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User Security
Bribery Cyber Fraud Cypto Exchange Social Engineering Attack User Security

Coinbase Offers $20m Bounty to Take Down Perpetrators Behind Social Engineering Attack

 

Coinbase, a renowned cryptocurrency exchange, is offering a $20 million prize to anyone who can assist identify and bring down the culprits of a recent cyber-attack, rather than fulfilling their ransom demands. 

On May 15, Coinbase said that attackers bribed and recruited a group of rogue offshore support agents to steal client data and carry out social engineering attacks. The attackers intended to exploit the stolen data to imitate Coinbase and trick users into turning up their cryptocurrency holdings.

The US crypto firm was asked to pay a $20 million ransom to end the scam. However, Coinbase has openly refused to pay the ransom. Instead, it is collaborating with law enforcement and security sector experts to track down the stolen assets and hold those behind the scheme accountable. 

Coinbase introduced the 'Bounty' program, which includes the $20 million reward fund. The funds will be awarded to anyone who can offer information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the culprits responsible for the attack. 

Establishing safety protocols

Coinbase acted quickly against the insider offenders, firing them and reporting them to US and international law authorities. The crypto exchange will compensate consumers who were duped into sending funds to the perpetrators as a result of social engineering work. 

Furthermore, the crypto exchange suggested that it was putting in place additional measures, such as requesting extra ID checks for substantial withdrawals from flagged accounts and showing mandatory scam-awareness messages. 

The company is also expanding its support operations by establishing a new help hub in the United States and tightening security controls and monitoring across all sites. It is also strengthening its defences by investing more in insider threat detection and automated response, as well as replicating similar security risks to discover potential flaws. 

Coinbase is also working with law enforcement and the private sector to identify the attackers' addresses, allowing authorities to track down and perhaps recover the stolen assets. Finally, Coinbase wants to file criminal charges against those who carried out the cyberattack.
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User Security
Data Breach Lawsuit M&S Thompsons Solicitors User Security

M&S Faces Multi-million Lawsuit Following Major Data Breach

 

Following the cyberattack that affected the retailer for a month, Marks & Spencer is reportedly facing a multimillion-pound lawsuit over the loss of customer data.

It acknowledged earlier this month that customer information, including names, email addresses, postal addresses, and dates of birth, had been stolen by hackers. Chief Executive Stuart Machin stated that the "sophisticated nature of the incident" had allowed access to the data, although he emphasised that it does not include account passwords or payment and card information, which M&S claims it does not store on its servers. 

According to The Sunday Mail, Thompsons Solicitors is now pursuing a class action lawsuit against M&S for exposing customers to the risk of scams by failing to safeguard their data. 

Senior Partner Patrick McGuire of Thompsons Solicitors stated that the firm has been "inundated by Scots M&S clients who have been caught up in this online heist and are contacting Thompsons. We have a situation here where one of the most famous retailers in the UK has allowed criminals to pillage the personal details of hundreds of thousands of Scottish customers. I think this will be the biggest data theft case we have ever been involved in.”

Investors will be expecting that Marks & Spencer will provide further information on the impact of the disastrous cyber assault that has interrupted all online orders at the retail giant. On Friday, the company will provide an update to the stock market on its financial performance over the past year. However, emphasis will be focused on how the company is dealing with weeks of interruption. It's been a month since the retailer was hit by a major "cyber incident" allegedly tied to hacking organisation Scattered Spider.

As a result, the company has suspended online orders for the past three weeks, and payments and click-and-collect orders have also been affected. M&S's store availability was also impacted by the outage, resulting in some bare shelves as it replaced elements of its IT systems, but said it was recovering swiftly in an update last Thursday.

Its stores have remained open, and availability is "now in a much more normal place, with stores well stocked this week". The retailer is yet to reveal the financial cost of the incident, although it is believed to have lost tens of millions of pounds in sales. 

Analysts at Barclays believe the cyber attack might cost £200 million in the fiscal year 2025/26, but this will be mitigated by an insurance payout of roughly £100 million. The attack struck the business following an excellent run under Stuart Machin's leadership, with shares reaching a nearly nine-year high last month before falling recently.
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User Security
Ad-lite Cyber Security Data Privacy Premium Subscriptions User Security

Here's Why Websites Are Offering "Ad-Lite" Premium Subscriptions

 

Some websites allow you to totally remove adverts after subscribing, while others now offer "ad-lite" memberships. However, when you subscribe to ad-supported streaming services, you do not get the best value. 

Not removing all ads

Ads are a significant source of income for many websites, despite the fact that they can be annoying. Additionally, a lot of websites are aware of ad-blockers, so outdated methods may no longer be as effective.

For websites, complete memberships without advertisements are a decent compromise because adverts aren't going away. The website may continue to make money to run while providing users with an ad-free experience. In this case, everybody wins. 

However, ad-lite subscriptions are not always the most cost-effective option. Rather than fully blocking adverts, you do not see personalised ads. While others may disagree, I can't see how this would encourage me to subscribe; I'd rather pay an extra few dollars per month to completely remove them. 

In addition to text-based websites, YouTube has tested a Premium Lite tool. Although not all videos are ad-free, the majority are. Subscribing makes no sense for me if the videos with advertisements are on topics I'm interested in. 

Using personal data 

Many websites will track your behaviour because many advertisements are tailored to your preferences. Advertisers can then use this information to recommend items and services that they believe you would be interested in.

Given that many people have been more concerned about their privacy in recent years, it's reasonable that some may wish to pay money to prevent having their data used. While this is occasionally the case, certain websites may continue to utilise your information even after you subscribe to an ad-lite tier. 

Websites continue to require user information in order to get feedback and improve their services. As a result, your data may still be used in certain scenarios. The key distinction is that it will rarely be used for advertising; while this may be sufficient for some, others may find it more aggravating. It is difficult to avoid being tracked online under any circumstances. You can still be tracked while browsing in incognito or private mode.

Use ad-free version

Many websites with ad-lite tiers also provide totally ad-free versions. When you subscribe to them, you will not receive any personalised or non-personalised advertisements. Furthermore, you frequently get access to exclusive and/or infinite content, allowing you to fully support your preferred publications. Rather than focussing on the price, evaluate how much value you'll gain from subscribing to an ad-free tier. It's usually less expensive than ad-lite. 

Getting an ad-lite membership is essentially the worst of everything you were attempting to avoid. You'll still get adverts, but they'll be less personal. Furthermore, you may see adverts on stuff you appreciate while paying for ad-free access to something you do not care about. It's preferable to pay for the complete version.
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User Security
blob URIs Cyber Fraud Fake Login Phishing Campaign User Security

Cybercriminals Employ Display Fake Login Pages in Your Browser

 

Cofense Intelligence cybersecurity researchers have discovered a new and increasingly successful technique that attackers are using to deliver credential phishing pages straight to users' email inboxes. 

This technique, which first surfaced in mid-2022, makes use of "blob URIs" (binary large objects-Uniform Resource Identifiers), which are addresses that point to temporary data saved by your internet browser on your own computer. Blob URIs have legitimate uses on the internet, such as YouTube temporarily storing video data in a user's browser for playback.

A key feature of blob URIs is their localised nature; that is, a blob URI created by one browser cannot be viewed by another, even on the same device. This inherent privacy feature, while advantageous for legal online services, has been abused by attackers for malicious objectives.

Cofense Intelligence's report, which was shared with Hackread.com, claims that security systems that monitor emails are unable to easily detect the malicious phoney login pages since Blob URI data isn't on the regular internet. As a result, the link in a phishing email does not lead directly to a fraudulent website. Instead, it directs you to a real website that the security systems trust, such as OneDrive from Microsoft. 

Subsequently, the user is directed to an attacker-controlled hidden webpage. The phoney login page is then created in your browser by this hidden website using a blob URI. This page can steal your username and password and send it to the cybercriminals even though it is only saved on your system. 

This poses a challenge for automated security systems, particularly Secure Email Gateways (SEGs), which analyse website content to detect phishing efforts, the researchers explained. AI-powered security models may not yet be sufficiently trained to differentiate between benign and malevolent usage due to the novelty of phishing attacks employing blob URIs. 

The lack of pattern recognition makes automated detection more difficult and raises the possibility that phishing emails will evade protection, especially when paired with the popular attacker technique of employing several redirects.

Cofense Intelligence has detected many phishing attempts using this blob URI method, with lures aimed to fool users into logging in to fraudulent versions of popular services such as OneDrive. These entices include notifications of encrypted messages, urges to access Intuit tax accounts, and financial institution alerts. Regardless of the many initial pretexts, the overall attack flow is similar.

Researchers worry that this sort of phishing may become more common due to its ability to bypass security. As a result, even if links in emails appear to lead to legitimate websites, it is critical to exercise caution and double-check before entering your login details. Seeing "blob:http://" or "blob:https://" in the webpage address may indicate this new trick.
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User Security
Dance of the Hillary Indo-Pak War Malicious Campaign malware Pahalgam Attack User Security

Pakistan’s ‘Dance of the Hillary’ Malware Targets Indians—Here’s How to Safeguard Yourself

 

In the aftermath of escalating cross-border tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror assault, Indian cybersecurity agencies have noticed a worrying shift in strategy: a digital onslaught aimed at civilians. The malware campaign, reportedly linked to Pakistani threat actors, has sparked widespread alarm about Indian residents' vulnerability to targeted cyber assaults. 

Officials believe the attack, known as the ‘Dance of the Hillary’ malware, is spreading via WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, and email. It disguises itself as video files or documents, frequently ending with suspicious extensions like as.exe—notably tasksche.exe—and, once downloaded, can acquire unauthorised access to mobile devices and computers. 

Experts warn that the ultimate purpose is to extract confidential information such as financial credentials, official IDs, and communication records. Intelligence services have declared a high alert and issued public warnings against opening unknown attachments, particularly at a period of global upheaval. 

Malware deployment

As India started targeted strikes on terror hubs in Pakistan, including major cities such as Islamabad, security experts believe the digital response is intended to do economic and psychological damage. In response to the Pahalgam massacre, the Indian Armed Forces destroyed numerous drone and missile installations while also targeting terror camps. 

In retaliation, Pakistani cyber cells allegedly recruited sleeper operatives and automated botnets to disseminate malware over Indian networks. 

The attack looks to be well-coordinated and designed to cause maximum social disruption. Officials believe it is part of a hybrid warfare plan that combines conventional military attack and digital infiltration. 

Dance of the Hillary has been identified by cyber researchers as a version of previously known data-stealing trojans that have been repackaged with deceptive file names and distributed through phishing tactics. "What makes it dangerous is its ability to blend into civilian channels of communication and exploit curiosity or emotional responses," explained a CERT-In analyst. 

Safety measures 

In response, India's cybersecurity response units, including CERT-In and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, launched an awareness campaign encouraging people to avoid downloading suspicious files and sharing unverified links or media. 

Citizens are asked to verify texts before forwarding them and to report any suspicious activity to cybercrime departments. The report also recommends installing trusted antivirus programs and updating device operating systems to address known vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, state cyber cells have been directed to monitor social media trends for dangerous content patterns.
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User Security
Cyber Attacks DOGE Fog Hackers Ransomware attack User Security

'Fog' Attackers Mock Victims With DOGE Ransom Notes

 

Fog ransomware assaults over the last month have included a new ransom note mentioning the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and enticing victims to propagate the malware to other PCs, Trend Micro said earlier this week. 

Analysis of the latest samples of Fog ransomware, which were published to VirusTotal between March 27 and April 2, 2025, found that they propagated via the transfer of a ZIP file containing an LNK file disguised as a PDF called "Pay Adjustment." This shows that attacks were carried out via phishing emails to employees.

Once the "Pay Adjustment" LNK file is clicked, a PowerShell script named stage1.ps1 is executed, which retrieves multiple payloads from a hacker-controlled domain. These include the ransomware loader cwiper.exe, a bring-your-own-vulnerable-driver (BYOVD) privilege escalation tool named Ktool.exe, a QR code image directing to a Monero wallet, a ransom letter called RANSOMNOTE.txt, and more malicious PowerShell scripts. 

Ktool.exe extracts the vulnerable Intel Network Adapter Diagnostic Driver iQVW64.sys to the %TEMP% folder, passing the target process ID (PID) and a hardcoded key as arguments. Lootsubmit.ps1 and Trackerjacker.ps1 are PowerShell scripts that collect and exfiltrate system information such IP addresses, CPU configurations, MAC addresses, and system geolocations. 

Before dropping the Fog ransomware, the ransomware loader checks to ensure it is not in a sandbox environment. It also drops dbgLog.sys, which tracks encryption-related activities, and readme.txt, an additional ransom note. This ransom note is identical to those found in past Fog ransomware assaults. 

Odd political references

While the final ransom note, readme.txt, is identical to prior attacks, the initial ransom note, RANSOMNOTE.txt, refers to DOGE and includes the names of specific individuals involved with the department. 

The note reads, "Give me five bullet points on what you accomplished for work last week," and refers to emails sent to federal employees in February as part of a DOGE campaign. The note further offers to decrypt the user's data for free if they deliver the malicious files to another person or manually execute the malicious PowerShell commands on someone else's PC. 

Earlier this year, the DoNex ransomware group followed a similar tactic, promising payment to targets in exchange for sharing sensitive company data or spreading the malware throughout their organisation. The PowerShell script also contains bizarre political references, such as the statement "The CIA didn't kill Kennedy, you idiot." The script also launched several politically orientated YouTube videos, including an episode of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.”
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User Security
Cyber Fraud Deepfakes Financial Scam Hong Kong Police User Security

Eight Arrested Over Financial Scam Using Deepfakes

 

Hong Kong police have detained eight people accused of running a scam ring that overcame bank verification checks to open accounts by replacing images on lost identification cards with deepfakes that included scammers' facial features. 

Senior Superintendent Philip Lui Che-ho of the force's financial intelligence and investigation division stated on Saturday that the raid was part of a citywide operation on scams, cybercrime, and money laundering that took place between April 7 and 17. Officers arrested 503 persons aged 18 to 80. Losses in the cases surpassed HK$1.5 billion (US$193.2 million. 

Officers arrested the eight suspects on Thursday for allegedly using at least 21 Hong Kong identification cards that were reported lost to make 44 applications to create local bank accounts, according to Chief Inspector Sun Yi-ki of the force's cybersecurity and technology crime branch. 

“The syndicate first tried to use deepfake technology to merge the scammer’s facial features with the cardholder’s appearance, followed by uploading the scammer’s selfie to impersonate the cardholder and bypass the online verification process,” Sun said. 

Following the successful completion of online identification checks at banks, thirty out of the forty-four applications were accepted. In half of the successful attempts, artificial intelligence was used to construct images that combined the identity card's face with the scammer's. The others just substituted the scammer's photo for the one on the ID.

Police claimed the bank accounts were used to apply for loans and make credit card transactions worth HK$860,000, as well as to launder more than HK$1.2 million in suspected illegal proceeds. Sun said the force was still looking into how the syndicate obtained the ID cards, which were claimed lost between 2023 and 2024. On suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, police detained the six men and two women and seized numerous laptops, phones, and external storage devices. 

The accused range in age from 24 to 41, with the mastermind and main members of the ring allegedly belonging to local triad gangs. Lui urged the public against renting, lending, or selling access to their bank accounts to anyone.

The 333 men and 170 women arrested during the citywide raid were discovered to be engaged in 404 crimes, the most of which were employment frauds, financial swindles, and internet shopping scams. They were caught for conspiracy to defraud, gaining property by deception, and money laundering. Two cross-border money-laundering operations were busted in coordination with mainland Chinese authorities over the last two weeks. 

Lui claimed that one of the syndicates laundered alleged illicit earnings from fraud operations by hiring tourists from the mainland to purchase gold jewellery in Hong Kong. Between last December and March of this year, the syndicate was discovered to have been involved in 240 mainland scam instances, resulting in losses of 18.5 million yuan (US$2.5 million). 

“Syndicate masterminds would recruit stooges from various provinces on the mainland, bringing them to Hong Kong via land borders and provide hostel accommodation,” the senior superintendent stated.

Syndicate members would then arrange for the recruits to purchase gold jewellery in the city using digital payment methods, with each transaction costing tens to hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. On Tuesday last week, Hong Kong police apprehended three individuals who had just purchased 34 pieces of gold jewellery for HK$836,000 per the syndicate's orders. Two of them had two-way passes, which are travel documents that allow mainlanders to access the city. The third suspect was a Hong Konger.

On the same day, mainland police arrested 17 persons. The second cross-border syndicate arranged for mainlanders to create accounts in Hong Kong using fraudulent bank, employment, and utility bill documents. Police in Hong Kong and the mainland arrested a total of 16 persons in connection with the investigation. From December 2023 to April, the syndicate was involved in 61 scam instances in the city, resulting in losses of HK$26.7 million. Accounts were created to receive the scam money.
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User Security
Android devices Fraudulent Sites Malicious Campaign malware SpyNote User Security

SpyNote Malware Targets Android Users with Fraudulent Google Play Pages

 

The notorious SpyNote malware is making a comeback thanks to a novel campaign. This remote access trojan has many malicious features and is also quite challenging to remove from an infected Android smartphone.

According to security researchers, this time it is being spread through fake websites hosted on recently registered domains; the sites in question imitate Google Play Store app pages with incredibly accurate detail in order to deceive users into downloading infected files rather than the apps they're looking for.

The fraudulent sites include comprehensive details such as image carousels with screenshots of the supposed programs in issue, install buttons, and code traces, all of which are common visual aspects used to create an illusion of legitimacy. 

When a user clicks on the install button on one of these fake sites, JavaScript code is run, resulting in the download of a malicious APK file. This dropper APK calls a function to launch a second, embedded APK. This secondary payload contains the malware's basic functionality and allows it to communicate with the threat actors' command and control (C2) servers via hardcoded IP addresses and ports.

SpyNote can support both dynamic and hardcoded connections since the command-and-control parameters are incorporated in its DEX files. Additionally, the DNS settings and SSL certificates indicate that these malicious websites were deployed in a methodical and automated manner, which suggests that someone with access to a malware-as-a-service tool created them. 

SpyNote is a particularly malicious piece of malware because of its many features and capabilities: it can remotely activate a phone's camera and microphone, intercept text messages, call logs, and contacts; log keystrokes, including credentials and 2FA codes; track your GPS location; record phone calls; download and install apps; remotely wipe or lock devices, and avoid its own removal by abusing Android's accessibility services. 

Aggressive permission requests, which also enable SpyNote to continue operating even after rebooting, are mostly responsible for this. In order to keep running in the background, it can also exempt itself from battery optimisation, conceal its app icon, and relaunch itself immediately after a reboot. According to DomainTools LLC, the internet intelligence firm that uncovered this most recent campaign, a factory reset is frequently the only method to fully eradicate the malware due to its persistent nature.
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