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Backdoored ‘secure’ messaging app leads to more arrests
AppWizard
November 4, 2025

Backdoored ‘secure’ messaging app leads to more arrests

Australian law enforcement arrested 55 individuals in a recent operation targeting organized crime, aided by intelligence from a backdoored messaging application called AN0M. AN0M was developed by the FBI and Australia’s Federal Police (AFP) after the shutdown of a service called Phantom Secure, which facilitated encrypted communications for criminals. AN0M users were unaware that the app contained a backdoor for authorities to access their messages. In 2022, the Australian High Court ruled that AN0M’s operations were legal, as it functioned as a closed system. The recent raids in South Australia were part of the ongoing efforts under "Operation Ironside," which has seen multiple waves of activity linked to AN0M. The operation led to the restraint of assets valued at AUD 8 million. The AFP continues to push for access to encrypted communications to improve public safety investigations.
Создателя торрент-сайта и участника группы The Scene приговорили к тюрьме в Дании
TrendTechie
April 2, 2025

Создателя торрент-сайта и участника группы The Scene приговорили к тюрьме в Дании

A Danish court sentenced a 46-year-old man to nine months in prison for uploading about 74 terabytes of pirated films and shows to torrent trackers SuperBits and DanishBytes. A 48-year-old man received a twelve-month sentence for hosting servers that distributed pirated content linked to The Scene. Over five years, Danish law enforcement has intensified efforts against local torrent sites, convicting over twenty individuals, including uploaders and administrators. The 48-year-old illegally copied content from three streaming services specializing in Danish children's series and possessed 134 terabytes of copyrighted material. He was active in The Scene from November 2021 until his arrest in November 2023. Following the arrests, several factions of The Scene in Denmark stopped producing new content, including DKiDS, which last uploaded on November 21, 2023. Neither convicted individual profited from the distribution, and both had no prior criminal records. The volume of illegally shared content influenced the court's decisions. In summer 2020, a significant operation led to the shutdown of multiple pirate sites, with American authorities arresting key figures from The Scene.
Tony Hawk apparently intervened to get Bam Margera into Pro Skater 3+4: 'No, you're gonna do it'
AppWizard
March 25, 2025

Tony Hawk apparently intervened to get Bam Margera into Pro Skater 3+4: ‘No, you’re gonna do it’

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 remake will debut on PC this summer. Bam Margera, initially absent from the skater roster, will be included in the remake due to Tony Hawk's intervention with Activision. Margera is returning for body scanning and adjustments after Hawk insisted on his inclusion. The remake will also feature changes to gameplay mechanics, replacing the open-ended career mode from Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 with timed, run-based challenges, which has disappointed some fans. The game is set to launch on July 11.
The NTLM bug that sees and steals.
Winsage
December 9, 2024

The NTLM bug that sees and steals.

Researchers have identified a critical zero-day vulnerability affecting Windows systems. An alleged cyberattack attributed to Ukrainian actors targeted Gazprombank, one of Russia's largest financial institutions. The Russian hacking group BlueAlpha has been reported to exploit CloudFlare services. Microsoft has raised alarms about the Chinese hacking group Storm-0227, which is targeting critical infrastructure and U.S. government agencies. SonicWall has released patches for several high-severity vulnerabilities in its secure access gateway. Atrium Health disclosed a data breach impacting over half a million individuals. Rockwell Automation revealed four critical vulnerabilities in its Arena software that could allow remote code execution. U.S. authorities arrested an alleged member of the Scattered Spider gang, known for telecom hacks. A Nebraska man pleaded guilty to a .5 million cryptojacking scheme.
Breach Roundup: Microsoft Tries Again With Windows Recall
Winsage
November 29, 2024

Breach Roundup: Microsoft Tries Again With Windows Recall

Microsoft has unveiled a preview of its Windows Recall feature, designed to capture screenshots of active windows using on-device AI and store them in an SQLite database. The feature will be opt-in and requires users to enable BitLocker full-disk encryption, activate Secure Boot, and enroll in Windows Hello. Recall aims to avoid capturing sensitive information and allows users to delete snapshots or exclude specific applications. Microsoft has implemented safeguards to protect against brute-force attacks, and the data collected remains encrypted locally. The preview is currently available to participants in the Windows Insider Program for Developers. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that nearly 90% of smart device manufacturers lack clear update policies, with 161 out of 184 products reviewed not disclosing software update durations. This lack of transparency may violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the FTC Act. Ping Li, a Florida IT professional, was sentenced to four years in prison for acting as an agent for China's Ministry of State Security, providing sensitive information since at least 2012. He pleaded guilty and was fined ,000. Operation "Serengeti" led to the arrest of over 1,000 individuals suspected of cybercrime across 19 African countries, resulting in nearly million in financial losses and the confiscation of around million in stolen funds. The U.S. Department of Justice indicted nine individuals linked to a multi-state money laundering scheme associated with internet fraud, allegedly laundering over million since 2016. NVIDIA released a critical firmware update to address a high-severity vulnerability (CVE-2024-0130) that could allow attackers to steal data and compromise systems. Cybersecurity firm McAfee discovered "spyloan" Android apps on the Google Play Store that aim to steal users' personal data, targeting users in Mexico, Colombia, and Indonesia. An international law enforcement operation dismantled a pirate streaming network serving over 22 million users and generating approximately million monthly, resulting in 102 arrests. Nicholas Michael Kloster, a 31-year-old from Kansas City, was indicted for allegedly hacking into computer networks to promote his cybersecurity services, facing multiple charges with a potential 15-year prison sentence. HDFC Life Insurance in India is investigating a potential data breach involving the sharing of certain data fields with malicious intent.
SiyanoAV Launches in India with Innovative Cybersecurity Solutions to Combat Rising Digital Threats and Privacy Risks
Tech Optimizer
November 19, 2024

SiyanoAV Launches in India with Innovative Cybersecurity Solutions to Combat Rising Digital Threats and Privacy Risks

Siyano Labs Pvt Ltd. has launched SiyanoAV, an antivirus solution designed to enhance digital safety in India. The software features real-time scanning, dark web monitoring, advanced encryption, and performance optimization to protect users from cyber threats. Early users have praised its user-friendly design and high detection accuracy. The company is also committed to social responsibility and digital education, aiming to raise awareness about cybersecurity best practices. Founded in 2024, Siyano Labs focuses on providing innovative cybersecurity solutions tailored to the Indian digital market.
Arrests in Canada part of global takedown of criminal messaging app: police - National | Globalnews.ca
AppWizard
September 21, 2024

Arrests in Canada part of global takedown of criminal messaging app: police – National | Globalnews.ca

Australian police have successfully infiltrated the encrypted communications app Ghost, leading to the arrest of 38 individuals across four states and the disruption of various criminal networks. The alleged mastermind, Jay Je Yoon Jung, 32, has been charged with supporting a criminal organization and profiting from criminal activities, and he will remain in custody until his next court appearance in November. The app has been used by various criminal groups for illegal drug importation and violent acts. Since March, police have monitored over 125,000 messages and 120 video calls, preventing 50 potential incidents of serious harm. Jung developed the Ghost app in 2017 for criminal enterprises, and a global task force targeting it began in 2022, involving agencies such as the FBI and RCMP. Jung allegedly operated a network providing specialized smartphones to criminals, priced at 2,350 Australian dollars, which included a subscription to Ghost.
Encrypted 'Ghost' App: What We Know
AppWizard
September 20, 2024

Encrypted ‘Ghost’ App: What We Know

Authorities have dismantled the encrypted chat application Ghost, which was used by criminal networks globally. Launched in 2021, Ghost required users to purchase customized devices for access, ensuring anonymity. It operated with three encryption standards, allowing users to erase messages and reset devices. The app’s servers were located in Iceland and France, with its founder in Australia and financial transactions traced to the United States. Ghost had several thousand users, exchanging around 1,000 messages daily, and was exclusively associated with criminal enterprises, facilitating drug trafficking, weapons dealing, violence, and money laundering. The operation resulted in the arrest of 51 individuals, primarily in Australia, and is part of a trend of law enforcement dismantling encrypted platforms like EncroChat and Sky ECC. Despite these successes, the landscape of encrypted communication remains fragmented, with major services like WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram still in use. Law enforcement emphasizes the need for access to communications among criminals while balancing user privacy.
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