Cyber espionage stories

Cyber chiefs predict 2026 cyber budgets will pivot from prevention and box-ticking to rapid response, recovery and demonstrable resilience.

SandboxAQ launches AQtive Guard AI-SPM to help firms track hidden AI use and tackle security risks from unmonitored 'shadow AI' deployments.

Qilin ransomware group has targeted 25 South Korean finance firms using managed service providers, exposing 2TB of data in a politically charged cyberattack surge.

Quantum cyber threats force organisations to urgently adopt post-quantum cryptography and strengthen critical infrastructure defences by 2026.

The US, UK and Australia have sanctioned Russian web-host Media Land and its leaders for aiding ransomware attacks via bulletproof hosting services.

New Zealand’s cybersecurity firm DEFEND clinched Microsoft’s Global Security Partner of the Year amid rising state-backed cyber attacks targeting local businesses daily.

New Zealand cybersecurity firm DEFEND wins Microsoft’s Global Security Partner of the Year amid rising cyber threats to public and private sectors.

By 2026, AI will empower individuals with hacker tools rivaling nation-states, radically transforming cyber threats and defences worldwide.

A China-linked group launched a major AI-driven cyber-espionage campaign targeting global firms, performing 80-90% of hacking with minimal human input.

Rapid7's report reveals cyber threats evolving with AI-powered phishing, rising ransomware alliances, and faster exploitation of vulnerabilities worldwide.

Iran-linked cyber spies have combined tactics from multiple hacking groups in a new phishing campaign targeting US experts on Iranian politics and the IRGC.

AI-driven cyber threats are escalating in Australia, with criminals deploying deepfakes and malware that evolves to bypass security, warns Google's Andrew Aston.

Google’s threat team warns that hackers are now using AI to create self-modifying malware and evade defences.

Curly COMrades exploit Microsoft Hyper-V to run hidden malware inside lightweight VMs, evading detection and maintaining stealthy control over targets.

Google warns of a surge in cyber espionage targeting Asia-Pacific summits in 2026, alongside rising scams using false base stations and tighter supply chain cybersecurity rules.

European organisations faced a sharp 2024 rise in ransomware and state-backed cyberattacks, with 22% of global victims, says CrowdStrike's latest report.

Rapid7 warns AI and quantum computing will escalate cyber threats, urging firms to adopt advanced defences and post-quantum cryptography amid rising hybrid attacks.

Over half of cyberattacks last year were driven by extortion or ransomware, with criminals focusing on financial gain rather than espionage, Microsoft reveals.

New Zealand’s intelligence chief warns rising foreign cyber espionage demands businesses strengthen security to protect innovation and national interests.

A North Korean group has used blockchain-based EtherHiding to secretly deploy malware, targeting developers in tech and cryptocurrency sectors worldwide.