Brian Fagioli@BetaNews
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Microsoft is significantly expanding its cybersecurity support for European governments, providing a free security program specifically designed to combat AI-based cyberattacks. This initiative reflects Microsoft's commitment to bolstering the digital defenses of European nations. Furthermore, the company is actively addressing concerns related to competition within the European market, demonstrating a willingness to adapt to regulatory requirements and user preferences.
Microsoft is collaborating with CrowdStrike to harmonize cyber threat attribution. This partnership aims to establish a unified system for identifying and tracking cyber threat actors across different security platforms, which is designed to accelerate response times and strengthen global cyber defenses. The collaborative effort seeks to bridge the gaps created by differing naming systems for threat actors, creating a "Rosetta Stone" for cyber threat intelligence. This mapping will allow security teams to make informed decisions more quickly, correlate threat intelligence across sources, and disrupt malicious activity before it inflicts damage. In response to Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), Microsoft is making changes to the user experience within the European Economic Area. The company will reduce the frequency with which it prompts users to switch to Edge as their default browser. This change is intended to address complaints from rival browser makers and others who felt that Microsoft was unfairly pushing its own products. Europeans will also find it easier to uninstall the Windows Store and sideline Bing, offering greater control over their digital environment and aligning with the principles of the DMA, which aims to promote competition and user choice in the digital market. References :
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@cyble.com
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The ransomware landscape is experiencing significant shifts in April 2025, with groups like Qilin taking center stage. Despite a general decline in ransomware attacks from 564 in March to 450 in April, the lowest level since November 2024, Qilin has surged to the top of the ransomware rankings. This rise is attributed to the realignment of cybercriminal groups within the chaotic Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) ecosystem. Qilin is reportedly leveraging sophisticated tools and techniques, contributing to their increased success in recent months.
Qilin's success is partly due to the adoption of advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs). Threat actors associated with Qilin have been observed utilizing malware such as SmokeLoader, along with a previously undocumented .NET compiled loader called NETXLOADER, in campaigns dating back to November 2024. NETXLOADER is a highly obfuscated loader designed to deploy additional malicious payloads and bypass traditional detection mechanisms, making it difficult to analyze. This loader plays a critical role in Qilin's stealthy malware delivery method. The surge in activity is reflected in the doubling of disclosures on Qilin's data leak site since February 2025, making it the top ransomware group in April. The emergence of new actors like DragonForce is reshaping the threat landscape. The group is built for the gig economy. Its features include a 20% revenue share, white-label ransomware kits, pre-built infrastructure. DragonForce quickly moved to absorb affiliates following the April 2025 disappearance of RansomHub, pitching itself as an agile alternative to collapsed legacy operators. A historic surge in ransomware activity is occurring. A total of 2,289 publicly named ransomware victims were reported in just Q1 a 126% year-over-year increase, setting an all-time high. 74 distinct ransomware groups are now operating concurrently, highlighting an explosion of new actors and affiliate-driven threats. References :
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@itpro.com
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Cybersecurity firm Resecurity successfully infiltrated the BlackLock ransomware gang's network by exploiting a local file inclusion vulnerability on their data leak site (DLS). This vulnerability, a misconfiguration in the site, allowed Resecurity to access the gang's network infrastructure, configuration files, and even account credentials. By gaining access, Resecurity could observe the gang's operations, identify potential victims, and alert both the victims and authorities, providing valuable insights into the gang's modus operandi.
Resecurity's actions have provided law enforcement with crucial information about BlackLock, also known as El Dorado, which had successfully attacked at least 46 organizations worldwide. The compromised DLS revealed that the gang was actively recruiting affiliates to spread the ransomware further. By uncovering the gang's methods and infrastructure, Resecurity has potentially disrupted BlackLock's operations and protected numerous organizations from falling victim to their attacks. References :
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