Author: HackWatchit

, my research at Multitel has focused on fine-grained visual classification (FGVC). Specifically, I worked on building a robust car classifier that can work in real-time on edge devices. This post is part of what may become a small series of reflections on this experience. I’m writing to share some of the lessons I learned but also to organize and compound what I’ve learned. At the same time, I hope this gives a sense of the kind of high-level engineering and applied research we do at Multitel, work that blends academic rigor with real-world constraints. Whether you’re a fellow researcher,…

Cybercriminal groups peddling sophisticated phishing kits that convert stolen card data into mobile wallets have recently shifted their focus to targeting customers of brokerage services, new research shows. Undeterred by security controls at these trading platforms that block users from wiring funds directly out of accounts, the phishers have pivoted to using multiple compromised brokerage accounts in unison to manipulate the prices of foreign stocks. Image: Shutterstock, WhataWin. This so-called ‘ramp and dump‘ scheme borrows its name from age-old “pump and dump” scams, wherein fraudsters purchase a large number of shares in some penny stock, and then promote the company…

In this Help Net Security video, Hal Lonas, CTO at Trulioo, talks about the rise of synthetic identity fraud and how it’s quickly becoming one of the biggest threats in financial crime. He breaks down how fraudsters are using generative AI to create fake but convincing documents and deepfakes that can fool both people and machines. Lonas also shares practical tips for fighting back, including smarter identity checks, AI-powered detection tools, and strategies that help companies stay ahead of sophisticated attacks.

The U.S. Justice Department authorized the seizure of more than $2.8 million in cryptocurrency, cash, and other assets from a suspected ransomware operator, according to an Aug. 14 announcement.Federal prosecutors unsealed six warrants tied to Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, charging him with conspiring to commit computer fraud and abuse, committing computer fraud and abuse, and conspiracy to commit money laundering.In addition to the crypto, authorities also seized $70,000 in cash and a luxury vehicle. The digital assets seized in the raid are expected to be added to the government’s growing crypto reserve.According to the Justice Department, the assets were linked to…

Obot MCP Gateway is a free, open-source gateway that enables IT organizations to securely manage and scale adoption of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. MCPs are becoming the standard for how AI agents interface with real-world systems. Without a control layer, organizations risk shadow infrastructure, data exposure, and fragmented adoption. “MCP servers are the connective tissue between AI and the enterprise,” said Sheng Liang, CEO of Acorn Labs. “But without proper controls, they create more chaos than value. Obot gives IT the governance they need, and users the access they want, so AI can actually start driving business impact at…

Nozomi Networks Inc., vendor of OT, IoT and CPS security solutions, and Schneider Electric, a vendor of energy management and automation, announced Wednesday the industry’s first security sensor that runs embedded in Schneider Electric remote terminal units (RTUs). It delivers fully integrated security layer from an independent vendor delivers comprehensive protection for field-to-central control system data sharing. With Nozomi Arc Embedded in Schneider SCADAPack 47xi Smart RTUs, security and operations teams gain previously unavailable visibility at the control device layer of their industrial automation equipment and field assets as well as the ability to analyze and deter control device-level threats…

New NFC-Driven Android Trojan PhantomCard targets Brazilian bank customers Pierluigi Paganini August 15, 2025 PhantomCard, an NFC-driven Android Trojan in Brazil, relays card data to fraudsters, spread via fake Google Play “card protection” apps. ThreatFabric warns of PhantomCard, a new Android NFC-driven trojan targeting Brazilian banking customers and possibly expanding globally. The malicious code is based on Chinese NFC relay Malware-as-a-Service, it relays victims’ card data to fraudsters for cash-out. The threat actor behind this campaign is a known reseller of Android threats in Brazil, distributing the malware via fake “Google Play” pages posing as card protection apps. In July 2025, ThreatFabric…

Malicious software, also called malware, refers to any program or code engineered to harm or exploit computer systems, networks and devices. It affects your phone’s functionality, especially if you jailbreak your device—that is, opening your iOS to additional features, apps, and themes.  The risks associated with a malware infection can range from poor device performance to stolen data. Cybercriminals typically use it to extract data—from financial data and healthcare records to emails and passwords—that they can leverage over victims for financial gain.  Thanks to their closed ecosystem, built-in security features, and strict policies on third-party apps, Apple devices tend to…

Thai police arrest SMS Blaster operator in smishing scam and bust crypto laundering gang moving $30M monthly through cross-border networks. Learn how law enforcement arrested on-the-ground scam operators with SMS blasters and dismantled a cross-border money laundering network. A series of successful operations by Thai law enforcement has led to the disruption of two distinct cybercrime rings. In separate cases, police have targeted the low-level operators of physical scam equipment and a high-level, international money laundering network. On Sunday, according to Thai daily newspaper Khaosod, the Technology Crime Suppression Division of the Thai police, in partnership with the country’s largest…