By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
Cybersecurity threats are escalating globally, with Indian government entities witnessing a 138% surge in cyber-attacks between 2019 and 2023, rising from 85,797 to 2,04,844 incidents, showcasing the growing sophistication of cybercriminal tactics.
In Europe, Europol dismantled an international cybercrime network on December 3, arresting eight individuals running Airbnb scam call centers to defraud victims across the continent. Meanwhile, ransomware attacks continue to disrupt critical sectors, with Artivion, a global medical device company, facing operational challenges after a November 21 breach, and Anna Jaques Hospital grappling with the exposure of 310,000 patient records leaked on the dark web.
Cybercriminals are also targeting Web3 professionals using fake video conferencing apps like “Meeten,” deploying the Realst malware via Telegram-based investment scams. In India, Tamil Nadu Police arrested 70 cybercriminals in Operation Thiraineeku, busting ₹42 crore in fraud and addressing 135 cases in just three days.
138% Surge in Cyber Attacks on Indian Government Entities from 2019 to 2023
The frequency of cyber-attacks on government entities in India has risen by a staggering 138% over four years, according to Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Jitin Prasada.
Reported incidents have escalated from 85,797 in 2019 to 2,04,844 in 2023, highlighting a sharp increase in the sophistication of cybercriminal tactics, including phishing, smishing, ransomware, and website hacks.
Europol Busts International Cybercrime Ring Running Airbnb Scam Call Centers
Europol has dismantled an international cybercrime network responsible for stealing millions of euros through phishing scams. Eight suspects were arrested in Belgium and the Netherlands on December 3 after simultaneous raids in 17 locations.
The criminals allegedly rented Airbnb properties to set up call centers, impersonating bank employees to defraud victims across Europe via email, SMS, and WhatsApp.
Artivion Suffers Ransomware Attack, Disrupting Global Medical Device Operations
Artivion, a global leader in heart surgery devices, disclosed a ransomware attack on November 21 that forced the company to take systems offline.
The Atlanta-based firm is collaborating with cybersecurity and forensic experts to investigate and mitigate the breach, which has impacted its manufacturing and global sales operations.
Anna Jaques Hospital Ransomware Attack Exposes Data of 310,000 Patients
A ransomware attack on Anna Jaques Hospital last December exposed sensitive health data for over 310,000 patients. Threat actors leaked stolen data samples on the dark web, escalating concerns over the privacy of patient information. The hospital, a critical healthcare provider in Massachusetts, continues to address the fallout of the breach.
Fake Video Call Apps Used to Steal Web3 Data in New Malware Campaign
Cybercriminals are targeting Web3 professionals with fake video conferencing apps disguised as legitimate meeting tools. Dubbed “Meeten,” the campaign involves fake companies using AI-generated identities to lure victims into downloading the Realst info-stealer malware.
Victims are approached on Telegram with investment opportunities and tricked into installing malicious apps.
Operation Thiraineeku: Tamil Nadu Police Arrest 70 Cybercriminals in Massive Crackdown
Tamil Nadu Police apprehended 70 suspects linked to ₹42 crore in cyber fraud during a three-day operation, “Thiraineeku.”
Leveraging data from the NCRP and I4C portals, special teams targeted cybercrime networks across the state, resolving 135 cases under the supervision of ADGP Sandeep Mittal.
