2025. This initiative is part of the Open Gateway system of the Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).

About GSMA

The GSMA, a trade association representing the global interests of mobile operators, was established in 1995. As of 2024, it has more than 750 members. In 2023, the GSMA launched the Open Gateway Initiative, aiming to create digital solutions that work seamlessly across devices, regardless of the nation or operator.

Since its inception, the program has onboarded 67 mobile network operators (MNOs) and 26 channel partners, representing 278 networks and covering three-quarters of global mobile connections. Developers can access these network capabilities via APIs through the CAMARA repository, an open-source initiative by the Linux Foundation.

“This aligned market launch of CAMARA APIs from France’s leading operators will make it easier to keep people safe from the growing threat of fraud. The initiative benefits businesses, mobile operators, and their customers, saving developers time, money, and effort while allowing for the quick launch of innovative new services.”

— Henry Calvert, Head of Networks at the GSMA

Role of APIs in Mitigating Fraud

1. KYC Match API

Purpose: Cross-check user-provided information with verified data stored by the mobile network operator during the Know Your Customer (KYC) process.

The KYC Match API validates details such as mobile phone numbers, names, postal codes, and email addresses, without transferring any personally identifiable information (PII).

France is the first country to have all its national MNOs adopt KYC Match. Several financial institutions, including Crédit Agricole's online subsidiary BforBank and Credit Mutuel Arkéa's Fortuneo, are already utilizing this API in collaboration with DQE Software to screen new customers.

2. SIM Swap API

Purpose: Detect recent SIM card changes to prevent account takeover fraud.

This API checks if a phone number has recently had its SIM card swapped, helping financial institutions verify the relationship between a customer’s phone number and their SIM card during transactions.

Use Case: This helps prevent fraudsters from using stolen personal data and social engineering tactics to take over accounts.

“For example, at the time of a financial transaction, a financial institution can check whether the relationship between the customer’s phone number and SIM Card has been recently changed, helping them decide whether to approve the transaction or not.”

What’s Next?

Following the launch of KYC Match and SIM Swap APIs, French MNOs plan to release a third API, Number Verification, which will provide robust authentication for mobile numbers, potentially replacing SMS-based multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions.

Key Benefits of These APIs

  • Enhanced Security: Protects users from identity theft and account takeover.
  • Operational Efficiency: Saves businesses and developers time and resources.
  • Improved Fraud Detection: Strengthens verification processes without compromising user privacy.

By adopting these APIs, French mobile carriers are setting a global benchmark for digital security and fraud prevention, making online interactions safer and more secure for businesses and consumers alike.

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Printer Driver Strategy
Artificial Intelligence Cyber Crime Data Theft Printer Printer Driver Strategy

Printer Problems? Don’t Fall for These Dangerous Scams

 


Fixing printer problems is a pain, from paper jams to software bugs. When searching for quick answers, most users rely on search engines or AI solutions to assist them. Unfortunately, this opens the door to scammers targeting unsuspecting people through false ads and other fraudulent sites.

Phony Ads Pretend to be Official Printer Support

When researching online troubleshooting methods for your printer, especially for big-name brands like HP and Canon, you will find many sponsored ads above the search results. Even though they look legitimate, most have been prepared by fraudsters pretending to be official support.

Clicking on these ads can lead users to websites that mimic official brand pages, complete with logos and professional layouts. These sites promise to resolve printer issues but instead, push fake software downloads designed to fail.

How the Driver Scam Works

Printer drivers are a program that allows your computer to connect with your printer. Most modern systems will automatically install these drivers, but some users don’t know how it works and get scammed in the process.

On fraudulent websites, users have to input their printer model in order to download the "necessary" driver. But all the installation processes displayed are fake — pre-recordings typically — and no matter what, the installation fails, leading frustrated users to dial a supposed tech support number for further help.

What are the Risks Involved?

Once the victim contacts the fake support team, scammers usually ask for remote access to the victim's computer to fix the problem. This can lead to:

  • Data theft: Scammers may extract sensitive personal information.
  • Device lockdown: Fraudsters can lock your computer and demand payment for access.
  • Financial loss: They may use your device to log into bank accounts or steal payment details.

These scams not only lead to financial loss but also compromise personal security.

How to Stay Safe

To keep yourself safe, follow these tips:

  1. Do not click on ads when searching for printer help. Instead, look for official websites in the organic search results.
  2. Use reliable security software, such as Malwarebytes Browser Guard, to prevent rogue ads and scam websites.
  3. Look for legitimate support resources, like official support pages, online forums, or tech-savvy friends or family members.

By being vigilant and cautious, you can avoid these scams and troubleshoot your printer issues without getting scammed. Be informed and double-check the legitimacy of support resources.

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sensitive data exposure
Confidential Data Cyber Crime data security Data Theft Google Google Pixel Lawsuit sensitive data exposure

Google Sues Ex-Employee for Leaking Pixel Chip Trade Secrets Online

 


Google has filed a lawsuit against Harshit Roy, a former employee, accusing him of leaking sensitive information about the company's chip designs. The lawsuit, filed in a Texas federal court, alleges that Roy, who worked as an engineer at Google from 2020 to 2024, disclosed confidential details about Pixel processing chips on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. 
 
According to the complaint, Roy captured internal documents containing proprietary chip specifications before resigning in February 2024. After leaving Google, he moved from Bangalore, India, to Austin, Texas, to pursue a doctoral program at the University of Texas. 
 

The lawsuit claims that Roy:   

 
- Shared these confidential documents publicly, violating his confidentiality agreement with Google.  
- Posted statements such as, “Don’t expect me to adhere to any confidentiality agreement,” and “Empires fall, and so will you,” along with images of internal documents.   
- Ignored multiple takedown requests from Google and continued posting proprietary information online.  
- Tagged competitors like Apple and Qualcomm in some of his posts, allegedly drawing attention to the leaked information. 
 
Google asserts that the leaked materials contained trade secrets critical to its operations. The disclosures reportedly led to media outlets publishing stories based on the leaked information, further exacerbating the breach. 
 
Jose Castaneda, a spokesperson for Google, emphasized the company's commitment to addressing the situation. “We discovered that this former employee unlawfully disclosed numerous confidential documents. We are pursuing legal action to address these unauthorized disclosures, as such behavior is completely unacceptable,” Castaneda stated. 
 

Google is seeking:   

 
  • Monetary damages to compensate for the breach.   
  • A court order to prevent Roy from further distributing or using the leaked information. 

As part of the legal proceedings, a judge issued a temporary restraining order on Wednesday, prohibiting Roy from sharing additional proprietary details. Google argues that such measures are necessary to:   
 
  • Protect its intellectual property.   
  • Maintain trust within its operations. 
 
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by companies in safeguarding trade secrets, especially in highly competitive industries like technology. As the legal battle unfolds, it is expected to shed light on the legal and ethical boundaries of confidentiality agreements and the potential consequences of breaching such agreements in the tech industry.
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Operation Serengeti
Afripol Cyber Crime digital scam Financial Fraud Interpol Operation Serengeti

Interpol and Afripol Arrest Kenyans Involved in Digital Scams

Interpol and Afripol Arrest Kenyans Involved in Digital Scams


Interpol and Afripol recently carried out “Operation Serengeti” a major international operation, cracking down on cybercrime throughout 19 African countries, arresting 1,006 and disrupting 134,089 malicious networks and infrastructures. The two agencies recovered USD 43,954,537, and more than 20 Kenyans were arrested in the two-month sting operation. The arrested Kenyans were involved in online credit card fraud. 

“Operation Serengeti shows what we can achieve by working together, and these arrests alone will save countless potential future victims from personal and financial pain,” said Valdecy Urquiza, Secretary General of INTERPOL. 

About Operation Serengeti 


The operation ran from September to October 2024, cracking down on various cybercrimes like business email compromise (BEC), ransomware, online scams, and digital extortion. The law agencies found 35,000 victims and cases linked to worldwide financial losses worth USD 193 million.  

The joint effort led to the disruption of cybercriminal activities and improved the efforts of law enforcement agencies in African Union member nations. 

Key events in Sting Operation 


The arrested Kenyans were involved in online credit card fraud and responsible for global banking systems losing US$8.6 million. 

The stolen money was sent via SWIFT to digital asset firms to countries Nigeria, China, and the UAE. The joint operation also resulted in the arrest of digital scammers in other countries Cameroon, Angola, Senegal, and Nigeria. 

“Through Serengeti, AFRIPOL has significantly enhanced support for law enforcement in African Union Member States. We have facilitated key arrests and deepened insights into cybercrime trends. Our focus now includes emerging threats like AI-driven malware and advanced attack techniques,” Jalela Chelba, AFRIPOL’s Executive Director said. 

Rise of financial fraud in Kenya 


TransUnion report analysis reveals Kenya is 10th in Digital Fraud suspects out of 19 countries in the first half of 2024. In the case of digital transactions carried out in Kenya, around 4.6% were traced as suspected Digital Fraud. 

Credit card fraud is the leading problem in the financial sector, scammers steal the card info of victims and access their accounts. They do this via application fraud and account takeovers.
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Law Enforcement
Africa Cyber Crime Cyber Operation Interpol Law Enforcement

Over 1,000 People Arrested by Interpol in Africa as it Cracks Down on Cybercrime

 

During a two-month operation to combat cybercrime that left tens of thousands of victims, including some who were trafficked, and caused millions of dollars in financial losses, Interpol detained 1,006 suspects across Africa, the international police agency said Tuesday. 

The agency said in a statement that Operation Serengeti, a combined operation with Afripol, the African Union's police agency, targeted criminals responsible for ransomware, business email breach, digital extortion, and online frauds, took place in 19 African countries between September 2 and October 31.

“From multi-level marketing scams to credit card fraud on an industrial scale, the increasing volume and sophistication of cybercrime attacks is of serious concern," stated Valdecy Urquiza, the Secretary General of Interpol. 

Local law enforcement and business sector partners, including internet service providers, were instrumental in the investigation, according to Interpol, which identified 35,000 victims and related cases to international financial losses of nearly $193 million. 

In a case involving online credit card theft that resulted in losses of $8.6 million, Kenyan police made around two dozen arrests. Eight individuals, including five Chinese nationals, were arrested by police in Senegal, a country in West Africa, for involvement in a $6 million online Ponzi scheme.

Chelba stated that Afripol's attention is now on new threats such as AI-driven malware and advanced cyberattack strategies. Other demolished networks included a Cameroonian organisation suspected of using a multi-level marketing fraud for human trafficking, an Angolan international criminal cell operating an illegal virtual casino, and a Nigerian cryptocurrency investment scam, according to the agency. 

Interpol, which has 196 member nations and celebrated its centenary last year, helps national police forces communicate with one another and seek down suspects and offenders in domains such as counterterrorism, financial crime, child pornography, cybercrime, and organised crime. 

The world's largest, if not best-funded, police organisation has faced novel challenges, including an increase in cybercrime and child sex abuse cases, as well as rising tensions among member countries. Interpol had a total budget of about 176 million euros (about $188 million) last year, compared to more than 200 million euros at Europol, the European Union's police agency, and approximately $11 billion at the FBI in the United States.
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T-Mobile
Chinese Cyber Threat CISA Cyber Crime cyber espionage Cyber Hackers Cyber Threats CyberCrime Cybersecurity Seerver T-Mobile

T-Mobile System Intrusion Tied to Chinese Cyber Threat

 


T-Mobile Corporation has confirmed that it has been a victim of cyber-espionage campaigns launched against telecom companies for a long time. T-Mobile is the latest telecommunications company to report being affected by a large-scale cyber-espionage campaign waged by state-sponsored hackers in China. 

There has been some confusion as to whether the breach involves customer data or critical systems. However, T-Mobile has maintained that there has been no significant impact on its customers' data and critical systems. This breach is part of a larger attack on major telecom providers, raising questions regarding the security of critical communications infrastructure around the world. 

It has been reported that the FBI and CISA are pursuing investigations into a massive cyber-espionage campaign perpetrated by Chinese-linked threat actors that targeted U.S. telecommunications, stealing call records and accessing private communications of government officials and political figures by compromising networks. 

It was confirmed by the USA intelligence agencies that Chinese threats had penetrated the private communications of a "limited number" of government officials after several U.S. broadband providers had been compromised. 

A cyber spy stole personal information belonging to the targeted individuals, according to court orders, which were subject to a search warrant by the United States government to gather that information. This attack was conducted by an intrusion team targeting the World Expo scheduled to take place in Osaka, Japan in 2025, as a lure for the intrusion team, according to ESET's APT Activity Report for the period between April and September 2024.

MirrorFace continues to capture the attention of Japanese people and events, despite this new geographical target, proving their dedication to Japan and its related events. MirrorFace, as well as Earth Kasha, is one of the clusters categorized under an umbrella group called APT10, which includes other clusters classified under Earth Tengshe and Bronze Starlight, as well. 

At least since 2018, the company has been targeting Japanese organizations, although its operations have been further expanded to include Taiwan and India with a new campaign observed in early 2023, albeit it is still focused on the Japanese market. During the hacking crew's history, it has evolved from a few backdoor programs, namely ANEL (a.k.a. Uppercut), LODEINFO, and NOOPDOOR (also known as HiddenFace), to an arsenal of infections, which now consists of backdoors and credential thieves, such as MirrorStealer and ANEL. 

Having said that, it's important to note that T-Mobile's cybersecurity practice has recently been subjected to massive criticism since it's experienced a lot of data breaches in recent years. It was part of the company's settlement with the FCC of $31.5 million for previous breaches, of which half was for an improvement of the security infrastructure. The data breaches that have repeatedly targeted T-Mobile, which is owned by Deutsche Telekom Corporation, have been one of the most challenging aspects of the company's recent history. 

According to the company, back in August 2021, 49 million T-Mobile account holders were affected by the data breach, but the hackers claimed that they had stolen data from 100 million users on the network. According to T-Mobile, it is actively monitoring the situation and is working closely with government officials to investigate the breach to prevent any further issues from occurring. Currently, there is no evidence that the company's systems have hurt the privacy, security, or functionality of its customers, but the firm maintains that no harm has been caused. 

The company is paying close attention to this industry-wide attack that is affecting the entire industry. Quite to the contrary, due to the security controls in our network structure, and the diligent monitoring and response of our systems, T-Mobile has not witnessed any significant impact on its data or systems. As far as we are aware, no evidence has been found that the company's customer or other sensitive information has been accessed or exfiltrated as other companies may have done. 

The situation will be closely monitored by industry peers as well as the relevant authorities, and we will work with them to resolve it.” A recent incident at T-Mobile has come at a time when the company is expanding its cyber-security practices to combat these threats. In February of this year, the company settled a $31.5 million lawsuit with the Federal Communications Commission, more than half of which was devoted to improving security infrastructure as a result of its prior breaches. 

The T-Mobile Security breach is a prime example of the unique challenges that face the telecommunications sector, which is classified as critical infrastructure under federal law because of its importance to the nation. As an upstream provider of information and communications, telecommunications companies play a vital role in healthcare, government, and the private sector, allowing everything from emergency services to business transactions to personal connectivity to take place. 

Therefore, these networks are prime targets for state-sponsored cyber campaigns that seek to exploit their role in facilitating sensitive communications by exploiting their vulnerability to state-sponsored cyber campaigns. There has been a shift in how cyber-espionage tactics have been used over the past few years twhichis disturbing. Attackers like Salt Typhoon take advantage of wiretap systems and sensitive communication channels to steal data and compromise the integrity of systems and networks vital to national security efforts. 

As part of a new analysis published on November 19, 2024, Trend Micro discovered that the MirrorFace actor was using the vulnerability of Array AG (CVE-2023-45727), Proself (CVE-2023-45727) and FortiOS/FortiProxy (CVE-2023-45727) for the initial access of its public-facing enterprise products, which enabled the MirrorFace attacker to access the products. It has been reported that they had installed several backdoors within the victim's network after gaining access to achieve persistence on the network," said security researcher Hara Hiroaki. Among these are the 'Cobalt Strike' and 'LODEINFO' programs, as well as the 'NOOPDOOR' program that was discovered last year. 

A sophisticated and complex implant like NOOPDOOR can be decrypted and launched using a shellcode loader named NOOPLDR to install it on the system. It includes built-in functions, in addition to modules that enable the uploading and downloading of files, the running of additional programs, and the communication with a server controlled by an attacker either actively or passively. As a result, Hiroaki noted, both active and passive modes, for the most part, use different encryption algorithms, as well as backdoor commands, respectively, which means that the channels can't be accessed by one another and are completely independent of one another.
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Ransomware
Business Cyber Crime Finance Sector Identity Theft Ransomware

Ransomware Gangs Target Weekends and Holidays for Maximum Impact

 


A new report by cybersecurity firm Semperis reveals that ransomware gangs are increasingly launching attacks during weekends and holidays when organisations are less equipped to respond. The study found that 86 percent of ransomware incidents occurred during off-peak times as companies often scale back their security operations centre (SOC) staffing. While most organisations claim to run 24/7 SOCs, 85% admit to reducing staff by up to half on weekends and holidays, leaving critical systems more exposed. According to Dan Lattimer, an area vice president at Semperis, many organisations cannot afford the high cost of maintaining full SOC coverage each day. He noted, for example, that some organisations assume they are less exposed to risk during weekends because fewer employees are online to fall prey to phishing attacks. Others perceive their exposure being low because they have never had a threat in the past, further reducing the monitoring effort.


Why Cybercriminals Prefer Off-Peak Hours

Attackers leverage these openings to elevate the chances of their success. Performing attacks during weekends or holidays gives them a relatively longer timeframe to conduct an operation secretly so they can encrypt files and steal sensitive information with little hope of interfering soon. According to Lattimer, this tactic increases the chances of receiving ransom money because the organisations are willing to regain control at any critical downtime.

The report also showed that finance and manufacturing were among the most often targeted sectors, with 78 percent and 75 percent of organisations in the respective sectors reporting attacks on weekends or holidays. Furthermore, 63 percent of respondents said the ransomware related to major corporate events such as mergers or layoffs, which often cause additional diversion for IT teams. 


Identity Security Lapses Continue

Another concerning result of the report is that too many companies feel too confident about their identity security. While 81% said to have sufficient defences against identity-related attacks, 83% experienced successful ransomware incidents in the past year. This discrepancy is largely due to lack of budget and resources to properly protect identity systems like AD, a part of core infrastructure.

Semperis noted that without proper funding for identity threat detection and response (ITDR), many organisations are leaving themselves open to attacks. Around 40% of companies either lacked the resources or were unsure about their ability to secure these systems. 


Takeaway

SEMPERIS 2024 RANSOMWARE HOLIDAY RISK REPORT states that businesses must immediately address the vulnerability of weekends. Strengthening cybersecurity measures over holidays, investing in such robust identity protection, and maintaining consistent monitoring can help mitigate such growing risks for organisations. Cybercrime has become so dynamic, and hence organisations must adapt constantly to stay one step ahead.



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PayPal
API Cyber Crime DocuSign phishing scams Norton PayPal

Fake Invoices Spread Through DocuSign’s API in New Scam

 



Cyber thieves are making use of DocuSign's Envelopes API to send fake invoices in good faith, complete with names that are giveaways of well-known brands such as Norton and PayPal. Because these messages are sent from a verified domain - namely DocuSign's - they go past traditional email security methods and therefore sneak through undetected as malicious messages.

How It Works

DocuSign is an electronic signing service that the user often provides for sending, signing, and managing documents in a digital manner. Using the envelopes API within its eSignature system, document requests can be sent out, signed, and tracked entirely automatically. Conversely, attackers discovered how to take advantage of this API, where accounts set up for free by paying customers on DocuSign are available to them, giving them access to the templates and the branding feature. They now can create fake-looking invoices that are almost indistinguishable from official ones coming from established companies.

These scammers use the "Envelopes: create" function to send an enormous number of fake bills to a huge list of recipients. In most cases, the charges in the bill are very realistic and therefore appear more legitimate. In order to get a proper signature, attackers command the user to "sign" the documents. The attackers then use the signed document to ask for payment. In some other instances, attackers will forward the "signed" documents directly to the finance department to complete the scam.


Mass Abuse of the DocuSign Platform

According to the security research firm Wallarm, this type of abuse has been ongoing for some time. The company noted that this mass exploitation is exposed by DocuSign customers on online forums as users have marked complaints about constant spamming and phishing emails from the DocuSign domain. "I'm suddenly receiving multiple phishing emails per week from docusign.net, and there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to report it," complained one user.

All of these complaints imply that such abuse occurs on a really huge scale, which makes the attacker's spread of false invoices very probably done with some kind of automation tools and not done by hand.

Wallarm already has raised the attention of the abuse at DocuSign, but it is not clear what actions or steps, if any, are being taken by DocuSign in order to resolve this issue.


Challenges in Safeguarding APIs Against Abuse

Such widespread abuse of the DocuSign Envelopes API depicts how openness in access can really compromise the security of API endpoints. Although the DocuSign service is provided for verified businesses to utilise it, the attack teams will buy valid accounts and utilize these functions offered by the API for malicious purposes. It does not even resemble the case of the DocuSign company because several other companies have had the same abuses of their APIs as well. For instance, hackers used APIs to search millions of phone numbers associated with Authy accounts to validate them, scraping information about millions of Dell customers, matching millions of Trello accounts with emails, and much more.

The case of DocuSign does show how abuses of a platform justify stronger protections for digital services that enable access to sensitive tools. Because these API-based attacks have become so widespread, firms like DocuSign may be forced to consider further steps they are taking in being more watchful and tightening the locks on the misuses of their products with regards to paid accounts in which users have full access to the tools at their disposal.


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Ransomware
Cyber Crime Infostealer Interpol Malware Distribution Operation Synergia phishing Ransomware

Operation Synergia II: A Global Effort to Dismantle Cybercrime Networks

Operation Synergia II: A Global Effort to Dismantle Cybercrime Networks

In an unprecedented move, Operation Synergia II has significantly strengthened global cybersecurity efforts. Led by INTERPOL, this extensive operation focused on dismantling malicious networks and thwarting cyber threats across 95 countries. Spanning from April to August 2024, the initiative marks a monumental step in international cybercrime prevention.

Global Collaboration

Operation Synergia II aimed to tackle a range of cybercrimes, including phishing, malware distribution, and ransomware attacks. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information, disrupt services, and extort money. The operation's success lies in its collaborative approach, involving INTERPOL, private cybersecurity firms like Kasperksy, and national law enforcement agencies. This partnership was crucial in sharing intelligence, resources, and expertise, enabling swift and effective actions against cyber threats.

The Scope of the Operation

In Hong Kong, authorities dismantled over 1,000 servers linked to cybercrimes, while investigators in Mongolia confiscated equipment and identified 93 suspects. Macau and Madagascar also played vital roles by deactivating hundreds of servers and seizing electronic devices.

Neal Jetton, Director of Interpol's Cybercrime Directorate, remarked, “The global nature of cybercrime requires a global response… Together, we’ve dismantled malicious infrastructure and protected countless potential victims.”

Key Achievements

The operation led to the seizure of over 22,000 malicious IP addresses and servers. This massive takedown disrupted numerous criminal networks, preventing further attacks and mitigating potential damages. The seized assets included servers used for hosting phishing websites, distributing malware, and coordinating ransomware operations.

Impact Areas

Phishing Schemes: Phishing remains one of the most prevalent and dangerous forms of cybercrime. Cybercriminals use deceptive emails and websites to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as passwords and credit card details. By targeting and taking down phishing servers, Operation Synergia II significantly reduced the risk of individuals falling victim to these scams.

Malware Distribution: Malware, or malicious software, can cause extensive damage to individuals and organizations. It can steal sensitive information, disrupt operations, and even take control of infected systems. The operation's success in dismantling malware distribution networks has helped curb the spread of harmful software and protect countless users.

Ransomware Attacks: Ransomware is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files, demanding payment for their release. It has become a major threat to businesses, governments, and individuals worldwide. By targeting the infrastructure used to deploy ransomware, Operation Synergia II has disrupted these extortion schemes and safeguarded potential victims.

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Scam
Cyber Awareness Cyber Crime Digital Arrest India Internet Scam

Digital Arrest: How Even The Educated Become Victims

Digital Arrest: How Even The Educated Become Victims

One of the most alarming trends in recent times is the surge in digital arrest scams, particularly in India. These scams involve cybercriminals impersonating law enforcement officials to extort money from unsuspecting victims. 

Cybersecurity threats are rapidly escalating in India, with digital arrest scams becoming a major issue. Even well-educated individuals are falling victim to these sophisticated schemes. 

Digital Arrest: A Scam

The concept of a digital arrest does not exist in law. These scams involve cybercriminals masquerading as law enforcement officials or government agencies like the State Police, CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Narcotics Bureau. 

These scams often leverage official-sounding language and sometimes even use fake police or court documents to appear legitimate. Scammers sometimes use deepfake technology to create convincing video calls, making it even harder for victims to distinguish between a real and a fraudulent interaction.

Scammers may also send fake arrest warrants, legal notices, or official-looking documents via email or messaging apps. They accuse victims of severe crimes like money laundering, drug trafficking, or cybercrime. 

Common claims include: "a phone number linked to your Aadhaar number is involved in sending abusive messages or making threatening calls," "a consignment with drugs addressed to you has been intercepted," or "your son has been found engaged in nefarious activity." They may even fabricate evidence to make their accusations more credible.

The Problem in India

India has seen a significant rise in digital arrest scams, affecting individuals across different strata of society. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that many people are unaware of the nuances of cybercrime and can easily fall prey to such tactics. 

Factors contributing to the rise of these scams in India include:

  1. Increased Internet Penetration: With more people accessing the Internet, especially on mobile devices, the pool of potential victims has expanded significantly.
  2. Lack of Cyber Awareness: Despite the growth in internet usage, there is a significant gap in cyber awareness and education. Many individuals are not equipped with the knowledge to identify and respond to such scams.
  3. The sophistication of Scammers: Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using advanced technologies and psychological tactics to manipulate victims.

The impact of digital arrest scams on victims can be severe. Apart from financial loss, victims often experience psychological distress and a loss of trust in digital platforms. Educated individuals, who might otherwise be cautious, can also fall victim to these scams, as the fear of legal repercussions can cloud judgment.

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telephone scams
Canada Cyber Crime RCMP Spoofing telephone scams

Scammers Impersonate Thunder Bay RCMP in New Phone Spoofing Scheme

 



Phone number of the RCMP used in scams across Thunder Bay. The local Royal Canadian Mounted Police detachment is warning residents of Thunder Bay about a phone scam. Scammers are spoofing the official RCMP number, 807-623-2791, which will have calls that appear to be from the police when they actually are not. The RCMP has issued a public alert to raise awareness and try to prevent potential fraud.

How the Spoofing Scam Works

Spoofing is a technique by which fraudsters mask their real phone numbers through technology, making it seem as though the call is coming from a trusted source. In this case, they are masquerading as the Thunder Bay RCMP in an attempt to intimidate or defraud unsuspecting victims. The fraudsters might use the RCMP's name to give their requests a semblance of legitimacy. These requests usually demand sensitive personal information or money.

The RCMP clears the air on its communication practices

As far as the spoofing cases are concerned, the RCMP states that neither them nor any government institution will ever ask for a fee in an odd manner such as Bitcoin, gift cards, or cash collections. In fact, police will never visit your home to collect money as a reason a family member is behind bars. According to the RCMP, it does not seek social insurance numbers, birthdays, or phone numbers via phone call.

How to Verify an RCMP Call 

 In case somebody is doubtful whether a call claiming that it is from her detachment is genuine or not, then she must hanger and call again at 807-623-2791 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Therefore, he will know if that was the genuine call or an attempt by a scammer.

Role of RCMP in Ontario

Another thing the public should be aware of is that the RCMP does not deal with local law enforcement in Ontario but rather deals with issues involving federal law, such as national security, border integrity, organised crime, and financial crimes, including cybercrime and money laundering.

What to Do if You Suspect a Scam

If you believe you are a target, the best action is to hang up. Victims of telephone scams are advised to contact either their local police service or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to report the incident, helping investigators to track and follow up on ongoing schemes.

By knowing how to validate government calls and remaining vigilant, the citizens will be able to guard themselves against spoofing scams and other fraudulent schemes.


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User Security
Cyber Crime LAPSUS$ Teen Hackers Threat Landscape User Security

Advanced Persistent Teenagers: A Rising Security Threat

 

If you ask some of the field's top cybersecurity executives what their biggest concerns are, you might not expect bored teenagers to come up. However, in recent years, this totally new generation of money-motivated hackers has carried out some of the biggest hacks in history and shows no signs of slowing. 

Meet the "advanced persistent teenagers," as stated by the security community. These are skilled, financially motivated attackers, such as Lapsus$ and Scattered Spider, who have proven capable of digitally breaching into hotel companies, casinos, and tech behemoths.

The hackers can deceive unsuspecting employees into giving over their company passwords or network access by using strategies such as believable email lures and convincing phone calls posing as a company's support desk. 

These attacks are extremely effective, have resulted in massive data breaches impacting millions of individuals, and have resulted in large ransoms paid to make the hackers vanish. By displaying hacking capabilities previously limited to only a few nation states, the threat from idle teenagers has forced numerous companies to confront the reality that they don't know if the personnel on their networks are who they say they are, and not a sneaky hacker. Has the threat posed by idle teens been understated, according to two respected security veterans? 

“Maybe not for much longer,” noted Darren Gruber, technical advisor in the Office of Security and Trust at database giant MongoDB, during an onstage panel at TechCrunch Disrupt. “They don’t feel as threatened, they may not be in U.S. jurisdictions, and they tend to be very technical and learn these things in different venues.”

Plus, a key automatic advantage is that these threat groups also have a lot of time on their hands. “It’s a different motivation than the traditional adversaries that enterprises see.” Gruber has dealt with a few of these threats directly. There was no evidence of access to client systems or databases, however an intrusion at the end of 2023 in MongoDB resulted in the theft of certain metadata, such as customer contact information. 

According to Gruber, the attack mirrored Scattered Spider's strategies, and the vulnerability was reportedly minimal. "The attackers posed to be employees and used a phishing lure to get into MongoDB's internal network," he claimed.
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trending news
Cyber Crime CyberCrime cybercrime news data crime Illicit Payment Gateways Indian Cybercrimes News trending news

India Cracks Down on Cybercrime with Warning Against Illegal Payment Gateways

 

In a sweeping move to combat organized cybercrime, India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), through the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Center (I4C), has issued a stark warning about illegal payment gateways reportedly run by transnational cyber criminals. These illicit gateways—PeacePay, RTX Pay, PoccoPay, and RPPay—are allegedly being used as conduits for money laundering, utilizing mule bank accounts rented from shell companies and individuals. 

The network is operated by foreign nationals and offers money laundering as a service, allowing criminal organizations to process and disguise illicit funds. Recent nationwide raids by Gujarat (Indian State) and Andhra Pradesh (Indian State) police have uncovered a complex network of digital payment platforms linked to various cybercrimes, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced in a press statement. 

These platforms exploit rented bank accounts—sourced through social media platforms like Telegram and Facebook—that belong to shell entities or individuals. “Current and saving accounts are scouted through social media, primarily from Telegram and Facebook,” the statement said, underlining the role of social media in recruiting mule accounts for illegal activities. 

According to the Cybercrime Coordination Center, these mule accounts are often remotely controlled by overseas operatives who leverage them to process transactions for various fraudulent schemes. These range from fake investment and offshore betting scams to phony stock trading platforms. Once funds are deposited, they are quickly transferred to other accounts, employing bulk payout options provided by banks to obscure the money trail. 

The Coordination Center has urged citizens to avoid renting or selling their bank accounts or company registration documents to these illegal platforms, as involvement with such illicit activities can carry severe legal repercussions, including potential arrest. 

The Center also stressed that banks may enhance their monitoring mechanisms to detect the misuse of bank accounts associated with illegal payment gateways. This crackdown comes as part of India’s broader efforts to secure its digital finance ecosystem amid a rise in cybercrime.
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Ransomware
AI Cyber Crime Cyberattacks CyberCrime Cybersecurity Cyberthreats EMBARGO ESET MDeployer Ransomware

Embargo Ransomware Uses Custom Rust-Based Tools for Advanced Defense Evasion

 


Researchers at ESET claim that Embargo ransomware is using custom Rust-based tools to overcome cybersecurity defences built by vendors such as Microsoft and IBM. An instance of this new toolkit was observed during a ransomware incident targeting US companies in July 2024 and was composed of a loader and an EDR killer, namely MDeployer and MS4Killer, respectively, and was observed during a ransomware attack targeting US companies. 

Unlike other viruses, MS4Killer was customized for each victim's environment, excluding only selected security solutions. This makes it particularly dangerous to those who are unaware of its existence. It appears that the tools were created together and that some of the functionality in the tools overlaps. This report has revealed that the ransomware payloads of MDeployer, MS4Killer and Embargo were all made in Rust, which indicates that this language is the programming language that the group favours. 

During the summer of 2024, the first identification of the Embargo gang took place. This company appears to have a good amount of resources, being able to develop custom tools as well as set up its own infrastructure to help communicate with those affected. A double extortion method is used by the group - as well as encrypting the victims' data and extorting data from them, they threaten to publish those data on a leak site, demonstrating their intention to leak their data. 

Moreover, ESET considers Embargo to be a provider of ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) that provides threats to users. The group is also able to adjust quickly during attacks. “The main purpose of the Embargo toolkit is to secure successful deployment of the ransomware payload by disabling the security solution in the victim’s infrastructure. Embargo puts a lot of effort into that, replicating the same functionality at different stages of the attack,” the researchers wrote. 

“We have also observed the attackers’ ability to adjust their tools on the fly, during an active intrusion, for a particular security solution,” they added. MDeployer is the main malicious loader Embargo attempts to deploy on victims’ machines in the compromised network. Its purpose is to facilitate ransomware execution and file encryption. It executes two payloads, MS4Killer and Embargo ransomware, and decrypts two encrypted files a.cache and b.cache that were dropped by an unknown previous stage. 

When the ransomware finishes encrypting the system, MDeployer terminates the MS4Killer process, deletes the decrypted payloads and a driver file dropped by MS4Killer, and finally reboots the system. Another feature of MDeployer is when it is executed with admin privileges as a DLL file, it attempts to reboot the victim’s system into Safe Mode to disable selected security solutions. As most cybersecurity defenses are not in effect in Safe Mode, it helps threat actors avoid detection. 

MS4Killer is a defense evasion tool that terminates security product processes using a technique known as bring your own vulnerable driver (BYOVD). MS4Killer terminates security products from the kernel by installing and abusing a vulnerable driver that is stored in a global variable. The process identifier of the process to terminate is passed to s4killer as a program argument. 

Embargo has extended the tool’s functionality with features such as running in an endless loop to constantly scan for running processes and hardcoding the list of process names to kill in the binary. After disabling the security tooling, Embargo affiliates can run the ransomware payload without worrying whether their payload gets detected. During attacks, the group can also adjust to the environment quickly, which is another advantage.

Basically, what Embargo toolkit does is that it offers a method of ensuring the successful deployment of the ransomware payload and prevents the security solution from being enabled in the victim's infrastructure on the day of deployment. This is something that Embargo invests a lot of time and effort into, replicating the same functionality at different stages of the attack process," wrote the researchers. They added that the attackers also showed a capability to modify their tools on the fly, during an active intrusion, by adjusting the settings on different security solutions on the fly. 

As part of Embargo's campaign against victims in the compromised network, MDeployer is one of the main malicious loaders that it attempts to deploy on victims' machines. With the use of this tool, ransomware can be executed and files can be encrypted easily. During the execution process, two payloads are executed, MS4Killer and Embargo ransomware, which decrypt two encrypted files a.cache and b.cache that have been left over from an unknown earlier stage onto the system.

After its encryption process, the MDeployer program systematically terminates the MS4Killer process, erases any decrypted payloads, and removes a driver previously introduced by MS4Killer. Upon completing these actions, the MDeployer initiates a system reboot. This process helps ensure that no remnants of the decryption or defence-evasion components persist on the system, potentially aiding threat actors in maintaining operational security. In scenarios where MDeployer is executed as a DLL file with administrative privileges, it has an additional capability: rebooting the compromised system into Safe Mode. 

This mode restricts numerous core functionalities, which is often leveraged by threat actors to minimize the effectiveness of cybersecurity defences and enhance stealth. Since most security tools do not operate in Safe Mode, this functionality enables attackers to evade detection more effectively and hinder any active defences, making detection and response significantly more challenging. The MS4Killer utility functions as a defense-evasion mechanism that specifically targets security product processes for termination. This is achieved using a technique referred to as "bring your own vulnerable driver" (BYOVD), wherein threat actors exploit a known vulnerable driver. 

By installing and leveraging this driver, which is maintained within a global variable, MS4Killer is able to terminate security processes from the kernel level, bypassing higher-level protections. The identifier for the targeted process is supplied as an argument to the MS4Killer program. To further enhance MS4Killer’s effectiveness, Embargo has incorporated additional capabilities, such as enabling the tool to run continuously in a loop. This looping function allows it to monitor for active processes that match a predefined list, which is hardcoded within the binary, and terminate them as they appear. 

By persistently disabling security tools, Embargo affiliates can then deploy ransomware payloads with minimal risk of detection or interference, creating an environment highly conducive to successful exploitation.
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Scams
Cyber Crime Cyber crimes DNS fraudulent activities Google Scams

New Coalition to Take Down Online Scams, Led by Google

 




As cybercrime continues to cost the world economy billions annually, a robust new coalition launched by Google, the DNS Research Federation, and the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) is working to disrupt online scammers at a global level. By all accounts, this partnership constitutes a "game changer." The United Coalition focuses on revealing and thwarting fraudulent activity online.

Online Scam Fighting via the Global Signal Exchange

The coalition will be launching a data platform called Global Signal Exchange, which will 24/7 scan open cyberspaces for signs of fraudulent activity and issue alerts. For a platform, it will leverage the DNS Research Federation's DAP.live: an aggregation platform that consolidates feeds from over 100 sources to spot potential scams. Google enhances these efforts while providing relevant feeds from DAP.live that should provide an even more comprehensive view of online fraud as it begins to take shape.

A Growing Threat in the Digital Age

Some scams are becoming almost too clever nowadays, to the extent that an estimated $8.6 billion is lost worldwide due to such scams each year, with few cases going to convictions. In the UK alone, each person is targeted nearly 240 times a year by a scammer via emails or texts from fake legitimate businesses or offices asking them for personal information, such as bank or credit card details.

Britain estimates the average loss per person due to scams is £1,169. Overall, 11% of adults admit that they have fallen for online fraud. More alarming is the economic loss in the proportion of older adults, which indicates people aged 55 and above lose an average amount of £2,151. Those between 36 and 54 lose about £1,270, while those less than 35 years old lose about £851.

The Call for International Cooperation

Another challenge while combating online scams is that many of the criminal organisations behind these scams are operating from abroad, often from such countries as Russia and North Korea. This international nature makes it even more difficult for local authorities to keep an eye on and legally prosecute them. The coalition aims to balance this gap by sharing scam information in real time, thereby creating a chance to respond quickly to new emerging threats. This collaborative approach will serve crucially because cybercriminals often operate in groups and have done all of this work so fast, which has made it really hard to fight scams alone by any single organisation.

Scammers collaborate, they pool and they act fast. The days when individual brands could combat cybercrime on their own are gone. Global Signal Exchange usher in a new chapter in the battle against cybercrime, and Google's partnership promises to be the game-changer," said Emily Taylor, Chief Executive of DNS Research Federation.

Scammers Use All Too Familiar Brand Names Trapping Victims

The research carried out by the coalition indicates that fraudsters make use of the identity of conspicuous brands to acquire victims. Some of the very popular brands currently being used in scams are: home delivery and courier services; financial services, including banks, insurance, and loan companies; companies in the Technology, Media, and Telecoms sector; many public sector organisations, including HMRC and local councils; and, in a few instances, prominent charities.

According to DNS Research Federation, the volume of scams seems to peak each year in November during the Black Friday promotions and associated online shopping. Much of such activity is occurring because of heightened online activity. Thus, proper defences are quite essential when activity reaches such peak levels.

An alliance towards consumers' protection around the world

The Global Anti-Scam Alliance was established in 2021 to create a network of businesses that stand together to protect consumers online from fraud. GASA, in partnership with Google and the DNS Research Federation, will decrease the profitability of scams in order to make them less appealing to cybercriminals.

As threats in cyber continue to grow and seemingly intensify, this alliance will very largely form a critical element in the protection of users internationally. The Global Signal Exchange represents a major leap forward in efforts on anti-scam activities as it promises that consumers will be better protected from online fraud, and are able to navigate an increasingly complex digital environment more securely.


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