Cybercrime/malcode – Lifeboat News: The Blog

Feb 18
2026

Why Cybersecurity Strategies and Frameworks Must Be Recalibrated in the Age of AI and Quantum Threats

#cybersecurity #ai #quantum

Artificial intelligence and quantum computing are no longer hypothetical; they are actively altering cybersecurity, extending attack surfaces, escalating dangers, and eroding existing defenses. We are in a new ear of emerging technologies that are directly impacting cybersecurity requirements.

As a seasoned observer and participant in the cybersecurity domain—through my work, teaching, and contributions to Homeland Security Today, my book “Inside Cyber: How AI, 5G, IoT, and Quantum Computing Will Transform Privacy and Our Security”, — I have consistently underscored that technological advancement is outpacing our institutions, policies, and workforce preparedness.

Current frameworks, intended for a pre-digital convergence era, are increasingly unsuitable. In order to deal with these dual-use technologies that act as force multipliers for both defenders and enemies, we must immediately adjust our strategy as time is of the essence.

Feb 17
2026

Infostealer Steals OpenClaw AI Agent Configuration Files and Gateway Tokens

Infostealer malware stole OpenClaw AI agent files including tokens and keys, while exposed instances and malicious skills expand security risks.

Feb 17
2026

Microsoft Discloses DNS-Based ClickFix Attack Using Nslookup for Malware Staging

Microsoft details a new ClickFix variant abusing DNS nslookup commands to stage malware, enabling stealthy payload delivery and RAT deployment.

Feb 17
2026

Washington Hotel in Japan discloses ransomware infection incident

The Washington Hotel brand in Japan has announced that that its servers were compromised in a ransomware attack, exposing various business data.

The hospitality group has established an internal task force and engaged external cybersecurity experts to assess the impact of the intrusion, determine whether customer data was compromised, and coordinate recovery efforts.

Washington Hotel, a brand operating under Fujita Kanko Inc. (WHG Hotels), is a business-focused hospitality chain with 30 locations across Japan. WHG has 11,000 rooms over its properties and has nearly 5 million guests every year.

Feb 16
2026

Q-Day: Catastrophic For Businesses Ignoring Quantum-Resistant Encryption

#Quantum #CyberSecurity

Quantum computing is not merely a frontier of innovation; it is a countdown. Q-Day is the pivotal moment when scalable quantum computers undermine the cryptographic underpinnings of our digital realm. It is approaching more rapidly than many comprehend.

For corporations and governmental entities reliant on outdated encryption methods, Q-Day will not herald a smooth transition; it may signify a digital catastrophe.

Comprehending Q-Day: The Quantum Reckoning

Q-Day arrives when quantum machines using Shor’s algorithm can dismantle public-key encryption within minutes—a task that classical supercomputers would require billions of years to accomplish.

Feb 16
2026

How cyberattacks on grocery stores could threaten food security

Grocery store shoppers at many chains recently ran into an unwelcome surprise: empty shelves and delayed prescriptions. In early November, Ahold Delhaize USA was the victim of a cyberattack that significantly disrupted operations at more than 2,000 stores, including Hannaford, Food Lion and Stop and Shop. Specific details of the nature of the attack have not yet been publicly released.

Because the attack affected many digital systems, some stores were not able to accept credit/debit cards, while others had to shut down online ordering. Additionally, Hannaford’s website was offline for several days. Food supply issues have lasted several weeks in some cases, especially in the New England area, illustrating the impact cyberattacks have on people’s everyday lives.

Feb 14
2026

Google Ties Suspected Russian Actor to CANFAIL Malware Attacks on Ukrainian Orgs

Suspected Russian actor deploys CANFAIL malware via phishing, targeting Ukrainian defense, energy, and aid sectors using LLM-assisted lures.

Feb 14
2026

Google Links China, Iran, Russia, North Korea to Coordinated Defense Sector Cyber Operations

State-backed hackers from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea target defense contractors using espionage, malware, hiring scams, and edge exploits.

Feb 14
2026

UAT-9921 Deploys VoidLink Malware to Target Technology and Financial Sectors

Cisco Talos links UAT-9921 to VoidLink, a modular Zig-based malware targeting Linux cloud systems with stealth plugins and C2 control.

Feb 14
2026

Malicious Chrome Extensions Caught Stealing Business Data, Emails, and Browsing History

Cybersecurity researchers have discovered a malicious Google Chrome extension that’s designed to steal data associated with Meta Business Suite and Facebook Business Manager.

The extension, named CL Suite by @CLMasters (ID: jkphinfhmfkckkcnifhjiplhfoiefffl), is marketed as a way to scrape Meta Business Suite data, remove verification pop-ups, and generate two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. The extension has 33 users as of writing. It was first uploaded to the Chrome Web Store on March 1, 2025.

However, the browser add-on also exfiltrates TOTP codes for Facebook and Meta Business accounts, Business Manager contact lists, and analytics data to infrastructure controlled by the threat actor, Socket said.