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Sunday, jun 21
Tag:
Cybercrime
News
‘High School Catfish’: The Netflix True-Crime Twist Everyone’s Talking About
What starts as a teen romance turns into a cyber nightmare in Netflix’s new true-crime documentary "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" — and the final twist is jaw-dropping. Directed by Skye Borgman and released last week, the film explores the chilling real-life case of 13-year-old Lauryn Licari and her then-boyfriend, Owen, from Beal City, MI. In October 2020 Lauryn and Owen began receiving bizarre texts from an unknown number. After a pause, the messages resumed in September 2021 — and this time, they didn’t stop. For the next 15 months, Lauryn was bombarded daily with …
News
Scam Targets Airlines As Hacking Group Expands Operations, FBI Warns
A cybercriminal group known for extorting people and companies across the world is now targeting the airline industry. The FBI has issued a warning about Scattered Spider, a hacking group that has expanded its operations to include major US airlines and their vendors. The group is known for using convincing impersonation tactics to access corporate networks, often bypassing multi-factor authentication by tricking IT staff into adding unauthorized devices. Scattered Spider impersonates employees or contractors to deceive help desks. "These techniques frequently involve methods …
News
Aflac May Have Exposed Social Security Numbers, Other Info
Aflac has confirmed a cybersecurity breach that may have compromised sensitive customer information. The company is the latest target in a string of attacks on major insurance providers. The company said the intrusion was first detected on Thursday, June 12, prompting an immediate internal response. While systems remained operational and no ransomware was involved, investigators say the breach was part of a broader cybercrime campaign against the insurance industry. Aflac said the attacker used social engineering tactics to infiltrate its US network. A review of impacted files is sti…
News
Phony Texts Threaten Drivers With Suspensions: Here's What To Know
There’s a scam targeting drivers through text messages pretending to be from the DMV. Cybercriminals who once claimed victims owed unpaid tolls are now pivoting to a new phishing attack, according to authorities. If you’ve received a text message warning that your driver’s license is about to be suspended due to unpaid tickets, stop and think before you click. It might be a scam. The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are alerting the public about a new wave of phishing scams — specifically “smishing,” or fraudulent text messages — that claim to be from the Department of Motor Vehicles…
News
Many People Fear Cyberattacks But Don't Protect Themselves Properly, Survey Says
Most online users say they're worried about data breaches, but still skip basic ways to improve their cybersecurity, according to a new survey. The Acronis Data Privacy in 2025 Survey polled nearly 2,500 adults in the US and seven other countries, finding that many aren't doing enough to protect their personal data. The Swiss tech company found that while 64% of respondents listed data breaches as their top online privacy concern, only one-third back up their data daily or weekly. Fewer than half (46%) said they use security features like two-factor authentication. "Perhaps …
Business
Hackers Infect 394K+ Computers, Microsoft Disrupts 'Most Popular Infostealer': What To Know
A global cybercrime tool used to steal passwords and drain bank accounts was shut down in a major takedown led by Microsoft and federal authorities. The tool called Lumma Stealer had infected more than 394,000 Windows computers worldwide between March and May, Microsoft said in a blog post on Wednesday, May 21. Hackers used the malware to target schools, hospitals, banks, and gaming communities, often holding victims for ransom or committing financial fraud. A federal court order allowed Microsoft's digital crimes unit to seize more than 2,300 web domains that powered the malware's ope…
Police & Fire
Mass Cop Used Dark Web To Download Child Porn: Feds
A Gloucester police officer sworn to protect the public is now accused of exploiting its most vulnerable, with federal prosecutors alleging he used the dark web to access child sexual abuse images. Alexander Aiello, 34, of Gloucester, has been charged with one count of receipt of child pornography, according to the US Attorney for Massachusetts. Federal officials say he was identified as a registered user of a website that shared illegal content involving children. Aiello was arrested on Friday, May 9, after an FBI investigation that included a search of his home last month. Autho…
News
Online Scammers Using This Method To Steal Personal Info, FBI Says
The FBI has issued a warning about cybercriminals exploiting victims to distribute malware and steal personal information. Fraudulent free online file converter tools offer services like converting or merging files—such as transforming a .doc file to a .pdf or combining multiple images into a single document. While they perform the advertised tasks, they may also install hidden malware on users' computers. This malware can grant criminals access to sensitive data, including Social Security numbers, banking details, cryptocurrency information, email addresses, and passwords. …
News
Warning Issued For Nationwide Automated 'Sextortion' Scam: Here's What To Know
Authorities are warning the public of a nationwide automated scam in which scammers use people’s email addresses to coerce payments by intimidating them with threats of embarrassment. Victims of the "sextortion" scheme, usually children and teens, are manipulated to photograph or video material for extortionists. "After receiving the sexually explicit content from the child, the offender threatens to release that compromising material unless the victim produces additional explicit material," said the FBI in issuing the warning to parents, educators, caregivers, and children. In a sepa…
News
Destructive USB Flash Drives Are Being Mailed By Cybercriminals, FBI Warns
The FBI is warning that USB thumb drives are being mailed by cybercriminals in an attempt to lure recipients into plugging them into their computers and installing ransomware. Two different schemes are being used, says the FBI: The first contains a package that appears to come from the US Department of Health and Human Services that reportedly contains information on current pandemic guidelines. The second comes as an Amazon gift box which contains a thank you letter, USB, and counterfeit gift card. Both packages contain USBs that when connected to a computer will send prec…
News
Don't Fall For Them: FBI Issues Alert For Online Shopping Scams
The FBI is warning the public of cybercriminals targeting shoppers hoping to take advantage of online bargains and hard-to-find gift items for the holidays. During the 2020 holiday shopping season, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 17,000 complaints regarding the non-delivery of goods, resulting in losses of over $53 million, the agency said. It is anticipated this number could increase during the 2021 holiday season due to rumors of merchandise shortages and the ongoing pandemic. That's why criminals are busy finding ways to entice their victims in multiple …
Police & Fire
CT Woman Creates Fake Facebook Account To Harass Victim With Protective Order, Police Say
A Connecticut woman known for harassing her targeted victim repeatedly is being accused of going above and beyond to get to her once more, police said. Hartford County resident Stacia Lanway, age 61, of South Windsor, has been accused of creating a phony Facebook account in an effort to harass her alleged victim, who has been targeted repeatedly in the past, according to officials. Police said that an investigation was launched in December 2020 before Lanway turned herself in on Wednesday, Sept. 29 for allegedly using a fake account in her victim’s name, which she used to make harassing pos…
Police & Fire
Juvenile Used Racial Slurs After Remotely Breaking Into HS Class In Fairfield County
A juvenile is facing several charges after remotely breaking into the online classroom of a high school in the region, and then using racial slurs, according to police. The incident happened in Connecticut in the fall of 2020. Late on Friday, May 28, in Fairfield County, members of the Newtown Police Department charged the local youth for cybercrimes. The arrest was made at the conclusion of a six-month-long police investigation, of unknown persons accessing Google classrooms at Newtown High School and using racial epithets, in an abusive and disruptive manner. School Resource Officer W…
Police & Fire
Police Issue Alert To Area Residents For Screen-Sharing Scam
Police are warning of a new scam involving instances of fraud stemming from screen-sharing software that gives scammers access to personal computers and smartphones. The scams that involve remote access software being used to target devices, one of which was recently used on an area resident. Police said that a fraudster posing as a customer care executive from Amazon advised the victim that a “fraud alert” has been placed on their account. The victim acknowledged that they had an Amazon account but did not have the Amazon app on their phone. The fraudster took this opportunity to direct…
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