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Employee benefits platform Paylogix says hackers stole financial and health

Akira ransomware gang stole financial, health, and passport data on tens of thousands of people from benefits administrator Paylogix in November.

Hackers stole files from Paylogix's network between November 13 and 18, exposing Social Security numbers, financial accounts, health insurance information, medical data, passport numbers, and taxpayer IDs. State breach notices report at least 67,789 affected people, including 64,383 in South Carolina. Paylogix did not name the attackers but appeared on the Akira ransomware gang's leak site in January. The company notified federal law enforcement, is cooperating with an investigation, and faces organizing class action lawsuits.

The Record · 22d agoData breach in the wild

Detect and disrupt AI-themed attacks with Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Threat Intelligence reports criminal campaigns impersonating ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, and DeepSeek in phishing, AiTM, and malvertising attacks reaching 100,000 emails daily.

Microsoft Threat Intelligence observed a growing set of campaigns that abuse trust in popular AI brands: a ChatGPT-themed phishing campaign sent up to 100,000 emails in one day to steal payment card data, and a Claude-themed campaign used adversary-in-the-middle techniques to harvest credentials and access tokens. Other campaigns included malvertising for a fake AI Windows plugin delivering the Vidar stealer and fraudulent DeepSeek installers distributed via GitHub. Initial access broker Storm-3075 used AI-themed malvertising to distribute payloads for multiple downstream actors, and Microsoft notes the AI services themselves were not compromised. Microsoft also details Defender protections such as Safe Links, Safe Attachments, and attack disruption against these multi-stage lures.

Microsoft Security Blog · 6d agoPhishing & fraud in the wild 2 sources1

Rhysida Publishes Berlin Government Data After €2m Extortion Demand Refused

Rhysida published 5.7 TB of Berlin state government data, including sensitive CBRN emergency plans, after the state refused a €2m ransom demand.

The Rhysida ransomware gang leaked roughly 5.7 TB — about 1.4 million files — stolen from Berlin's state network after the government declined to pay 30 bitcoins (about €2m) by the September 4 deadline. The dump reportedly includes sensitive state emergency plans for terrorist attacks and CBRN disaster scenarios in a folder titled 'AG CBRN-Rahmenplanung', plus personnel files, absence lists, payroll data, and home addresses, potentially affecting tens of thousands of people. Berlin says there are no indications the state network remains compromised and will notify affected individuals on a risk-based basis after forensic analysis.

Infosecurity Magazine · 9d agoRansomware

Berlin Ransomware Leak Exposes State Secrets

Rhysida ransomware leaked 5.79 TB of Berlin state government data on the dark web after the city refused a 30 Bitcoin ransom.

The Rhysida ransomware group published 5.79 TB (about 1.44 million files) of Berlin state administration data on its leak site on August 28, 2026, after the city-state refused a 30 Bitcoin ransom. The claimed dataset includes personal data on 12,076 individuals, over 5,000 personnel files, payroll records, plaintext credentials for systems like PAYONE and Z_ADMIN, Bundesrat committee protocols, and documents allegedly containing state secrets. Leaked material reportedly covers national defense emergency plans, federal secret communication channels, a CBRN threat planning folder, and vulnerability analyses of Berlin's water supply. Berlin's government has activated a central crisis unit to review the leaked data and notify affected citizens and businesses.

Security Affairs · 10d agoRansomware

Berlin refuses to be blackmailed after network breach

Rhysida extorts Berlin's state government after stealing 5.79 TB across 1.44 million files, demanding roughly 2 million euros in bitcoin.

Berlin's state government confirmed an extortion attempt after data theft from its administrative network between August 7 and 12, with affected departments disconnected only on August 14. The Rhysida ransomware gang lists 5.79 TB across 1.44 million files on its leak site, including HR files, contracts, 148 IBANs, personal data on 12,076 individuals, and plaintext credentials from internal systems including Berlin's leadership. Der Spiegel reports a 30 bitcoin demand of about 2 million euros; officials say the city will not pay and investigators include the State Criminal Police Office and federal agencies. Forensics revealed additional leaks in the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, while the Berlin House of Representatives election environment is reported secure.

Help Net Security · 16d agoRansomware in the wild

Rhysida Ransomware Group Targets Berlin Government Ahead of Vote

Rhysida ransomware hit Berlin's state government weeks before the September 20 election, claiming 5.79 TB stolen; officials refused the ransom.

Berlin's government confirmed an August cyberattack on its administrative network, with data exfiltrated between August 7 and August 12 and departments isolated on August 17. The Rhysida group claimed responsibility on August 28, alleging theft of 5.79 TB and 1.44 million files including personal data on 12,076 individuals, payroll files, plaintext credentials, and vulnerability analyses of Berlin's water supply. Officials said election systems were not affected and refused to pay; Rhysida has claimed roughly 280 victims since 2023, entering via VPNs without MFA, Zerologon, or phishing.

Security Affairs · 18d agoRansomware in the wild