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Showing posts with the label cyberattacks

Zonta Club Kathmandu Launches Cybersecurity Awareness Programs

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Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns Address Digital Abuse in Nepal In a significant effort to combat digital abuse and raise awareness about cybersecurity, the Zonta Club Kathmandu launched a series of programs across different regions of Nepal. These initiatives were part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence under the UNITE campaign. The events aimed to educate the public on the dangers of cybercrime and provide practical solutions for staying safe online. The campaigns were conducted in collaboration with several key stakeholders, including the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, women lawyers, and Chandragiri Municipality. Over 600 individuals, including children, took part in these activities, highlighting the widespread interest in the topic. Key Topics Covered in the Programmes The sessions focused on various aspects of cybersecurity, such as identifying common forms of cybercrime in Nepal, implementing safety practices, understanding available support mec...

North Korean Hackers Wipe Devices, Spread KakaoTalk Malware

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Emerging Cyber Threats Linked to North Korean Hackers A recent cyberattack, attributed to North Korean hacker groups Kimsuky and APT37, has been uncovered, involving the deployment of malware that infected Android smartphones and PCs. The malware was designed to erase critical data such as photos, documents, and contacts from affected devices. This alarming development was revealed in a threat analysis report released by Genians Security Center, a cybersecurity firm, on the 10th. According to the report, the attackers are strongly suspected to be backed by North Korea. They exploited Google’s “My Device Hub” service, a feature intended to locate stolen or lost Android devices, to infect smartphones and tablets with malware. The hackers then used this access to forcibly reset the devices, deleting personal data without user authorization. This marks the first known case where hackers gained remote control via stolen Google accounts to track device locations and execute remote resets,...

Morocco Ranks High in Cyberattack Targets Across Africa

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Rising Cyber Threats in Morocco and Africa Morocco has emerged as one of the most targeted countries in Africa for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, according to recent data from cybersecurity firm NETSCOUT Systems. In the first half of 2025 alone, over 75,000 DDoS attacks were recorded in the country. This places Morocco second on the continent, just behind South Africa, which reported more than 213,000 attacks during the same period. Kenya followed with over 46,000 incidents. The telecommunications and research and development sectors in Morocco have been particularly vulnerable to these cyber threats. The increasing frequency of such attacks highlights the growing challenges faced by the country’s digital infrastructure. These attacks not only disrupt services but also pose significant risks to businesses and public institutions. Globally, the number of DDoS attacks reached over 8 million in the first six months of 2025. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa together ac...

Zero-Click Hacking Sparks Cybersecurity Alertness

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Cyber threats have become a growing concern across various sectors, including telecommunications, finance, and retail. As personal data breaches continue to rise, individuals are increasingly vulnerable to phishing, hacking, and other cyberattacks. The emergence of "zero-click" hacking—where systems are infiltrated through software vulnerabilities without user interaction—has made these threats even more complex. With the widespread use of smart devices such as smartphones, smart TVs, and AI speakers, concerns about cybersecurity are at an all-time high. For individuals, countering these attacks on their own is nearly impossible. Even government agencies acknowledge that no program can completely prevent hacking. Experts stress that following basic security practices is the most effective way to protect oneself. Based on guidelines from official sources and expert advice, here are seven essential cybersecurity rules to safeguard personal information and assets. The Most ...

Cyberattack Halts European Airports, Trapping Thousands

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Major European Airports Suffer from Cyberattack Disruptions Major European airports, including London Heathrow, Berlin Brandenburg, and Brussels Airport, experienced significant disruptions on the 20th after a cyberattack targeted systems operated by Collins Aerospace. This U.S.-based aerospace and defense company provides critical boarding and baggage handling systems to airports around the world. The attack led to hundreds of flight cancellations and delays, stranding tens of thousands of passengers and causing widespread disruption to air travel across the continent. London Heathrow, Europe’s busiest international airport with over 130,000 daily passengers, saw its check-in and automated baggage systems fail from the morning. Passengers were forced to queue at manually operated counters, leading to cascading delays. Reports indicated that “delay” alerts flashed across airport screens, with thousands missing their flights. Similar issues were reported at Brussels Airport, where che...

Cyber-attack disrupts Heathrow and European airports

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Major Cyber-Attack Disrupts Air Travel Across Europe A significant cyber-attack has disrupted air travel across several major European airports, including Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport. The incident has led to widespread delays, manual check-in processes, and long queues for passengers. The attack targeted an electronic check-in and baggage system, affecting airlines and airport operations. Heathrow Airport reported that a technical issue impacted software used by multiple airlines, causing flight delays on Saturday. While British Airways reportedly continues to operate using a backup system, most other airlines based at the airport have faced challenges. The affected system, known as Muse, is designed to allow different airlines to share check-in desks and boarding gates, streamlining the process for passengers. Brussels Airport experienced similar issues, with passengers required to check in and board manually due to the cyber-attack. Meanwhile, Berlin’s Bra...

Chinese Hackers Infect 11,000 Android Devices Globally; Morocco Leads African Targets

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Overview of the PlayPraetor Malware Threat A recent report from a leading cybersecurity firm has uncovered a significant cyber threat involving a Chinese-speaking hacker group. This group has developed a powerful malware named PlayPraetor, which has managed to infect over 11,000 Android devices across the globe within just three months. The scale and speed of this attack have raised alarms among cybersecurity experts worldwide. Top Targets in Africa and Beyond Morocco stands out as the most targeted country in Africa, with approximately 22% of all cyberattacks on the continent attributed to this malware. The infection spread is not limited to Africa; Europe has been hit the hardest, with around 58% of the victims located there. Countries such as Portugal, Spain, and France are particularly affected. In the Americas, about 12% of the infections were recorded, while Asia accounts for 8%, with Hong Kong being the most affected region in that part of the world. Understanding the Malwar...

The Human Factor: Reimagining Cybersecurity Training

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Understanding the Human Factor in Cybersecurity The digital landscape is continuously evolving, and with it, the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks are on the rise. This rapid development has raised significant concerns about how well organizations can withstand these threats. Despite the widespread implementation of cybersecurity awareness programs, the expected reduction in incidents—especially those involving social engineering—has not materialized as hoped. At the heart of this ongoing vulnerability is the human factor, which has long been recognized as the weakest link in cybersecurity. While many organizations invest in awareness campaigns and mandatory e-learning modules, the reality is that simply possessing knowledge does not necessarily lead to a change in behavior. Insights from Behavioral Research Drawing upon behavioral psychology, particularly Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), research has explored what truly drives effe...