Latest news with #SafetyDetectives
Phone Arena
2 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
Verizon users should be on their guard after post from hacker
A hacker claims to have stolen data on 61 million Verizon customers and are offering the information for sale. SafetyDetectives reports that cybercriminals have posted data samples on a popular forum where stolen information is often put up for sale. The forum is frequented by bad actors and is a marketplace of sorts for leaks and cracks. Apparently, 61 million records, which total 3.1GB in size, were stolen sometime this year. For now, the hacker has only posted two screenshots as proof of the theft and they look legitimate. That said, it hasn't been independently verified whether the data belongs to Verizon customers. Hackers have posted some samples online to prove they stole data from Verizon in 2025. | Image Credit - SafetyDetectives The dataset contains sensitive details such as first name, last name, date of birth, tax ID, full address, phone numbers, email address, and IP address. People have already started expressing interest in the full dataset, which can be purchased from the hacker. The hacker is asking for payment for access to all records. | Image Credit - SafetyDetectives While it's entirely possible that Verizon wasn't breached and someone is just trying to make a quick buck by claiming to be in the position of customer records, the reverse can also be true. That's why, it's recommended that Verizon customers stay on the safe side by being a little more vigilant and careful. Customers should be wary of all communications from unknown sources, particularly those asking them for personal information or pressing them for urgent action. They should also try to limit personal information available online and make their profiles more secure and private. Verizon subscribers should also keep an eye out for any unauthorized transactions on bank statements and transaction history. These precautionary steps will strengthen your defense against any potential consequences of the breach, including identity theft, phishing attacks, account takeover, and financial fraud. Verizon may not necessarily be at fault here and it's possible that security holes at a third-party partner made the theft possible. Either way, this is the last thing a customer who has entrusted their information to a company wants to hear. Interestingly, a similar claim was made about T-Mobile earlier this month, but the company rejected them. So while there's hopefully nothing to worry about, it's best not to take any chances and protect yourself in whatever way you can. We've reached out to Verizon for a comment and will update the story when we have a response. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Forbes
25-04-2025
- Forbes
60 Seconds From Attacked To Hacked — Act Now, Stay Safe
It only takes 60 seconds to get scammed. Some hack attacks play the long game, with complex schemes designed to lure you into dropping your defenses, or multi-stage exploits to deliver their threat, while others prefer the more direct approach. When it comes to phishing, those socially engineered attacks that prey on your emotions such as fear and greed, the impact can be almost immediate. A new report has now confirmed just how quickly your accounts can be compromised by such scammers: from attacked to hacked in just a minute. The rise of AI has impacted almost every industry, including cybersecurity. While defenders implement AI-powered protections to help keep you and your data safe from fast-evolving threats, attackers use AI to drive their campaigns. One threat area where we have seen this perhaps more than any others is phishing. An April 23 report authored by Shipra Sanganeria, a researcher at Safety Detectives, confirmed that 'the advent of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT and other LLM models, has allowed scammers to craft highly personalized, more convincing, and grammatically flawless messages that mimic the writing styles of legitimate organizations.' These phishing attacks are not only evolving, they are speeding up. The research revealed that, on average, Sanganeria said, 'it takes a user around 60 seconds to fall for a phishing scam.' The research found that it took 21 seconds to click on the phishing link in an email or text message, and another 28 seconds for the victim to enter their account credentials at a cloned login site. Just a minute from attacked to hacked. If that doesn't shock you into taking the threat seriously, then I'm afraid to say nothing will. To manage the risk posed by cybercriminals, it is essential for everyone, individuals and organizations alike, to adapt and evolve, just as the attackers are adapting and evolving. 'By staying informed and proactive,' Sanganeria concluded, 'we can reduce the impact of phishing scams and make our digital lives safer.' To ignore this advice is to increase the chance that you, too, will join the ranks of those hacked in 60 seconds. Check out this phishing mitigation advice for more help.
