CyberSecurity news
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Aflac Incorporated, the insurance giant, has confirmed a cybersecurity incident that occurred on June 12, 2025. The company detected suspicious activity on its US network and promptly initiated its cyber incident response protocols, successfully stopping the intrusion within hours. According to Aflac's official disclosure, their systems were not affected by ransomware, ensuring business operations such as underwriting, claims processing, and customer support remain uninterrupted. However, Aflac warns that sensitive customer information may have been exposed during the breach.
Preliminary findings indicate that the unauthorized party used sophisticated social engineering tactics to gain access to Aflac's network. This method often involves tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information or granting access. Aflac has engaged leading third-party cybersecurity experts to assist with the ongoing investigation. CNN, citing sources familiar with the investigation, reported that this incident, along with others recently affecting the insurance sector, is consistent with the techniques of a cybercrime group known as “Scattered Spider.” Aflac acknowledged the broader context of the attack, stating, "This attack, like many insurance companies are currently experiencing, was caused by a sophisticated cybercrime group." The review of potentially impacted files is still in its early stages, and Aflac has not yet determined the total number of individuals affected. However, the company has indicated that the compromised files may contain sensitive information. The Aflac breach is the latest cyberattack against the insurance industry.
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Scattered Spider, a cybercrime collective known for targeting U.K. and U.S. retailers, has shifted its focus to the U.S. insurance industry, according to warnings issued by Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG). The group, tracked as UNC3944, is known for utilizing sophisticated social engineering tactics to breach organizations, often impersonating employees, deceiving IT support teams, and bypassing multi-factor authentication (MFA). Google is urging insurance companies to be on high alert for social engineering schemes targeting help desks and call centers, emphasizing that multiple intrusions bearing the hallmarks of Scattered Spider activity have already been detected in the U.S.
GTIG's warning comes amidst a recent surge in Scattered Spider activity, with multiple U.S.-based insurance companies reportedly impacted over the past week and a half. The threat group has a history of targeting specific industries in clusters, with previous attacks impacting MGM Resorts and other casino companies. Security specialists emphasize that Scattered Spider often targets large enterprises with extensive help desks and outsourced IT functions, making them particularly susceptible to social engineering attacks. The group is also suspected of having ties to Western countries. The shift in focus towards the insurance sector follows Scattered Spider's previous campaigns targeting retailers, including a wave of ransomware and extortion attacks on retailers and grocery stores in the U.K. in April. To mitigate against Scattered Spider's tactics, security experts recommend enhancing authentication, enforcing rigorous identity controls, implementing access restrictions, and providing comprehensive training to help desk personnel to effectively identify employees before resetting accounts. One insurance company, Erie Insurance, has already reported a cyberattack earlier this month, although the perpetrators have not yet been identified.
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