By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
From AI startups to government agencies, cybersecurity remains in sharp focus globally. Chinese AI company DeepSeek faced a cyberattack, disrupting new registrations, while India’s RBI Chief urged banks to strengthen IT defenses. CERT-In flagged critical flaws in Google Chrome, prompting immediate updates, and Matagorda County, Texas, declared a disaster following a cyberattack on internal systems.
Meanwhile, Cisco Talos reported a surge in sophisticated email phishing tactics, and Brazil banned Sam Altman’s biometric data venture over privacy concerns. These incidents highlight the pressing need for robust cybersecurity measures as cyber threats grow increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
DeepSeek AI Hit by Cyber Attack, Temporarily Restricts New Registrations
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek faced a cyberattack that disrupted new user registrations. The company clarified that while new sign-ups are limited, existing users can log in normally.
The incident, initially believed to stem from high demand, was confirmed as a targeted attack on DeepSeek’s AI Assistant services. To ensure functionality, registration via mainland China phone numbers was temporarily required but later removed. Sign-up options via Google, Apple ID, and email remain available. DeepSeek, a rising competitor to Western AI platforms, assured users it is working to resolve performance issues and maintain service continuity.
RBI Chief Pushes Banks for Stronger Cybersecurity
India’s central bank governor, Sanjay Malhotra, has urged banks to bolster cybersecurity and oversee third-party service providers to mitigate risks, as reported by Reuters. Malhotra, who succeeded Shaktikanta Das in December, emphasized the need for robust IT risk management to prevent digital fraud.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) highlighted these discussions in a statement, urging enhanced vigilance over evolving cyber threats. This marks a significant early directive in Malhotra’s tenure as RBI chief, aiming to safeguard India’s financial ecosystem from the growing prevalence of cyber risks.
CERT-In Warns Google Chrome Users of Critical Flaws
India’s cybersecurity agency, CERT-In, has flagged severe vulnerabilities in Google Chrome and ChromeOS that could allow hackers to exploit sensitive data or destabilize systems. Classified as critical, the flaws affect Chrome versions prior to 132.0.6834.83/8r.
Users on Mac, Windows, and Chromebooks are urged to update their browsers immediately. These vulnerabilities stem from improper memory access, data validation, and navigation flaws. CERT-In’s advisory stresses swift action to prevent potential data breaches and maintain system stability for users across platforms.
Texas County Declares Disaster After Cyberattack
Matagorda County, Texas, declared a disaster following a cyberattack that disrupted internal systems and operations. Officials reported a breach involving a virus discovered Friday, which impacted various departments.
Judge Bobby Seiferman assured residents of ongoing efforts to secure systems, supported by cybersecurity professionals, state agencies, and the FBI. While contained, the attack temporarily disrupted services. The county, home to over 37,000 residents, continues to address vulnerabilities to safeguard sensitive information and prevent future breaches.
Surge in Hidden Text Salting Used in Email Attacks
A report from Cisco Talos reveals a spike in “hidden text salting” techniques by cybercriminals to bypass email security. Tactics include embedding zero-width spaces and hidden HTML elements to evade spam filters and confuse detection engines. These methods have been used in phishing campaigns mimicking brands like Wells Fargo.
The report emphasizes the need for organizations to implement advanced filtering mechanisms to counter this evolving threat, which has gained traction since mid-2024.
Brazil Bans Sam Altman’s Biometric Data Company Over Privacy Concerns
Brazil’s data regulator ANPD has banned Tools for Humanity (TFH), co-founded by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, from paying citizens for iris scans. The agency deemed such payments coercive and inconsistent with informed consent for sensitive biometric data collection.
TFH uses irises to create unique identifiers to differentiate humans from AI online. The ANPD has mandated transparency measures on the company’s website and halted data collection operations in Brazil. This move underscores the country’s commitment to safeguarding citizens’ digital privacy rights.