Cybersecurity

FBI warns users not to click on suspicious messages

Cybersecurity experts are raising fresh alarms following an FBI warning that clicking on a single link could lead to disaster.

With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, hackers now need just 60 seconds to compromise a victim’s device after launching an attack.

Techniques range from impersonating trusted brands like Google to deploying advanced malware and using AI tools to scale attacks even further.

The FBI has revealed that internet crimes caused $16 billion in losses during 2024 alone, with more than 850,000 complaints recorded.

Criminals exploit emotional triggers like fear and urgency in phishing emails, often sent from what appear to be genuine business accounts. A single click could expose sensitive data, install malware automatically, or hand attackers access to personal accounts by stealing browser session cookies.

To make matters worse, many attacks now originate from smartphone farms targeting both Android and iPhone users. Given the evolving threat landscape, the FBI has urged everyone to be extremely cautious.

Their key advice is clear: do not click on anything received via unsolicited emails or text messages, no matter how legitimate it might appear.

Remaining vigilant, avoiding interaction with suspicious messages, and reporting any potential threats are critical steps in combating the growing tide of cybercrime.

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Cybercriminals target Gmail accounts in sophisticated new attack

Gmail users are facing a serious new threat that could lead to their accounts being hijacked by cybercriminals.

Experts at Malwarebytes have issued an urgent warning about a sophisticated scam that is bypassing Gmail’s usually reliable spam filters, putting billions of accounts at risk.

The scam was first noticed by Nick Johnson, a developer with the Ethereum Name Service, who received an official-looking email supposedly from Google.

Although it appeared genuine and even passed all verification checks, the link inside redirected users to a fraudulent site hosted via Google’s own website creation platform. Cybercriminals exploited the fact that anyone can create pages on sites.google.com to make the scam look credible.

Google has acknowledged the attack, linked to the Rockfoils threat group, and confirmed that new protections are being rolled out.

While measures are underway to address the vulnerability, security experts strongly advise Gmail users to remain cautious and follow essential safety practices to avoid falling victim.

Simple actions, such as avoiding links in unsolicited emails, double-checking email headers, and refusing to use Google credentials to sign into other services, can significantly reduce the risk. Staying vigilant is now more important than ever to protect personal data and online security.

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Deepfake victims gain new rights with House-approved bill

The US House of Representatives has passed the ‘Take It Down’ Act with overwhelming bipartisan support, aiming to protect Americans from the spread of deepfake and revenge pornography.

The bill, approved by a 409-2 vote, criminalises the distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery—including AI-generated content—and now heads to President Donald Trump for his signature.

First Lady Melania Trump, who returned to public advocacy earlier this year, played a key role in supporting the legislation. She lobbied lawmakers last month and celebrated the bill’s passage, saying she was honoured to help guide it through Congress.

The White House confirmed she will attend the signing ceremony.

The law requires social media platforms and similar websites to remove such harmful content upon request from victims, instead of allowing it to remain unchecked.

Victims of deepfake pornography have included both public figures such as Taylor Swift and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and private individuals like high school students.

Introduced by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and backed by Democratic lawmakers including Amy Klobuchar and Madeleine Dean, the bill reflects growing concern across party lines about online abuse.

Melania Trump, echoing her earlier ‘Be Best’ initiative, stressed the need to ensure young people—especially girls—can navigate the internet safely instead of being left vulnerable to digital exploitation.

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IBM commits $150 billion to US tech

IBM has announced a major investment plan worth $150 billion over the next five years to solidify its role as a global leader in advanced computing and quantum technologies.

The move also aims to support US economic growth by expanding local innovation and manufacturing, instead of relying heavily on overseas operations.

Over $30 billion of the funding will be directed towards research and development, helping IBM advance in areas such as mainframe and quantum computer production.

According to CEO Arvind Krishna, this commitment ensures that IBM remains the core hub of the world’s most sophisticated computing and AI capabilities. The company already operates the largest fleet of quantum computing systems and intends to continue building them in the US.

The announcement comes amid a wider shift among major tech firms investing heavily in US-based infrastructure.

Companies like Nvidia and Apple have each pledged massive sums—Nvidia alone is preparing to invest up to $500 billion—in response to President Donald Trump’s call for greater domestic manufacturing through policies like reciprocal tariffs.

By focusing investment at home instead of abroad, IBM joins a growing list of tech leaders aligning with government efforts to revitalise American industry while maintaining their global competitiveness in AI and next-generation computing.

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Huawei develops Ascend 910D chip to rival Nvidia

Huawei Technologies is preparing to test its newest AI processor, the Ascend 910D, as it seeks to offer an alternative to Nvidia’s products following US export restrictions. The company has approached several Chinese tech firms to assess the technical feasibility of the new chip.

Extensive testing will follow to ensure the chip’s performance before it reaches the wider market. Sources claim Huawei aims for the Ascend 910D to outperform Nvidia’s H100 chip, widely used for AI training since 2022.

Huawei is already shipping large volumes of its earlier Ascend 910B and 910C models to state-owned carriers and private AI developers like ByteDance. Demand for these processors has risen as US restrictions tightened Nvidia’s ability to sell its H20 chip to China.

Increased domestic demand for Huawei’s AI hardware signals a shift in China’s semiconductor market amid geopolitical tensions. Analysts believe this development strengthens Huawei’s ambition to compete globally in the AI chip market.

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Autonomous construction robot Zyrex set for 2026 debut

Construction sites could soon see a dramatic change with the arrival of Zyrex, a 20-foot-tall autonomous robot developed by RIC Robotics in California.

Designed for welding, carpentry, 3D printing, and material handling, Zyrex is being built to tackle labour shortages and improve safety on high-risk construction sites.

The company expects to complete a working prototype by early 2026, aiming to revolutionise the industry with a fully autonomous machine equipped with advanced cognitive capabilities.

Zyrex will initially be operated by human controllers using VR and simulators, while it gathers real-time data through LiDAR and visual sensors. By comparing this information to digital building models, Zyrex will ensure precision and quality before eventually transitioning to full autonomy.

Unlike humanoid robots, Zyrex is purpose-built for construction, focusing on both heavy-duty tasks and delicate operations like welding and exterior finishing.

Building on earlier successes, including the RIC-M1 Pro which helped 3D-print Walmart warehouse extensions ahead of schedule, Zyrex promises to be both powerful and cost-effective. RIC Robotics estimates the price to be under $1 million, with leasing options starting below $20,000 a month.

Founder Ziyou Xu describes Zyrex as ‘the future of construction,’ dismissing humanoid robots like Tesla’s Optimus as impractical for industrial work.

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UK government urged to outlaw apps creating deepfake abuse images

The Children’s Commissioner has urged the UK Government to ban AI apps that create sexually explicit images through “nudification” technology. AI tools capable of manipulating real photos to make people appear naked are being used to target children.

Concerns in the UK are growing as these apps are now widely accessible online, often through social media and search platforms. In a newly published report, Dame Rachel warned that children, particularly girls, are altering their online behaviour out of fear of becoming victims of such technologies.

She stressed that while AI holds great potential, it also poses serious risks to children’s safety. The report also recommends stronger legal duties for AI developers and improved systems to remove explicit deepfake content from the internet.

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SK Telecom begins SIM card replacement after data breach

South Korea’s largest carrier, SK Telecom, began replacing SIM cards for its 23 million customers on Monday following a serious data breach.

Instead of revealing the full extent of the damage or the perpetrators, the company has apologised and offered free USIM chip replacements at 2,600 stores nationwide, urging users to either change their chips or enrol in an information protection service.

The breach, caused by malicious code, compromised personal information and prompted a government-led review of South Korea’s data protection systems.

However, SK Telecom has secured less than five percent of the USIM chips required, planning to procure an additional five million by the end of May instead of having enough stock ready for immediate replacement.

Frustrated customers, like 30-year-old Jang waiting in line in Seoul, criticised the company for failing to be transparent about the amount of data leaked and the number of users affected.

Instead of providing clear answers, SK Telecom has focused on encouraging users to seek chip replacements or protective measures.

South Korea, often regarded as one of the most connected countries globally, has faced repeated cyberattacks, many attributed to North Korea.

Just last year, police confirmed that North Korean hackers had stolen over a gigabyte of sensitive financial data from a South Korean court system over a two-year span.

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Quantum encryption achieves new milestone without cryogenics

Computer scientists at Toshiba Europe have set a new record by distributing quantum encryption keys across 158 miles using standard computer equipment and existing fibre-optic infrastructure.

Instead of relying on expensive cryogenic cooling, which is often required in quantum computing, the team achieved this feat at room temperature, marking a significant breakthrough in the field.

Experts believe this development could lead to the arrival of metropolitan-scale quantum encryption networks within a decade.

David Awschalom, a professor at the University of Chicago, expressed optimism that quantum encryption would soon become commonplace, reflecting a growing confidence in the potential of quantum technologies instead of viewing them as distant possibilities.

Quantum encryption differs sharply from modern encryption, which depends on mathematical algorithms to scramble data. Instead of mathematical calculations, quantum encryption uses the principles of quantum mechanics to secure data through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).

Thanks to the laws of quantum physics, any attempt to intercept quantum-encrypted data would immediately alert the original sender, offering security that may prove virtually unbreakable.

Until recently, the challenge was distributing quantum keys over long distances because traditional fibre-optic lines distort delicate quantum signals. However, Toshiba’s team found a cost-effective solution using twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) instead of resorting to expensive new infrastructure.

Their success could pave the way for a quantum internet within decades, transforming what was once considered purely theoretical into a real-world possibility.

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Lazarus Group uses fake firms to spread malware to the crypto industry

North Korean hackers, believed to be part of the Lazarus Group, have created fake US businesses to target cryptocurrency developers. According to cybersecurity firm Silent Push, two companies, Blocknovas LLC and Softglide LLC, were set up to infect victims with malicious software.

These companies were established using false information in New York and New Mexico, violating international sanctions.

The attacks involved job offers that led to ‘sophisticated malware deployments,’ aimed at compromising cryptocurrency wallets and stealing credentials. The FBI has since seized the Blocknovas website, which had been used to deceive individuals and distribute malware.

Silent Push noted that multiple victims had fallen victim to the scam, with Blocknovas being the most active front in the campaign.

The phishing operation is just one example of North Korea’s ongoing cyber activities. The Lazarus Group has previously been responsible for high-profile hacks, including the $1.4 billion attack on crypto exchange Bybit in February.

The FBI continues to focus on imposing risks and consequences for those facilitating these cyber operations.

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