cyber security Archives - Page 5 of 7

Microsoft wants AI ‘agents’ to work together and retain information

Microsoft envisions AI agents collaborating across companies and improving memory retention using structured retrieval augmentation. At its Build conference, it plans to promote open standards like the Model Context Protocol to foster an interconnected “agentic web.” Microsoft’s top technologist said Sunday, ahead of the company’s annual software development conference, that the company envisions a future when its AI agents may work together with agents from other companies and remember past contacts more clearly. At its Build conference in Seattle on May 19, analysts expect Microsoft to unveil its latest tools for developers building AI systems. Microsoft is dedicated to encouraging the adoption of industry-wide standards that will allow agents from different manufacturers to collaborate, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott told reporters and analysts at the company’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters before to the conference. Agents are AI systems that are able to do specific activities, like fixing a software defect, on their own. Scott claims that Microsoft is backing the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP) technology, which was first introduced by Google-backed Anthropic. According to Scott, MCP could lead to the development of an “agentic web” in a manner akin to how hypertext protocols facilitated the internet’s growth in the 1990s. “It means that your imagination gets to drive what the agentic web becomes, not just a handful of companies that happen to see some of these problems first,” Scott stated. According to Scott, Microsoft is working to improve AI agents’ recall of tasks that customers have requested of them, but as of right now, “most of what we’re building feels very transactional.” However, because it requires more computing power, enhancing an AI agent’s memory is costly. Microsoft is focusing on a new approach called structured retrieval augmentation, where an agent provides a roadmap of the subjects discussed by summarising each turn in a user discussion. “This is a core part of how you train a biological brain – you don’t brute force everything in your head every time you need to solve a particular problem,” Scott stated.

New e-Zero FIR system will expedite the capture of cybercriminals: Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the e-Zero FIR system to auto-convert major cybercrime complaints into FIRs, starting with a ₹10 lakh threshold in Delhi. The initiative, led by the I4C, aims to accelerate cybercriminal tracking and will soon expand nationwide. On May 19, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) of the Ministry of Home Affairs had started the new e-Zero FIR project to catch cybercriminals faster than ever before. According to him, the new mechanism, which was introduced as a trial project for Delhi, will automatically convert cyber financial crimes reported on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) and hotline number 1930 to FIRs, first surpassing the threshold of Rs 10 lakh. The effort will soon be expanded throughout the entire country, according to the minister. “To apprehend any criminal with previously unheard-of speed, the MHA’s Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) launched the new e-Zero FIR scheme. “The new system, which was first implemented as a pilot project for Delhi, will automatically convert cyber financial offences reported to the NCRP or 1930 to FIRs, initially exceeding the 10 lakh threshold limit. The new technology, which will speed up investigations and crack down on cybercriminals, will soon be available to the entire nation,” Shah wrote on ‘X’. The home minister said the Modi government is bolstering the cybersecurity grid to build a cyber-secure Bharat. The I4C was established by the New Delhi MHA to provide law enforcement agencies with a framework and setting for coordinating and fighting cybercrime in its entirety. It is intended that the I4C will serve as the focal point for reducing cybercrime in the nation.

“Informing Customers” claims that Dior’s client data was stolen in a cyberattack

Dior confirmed a cyberattack compromised client data, excluding financial details, and is notifying affected customers. This follows a wave of cyberattacks targeting major European retailers, including Marks and Spencer and Harrods. Dior stated that no financial data, including bank card details, was on the database accessed, but it did not specify the number of clients implicated. On May 14, 2025, the French luxury brand Dior declare that client data had been taken by cyber criminals, but they assured that no financial information was compromised. A number of well-known European retailers have been the victim of cyberattacks, with the major LVMH subsidiary being the most recent. Following the announcement by the Le Monde newspaper that Asian clientele had informed them of the alleged January information breach, Dior issued a statement. “The House of Dior has learned that some of our client data was accessed by an unauthorised third party. “We took immediate action to contain this incident,” the statement read. Dior stated that no financial data, including bank card details, was on the database accessed, but it did not specify the number of clients implicated. “Dior teams are still looking into and responding to this situation with the help of top cybersecurity specialists. All pertinent regulatory bodies are being notified,” it continued. “We are in the process of informing customers affected by this incident.” Le Monde claims that client names, email addresses, postal addresses, and phone numbers were among the stolen data. According to HSBC bank, Dior, one of LVMH’s two main brands along with Louis Vuitton, generated 8.7 billion euros ($9.7 billion) in revenue in 2024. Cyber gangs have been increasingly targeting new high-end brands and retailers in recent months. British company Marks and Spencer announced on May 13, 2025, that weeks of interruptions to its online services had resulted from a cyberattack that had exposed some of its customers’ personal information. The high-end department store Harrods and the Co-op food chain have also been affected in recent weeks.

Chandigarh Launches Cyber Wellness Clinic to Combat Rising Cybercrime

Chandigarh’s NITTR has launched the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic to combat rising cybercrime, offering training and awareness programs, and support for citizens and law enforcement. Backed by Zscaler and ISAC, the clinic aims to build a safer digital future through education and prevention. May 12: The National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTR) in Sector 26 opened the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic on April 30, 2025, in a significant effort to shield Chandigarh from the growing threat of cybercrime. A vital resource for citizens, educators, students, and law enforcement in the battle against online threats like phishing, identity theft, and QR code scams, this state-of-the-art facility is supported by Zscaler’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative and in partnership with the Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (ISAC). NITTR Chandigarh, a pillar of technical education, was founded in 1967 under the Ministry of Education with an initial emphasis on polytechnic training throughout northern India. It is now a renowned university with programs in engineering, technology, and educational management, as well as international partnerships and a reputation as a centre for research. The Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic strengthens NITTR’s dedication to digital safety after a similar project at Punjab University on March 4, 2025, proved successful. The core of this effort is Zscaler, a pioneer in worldwide cloud security that Jay Chaudhry launched in 2007. Millions are protected by Zscaler’s Zero Trust Exchange platform, which has offices in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Mohali, and Pune in addition to seven data centres in India. Its Social Impact Program empowers marginalised areas by advancing digital equity and cyber education. “Building a secure digital future for everyone is the goal of our collaboration with NITTR and ISAC,” Karishma Bhuyan, CSR Lead at Zscaler, stated during the launch. India is the #1 target for AI-powered cyberattacks in Asia Pacific, according to the Zscaler ThreatLabz Phishing Report 2025. Cybercriminals never stop, from hidden links in images to phoney QR code schemes. Chilling local trends were given by Chandigarh Cyber Cell SP Smt. Geetanjali Khandelwal: “Scammers are targeting expectant fathers with fake semen donation schemes, tricking them into scanning malicious QR codes.” Senior persons are identified as the primary focus of Chandigarh Police’s cyber vans and surveys conducted with NCC cadets, underscoring the critical need for awareness. A comprehensive resource for preventing common cybercrimes is the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic. It offers 26 ISAC-certified programs, practical training at ISAC’s Cyberagent Cybersecurity Labs, and awareness sessions on fraud and cyber threats. In order to develop their abilities for cybersecurity careers—an area that is expected to need millions of workers in the years to come, according to Cyber Crime Magazine—participants can use technologies like Breach Point, EthixFirst, and the National Security Database. The clinic also provides officers with specialised training in cybercrime investigation, which improves law enforcement’s capacity to react. The clinic’s technical rigor is guaranteed by ISAC, a non-profit organization that works with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Defence, AICTE, CERT-In, and IIT Gandhinagar. Its platforms offer useful resources, including as ethical frameworks and bug bounty schemes. “This initiative empowers communities to face digital challenges head-on,” ISAC Group Captain P. Anand Naidu stated. The clinic is open Monday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM and is available to victims of cybercrime and anybody seeking advice on digital safety. Additionally, it provides law enforcement with cutting-edge training in cybercrime investigation. Need assistance right away? For prompt assistance, you can get in touch with Cybercrime Intervention Officers immediately through the free ISAC Cop Connect App. With 3.5 million cybersecurity professionals needed and Cyber Crime Magazine projecting that global cybercrime expenses will reach $10.5 trillion yearly by 2025, this program positions Chandigarh as a leader in creating a safe online environment. This partnership between Zscaler, ISAC, and NITTR is revolutionary. Join Chandigarh in the fight for a safe digital future by visiting the Cop Connect Cyber Wellness Clinic and arming yourself with knowledge. Don’t hesitate—remain vigilant and secure!

Google modifies its “G” emblem for the first time in a decade

Google has updated its iconic “G” logo for the first time in nearly a decade, introducing a smooth gradient across its four signature colours. The redesign reflects Google’s shift toward a more modern, AI-focused brand identity. The first significant update of Google’s recognisable “G” logo in almost ten years was unveiled today. The new design substitutes a gradient effect that smoothly switches between the colours for the traditional four-colour blocks of red, yellow, green, and blue. This little change attempts to give the emblem a more modern, fresh look, reflecting Google’s continued emphasis on artificial intelligence. With the release of Google app beta version 16.18, the update has started to show up on Android smartphones and is presently being sent out to IOS users via the Google Search app, according to a 9to5Google report. Even though the change isn’t very noticeable, especially at smaller sizes, it represents a more general visual change in Google’s design approach that is consistent with its most recent AI-driven projects. No Changes to Google Wordmark Yet The primary Google wordmark has not yet been altered by the business. Additionally, it is not officially confirmed if other product logos, such as those of Maps or Chrome, would receive the same revisions. The gradient design might, however, eventually be extended to other services given Google’s concentration on AI across all of its products. With this upgrade, Google hasn’t changed its “G” logo since 2015. The new gradient design represents the company’s changing brand identity as it incorporates more AI functions, especially with the introduction of Google Gemini, its generative AI assistant. A blue-to-purple gradient is already present in Gemini’s logo, further indicating Google’s move toward dynamic, gradient-based design. The new “G” icon is now available on IOS and Pixel smartphones, but the original one is still used on other platforms, such as the web and Android devices that are not Pixels. In the upcoming weeks, it is anticipated that the new design will be more extensively available on various platforms and devices.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Kanpur Loses ₹55 Lakh in Cyber Fraud Due to Misspelled Email Address

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Kanpur lost ₹55 lakh in a cyber fraud after scammers used a fake email address with a missing letter to alter bank details and divert funds. The incident is under police investigation. The most recent victim of cyber fraud was Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Kanpur, which lost Rs 55 lakh to cyber criminals after failing to recognize the missing letter “e” in one of the email addresses. The scammers altered bank account information and redirected the payment to their account while using an email address that was almost the same as that of an authentic American supplier. Vulnerabilities in high-stakes international transactions have been revealed by cyber fraud, which is currently being investigated by police. What happened? The public-sector aerospace and defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited regularly purchases fighter aircraft parts from international vendors. The company was negotiating aircraft parts with PS Engineering Inc., a US-based corporation, in 2024. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited asked for a quote for three particular parts on May 3. The officialemail ID, gledbetter@ps-engineering.com. was used for all correspondence. However, unidentified cybercriminals who had probably been keeping an eye on the email exchange made the false email address jlane@ps-enginering.com, which just has the letter “e” missing from engineering. By using fake bank account information, the scammers pretended to be the vendor and persuaded Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to send the money. Before anyone realized what was going on, $63,405 (around Rs 55 lakh) was transferred into the incorrect account. When PS Engineering Inc. notified Hindustan Aeronautics Limited that they had not been paid, the fraud was discovered. When concerned HAL officials looked over their transaction history, they found the phoney email address. An official investigation was initiated after Ashok Kumar Singh, Additional General Manager of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Kanpur, filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the Cyber Police Station in response to the disclosure. In order to carry out the scam, investigating police believe the cybercriminals may have compromised the email systems of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited or intercepted communications. To determine the source of the phoney account and find the culprits, the police have enlisted the help of cybersecurity specialists from IIT Kanpur.

Digital arrest scam, a woman from Mumbai lost Rs 20 crore to scammers

Digital arrest scam : Two men posing as police officers duped an 86-year-old Mumbai woman of Rs 20.25 crore in a money laundering scam. The accused, who is part of an international fraud network, has been arrested. The 86-year-old woman in South Mumbai was virtually accosted by two men in December 2024 who pretended to be police officers. To resolve the matter, they forced her to transfer funds to several bank accounts and threatened her, saying that her Aadhar card had been used fraudulently in a money laundering case. Between December 26, 2024, and March 3, 2025, the suspected Rs 20.25 crore scam took place, according to the police. digital arrest scam the callers said that an Indian bank had opened an account in her name using her Aadhar card and other personal data. They informed her that this account had been used in a massive money laundering scheme and that police action was on the horizon. The accused intimidated her by threatening to report her and her family, including her daughter, to the police. They tricked her into sending money to their accounts by feigning a “digital arrest scam.” Shayan Jamil Sheikh (20) and Rajik Azam Butt, who reside in Malad (West) and Mira Road (East), respectively, have been identified as the accused. Both of the accused have been arrested by the police. A larger conspiracy The report stated that Butt is suspected of being involved in a larger international scheme, citing police sources. On the Telegram messaging service, he formed a group with thirteen foreigners, according to the police. He allegedly exchanged Indian bank account details with this group to assist in committing fraud. The authorities found Butt’s affiliation with a worldwide fraud network after searching Shayan and Rajik’s cell phones after they were arrested. He set up the Telegram channel, investigators discovered, to provide scammers in other nations with information about Indian bank accounts. Both accused, according to officials for digital arrest scam , were personally involved in the planning and execution of the crime and were members of a global fraud gang. Now, they’re looking into how many more bank accounts have been provided to the foreign masterminds.

During the rise of DeepSeek, Elon Musk lost $90 billion; see what Bezos and Zuckerberg lost instead.

Tech billionaires lost $94 billion as a result of the Chinese AI business DeepSeek. Larry Ellison, the billionaire and chief technology officer of Oracle, lost almost $9 billion. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is among the IT giants who have lost billions of dollars as a result of China’s DeepSeek’s breakthrough achievement this year. Fortune reports that the world’s richest person lost $90 billion. According to reports, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg lost $20 billion and $11 billion, respectively. Nvidia was the most severely impacted by the billion-dollar AI startup’s ascent to prominence, which led to a sell-off in the AI chip manufacturer and a $600 billion decline in its market value—one of the worst decrease in US stock prices in the history of the market, according to Bloomberg. Moreover, at the beginning of February, Bloomberg assessed Musk’s net worth to be around $433 billion, but on February 28, it decreased to $349 billion. Within the same period, Zuckerberg’s net worth plummeted from $243 billion to $232 billion. Larry Ellison, the billionaire and chief technology officer of Oracle, lost almost $9 billion. According to Fortune, DeepSeek collectively wiped off $94 billion from tech billionaires’ wallets. Despite the sharp decline in his and his company’s wealth brought on by DeepSeek, Huang lauded the Chinese firm on Nvidia’s most recent earnings call, claiming it had “ignited global enthusiasm.” “It’s a great invention, but more significantly, it has made a top-notch AI reasoning model publicly available,” he stated. For a tenth of the price, DeepSeek had unveiled a sizable language model that could compete with those of competitors like OpenAI. According to CNBC, Nvidia’s biggest clients, Meta, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft, appear unfazed and plan to spend over $320 billion on AI and data centre expansion.

This state in India has saved $31.2 million from cyber criminals

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur, the police also tied up with major banks, which led to 15 nodal officers from 10 major banks joining forces with the police on a common platform to combat cybercrime Police in Haryana claimed on 9 Jan 2025 that the north Indian state is the first in the country in terms of the number of cybercrime tackled or prevented in 2024. It has saved about $31.2 million from cybercrime up from $8.9 mn in 2023. This amount is five times more than what was saved in 2022. Haryana’s police also successfully recovered and refunded fraudulently siphoned money to victims. In 2023, they were given back $3.8 million, which increased by November 2024 to $11 million. Smart strategies: Stronger alliance with banks The success, said the police, came as a result of learning and understanding the methods of cyber criminals and working closely with the banks. The Indian state has also increased the number of police personnel on its cyber helpline 1930 (which is a toll-free helpline number in India for reporting cyber crimes) from a workforce of 12 to 70. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur, the police also tied up with major banks, which led to 15 nodal officers from 10 major banks joining forces with the police on a common platform to combat cybercrime. Cyber police have been running after the Lok Adalats to return money to the victims without going through a long judicial process. Increase in cases and arrests According to Kapur, the Haryana Police made several strides in eliminating cybercrime. In 2024, the police registered 5,511 cases of cyber fraud, more than double the 2,747 cases registered in 2023 and up from 2,165 cases in 2022. Arrests also surged, with the police arresting 5,156 cybercriminals in 2024 compared to 1,909 in 2023 and 1,078 in 2022. A notable 70 percent (3,555) of those arrested were from other states, and the police averaged 14 arrests per day. Kapur praised the efforts of the entire cyber team for their dedication and hard work in tackling the crime saying, “The work done by our cyber cell has brought us to the top in terms of blocking cyber fraud and recovering stolen funds.” Improved cyber fraud prevention Haryana Police’s efforts have also enhanced the rate at which fraudulent amounts are blocked. The rate of blocked amounts in cyber fraud cases rose from 7 percent in September 2023 to 36 percent in December 2024, making it the highest in the country. Following this, if a victim files a complaint within six hours after the fraud, then 70 percent of lost money is blocked. This is also the highest percentage within the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah honored the Haryana police for their success in reducing cybercrime in 2024. He lauded the police’s work in running the cyber helpline DGP Kapur revealed that the police managed to close 2,83,589 bank accounts and 1,24,565 mobile numbers involved in cyber fraud.

The WhatsApp Wedding Invitation Scam: How to Protect Yourself from Digital Fraud

Sending wedding invitations is easier than ever. Digital Fraud invitations can easily replace traditional paper cards. However, this shift has opened doors for a dangerous trend: the WhatsApp wedding scam. Fraudsters are now using fake wedding invitations to target unsuspecting individuals, and you could be their next victim. In this article, you can get more information about fake wedding invitation scams. How the Fake Wedding Invitation Scam Works Imagine receiving a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The sender claims to be inviting you to a wedding. The message feels genuine, with friendly language and attachments labeled as wedding cards. Without much thought, you tap on the file to see the invite. However, these attachments are not actual invitations but malicious APK files. Typically, APK or Android Package Kit files are used to install apps on Android devices. If these APK files are corrupted and you download and open them, you may unknowingly grant the scammers access to your device. The digital wedding Digital Fraud feels personal and believable. Weddings are joyous occasions, and most people wouldn’t suspect foul play. Scammers exploit this trust to trick you into downloading malware. How a Fake Wedding Invitation Scam Can Lead to Financial Losses If you fall victim to this digital wedding scam, you could face financial losses in the following ways: Compromised Sensitive Banking Data: Through malware, cybercriminals can extract banking information you may have saved on your phone. This could include account numbers, card details, passwords to various financial accounts, payment details saved on browsers, and auto-fill credentials. OTP Theft: Scammers can use malware to intercept messages containing OTPs. This way, they can authorize unauthorized payments or money transfers. They can also gain access to your banking and payment apps. Exploiting Payment Apps: Malware can allow scammers to access banking and payment apps. They can use the information stored in the app to steal money from your accounts. Saved card details could be used to make fraudulent transactions. Unauthorized Subscription to Paid Services: Cybercriminals may use your compromised data to subscribe to premium services, apps, or websites. These services might charge recurring fees directly to your Credit or Debit Card. Hence, you ought to check your transaction history regularly to prevent scammers from draining your funds. Account Takeover: By hijacking your financial accounts, Digital Fraud can lock you out of your accounts and steal your money. They may also use your account to conduct fraudulent activities. Therefore, you must report this immediately and protect yourself from liabilities. Identity Theft: This digital wedding Digital Fraud can also put your personal identification details at risk. Scammers can access these details saved on your phone and use them to open new accounts, apply for Credit Cards or loans, or impersonate you to commit Digital Fraud. Phishing: Malware can enable scammers to monitor your activities and create opportunities for phishing. This may include sending targeted phishing emails or messages to trick you into sharing more private information. Extortion: Fraudsters can use your data to blackmail you. They can demand ransom in exchange for not leaking sensitive photos and videos. This can lead to not only monetary losses but also emotional distress. How to Spot and Avoid the WhatsApp Wedding Scam By staying cautious, you can avoid falling victim to this fake wedding invitation scam. Here are some simple steps: Be Wary of Unknown Numbers: Be suspicious if you receive a message from a number you don’t recognize. Digital Fraud often target random users, hoping someone will take the bait. Verify the Sender: Before downloading any file, confirm its authenticity. If it’s a wedding invitation, ask the sender directly—preferably through a call or message on another platform. Avoid Downloading APK Files: Typically, you’d receive wedding invitations in the form of images, video files, or URLs as they are convenient. Legitimate wedding invitations don’t require you to download separate apps. Use Antivirus Software: You can keep your phone secure with antivirus apps for Digital Fraud. These can detect and block malware before it causes harm with Digital Fraud. Enable Security Features: Review your phone’s permissions from time to time. Make sure your apps can’t access sensitive data without your explicit consent with Digital Fraud. How Do You Know Your Phone Has Malware? Your phone may be infected with malware if you notice the following: You notice an increased number of pop-ups and inappropriate ads. You see apps you haven’t downloaded or don’t recognize. You may not be able to uninstall unrecognized apps. You notice your phone slows down or crashes often. Your contacts may receive messages that you did not send. You may see unauthorized transactions in your account due to scammers using bank details saved on your phone to subscribe to paid services. What to Do If You’re a Victim Taking prompt action can minimize the damage against this fraud on WhatsApp: Disconnect Your Phone: You must immediately switch off Wi-Fi and mobile data to limit the hacker’s access. Change Your Passwords: Update all important accounts, especially banking, email, and social media, to prevent further misuse. Alert Your Contacts: If scammers are using your WhatsApp account to send fraudulent messages, inform your contacts not to engage. Report the Incident: Don’t let cybercriminals get away. Report the scam to authorities by dialing 1930, the National Cyber Crime portal helpline in India. You can also visit https://cybercrime.gov.in to complain. Protecting Yourself in a Digital World and Stay Vigilant As the use of Digital Fraud platforms grows, scams like the WhatsApp wedding scam will only become more sophisticated. Staying informed is your best definition. *Disclaimer: Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your circumstances.

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