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December Patch Tuesday Brings Critical Microsoft, Notepad++, Fortinet, and Ivanti Security Fixes

While December's Patch Tuesday gave us a lighter release than normal, it arrived with several urgent vulnerabilities that need attention immediately. In all, Microsoft released 57 CVE patches to finish out 2025, including one flaw already under active exploitation and two others that were publicly disclosed. Notably, critical security updates also came from Notepad++, Ivanti, and Fortinet this cycle, making it particularly important for system administrators and enterprise security teams alike.

The most critical of Microsoft's disclosures this month is CVE-2025-62221, a Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver bug rated 7.8 on the CVSS scale. It allows for privilege escalation: an attacker who has code execution rights can leverage the bug to escalate to full system-level access. Researchers say this kind of bug is exploited on a regular basis in real-world intrusions, and "patching ASAP" is critical. Microsoft hasn't disclosed yet which threat actors are actively exploiting this flaw; however, experts explain that bugs like these "tend to pop up in almost every big compromise and are often used as stepping stones to further breach".

Another two disclosures from Microsoft were CVE-2025-54100 in PowerShell and CVE-2025-64671, impacting GitHub Copilot for JetBrains. Although these are not confirmed to be exploited, they were publicly disclosed ahead of patching. Graded at 8.4, the Copilot vulnerability would have allowed for remote code execution via malicious cross-prompt injection, provided a user is tricked into opening untrusted files or connecting to compromised servers. Security researchers expect more vulnerabilities of this type to emerge as AI-integrated development tools expand in usage.

But one of the more ominous developments outside Microsoft belongs to Notepad++. The popular open-source editor pushed out version 8.8.9 to patch a weakness in the way updates were checked for authenticity. Attackers were managing to intercept network traffic from the WinGUp update client, then redirecting users to rogue servers, where malicious files were downloaded instead of legitimate updates. There are reports that threat groups in China were actively testing and exploiting this vulnerability. Indeed, according to the maintainer, "Due to the improper update integrity validation, an adversary was able to manipulate the download"; therefore, users should upgrade as soon as possible.

Fortinet also patched two critical authentication bypass vulnerabilities, CVE-2025-59718 and CVE-2025-59719, in FortiOS and several related products. The bugs enable hackers to bypass FortiCloud SSO authentication using crafted SAML messages, which only works if SSO has been enabled. Administrators are advised to disable the feature until they can upgrade to patched builds to avoid unauthorized access. Rounding out the disclosures, Ivanti released a fix for CVE-2025-10573, a severe cross-site scripting vulnerability in its Endpoint Manager. The bug allows an attacker to register fake endpoints and inject malicious JavaScript into the administrator dashboard. Viewed, this could serve an attacker full control over the session without credentials. There has been no observed exploitation so far, but researchers warn that it is likely attackers will reverse engineer the fix soon, making for a deployment environment of haste.

UK Cyber Agency says AI Prompt-injection Attacks May Persist for Years

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United Kingdom

AI prompt injection attack Artificial Intelligence Cyber Security NCSC SQL United Kingdom

UK Cyber Agency says AI Prompt-injection Attacks May Persist for Years

The United Kingdom’s National Cyber Security Centre has issued a strong warning about a spreading weakness in artificial intelligence systems, stating that prompt-injection attacks may never be fully solved. The agency explained that this risk is tied to the basic design of large language models, which read all text as part of a prediction sequence rather than separating instructions from ordinary content. Because of this, malicious actors can insert hidden text that causes a system to break its own rules or execute unintended actions.

The NCSC noted that this is not a theoretical concern. Several demonstrations have already shown how attackers can force AI models to reveal internal instructions or sensitive prompts, and other tests have suggested that tools used for coding, search, or even résumé screening can be manipulated by embedding concealed commands inside user-supplied text.

David C, a technical director at the NCSC, cautioned that treating prompt injection as a familiar software flaw is a mistake. He observed that many security professionals compare it to SQL injection, an older type of vulnerability that allowed criminals to send harmful instructions to databases by placing commands where data was expected. According to him, this comparison is dangerous because it encourages the belief that both problems can be fixed in similar ways, even though the underlying issues are completely different.

He illustrated this difference with a practical scenario. If a recruiter uses an AI system to filter applications, a job seeker could hide a message in the document that tells the model to ignore existing rules and approve the résumé. Since the model does not distinguish between what it should follow and what it should simply read, it may carry out the hidden instruction.

Researchers are trying to design protective techniques, including systems that attempt to detect suspicious text or training methods that help models recognise the difference between instructions and information. However, the agency emphasised that all these strategies are trying to impose a separation that the technology does not naturally have. Traditional solutions for similar problems, such as Confused Deputy vulnerabilities, do not translate well to language models, leaving large gaps in protection.

The agency also stressed upon a security idea recently shared on social media that attempted to restrict model behaviour. Even the creator of that proposal admitted that it would sharply reduce the abilities of AI systems, showing how complex and limiting effective safeguards may become.

The NCSC stated that prompt-injection threats are likely to remain a lasting challenge rather than a fixable flaw. The most realistic path is to reduce the chances of an attack or limit the damage it can cause through strict system design, thoughtful deployment, and careful day-to-day operation. The agency pointed to the history of SQL injection, which once caused widespread breaches until better security standards were adopted. With AI now being integrated into many applications, they warned that a similar wave of compromises could occur if organisations do not treat prompt injection as a serious and ongoing risk.

How Retailers Should Harden Accounts Before the Holiday Rush

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third party access

CAPTCHA Credential Stuffing Cyber Security MFA Online Retailers Passwords third party access

How Retailers Should Harden Accounts Before the Holiday Rush

Retailers rely heavily on the year-end shopping season, but it also happens to be the period when online threats rise faster than most organizations can respond. During the rush, digital systems handle far more traffic than usual, and internal teams operate under tighter timelines. This combination creates a perfect opening for attackers who intentionally prepare their campaigns weeks in advance and deploy automated tools when stores are at their busiest.

Security analysts consistently report that fraudulent bot traffic, password-testing attempts, and customer account intrusions grow sharply during the weeks surrounding Black Friday, festive sales, and year-end shopping events. Attackers time their operations carefully because the chance of slipping through undetected is higher when systems are strained and retailers are focused on maintaining performance rather than investigating anomalies.

A critical reason criminals favor this season is the widespread reuse of passwords. Large collections of leaked usernames and passwords circulate on criminal forums, and attackers use automated software to test these combinations across retail login pages. These tools can attempt thousands of logins per minute. When one match succeeds, the attacker gains access to stored payment information, saved addresses, shopping histories, loyalty points, and in some cases stored tokenized payment methods. All of these can be exploited immediately, which makes the attack both low-effort and highly profitable.

Another layer of risk arises from the credentials of external partners. Many retailers depend on vendors for services ranging from maintenance to inventory support, which means third-party accounts often hold access to internal systems. Past retail breaches have shown that attackers frequently begin their intrusion not through the company itself but through a partner whose login rights were not secured with strong authentication or strict access controls. This amplifies the impact far beyond a single compromised account, highlighting the need for retailers to treat vendor and contractor credentials with the same seriousness as internal workforce accounts.

Balancing security with customer experience becomes especially challenging during peak seasons. Retailers cannot introduce so much friction that shoppers abandon their carts, yet they also cannot ignore the fact that most account takeovers begin with weak, reused, or compromised passwords.

Modern authentication frameworks recommend focusing on password length, screening new passwords against known breach data, and reducing reliance on outdated complexity rules that frustrate users without meaningfully improving security. Adaptive multi-factor authentication is viewed as the most practical solution. It triggers an additional verification step only when something unusual is detected, such as a login from an unfamiliar device, a significant change to account settings, or a suspicious location. This approach strengthens security without slowing down legitimate customers.

Internal systems require equal attention. Administrative dashboards, point-of-sale backends, vendor portals, and remote-access platforms usually hold higher levels of authority, which means they must follow a stricter standard. Mandatory MFA, centralized identity management, unique employee credentials, and secure vaulting of privileged passwords significantly reduce the blast radius of any single compromised account.

Holiday preparedness also requires a layered approach to blocking automated abuse. Retailers can deploy tools that differentiate real human activity from bots by studying device behavior, interaction patterns, and risk signals. Rate limits, behavioral monitoring for credential stuffing, and intelligence-based blocking of known malicious sources help limit abuse without overwhelming the customer experience. Invisible or background challenge mechanisms are often more effective than traditional CAPTCHAs, which can hinder sales during peak traffic.

A final but critical aspect of resilience is operational continuity. Authentication providers, SMS delivery routes, and verification systems can fail under heavy demand, and outages during peak shopping hours can have direct financial consequences. Retailers should run rehearsals before the season begins, including testing failover paths for sign-in systems, defining emergency access methods that are short-lived and fully auditable, and ensuring there is a manual verification process that stores can rely on if digital systems lag or fail. Running load tests and tabletop exercises helps confirm that backup procedures will hold under real stress.

Strengthening password policies and monitoring for compromised credentials also plays a vital role. Tools that enforce password screenings against known breach databases, encourage passphrases, restrict predictable patterns, and integrate directly with directory services allow retailers to apply consistent controls across both customer-facing and internal systems. Telemetry from these tools can reveal early signs of suspicious behavior, providing opportunities to intervene before attackers escalate their actions.

With attackers preparing earlier each year and using highly automated methods, retailers must enter the holiday season with defenses that are both proactive and adaptable. By tightening access controls, reinforcing authentication, preparing for system failures, and using layered detection methods, retailers can significantly reduce the likelihood of account takeovers and fraud, all while maintaining smooth and reliable shopping experiences for their customers.

AI IDE Security Flaws Exposed: Over 30 Vulnerabilities Highlight Risks in Autonomous Coding Tools

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data security

AI Platform AI Security AI security flaw AI technology Critical security flaw Cyber Security data security

AI IDE Security Flaws Exposed: Over 30 Vulnerabilities Highlight Risks in Autonomous Coding Tools

More than 30 security weaknesses in various AI-powered IDEs have recently been uncovered, raising concerns as to how emerging automated development tools might unintentionally expose sensitive data or enable remote code execution. A collective set of vulnerabilities, referred to as IDEsaster, was termed by security researcher Ari Marzouk (MaccariTA), who found that such popular tools and extensions as Cursor, Windsurf, Zed.dev, Roo Code, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, and others were vulnerable to attack chains leveraging prompt injection and built-in functionalities of the IDEs. At least 24 of them have already received a CVE identifier, which speaks to their criticality.

However, the most surprising takeaway, according to Marzouk, is how consistently the same attack patterns could be replicated across every AI IDE they examined. Most AI-assisted coding platforms, the researcher said, don't consider the underlying IDE tools within their security boundaries but rather treat long-standing features as inherently safe. But once autonomous AI agents can trigger them without user approval, the same trusted functions can be repurposed for leaking data or executing malicious commands.

Generally, the core of each exploit chain starts with prompt injection techniques that allow an attacker to redirect the large language model's context and behavior. Once the context is compromised, an AI agent might automatically execute instructions, such as reading files, modifying configuration settings, or writing new data, without the explicit consent of the user. Various documented cases showed how these capabilities could eventually lead to sensitive information disclosure or full remote code execution on a developer's system. Some vulnerabilities relied on workspaces being configured for automatic approval of file writes; thus, in practice, an attacker influencing a prompt could trigger code-altering actions without any human interaction.

Researchers also pointed out that prompt injection vectors may be obfuscated in non-obvious ways, such as invisible Unicode characters, poisoned context originating from Model Context Protocol servers, or malicious file references added by developers who may not suspect a thing. Wider concerns emerged when new weaknesses were identified in widely deployed AI development tools from major companies including OpenAI, Google, and GitHub.

As autonomous coding agents see continued adoption in the enterprise, experts warn these findings demonstrate how AI tools significantly expand the attack surface of development workflows. Rein Daelman, a researcher at Aikido, said any repository leveraging AI for automation tasks-from pull request labeling to code recommendations-may be vulnerable to compromise, data theft, or supply chain manipulation. Marzouk added that the industry needs to adopt what he calls Secure for AI, meaning systems are designed with intentionality to resist the emerging risks tied to AI-powered automation, rather than predicated on software security assumptions.

Palo Alto GlobalProtect Portals Face Spike in Suspicious Login Attempts

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Vulnerability and Exploits

Cyber Security Cyber Threat Surge Enterprise security GlobalProtect Security Network Intrusion Palo Alto Networks Remote Access Risks Threat Intelligence VPN Attacks Vulnerability and Exploits

Palo Alto GlobalProtect Portals Face Spike in Suspicious Login Attempts

Among the developments that have disturbed security teams around the world, threat-intelligence analysts have detected a sudden and unusually coordinated wave of probing of Palo Alto Networks' GlobalProtect remote access infrastructure. This activity appears to be influenced by the presence of well-known malicious fingerprints and well-worn attack mechanisms.

It has been revealed in new reports from GreyNoise that the surge began on November 14 and escalated sharply until early December, culminating in more than 7,000 unique IP addresses trying to log into GlobalProtect portals through the firm's Global Observation Grid monitored by GlobalProtect. This influx of hostile activity has grown to the highest level in 90 days and has prompted fresh concerns among those defending the computer system from attempts to hack themselves, who are watching for signs that such reconnaissance is likely to lead to a significant breach of their system.

In general, the activity stems mostly from infrastructure that operates under the name 3xK GmbH (AS200373), which accounts for approximately 2.3 million sessions which were directed to the global-protect/login.esp endpoint used by Palo Alto's PAN-OS and GlobalProtect products. The data was reported by GreyNoise to reveal that 62 percent of the traffic was geolocated in Germany, with 15 percent being traced to Canada.

In parallel, AS208885 contributed a steady stream of probing throughout the entire network. As a result of early analysis, it is clear that this campaign requires continuity with prior malicious campaigns that targeted Palo Alto equipment, showing that recurring TCP patterns were used, repeated JA4T signatures were seen, and that infrastructure associated with known threat actors was reused.

Despite the fact that the scans were conducted mainly in the United States, Mexico, and Pakistan regions, all of them were subjected to a comparable level of pressure, which suggested a broad, opportunistic approach as opposed to a narrowly targeted campaign, and served as a stark reminder of the persistent attention adversaries pay to remote-access technologies that are widely deployed.

There has been a recent increase in the activity of this campaign, which is closely related to the pattern that was first observed between late September and mid-October, when three distinct fingerprints were detected among more than nine million nonspoofable HTTP sessions, primarily directed towards GlobalProtect portals, in an effort to track the attacks.

There is enough technical overlap between four autonomous systems that originate those earlier scans to raise early suspicion, even though they had no prior history of malicious behavior. At the end of November, however, the same signatures resurfaced from 3xK Tech GmbH’s infrastructure in a concentrated burst. This event generated about 2.3 million sessions using identical TCP and JA4t indicators, with the majority of the traffic coming from IP addresses located in Germany.

In the present, GreyNoise is highly confident that both phases of activity are associated with a single threat actor. It has now been reported that fingerprints of the attackers have reapplied on December 3, this time in probing attempts against SonicWall's SonicOS API, suggesting more than a product-specific reconnaissance campaign, but a more general reconnaissance sweep across widely deployed perimeter technologies. According to security analysts, GlobalProtect remains a high-profile target because of its deep penetration into enterprise networks and its history of high-impact vulnerabilities.

It is important to note, however, that CVE-2024-3400 is still affecting unremedied systems despite being patched in April 2024 with a 9.8 rating due to a critical command-injection flaw, CVE-2024-3400. During recent attacks, malicious actors have used pre-authentication access as a tool for enumerating endpoints, brute-forcing credentials, and deploying malware to persist by exploiting misconfigurations that allow pre-authentication access, such as exposed administrative portals and unchanged default credentials.

They have also developed custom tools modeled on well-known exploitation frameworks. Although researchers caution that no definitive attribution has been established for the current surge of activity, Mandiant has observed the same methods being used by Chinese state-related groups like UNC4841 in operations linked to those groups. A number of indicators of confirmed intrusions have included sudden spikes in UDP traffic to port 4501, followed by HTTP requests to "/global-protect/login.urd," from which attackers have harvested session tokens and gotten deeper into victim environments by harvesting session tokens.

According to a Palo Alto Networks advisory dated December 5, administrators are urged to harden exposed portals with multi-factor authentication, tighten firewall restrictions, and install all outstanding patches, but noted that properly configured deployments remain resilient despite the increased scrutiny. Since then, CISA has made it clear that appropriate indicators have been added to its Catalog of Known Exploited Vulnerabilities and that federal agencies must fix any issues within 72 hours.

The latest surge in malicious attacks represents a stark reminder of how quickly opportunistic reconnaissance can escalate into compromise when foundational controls are neglected, so organizations should prepare for the possibility of follow-on attacks. Security experts have highlighted that these recent incidents serve as a warning to organizations about potential follow-on attacks. A number of security experts advise organizations to adopt a more disciplined hardening strategy rather than rely on reactive patching, which includes monitoring the attack surface continuously, checking identity policies regularly, and segmenting all remote access paths as strictly as possible.

According to analysts, defenders could also benefit from closer alignment between security operations teams and network administrators in order to keep an eye on anomalous traffic spikes or repeated fingerprint patterns and escalate them before they become operationally relevant. Researchers demonstrate the importance of sharing indicators early and widely, particularly among organizations that operate internet-facing VPN frameworks, as attackers have become increasingly adept at recycling infrastructure, tooling, and products across many different product families.

Even though GlobalProtect and similar platforms are generally secure if they are configured correctly, recent scan activity highlights a broader truth that is not obvious. In order to remain resilient to adversaries who are intent on exploiting even the slightest crack in perimeter defenses, sustained vigilance, timely remediation, and a culture of proactive security hygiene remain the most effective barriers.

NATO Concludes Cyber Coalition Exercise in Estonia, Preparing for Future Digital Threats

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NATO Concludes Cyber Coalition Exercise in Estonia, Preparing for Future Digital Threats

NATO has wrapped up its annual Cyber Coalition exercise in Estonia after a week of intensive drills focused on protecting networks and critical infrastructure from advanced cyberattacks.

More than 1,300 cyber defenders joined the 2025 exercise. Participants represented 29 NATO countries, 7 partner nations, as well as Austria, Georgia, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine, the European Union, industry experts, and universities.

The goal of the training was to strengthen cooperation and improve the ability to detect, deter, and respond to cyber threats that could affect military and civilian systems.

Commander Brian Caplan, the Exercise Director, said that Cyber Coalition brings countries together to learn how they would operate during a cyber crisis. He highlighted that cyber threats do not stay within borders and that sharing information is key to improving global defence.

This year’s exercise presented seven complex scenarios that mirrored real-world challenges. They included attacks on critical national infrastructure, cyber disruptions linked to space systems, and a scenario called “Ghost in the Backup,” which involved hidden malware inside sensitive data repositories.

Multiple simulated threat actors carried out coordinated digital operations against a NATO mission. The drills required participants to communicate continuously, share intelligence, and use systems such as the Virtual Cyber Incident Support Capability.

The exercise also tested the ability of teams to make difficult decisions. Participants had to identify early warning signs like delayed satellite data, irregular energy distribution logs, and unexpected power grid alerts. They were also challenged to decide when to escalate issues to civilian authorities or NATO headquarters and how to follow international law when sharing military intelligence with law enforcement.

A British officer taking part in the event said cyber warfare is no longer limited to watching computers. Participants must also track information shared by media and social networks, including sources that may be run by hostile groups.

Over the years, Cyber Coalition has evolved based on new technologies, new policies, and new threats. According to Commander Caplan, the exercise helps NATO and its partners adjust together before a real crisis takes place.

Cyber defence is now a major pillar in NATO’s training efforts. Leaders say large-scale drills like Cyber Coalition are necessary as cyber threats continue to grow in both sophistication and frequency.

Google’s New Update Allows Employers To Archive Texts On Work-Managed Android Phones

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SMS

Compliance Cyber Security Employee Data Google Google RCS security SMS

Google’s New Update Allows Employers To Archive Texts On Work-Managed Android Phones

A recent Android update has marked a paradigm shifting change in how text messages are handled on employer-controlled devices. This means Google has introduced a feature called Android RCS Archival, which lets organisations capture and store all RCS, SMS, and MMS communications sent through Google Messages on fully managed work phones. While the messages remain encrypted in transport, they can now be accessed on the device itself once delivered.

This update is designed to help companies meet compliance and record-keeping requirements, especially in sectors that must retain communication logs for regulatory reasons. Until now, many organizations had blocked RCS entirely because of its encryption, which made it difficult to archive. The new feature gives them a way to support richer messaging while still preserving mandatory records.

Archiving occurs via authorized third-party software that integrates directly with Google Messages on work-managed devices. Once enabled by a company's IT, the software will log every interaction inside of a conversation, including messages received, sent, edited, or later deleted. Employees using these devices will see a notification when archiving is active, signaling their conversations are being logged.

Google's indicated that this functionality only refers to work-managed Android devices, personal phones and personal profiles are not impacted, and the update doesn't allow employers access to user data on privately-owned devices. The feature must also be intentionally switched on by the organisation; it is not automatically on.

The update also brings to the surface a common misconception about encrypted messaging: End-to-end encryption protects content only while it's in transit between devices. When a message lands on a device that is owned and administered by an employer, the organization has the technical ability to capture it. It does not extend to over-the-top platforms - such as WhatsApp or Signal - that manage their own encryption. Those apps can expose data as well in cases where backups aren't encrypted or when the device itself is compromised.

This change also raises a broader issue: one of counterparty risk. A conversation remains private only if both ends of it are stored securely. Screenshots, unsafe backups, and linked devices outside the encrypted environment can all leak message content. Work-phone archiving now becomes part of that wider set of risks users should be aware of.

For employees, the takeaway is clear: A company-issued phone is a workplace tool, not a private device. Any communication that originates from a fully managed device can be archived, meaning personal conversations should stay on a personal phone. Users reliant on encrypted platforms have reason to review their backup settings and steer clear of mixing personal communication with corporate technology.

Google's new archival option gives organisations a compliance solution that brings RCS in line with traditional SMS logging, while for workers it is a further reminder that privacy expectations shift the moment a device is brought under corporate management.

Growing Concerns Over Wi-Fi Router Surveillance and How to Respond

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Wireless Threats

Cyber Security Data Privacy digital surveillance Encryption Standards Malware Defense Network Safety Router Protection Wifi security Wireless Threats

Growing Concerns Over Wi-Fi Router Surveillance and How to Respond

A new report from security researchers warns that a humble Wi-Fi router has quietly become one of the most vulnerable gateways into home and work in an era where digital dependency is becoming more prevalent each day. Despite being overlooked and rarely reconfigured after installation, these routers remain one of the most vulnerable gateways to cybercrime.

It is becoming increasingly clear that stalkers, hackers, and unauthorized users can easily infiltrate networks that are prone to outdated settings or weak protections as cyberattacks become more sophisticated. Various studies have shown that encryption standards like WPA3, when combined with strong password hygiene practices, can serve as the first line of defense in the fight against cybercrime. However, these measures can be undermined when users neglect essential security practices, such as safe password practices.

Today, comprehensive security strategies require much more than just a password to achieve the desired results: administrators need to regularly check router-level security settings, such as firewall rules, guest network isolation, administrative panel restrictions, tracking permissions, and timely firmware updates. This is particularly true for routers that can support hundreds, or even thousands of connected devices in busy offices and homes.

Modern wireless security relies on layers of defenses that combine to repel unauthorized access through layered defenses. WPA2 and WPA3 encryption protocols scramble data packets, ensuring that intercepted information remains unreadable by anyone outside of the network.

A user's legitimacy is verified by an authentication prompt prior to any device being permitted on to the network, and granular access-control rules determine who can connect, what they can view, and how deeply they can communicate with the network.

By maintaining secure endpoints—such as updating operating systems, antivirus applications, and restricting administrator access—we further decrease the chances of attackers exploiting weak links in the system. In addition to monitoring traffic patterns constantly, intrusion detection and prevention systems also recognize anomalies, block malicious attempts in real time, and respond to threats immediately.

In conjunction with these measures, people have the capability of creating a resilient Wi-Fi defense architecture that protects both the personal and professional digital environments alike. According to researchers, although it seems trivial to conceal the physical coordinates of a Wi-Fi router, concealing this information is essential both for the safety of the individual and for the security of the organization.

It is possible for satellite internet terminals such as Starlink to unwittingly reveal the exact location of a user-an issue particularly important in conflicting military areas and disaster zones where location secrecy is critical. Mobile hotspots present similar issues as well. In the event that professionals frequently travel with portable routers, their movement can reveal travel patterns, business itineraries, or even extended stays in specific areas of the country.

People who have relocated to escape harassment or domestic threats may experience increased difficulties with this issue, as an old router connected by acquaintances or adversaries may unintentionally reveal their new address to others. It is true that these risks exist, but researchers note that the accuracy of Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) tracking is still limited.

There is typically only a short period of time between a router appearing in location databases—usually several days after it has been detected repeatedly by multiple smartphones using geolocation services—conditions that would not be likely to occur in isolated, sparsely populated, or transient locations.

Furthermore, modern standards allow for BSSID randomization, a feature that allows a router's broadcast identifier to be rotated regularly. This rotation, which is similar to the rotation of private MAC addresses on smartphones, disrupts attempts at mapping or re-identifying a given access point over time, making it very difficult to maintain long-term surveillance capabilities.

The first line of defense remains surprisingly simple: strong, unique passwords. This can be accomplished by reinforcing the basic router protections that are backed by cybersecurity specialists. Intruders continue to exploit weak or default credentials, allowing them to bypass security mechanisms with minimal effort and forging secure access keys with minimal effort.

Experts recommend long, complex passphrases enriched with symbols, numbers, and mixed character cases, along with WPA3 encryption, as a way to safeguard data while it travels over the internet. Even so, encryption alone cannot cover up for outdated systems, which is why regular firmware updates and automated patches are crucial to closing well-documented vulnerabilities that are often ignored by aging routers.

A number of features that are marketed as conveniences, such as WPS and UPnP, are widely recognized as high-risk openings which are regularly exploited by cybercriminals. Analysts believe that disabling these functions drastically reduces one's exposure to targeted attacks. Aside from updating the default administrator usernames, modern routers come with a number of security features that are often left untouched by organizations and households alike.

As long as a guest network is used, you can effectively limit unauthorized access and contain potential infections by changing default administrator usernames, enabling two-step verification, and segmenting traffic. As a general rule, firewalls are set to block suspicious traffic automatically, while content filters can be used to limit access to malicious or inappropriate websites.

Regular checks of device-level access controls ensure that only recognized, approved hardware may be connected to the network, in addition to making sure that only approved hardware is allowed access. The combination of these measures is one of the most practical, yet often neglected, frameworks available for strengthening router defenses, preventing attackers from exploiting breaches in digital hygiene, and limiting the opportunities available to attackers.

As reported by CNET journalist Ry Crist in his review of major router manufacturers' disclosures, the landscape of data collection practices is fragmented and sometimes opaque. During a recent survey conducted by the companies surveyed, we found out that they gathered a variety of information from users, ranging from basic identifiers like names and addresses to detailed technical metrics that were used to evaluate the performance of the devices.

Despite the fact that most companies justify collecting operational data as an essential part of maintenance and troubleshooting, they admit that this data is often incorporated into marketing campaigns as well as shared with third parties. There remains a large amount of ambiguity in the scope and specificity of the data shared by CommScope.

In its privacy statement, which is widely used by consumers to access the Internet, CommScope notes that the company may distribute "personal data as necessary" to support its services or meet business obligations. Nevertheless, the company does not provide sufficient details about the limits of the sharing of this information. However, it is somewhat clearer whether router makers harvest browsing histories when we examine their privacy policies.

It is explicitly stated by Google that its systems do not track users' web activity. On the other hand, both Asus and Eero have expressed a rejection of the practice to CNET directly. TP-Link and Netgear both maintain that browsing data can only be collected when customers opt into parental controls or similar services in addition to that.

The same is true of CommScope, which claimed that Surfboard routers do not access individuals' browsing records, though several companies, including TP-Link and CommScope, have admitted that they use cookies and tracking tools on their websites. There is no definitive answer provided by public agreements or company representatives for other manufacturers, such as D-Link, which underscores the uneven level of transparency throughout the industry.

There are also inconsistencies when it comes to the mechanisms available to users who wish to opt out of data collection. In addition, some routers, such as those from Asus and Motorola managed by Minim, allow customers to disable certain data sharing features in the router’s settings. Nest users, on the other hand, can access these controls through a privacy menu that appears on the mobile app.

Some companies, on the other hand, put heavier burdens on their customers, requiring them to submit e-mails, complete online forms, or complete multi-step confirmation processes, while others require them to submit an email. Netgear's deletion request form is dedicated to customers, whereas CommScope offers opt-out options for targeted advertising on major platforms such as Amazon and Facebook, where consumers can submit their objections online.

A number of manufacturers, including Eero, argue that the collection of selected operational data is essential for the router to function properly, limiting the extent to which users can turn off this tracking. In addition, security analysts advise consumers that routers' local activity logs are another privacy threat that they often ignore.

The purpose of these logs is to collect network traffic and performance data as part of diagnostic processes. However, the logs can inadvertently reveal confidential browsing information to administrators, service providers, or malicious actors who gain access without authorization. There are several ways to review and clear these records through the device's administration dashboard, a practice which experts advise users to adhere to on a regular basis.

It is also important to note that the growing ecosystem of connected home devices, ranging from cameras and doorbells to smart thermostats and voice assistants, has created more opportunities to be monitored, if they are not appropriately secured. As users are advised to research the data policies of their IoT hardware and apply robust privacy safeguards, they must acknowledge that routers are just one part of a much larger and deeper digital ecosystem.

It has been suggested by analysts that today's wireless networks require an ecosystem of security tools that play a unique role within a larger defensive architecture in order to safeguard them, as well as a number of specialized security tools. As a result of the layered approach modern networks require, frameworks typically categorize these tools into four categories: active, passive, preventive, and unified threat management.

Generally speaking, active security devices function just like their wired counterparts, but they are calibrated specifically to handle the challenges of wireless environments, for example. It includes firewalls that monitor and censor incoming and outgoing traffic in order to block intrusions, antivirus engines that continuously scan the airwaves for malware, and content filtering systems designed to prevent access to dangerous or noncompliant websites. This type of tool is the frontline mechanism by which a suspicious activity or a potential threat can be identified immediately and key controls enforced at the moment of connection.

Additionaly, passive security devices, in particular wireless intrusion detection systems, are frequently used alongside them. In addition to monitoring network traffic patterns for anomalies, they also detect signs of malware transmission, unusual login attempts or unusual data spikes. These tools do not intervene directly. Administrators are able to respond to an incident swiftly through their monitoring capabilities, which allows them to isolate compromised devices or adjust configurations prior to an incident escalate, which allows administrators to keep a close eye on their network.

A preventive device, such as a vulnerability scanner or penetration testing appliance, also plays a crucial role. It is possible for these tools to simulate adversarial behaviors, which can be used to probe network components for weaknesses that can be exploited without waiting for an attack to manifest. By using preventive tools, organizations are able to uncover misconfigurations, outdated protections, or loopholes in the architecture of the systems, enabling them to address deficiencies well before attackers are able to exploit them.

In a way, the Unified Threat Management system provides a single, manageable platform at the edge of the network, combining many of these protections into one. Essentially, UTM devices are central gateways that integrate firewalls, anti-malware engines, intrusion detection systems, and other security measures, making it easier to monitor large or complex environments.

A number of UTM solutions also incorporate performance-monitoring capabilities, which include bandwidth, latency, packet loss, and signal strength, essential metrics for ensuring a steady and uninterrupted wireless network. There are several ways in which administrators can receive alerts when irregularities appear, helping them to identify bottlenecks or looming failures before they disrupt operations.

In addition to these measures, compliance-oriented tools exist to audit network behavior, verify encryption standards, monitor for unauthorized access, and document compliance with regulations. With these layered technologies, it becomes clear that today's wireless security opportunities extend far beyond passwords and encryption to cover a broad range of threats and requires a coordinated approach that includes detection, prevention, and oversight to counter today's fast-evolving digital threats.

As far as experts are concerned, it is imperative to protect the Wi-Fi router so that it may not be silently collected and accessed by unauthorized individuals. As cyberthreats grow increasingly sophisticated, simple measures such as updating firmware, enabling WPA3 encryption, disabling remote access, and reviewing connected devices can greatly reduce the risk.

Users must be aware of these basic security principles in order to protect themselves from tracking, data theft, and network compromise. It is essential that router security is strengthened because it is now the final line of defense for making sure that personal information, online activities, and home networks remain secure and private.

Balancing Rapid Innovation and Risk in the New Era of SaaS Security

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Threat Intelligence

agentic AI AI Risk Management Cloud Governance Cyber defense Cyber Security Data Resilience Identity Protection SaaS security security automation Threat Intelligence

Balancing Rapid Innovation and Risk in the New Era of SaaS Security

The accelerating pace of technological innovation is leaving a growing number of organizations unwittingly exposing their organization to serious security risks as they expand their reliance on SaaS platforms and experiment with emerging agent-based AI algorithms in an effort to thrive in the age of digital disruption. Businesses are increasingly embracing cloud-based services to deliver enterprise software to their employees at breakneck speed.

With this shift toward cloud-delivered services, it has become necessary for them to adopt new features at breakneck speed-often without pausing to implement, or even evaluate, the basic safeguards necessary to protect sensitive corporate information. There has been an unchecked acceleration of the pace of adoption of SaaS, creating a widening security gap that has renewed the urgent need for action from the Information Security community to those who are responsible for managing SaaS ecosystems.

Despite the fact that frameworks such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) have served as a guide for InfoSec professionals for many years, many SaaS teams are only now beginning to use its rigorously defined functions—Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—particularly considering that NIST 2.0 emphasizes identity as the cornerstone of cyber defenses in a manner unparalleled to previous versions.

Silverfort's identity-security approach is one of many new approaches emerging to help organizations meet these ever-evolving standards against this backdrop, allowing them to extend MFA to vulnerable systems, monitor lateral movements in real-time, and enforce adaptive controls more accurately. All of these developments are indicative of a critical moment for enterprises in which they need to balance relentless innovation with uncompromising security in a SaaS-driven, AI-driven world that is increasingly moving towards a SaaS-first model.

The enterprise SaaS architecture is evolving into expansive, distributed ecosystems built on a multitenant infrastructure, microservices, and an ever-expanding web of open APIs, keeping up with the sheer scale and fluidity of modern operations is becoming increasingly difficult for traditional security models.

The increasing complexity within an organization has led to enterprises focusing more on intelligent and autonomous security measures, making use of behavioral analytics, anomaly detection, and artificial intelligence-driven monitoring to identify threats much in advance of them becoming active.

As opposed to conventional signature-based tools, advanced systems can detect subtle deviations from user behavior in real-time, neutralize risks that would otherwise remain undetected, and map user behavior in a way that will never be seen in the future. Innovators in the SaaS security space, such as HashRoot, are leading the way by integrating AI into the core of SaaS security workflows.

A combination of predictive analytics and intelligent misconfiguration detection in HashRoot's AI Transformation Services can be used to improve aging infrastructures, enhance security postures, and construct proactive defense mechanisms that can keep up with the evolving threat landscape of 2025 and the unpredictable threats ahead of us.

During the past two years, there has been a rapid growth in the adoption of artificial intelligence within enterprise software, which has drastically transformed the SaaS landscape at a rapid pace. According to new research, 99.7 percent of businesses rely on applications with AI capabilities built into them, which demonstrates how the technology is proven to boost efficiency and speed up decision-making for businesses.

There is a growing awareness that the use of AI-enhanced SaaS tools is becoming increasingly common in the workplace, and that these systems have become increasingly integrated in every aspect of the work process. However, as organizations begin to grapple with the sweeping integration of AI into their businesses, a whole new set of risks emerge.

As one of the most pressing concerns arises, a loss of control of sensitive information and intellectual property is a significant concern, raising complex concerns about confidentiality and governance, as well as long-term competitive exposure, as AI models often consume sensitive data and intellectual property.

Meanwhile, the threat landscape is shifting as malicious actors are deploying sophisticated impersonator applications to mimic legitimate SaaS platforms in an attempt to trick users into granting them access to confidential corporate data through impersonation applications. It is even more challenging because AI-related vulnerabilities are traditionally identified and responded to manually—an approach which requires significant resources as well as slowing down the speed at which fast-evolving threats can be countered.

Due to the growing reliance on cloud-based AI-driven software as a service, there has never been a greater need for automated, intelligent security mechanisms. It is also becoming increasingly apparent to CISOs and IT teams that disciplined SaaS configuration management is a critical priority. This is in line with CSF's Protect function under Platform Security, which has a strong alignment with the CSF's Protect function. In the recent past, organizations were forced to realize that they cannot rely solely on cloud vendors for secure operation.

A significant share of cloud-related incidents can be traced back to preventable misconfigurations. Modern risk governance has become increasingly reliant on establishing clear configuration baselines and ensuring visibility across multiple platforms. While centralized tools can simplify oversight, there are no single solutions that can cover the full spectrum of configuration challenges. As a result of the recent development of multi-SaaS management systems, native platform controls and the judgment of skilled security professionals working within the defense-in-depth model, effective protection has become increasingly important.

It is important to recognize that SaaS security is never static, so continuous monitoring is indispensable to protect against persistent threats such as authorized changes, accidental modifications, and gradual drifts from baseline security. It is becoming increasingly apparent that Agentic AI is playing a transformative role here.

By detecting configuration drift at scale, correcting excessive permissions, and maintaining secure settings at a pace that humans alone can never match, it has begun to play a transformative role. In spite of this, configuration and identity controls are not all that it takes to secure an organization. Many organizations continue to rely on what is referred to as an “M&M security model” – a hardened outer shell with a soft, vulnerable center.

Once a valid user credential or API key is compromised, an attacker may be able to pass through perimeter defenses and access sensitive data without getting into the system. A strong SaaS data governance model based on the principles of identifying, protecting, and recovering critical information, including SaaS data governance, is essential to overcoming these challenges. This effort relies on accurate classification of data, which ensures that high-value assets are protected from unauthorised access, field level encryption, and adequate protection when they are copied into environments that are of lower security.

There is now a critical role that automated data masking plays in preventing production data from being leaked into these environments, where security controls are often weak and third parties often have access to the data. In order to ensure compliance with evolving privacy regulations when personal information is used in testing, the same level of oversight is required as it is with production data. This evaluation must also be repeated periodically as policies and administrative practices change in the future.

Within SaaS ecosystems, it is equally important to ensure that data is maintained in a manner that is both accurate and available. Although the NIST CSF emphasizes the need to implement a backup strategy that preserves data, allows precise recovery, and maintains uninterrupted operation, the service provider is responsible for maintaining the reliability of the underlying infrastructure.

Modern SaaS environments require the ability to recover only the affected data without causing a lot of disruption, as opposed to traditional enterprise IT, which often relies on broad rollbacks to previous system states. It is crucial to maintain continuity in an enterprise-like environment by using granular resilience, especially because in order for agentic AI systems to function effectively and securely, they must have accurate, up-to-date information.

Together, these measures demonstrate that safeguarding SaaS environments has evolved into a challenging multidimensional task - one that requires continuous coordination between technology teams, information security leaders, and risk committees in order to ensure that innovation can take place in a secure and scalable manner.

Organizations are increasingly relying on cloud applications to conduct business, which means that SaaS risk management is becoming a significant challenge for security vendors hoping to meet the demands of enterprises. Businesses nowadays need more than simple discovery tools that identify which applications are being used to determine which application is being used.

There is a growing expectation that platforms will be able to classify SaaS tools accurately, assess their security postures, and take into consideration the rapidly growing presence of artificial intelligence assistants, large language model-based applications, which are now able to operate independently across corporate environments, as well as the growing presence of AI assistants. A shift in SaaS intelligence has led to the need for enriched SaaS intelligence, an advanced level of insight that allows vendors to provide services that go beyond basic visibility.

The ability to incorporate detailed application classification, function-level profiling, dynamic risk scoring, and the detection of shadow SaaS and unmanaged AI-driven services can provide security providers with a more comprehensive, relevant and accurate platform that will enable a more accurate assessment of an organization's risks.

Vendors that are able to integrate enriched SaaS application insights into their architectures will be at an advantage in the future. Vendors that are able to do this will be able to gain a competitive edge as they begin to address the next generation of SaaS and AI-related risks. Businesses can close persistent blind spots by using enriched SaaS application insights into their architectures.

In an increasingly artificial intelligence-enabled world, which will essentially become a machine learning-enabled future, it will be the ability of platforms to anticipate emerging vulnerabilities, rather than just responding to them, that will determine which platforms will remain trusted partners in safeguarding enterprise ecosystems in the future.

A company's path forward will ultimately be shaped by its ability to embrace security as a strategic enabler rather than a roadblock to innovation. Using continuous monitoring, identity-centric controls, SaaS-enhanced intelligence, and AI-driven automation as a part of its operational fabric, enterprises are able to modernize at a speed without compromising trust or resilience in their organizations.

It is imperative that companies that invest now, strengthening governance, enforcing data discipline, and demanding greater transparency from vendors, will have the greatest opportunity to take full advantage of SaaS and agentic AI, while also navigating the risks associated with an increasingly volatile digital future.

Amazon Sounds Alarm Over Attack Threatening 300 Million Accounts

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Phishing Attacks

Account Takeover AI Powered Scams Amazon Scam Alert Consumer Data Protection Cyber Security Cyberthreats Fake Retail Websites Holiday Fraud Risks Online Shopping Safety Phishing Attacks

Amazon Sounds Alarm Over Attack Threatening 300 Million Accounts

In the face of looming Black Friday 2025 frenzy, Amazon has unveiled a warning to its large customer base that is expected to overlap the holiday season's busiest shopping week. The warning warns of a surge in sophisticated scams expected to shadow the holiday season's busiest shopping week. On November 24, the company emailed a security advisory to millions of users, one that Forbes first reported on, warning that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the seasonal spike in online purchases by impersonating individuals, using fraudulent advertising, and sending unsolicited messages to elicit personal and financial information from them.

There are approximately 310 million active customers on Amazon, making the retailer a high-value target for attackers looking for easy money during the holiday season, so they outlined five prominent tactics currently used to deceive shoppers, including the use of fake account verification emails and unsolicited phone calls to deceive shoppers.

As Consumer Protection experts, we agree with these concerns; Mr. Mike Andrews, a representative from National Trading Standards, told Metro that scammers have an advantage over consumers when it comes to the weeks leading up to Christmas, knowing that even a small fraction of successful attempts during peak retail activities can yield significant returns.

In a new study published in the journal Cybercrime: Science and Technology, a cybercriminal network has stepped up their impersonation campaigns against global companies such as Netflix, PayPal, and many more, with the use of browser-based notification traps and criminal infrastructures, as well as a variety of other methods for deceiving large numbers of users.

Amidst this background, Amazon’s advisory dated November 24 details how similar tactics have now been employed against Amazon’s own customers, as scammers are attempting to coerce victims into providing them with personal data, financial credentials, and Amazon login information in exchange for money. The fact that such scams aren't new, but they have become more refined and adaptive as they cycle through techniques such as credential-stuffing attacks and malware-assisted account takeovers.

Fraudsters often carry out such operations by posing as customer service personnel or technical support personnel - a similar tactic that the FBI has also warned about in parallel alerts concerning bank-related scams. The underlying mechanics of the deception are essentially the same: attackers send persuasive text messages, emails, or phone calls that push customers to verify activity, or to resolve a supposed issue, resulting in password disclosures or multifactor authentication codes.

A fraudster will immediately reset all of the security settings within an account once he has gained access. He will lock out legitimate users' accounts as soon as he gets access. A recent study by the FBI reveals that there have been an increase in lookalike websites and bogus alerts mimicking delivery updates and promotional offers, as well as misleading third-party advertisements and unsolicited calls masquerading as Amazon support.

These methods are closely related to the patterns outlined in recent FBI investigations. According to FortiGuard Labs, new findings published on November 25 further emphasize the urgency of Amazon's warning. These findings indicate a sharp increase in threats specifically designed for the holiday season, which has already been identified by the researchers.

Over 18,000 domains were recently registered that included the terms "Black Friday," "Christmas," and "Flash Sale," with over 750 of those domains already confirmed to be malicious. In addition, nearly 3,000 of the 19,000 domains that were designed to mimic major retailers, including Amazon, were verified by the report as fraudulent, of which nearly half were identified as frauds. Decoy sites are often created with subtle spelling variations and visual similarities, which can be easily overlooked by shoppers who are rushing through deals while focusing on them.

Among the cyber security experts who warn that the threat landscape is changing at a rapid rate, experts like Anne Cutler of Keeper Security point out that many of the latest scams are driven by artificial intelligence. By doing so, attackers are able to generate convincing order confirmations, spoofed customer service conversations, and highly realistic retailer websites with the aid of artificial intelligence.

A response to these escalating risks has been the adoption by Amazon of stricter digital hygiene guidelines. Amazon has requested that customers rely solely on the Amazon app or website to manage their accounts, enable two-factor authentication or use passkeys to protect their login credentials, and remember that Amazon never solicits your payment or credential information via unsolicited phone calls or email.

There is no doubt that the retailer stressed the importance of these safeguards as cybercriminals intensify their efforts before the busiest shopping season of the year. In the end, Amazon shoppers should also keep in mind that security experts warn that the threat goes well beyond phishing attacks and fraudulent domains; it is also possible to face threats within the broader online marketplace.

A researcher, Mike Andrews, explains that artificial intelligence has made it significantly easier for scammers to manipulate product credibility by creating a large volume of convincing fake reviews on popular platforms like Google, Trustpilot, and Amazon in order to create fake reviews for their products. A growing number of bots are capable of flooding product pages with glowing testimonials, making it more difficult for customers to distinguish genuinely well-rated products from items that have been artificially boosted to mask inferior and even dangerous products.

In addition, Andrews explains that despite the difficulty of quantifying the amount of online reviews that may be misleading, consumers should not rely on them blindly when making purchase decisions. If a high number of reviews appears within a very short period of time, overly vague praise without mentioning product features, or suspiciously generic comments are noticed, it may be a sign that the product is not as good as it sounds.

It is possible to gain additional perspective using services like TheReviewIndex and RateBud that analyze review authenticity. Such manipulations of customer reviews vary in their goals. However, they are often aimed at convincing shoppers to make a purchase for substandard items or to purchase products that may never arrive in their hands.

There is also an aggressive scam that seeks personal information, financial information, or Amazon login credentials through fake messages, advertisements, or phone calls. Moreover, Andrews warns that social media advertisers are becoming increasingly sophisticated when it comes to deceptive advertising, with artificial intelligence (AI) often generating storefronts that mimic small businesses or festive markets using fake images and videos.

Even though these sites sound quite convincing, they often deliver nothing more than cheaply produced goods shipped from overseas, leaving customers disappointed and out of pocket. A surge in seasonal scams, on the other hand, illustrates the importance of taking an active role in one's online security as a shopper. Analysts believe that even simple habits, such as verifying sender addresses, checking URLs, updating passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication, are enough to prevent the vast majority of attempts to penetrate an online network.

The consumer is also encouraged to inform Amazon and the relevant authorities of suspicious pages or messages, so that they can be dismantled before they spread. Even though cybercriminals are developing their tactics with artificial intelligence (AI) and precision, the best way to stop them is to have an informed public that shop deliberately, questions what might be unexpected, and prioritizes safety over urgency.

Scammers Used Fake WhatsApp Profiles of District Collectors in Kerala

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Phishing Attacks

Cyber Security Data Digital Scams Identity Thefts Internet Phishing Attacks

Scammers Used Fake WhatsApp Profiles of District Collectors in Kerala

Scammers target government officials

In a likely phishing attempt, over four employees of Kasaragod and Wayanad Collectorates received WhatsApp texts from accounts imitating their district Collectors and asking for urgent money transfers. After that, the numbers have been sent to the cyber police, according to the Collectorate officials.

Vietnam scammers behind the operation

The texts came from Vietnam based numbers but showed the profile pictures of concerned collectors, Inbasekar K in Kasaragod and D R Meghasree.

In one incident, the scammers also shared a Google Pay number, but the target didn't proceed. According to the official, "the employees who received the messages were saved simply because they recognised the Collector’s tone and style of communication."

Two employees from Wayanad received texts, all from different numbers from Vietnam. In the Kasaragod incident, Collector Inbasekar said a lot of employees received the phishing texts on WhatsApp. Two employees reported the incident. No employee lost the money.

Scammers used typical scripts

The scam used a similar script in the two districts. The first text read: Hello, how are you? Where are you currently? In the Wayanad incident, the first massage was sent around 4 pm, and in Kasaragod, around 5:30 pm. When the employee replied, a follow up text was sent: Very good. Please do something urgently. This shows that the scam followed the typical pitches used by scammers.

The numbers have been reported to the cyber police. According to Wayanad officials, "Once the messages were identified as fake, screenshots were immediately circulated across all internal WhatsApp groups." Cyber Unit has blocked both Vietnam-linked and Google Pay numbers.

What needs to be done?

Kasaragod Collector cautioned the public and staff to be careful when getting texts asking for money transfers. Coincidentally, in both the incidents, the texts were sent to staff employed in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. In this pursuit, the scammers revealed the pressures under which booth-level employees are working.

According to cyber security experts, the fake identity scams are increasingly targeting top government officials. Scammers are exploiting hierarchical structures to trick officials into acting promptly. “Police have urged government employees and the public to avoid responding to unsolicited WhatsApp messages requesting money, verify communication through official phone numbers or email, and report suspicious messages immediately to cybercrime authorities,” the New Indian Express reported.

Gainsight Breach Spread into Salesforce Environments; Scope Under Investigation

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Salesforce

API Cyber Security Gainsight Google OAuth token compromise Salesforce

Gainsight Breach Spread into Salesforce Environments; Scope Under Investigation

An ongoing security incident at Gainsight's customer-management platform has raised fresh alarms about how deeply third-party integrations can affect cloud environments. The breach centers on compromised OAuth tokens connected with Gainsight's Salesforce connectors, leaving unclear how many organizations touched and the type of information accessed.

Salesforce was the first to flag suspicious activity originating from Gainsight's connected applications. As a precautionary measure, Salesforce revoked all associated access tokens and, for some time, disabled the concerned integrations. The company also released detailed indicators of compromise, timelines of malicious activity, and guidance urging customers to review authentication logs and API usage within their own environments.

Gainsight later confirmed that unauthorized parties misused certain OAuth tokens linked to its Salesforce-connected app. According to its leadership, only a small number of customers have so far reported confirmed data impact. However, several independent security teams-including Google's Threat Intelligence Group-reported signs that the intrusion may have reached far more Salesforce instances than initially acknowledged. These differing numbers are not unusual: supply-chain incidents often reveal their full extent only after weeks of log analysis and correlation.

At this time, investigators understand the attack as a case of token abuse, not a failure of Salesforce's underlying platform. OAuth tokens are long-lived keys that let approved applications make API calls on behalf of customers. Once attackers have them, they can access the CRM records through legitimate channels, and the detection is far more challenging. This approach enables the intruders to bypass common login checks, and therefore Salesforce has focused on log review and token rotation as immediate priorities.

To enhance visibility, Gainsight has onboarded Mandiant to conduct a forensic investigation into the incident. The company is investigating historical logs, token behavior, connector activity, and cross-platform data flows to understand the attacker's movements and whether other services were impacted. As a precautionary measure, Gainsight has also worked with platforms including HubSpot, Zendesk, and Gong to temporarily revoke related tokens until investigators can confirm they are safe to restore.

The incident is similar to other attacks that happened this year, where other Salesforce integrations were used to siphon customer records without exploiting any direct vulnerability in Salesforce. Repeated patterns here illustrate a structural challenge: organizations may secure their main cloud platform rigorously, but one compromised integration can open a path to wider unauthorized access.

But for customers, the best steps are as straightforward as ever: monitor Salesforce authentication and API logs for anomalous access patterns; invalidate or rotate existing OAuth tokens; reduce third-party app permissions to the bare minimum; and, if possible, apply IP restrictions or allowlists to further restrict the range of sources from which API calls can be made.

Both companies say they will provide further updates and support customers who have been affected by the issue. The incident served as yet another wake-up call that in modern cloud ecosystems, the security of one vendor often relies on the security practices of all in its integration chain.

Tor Network to Roll Out New Encryption Algorithm in Major Security Upgrade

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Tor Network

Algorithm Cyber Security Security Upgrade Tor Network

Tor Network to Roll Out New Encryption Algorithm in Major Security Upgrade

The developers of the Tor network are preparing to replace one of the project’s oldest encryption systems in an effort to defend users against increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks. Tor confirmed that the relay encryption algorithm known as “tor1” will be retired and replaced by a new design called Counter Galois Onion, or CGO. Tor1 has been in use since the early 2000s and encrypts the traffic that travels between the relays that form a user’s circuit inside the Tor network.

Although the system has been widely relied on for more than two decades, researchers say its design now presents several weaknesses, including exposure to so-called “tagging attacks.” These attacks allow an adversary to alter traffic at one relay and then look for predictable patterns further along the circuit that could help trace a user. The algorithm also reuses the same AES keys throughout a circuit and provides only a small authentication field, which Tor developers say has led to a non-negligible probability of forged data passing undetected.

CGO has been designed to eliminate these issues. According to Tor, the new protocol adds forward secrecy to messages, prevents tampering, and brings encryption standards in line with modern cryptography. Tor explained in a technical post that the system ensures that if a message is modified, that message and all subsequent messages in the circuit become unreadable. The Tor Project described the upgrade as an effort to “defend users against a broader class of online attackers and form the basis for more encryption work in the future.”

CGO is already implemented in Arti, Tor’s Rust-based client. A C version is in development to support the current relay infrastructure, since Rust relays are not yet deployed across the network. Developers have not provided a timeline for when CGO will arrive in the Tor Browser, noting that they are still tuning performance for modern processors. They acknowledged that CGO will likely be slower than tor1 initially, though optimizations are ongoing.

The upgrade represents one of the most significant changes to Tor’s core cryptography in years. While the network is widely associated with the dark web and illicit markets, it is also used by journalists, activists and residents of authoritarian states seeking safe access to information. Tor’s history includes involvement from both government research institutions and privacy advocates, and the project continues to position encryption as a key protection against online surveillance.

CISA Warns of Rising Targeted Spyware Campaigns Against Encrypted Messaging Users

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Personal Data

Android Spyware CISA Cyber Security Cyberattacks Data Hacking data security Hacking WhatsApp Mobile Spyware Personal Data

CISA Warns of Rising Targeted Spyware Campaigns Against Encrypted Messaging Users

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has issued an unusually direct warning regarding a series of active campaigns deploying advanced spyware against users of encrypted messaging platforms, including Signal and WhatsApp. According to the agency, these operations are being conducted by both state-backed actors and financially motivated threat groups, and their activity has broadened significantly throughout the year. The attacks now increasingly target politicians, government officials, military personnel, and other influential individuals across several regions.

This advisory marks the first time CISA has publicly grouped together multiple operations that rely on commercial surveillance tools, remote-access malware, and sophisticated exploit chains capable of infiltrating secure communications without alerting the victim. The agency noted that the goal of these campaigns is often to hijack messaging accounts, exfiltrate private data, and sometimes obtain long-term access to devices for further exploitation.

Researchers highlighted multiple operations demonstrating the scale and diversity of techniques. Russia-aligned groups reportedly misused Signal’s legitimate device-linking mechanism to silently take control of accounts. Android spyware families such as ProSpy and ToSpy were distributed through spoofed versions of well-known messaging apps in the UAE. Another campaign in Russia leveraged Telegram channels and phishing pages imitating WhatsApp, Google Photos, TikTok, and YouTube to spread the ClayRat malware. In more technically advanced incidents, attackers chained recently disclosed WhatsApp zero-day vulnerabilities to compromise fewer than 200 targeted users. Another operation, referred to as LANDFALL, used a Samsung vulnerability affecting devices in the Middle East.

CISA stressed that these attacks are highly selective and aimed at individuals whose communications have geopolitical relevance. Officials described the activity as precision surveillance rather than broad collection. Analysts believe the increasing focus on encrypted platforms reflects a strategic shift as adversaries attempt to bypass the protections of end-to-end encryption by compromising the devices used to send and receive messages.

The tactics used in these operations vary widely. Some rely on manipulated QR codes or impersonated apps, while others exploit previously unknown iOS and Android vulnerabilities requiring no user interaction. Experts warn that for individuals considered high-risk, standard cybersecurity practices may no longer be sufficient.

CISA’s guidance urges those at risk to adopt stronger security measures, including hardware upgrades, phishing-resistant authentication, protected telecom accounts, and stricter device controls. The agency also recommends reliance on official app stores, frequent software updates, careful permission auditing, and enabling advanced device protections such as Lockdown Mode on iPhones or Google Play Protect on Android.

Officials stated that the rapid increase in coordinated mobile surveillance operations reflects a global shift in espionage strategy. With encrypted messaging now central to sensitive communication, attackers are increasingly focused on compromising the endpoint rather than the encryption itself—a trend authorities expect to continue growing.

Google Confirms Data Breach from 200 Companies

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Internet

Cloud Cyber Security Data hack Google Internet

Google Confirms Data Breach from 200 Companies

Google has confirmed that hackers stole data from more than 200 companies after exploiting apps developed by Gainsight, a customer success software provider. The breach targeted Salesforce systems and is being described as one of the biggest supply chain attacks in recent months.

Salesforce said last week that “certain customers’ Salesforce data” had been accessed through Gainsight applications, which are widely used by companies to manage customer relationships at scale. According to Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, more than 200 Salesforce instances were affected, indicating that the attackers targeted the ecosystem strategically rather than going after individual companies one by one. The incident has already raised deep concern across industries that depend heavily on third-party integrations to run core business functions.

A group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters, which includes members of the well-known ShinyHunters gang, has claimed responsibility. This collective has previously targeted prominent global firms and leaked confidential datasets online, earning a reputation for bold, high-impact intrusions. In this case, the hackers have published a list of alleged victims, naming companies such as Atlassian, CrowdStrike, DocuSign, GitLab, LinkedIn, Malwarebytes, SonicWall, Thomson Reuters, and Verizon. Some of these organisations have denied being affected, while others are still conducting internal investigations to determine whether their environments were touched.

This attack underscores a growing reality: compromising a widely trusted application is often more efficient for attackers than breaching a single company. By infiltrating Gainsight’s software, the threat actors gained access to a broad swath of organisations simultaneously, effectively bypassing individual perimeter defences. TechCrunch notes that supply chain attacks remain among the most dangerous vectors because they exploit deeply rooted trust. Once a vendor’s application is subverted, it can become an invisible doorway leading directly into multiple corporate systems.

Salesforce has stated that it is working closely with affected customers to secure environments and limit the impact, while Google continues to analyse the breadth of data exfiltration. Gainsight has not yet released a detailed public statement, prompting experts to call for greater transparency from vendors responsible for critical integrations. Cybersecurity firms advise all companies using third-party SaaS tools to review access permissions, rotate credentials, monitor logs for anomalies, and ensure stronger compliance frameworks for integrated platforms.

The larger picture here reflects an industry-wide challenge. As enterprises increasingly rely on cloud services and SaaS tools, attackers are shifting their attention to these interconnected layers, where a single weak link can expose hundreds of organisations. This shift has prompted analysts to warn that due diligence on app vendors, once considered a formality, must now become a non-negotiable element of cybersecurity strategy.

In light of the attack, experts believe companies will need to adopt a more vigilant posture, treating all integrations as potential threat surfaces, rather than assuming safety through trust. The Gainsight incident serves as a stark reminder that in a cloud-driven world, security is only as strong as the least protected partner in the chain.

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