World Leaks is a cyber extortion operation that steals sensitive data from organizations and threatens to leak it via the dark web if a ransom is not paid. Read more in my article on the Fortra blog.
A disgruntled data analyst decides that the best response to losing his contract is to steal the entire company payroll database and demand $2.5 million in Bitcoin - signing his extortion emails from a company called "Loot." Meanwhile, two people drive up to the entrance of the UK's nuclear submarine base at Faslane and politely ask if they can have a look around. Tourists? Spies? Something in between? All this and more in episode 460 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and special guest Jenny Radcliffe.
Commission preliminarily finds Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos in breach of the Digital Services Act for allowing minors to access their services Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/26/2026 - 09:39 The European Commission preliminarily found Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX and XVideos in breach of the Digital Services Act (DSA) for failing to protect minors from being exposed to pornographic content on their services. In exercising their right of defence, XVideos, XNXX, Pornhub and Stripchat now have the possibility to examine the documents in the Commission's investigation files and reply in writing to the Commission's preliminary findings. Read the full press release and find further information about the: Digital Services Act - main aspects of the regulation User rights under the Digital Services Act - an overview Protecting and empowering young people online Supervision of the designated very large online platforms and search engines under DSA Related topics Better Internet for Children Strengthening trust and security Online platforms and e-commerce DSA - Digital Services Act {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
Commission investigates Snapchat's compliance with child protection rules under the Digital Services Act Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/26/2026 - 09:39 The European Commission has opened formal proceedings to investigate if Snapchat is ensuring a high level of safety, privacy and security for children online, in compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA). Snapchat may have breached the DSA by exposing minors to grooming attempts and recruitment for criminal purposes, as well as to information about the sale of illegal goods, like drugs, or age-restricted products, such as vapes and alcohol. The investigation will focus on five areas. Read the full press release and more information about the Commission services and Dutch Digital Services Coordinator joint investigation. Find further information about the: Digital Services Act- main aspects of the regulation User rights under the Digital Services Act- an overview Protecting and empowering young people online Supervision of the designated very large online platforms and search engines under DSA Related topics Better Internet for Children Strengthening trust and security Online platforms and e-commerce DSA - Digital Services Act {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
A man has pleaded guilty to defrauding online music streaming platforms out of more than US $8 million, after creating hundreds of thousands of songs with AI, and then using bots to play them billions of times. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Pedestrians crossing a street in Denver, Colorado, got rather more than they bargained for last weekend, when the audio signals at two crosswalks began broadcasting a political message alongside their usual walking instructions. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
A ransomware gang that claims to be a group of "investigative journalists"? Meet LeakNet - the group using fake CAPTCHA pages to trick employees into hacking themselves. Read more in my article on the Fortra blog.
The European Union – the media freedom hub marsrgi Thu, 03/19/2026 - 08:58 Opening: 16 April 2026 Closing: 28 May 2026 The overall goal of this preparatory action is to continue the activities of the ongoing Free Media Hub EAST project, i.e. to sustain and improve existing financial and other kinds of support to exiled independent media from Russia, Belarus, as well as media from Ukraine that has relocated in the EU, and to foster the coordination and consolidation of a pan-European platform or network of media hubs to promote the preservation of a pluralistic media environment. GettyImages © Mihajlo Maricic Main link https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni… Related topics Media and democracy Media freedom and pluralism International relations Funding for Digital Actions to Support Ukraine Democracy in the digital age {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
In episode 459 of Smashing Security, we dive into a chillingly clever account takeover attempt targeting WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg - involving MFA fatigue, real Apple alerts, a convincing support call, and a phishing page that oh-so-nearly worked. If a famous techie could have this happen to you, can you be sure you're immune? Plus: would you donate your lifetime medical history to science if you were promised anonymity? We unpack serious concerns around UK Biobank, where “de-identified” data may not be as anonymous as you think — and how surprisingly little information it takes to reveal everything. And! Human-powered “AI”, and a punishment worse than prison: eight hours on the RSA expo floor... All this, and much more, in episode 459 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and special guest Paul Ducklin.
CEF-Digital Info Session: 2026 Calls Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/18/2026 - 10:35 26 March 2026 Online Learn more about the calls "Equipment for smart European cable systems" (CEF-DIG-2026-SMART-CABLES) and "Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways" (CEF-DIG-2026-GATEWAYS). GettyImages © Dragon Claws Main link https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/events/cef-digital-info-session-2026-calls-2026-03-2… Related topics Connecting Europe Facility Funding for Digital Related content Press release 17 March 2026 Commission makes available €200 million for submarine cable and digital infrastructure projects The European Commission has opened two new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) calls worth €200 million for projects in high-capacity networks, including submarine cables. {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
Equipment for smart European cable systems - Works Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/17/2026 - 08:45 Opening: 17 March 2026 Closing: 30 June 2026 This call supports the upgrade of existing submarine telecommunications/digital infrastructures to “smart capabilities” enabling applications that monitor them as well as other surrounding critical infrastructures (e.g. power cables, pipelines, etc.) and/or their vicinity. Main link https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni… Related topics Digital connectivity Connecting Europe Facility Funding for Digital {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
Backbone connectivity for Digital Global Gateways - Studies Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/17/2026 - 08:19 Opening: 17 March 2026 Closing: 30 June 2026 This call for proposals will fund studies related to the deployment/significant upgrade of backbone networks that address risks, vulnerabilities and dependencies in the EU backbone infrastructure. GettyImages © Dragon Claws Main link https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportuni… Related topics Digital connectivity Connecting Europe Facility Funding for Digital {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
Drivers in the Russian city of Perm have been enjoying an unexpected bonus this week: free parking. Not because the city council suddenly decided to embrace generosity - but rather because hackers succeeded in knocking the city's payment system offline. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Open EU Foundry status granted to innovative chiplet facility Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 03/16/2026 - 10:40 The Commission has granted the Open EU Foundry (OEF) status to Silicon Box in Novara, Italy. GettyImages © Nikola Ilic - E+ Under the European Chips Act, the OEF status is granted to new or upgraded innovative semiconductor manufacturing facilities. The status provides benefits to semiconductor facilities including administrative support, faster construction approvals and priority access to pilot lines under the Chips for Europe Initiative. This helps deepen European semiconductor supply chain resilience and boost innovation. Silicon Box’s project is a significant milestone in strengthening Europe’s semiconductor industry through its new advanced semiconductor packaging and testing facility. The facility will integrate multiple dies or chiplets - small, modular semiconductor blocks that perform specific functions - into a single package, effectively creating a multi-chip module that behaves like a single chip, using panel level packaging. Panel level packaging uses a more efficient large-panel approach to packaging, enabling higher output and lower cost compared to traditional methods in the final stage of the chip making process. The facility will also test chips at panel-level, grouping multiple chiplets into a single panel, enabling more comprehensive quality verification before final assembly. The project will provide an important base in Europe for developing innovative technologies, products and system solutions for the semiconductors key to powering AI, electric and autonomous vehicles, data centres, as well as supercomputing applications. The plant is expected to reach full capacity in 2033. This OEF status recognition follows four semiconductor projects across the EU which have previously been awarded OEF or IPF (integrated production facility) status in October 2025: ESMC in Germany (OEF) Ams-OSRAM in Austria (IPF) Infineon Technologies Dresden in Germany (IPF) STMicroelectronics in Italy The decision to grant OEF follows the Commission state aid decision concerning Silicon Box. Related topics Advanced Digital Technologies Electronics Chips Act Semiconductors {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}
If you're in the middle of applying for a planning or zoning permit, there is some unwelcome news: cyber-criminals have found a way to exploit the bureaucratic tedium of the process against you. Read more in my article on the Fortra blog.
Signal, the encrypted messaging app trusted by security-savvy users around the world, has confirmed that hackers have managed to takeover accounts - with government officials and journalists among those being targeted. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
A Wikipedia security engineer accidentally wakes a dormant JavaScript worm that hadn't stirred since 2024 - and within minutes, giant woodpecker images are plastered across the internet's favourite encyclopaedia. Meanwhile, a crypto contractor hired to help the US Marshals manage seized digital assets allegedly decides to help himself to $46 million of it - and then brags about it on a recorded Telegram call. Plus: Graham champions Asterix, Trisha discovers the fantasy novels of Robin Hobb, and someone called "Lick" ends up in the nick. All this, and much more, in episode 458 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and special guest Tricia Howard.
Elon Musk's social media site says it suspended 800 million accounts in a year for spam and manipulation - but with state-backed campaigns still flooding the platform, the real question is how many fake accounts remain. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
In a co-ordinated public-private operation between law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity industry partners, Tycoon 2FA - one of the world's most prolific phishing-as-a-service platforms - has been dismantled. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Apply AI webinars sectoral deep dive - Agrifood, climate & environment Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 03/05/2026 - 14:30 19 March 2026 This session focuses on how the Commission, together with the private sector, aims to accelerate AI adoption across the agrifood sector, as well as the intersection between AI, climate and environment. This is part of a series of Apply AI thematic webinars. Join the live stream on our YouTube channel to find out how farmers, industry, researchers and other stakeholders can contribute to shaping priorities for Europe’s agrifood, climate and environment ecosystems. Engage in the conversation by submitting questions in advance or during the session via Slido. Agenda 14:00 - 14:45 (CET) Apply AI Agrifood 14:45 - 15:00 (CET) Short break 15:00 - 15:45 (CET) Apply AI Climate & Environment Download the slides for both sessions below. Moderator Andrea Hak, Stakeholder Communication Expert at the AI Office, DG CONNECT Speakers - Agrifood Pierluigi Londero, Head of Unit Data Governance, DG AGRI Doris Marquardt, Programme Officer EU Policies, Contact person for Agriculture in the DG, DG CONNECT Speakers - Climate & Environment Tsitlakidis Charalampos, Head of Sector, Destination Earth, DG CONNECT Irina Sandu, Director of Destination Earth (DestinE), European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Agrifood The webinar will discuss how the Commission aims to accelerate AI adoption across the agrifood sector and translate innovation into impact on the ground, enhancing sectorial competitiveness and public goods. Among others, a marketplace for AI-based solutions for the agri-food sector will be introduced and funding will be devoted to capacity building in the development of agriculture specific foundation models (e.g., LLMs). AI is already reshaping agricultural production and can transform the way food is produced, benefiting the environment, climate and people. AI supports farmers, for instance through AI-driven advisory tools and handy applications that turn data into tailored recommendations. These help producers to make better and faster decisions accounting for local conditions, and increasing resource efficiency, e.g. saving water, and effectiveness. A new wave of opportunities is emerging, boosting precision farming, powering robots, and smartening machinery for field work. AI can also contribute to reducing reporting obligations and other administrative burdens. Climate & Environment AI has a long track record in environmental monitoring, forecasting, and Earth observation. It can enhance early-warning systems and aid disaster response as well as decision-making for resilience and climate preparedness. Ground-breaking initiatives such as Destination Earth provide high-resolution and interactive simulations with unprecedented predictive power through AI-driven applications. Downloads Apply AI Climate & Environment (PDF) Download Related topics Creating a digital society Environment Smart and Sustainable Communities Artificial intelligence {"service":"share","version":"2.0","color":true,"networks":["x","facebook","linkedin","email","more"]}