Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Also, Russian Signal Phishing, Iran-Linked Malware, Breaches in Spain and FranceThis week, Tycoon 2FA, Trio-Tech, messaging app spying and a ransomware broker sentenced. Iran-linked hackers. Mazda disclosed a breach. Oracle patched a flaw. North Korean actors weaponized VS Code, a Spanish port ransomware attack, a French teacher data breach and a healthcare firm victim surge.

Bitcoin Joining Fee for Affiliates and No Proven Victims Cited by ResearchersNewcomer ransomware group 0APT is being branded a "likely scam operation," not least after a list of over 200 supposed victims turned out to be bogus, if not entirely AI-generated - never mind a 1 bitcoin joining fee for would-be affiliates and outdated crypto-locking malware.

Americans Extorted at Least 5 Firms, Earning $1 Million From a Medical Device MakerTwo American cybersecurity professionals who moonlighted as BlackCat ransomware gang affiliates pleaded guilty to using the crypto-locking malware to extort at least five victims in the United States, including a medical device maker that paid a cryptocurrency ransom worth over $1 million.

Also, a Renault Breach, WhatsApp Malware and Qilin Claims Asahi AttackThis week, insurer cybersecurity spending, a Renault breach, a WhatsApp malware campaign in Brazil. Germany skeptical of Chat Control. Two UK teens arrested for ransomware attack. Qilin claimed the attack on Japan's Asahi. Hackers weaponized Nezha. An Invoice data breach exposed personal records.

Attacks on RMM Tools Surged in 2025, With 51 Solutions Flagged as TargetsCybercriminals are hijacking trusted remote monitoring and management tools to bypass defenses, gain persistent access and quietly stage ransomware attacks. Experts warn MSPs and enterprises that supply chain exposure amplifies the scale of these intrusions.

Malicious Prompts Hidden in Data can Trigger Executable PayloadsHackers can transform artificial intelligence-powered summarization tools into unwitting delivery agents for ransomware instructions through hidden code and prompt manipulation, security researchers warn. The method is an evolution of ClickFix, a social engineering tactic.

Report North Korean Hacking Group Adds Ransomware to Traditional PlaybookA ScarCruft subgroup dubbed "ChinopuNK" has launched a disruptive ransomware campaign across South Korea, using phishing lures, AutoIt loaders and microphone-capturing malware - marking a major change in the North Korean hacking group's traditionally espionage-focused cyber tactics.

Also: CISA's Leadership Crisis; Why AI's Confident Errors Demand Urgent OversightIn this week's update, four editors with ISMG discussed Anubis ransomware's puzzling shift to data wiping malware, the leadership vacuum and budget uncertainty at CISA and growing concerns about how artificial intelligence tools are making confident mistakes that demand human oversight.

33-Year-Old Foreign National Accused of Spreading Ryuk and Other RansomwareA suspected initial access specialist for a ransomware-wielding group is being extradited from Ukraine to the United States to stand trial. The group has been accused of earning over $100 million in ransom by using malware such as Ryuk, Dharma and Hive against more than 2,400 organizations.

Move Raises Possibility Group Isn't Just Marketing Its Malware to CriminalsUp-and-coming ransomware group Anubis has tweaked its malware to irrevocably wipe victims' data - an unusual tactic from hackers whose typical corrupt bargain is restored data in exchange for extortion money. Why would a ransomware attacker seeking leverage in negotiations ever do this?

Police Take Down 300 Servers Worldwide, Neutralize 650 DomainsLaw enforcement in a European-led operation against malware often used as a precursor to ransomware took down 300 servers worldwide, police said Friday. The crackdown is the latest action under Operation Endgame targeting ransomware and botnet ecosystem.

Police Take Down 300 Servers Worldwide, Neutralize 650 DomainsLaw enforcement in a European-led operation against malware often used as a precursor to ransomware took down 300 servers worldwide, police said Friday. The crackdown is the latest action under Operation Endgame targeting ransomware and botnet ecosystem.

Domain Controllers Commandeered to Distribute Malware, Warns MicrosoftRansomware hackers are hitting up Active Directory domain controllers to boost privileges within compromised networks, warns Microsoft. Nearly eight out of every 10 human-operated cyberattacks involves a breached domain controller. Securing the servers is a challenge.

DeepSeek Comes Very Close to Producing a Keylogger and RansomwareSecurity researchers used the Chinese DeepSeek-R1 artificial intelligence reasoning model to come close to developing ransomware variants and keyloggers with evasion capabilities. The model needs prompt engineering and its output requires code editing.

Browser Isolation Protects Access Points as Remote Work Expands Attack SurfaceWith 92% of organizations supporting remote connectivity and phishing attacks surging to record levels, browser-based security has become essential for zero trust frameworks to protect against malware, ransomware and credential theft.

Researchers: Ransomware Group Emerged Last Fall; Variant of Babuk MalwareA new ransomware gang, Termite, has started leaking on the dark web samples of sensitive data stolen in an attack on Australian fertility clinic Genea. A court has issued a restraining order in hopes of preventing the threat actor or others from further disseminating, using or publishing the data.

Both Ransomware Operations Remain Active and Pose a Threat, Experts WarnRansomware business moves: Attacks tied to BlackLock have been surging, likely bolstered by the group's custom-built malware, while the long-running Black Basta operation remains a threat, even as it looks set to disband due to core members facing "fatigue," report cybercrime experts.

Also: VPN Vulnerabilities Attract Hackers, Hackers Use Swiss Mail to Send MalwareThis week, Russia suspected in Balctic Sea cable sabotage, VPNs draw ransomware attackers and Swiss snail mail malware. An AI training company reported a cybertheft of $250,000 and a U.S. space firm reported a breach. Microsoft said it will pay $$$ for AI vulnerabilities and a MFA success story.

Stephen Doughty Says Cybersecurity Vital to National And Economic SecurityThe British government will continue disruptive actions against ransomware and malware operators, a top U.K. government official vowed Wednesday. Stephen Doughty, Minister of State, said the recently elected U.K. government views security as a core pillar of economic and strategic growth.

Also: Ransomware Surged in 2023, MoneyGram Back in Service After CyberattackThis week, advice on spotting North Korean staff; ransomware attacks rose; MoneyGram back online; FCC fined political operative; CISA warned of water system attacks; Ukraine restricted Telegram use; North Korean hackers used new malware; U.K. arrested alleged hacker; PSNI is in data leak talks.