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Verizon Family Line
Digital Connectivity Household Technology Mobile Privacy Parental Controls Safe Communication Technology Telecom Security Verizon Family Line

Verizon Reimagines the Household Phone Number with Family Line for the Digital Era


Verizon has faced challenges in recent months. They have faced mounting criticism for a number of controversial decisions that have left many of their long-time subscribers wondering why they still belong to Verizon. 


When Verizon eliminated customer loyalty discounts and increased prices on select plans, a strong backlash ensued, with some users even choosing to cut their ties with the carrier altogether. There has been a lot of criticism on Verizon's side over the past few years. But Verizon is trying its best to re-establish trust by offering new services that reinforce its value proposition. 

Verizon Family Plus is a subscription package offered by Verizon that includes a forward-looking feature known as Family Line as part of its premium package. As a result, a familiar concept was revived from an earlier era when households relied on a single phone number that could be used by all members of the family. 

A voice-over-IP service has been introduced through the Verizon Family app instead of the traditional copper-based landline service that has been reimagined for today's mobile-first environment. The Verizon Family app allows users to share a single number with up to five family members across all of their smartphones.

Each connected device rings when a call is made to the number, allowing everyone in the home to be able to pick up the call or join the call at a time of their choosing. There is a huge difference between setting up multiparty calls manually on an iOS or Android dialer, and this feature provides effortless group participation while maintaining a shared call history and voicemail inbox. 

Providing the ability to connect up to three people at the same time, Family Line provides an easy-to-use solution that blends convenience with practical everyday use scenarios, whether users are scheduling a doctor’s appointment for the family or coordinating with relatives in one place. Rather than simply offering shared communication as part of its Family Plus package, Verizon's Family Plus package incorporates a suite of features which allow for a comprehensive family utility rather than a simple phone perk. 

With this subscription, users will be able to monitor their location via GPS and receive unlimited alerts, and the Safe Walk option is an option that lets children verify their safety, and parental control options allow guardians to limit screen time, filter online activity, or block unwanted calls and texts through parental controls. A driver's insights tool, which tracks sudden braking, sharp accelerations, or crash alerts, is an excellent tool that families with teenage drivers can use. 

To offer a broader level of protection, Verizon has also implemented 24-hour assistance, which connects users with live agents in case of medical concerns or unsafe conditions. Additionally, Verizon includes fraud monitoring for aging parents and roadside assistance in case of an emergency such as a flat tire or a breakdown of a vehicle, along with roadside assistance. 

The cost of access has also been designed to be flexible. Family is a Verizon service that is available free of charge and provides essential tools like single location alerts, Safe Walks, call reviews, and simple driving insights, along with many others. Family Plus is an advanced package that costs $15 on top of any existing plan, or $10 for MyPlan customers who are eligible for Unlimited.

A household that values collective safety and connectivity will find the upgraded plan attractive since it unlocks all features, including Family Line. Family Line has the same technical requirements as before, allowing it to operate with Android 7 (2016) and iOS 15 (2022) mobile operating systems. There is, however, one notable limitation to the service, namely that subscribers cannot port a number from another carrier to the service. 

If a family wishes to maintain its long-standing landline number, it will have to adopt a new one, though Verizon has stated that it will try to assign a new number within the same area code as the customer's existing number, where possible. The situation might not always be the same in areas with exhausted area codes, like Washington D.C.'s 202 or New York's 917, where these codes are exhausted. It is important to note that Verizon allows the users' Family Line number to be ported out to another wireless provider, VoIP platform or internet-based services like Google Voice. 

Industry data highlights the importance of such an offering, suggesting Verizon should be able to offer it. Despite the dominance of mobile networks, a 2023 survey by the U.S. In a report released by theCentresr for Disease Control, it was found that 24 per cent of Americans still lived with a landline. Verizon's move acknowledges that although landlines are going out of style, it is still important to share a household number with others. 

Family Line provides that continuity in a way that aligns with modern expectations—flexible, app-driven, and with features designed to ensure children's safety as well as older adults' safety. The Family Line service is more than just a nostalgic reflection of the past for Verizon. It reflects Verizon's efforts to develop a range of services whose focus goes beyond bandwidth and entertainment bundles, emphasising security, convenience, and inclusiveness. 

In a world where digital parenting, elder care, or simply managing the logistics of a busy family life can be complicated, Family Line provides households with a bridge that allows individuals to communicate with one another. With the continued development of telecommunications, this innovation suggests there is a growing trend toward solutions that place family well-being and safety at their centre. Family members who embrace this concept may be able to find more than just a modernised landline, but also a renewed sense of togetherness in a world increasingly fragmented.
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protect user privacy
Chrome Extensions customer data privacy data security Data Theft Free VPN free VPN risks online privacy concerns Privacy protect user privacy

FreeVPN.One Chrome Extension Caught Secretly Spying on Users With Unauthorized Screenshots

 

Security researchers are warning users against relying on free VPN services after uncovering alarming surveillance practices linked to a popular Chrome extension. The extension in question, FreeVPN.One, has been downloaded over 100,000 times from the Chrome Web Store and even carried a “featured” badge, which typically indicates compliance with recommended standards. Despite this appearance of legitimacy, the tool was found to be secretly spying on its users.  

FreeVPN.One was taking screenshots just over a second after a webpage loaded and sending them to a remote server. These screenshots also included the page URL, tab ID, and a unique identifier for each user, effectively allowing the developers to monitor browsing activity in detail. While the extension’s privacy policy referenced an AI threat detection feature that could upload specific data, Koi’s analysis revealed that the extension was capturing screenshots indiscriminately, regardless of user activity or security scanning. 

The situation became even more concerning when the researchers found that FreeVPN.One was also collecting geolocation and device information along with the screenshots. Recent updates to the extension introduced AES-256-GCM encryption with RSA key wrapping, making the transmission of this data significantly more difficult to detect. Koi’s findings suggest that this surveillance behavior began in April following an update that allowed the extension to access every website a user visited. By July 17, the silent screenshot feature and location tracking had become fully operational. 

When contacted, the developer initially denied the allegations, claiming the screenshots were part of a background feature intended to scan suspicious domains. However, Koi researchers reported that screenshots were taken even on trusted sites such as Google Sheets and Google Photos. Requests for additional proof of legitimacy, such as company credentials or developer profiles, went unanswered. The only trace left behind was a basic Wix website, raising further questions about the extension’s credibility. 

Despite the evidence, FreeVPN.One remains available on the Chrome Web Store with an average rating of 3.7 stars, though its reviews are now filled with complaints from users who learned of the findings. The fact that the extension continues to carry a “featured” label is troubling, as it may mislead more users into installing it.  

The case serves as a stark reminder that free VPN tools often come with hidden risks, particularly when offered through browser extensions. While some may be tempted by the promise of free online protection, the reality is that such tools can expose sensitive data and compromise user privacy. As the FreeVPN.One controversy shows, paying for a reputable VPN service remains the safer choice.
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Shamos
ClickFix Attacks Cookie Spider Infostealer Mac Users malware Shamos

New Shamos Malware Targets Mac Users Through Fake Tech Support Sites

 

Cybersecurity researchers have unearthed a new Mac-targeting malware called Shamos that deceives users through fake troubleshooting guides and repair solutions. This information-stealing malware, developed by the cybercriminal organization "COOKIE SPIDER," represents a variant of the previously known Atomic macOS Stealer (AMOS).

Modus operandi

The malware spreads through ClickFix attacks, which utilize malicious advertisements and counterfeit GitHub repositories to trick victims. Attackers create deceptive websites such as mac-safer[.]com and rescue-mac[.]com that appear to offer legitimate macOS problem-solving assistance. These sites instruct users to copy and paste Terminal commands that supposedly fix common system issues. 

However, these commands actually decode Base64-encoded URLs and retrieve malicious Bash scripts from remote servers. The scripts capture user passwords, download the Shamos executable, and use system tools like 'xattr' and 'chmod' to bypass Apple's Gatekeeper security feature. 

Data theft capabilities

Once installed, Shamos performs comprehensive data collection targeting multiple sensitive areas. The malware searches for cryptocurrency wallet files, Keychain credentials, Apple Notes content, and browser-stored information. It employs anti-virtual machine commands to avoid detection in security sandboxes and uses AppleScript for system reconnaissance.

All stolen data gets compressed into an archive file named 'out.zip' before transmission to the attackers via curl commands. When operating with administrator privileges, Shamos establishes persistence by creating a Plist file in the LaunchDaemons directory, ensuring automatic execution during system startup. 

CrowdStrike's monitoring has detected Shamos attempting infections across more than 300 environments globally since June 2025. The security firm has also observed instances where attackers deployed additional malicious components, including fake Ledger Live cryptocurrency applications and botnet modules. 

Safety measures

Security experts strongly advise Mac users to avoid executing any online commands they don't fully understand. Users should be particularly cautious with GitHub repositories, as the platform hosts numerous malicious projects designed to infect unsuspecting individuals.

For legitimate macOS assistance, users should bypass sponsored search results and instead consult Apple Community forums or the built-in Help system (Cmd + Space → "Help"). ClickFix attacks have proven highly effective across various platforms, appearing in TikTok videos, fake captchas, and bogus Google Meet error messages, making user awareness crucial for prevention.
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Ransomware
Cache CBI Data Breach Nissan Qilin Ransomware

Nissan Confirms Data Leak After Ransomware Attack on Design Unit





Nissan’s Tokyo-based design subsidiary, Creative Box Inc. (CBI), has launched an investigation into a cyberattack after a ransomware group claimed to have stolen a large cache of internal files. The company confirmed that some design data has been compromised but said the breach affects only Nissan itself, as CBI’s work is exclusively for the automaker.

CBI is a specialized design studio established in 1987 as part of Nissan’s global creative network. Unlike mainstream production teams, the unit is often described as a “think tank” where designers experiment with bold and futuristic concepts. This makes the data stored on its systems particularly valuable, as early sketches, 3D models, and conceptual ideas can reveal strategic directions for future vehicles.

The ransomware group behind the attack alleges it copied more than 400,000 files, amounting to around four terabytes of information. According to their claims, the stolen material includes design files, reports, photos, videos, and other documents connected to Nissan’s projects. While the attackers say they have not released the full dataset yet, they have threatened to make it public if their demands are ignored.

Nissan, in its official statement, confirmed the unauthorized access and the leakage of some design material. “A detailed investigation is underway, and it has been confirmed that some design data has been leaked. Nissan and CBI will continue the investigation and take appropriate measures as needed,” the company said. Importantly, Nissan clarified that the stolen information does not affect external clients, contractors, or other organizations, as CBI serves Nissan alone.

The incident illustrates the growing use of ransomware against global companies. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that enables attackers to lock or steal sensitive data and then demand payment in exchange for restoring access or withholding its public release. Beyond financial loss, the exposure of confidential design material carries strategic risks: competitors, counterfeiters, or malicious actors could exploit these files, potentially weakening Nissan’s competitive edge.

The group behind this incident, known as Qilin, has been active in targeting organizations across different sectors. In recent years, security researchers have observed the gang exploiting vulnerabilities in widely used software tools and network devices to gain unauthorized entry. Once inside, they exfiltrate data before applying pressure with public leak threats. This tactic, known as “double extortion,” has become common in the ransomware infrastructure.

Cybersecurity experts stress that incidents like this serve as reminders for companies to remain vigilant. Timely patching of known software vulnerabilities, close monitoring of employee access tools, and strong data backup practices are among the key defenses against ransomware.

For Nissan, the priority now is understanding the full scope of the breach and ensuring no further leaks occur. As investigations continue, the company has pledged to take corrective steps and reinforce its systems against similar threats in the future.


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Ransomware
AI AI-Healthcare system Cyber Hygiene CyberCrime Cybersecurity Da Vita Data Breach Digital threats Healthcare Security patient privacy Ransomware

Millions of Patient Records Compromised After Ransomware Strike on DaVita


 Healthcare Faces Growing Cyber Threats

A ransomware attack that affected nearly 2.7 million patients has been confirmed by kidney care giant DaVita, revealing that one of the most significant cyberattacks of the year has taken place. There are over 2,600 outpatient dialysis centres across the United States operated by the company, which stated that the breach was first detected on April 12, 2025, when the security team found unauthorised activity within the company's computer systems. In the aftermath of this attack, Interlock was revealed to have been responsible, marking another high-profile attack on the healthcare industry. 

Although DaVita stressed the uninterrupted delivery of patient care throughout the incident, and that all major systems have since been fully restored - according to an official notice issued on August 1 - a broad range of sensitive personal and clinical information was still exposed through the compromise. An attacker was able to gain access to a variety of information, such as name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, insurance data, clinical histories, dialysis treatment details, and laboratory results, among others. 

It represents a deep invasion of privacy for millions of patients who depend on kidney care for life-sustaining purposes and raises new concerns about the security of healthcare systems in general. 

Healthcare Becomes A Cyber Battlefield 

The hospital and healthcare industry, which has traditionally been seen as a place of healing, is becoming increasingly at the centre of digital warfare. Patient records are packed with rich financial and medical information, which can be extremely valuable on dark web markets, as compared to credit card information. 

While hospitals are under a tremendous amount of pressure to maintain uninterrupted access to their systems, any downtime in the system could threaten patients' lives, which makes them prime targets for ransomware attacks. 

Over the past few months, millions of patients worldwide have been affected by breaches that have ranged from the theft of medical records to ransomware-driven disruptions of services. As well as compromising privacy, these attacks have also disrupted treatment, shaken public trust, and increased financial burdens on healthcare organisations already stressed out by increasing demand. 

A troubling trend is emerging with the DaVita case: in the last few years, cybercriminals have progressively increased both the scale and sophistication of their campaigns, threatening patient safety and health. DaVita’s Ransomware Ordeal.  It was reported that DaVita had confirmed the breach in detail on August 21, 2025, and that it filed disclosures with the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Intruders started attacking DaVita's facility on March 24, 2025, but were only removed by April 12 after DaVita's internal response teams contained the attack. Several reports indicate that Interlock, the ransomware gang that was responsible for the theft of the data, released portions of the data online after failing to negotiate with the firm. Although the critical dialysis services continued uninterrupted, as is a priority given the fact that dialysis is an essential treatment, the attack did temporarily disrupt laboratory systems. There was an exceptionally significant financial cost involved. 

According to DaVita's report for the second quarter of 2025, the breach had already incurred a total of $13.5 million in costs associated with it. Among these $1 million, $1 million has been allocated to patient care costs relating to the incident, while $12.5 million has been allocated to administrative recovery, system restoration, and cybersecurity services provided by professional third-party service providers. 

Expansion of the Investigation 

According to DaVita's Securities and Exchange Commission filings in April 2025, it first acknowledged that there had been a security incident, but it said that the scope of the data stolen had not yet been determined. During the months that followed, forensic analysis and investigations expanded. State Attorneys General were notified, and the extent of the problem began to be revealed: it was estimated that at least one million patients were affected by the virus. As more information came to light, the figures grew, with OCR's breach portal later confirming 2,688,826 victims. 

DaVita, based on internal assessments, believed that the actual number of victims may be slightly lower, closer to 2.4 million, and the agency intends to update its portal in accordance with those findings. Although the company is struggling with operational strains, it has assured its patients that it will continue providing dialysis services through its 3,000 outpatient centres and home-based programs worldwide – a sign of stability in the face of crisis, given that kidney failure patients require life-saving treatment that cannot be avoided. 

Even so, the attack underscored just how severe financial and reputational damage such incidents can have. This will mean that the cost of restoring systems, engaging cybersecurity experts and providing patients with resources such as credit monitoring and data protection will likely continue to climb in the coming months. 

Data Theft And Interlock’s Role 

It appears that Interlock has become one of the most aggressive ransomware groups out there since it appeared in 2024. In the DaVita case, it is said that the gang stole nearly 1.5 terabytes of data, including approximately 700,000 files. In addition to the patient records, the stolen files were also suspected to contain insurance documents, user credentials, and financial information as well. 

A failed negotiation with DaVita caused Interlock to publish parts of the data on its dark web portal, after which parts of the data were published. On June 18, DaVita confirmed that some of the files were genuine, tracing them back to the dialysis laboratory systems they use. As part of its public statement, the company stated that it had acknowledged that the lab's database had been accessed by unauthorised persons and that it would notify both current and former patients. 

Additionally, DaVita has begun to provide complimentary credit monitoring services as part of its efforts to reduce risks. Interlock's services go well beyond DaVita as well. Several universities in the United Kingdom have been attacked by a remote access trojan referred to as NodeSnake, which was deployed by the group in recent campaigns. 

Recent reports indicate that the gang has also claimed responsibility for various attacks on major U.S. healthcare providers, including a major organisation with more than 120 outpatient facilities and 15,000 employees, known as Kettering Health. Cyberattacks on healthcare have already proven to be a sobering reminder of how varied and destructive they can be. Each major breach has its own particular lessons that need to be taken into account:

The Ascension case shows how a small mistake made by a single employee can escalate into a huge problem that affects every employee. The Yale New Haven Health System shows that institutions that have well-prepared strategies are vulnerable to persistent adversaries despite their best efforts. It was revealed by Episource that third-party and supply chain vulnerabilities can result in significant damage to a network, showing how the impact of a single vendor breach may ripple outward. 

Putting one example on display, DaVita shows how the disruption caused by ransomware is different from other disruptions, as it involves both data theft and operational paralysis. There have been incidents when hackers have accessed sensitive healthcare records at scale, but there have also been incidents where simple data configuration issues have led to these breaches.

In view of these incidents, it is clear that compliance-based checklists and standard security frameworks may not be sufficient for the industry anymore. Instead, the industry must be more proactive and utilise intelligence-driven defences that anticipate threats rather than merely reacting to them as they occur. 

The Road Ahead For Healthcare Security 

The DaVita breach is an example of a growing consensus among healthcare providers that their cybersecurity strategies must be strengthened to match the sophistication of modern attackers. 

Cybercriminals value patient records as one of their most valuable assets, and every time this happens, patients' trust in their providers is undermined directly. Additionally, the operational stakes are higher than in most industries, as any disruption can put patients' lives at risk, which is why every disruption can be extremely dangerous. 

Healthcare organisations in emerging countries, as well as hospitals in India, need to invest in layered defences, integrate threat intelligence platforms, and strengthen supply chain monitoring, according to security experts. Increasingly, proactive approaches are viewed as a necessity rather than an option for managing attack surfaces, prioritising vulnerabilities, and continually monitoring the dark web. Consequently, the DaVita case is more than just an example of how a single company suffered from ransomware. 

It's also a part of a wider pattern shaping what the future of healthcare will look like. There is no doubt that in this digital age, where a breach of any record can lead to death or injury, it is imperative to have foresight, invest in cybersecurity, and recognise that it is on an equal footing with patient care. It has become evident that healthcare cybersecurity needs to evolve beyond reactive measures and fragmented defences as a result of these developments. 

In today's world, digital security cannot simply be treated as a side concern, but rather must be integrated into the very core of a patient care strategy, which is why the industry must pay close attention to it. Taking a forward-looking approach to cyber hygiene should prioritise investments in continuous cyber hygiene, workforce awareness in cybersecurity, and leveraging new technologies such as zero-trust frameworks, advanced threat intelligence platforms, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven anomaly detection systems. 

The importance of cross-industry collaboration cannot be overstated: it requires shared standards to be established and the exchange of real-time intelligence to be achieved, so hospitals, vendors, regulators, and cybersecurity providers can collectively resist adversaries who operate no matter what borders or industries are involved.

By reducing risks, such measures will also allow people to build patient trust, reduce recovery costs, and ensure uninterrupted delivery of essential care, as well as create long-term value. In the healthcare sector that is becoming increasingly digitalised and interdependent, the organisations that proactively adopt layered defences and transparent communication practices will not only be able to mitigate threats but also position themselves as leaders in a hostile cyber environment that is ripe with cyber threats. 

Clearly, if the patients' lives are to be protected in the future, the protection of their data must equally be paramount.
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Technology
behavioral tracking Data Brokers depression detection digital surveillance mental health data smartphone privacy Technology

Your Smartphone Can Detect Depression—And That Data Is Being Sold

 

 

Smartphones are quietly monitoring your sleep patterns, movements, and even typing behavior to detect signs of depression with an accuracy rate of 73–88%, according to peer-reviewed studies in Frontiers in Psychiatry and JMIR Research. 

What’s more concerning is that this sensitive mental health data is being packaged and sold to advertisers—and potentially insurers—without your explicit consent.

How Your Phone Tracks Depression

Your device is not just a communication tool—it’s effectively a mood sensor. Through machine learning, it analyzes:

1. Sleep cycles by tracking inactivity periods
Social withdrawal through reduced call frequency
“Location entropy” to determine whether you’re isolated at home or socially active

2. Typing speed and app engagement as behavioral health indicators
Multiple digital health studies confirm these patterns strongly correlate with depressive symptoms—making smartphones a more advanced mental health monitor than most people realize.

Behavioral data has become a goldmine in today’s surveillance economy. Data brokers purchase and resell emotional insights, enabling advertisers to target individuals during vulnerable moments. For example, someone flagged as depressed might see payday loan ads or junk food promotions. Privacy researchers warn that insurers and employers could one day exploit such mental health profiling for risk assessment, even if widespread cases of discrimination haven’t yet been documented.

How to Protect Yourself

Safeguarding your emotional privacy requires active steps:
  • Audit permissions: Revoke background activity and location access for unnecessary apps
  • Switch to encrypted platforms like Signal, which collect minimal user data
  • Delete intrusive apps that harvest behavioral patterns
  • Consider VPNs and privacy-focused tools for an added layer of protection
  • While these steps may sacrifice convenience, they significantly reduce your exposure to corporate psychological profiling.
Unlike therapists, who must protect patient confidentiality, app developers and data brokers face no strict legal boundaries when handling sensitive emotional data.

Although regions like the EU and California are advancing privacy protections, most countries remain unregulated, leaving your mood as just another commodity in the data marketplace. Until laws catch up with technology, individuals must proactively defend their digital and emotional privacy.
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Ransomwares
Colt ransomware attack Colt WarLock hackers Customer Data Cyber Attacks Dark Web data stealing Ransom Demand ransomware attacks Ransomware group Ransomwares

Colt Technology Services Confirms Customer Data Theft After Warlock Ransomware Attack



UK-based telecommunications provider Colt Technology Services has confirmed that sensitive customer-related documentation was stolen in a recent ransomware incident. The company initially disclosed on August 12 that it had suffered a cyberattack, but this marks the first confirmation that data exfiltration took place. In its updated advisory, Colt revealed that a criminal group accessed specific files from its systems that may contain customer information and subsequently posted the filenames on dark web forums. 

To assist affected clients, Colt has set up a dedicated call center where customers can request the list of exposed filenames. “We understand that this is concerning for you,” the company stated in its advisory. Notably, Colt also implemented a no-index HTML meta tag on the advisory webpage, ensuring the content would not appear in search engine results. 

The development follows claims from the Warlock ransomware gang, also known as Storm-2603, that they are auctioning one million stolen Colt documents for $200,000 on the Ramp cybercrime marketplace. The group alleges the files contain financial data, customer records, and details of network architecture. 
Cybersecurity experts verified that the Tox ID used in the forum listing matches identifiers seen in the gang’s earlier ransom notes, strengthening the link to Colt’s breach. The Warlock Group, attributed to Chinese threat actors, emerged in March 2025 and initially leveraged leaked LockBit Windows and Babuk VMware ESXi encryptors to launch attacks. Early operations used LockBit-style ransom notes modified with unique Tox IDs to manage negotiations. 

By June, the group rebranded under the name “Warlock Group,” establishing its own negotiation platforms and leak sites to facilitate extortion. Recent intelligence reports, including one from Microsoft, have indicated that the group has been exploiting vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint to gain unauthorized access to corporate networks. Once inside, they deploy ransomware to encrypt data and steal sensitive files for leverage. 

The group’s ransom demands vary significantly, ranging from $450,000 to several million dollars, depending on the target organization and data involved. Colt’s disclosure highlights ongoing challenges faced by enterprises in safeguarding critical infrastructure against sophisticated ransomware actors. Telecommunications companies, which manage vast volumes of sensitive customer and network data, remain particularly attractive targets. 

As threat actors refine their tactics and increasingly combine encryption with data theft, the risks to both organizations and their clients continue to escalate. While Colt has not confirmed whether it plans to engage with the ransomware operators, the company emphasized its focus on mitigating the impact for customers. 

For now, the stolen documents remain for sale on the dark web, and the situation underscores the broader need for enterprises to strengthen resilience against the evolving ransomware landscape.
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TPG
Australia Bank Credentials Breaches Dara Breach phishing Sensitive data Telecom TPG

Aussie Telecom Breach Raises Alarm Over Customer Data Safety

 




A recent cyberattack on TPG Telecom has reignited concerns about how safe personal information really is in the hands of major companies. What the provider initially downplayed as a “limited” incident has in fact left hundreds of thousands of customers vulnerable to online scams.

The intrusion was uncovered on August 16, when unusual activity was detected in the systems of iiNet, one of TPG’s subsidiary brands. Hackers were able to get inside by misusing stolen employee logins, which granted access to iiNet’s order management platform. This internal tool is mainly used to handle service requests, but it contained far more sensitive data than many would expect.


Investigators now estimate that the attackers walked away with:

• Roughly 280,000 email addresses linked to iiNet accounts

• Close to 20,000 landline phone numbers

• Around 10,000 customer names, addresses, and contact details

• About 1,700 modem setup credentials


Although no banking details or government ID documents were exposed, cybersecurity experts caution that this type of information is highly valuable for criminals. Email addresses and phone numbers can be exploited to craft convincing phishing campaigns, while stolen modem passwords could give attackers the chance to install malware or hijack internet connections.

TPG has apologised for the breach and is reaching out directly to customers whose details were involved. Those not affected are also being notified for reassurance. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of the stolen records being used maliciously.

Even so, the risks are far from minor. Phishing messages that appear to come from trusted sources can lead victims to unknowingly share bank credentials, install harmful software, or hand over personal details that enable identity theft. As a result, affected customers are being urged to remain alert, treat incoming emails with suspicion, and update passwords wherever possible, especially on home modems.

The company has said it is cooperating with regulators and tightening its security protocols. But the case underlines a growing reality: personal data does not need to include credit card numbers to become a target. Seemingly routine details, when collected in bulk, can still provide criminals with the tools they need to run scams.

As cyberattacks grow more frequent, customers are left with the burden of vigilance, while companies face rising pressure to prove that “limited” breaches do not translate into large-scale risks.



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User Privacy
Credential Theft Cyber Fraud Data Leak Netflix Job Scam User Privacy

Fake Netflix Job Offers Target Facebook Credentials in Real-Time Scam

 

A sophisticated phishing campaign is targeting job seekers with fake Netflix job offers designed to steal Facebook login credentials. The scam specifically focuses on marketing and social media professionals who may have access to corporate Facebook business accounts. 

Modus operandi 

The attack begins with highly convincing, AI-generated emails that appear to come from Netflix's HR team, personally tailored to recipients' professional backgrounds. When job seekers click the "Schedule Interview" link, they're directed to a fraudulent career site that closely mimics Netflix's official page. 

The fake site prompts users to create a "Career Profile" and offers options to log in with Facebook or email. However, regardless of the initial choice, victims are eventually directed to enter their Facebook credentials. This is where the scam becomes particularly dangerous. 

Real-time credential theft 

What makes this attack especially sophisticated is the use of websocket technology that allows scammers to intercept login details as they're being typed. As Malwarebytes researcher Pieter Arntz explains, "The phishers use a websocket method that allows them to intercept submissions live as they are entered. This allows them to try the credentials and if your password works, they can log into your real Facebook account within seconds". 

The attackers can immediately test stolen credentials on Facebook's actual platform and may even request multi-factor authentication codes if needed. If passwords don't work, they simply display a "wrong password" message to maintain the illusion. 

While personal Facebook accounts have value, the primary goal is accessing corporate social media accounts. Cybercriminals seek marketing managers and social media staff who control company Facebook Pages or business accounts. Once compromised, these accounts can be used to run malicious advertising campaigns at the company's expense, demand ransom payments, or leverage the organization's reputation for further scams.

Warning signs and protection

Security researchers have identified several suspicious email domains associated with this campaign, including addresses ending with @netflixworkplaceefficiencyhub.com, @netflixworkmotivation, and @netflixtalentnurture.com. The fake hiring site was identified as hiring.growwithusnetflix[.]com, though indicators suggest the operators cleared their tracks after the scam was exposed. 

Job seekers should be cautious of unsolicited job offers, verify website addresses carefully, and remember that legitimate Netflix recruitment doesn't require Facebook login credentials. The campaign demonstrates how scammers exploit both job market anxiety and the appeal of working for prestigious companies to execute sophisticated credential theft operations.
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software vulnerabilities
AI Security Coding Risks Cybersecurity Governance Data Privacy Protection Enterprise Compliance Privacy risk mitigation Secure Development software vulnerabilities

A Comprehensive Look at Twenty AI Assisted Coding Risks and Remedies


 

In recent decades, artificial intelligence has radically changed the way software is created, tested, and deployed, bringing about a significant shift in software development history. Originally, it was only a simple autocomplete function, but it has evolved into a sophisticated AI system capable of producing entire modules of code based on natural language inputs. 

The development industry has become more automated, resulting in the need for backend services, APIs, machine learning pipelines, and even complete user interfaces being able to be designed in a fraction of the time it used to take. Across a range of industries, the culture of development is being transformed by this acceleration. 

Teams at startups and enterprises alike are now integrating Artificial Intelligence into their workflows to automate tasks once exclusively the domain of experienced engineers, thereby introducing a new way of delivering software. It has been through this rapid adoption that a culture has emerged known as "vibe coding," in which developers rely on AI tools to handle a large portion of the development process instead of using them merely as a tool to assist with a few small tasks.

Rather than manually debugging or rethinking system design, they request the AI to come up with corrections, enhancements, or entirely new features rather than manually debugging the code. There is an attractiveness to this trend, in particular for solo developers and non-technical founders who are eager to turn their ideas into products at unprecedented speed.

There is a great deal of enthusiasm in communities such as Hacker News and Indie Hackers, with many claiming that artificial intelligence is the key to levelling the playing field in technology. With limited resources and technical knowledge, prototyping, minimum viable products, and lightweight applications have become possible in record time. 

As much as enthusiasm fuels innovation at the grassroots, it is very different at large companies and critical sectors, where the picture is quite different. Finance, healthcare, and government services are all subject to strict compliance and regulation frameworks requiring stability, security, and long-term maintainability, which are all non-negotiable. 

AI in code generation presents several complex risks that go far beyond enhancing productivity for these organisations. Using third-party artificial intelligence services raises a number of concerns, including concerns about intellectual property, data privacy, and software provenance. In sectors such as those where the loss of millions of dollars, regulatory penalties, or even threats to public safety could result from a single coding error, adopting AI-driven development has to be handled with extreme caution. This tension between speed and security is what makes AI-aided coding so challenging. 

The benefits are undeniable on the one hand: faster iteration, reduced workloads, faster launches, and potential cost reductions are undeniable. However, the hidden dangers of overreliance are becoming more apparent as time goes on. Consequently, developers are likely to lose touch with the fundamentals of software engineering and accept solutions produced by artificial intelligence that they are not entirely familiar with. This can lead to code that appears to work on the surface, but has subtle flaws, inefficiencies, or vulnerabilities that only become apparent under pressure. 

As systems scale, these small flaws can ripple outward, resulting in a state of systemic fragility. Such oversights are often catastrophic for mission-critical environments. The risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence-assisted coding range greatly, and they are highly unpredictable. 

A number of the most pressing issues arise from hidden logic flaws that may go undetected until unusual inputs stress a system; excessive permissions that are embedded in generated code that may inadvertently widen attack surfaces; and opaque provenances arising from AI systems that have been trained on vast, unverified repositories of public code that have been unverified. 

The security vulnerabilities that AI often generates are also a source of concern, as AI often generates weak cryptography practices, improper input validation, and even hardcoded credentials. The risks associated with this flaw, if deployed to production, include the potential for cybercriminals to exploit the system. 

Furthermore, compliance violations may also occur as a result of these flaws. In many organisations, licensing and regulatory obligations must be adhered to; however, AI-generated output may contain restricted or unlicensed code without the companies' knowledge. In the process, companies can face legal disputes as well as penalties for inappropriately utilising AI. 

On the other hand, overreliance on AI risks diminishing human expertise. Junior developers may become more accustomed to outsourcing their thinking to AI tools rather than learning foundational problem-solving skills. The loss of critical competencies on a team may lead to long-term resilience if teams, over time, are not able to maintain critical competencies. 

As a consequence of these issues, it is unclear whether the organisation, the developer or the AI vendor is held responsible for any breaches or failures caused by AI-generated code. According to industry reports, these concerns need to be addressed immediately. There is a growing body of research that suggests that more than half of organisations experimenting with AI-assisted coding have encountered security issues as a result of the use of such software. 

Although the risks are not just theoretical, but are already present in real-life situations, as adoption continues to ramp up, the industry should move quickly to develop safeguards, standards, and governance frameworks that will protect against these emerging threats. A comprehensive mitigation strategy is being developed, but the success of such a strategy is dependent on a disciplined and holistic approach. 

AI-generated code should be subjected to the same rigorous review processes as contributions from junior developers, including peer reviews, testing, and detailed documentation. A security tool should be integrated into the development pipeline so that vulnerabilities can be scanned for, as well as compliance policies enforced. 

In addition to technical safeguards, there are cultural and educational initiatives that are crucial, and these systems ensure traceability and accountability for every line of code. Additionally, organisations are adopting provenance tracking systems which log AI contributions, thereby ensuring traceability and accountability. As developers, it is imperative that AI is not treated as an infallible authority, but rather as an assistant that should be scrutinised regularly. 

Instead of replacing one with the other, the goal should be to combine the efficiency of artificial intelligence with the judgment and creativity of human engineers. Governance frameworks will play a similarly important role in achieving this goal. Organisational rules for compliance and security are increasingly being integrated directly into automated workflows as part of policies-as-code approaches. 

When enterprises employ artificial intelligence across a wide range of teams and environments, they can maintain consistency while using artificial intelligence. As a secondary layer of defence, red teaming exercises, in which security professionals deliberately stress-test artificial intelligence-generated systems, provide a way for malicious actors to identify weaknesses that they are likely to exploit. 

Furthermore, regulators and vendors are working to clarify liability in cases where AI-generated code causes real-world harm. A broad discussion of legal responsibility needs to continue in the meantime. As AI's role in software development grows, we can expect it to play a much bigger role in the future. The question is no longer whether or not organisations are going to use AI, but rather how they are going to integrate it effectively. 

A startup can move quickly by embracing it, whereas an enterprise must balance innovation with compliance and risk management. As such, those who succeed in this new world will be those who create guardrails in advance and invest in both technology and culture to make sure that efficiency doesn't come at the expense of trust or resilience. As a result, there will not be a sole focus on machines in the future of software development. 

The coding process will be shaped by the combination of human expertise and artificial intelligence. AI may be capable of speeding up the mechanics of coding, but the responsibility of accountability, craftsmanship, and responsibility will remain human in nature. As a result, organizations with the most forward-looking mindset will recognize this balance by utilizing AI to drive innovation, but maintaining the discipline necessary to protect their systems, customers, and reputations while maintaining a focus on maintaining discipline. 

A true test of trust for the next generation of technology will not come from a battle between man and machine, but from the ability of both to work together to build secure, sustainable, and trustworthy technologies for a better, safer world.
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Zero Trust Security
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Cybercriminals Harness AI and Automation, Leaving Southeast Asia Exposed

 

A new study warns that cybercriminals are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to strike faster and with greater precision, exposing critical weaknesses in Southeast Asia—a region marked by rapid digital growth and interconnected supply chains. The findings urge businesses to treat cybersecurity as the foundation of digital trust and organizational resilience.

The report highlights a significant surge in sophisticated, multi-layered attacks targeting global enterprises, with Southeast Asia among the most vulnerable. Nearly 70% of breaches involved attackers using at least three entry points simultaneously—ranging from web browsers and cloud applications to networks and human behavior. Alarmingly, 44% of these incidents began with browser-based exploits, taking advantage of everyday workplace tools like file-sharing services and collaboration platforms. Researchers caution that disconnected and siloed security solutions cannot keep pace with attackers who seamlessly move across fragmented IT environments. To counter this, organizations must implement integrated, real-time protection across cloud, endpoint, identity, and network layers.

Phishing has returned as the top method of unauthorized access, responsible for 23% of incidents in 2024. What sets this new wave apart is the use of generative AI, allowing cybercriminals to create convincing phishing campaigns that mimic professional communication styles, workflows, and even individual employee voices. Experts emphasize that traditional once-a-year security training is no longer sufficient. Instead, businesses must adopt continuous, behavior-based awareness programs alongside AI-driven detection tools that monitor anomalies across emails, messaging platforms, and user activities. The goal is to create a dynamic “human firewall” where people and machines work in tandem against evolving threats.

The study also reveals a troubling rise in insider-driven breaches, which tripled in 2024. Nation-state groups—most notably from North Korea—successfully infiltrated companies by posing as job applicants, even using deepfake video interviews convincing enough to secure technical roles and gain insider access. Traditional security measures often fail against attackers disguised as legitimate users. To address this, experts recommend adopting zero-trust frameworks that enforce least-privilege access, continuous verification, and ongoing behavioral monitoring. The report stresses that “trust cannot be assumed; it must be continuously validated.”

Perhaps the most alarming discovery is the accelerated pace of cyber incidents. Data theft, which once took days, now unfolds within hours—sometimes less than one. In 2024, one in four breaches involved data exfiltration within five hours of initial compromise, with some completed in under an hour. Automation and AI have drastically shortened the attacker’s kill chain. The only effective defense, the report notes, is speed: leveraging automated triage, unified threat intelligence, and AI-powered response mechanisms to prevent security teams from lagging behind.

For ASEAN economies—where cloud adoption, cross-border data sharing, and sprawling supply chains intersect—the risks are especially high. The report urges regional leaders to view cybersecurity as a strategic priority, directly linked to resilience and long-term trust. “The most damaging breaches stem from too much complexity, too little visibility, and too much trust,” the report concludes. By embedding security from code to cloud, simplifying operations through automation, and embracing threat-informed strategies, Southeast Asian businesses can turn vulnerabilities into resilience
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