Latest cybersecurity reporting from selected sources.

Malware Campaign Uses Lures With Positive Portrayal of Anti-Tehran ProtestsA new malware campaign is using a positive-sounding report into the recent protests in Iran, accompanied by real photos and videos, as lures in an apparent cyberespionage operation designed to conduct surveillance of dissident researchers and global communities, warn security researchers.

Nation-State Teams Tied to Grain Sector Targeting, Plus More Joined-Up OperationsRussia's nation-state hacking groups have returned to pummeling Ukrainian targets with destructive, wiper malware, including in apparent attempts to disrupt its economically valuable grain sector, alongside the repeat targeting of allied European nations, researchers report.

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.

Hackers Using Amadey Bot to Drops Payloads From Fake GitHub AccountsThreat actors are using public GitHub repositories to host and distribute malware through the Amadey botnet in an ongoing campaign linked to a broader malware-as-a-service operation, Cisco Talos said in a report published Thursday.

Mandiant Says Malware Spread Through Fake AI Video Ads Seen by MillionsOnline scammers are converting excitement over generative artificial intelligence into fraudulent sites that infect victims with malware, says threat intel firm Google Mandiant in a report exposing a year-long campaign to distribute infostealers and backdoors.

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.

Malware Spotted Masquerading as Avast AntivirusAndroid Spynote malware is masquerading as antivirus software to exploit Android processes to infiltrate devices, seize control and steal sensitive information from unsuspecting users. A report from Cyfirma shows the malware disguising itself as "Avast Mobile Security" in a recent campaign.

Russian Hackers Using Open-Source Malware on Popular Messaging Apps, Report SaysUkraine's Computer Emergency Response Team is warning in an April report that a Russian hacking group known as UAC-0184 is using open-source malware to target Ukrainian soldiers on popular messaging apps such as Signal, as concerns grow over the Kremlin’s advanced hacking capabilities.

Numerous Impediments Remain, Should Administrators Attempt to Reboot OperationThe notorious ransomware-as-a-service group LockBit, disrupted by law enforcement this week, was developing a new version of its crypto-locking malware prior to being disrupted, security researchers report. Even so, experts say it's unlikely the group would be able to successfully reboot.

Numerous Impediments Remain, Should Administrators Attempt to Reboot OperationThe notorious ransomware-as-a-service group LockBit, disrupted by law enforcement this week, was developing a new version of its crypto-locking malware prior to being disrupted, security researchers report. Even so, experts say it's unlikely the group would be able to successfully reboot.

Crypto-Malware Trackers Report a Surge in Known Ransomware Victims at End of 2023Ransomware-wielding attackers show no signs of stopping, and experts report December 2023 was the second-worst month on record for known victims. Lately, Akira-wielding attackers have been hitting Finland hard, and Medusa has been behind a rising number of attacks.

Browser Data, Crypto Wallets and Chat Apps Are Also Top Targets, Researchers ReportInfo-stealer malware built for stealing lucrative, sensitive data - including cryptocurrency wallet and remote access credentials - continues to remain popular for criminally inclined individuals. Researchers reports that RedLine, LokiBot, Mars and Aurora remain attackers' top info-stealer choices.