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    <channel><title>Consumer Insights</title><description>News, views and insights from the Bitdefender experts</description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/</link><image><url>https://download.bitdefender.com/resources/images/favicon/favicon-32x32.png</url><title>Consumer Insights</title><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/</link></image><generator>Bitdefender Blog</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 18:04:37 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.bitdefender.com/nuxt/api/en-us/rss/hotforsecurity/archive/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><ttl>1800</ttl><item><title>How to keep your Android device immune to malicious vaccine themed apps</title><description><![CDATA[


The bad news





Attackers are exploiting the COVID-19 vaccine apps to deploy malware to Android devices. Since the outburst of the pandemic, they haven”t missed any opportunity to spread malware via Covid19-themed emails, apps, websites and social media.





But now, Bitdefender researchers have found multiple apps taking advantage of mobile users looking for information about the vaccines or seeking an appointment to get the jab.





Sometimes disguised in or invisibly attached to legit ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/how-to-keep-your-android-device-immune-to-malicious-vaccine-themed-apps</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d005d</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 22 Apr 2021 17:59:38 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2021/04/Bitdefender2021-articol_BMS-FB-1200x628_1.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


The bad news





Attackers are exploiting the COVID-19 vaccine apps to deploy malware to Android devices. Since the outburst of the pandemic, they haven”t missed any opportunity to spread malware via Covid19-themed emails, apps, websites and social media.





But now, Bitdefender researchers have found multiple apps taking advantage of mobile users looking for information about the vaccines or seeking an appointment to get the jab.





Sometimes disguised in or invisibly attached to legit ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Facebook Takes Down Two Hacking Groups Operating out of Palestine</title><description><![CDATA[


Facebook has announced that it managed to take down two significant groups of hackers based in Palestine that were working to compromise Windows, Android, and Apple devices by using all kinds of tricks, includes social engineering, malware, modified apps and much more.





Facebook’s security researchers took action against a couple of groups in Palestine, a network linked to the Preventive Security Service (PSS) and a threat actor known as Arid Viper. Facebook removed their ability to use t]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/facebook-takes-down-two-hacking-groups-operating-out-of-palestine</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d005c</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><category><![CDATA[Industry News]]></category><dc:creator>Silviu STAHIE</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 22 Apr 2021 14:34:18 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2019/05/facebook-260818_1280.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Facebook has announced that it managed to take down two significant groups of hackers based in Palestine that were working to compromise Windows, Android, and Apple devices by using all kinds of tricks, includes social engineering, malware, modified apps and much more.





Facebook’s security researchers took action against a couple of groups in Palestine, a network linked to the Preventive Security Service (PSS) and a threat actor known as Arid Viper. Facebook removed their ability to use t]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Ransomware attack causes supermarket cheese shortage in the Netherlands</title><description><![CDATA[

 * Company hit with ransomware was unable to deliver food to supermarkets
 * Firm’s director says he suspects hackers exploited Microsoft Exchange Server flaw





Shoppers at Dutch supermarkets may have noticed that some cheeses were in short supply last week, and it was cybercriminals who are to blame.





Branches of Albert Heijn, the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, suffered from food shortages after a ransomware attack hit food transportation and logistics firm Bakker Logist]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/ransomware-attack-causes-supermarket-cheese-shortage-in-the-netherlands</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d004c</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Graham CLULEY</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 13 Apr 2021 21:13:42 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2021/04/empty-shelves.jpeg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[

 * Company hit with ransomware was unable to deliver food to supermarkets
 * Firm’s director says he suspects hackers exploited Microsoft Exchange Server flaw





Shoppers at Dutch supermarkets may have noticed that some cheeses were in short supply last week, and it was cybercriminals who are to blame.





Branches of Albert Heijn, the largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, suffered from food shortages after a ransomware attack hit food transportation and logistics firm Bakker Logist]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>IRS Warns of Phishing Campaign Targeting University Students and Staff</title><description><![CDATA[


The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has urged university students and staff to watch out for emails that claim to come from the IRS but seek to steal sensitive personal information.





Although IRS impersonation scams are not new, this phishing campaign seems to target individuals in the higher educational system, using “.edu”email addresses.





According to a press release published March 30, the agency received multiple complaints via phishing@irs.gov in recent weeks.





“The phishing ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/irs-warns-of-phishing-campaign-targeting-university-students-and-staff</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d003a</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:31:42 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2021/04/IRS-Warns-of-Phishing-Campaign-Targeting-University-Students-and-Staff.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has urged university students and staff to watch out for emails that claim to come from the IRS but seek to steal sensitive personal information.





Although IRS impersonation scams are not new, this phishing campaign seems to target individuals in the higher educational system, using “.edu”email addresses.





According to a press release published March 30, the agency received multiple complaints via phishing@irs.gov in recent weeks.





“The phishing ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New" DearCry" Ransomware Targets Unpatched Exchange Clients as Microsoft Takes Down "ProxyLogon" PoC</title><description><![CDATA[


Ransomware operators are actively targeting unpatched Exchange instances in wake of the recently disclosed ProxyLogon Exchange Server flaws, according to reports.





Phillip Misner, a Security Program Manager with Microsoft, tweeted earlier today that a new ransomware family is leveraging the latest-disclosed Exchange vulnerabilities.





“Microsoft observed a new family of human operated ransomware attack customers â€“ detected as Ransom:Win32/DoejoCrypt.A. Human operated ransomware attac]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/new-dearcry-ransomware-targets-unpatched-exchange-clients-as-microsoft-takes-down-proxylogon-poc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d001d</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Filip TRUȚĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2021 15:54:50 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2017/06/petya-ransomware-1.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Ransomware operators are actively targeting unpatched Exchange instances in wake of the recently disclosed ProxyLogon Exchange Server flaws, according to reports.





Phillip Misner, a Security Program Manager with Microsoft, tweeted earlier today that a new ransomware family is leveraging the latest-disclosed Exchange vulnerabilities.





“Microsoft observed a new family of human operated ransomware attack customers â€“ detected as Ransom:Win32/DoejoCrypt.A. Human operated ransomware attac]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Malicious Actors Target Crypto Wallets of Coinbase Users in New Phishing Campaign</title><description><![CDATA[


Cybercriminals are targeting Coinbase platform users with phishing campaings in an attempt to steal their account credentials and drain their cryptocurrency wallets, Bitdefender Antispam Lab has learned.





According to our latest telemetry, the phishing campaign was noticed since mid-February, targeting over 25,000 users. Sixty-nine percent of the fraudulent correspondence originated from India, 13.73 percent from Brazil, 10 percent from the US and 2.33 percent from Japan.





When analyz]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/malicious-actors-target-crypto-wallets-of-coinbase-users-in-new-phishing-campaign</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d0019</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2021 18:55:19 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2021/03/Malicious-Actors-Target-Crypto-Wallets-of-Coinbase-Users-in-New-Phishing-Campaign.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Cybercriminals are targeting Coinbase platform users with phishing campaings in an attempt to steal their account credentials and drain their cryptocurrency wallets, Bitdefender Antispam Lab has learned.





According to our latest telemetry, the phishing campaign was noticed since mid-February, targeting over 25,000 users. Sixty-nine percent of the fraudulent correspondence originated from India, 13.73 percent from Brazil, 10 percent from the US and 2.33 percent from Japan.





When analyz]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cybercriminals Are Phishing For Login Credentials of AOL Users</title><description><![CDATA[


Fraudsters aiming to steal login credentials from AOL users are sending phishing emails that threaten recipients with account closures unless they confirm their email addresses and passwords.





The AOL phishing campaign was noticed on February 23, according to Bitdefender Antispam Lab.





Like previous email-based phishing campaigns, cybercriminals use scare tactics and subject lines ranging from “account shutdown” and”final warning” notifications.









In some versions of the scams,]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/cybercriminals-are-phishing-for-login-credentials-of-aol-users</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d0015</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:17:35 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2021/03/Cybercriminals-Are-Phishing-For-Login-Credentials-of-AOL-Users.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Fraudsters aiming to steal login credentials from AOL users are sending phishing emails that threaten recipients with account closures unless they confirm their email addresses and passwords.





The AOL phishing campaign was noticed on February 23, according to Bitdefender Antispam Lab.





Like previous email-based phishing campaigns, cybercriminals use scare tactics and subject lines ranging from “account shutdown” and”final warning” notifications.









In some versions of the scams,]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Relies on Surprisingly Few Addresses, Report Finds</title><description><![CDATA[


Cryptocurrency money-laundering services seem to be booming, with funds surging in from criminal activities, but it turns out that a small number of deposit addresses received 75% of all cryptocurrency, by value, sent from illicit addresses in 2020, according to a new report.





Criminals who receive their payments in cryptocurrency can”t really access those funds at their leisure and often go to third parties such as cryptocurrency services and money services businesses (MSBs) to launder t]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/cryptocurrency-money-laundering-relies-on-surprisingly-few-addresses-report-finds</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10d0006</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Silviu STAHIE</dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2021 18:14:19 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/11/Cryptocurrency-Service-Proposes-Bug-Bounty-to-Attacker-Who-Stole-2-Million.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Cryptocurrency money-laundering services seem to be booming, with funds surging in from criminal activities, but it turns out that a small number of deposit addresses received 75% of all cryptocurrency, by value, sent from illicit addresses in 2020, according to a new report.





Criminals who receive their payments in cryptocurrency can”t really access those funds at their leisure and often go to third parties such as cryptocurrency services and money services businesses (MSBs) to launder t]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>New! Get an Identity Protection PIN to protect yourself against tax-related fraud</title><description><![CDATA[


In tax-related fraud, a criminal files a tax return in your name, using your stolen personal information, including your Social Security number. Here we reveal some of the most common tactics and fake documents fraudsters use to trick people.





Here are some of the signs you might be a victim of financial theft: 





 * You get a letter from the IRS inquiring about a suspicious tax return you did not file.
 * You can”t e-file your tax return because of a duplicate Social Security number.
]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/new-get-an-identity-protection-pin-to-protect-yourself-against-tax-related-fraud</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cffff</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2021 11:07:56 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/12/fraud-prevention-3188092_1920.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


In tax-related fraud, a criminal files a tax return in your name, using your stolen personal information, including your Social Security number. Here we reveal some of the most common tactics and fake documents fraudsters use to trick people.





Here are some of the signs you might be a victim of financial theft: 





 * You get a letter from the IRS inquiring about a suspicious tax return you did not file.
 * You can”t e-file your tax return because of a duplicate Social Security number.
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Post-Holiday Delivery Phishing Campaigns Seek to Infect Your Devices with Malware</title><description><![CDATA[


Bitdefender Antispam Lab has observed a spike in phishing campaigns impersonating popular delivery services that seek to lure consumers into downloading malicious files on their devices.





Email-based attacks that exploit trusted delivery companies increased by 30% since January 10 to date, compared to the holiday season.





As usual, threat actors mimic well-known delivery services such as DHL, TNT, FedEx, and UPS, as they send out fake shipping notification emails that urge recipients ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/post-holiday-delivery-phishing-campaigns-seek-to-infect-your-devices-with-malware</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cffdf</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Alina BÎZGĂ</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 03 Feb 2021 12:38:12 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2021/02/Post-Holiday-Delivery-Phishing-Campaigns-Seek-to-Infect-Your-Devices-with-Malware.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Bitdefender Antispam Lab has observed a spike in phishing campaigns impersonating popular delivery services that seek to lure consumers into downloading malicious files on their devices.





Email-based attacks that exploit trusted delivery companies increased by 30% since January 10 to date, compared to the holiday season.





As usual, threat actors mimic well-known delivery services such as DHL, TNT, FedEx, and UPS, as they send out fake shipping notification emails that urge recipients ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Privacy is power. 5 things you can do right away to protect your online privacy</title><description><![CDATA[


For people predisposed toward spending too much time with devices (like all of us lately), achieving online privacy can be incredibly challenging. We juggle with apps and websites from morning till dawn to check the weather, social media channels, email, pay the bills, shop online, chat via video, access a school portal or workspace, read the news or watch a movie. 





Protecting your privacy can take time and effort: research, editing settings, then monitoring news to avoid (or at least fi]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/privacy-is-power-5-things-you-can-do-right-away-to-protect-your-online-privacy</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cffdb</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2021 05:39:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/01/Article-1200x628-1.png" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


For people predisposed toward spending too much time with devices (like all of us lately), achieving online privacy can be incredibly challenging. We juggle with apps and websites from morning till dawn to check the weather, social media channels, email, pay the bills, shop online, chat via video, access a school portal or workspace, read the news or watch a movie. 





Protecting your privacy can take time and effort: research, editing settings, then monitoring news to avoid (or at least fi]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Breaches: What you should know about them</title><description><![CDATA[


163.5 million people have been affected by data breaches so far in 2020. Statistics show a 72% increase in accounts compromised due to data breaches. 





1 in 4 people is likely to be a victim of data breaches. Have you ever been exposed? Find out now with Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection.











Top 5 major breaches of 2020:





Nintendo Data Breach– Nintendo admitted 300,000 accounts had been compromised. Hackers used the stolen accounts to purchase valuable digital items. 
]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/breaches-what-you-should-know-about-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cff8d</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Cristina POPOV</dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 22 Dec 2020 14:35:02 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/12/Privacy_-_Private_Data_-_Identity_Theft-scaled.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


163.5 million people have been affected by data breaches so far in 2020. Statistics show a 72% increase in accounts compromised due to data breaches. 





1 in 4 people is likely to be a victim of data breaches. Have you ever been exposed? Find out now with Bitdefender’s Digital Identity Protection.











Top 5 major breaches of 2020:





Nintendo Data Breach– Nintendo admitted 300,000 accounts had been compromised. Hackers used the stolen accounts to purchase valuable digital items. 
]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>How can a Security Solution keep your Devices, Privacy and Personal Data Safe till Christmas and Beyond?</title><description><![CDATA[


As the world prepares for a one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration, cybercriminals are rolling up their sleeves for one of their busiest and most profitable times of the year. Bad actors know you’re busy looking up last-minute gifts for your loved ones, and they take advantage of your increased online activity to compromise devices and online accounts to steal personal and financial data.





Seasoned cybercriminals have come up with new and creative ways to trick internet users into providing ]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/how-can-a-security-solution-keep-your-devices-privacy-and-personal-data-safe-till-christmas-and-beyond</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cff7e</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2020 12:30:56 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/12/How-can-a-Security-Solution-keep-your-Devices-Privacy-and-Personal-Data-Safe-till-Christmas-and-Beyond.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


As the world prepares for a one-of-a-kind Christmas celebration, cybercriminals are rolling up their sleeves for one of their busiest and most profitable times of the year. Bad actors know you’re busy looking up last-minute gifts for your loved ones, and they take advantage of your increased online activity to compromise devices and online accounts to steal personal and financial data.





Seasoned cybercriminals have come up with new and creative ways to trick internet users into providing ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>'Tis the season for online fraud: Cybercriminals are on the prowl as consumers aim to spend big this Christmas</title><description><![CDATA[


With Covid-19 raging across the globe, one might see little jolly to celebrate this holiday season. However, despite social-distancing measures and spikes in coronavirus cases, the world is preparing for a repackaged Christmas that could soothe post-lockdown anxiety. And so are cybercriminals.





The holiday season offers cyber-crooks new opportunities to defraud people, and we can expect a proliferation of online scams leveraging the ongoing health crisis that”s pushing consumers to be mor]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/tis-the-season-for-online-fraud-cybercriminals-are-on-the-prowl-as-consumers-aim-to-spend-big-this-christmas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cff74</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 14 Dec 2020 09:01:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/12/blog02.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


With Covid-19 raging across the globe, one might see little jolly to celebrate this holiday season. However, despite social-distancing measures and spikes in coronavirus cases, the world is preparing for a repackaged Christmas that could soothe post-lockdown anxiety. And so are cybercriminals.





The holiday season offers cyber-crooks new opportunities to defraud people, and we can expect a proliferation of online scams leveraging the ongoing health crisis that”s pushing consumers to be mor]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Happy Holidays, Cyber-Crooks are Coming for You</title><description><![CDATA[


Winter holidays are all about fun, family and, if we”re lucky, several inches of snow. After one of the most tumultuous years in recent history, in the shadow of a pandemic of biblical proportions, we”d say it”s about time we took a deep breath and a sip of eggnog.





We don”t want to ruin this for you, but December comes with one more test before your well-deserved break: increased cyber-criminal activity as the bad guys try to pocket your hard-earned Christmas gift money. As cyber-crime s]]></description><link>https://www.bitdefender.com/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/happy-holidays-cyber-crooks-are-coming-for-you</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66f50fd328045a04f10cff69</guid><category><![CDATA[Archive]]></category><dc:creator>Bitdefender</dc:creator><pubDate>Wed, 09 Dec 2020 08:00:00 GMT</pubDate><media:content url="https://blogapp.bitdefender.com/hotforsecurity/content/images/wordpress/2020/12/articol01.jpg" medium="image"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[


Winter holidays are all about fun, family and, if we”re lucky, several inches of snow. After one of the most tumultuous years in recent history, in the shadow of a pandemic of biblical proportions, we”d say it”s about time we took a deep breath and a sip of eggnog.





We don”t want to ruin this for you, but December comes with one more test before your well-deserved break: increased cyber-criminal activity as the bad guys try to pocket your hard-earned Christmas gift money. As cyber-crime s]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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