Cybercrime Archives | Digital Watch Observatory

Malicious npm package targets developers with Openclaw impersonation

Security researchers uncovered a malicious npm package impersonating an Openclaw AI installer, designed to infect developer machines with credential-stealing malware.

JFrog Security Research identified the attack in early March 2026 after the package appeared on the npm registry and was downloaded roughly 178 times.

The deceptive package mimics legitimate Openclaw tools and contains ordinary-looking JavaScript files and documentation. Hidden scripts run during installation, displaying a fake command-line interface and a fabricated system prompt that requests the user’s password.

Entering the password grants the malware elevated access and allows it to download an encrypted payload from a remote command server. Once installed, the payload deploys Ghostloader, a remote access trojan that persists on the system and communicates with attacker servers.

Researchers say the malware targets sensitive information, including saved passwords, browser cookies, SSH keys, and cryptocurrency wallet files. Developers are advised to remove the package immediately, rotate credentials, and install software only from verified sources.

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Tycoon 2FA phishing service disrupted in global cybercrime crackdown

Authorities have disrupted the Tycoon 2FA phishing-as-a-service (PhaaS) platform, which sent millions of phishing emails to organisations worldwide.

The operation, led by Microsoft, Europol, and several industry partners, targeted the infrastructure behind Tycoon 2FA, which enabled large-scale phishing campaigns against more than 500,000 organisations each month.

By mid-2025, Tycoon 2FA accounted for 62% of the phishing attempts blocked by Microsoft, with over 30 million malicious emails blocked in a single month. Experts link the platform to around 96,000 global victims since 2023, including 55,000 Microsoft customers.

Researchers from Resecurity found cybercriminals widely used the platform to impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorised access to accounts such as Microsoft 365, Outlook and Gmail. The service relied on techniques such as URL rotation using open redirect vulnerabilities and the misuse of Cloudflare Workers to hide malicious infrastructure.

‘The author of Tycoon 2FA is actively updating the tool with regular kit updates,’ reads the report published by Resecurity. ‘What makes Tycoon 2FA so special is that the kit effectively combines multiple methods to deliver phishing at scale—from PDF attachments to QR codes.’

Authorities say taking the infrastructure offline disrupts a key pathway for account takeover attacks and prevents additional threats, such as data theft, ransomware, business email compromise, and financial fraud.

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GitHub malware campaign uses SEO tricks to steal browser data

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a malware campaign spreading through over 100 GitHub repositories disguised as free software tools. Hackers used SEO-heavy descriptions to make their fake repositories appear high in search results, close to legitimate software.

Users searching for popular programs were directed to counterfeit download pages. These pages offered ZIP files containing BoryptGrab, a malware designed to steal data from infected Windows systems. The files were disguised as cracked software, gaming cheats, or utility tools.

The malware collects sensitive information, including browser passwords, cookies, and cryptocurrency wallet details. It can access nine major browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Opera, Brave, and Vivaldi, and bypass some security protections.

Certain variants also install additional tools allowing remote access and persistent control over infected machines. However, this enables hackers to run commands, maintain ongoing access, and steal more information without the user’s knowledge.

Trend Micro, the cybersecurity firm that reported the campaign, noted some code and logs suggest a possible Russian origin, though attribution is not confirmed. Experts warn that GitHub and search engine manipulation make this attack method especially dangerous.

Users are advised to download software only from trusted sources and to verify the authenticity of the repository. Organisations should follow security best practices such as software allowlisting, maintaining inventory, and removing unauthorised applications to prevent similar attacks.

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The US releases national cyber strategy, prioritising offense and AI

President Donald Trump released his administration’s national cybersecurity strategy, outlining priorities across six policy areas: offensive and defensive cyber operations, federal network security, critical infrastructure protection, regulatory reform, emerging technology leadership, and workforce development. Trump also signed an executive order the same day, directing federal agencies to increase the prosecution of cybercrime and fraud.

The strategy document spans five pages of substantive text, with administration officials describing it as intentionally high-level. The White House stated that more detailed implementation guidance would follow.

The strategy’s six pillars include the following provisions:

Shaping adversary behaviour requires deploying US offensive and defensive cyber capabilities and incentivising private-sector disruption of adversary networks. It also states the administration will “counter the spread of the surveillance state and authoritarian technologies.”

Promoting regulation advocates for reducing compliance requirements characterised as ‘costly checklists’ and addresses liability frameworks — a priority also present in the prior administration’s approach.

Modernising federal networks involves adopting post-quantum cryptography, AI, zero-trust architecture, and reducing procurement barriers for technology vendors.

Securing critical infrastructure emphasises supply chain resilience and preference for domestically produced technology, alongside a role for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments.

Sustaining technological superiority focuses primarily on AI, quantum cryptography, data centre security, and privacy protection.

Building cyber talent commits to removing barriers among industry, academia, government, and the military to develop a skilled cybersecurity workforce. This pillar follows a period in which the administration reduced the number of federal cyber positions.

The accompanying executive order directs the attorney general to prioritise cybercrime prosecution, tasks agencies with reviewing tools to counter international criminal organisations, and assigns the Department of Homeland Security expanded training responsibilities. The strategy itself references cybercrime once.

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Canada warns about AI-generated scams targeting citizens online

Authorities in Canada have issued a warning about the growing use of AI in impersonation scams targeting citizens. Fraudsters increasingly deploy advanced tools capable of mimicking politicians, government officials and other public figures with convincing realism.

Deepfake videos, synthetic audio and AI-generated messages allow scammers to create convincing communications that appear to come from trusted authorities.

Such tactics are often used to persuade victims to send money, reveal personal information, install malicious software or engage with fraudulent investment offers.

Officials also warn about fake government websites created with AI-assisted tools that imitate official pages by copying national symbols and similar domain names. Suspicious websites often use unusual web addresses, extra characters, or unfamiliar domain endings to mislead visitors.

Authorities advise Canadians to verify unexpected messages through official channels rather than clicking links or responding immediately.

Suspected impersonation attempts should be reported to the Competition Bureau or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

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Dutch intelligence warns about phishing attacks on Signal and WhatsApp

A large-scale cyber campaign linked to state hackers is targeting accounts on the messaging platforms Signal and WhatsApp.

Intelligence services warn that phishing attacks aim to gain access to communications belonging to diplomats, military personnel and government officials.

The warning was issued by the Dutch intelligence agencies, General Intelligence and Security Service and Military Intelligence and Security Service, which confirmed that several government employees in the Netherlands have already been targeted during the campaign.

Security officials believe the operation forms part of a broader intelligence effort focused on individuals considered valuable to foreign state interests.

Journalists and other public figures may also be potential targets as attackers attempt to monitor sensitive conversations or gather confidential information.

Authorities advise users to remain cautious when receiving unexpected messages or login requests on encrypted messaging platforms.

Phishing attempts designed to capture account credentials remain one of the most effective methods used in cyberespionage campaigns.

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Blockchain and AI security central to US cyber framework

The US National Cyber Strategy emphasises support for emerging technologies, including blockchain, cryptocurrencies, AI, and post-quantum cryptography. The strategy highlights the importance of securing digital infrastructure while advancing technological leadership.

The strategy rests on six pillars, including modernising federal networks, protecting critical infrastructure, and advancing secure technology. Specific sections reference cryptocurrencies and blockchain, noting the need to safeguard digital systems from design to deployment.

Financial systems, data centres, and telecommunications networks are identified as key components of the broader cybersecurity framework. The strategy also stresses collaboration with private-sector technology companies and research institutions to foster innovation and strengthen protections.

AI plays a central role, with measures to secure AI data centres and deploy AI-driven tools for network defence. The plan avoids direct crypto rules but signals greater integration of blockchain and cryptography into national digital infrastructure.

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Hackers can use AI to de-anonymise social media accounts

AI technology behind platforms like ChatGPT is making it significantly easier for hackers to identify anonymous social media users, a new study warns. LLMs could match anonymised accounts to real identities by analysing users’ posts across platforms.

Researchers Simon Lermen and Daniel Paleka warned that AI enables cheap, highly personalised privacy attacks, urging a rethink of what counts as private online. The study highlighted risks from government surveillance to hackers exploiting public data for scams.

Experts caution that AI-driven de-anonymisation is not flawless. Errors in linking accounts could wrongly implicate individuals, while public datasets beyond social media- such as hospital or statistical records- may be exposed to unintended analysis.

Users are urged to reconsider what information they share, and platforms are encouraged to limit bulk data access and detect automated scraping.

The study underscores growing concerns about AI surveillance. While the technology cannot guarantee complete de-anonymisation, its rapid capabilities demand stronger safeguards to protect privacy online.

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EU faces challenges in curbing digital abuse against women

Researchers and policymakers are raising concerns about how new technologies may put women at risk online, despite existing EU rules designed to ensure safer digital spaces.

AI-powered tools and smart devices have been linked to incidents of harassment and the creation of non-consensual sexualised imagery, highlighting gaps in enforcement and compliance.

The European Commission’s Gender Equality 2026–2030 Strategy noted that women are disproportionately targeted by online gender-based violence, including harassment, doxing, and AI-generated deepfakes.

Investigations into tools such as Elon Musk’s Grok AI and Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses have drawn attention to how digital platforms and wearable technologies can be misused, even where legal frameworks like the Digital Services Act (DSA) are in place.

Experts emphasise that while the EU’s rules offer a foundation to regulate online content, significant challenges remain. Advocates and lawmakers say enforcement gaps let harmful AI functions like nudification persist.

Commissioners have stressed ongoing cooperation with tech companies and upcoming guidelines to prioritise flagged content from independent organisations to address gender-based cyber violence.

Authorities are also monitoring new technologies closely. In the case of wearable devices, regulators are considering how users and bystanders are informed about recording features.

Ongoing discussions aim to strengthen compliance under existing legislation and ensure that digital spaces become safer and more accountable for all users.

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Data breaches push South Korea toward stricter corporate liability rules

South Korea’s government and ruling party are advancing a second revision of the Personal Information Protection Act to strengthen corporate liability for large-scale data breaches.

The proposed amendment would make it easier for victims of major data breaches to receive compensation and relief. By removing the requirement for victims to prove a company’s ‘intent or negligence’, the amendment would increase companies’ legal liability when user data is compromised, making it more likely that affected individuals can claim damages.

Momentum for stricter rules follows several high-profile incidents, including a recent Coupang data breach that may have exposed personal information linked to numerous user accounts. The case has intensified scrutiny of how firms handle and protect customer data.

South Korea Officials at the Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) say victims often struggle to obtain evidence explaining how data breaches occur or how damages arise. The proposed reform would shift a greater evidentiary burden onto companies in disputes over losses.

The amendment would also introduce criminal penalties for anyone who knowingly obtains or distributes leaked personal data, closing a legal gap that currently applies only to employees who unlawfully disclose information. Authorities would gain powers to issue emergency protective orders to limit the spread of compromised data.

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