Author: Daniel (The Tech Blog UK)
Cybersecurity experts and agencies worldwide are alerting the public about a surge in opportunistic hacking attempts related to the recent IT outage. Although there is no evidence that the CrowdStrike outage was caused by malicious activity, some bad actors are trying to take advantage of the situation. Cyber agencies in the UK and Australia are advising people to be cautious of fake emails, calls, and websites posing as official entities. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz urged users to verify they are communicating with official representatives before downloading any fixes. “We know that adversaries and bad actors will try to exploit events…
In an unexpected turn of events, Google has decided to abandon its plan, initially announced four years ago, to block third-party cookies from its Chrome web browser. The UK’s data privacy watchdog expressed “disappointment” over the decision. Cookies, small files stored on users’ computers, allow advertisers to track online activities and tailor ads. Google has announced it will instead explore a new approach that offers users an “informed choice across their web browsing” and is in discussions with regulators about the next steps. This new direction implies that Google is not completely discarding its alternative advertising approach but will let…
Hey there, lovely readers! 🌟 Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s super important for anyone who pays taxes in the UK: the HMRC tax rebate email scam. Picture this: you open your inbox and see a message that claims you’re entitled to a tax refund. It sounds like a dream come true, right? Well, hold onto your hats because it’s actually a nightmare in disguise. The Deceptive Email Here’s what the scam email typically looks like: Subject: Notification Regarding Your Tax Rebate Body: You are entitled to a tax refund of £xxx for the tax year 2023-2024. This amount…
Regulatory Call for Information The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) have issued a call for information regarding the benefits and potential risks of digital wallets. Exploring the Impact of Digital Wallets With the surge in digital wallet usage in recent years, regulators estimate that over half of UK adults may now use them. The PSR and FCA are seeking opinions on how these wallets affect individuals and businesses. Given the prevalence of Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal, digital wallets have become a crucial interface between major tech companies and British consumers. Key Areas of…
A New Era of Protection EE has introduced Scam Guard, a subscription service starting at just £1 a month, designed to protect users from a range of scams. With robust features such as spam and scam call labelling, dark web monitoring, and access to three months of free Cyber Security Duo, Scam Guard offers a comprehensive defense against fraud. The Growing Threat of Fraud Research indicates that 40% of crimes in the UK are fraud-related. Scam Guard empowers consumers to stay ahead of scammers. EE’s commitment to customer protection is evident in its efforts to combat the millions of scam…
EU Accuses Elon Musk’s X of Breaching Online Content Rules Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, is under fire from the European Union (EU) for allegedly breaching online content regulations. The EU’s tech regulator claims that X’s “verified” blue tick accounts can potentially deceive users. The Issue with Blue Tick Verification The EU’s concern is that users might believe the identity of blue tick holders is verified, when in fact, anyone can pay for the blue tick. The regulator has found evidence of “malicious actors” exploiting this system. This investigation falls under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which could…
WhatsApp Introduces Voice Note Transcriptions: A Game Changer? When WhatsApp launched voice notes back in August 2013, they quickly became a mixed blessing. On one hand, you could catch up on all your messages while cooking dinner or walking to the train, easily updating friends and family on your life. However, for those receiving these messages, a lengthy four-minute voice note could feel as unwelcome as another England penalty shoot-out. The Challenges of Voice Notes Imagine being on a date, riding the bus without headphones, or just seconds before stepping onto the stage for your local theatre debut. In these…
Warning to UK Residents About Counterfeit Money 🚨💷 Beware of Counterfeit Cash Scams on Instagram! There’s an Instagram account making rounds, claiming to offer counterfeit money that’s supposedly printed to “pass all security tests.” The account even includes a link for “further information.” But before you get tempted, let’s break down why this is a terrible idea and how you can protect yourself! Printing cash is not just illegal – it’s a surefire way to lose any money you part with. These scammers are likely to disappear with your cash, leaving you empty-handed. Worse still, they could use your personal…
Card Payments Disruption Hits Visa and Mastercard Users Across the UK This morning, card payments went down across the UK, leaving Visa and Mastercard customers unable to use their credit or debit cards. Visa customers reported being unable to make payments in major retailers, including McDonald’s, Asda, Sainsbury’s, and M&S. Numerous reports of issues came from across the UK, according to Down Detector. The vast majority of people experienced difficulties making card payments, with some also encountering problems with the app. The cause of the outage is still unknown. Mastercard Also Affected In addition to Visa, there were ongoing problems…
Palestinians Abroad Accuse Microsoft of Unjustly Closing Email Accounts Palestinians living abroad have accused Microsoft of closing their email accounts without warning, cutting them off from crucial online services. This unexpected action has left many unable to access bank accounts, job offers, and even Skype, which is owned by Microsoft, preventing them from contacting relatives in war-torn Gaza. Microsoft claims these accounts violated its terms of service, a statement disputed by those affected. Eiad Hametto, who resides in Saudi Arabia, expressed his frustration: “They killed my life online,” he said. “They’ve suspended my email account that I’ve had for nearly…