Akira Ransomware Outsmarts Microsoft Defender—Here’s What You Can Do

Imagine grabbing a coffee while your computer’s strongest guard—Microsoft Defender—gets quietly shut down. That’s the trick the Akira ransomware gang is pulling off. By abusing a legitimate Intel driver, they gain deep system access, flip off Defender’s protections, and unleash ransomware without raising alarms. The result? Encrypted files, stolen data, and chaos. According to security researchers, Akira performs a sneaky two-step trick. READ FULL STORY

Know When It’s Time To Hang-Up. Don’t Fall Victim To These New Phone Scams

Just recently, it was discovered three new phone scams are making the rounds. These scams play on our fears (a scammer favorite), they’re tough to spot, and they’re after your money. It’s always smart to know how they work and when it’s time to hang up. Looking at these scams can help save you and those you know from falling victim to them. The following statistics help show the financial severity of phone scams, and who’s more likely to fall for them. READ FULL STORY

The 10 Most Common 4-Digit PINs: Is Yours One of Them?

By now, it’s common knowledge that anything to do with your online security that’s easy-to-guess presents personal security risks. One of those risks involves using a 4-digit PIN code for your smartphone, additional devices, ATM accounts, and payment cards. Commonly used PINs make it easy for you to remember but they also make it easy for hackers to guess. Below are 10 of the most common 4-digit PIN codes cybercriminals try first, so take a look and see if yours is on the list. READ FULL STORY

Quick Social Engineering Refresher

Let's dive into the world of social engineering and its impact on our lives, shall we? Brace yourself for a friendly reminder about this sneaky psychological manipulation technique that can really mess with your day. Picture this: someone cleverly exploits your mind to get you to do their bidding or spill sensitive information. It could never happen to you, right? Well, think again. Sometimes they sneak up on you and don't even know what's going on until it's too late. READ FULL STORY

Cash App Flip Scams Make Big Promises Using Your Money

Peer-to-peer payment (P2P) systems have exploded in popularity, with more than 113 million users estimated in the U.S. alone. With the number of P2P users growing, Cash App, the highly popular P2P platform for sending and receiving money on your smartphone, has the attention of hackers. Scammers are using a “flip scam” to steal Cash App user funds. If you use this app or are considering it, knowing how to spot this scam is as good as money in the bank – or Cash App! READ FULL STORY

Job Emails Offer Job Seekers New Malware

Even though the unemployment rate isn’t so bad right now, there are still those who can’t resist taking advantage of job seekers. There’s a sneaky scam that's been making the rounds lately—fake job interview emails designed to install cryptocurrency mining malware on your devices. Both Windows and MacOS users are in danger of this one. Cybercriminals are posing as recruiters to lure unsuspecting job seekers into their trap. But they get something less desired than a job offer from these so-called recruiters. READ FULL STORY

Amazon “Free Stuff” Brushing Scam Makes Victims Pay The Price

Open your front door and there they are, boxes from Amazon you weren’t expecting. The thought of getting free stuff might give you a giggle, but the truth is, the last laugh could be at your expense. That’s because you’ve just been pulled into a “brushing” scam using you and Amazon to work. Brushing scams are happening more often than ever before, and a closer look at them shows how free stuff could end up costing you. If you find yourself the target of a brushing scam, it means the scammer already has enough of your PII to involve you. READ FULL STORY

AI-Generated Phishing — The Security Landscape Changes

Phishing scams, the scourge of businesses everywhere, are getting a facelift thanks to generative AI. Already the reason for 90% of all data breaches, phishing is getting much more difficult to spot thanks to generative AI. Traditional ways of identifying phishing scams are becoming obsolete and businesses are in the crosshairs of this new generation of phishing attacks. That's why creating a more effective response is in the best interest of every organization. READ FULL STORY

Beware! Coyote Malware Hiding in Financial Apps

There's a new banking Trojan on the rise with some fresh tricks up its sleeve. It's called Coyote and so far, 61 banking apps have fallen prey to this malware. How quickly this banking malware starts to spread globally remains to be seen, but you can bet this cagey Coyote will be very wily. Coyote's purpose is stealing banking information and other PII using fake overlays and phony update screens. But you can be certain that it doesn't just drop off a cliff there. READ FULL STORY

Users Get Tricked Into Falsely Updating Google Services

The TrickMo Android banking trojan has re-emerged in a new form, disguised as a fake Google Chrome app for Android. Once installed, this malicious app prompts users to update Google Play Services, tricking them into downloading TrickMo under the guise of "Google Services." By doing so, it gains access to critical permissions, including those for the device's accessibility settings, which it then exploits to perform various malicious activities. READ FULL STORY

Avoiding Peer To Peer Payment Scams

Peer to Peer (P2P) payment networks like Zelle, PayPal,­ and CashApp have taken the world by storm, and “Pay Yourself” scams are a result. Avoiding these scams means knowing one when you see it, and how to navigate safely around it. These scams are phishing attacks at their foundations, and they typically begin with a scammer impersonating your financial institution. Using email text or phone, their urgent message is about a fraud alert on your account, and they’re here to help. Once you bite, you’ll get a call from the scammer. READ FULL STORY

Your Social Security Statement Gives Hackers Full Control of Your Computer

A recent social engineering scam has been reported by Malwarebytes using the Social Security Administration (SSA) and it could lead to an attacker gaining full access to your computer. It’s the second one in as many months involving downloading statements. Behind the operation is a cybercrime group known as Molatori. It starts with a phony email that looks like it’s legitimately from the SSA, telling you your statement is ready, but it will download far more than that. READ FULL STORY