By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS Cybertech
Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹8 Lakh in Fixed Deposit Scam
A resident of Chandigarh’s Sector 39-B lost ₹8 lakh from her fixed deposit after falling prey to an online fraud on February 28. It began with a suspicious debit alert and back-to-back OTPs, which the victim initially dismissed. A visit to the bank revealed the fixed deposit had been siphoned off.
Bank staff quickly froze the account to prevent more losses. Authorities believe fraudsters manipulated the linked mobile number and online access to facilitate the theft. The police have launched a probe under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case highlights vulnerabilities in digital banking systems.
Akira Ransomware Hits Hitachi Vantara, Forces Server Shutdown
Hitachi Vantara, the data infrastructure arm of Hitachi, was hit by an Akira ransomware attack over the weekend, forcing it to take servers offline. As reported by Bleeping Computer, the firm, which supports major clients like BMW and Telefónica, confirmed the breach and has brought in cybersecurity specialists to assess the extent of the damage. In a statement, Hitachi said efforts are underway to restore affected systems.
The incident represents the growing threat of ransomware, even to companies offering cyber recovery solutions. Hitachi has not disclosed whether data was stolen or if a ransom was paid, but containment and recovery measures are ongoing.
Scattered Spider Suspected Behind Marks & Spencer Cyberattack
Marks & Spencer continues to face operational disruptions after a ransomware attack reportedly linked to the Scattered Spider hacker group. The British retail giant acknowledged the cyber incident last week, which affected contactless payments, online ordering, and warehouse operations.
Sky News reports around 200 warehouse staff were asked to stay home as investigations continue. M&S, which employs 64,000 people globally, has not publicly confirmed the threat actor but is working to resolve system issues. The attack illustrates growing concerns about retail cybersecurity, especially from advanced hacking groups targeting large enterprises with disruptive ransomware campaigns.
Urban One Confirms Breach, Hackers Access Employee Data
Urban One, the largest U.S. media network focused on African American audiences, has confirmed a data breach that exposed employee personal details. According to filings in Texas and Massachusetts, the breach began on February 13 through a social engineering attack and was detected only on March 15.
Forensic analysis later confirmed that hackers stole sensitive data, including names, Social Security numbers, bank details, and W-2 forms. The company is offering two years of credit monitoring to affected individuals and has informed law enforcement. Operations remain unaffected, but the breach has impacted at least 355 individuals in Texas alone.
Zimperium Warns: Half of Mobile Devices Are Cyber Vulnerable
According to Zimperium’s 2025 Global Mobile Threat Report, 50% of mobile devices are running outdated operating systems, making them easy targets for cybercriminals. The report highlights a sharp rise in mobile-specific threats, including a spike in app vulnerabilities and phishing attacks.
Notably, smishing—phishing via SMS—now accounts for 69.3% of all mobile phishing cases, with vishing and smishing incidents rising 28% and 22% respectively. As smartphones become essential tools in both personal and professional lives, the findings underscore the urgent need for timely updates, better mobile security practices, and greater awareness around mobile-based social engineering scams.
