Cybercriminals pounce on SVB collapse, privacy concerns around ChatGPT and the FBI warns of a rise in crypto scams. Here are the latest threats and advisories for the week of March 17, 2023.    By John Weiler  Threat Advisories and Alerts  FBI Warning: Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes on the Rise  The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning internet users of an increase in cryptocurrency investment scam schemes, which defrauded victims of over $2 billion in 2022. Cybercriminals (usually located overseas) use social media platforms, dating apps, professional networking apps and other online means to connect with targets. The criminals then lure victims on to fraudulent cryptocurrency websites or apps to invest with the promise of financial success. However, once money

By John E. Dunn  Two arrests for alleged ransomware crimes and some useful intel. But will the latest Europol action make any difference?  Following an international operation encompassing law enforcement agencies in Germany, Ukraine, the Netherlands and the U.S., Europol announced the arrests in Germany and Ukraine of what it believes are two of the five core “masterminds” of the DoppelPaymer ransomware group.  The first suspect was described as a German national, the second as a Ukrainian, in raids that also involved searching properties in Kiev and Kharkiv.   Beyond that, details are scarce although Europol said the German suspect was “believed to have played a major role,” in the group’s activities. In addition to the suspects in custody, the authorities

You spoke, and we listened – you want more opportunities to be involved and contribute to the decision-making process at (ISC)². Let’s get started.   The (ISC)² Board of Directors Bylaws Committee will host the first in a series of webinars March 21 to introduce members to this year’s bylaws review and amendment process. Join us to learn how you can share your ideas to help build a better (ISC)² as we look to the future.   The new Bylaws Committee, chaired by Board of Directors member Lisa Young, CISSP, consists of Directors and members-at-large. Join the webinar to hear directly from the committee on:   What’s different this year  What the committee is doing  What members can expect  How members can help  

The U.K. Online Safety Bill triggers a security rebuke from WhatsApp, the Czech Republic concerned about TikTok, an international law enforcement effort shuts down the NetWire RAT infrastructure, while a study suggests workforce malaise towards reporting security incidents.   By Joe Fay  WhatsApp Would Leave U.K. Rather Than Break Encryption  WhatsApp would pull its end-to-end encrypted messaging service in the U.K., rather than submit to any requirement to weaken its privacy stance to comply with the U.K. government’s Online Safety Bill. WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart said that 98 per cent of its users were outside the U.K., and ALL users wanted privacy, the BBC reported. Lowering its security in the U.K. would have implications for all its users, he continued, and

By John Weiler  Mexico timeshare scams, the DoppelPaymer ransomware gang gets busted and a major data leak rocks Oakland, California. Here are the latest threats and advisories for the week of March 10, 2023.   Threat Advisories and Alerts  FBI Issues Warning About Mexico Timeshare Scam  The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued an advisory about timeshare scams in Mexico, which affected over 600 people and resulted in roughly $39.6 million in victim losses last year. How does the scam work? Owners of timeshares in Mexico receive an unexpected email or phone call from fraudsters requesting to sell or rent their timeshare. When owners agree to sell, they then pay an upfront fee to cover supposed closing costs, advertisements