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The Citizen
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
SA's Treasury discovers malware as hackers exploit Microsoft flaw
Hackers reportedly breached hundreds of government agencies and companies around the world by exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft's SharePoint server software. Most of the victims are in the US, followed by Mauritius, Jordan, South Africa and the Netherlands. Picture: iStock As South Africa continues to be a target of cybercriminals, ranking 27th globally among the most breached countries, the National Treasury (NT) has confirmed that it found malware on its Infrastructure Reporting Model website, an online infrastructure reporting and monitoring system. Treasury stated the issue was related to the recent attacks on SharePoint, a widely used web-based platform developed by Microsoft for collaboration and document management. Government agencies Hackers reportedly breached hundreds of government agencies and companies worldwide by exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft's SharePoint server software. Most of the victims are in the US, followed by Mauritius, Jordan, South Africa and the Netherlands. ALSO READ: South Africa remains a global hotspot for data breaches The National Nuclear Security Administration, the US agency responsible for maintaining and designing the nation's cache of nuclear weapons, was among those breached, Bloomberg reported earlier. SA Treasury Microsoft issued patches for two versions of the software, noting that one, SharePoint 2016, remains vulnerable to attacks. 'Considering recent media reports since Sunday regarding security incidents affecting Microsoft platforms in the USA, NT has requested Microsoft's assistance in identifying and addressing any potential vulnerabilities within its Information and Communication Technology (ICT) environment,' Treasury said. Malicious activities Treasury said it processes over 200 000 emails each day and facilitates more than 400 000 user connections through its websites daily. 'On average, the NT ICT team successfully detects and blocks approximately 5 800 security threats directed at NT systems every day, showcasing the department's commitment to maintaining a secure digital environment. ALSO READ: Data breaches cost SA organisations over R360m in 3 years 'These threats encompass a range of malicious activities, including phishing attempts, malware infections, and spam attacks,' Treasury said. Treasury added that despite these events, its systems and websites continue to operate normally without any disruption. 'China blamed' The newly discovered security flaws in SharePoint enable hackers to access SharePoint servers and steal keys that can allow them to impersonate users or services, potentially granting deep access to compromised networks and enabling the theft of confidential data. Microsoft accused Chinese state-sponsored hackers known as Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon of being behind the attacks on Tuesday. Another hacking group based in China, which Microsoft refers to as Storm-2603, also exploited them, according to the company. The hacks are among the latest major breaches that Microsoft has attributed, at least in part, to China, and they come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over global security and trade. The US has repeatedly accused China of campaigns that have allegedly stolen government and corporate secrets over a period spanning decades. ALSO READ: Microsoft working on global outages, Capitec says banking services restored
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
South Africa remains a global hotspot for data breaches
During the second quarter of the year, user account leaks averaged one every minute, a record high. South Africa continues to be the target of cybercriminals, with the country being ranked 27th of most breached globally. Picture: iStock South Africa continues to be a target of cybercriminals, ranking 27th globally in the most breached countries in the second quarter of 2025, highlighting persistent cybersecurity gaps. A new report by Surfshark has revealed that, so far in 2025, a total of 369,600 accounts have been leaked in the country. A data breach every minute The second quarter of the year hit a high, with one user account leaked every minute. Surfshark's report indicates that more than 21 000 South African accounts were breached between April and June, which translates to approximately three per 100 000 people. In total, South Africa has had a total of 124.2 million personal records exposed since 2004. On average, each email is breached with 2.9 additional data points. ALSO READ: A cyberattack every 39 seconds: Upgrade PCs to upgrade security Personal information Sarunas Sereika, product manager at Surfshark, said today's digital age requires people to share more and more personal information to carry out daily tasks. 'Whether sharing your name and address for food deliveries, or phone numbers when making a booking at a barber shop, there is no guarantee that businesses are keeping crucial information safe and secure. 'In the wrong hands, this data can be used to commit identity theft, via social media, for targeted scams or sold on the dark web — where they're traded for further illegal use,' said Sereika. Leak Surfshark's latest study showed that 161 100 accounts were leaked in the second quarter of 2025. Globally, a total of 93.6 million accounts were breached, with the US ranking first and amounting to 45% of all breaches from April through June. France takes second place, while India is third, followed by Germany and Israel. ALSO READ: Data breaches cost SA organisations over R360m in 3 years Data breach over the years Surfshark's analysis of data breaches since 2004 shows that South Africa ranks second in Africa, with 42.8 million compromised user accounts. A total of 12.7M unique emails were breached from South Africa. The report also showed that 22.7 million passwords were leaked together with South African accounts, putting 53% of breached users in danger of account takeover that might lead to identity theft, extortion or other cybercrimes. Statistically, 66 out of 100 South African people have been affected by data breaches. Global stats Countries with the highest breach density in Q2 2025 Leaked accounts per 1,000 residents France – 172 Israel – 130 United States – 123 Singapore – 26 Canada – 24 South Sudan – 23 Belgium – 21 Ireland – 16 Switzerland – 16 Germany – 15 Surfshark said a data breach happens when confidential and sensitive data gets exposed to unauthorised third parties. More needs to be done Surfshark's data breach report provides critical insight into the vulnerability of the country's cybersecurity; however, more needs to be done to protect South Africans from attack despite the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia). While artificial intelligence and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) are the most popular technologies in the news right now, there are concerns about the emerging technology landscape, which is putting people and businesses at risk. South African organisations must increasingly prioritise cybersecurity defences to safeguard their digital infrastructure and maintain trust in an interconnected world. ALSO READ: Average cost of a data breach in SA is R53.1m – Report
TimesLIVE
08-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Cache of firearms seized from MaMkhize's home belonged to Matlala's company: Ian Cameron
Police portfolio committee chair Ian Cameron has revealed the cache of firearms seized from controversial businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize's home in Durban last year belonged to the security company owned by businessman Vusumuzi 'Cat' Matlala. In November 2024, more than 40 firearms were confiscated from Mkhize's mansion during a raid by the Hawks, police and SA Revenue Service. Matlala was implicated in damning allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi against senior law enforcement officials, accusing them of interfering in cases police are investigating. Mkhwanazi said WhatsApp messages found on Matlala's phone allegedly link police minister Senzo Mchunu to communications through an associate, Brown Mogotsi. Matlala was arrested on May 14 on three counts of attempted murder. His company was awarded a R360m contract by the SA Police Service in 2024.
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Integrity commission must investigate rot in SAPS — MP Ian Cameron
The chairperson of parliament's police portfolio committee has called for skills and lifestyle audits for senior police officers after KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations about the police minister's ties to the underworld and corrupt police officers. Speaking in parliament on Monday, Ian Cameron said Mkhwanazi's damning allegations have placed the focus on the lack of integrity in the police. He said an independent body must undertake lifestyle audits of all senior officers. 'Why do I say that? There's a huge question about vetting, security clearance, [and so on] in the senior ranks of the SAPS. 'We've asked questions regarding vetting and we often hear there's a backlog with the State Security Agency and therefore vetting is behind. 'There's not one member of the police portfolio committee who doesn't constantly question the lack of lifestyle audits, and the resolution of parliament last year that a skills audit must be urgently done. The allegations are not only damning to a few individuals. It indicates a systematic weakening of the police to enable corruption and to undermine the rule of law. Ian Cameron, chair of parliament's police portfolio committee 'I go as far as saying we need to go through an entire integrity commission to get to the bottom of the rot in the SAPS,' said Cameron. Mkhwanazi alleged on Sunday he had evidence linking police minister Senzo Mchunu and his associate Brown Mogotsi from the North West to businessman Vusimusi 'Cat' Matlala. Matlala was awarded a R360m contract from the police in 2024. He is in custody for the attempted murder of socialite Teboho Thobejane and her friend, who was seriously wounded in a shooting. Mkhwanazi said investigations have revealed Matlala is financially supporting Mchunu. Cameron said if the allegations were true it explained the police's ineffectiveness in arresting criminals. 'The allegations are not only damning to a few individuals. It indicates a systematic weakening of the police to enable corruption and to undermine the rule of law.' Urgent action was needed from President Cyril Ramaphosa against police officials implicated in wrongdoing. 'We cannot continue one day [more] with criminals masquerading as police. 'The president has the responsibility to implement an intensive investigation into the corruption allegations at [the] SAPS to protect and promote the credibility of [the] SAPS,' he said. On Sunday, Ramaphosa, who is in Brazil for the Brics summit, described the allegations against Mchunu as a matter of grave national security. 'It is vital that the integrity of the country's security services is safeguarded and the rule of law is affirmed,' Ramaphosa said, calling on the affected parties to exercise discipline and restraint. 'The trading of accusations and counteraccusations threatens to undermine public confidence and sow confusion.'
The Citizen
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN police commissioner accuses minister of undermining Political Killings Task Team
KZN's police commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, held an extraordinary press briefing in Durban today, flanked by district commissioners and heavily armed members of the SAPS Special Task Force. The Witness reports that in a blistering address, he accused Police Minister Senzo Mchunu of having contact with criminal syndicates that wanted to sabotage the Political Killings Task Team. In an unprecedented public confrontation, Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu had instructed senior SAPS officials to disband the task team in March and withdraw 121 active case dockets, many involving politically motivated assassinations in the province, without authorisation from either the national commissioner or the provincial leadership. 'These dockets have been sitting idle at head office ever since,' said Mkhwanazi. The commissioner presented a timeline of what he called an 'orchestrated demise' of the task team, backed by alleged internal SAPS communications, WhatsApp messages and forensic cellphone analysis. At the centre of the storm are explosive allegations that Mchunu's alleged associate, Brown Mogotsi, was in direct contact with suspects involved in organised crime and murder cases, including Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a businessman who received a police contract worth R360m in 2024. According to the evidence presented, Mogotsi allegedly assured Matlala via WhatsApp that the unit investigating him had been 'dissolved' and that SAPS deputy national commissioner for crime detection, Lieutenant General Sibiya, was now in control of the case files. The data presented to the media included alleged communication and financial links between Matlala, Mogotsi and the minister, including apparent payments for political events and a gala dinner. 'The disbandment of the task team was not a mistake. It was a deliberate attempt to shield an organised criminal syndicate with deep roots in our law enforcement, political and judicial systems.' Since its establishment in July 2018, the Political Killings Task Team has investigated 612 dockets and secured over 100 convictions, including 29 life sentences. It was also credited with breakthroughs in syndicate-linked murders in Gauteng and at the University of Fort Hare. Mkhwanazi said the dismantling began after the team's ballistic expert linked recovered weapons to multiple high-profile killings in Gauteng, including cases involving prominent South African artists. Just days after that revelation, Mchunu allegedly issued the order to disband the unit and freeze intelligence appointments. Despite attempts to sideline the task team, Mkhwanazi confirmed that it remains operational and is pursuing a criminal investigation into what he described as 'systemic infiltration of the criminal justice system'. Reaction from the Police Ministry, SAPS national leadership and implicated parties is expected to follow. The Witness will publish more information as it becomes available. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
