cybersecurity

Malware hidden in fake Office add-ins targets crypto users

Hackers are using bogus Microsoft Office extensions uploaded to SourceForge to spread malware. Cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has warned that the malware is designed to steal cryptocurrency.

One listing, posing as ‘officepackage,’ contains genuine Office add-ins. However, it also hides ClipBanker — a virus that swaps copied crypto wallet addresses with those belonging to attackers.

The malware tricks users by mimicking legitimate Office add-in pages, complete with download buttons and developer-style layouts. Once installed, ClipBanker monitors the clipboard and replaces wallet addresses without users’ knowledge.

It also gathers IP addresses, usernames, and system data, which it sends to the attackers via Telegram. In some cases, the virus checks for antivirus software or previous infections and self-deletes if detected.

Kaspersky noted that the malicious files are suspiciously small or padded with junk data to appear legitimate. While the primary goal is to steal cryptocurrency, attackers may sell access to infected systems to other malicious actors.

The malware’s interface is in Russian, and most victims so far — over 4,600 — have been located in Russia.

To stay safe, Kaspersky advises downloading software only from trusted sources. The company noted a growing trend of hackers hiding malware in pirated or unofficial software to exploit users chasing free apps.

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Apple challenges UK government over encrypted iCloud access order

A British court has confirmed that Apple is engaged in legal proceedings against the UK government concerning a statutory notice linked to iCloud account encryption. The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT), which handles cases involving national security and surveillance, disclosed limited information about the case, lifting previous restrictions on its existence.

The dispute centres on a government-issued Technical Capability Notice (TCN), which, according to reports, required Apple to provide access to encrypted iCloud data for users in the UK. Apple subsequently removed the option for end-to-end encryption on iCloud accounts in the region earlier this year. While the company has not officially confirmed the connection, it has consistently stated it does not create backdoors or master keys for its products.

The government’s position has been to neither confirm nor deny the existence of individual notices. However, in a rare public statement, a government spokesperson clarified that TCNs do not grant direct access to data and must be used in conjunction with appropriate warrants and authorisations. The spokesperson also stated that the notices are designed to support existing investigatory powers, not expand them.

The IPT allowed the basic facts of the case to be released following submissions from media outlets, civil society organisations, and members of the United States Congress. These parties argued that public interest considerations justified disclosure of the case’s existence. The tribunal concluded that confirming the identities of the parties and the general subject matter would not compromise national security or the public interest.

Previous public statements by US officials, including the former President and the current Director of National Intelligence, have acknowledged concerns surrounding the TCN process and its implications for international technology companies. In particular, questions have been raised regarding transparency and oversight of such powers.

Legal academics and members of the intelligence community have also commented on the broader implications of government access to encrypted platforms, with some suggesting that increased openness may be necessary to maintain public trust.

The case remains ongoing. Future proceedings will be determined once both parties have reviewed a private judgment issued by the court. The IPT is expected to issue a procedural timetable following input from both Apple and the UK Home Secretary.

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Hackers exploit ESET vulnerability to deploy malware, Kaspersky warns

A recently disclosed software vulnerability in ESET security products has been identified as a potential vector for discreet malware installation, according to findings published by the cybersecurity company Kaspersky.

Catalogued as CVE-2024-11859, the flaw permits the execution of a malicious dynamic-link library (DLL) by leveraging ESET’s own antivirus scanning process. If exploited, the technique allows unauthorised code to run silently, bypassing standard system warnings and activity logs.

ESET, headquartered in Slovakia, acknowledged the issue in an advisory and issued a software update addressing the flaw. The company assigned it a medium severity rating, with a Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) score of 6.8 out of 10. ESET further indicated there is no current evidence that the vulnerability has been actively exploited in operational environments.

Kaspersky attributed the technique to a threat actor group known as ToddyCat, which has been observed since 2020 conducting operations against governmental and defence-related targets. While Kaspersky referenced the use of two specific DLLs in its analysis, ESET reported that it had not received samples of the files and could not independently confirm the attribution.

The malicious tool deployed in this case, named TCDSB by researchers, was disguised as a legitimate Windows DLL and designed to evade monitoring tools. The code appears to be a modified variant of EDRSandBlast, a known framework used to circumvent endpoint detection systems.

Modifications introduced in TCDSB are believed to enable interference with operating system components, suppressing alerts typically generated when new processes are initiated or external files loaded. Kaspersky reported multiple instances of the tool but did not identify affected organisations.

While no specific nation-state connection has been confirmed, ToddyCat has previously been associated with activities targeting institutions in Europe and Asia, as well as digital infrastructure in locations such as Taiwan and Vietnam. Some prior research has linked the group to broader cyber-espionage efforts attributed to Chinese interests.

According to ESET, successful use of the CVE-2024-11859 vulnerability requires existing administrative access to the target system, limiting the attack vector to post-compromise scenarios.

Kaspersky noted that the group employs a range of tunnelling techniques for data exfiltration, including abuse of virtual private networks and cloud services, often maintaining multiple exfiltration routes to ensure persistence even when individual channels are disrupted.

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Osney Capital invests in the UK’s cybersecurity innovation

Osney Capital has launched the UK’s first specialist cybersecurity seed fund, focused on investing in promising cybersecurity startups at the Pre-Seed and Seed stages.

The fund, which raised more than its initial £50 million target, will write cheques between £250k and £2.5 million and has the capacity for follow-on investments in Series A rounds.

Led by Adam Cragg, Josh Walter, and Paul Wilkes, the Osney Capital team brings decades of experience in cybersecurity and early-stage investing. Instead of relying on generalist investors, the fund will offer tailored support to early-stage companies, addressing the unique challenges in the cybersecurity sector.

The UK cybersecurity industry has grown to £13.2 billion in 2025, driven by complex cyber threats, regulatory pressures, and the rapid adoption of AI. The fund aims to capitalise on this growth, tapping into the strong talent pipeline boosted by UK universities and specialised cybersecurity programs.

Supported by cornerstone investments from the British Business Bank and accredited by the UK’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund, Osney Capital’s mission is to back the next generation of cybersecurity founders and help them scale globally competitive businesses.

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Thailand strengthens cybersecurity with Google Cloud

Thailand’s National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) has joined forces with Google Cloud to strengthen the country’s cyber resilience, using AI-based tools and shared threat intelligence instead of relying solely on traditional defences.

The collaboration aims to better protect public agencies and citizens against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

A key part of the initiative involves deploying Google Cloud Cybershield for centralised monitoring of security events across government bodies. Instead of having fragmented monitoring systems, this unified approach will help streamline incident detection and response.

The partnership also brings advanced training for cybersecurity personnel in the public sector, alongside regular threat intelligence sharing.

Google Cloud Web Risk will be integrated into government operations to automatically block websites hosting malware and phishing content, instead of relying on manual checks.

Google further noted the impact of its anti-scam technology in Google Play Protect, which has prevented over 6.6 million high-risk app installation attempts in Thailand since its 2024 launch—enhancing mobile safety for millions of users.

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European Commission targets end-to-end encryption and proposes expanding Europol’s powers into an EU-level FBI equivalent

The European Commission announced ProtectEU, a new internal security strategy that sets out the broad priorities it intends to pursue in the coming years in response to evolving security challenges. While the document outlines strategic objectives, it does not include specific legislative proposals.

The Commission highlighted the need to revisit the European Union’s approach to internal security, citing what it described as ‘a changed security environment and an evolving geopolitical landscape.’ Among the identified challenges are hybrid threats from state and non-state actors, organised crime, and increasing levels of online criminal activity.

One of the key elements of the strategy is the proposed strengthening of Europol’s operational role. The Commission suggests developing Europol into a truly operational police agency to reinforce support to member states, with the capacity to assist in cross-border, large-scale, and complex investigations that present serious risks to the Union’s internal security.

That would bring Europol closer in function to agencies such as the US Federal Bureau of Investigation. The strategy also notes the Commission’s intention to develop roadmaps on ‘lawful and effective access to data for law enforcement’ and encryption.

The strategy aims to ‘identify and assess technological solutions that would enable law enforcement authorities to access encrypted data lawfully, safeguarding cybersecurity and fundamental rights.’ These issues continue to be the subject of technical and legal discussion across jurisdictions.

Other aspects of the strategy address long-standing challenges within the EU’s security framework, including limited situational awareness and coordination at the executive level. The strategy proposes enhancing intelligence-sharing through the EU’s Single Intelligence Analysis Capacity, a mechanism for the voluntary sharing of intelligence by member states, which is currently supported by open-source analysis.

The report further emphasised that the effectiveness of any reforms in this area would depend on the commitment of member states, citing ongoing challenges related to differing national priorities and levels of political alignment. In addition, the Commission announced its intention to propose a new Cybersecurity Act and new measures to secure cloud and telecom services and develop technological sovereignty.

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Singapore issues new guidelines to strengthen resilience and security of cloud services and data centres

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has issued new Advisory Guidelines (AGs) intended to support the resilience and security of Cloud Services and Data Centres (DCs) in Singapore. The guidelines set out best practices for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) and DC operators, aiming to reduce service disruptions and limit their potential impact on economic and social functions.

A wide range of digital services—including online banking, ride-hailing, e-commerce, and digital identity systems—depend on the continued availability of cloud infrastructure and data centre operations. Service interruptions may affect the delivery of these services.

The AGs encourage service providers to adopt measures that improve their ability to recover from outages and maintain operational continuity. The AGs recommend various practices to address risks associated with technical misconfigurations, physical incidents, and cybersecurity threats.

Key proposals include conducting risk and business impact assessments, establishing business continuity arrangements, and strengthening cybersecurity capabilities. For Cloud Services, the guidelines outline seven measures to reinforce security and resilience.

These cover security testing, access controls, data governance, and disaster recovery planning. Concerning Data Centres, the AGs provide a framework for business continuity management to minimise operational disruptions and maintain high service availability.

That involves the implementation of relevant policies, operational controls, and ongoing review processes. The development of the AGs forms part of wider national efforts led by the inter-agency task force on the Resilience and Security of Digital Infrastructure and Services.

These guidelines are intended to complement regulatory initiatives, including planned amendments to the Cybersecurity Act and the Digital Infrastructure Act (DIA) introduction, which will establish requirements for critical digital infrastructure providers such as major CSPs and DC operators. To inform the guidelines, the IMDA conducted consultations with a broad range of stakeholders, including CSPs, DC operators, and end user enterprises across sectors such as banking, healthcare, and digital platforms.

The AGs will be updated periodically to reflect technological developments, incident learnings, and further industry input. A coordinated approach is encouraged across the digital services ecosystem. Businesses that provide digital services are advised to assess operational risks and establish appropriate business continuity plans to support service reliability.

The AGs also refer to international standards, including IMDA’s Multi-Tier Cloud Security Standard, the Cloud Security Alliance Cloud Controls Matrix, ISO 27001, and ISO 22301. Providers are encouraged to designate responsible personnel to oversee resilience and security efforts.

These guidelines form part of Singapore’s broader strategy to strengthen its digital infrastructure. The government will continue to engage with sectoral regulators and stakeholders to promote resilience, cybersecurity awareness, and preparedness across industries and society.

As digital systems evolve, sustained attention to infrastructure resilience and security remains essential. The AGs are intended to support organisations in maintaining reliable services while aligning with recognised standards and best practices.

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Australia’s largest pension funds face coordinated cyber attacks

Several of Australia’s largest pension funds have recently been under suspected cyberattacks, exposing sensitive personal data and leading to confirmed financial losses in some cases.

AustralianSuper, the country’s biggest fund, confirmed that hackers used stolen passwords to access around 600 accounts, resulting in a reported A$500,000 loss from four members.

Rest Super, which manages A$93 billion for two million members, reported unauthorised access affecting about 8,000 accounts.

The fund quickly shut down its member portal and launched an investigation, stating that while personal information was accessed, no money was taken during the incident.

Other major superannuation providers, including Hostplus, Australian Retirement Trust (ART), and Insignia Financial, also reported suspicious activity.

ART detected login attempts across hundreds of accounts but confirmed no theft, while Insignia acknowledged attempted breaches with no reported losses.

Authorities believe the attacks were primarily conducted using ‘credential stuffing,’ a method where attackers use passwords leaked in unrelated breaches to access other platforms.

Here, the continued risks of weak password reuse are highlighted, as well as the importance of additional protections like two-factor authentication.

In response to the breaches, the National Cyber Security Coordinator of Australia, Michelle McGuinness, has initiated a government-wide review in cooperation with regulators and industry representatives.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed the attacks, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity defences.

Superannuation funds are contacting affected members and urging all users to update their credentials and take additional precautions.

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UK’s Royal Mail investigates major data breach

Royal Mail is investigating a significant cybersecurity incident after a hacker known as ‘GHNA’ claimed to have leaked 144GB of sensitive customer data. The files were allegedly obtained through Spectos, a third-party analytics provider, and posted on the BreachForums platform. While the leaked information includes names, addresses, parcel data, and internal recordings, Royal Mail stated that its delivery services remain unaffected.

Spectos confirmed a breach on 29 March, explaining that the attack stemmed from a 2021 malware infection that compromised an employee’s credentials. Cybersecurity firm Hudson Rock linked the same login data to another recent attack involving Samsung. The exposed dataset includes thousands of files containing mailing lists from Mailchimp, Zoom meetings, logistics details, and a WordPress database, raising concerns about the security of Royal Mail’s extended network.

The breach is the latest in a series of cyber incidents targeting the UK’s Royal Mail, following a 2023 ransomware attack that halted international shipping and a 2022 outage in its tracking systems. While the full extent of the latest leak remains under investigation, experts warn that prolonged access to internal systems may have occurred before the data was released. No public notification procedures have yet been confirmed.

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UK government announces new cyber bill to strengthen national defences and protect critical infrastructure

The UK government has unveiled plans for a new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill aimed at enhancing the country’s ability to defend against the growing risk of cyber threats. Scheduled to be introduced later this year, the Bill forms a key part of the government’s broader strategy to protect critical national infrastructure (CNI), support economic growth, and ensure the resilience of the UK’s digital landscape.

The forthcoming legislation will focus on bolstering the cyber resilience of essential services—such as healthcare, energy, and IT providers—that underpin the economy and daily life. Around 1,000 vital service providers will be required to meet strengthened cyber security standards under the new rules. These measures are designed to safeguard supply chains and key national functions from increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks affecting both public and private sectors.

In addition, the government is considering extending cyber security regulations to over 200 data centres across the country. These centres are integral to the functioning of modern finance, e-commerce, and digital communication. By improving their security, the government hopes to safeguard services that rely heavily on data, such as online banking, shopping platforms, and social media.

If adopted, the government’s proposals include:

  • Expanding the scope of the NIS Regulations. The scope of the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations would be broadened to include a wider range of organisations and suppliers. This expansion would bring data centres, Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and other critical suppliers under the regulatory framework, ensuring that more entities are held to high standards of cyber security and resilience.
  • Enhanced regulatory powers. Regulators would be equipped with additional tools to strengthen cyber resilience within the sectors they oversee. This includes new obligations for organisations to report a broader range of significant cyber incidents, enabling faster and more informed responses to emerging threats.
  • Greater Flexibility to Adapt. The government would gain increased flexibility to update the framework in line with the evolving threat landscape. This means regulations could be swiftly extended to cover new and emerging sectors, ensuring the UK remains agile in the face of dynamic cyber risks.
  • New Executive Powers for National Security. In circumstances where national security is at stake, the government would be granted new executive powers to act decisively in response to serious cyber threats.

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