Global Cyber Pulse : 03 February 2025

February 3, 2025 | Cybersecurity
By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS

Cybersecurity takes center stage as India boosts its cyber defense budget to ₹1,900 crore amid rising digital fraud. Meanwhile, China’s AI chatbot DeepSeek sees a surge in Indian downloads, sparking privacy concerns. In the U.S., insurance giant Globe Life discloses a data breach affecting 850,000 more customers, while CISA warns of backdoors in Contec CMS8000 medical devices, posing serious patient risks.

Cybercriminals exploit fake wedding invitations to spread Android malware in Southeast Asia, hijacking banking and messaging accounts. In Connecticut, a major healthcare provider reports a breach affecting over a million patients. With cyberattacks escalating across sectors, experts urge stronger security measures to protect critical infrastructure, personal data, and global digital ecosystems.

India Allocates â‚ą1,900 Crore for Cybersecurity in 2025 Budget

The Indian government has increased its cybersecurity budget to over â‚ą1,900 crore, up from â‚ą1,600 crore in 2024, to combat rising cyber threats. Key allocations include â‚ą782 crore for cybersecurity projects, â‚ą255 crore for CERT-In, and â‚ą900 crore for the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems.

However, funding for cybersecurity initiatives focused on women and children has dropped to ₹44.39 crore from ₹52.85 crore. With digital frauds escalating, the budget aims to strengthen India’s defenses against cybercrime, securing critical infrastructure and financial networks from growing threats.

Globe Life Data Breach May Affect 850,000 More Customers

Insurance giant Globe Life has disclosed that a June 2024 cyberattack may have impacted an additional 850,000 customers. Initially, the company reported that only 5,000 individuals were affected, but further investigation revealed that hackers accessed databases linked to independent agencies.

The breach exposed sensitive personal data, prompting Globe Life to notify potentially impacted customers and offer credit monitoring. The attack underscores ongoing cybersecurity vulnerabilities in financial and healthcare sectors. Globe Life, with a $12 billion market cap, continues working with cybersecurity experts to assess and mitigate the full extent of the breach.

India Leads Global Surge in DeepSeek AI Chatbot Downloads

India has emerged as the largest contributor to downloads of China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot, which has become the most downloaded mobile app across 140 countries. Since its January 2025 launch, DeepSeek has amassed 16 million downloads in 18 days, with 15.6% coming from India.

The app has maintained its No. 1 position on Apple’s App Store. However, concerns over data privacy and cybersecurity risks have led hundreds of organizations and government agencies to block access. Analysts warn that its rapid adoption raises questions about data security, particularly as AI-powered platforms gain influence worldwide.

CISA Warns of Backdoor in Contec CMS8000 Medical Devices

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a warning about vulnerabilities in Contec CMS8000 patient monitors. Researchers found a hidden backdoor in the firmware that secretly transmits patient data to an unauthorized IP address and allows remote code execution.

Contec, a China-based healthcare technology firm, faces scrutiny as its devices are widely used in hospitals worldwide. The backdoor enables hackers to take full control of patient monitors without detection. CISA urges healthcare providers to disconnect affected devices and implement urgent security measures to prevent unauthorized data access and system compromise.

Hackers Spread Android Malware via Fake Wedding Invitations

Cybercriminals are using fake wedding invitations to distribute a new Android malware, Tria, targeting users in Malaysia and Brunei. Disguised as wedding invites sent via Telegram and WhatsApp, the malware tricks users into installing a malicious app that steals data from emails, SMS messages, and call logs.

Once infected, victims risk having their banking details and messaging accounts compromised. Researchers warn that attackers use Telegram bots to process stolen data, gaining control of WhatsApp and Telegram accounts for further scams. Experts advise users to avoid installing unknown apps and verify invitations before clicking links.

Data Breach at Connecticut’s Community Health Center Affects Over 1 Million Patients

Community Health Center (CHC), a leading Connecticut healthcare provider, has confirmed a cyberattack affecting 1,060,936 patients. Hackers infiltrated its network in October 2024, but the breach was only discovered in January 2025. Although CHC’s operations were not disrupted, sensitive personal and medical data were stolen. Investigators identified a skilled criminal hacker as the perpetrator, raising concerns over healthcare cybersecurity.

CHC is notifying affected individuals and reinforcing its security measures. With increasing cyber threats targeting medical institutions, experts urge stronger defenses to safeguard patient data and healthcare infrastructure from future attacks.