December 8, 2025

📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️

🛡️Date: Monday, December 8, 2025 Stay Ahead of the Scams: New updates every Monday and Thursday.

Welcome to your essential security briefing. As we enter the second week of December, two new threats demand your immediate attention: a highly aggressive form of mobile banking malware and a major data breach that has leaked patient information.

🚨 Critical Alert: New Malware Steals Money by Remote Control 

Security researchers are tracking a dangerous new family of Android banking malware called Albiriox. This malware is highly dangerous because it allows criminals to take live remote control of your infected phone to drain your bank and crypto accounts during a real session.

The Threat: Albiriox is disguised as fake apps (often utilities, games, or retailer apps) distributed through text messages or scam links. Once installed, it streams your screen to the attacker, who can then bypass your app locks and security checks, perform transactions, and approve them—all while hiding their actions with a fake "black screen."

Action You Must Take:   Only download new apps from the official Google Play Store (Do Not Sideload Apps). Never install an app using a direct link from a text message, email, or a third-party website.

Use Anti-Malware: Consider installing a trusted anti-malware solution for Android, as several reputable programs now detect this threat.

🏥 Large fintech vendor hit by ransomware, affecting hundreds of thousands 

Marquis Software Solutions, which provides services to U.S. banks and credit unions, notified dozens of financial institutions that a ransomware attack earlier this year may have exposed personal data for hundreds of thousands of people. Affected banks are offering notices and protections, and regulators are watching these third-party vendor incidents closely. 

🔦 More than 2,000 fake holiday shopping sites discovered

 Security researchers have found over 2,000 bogus online stores set up to harvest payment and personal data from shoppers lured by fake Black Friday and seasonal deals; these sites often mimic real retailers and use urgency to push buyers into checkout quickly. Holiday shopping season scams are peaking now, so extra caution is needed when chasing deals.

💻 Update Alert: Chrome and Android Need Patching

Both Google and other developers continue to release urgent fixes for flaws that hackers are actively trying to exploit right now.

Google Chrome: Check your browser for the latest update. Hackers are using newly discovered flaws in widely used web technology (called React) to try and gain access to systems. Updating your browser helps block this threat.

Android Devices: Google recently released its monthly patch to fix multiple security vulnerabilities, including some that were being actively exploited. Go to Settings > System > Software Update to install the latest patches immediately.

✨ Quick Cyber Tip of the Day: Use Credit Cards for Online Shopping

For all digital purchases this holiday season, use a credit card, not a debit card.

If a retailer is breached or you accidentally click a bad link, the money stolen from a credit card is the bank's money—not yours—and is far easier to dispute and recover. A debit card links directly to your checking account, putting your essential savings at risk.