SecurityBrief UK - Technology news for CISOs & cybersecurity decision-makers

Cybercrime stories - Page 2

Any use of network connected electronic devices such as computers or smartphones for criminal activity is classified as cybercrime. With a long history starting with the misuse of telephone systems (such as ‘phreaking’), cybercrime today includes the creation and distribution of viruses, ransomware, keyloggers and other malware, the download and use of malware produced by others, social engineering tactics such as phishing or (physical) impersonation, the theft and use of credentials for accessing computer systems or networks, and the theft of privileged data. Cybercrime is a broad and dynamic field, with cybercriminals constantly adapting their methods in pursuit of usually financial goals, but also occasionally seeking to disrupt, embarrass or shame their targets.
Small business office ransomware attack refusing to pay secure safe

Ransomware victims refuse to pay as data extortion soars

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Most ransomware-hit firms now refuse to pay, as Arctic Wolf reports an 11-fold surge in data-only extortion and booming remote access abuse.
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Record ransomware surge as 7,458 victims named in 2025

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Ransomware hits record 7,458 named victims in 2025 as 124 gangs crowd dark web leak sites and new “supergroup” alliances emerge.
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LockBit 5.0 ransomware targets Windows, Linux, ESXi

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New LockBit 5.0 ransomware hits Windows, Linux and ESXi in single campaigns, widening blast radius across mixed and virtualised environments.
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Fake Olympics shop ads on Meta target fans' wallets

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Fake Olympics shop ads on Meta push fans to cloned sites mimicking Milano Cortina 2026 store to steal card and personal details.
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AI drives shift to persistent, low‑level cyber conflict

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Cyber operations have become constant, covert pressure in geopolitics, with AI-fuelled identity abuse replacing headline-grabbing cyberattacks.
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AI romance scams surge on UK dating apps, says study

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AI-driven romance scams are rife on UK dating apps, with one in five users meeting fake profiles and 11% losing money, new research warns.
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AI-driven ransomware attacks surge, most go unreported

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AI-fuelled ransomware hit record levels in 2025, with BlackFog warning that around 86% of attacks worldwide are never publicly disclosed.
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AI-fuelled romance scams surge with deepfake deception

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AI-driven romance scams using deepfakes and chatbots surge, tricking Australians into long-term emotional manipulation and costly frauds.
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ChatGPT caricature trend raises fresh ID fraud fears

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Daon warns viral ChatGPT caricature craze is handing fraudsters a richer dossier of personal data to fuel scams and social engineering.
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NordVPN taps CrowdStrike intel to bolster consumer security

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NordVPN will use CrowdStrike threat intelligence to power its Threat Protection Pro tool, bringing enterprise-grade data to consumer security.
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Romance scam losses exceed £106m as Valentine's Day approaches

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UK romance scam losses top GBP £106m as organised fraudsters exploit Valentine's surge, with average victims losing more than GBP £11,000.
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Google warns of AI model theft & state-backed misuse

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Google flags surging attempts to steal AI models as state-backed hackers weaponise Gemini for phishing, intel gathering and malware support.
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Experts warn of rising Valentine's Day cyber scams

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Cyber experts warn Valentine's Day brings a surge in romance and shopping scams, urging users to be wary of links, apps and payment requests.
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SmarterMail flaw exploited in China-linked ransomware push

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China-linked Warlock ransomware group exploits SmarterMail flaw for admin takeovers, chaining features to gain full Windows control.
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Hackers ditch noisy ransomware for stealthy data theft

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Hackers are abandoning noisy ransomware to quietly steal data, as a report finds 80% of top attack techniques now focus on evasion.
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Study finds 28,000 fake domains mimic top websites

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Study finds over 28,000 fake domains mimicking top global sites, exposing users to rising phishing, malware and industrial-scale squatting.
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AI turns romance scams into industrial-scale fraud

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AI is turning romance scams into industrial-scale fraud, with deepfakes and chatbots driving billions in losses, Tenable warns.
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AI supercharges industrial-scale online romance scams

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AI-powered fraud rings industrialise online romance scams, fuelling USD $5.7 billion in losses and ushering in a 'dark age' for victims.
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AI reshapes cyber threats as Safer Internet Day nears

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AI-driven agents and rising network attacks are reshaping cyber risks, experts warn, as Safer Internet Day 2026 urges 'verified trust' online.
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Kerala crackdown targets online child abuse networks

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Kerala Police stage 660-plus raids in major P-Hunt drive against online child abuse, seizing 431 devices and making 26 arrests.