Cyber Crime and Computer Hacking

A NEW text message scam has been targeting millions of Verizon users – here’s what you need to look out for. If your phone carrier is Verizon, then you may fall victim to a new SMS phishing (or “smishing”) scam that aims to steal your personal information. Customers of Visible, Verizon’s mobile virtual network operator,

THE UNITED States is putting a red flag on an anti-virus company headquartered in Moscow. Kaspersky has dozens of international business partnerships and 400million customers worldwide – so you could unknowingly cross into their digital footprint. The online rivalry between the US and Russia was publicly revived in 2016 when Russia launched an online campaign

GOOGLE has warned all Chrome browser users over a “high severity” security hole. Now anyone with Google Chrome installed is being urged to install the latest security updates. The issue is also fixed for Microsoft Edge users on Windows PCs with a new update. Neither Microsoft nor Google have detailed exactly what the problem is.

HACKERS are targeting Gmail users via malware-laden attachments sent in emails. Bad actors are spreading a type of spyware called “Vidar” as part of a new campaign that targets Gmail users, according to a new report by Digital Trends. Vidar utilizes Microsoft Compiled HTML Help files to spread malicious files that would otherwise look safe.

A MALICIOUS Android app has been stealing thousands of smartphone owners’ personal data. Cybersecurity experts are warning Facebook users to remain alert after they uncovered a harmful Android app on the Google Play Store that steals login credentials, according to a new Laptop Mag report. Access to a user’s Facebook account can allow hackers to

HACKING group Anonymous has been taking shots at Russian President Vladimir Putin since the invasion of Ukraine. The group has claimed credit for multiple hacks on Russian government databases and state TV channels, where they broadcasted pro-Ukraine content. “The Anonymous collective is officially in a cyber war against the Russian government,” a Twitter account apparently

There’s a new scam wreaking havoc in cyberspace with real world consequences. One phrase is a dead giveaway that the sender could have malicious intent. Phishing messages or emails are designed to look like traditional online interactions – but they can do irreversible damage to a person’s digital life. They come from seemingly harmless or

ANONYMOUS has claimed to have hacked Russia’s central bank while threatening to release thousands of secret agreement documents in the next 48 hours. The hacking team claimed responsibility for the alleged attack on Twitter Wednesday evening. “JUST IN: The #Anonymous collective has hacked the Central Bank of Russia. More than 35.000 files will be released

RUSSIA is known for being particularly clever when it comes to all things cyber, so it’s no wonder western nations fear the worst. From launching disinformation campaigns to unleashing sophisticated viruses, spy chiefs have long warned about the growing threat of Russian state-backed hacks. US President Joe Biden recently said that Vladimir Putin’s regime is “exploring”

WHATSAPP users need to be beware of a dangerous scam text that hacks you in seconds. Thankfully, it’s easy to spot – but is tremendously easy to fall for. One of the most clever methods of gaining access to someone’s WhatsApp account is through a verification code scam. Usually what happens is that you’ll receive

RUSSIAN state-backed hackers will likely carry out cyberattacks against the United States, President Biden has warned. The White House on Monday released a new statement addressing the United State’s growing cybersecurity threat from Russia. The statement began with the President calling the present “a critical moment to accelerate our work to improve domestic cybersecurity and

THOUSANDS of businesses are on high alert after Okta said Tuesday that it is investigating a report of a digital breach. The authentication services provider made the announcement after hackers posted screenshots showing what they claimed was its internal company environment. A hack at Okta could have major consequences because thousands of other companies rely

A NEW form of exploitation and intimidation is gaining popularity, much to the fear and frustration of investigators. “Virtual kidnapping” is a ruse designed to lead parents into thinking their child has been kidnapped and forcing them to wire the criminals money. The perpetrator will call dozens and dozens of numbers, typically targeting wealthy areas.

THE US could declare war on Russia if Putin-backed hackers breach the electricity grid leaving Americans in the dark, an expert has warned. Cybersecurity expert Hugh Taylor said state-sponsored Russian attackers are “degrading” Washington’s defensive capabilities. He revealed that cyberattacks may want to target local institutions to stir up political unrest. Taylor warned that if

SCAMMERS have discovered a clever new way to install dodgy apps onto people’s iPhones that steal their cash. According to cyber security buffs, attackers are managing to get around Apple’s protections to distribute fake cryptocurrency apps to iOS users. Once it’s installed on a device, the malicious software rinses people’s crypto wallets without their knowledge.

INTERNET users have been urged not to use a popular piece of anti-virus software over fears it could be exploited by the Kremlin to spy or launch cyberattacks. Security officials are concerned that Moscow-based Kaspersky could be forced to carry out illicit activity by the Kremlin amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Germany’s cyber security

WHATSAPP is one of the world’s most secure messaging services thanks to its encryption technology. However, snoopers can still access your texts if they get hold of your phone or account logins – here are three ways to stop them. Lock your app Locking your WhatsApp separately to your iPhone is very important. It means

CYBERCRIMINALS have been targeting government websites in Israel – and one expert believes they’re from Iran. Several Israeli government networks were met with a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) cyberattack on Monday, the DailyDot reported. Israeli officials suspect the cyberattacks came from another country, though they have not been able to confirm anything yet. One former senior

SMARTPHONE users have been warned about the escalating threat of hackers after more than 10 million devices were affected last year. Cyber crooks have jumped at the chance to exploit our growing dependence on technology, especially after the pandemic. So much so, almost a quarter of mobile devices across the world encountered some form of

CHINA claims to have captured a US National Security Agency spy tool dubbed Trojan horse that can allegedly control global internet equipment and steal information. The alleged NSA spy tool is capable of lurking in a victim’s computer and accessing sensitive information, according to the Chinese outlet Global Times. Despite the claims, there has been

RUSSIAN cyberattackers could target police forces, hospitals, and local government in a mass breach that could send the US back to the 19th century, experts have warned. It’s feared that Moscow-backed cybercriminals could target institutions to cause chaos across the US. Cybersecurity expert Hugh Taylor told The Sun that Washington is in a “heightened state”

GOOGLE has issued a chilling warning to the 2.6billion people who use its Chrome web browser. The US tech titan told fans last week to expect a rise in the number of reported cyberattacks in the coming months. Adrian Taylor, a member of Chrome’s Security Team, explained the increase in a blog post on March

IF YOU’RE worried about iPhone hackers then we’ve got a few tips to help allay your fears. From making your logins more secure to shielding your passwords from snoopers, here are the security settings worth knowing about. Face ID Once the preserve of sci-fi movies, facial recognition is now a mainstream technology. Basically, it’s a

FIREFOX users have been urged to update their browser as soon as possible after it issued a huge update and gave a warning about security. Mozilla issued its latest update of the Firefox browser Tuesday along with new privacy features for its mobile version and emergency update patches for the two critical security vulnerabilities it

SHOPPERS are complaining of a national shortage of Hula Hoops and McCoys crisps after KP snacks was held to ransom by Russian cyber thugs. The snack brand – which makes Skips, Butterkist popcorn and KP Nuts too – was hacked last month, with its IT systems “wiped out”. Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and WH Smith’s are

A HACKER group backed by the Chinese government has breached the networks of at least six US state governments in the past year. Experts are warning of a group of cybercriminals that has been targeting state government computer networks in the United States, according to a new report from American cybersecurity firm Mandiant. The hacker collective, known

International condemnation of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has been swift and now the conflict has extended into the cyberverse. Famous hacking group Anonymous claims to have hacked Russian TV to show footage of the war in Ukraine. Anonymous, a decentralized group of skilled hackers, previously shared a menacing message for Vladimir Putin, telling the Russian

NEW York City has been placed on “ultra-high-alert” as officials warn that there’s an increased risk of a Russian cyberattack amid Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The US has already hit Vladimir Putin’s regime with a raft of tough economic sanctions and reports claim that President Biden is set to strengthen the measures by banning Russian

WITH cyber attacks on the rise worldwide, the need to keep your online accounts secure is more pressing than ever. That’s particularly true when it comes to your Microsoft account, which you use to log in to Outlook and Windows PCs. How to lock down your Microsoft account Two-factor authentication Two-factor authentication (2FA), also known

“HACKTIVIST” group Anonymous has sprung back to life, vowing an all-out “cyberwar” on Vladimir Putin’s media. The cyber vigilantes have attacked other groups in the past including the KKK and the Minneapolis police department in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Who are Anonymous? Anonymous started in 2003 as a collective of web jokers hitting