phone calls Archives

Tech Optimizer

June 5, 2025

CISA releases TTPs & IoCs for Play Ransomware That Hacked 900+ Orgs

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), in collaboration with the FBI and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, released an advisory on the Play ransomware group, which has targeted around 900 entities since its inception in June 2022. The group employs a double extortion model, exploiting vulnerabilities in public-facing applications and using tools for lateral movement and credential dumping. Their operations involve recompiling ransomware binaries for each attack to evade detection. The advisory highlights mitigation measures such as multifactor authentication and regular software patching. The Play ransomware specifically targets virtual environments and encrypts files using AES-256 encryption. Indicators of Compromise (IoCs) include: - SVCHost.dll (Backdoor) - SHA-256: 47B7B2DD88959CD7224A5542AE8D5BCE928BFC986BF0D0321532A7515C244A1E - Backdoor - SHA-256: 75B525B220169F07AECFB3B1991702FBD9A1E170CAF0040D1FCB07C3E819F54A - PSexesvc.exe (Custom Play “psexesvc”) - SHA-256: 1409E010675BF4A40DB0A845B60DB3AAE5B302834E80ADEEC884AEBC55ECCBF7 - HRsword.exe (Disables endpoint protection) - SHA-256: 0E408AED1ACF902A9F97ABF71CF0DD354024109C5D52A79054C421BE35D93549 - Hi.exe (Associated with ransomware) - SHA-256: 6DE8DD5757F9A3AC5E2AC28E8A77682D7A29BE25C106F785A061DCF582A20DC6

AppWizard

June 5, 2025

Emerging online scams are making users more vigilant, says Google

Over 60% of U.S. consumers have encountered scams, indicating a growing awareness of digital threats. More than 60% of Gen X and Baby Boomers still use traditional passwords, while younger generations prefer passkeys. Google has enhanced scam detection capabilities on Android devices, introducing features to identify potential scams in calls and texts. Over 60% of consumers perceive an increase in scams over the past year, with one-third reporting personal data breaches. Google promotes passwordless sign-in options like passkeys and "Sign in with Google" to improve security. Recent updates include enhanced scam detection in Google Messages and Chrome, and the Safety Check feature in Chrome now monitors for malicious notifications. Google has also released findings on prevalent scams, such as customer support fraud and package tracking schemes.

Tech Optimizer

May 29, 2025

Antivirus alone won’t protect you: The real danger is social engineering

Social engineering is a manipulation tactic that exploits human trust to obtain sensitive information or access, posing a significant cybersecurity threat. Unlike traditional cyber threats that rely on malware, social engineering targets individuals through deception, often invoking emotions like fear or urgency. Common examples include fraudulent phone calls, phishing emails, and deceptive text messages. Antivirus software primarily protects against malware but is ineffective against social engineering attacks, which do not involve malicious code. The consequences of falling victim to such attacks can include financial losses, identity theft, and compromised networks. Effective defenses against social engineering include skepticism towards unsolicited contact, verifying requests independently, never disclosing sensitive information, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication. Awareness and education are crucial in combating these threats.

Winsage

May 28, 2025

All Windows users must ‘watch out’ and delete ‘Microsoft’ updates now

Windows 10 and Windows 11 users are experiencing a rise in phishing emails that appear to be from Microsoft, according to Action Fraud, the UK's national fraud and cybercrime reporting center. Over 250 users have reported receiving fraudulent messages claiming their devices are infected with malware, often encouraging them to click on malicious links. These emails may look credible, sometimes using legitimate Microsoft addresses. Action Fraud advises users to verify messages directly with organizations using official contact details and warns that legitimate institutions will never request personal information via email. Microsoft also states it does not send unsolicited emails or calls for personal information and recommends downloading software only from official sources.

Winsage

May 18, 2025

It just got way easier to control your Android phone from your Windows PC

Microsoft is adding a Phone Link panel to the start menu of Windows 11 to improve the user experience for managing Android devices. The panel provides an overview of the Android device's status, including connection status and battery level, and features direct access buttons for Messages, Calls, and Photos. It includes a 'Recent' section for the latest phone calls, text messages, and images, while notifications can be received as banners. The Phone Link app can also stream Android apps to Windows 11 PCs, with file transfer capabilities through a 'send files' button. This feature is being rolled out to all Windows 11 users after being available to Beta and Dev channel users for several months.

AppWizard

May 14, 2025

Google Will Prevent Unknown App Downloads During Calls On Android 16

Google has introduced Advanced Protection for Android devices, aimed at enhancing security for users, especially those in public-facing roles. This feature was showcased on May 13, 2025, and will be released with Android 16 in June. Key functionalities include an Offline Device Key, Theft Detection, and Play Protect. Advanced Protection will restrict sideloading applications and downloading from third-party sources. It also blocks downloads from unknown sources during active phone calls and restricts access to banking applications during calls. Users will be unable to share screens with third-party applications while on calls. The initiative is currently being tested in various countries.

AppWizard

May 13, 2025

Your Android phone is getting a huge security upgrade for free

Google has introduced a suite of security tools for Android users to protect against various threats, including: 1. Protection against Scam Calls: Alerts users to potential scam calls and blocks harmful actions, focusing on disabling Google Play Protect, preventing sideloading of unverified apps, and restricting accessibility permissions. 2. In-call Protections for Banking Apps: A feature that warns users when they open banking apps while sharing their screen with unknown callers, starting in the UK, and automatically enabled for participating banks on devices running Android 11 or higher. 3. Improved Scam Detection in Google Messages: Enhanced scam detection capabilities that now cover a wider range of scams, including toll road, cryptocurrency, financial impersonation, gift card, and technical support scams. 4. Better Encryption for Text Messages via Key Verifier: A tool that allows users to confirm contacts' identities through public encryption keys, enhancing privacy and security. 5. Stronger Mobile Phone Theft Protection: Expanded theft protection features, including the Identity Check tool, restrictions on unauthorized factory resets, and obscured one-time passwords on the lock screen. 6. Advanced Protection for Mobile Devices: An Advanced Protection Program offering cryptographic verification for all login operations, available on devices running Android 16. 7. Improvements to Google Play Protect: Upgrades to identify malicious apps before installation and live threat detection to alert users of suspicious app behavior. 8. Enhancing Overall Android Security: Ongoing commitment to improve Android security through regular updates and new tools to protect users from evolving cyber threats.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

GTA V Enhanced Gets New Update To Fix Graphics Issues

The sixth post-launch update for GTA V Enhanced on PC has been released by Rockstar Games, focusing on improving graphics and addressing player concerns. The update size ranges from 400 to 900 MB, depending on the platform. Patch notes include fixes for Microsoft account communication issues, crash issues, texture problems, ray tracing performance, audio issues, and a progression halt in a Story Mode mission. Despite these updates, some larger issues remain unresolved, such as the lack of text chat functionality. GTA V is now available on Xbox and PC Game Pass, and the FiveM platform has also released an update to support these versions.

AppWizard

April 25, 2025

12 Android apps secretly recorded your conversations

Recent findings from cybersecurity experts at ESET revealed that several Android applications, disguised as harmless tools, have been secretly recording conversations and stealing sensitive data. These malicious apps infiltrated devices through the Google Play Store and third-party platforms, compromising the privacy of thousands of users. One tactic used by cybercriminals involved romantic deception, where victims were coaxed into downloading a seemingly harmless messaging app containing the VajraSpy Trojan, which activated upon installation to record conversations and harvest personal data. The identified malicious apps fall into three categories: 1. Standard Messaging Apps with Hidden Trojans: These apps, including Hello Chat, MeetMe, and Chit Chat, request access to personal data and operate silently in the background, stealing contacts, SMS messages, call logs, device location, and installed app lists. 2. Apps Exploiting Accessibility Features: Apps like Wave Chat exploit Android’s accessibility features to intercept communications from secure platforms, record phone calls, keystrokes, and ambient sounds. 3. Single Non-Messaging App: Nidus, a news app, requests a phone number for sign-in and collects contacts and files, increasing the risk of data theft. The 12 malicious Android apps identified include: Rafaqat, Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Chit Chat, YohooTalk, TikTalk, Hello Chat, Nidus, GlowChat, and Wave Chat. The first six apps were available on the Google Play Store and had over 1,400 downloads before removal. Users are advised to uninstall these apps immediately to protect their personal data.

Winsage

April 11, 2025

Microsoft Re-releases Recall for Windows Insiders Alongside New Copilot+ Features

Microsoft has begun rolling out the Recall feature in Insider build version 26100.3902 after addressing previous security vulnerabilities. The Recall feature uses Neural Processing Units (NPUs) in Copilot+ PCs to capture screenshots and convert them into natural language descriptions for improved productivity. The new build also introduces the Click to Do feature for Snapdragon-powered PCs, enhances Phone Link functionality for easier content sharing, and includes the Windows Share feature for quick image edits before sharing. The rollout of these features will be gradual.