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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.
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Criminologist urges tougher rules on scams after NZD $1.6bn losses

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cybercrime
New Zealand faces NZD $1.6bn in scam losses; criminologist urges tougher regulation on social media and telco firms to curb cybercrime syndicates.
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Police use AI to tackle surge in illegal disposable vapes trade

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cybercrime
UK police and trading standards use AI and social media tracking to combat a 59% rise in illegal disposable vape sales following their ban.
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UK small businesses face surge in cyberattacks as BT acts

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cybercrime
UK small businesses face a 300% rise in daily cyber scans, prompting BT to launch AI-powered antivirus to shield SMEs from growing cyber threats.
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UK retailers hit by surge in AI-powered phishing & vishing scams

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cybercrime
UK retailers like M&S and Harrods face soaring AI-driven phishing and vishing scams, with phone attacks rising 449% and losses hitting hundreds of millions.
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Ransomware attacks surge 28% in September as Industrials sector hit hardest

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cybercrime
Global ransomware attacks surged 28% in September, with Industrials hardest hit, as cyber criminals ramp up efforts ahead of the busy holiday season.
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Ransom payment rates drop to historic low as attackers adapt

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cybercrime
Ransom payments fell to a historic low of 23% in Q3 2025 as cyber extortion tactics shift towards targeted, costlier attacks on larger firms.
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Why now is the time to modernise your SIEM

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cybercrime
AI-driven cyber threats demand modern Security Information and Event Management systems to enhance detection, reduce costs, and improve resilience.
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Nightmare on cyber street: Inside 2025’s scariest cyber threats

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cybercrime
In 2025, AI-driven cybercrime syndicates like Scattered Spider exploit human trust and quantum threats, forcing firms to rethink cyber resilience and risk management.
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Halloween scams spike as 63% of festive spam found malicious

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cybercrime
Bitdefender reports a 63% rise in malicious Halloween spam, with scams posing as festive giveaways and retail offers to steal data or spread malware.
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Intigriti & Shield partner to boost healthcare cyber security

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cybercrime
Intigriti partners with Shield to enhance cyber security and ensure NIS2 compliance for Belgian healthcare organisations under FPS Health framework.
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BBIN & Vault Viper linked to cyber-enabled fraud in Asia

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cybercrime
Research links Asian iGaming firm BBIN and Vault Viper to extensive cyber-enabled fraud and organised crime across Southeast Asia and beyond.
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UK fraud losses rise to GBP £629.3 million despite prevention gains

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cybercrime
Fraud losses in the UK rose to GBP £629.3m in early 2025 despite banks blocking GBP £870m in unauthorised fraud attempts, driven by online scams.
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Users spending up to $850 yearly on redundant and fragmented security apps

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cybercrime
Fragmented security apps cost users up to $850 yearly, exposing them to cyber risks and alert fatigue, says new study by Ontario Tech University and PureVPN.
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BlueVoyant's warning after Qantas and Mango cyber attacks

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cybercrime
BlueVoyant warns Australian firms after Qantas and Mango suffer breaches via third-party suppliers, highlighting risks in supply chain cyber security.
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Ransomware groups surge as automation cuts attack time to 18 mins

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cybercrime
Automation and AI slash ransomware attack times to 18 minutes, challenging defenders to match speed with automated defences, says ReliaQuest report.
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Queensland hackathon tackles rising cybercrime with new talent push

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cybercrime
ANZ, Griffith University, AWS and Queensland Police launch a Brisbane hackathon to combat rising cybercrime and boost local cyber talent and resilience.
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Millions at risk in UK as password reuse fuels hacking surge

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cybercrime
Over six million people in the UK use a single password for all accounts, fuelling a rise in hacking as reports soar to 35,434 in 2024, warns new survey.
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Extortion and ransomware drive over half of cyberattacks

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cybercrime
Over half of cyberattacks last year were driven by extortion or ransomware, with criminals focusing on financial gain rather than espionage, Microsoft reveals.
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APAC records highest network attack levels globally in WatchGuard report

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cybercrime
WatchGuard reports a 40% rise in evasive malware hidden in encrypted traffic, with 70% of threats now using TLS to avoid detection in Q2 2025.
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How ransomware economics drives the global cybercrime industry

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cybercrime
Ransomware, a $10.5tn cybercrime industry by 2025, uses a professional economic model driving global attacks, with governments moving to curb payments.