January 26, 2026

📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️

Date: Monday, January 26, 2026 Smart security for your digital life

🚨Top Cybersecurity News (For Everyone)

Scammers are using the recent Verizon outage to trick users with fake $20 credits

After a major service disruption left many Verizon customers without phone or data service, fraudsters are sending phishing messages claiming to offer a **$20 account credit** as compensation. These fake messages link to fraudulent sites designed to steal login credentials or personal information. Trust statements from your carrier only when verified through official apps or websites. Web Pro News

Under Armour may have had customer information exposed

Reports have surfaced that a large amount of customer information — including names, birthdates, and purchase history — may have been accessed in a security incident involving Under Armour. The company denies that sensitive data like passwords or financial details were compromised but is investigating with outside experts. Users may want to be alert for unusual account activity or scam messages that reference this event. Market Watch

Data breaches and privacy regulations continue to grow globally

Across the U.S. and Europe, data breach reports are increasing, and regulators are actively enforcing privacy rules. In the EU, regulators recently issued more than €1.2 billion in fines under data protection rules due to repeated breaches and poor data handling — showing that privacy and security remain priorities for governments worldwide. Tech Radar

New malicious browser extension scheme linked to malware

Security researchers have observed a new scam where users are tricked into adding a fake browser extension called “CrashFix” that can crash the browser and install malicious software on a computer. These types of threats often start with what looks like a “helpful tool” or fix but then take control of your system. Dark Reading

149 million passwords exposed online

Huge Password Leak Exposed Online Security researchers discovered a massive, unsecured database last week containing 149 million usernames and passwords. This wasn't a direct hack of one company, but rather a "collection" of stolen login info from services like Gmail, Netflix, and Facebook. If you haven't changed your passwords in a while or you reuse the same one for everything, now is the time to update them. Economic Times

Critical WhisperPair flaw lets hackers track, eavesdrop via Bluetooth audio devices

"WhisperPair" Bluetooth Risk Affects Millions of Headsets Researchers have identified a security flaw nicknamed "WhisperPair" that affects hundreds of millions of Bluetooth accessories, including popular brands like Sony, JBL, and Google. If an attacker is within 50 feet of you, they could potentially trick your headphones into connecting to their device instead of your phone. Manufacturers are releasing software updates for these gadgets now, so check your headphone app for any "Firmware Update" notifications. Bleeping Computer

🎌 Scams & Threats Now Circulating

Here are current scam types being seen in the wild — watch for these patterns:

Netflix billing scams: Emails and texts pretend to be from Netflix saying your payment failed, urging you to click a link to fix it — leading to fake sites that steal your password or payment info. McAfee

QR code phishing: Scammers send messages with QR codes that, when scanned, lead to scam sites — sometimes disguised as tracking or delivery alerts. McAfee

Phone or text impersonation: Messages that seem to come from carriers, banks, or delivery services asking you to verify information or pay so-called “credits” or “fees.” Webpro News

Fake offers and giveaways: Social media ads promising free products or deals that require you to enter personal data or payment details to claim the offer. ID Theft Center

😀 What You Should Do Today

Here are simple steps you can take right now to protect yourself:

Verify before you click: If you receive a message about account credits, billing, or deliveries, go to the official app or website — don’t click links in the message.
Enable extra security on accounts: Turn on two-step verification (like codes sent to your phone) on your email and financial accounts.
Be cautious with browser add-ons: Only install extensions or add-ons from official browser stores, and read reviews first.
Delete unsolicited texts: If you don’t recognize the sender or weren’t expecting a message, delete it instead of interacting.
Check account activity regularly: Look for unfamiliar logins or transactions on your bank, email, or shopping accounts and report anything suspicious promptly.

⚓Quick Tip

Turn on "Silence Unknown Callers" in your phone settings; if a call is legitimate and important, they will leave a voicemail you can verify later.

🧑‍🏫Did You Know

Passkeys are digital credentials that let you sign into apps and websites using your device’s fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock instead of a typed password. They are significantly more secure because they are unique to every site and impossible to guess, which effectively blocks common hacking methods like phishing. Most importantly, since the private part of the "key" never leaves your device, your accounts remain safe even if the company you're logging into suffers a major data breach.