Report

F-Alert Cyber Threats Bulletin February 2025

F-Secure
F-Secure
|
Feb 5, 2025
|
3 min read

Discover the latest online threats and cyber security updates impacting global businesses and consumers, informed by F‑Secure threat intelligence experts.

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Overview:

  • From get-rich-quick scams fueled by the crypto boom to criminals tricking iMessage users into clicking phishing links, this month's F‑Alert highlights the latest scams.

  • Discover how illegal online carding forums and marketplaces are evolving, complicating efforts to track and prevent this type of crime.

  • Explore Meta's removal of third-party ‘fact checkers’ and learn how the introduction of Community Notes could impact the social media scam landscape.

Find all this and more in our F‑Alert →

Carding Scams Are Thriving on the Clear Web

Carding has long been a prevalent cyber crime, facilitated by dedicated online forums and marketplaces. However, these platforms are evolving—now requiring prepayments to preview stolen credit card data, complicating investigation efforts. Fortunately, protections are continually being developed to counter this threat.

Read more in this month’s F‑Alert bulletin →

Telegram Cracks Down on Criminal User Base

In 2024, Telegram disclosed the IP addresses or phone numbers of 35,496 users worldwide to law enforcement agencies, complying with 19,162 requests. Notably, between January and September, Telegram fulfilled only 7,613 requests (affecting 17,235 users). This demonstrates a significant shift in their level of cooperation, calling into question whether Telegram will continue to be a hub for criminal activity.

Discover more in this month’s F‑Alert bulletin →

Meta Cuts Fact Checkers: What’s the Impact on Scams?

Meta has announced plans to remove third-party ‘fact checkers’—a small but influential group responsible for reviewing content accuracy—and replace them with Community Notes, a democratized system that allows users to collaboratively add context to misleading posts. This change raises an important question: how might it impact social media scam attempts?

Learn more in this month’s F‑Alert bulletin →

Get-Rich-Quick Scams Will Surge Amid Crypto Boom

Bitcoin’s price surged by over 100% in 2024, reigniting interest in cryptocurrency following its four-year decline. With crypto's popularity expected to grow throughout 2025, we can anticipate a rise in ‘get-rich-quick’ schemes promoted by internet personalities. One such scheme has already emerged from online meme star ‘Hawk Tuah Girl’.

Find out more in this month's F‑Alert bulletin →

New Program Targets Smart Device Security Standards

The White House is launching a new program to simplify the identification of secure smart products, educate consumers on device security, and encourage manufacturers to create safer devices. Set to debut later this year, the US Cyber Trust Mark will appear on Internet of Things (IoT) devices sold in the US that meet specific cyber security standards. 

Read more in this month's F‑Alert bulletin →

F-Alert Bulletin: Cyber Security Threat Updates in February 2025

From trending online scams to the latest data breaches, our monthly F‑Alert threat bulletin guides you through the biggest cyber security stories happening right now around the world. 

Informed by F-Secure threat intelligence experts, each month we tell you what’s currently happening in online security, why it’s happening, and what you can do to protect yourself from cyber attacks

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