Tag: financial data
‘Hellcat’ is new breed of cybercriminal
A ransomware gang, Hellcat, that emerged in 2024 is being seen as representative of a new type of threat actor using off-the-shelf malware and innovative extortion techniques. According to cybersecurity company Cato Networks: “Hellcat’s emergence in 2024 marks a troubling shift in the landscape of cybercrime. By leveraging a ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model and utilizing double extortion tactics, Hellcat has not only increased the accessibility of ransomware but also heightened the psychological impact on its victims.”
Officials Take Down the “911 S5 botnet” – May 30th
A US-led law enforcement sting operation against the global '911 S5 botnet' network was a major success. The 911 S5 botnet network of millions of compromised Windows computers was used to facilitate cyber-attacks, fraud, and child exploitation, among other illicit activities.
Rise in Tax-Related Phishing Scams Detected – March 22nd
Microsoft's Threat Intelligence arm issued a warning on the rise of new, sophisticated tax phishing scams that could lead to stolen personal and financial data. These tax-related phishing scams are initiated by impersonating trusted employers, tax agencies, and payment processors. Victims click on a malicious attachment, which leads to a believable landing page designed to capture sensitive information.