Tag Archives: Cyberattack

Microsoft: Russia behind fake Kamala Harris hit-and-run story!

Microsoft has confirmed that Russia is responsible for the fake story about Kamala Harris paralysing a 13 year-old girl in a hit-and-run accident! Here is what you need to know…

Fake Kamala Harris hit-and-run story : A quick primer!

Earlier this month, a video went viral on social media, showing a young Black woman on a wheelchair claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris left her paralysed in a 2011 hit-and-run accident in San Francisco.

The alleged victim, who was alternatively called Alisha Brown / Alicia Brown, said that she “cannot remain silent anymore“, and lamented that her childhood “ended too soon“.

The video by KBSF-TV showed the shattered windshield of the alleged vehicle used by Kamala Harris in that hit-and-run accident, as well as X-ray images of the alleged victim.

As I covered in my fact check article, the story was fabricated. Kamala Harris was not involved in a hit-and-run accident in 2011 in San Francisco, that left a girl paralysed.

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Fake-KBSF-TV-Kamala-Harris-car-accident-video-small.mp4?_=1

Microsoft: Russia behind fake Kamala Harris hit-and-run story!

On Tuesday, 17 September 2024, the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center issued a report identifying Russia as being responsible for the fake story about Kamala Harris paralysing a 13 year-old girl in a hit-and-run accident!

According to its latest threat assessment report, Microsoft said that the fake Kamala Harris hit-and-run story was created by a covert Russian disinformation team known as Storm-1516 (also known as CopyCop).

While some people have suggested that the young Black woman was AI-generated, Microsoft said that Storm-1516 paid an actor to play the part of the alleged victim. The fake story was disseminated through a fake website for a non-existent San Francisco news outlet called KBSF-TV, that was created just a week earlier.

Clint Watts, general manager of the Microsoft Threat Analysis Center said in an ABC News interview that Microsoft has been tracking the use of AI by nation states for more than a year and while foreign actors tried AI initially, many have gone back to basics as they’ve realized AI was “probably more time-consuming and not more effective.”

The Microsoft report also highlighted a second video created and spread by Storm-1516 / CopyCop, which showed two Black men beating up a bloodied white woman at a Donald Trump rally.

Microsoft explained how Russian intelligence actors struggled initially to adapt to President Joe Biden dropping out of the race, but have now started serious attacks to discredit Kamala Harris and stoke controversy around her campaign.

A newer Russian group called Storm-1679 has allegedly pivoted from producing content about the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to publishing false videos designed to discredit Vice President Kamala Harris. One of the videos featured a fake New York City billboard showing false claims about her policies.

Microsoft warned that Russian actors will continue use cyber proxies and hacktivist groups to spread allegedly hacked or leaked materials to undermine confidence in the US Presidential election outcome.

When asked about Russia’s motivation behind these fake videos, Watts said the Russia-aligned groups Microsoft tracks may not necessarily support particular candidates, but they are motivated to undermine anyone who “is supporting Ukraine in their policy.”

Vice President Kamala Harris has publicly vowed to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion if elected as President. On the other hand, Donald Trump has repeatedly refused to say whether he wants Ukraine to win the war, only saying that “I want the war to stop“.

This Microsoft report comes after the Biden Administration seized Kremlin-run websites and charged two Russian state media employees in an alleged scheme to secretly fund a network of right-wing American influencers to influence the 2024 Presidential election.

Ultimately, this is yet another example of political fake news surrounding the upcoming 2024 US Presidential election. Here are some other examples I fact checked recently:

As the 2024 US Presidential election draws close, you can expect more of such fake news and/or fake videos to appear, so be wary and skeptical!

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Cybersecurity | Politics | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Is Bill Gates embedding Digital ID in kids by 2025?!

Leave a reply

Is Bill Gates planning to embed a Digital ID under the skin of every child in the world by 2025?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Bill Gates is embedding Digital ID in kids by 2025!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that Bill Gates is planning to embed a Digital ID under the skin of every child in the world by 2025, with or without parental consent!

Here is an excerpt of the (intentionally?) rambling and confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Gates Insider: Digital ID Will Be Embedded Under the Skin of Every Child by 2025

Globalist billionaire Bill Gates has begun rolling out Digital IDs that will be embedded under the skin of every child in the world – with or without parental consent.

Globalist billionaire Bill Gates is demanding world governments follow the lead of the European Union and India and approve his “global digital ID” system which has inbuilt features designed to exclude people from participating in society if they do not comply with the globalist agenda.

Gates’ plan to punish and exclude people who do not comply with globalist authoritarian rules can only work if everybody in society is using his global digital ID.

That’s why he is planning to embed the digital ID under the skin of every child in the world born in 2025 to ensure the future global society is 100% compliant with globalist goals.

For those who doubt that Gates and the elite would go this far, it’s time to wake up because the plan to microchip every child under the sun with digital ID has already begun.

The elite are making their move and rolling out the digital identification phase of this dystopian plan in almost every WEF-infiltrated nation.

Just like the EU, Canada, and Australia, the UK has announced plans to require all residents in the UK to enroll in Bill Gates’ digital ID system if they wish to continue participating in society.

The Gates Foundation welcomed the news by pumping $4 million into the digital public infrastructure (DPI) scheme, which will oversee the practical implantation of the mandatory IDs in Britain.

Show less

Truth : Bill Gates is not embedding Digital ID in kids by 2025!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Bill Gates is not embedding Digital ID in children

Let me start by simply pointing out that Bill Gates is not rolling out Digital IDs that will be embedded under the skin of every child in the world, with or without parental consent.

If that actually happened, such a shocking news would have been widely reported by the mainstream media all over the world. It would also have resulted in mass outrage. Yet, none of that happened, because it was all made up!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article itself did not provide any evidence to back up its claim.

Fact #2 : Bill Gates did not create “global digital ID”

Bill Gates also did not create any “global digital ID”, much less demand that world governments use such a system.

Needless to say, The People’s Voice article itself did not provide any evidence to back up its claim. In fact, it actually provided evidence to the contrary – that different countries are implementing their own digital ID, instead of a “global digital ID”.

Fact #3 : Digital ID helps authenticate your identity online

A digital ID isn’t some nefarious way to get you to comply with the government. It is merely an electronic representation of your identity that is used to prove who you are online.

Currently, governments and companies are using emails, and phone numbers, to determine someone’s identity online. However, using emails / phone numbers and passwords is not a reliable way to prove your identity as such logins can be stolen, or used by multiple people.

A digital ID would offer a convenient and secure way to authenticate your identity, allowing you to safely access online services, and prevent identity theft.

For example, scammers and hackers can steal the login to your bank account, but you can remove that vulnerability by using a digital ID (instead of a username and password) to authenticate your identity.

Fact #4 : Digital ID is usually just a mobile app

A digital ID can take many forms. In its most basic form, it can be a digital version of existing credentials that are used to authenticate the identity of a person – like a physical identity card, a driving licence, or a passport.

Many countries though are opting for a Digital ID app that can be installed on a smartphone, and used to authenticate your identity online, or even offline. Such a Digital ID app will often include the person’s physical credentials like a driving licence, or a health services card.

Needless to say – it is just silly to embed digital IDs under anyone’s skin. Why go to that trouble, when you can simply install it as an app on your phone??? And how would you update the digital ID if it’s embedded under your skin???

Yet again, The People’s Voice article itself did not provide any evidence to back up its claim that any government plans to embed a Digital ID under the skin of kids.

Fact #5 : Digital IDs are not mandatory

Currently, there are no mandatory digital IDs in the world. That’s because not everyone has a smartphone, and the digital infrastructure do not currently extend to all parts of the world, or any country for the matter.

Countries that implement Digital IDs still accept physical forms of identification, like a national identity card, a driving licence, or a passport.

Fact #6 : It’s pointless to embed children with Digital ID

Even if you actually believe in a nefarious plot to implant people with a Digital ID microchip, it is silly to only do so for children.

For one thing – children are not even allowed to undertake services that would require digital IDs, like opening a bank account, applying for a credit card or a loan, buying a home, paying taxes, etc.

But claiming that evil corporations or governments are trying to microchip your kids is a great way to trigger outrage, and/or get people to share fake news about digital IDs.

Fact #7 : The People’s Voice is known for fake news

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should think twice about sharing anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Business | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

X insiders deny DDOS attack during Musk-Trump interview!

Leave a reply

X insiders have refuted Elon Musk who claimed that his disastrous interview of Donald Trump suffered a massive DDOS attack!

Elon Musk : Massive DDOS attack of Trump interview!

On August 11, 2024, X owner Elon Musk announced that he would be conducting an interview of… oh, sorry… a “live conversation” with former President Donald Trump.

Scheduled for 8 PM ET on Monday, August 12, the Musk-Trump “conversation” was hosted on X Spaces (where else?), which should both provide a “safe space” for Donald Trump, and an opportunity for Elon Musk to demonstrate that his “streamlining” of X has not hurt its ability to host major events.

However, the Musk-Trump interview had a disastrous start with a crash. X users who tried to tune in were instead greeted by an error message – “Unable to fetch Space” or “This Space is not available“. Those who somehow managed to get in, only heard lo-fi techno music.

18 minutes later, Elon Musk claimed that X appeared to be under a massive DDOS attack, and X was working to shut it down:

There appears to be a massive DDOS attack on 𝕏. Working on shutting it down.

Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later.

Several minutes later, Musk claimed that X tested Spaces with 8 million concurrent users, implying that it has to be some kind of nefarious action by someone outside of X.

We tested the system with 8 million concurrent listeners earlier today

When someone suggested that the DDOS attack might have been initiated by the Democrats, Elon Musk agreed.

mark pinkus : Its Dems fighting to ‘save’ Democracy from two massive disrupters!

Elon Musk : Yeah

After the lo-fi techno music finally stopped some 30 minutes later, listeners only heard some rustling from Trump’s microphone, and then silence for another 10-12 minutes, before the interview (sorry, conversation!) finally started.

In the end, the Musk-Trump interview / conversation only hosted some 1 million concurrent listeners on X Spaces – far short of the 8 million Elon Musk claimed Twitter tested earlier.

X insiders deny DDOS attack during Musk-Trump interview!

Oddly, Elon Musk seemed to be hedging his claim with the word “appears”, before offering the 8 million concurrent test as “evidence”. Why would he do that? It’s so weird…

As the owner of X, Musk would clearly know whether X was under “a massive DDOS attack” or not. He wouldn’t need to beat about the bush. He would have network engineers monitoring the traffic, who would be able to spot any suspicious spike in traffic and determine if it was a massive DDOS attack or not.

It now appears that Elon Musk may not have been entirely truthful about the technical issues that beset his disastrous X Spaces conversation with Donald Trump.

At least two X insiders have refuted Elon Musk’s claim. The first confirmed to The Verge that there wasn’t actually a denial-of-service attack on X. Another X staff said that there was a “99 percent” chance Elon Musk was lying about a DDOS attack.

That makes sense, as outside of that Musk-Trump interview, the rest of X (including other X Spaces) was working normally. A massive DDOS attack would have made it impossible for X to function normally. You cannot just target a DDOS attack to hit one specific livestream, and leave the rest of X running normally.

To be clear – there is no evidence of a massive DDOS attack, and there is also no evidence that the Democrats were involved or responsible for the technical failures that marred the disastrous Musk-Trump “live conversation” on X Spaces.

This isn’t the first time X has suffered such failures. Ron DeSantis suffered a similarly embarrassing failure to launch (nod to you SpaceX fans!) when he launched his ill-fated presidential campaign on X Spaces in May 2023.

At that time, Donald Trump mocked the disastrous launch, posting on Truth Social “Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER!” It’s been said that karma is a bitch.

This failure also highlights the drastic changes that Elon Musk made when he purchased Twitter for $44 billion in 2022. He not renamed it X, he gutted about 80% of its staff, leaving just skeleton crews in key areas like site reliability. Karma strikes again?

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Cybersecurity | Politics | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Is WEF plotting grid outage to reset America before election?!

Leave a reply

Is the WEF plotting a catastrophic grid outage to permanently reset American before the 2024 Presidential Election?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF plots grid outage to reset America before election!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that the WEF is plotting a catastrophic grid outage to permanently reset American before the 2024 Presidential Election!

Here is an excerpt of the (intentionally?) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

WEF Plotting ‘Catastrophic Grid Outage’ That Will ‘Permanently Reset America’ Before Election

The World Economic Forum in Davos is planning what they describe as a “catastrophic grid outage” with the stated goal of “creating a permanent reset” in the US before the November election.

According to insiders, the CrowdStrike outage was the final preparation for a devastating cyber attack on the US power grid that will disconnect the public from the internet, wipe out savings, and plunge the nation into chaos for years, allowing the elite to roll out the next phase of their totalitarian master plan.

Evil never sleeps and we are seeing Schwab’s modus operandi play out before our eyes. The WEF has infiltrated governments across the globe, with every Western nation falling under their control.

Davos has also infiltrated the corporate world, centralizing power and influence around their puppet businesses including Blackrock which owns a huge stake in CrowdStrike.

CrowdStrike, a WEF company with very close ties to the DNC and three-letter agencies, is also operating on a massive level, integrated into the grid, government, financial, transportation, and hospital systems.

Now the globalist elite have ordered a series of devastating cyber attacks and they are using WEF-afiliated companies including CrowdStrike to attack America from the inside.

Show less

Truth : WEF is not plotting grid outage to reset America before election!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

WEF is not plotting grid outage in America

Let me start by simply pointing out that the WEF (World Economic Forum) is not plotting any grid outage to reset America, or any other nefarious purposes, before or after the 2024 US Presidential election.

If such a plot exists, it would have been widely reported by the mainstream media, not by a well-known fake news website! In fact, it would have triggered a criminal investigation! Yet none of that happened, because… it was all made up!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article did not provide any evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

CrowdStrike outage was due to buggy update

The People’s Voice article claims that the CrowdStrike outage was “the final preparation for a devastating cyber attack on the US power grid”, but provided no evidence to back up its claim.

That’s likely because the CrowdStrike outage was due to a buggy driver update, and was not a cyberattack at all! In fact, the buggy driver was only pushed to Windows-based system, and did not affect CrowdStrike clients who used Linux or Mac computers.

While the threat of a cyberattack on U.S. utilities is a real possibility, it won’t be caused by a buggy driver update being issued by CrowdStrike or other software companies.

CrowdStrike outage did not disrupt electricity supply

While the CrowdStrike outage impacted the U.S. Department of Energy, and a number of American utilities, it did not disrupt electricity supply. The outage only impacted ancillary services at those utilities (source):

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio was also experiencing issues, they said, impacting their docketing information system and call center. The City of Corpus Christi said its utility billing software and development services software, including customer portals, are both down. The Department of Energy’s website was down for a couple of hours. Avangrid subsidiary New York State Electric & Gas said its customer electricity outage information is not available due to the outage.

That’s not surprising as the CrowdStrike outage only affected Windows-based computers running its Falcon software, which would naturally only be installed in computers connected to the Internet.

It is not easy to take down entire power grid

While the The People’s Voice article suggests that it would be pretty easy for nefarious parties to take down the American power grid, it isn’t simple at all.

Critical systems are air-gapped (not connected to the Internet), and American utilities have to follow the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

American utilities therefore have separate networks, so hackers or malware gaining access to the IT network, would not be able to get to the OT (Operations Technology) network that keeps the lights on for everyone.

The Ukrainian blackout of 2015 was the first-ever confirmed case of hackers causing a power outage. But even though that cyberattack likely required months of planning, and dozens of hackers working together, the attack only affected three facilities, with the blackout only impacting 250,000 Ukrainians for just six hours (source).

WEF post on X is fake!

The cover image used in The People’s Voice article and video has a screenshot which purportedly shows the World Economic Forum posting on X (formerly Twitter) that:

The next CrowdStrike outage will result in a #PermanentReset

That is a fake screenshot, because there is no such post on X by the World Economic Forum! If the WEF actually made such a shocking post, it would have been reported by the media across the world, and mocked and criticised on social media.

But of course, that didn’t happen, because the WEF never made such a bizarre post! Why would The People’s Voice article use a fake screenshot???

The People’s Voice is known for fake news

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Elon Musk Bitcoin + Ethereum Giveaway Scam Alert!

Leave a reply

Please watch out for the Elon Musk Bitcoin and Ethereum giveaway scam, and warn your family and friends!

Last updated @ 2024-07-17 : Added new scam website domains
First posted @ 2024-05-07

Elon Musk Bitcoin + Ethereum Giveaway : What Is It?

People are sharing posts by Tesla Event (archive), and other X accounts with similar names (like Tesla News), about Elon Musk giving away cryptocurrency, in the form of 5.000 bitcoins (BTC) and 100.000 ether (ETH).

Great times have come! 🚀

To support crypto community, Elon Musk initiated 5.000 BTC and 100.000 ETH Airdrop!

💰First come, first served: TESLA.domain-removed

Great times have come! 🚀

To support crypto community, We are initiated #BTC and #ETH GiveAway!

💰First come, first served: TESLA.domain-removed

The links lead to a website that looks like a Medium post by Elon Musk, with this message:

Elon Musk — Official ETH and BTC Giveaway

Our marketing department here at X (Twitter) HQ came up with an idea: to hold a special giveaway event for all crypto fans out there.

If you want to participate, it’s really easy to do. Just go to these sites to find out more information:

Click this official link to get BTC
Click this official link to get ETH

Note: Everyone can participate, including those in the United States. You don’t need a special account to partipate: all wallets and exchanges are eligible! The competition will last until the entirety of the 5,000 BTC and 100,000 ETH held in the airdrop-funds have been released. IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Thanks,

Elon Musk

Show less

You can visit the website, but do not follow the instructions there, because it’s a scam!

Why Elon Musk Bitcoin + Ethereum Giveaway Is A Scam!

Here are the reasons why the Elon Musk Bitcoin and Ethereum giveaway is a just another scam to cheat you of your hard-earned money!

Fact #1 : Elon Musk Is Not Giving Away BTC / ETH!

First, let me just point out that Elon Musk is not giving away any Bitcoin or Ether. He is a businessman who loves making money, not give it away.

Even his philanthropy appears to be largely self-serving, making him eligible for enormous tax breaks, and helping his businesses. That’s why he’s a billionaire.

There is also no reason why X (formerly Twitter) would ever give away over $600,000 worth of BTC and ETH cryptocurrency, when it is in financial trouble with negative cash flow, and has already lost about half of its value.

Fact #2 : Those Are Fake / Scam Websites

Those websites are fake, pretending to be a Medium post by Elon Musk. There is no such Medium post by Elon Musk.

And think about this – why would Elon Musk post on Medium, when he can post on X (formerly Twitter) – the social medium platform he owns???

The domains are also brand new, and do not belong to X or Tesla, or Elon Musk. In fact, their ownership is being hidden – which is common with scam websites.

finance-promotion.com – hidden ownership, registered on 26 February 2024
event-promotion.info – hidden ownership, registered on 6 May 2024
event-finance.net – hidden ownership, registered on 10 May 2024
event-finance.org – hidden ownership, registered on 10 May 2024
finance-promo.net – hidden ownership, registered on 18 May 2024
finance-foundation.com – hidden ownership, registered on 21 May 2024
finance-foundation.net – hidden ownership, registered on 25 May 2024
finance-promotion.info – hidden ownership, registered on 9 June 2024
finance-promotion.net – hidden ownership, registered on 11 June 2024
promotion-finance.net – hidden ownership, registered on 12 June 2024
promotion-finance.com – hidden ownership, registered on 14 June 2024
promotion-finance.info – hidden ownership, registered on 14 June 2024
teslacrypto-finance.org – hidden ownership, registered on 10 July 2024
teslacrypto-promo.info – hidden ownership, registered on 13 July 2024
teslacrypto-promotion.info – hidden ownership, registered on 16 July 2024

It appears that the scammers will keep switching the same scam website to different domains every time they get exposed.

Fact #3 : This Is A Double-Up Crypto Scam!

This double-up crypto scam relies on your greed to cheat you of your cryptocurrency.

Instead of giving you BTC or ETH like in a real giveaway, it asks you to send your own BTC or ETH to receive double the amount in return!

To verify your address, just send from 0.05 to 2 BTC to the address below and get from 0.1 to 8 BTC (x2 back)!

That’s utter nonsense. Whatever BTC or ETH you send to those addresses will be lost for good. You will never get it back, never mind get double the amount!

To further tempt you into giving even more bitcoin or ether, the scammers offer special bonuses for large transactions:

If you send from 1+ ETH, you will receive from 2+ ETH back +40% BONUS.

If you send from 3+ ETH, you will receive from 6+ ETH back +60% BONUS.

If you send from 9+ ETH, you will receive from 18+ ETH back +80% BONUS.

If you send from 25+ ETH, you will receive from 50+ ETH back +100% BONUS.

If you send from 40+ ETH, you will receive from 80+ ETH back +200% BONUS.

All that is bullshit. They are just preying on your greed to trick you into sending more cryptocurrency.

Please do NOT send any bitcoin or ether to those addresses. It is a SCAM!

Please help us fight fake news – SHARE this article, and SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Crime | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Bantuan Tambahan RM1000 Scam Alert!

Leave a reply

Is the Malaysian government giving every citizen extra RM1000 through the Bantuan Tambahan financial aid?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out why it’s just a scam!

Bantuan Tambahan RM1000 Scam Alert!

People are sharing links to WhatsApp and Telegram groups that purportedly offer RM1000 in extra financial aid from the Malaysian government! Here are the messages, with our English translation in bold.

Bantuan RM1000 telah dikreditkan dalam MyKad bermula hari ini.

Bantuan kerajaan melalui MyKad ini telah dilaksanakan sejak bulan May 2024.

MOHON & SEMAK https://mykad-xxxxx-xxxx.try-44.com/c/

RM1000 assistance has been credited into MyKad starting today.

Government assistance through MyKad has been implemented since May 2024.

APPLY & CHECK https://mykad-xxxxx-xxxx.try-44.com/c/

Jom claim bantuan tu sy dah claim dan success masuk kat mykad sye

Go and claim that financial aid. I have claimed mine, and successfully received the cash in my MyKad

These scams do not only appear on WhatsApp and Telegram, but also TikTok.

Recommended : Can You Get Free Cash Via MyKasih App?!

Why Bantuan Tambahan RM1000 Is A Scam!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and social media platforms, and here are the reasons why!

Fact #1 : There Is No RM1000 Bantuan Tambahan

Let me start by pointing out that there is no such thing as the RM1000 Bantuan Tambahan financial aid from the Malaysian government.

This scam has been circulating since October 2023, with the scammers changing the name to mislead people.

On 15 October 2023, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance called it fake news, and warned people against sharing it:

THIS IS FAKE!

The Ministry of Finance stresses that information about the Rahmah Basic Aid of RM1000 in your MyKad claim is FALSE.

Be careful and don’t be easily fooled by such news on social media.

Visit the portal and follow the Ministry of Finance’s official social media channels for the latest and most accurate information.

Not sure, don’t share.

INI ADALAH PALSU!

Kementerian Kewangan menegaskan bahawa maklumat mengenai Bantuan Asas Rahmah RM1000 dalam MyKad adalah PALSU.

Berhati-hati dan jangan mudah terpedaya dengan berita-berita sebegini di media sosial.

Layari portal dan ikuti saluran media sosial rasmi Kementerian Kewangan untuk maklumat terkini dah sahih.

Tidak pasti, jangan kongsi.

Show less

Recommended : Warning – PDRM Parking Fine Scam Alert!

Fact #2 : Domain Is New + Ownership Is Hidden!

The domain used by this scam website is quite new, and was registered only on 25 October 2023. But more importantly, its ownership is hidden – a common way for scammers and other criminals to avoid being identified.

Fact #3 : This Scam Targets Your Telegram Account!

I investigated the link, and it appears to be a phishing website based on the STR 2024 scam that I debunked earlier this year.

The real STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) website will only ask you for your MyKad or user ID to check your STR 2024 status.

The scam websites, on the other hand, will ask you to submit your full name, and your mobile number.

They will send an OTP to your Telegram account, and ask you to key in the OTP to their website. This will allow them to hijack and take over your Telegram account.

To protect your Telegram account from such hijacking, please make sure you turn on Two-Step Verification!

Even if you don’t have a Telegram account, the scammers now have access to your full name and mobile number, which they can use in future scam attacks.

Fact #3 : STR 2024 Does Not Give RM1,000 Per Month

To help the hardcore poor handle the high inflation in 2024, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance announced an increase in the amount of STR cash aid.

However, even with the increased STR 2024 cash aid, you won’t receive RM1,000 per month. That’s just insane. Here is what the government is giving for STR 2024, in quarterly payments:

Qualifying Categories	STR 2024 Cash Aid
Household Income ≤ RM2,500	No Children : RM1,000 1-2 Children : RM1,500 3-4 Children : RM2,000 ≥5 Children : RM2,500
Household Income RM2,500 – RM5,000	No Children : RM500 1-2 Children : RM750 3-4 Children : RM1,000 ≥5 Children : RM1,250
Senior (Single) ≤ RM5,000	RM600
Single ≤ RM2,500	RM350

As you can see, only the hardcore poor will get RM1,000, or more. If you are middle class, or well-to-do, you rightly will not qualify for this financial aid!

Do NOT click on the links, and do NOT share them with your family and friends!

Please help us FIGHT SCAMS + SCAMMERS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Crime | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Did WEF Order Cyber Attacks On US Water Supply?!

Leave a reply

Did the WEF order devastating cyber attacks on US water supply?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF Orders Cyber Attacks On US Water Supply!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that the WEF ordered devastating cyber attacks on US water supply!

Here is an excerpt of that long and (intentionally???) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

WEF Memo Orders Devastating Cyber Attacks on US Water Supply

The World Economic Forum in Davos has ordered globalist authorities to unleash a series of devastating cyber attacks on the US water supply as part of an initiative to manufacture a global water crisis with far-reaching consequences for humanity.

As the WEF and UN order world governments to prepare to ration people’s water supply as part of their ‘Great Reset’ agenda for humanity, it has never been more important to spread the word about their evil plans.

Now, in a disturbing development, the globalist elite have ordered a series of devastating cyber attacks on the US water supply and critical infrastructure to initiate a manufactured global water crisis that will have far-reaching effects for everybody on the planet.

Nobody should be surprised the New World Order elite in tandem with their favorite country China are waging war on the West and targeting the water supply.

WEF executive Professor Mariana Mazzucato was caught spilling the beans about what the elites were planning for humanity in a clip from the group’s meeting in Davos last year.

In the disturbing video, Mazzucato shares her disappointment that the climate change and COVID-19 narratives have so far proven unhelpful in furthering their cause, but admitted that a water crisis would succeed where those approaches have failed.

Did you catch that? Maazucato admits the elite are going to “experiment” on humanity again. As though the experimental Covid jabs, which are now wreaking havoc on the vaccinated, weren’t enough experimentation for one generation. The elite really do hold us in complete contempt.

Now, in a disturbing development, the globalist elite are claiming that water is not a human right and the world’s water supplies must be privatized and rationed into people’s homes by the elites.

The World Economic Forum is teaming up with the UN to set its sights on seizing control of the world’s water supplies and holding humanity to ransom.

The globalist organizations hosted a conference on water in New York for the first time in 46 years as part of the U.N. quest to accomplish its 17 sustainable development goals, a list that if fully enacted, will give the globalist elites total control over all human activities.

“[T]he conference aims to raise awareness of the global water crisis and decide on action to achieve internationally agreed water-related goals,” the World Economic Forum wrote in a recent post.

“The Global Commission on the Economics of Water, launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in 2022, will report on game-changing ways to value and manage water as a common good,” the World Economic Forum wrote in this same recent post.

The key phrase there is “common good.” This is how the elite are trying to justify their seizure and control of the water supply.

Show less

Truth : WEF Did Not Order Cyber Attacks On US Water Supply!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence WEF Ordered Cyber Attacks On US Water Supply

Let me start by pointing out that there is no evidence the World Economic Forum (WEF) ordered any cyber attacks on US water supply.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency also never once suggested, never mind reported, that there was any cyberattack by the WEF.

But more importantly – why would the WEF bother with cyberattacks when it allegedly has control over world governments? It can simply order them to restrict water supply, as and when it wishes to. Why bother with cyber attacks???

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence to back up its ridiculous claim.

Fact #2 : WEF Video Is From 2022

Instead of providing any actual evidence, The People’s Voice article posted a link to its own video, which featured Professor Mariana Mazzucato, and claimed that the WEF ordered global water rationing to starve people into submission.

The video clip appears to be taken from the May 2022 WEF press conference on The New Economics of Water (link), and not 2023 as suggested by the article.

Needless to say, the actual video does not show Professor Mariana Mazzucato admit that a water crisis would help to starve people into submission, or that the elite was going to “experiment” on humanity.

Fact #3 : CISA Warned Of Cyberattacks By Iran + China

On 18 March 2024, the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure and Security Agency (CISA) highlighted two recent and ongoing cyber attacks against critical infrastructure in the United States, including drinking water.

However, those cyber attacks were not conducted by the WEF, but rather, by threat actors affiliated or sponsored by Iran and China. From the full CISA letter to US governors (PDF):

Threat actors affiliated with the Iranian Government Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have carried out malicious cyberattacks against United States critical infrastructure entities, including drinking water systems. In these attacks, IRGC-affiliated cyber actors targeted and disabled a common type of operational technology used at water facilities where the facility had neglected to change a default manufacturer password.

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored cyber group known as Volt Typhoon has compromised information technology of multiple critical infrastructure systems, including drinking water, in the United States and its territories. Volt Typhoon’s choice of targets and pattern of behavior are not consistent with traditional cyber espionage. Federal departments and agencies assess with high confidence that Volt Typhoon actors are pre-positioning themselves to disrupt critical infrastructure operations in the event of geopolitical tensions and/or military conflict.

To be clear – these cyberattacks on American water systems have nothing to do with the WEF.

Fact #4 : WEF Screenshot Is Fake

The cover image used by The People’s Voice article and video has a screenshot which purportedly shows the World Economic Forum (WEF) posting on X (formerly Twitter) that:

Water will soon become a privilege you must earn!

That is most definitely a fake screenshot, because there is no such post on X by the WEF.

If the WEF actually posted such a shocking warning, it would have been reported by the worldwide media. But of course, that didn’t happen, because the WEF never posted it!

Yet again, and unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence that such a post ever existed!

Fact #5 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Did Cyberattack Cause Dali To Hit Baltimore Bridge?!

Leave a reply

Did a cyberattack cause the Dali to hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, causing it to collapse?!

Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Cyberattack Caused Dali To Hit Baltimore Bridge!

Right after news broke that the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being hit by a massive container ship, some people immediately began suggesting there was more to the tragedy than meets the eyes…

Alex Jones : Looks deliberate to me. A cyber-attack is probable. WW3 has already started..

Andrew Tate : This ship was cyber-attacked. Lights go off and it deliberately steers towards the bridge supports. Foreign agents of the USA attack digital infrastructures. Nothing is safe. Black Swan event imminent.

Lara Logan : Welcome to the world of cyber terrorism.
Acc to intel sources: The Baltimore bridge collapse was a 9/11 style attack but they won’t admit it and we cannot see it because it was a CYBER ATTACK.

All the SCADA systems that run our critical infrastructure like sewage, electric grid, shipping etc are all wide open systems with no encryption because it is too expensive. They can shut us down anytime they want.

MJTruthUltra : 🚨 US Govt. Confirmed China Compromised US Infrastructure via Cyber Attacks, Including Transportation, in February

• Fast Forward.. The Baltimore Bridge Collapse is the suspected act of a cyber attack.

Show less

No Evidence Cyberattack Caused Dali To Hit Baltimore Bridge!

This appears to be yet another example of fake news created or promoted by conspiracy theorists and conspiracists, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Dali Lost Power Before Hitting Baltimore Bridge!

Let me start by simply pointing out that the Dali – a massive container ship, only hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, after it lost engine power.

The Dali lost power soon after leaving the Port of Baltimore in the middle of the night. Not only were the crew blinded in the dark, none of its electronics worked and there was no propulsion, so they were unable to control the ship.

As the crew tried unsuccessfully to restart its engine, a local pilot onboard the vessel ordered the ship to be steered to port (left), and the anchor to be dropped. While the crew managed to restore electrical power using an emergency generator, they were not able to restart its engines.

With the ship floating adrift, the two local pilots onboard issued a mayday call at 1:30 AM to warn authorities that a collision was imminent, which allowed them to stop traffic from going over the bridge. A Maryland Transportation Authority official was recorded saying at that time:

There’s a ship approaching that has lost their steering. Until you’ve got that under control, we’ve got to stop all traffic.

The video below, which is being shared on WhatsApp, does not accurately reflect the truth – the ship never regained the use of its engines, but it clearly shows when the ship lost power, and when it restored electrical power.

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Baltimore-Bridge-collapse-ship-hitting-sequence.mp4?_=2

Fact #2 : No Evidence Dali Was Hit By Cyberattack

Despite claims by people with unnamed “inside sources”, there is simply no evidence that the Dali was hit by a cyberattack which steered it right into a bridge in Baltimore.

Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries, the Dali is powered by a single MAN 9-cylinder S90ME-C9.2 crosshead diesel engine. It also has a single 3,000 kW bow thruster for manoeuvring in ports, and four diesel generators for electricity.

While those engines, and controls, may be connected to a SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), they are not connected to the Internet. Even if the Dali’s SCADA system was somehow taken over by malware, the lack of Internet connectivity would make it impossible for any hacker to steer it into the bridge.

An early Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) report appears to rule out an intentional or act of terrorism, finding that the Dali “lost propulsion” as it was leaving port.

The Baltimore Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) said in a press statement, that “There is no specific and credible information to suggest any ties to terrorism at this time.”

United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron also dismissed those claims in a public statement, saying “There is no evidence at this time to suggest that today’s collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore has any ties to terrorism.”

If the Dali was indeed hit by a cyberattack before its crash, there would be evidence of hacking or malware in its SCADA system. However, until such evidence is discovered, anyone who tells out that it was definitely hit by a cyberattack is likely lying to you.

Unsurprisingly, none of those who claimed that a cyberattack caused the Dali to lose power and hit the Francis Scott Key Bridge ever provided a single shred of evidence from behind their keyboards.

Fact #3 : Ship Loss Of Power Is Common

The loss of power is common in the maritime industry (source) – as many as 600 cases each year according to FuelTrust, although most occur in open water. They are often associated with poorly mixed fuel, or changing from high-sulphur to low-sulphur fuels when entering coastal emission control areas (ECAs).

In fact, shipping experts think “dirty fuel” may be the reason for Dali to lose power before smashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge (source).

That power loss could have been caused by dirty fuel clogging filters that lead to the ship’s main generator.

While inside a port, as the Dali was before the collision, ships typically run on a relatively light diesel fuel. That also could have been contaminated. Common contaminants include water, dirt and algae. He definitely could have had dirty fuel

– Gerald Scoggins, a veteran chief engineer in the oil and gas industry and the CEO of the Houston company Deepwater Producers

Ian Ralby, the CEO of I.R. Consilium, a maritime and resource security consultancy, also said heavy marine fuel loaded onto ships in port is mixed with what is called cutter stock, and is prone to being loaded with contaminants and is not closely regulated. Such dirty fuel could have “gummed up all of the fuel lines on the ship.”

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Synology World Backup Day 2024 Briefing + Demo!

Leave a reply

Ahead of World Backup Day on March 31, Synology held an exclusive briefing and demo of its cutting-edge data management, and security features! Watch the video, and find out what Synology demonstrated!

Synology World Backup Day 2024 Briefing + Demo!

On 21 March 2024, Jason Sin, Country Manager at Synology Malaysia, gave an exclusive briefing and demo of its latest data management, and security features, in Kuala Lumpur.

The live session showcased Synology’s exclusive backup features like Active Backup Suite, and Snapshot Replication; highlighting practical use cases against malicious access, accidental deletion, and ransomware threats.

Jason Sin also emphasised the importance of data integrity, and data recovery in the face of virus or ransomware attacks.

During his presentation, he showcased three critical phases of a robust data protection process using Synology solutions:

Prevention of Ransomware Attacks

Synology demonstrated Secure SignIn, a secure login framework designed to enhance account security of Synology DiskStation Manager (DSM), the operating system that powers every Synology NAS.

This feature verifies sign-ins using multiple methods, including approved sign-ins, verification codes (OTP), and hardware security keys. This allows users and businesses to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorised access and potential ransomware attacks.

Centralised Data Protection

Active Backup for Business is Synology’s all-in-one data protection solution. Synology highlighted its ability to centralise protection across diverse IT environments, including virtualised environments, physical servers, file servers, and personal computers.

In the demo session, Synology showcased how administrators can efficiently deploy and manage data protection strategies through a centralised admin console, ensuring comprehensive backup coverage and seamless continuity of operations.

Comprehensive, Streamline Data Recovery

Synology demonstrated how Snapshot Replication efficiently streamlined data recovery, providing backup capabilities against threats like accidental deletion and viruses. Synology also simulated a ransomware attack by encrypting a file, followed by a swift data recovery conducted through Snapshot Replication.

This showcased its effectiveness in restoring systems to a previous state and emphasized that only a rapid, comprehensive data solution is effective for both end users and enterprises. Administrators can configure scheduled snapshots and retention settings, ensuring efficient data management and recovery, even in scenarios where ransomware attacks occur.

Selected Synology NAS Drives

If you are interested in purchasing Synology NAS drives, here are some highly-rated options you can buy online.

Synology DS1823xs+ 8-bay NAS : US | UK | SG | MY
Synology DS923+ 4-bay NAS : US | UK | AU | SG | MY
Synology DS723+ 2-bay NAS : US | UK | SG | MY
Synology DS224+ 2-bay NAS : US | UK | AU | SG | MY
Synology DS223j 2-bay NAS : US | UK | AU | SG | MY
Synology DS223 2-bay NAS : US | UK | AU | SG | MY

Please note that Tech ARP may receive a referral fee through these and other purchase links.

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Computer | Enterprise | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Is WEF Planning Cyber Attack To Disrupt 2024 Election?!

Leave a reply

Is the WEF planning to launch a ‘false flag’ cyber attack to disrupt the 2024 US Presidential election?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF Plans Cyber Attack To Disrupt 2024 Election!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claimed or suggested that the World Economic Forum (WEF) is planning to launch a ‘false flag’ cyber attack to disrupt the 2024 US Presidential election!

WEF Insider: Imminent ‘False Flag’ Cyber Attack Will Disrupt 2024 Election

The global elite’s Noah’s Ark moment is almost here, according to a WEF insider who warns final preparations are being put in place for a devastating cyber attack on the US power grid that will disconnect the public from the internet, wipe out savings, and plunge the nation into chaos for years, allowing the elite to roll out the next phase of their totalitarian master plan.

While the masses will be left to fend for themselves in a desperate fight for survival that most are supposed to lose, those who have been designated “upgraded humans” by the WEF will be saved by what Davos is calling their “Technological Noah’s Ark.

Preparations for the false flag event are underway and those who are paying attention are seeing evidence of the deception before our very eyes.

Late last week South Carolina primary voters were reportedly unable to vote due to ballot tabulators being unable to connect to the internet.

For years the mainstream media dismissed claims that vote counting machines were connected to the internet was a baseless conspiracy theory.

At this point it is worth asking, is there anything they aren’t lying to us about?

The global elite laid the groundwork for their great deception with the Covid pandemic, training the masses to respond to fear-based programming, and the cyber attack will be the final nail in the coffin.

Show less

No Evidence WEF Plans Cyber Attack To Disrupt 2024 Election!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence WEF Plans Cyber Attack To Disrupt 2024 Election!

Let me start by pointing out that there is no evidence of the World Economic Forum (WEF) plans to launch a cyber attack to disrupt the 2024 President election.

If a WEF insider did indeed reveal such a plan, it would have gone viral, and it would have been condemned by everyone from the left to the right. The FBI and US Department of Homeland Security would also have launched criminal investigations.

Yet, there was no such report by the mainstream media, and no social media outrage. Heck, even right-wing American websites did not so much as squeak about a juicy WEF plot to launch a cyber attack against the United States???

That’s because that never happened. The People’s Voice article, unsurprisingly, offered no evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

Fact #2 : Voters Don’t Use Ballot Tabulators

The People’s Voice article claimed that South Carolina primary voters were “reportedly unable to vote due to ballot tabulators being unable to connect to the internet [sic]”.

Well, I could find no report of South Carolina primary voters not being able to vote because ballot tabulators were unable to connect to the Internet. That’s probably because no voter ever uses ballot tabulators to cast their vote.

Ballot tabulators are machines used to scan and count ballots, and are never used by voters to cast their votes! So how would any ballot tabulator failure prevent voters from casting their votes?

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article offered no evidence of such ballot tabulator failure, or that South Carolina voters were prevented from voting in its 2024 Presidential primary elections.

Fact #3 : South Carolina Voting System Isn’t Connected To Internet

According to the South Carolina Election Commission, the South Carolina voting system is never connected to the Internet.

In fact, the ballot marking devices (BMD), ballot scanners, and computers used to tabulate the votes, are not even capable of being connected to the Internet!

Is the voting system connected to the Internet?

No, the voting system is never connected to the internet. Computers used to tabulate votes, BMDs, and ballot scanners used in South Carolina are not even capable of being connected to the Internet.

Needless to say, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence that ballot tabulators used in South Carolina were even capable of being connected to the Internet, never mind requiring it to work!

Fact #4 : WEF Screenshot Is Fake

The cover image used by The People’s Voice article and video has a screenshot which purportedly shows the World Economic Forum (WEF) posting on X (formerly Twitter) that:

The coming cyber attack will allow a New World Order to emerge.

That is most definitely a fake screenshot, because there is no such post on X by the World Economic Forum. And it’s a really silly creation too – why would the WEF reveal its nefarious cyber attack plan publicly?

Yet again, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence that such a post ever existed! In fact, it would not need some “WEF insider” to spill the beans when the WEF itself already publicly revealed its cyber attack plan!

Fact #5 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Politics | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Will Microsoft Disable Your Computer If You Share Fake News?!

Leave a reply

Is Microsoft planning to disable your computer if you post or share fake news / misinformation?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Microsoft To Disable Your Computer If You Share Fake News!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that Microsoft is planning to disable your computer if you post or share fake news / misinformation!

Microsoft To Disable Computers of Users Who Share ‘Non-Mainstream Content’ Online

Microsoft has announced plans to disable the computers of people who share ‘non-mainstream’ content online, in an attempt to combat so-called ‘misinformation’ in the run-up to the 2024 election.

During an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was questioned about how AI might either assist or endanger the future election.

Reclaimthenet.org reports: However, Nadella’s response seemed to imply a willingness to use technology for censoring content in pursuit of fighting what he identified as disinformation.

Nadella stated, “This is not the first election where we dealt with disinformation or propaganda campaigns by adversaries and election interference.

“We’re doing all the work across the tech industry around watermarking, detecting deep fakes and content IDs. There is going to be enough and more technology quite frankly in order to be able to identify the issues around disinformation and misinformation.”

Show less

Recommended : Is Interpol Investigating Bill Gates For Murder?!

Truth : Microsoft Won’t Disable Your Computer If You Share Fake News!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Microsoft Did Not Announce Plans To Disable Computers

Let me start by pointing out that Microsoft did not announce any plans to disable computers of people who share “non-mainstream” content online, in an attempt to combat “misinformation” in the run-up to the 2024 US Presidential election.

If Microsoft actually announced such plans, it would have been major news covered by news outlets all over the world. It would also have gone viral on social media, with conservative and right-wing personalities criticising those plans.

Microsoft certainly made no such announcement, and The People’s Voice offered no evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

Fact #2 : Satya Nadella Is Microsoft CEO, Not Bill Gates

Interestingly, The People’s Voice article used a photo of Bill Gates, even though he handed over day-to-day operations at Microsoft more than 24 years ago. He also stepped down as Microsoft Chairman, when Satya Nadella was appointed as CEO in February 2014.

If Microsoft does indeed plan to disable computers to fight fake news, that decision would have to be approved by its CEO and Chairman, Satya Nadella. Not its former founder, Bill Gates.

How is Bill Gates involved in this “story”? Nothing in the article even remotely suggests that Bill Gates is, in any way, involved in Microsoft affairs, or the non-existent plan to disable computers of people who share fake news / misinformation.

Fact #3 : Satya Nadella Never Said Anything About Disabling Computers

The People’s Voice article used a video of Lester Holt from NBC News interviewing Satya Nadella as evidence that Microsoft plans to disable computers of people who share misinformation. However, that’s completely nonsensical.

The NBC News video only shows Satya Nadella saying that the tech industry is using technological solutions like watermarking [AI created content], detecting deep fakes, and implementing content IDs, to fight disinformation and misinformation.

This is not the first election where we dealt with disinformation or propaganda campaigns by adversaries and election interference.

We’re doing all the work across the tech industry around watermarking, detecting deep fakes and content IDs. There is going to be enough and more technology quite frankly in order to be able to identify the issues around disinformation and misinformation.

Fact #4 : Microsoft Can’t “Magically” Disable Computers Remotely

Even if Microsoft is so inclined, disabling a computer remotely isn’t like waving a magic wand, or chanting “Abracadabra”!

With the possible exception of specifically hacking into your computer to gain access, or tricking you into installing malware, it is not possible for Microsoft to remotely disable your computer simply because you shared fake news or misinformation.

The People’s Voice article certainly offered no explanation of how Microsoft might conceivably disable your computer remotely… like magic!

Fact #5 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Publishing Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

STR 2024 Scam Alert : Can You Get RM1,000 Per Month?!

Leave a reply

Watch out for the STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) 2024 scam, and find out why you really cannot get RM1,000 per month!

STR 2024 Scam : Get RM1,000 Per Month For Free!

Many people are getting messages about getting RM1,000 in free cash through the STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) scheme on WhatsApp and Telegram, from their family members and friends:

TERKINI: Permohonan untuk bantuan MySTR 2024 RM1000 sebulan
.
📒 Borang Permohonan (Online dan Manual)
📒 Kemaskini Maklumat kerajaan
.
Memohon secara online👇👇
https://xxxx-xxxx-xx-xxx-tunai2024.com/39/kerajaan

Recommended : Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia Scam Alert!

STR 2024 Scam : Don’t Fall For The RM1,000 Offer!

This is yet another scam circulating on WhatsApp and Telegram, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : STR 2024 Is Only Given Quarterly

First, let me just point out that the 2024 STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) program is genuine. However, it is restricted to the hardcore poor, and is paid out quarterly.

STR 2024	Application Period	Payment Date
Phase 1	1 to 30 Nov 2023	29 January 2024
Phase 2	1 Dec 2023 to 29 Feb 2024	April 2024
Phase 3	1 March to 30 June 2024	August 2024
Phase 4	1 July to 30 Sept. 2024	November 2024

In short – you won’t get the money on a monthly basis, as the scam websites are claiming.

Fact #2 : STR 2024 Scam Targets Your Data + Telegram Account

The real STR (Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah) website will only ask you for your MyKad or user ID to check your STR 2024 status.

The scam websites, on the other hand, will ask you to submit your full name, and your mobile number.

They will send an OTP to your Telegram account, and ask you to key in the OTP to their website. This will allow them to hijack and take over your Telegram account.

To protect your Telegram account from such hijacking, please make sure you turn on Two-Step Verification!

Even if you don’t have a Telegram account, the scammers now have access to your full name and mobile number, which they can use in future scam attacks.

Fact #3 : List Of Successful Applicants Is Fake

To convince you that their offer is genuine, the scam websites often show a scrolling list of successful applicants – each one receiving RM1,000. That’s a fake list.

If you check the source code, you can see that the scammer merely created a manual list of fake names. Here is a small segment with the fake details highlighted in bold, to show you what I mean:

<!— record berjaya box —>
<div class=”_record-box”>
<div id=”list” class=”list-box”>
<div class=”list” style=”margin-top: -3.1345px;”>
</div>
<div class=”center”>
<div class=”h1″><span class=”name”>Kaamil bin Haarith</span></div>
<div class=”h2″>Berjaya RM 1.000,00</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”item”>
<div class=”record_logo”>
<img src=”assets/masterweb/avatar.png” alt=””>
</div>
<div class=”center”>
<div class=”h1″><span class=”name”>Fat’hi bin Jaasir</span></div>
<div class=”h2″>Berjaya RM 1.000,00</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class=”item”>
<div class=”record_logo”>
<img src=”assets/masterweb/avatar.png” alt=””>
</div>
<div class=”center”>
<div class=”h1″><span class=”name”>Ibrahim bin Khaalid</span></div>
<div class=”h2″>Berjaya RM 1.000,00</div>
</div>
</div>

Fact #4 : STR 2024 Does Not Give RM1,000 Per Month

To help the hardcore poor handle the high inflation in 2024, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance announced an increase in the amount of STR cash aid.

However, even with the increased STR 2024 cash aid, you won’t receive RM1,000 per month. That’s just insane. Here is what the government is giving for STR 2024, in quarterly payments:

Qualifying Categories	STR 2024 Cash Aid
Household Income ≤ RM2,500	No Children : RM1,000 1-2 Children : RM1,500 3-4 Children : RM2,000 ≥5 Children : RM2,500
Household Income RM2,500 – RM5,000	No Children : RM500 1-2 Children : RM750 3-4 Children : RM1,000 ≥5 Children : RM1,250
Senior (Single) ≤ RM5,000	RM600
Single ≤ RM2,500	RM350

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

How Antivaxxers Create Fake News Using VAERS!

Leave a reply

Like the British Yellow Card system, VAERS has long been used by antivaxxers to create fake news about vaccines.

Find out why VAERS is so important to doctors, and yet so easily abused by antivaxxers!

Updated @ 2024-01-07 : Refreshed article for new slew of VAERS-based “reports”
Originally posted @ 2021-09-03

VAERS : What Is It?

VAERS is an acronym for the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System used by the US government.

Like the British Yellow Card system, it is a passive reporting system that relies on individuals to submit reports of their adverse reactions to vaccines.

This open design used by both VAERS and Yellow Card lets scientists catch very rare adverse effects that even large clinical trials may not catch.

For example, anaphylactic reactions to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are so rare, they didn’t show up in their large Phase 3 clinical trials at all. They were only identified through VAERS after mass vaccinations started.

Here’s How Antivaxxers Create Fake News Using VAERS!

Both the American VAERS and the British Yellow Card system suffer from the same problem – their open catch-all design lets ANYONE file a report.

Not just parents and patients, but also any Tom, Dick or Harry with nothing better to do. And you don’t even have to ever been to the United States to file a report!

This allows antivaxxers to abuse both the VAERS and Yellow Card systems to create fake news about vaccines.

Back in 2004, James Laidler famously filed an adverse reaction report into VAERS, claiming that his annual influenza vaccine turned him into the Incredible Hulk!

Incredibly, the CDC had to ask for his permission to remove the fake report. Otherwise, it would remain in the database forever!

More recently, anti-vaccination websites have been using VAERS and Yellow Card reports to fabricate fake news that vaccines are killing people.

The CDC is well-aware of this problem, which is why they explicitly pointed out to everyone that :

Reports may include incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental and unverified information.
The number of reports alone cannot be interpreted or used to reach conclusions about the existence, severity, frequency, or rates of problems associated with vaccines.

So the next time you read an article claiming that VAERS or the Yellow Card system are reporting injuries and deaths from this or that vaccine, take them with a BIG, BIG PINCH of salt. None of those reports are verified.

VAERS : Anyone Can File A Fake Report!

To demonstrate this point, here is a fake report I attempted to file into VAERS, with the following information :

First Name : Donkey
Last Name : Kong
Street Address : Rolling Barrel Avenue
City : Jungle
County : Donkey
Date Of Birth : 1 January 1908
Age : 113 Years Old
Race : 1% white, 2% black, 3% Asian, 4% Latin, 90% alien

Date of Vaccination : 31 May 2021, 1:00 AM
Date of Adverse Event : 31 May 2021, 1:01 AM
Facility / Clinic Name : Jungle Clinic
Facility / Clinic Address : Jungle Clearing, Jungle

Vaccine : COVID19 (Pfizer-BioNTech)
Lot Number : 1110654
Dose Number : 6 (it actually only has 2 doses)

Description of Adverse Event(s)

I asked to be jabbed in my left arm, the doctor insisted right arm is better because right is right, no?

After the jab, I went back and on the way back, two young punks pulled up in their fancy Mercedes at the traffic light.

I challenged them to a race in my Mustang, and midway, they clipped me and sent me flying through the walls of the Grand National Bank.

As a result, I suffered two broken legs and my right arm was ripped off.

I’m absolutely confident that my driving skills were impaired by the vaccine, and it also made my right arm easy to tear off.

Medical tests and lab results

The doctors at AdventHealth Orlando have all my medical reports and my right arm.

Days hospitalised : 300
Life threatening illness : Yes
Disability or permanent damage : Yes
Congenital anomaly or birth defect : Yes

Other Vaccine : Bullshit Vaccine
Manufacturer : Google
Adverse Event From That Vaccine : My penis fell off after getting the MMR vaccine

I did not hit Submit though, because I did not want to add another fake adverse event to the holster of anti-vaccination advocates.

But take a look at the screenshots, and see just how easy it is for anyone to make a fake VAERS report. There is no need to verify any personal details, and you can do this from anywhere in the world!

But as you can now see – it is very easy to abuse VAERS. With enough time and persistence, you can file all kinds of fake reports on VAERS, and use those reports to push your narrative.

That’s why responsible people do not use unverified VAERS reports. You should always be wary of anyone who makes a claim based on VAERS reports.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Don’t forget to protect yourself, and your family, by vaccinating against COVID-19!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Health | Fact Check | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Free TNG RFID Bar Code Scam Fact Check!

Leave a reply

Will your phone get hacked if you scan the TNG RFID bar code?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2023-11-17 : Added new version, and more details.
Originally posted @ 2023-05-10

Claim : Scanning TNG RFID Bar Code Can Hack Your Phone!

This warning about an RFID bar code scam has gone viral on WhatsApp, and social media, claiming that scammers are sending people free TNG RFID stickers, and asking them to scan the bar code.

Allegedly, scanning the TNG RFID bar code will cause your phone to be hacked by these scammers!

They send the RFID to you. When you scan the bar code they hack your hp
It’s a scam

他们将 RFID 发送给您。当您扫描条形码时，他们会入侵您
这是一个骗局

Mereka menghantar RFID kepada anda. Apabila anda mengimbas kod bar mereka menggodam anda
Ia satu penipuan ☠️👻💩😱😰

If you get this free RFID card via courier, please throw away. Another scam.

Truth : Scanning TNG RFID Bar Code Will NOT Hack Your Phone!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : TNG RFID Bar Code Cannot Hack Your Phone

First of all – let me just say that the TNG RFID bar code cannot hack your phone. In fact, no one can hack your phone just because you scan an RFID bar code.

The bar code is nothing more than a series of numbers, which you can readily see printed under the bar code. These numbers cannot possibly hack your phone / smartphone.

Fact #2 : TNG Bar Code Is Used To Register RFID Sticker

The bar code visible in the clear window of the TNG RFID self-fitment kit is merely the serial number for the RFID sticker (also known as an RFID tag).

This serial number is used to register the RFID sticker, by scanning scan the bar code using the TNG eWallet mobile app. All it does is link the RFID sticker to your TNG eWallet account, so that all toll charges are automatically deducted from that account.

Fact #3 : TNG RFID Swapping Can Be Easily Detected

One of our readers suggested that the scammer might have swapped out the bar code, to trick you into registering a different TNG RFID sticker owned by the scammer.

This would allow the scammer to use his/her TNG RFID sticker to go through highway tolls for free, while you would be charged for his/her travels.

While that is plausible, it would be quickly detected by the victim who would not be able to use the RFID sticker to get through the toll. The victim would also be able to detect the illegal charges to his/her TNG eWallet account.

Fact #4 : TNG RFID Is Unique To Each Chip

One of our readers suggested that the scammer may be trying to trick people into scanning the barcode of a duplicated RFID sticker. The scammer can then use the duplicate RFID sticker to go through tolls, which would be charged to the victims’ TNG eWallet accounts.

Now, Touch ‘n Go has not revealed much about how it is protecting its RFID stickers, only saying that each TNG RFID sticker has an embedded radio-frequency chip that makes every sticker “unique to each customer”.

But that suggests that the RFID stickers are not only encrypted, the chip has a private key that prevents duplication, which makes a lot of sense. Without such encryption and private key, anyone can literally just read the number off any RFID sticker in a parking lot, and duplicate it in a programmable RFID sticker.

Unless the scammer has somehow stolen the private keys, and can perfectly duplicate the RFID stickers, this seems like an improbable scam. More so when the scammers would be limited to using the tolls for free. Hardly worth the effort, if you ask me.

Fact #5 : There Are Easier + Cheaper Ways To Hack Your Phone

Truth be told – there are far easier and cheaper ways to hack your phone, than send you a free RFID sticker and ask you to scan the bar code.

These scammers will have to put in considerable expense and technical expertise into hacking the TNG eWallet app, and inserting their malware that the fake RFID number would trigger.

But why bother? If they can hack the TNG eWallet, they don’t even need to send you any fake RFID bar code to scan!

Making fake RFID stickers (tags) that look like genuine TNG RFID self-fitment kits costs money. Sending these fake kits also put them at risk, because deliveries can be traced.

There are many other ways to compromise your smartphone. There is simply no reason why scammers to waste time and money on such a convoluted scheme.

Fact #6 : Packages Do Get Delivered Wrongly

The most plausible explanation for receiving a free TNG RFID sticker out of the blue is that it was wrongly delivered to you. If you receive one, check the name and address on the package. It may not be meant for you. In that case, contact the delivery company and have them resend it to the right person.

I have also personally experienced receiving packages that I did not order, some of which appear to be sent due to a database error of some sort – my name and phone number are on the package, but the address was wrong or non-existent.

Out of an abundance of caution, just don’t install any RFID sticker that you did not order. Or you can call up TNG to verify that the RFID sticker is legitimate.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Can You Get Free Cash Via MyKasih App?!

Leave a reply

Is the MyKasih Foundation giving out RM1000 or RM1200 cash aid via its mobile app?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Get Free Cash Via MyKasih App!

Many people are getting messages about getting free cash through the MyKasih Foundation on WhatsApp and Telegram, from their family members and friends:

Terkini: Bantuan Percuma RM1000 Ke Dalam MyKad : Rujuk Cara Semakan & Syarat Kelayakan

Latest: Free RM1000 Assistance Into MyKad : How To Check & Eligibility Conditions

Jom claim RM1200

MyKasih Foundation : Cek MyKad Boleh Dapat Wang RM1000 Secara Percuma

MyKasih Foundation : Check MyKad To Get Free RM1000

Bantuan Tambahan STR 2023 MySARA RM800: Semakan Status & Tarikh Bayaran

Additional STR 2023 MySARA Assistance RM800: Check Status & Payment Date

Truth : MyKasih Free Cash App Is A Scam!

This is yet another example of SCAMS circulating on WhatsApp and Telegram, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : MyKasih Free Cash Initiative Is A Scam!

First, let me just point out that these messages on WhatsApp and Telegram, as well as the websites promoting the MyKasih free cash initiative is a scam!

The Malaysian government have already labelled these free cash offers as FAKE NEWS on Facebook and Twitter. Here is a non-exhaustive list of links that have been identified as scam links:

my.mykasihh.online

l.my-kasihapp.com

apps-mykasih.co/twe

There’s no need to memorise these links. These scammers will keep changing them.

Just know that the official MyKasih website is www.mykasih.com.my. Do NOT go to any other website when it comes to the MyKasih Foundation website.

Fact #2 : Those Accounts Were Hijacked

Those viral messages are actually coming from WhatsApp and Telegram accounts that have been hijacked by scammers. That’s why they are so convincing.

Those are really the actual WhatsApp and Telegram accounts of your family members or friends. But they have been taken over by scammers using tricks like the screenshot hack.

Take this opportunity to tighten the security of your own Telegram and WhatsApp accounts, by turning on two-step verification!

Fact #3 : SARA Cash Aid Is Only RM600

As part of its initiative to help the hardcore poor handle the high inflation this year, the Malaysia Ministry of Finance announced SARA (Sumbangan Asas Rahmah).

However, the SARA cash aid is only RM600, and limited to the hardcore poor. There is no way for anyone to get RM800, RM1000 or RM1,200 in SARA cash aid from the government.

RM100 x 6 months is credited directly into the MyKad of eligible hardcore poor, allowing them to purchase a limited list of essential goods from grocery stores and supermarkets across Malaysia, from July to December 2023.

In Sabah and Sarawak, the RM600 is credited directly into the bank account, or provided as cash through Bank Simpanan Nasional branches.

Fact #4 : SARA Recipients Are Automatically Selected

There is no need to apply for SARA cash aid. For one thing – it only applies to the hardcore poor. If you are reading this on a computer or a smartphone, you very likely do not qualify as “hardcore poor”.

SARA recipients are automatically determined using the existing eKasih Hardcore Poor data, and includes those who had earlier qualified for the STR 2023 cash aid.

Fact #5 : Real Website Asks Only For Your MyKad

Qualification for the SARA cash aid of RM600 is based entirely on your MyKad number.

On the official Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) website, you can check for your eligibility using your MyKad number only.

The fake websites look just like the real SARA website, but instead of asking for your MyKad number, they will ask you for your mobile number and ask you to submit a TAC number.

Needless to say – these are scam websites. You should NEVER submit your phone number or any TAC codes.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Is It Dangerous To Exit WhatsApp Exit Scam Groups?!

Leave a reply

Is it dangerous to exit WhatsApp scam groups? Or quitting such scam groups on WhatsApp cause your phone to be hacked?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : It Is Dangerous To Exit WhatsApp Scam Groups!

People are sharing this warning about quitting WhatsApp scam groups using the Exit Group link option! Take a look!

Here’s another Scam chat group. DO NOT CLICK ON ITS EXIT GROUP BUTTON to exit, instead go to your top right 3dots and click on exit group or report.

Clicking on the group’s exit button might have dire consequences..

Truth : It’s Not Dangerous To Exit WhatsApp Scam Groups!

This viral warning was likely created by well-meaning but clueless Internet “experts” who are apparently not tech-savvy enough to understand what’s going on.

Fact #1 : No Evidence Of WhatsApp Exit Group Hacking

First, let me just point out that there is no evidence that anyone was ever hacked after using the Exit Group link to get out of any WhatsApp group, whether they are scam groups or otherwise.

Even if an enterprising hacker / scammer was able to create a message with a fake Exit Group button that downloads an APK (Android Package Kit) file, it won’t automatically install that file. You will need to manually install the APK file from the Downloads folder.

Those who know how to do that would be tech-savvy enough to avoid installing APK files from unknown sources. Those who don’t know how to do that would not be able to install the downloaded APK file.

Fact #2 : WhatsApp Exit Group Option Is Genuine

The truth is – the Exit Group link that you may see in new messages from strangers is not a scam or a trick. It also does not download or install any APK file.

The Exit Group link is actually a safety feature in WhatsApp, that appears if you have been added to a WhatsApp group by someone who is not in your contact list – like a scammer, for example.

Once you open the new group you have been added to, WhatsApp warns you that you were added by someone who isn’t a contact. You are then given the option to exit the group, or click OK to continue.

There is really nothing malicious about this Exit group link in WhatsApp. Clicking on it to exit any WhatsApp group won’t harm you in any way, or cause your phone to be hacked.

Fact #3 : Older Exit Group Methods Still Work

The WhatsApp Exit group link offers an easy way to quickly remove yourself from a group you don’t want to be in. However, the older exit group methods still work, in case you prefer to use them:

Exit Group Only

Go into the group chat you wish to leave.
Tap on the kebab menu / vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the upper right corner.
Select More > Exit group.

An even better option is to actually report the scam group, while quitting it and removing the chat at the same time.

Report + Exit Group Only

Go into the group chat you wish to leave.
Tap on the kebab menu / vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the upper right corner.
Select More > Report
Make sure the Exit group and delete chat option is checked.
Tap Report to report and quit from the group, and delete the chat.

Fact #4 : WhatsApp + Telegram Scam Groups Are Real

Before I leave, I just want to remind all of you that there are many scam groups on WhatsApp and Telegram.

If you are added to any of these scam groups, just exit them without a thought. Do not read anything posted in these scam groups, lest you fall for the scam!

That’s why scammers often try to convince you to check out the group first, and “don’t rush to leave the group”:

Hello everyone! Please don’t rush to leave the group, thank you all for taking the time to read this message!

Ignore whatever they post in those scam groups. Hit the Exit group link, or better still – REPORT the group to WhatsApp / Telegram!

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

WithSecure Signs Partnership Agreement With LGMS!

Leave a reply

Finland’s WithSecure Corporation just signed a partnership agreement with LGMS Berhad to develop cybersecurity solutions for the SME market in Malaysia!

WithSecure Signs Partnership Agreement With LGMS

On Wednesday, 1 November 2023, Finland’s WithSecure Corporation (formerly known as F-Secure Business) signed a partnership agreement with LGMS Berhad (LGMS) to develop cybersecurity solutions for the SME market in Malaysia!

The partnership agreement was signed by LGMS Executive Chairman Fong Choong Fook and WithSecure Corporation CEO Juhani Hintikka, who flew in from Finland to emphasise its importance while demonstrating support for the progress of Malaysia’s Digital Economy.

The signing was witnessed by Malaysia Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching, together with His Excellency Sami Leino, Ambassador of Finland to Malaysia and Brunei.

The Deputy Minister said that the partnership was ‘timely’, and represents a ‘significant leap’ towards a secured Digital Economy, and more so ahead of the National Cybersecurity Bill the Unity Government is set to unveil in early-2024.

This partnership is also aligned with the government’s ‘Ekonomi Madani’ vision of attracting significant foreign direct investments and generating avenues for technological advancements and innovations.

It serves to demonstrate how collaborative efforts can facilitate a robust, secure and prosperous digital ecosystem, thereby solidifying Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for global tech investments.

The partnership agreement today between LGMS and WithSecure embodies a philosophy of attracting significant foreign direct investments and generating avenues for technological advancements and innovations.

– Malaysia Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching

WithSecure CEO Juhani Hintikka expressed his ‘deepest appreciation’ to the Deputy Minister for endorsing this partnership, stating, “Your presence significantly amplifies the resonance of this initiative, showcasing a unified front in our endeavour to foster a secure and prosperous Digital Economy for Malaysia and also the region.”

WithSecure – LGMS Partnership Agreement Details

WithSecure is today a leading international cybersecurity group which had also invested significantly in Malaysia and in nurturing local talent. Besides its headquarters in Helsinki, Finland, WithSecure houses its intelligence, customer support, business operations and shared services in Kuala Lumpur for its Asia-Pacific operations.

LGMS Berhad, meanwhile, has been recognised as Cybersecurity Malaysia’s ‘Company of the Year’ with Fong himself being acknowledged as ‘Cybersecurity Professional of the Year’.

Fong said that, within today’s Digital Economy, cyberthreats and ransomware attacks have become more sophisticated and rampant and potential damages to SMEs, who often lack the necessary IT expertise and resources, can be catastrophic.

Most SMEs today are just one cyber attack away from a devastating setback or even closure. Recognising that most SMEs might not possess advanced IT know-how, our collaboration with WithSecure aims to deliver cybersecurity solutions that are not only robust but also intuitive and user-friendly.

The purpose is to empower our SME community to navigate the digital landscape confidently and securely.

– LGMS Executive Chairman Fong Choong Fook

This localised cybersecurity approach underscores WithSecure’s understanding of the region’s unique digital ecosystem and our commitment to crafting solutions that align with local business needs. It embodies WithSecure’s ethos of merging global cybersecurity expertise with local insights to foster a safer digital realm.

– WithSecure Corporation CEO Juhani Hintikka

One product of this partnership is the ‘Made in Malaysia’ StarSentry solution – a plug-and-play model that is more than just a ‘shield’ for SMEs but offers a proactive approach to threat prevention.

This solution is also aligned with broader sustainability goal and embraces the ESG framework of safeguarding critical infrastructures, nurturing a secure digital community and reinforcing stringent governance standards, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to responsible, transparent business operations.

Pre-orders for the solution can already be made.

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Business | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Bank Letter QR Code Scam : What You Need To Know!

Leave a reply

Are scammers sending bank letters with a QR code that can steal your money?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Bank Letter With QR Code Is A Scam!

People are sharing a photo of a letter from a bank, claiming that the QR code in the letter can steal your money if you scan it with your phone!

Circulating In WhatsApp : If you get a letter from the bank like this and ask to update the book using the QR CODE provided in the letter that was sent, don’t ever scan it, you will lose all your daily savings or old age savings, this is another scammer’s work and method take your money, please spread it to everyone so that siblings, relatives, neighbors & family members are not affected by this kind of scam…

Peng Seong, the one : ⛔️ Another Scam ‼️

Do NOT scan the QR code per the letter even with bank’s letterhead without verifying with the bank

Truth : Bank Letter With QR Code Is Not A Scam!

This is likely another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : This Is Old Fake News

First, let me just point out that this photo is not new. It first went viral, with a voice message in August 2022, and has subsequently gone viral on and off over the last year or so.

Fact #2 : CIMB Letter Was Genuine

The letter, which was sent by CIMB, is genuine. CIMB even posted a reply to one viral tweet, that the letter was genuine:

FYI, this [letter] is genuinely from our bank. You can refer to the link below for more information: [link no longer available]

[U]ntuk makluman, ia adalah sah dari pihak kami. Anda boleh rujuk pautan di bawah bagi maklumat lanjut: [link no longer available]

Fact #3 : CIMB Letter Was Only Sent To Business Customers

The letter was not meant for consumers, and was only sent to CIMB business customers, to request that they update their company/organisation’s information.

Re: Update on your records to improve your banking experience

We refer to the above mattes and our letter dated 27/06/2022.

We note that you have vet to update your company/organisations information with us.

As part of the Bank’s ongoing process to know our customers better and provide a seamless banking experience, we would like to remind you to return the completed Customer Information Update form to us

This letter appears to be CIMB’s efforts to comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements set out by regulators like Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM).

Fact #4 : QR Code Leads To CIMB Website

QR codes is a type of barcode, which allows people and companies to share / deliver information, that can include links. QR codes can lead you to malicious websites, but they cannot deliver malware, or hack your computer or smartphone.

The QR code in the CIMB bank letter isn’t malicious. It actually codes for a link to the CIMB website. You can verify it by simply scanning the QR code in that “CIMB scam letter”. You will see that it only leads to http://www.cimb.com.my/bizupdate [which no longer exists]

Ultimately, this viral warning was likely created by well-meaning but clueless Internet “experts” who are apparently not tech-savvy enough to even verify the QR code by simply scanning it!

Fact #5 : Form Was To Be Emailed / Delivered

The CIMB letter asked its business customers to download and fill in a form. However, that form was not to be submitted online.

Rather, the letter specifically asked its business customers to email the completed form to a legitimate CIMB email address, or to physically mail or courier it to the bank itself.

Scan the QR Code below to download the form. Once you have completed the form, please submit by email to cimb_updates@cimb.com or mail/courier to the address below within 21 days from the date of this letter, failing which, the Bank reserves the right to suspend or close the account in accordance with the account terms and conditions.

In a real scam, you will be asked to taken to a fake CIMB bank website, and asked to logged into your bank account. That’s how the scammer gets hold of your bank login credentials.

However, even that scam won’t work without access to your TAC (Transaction Authorisation Code), which is sent to your phone by SMS, or authenticated through the bank’s mobile app.

For certain, scammers cannot log into your bank account by simply gaining your company’s information through a form, unless you actually include your company’s bank account login details!

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Can Scammers Hack Your Phone If You Call Back?!

Leave a reply

Can scammers hack your phone if you answer their calls, or call back?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Scammers Can Hack Your Phone If You Call Back!

People are sharing this advice about scammers hacking your phone if you answer their calls, or call back!

Very Very Urgent …

Please pass this message to your family and friends NOW.

People have been receiving calls from
Tel: +375602605281
Tel: +37127913091
Tel: +37178565072
Tel: +56322553736
Tel: +37052529259
Tel: +255901130460
or any number starting from +371 +375 +381

These guys only ring once and hang up.
If you call back,they can copy your contact list in 3sec and if you have a bank or credit card details on your phone, they can copy that too…

+375 code is for Belarus.
+371 code is for Lativa.
+381 Serbia.
+563 Valparaiso.
+370 Vilnius.
+255 Tanzania.

Don’t answer or Call back.

Also, Don’t Press
#90 or #09
on your Mobile when asked by any caller.

It’s a new trick which is use to access your SIM card, make calls at your expense and frame you as a criminal.

URGENTLY FORWARD this message to as many friends as you can to stop any intrusion!!

Show less

Truth : Scammers Cannot Hack Your Phone If You Call Back!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : This Is Old Fake News

First, let me just point out that this fake message isn’t even new. It has been circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms since April 2020, if not earlier.

Fact #2 : This Hoax Is Based On One Ring / Wangiri Scam

This hoax appears to be based on the 2019 FCC warning about the “One Ring” or “Wangiri” scam, where scammers use robocall devices to give victims a miss call, in hopes that they would call back and get charged for Pay-Per-Call services.

The Federal Communications Commission is alerting consumers to reported waves of “One Ring” or “Wangiri” scam robocalls targeting specific area codes in bursts, often calling multiple times in the middle of the night. These calls are likely trying to prompt consumers to call the number back, often resulting in per minute toll charges similar to a 900 number. Consumers should not call these numbers back.

Recent reports indicate these calls are using the “222” country code of the West African nation of Mauritania. News reports have indicated widespread overnight calling in New York State and Arizona.

Generally, the One Ring scam takes place when a robocaller calls a number and hangs up after a ring or two. They may call repeatedly, hoping the consumer calls back and runs up a toll that is largely paid to the scammer.

Consumer Tips: · Do not call back numbers you do not recognize, especially those appearing to originate overseas. · File a complaint with the FCC if you received these calls: www.fcc.gov/complaints · If you never make international calls, consider talking to your phone company about blocking outbound international calls to prevent accidental toll calls. · Check your phone bill for charges you don’t recognize.

This scam, however, does not involve hacking any phone. It only requires you to call back the number, which is a Pay-Per-Call service.

Once you call back, you will get charged a premium rate, as the scammers try to keep you on the line for as long as possible.

Fact #3 : Scammers Cannot Hack Phone Through Calls

It is simply not possible to hack your phone through a voice call, even if you’re using VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), or apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.

What is possible though is voice phishing, also known as vishing. This is a form of social engineering, where scammers pose as a bank or police officer (or someone with authority) to obtain your bank account information, or trick you into transferring money into their bank accounts.

Fact #4 : 90# Telephone Scam Only Works With PBX / PABX

The #90 or 90# scam is a very old phone scam that only works on business landline phones that use a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) or PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange) system. Here is the official US FCC warning about this scam.

In this very old scam, the scammer pretends to be a telco employee looking into a technical problem with your phone lines, and asks you to help him by either mailing 90# or transferring the call to an outside line. If you do that, you will enable the scammer to place premium-rate calls that will billed to your phone number.

To be clear – these codes do NOT work on mobile phones or smartphones, because they do not run on PBX or PABX systems.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

PayNow PDF Malware Scam : What You Need To Know!

Leave a reply

Is there a new malware scam involving a PayNow PDF?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WhatsApp Block Button Is A Scam!

People are sharing this warning about a new malware scam involving a PayNow PDF. Take a look!

I just received below the latest and new scams Modus Operandi from my Uncle. Forward to warn and share.
======================

The scammers have changed their modus operandi. They don’t ask you to download the app.
My neighbour told me yesterday that her sister (a cancer patient) wanted a part-time helper to clean her house. Hence, she went to Facebook. I called the number and made the request. The advertiser asked whether she had a Paynow, and she said that she had. He directed her to make the partial payment, and he will send the invoice to confirm. (Note: He did not ask her to download an app, as people are getting alerts). When she received the invoice in the PDF format, she did not suspect any foul play and clicked it. The invoice showed the amount paid and the balance to be paid. After that, she went to sleep. The next morning, her phone could not be switched on.
She used her laptop to check her DBS bank account. Her $20K was gone, and her two fixed deposits of $25K, which had not reached the maturity date, were also gone—the total loss was $ 70K.
When she went to the bank and asked why her fixed deposit was also gone, the receptionist told her that digital banking allows you to transfer the amount back to your account to facilitate withdrawals without going to the bank.
Police told her the malware was embedded in the PDF document.
So folks, beware that the scammers are always changing their modus operandi to con your money $$$! 😡😡😡

No Evidence There Is Any PayNow PDF Scam!

This is likely another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Of PayNow PDF Scam

First, let me just point out that there is no evidence that anyone was ever scammed by a PayNow PDF invoice.

There has been no actual news report of such a case, never mind multiple cases involving malicious PayNow PDF documents.

Frankly, I don’t know of any PDF malware that can shut down a phone, and transfer money from a bank account, including liquidating fixed deposits!

Fact #2 : PDF Malware Generally Target Computers

PDF documents can contain malware, but malicious PDFs generally target Windows computers. In fact, many aren’t actual PDF documents, but are instead executable files masquerading as PDF files – invoice.pdf.exe, for example.

Malicious PDF documents or executables targeted at Windows computers won’t work on smartphones. The malicious PDF must not only be specifically designed to target smartphones, it must target the right operating system – iOS or Android. A malicious PDF targeting Android won’t work on an Apple iPhone, for instance.

On top of that, many PDF malware actually exploit vulnerabilities in a specific PDF reader – most commonly, the industry-standard Adobe Acrobat Reader. Most smartphones do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, and instead rely on a variety of PDF readers like Samsung Note, OneDrive, Google Drive, Kindle, etc.

Embedded PDF malware that target vulnerabilities in the Adobe Acrobat Reader won’t work with other PDF readers. That’s probably why it’s rare to see PDF malware that target smartphones.

Fact #3 : PayNow Scams So Far Involve Phishing

Singapore reported 477 cases of PayNow scams in 2021, with 133 more cases in 2022. However, they were not due to PDF malware. Rather, their victims were deceived into giving scammers their digital banking credentials.

In other words, PayNow scams have so far involved phishing attacks, in which victims are tricked into logging into fake websites, or giving up their Internet banking login details by phone.

In one of these scams, victims received phone calls from people pretending to be bank employees. The callers would ask for the victims’ personal details, such as their Internet banking usernames and passwords, under the pretext that the bank needed them to verify transactions in their accounts.

Fact #4 : Singapore Police Warned About Android Malware

It seems likely that the viral warning is based on a misunderstanding of a Singapore Police Force warning about Android malware withdrawing money through PayNow.

Issued on 17 June 2023, the Singaporean police warned that scammers were tricking victims into installing an Android Package Kit (APK) file through WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. Once installed, the malware allows the scammers to remotely access the victims’ devices, and steal their passwords.

The victims are then directed to fake websites that mimic banks like DBS to key in their banking credentials. The login information obtained through this phishing attack then allows the scammers to withdraw their victims’ money through PayNow.

To be clear – this PayNow scam does NOT involve any PDF. It requires the victim to install an APK file – to gain access of your 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) device, and provide bank login information through a fake (phishing) website.

This allows the scammers to log into your bank account using the login info you provided, and authenticate all transfers using your mobile phone.

Fact #5 : Here Are Some Common Cybersecurity Tips

Here are some simple cybersecurity tips to help you avoid getting scammed online:

Never install APK files (for Android) from unknown or untrustworthy sources.
Never sideload IPA files (for Apple iOS) from unknown or untrustworthy sources.
Always check the entire filename, including its file extension:
– PDF documents should end with .pdf, and not .pdf.apk or .pdf.ipa or .pdf.exe.
– Word documents should end with .doc or .docx, and not .doc.apk or .doc.ipa or .doc.exe.
Never click on any link to go to any bank website. Always type in the link yourself into a web browser, or better still – use the official app issued by the bank.
Never give your bank login details to any person, even if they claim to be a police officer, a bank officer, or even a cybersecurity expert!
Never give your 2FA authentication code / TAC or OTP number to any person, even if they claim to be a police officer, a bank officer, or even a cybersecurity expert!

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

WhatsApp Block Button Scam : What You Need To Know!

Leave a reply

Will clicking on the WhatsApp block button install a malicious app that will hack your phone?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WhatsApp Block Button Is A Scam!

People are sharing this advice on a new WhatsApp scam involving the Block button in messages. Take a look!

New Type of Scam in Whatsapp.

Don’t press the “Block” button within the message because when you press on it then, you are effectively downloading this Malicious App. Instead go to WhatsApp setting (3 dots on the right hand top) and block the message.

Do the same if you received this kind of message in your SMS. Someone already got scammed by this fake template.

Whatsapp 中的新型诈骗。
不要按消息中的“阻止”按钮，因为当您按下该按钮时，您实际上是在下载此恶意应用程序，而是转到 WhatsApp 设置（右上角的 3 个点）并阻止该消息。
如果您在短信中收到此类消息，请执行相同的操作。

New Type of Scam in Whatsapp. Don’t press the “Block” button within the message because when you press on it then, you are effectively downloading this Malicious App. Instead go to WhatsApp setting (3 dots on the right hand top) and block the message. Do the same if you received this kind of message in your SMS. Someone already got scammed by this fake template.

Truth : WhatsApp Block Button Is New Feature!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp and social media platforms, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : No Evidence Of WhatsApp Block Button Scam

First, let me just point out that there is no evidence that anyone was scammed by the WhatsApp block button in messages.

Even if an enterprising hacker / scammer was able to create a message with a fake block button that downloads an APK (Android Package Kit) file, it won’t automatically install that file. You will need to manually install the APK file from the Downloads folder.

Fact #2 : WhatsApp Block Button Is Part Of New Safety Tools

The truth is – the Block button that you may see in new messages from strangers is not a scam. It also does not download or install any APK file.

The Block button is actually part of the new Safety Tools feature that WhatsApp started introducing in July 2023.

The Safety Tools feature will only appear when you receive a message from an unknown number. You will be given some details about the safety of this new contact – whether you are in common groups, and in some cases – the country of origin.

You are given the option of either blocking this new contact, or adding it to your Contact list. You can also click on the Safety tools link for more details.

Fact #3 : Older Blocking Method Still Exists

The new WhatsApp Safety Tools offer an easy way to quickly block and remove obvious spammers and scammers. However, it may not be readily apparent whether the new contact is genuine, or just a spammer / scammer.

If you start messaging with this new contact – to find out if their identity / purpose, the Safety Tools option will disappear. But don’t worry – you can still block this new contact if you realise that he/she is a spammer / scammer.

Go to the messaging screen for the person you want to block.
Tap on the kebab menu / vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the upper right corner.
Select More > Block.
You can also select More > Report (to report block the scammer)

Alternatively, you can block multiple contacts using this method:

Open WhatsApp, and go to the Chats screen.
Tap on the kebab menu / vertical ellipsis (⋮) icon on the upper right corner.
Select Settings.
Tap on the Privacy option.
Scroll down and tap on Blocked contacts.
Tap on the Add Contacts () icon at the upper right corner.
Search for the contacts you want to remove, and select them.

Now, blocking people does not remove your contact details or profile photo from their phones and devices.

However, they will no longer be able to call you, or send you messages. They will also not be able to see changes to your status updates including when you’re online / last seen, or changes you make to your profile photo.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Nurse Lost RM380K After Pressing Instagram ‘Like’ Button?!

Leave a reply

Did a Malaysian nurse lose RM380,000 after pressing the Instagram Like button?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Nurse Lost RM380K After Pressing Instagram Like Button!

People are sharing an article which claims that a Malaysian nurse lost RM380,000 after pressing the Like button in Instagram for RM5 commissions! Here is an excerpt from the article:

M’sian Nurse Loses RM380K After Pressing Instagram ‘Like’ Button For RM5 Commission

Too late to unlike

Recently, a nurse supervisor fell victim to an online part-time job scam and lost a staggering RM387,035 after she was tricked into thinking she could enjoy high earnings from it.

M’sian nurse loses RM380K after pressing Instagram ‘like’ button

According to a statement by Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman, he said the 46-year-old victim received a message through WhatsApp offering her a part-time job on September 11.

The scammer then told her that she had to do was to simply press the ‘like’ button on Instagram and earn RM5 in commission for each task she completed.

Completely beguiled, the victim proceeded to accomplish five tasks and received a commission totaling RM25.

“She was then presented with a prepaid assignment which involved making a payment beforehand and was promised of greater profits.

“After making 36 transactions to 21 bank accounts amounting to RM387,035 across 13 days starting from Sept 11, the victim finally realised she had been deceived,” he said.

Show less

Nurse Did Not Lose RM380K After Pressing Instagram Like Button!

First of all, I would like to applaud the website for writing about job scams, but that’s really a misleading title.

Unfortunately, many people don’t read beyond the headlines. People are even asking if they will get “hacked” like the nurse if they like Instagram posts!

The truth is – the Malaysian nurse did not lose RM380,000 because she pressed on the Like button in Instagram. In fact, Instagram and its Like button have nothing to do with the actual scam!

Social Media Jobs Are An Easy Lure

As I have earlier written on how fake job syndicates operate, the “job” and “platform” are not important. These scammers generally offer social media jobs, because that’s what most people already use, so it’s easy to hook victims.

These syndicates will offer quick and easy tasks to do on social media, for example – liking Instagram photos and Facebook posts. Other (non-social media) tasks include liking YouTube videos and/or subscribing to YouTube channels, or even making comments on businesses in Google Maps.

Whether the job is on Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Google Maps, etc. is irrelevant. The first few “jobs” you are given are the bait. You will be paid for those simple tasks, like RM5 for liking an Instagram post, or RM10 for subscribing to a YouTube channel. Such an easy way to make money!

Paying For Jobs Is The Scam!

After you get the first payment, you will be asked to participate in a “prepaid job”. All you have to do is pay a “deposit” for the opportunity to make a lot of money in high-paying “jobs”.

At this point, you may feel that this is a genuine side job opportunity. After all, they paid you for the earlier jobs, didn’t they? Real scammers wouldn’t pay their victims, right? WRONG!

Once you make that first deposit, you are “hooked”. The scammers will not let you withdraw the money, but insist that you must continue with the next “prepaid job”, which would require another deposit. Then, you will be asked to pay again to participate in another “prepaid task”, and so on.

On paper, you appear to be earning a lot of money, but you won’t be able to withdraw any of that money. By the time you realise it’s a scam, you would have lost a LOT of money. That is the scam, not pressing on the Instagram Like button.

Trying To Recover The Money Is The Scam!

In the nurse’s case, she fell for their trap to participate in the “prepaid assignment”. She ended up making 36 transactions worth RM387,000 to 21 different bank accounts over 13 days! She not only emptied her savings, she even loaned money from her friends and family members!

Why would any victim do that? Simple – the more money you invest in this fake job offer, the more desperate you will be to recover the money you “invested” and “earned”. To quit would mean losing everything, so you will feel that you have “no choice” but to continue.

To help you make that decision to “stick with the programme”, the syndicate have fake users in their Telegram group continuously posting bank deposit screenshots, while claiming that they just received their earnings.

The truth is – any money you send to their mule accounts will be quickly transferred to the scammers’ account. You will never see the money again.

As one student shared, he lost over RM22,000 in just two days, because he was so engrossed in trying to get back the money he “invested” earlier:

There’s one trick that this scammer is using. He let me start with a small investment, then proceed with stages.

They force me to continue because I want to rescue the money that I put in in the previous task. So it keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Just like that, two days, RM22300, gone.

Again, I’m glad to see more publicity about fake job scams. But it is important that YOU understand that the scam does not involve the pressing of the Like button in Instagram, or Facebook, or YouTube, or any other online platform.

This is ultimately just another case of a fake job scam. In this nurse’s case, the scammers used the simple job of liking Instagram posts as the lure, but it will be different for other victims. These scammers will use any convenient platform to give you simple jobs to trick you into falling for their scam.

Just remember – there is no such thing as easy social media jobs. Even unscrupulous social media promoters do not need to pay anyone to like a post, or follow someone. They simply use bots (automated software)!

Don’t fall for such fake job scams. No matter how enticing the offer is – NEVER pay for any job.

Please SHARE this article out, and WARN your family and friends!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Can Israel Seismic Wave Card Hack Your Phone?!

Leave a reply

Can the Seismic Wave Card containing photos of the recent Hamas attacks on Israel hack your phone?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Israel Seismic Wave Card Can Hack Your Phone!

This warning about the Seismic Wave Card containing photos of the recent Hamas attacks on Israel has gone viral on WhatsApp:

URGENT

Some people are going to upload pictures of the fighting in Jewish settlements on WhatsApp. The file is called Seismic Waves CARD.

Do not open it, it will hack your phone in 10 seconds and cannot be stopped in any way.

They talked about it on TV. A cyber attack on us from all kinds of directions is also starting.

Pass the information on to family and friends.

Truth : There Is No Israel Earthquake Seismic Wave Card!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : There Is No Seismic Wave Card!

First, let me just point out that there is no such thing as a Seismic Wave Card.

The Seismic Wave Card is an Internet hoax that keeps getting recycled for every disaster that comes along, like these examples show:

They are going to upload some photos of the Moroccan earthquake on WhatsApp. The file is called Seismic Waves CARD, don’t open it and see it, it will hack your phone in 10 seconds and it cannot be stopped in any way. Share the information with your family and friends.
DO NOT OPEN IT. They also said it on TV

They are going to upload some photos of the Cariaco earthquake on Whatsapp. The file is called Waves Seismic CARD, do not open or see it, it will hack your phone in 10 seconds and it cannot be stopped in any way. Pass the information on to your family and friends. DO NOT OPEN IT. They also said it on TV.

Fact #2 : Photos Are Shared Directly On WhatsApp

There is no need to open any file, or install any app, to view photos on WhatsApp. You simply click to view photos shared by other people on WhatsApp.

Of course, people may sometimes share high-resolution photos in ZIP or RAR files, because WhatsApp greatly reduces the resolution of photos shared on its platform.

Those ZIP or RAR files may be opened using apps like WinZip (Android | iOS) or RAR (Android) or Unarchiver (iOS). However, you should be wary if you are asked to download and install any app.

Unless you know what you are doing, it’s best to only view photos and videos directly inside WhatsApp, and not download any compressed files at all.

Fact #3 : Seismic Waves Card Is Not A Browser Hijacker

Seismic Waves Card appears to be falsely labelled as a browser hijacker by at least one “cybersecurity” website:

The scam message known as Seismic Waves Card is notorious for its disruptive behavior while surfing the web. Generally, scams like this, and other like Mintnav and Lookaside fbsbx, are crafted to meddle with your browser’s settings, replacing homepages and default search engines to promote affiliated sites and generate advertising revenue.

This transgression doesn’t end here; they siphon sensitive data and create vulnerabilities in your system’s security framework, providing a gateway for more perilous threats, such as malware and phishing schemes, to invade.

The protracted presence of Seismic Waves Card in your system exponentially escalates the risk of serious compromises, emphasizing the dire necessity for its immediate removal. Recognizing the malicious potential of such unwanted apps is essential in maintaining a secure and safe digital environment. Stay vigilant and prioritize your cybersecurity.

Show less

There is no evidence that a malware or browser hijacker called Seismic Waves Card exists. The article itself does not offer any evidence to prove its existence. In fact, the article and its guide on how to “remove” the malware appears to be generic, and may possibly be AI-generated.

Fact #4 : Image-Based Malware Is Possible, But…

Digital steganography is a method by which secret messages and other data can be hidden in digital files, like a photo or a video, or even a music file.

It is also possible to embed malicious code within a photo, but it won’t be a full-fledged malware that can execute by itself.

At most, it can be used to hide the malware payload from antivirus scanners, which is pretty clever to be honest… but it cannot hack your smartphone by itself.

Fact #5 : Image-Based Malware Requires User Action

In January 2019, cybercriminals created an online advertisement with a script that appears innocuous and would pass any malware check.

However, the image itself has an “almost white” rectangle that is recognised by the script, triggering it to redirect the user to the cybercriminals’ website. Once there, the victim is tricked into installing a Trojan disguised as an Adobe Flash Player update.

This is an incredibly clever way to bypass malware checks, but even so, this image-based malware requires user action.

You cannot get infected by the Trojan if you practice good “Internet hygiene” by not downloading or installing anything from unknown websites.

Fact #6 : Malicious Code Executes Immediately

If you accidentally download and trigger malware, it will execute immediately. It won’t take 10 seconds, as the hoax message claims.

There is really no reason for malware to wait before it infects your devices. Waiting will only increase the risk of detection.

Whether the malware serves to take over your device, steal your information or encrypt it for ransom, it pays to do it at the first opportunity.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Can SIM swap attack empty bank account without warning?!

Leave a reply

Can a SIM swap attack empty your bank account without warning?! Take a look at the viral warnings, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2023-10-07 : Added new viral message, and other updates.
Originally posted @ 2022-01-16

Claim : SIM Swap Attack Can Empty Bank Account Without Warning!

This message has gone viral on social media and WhatsApp, warning about a new high tech fraud called SIM Swap Fraud that can empty bank accounts without warning.

The message includes a link to a Straits Times report about a young couple who lost $120,000 in a fake text message scam targeting OCBC Bank customers.

Your BANK Account could be Emptied without an Alert!

Dear All, Please let’s be very careful.. There is a new HIGH TECH FRAUD in town called the SIM SWAP FRAUD, and hundreds of persons are already VICTIMS.

How does it work?
1 A new fraud called SIM SWAP has started. Your phone network will momentarily go blind / zero (No Signal / Zero Bars) and after a while a call will come through.

2 The Person on the other end of the call will tell you that he is calling from (your cell phone company) depending on your network and that there is a problem in your mobile network.

3 He will instruct you to Please press 1 on your phone to get the network back.

– Please at this stage don’t Press anything, Just cut or END the call.

If you press 1, the network will appear suddenly and almost immediately go blind again (Zero Bars) and by that action, your phone is #HACKED.

Within a second they will empty your bank account, and you won’t receive any alert.

What you will experience.
It will appear as though your line is without Network, meanwhile your SIM has been SWAPPED.
The danger here is that, you will not get any alert of any transactions, so please those of us doing USSD Banking and Mobile Banking BEWARE. Let’s be very careful.

Please, forward to your contacts, loved ones and friends. The fraud is increasing day by day.

Received from a #CybersecurityGroup

Don’t forget to share this post…… I repeat don’t forget to share this post. Many people’s Account as been emptied!

Please encourage more people to learn from this episode

Show less

Here is a new variant circulating in 2023:

My cousin received a call , asking if he had been vaccinated, if vaccinated to press 1.

If not vaccinated, press 2. As a result, he pressed 1, the phone was blocked and his online bank information/account were all transferred. Please be Alert and Careful and forward to more people to know about this new trick/scam. Forwarded as received.

Your BANK Account can be Empty without Notice.

There is a HIGH TECHNOLOGY SCAM going on at this time called SIM SWAP FRAUD, it is said that hundreds of people have been affected, they suddenly found that their bank accounts were EMPTY

Show less

Truth : SIM Swap Attack Is Real, But Don’t Work Like That

The truth is – SIM swap attacks are real and very dangerous, but they do not work like the viral messages claim.

Here is what you need to know about the viral message, and SIM swap attacks.

Fact #1 : SIM Swap Attacks Are Not New

SIM swap attacks are really not new. Scammers have been using SIM swap attacks since 2015, if not earlier.

Fact #2 : SIM Swap Warnings Are Mostly False

The viral message is correct about the risk of SIM swap attacks, but pretty much wrong about everything else.

In fact, the method by which the SIM swap attack works is completely made up. So the viral message is really FAKE NEWS.

There’s no way your bank account will be emptied without any action on your part. Neither will your bank accounts be emptied because you participate in a COVID-19 vaccination SMS survey.

Fact #3 : No Evidence Of Such Fraud

There is no evidence of SIM swap attacks requiring users to complete the process by responding to an SMS survey about vaccination.

Neither is there any evidence that SIM swap attacks alone can lead to your bank accounts being emptied.

Fact #4 : Straits Times Article Was Not About SIM Swap Attack

One of the viral messages include a link to a Straits Time article to mislead you. That’s because the article was about a phishing attack, not a SIM swap attack.

In that phishing attack, the victim received an SMS with a link that took him to a fake website that “looked exactly like the OCBC login page“. He then keyed in his bank login details, thus handing over control of his bank account to the scammers.

The victim also ignored automated messages warning him that his “account was being setup on another phone“. That had nothing to do with a SIM swap attack. It was an SMS-based phishing attack.

Fact #5 : SIM Swap Attacks Generally Do Not Require Any Action

In most SIM swap attacks, scammers use your personal information, either purchased from other criminals or obtained through earlier phishing attacks or social engineering, to request for a SIM card replacement.

All that does not require any action on your part. In most cases, you only realise you’ve been hit when you lose access to your mobile number.

Fact #6 : SIM Swap Attack May Require Action In Some Cases

The Press 1 claim in the viral message is partially correct, but it only happens in a particular circumstance.

In India, scammers have tricked people by offering a free network upgrade, or to help improve signal quality on their phones :

The scammer will call the victim, claiming to be from their mobile service provider.
The scammer will try to get the victim to reveal his/her 20-digit SIM card number.
The scammer will use the 20-digit SIM number to initiate a SIM swap with the mobile service provider.
The mobile service provider will automatically send an SMS to confirm the swap.
Once the victim confirms the swap, his/her SIM card will stop working.
The scammer now has access to the victim’s mobile number.

Fact #7 : SIM Swap Attack Does Not Hack Your Phone

The SIM swap attack does not involve any hacking of your phone.

You only lose access to your mobile number. Your phone is not hacked.

Fact #8 : SIM Swap Attack Does Not Empty Bank Accounts

Once the scammers successfully gain control of your mobile number, they can use it to intercept one-time passwords (OTP) like TAC numbers.

This allows them to change passwords to your bank accounts, social media accounts, etc. which is why SIM swap attacks are so dangerous and damaging.

However, it does not mean your bank accounts are immediately emptied. For one thing – the scammers need to know your bank login.

That’s why SIM swap victims often have had their bank logins and passwords stolen earlier though phishing attacks. The scammers only need their mobile numbers to receive OTP / TAC numbers to authenticate the transfers.

Fact #9 : SIM Swap Attack Can Be Used To Cheat Friends Too!

Stealing money from your bank account requires extra work, so scammers who do not have your bank login details will resort to cheating your friends.

With access to your phone number, they can easily gain access to your social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) as well as instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Telegram).

Once they have control, they can send messages to your friends, pretending to be you. Naturally, they will concoct some story to ask your friends for money.

The idea is to use your (now) stolen accounts to convince your friends that you genuinely need their help. The money that they transfer goes directly to the scammers, or their mules (people who rent their bank accounts to scammers).

Now that you know the facts behind the SIM swap attack or scam, please SHARE this article with your family and friends!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Can Morocco Earthquake Seismic Wave Card Hack Your Phone?!

Leave a reply

Can the Seismic Wave Card containing photos of the recent earthquake at Morocco hack your phone?!

Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Morocco Earthquake Seismic Wave Card Can Hack Your Phone!

This warning about the Seismic Wave Card containing photos of the recent earthquake at Morocco has gone viral on WhatsApp:

他们将在WhatsApp上上传一些摩洛哥地震的照片。该文件称为地震波CARD，不要打开或看到它，它会在10秒内破解您的手机，并且无法以任何方式停止。与您的家人和朋友分享信息。
不要打开它。他们还在电视上说过

Truth : There Is No Morocco Earthquake Seismic Wave Card!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and here are reasons why…

Fact #1 : There Is No Seismic Wave Card!

First, let me just point out that there is no such thing as a Seismic Wave Card.

The Seismic Wave Card is an Internet hoax that keeps getting recycled for every earthquake that comes along, like these examples show:

They are going to upload some photos of the Calvario earthquake on WhatsApp. The file is called CARD Seismic Waves. Do not open them or see them, they hack your phone in 10 seconds and it cannot be stopped in any way. Pass the information on to your family and friends. Don’t open it. They also said it on TV.

Fact #2 : Photos Are Shared Directly On WhatsApp

There is no need to open any file, or install any app, to view photos on WhatsApp. You simply click to view photos shared by other people on WhatsApp.

Of course, people may sometimes share high-resolution photos in ZIP or RAR files, because WhatsApp greatly reduces the resolution of photos shared on its platform.

Those ZIP or RAR files may be opened using apps like WinZip (Android | iOS) or RAR (Android) or Unarchiver (iOS). However, you should be wary if you are asked to download and install any app.

Unless you know what you are doing, it’s best to only view photos and videos directly inside WhatsApp, and not download any compressed files at all.

Fact #3 : Seismic Waves Card Is Not A Browser Hijacker

Seismic Waves Card appears to be falsely labelled as a browser hijacker by at least one “cybersecurity” website:

Fact #4 : Image-Based Malware Is Possible, But…

Digital steganography is a method by which secret messages and other data can be hidden in digital files, like a photo or a video, or even a music file.

It is also possible to embed malicious code within a photo, but it won’t be a full-fledged malware that can execute by itself.

At most, it can be used to hide the malware payload from antivirus scanners, which is pretty clever to be honest… but it cannot hack your smartphone by itself.

Fact #5 : Image-Based Malware Requires User Action

In January 2019, cybercriminals created an online advertisement with a script that appears innocuous and would pass any malware check.

This is an incredibly clever way to bypass malware checks, but even so, this image-based malware requires user action.

You cannot get infected by the Trojan if you practice good “Internet hygiene” by not downloading or installing anything from unknown websites.

Fact #6 : Malicious Code Executes Immediately

If you accidentally download and trigger malware, it will execute immediately. It won’t take 10 seconds, as the hoax message claims.

There is really no reason for malware to wait before it infects your devices. Waiting will only increase the risk of detection.

Whether the malware serves to take over your device, steal your information or encrypt it for ransom, it pays to do it at the first opportunity.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Fact Check | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia Scam Alert!

Leave a reply

Watch out for the Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia scam on WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook and Twitter!

Find out how this scam works, and WARN your family and friends!

Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia 2023 Scam Alert!

These scam messages about Bantuan Tunai Rakyat (BTR) 2023, or Bantuan Percuma Kerajaan Malaysia 2023, is going viral on WhatsApp, Telegram, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

CARA SEMAKAN TARIKH BAGI PENERIMA BANTUAN RM600 DIKREDITKAN SETIAP BULAN

Untuk mereka yang layak, anda boleh lakukan semakan dengan mengikuti cara yang diterangkan.

Baca Cara Semakan Bantuan 👇
https://bntuanrakyatmalaysia.lynk.eu.org/

SHARE INFO ini kepada rakan-rakan dan saudara mara untuk manfaat semua

HOW TO CHECK THE DATE FOR RECIPIENTS OF ASSISTANCE RM600 CREDIT EVERY MONTH

For those who are eligible, you can check by following the described method.

Read How to Check Help 👇
https://bntuanrakyatmalaysia.lynk.eu.org/

SHARE this INFO to friends and relatives for the benefit of all

As one lady shared in the video below, she got tricked by the scammers, who took over her Telegram account to send the same scam message to all of her contacts!

While she claimed that she did not click any link, I will show you how she got scammed…

Bantuan Rakyat Malaysia Scam : How Does It Work?

Warning : To show you how the scammers work, I will share the links they use. I will highlight those dangerous links in red. Do NOT go to those links.

Super Long Link

To trick people into clicking on the scam links, the scammers intentionally use a misleading and very long URL, so you are less likely to notice the domain.

This is the scam link : https://bntuanrakyatmalaysia.lynk.eu.org/

Note how the scammer used a long list of descriptive keywords – “bantuan“, “rakyat“, “malaysia“, “lynk“, which helps to mislead people, and make it more difficult for them to notice that the domain is “eu.org“.

Obviously, eu.org is not a Malaysian government domain (which ends with .gov.my), and it has nothing to do with Malaysia or financial aid. This domain also has nothing to do with the European Union.

EU.org provides free subdomains, and so scammers use it to not only run their scams, but to give their scams a more “legitimate-looking domain”.

Pro Tip : Always check the domain of a link before you click on it. Avoid super-long links like this because they are often used to mask the domain name.

Fake Telegram Invitation

After clicking to go to https://bntuanrakyatmalaysia.lynk.eu.org/, you will be taken to what looks like an invitation to join a Telegram group. But in reality, it is a fake Telegram invitation.

A real Telegram invitation will have a link like this – https://t.me/XXXXXXXX. But this scam page has the link – https://bntuanrakyatmalaysia.lynk.eu.org/my.php.

Also, a real Telegram invitation can detect if you are using Windows / Mac or Android / iOS, and suggest that the right download for your device.

The invitation also has a glaring typo – the link says Massage Now, rather than Message Now. Hilarious!

In any case, a real Telegram invitation will not ask you to Message Now. Rather, it will allow you to either View In Telegram, or Preview channel in the web browser itself.

Fake Telegram Login Page

If you click on Join Group, you will be taken to this Telegram login page. Even though it offers you a list of countries to select from, the only option is Malaysia.

WARNING – THIS IS A SCAM PAGE. This is what is known in cybersecurity as a “phishing attack”.

First of all, Telegram invitations will never ask you to log into your Telegram account. It will simply launch the Telegram app and load the group for you.

Secondly, if you look at the link, it leads to the same scam domain, specifically https://bntuanrakyatmalaysia.lynk.eu.org/my.php.

Do NOT log into your Telegram account in this page.

If you log into your Telegram account using this phishing page, then the scammers will gain access to your Telegram account, and take it over for their own use.

They can then use your Telegram account to send the same scam message, or worse, cheat your family and friends of their money!

The lady in the viral video likely logged into this phishing page, thus giving the scammers control of her Telegram account. That was likely how they were able to message everyone on her contact list.

She also likely did not enable Two-Step Verification in Telegram, which would let her recover her account even after scammers have gained access.

That is why people who were hit by this scam had to call and inform their relatives and friends, or publicly post about it to warn all of their contacts.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to warn all of their contacts, and inevitably, someone will get cheated of their hard-earned money. That’s why these scams are so popular – they really work, and scammers are making a ton of money!

Help us fight against these scammers. SHARE this article out, and WARN your family and friends!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Cybersecurity | Software | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

Warning – PDRM Parking Fine Scam Alert!

Leave a reply

Scammers are targeting motorists with the PDRM parking fine scam! Make sure you warn your family and friends!

Here is what you need to know about the PDRM parking fine scam!

PDRM Parking Fine Scam Email

People are getting emails warning them that they just committed a parking violation, while offering them a cheap fine if they pay quickly.

Fines Inquiry and Payment

Dear recipient,

We are writing to draw your attention to a recent traffic violation in Malaysian jurisdiction.

Our traffic enforcement staff have observed your vehicle parked in a no-parking zone. This contravenes section (no. 2016-691] of the Road Traffic Act.

The fine is set at MYR 50. Payment of the fine is required within 7 days of the date of notification, to avoid further legal consequences.

If the fine is not paid within the time limit, you may be subject to legal action, resulting in an increase in the original fine.

Payment deadline: [08/26/2023]

Methods of payment accepted:

Cordially,

Malaysian Police Department

PDRM Parking Fine Email Is A Scam!

These PDRM parking fine emails are scam emails. This was confirmed by PDRM itself.

On 7 August 2023, the Cyber Crime division of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) posted an alert warning motorists not to fall for the MyBayar scam.

These emails are designed to scare its victims into action. Hence, it offers a very cheap way to quickly “settle the problem”. However, if you take a breath, and analyse the email CAREFULLY, you will see many problems with it.

Letter is from PDRM : The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will never write to you by email.
Letter is in English : The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) will never write to you in English.
Typo in the name : The fake email used My Bayar PDRM, instead of MyBayar PDRM.
Lack of name and personal details : The fake email refers generically to “Dear recipient“, without listing your full name and MyKad number.
Lack of vehicle details : The fake email doesn’t mention the vehicle make and plate number.
Lack of location details : The fake email does not mention where the offence occurred, or even when it occurred.
Fine is much too low : PDRM traffic fines are never as low as RM50. The cheapest fine is RM150 for Category 4 offences, but you can pay as low as RM70 within 15 days.
No such law : The fake email refers to the Road Traffic Act. There is no such act in Malaysia. The proper name is the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).
No such section : If you look at the Malaysia Road Transport Act 1987 (PDF download), you will see that there is no such thing as Section 2016-691.

The email appears to be from My Bayar PDRM (typo in the name), but if you inspect the email address, you will see that it was sent by “in-to-no-reply@silverbackgames.xxx” or “hello@sooqr.com” or some other email address.

Obviously, this email did not originate from an official PDRM email address! This should immediately tell you that this is a fake or scam email!

If you click on the Pay My Fine link in the scam email, you will be taken to a fake My Bayar PDRM website (with the same typo in the name).

You may notice that you now have 7 days to pay the RM 50 fine, instead of just 5 days in the email. Odd, isn’t it?

Also odd is the fact that the page does not mention your name, your MyKad number, your vehicle type and model, or even its plate number! The page also doesn’t mention where the offence took place, or the time you were caught committing said offence.

Do NOT proceed after this point… This is a scam website!

But if you have itchy fingers, and click on the Pay The Fine button, you will be asked to pay for the RM50 fine using your debit or credit card.

Needless to say, PLEASE DO NOT SUBMIT YOUR DEBIT / CREDIT CARD DETAILS!!!

If you provide these scammers with your debit / credit card details and TAC / OTP numbers, they will be able to charge ANY AMOUNT they want to your credit card, or withdraw ANY AMOUNT they want from your bank account!

It’s even worse if you are asked to log into your bank account to pay the fine. DO NOT DO THAT!

If you provide them with your bank login and password, as well as OTP/TAC number, these scammers will be able to transfer money out of your bank account!

Please note – this is a scam! This is a phishing attack to gain access to your credit card and/or bank account.

Regardless of how you get any notification from PDRM about any traffic offence you may have committed, you should always check the status through these official MyBayar PDRM options:

MyBayar PDRM website : https://mybayar.rmp.gov.my/
MyBayar PDRM app for Android : Google Play Store
MyBayar PDRM app for iOS : Apple App Store

Please SHARE this warning with your family and friends!

Please Support My Work!

Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp

Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

Recommended Reading

Go Back To > Automotive | Cybersecurity | Tech ARP

Support Tech ARP!

Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!

PDRM Warning : Watch Out For MyBayar Scam!

Leave a reply

PDRM is warning motorists not to fall for the MyBayar scam! Here is what you need to know about the MyBayar PDRM scam!

PDRM Warning : Watch Out For MyBayar Scam

On 7 August 2023, the Cyber Crime division of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) posted an alert warning motorists not to fall for the MyBayar scam.

The MyBayar PDRM scam starts with an official-looking email that warns motorists that they have been caught contravening the law, and offers a cheap RM50 fine if paid within 5 days:

Last notice of contravention before prosecution

Dear recipient,

We are writing to draw your attention to a recent traffic violation in Malaysian jurisdiction.

Our traffic enforcement staff have observed your vehicle parked in a no-parking zone. This contravenes section (no. 2016-691] of the Road Traffic Act.

As a result of this infringement, a fine of MYR 50 has been imposed. This fine must be paid within 5 days of the date of this notification to avoid further legal consequences.

Failure to pay the fine within the allotted time may result in legal proceedings being taken against you, which could lead to increased fines, penalties and the possible suspension of your driving license.

MyBayar PDRM Scam : How Does It Work?!

Many people who received the MyBayar PDRM email might be shocked to find out that they were caught committing a traffic violation, and then relieved that it was only RM50 if they paid quickly.

That’s how the scammers trap their victims – by offering a cheap RM50 fine, when we all know that fines for traffic offences are at least RM150, and can go all the way up to RM1,000!

Those who received this fake MyBayar PDRM email would be tempted to quickly pay the cheap RM50 fine, before it becomes a lot more expensive!

But if you take a closer look at the email, you will spot some problems with it:

Weird English : The email title of “Last notice of contravention before prosecution” is nonsensical.
Typo in the name : The fake email used My Bayar PDRM, instead of MyBayar PDRM.
Lack of name and personal details : The fake email refers generically to “Dear recipient“, without listing your full name and MyKad number.
Lack of vehicle details : The fake email doesn’t mention the vehicle make and plate number.
Lack of location details : The fake email does not mention where the offence occurred, or even when it occurred.
Fine is much too low : PDRM traffic fines are never as low as RM50. The cheapest fine is RM150 for Category 4 offences, but you can pay as low as RM70 within 15 days.
No such law : The fake email refers to the Road Traffic Act. There is no such act in Malaysia. The proper name is the Road Transport Act 1987 (Act 333).
No such section : If you look at the Malaysia Road Transport Act 1987 (PDF download), you will see that there is no such thing as Section 2016-691.