Telecom
Beware of Quishing: The New QR Code Scam You Need to Know About – Sophos
Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, has released the results of Sophos X-Ops research on a new type of threat: quishing.
This new attack vector involves the use of fraudulent QR codes, emailed by threat actors, to bypass the phishing security measures put in place by companies.
This fraudulent QR code, embedded in a PDF document attached to an email, takes the form of a message about payroll, employee benefits, or other forms of official paperwork a business might send to an employee. Because QR codes are not readable by computers, the employee must scan the QR code using their mobile phone.
The QR code links to a phishing page, which the employee may not recognize as malicious since phones usually are less protected than a computer. The goal of the attackers is to capture employees’ passwords and their multi-factor authentication (MFA) tokens in order to access a company’s system by bypassing the security measures in place.
“We spent a considerable amount of time sifting through all the spam samples we had to find examples of quishing,” comments Andrew Brandt, principal researcher at Sophos X-Ops. “Our research has revealed that attacks that exploit this specific threat vector are intensifying, both in terms of volume and sophistication, especially when it comes to the appearance of the PDF document. »
In addition to social engineering tactics, the quality of emails, attachments and QR code graphics, these attacks seem to be growing in terms of organization as well. Indeed, some malicious actors now offer as-a-service tools to run phishing campaigns using fraudulent QR codes. In addition to features such as CAPTCHA bypasses or the generation of IP address proxies to bypass automated threat detection, these criminal organizations provide a sophisticated phishing platform that can capture the credentials or MFA tokens of targeted individuals.
To encourage organizations to better protect systems against this type of attack, Sophos X-Ops shares a list of recommendations:
· Be vigilant about internal emails about HR topics, salaries or company benefits: Sophos X-Ops’ research has found that social engineering tricks exploit these themes to trick employees into scanning fraudulent QR codes from their mobile devices.
· Install Sophos Intercept X for Mobile : Available on Android, iOS and Chrome OS, this solution includes a secure QR code scanner that helps identify known phishing websites and alert if the URL is considered malicious.
· Monitor risky sign-ins: Using identity management tools, organizations can detect unusual sign-in activity.
· Enable Conditional Access: This feature helps enforce access controls based on the user’s location, device status and risk.
· Enable effective access monitoring thanks to sophisticated logs: this type of advanced monitoring allows you to better visualize all access to the system and detect this type of threat in time.
· Implement advanced email filtering: Sophos’ QR code phishing protection solution detects fraudulent QR codes included directly in emails and plans to expand its solution to QR codes in attachments as early as the first quarter of 2025.
· Leverage on-demand email retrieval: Sophos Central Email customers who use Microsoft 365 have this feature to eliminate spam or phishing emails from corporate emails.
· Encourage employees to be vigilant and report incidents: Prompt reporting of anomalies to the incident response team is essential to protect company systems from phishing.
· Revoke suspicious user sessions: It is imperative to have a plan in place to revoke user access that shows signs of compromise.
Despite the continuous development of new attack vectors, organizations can protect themselves from compromised systems by equipping themselves with the right tools, fostering a culture and work environment, and surrounding themselves with security vendors that, like Sophos.
Telecom
Sytemap Announces 50% Discount on Verified Lands for Women, March 8–14, 2025
Sytemap, a trusted leader in land acquisition and technology solutions, is thrilled to announce a groundbreaking initiative designed to empower women through affordable and secure land ownership.
From March 8 to March 14, 2025, women—including professionals in Africa and the diaspora—will enjoy an exclusive 50% discount on plots from verified estate developers through the Sytemap platform.
This initiative, themed “Her Land, Her Future,” underscores Sytemap’s commitment to breaking cultural and economic barriers that have historically sidelined women from property ownership. Partnering with over 30 reputable estate developers, Sytemap is creating unprecedented opportunities for women to invest in land with confidence.
For decades, women in Nigeria and across Africa have faced significant hurdles in land acquisition, including high costs, fear of fraud, and societal biases. In fact, studies show that 65% of victims of land scams in Nigeria are women.
Sytemap’s CEO, Nnamdi Uba, stated, “Women have long been marginalized in land ownership, a critical path to building wealth and security. Our mission is not only to make land ownership accessible but to eliminate the fears and uncertainties that hold women back.”
With this initiative, Sytemap leverages its reputation for transparency and cutting-edge technology to offer a simple, scam-free, and empowering process for land purchase.
The campaign is designed to resonate with young professionals, particularly women with good-paying jobs who are ready to invest in their future. For women in the diaspora, the initiative offers tailored support, including seamless international payment options and an innovative plot-monitoring app that allows buyers to manage their investments from anywhere in the world.
Key Features Include:
50% Discount: Available only during the trade fair window (March 8–14, 2025).
Verified Estates: Secure locations vetted by Sytemap and trusted developers.
Flexible Payment Plans: Options to spread payments over several months to ease financial stress.
Digital Monitoring: A dedicated app to track land purchases and allocation progress.
Guaranteed Transparency: Every outright payment comes with instant, verifiable certificate allocation, with land documents delivered within three weeks.
This initiative will launch during the “Sytemap Land Trade Fair 1.0,” an event bringing together key stakeholders, women’s organizations, and influencers to celebrate this transformative moment. Women in the diaspora are encouraged to participate and take advantage of this life-changing opportunity.
Imagine a future where women are equal stakeholders in property ownership, shaping communities and securing generational wealth. Sytemap invites women across Africa and the diaspora to claim their space and rewrite the narrative of land ownership.
Telecom
Konga to Launch Africa’s First AI-Powered Hit Music & Commerce Radio Station
Konga, a leading composite e-commerce group, is poised to transform the Nigerian media and commerce landscape with the upcoming launch of its AI-powered FM radio station in Lagos.
The groundbreaking initiative, set to debut in January 2025, will mark Africa’s first Hit Music & Commerce Station, blending Technology, Entertainment, Commerce and more to drive impactful connections across the continent and the world.
A reliable source reveals that the station – KongaFM will be a pioneering platform to empower brands, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to connect with untapped markets, revolutionizing commerce in real time. While offering businesses a new avenue for product visibility and market penetration, the station promises to deliver non-stop hit music, ensuring listeners enjoy a unique mix of entertainment and commercial opportunities. It will be a completely new experience for Nigerians.
Equipped with state-of-the-art broadcasting technology and staffed by a dynamic new blend of seasoned professionals and youthful talent, the station will begin test transmissions in the second week of January 2025.
Konga’s latest media venture comes as part of its broader strategy to disrupt conventional marketing communications and amplify consumer engagement across sectors, including FMCG, electronics, and digital solutions.
The move is expected to send ripples across Nigeria’s FX market, potentially influencing the pricing and availability of key goods and commodities. This aligns with Konga’s history of innovation in the e-commerce sector.
This initiative will also complement Konga’s existing TV arm and other media services, positioning the brand as a dominant force in Marketing Communications. Together, these platforms will create synergies that set new benchmarks for how entertainment and commerce converge in Africa while streaming globally.
When asked for further details, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, CEO of Konga Group, remained tight-lipped, stating that “full details and official announcements will be made in January 2025.”
The anticipation around this launch continues to grow as industry experts and media enthusiasts eagerly await what is already being hailed as the next major evolution in Africa’s media and commerce space.
Telecom
Galaxy Backbone Deploys Fibre Optic Network in Lagos, Ibadan and Ilorin
Galaxy Backbone (GBB), the information technology and shared services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has announced the successful expansion of its state-of-the-art fibre optic network to Lagos, Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, and Ilorin, capital of Kwara State in the north-central region.
What is described as a remarkable milestone is part of Phase II of the country’s National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone (NICTIB) project.
With a robust cross-country optical fibre backbone now extending over 5,000 kilometres and across 27 state capitals, GBB says it has solidified its role as the digital backbone of Nigeria. This development seamlessly integrates the nation’s six geopolitical zones.
The newly completed Abuja-to-Lagos route, traversing key cities such as Minna, Bida, Mokwa, ilorin, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Ibadan and Lagos, is a strategic enhancement designed to strengthen network reliability. By establishing a closed network ring linking Lagos – the nation’s economic hub – to Abuja, the capital city, GBB says it ensures service redundancy and minimises potential downtime.
Professor Ibrahim A Adeyanju, managing director/CEO of Galaxy Backbone, says: “The expansion of our fibre optic network to Lagos, Ibadan and Ilorin is a significant step forward in our mission to bridge the digital divide and position Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy. This advanced infrastructure empowers us to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions that serve the needs of both the public and private sectors.”
He adds: “This expansion not only supports the government’s digital economy agenda but also sets the stage for meaningful collaboration with private sector organisations seeking to leverage our infrastructure.”
- Telecom2 days ago
Abuse of Trusted Applications Grows by 51% in Latest Sophos Report
- E-Financial2 days ago
CBN Pegs Daily Transaction Limit on PoS Agents @ N1.2m
- Telecom2 days ago
Towards Cashless Societies: Mobile Money Leading the Way in West Africa
- Telecom2 days ago
MTN is Largest Contributor to VAT Pool, Pays N200Bn Monthly—PFPTRC
- Telecom2 days ago
How MTN is Leading the Charge for Disability Rights on International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- Telecom2 days ago
Airtel Kicks-off 10th Edition of ‘5 Days of Love’, Feeds 6,000 Across Nigeria
- E-Financial2 days ago
SEC Urges Public Companies to Publish Financials Online by January 2025, Threatens Sanctions
- Uncategorized2 days ago
Mastercard, MTN, and Arifu Launch Digital Skills Program for African Small Businesses