Plus, Aztec Network raises $100M Series B funding from a16z to develop end-to-end encrypted blockchains
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The U.S. Senate has passed a bill that bans the use of TikTok in U.S. government devices by approving the No TikTok on Government Devices Act. The bill received unanimous support. More: - The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to develop standards for executive agencies that require TikTok and any successor application from the developer to be removed from agency information technology and their devices.
- These standards must include exceptions for law enforcement activities, national security interests, and security researchers.
- In order to go into effect, the bill needs to be passed by the Democrat-led House of Representatives and then signed into law by President Joe Biden.
- Republican representatives stated that they expected the bill to be pushed forward for approval by the end of next week.
- The bill was initially proposed by Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley.
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Hackers have breached the FBI's digital infrastructure program and are selling it to the highest bidder on the dark web. The hacker who has taken credit for the attack is named USDoD. More: - InfraGard is an information-sharing network designed to allow high-level professionals in and out of the government to collaborate on issues of cybersecurity and defense.
- The software is meant to serve as a bridge between the FBI and the private sector, where both sides can collaborate and share ideas.
- USDoD sent a direct note through InfraGard's messaging system to an InfraGard member to prove the validity of their claims.
- The FBI is yet to give information on the kind of data that has been stolen and its importance.
- The threat actor has listed the stolen data for sale with a $50,000 price tag, but researchers believe that the high price is a negotiation tactic.
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Microsoft has warned of a cross-platform Minecraft malware variant being tracked as MCCrash. The malware exclusively targets Minecraft servers and is used to steal data. More: - Microsoft, responsible for tracking the malware, claims that once the hackers exfiltrate the data, their purpose is to sell it on the dark web.
- MCCrash is deployed to the victims' devices after downloading false Microsoft Office license activators.
- The malware does not stop at the Microsoft device as it quickly aims to deploy to other systems, such as Linux and IoT devices.
- As is the case with most cyberattacks of this nature, the commands are given remotely through a C2 command center.
- Microsoft claims that most of the devices that may be potentially affected by this malware in the future are located in the U.S., Germany, and France.
- This malware has affected victims in many countries globally, including Russia, Mexico, Italy, India, Kazakhstan, and Singapore.
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Aztec Network has raised a $100M Series B funding round from a16z to develop end-to-end encrypted blockchains. The company aims to deploy its technology in the mainnet within 24 months. More: - The blockchain solution provided by Aztec Network is programmable, making it more adaptable to any possible changes that its community may deem as necessary in the future.
- Aztec's founding team believes that if its technology proves successful, it could disrupt banks in a meaningful way within the next five years.
- The company aims to use the funding to hire new engineers and build an encrypted architecture that allows users to verify that blockchain rules were followed without revealing any underlying information.
- Its layer-2 solution is currently compatible with Aave, Curve, Lido, Element, Set Protocol, Compound, and Liquity.
- Other participants in the round include A Capital, King River, Variant, SV Angel, Hash Key, Fenbushu, and AVG.
- The London-based company has raised $120M since being founded in 2017.
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Data Visor has raised a $40M growth round to provide online fraud prevention and risk management services. Brighton Park Capital led the funding round. More: - Founded by two former Microsoft employees, the company uses machine learning models to identify fraudulent patterns and potential areas where hackers may have a chance of breaching security protocols.
- The company claims it has seen 3x ARR growth in the 2022 fiscal year.
- Some of the company's clients include DCI, NASA Federal Credit Union, Galileo Financial Technologies, Air Asia, Neo Financial, etc.
- NewView Capital and GSR Ventures also participated in the round.
- Since being founded in 2013, the company has raised nearly $100M.
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- Instagram has announced that it is launching a tool that will help users recover their accounts if they have been hacked.
- A new report claims that K-12 schools in the U.S. are severely underprepared to handle hacking campaigns and are at risk of being targeted by ill-intended hackers.
- Visa has launched a slew of new cybersecurity-related features that aim to make its customers in Thailand safer from payment fraud, identity fraud, etc.
- Africa, known for being a pioneer in digital payments, is seeing an increasingly higher number of cyberfraud cases being reported. Most countries in the continent do not have legislation to tackle the issue yet, according to this report.
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 |  | Arbër is an Inside writer who also has experience in entrepreneurship. He has experience covering Consumer Tech, Venture Capital, NFTs, Crypto, etc. Arbër holds a Bachelor's degree in Business from XAMK University in Finland. When he is not reading(and writing) business news, he chooses to watch sports or anime...and then read news about sports or anime. |   | | Editor | Vibha Chapparike is a Freelance Writer & Editor at Inside.com. With her post-graduation in Management and Finance completed, Vibha is expanding her knowledge in venture capital, business, startups, and technology. She has had a career in public relations and communications. An ardent reader and writer currently residing in Singapore, you can follow Vibha on Twitter @VChapparike. | |
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