Experts Warn: Malvertising on the Rise

The name is short for malicious advertising, but malvertising’s long record of infecting devices is growing fast. Last fall, Malwarebytes found month-to-month, a 42% increase in malvertising in the U.S. It’s a strong message that users need to be hyper-aware of these aggressive and hazardous online ads. Cybercriminals use malvertising to download malicious code onto a device. Once a device is infected, any number of cyberattacks can happen. READ FULL STORY

Your Digital Life May Not Be Your Own

Imagine opening your inbox and reading a message that claims a hacker already has everything on you. Your passwords. Your private files. Even your credit card details. The message warns that unless you quickly pay up, all of it will be sold on the dark web or shared publicly. It’s a frightening claim designed to make anyone panic. But cybersecurity experts say this increasingly common extortion scam is mostly smoke and mirrors. Knowing how it works can help you spot the bluff before fear pushes you into sending money. READ FULL STORY

Are You Playing a Scammer’s Favorite Tune

Just when you thought you’d heard it all, there’s always another song to be played. This one is big, very big. It’s called a “Piano Scam”, and countless victims around the globe are getting played. Even those doing everything right to avoid this scam don’t escape it. A Piano Scam casts a wide net, targeting music schools and music stores, healthcare, and other industries. It also includes individuals searching online for a used piano. A scammer makes an offer that’s hard to refuse—a free piano and a story about why they can’t take it with them to wherever they are going. READ FULL STORY

SCAM Act May Be A New Line of Defense Against Fraud Flooding Our Social Media Feeds

Every day, social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram serve up billions of scam ads and lawmakers may actually try to do something about it. Meta’s own estimates put daily scam ad exposures at 15 billion, or roughly 11 scam ads per user, exposing millions to fraud. In response, U.S. lawmakers have unveiled the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act, a bipartisan effort to force tech companies to police scam ads or face consequences. READ FULL STORY

FBI Warns to Avoid Costly Phantom Hacker Attack

Cyber creeps are on the move again with a financial hack no one is immune from. Even the FBI is warning the public about “Phantom Hacker” attacks they say are growing fast and cleaning out funds from unsuspecting victims. It’s a slick and quick attack, and before you know it, your hard-earned cash is gone in a flash. This scam includes a financial phishing phone call and a wire transfer of your money. Here’s what you need to know about this scam, and fast. READ FULL STORY

5 Security Mistakes Made At Work

I can’t remember how many people have told me lately that since the end of the pandemic, they have been working from home full-time. However, that also means that the organization they work for assumes additional risk from cyberattacks. You see, once an employee is outside the confines of their organization’s network, it’s up to them to follow cybersecurity guidelines and policies set up by the company. Sadly, many people don’t realize the additional risk they add when working from home, the local library, or the pub around the corner. READ FULL STORY

AI Aided Phishing Scams Target Business Execs

AI-powered bots are now capable of analyzing vast amounts of data from online profiles. This enables them to craft emails that closely mimic the tone and style of a company or individual. This level of personalization makes the scams more convincing and harder to detect. So, it’s no surprise that there's been a notable surge in highly personalized phishing scams aimed at corporate executives. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and succeeding, largely due to the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) by cybercriminals. READ FULL STORY

Don’t Give Email Permissions To Bogus Upgrade App

Email phishing campaigns involve a variety of hacker goals, most of which want you to install some type of malware on your device. Now there’s a new phishing campaign making the rounds that involves Microsoft Office 365 users and a bad actor with a fake app called “Upgrade.” The app asks for control over your email account and the authorizations and permissions that go with it. Recently, Microsoft’s Security Intelligence team sent a tweet warning this campaign is now targeting hundreds of organizations. READ FULL STORY

Your Apple ID Has Been Suspended—Or Has It?

In recent weeks, a new phishing scam emerged targeting Apple users, dubbed the "Apple ID suspended" scam. This latest scam employs a deceptive tactic to trick users into providing sensitive information, such as their valuable Apple login credentials and other personal details. For this one, it creates a sense of urgency and fear if the user doesn’t take action; a hallmark for these types of threats. Here’s how you can spot this scam for what it is and what you can do to prevent it from taking a bite out of you. READ FULL STORY

Top Email Scams Fooling Us These Days

Your inbox might look harmless, but cybersecurity experts say some of the most dangerous scams are hiding in plain sight. Despite awareness campaigns and sophisticated security tools, scammers are staying one step ahead, and they're using urgency, deception, and artificial intelligence to make their attacks nearly impossible to detect. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center's Internet Crime Report, 193,407 Americans reported falling victim to phishing and spoofing in 2024 and some of these scams are more effective than others. READ FULL STORY

Senior Scams—When Elder Fraud Gets Personal

Last year in the U.S., nearly two-thirds of scam victims were seniors. Whether family, friend or neighbor, many of us know a senior citizen. But one thing many of us don’t know is how vulnerable they are to cybercrime. The FBI reports those aged 60+ are potential victims of a nearly $3.5 billion criminal scheme to defraud this at-risk group, and it’s only getting worse. The reasons behind the attacks are simple. It's about money and trust. READ FULL STORY

A Check on the Safety of P2P Apps

There are so many payment apps out there; PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle, for instance and perhaps you’ve probably wondered: Are these apps actually safe? The short answer—yes, if you’re careful. While most P2P apps use encryption to protect your data, scammers are constantly looking for new ways to trick users into giving up their money. And because these apps are often linked directly to your bank account, one mistake can be very costly. But just knowing how to spot potential scams and fraud can help you use them safely. READ FULL STORY