Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Malware Targets Banks, Crypto Platforms and Social MediaNewly surfaced Android-based banking Trojan gives threat actors near-total control over infected devices, letting them steal user credentials for direct access to financial accounts, says researchers. Rokarolla tricks users into side-loading malicious versions of popular, high traffic apps.

Attack Combines Social Engineering and Card Emulation to Execute Real-Time TheftHackers are using Chinese-speaking Android malware-as-a-service SuperCard X to carry out near-field communication relay attacks, siphoning payment card data and executing live point of sale and ATM transactions. Victims receive spoofed SMS or WhatsApp alerts purporting to originate from their bank.

Also: France Temporarily Lifts Pavel Durov's Travel Ban Amid Telegram ProbeThis week, Paragon Solutions spread through WhatsApp, France suspended Pavel Durov's travel ban, Vapor malware hit 60M Android users, state-backed hackers exploit a Windows flaw, Western Alliance Bank exposed customers data, Apple fixed a passwords bug, and a sperm bank exposed customer information.

New Variants Steal PINs, Affect 13,000+ Users and Exploit Accessibility FeaturesA new variant of an Android banking Trojan called TrickMo is tricking victims into providing their phone unlock code, enabling hackers to sustain operations, warn cybersecurity researchers. The malware displays presents a deceptive HTML user interface that mimics the device's actual unlock screen.

Hackers Used Dozens of Servers to Distribute Malicious Android AppsLaw enforcement authorities in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan took down a cybercrime ring that used dozens of servers and hundreds of phishing pages across multiple jurisdictions to run a malware-enabled scam operation and steal tens of millions from victims' bank accounts.

New Malware SoumniBot Exploiting Legitimate Android ProcessA new banking Trojan is targeting Korean users using obfuscation techniques that target the Android manifest, exploit vulnerabilities and take advantage of weaknesses in how Android apps interpret this file. SoumniBot stands out for its approach to camouflaging its malicious intent.

New Malware SoumniBot Exploiting Legitimate Android ProcessA new banking Trojan is targeting Korean users using obfuscation techniques that target the Android manifest, exploit vulnerabilities and take advantage of weaknesses in how Android apps interpret this file. SoumniBot stands out for its approach to camouflaging its malicious intent.

Also: Avast Agrees to $16.5 Million Civil Penalty to Settle Privacy InvestigationThis week: more fallout from LockBit, Avast to pay $16.5M, Russia-linked group targeted mail servers, no indication that AT&T was hacked, analysis of a patched Apple flaw, Microsoft enhanced logging, an Android banking Trojan, North Korean hackers and a baking giant fell to ransomware.

GoldPickaxe Malware Can Record User’s Face - Use Video to Commit Deepfake ScamsA Chinese-speaking cybercrime group with the codename GoldFactory has built a new Android and iOS banking Trojan, GoldPickaxe, that can harvest and steal personal details, including biometric face profiles, that attackers use to create AI-driven deepfakes to fool bank defenses, researchers warn.

Both iOS and Android Variants Can Record Face Videos, Used to Create AI DeepfakesA Chinese-speaking cybercrime group codenamed GoldFactory has built a new Android and iOS banking Trojan, GoldPickaxe, that can to harvest and steal personal details, including biometric face profiles, which attackers use to create AI-driven deepfakes to fool bank defenses, researchers warn.

Hackers Use Messaging Apps WhatsApp, Telegram to Bait VictimsMobile banking Trojans spread through deceptive social media messages remain a problem for Indian smartphone users, warns Microsoft. India accounts for 4 in 10 global transactions made with digital payments, according to the National Payments Corporation of India.