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virus
AI Antivirus Cloud Data Identity Protection phishing Technology virus

Antivirus vs Identity Protection Software: What to Choose and How?


Users often put digital security into a single category and confuse identity protection with antivirus, assuming both work the same. But they are not. Before you buy one, it is important to understand the difference between the two. This blog covers the difference between identity theft security and device security.

Cybersecurity threats: Past vs present 

Traditionally, a common computer virus could crash a machine and infect a few files. That was it. But today, the cybersecurity landscape has changed from compromising computers via system overload of resources to stealing personal data. 

A computer virus is a malware that self-replicates, travelling through devices. It corrupts data and software, and can also steal personal data. 

With time, hackers have learned that users are easier targets than computers. These days, malware and social engineering attacks pose more threats than viruses. A well planned phishing email or a fake login page will benefit hackers more than a traditional virus. 

Due to the surge in data breaches, hackers have got it easy. Your data- phone number, financial details, passwords is swimming in databases, sold like bulk goods on the dark web. 

AI has made things worse and easier to exploit. Hackers can now create believable messages and even impersonate your voice. These shenanigans don't even require creativity, they need to be convincing enough to bait a victim to click or reply. 

Where antivirus fails

Your personal data never stays only on your computer, it is collected and sold by data brokers and advertisers, or to third-parties who benefit from it. When threat actors get their hands on this data, they can use it to impersonate you. 

In this case, antivirus is of no help. It is unable to notice breaches happening at organizations you don't control or someone impersonating you. Antivirus protects your system from malware that exists outside your system. There is a limit to what it can do. Antivirus can protect the machine, but not the user behind it. 

Role of identity theft protection 

Identity protection doesn't concern itself with your system health. It looks out for information that follows you everywhere- SSN, e-mail addresses, your contact number and accounts linked to your finances. If something suspicious turns up, it informs you. Identity protection works more on the monitoring side. It may watch your credit reports for threats- a new account or a hard enquiry, or falling credit score. Identity protection software looks out for early warning signs of theft, as mentioned above. It also checks if your data has been put up on dark web or part of any latest leaks. 

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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.
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Technology
Cybercrime Trends Cybersecurity Threats Data Breach Risks Digital Deception fraud prevention Home Security Online Identity Protection Online Safety Social Engineering Technology

Digital Deception Drives a Sophisticated Era of Cybercrime


 

Digital technology is becoming more and more pervasive in the everyday lives, but a whole new spectrum of threats is quietly emerging behind the curtain, quietly advancing beneath the surface of routine online behavior. 

A wide range of cybercriminals are leveraging an ever-expanding toolkit to take advantage of the emotional manipulation embedded in deepfake videos, online betting platforms, harmful games and romance scams, as well as sophisticated phishing schemes and zero-day exploits to infiltrate not only devices, but the habits and vulnerabilities of the users as well. 

Google's preferred sources have long stressed the importance of understanding how attackers attack, which is the first line of defence for any organization. The Cyberabad Police was the latest agency to extend an alert to households, which adds an additional urgency to this issue. 

According to the authorities' advisory, Caught in the Digital Web Vigilance is the Only Shield, it is clear criminals are not forcing themselves into homes anymore, rather they are slipping silently through mobile screens, influencing children, youth, and families with manipulative content that shapes their behaviors, disrupts their mental well-being, and undermines society at large. 

There is no doubt that digital hygiene has become an integral part of modern cybercrime and is not an optional thing anymore, but rather a necessary necessity in an era where deception has become a key weapon. 

Approximately 60% of breaches now have been linked to human behavior, according to Verizon Business Business 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR). These findings reinforce how human behavior remains intimately connected with cyber risk. Throughout the report, social engineering techniques such as phishing and pretexting, as well as other forms of social engineering, are being adapted across geographies, industries, and organizational scales as users have a tendency to rely on seemingly harmless digital interactions on a daily basis. 

DBIR finds that cybercriminals are increasingly posing as trusted entities, exploiting familiar touchpoints like parcel delivery alerts or password reset prompts, knowing that these everyday notifications naturally encourage a quick click, exploiting the fact that these everyday notifications naturally invite a quick click. 

In addition, the findings of the DBIR report demonstrate how these once-basic tricks have been turned into sophisticated deception architectures where the web itself has become a weapon. With the advent of fake software updates, which mimic the look and feel of legitimate pop-ups, and links that appear to be embedded in trusted vendor newsletters may quietly redirect users to compromised websites, this has become one of the most alarming developments. 

It has been found that attackers are coaxing individuals into pasting malicious commands into the enterprise system, turning essential workplace tools into self-destructive devices. In recent years, infected attachments and rogue sites have been masquerading as legitimate webpages, cloaking attacks behind the façade of security, even long-standing security tools that are being repurposed; verification prompts and "prove you are human" checkpoints are being manipulated to funnel users towards infected attachments and malicious websites. 

A number of Phishing-as-a-Service platforms are available for the purpose of stealing credentials in a more precise and sophisticated manner, and cybercriminals are now intentionally harvesting Multi-Factor Authentication data based on targeted campaigns that target specific sectors, further expanding the scope of credential theft. 

In the resulting threat landscape, security itself is frequently used as camouflage, and the strength of the defensive systems is only as strong as the amount of trust that users place in the screens before them. It is important to point out that even as cyberattack techniques become more sophisticated, experts contend that the fundamentals of security remain unchanged: a company or individual cannot be effectively protected against a cyberattack without understanding their own vulnerabilities. 

The industry continues to emphasise the importance of improving visibility, reducing the digital attack surface, and adopting best practices in order to stay ahead of an expanding number of increasingly adaptive adversaries; however, the risks extend far beyond the corporate perimeter. There has been a growing body of research from Cybersecurity Experts United that found that 62% of home burglaries have been associated with personal information posted online that led to successful break-ins, underscoring that digital behaviour now directly influences physical security. 

A deeper layer to these crimes is the psychological impact that they have on victims, ranging from persistent anxiety to long-term trauma. In addition, studies reveal oversharing on social media is now a key enabler for modern burglars, with 78% of those who confess to breaching homeowner's privacy admitting to mining publicly available posts for clues about travel plans, property layouts, and periods of absence from the home. 

It has been reported that houses mentioned in travel-related updates are 35% more likely to be targeted as a result, and that burglaries that take place during vacation are more common in areas where social media usage is high; notably, it has been noted that a substantial percentage of these incidents involve women who publicly announced their travel plans online. It has become increasingly apparent that this convergence of online exposure and real-world harm also has a reverberating effect in many other areas. 

Fraudulent transactions, identity theft, and cyber enabled scams frequently spill over into physical crimes such as robbery and assault, which security specialists predict will only become more severe if awareness campaigns and behavioral measures are not put in place to combat it. The increase in digital connectivity has highlighted the importance of comprehensive protective measures ranging from security precautions at home during travel to proper management of online identities to combat the growing number of online crimes and their consequences on a real-world basis. 

The line between physical and digital worlds is becoming increasingly blurred as security experts warn, and so resilience will become as important as technological safeguards in terms of resilience. As cybercrime evolves with increasingly complex tactics-whether it is subtle manipulation, data theft, or the exploitation of online habits, which expose homes and families-the need for greater public awareness and more informed organizational responses grows increasingly. 

A number of authorities emphasize that reducing risk is not a matter of isolating isolated measures but of adopting a holistic security mindset. This means limiting what we share, questioning what we click on, and strengthening the security systems that protect both our networks as well as our everyday lives. Especially in a time when criminals increasingly weaponize trust, information and routine behavior, collective vigilance may be our strongest defensive strategy in an age in which criminals are weaponizing trust and information.
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Password Security
Browser Vulnerabilities Cyber Threats Cybersecurity awareness Data Breach Prevention digital safety Identity Protection Online Privacy Password Manager Password Security

Why It’s Time to Stop Saving Passwords in the Browser

 


As convenience often takes precedence over caution in the digital age, the humble "Save Password" prompt has quietly become one of the most overlooked security traps of the digital age, one of the most overlooked security threats. The number of users who entrust their most sensitive credentials to their browsers each day is staggering. 

In a bid to relieve themselves of the constant burden of remembering multiple logins every day, millions of people are willing to trust their browsers. As seemingly innocent as it may seem to simplify daily life, this shortcut conceals a significant and growing cybersecurity threat that is rapidly spreading across the globe. The very feature that was designed to make online access effortless has now become a prime target for cybercriminals.

These thieves are able to retrieve the passwords stored on local computers within minutes — often even without the user's knowledge — and sell them for a profit or further exploitation on dark web marketplaces. 

By storing encrypted login information within a user's profile data, browser-based password managers can be reclaimed when needed by storing them in their profile data, automatically recalling them when necessary, and even syncing across multiple devices that are connected to the same account. In addition to improving accessibility and ease of use with this integration, the potential attack surface is multiplied. 

As soon as a single account or system has been compromised, every password saved has been exposed to attack. During an age where digital threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, experts warn that convenience-driven habits, such as saving passwords in the browser, may end up costing the users much more than the few seconds they save at login time when they save passwords in their browser.

Even though browser-based password storage remains the default choice for many users, experts are increasingly emphasising the advantages of dedicated password managers - tools that can be used across multiple platforms and ecosystems independently. 

Many browser managers do not sync with their own environments; they only sync with their own environments, such as Google and Chrome, Apple and Safari, or Microsoft with Edge. However, standalone password managers surpass these limitations. It is compatible with all major browsers and operating systems, so users will be able to access their credentials on both Macs and Windows computers, as well as Android phones and iPhones, regardless of whether they are using a MacBook or a Windows computer. 

These managers act as independent applications, rather than integrated components of browsers, so that they provide both flexibility and resilience. They provide a safe and secure means of transferring data from one device to another, allowing users to be independent of any single vendor's ecosystem. Modern password managers have more to offer than simply storing credentials. 

Families, friends, and professional teams can use them to share secure passwords among themselves, ensuring critical access during times of crisis or collaboration. Additionally, encrypted local copies of stored data are maintained on the computers, so that users can access their data offline even when their phone or Internet connection is disconnected. 

Using this capability, important credentials are always readily available whenever and wherever they are required, without sacrificing security. Contrary to this, browser-based password saving has continued to attract users around the world — from small business owners trying to maximise efficiency to workers at large corporations juggling multiple logins — because of its ease of use. This convenience is not without its dangers, however. 

Cybercriminals use browser-stored credentials daily as a means of exploiting them via stealer malware, phishing attacks and tools that retrieve autofill information, cookies, and stored sessions. Once these credentials have been obtained, they are quickly circulated and sold on dark web forums and encrypted Telegram channels, allowing attackers to gain access to sensitive corporate and personal data. 

Many consequences can result from a harmless click on the “Save Password” button that can affect not just an individual but entire organisations as well. Despite this appearance of efficiency, there is a fundamental flaw beneath this efficiency: browsers were never intended to serve as secure vaults for passwords. The main purpose of browsers is still web browsing, and password storage is only an optional feature. 

When it comes to strengthening in-browser security, it's crucial to ensure the encryption keys are only held by the device owner by enabling on-device encryption, which is available through services like Google Password Manager. This feature integrates directly with the device's screen lock and creates an additional layer of protection that prevents people from accessing passwords stored on the user; device. 

As a consequence, it comes with a trade-off as well: users who lose access to their Google accounts or devices may be permanently locked out of their saved credentials. Another essential measure is enabling password autofill features on browsers, a feature that remains one of the most easily exploited browser conveniences. 

It is possible, for example, to toggle off "Offer to save passwords" in Chrome by going to "Settings" > "Autofill and passwords" > "Google Password Manager." 

Using Microsoft Edge, users can achieve the same level of protection by enabling the option "Autofill Passwords and Passkeys" in the "Passwords and autofill" section of Settings, while Safari users on macOS Catalina 10.15 and later can use the File menu to export and modify passwords in order to limit their exposure.

In addition to the above adjustments, implementing two-factor authentication across all accounts adds a second line of defense, which means that even if credentials are compromised, unauthorized access remains unlikely, even with compromised credentials. 

In order to further reduce potential risks, it is important to review and eliminate stored passwords tied to sensitive or high-value accounts. However, browser-stored passwords are a fraction of the information that is silently accumulated by most browsers. A browser, in addition to storing login credentials, also contains a wealth of personal and corporate data that can be of invaluable use to cybercriminals. 

By saving credit card information, autofilling information like addresses and telephone numbers, cookies, browsing history, and cached files, we can gather a detailed picture of the user's digital life over the course of a lifetime. Using compromised cookies, attackers may be able to hijack active sessions without using a password, while stolen autofill data can serve as a weapon for identity theft or phishing schemes. 

Inadvertently, bookmarks or download histories could reveal sensitive client-related materials or internal systems. In essence, the browser functions as an unsecured vault for financial, professional, and personal information, all enclosed in a convenient layer that is prone to easy breach. 

It would be much safer and more structured to use dedicated password managers such as 1Password, Dashlane, Bitwarden, and LastPass if they were made from the ground up with encryption, privacy, and cross-platform protection as their core design principles. These tools transcend the limitations of browsers by providing a much more secure and structured alternative. 

In addition to safeguarding passwords, they also ensure that the user remains fully in control of their digital credentials. They provide the perfect balance between convenience and uncompromising security in today's connected world. As digital life continues to become more entwined with convenience, protecting one's online identity has never been a higher priority than it has ever been.

To attain a higher level of security, users must move beyond short-term comfort and establish proactive security habits. For instance, they should update their passwords regularly, avoid reusing them, monitor for breaches, and use trusted password management solutions with zero-knowledge encryption. There is an important difference between the use of browser-stored credentials versus secure, dedicated platforms that take care of themselves. 

In a world where cyberthreats are evolving at a rapid pace, users must have a feeling that their data is safe and secure, not only that it is also easy to use and simple to operate.
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Stolen Credentials
Cybercrime Trends Cybersecurity Threats Dark Web Data Breach Digital Security Identity Protection Online Privacy Proton Research Stolen Credentials

Security Researchers at Proton Warn of Massive Credential Exposure


 

Data is becoming the most coveted commodity in the ever-growing digital underworld, and it is being traded at an alarming rate. In a recent investigation conducted by Proton, it has been revealed that there are currently more than 300 million stolen credentials circulating across dark web marketplaces, demonstrating how widespread cybercrime is. 

According to Proton's Data Breach Observatory, which continuously monitors illicit online forums for evidence of data compromise, there is a growing global cybersecurity crisis that is being revealed. In the year 2025, the Observatory has recorded 794 confirmed breach incidents. When aggregating these data, the number increases to 1,571, which amounts to millions of records exposed to the public in the coming years. 

One of the troubling aspects of the research is the pattern of targeting small and medium-sized businesses: cybercriminals have increasingly targeted these companies. Over half of all breaches were recorded at companies with between 10 and 249 employees, while 23% of breaches occurred in micro businesses with fewer than 10 employees. 

This report highlights a growing truth about the digital age: while businesses are racing to innovate and expand online, threat actors are evolving just as quickly. As a result, the vast internet architecture has become a vibrant market for stolen identities, corporate secrets, and business secrets. 

Security breaches are still largely hidden from the public eye for many organisations due to fear of reputational damage, financial losses, or regulatory scrutiny, so they remain reluctant to reveal them. This leaves the true extent of cybercrime largely hidden from the public eye. Using Proton's latest initiative, the company hopes to break down the silence surrounding this threat by tracking it to its source: the underground marketplaces that openly sell stolen credentials and personal data.

In doing so, Proton is continuing its quest to foster a safer, more private internet, which is a vital component of the company's mission. As an extension of the Proton VPN Observatory, which monitors global instances of government-imposed internet restrictions and VPN censorship in the form of government-imposed restrictions, the Data Breach Observatory extends that vigilance to track instances of cybercrime in the form of data breaches. 

Its creation, which is made in collaboration with Constella Intelligence, is an observatory that constantly scans the dark web for new breaches, analysing the types of data compromised, including passwords and personal identifiers, as well as financial records, and the number of accounts affected. 

Through real-time monitoring, Proton can alert victims as soon as a breach occurs, sometimes even before the breached organisation realises it is happening. The Proton platform provides transparent, publicly accessible insights into these security breaches, which are aimed at both educating users about the magnitude of the threat and discouraging organisations from concealing their security shortcomings. 

There is a policy of responsible disclosure at the heart of this initiative, which ensures that affected entities are informed in advance of any public announcement relating to the incident. This is an era that has been defined by data theft and corporate secrecy since the dawn of the digital age. Proton's proactive approach serves as a countermeasure, turning dark web intelligence into actionable preventative measures. 

With this initiative, the company not only reveals the hidden mechanics of cybercrime but also strengthens its reputation as a pioneer in digital transparency and empowerment for users, allowing businesses and individuals alike a better understanding of the shadowy forces that shape today's cybersecurity landscape, as well as the risks associated with it. 

In its latest research, Proton has provided a sobering assessment of the escalating cost of cybercrime to smaller businesses. There have been an estimated four out of five small businesses in recent months that have been affected by data breaches, and these attacks have often resulted in losses exceeding one million dollars. 

As part of the growing crisis surrounding data breaches, a Data Breach Observatory was established to identify breaches that often remain hidden until a significant amount of damage has been sustained. Proton constantly scans dark web marketplaces where stolen credentials are traded to deliver early warnings about potential breaches so that organisations can take steps to protect their data before attackers have an opportunity to exploit it further. 

Through the course of these investigations, a wide range of personal and financial details were uncovered, including names, dates of birth, email addresses, passwords, and physical contact information of those individuals. 

Almost all of these breaches have involved social security numbers, bank credentials, and IBAN details being exposed, which together represent an alarming combination that creates an extremely high likelihood of identity theft and financial fraud. 

It has been recorded by the observatory that several high-profile incidents will occur in 2025, such as the Qantas Airways breach in October that exposed more than 11.8 million customer records; Alleianz Life Germany in September, with more than one million compromised accounts; and the U.S. tech firm Tracelo that was breached by 1.4 million records earlier this year, while breaches at Free Telecom, a French company, and SkilloVilla, a Indian company, revealed 19 million records and 33 million records respectively, emphasizing the threat to be very global in nature. 

Security experts have always stressed the necessity of multi-factor authentication, as well as strong password management, as essential defences against credential-based attacks. Consequently, Proton reiterates this advice by advising businesses to regularly monitor their credentials for leaks and to reset passwords as soon as suspicious activity is detected. 

The company enables businesses to verify whether or not their data has been compromised through its public access observatory platform, which is a critical step toward minimising the damage done to a business before cybercriminals can weaponise the data stolen. This is done through the company's public observatory platform that is widely accessible. 

A stronger global security awareness and proactive cybersecurity practices are essential, and Proton's Data Breach Observatory confirms this need. Aside from the observatory's use as a crucial alert system, it is important to note that experts also emphasise that prevention is the best form of protection when it comes to securing information online. 

The Observatory stresses the importance of adopting layered security strategies, including the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) that safeguard online communications and reduce the risk of interception, even in situations where users' data is compromised. By using its own Proton VPN, based on end-to-end encryption and the company's signature Secure Core architecture, traffic passes through multiple servers located in privacy-friendly jurisdictions, effectively masking users' IP addresses and shielding their digital identities from cybercriminals. The company is effectively protecting their digital identity from prying eyes. 

As a result of the robust infrastructure, the observatory continues to monitor across the dark web, and personal information remains encrypted and protected from the cybercriminal networks it monitors. Besides technical solutions, Proton and cybersecurity experts alike emphasise the importance of a set of foundational best practices for individuals and organisations who want to strengthen their defences. 

This is the best way to protect online accounts is to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA), widely recognised as the most effective method of preventing the theft of credentials, and to use a password manager whose function is to keep secure passwords for every online account. As part of regular breach monitoring, Proton's observatory platform can be used to provide timely alerts whenever credentials are discovered in leaked databases. 

In addition to fostering cybersecurity awareness among employees, companies must also create an incident response plan, enforce the principle of least privilege, and make sure that only systems that are essential to the role they are playing are accessible. Taking advantage of more advanced strategies, including network segmentation, enterprise-grade identity and access management (IAM) tools, such as Privileged Access Management (PAM), may allow for further containment and protection of critical infrastructure. 

These recommendations have been derived from the fact that credential theft is often based on exploited software vulnerabilities or weak configurations that are often exploited by hackers. An unpatched flaw—such as an API endpoint that is exposed or an authentication mechanism that is not working properly—can result in brute-force attacks or session hijacking attacks. 

Proton's exposure itself does not have any specific link to a vulnerability identifier; however, it indicates that there are still many systemic vulnerabilities which facilitate large-scale credential theft across many industries today. As a result of the importance of patching timely manner and implementing strict configuration management, businesses can significantly reduce the chances of attackers gaining access to their network. 

However, Proton’s research goes well beyond delivering a warning. It calls for action. The number of compromised accounts on dark web markets has increased by over 300 million, and we cannot afford to stay complacent. This study underscores that protecting one's data is not merely about technology, but about maintaining a proactive approach to cyber hygiene and continuous vigilance. 

A message Protoemphasises in this, when data is both a commodity and a target, it is clear: the key to digital safety lies in proactive defence, informed awareness, and collective responsibility. In an age when the digital landscape is becoming increasingly complex, Proton’s findings serve as a powerful reminder that cybersecurity is not an investment that can be made once but is an ongoing commitment. 

Organisations that take steps to ensure that their employees are informed and trained about cyber threats are better prepared to cope with the next wave of cyber threats. Several security measures, including encrypting infrastructure, conducting regular security audits, and continuously performing vulnerability assessments, can be taken to significantly reduce exposure, while collaborations between cybersecurity researchers and private firms can strengthen collective defences. 

Even though stolen data fuels a thriving underground economy in today's cyber world, the most effective defences against cybercrime remain vigilance and informed action.
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Tax Season
Cyber Fraud Identity Protection IRS PIN personal data safety secure tax filing Tax Fraud Tax Scams Tax Season

Protect Your Tax Return from Fraud: Here's What You Need to Know

 


Tax Season 2025: Protect Yourself from Fraud with an Identity Protection PIN

A new year marks the start of another tax season, bringing with it the usual challenges of navigating the complex US tax code and avoiding scams. One particularly concerning scam involves fraudsters filing a tax return in your name to claim a refund. Many victims only realize they've been targeted when they attempt to file their own return, uncovering a complicated issue that can take weeks or even months to resolve.

The risk of tax-related identity theft is elevated this year due to a series of high-profile data breaches in 2024. Personal information, including Social Security numbers, has become more accessible on the dark web, providing fraudsters with the tools they need to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers. As tax season progresses, this vulnerability becomes a significant concern for individuals and businesses alike.

How the IRS’s Identity Protection PIN Can Help

To combat this type of fraud, the IRS offers a proactive solution: the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). This six-digit PIN acts as a layer of authentication to ensure that only your legitimate tax return is accepted. If a return is filed without the correct IP PIN, it will be rejected, preventing unauthorized filings in your name.

Initially, the IP PIN program was limited to victims of identity theft or those flagged by the IRS as high-risk individuals. However, the program has now been expanded to all taxpayers who wish to voluntarily enroll. The process is straightforward and can be completed in three ways:

  • Online: Use the government’s ID.me service to verify your identity. This option typically takes 15–20 minutes.
  • By Mail: Submit a paper application to the IRS.
  • In-Person: Schedule an appointment at an IRS office for identity verification.

Once enrolled, your IP PIN is valid for one year and cannot be reused. Each year, you can opt to receive a new PIN, providing an added layer of security. This feature prevents fraudsters from exploiting a stolen PIN even after its use in a prior tax season.

Best Practices for Taxpayers

For most taxpayers, opting for an annually renewed IP PIN is the ideal choice. This ensures you have updated protection each year without the need to manage multiple PINs simultaneously. If you ever misplace your PIN, you can retrieve it by logging into your IRS account using your ID.me credentials. To streamline this process, consider using a password manager to securely store your account credentials, including a strong, unique password for your government account.

By adopting these best practices, you can reduce the stress of tax season and protect yourself against fraud. For more information, visit the IRS’s FAQ page on the Identity Protection PIN program. This simple yet effective system offers much-needed peace of mind during the often overwhelming task of filing your US tax return.

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credit freeze Cyber Fraud Frankenstein fraud Identity Protection Phishing Scams stolen Social Security numbers synthetic identity theft

Synthetic Identity Fraud: A Growing Concern for Vulnerable Individuals

 

Criminals creating identities by piecing together stolen data sounds like a plot from a horror film. Unfortunately, "Frankenstein fraud," a form of synthetic identity theft, is an alarming reality. This crime involves using a Social Security number (SSN) and merging it with other stolen or fabricated details like names, addresses, or birth dates to form a new identity.

Synthetic identity theft, often termed Frankenstein fraud, involves crafting entirely new identities by blending real and fictitious information. 

According to fraud expert Frank McKenna, this practice affects up to 15 million consumers in the U.S., many of whom remain unaware. Vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and the homeless, are prime targets due to their limited credit activity.

This crime costs billions annually — FiVerity reports $20 billion in losses in 2020 alone. Criminals meticulously construct fake identities using stolen SSNs, often purchased on the dark web, obtained through data breaches, or extracted via phishing scams. These fabricated profiles initially face credit denials but eventually become recognized by credit bureaus. Over time, fraudsters build creditworthiness using these false identities, only to abandon them after maxing out loans and credit lines.

The aftermath of this crime can be devastating. Victims — often unaware of the fraud — may face financial liabilities and damaged credit. Fraudsters’ actions leave lenders and real SSN owners to bear the consequences.

Protect Yourself Against Synthetic Identity Fraud

1. Freeze Credit Reports
Implementing a credit freeze with major bureaus prevents unauthorized access to your reports, safeguarding against new credit accounts. Consider freezing children’s and elderly relatives' credit as well.

2. Monitor Credit Regularly
Use tools like Capital One's CreditWise or AnnualCreditReport.com to detect suspicious activity or data breaches.

3. Avoid Phishing Scams
Stay vigilant against fraudulent messages from entities claiming to represent banks or government agencies. Verify the source directly.

4. Secure SSN Documents
Shred unnecessary documents containing your SSN, and secure digital copies.

4. Check Social Security Statements
Regularly review Social Security statements to detect unauthorized use of your SSN.

Moreover, synthetic identity fraud is a complex and evolving threat, but staying informed and taking proactive steps can significantly reduce your risk. By safeguarding your information and monitoring your credit, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims of this alarming crime.
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Sensitive Data Leak
Cyber Attacks Cybersecurity measures Data exposed data security Identity Protection Identity Theft Patient Data Sensitive Data Leak

American Addiction Centers Cyberattack Exposes Sensitive Data of 422,424 Individuals

 


In September 2024, American Addiction Centers (AAC) experienced a significant cyberattack that exposed the personal and health-related information of 422,424 individuals. The breach involved sensitive data such as Social Security numbers and health insurance details, prompting AAC to take immediate action to address the situation and support those impacted.

The cyberattack occurred over three days, from September 23 to September 26, 2024. AAC identified the breach on September 26 and quickly launched an investigation. The organization engaged third-party cybersecurity experts and notified law enforcement to assess the extent of the attack. By October 3, investigators confirmed that unauthorized individuals had accessed and stolen data during the breach.

Data Compromised

The stolen information included:

  • Names, addresses, and phone numbers
  • Dates of birth
  • Social Security numbers
  • Health insurance details

AAC assured clients that no treatment information or payment card data was compromised during the incident. While the exposed data could be exploited for identity theft, the company emphasized that there is no evidence linking the breach to fraudulent activity at this time.

Response and Notifications

In December 2024, AAC began notifying affected individuals, with official letters sent out just before the holiday season. These notifications outlined the breach details, the steps AAC had taken to address the incident, and the measures implemented to prevent future occurrences.

To mitigate risks, AAC offered affected individuals complimentary credit monitoring services for 12 months. The organization partnered with Cyberscout, a TransUnion company, to provide identity protection services, including:

  • Alerts for credit report changes
  • Monitoring for suspicious activity
  • Fraud Assistance

Affected individuals are encouraged to enroll in these services by March 31, 2025, to ensure their data remains protected.

Beyond immediate support, AAC implemented enhanced security protocols to strengthen its cybersecurity defenses. The organization collaborated with leading cybersecurity experts to fortify its systems and continues to review and update its measures regularly. Additionally, AAC established a dedicated hotline to assist individuals with inquiries and provide guidance on protective measures.

Proactive Recommendations

Although AAC has found no evidence of identity theft linked to the breach, it urged affected individuals to take the following proactive measures:

  • Monitor financial accounts and credit reports
  • Place fraud alerts on credit files
  • Consider security freezes on credit accounts

AAC’s notification letters include detailed instructions on these steps to help individuals safeguard their personal information against potential threats.

AAC emphasized its dedication to protecting personal information and maintaining transparency with its clients. “We regret that this incident occurred and the concern it may have caused,” the company stated. “We take the confidentiality and security of personal information very seriously and will continue to take steps to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.

As investigations into the incident continue, AAC remains focused on strengthening its cybersecurity measures and rebuilding client trust. For further information, individuals can contact AAC’s dedicated hotline at 1-833-833-2770, available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

This incident highlights the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and proactive data protection strategies to safeguard sensitive information in the digital age.

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2FA Data Breach Identity Protection Login Security Password

Four Steps to Steer Clear of Data Leaks

 



Within the last few months, we have witnessed the scale of data breaches soar to millions of victims. The most vulnerable victims are usually major companies that process individual data; National Public Data, Medicare, and MC2 Data are all illustrative examples where hundreds of billions of records were leaked and several people become a victim of identity theft, fraud, and other destructive scandals.

Although data leaks are getting alarming day by day, there is also something you can do to protect your personal information. The four key actions that you can undertake to strengthen your online defences and not be a target will be discussed in the following:


Strengthen Your Login Security

As more and more passwords leak out on the web, hackers can use weak or reused passwords much more easily. Since a leaked password leaves cybercriminals with the same password, it can be used to perform credential stuffing attacks, trying the same password combination against different accounts. Risk can be minimised by using different strong passwords for all accounts. This can be achieved using a password manager that keeps them safe.

However, the best password ever designed can still be cracked or guessed, so there is a need for extra layers of security. Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, places a huge barrier to entry, requiring a second form of verification before an account access is given. Two most popular means of 2FA are by email or SMS, but those forms of verification can be intercepted. However, more secure methods include authentication apps or hardware security keys such as YubiKey, whereby gaining possession of the device requires one to log in to any of their accounts.

Other ways to log in include passkeys, which will eventually outpace the usage of passwords. The passkeys are encrypted, specific to your device, and not vulnerable to phishing attacks, thus adding more protection for your accounts. You will also have the opportunity to backup your passkeys or create a back login like the 2FA in case your account loses your device


Secure Your Financial Information

Examples of typical personal information that would be exposed and increase the risk of identity theft in a data breach include a Social Security number. Protecting your financial life comes down to freezing your credit and banking reports. This will prevent someone else from opening accounts in your name. You should check regularly for any suspicious activity on your credit report.

Locking an Identity Protection PIN on the IRS will put further layers of security on your tax filings, so that no one except you can file under your name. It's something that you can get done in days, and a few hours of your time to pay to save yourself from costly and time-consuming fraud.


Be on Your Guard About Communications

The dark web contains so much stolen personal information, making it pretty easy for scammers to write very convincing messages and dial numbers in your name. They could also call pretending to be your bank or a credit card company, as well as someone you know to try and get some more sensitive details. It's really important that you don't have any trust towards unsolicited communications, no matter how truthful they may sound.

If you do receive a message that says an account has been breached, do not click any links and do not provide sensitive personal data over the phone. Reach out to the organisation using official contact channels.

If you are receiving messages supposedly from family or friends, use other communication channels to confirm the request as their accounts may have been hacked.


Don't Rely on Trust Alone

As advanced scams with the aid of artificial intelligence rise, be doubly careful with all your dealings in the digital world. Because scammers are evolving their patterns all the time, it would be even more challenging to distinguish the real one from the fake. Such proactive steps, like securing all accounts, protecting financial information, and confirming any communication, can reduce the danger a person has to face when becoming victimised by cybercrime.

Nothing is foolproof in this changing digital world, but by doing all these, you are making it very difficult for hackers to access your information. Self-protection today may save you from the costly and stressful aftermaths in the future.


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Identity Protection LOCKBIT Cybergang Personal Data Breach Privacy ransomware attacks

Russian Cybergang Responsible for Cybertheft in Jacksonville Beach: What You Need to Know


In late January, the city of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, fell victim to a cybertheft incident that potentially impacted up to 50,000 residents. The responsible party? A Russian-based cybergang known as LOCKBIT. In this blog post, we delve into the details of the attack, the aftermath, and what citizens need to be aware of moving forward.

The LOCKBIT Cybergang

LOCKBIT is not a new player in the cybercrime world. Known for its sophisticated tactics, this group specializes in ransomware attacks. Their modus operandi involves infiltrating systems, encrypting data, and demanding hefty ransoms in exchange for decryption keys. In the case of Jacksonville Beach, LOCKBIT targeted the city’s information system, potentially compromising sensitive data.

The Jacksonville Beach Incident

On February 12, LOCKBIT escalated the situation by listing local residents’ personal information on their website. Social security numbers, addresses, and other private details were suddenly exposed. Panic ensued as citizens grappled with the realization that their identities were at risk. The city’s response was swift: they refused to pay the ransom demanded by LOCKBIT, adhering to Florida’s laws prohibiting such payments.

The International Police Operation

Fortunately, an international police operation intervened, dismantling the criminal empire. LOCKBIT’s reign of terror was cut short, but the damage had already been done. The question remained: where did the stolen data end up? Forensic experts began their painstaking work, attempting to trace the digital breadcrumbs left by the cybergang. Months of investigation lay ahead, and even then, a complete picture might never emerge.

The Fallout

The fallout from the Jacksonville Beach incident is multifaceted. First and foremost, citizens face the uncertainty of whether their personal information is circulating on the dark web. LOCKBIT’s exposure of social security numbers and addresses could have severe consequences, from identity theft to financial fraud. The hotline set up by the city (844-709-0703) aims to address citizens’ concerns, but the road ahead remains murky.

Lessons Learned

As we reflect on this cybertheft, several crucial lessons emerge:

Vigilance is Key: Cyber threats are real and ever-evolving. Citizens must remain vigilant, practicing good cybersecurity hygiene. Regularly update passwords, avoid suspicious emails, and be cautious when sharing personal information online.

Backup Your Data: Ransomware attacks can cripple organizations and individuals. Regularly back up your data to secure locations. If your files are encrypted, having backups ensures you don’t have to pay a ransom to regain access.

No Ransom Payments: Jacksonville Beach’s refusal to pay the ransom was commendable. By adhering to this stance, they not only followed the law but also sent a message to cybercriminals that their tactics won’t work.

Collaboration Matters: International cooperation played a crucial role in dismantling LOCKBIT. Cybercrime knows no borders, and joint efforts are essential to combating it effectively.

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