Australia has imposed sanctions on the extremist online network ‘Terrorgram’ in an effort to combat rising antisemitism and online radicalisation. Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that engaging with the group would now be a criminal offence, helping to prevent young people from being drawn into far-right extremism. The move follows similar actions by Britain and the US.
Wong described ‘Terrorgram’ as a network that promotes white supremacy and racially motivated violence, making it the first entirely online entity to face Australian counterterrorism financing sanctions. Offenders could face up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines. Sanctions were also renewed against four other right-wing groups, including the Russian Imperial Movement and The Base.
The network primarily operates on the Telegram platform, which stated that it has long banned such content and removed related channels. The US designated ‘Terrorgram’ as a violent extremist group in January, while Britain criminalised affiliation with it in April.
Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, including attacks on synagogues and vehicles since the Israel-Gaza conflict began in October 2023. Police recently arrested neo-Nazi group members in Adelaide and charged a man for displaying a Nazi symbol on National Day.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Europol’s executive director, Catherine De Bolle, urged tech companies to provide law enforcement access to encrypted messages, citing public safety concerns. While she argued this is necessary to combat crime and protect democracy, critics highlighted the risks of undermining encryption, which is essential for privacy and individual freedoms.
De Bolle compared accessing encrypted communications to executing a search warrant in a locked house. However, this analogy oversimplifies the issue, as encryption safeguards sensitive data and ensures private communication, even under authoritarian regimes. Weakening it could lead to widespread misuse, enabling mass surveillance and suppression, as seen in places like Russia.
Advocates for privacy stress that encryption is not merely a barrier to crime but a cornerstone of democracy, enabling free speech and safeguarding against state overreach. While law enforcement has other tools for crime-fighting, creating backdoors to encryption would expose everyone to cyber risks and potentially render digital security obsolete.
If governments succeed in weakening encryption, decentralised solutions backed by blockchain technology could rise, making such access nearly impossible in the future. The debate underscores the critical balance between security and preserving fundamental rights.
A major data breach involving telecom provider AT&T has compromised sensitive information about FBI agents’ call and text logs. The incident, which occurred last year, exposed phone numbers and contact details, though not the content of communications. FBI officials warn that the breach may risk revealing the identities of confidential informants.
AT&T reported in July that hackers had stolen records linked to 109 million customer accounts. Among the stolen data were months of FBI call logs, potentially connecting agents to their sources. While AT&T claims to have collaborated with law enforcement to mitigate the damage, the FBI continues to prioritise protecting its informants.
The breach has reignited concerns about cyber-espionage targeting US telecom networks. Earlier this month, the US national security adviser highlighted ongoing threats from Chinese-linked cyber operations. Although telecom firms, including AT&T and Verizon, say their systems are now secure, the incident underscores the persistent risks posed by sophisticated hackers.
Security concerns are mounting as Windows 10 sees a rise in market share while Windows 11 adoption declines. Microsoft will officially end free security updates and support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, leaving millions of users vulnerable unless they upgrade or pay for extended security updates.
Experts warn that continuing to use Windows 10 beyond its support period poses risks of cyberattacks, data breaches, and ransomware. Microsoft strongly recommends switching to Windows 11, which is designed to meet modern security demands, or choosing an alternative operating system.
Cybersecurity professionals urge users not to delay, with ESET‘s Thorsten Urbanski stressing the urgency of upgrading before the deadline to avoid a security crisis. The transition period is quickly closing, making early action essential for those relying on Windows 10.
A US Army soldier, Cameron John Wagenius, has been charged with selling and attempting to sell stolen confidential phone records. Arrested on 20 December, Wagenius faces two charges of unlawfully transferring confidential information in a Texas federal court. His rank and station have not been disclosed, though he is reportedly based at Fort Cavazos in Texas.
Authorities allege that Wagenius, known online as ‘Kiberphant0m’, claimed involvement in hacking activities, including phone records linked to high-profile figures. The case is connected to a broader investigation involving hackers accused of stealing sensitive personal and financial information. Prosecutors have revealed the involvement of a hacking group targeting data storage firm Snowflake’s customers.
Cybersecurity researchers identified Wagenius after members of the group issued threats against them. Law enforcement acted swiftly following the tip-off, according to Allison Nixon of Unit 221B. The prosecution is being handled in Seattle, where two co-defendants, Connor Moucka and John Binns, face related charges for extensive data breaches.
The Department of Justice and the FBI have yet to comment on the case. Wagenius has been ordered to appear in Seattle, where the investigation continues.
AT&T and Verizon have confirmed cyberattacks linked to a Chinese hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon,” but assured the public on Saturday that their US networks are now secure. Both companies acknowledged the breaches for the first time, stating they are cooperating with law enforcement and government agencies to address the threat. AT&T disclosed that the attackers targeted a small group of individuals tied to foreign intelligence, while Verizon emphasised that the activities have been contained following extensive remediation efforts.
The attacks, described by US officials as the most extensive telecommunications hack in the nation’s history, reportedly allowed Salt Typhoon operatives to access sensitive network systems, including the ability to geolocate individuals and record phone calls. Authorities have linked the breaches to several telecom firms, with a total of nine entities now confirmed as compromised. In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has urged government officials to transition to encrypted communication methods.
US Senators, including Democrat Ben Ray Luján and Republican Ted Cruz, have expressed alarm over the breach’s scale, calling for stronger safeguards against future intrusions. Meanwhile, Chinese officials have denied the accusations, dismissing them as disinformation and reaffirming their opposition to cyberattacks. Despite assurances from the companies and independent cybersecurity experts, questions remain about how long it will take to fully restore public confidence in the nation’s telecommunications security.
Manually created Windows 11 installer media for October and November 2024 patches could leave systems unable to install future security updates. The issue impacts USB or CD installers for version 24H2 and may affect businesses, schools, and PC enthusiasts.
Microsoft clarified that systems receiving October and November updates via Windows Update or the Update Catalog remain unaffected. However, media-created installations require rebuilding with the December 2024 update, followed by a full reinstallation. Microsoft recommends ensuring December’s patch is included in new installation media.
The company acknowledged the issue on its known problems page and is actively developing a permanent fix. Other bugs in version 24H2 have also emerged, affecting audio devices, Outlook with outdated Google Workspace Sync, and certain Ubisoft games.
Serbia has been accused of using spyware to target journalists and activists, according to a new Amnesty International report. Investigations revealed that ‘NoviSpy,’ a homegrown spyware, extracted private data from devices and uploaded it to a government-controlled server. Some cases also involved the use of technology provided by Israeli firm Cellebrite to unlock phones before infecting them.
Activists reported unusual phone activity following meetings with Serbian authorities. Forensic experts confirmed NoviSpy exported contact lists and private photos to state-controlled servers. The Serbian government has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
Cellebrite, whose phone-cracking devices are widely used by law enforcement worldwide, stated it is investigating the claims. The company’s representative noted that misuse of their technology could violate end-user agreements, potentially leading to a suspension of use by Serbian officials.
Concerns over these practices are heightened due to Serbia’s EU integration programme, partially funded by Norway and administered by the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS). Norway expressed alarm over the findings and plans to meet with Serbian authorities and UNOPS for clarification.
Australia’s financial crime watchdog, AUSTRAC, has launched a dedicated cryptocurrency task force to enforce anti-money laundering laws on crypto ATM providers. The move aims to curb the rising use of cryptocurrency in scams, money laundering, and fraud as the sector grows rapidly.
The task force will focus on ensuring that digital currency exchanges offering crypto ATM services implement robust safeguards against illicit activities. Australia currently has 1,200 crypto ATMs and 400 registered digital currency exchange providers. Non-compliance with regulations will result in financial penalties, AUSTRAC warned.
With Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 following Donald Trump’s election as US president, the global cryptocurrency market has nearly doubled in value this year. AUSTRAC CEO Brendan Thomas emphasised the urgent need for action, citing the increasing number of Australians falling victim to crypto-related scams.
Microsoft announced that most services for Outlook and Teams were restored late Monday after a widespread outage disrupted users throughout the day. While a small number of users continue to face issues with Outlook on the web, the company promised full restoration by Tuesday.
The disruption peaked with over 5,000 complaints logged on Downdetector, though Microsoft implemented fixes that restored functionality to 98% of affected environments by midday. Progress slowed in the afternoon, but by evening, reports of issues had significantly declined.
This outage, which impacted countless office workers ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, is the latest in a year of major tech disruptions globally. Although significant, the scale of this incident was far smaller than the summer outage of CrowdStrike’s systems, which caused billions in losses across industries.
