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HoneyMyte
Chinese Hacker CoolClient Cyber Attacks Data Theft HoneyMyte

HoneyMyte Upgrades CoolClient: New Browser Stealers Target Asia, Europe

 

The HoneyMyte threat group, also known as Mustang Panda or Bronze President, has escalated its cyber espionage efforts by significantly upgrading its CoolClient backdoor malware. This China-linked advanced persistent threat (APT) actor, active since at least 2012, primarily targets government organizations in Asia and Europe to harvest sensitive geopolitical and economic intelligence.

In 2025, security researchers from Kaspersky identified enhanced versions of CoolClient deployed in campaigns hitting countries like Myanmar, Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Russia, and Pakistan.These updates reflect HoneyMyte's ongoing adaptation to evade detection and maximize data theft from high-value targets. CoolClient now employs a multi-stage infection chain, often using DLL side-loading to hijack legitimate applications from vendors like BitDefender, VLC Media Player, and Sangfor. 

This technique allows the malware to masquerade as trusted software while executing malicious payloads for persistence and command-and-control communication. The backdoor supports extensible plugins, including new capabilities to extract HTTP proxy credentials from network traffic—a feature not previously observed in HoneyMyte's arsenal. Combined with tools like ToneShell rootkit, PlugX, and USB worms such as Tonedisk, these enhancements enable deeper system compromise and long-term surveillance.

A standout addition is HoneyMyte's browser credential stealer, available in at least three variants tailored to popular browsers. Variant A targets Google Chrome, Variant B focuses on Microsoft Edge, and Variant C handles multiple Chromium-based browsers like Brave and Opera. The stealer copies login databases to temporary folders, leverages Windows Data Protection API (DPAPI) to decrypt master keys and passwords, then reconstructs full credential sets for exfiltration. This shift toward active credential harvesting, alongside keylogging and clipboard monitoring, marks HoneyMyte's evolution from passive espionage to comprehensive victim surveillance.

Supporting these implants, HoneyMyte deploys scripts for reconnaissance, document exfiltration, and system profiling, often in tandem with CoolClient infections. These campaigns exploit spear-phishing lures mimicking government services in victims' native languages, exploiting regional events for credibility.Earlier variants of CoolClient were analyzed by Sophos in 2022 and Trend Micro in 2023, but 2025 iterations show marked improvements in stealth and modularity. The group's focus on Southeast Asian governments underscores its alignment with Chinese strategic interests.

Organizations face heightened risks from HoneyMyte's refined toolkit, demanding robust defenses like behavioral monitoring for DLL side-loading, browser credential anomalies, and anomalous network traffic. Government entities in targeted regions should prioritize endpoint detection, credential hygiene, and threat intelligence sharing to counter these persistent threats. As HoneyMyte continues innovating—potentially expanding to Europe—proactive measures remain essential against this adaptable adversary.
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Microsoft Outlook security
Customer Data Cyber Attacks Cyber Phishing Data Theft Hijacking Microsoft Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Outlook security

Malicious Outlook Add-In Hijack Steals 4,000 Microsoft Credentials

 

A breach transformed the AgreeTo plug-in for Microsoft Outlook - once meant for organizing meetings - into a weapon that harvested over four thousand login details. Though built by a third-party developer and offered through the official Office Add-in Store starting in late 2022, it turned against its intended purpose. Instead of simplifying calendars, it funneled user data to attackers. What began as a practical tool ended up exploited, quietly capturing credentials under false trust. 

Not every tool inside Office apps runs locally - some pull data straight from web addresses. For AgreeTo, its feature lived online through a link managed via Vercel. That address stopped receiving updates when the creator walked away, even though people kept using it. With no one fixing issues, the software faded into silence. Yet Microsoft still displayed it as available for download. Later, someone with harmful intent took control of the unused webpage. From there, they served malicious material under the app’s trusted name. A login screen mimicking Microsoft’s design appeared where the real one should have been, according to analysts at Koi Security. 

Instead of authentic access points, users faced a counterfeit form built to harvest credentials. Hidden scripts ran alongside, silently sending captured data elsewhere. After approval in Microsoft’s marketplace, the add-in escaped further checks. The company examines just the manifest when apps are submitted - nothing beyond that gets verified later. Interface components and features load externally, pulled from servers run by developers themselves. 

Since AgreeTo passed initial review, its updated files came straight from machines now under malicious control. Oversight ended once publication was complete. From inside the attacker’s data pipeline, Koi Security found over 4,000 Microsoft login details already taken. Alongside these, information such as credit card records and responses to bank verification questions had also been collected. While analyzing activity, experts noticed live attempts using the breached logins unfolding in real time. 

Opening the harmful AgreeTo add-on in Outlook displayed a counterfeit Microsoft login screen within the sidebar rather than the expected calendar tool. Resembling an authentic authentication portal, this imitation proved hard to recognize as fraudulent. Once victims submitted their details, those credentials got sent through a Telegram bot interface. Following that transfer, individuals saw the genuine Microsoft sign-in page appear - helping mask what had just occurred. Despite keeping ReadWriteItem access, which enables viewing and editing messages, there's no proof the tool tampered with any emails. 

Behind the campaign, investigators spotted a single actor running several phishing setups aimed at financial services, online connectivity firms, and email systems. Notable because it lives inside Microsoft’s official store, AgreeTo stands apart from past threats that spread via spam, phishing, or malvertising. This marks the first time a verified piece of malware has appeared on the Microsoft Marketplace, according to Oren Yomtov at Koi. He also notes it is the initial harmful Outlook extension spotted actively used outside test environments. 

A removal of AgreeTo from the store was carried out by Microsoft. Anyone keeping the add-in should uninstall it without delay, followed by a password change. Attempts to reach Microsoft for input have been made; no reply came so far.
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Ransomware
cyber attack Data Breach Data Theft mental Health Ransomware

Birmingham Mental Health Authority Alerts More than 30,000 People to Ransomware-linked Data Breach

 

A public mental health authority in Birmingham, Alabama has notified more than 30,000 individuals that their personal and medical information may have been exposed in a data breach linked to a ransomware attack late last year. 

The informed 30,434 people of the breach, according to a disclosure filed with the . The incident occurred in November 2025 and affected data collected over a period spanning more than a decade. According to the notification sent to those affected, unauthorized access to the authority’s network was detected on or around November 25, 2025. 

An internal investigation found that certain files may have been accessed or taken without authorization. The potentially exposed information includes names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, health insurance details and extensive medical information. 

The compromised medical data may include billing and claims records, diagnoses, physician information, medical record numbers, Medicare or Medicaid details, prescription data and treatment or diagnostic information. 

The authority said the affected records relate to patients or employees dating back to 2011. A ransomware group known as claimed responsibility for the attack in December 2025, demanding a ransom of $200,000 and threatening to publish 168.6 gigabytes of allegedly stolen data. 

The group posted sample images online as proof of the breach. The mental health authority has not publicly confirmed Medusa’s claim and has not disclosed whether a ransom was paid. 

The authority declined to comment on how attackers gained access to its systems. The breach notification does not mention any offer of free credit monitoring or identity theft protection for affected individuals. Medusa has been active since 2019 and operates a ransomware-as-a-service model, in which affiliates use its tools to carry out attacks. 

In 2025, the group claimed responsibility for dozens of confirmed ransomware incidents, many of them targeting healthcare providers. Those attacks exposed the personal data of more than 1.7 million people, according to publicly reported figures. 

Healthcare organizations have been a frequent target of ransomware groups in the US. Researchers tracking cyber incidents reported more than 100 confirmed ransomware attacks on hospitals, clinics and care providers in 2025, compromising data belonging to millions of patients. Such attacks can disrupt clinical operations, force providers to revert to manual systems and raise risks to patient safety and privacy. 

The Jefferson Blount St. Claire Mental Health Authority operates four mental health facilities serving Jefferson, Blount and St. Clair counties in Alabama.
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Data Theft
Business Cyber Breaches Cyber Security Cybersecurity Data Theft

Cybersecurity Breaches Emerge as top Business Risk for Indian Companies

 


Cybersecurity breaches and attacks have become the leading threat to business performance for Indian companies, with 51% of senior executives identifying them as their primary risk, according to a new survey released by FICCI and EY. 

The FICCI-EY Risk Survey 2026 ranked changing customer expectations and geopolitical developments as the next most significant risks, flagged by 49% and 48% of respondents respectively. 

The findings point to a business environment where technology, regulation and external shocks are increasingly interconnected. 

The survey, conducted through a web-based questionnaire, gathered responses from 137 senior decision-makers, including CXOs, across multiple sectors. 

Technology firms accounted for the largest share of respondents, followed by professional services companies. According to the report, technology-related risks are now closely tied to operational continuity and resilience. 

About 61% of respondents said rapid technological change and digital disruption are affecting their competitive position, while an equal proportion cited cyber-attacks and data breaches as major financial and reputational threats. 

More than half of those surveyed, 57%, flagged risks related to data theft and insider fraud, and 47% said they face difficulties in countering increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. 

Artificial intelligence emerged as a dual risk area. While 60% of executives said inadequate adoption of emerging technologies, including AI, could weaken operational effectiveness, 54% said risks linked to AI ethics and governance are not being managed effectively. 

“In a business environment shaped by volatility, the ability to anticipate, absorb and adapt to risk is emerging as a defining capability for sustained growth,” said Rajeev Sharma, chair of the FICCI Committee on Corporate Security and Disaster Risk Reduction. 

He added that organisations are increasingly embedding risk considerations into strategic decision-making rather than treating them as isolated events. 

The survey also highlighted workforce-related concerns. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said talent shortages and skill gaps could hurt organisational performance, while 59% pointed to weak succession planning as a risk to long-term stability. 

Regulatory change remains another pressure point. About 67% of executives said regulatory developments need to be addressed proactively, while 40% acknowledged that existing compliance frameworks struggle to keep pace with evolving rules. 

Climate and environmental, social and governance risks are also translating into financial exposure. Around 45% of respondents cited climate-related financial impacts as a critical operational risk, and 44% said non-compliance with ESG disclosure requirements could significantly affect business outcomes. 

Supply chain disruptions continue to weigh on corporate planning, with 54% of leaders identifying them as a risk to operational and business continuity. 

“Organisations are navigating a phase where multiple risks are converging rather than occurring in isolation,” said Sudhakar Rajendran, risk consulting leader at EY India, pointing to the combined impact of inflation, cyber threats, AI governance, climate exposure and regulatory change on corporate resilience.
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Dating Apps
Consumer Information Cyber Phishing Data Breach Data Leak data security Data Theft dating app security Dating Apps

ShinyHunters Claims Match Group Data Breach Exposing 10 Million Records

 

A new data theft has surfaced linked to ShinyHunters, which now claims it stole more than 10 million user records from Match Group, the U.S. company behind several major swipe-based dating platforms. The group has positioned the incident as another major addition to its breach history, alleging that personal data and internal materials were taken without authorization. 

According to ShinyHunters, the stolen data relates to users of Hinge, Match.com, and OkCupid, along with hundreds of internal documents. The Register reported seeing a listing on the group’s dark web leak site stating that “over 10 million lines” of data were involved. The exposure was also linked to AppsFlyer, a marketing analytics provider, which was referenced as the likely source connected to the incident. 

Match Group confirmed it is investigating what it described as a recently identified security incident, and said some user data may have been accessed. The company stated it acted quickly to terminate the unauthorized access and is continuing its investigation with external cybersecurity experts. Match Group also said there was no indication that login credentials, financial information, or private communications were accessed, and added that it believes only a limited amount of user data was affected. 

It said notifications are being issued to impacted individuals where appropriate. However, Match Group did not disclose what categories of data were accessed, how many users were impacted, or whether any ransom demand was made or paid, leaving key details about the scope and motivation unresolved. Cybernews, which reviewed samples associated with the listing, reported that the dataset appears to include customer personal data, some employee-related information, and internal corporate documents. 

The analysis also suggested the presence of Hinge subscription details, including user IDs, transaction IDs, payment amounts, and records linked to blocked installations, along with IP addresses and location-related data. In a separate post published the same week, ShinyHunters also claimed it had stolen data from Bumble. The group uploaded what it described as 30 GB of compressed files allegedly sourced from Google Drive and Slack. The claims come shortly after researchers reported that ShinyHunters targeted around 100 organizations by abusing stolen Okta single sign-on credentials. The alleged victim list included well-known SaaS and technology firms such as Atlassian, AppLovin, Canva, Epic Games, Genesys, HubSpot, Iron Mountain, RingCentral, and ZoomInfo, among others. 

Bumble has issued a statement saying that one contractor’s account had been compromised in a phishing incident. The company said the account had limited privileges but was used for brief unauthorized access to a small portion of Bumble’s network. Bumble stated its security team detected and removed the access quickly, confirmed the incident was contained, engaged external cybersecurity experts, and notified law enforcement. Bumble also emphasized that there was no access to its member database, member accounts, the Bumble app, or member direct messages or profiles.
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MFA
AI AI Browsers ChatGPT Data Theft malware MFA

Some ChatGPT Browser Extensions Are Putting User Accounts at Risk

 


Cybersecurity researchers are cautioning users against installing certain browser extensions that claim to improve ChatGPT functionality, warning that some of these tools are being used to steal sensitive data and gain unauthorized access to user accounts.

These extensions, primarily found on the Chrome Web Store, present themselves as productivity boosters designed to help users work faster with AI tools. However, recent analysis suggests that a group of these extensions was intentionally created to exploit users rather than assist them.

Researchers identified at least 16 extensions that appear to be connected to a single coordinated operation. Although listed under different names, the extensions share nearly identical technical foundations, visual designs, publishing timelines, and backend infrastructure. This consistency indicates a deliberate campaign rather than isolated security oversights.

As AI-powered browser tools become more common, attackers are increasingly leveraging their popularity. Many malicious extensions imitate legitimate services by using professional branding and familiar descriptions to appear trustworthy. Because these tools are designed to interact deeply with web-based AI platforms, they often request extensive permissions, which exponentially increases the potential impact of abuse.

Unlike conventional malware, these extensions do not install harmful software on a user’s device. Instead, they take advantage of how browser-based authentication works. To operate as advertised, the extensions require access to active ChatGPT sessions and advanced browser privileges. Once installed, they inject hidden scripts into the ChatGPT website that quietly monitor network activity.

When a logged-in user interacts with ChatGPT, the platform sends background requests that include session tokens. These tokens serve as temporary proof that a user is authenticated. The malicious extensions intercept these requests, extract the tokens, and transmit them to external servers controlled by the attackers.

Possession of a valid session token allows attackers to impersonate users without needing passwords or multi-factor authentication. This can grant access to private chat histories and any external services connected to the account, potentially exposing sensitive personal or organizational information. Some extensions were also found to collect additional data, including usage patterns and internal access credentials generated by the extension itself.

Investigators also observed synchronized publishing behavior, shared update schedules, and common server infrastructure across the extensions, reinforcing concerns that they are part of a single, organized effort.

While the total number of installations remains relatively low, estimated at fewer than 1,000 downloads, security experts warn that early-stage campaigns can scale rapidly. As AI-related extensions continue to grow in popularity, similar threats are likely to emerge.

Experts advise users to carefully evaluate browser extensions before installation, pay close attention to permission requests, and remove tools that request broad access without clear justification. Staying cautious is increasingly important as browser-based attacks become more subtle and harder to detect.

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Phishing emails
Data Theft Income Tax Department India malware Phishing emails

Fake Tax Emails Used to Target Indian Users in New Malware Campaign

 


A newly identified cyberattack campaign is actively exploiting trust in India’s tax system to infect computers with advanced malware designed for long-term surveillance and data theft. The operation relies on carefully crafted phishing emails that impersonate official tax communications and has been assessed as potentially espionage-driven, though no specific hacking group has been confirmed.

The attack begins with emails that appear to originate from the Income Tax Department of India. These messages typically warn recipients about penalties, compliance issues, or document verification, creating urgency and fear. Victims are instructed to open an attached compressed file, believing it to be an official notice.

Once opened, the attachment initiates a hidden infection process. Although the archive contains several components, only one file is visible to the user. This file is disguised as a legitimate inspection or review document. When executed, it quietly loads a concealed malicious system file that operates without the user’s awareness.

This hidden component performs checks to ensure it is not being examined by security analysts and then connects to an external server to download additional malicious code. The next stage exploits a Windows system mechanism to gain administrative privileges without triggering standard security prompts, allowing the attackers deeper control over the system.

To further avoid detection, the malware alters how it identifies itself within the operating system, making it appear as a normal Windows process. This camouflage helps it blend into everyday system activity.

The attackers then deploy another installer that adapts its behavior based on the victim’s security setup. If a widely used antivirus program is detected, the malware does not shut it down. Instead, it simulates user actions, such as mouse movements, to quietly instruct the antivirus to ignore specific malicious files. This allows the attack to proceed while the security software remains active, reducing suspicion.

At the core of the operation is a modified banking-focused malware strain known for targeting organizations across multiple countries. Alongside it, attackers install a legitimate enterprise management tool originally designed for system administration. In this campaign, the software is misused to remotely control infected machines, monitor user behavior, and manage stolen data centrally.

Supporting files are also deployed to strengthen control. These include automated scripts that change folder permissions, adjust user access rights, clean traces of activity, and enable detailed logging. A coordinating program manages these functions to ensure the attackers maintain persistent access.

Researchers note that the campaign combines deception, privilege escalation, stealth execution, and abuse of trusted software, reflecting a high level of technical sophistication and clear intent to maintain prolonged visibility into compromised systems.

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phishing
Credential Theft Data Breach Data Theft Emails IP Address Microsoft Microsoft SharePoint phishing

Attackers Hijack Microsoft Email Accounts to Launch Phishing Campaign Against Energy Firms

 


Cybercriminals have compromised Microsoft email accounts belonging to organizations in the energy sector and used those trusted inboxes to distribute large volumes of phishing emails. In at least one confirmed incident, more than 600 malicious messages were sent from a single hijacked account.

Microsoft security researchers explained that the attackers did not rely on technical exploits or system vulnerabilities. Instead, they gained access by using legitimate login credentials that were likely stolen earlier through unknown means. This allowed them to sign in as real users, making the activity harder to detect.

The attack began with emails that appeared routine and business-related. These messages included Microsoft SharePoint links and subject lines suggesting formal documents, such as proposals or confidentiality agreements. To view the files, recipients were asked to authenticate their accounts.

When users clicked the SharePoint link, they were redirected to a fraudulent website designed to look legitimate. The site prompted them to enter their Microsoft login details. By doing so, victims unknowingly handed over valid usernames and passwords to the attackers.

After collecting credentials, the attackers accessed the compromised email accounts from different IP addresses. They then created inbox rules that automatically deleted incoming emails and marked messages as read. This step helped conceal the intrusion and prevented account owners from noticing unusual activity.

Using these compromised inboxes, the attackers launched a second wave of phishing emails. These messages were sent not only to external contacts but also to colleagues and internal distribution lists. Recipients were selected based on recent email conversations found in the victim’s inbox, increasing the likelihood that the messages would appear trustworthy.

In this campaign, the attackers actively monitored inbox responses. They removed automated replies such as out-of-office messages and undeliverable notices. They also read replies from recipients and responded to questions about the legitimacy of the emails. All such exchanges were later deleted to erase evidence.

Any employee within an energy organization who interacted with the malicious links was also targeted for credential theft, allowing the attackers to expand their access further.

Microsoft confirmed that the activity began in January and described it as a short-duration, multi-stage phishing operation that was quickly disrupted. The company did not disclose how many organizations were affected, identify the attackers, or confirm whether the campaign is still active.

Security experts warn that simply resetting passwords may not be enough in these attacks. Because attackers can interfere with multi-factor authentication settings, they may maintain access even after credentials are changed. For example, attackers can register their own device to receive one-time authentication codes.

Despite these risks, multi-factor authentication remains a critical defense against account compromise. Microsoft also recommends using conditional access controls that assess login attempts based on factors such as location, device health, and user role. Suspicious sign-ins can then be blocked automatically.

Additional protection can be achieved by deploying anti-phishing solutions that scan emails and websites for malicious activity. These measures, combined with user awareness, are essential as attackers increasingly rely on stolen identities rather than software flaws.


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User Privacy
Data Breach Data Theft ESA User Privacy

ESA Confirms Cyber Breach After Hacker Claims 200GB Data Theft

 

The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed a major cybersecurity incident in the external servers used for scientific cooperation. The hackers who carried out the operation claim responsibility for the breach in a post in the hacking community site BreachForums and claim that over 200 GB worth of data has been stolen, including source code, API tokens, and credentials. This incident highlights escalating cyber threats to space infrastructure amid growing interconnectedness in the sector 

It is alleged that the incident occurred around December 18, 2025, with an actor using the pseudonym "888" allegedly gaining access to ESA's JIRA and Bitbucket systems for an approximate week's duration. ESA claims that the compromised systems represented a "very small number" of systems not on their main network, which only included unclassified data meant for engineering partnerships. As a result, the agency conducted an investigation, secured the compromised systems, and notified stakeholders, while claiming that no mission critical systems were compromised. 

The leaked data includes CI/CD pipelines, Terraform files, SQL files, configurations, and hardcoded credentials, which have sparked supply chain security concerns. As for the leaked data, it includes screenshots from the breach, which show unauthorized access to private repositories. However, it is unclear whether this data is genuine or not. It is also unclear whether the leaked data is classified or not. As for security experts, it is believed that this data can be used for lateral movements by highly sophisticated attackers, even if it is unclassified. 

Adding to the trouble, the Lapsus$ group said they carried out a separate breach in September 2025, disclosing they exfiltrated 500 GB of data containing sensitive files on spacecraft operations, mission specifics, and contractor information involving partners such as SpaceX and Airbus. The ESA opened a criminal investigation, working with the authorities, however the immediate effects were minimized. The agency has been hit by a string of incidents since 2011, including skimmers placed on merchandise site readers. 

The series of breaches may be indicative of the "loosely coupled" regional space cooperative environment featuring among the ESA 23 member states. Space cybersecurity requirements are rising—as evidenced by open solicitations for security products—incidents like this may foster distrust of global partnerships. Investigations continue on what will be the long-term threats, but there is a pressing need for stronger protection.
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SMS Phishing Attacks
Browser Based Phishing Cybercrime In India Data Theft Digital Traffic Enforcement E-Challan Phishing Fake Government Websites Online Payment Fraud Public Sector Cybersecurity SMS Phishing Attacks

Phishing Network Exploits e-Challan System to Target Indian Vehicle Owners


 

India has developed a digital traffic enforcement ecosystem that has become more deeply integrated into everyday life, this means that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting both the public's faith in government systems to perpetrate large-scale financial fraud on the country's streets. 

An e-Challan fraud scam that has recently been uncovered has revealed a comprehensive network of over 36 online fraud sites designed to impersonate government traffic portals and entice unsuspecting vehicle owners into disclosing sensitive financial information through phishing campaigns. It has emerged through Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs that the operation has demonstrated a strategic shift in cybercrime tactics. 

The operation reflects a move away from the delivery of malware through traditional techniques and towards browser-based deception that heavily relies on social engineering techniques. As a result of the fraudulent portals that closely resemble authentic e-Challan platforms, the fraudulent portals are mainly promoted through SMS messages that are sent to Indian motorists, taking advantage of the urgency and credibility associated with traffic violation notices in order to maximize the level of engagement with victims and financial losses they suffer.

Essentially, the phishing campaign targets vehicle owners by sending them carefully crafted SMS messages claiming they have been issued a traffic challan that has not been paid, but they really need to pay it immediately. The messages are designed to cause anxiety among recipients, often warning them of imminent license suspension, legal action, or escalating penalties if they fail to pay. 

The attackers manage to convince their victims that their links are authentic by instilling urgency and fear. Once the recipient clicks on the embedded link, they will be redirected to a fake website in which they would appear to be the official Regional Transport Office and e-Challan portals. A fake platform is a replica of the government's insignia, with its familiar layout and authoritative language, making it very difficult for users to distinguish it from legitimate services at first glance. 

In order to enhance the illusion of authenticity as well as to lower users’ defenses, visual accuracy plays a crucial role in reinforcing this illusion. The scam is based on presenting fabricated information regarding traffic violations. Victims are presented with challan records displaying relatively modest penalty amounts, usually ranging between $ 500 and $ 600. 

According to researchers, the modest sums of these tickets are deliberately chosen to minimize suspicion and encourage a quick payment. In spite of the fact that the violation data presented does not appear to be linked to any official government database, this data has been created simply to give the operation credibility.

However, the ultimate goal of the operation is not the payment of the penalty, but rather to harvest payment information for financial cards. One of the most prominent red flags identified by Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs is the fact that payment functionality on these fraudulent portals is restricted. 

The fake government platforms, on the other hand, accept only credit and debit cards, as opposed to the genuine government platforms which provide a variety of payment options, such as UPI and net banking. Users are asked for sensitive card information, such as their card numbers, expiration dates, CVV numbers, and names.

Although the portal appeared to accept repeated card submissions, even after a transaction appeared to have failed, there were several instances of the portal continuing to accept repeated card submissions. Upon analyzing this behavior, it appears that the attackers are collecting and transmitting card data to their backend systems regardless of whether a payment has been processed successfully, thus enabling multiple sets of financial credentials to be stolen from a single victim, allowing them to steal multiple sets of credentials from the same victim. 

Furthermore, an analysis of the campaign revealed a structured, multi-stage attack pattern. As part of the initial SMS messages, which are usually deceptive and often short URLs, that mimic official e-Challan branding, and that do not include any personalisation, the messages are easily sent at large numbers and do not require any personalisation to be successful. 

Mobile numbers are more frequently used to deliver messages than short codes, which increases delivery success and reduces immediate suspicions. The infrastructure analysis indicates that the attack has a broader scope and is currently evolving. 

Investigators found several phishing domains that were impersonating Indian services like e-Challan and Parivahan hosted by several attacker-controlled servers. As a result of subtle misspellings and naming variations, some of the domains closely resemble legitimate brands. This pattern implies that the campaign is utilizing rotating, automatically generated domains, an approach that has been widely used in recent years to avoid detection, takedowns, and security blocklists. 

Despite countermeasures, it has continued to grow and thrive. After further investigation into the fraudulent e-Challan portals, it has been found that the fraudulent e-Challan portals were part of a well-coordinated criminal ecosystem. 

Upon first glance, the backend infrastructure of both the phishing attacks appears to be based on the same technical system, and this reuse extends well beyond the usual phishing scams associated with traffic enforcement. 

In addition, this network has been observed hosting attacks impersonating prestigious international brands such as HSBC, DTDC, and Delhivery, and holding deceptive websites that purport to represent government-approved transport platforms such as Parivahan, held by officials of the Indian government. 

According to the research, a professional cybercrime operation with shared resources and standardized tools has been observed by consistently reusing the hosting infrastructure, page templates, and payment processes rather than being an assortment of disconnected or opportunistic fraud attempts. Researchers also discovered deliberate evasion strategies that were designed to extend the life of the campaign by bypassing detection and to prolong its lifespan. 

There have also been instances where domain names have been frequently rotated to evade takedowns and security blocklists. Also, there have been instances when phishing templates were originally written in Spanish, but were later translated automatically for Indian targets based on their translation. 

Through carefully crafted urgency-driven messaging, which pressures users to proceed in spite of visible risk indicators, browser security warnings have been neutralised in several cases. A significant number of the malicious domains linked to the operation are still active, underscoring the persistent nature of the campaign as well as the difficulty of disrupting trust-based digital fraud at scale. 

As digital payments and online civic services become more and more prevalent, experts warn that a lack of financial awareness and monitoring is likely to continue to occur in the future as such scams continue to be successful.

It is possible for individuals and businesses to prevent loss and minimize the risk of losses by maintaining clear financial records, routinely reconciling transactions, and closely tracking digital payment activities. There is a growing perception among the Indian business community that these practices are the frontline defence against sophisticated phishing-driven fraud, often supported by professional bookkeeping and financial oversight services. 

There has been an advisory issued by cybersecurity professionals to motorists over the past few weeks, urging them to be cautious when it comes to dealing with digital communications related to traffic. There is an advisory to citizens against clicking on links received in unsolicited messages claiming unpaid fines. 

They are also advised to verify challan details only on official government portals such as parivahan.gov.in, as well as to avoid payment pages that require card numbers in order to complete transactions. Cybercrime authorities need to be notified about suspicious messages and websites as soon as possible. 

More than 36 fake e-Challan websites have been discovered in the past few months. This is a stark reminder that even routine civic interactions can be exploited by organized cybercriminals when vigilance falls short. 

India's rapidly digitizing public services ecosystem, where convenience and accessibility can inadvertently increase cybercriminal attack surfaces, exemplifies a broader threat to this ecosystem. The scale and sophistication of this campaign underscores a broader challenge. 

With online portals becoming the default interface for civic interaction, experts emphasize that more public awareness should be raised, authentication cues should be clearer, and government agencies, telecom carriers, and financial institutions should work together better to disrupt fraud at its source by increasing public awareness. 

There are several proactive measures that could be taken to combat such scams in the future, such as monitoring domains in real-time, tightening SMS filtering, and adopting verified sender IDs widely among mass consumers. 

The importance of digital hygiene for users remains constant - questioning unexpected payments, checking information through official channels, and observing bank statements for irregularities - for users. 

As part of their preventive measures, financial institutions and payment service providers can also strengthen anomaly detection, and send timely alerts for suspicious card activities as soon as possible. 

As India continues to transition toward a digitally-driven governance system, as a result of the fake e-Challan operation, it should serve as a cautionary example of how everyday digital services can be weaponised at scale, reinforcing the need for vigilance, verification, and shared accountability as Indian governance constantly transforms.
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zero Day vulnerability
Cisco Cyber Security Data Theft Pornhub United States zero Day vulnerability

This Week in Cybersecurity: User Data Theft, AI-Driven Fraud, and System Vulnerabilities

 



This week surfaced several developments that accentuate how cyber threats continue to affect individuals, corporations, and governments across the globe.

In the United States, federal records indicate that Customs and Border Protection is expanding its use of small surveillance drones, shifting from limited testing to routine deployment. These unmanned systems are expected to significantly widen the agency’s monitoring capabilities, with some operations extending beyond physical U.S. borders. At the same time, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to roll out a new cybersecurity contract that would increase digital monitoring of its workforce. This move aligns with broader government efforts to tighten internal controls amid growing concerns about leaks and internal opposition.

On the criminal front, a major data extortion case has emerged involving user records linked to PornHub, one of the world’s most visited adult platforms. A hacking group associated with a broader online collective claims to have obtained hundreds of millions of data entries tied to paid users. The stolen material reportedly includes account-linked browsing activity and email addresses. The company has stated that the data appears to originate from a third-party analytics service it previously relied on, meaning the exposed records may be several years old. While sensitive financial credentials were not reported as part of the breach, the attackers have allegedly attempted to pressure the company through extortion demands, raising concerns about how behavioral data can be weaponized even years after collection.

Geopolitical tensions also spilled into cyberspace this week. Venezuela’s state oil firm reported a cyber incident affecting its administrative systems, occurring shortly after U.S. authorities seized an oil tanker carrying Venezuelan crude. Officials in Caracas accused Washington of being behind the intrusion, framing it as part of a broader campaign targeting the country’s energy sector. Although the company said oil production continued, external reporting suggests that internal systems were temporarily disabled and shipping operations were disrupted. The U.S. government has not publicly accepted responsibility, and no independently verified technical evidence has been released.

In enterprise security, Cisco disclosed an actively exploited zero-day vulnerability affecting certain email security products used by organizations worldwide. Researchers confirmed that attackers had been abusing the flaw for weeks before public disclosure. The weakness exists within a specific email filtering feature and can allow unauthorized access under certain configurations. Cisco has not yet issued a patch but has advised customers to disable affected components as a temporary safeguard while remediation efforts continue.

Separately, two employees from cybersecurity firms admitted guilt in a ransomware operation, highlighting insider risk within the security industry itself. Court records show that the individuals used their professional expertise to carry out extortion attacks, including one case that resulted in a seven-figure ransom payment.

Together, these incidents reflect the expanding scope of cyber risk, spanning personal data privacy, national infrastructure, corporate security, and insider threats. Staying informed, verifying claims, and maintaining updated defenses remain essential in an increasingly complex digital environment.


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Government attacks
Cyber Security Cyberattacks cybersecurity risks Data Breaches Data Theft Digital Risk Digital Security Government attacks

A Year of Unprecedented Cybersecurity Incidents Redefined Global Risk in 2025

 

The year 2025 marked a turning point in the global cybersecurity landscape, with the scale, frequency, and impact of attacks surpassing anything seen before. Across governments, enterprises, and critical infrastructure, breaches were no longer isolated technical failures but events with lasting economic, political, and social consequences. The year served as a stark reminder that digital systems underpinning modern life remain deeply vulnerable to both state-backed and financially motivated actors. 

Government systems emerged as some of the most heavily targeted environments. In the United States, multiple federal agencies suffered intrusions throughout the year, including departments responsible for financial oversight and national security. Exploited software vulnerabilities enabled attackers to gain access to sensitive systems, while foreign threat actors were reported to have siphoned sealed judicial records from court filing platforms. The most damaging episode involved widespread unauthorized access to federal databases, resulting in what experts described as the largest exposure of U.S. government data to date. Legal analysts warned that violations of established security protocols could carry long-term legal and national security ramifications. 

The private sector faced equally severe challenges, particularly from organized ransomware and extortion groups. One of the most disruptive campaigns involved attackers exploiting a previously unknown flaw in widely used enterprise business software. By silently accessing systems months before detection, the group extracted vast quantities of sensitive employee and executive data from organizations across education, healthcare, media, and corporate sectors. When victims were finally alerted, many were confronted with ransom demands accompanied by proof of stolen personal information, highlighting the growing sophistication of data-driven extortion tactics. 

Cloud ecosystems also proved to be a major point of exposure. A series of downstream breaches at technology service providers resulted in the theft of approximately one billion records stored within enterprise cloud platforms. By compromising vendors with privileged access, attackers were able to reach data belonging to some of the world’s largest technology companies. The stolen information was later advertised on leak sites, with new victims continuing to surface long after the initial disclosures, underscoring the cascading risks of interconnected software supply chains. 

In the United Kingdom, cyberattacks moved beyond data theft and into large-scale operational disruption. Retailers experienced outages and customer data losses that temporarily crippled supply chains. The most economically damaging incident struck a major automotive manufacturer, halting production for months and triggering financial distress across its supplier network. The economic fallout was so severe that government intervention was required to stabilize the workforce and prevent wider industrial collapse, signaling how cyber incidents can now pose systemic economic threats. 

Asia was not spared from escalating cyber risk. South Korea experienced near-monthly breaches affecting telecom providers, technology firms, and online retail platforms. Tens of millions of citizens had personal data exposed due to prolonged undetected intrusions and inadequate data protection practices. In one of the year’s most consequential incidents, a major retailer suffered months of unauthorized data extraction before discovery, ultimately leading to executive resignations and public scrutiny over corporate accountability. 

Collectively, the events of 2025 demonstrated that cybersecurity failures now carry consequences far beyond IT departments. Disruption, rather than data theft alone, has become a powerful weapon, forcing governments and organizations worldwide to reassess resilience, accountability, and the true cost of digital insecurity.
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RansomHouse
Askul Data Breach Data Theft Japanese Firm RansomHouse

Askul Confirms RansomHouse Ransomware Breach Exposed 740,000 Records

 

Japanese e-commerce giant Askul Corporation confirmed that a ransomware attack carried out by the RansomHouse group led to the theft of about 740,000 customer records in October 2025. Askul, which is a major supplier of office supplies and logistics services owned by Yahoo! Japan, suffered a critical failure within their IT system due to the breach, forcing the company to shut down shipments to customers, including the popular retail chain Muji. 

Compromised data includes approximately 590,000 business customer service records, 132,000 individual customer records, 15,000 records of business partners (outsourcers, agents, suppliers), and about 2,700 records of executives and employees across group companies. 

Detailed information about the breach is not being disclosed by Askul to avoid further exploitation. The company is trying to individually contact affected customers and partners. It has reported the incident to Japan's Personal Information Protection Commission and put in place long-term monitoring to mitigate the risk of misuse. 

The RansomHouse group is known to conduct both data exfiltration and encryption operations, and it announced the breach on October 30, followed by two data leaks on November 10 and December 2. An Askul investigation found that the breach occurred due to compromised authentication credentials related to an outsourced partner administrator account that did not have multi-factor authentication (MFA). After accessing the systems, the attackers performed reconnaissance, gathered authentication information, disabled EDR software, and moved laterally between servers to gain privileged access. 

Several types of ransomware were deployed; some were even capable of bypassing the EDR signatures of the time. This resulted in widespread data encryption and systemic outages. Another step the attackers took was to clear the backup files to further impede recovery. Askul severed connectivity to infected networks, isolated affected systems, updated EDR signatures, and implemented MFA for all critical systems. 

As of mid-December, Askul continues to face disruptions in order shipping and is working to fully restore its systems. The financial impact of the attack has not yet been estimated, and the company has postponed its scheduled earnings report to allow for a thorough assessment.
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personal data leak
Cyber Attacks Data Leak data security Data Theft employee data exposed Jaguar Jaguar Land Rover cyberattack payroll security breach personal data leak

Jaguar Land Rover Confirms Employee Data Theft After August 2025 Cyberattack

 

British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that a cyberattack uncovered in August 2025 led to the theft of payroll and personal data of thousands of current and former employees. After this disclosure, the company asked the affected people to remain alert about identity theft, phishing attempts, and financial fraud. 

The breach represents the first official acknowledgement from JLR that employee personal information was compromised during the incident. Earlier statements had focused largely on the operational disruption caused by the attack, which forced the temporary shutdown of vehicle production across several manufacturing facilities for several weeks. The company employs more than 38,000 people worldwide. Records pertaining to former employees and contractors were also affected. 

Internal communications shared with staff revealed that forensic investigations determined attackers took unauthorized access to payroll administration systems. These systems would include sensitive employment-related records, including data associated with salaries, pension contributions, employee benefits, and information about dependents. While JLR has stated that there is currently no evidence that the stolen information has been publicly leaked or actively misused, the nature of the exposed data creates a heightened risk profile.  

Cybersecurity experts point out that payroll systems usually host very sensitive identifiers such as bank account details, national insurance numbers, tax information, residential addresses, and compensation records. Even partial data exposure could increase the chances of identity fraud, account takeover attempts, and targeted social engineering attacks by a great degree. In response, JLR has recommended that the affected keep themselves aware of unsolicited communications and enhance passwords related to personal and professional accounts. 

For the sake of mitigation, the company has declared two years of free credit and identity monitoring services for its current and former affected employees. A dedicated helpline is also established for phone support, to assist with queries, advise on protective measures, and take reports of suspected fraudulent activity. This decision by JLR comes after forensic analysis had continued post-restoration of safe production operations. 

The breach has been formally reported to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), which has confirmed it is conducting enquiries into the incident. The regulator has asked for more information about the extent of the breach, what security controls were in place at the time of the attack, and what remedial action has been taken since the intrusion was detected. The after-effects of the cyberattack spilled over beyond JLR's workforce. 

The disruption reportedly affected almost 5,000 supplier and partner organizations, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern manufacturing supply chains. Estimates place the overall economic impact of the incident at roughly ₹20,000 crore. Official figures suggest the disruption contributed to a measurable contraction in the UK economy during September 2025. JLR also announced that the attack resulted in the quarterly sales decline of an estimated ₹15,750 crore, along with a one-time recovery and remediation cost of around ₹2,060 crore. 

The costs comprised restoration of systems, security controls enhancement, and incident response. The intrusion, which was earlier claimed by a hacking group named "Scattered Lapsus Hunters" that had earlier been involved with attacks on major retail organizations, has alleged that the organization also accessed customer data. 
However, Jaguar Land Rover claims that evidence supporting those claims has not been found. Investigations are ongoing, and the firm has announced that it will keep informing employees, regulators, and other stakeholders as more information becomes available.
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Password Security
Compromised Passwords Cyber Security Cyberattacks CyberCrime Data Theft FBI FBI Alert Password Security

FBI Discovers 630 Million Stolen Passwords in Major Cybercrime Investigation

 

A newly disclosed trove of stolen credentials has underscored the scale of modern cybercrime after U.S. federal investigators uncovered hundreds of millions of compromised passwords on devices seized from a single suspected hacker. The dataset, comprising approximately 630 million passwords, has now been integrated into the widely used Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) database, significantly expanding its ability to warn users about exposed credentials. 

The passwords were provided to HIBP by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as part of ongoing cybercrime investigations. According to Troy Hunt, the security researcher behind the service, this latest contribution is particularly striking because it originates from one individual rather than a large breach aggregation. While the FBI has shared compromised credentials with HIBP for several years, the sheer volume associated with this case highlights how centralized and extensive credential theft operations have become. 

Initial analysis suggests the data was collected from a mixture of underground sources, including dark web marketplaces, messaging platforms such as Telegram, and large-scale infostealer malware campaigns. Not all of the passwords were previously unknown, but a meaningful portion had never appeared in public breach repositories. Roughly 7.4% of the dataset represents newly identified compromised passwords, amounting to tens of millions of credentials that were previously undetectable by users relying on breach-monitoring tools. 

Security experts warn that even recycled or older passwords remain highly valuable to attackers. Stolen credentials are frequently reused in credential-stuffing attacks, where automated tools attempt the same password across multiple platforms. Because many users continue to reuse passwords, a single exposed credential can provide access to multiple accounts, amplifying the potential impact of historical data leaks. 

The expanded dataset is now searchable through the Pwned Passwords service, which allows users to check whether a password has appeared in known breach collections. The system is designed to preserve privacy by hashing submitted passwords and ensuring no personally identifiable information is stored or associated with search results. This enables individuals and organizations to proactively block compromised passwords without exposing sensitive data. 

The discovery has renewed calls for stronger credential hygiene across both consumer and enterprise environments. Cybersecurity professionals consistently emphasize that password reuse and weak password creation remain among the most common contributors to account compromise. Password managers are widely recommended as an effective countermeasure, as they allow users to generate and store long, unique passwords for every service without relying on memory. 

In addition to password managers, broader adoption of passkeys and multi-factor authentication is increasingly viewed as essential. These technologies significantly reduce reliance on static passwords and make stolen credential databases far less useful to attackers. Many platforms now support these features, yet adoption remains inconsistent. 

As law enforcement continues to uncover massive credential repositories during cybercrime investigations, experts caution that similar discoveries are likely in the future. Each new dataset reinforces the importance of assuming passwords will eventually be exposed and building defenses accordingly. Regular password audits, automated breach detection, and layered authentication controls are now considered baseline requirements for maintaining digital security.
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Ransomware
Data Breach Data Theft eCommerce Japan MFA Ransomware

Askul Discloses Scope of Customer Data Theft Following October Ransomware Incident

 



Japanese e-commerce firm Askul Corporation has officially confirmed that a ransomware attack earlier this year led to the unauthorized access and theft of data belonging to nearly 740,000 individuals. The company made the disclosure after completing a detailed investigation into the cyber incident that occurred in October.

Askul operates a large-scale online platform that provides office supplies and logistics services to both corporate clients and individual consumers. The company is part of the Yahoo! Japan corporate group and plays a significant role in Japan’s business-to-business supply chain.

The cyberattack caused serious disruptions to Askul’s internal systems, resulting in an operational shutdown that forced the company to suspend product shipments. This disruption affected a wide range of customers, including major retail partners such as Muji.

Following the conclusion of its internal review, Askul clarified the categories of data that were compromised. According to the company, service-related records of approximately 590,000 business customers were accessed. Data connected to around 132,000 individual customers was also involved. In addition, information related to roughly 15,000 business partners, including outsourcing firms, agents, and suppliers, was exposed. The incident further affected personal data linked to about 2,700 executives and employees, including those from group companies.

Askul stated that it is deliberately limiting the disclosure of specific details related to the stolen data to reduce the risk of further exploitation. The company confirmed that affected customers and business partners will be informed directly through individual notifications.

Regulatory authorities have also been notified. Askul reported the data exposure to Japan’s Personal Information Protection Commission and has implemented long-term monitoring measures to identify and prevent any potential misuse of the compromised information.

System recovery remains ongoing. As of December 15, shipping operations had not fully returned to normal, and the company continues to work toward restoring all affected services.

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by the ransomware group known as RansomHouse. The group publicly disclosed the breach at the end of October and later released portions of the stolen data in two separate leaks in November and December.

Askul shared limited technical findings regarding how the attackers gained access. The company believes the intrusion began through stolen login credentials associated with an administrator account belonging to an outsourced partner. This account did not have multi-factor authentication enabled, making it easier for attackers to exploit.

After entering the network, the attackers conducted internal reconnaissance, collected additional authentication information, and expanded their access to multiple servers. Askul reported that security defenses, including endpoint detection and response tools, were disabled during the attack. The company also noted that several ransomware variants were deployed, some of which bypassed existing detection mechanisms despite recent updates.

The attack resulted in both data encryption and widespread system failures. The ransomware was executed simultaneously across multiple servers, and backup files were deliberately erased to prevent rapid system recovery.

In response, Askul disconnected affected networks, restricted communication between data centers and logistics facilities, isolated compromised devices, and strengthened endpoint security controls. Multi-factor authentication has since been enforced across critical systems, and all administrator account passwords have been reset.

The financial consequences of the incident have not yet been determined. Askul has postponed its earnings report to allow additional time for a comprehensive assessment of the impact.



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online privacy concerns
AI Browser Security AI Browsers AI cyberattacks AI technology Cyber Security Data Theft online privacy concerns

AI Browsers Raise Privacy and Security Risks as Prompt Injection Attacks Grow

 

A new wave of competition is stirring in the browser market as companies like OpenAI, Perplexity, and The Browser Company aggressively push to redefine how humans interact with the web. Rather than merely displaying pages, these AI browsers will be engineered to reason, take action independently, and execute tasks on behalf of end users. At least four such products, including ChatGPT's Atlas, Perplexity's Comet, and The Browser Company's Dia, represent a transition reminiscent of the early browser wars, when Netscape and Internet Explorer battled to compete for a role in the shaping of the future of the Internet. 

Whereas the other browsers rely on search results and manual navigation, an AI browser is designed to understand natural language instructions and perform multi-step actions. For instance, a user can ask an AI browser to find a restaurant nearby, compare options, and make a reservation without the user opening the booking page themselves. In this context, the browser has to process both user instructions and the content of each of the webpages it accesses, intertwining decision-making with automation. 

But this capability also creates a serious security risk that's inherent in the way large language models work. AI systems cannot be sure whether a command comes from a trusted user or comes with general text on an untrusted web page. Malicious actors may now inject malicious instructions within webpages, which can include uses of invisible text, HTML comments, and image-based prompts. Unbeknownst to them, that might get processed by an AI browser along with the user's original request-a type of attack now called prompt injection. 

The consequence of such attacks could be dire, since AI browsers are designed to gain access to sensitive data in order to function effectively. Many ask for permission to emails, calendars, contacts, payment information, and browsing histories. If compromised, those very integrations become conduits for data exfiltration. Security researchers have shown just how prompt injections can trick AI browsers into forwarding emails, extracting stored credentials, making unauthorized purchases, or downloading malware without explicit user interaction. One such neat proof-of-concept was that of Perplexity's Comet browser, wherein the researchers had embedded command instructions in a Reddit comment, hidden behind a spoiler tag. When the browser arrived and was asked to summarise the page, it obediently followed the buried commands and tried to scrape email data. The user did nothing more than request a summary; passive interactions indeed are enough to get someone compromised. 

More recently, researchers detailed a method called HashJack, which abuses the way web browsers process URL fragments. Everything that appears after the “#” in a URL never actually makes it to the server of a given website and is only accessible to the browser. An attacker can embed nefarious commands in this fragment, and AI-powered browsers may read and act upon it without the hosting site detecting such commands. Researchers have already demonstrated that this method can make AI browsers show the wrong information, such as incorrect dosages of medication on well-known medical websites. Though vendors are experimenting with mitigations, such as reinforcement learning to detect suspicious prompts or restricting access during logged-out browsing sessions, these remain imperfect. 

The flexibility that makes AI browsers useful also makes them vulnerable. As the technology is still in development, it shows great convenience, but the security risks raise questions of whether fully trustworthy AI browsing is an unsolved problem.
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Hacker Groups
Cyber Attacks cybercrime gangs CyberSecurity Ransomware Attacks Data protection data security Data Theft Hacker Groups

Rhysida Ransomware Gang Claims Attack on Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office

 

The ransomware gang Rhysida has claimed responsibility for a cyberattack targeting the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office in Oklahoma. The sheriff’s office publicly confirmed the incident on November 20, stating that parts of its internal systems were affected. However, key details of the breach remain limited as the investigation continues. 

Rhysida claims that sensitive information was extracted during the intrusion and that a ransom of nine bitcoin—about $787,000 at the time of the claim—has been demanded. To support its claim, the group released what it described as sample records taken from the sheriff’s office. The leaked material reportedly includes Social Security cards, criminal background checks, booking documents, court filings, mugshots, and medical information. 

Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the stolen data is authentic or how many individuals may be affected. It also remains unclear how the attackers gained access, whether systems remain compromised, or if the sheriff’s office intends to negotiate with the group. 

In a brief public statement, the agency reported that a “cybersecurity incident” had disrupted its network and that a full investigation was underway. The sheriff’s office emphasized that emergency response and daily law enforcement functions were continuing without interruption. A Facebook post associated with the announcement—later removed—reiterated that 911 services, patrol response, and public safety operations remained operational. County IT teams are still assessing the full extent of the attack. 

Rhysida is a relatively recent but increasingly active ransomware operation, first identified in May 2023. The group operates under a ransomware-as-a-service model, allowing affiliates to deploy its malware in exchange for a share of ransom proceeds. Rhysida’s typical method involves data theft followed by encryption, with the group demanding payment both to delete stolen files and to provide decryption keys. The group has now claimed responsibility for at least 246 ransomware attacks, nearly 100 of which have been confirmed by affected organizations. 

Government agencies continue to be frequent targets. In recent years, Rhysida has claimed attacks on the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, although both organizations reported refusing ransom demands. Broader data suggests the trend is escalating, with researchers documenting at least 72 confirmed ransomware attacks on U.S. government entities so far in 2025, affecting nearly 450,000 records. 

The average ransom demand across these incidents is estimated at $1.18 million. The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office serves approximately 280,000 residents in Oklahoma and has around 200 employees. As the investigation remains active, officials say additional updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
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Ransomware
Akira Cyber Crime Data Theft it services Ransomware

Virtual Machines on Nutanix AHV now in Akira’s Crosshairs; Enterprises must Close Gaps

 



Security agencies have issued a new warning about the Akira ransomware group after investigators confirmed that the operators have added Nutanix AHV virtual machines to their list of targets. This represents a significant expansion of the group’s capabilities, which had already included attacks on VMware ESXi and Microsoft Hyper-V environments. The update signals that Akira is no longer limiting itself to conventional endpoints or common hypervisors and is now actively pursuing a wider range of virtual infrastructure used in large organisations.

Although Akira was first known for intrusions affecting small and medium businesses across North America, Europe and Australia, the pattern of attacks has changed noticeably over the last year. Incident reports now show that the group is striking much larger companies, particularly those involved in manufacturing, IT services, healthcare operations, banking and financial services, and food-related industries. This shift suggests a strategic move toward high-value victims where disruptions can cause substantial operational impact and increase the pressure to pay ransom demands.

Analysts observing the group’s behaviour note that Akira has not simply created a few new variants. Instead, it has invested considerable effort into developing ransomware that functions across multiple operating systems, including Windows and Linux, and across several virtualisation platforms. Building such wide-reaching capability requires long-term planning, and researchers interpret this as evidence that the group aims to remain active for an extended period.


How attackers get into networks 

Investigations into real-world intrusions show that Akira typically begins by taking advantage of weak points in remote access systems and devices connected to the internet. Many victims used VPN systems that lacked multifactor authentication, making them vulnerable to attackers trying common password combinations or using previously leaked credentials. The group has also exploited publicly known vulnerabilities in networking products from major vendors and in backup platforms that had not been updated with security patches.

In addition to these weaknesses, Akira has used targeted phishing emails, misconfigured Remote Desktop Protocol portals, and exposed SSH interfaces on network routers. In some breaches, compromising a router allowed attackers to tunnel deeper into internal networks and reach critical servers, especially outdated backup systems that had not been maintained.

Once inside, the attackers survey the entire environment. They run commands designed to identify domain controllers and trust relationships between systems, giving them a map of how the network is structured. To avoid being detected, they often use remote-access tools that are normally employed by IT administrators, making their activity harder to differentiate from legitimate work. They also disable security software, create administrator-level user accounts for long-term access, and deploy tools capable of running commands on multiple machines at once.


Data theft and encryption techniques 

Akira uses a double-extortion method. The attackers first locate and collect sensitive corporate information, which they compress and transfer out of the network using well-known tools such as FileZilla, WinRAR, WinSCP or RClone. Some investigations show that this data extraction process can be completed in just a few hours. Once the information has been removed, they launch the ransomware encryptor, which uses modern encryption algorithms that are designed to work quickly and efficiently. Over time, the group has changed the file extensions that appear after encryption and has modified the names and placement of ransom notes. The ransomware also removes Windows shadow copies to block easy recovery options.


Why the threat continues to succeed 

Cybersecurity experts point out that Akira benefits from long-standing issues that many organisations fail to address. Network appliances, remote access devices, and backup servers often remain unpatched for months, giving attackers opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities that should have been resolved. These overlooked systems create gaps that remain unnoticed until an intrusion is already underway.


How organisations can strengthen defences 

While applying patches, enabling multifactor authentication, and keeping offline backups remain essential, the recent wave of incidents shows that more comprehensive measures are necessary. Specialists recommend dividing networks into smaller segments to limit lateral movement, monitoring administrator-level activity closely, and extending security controls to backup systems and virtualisation consoles. Organisations should also conduct complete ransomware readiness exercises that include not only technical recovery procedures but also legal considerations, communication strategies, and preparations for potential data leaks.

Security researchers emphasise that companies must approach defence with the same mindset attackers use to find vulnerabilities. Identifying weaknesses before adversaries exploit them can make the difference between a minor disruption and a large-scale crisis.



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