A tax system breach in Oklahoma is putting highly sensitive personal information at risk. And unfortunately, this is exactly the kind of situation scammers love to exploit.
Hackers reportedly accessed W-2 and 1099 files through Oklahoma’s online tax portal, according to state officials, exposing the kind of information that can open the door to tax fraud, identity theft, and highly targeted phishing attempts.
Before the follow-up scams start rolling in, this is the kind of moment where layered protection matters. McAfee+ Advanced includes identity monitoring and data cleansup that can help alert you if your personal information starts circulating where it shouldn’t, and Scam Detector can flag suspicious messages if scammers try to use this breach as a hook.
According to a statement by the Oklahoma Tax Commission and reported by KOCO News 5, a local ABC affiliate, suspicious activity inside the state’s Oklahoma Taxpayer Access Point system was identified in December 2025. The agency says impacted individuals have been notified directly by mail, and complimentary credit monitoring and fraud assistance are being offered.
When W-2s, 1099s, Social Security numbers, and tax-related records are exposed, scammers can use that information to:
Either way, the goal is the same: use real information to make the next scam more believable.
The breach itself is real. But what often follows is a second wave of scams pretending to help.
That’s where people can get hit twice: once by the breach, and again by the scam that follows it.
First, don’t panic. Then:
And that, my friends, is scam number one in this week’s This Week in Scams.
Let’s get into what else is on our radar.
Scammers pretending to be federal agents are making the rounds across the country, and this one is built to make people panic fast.
Field offices, including Chicago and Houston, are warning the public about fraudsters posing as FBI agents in calls, texts, and emails. In some cases, the scammers claim you’re connected to an investigation. In others, they say you’re a victim of fraud and need to act immediately to protect yourself.
Sometimes they do not stop there. They may also pretend to be bank employees working alongside the FBI, all to make the story feel more convincing and get access to your money or personal information.
This scam plays on the same pressure tactics we’ve seen over and over again: authority, urgency, and confusion.
If someone claims to be a federal agent, many people freeze up and assume they need to cooperate immediately. That’s exactly what scammers are counting on.
The FBI has been clear about this: federal law enforcement will not ask you for money or sensitive personal information over the phone, by text, or by email.
If it feels dramatic, high-pressure, and just a little off, trust that instinct.
This is also exactly the kind of message McAfee’s Scam Detector is built to flag before you get pulled in.
McAfee+ Advanced gives you multiple layers working together so you are not left figuring it out after the damage is done:
This kind of layered protection is critical in cases like ghost student scams, where the first sign of fraud often comes after financial damage has already happened.
Safety tips to carry into next week
The reality is, scams are getting better at looking official.
You should not have to be an expert to spot them. That’s why McAfee is here to help. We’re Safer Together.
We’ll be back next week with more scams making headlines.
The post Oklahoma Tax Breach and FBI Impersonation Scam: This Week in Scams appeared first on McAfee Blog.
We’re proud to share that McAfee’s “Keep It Real” campaign has been named a finalist in the 2026 Shorty Awards Social Good Campaign category.
This category recognizes work that doesn’t just perform, it matters: campaigns that raise awareness, inspire action, and make a real-world impact.
That’s exactly what “Keep It Real” set out to do.
Because behind every scam statistic is a person who thought they were making the right call. And too often, what follows isn’t just financial loss. It’s embarrassment, silence, and stigma.
We wanted to change that.
The campaign launched alongside McAfee Scam Detector to address a growing reality: scams powered by AI are becoming harder to recognize and easier to fall for.
“Keep It Real” paired real survivor stories with AI-driven protection to show how scams actually happen and how people can stop them in the moment.
The goal was simple:
Because when people feel safe talking about scams, they’re more likely to spot them and stop them.
The Shorty Awards honor the best work in social media, digital campaigns, and online storytelling across brands, creators, and organizations.
Now in their 18th year, the awards recognize campaigns that combine creativity, impact, and real-world relevance. Finalists are selected alongside leading global brands and judged on both industry evaluation and public voting.
McAfee’s Scam Detector is designed to help people identify scams across everyday digital moments.
It uses AI to fight AI by flagging suspicious:
By combining automatic detection with clear guidance, Scam Detector helps people better understand what they’re seeing and decide what to trust.
A core part of “Keep It Real” was giving space to people who experienced scams to share what happened, in their own words.
These stories helped show that scams can happen to anyone and played a key role in breaking the stigma around being targeted.
This recognition reflects the work across McAfee teams who built and brought this campaign to life, including product, engineering, research, creative, and communications.
It also reflects the individuals who chose to share their real scam stories to help others recognize scams, stay safer, and end the shame and stigma around being scammed.
The Shorty Awards include a public voting component.
If you’d like to support the campaign, you can vote here:
https://shortyawards.com/18th/keep-it-real-mcafees-ai-scam-media-relations-campaign
Voting is open through April 8, and you can vote once per day.
The post McAfee’s “Keep It Real” Campaign Named Shorty Awards Finalist appeared first on McAfee Blog.
McAfee’s mobile research team has uncovered a large-scale Android malware campaign we’re tracking as Operation NoVoice.
The campaign was distributed through more than 50 apps previously available on Google Play, disguised as everyday tools like cleaners, games, and photo utilities. Together, the apps were downloaded more than 2.3 million times, though it’s unclear how many devices may have been impacted.
If the attack succeeds, the malware can gain deep control of a device, allowing attackers to inject malicious code into apps as they are opened and access sensitive data.
However, the most serious impact depends on the device.
On older or unpatched Android devices, the malware can install a highly persistent form of infection that may survive a standard factory reset. Newer Android devices with up-to-date security protections are not vulnerable to the root exploit observed in this campaign, though they may still be exposed to other types of malicious activity from these apps.
In other words, on vulnerable devices, the malware can behave like a kind of digital “zombie,” continuing to operate in the background even after a reset.
Want the full technical breakdown? Dive into the McAfee Labs research here.
We break down what you need to know below:
Operation NoVoice is what security experts call a rootkit malware attack.
A rootkit is a type of malware designed to gain deep, privileged control of a device while hiding its presence from the user and the operating system’s normal security tools.
Breaking the term down:
Put simply, a rootkit allows attackers to operate underneath the normal apps and security protections on a phone, giving them powerful control while staying difficult to detect.
In the case of Operation NoVoice, the attack unfolds in several steps.
The campaign began with apps that appeared harmless on the Google Play Store. These apps advertised themselves as tools like phone cleaners, puzzle games, or gallery utilities.
When a user downloaded and opened one of these apps, it appeared to work normally. There are no obvious signs to the user that anything is wrong.
Behind the scenes, the app contacts a remote server controlled by the attackers.
The server collects information about the device, things like its hardware, operating system version, and security patch level. Based on that information, the attackers send back custom exploit code designed for that specific device.
If the exploit succeeds, the malware gains root-level access to the device.
At that point, the attackers can install additional malicious components and modify parts of the Android operating system itself.
Once the rootkit is installed, it modifies a core Android system library that every app relies on.
This allows attacker-controlled code to run inside any app the user opens.
That means the attackers could potentially access data from messaging apps, financial apps, or social media apps without the user noticing.
Operation NoVoice also includes persistence mechanisms designed to keep the malware active.
In some cases, the infection could survive a standard factory reset, because the malicious components modify parts of the system software that resets typically do not replace.
Fully removing the infection may require reinstalling the device’s firmware, something most users cannot easily do themselves.
*To be clear, these apps have been removed from Google Play and are no longer available for download.
The name Operation NoVoice comes from a hidden component inside the malware itself.
Researchers discovered a resource labeled “novioce” embedded in one of the attack’s later stages. The file contains a silent audio track that plays at zero volume.
This may seem strange, but it serves a purpose.
By continuously playing silent audio in the background, the malware can keep a foreground service running without drawing attention. This allows the malicious code to remain active while appearing harmless to the operating system.
The researchers believe the name “novioce” is likely a misspelling of “no voice,” referring to the silent audio trick used to keep the malware running.
Operation NoVoice highlights an important reality: even apps that appear legitimate can sometimes hide malicious behavior.
Fortunately, there are several steps users can take to reduce their risk.
Be cautious with unfamiliar apps
Even if an app appears on the Google Play Store, it’s still important to review:
Apps with very few reviews, vague descriptions, or suspicious developer accounts can sometimes be part of malware campaigns. And exercise even greater caution with apps promoted through advertisements or that create a a sense of urgency.
Many attacks rely on exploiting known vulnerabilities in older versions of Android.
Installing system updates and security patches helps reduce the chance that these exploits will work.
If you notice apps on your device that you don’t remember installing, review them carefully and remove anything suspicious.
Keeping your phone’s app list clean reduces the potential attack surface.
Mobile security software can help detect suspicious behavior and block known malware.
For example, McAfee Mobile Security detects this threat as Android/NoVoice and can warn users if a malicious app is identified.
McAfee offers more than traditional antivirus, combining multiple layers of digital protection in one app
Operation NoVoice highlights how mobile malware is evolving. Instead of obvious malicious apps, attackers are increasingly hiding their operations inside ordinary-looking tools distributed through legitimate app stores.
What makes this campaign particularly concerning isn’t just the number of downloads or the technical complexity. It’s the way the malware combines several advanced techniques, device-specific exploits, modular plugins, and deep system persistence, into a single attack chain.
That approach allows attackers to quietly turn an everyday app download into long-term control of a device.
That’s why keeping devices updated, reviewing apps carefully, and using mobile security protection are becoming increasingly important. As Operation NoVoice shows, today’s malware isn’t just trying to get onto devices; it’s trying to stay there.
The post Operation NoVoice: Android Malware Found in 50+ Apps Can Hijack Devices appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Authored By: Ahmad Zubair Zahid
McAfee’s mobile research team identified and investigated an Android rootkit campaign tracked as Operation Novoice. The malware described in this blog relies on vulnerabilities Android made patches available for in 2016 – 2021. All Android devices with a security patch level of 2021-05-01 or higher are not susceptible to the exploits that we were able to obtain from the command-and-control server. However patched devices that downloaded these apps could have been exposed to unknown potential payloads outside of what we discovered. The attack begins with apps that were previously available on Google Play that appear to be simple tools such as cleaners, games, or gallery utilities. When a user downloaded and opened one of these apps, it appeared to behave as advertised, giving no obvious signs of malicious activity.
In the background, however, the app contacts a remote server, profiles the device, and downloads root exploits tailored to that device’s specific hardware and software. If the exploits succeed, the malware gains full control of the device. From that moment onward, every app that the user opens are injected with attacker‑controlled code.
This allows the operators to access any app data and exfiltrate it to their servers. One of the targeted apps is WhatsApp. We recovered a payload designed to execute when WhatsApp launches, gather all necessary data to clone the session, and send it to the attacker’s infrastructure.
On older, unsupported devices (Android 7 and lower) that no longer receive Android security updates as of September 2021, this rootkit is highly persistent; a standard factory reset will not remove it, and only reflashing the device with a clean firmware will fully restore the device.
In total, we identified more than 50 of these malicious apps on Google Play, with at least 2.3 million downloads.
McAfee identified the malicious apps, conducted the technical analysis, and reported its findings to Google through responsible disclosure channels. Following McAfee’s report, Google removed the identified apps from Google Play and banned the associated developer accounts. McAfee is a member of the App Defense Alliance, which supports collaboration across the mobile ecosystem to improve user protection. McAfee Mobile Security detects this malware as a High-Risk Threat. For more information, and to get fully protected, visit McAfee Mobile Security.
Android malware has been moving toward modular frameworks that update themselves remotely and adapt to each device. Campaigns like Triada and Keenadu have shown that replacing system libraries gives attackers persistence to survive factory resets. BADBOX has shown that backdoors pre-installed through the supply chain can reach millions of devices. Recent research has confirmed links between several of these families, suggesting shared tooling rather than isolated efforts.
NoVoice fits both trends but does not rely on supply chain access. It reaches devices through Google Play and achieves the same level of persistence through exploitation. McAfee’s investigation revealed the following key findings:
The name comes from R.raw.novioce, a silent audio resource embedded in one of the later-stage payloads. It plays at zero volume to keep a foreground service alive, abusing Android’s media playback exemption. We believe it is a deliberate misspelling of “no voice.”
All carrier apps were distributed through Google Play and request no unusual permissions. Their manifests include the same SDKs any legitimate app would (Firebase, Google Analytics, Facebook SDK, AndroidX). The malicious components are registered under tampered com.facebook.utils, blending in with the real Facebook SDK classes the apps already include.
The initial payload is embedded in the app’s asset directory as a polyglot image. This means the file displays and renders a normal image, but a deeper inspection reveals that the encrypted malicious payload is appended after the PNG IEND marker. Since that marker signals to image viewers that the image data ends there, the appended payload remains hidden during normal viewing.
The geographical prevalence map shows the highest infection rates in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Algeria, India, and Kenya, regions where budget devices and older Android versions that no longer receive security updates are common.
The following breakdown walks through each stage of the chain in order, from the moment a user opens the app to the moment stolen data leaves the device. No single file contains the full chain. Each stage decrypts and loads the next, most are delivered from the server at runtime.
The moment the app opens, code injected into the legitimate Facebook SDK initialization path runs automatically. No user interaction is needed. It first checks whether the device has already been processed and, in most samples, whether it is running Android 12L or below. A subset of the carrier apps skips the version check entirely. If either check fails, it stops and logs a message disguised as a Facebook SDK error: “FacebookSdk: Failed in initStore.”
If the device was already processed, the code cleans up files assumed to be left behind by previous runs, including paths that do not belong to any standard Android component. None of these are visible to the user.
If the checks pass, the app reads a polyglot image from its own assets’ directory, extracts the encrypted payload (enc.apk) hidden after the image data, decrypts it to produce h.apk, and loads it into memory. It then deletes all intermediate files, temporary directories.
The decrypted payload (h.apk) loads a native library (libkwc.so) that controls the rest of this stage. It first verifies it is running inside the intended carrier app by checking the package name and signing certificate against hardcoded values. It also checks whether the app is running in a debug environment.
libkwc.so contains two encrypted embedded payloads. The first (sec.jar) is a gate designed to detect analysis environments. It runs 15 checks, including emulator detection, root indicators, debuggers, VPN and proxy connections, Xposed hooks, and GPS geofencing. If any check fails, the chain stops silently. The geofence compares the device’s location against bounding boxes for Beijing and Shenzhen hardcoded in the native library and excludes devices confirmed to be inside them. If the app does not have location permission, it cannot determine the device’s position and defaults to letting the chain continue. Two brands get special treatment: on Gionee devices, all checks except the geofence are skipped; on Meizu devices, the chain follows a separate code path entirely. Gionee devices have a documented history of shipping with pre-installed malware through supply chain compromise.
Only if all checks in sec.jar pass does libkwc.so decrypt and load the second payload (hex.jar), which begins contacting the C2 server. If the gate fails, it deletes the working directory and stops.
Once the gate passes, hex.jar sets up a plugin framework built on an internal codebase the authors refer to as “kuwo” in their package names. It checks in with a C2 server every 60 seconds. Updates are delivered the same way as the initial payload: as image files with encrypted data hidden after the image content. The server returns download URLs in a response field named warningIcon, disguising plugin downloads as icon fetches. A log-deletion routine runs alongside the framework to remove forensic traces from the device.
The first plugin delivered (rt) acts as an orchestrator. It manages sub-plugins and handles C2 communication. It checks in with the server, sending over 30 device identifiers including hardware model, kernel version, installed packages, and whether the device has already been rooted. The campaign’s name comes from this plugin: it embeds a silent audio resource named R.raw. novioce.
The checkin tells the server two things: who this device is and whether it has already been rooted. If it has not, rt_plugin downloads security.jar, moving the chain into root exploitation.
security.jar first checks whether the device is already rooted. If it has been, it stops. For unrooted devices, it sends the device’s chipset, kernel version, security patch date, and other identifiers to the C2. The server responds with a list of exploit binaries matched to that specific device.
Before running any exploit, the rootkit installer (CsKaitno.d) is decrypted from an embedded resource and written to disk. The rootkit is already in place before any exploit runs.
The exploits are downloaded one at a time from the C2’s CDN, each encrypted and verified before execution. We recovered 22 exploits in total. Our deep analysis of one revealed a three-stage kernel attack: an IPv6 use-after-free for kernel read, a Mali GPU driver vulnerability for kernel read/write, and finally credential patching and SELinux disablement.
The expected end result is the same across all exploits: a root shell with SELinux disabled. From that shell, the exploit loads CsKaitno.d. This is where exploitation ends and persistence begins.
CsKaitno.d carries four encrypted payloads: library hooks for ARM32 and ARM64 (asbymol and bdlomsd), a bytecode patcher (jkpatch), and a persistence daemon (watch_dog). It first removes files associated with possible competing rootkits, then decrypts and writes its own payloads to disk.
The installer backs up the original libandroid_runtime.so and replaces it with a hook binary matched to the device’s architecture. It also replaces libmedia_jni.so. The replacements are not copies of the original libraries. They are wrappers that intercept the system’s own functions. When any hooked function runs, it redirects to attacker code.
After replacing the libraries, jkpatch modifies pre-compiled framework bytecode on disk. This is a second layer of persistence: even if someone restores the original library, the framework’s own compiled code still contains the injected redirections
To survive reboots, the installer replaces the system crash handler with a rootkit launcher, installs recovery scripts, and stores a fallback copy of the exploitation stage on the system partition. If any component is removed, the rootkit can reinstall itself.
It then deploys a watchdog daemon (watch_dog) that checks the installation every 60 seconds. If anything is missing, it reinstalls it. If that fails repeatedly, it forces a reboot, bringing the device back up with the rootkit intact.
After cleaning up all staging files, the installer marks the device as compromised. On the next boot, the system’s process launcher (zygote) loads the replaced library, and every app it starts inherits the attacker’s code.
On the next boot, every app on the device loads the replaced system library. The injected code decides what to do based on which app it is running inside. Two payloads activate depending on the app. The malware authors named them BufferA and BufferB in their own code. Both are embedded as fragments inside the replaced libandroid_runtime.so from Stage 5, assembled in memory at runtime, and deleted from disk immediately after loading, leaving no files behind. BufferA runs inside the system’s package installer and can silently install or uninstall apps. BufferB runs inside any app with internet access.
BufferB is the campaign’s primary post-exploitation tool. It operates two independent C2 channels with separate encryption keys and beacon intervals. Both channels send device fingerprints to the C2 and receive task instructions in return.
If all primary domains fail and three or more days pass without contact, a fallback routine activates between 1 and 4 AM, reaching out to api[.]googlserves[.]com for a fresh domain list. Because BufferB runs inside any app with internet access, it can be active in dozens of apps simultaneously on a single device.
The only task payload we recovered is PtfLibc, delivered to BufferB from Alibaba Cloud OSS. Its target is WhatsApp.
PtfLibc copies WhatsApp’s encryption database, extracts the device’s Signal protocol identity keys and registration ID, and pulls the most recent signed prekey. It also reads 12 keys from WhatsApp’s local storage, including the phone number, push name, country code, and Google Drive backup account. For the client keypair, it tries multiple decryption methods depending on how the device stores the key.
It sends the stolen data to api[.]googlserves[.]com through multiple layers of encryption and deletes the temporary database copy when done.
With these keys and session data, an attacker can clone the victim’s WhatsApp session onto another device.
The campaign spreads its C2 communication across multiple domains, each serving a different function.
fcm[.]androidlogs[.]com handles initial device enrollment. Once the plugin framework activates, stat[.]upload-logs[.]com takes over as the primary C2 for plugin delivery, device checkin, exploit distribution, and result reporting. config[.]updatesdk[.]com serves as its fallback. Exploit binaries are hosted separately on download[.]androidlogs[.]com, with an S3-accelerated endpoint (logserves[.]s3-accelerate[.]amazonaws[.]com) as the primary CDN. This endpoint returned 403 errors during our analysis.
Task payloads for BufferB are hosted on Alibaba Cloud OSS (prod-log-oss-01[.]oss-ap-southeast-1[.]aliyuncs[.]com). PtfLibc beacons to api[.]googlserves[.]com, a domain designed to look like Google service traffic at a glance.
The domain separation is deliberate. Taking down one domain does not affect the others. The C2 can update BufferB’s domain lists at runtime, and a fallback routine fetches fresh domains from hardcoded backup endpoints if all configured domains go silent for three or more days.
Because the rootkit writes to the system partition, a factory reset does not remove it. A reset wipes user data but leaves system files intact. Compromised devices require a full firmware reflash to return to a clean state. Blocking the C2 domains and beacon patterns listed in this report at the network level can disrupt the chain at multiple stages.
Several indicators link NoVoice to the Android.Triada family. The property (os.config.ppgl.status) NoVoice sets to mark a device as compromised is a known indicator of compromise for Android.Triada.231, a variant that uses the same property to track installation state. Both NoVoice and Triada.231 persist by replacing libandroid_runtime.so and hooking system functions so that every app runs attacker code at launch. Whether NoVoice is a direct evolution of Triada.231, a fork of its codebase, or a separate group reusing proven techniques, the shared approach suggests access to a common toolchain.
What makes NoVoice dangerous is not any single technique. It is the engineering effort behind the full chain: a self-healing pipeline that goes from a Play Store install to code execution inside every app on the device, survives factory reset, and monitors its own installation. The operators built a delivery system, an infrastructure.
We recovered one task. The framework is designed to accept any number of them, for any app, at any time. The C2 infrastructure remains active. We do not know what other objectives have been deployed before, during, or after our analysis. The WhatsApp session theft we observed may be the least of it.
The rootkit’s persistence model, overwriting a system library inherited by every process, patching pre-compiled framework bytecode, and monitoring its own installation with a watchdog, makes remediation difficult.
This research underscores McAfee’s ongoing role in identifying advanced mobile threats and working with platform partners to protect users before large‑scale harm occurs.
https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/triada-trojan/11481/
api.googlserves[.]com
api.uplogconfig[.]com
avatar.ttaeae[.]com
awslog.oss-accelerate.aliyuncs[.]com
check.updateconfig[.]com
config.googleslb[.]com
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The post Operation NoVoice: Rootkit Tells No Tales appeared first on McAfee Blog.
A text that looks like it came straight from a courthouse is making the rounds across the U.S. And yes, I got it too.
First things first, that’s a scam. And to be clear: DON’T SCAN THAT QR CODE.
It’s the same playbook as last year’s toll road scams, just dressed up with a little more authority and a lot more pressure.
Before doing anything, our team ran it through McAfee’s Scam Detector. It immediately flagged the message as suspicious, and that’s exactly the kind of moment this tool is built for. When something feels just real enough to second guess, it gives you a clear signal before you click, scan, or spiral.
The text claims you’ve missed a payment, violated a law, or have some kind of outstanding “case.” It then pushes you to scan a QR code or click a link to resolve it quickly.
From there, one of two things usually happens:
Either way, the goal is the same: get you to act fast before you have time to question it.
The red flags in this message
There are reports of this scam popping up nationwide, but the rule is simple: law enforcement does not text you to demand payment or resolve legal issues.
First, don’t panic. Then:
And that, my friends, is scam number one in this week’s This Week in Scams (new format, we’re experimenting a little).
Let’s get into what else is on our radar.
Anime streaming platform Crunchyroll is investigating claims of a data breach involving customer support ticket data, potentially impacting millions of users.
According to TechCrunch, access appears to involve a third-party vendor system, a reminder that even strong security setups still rely on people and partners, which can introduce risk in everyday moments.
Even if you’ve never entered your credit card into a support form, these tickets can still include:
That’s more than enough for scammers to build highly believable follow-ups.
When breaches like this surface, scammers don’t wait. They use the moment to send emails and messages that feel timely, relevant, and legitimate.
For example, scammers might send messages pretending to be Crunchyroll and suggesting you “click this link to secure your account” after the breach. In reality, that “security check” exposes your information.
This is where tools like Scam Detector come back into play, flagging suspicious links and messages even when they reference real companies or real events.
McAfee+ Advanced gives you multiple layers working together so you’re not left figuring it out in the moment:
Plus our instant QR code scam checks will flag suspicious QR codes before you scan them.
The reality is, these scams are designed to look normal. You shouldn’t have to be an expert to spot them. That’s why McAfee’s here to help.
We’ll be back next week with more scams making headlines.
The post Got a “Court Notice” Text? Ignore It. Plus, the Crunchyroll Breach: This Week in Scams appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Today marks the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, and with warmer weather setting in summer trips are vacation planning are starting to take shape.
But before you respond to that message about your hotel booking or payment confirmation, it’s worth asking: is it actually legit?
This week in scams, we’re breaking down a travel phishing scheme making the rounds through realistic booking messages, as well as new McAfee research on betting scams and AI-driven malware.
We’ll walk through what happened, what to watch for, and how McAfee’s tools can help you stay safe.
A new phishing campaign targeting travelers is exploiting hotel booking platforms like Booking.com, and it’s convincing enough to fool even cautious users.
According to reporting from ITBrew and Cybernews, attackers are running a multi-stage scam:
| Scam Stage | How It Works | What You’ll Notice | How to Protect Yourself | Where McAfee Helps |
| Stage 1: Hotel account gets compromised | Attackers phish or hack hotel staff to access booking platforms and guest reservation data. | You won’t see this part — it happens behind the scenes. | Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on your own accounts to reduce risk of similar breaches. | Identity Monitoring can alert you if your personal information appears in suspicious places or data leaks. |
| Stage 2: You receive a realistic message | Scammers use stolen booking data to send messages via WhatsApp, email, or even booking platforms. | The message includes your real name, hotel, and travel dates, making it feel legitimate. | Be cautious of unexpected outreach, even if the details are correct. Don’t assume accuracy means authenticity. | Scam detection tools can help flag suspicious messages and identify potential phishing attempts. |
| Stage 3: Urgency is introduced | The message claims there’s an issue with your reservation and pushes you to act quickly. | Phrases like “confirm within 12 hours” or “risk cancellation” create pressure. | Pause before acting. Legitimate companies rarely require urgent payment changes without prior notice. | Scam detection can help identify high-risk messages designed to pressure you into quick decisions. |
| Stage 4: You’re sent to a fake payment page | A link leads to a convincing lookalike site designed to steal your payment details. | The page looks real but may have subtle URL differences or unusual formatting. | Always navigate directly to the official website or app instead of clicking links in messages. | Safe Browsing tools can help block risky or known malicious websites before you enter sensitive information. |
March Madness brings brackets, bets, and a flood of bad actors.
New McAfee research found that 1 in 3 Americans (32%) say they’ve experienced a betting or gambling scam, and nearly a quarter (24%) say they’ve lost money to one. On average, victims reported losing $547.
That’s not surprising when you look at the environment around the tournament. More than half of Americans are watching, more than half are participating in some form of betting, and 82% say they’ve seen betting promotions in the past year.
Some of the most common setups this season include:
The takeaway:
If a betting offer promises guaranteed results, demands the use of bizarre apps and sites, asks for money upfront, or pushes you to act quickly, it’s not an edge. It’s a scam.
Not all scams start with a message. Some start with a search.
McAfee Labs uncovered a large-scale malware campaign hiding inside hundreds of fake downloads, including game mods, AI tools, drivers, and trading utilities.
In January alone, researchers identified:
These weren’t hosted on obscure corners of the internet either. The files were distributed through platforms people recognize, including Discord, SourceForge, and file-sharing sites.
Here’s how the attack typically works:
Then, behind the scenes, malware loads quietly and begins pulling in additional code. In some cases, victims are shown fake error messages while the real infection happens in the background.
From there, attackers can:
What makes this campaign stand out is that some of the code appears to have been generated with help from AI tools.
That doesn’t mean AI is running the attack on its own. But it does suggest attackers are using AI to:
In other words, the barrier to building malware is getting lower.
The takeaway:
If a download is unofficial, hard to find, or feels like a shortcut, it’s worth slowing down. The file may look right, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Whether it’s a message about your booking, a betting offer that looks legitimate, or a download that appears to be exactly what you were searching for, these scams all rely on the same thing: they blend into everyday moments.
That’s where having backup like McAfee+ Advanced comes in. It includes:
Stay skeptical, verify before you click, and we’ll see you next week with more.
The post This Week in Scams: Why That “Booking Confirmation” Message Might Be Fake appeared first on McAfee Blog.
McAfee Labs has uncovered a widespread malware campaign hiding inside fake downloads for things like game mods, AI tools, drivers, and trading utilities.
In January 2026, researchers observed 443 malicious ZIP files impersonating software people might actively search for online. Across those files, McAfee identified 48 malicious WinUpdateHelper.dll variants used to infect devices. The campaign was spread through a mix of file-hosting and content delivery services, including Discord, SourceForge, FOSSHub, and mydofiles[.]com.
What makes this campaign especially notable is that some parts of it appear to have been built with help from large language models (LLMs). McAfee researchers found signs that certain scripts likely used AI-generated code, which may have helped the attackers create and scale the campaign faster.
That does not mean AI created the whole operation on its own. But it does suggest AI may be helping cybercriminals lower the effort needed to build malware and launch attacks.
Want the full research? Dive in here.
We break down the top takeaways below.
| Finding | What it means |
| 443 malicious ZIP files | Attackers created many different fake downloads to reach more victims |
| 48 malicious DLL variants | The campaign used multiple versions of the malware, not just one file |
| 1,700+ file names observed | The same threat was repackaged under many different names to look convincing |
| 17 distinct kill chains | Researchers found multiple attack flows, but they followed a similar overall pattern |
| Hosted on familiar platforms | The malware was distributed through services users may recognize, including Discord and SourceForge |
| AI-assisted code suspected | Some scripts contained explanatory comments and patterns that strongly suggest LLM assistance |
| Cryptomining and additional malware observed | Infected devices could be used to mine cryptocurrency or receive more malicious payloads |
In this case, “AI-written malware” does not mean an AI system independently invented and launched the attack.
Instead, McAfee Labs found evidence that the attackers very likely used AI tools to help generate some of the code used in the campaign, especially in certain PowerShell scripts.
Put simply:
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
| Large language model (LLM) | An AI system that can generate text and code based on prompts |
| AI-assisted malware | Malware where attackers appear to have used AI tools to help write or structure parts of the code |
| Vibe coding | A style of coding where someone describes what they want and an AI does much of the writing |
This matters because it can make malware development faster, easier, and more scalable for attackers.
The attack begins when someone searches for software online and downloads what looks like the tool they wanted.
That tool might appear to be a game mod, AI voice changer, emulator, trading utility, VPN, or driver. But behind the scenes, the ZIP archive includes malicious components that start the infection.
| Step | What happens |
| 1. A user downloads a fake file | The ZIP archive is disguised as something useful or desirable, such as a mod menu, AI tool, or driver |
| 2. The file appears normal at first | In some cases, the package includes a legitimate executable so it feels more convincing |
| 3. A malicious DLL is loaded | A hidden malicious file, often WinUpdateHelper.dll, starts the real attack |
| 4. The user is distracted | The malware may display a fake “missing dependency” message and redirect the user to install unrelated software |
| 5. A PowerShell script is pulled from a remote server | While the user is distracted, the malware contacts a command-and-control server and runs additional code |
| 6. More malware is installed | Depending on the sample, the device may receive coin miners, infostealers, or remote access tools |
| 7. The infected device is abused for profit | In many cases, attackers use the victim’s system resources to mine cryptocurrency in the background |
McAfee found that the attackers cast a very wide net. The malicious ZIP files impersonated many types of software, including:
| Bait category | Examples |
| Gaming tools | game mods, cheats, executors, Roblox-related tools |
| AI-themed tools | AI image generators, AI voice changers, AI-branded downloads |
| System utilities | graphics drivers, USB drivers, emulators, VPNs |
| Trading or finance tools | stock-market utilities and related downloads |
| Fake security or malware tools | fake stealers, decryptors, and other risky-looking utilities |
That broad range is part of what made the campaign effective. It was designed to catch people already looking for shortcuts, unofficial tools, or hard-to-find software.
One of the strongest clues came from the comments inside some of the attack scripts.
McAfee researchers found explanatory comments that looked more like AI-generated instructions than the kind of shorthand attackers usually leave for themselves. In one example, a comment referred to downloading a file from “your GitHub URL,” which suggests the code may have come from a generated template and was not fully cleaned up before use.
These details do not prove every part of the campaign was AI-made. But they do support McAfee’s assessment that certain components were likely generated with help from large language models.
In many cases, the malware was used to turn victims’ computers into quiet crypto-mining machines.
McAfee observed mining activity involving several cryptocurrencies, including:
Some samples also downloaded additional payloads such as SalatStealer or Mesh Agent.
For victims, that can mean:
| Possible effect | What it may look like |
| Slower performance | apps lag, games stutter, system feels unusually sluggish |
| High CPU or GPU usage | fans run constantly, laptop gets hot, battery drains faster |
| Background malware activity | unknown processes, suspicious downloads, unexpected behavior |
| Potential data theft | if an infostealer or remote access tool is installed |
McAfee was also able to trace several Bitcoin wallets tied to the campaign. At the time of the report, those wallets held about $4,536 in Bitcoin, while total funds received were approximately $11,497.70. Researchers note the real total could be higher because some of the currencies involved are harder to trace.
This campaign was observed most heavily in:
That does not mean users elsewhere were unaffected. These were simply the countries where researchers saw the highest prevalence.
Even though the campaign used advanced techniques, the warning signs for users were often familiar.
| Red flag | Why it matters |
| You found the file through a random link | Unofficial forums, Discord links, and file-hosting pages are common malware delivery paths |
| The download is a ZIP for something sketchy or unofficial | Cheats, cracks, mod tools, and unofficial utilities carry higher risk |
| You get a “missing dependency” message | Attackers may use this to push a second download while the real infection happens in the background |
| The file name looks right, but the source feels wrong | Familiar names can be faked easily |
| Your PC suddenly slows down or overheats | Hidden cryptominers often abuse system resources |
| You notice new, unrelated software installed | The campaign sometimes used unwanted software installs as a distraction |
This campaign is a reminder that not every convincing file is a safe one. A few habits can reduce your risk significantly.
| Safety step | Why it helps |
| Download software only from official sources | This lowers the chance of accidentally installing a trojanized file |
| Avoid cheats, cracks, and unofficial mods | These categories are common bait for malware campaigns |
| Be skeptical of dependency prompts | Unexpected requests to install helper files or missing components can be part of the attack |
| Keep your security software updated | Current protection can help detect known threats and suspicious behavior |
| Pay attention to system performance | A suddenly hot, loud, or slow PC may be a sign something is running in the background |
| Review what you download before opening it | Even a familiar file name does not guarantee a file is legitimate |
McAfee helps protect against malware threats like these with multiple layers of security, including malware detection and safer browsing protections designed to help stop risky downloads before they can do damage.
If you think you downloaded and ran a suspicious file like one described in this campaign:
| Action | Why it matters |
| Disconnect from the internet | This can help interrupt communication with attacker-controlled servers |
| Run a full security scan | A trusted scan can help identify malicious files and behavior |
| Delete suspicious downloads | Remove the file and avoid reopening it |
| Check for unfamiliar software or startup items | The infection may have installed additional components |
| Change important passwords from a clean device | This is especially important if data-stealing malware may have been involved |
| Monitor accounts for unusual activity | Keep an eye on email, banking, and other sensitive accounts |
If your computer continues acting strangely after a scan, it may be worth getting professional help.
This campaign highlights how cybercrime is evolving.
The core risk is not just fake downloads. It is the fact that attackers are using AI tools to help generate code, create variations, and speed up parts of the malware development process.
That can make campaigns like this easier to scale and harder to ignore.
For everyday users, the takeaway is simple: if a file seems unofficial, rushed, or too good to be true, pause before opening it. A fake download may look like a shortcut, but it can quietly turn your device into a target.
| FAQs |
| Q: What is AI-written malware?
A: AI-written malware generally refers to malicious code, or parts of a malware campaign, that appear to have been created with help from AI coding tools or large language models. |
| Q: Did AI create this entire malware campaign?
A: McAfee Labs did not say that. The research suggests that certain components, especially some scripts, were likely generated with help from large language models. |
| Q: What was this malware disguised as?
A: The malicious files impersonated game mods, AI tools, drivers, trading utilities, VPNs, emulators, and other software downloads. |
| Q: What can happen if you open one of these fake files?
A: Depending on the sample, the malware may install coin miners, steal data, establish persistence, or download additional malicious tools. |
| Q: Can malware really use my computer to mine cryptocurrency?
A: Yes. McAfee observed samples in this campaign that used victims’ CPU and GPU resources to mine cryptocurrency in the background. |
| Q: What is the safest way to avoid this kind of malware?
A: Download software only from official or trusted sources, avoid unofficial tools and cheats, be cautious of fake dependency prompts, and keep your security protection up to date. |
Want to learn more? Dive into the full research here.
The post New Research: Hackers Are Using AI-Written Code to Spread Malware appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Whether you’re a hardcore basketball fan or the office colleague who gets roped into filling out a bracket every year, March Madness is the season for brackets, office pools, and last-minute picks.
More than half of Americans (57%) plan to watch the NCAA basketball tournament, and 55% say they participate in some kind of betting or bracket activity during March Madness, from office pools to licensed sportsbook wagers.
But where there’s excitement and money, scammers aren’t far behind.
New research from McAfee finds that 1 in 3 Americans (32%) say they’ve experienced a betting or gambling scam, and 24% say they’ve lost money to one, with victims losing an average of $547.
Big events like March Madness create the perfect storm: massive attention, constant betting promotions, and fans searching online for predictions, tips, and an edge.
Scammers know it, and they’re exploiting the moment.
Sports betting promotions are everywhere during major events like March Madness.
According to McAfee research, 82% of Americans say they’ve seen sports betting promotions or offers in the past year, often on social media, streaming broadcasts, and sports websites.
That flood of promotions makes it easier for scams to blend in with legitimate content.
Many scams start the same way legitimate offers do, through messages, ads, or links promising bonuses or tips. But once someone clicks or responds, the situation can escalate quickly.
For example:
In many cases, victims are then asked to send money to unlock winnings, activate accounts, or access premium betting picks.
The payout rarely exists.
Betting scams come in several forms, but many follow familiar patterns.
Here are some of the most common tactics reported in McAfee’s research:
| Scam Type | Definition | How It Works | Red Flags |
| Guaranteed Win Scam | A betting scam where someone promises a “guaranteed win,” “sure bet,” or “can’t lose” outcome in exchange for money, clicks, or sign-ups. According to McAfee Findings, about 1 in 6 Americans say they’ve received these kinds of messages, which are designed to lure fans looking for an edge. | Scammers send private messages, emails, or social posts claiming they have insider knowledge or a lock on a game. The goal is usually to get the victim to pay for picks, join a private group, or click a malicious link. | Claims that a bet is guaranteed, pressure to act fast, requests for payment to access picks, and promises that sound risk-free. |
| Fake Free Bet Promotion Scam | A scam that pretends to offer bonus bets, deposit matches, or free credits through a fake sportsbook promotion. | The victim sees what looks like a real sportsbook offer, often through social media, email, or text. Clicking may lead to a fake site that steals login details, payment information, or deposits. | Unfamiliar brand names, unofficial links, urgent sign-up language, and promotions that seem unusually generous. |
| Winnings Release Fee Scam | A scam where a victim is told they have winnings waiting, but must first pay a fee, deposit, or processing charge to collect them. | The scammer claims the user has won money, then invents a reason payment is required before the funds can be released. Once the fee is sent, the payout never arrives. | Requests to pay before receiving winnings, vague “processing” or “verification” fees, and pressure to send money immediately. |
| Fake Betting App or Website Scam | A scam involving a fraudulent app or website designed to look like a real sportsbook or betting platform. | Victims are directed to a fake platform where they may create an account, enter personal information, or deposit money. The site may appear legitimate, but withdrawals are blocked or impossible. | Slightly misspelled URLs, strange app download paths, poor website quality, and platforms that make deposits easy but withdrawals difficult. |
| Sportsbook Impersonation Scam | A scam in which someone pretends to represent a legitimate betting platform or sportsbook support team. | The scammer contacts the victim claiming there is an issue with an account, a bonus, or winnings. They then ask for login credentials, payment details, or personal information. | Requests for passwords, bank details, or identity information; unexpected outreach; and messages pushing you to resolve an “account issue” through a link. |
| Fake Insider Tip Scam | A scam that uses claims of insider information, fixed games, or special access to make a betting offer sound exclusive and trustworthy. | Scammers position themselves as experts, insiders, or connected sources who can help the victim beat the odds. The real goal is usually payment, account access, or enrollment in a scam betting channel. | Claims of fixed outcomes, “insider” knowledge, exclusive access, and offers that rely on secrecy or urgency. |
| Celebrity or Influencer Endorsement Scam | A betting scam that uses fake or misleading celebrity, athlete, or influencer endorsements to make an offer seem legitimate. | Scammers create ads, videos, or posts that appear to feature a public figure recommending a betting platform, app, or tip service. In some cases, AI-generated content makes these endorsements look more convincing. | Endorsements that seem off-brand, videos or graphics that look unnatural, unfamiliar accounts, and promotions tied to fake urgency or suspicious links. |
| Private Betting Group Scam | A scam that tries to move betting conversations into private channels like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal. | After initial contact on social media or another public platform, the scammer encourages the victim to join a private group for “exclusive picks,” “VIP bets,” or “premium insights.” These groups are often used to pressure victims into sending money or clicking malicious links. | Pressure to move off-platform quickly, promises of VIP access, requests for payment to join, and little proof that the group is legitimate. |
McAfee’s research found that Americans under 45 are significantly more likely to encounter betting scams, with 44% saying they’ve experienced one compared with 19% of those over 45.
Men also report higher exposure, with 40% saying they’ve experienced a betting scam, compared with 25% of women.
Men and younger adults are also more likely to participate in brackets, fantasy sports, or sportsbook betting, the same spaces where scams often appear.
Artificial intelligence is beginning to change how scams look and sound.
About 1 in 5 Americans say they’ve encountered betting scams that appeared more realistic because of AI, and 27% believe they’ve seen AI-generated betting content such as fake promotions, images, or videos.
Among those who encountered AI-driven scams:
As these tools improve, scam messages are becoming smoother, more convincing, and harder to distinguish from legitimate promotions.
| Safety Check | What To Do |
| Be skeptical of “guaranteed wins” | No bet is risk-free. Ignore messages promising sure bets, insider picks, or guaranteed outcomes. |
| Use only licensed sportsbooks | Stick to official betting apps and well-known sportsbooks. Avoid unfamiliar websites or apps. |
| Don’t click betting links from unknown messages | If you receive a betting offer via email, text, or social media, go directly to the official site instead of clicking the link. |
| Never pay fees to unlock winnings | If someone says you must send money to claim winnings or activate a betting account, it’s almost certainly a scam. |
| Be cautious of private betting groups | Invitations to “VIP betting groups” on apps like Telegram or WhatsApp are often used to promote scam picks or collect payments. |
| Protect your accounts | Use strong passwords and turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible. Try our free strong password generator. |
| Use scam detection tools | Tools like McAfee’s Scam Detector can flag suspicious links, websites, and messages before you engage. |
March Madness is meant to be fun, filling out brackets, debating picks with friends, and cheering for the next big upset. Betting can be part of that excitement, but it’s worth remembering that scammers are watching the tournament too.
A simple rule of thumb can go a long way: if a betting offer promises guaranteed wins, asks for money upfront, or pushes you to act quickly, take a step back and verify it first.
The safest plays are the ones where you slow down, stick to trusted platforms, and keep your personal information protected.
Sports betting can be fun, but for some people it can become difficult to manage. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available through the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-MY-RESET), operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling.
The post 1 in 3 Has Experienced a Betting Scam. What March Madness Fans Should Know appeared first on McAfee Blog.
This week in scams, the Pokémon Trainer pursuit to “catch ’em all” is being hijacked by criminals posting fake trading card listings online; duping buyers, including young collectors, out of hundreds of dollars.
Meanwhile, threatening email extortion scams claiming your personal data has been stolen are flooding inboxes around the world. And a viral “wedding photo” of Tom Holland and Zendaya shows how AI-generated images can blur the line between real and fake online.
Here’s what to know.
The booming market for collectible Pokémon cards has become a new target for scammers.
According to reporting from The Straits Times, Singapore police recently arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of running a series of e-commerce scams involving Pokémon trading cards. Victims reportedly lost more than $135,000 after paying for limited-edition cards that never arrived.
Authorities say the suspect allegedly advertised pre-orders for rare cards on the online marketplace Carousell. After receiving payment through bank transfers or digital payment apps, the seller either became unreachable or claimed there were delivery problems.
Police say at least 35 reports tied to the suspect have been filed since October 2025, and more broadly there have been over 600 reported Pokémon card e-commerce scams totaling more than $1.1 million in losses during that same period.
Collectibles create the perfect storm for online scams. Limited releases, hype, and rising resale values make buyers feel pressure to act quickly before items “sell out.” Scammers take advantage of that urgency.
If you’re buying trading cards or other collectibles online:
When demand spikes for a product, whether it’s sneakers, concert tickets, or Pokémon cards, scams usually follow.
Another scam spreading widely right now arrives in a much more intimidating format: a threatening email claiming hackers have stolen your personal data.
According to reporting from Fox News, many people are receiving messages that claim the sender has access to their passwords, files, or financial information. The message then demands payment in Bitcoin to prevent the data from being sold on the dark web.
At first glance, these emails can feel frightening. They often use dramatic language like:
But in most cases, there’s one major problem with the claim.
There’s no proof.
Security experts note that these messages usually include no screenshots, no passwords, and no evidence of a real breach. Instead, scammers send the same message to thousands of email addresses at once, hoping a small percentage of recipients will panic and pay.
Often, the scammers obtained your email address from old data breach lists circulating online, which makes the message feel more believable.
If you receive a threatening extortion email:
Reporting the message helps email providers improve spam filters and prevent similar scams from reaching others.
The biggest tactic here is fear. Once you slow down and evaluate the message, the scam usually falls apart.
A viral image circulating on social media this week claimed to show Tom Holland and Zendaya’s wedding, sparking massive speculation online.
But many viewers quickly suspected the image wasn’t real.
According to reporting on Yahoo Entertainment, the photo appeared to originate from a fan account on X (formerly Twitter) that claimed the image had been “confirmed” by major outlets like Vogue and Cosmopolitan. However, no such confirmation existed, and soon the official label was added marking the content as AI-generated.
Celebrity rumors already spread quickly online. Add generative AI to the mix, and fabricated images can travel even faster.
While a fake celebrity wedding photo may seem harmless, the same technology can easily be used in more serious ways.
AI-generated visuals are already being used to create:
The line between real and synthetic content is getting harder to spot.
If a viral image seems surprising or dramatic:
When something looks shocking online, that’s often exactly why it spreads. McAfee’s built-in Scam Detector can help you spot AI-generated audio and video.
A few simple habits can help reduce your risk across all three of these scenarios:
Scams today don’t always look like scams. They often look like exciting deals, urgent warnings, or AI depictions of people you trust.
The best defense is slowing down before clicking, paying, or sharing.
From collectible card fraud to email extortion campaigns and AI-generated viral content, the tactics scammers use may change, but the strategy is the same: manipulate emotion and urgency.
Stay skeptical, verify before you trust, and we’ll be back next week with another breakdown of the scams making headlines, and what they mean for your security.
The post This Week in Scams: Pokémon Card Cons, Email Extortion, and a Viral AI Wedding Photo appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Tax season is a headache for many people, and when a shortcut promises to make filing easier, it’s hard to resist. This year, one of the newest trends is using AI chatbots like ChatGPT to help prepare tax returns.
According to new McAfee research, 30% of people say they plan to use an AI tool, such as ChatGPT, to help with their taxes, with younger adults leading the trend.
At first glance, it makes sense. AI tools can explain confusing tax rules, summarize IRS forms, and answer questions instantly.
But there’s an important line that should never be crossed: Do not enter your personal tax information into AI chatbots.
That includes Social Security numbers, income records, home addresses, bank details, or anything else tied to your identity.
Here’s why:
Think about it this way: when you type something into an AI chatbot, you’re sending that information over the internet to a system that processes and stores data.
In practical terms, entering sensitive information into an AI tool is similar to typing it directly into a search engine or submitting it to an online form.
Once it leaves your device, you lose direct control over where it travels and how it may be stored.
Even companies with strong security protections are transparent about this risk.
OpenAI’s privacy documentation explains that they use encryption and strict access controls to protect user data. However, they also note that no internet transmission or digital storage system can be guaranteed completely secure.
This is true across the internet, not just for AI tools.
Security incidents can happen anywhere online, including companies with robust security programs.
For example, in late 2025, OpenAI disclosed a security incident involving a third-party analytics provider called Mixpanel. The breach occurred within the vendor’s systems, not OpenAI’s infrastructure, but some limited user profile data associated with the platform was exposed.
According to OpenAI’s disclosure, the data involved information such as:
Importantly, chat content, passwords, payment information, and government IDs were not exposed in that incident.
But the event highlights a broader cybersecurity reality:
Even when a company takes strong security precautions, third-party services, vendors, and other parts of the digital ecosystem can still introduce risk.
That’s why cybersecurity experts recommend limiting what personal information you share online whenever possible.
Tax information is one of the most valuable targets for cybercriminals.
If scammers obtain the details commonly found in tax filings, they may be able to:
Tax returns typically include multiple pieces of highly sensitive data, including:
Instead of relying on AI chatbots for filing, stick with trusted tax preparation options designed to securely handle sensitive data:
These systems are specifically built with compliance, encryption, and identity verification in mind.
AI tools can be incredibly useful for learning and research. But they are not secure tax filing platforms.
If you wouldn’t feel comfortable posting your Social Security number publicly online, you shouldn’t paste it into a chatbot either. When it comes to taxes, the safest rule is simple: Use AI for advice, not for your personal data.
The post Using an AI like ChatGPT to File Your Taxes? Stop and Read This First appeared first on McAfee Blog.
We’re back with another roundup of must-know scams and cybersecurity news making headlines this week, including a scam that features the name of the Jim Carrey movie, The Truman Show.
Let’s break it down.
So, why the name of this scam?
In the 1998 film The Truman Show, the main character unknowingly lives inside a staged reality TV world where everything around him is carefully controlled. In the “Truman Show” scam, criminals try to place victims into a similarly staged investment environment, complete with fake group chats, fake investors, and fake profits designed to build trust. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with the movie.
The “Truman Show” scam is an AI-powered investment scam where criminals create an entire fake online community to convince victims an investment opportunity is real.
According to reports, scammers invite people into group chats on platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp that appear full of investors sharing tips and celebrating profits. In reality, many of the participants, moderators, and conversations may be run by AI bots designed to simulate a lively trading community.
Security researchers say the moderator and the other “investors” in the group may actually be AI-driven bots, programmed to simulate real conversations and enthusiasm around the investment strategy.
The scam often includes:
The app itself may appear legitimate. But in reality, it often redirects users to a malicious website where scammers collect personal and financial information.
Once victims deposit money, the criminals can quickly drain accounts or block withdrawals.
McAfee’s State of the Scamiverse research shows just how convincing scams have become. One in three Americans (33%) say they feel less confident spotting scams than they did a year ago, as criminals increasingly use polished branding, realistic conversations, and AI-generated content to make fraudulent opportunities look legitimate.
Why this works: people naturally trust social proof. When it looks like dozens of other investors are making money, people lower their skepticism.
Another scam to be aware of this week includes spoofed letters impersonating local government offices.
According to reporting from WGME in Maine, residents in multiple towns recently received official-looking notices requesting payment for supposed municipal fees tied to development applications.
The letters appeared convincing. They used formal language, official seals, and department names. But there was a problem.
One of the notices claimed it came from a “Board of Commissioners,” even though the town in question does not have one.
Officials say the letters instructed recipients to send payments by wire transfer, a method legitimate government offices almost never use for these kinds of transactions.
McAfee’s experts say these scams are effective because they rely on volume. Fraudsters send thousands of letters hoping a small percentage of recipients will respond before verifying the request. And remember, these types of scams occur all the time and across the globe. While today’s reports are in Maine, it’s important to be vigilant wherever you live.
Red flags to watch for:
The safest move is simple: verify the request independently. Contact the government office directly using phone numbers listed on its official website, not the ones in the letter.
Meanwhile, a well-known data analytics company is dealing with a breach after hackers published stolen files online.
According to BleepingComputer, LexisNexis Legal & Professional confirmed that attackers accessed some of its servers and obtained limited customer and business information. The confirmation came after a hacking group leaked roughly 2GB of stolen data on underground forums.
LexisNexis says the compromised systems contained mostly older or “legacy” data from before 2020, including:
The company says highly sensitive financial information, Social Security numbers, and active passwords were not part of the exposed data.
However, attackers claim they accessed millions of database records and hundreds of thousands of cloud user profiles tied to the company’s systems.
LexisNexis says it has contained the intrusion and is working with cybersecurity experts and law enforcement.
Why breaches like this matter: even when the stolen data appears limited, it can still be used in targeted phishing attacks.
For example, scammers might use real names, email addresses, or business roles to send convincing messages that appear legitimate.
Breaches often trigger waves of follow-up scams weeks or months later. (We know we cover this one a lot, but it’s key to remember!)
A few simple habits can make these schemes much easier to spot.
We’ll be back next week with another roundup of the scams and cybersecurity news making headlines and what they mean for your digital safety.
The post This Week in Scams: The AI “Truman Show” Scam Draining Bank Accounts appeared first on McAfee Blog.
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