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Incident Overview Evolve Bank & Trust, a prominent U.S.-based banking-as-a-service provider, disclosed a significant data breach where cybercriminals accessed personal information belonging to millions of customers. Scope of the Breach In a recent filing with Maine’s attorney general, Evolve confirmed that personal data of approximately 7.6 million individuals, including over 20,000 customers from Maine, was compromised during the cyberattack. The fallout from the incident continues to unfold. Details of the Compromised Data Evolve has not specified the exact types of data breached in the filing but previously stated that attackers accessed names, Social Security numbers, bank account details, and contact…

Overview of the Issue In March, Microsoft acknowledged that Russian state-sponsored hackers, dubbed Midnight Blizzard or APT29, infiltrated their systems to pilfer sensitive information, including data belonging to Microsoft customers. Criticism of Email Notifications Months later, Microsoft continues to notify affected users, but the process has drawn criticism. Experts, including cybersecurity researcher Kevin Beaumont, have cautioned that the emails sent by Microsoft resemble spam or phishing attempts. Expert Insights on Microsoft’s Email Notifications Kevin Beaumont’s Perspective Kevin Beaumont, a cybersecurity researcher, criticized Microsoft’s handling of the breach notification process, highlighting procedural lapses that contributed to confusion among recipients. Concerns and…

Apple has initiated a widespread notification campaign, alerting iPhone users across 98 countries to potential mercenary spyware threats. This marks the second alert this year, following a similar notification sent to users in 92 countries in April. According to a support document on Apple’s website, these notifications have been regularly sent since 2021, reaching users in over 150 countries. The recent warnings, issued on Wednesday, highlight the seriousness of the threat without disclosing specific details about the attackers or the countries affected. The warning messages sent to affected customers state, “Apple detected that you are being targeted by a mercenary…

Despite predictions of its demise, email remains a critical communication tool in business, making it a prime target for cybercriminals. The Threat of Email Scams Email scams, particularly those leveraging deceptive links and malicious content, continue to pose significant risks. These tactics have been behind major security breaches, such as the 2022 Twilio breach and the Reddit hack last year. Increasing Sophistication Identifying fraudulent emails is becoming harder as hackers refine their techniques. Business email compromise (BEC) is a prime example, where attackers impersonate trusted figures to extract sensitive data or financial assets from organizations. Impact on Startups Startups, often…

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, is in advanced negotiations to acquire cybersecurity startup Wiz for $23 billion, according to a source familiar with the discussions, as reported by TechCrunch and previously by The Wall Street Journal. Acquisition Details Thomas Kurian, head of Google’s cloud division, initiated talks with Wiz several weeks ago, swiftly progressing to tentative agreement on the purchase price. While the deal faces significant complexities and uncertainties, negotiations are expected to conclude within the next week to 10 days. The source indicated a 50% chance of the deal falling through due to these complexities. Valuation and Growth…

Apple’s iOS 18 introduces significant updates to its Messages app, including the long-awaited ability to schedule messages and support for RCS (Rich Communication Services), marking a notable step towards enhancing messaging capabilities. Scheduling Messages One of the standout features of iOS 18 is the ability to schedule messages for future delivery, a feature previously available only through third-party apps or workarounds. This built-in functionality allows users to set a specific date and time for their messages to be sent, catering to both personal and business needs. Whether sending birthday greetings or coordinating across different time zones, this feature aims to…

Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky has announced plans to exit the U.S. market and lay off employees following a U.S. government ban on its software due to security concerns. The ban will take effect on July 20, 2024, making Kaspersky’s operations in the United States no longer viable. Kaspersky to Cease U.S. Operations Kaspersky plans to “gradually wind down” its U.S. operations starting on July 20. The company’s decision follows a U.S. government order issued in June, which prohibits the sale of Kaspersky’s software in the United States, citing security risks associated with its Russian headquarters. Impact on Employees Independent journalist…

Samsung Electronics forecasts a dramatic rise in profits for the three months ending June 2024, attributing this surge to the booming demand for artificial intelligence (AI) chips. Key Points Profit Surge Expected Profit Increase: Samsung projects a 15-fold increase in profits compared to the same period last year. Forecasted Profit: The company expects profits to reach 10.4 trillion won ($7.54 billion; £5.9 billion), significantly higher than the 670 billion won reported last year. Analysts’ Estimates: The anticipated profits surpass analysts’ predictions of 8.8 trillion won, according to LSEG SmartEstimate. Market Impact Share Price Reaction: Samsung shares rose more than 2%…

The share prices of UK housebuilders surged on Friday following Labour’s landslide victory in the general election. This marks the party’s return to power for the first time since 2010. Companies like Vistry, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt, and Berkeley saw significant gains due to Labour’s plans to boost housing supply. Market Reaction Share Price Surge Housebuilders: Vistry, Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt, and Berkeley all experienced a 2-3% increase in share prices. Reason: Labour’s commitment to building 1.5 million homes over the next parliament fueled investor optimism. Labour’s Housing Policy Labour’s election campaign focused heavily on addressing housing supply issues: Pledge:…

Carlsberg has announced a £3.3bn deal to acquire Britvic, the company known for producing drinks such as Robinsons squash and J20. This strategic move aims to create a unified beverage entity, Carlsberg Britvic, to enhance business operations in the UK and western Europe. Details of the Deal Acquisition Terms Total Deal Value: £3.3bn Share Price: Existing Britvic investors will receive £13.15 per share. Previous Offer: A lower offer was rejected last month. Strategic Rationale Britvic chairman Ian Durant highlighted the compelling merits of Carlsberg’s offer, stating that the merger would result in “an enlarged international group well-placed to capture growth…