CyberSecurity news
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Dysruption Hub@The Dysruption Hub
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Cellcom, a Wisconsin-based mobile carrier, has confirmed that a cyberattack is the cause of a week-long service outage that began on the evening of May 14, 2025. Customers across Wisconsin and Upper Michigan experienced disruptions to voice and SMS services, leaving them unable to make phone calls or send text messages. Initially, the company attributed the issue to a technical problem but later acknowledged the cyber incident in a video and letter from CEO Brighid Riordan. The attack specifically targeted a network segment responsible for handling voice and SMS, but the company assured customers that sensitive data, such as names, addresses, and financial details, was not compromised.
Cellcom has engaged federal authorities, including the FBI, and international cybersecurity experts to assist in mitigating the impact and restoring full service. CEO Brighid Riordan stated that the company was not unprepared for such an incident and emphasized their commitment to recovery. Partial service has been restored, and the company anticipates a full restoration by the end of the week. Cellcom has also pledged to cover service fees for affected customers during the outage as a gesture of accountability and thanks. The cyberattack on Cellcom highlights the critical importance of cybersecurity and the potential consequences of a breach on essential communication services. The outage has disrupted both personal and business communications, with some customers reporting business losses due to the prolonged downtime. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has received at least 15 customer complaints related to the disruption. Cellcom is advising affected users to try turning on their phone’s airplane mode for 10 seconds or restarting their device if they continue to experience connection issues. Recommended read:
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@www.webroot.com
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References:
www.eweek.com
, www.webroot.com
Cybercriminals are increasingly using sophisticated tactics to deceive individuals and steal sensitive information. One common method involves sending fraudulent text messages, known as smishing, that impersonate legitimate businesses like delivery services or banks. These scams often entice victims to click on malicious links, leading to identity theft, financial loss, or the installation of malware. Webroot emphasizes mobile security, particularly protecting phones from text scams with potential identity theft and malware planting. The Federal Trade Commission reported that consumers lost $470 million to scams initiated through text messages in 2024.
Google is intensifying its efforts to combat these online threats by integrating artificial intelligence across its various platforms. The company is leveraging AI in Search, Chrome, and Android to identify and block scam attempts more effectively. Google's AI-powered defenses are capable of detecting 20 times more scam pages than before, significantly improving the quality of search results. Furthermore, AI is used to identify fraudulent websites, app notifications, calls, and direct messages, helping to safeguard users from various scam tactics. A key component of Google's enhanced protection is the integration of Gemini Nano, a lightweight, on-device AI model, into Chrome. This allows for instant identification of scams, even those that haven't been previously encountered. When a user navigates to a potentially dangerous page, Chrome evaluates the page using Gemini Nano, which extracts security signals to determine the intent of the page. This information is then sent to Safe Browsing for a final verdict, adding an extra layer of protection against evolving online threats. Recommended read:
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Pierluigi Paganini@Data Breach
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SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest mobile carrier, has suffered a significant cyberattack resulting in a USIM data breach affecting approximately 23 to 25 million subscribers. The breach was triggered by a malware infection that exposed sensitive information tied to users’ Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs), including mobile phone numbers and IMEI numbers. This incident has raised alarms across the telecommunications industry, prompting a reassessment of cybersecurity practices and highlighting vulnerabilities within SK Telecom's network.
To address the fallout from the breach, SK Telecom is offering free SIM card replacements to its affected customers. While the company serves roughly half of the domestic mobile phone market, only 6 million replacement SIM cards are initially available through May. This initiative aims to mitigate the risks of identity theft and SIM swap attacks, which could exploit the compromised USIM data. Additionally, SK Telecom is working to restore customer trust by increasing checks on SIM card replacement activities and monitoring authentication processes for suspicious behavior. The cyberattack has had a substantial impact on SK Telecom’s market position and financial standing. An estimated $643 million in market capitalization has been lost, accompanied by a potential exodus of subscribers seeking more secure alternatives. The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) have launched an on-site investigation at SK Telecom’s headquarters, adding further pressure on the company to effectively manage the breach's consequences. Recommended read:
References :
Pierluigi Paganini@Data Breach
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SK Telecom, a major mobile network operator in South Korea, is grappling with the aftermath of a significant cyberattack that compromised the USIM data of approximately 23 million subscribers. The breach, discovered on April 19th, involved malware infiltration that allowed attackers to steal sensitive customer information, including mobile phone numbers and device identification numbers (IMEI). This stolen data poses significant risks to affected users, including potential identity theft and SIM swap attacks, where criminals can hijack a victim's phone number to gain access to personal and financial accounts.
In response to the widespread data breach, SK Telecom has announced a program to provide free SIM card replacements to all 25 million of its mobile customers. This initiative aims to mitigate the risk of SIM swapping and other fraudulent activities by replacing compromised SIM cards with secure ones. However, the company faces logistical challenges, with only 6 million SIM cards available for immediate replacement through May. This shortage raises concerns about the timeline for fully addressing the vulnerability and protecting all affected subscribers. The cyberattack has had a substantial impact on SK Telecom, leading to customer anxiety, a loss in market capitalization estimated at $643 million, and potential subscriber attrition. The South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT and the Korea Internet & Security Agency (KISA) have launched an on-site investigation at SK Telecom's headquarters, signaling the seriousness of the breach and the regulatory scrutiny the company now faces. While SK Telecom is implementing measures to restore customer trust, the incident serves as a wake-up call for the telecommunications industry, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity practices and proactive security measures. Recommended read:
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