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Showing posts with label Phishing Attacks. Show all posts
Technology
AI Security Cyber Threats Cybersecurity Strategy Data Breach human risk insider risk Phishing Attacks Technology

Over Half of Organizations Lack AI Cybersecurity Strategies, Mimecast Report Reveals

 

More than 55% of organizations have yet to implement dedicated strategies to counter AI-driven cyber threats, according to new research by Mimecast. The cybersecurity firm's latest State of Human Risk report, based on insights from 1,100 IT security professionals worldwide, highlights growing concerns over AI vulnerabilities, insider threats, and cybersecurity funding shortfalls.

The study reveals that 96% of organizations report improved risk management after adopting a formal cybersecurity strategy. However, security leaders face an increasingly complex threat landscape, with AI-powered attacks and insider risks posing significant challenges.

“Despite the complexity of challenges facing organisations—including increased insider risk, larger attack surfaces from collaboration tools, and sophisticated AI attacks—organisations are still too eager to simply throw point solutions at the problem,” said Mimecast’s human risk strategist VP, Masha Sedova. “With short-staffed IT and security teams and an unrelenting threat landscape, organisations must shift to a human-centric platform approach that connects the dots between employees and technology to keep the business secure.”

The report finds that 95% of organizations are leveraging AI for threat detection, endpoint security, and insider risk analysis. However, 81% express concerns over data leaks from generative AI (GenAI) tools. More than half lack structured strategies to combat AI-driven attacks, while 46% remain uncertain about their ability to defend against AI-powered phishing and deepfake threats.

Insider threats have surged by 43%, with 66% of IT leaders anticipating an increase in data loss from internal sources in the coming year. The report estimates that insider-driven data breaches, leaks, or theft cost an average of $13.9 million per incident. Additionally, 79% of organizations believe collaboration tools have heightened security risks, amplifying both intentional and accidental data breaches.

Despite 85% of organizations raising their cybersecurity budgets, 61% cite financial constraints as a barrier to addressing emerging threats and implementing AI-driven security solutions. The report underscores the need for increased investment in cybersecurity staffing, third-party security services, email security, and collaboration tool protection.

Although 87% of organizations conduct quarterly cybersecurity training, 33% of IT leaders remain concerned about employee mismanagement of email threats, while 27% cite security fatigue as a growing risk. 95% of organizations expect email-based cyber threats to persist in 2025, as phishing attacks continue to exploit human vulnerabilities.

Collaboration tools are expanding attack surfaces, with 44% of organizations reporting a rise in cyber threats originating from these platforms. 61% believe a cyberattack involving collaboration tools could disrupt business operations in 2025, raising concerns over data integrity and compliance.

The report highlights a shift from traditional security awareness training to proactive Human Risk Management. Notably, just 8% of employees are responsible for 80% of security incidents. Organizations are increasingly turning to AI-driven monitoring and behavioral analytics to detect and mitigate threats early. 72% of security leaders see human-centric cybersecurity solutions as essential in the next five years, signaling a shift toward advanced threat detection and risk mitigation.
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Phishing Attacks
Cyber Attacks cyberattacks trending news Netflix cybersecurity News phishing Phishing Attacks

Netflix Users Warned About AI-Powered Phishing Scam

 

Netflix subscribers are being warned about a sophisticated phishing scam circulating via email, designed to steal personal and financial information. 

The deceptive email mimics an official Netflix communication, falsely claiming that the recipient’s account has been put on hold. It urges users to click a link to resolve the issue, which redirects them to a fraudulent login page that closely resembles Netflix’s official site. 

Unsuspecting users are then prompted to enter sensitive details, including their Netflix credentials, home address, and payment information. Cybersecurity experts caution that phishing scams have become more advanced with the rise of AI-driven tactics. 

According to Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET, artificial intelligence has enabled cybercriminals to launch phishing campaigns at an unprecedented scale, making them appear more legitimate while targeting a larger number of users. 

“Despite these advancements, many scams still rely on urgency to pressure recipients into acting quickly without verifying the sender’s authenticity,” Moore explained. 

Users are advised to remain vigilant, double-check email sources, and avoid clicking on suspicious links. Instead, they should visit Netflix directly through its official website or app to verify any account-related issues.
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YouTube phishing scam
AI-generated scam Cyber Fraud Neal Mohan deepfake Phishing Attacks YouTube monetization fraud YouTube phishing scam

YouTube Alerts Creators About AI-Generated Phishing Scam Using CEO’s Video

 

YouTube has issued a warning about a new phishing scam where cybercriminals are using an AI-generated video of CEO Neal Mohan to deceive content creators and steal their credentials. The scammers distribute the video privately through emails, falsely claiming that YouTube is implementing changes to its monetization policy.

"We're aware that phishers have been sharing private videos to send false videos, including an AI-generated video of YouTube’s CEO Neal Mohan announcing changes in monetization," YouTube stated in a pinned post on its official community website. 

"YouTube and its employees will never attempt to contact you or share information through a private video. If a video is shared privately with you claiming to be from YouTube, the video is a phishing scam."

Ironically, the phishing emails warn recipients that YouTube will never contact users through private videos, urging them to report suspicious emails.

The fraudulent video’s description contains a malicious link directing users to a fake YouTube Partner Program (YPP) page (studio.youtube-plus[.]com). Here, creators are prompted to sign in to “confirm updated terms” to continue monetizing their content. However, this site is designed to steal login credentials. The scam also induces urgency, falsely stating that accounts will face restrictions—including an inability to upload or edit videos and receive monetization—if compliance is not confirmed within seven days. Once login details are entered, victims receive a message stating their channel is "pending" and are directed to open a document in the video description for more information, even if they input a random email and password.

These phishing emails have been circulating since late January, with YouTube confirming an investigation into the campaign beginning in mid-February. The company advises users to avoid clicking any embedded links, as they may redirect to phishing sites or install malware.

"Many phishers actively target creators by trying to find ways to impersonate YouTube by exploiting in-platform features to link to malicious content," the platform added. "Please always be aware and make sure not to open untrusted links or files!"

Several creators have already fallen victim to the scam, reporting that their channels were hijacked and used to broadcast live cryptocurrency fraud streams.

YouTube offers guidelines on identifying and reporting phishing attempts through its help center. Additionally, since August 2024, the platform has introduced a support assistant to aid users in recovering and securing compromised accounts.
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Phishing Attacks
Cyber Attacks CyberCriminal Evasion Tactics Hackers JavaScript Obfuscation Technique Phishing Attacks

Hackers Use Invisible Unicode Trick to Hide Phishing Attacks

 


Cybercriminals have discovered a new way to conceal malicious code inside phishing attacks by using invisible Unicode characters. This technique, identified by Juniper Threat Labs, has been actively used in attacks targeting affiliates of a U.S. political action committee (PAC). By making their scripts appear as blank space, hackers can evade detection from traditional security tools and increase the likelihood of successfully compromising victims. 

The attack, first observed in early January 2025, is more advanced than typical phishing campaigns. Hackers customized their messages using personal, non-public details about their targets, making the emails seem more legitimate. They also implemented various tricks to avoid detection, such as inserting debugger breakpoints and using timing checks to prevent cybersecurity professionals from analyzing the script. 

Additionally, they wrapped phishing links inside multiple layers of Postmark tracking links, making it harder to trace the final destination of the attack. The method itself isn’t entirely new. In October 2024, JavaScript developer Martin Kleppe introduced the idea as an experimental programming technique. However, cybercriminals quickly adapted it for phishing attacks. 

The trick works by converting each character in a JavaScript script into an 8-bit binary format. Instead of using visible numbers like ones and zeros, attackers replace them with invisible Hangul Unicode characters, such as U+FFA0 and U+3164. Since these characters don’t appear on-screen, the malicious code looks completely empty, making it difficult to detect with the naked eye or automated security scans. 

The hidden script is stored as a property inside a JavaScript object, appearing as blank space. A separate bootstrap script then retrieves the hidden payload using a JavaScript Proxy get() trap. When accessed, this proxy deciphers the invisible Unicode characters back into binary, reconstructing the original JavaScript code and allowing the attack to execute. To make detection even more difficult, hackers have layered additional evasion techniques. They use base64 encoding to further disguise the script and implement anti-debugging measures. If the script detects that it’s being analyzed—such as when someone tries to inspect it with a debugger—it will shut down immediately and redirect the user to a harmless website. 

This prevents cybersecurity researchers from easily studying the malware. This technique is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to blend their malicious code into legitimate scripts without raising suspicion. The invisible payload can be injected into otherwise safe websites, and since it appears as empty space, many security tools may fail to detect it. 

Juniper Threat Labs linked two of the domains used in this campaign to the Tycoon 2FA phishing kit, a tool previously associated with large-scale phishing operations. This connection suggests that the technique could soon be adopted by other cybercriminals. As attackers continue to develop new evasion strategies, cybersecurity teams will need to create better detection methods to counter these hidden threats before they cause widespread damage.
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Windows
ADFS Microsoft Password Phishing Attacks Technology Windows

Hackers Steal Login Details via Fake Microsoft ADFS login pages

Microsoft ADFS login pages

A help desk phishing campaign attacked a company's Microsoft Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) via fake login pages and stole credentials by escaping multi-factor authentication (MFA) safety.

The campaign attacked healthcare, government, and education organizations, targeting around 150 victims, according to Abnormal Security. The attacks aim to get access to corporate mail accounts for sending emails to more victims inside a company or launch money motivated campaigns such as business e-mail compromise (BEC), where the money is directly sent to the attackers’ accounts. 

Fake Microsoft ADFS login pages 

ADFS from Microsoft is a verification mechanism that enables users to log in once and access multiple apps/services, saving the troubles of entering credentials repeatedly. 

ADFS is generally used by large businesses, as it offers single sign-on (SSO) for internal and cloud-based apps. 

The threat actors send emails to victims spoofing their company's IT team, asking them to sign in to update their security configurations or accept latest policies. 

How victims are trapped

When victims click on the embedded button, it takes them to a phishing site that looks same as their company's authentic ADFS sign-in page. After this, the fake page asks the victim to put their username, password, and other MFA code and baits then into allowing the push notifications.

The phishing page asks the victim to enter their username, password, and the MFA code or tricks them into approving the push notification.

What do the experts say

The security report by Abnormal suggests, "The phishing templates also include forms designed to capture the specific second factor required to authenticate the targets account, based on the organization's configured MFA settings.” Additionally, "Abnormal observed templates targeting multiple commonly used MFA mechanisms, including Microsoft Authenticator, Duo Security, and SMS verification."

After the victim gives all the info, they are sent to the real sign-in page to avoid suspicious and make it look like an authentic process. 

However, the threat actors immediately jump to loot the stolen info to sign into the victim's account, steal important data, make new email filter rules, and try lateral phishing. 

According to Abnormal, the threat actors used Private Internet Access VPN to hide their location and allocate an IP address with greater proximity to the organization.  

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VPN malware threats
antivirus software cybersecurity tips malware Phishing Attacks PLAYFULGHOST malware SEO Poisoning VPN malware threats

This New Malware Exploits VPN Apps to Hijack Devices

 

A newly discovered malware, named PLAYFULGHOST, is causing concern among cybersecurity experts due to its versatile capabilities for data theft and system compromise. According to researchers, this malware employs techniques such as screen and audio capture, keylogging, remote shell access, and file transfer, enabling threat actors to launch further attacks.

PLAYFULGHOST is primarily delivered through phishing emails or SEO poisoning techniques, which distribute trojanized VPN applications. Once executed, it establishes persistence using four methods: the run registry key, scheduled tasks, Windows startup folder, and Windows services. This persistence allows the malware to collect a vast array of data, including keystrokes, screenshots, system metadata, clipboard content, and QQ account details, as well as information on installed security products.

The malware also exhibits advanced functionalities such as deploying additional payloads, blocking mouse or keyboard inputs, clearing event logs, deleting cache and browser profiles, and wiping messaging app data. Notably, it can use Mimikatz, a tool for extracting passwords, and a rootkit to conceal registry entries, files, and processes. PLAYFULGHOST further utilizes Terminator, an open-source utility, to disable security processes via a BYOVD (Bring Your Own Vulnerable Driver) attack.

The initial infection often begins with phishing emails containing lures such as warnings about code-of-conduct violations. Alternatively, it leverages SEO poisoning to distribute malicious versions of legitimate VPN apps like LetsVPN. For instance, one victim unknowingly launched a malicious executable disguised as an image file, which subsequently downloaded and executed PLAYFULGHOST. Google’s Managed Defense team notes that this backdoor shares features with the Gh0st RAT, whose source code was leaked in 2008.

PLAYFULGHOST infections employ DLL search order hijacking and sideloading to launch malicious DLLs, decrypting and loading the malware directly into memory. It also uses combined Windows shortcuts and rogue DLL construction for stealthy execution.

How to Protect Yourself

To avoid falling victim to PLAYFULGHOST, adopt the following security practices:
  • Be cautious with phishing emails: Verify the sender and context before clicking links or downloading attachments. If unsure, confirm directly with the sender or relevant departments.
  • Download only from trusted sources: Always access applications from official websites rather than links in emails or messages.
  • Avoid urgency traps: If contacted about urgent matters like account issues, manually visit the company’s website by typing its URL into your browser.
  • Strengthen account security: Use unique passwords, a password manager, two-factor authentication, and robust antivirus software across devices.
For additional protection, consider antivirus programs with integrated VPNs or hardened browsers for enhanced security. Stay informed about phishing techniques and remain vigilant online. As Google’s Managed Defense team warns, “PLAYFULGHOST’s sophistication highlights the need for constant vigilance against evolving cyber threats.”
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Trojan
Cyber Security Google AMP Phishing Attacks RATs Russia TikTok Trojan

Hackers Use Russian Domains for Phishing Attacks

Hackers Use Russian Domains for Phishing Attacks

The latest research has found a sharp rise in suspicious email activities and a change in attack tactics. If you are someone who communicates via email regularly, keep a lookout for malicious or unusual activities, it might be a scam. The blog covers the latest attack tactics threat actors are using.

Malicious email escapes SEGs

Daily, at least one suspicious email escapes Secure Email Getaways (SEGs), like Powerpoint and Microsoft, every 45 seconds, showing a significant rise from last year’s attack rate of one of every 57 seconds, according to the insights from Cofense Intelligence’s third-quarter report.

A sudden increase in the use of remote access Trojans (RATs) allows hackers to gain illegal access to the target’s system, which leads to further abuse, theft, and data exploitation.

Increase in Remote Access Trojan (RAT) use

Remcos RAT, a frequently used tool among hackers, is a key factor contributing to the surge in RAT attacks. It allows the attacker to remotely manipulate infected systems, exfiltrate data, deploy other malware, and obtain persistent access to vulnerable networks.

According to the data, the use of open redirects in phishing attempts has increased by 627%. These attacks use legitimate website functionality to redirect users to malicious URLs, frequently disguised as well-known and reputable domains.

Using TikTok and Google AMP

TikTok and Google AMP are frequently used to carry out these attacks, leveraging their worldwide reach and widespread use by unknowing users.

The use of malicious Office documents, particularly those in.docx format, increased by roughly 600%. These documents frequently include phishing links or QR codes that lead people to malicious websites.

Microsoft Office documents are an important attack vector due to their extensive use in commercial contexts, making them perfect for targeting enterprises via spear-phishing operations.

Furthermore, there has been a substantial shift in data exfiltration strategies, with a rise in the use of.ru and.su top-level domains (TLDs). Domains with the.ru (Russia) and.su (Soviet Union) extensions saw usage spikes of more than fourfold and twelvefold, respectively, indicating cybercriminals are turning to less common and geographically associated domains to evade detection and make it more difficult for victims and security teams to track data theft activities.

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SVG attachments
cyber fraud prevention Cyber Security Cybersecurity email security Microsoft visio Phishing Attacks Ransomware threats SVG attachments

Cybercriminals Exploit Two-Step Phishing Tactics and SVG Attachments in Sophisticated Cyber Attacks

 

Layered defense strategies are a cornerstone of cybersecurity, but attackers are employing similar methods to launch sophisticated attacks. Two-step phishing (2SP) tactics are becoming increasingly prevalent, leveraging trusted platforms to deliver malicious content in layers and evade detection, according to researchers at Perception Point.

These researchers have identified a new wave of 2SP attacks weaponising Microsoft Visio (.vsdx) files. Peleg Cabra, product marketing manager at Perception Point, shared that Ariel Davidpur, a security researcher at the firm, uncovered an alarming trend: attackers are embedding malicious URLs within Visio files to bypass security systems.

Visio, widely used in workplaces for data visualization, plays into the attackers' strategy of exploiting familiarity. The files are being used in phishing emails containing urgent business-related requests. Once the recipient engages with these emails and accesses the Visio file, they encounter another embedded URL disguised as a clickable button, like “view document.”

Perception Point’s analysis highlights how attackers ask victims to hold the Ctrl key while clicking the URL, bypassing automated detection tools. This redirects users to a fake Microsoft 365 login page designed to steal credentials. Robust two-factor authentication is recommended to mitigate the risks of such attacks.

Additionally, a report by Lawrence Abrams from Bleeping Computer reveals another alarming technique: attackers are leveraging scalable vector graphics (SVG) files. These files, capable of displaying HTML and executing JavaScript, are being used to deliver phishing forms and malware. Security researcher MalwareHunterTeam demonstrated how SVG attachments could mimic an Excel spreadsheet with an embedded login form to harvest credentials.

To counter these threats, cybersecurity experts recommend treating SVG attachments with suspicion and implementing stringent email security measures.

International Fraud Awareness Week, held from November 17 to 23, 2024, aims to raise awareness of evolving cyber fraud. Muhammad Yahya Patel, lead security engineer at Check Point Software, warns that technological advancements empower both legitimate industries and cyber criminals.

Patel categorizes the major fraud types businesses should watch out for:
  • Cyber Fraud: Using phishing, malware, and ransomware to steal sensitive data.
  • Internal Fraud: Involving employee-driven actions like embezzlement and theft.
  • Invoice Fraud: Sending fake invoices to businesses for payment.
  • CEO Fraud: Impersonating executives to extract sensitive information.
  • Return Fraud: Exploiting return policies in retail for financial gain.
  • Payroll Fraud: Manipulating payroll systems to benefit employees fraudulently.
Ransomware has also evolved from untargeted attacks to highly strategic campaigns, employing reconnaissance and double-extortion tactics. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, businesses must remain vigilant, adopt robust security practices, and foster awareness to combat evolving fraud.
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