Data Leaks, Fraudulent Emails: This Week in Cyber

The longer a cybersecurity breach goes undetected, the more data can be compromised, subsequently exposing companies to bigger financial risks. SAT identified 2,262 fraudulent email accounts and 13 counterfeit websites attempting to deceive taxpayers toward revealing confidential information. In addition, Samsung smartphones manufactured abroad and imported without the consent of official brand distributors expose consumers to several risks.

This is this Week in Tech:

Extended Data Breach Response Times Worry LATAM Executive

In Latin America, 52% of companies experienced between one and nine data breaches in the past year, according to an EY study. Among them, 10% faced between 10 and 24 data breaches, with 42% of organizations reporting a frequency of 25 to 49 cases per year. The sheer frequency of data breaches coincides with a significant increase in cyberthreats around the world, urging businesses to enhance their cybersecurity controls and improve their response-time strategies. 

SAT Identifies Phishing Emails Impersonating the Agency

The Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT) identified 2,262 fraudulent email accounts and 13 counterfeit websites attempting to deceive taxpayers under SAT’s name. These deceptive emails employ identity theft techniques, aiming to extract personal and confidential information from unsuspecting victims. These social engineering attacks highlight the evolving landscape of online fraud and underscore the role of public cybersecurity awareness.

Samsung Blocks Smartphones Acquired Through the Gray Market

Samsung Mexico announced it would be blocking smartphones acquired through the gray market, an unofficial distribution channel. The tech company contends that phones illegally manufactured abroad and imported without official brand distributors expose consumers to several risks, such as battery deficiencies and software vulnerabilities, among others. However, they ultimately had to backtrack on their measure after Mexican authorities stated that it undermined consumer rights.