Cybercrimes pose major threats across industries globally as bad actors exploit new techniques and vulnerabilities to cause widespread damage. From TikTok’s negotiations with Oracle to North Korean cyber operations infiltrating U.S. companies and UnitedHealth’s massive data breach, the scope and scale of cybersecurity threats are widespread.
TechFyle examines the latest developments and how they affect businesses, individuals, and government agencies in today’s edition of the TF Cybercrime Round-up
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Oracle and TikTok: A Deal in the Works?
The Trump administration is working on a deal to save TikTok involving Oracle, which would acquire most of the company. Under the proposed plan, ByteDance would retain a minority stake, while Oracle would handle crucial aspects like data collection and software updates for U.S. users. This comes after a law requiring TikTok to sever ties with its Chinese owners or face a ban.
While the app briefly went dark during the transition, it has returned to service, although still absent from Apple and Google’s app stores to avoid penalties. The deal is still being negotiated, with final terms yet settled. Microsoft and Walmart were also previously in the running but backed out due to differing terms.
This ongoing situation highlights the growing intersection of cybersecurity and politics, with countries like the U.S. continuing to scrutinize Chinese apps for data security concerns.
North Koreans Behind Cybercrimes in the U.S.
The FBI has arrested two U.S. citizens — Erick Ntekereze Prince and Emanuel Ashtor — for allegedly helping North Korean nationals secure remote IT jobs with U.S. companies. The pair set up fake companies to pose as staffing agencies and used stolen or forged identities to gain access to U.S.-based IT positions. In total, these cybercriminals helped North Korean operatives infiltrate 64 U.S. companies from 2018 to 2024, generating over $866,000.
The scheme enabled North Koreans to steal sensitive data and exposed companies to hacking risks. The FBI has warned that these North Korean IT workers are exploiting company networks to carry out cyber-criminal activities and exfiltrate proprietary data.
As North Korea’s IT schemes expand, experts are advising companies to tighten their security measures when hiring remote workers, especially those from high-risk regions.
UnitedHealth’s Cyberattack Costs Soar
UnitedHealth now estimates that the cyberattack on its Change Healthcare unit in February 2024 impacted 190 million people, nearly doubling previous estimates. The attack compromised sensitive data, including personal details, medical, and financial information. The AlphV/BlackCat ransomware group is believed to be behind the attack, exploiting vulnerabilities in remote-access software to lock down company systems.
This breach resulted in significant losses, with the company estimating costs between $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion. Although UnitedHealth claims there has been no misuse of personal data, ransomware attacks continue to plague the healthcare industry, with stolen data often ending up on the black market.
Experts like Michael Barnhart from Mandiant have warned that ransomware groups, including North Korean hackers, are becoming more aggressive, infiltrating larger organizations and threatening critical data.
UK Investigates Google and Apple’s Mobile Dominance
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Google and Apple, focusing on their dominance in the mobile app market. Both companies are accused of holding back competition in mobile web browsers and cloud gaming, with the CMA probing whether their practices harm innovation in these sectors.
Google argues that Android’s openness promotes choice and reduces costs, while Apple defends its app platform, stating that it supports hundreds of thousands of UK jobs. This investigation adds to the global scrutiny the two tech giants face, particularly from the EU, where Apple has clashed with regulators over its compliance with the Digital Markets Act.
If the CMA finds that Google and Apple are unfairly restricting competition, it could impose penalties of up to 10% of their global revenue.
TF Summary: What’s Next
The cybercrime world is expanding its reach, with significant attacks affecting companies across industries, from healthcare to tech. The ongoing situation with TikTok and Oracle, North Korea’s growing cyber-operations, and the ripple effects of the UnitedHealth breach show that cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses worldwide. Governments and companies must increase efforts to combat these risks and protect user data and company infrastructure. As investigations into Google and Apple continue, the future of digital market competition could redefine how well regulators and companies manage security and fairness.
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech.