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Social Engineering Stories - Page 15

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Social Engineering stories

Weak passwords expose systems and infrastructure risks
Data Protection

Weak passwords expose systems and infrastructure risks

Weak logins are still putting power grids, hospitals and water systems at risk as experts mark World Password Day with fresh warnings.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Thu, 7th May 2026
Microsoft tops phishing brand rankings in first quarter
Malware

Microsoft tops phishing brand rankings in first quarter

Phishing campaigns are increasingly targeting credentials, payments and malware delivery, with Microsoft alone accounting for 22% of brand impersonation attempts.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 6th May 2026
Genetec urges tighter identity controls for security systems
Firewalls

Genetec urges tighter identity controls for security systems

AI-driven attacks are exposing weak passwords on cameras and access controls, prompting calls for stricter governance across physical security systems.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 4 min read • Wed, 6th May 2026
Why 'strong passwords' can't save you from AI
Ransomware

Why 'strong passwords' can't save you from AI

AI has made stolen credentials and careless copy-paste habits a bigger risk than password strength, with scams and breaches accelerating.

By Raymond Schippers • 4 min read • Wed, 6th May 2026
Microsoft reports 8.3bn phishing threats as QR codes surge
Multi-factor authentication

Microsoft reports 8.3bn phishing threats as QR codes surge

QR code phishing climbed sharply in the quarter, exposing email users to more mobile-led credential theft despite disruption of major infrastructure.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Tue, 5th May 2026
State actors target defence suppliers in long game
Firewalls

State actors target defence suppliers in long game

Small defence contractors are left exposed as state-backed hackers spend years mapping supply chains and laying covert access routes before striking.

By Joseph Gabriel Lagonsin • 5 min read • Tue, 5th May 2026
World Password Day faces calls to move beyond passwords
Data Protection

World Password Day faces calls to move beyond passwords

Security chiefs say AI agents and credential theft are making password-only defences too risky as World Password Day returns.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Tue, 5th May 2026
Identity stays top attack surface as threats broaden
Malware

Identity stays top attack surface as threats broaden

Broader attacker activity is increasingly moving beyond stolen credentials, even as identity still accounted for 58.7% of incidents in Q1 2026.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • Tue, 5th May 2026
KnowBe4 finds 86% of phishing attacks now AI-driven
Unified Communications

KnowBe4 finds 86% of phishing attacks now AI-driven

Threats are spreading beyond inboxes as phishing shifts into Teams, calendars and other collaboration tools, raising the risk for hybrid workers.

By Sean Mitchell • 3 min read • Mon, 4th May 2026
Why service desks are emerging as a critical security weakness
Virtual Private Networks

Why service desks are emerging as a critical security weakness

Attackers are exploiting help functions to reset credentials and bypass defences, putting entire networks at risk through a single call.

By Christopher Hills • 4 min read • Mon, 4th May 2026
Outtake launches Recon Agent to trace AI attacks early
Firewalls

Outtake launches Recon Agent to trace AI attacks early

Security teams can now trace AI-led attacks before phishing begins, as Outtake targets lookalike domains, bot networks and fake accounts.

By Catherine Knowles • 3 min read • Sat, 2nd May 2026
Qilin drives 43% rise in ransomware attacks
Ransomware

Qilin drives 43% rise in ransomware attacks

Ransomware activity stayed elevated in March, with NCC Group saying Qilin alone was linked to 136 attacks and drove a 43% monthly rise.

By Catherine Knowles • 4 min read • Sat, 2nd May 2026
OpenAI & Yubico launch phishing-resistant YubiKeys
Data Protection

OpenAI & Yubico launch phishing-resistant YubiKeys

ChatGPT users can now buy a discounted two-pack of hardware keys designed to block phishing and protect sensitive accounts.

By Mark Tarre • 4 min read • Fri, 1st May 2026
Microsoft warns of surge in QR code phishing attacks
Firewalls

Microsoft warns of surge in QR code phishing attacks

Businesses faced a sharp rise in image-based scams as QR code phishing jumped 146% in the first quarter, Microsoft said.

By Mark Tarre • 5 min read • Fri, 1st May 2026
AI is biggest cyber threat to CISOs, NCC Group warns
Firewalls

AI is biggest cyber threat to CISOs, NCC Group warns

Businesses face rising exposure as AI is used to sharpen phishing, while insecure in-house tools and weak controls widen attack surfaces.

By Shannon Williams • 4 min read • Thu, 30th Apr 2026

Stories from Other Regions

Social Engineering stories

UK cyber survey criticised over AI threat blindness
Data Protection

UK cyber survey criticised over AI threat blindness

UK businesses are leaving gaps in incident response and backup planning as experts warn AI-assisted attacks are outpacing policy.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 9 min read • Fri, 1st May 2026
Abnormal AI names three executives amid attack surge
Software-as-a-Service

Abnormal AI names three executives amid attack surge

Rising AI-driven phishing is forcing cyber security vendors to bolster defences, as Abnormal AI adds senior leaders in product, customer success and legal.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Thu, 30th Apr 2026
Singapore phishing drill cuts clicks as training pays
Data Protection

Singapore phishing drill cuts clicks as training pays

Repeated phishing training helped cut Singapore staff click rates to 7.4% from 17%, despite more than 8,500 fake emails sent.

By Mark Tarre • 3 min read • Thu, 30th Apr 2026