Tag: YouTube | SpinSafe

Gmail And YouTube Hackers Bypass Google’s 2FA Account Security

April 12, 2024/in Computer Security

Hackers are taking over Google accounts despite 2FA protection

SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Desperate Gmail and YouTube users are turning to official and unofficial Google support forums after hackers take over their accounts, bypassing two-factor authentication security and then locking them out. Time and time again, the attackers appear to be part of a cryptocurrency scam supposedly giving away Ripple’s XRP to those responding.

Google Users Take To Support Forums As 2FA Hackers Target Gmail And YouTube Accounts

If you scan the various support forums for Google products such as Gmail and YouTube, including Google’s own official forums and those on Reddit, you will always see desperate people asking about account recovery. These usually relate to someone forgetting the password, having their phone stolen, changing telephone numbers and so on. However, when you see a pattern emerging of people whose accounts have been hacked despite having 2FA activated and being unable to recover their accounts, you know something out of the ordinary is happening.

“They changed the two-factor authentication… account recovery is not working and sends me on a loop.”

“The hackers changed the password and the phone number and also edited the two-factor authentication settings.”

“My account, which was 2FA authenticated, can’t login, password-box says in password changed 25 hrs ago. Cannot recover because the genius hacker has changed the recovery email to the same email, and deleted my number too.”

Aside from the number of accounts compromised despite having 2FA protection in place, there appears to be another common denominator in the form of Ripple Labs cryptocurrency—or, rather, scams leveraging XRP.

Ripple Labs Issues XRP Cryptocurrency Scam Warning

Ripple has taken to X in an attempt to spread awareness of the increasing spate of attacks against Gmail and YouTube accounts which are then used to entrap readers and viewers with a variety of scams. The most…

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Hack Alert: Sharan Hegde’s YouTube Livestream Hacked for Bitcoin Prices – Security Risks in Cryptocurrency Trading

March 11, 2024/in Computer Security

Initially, well-known businessman Sharan Hegde’s YouTube account was hacked, allowing Bitcoin prices to be streamed live without his permission. The event raised questions about possible dangers related to trading cryptocurrencies and the security of internet platforms.

The Hacker:

A well-known personality in the cryptocurrency world, Sharan Hegde, discovered with alarm that his YouTube account had been hacked and that illegal broadcasts of Bitcoin prices were going live. In addition to damaging Hegde’s online reputation, the hack had a big impact on his viewers and followers who looked to him for trustworthy analysis and breaking news on the bitcoin sector.

After his YouTube account was hacked, Sharan Hegde’s reputation as a well-known influencer and entrepreneur in the Bitcoin field suffered. In addition to damaging his reputation, the unapproved broadcast of Bitcoin prices caused his fans to have bookings about the security setup on his websites. Known for his skill in cryptocurrency trading, Hegde was met with criticism from unhappy users who doubted his capacity to protect private data and uphold the integrity of his online identity.

Cybersecurity-Related Fears:

Cybersecurity and the tendency of internet platforms to unwanted attacks have come under fresh attention following the event involving the hacking of Sharan Hegde’s YouTube account. As cryptocurrencies gain more popularity, hackers are focusing more on people and businesses that deal with digital currency. The hack is a clear reminder of how important it is to have strong cybersecurity protections in place to guard against illegal access and data thefts.

Given the recent attack on Sharan Hegde’s YouTube account, cybersecurity must be given top priority for both individuals and companies involved in the Bitcoin industry. Protecting online platforms from potential threats calls for setting strong passwords, turning on two-factor authentication, and updating security software frequently. Furthermore, keeping an eye out for unusual activity and scams can help reduce the chance of hacking and unauthorised entry.

Restoring Security and Trust:

Following the incident, Sharan Hegde acted quickly to take back…

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YouTube influencers selling VPNs may be a security issue

July 11, 2023/in Computer Security

Pro gamer recording a live stream while playing computer games

Whether you’re a keen YouTube streamer or you hop on the platform from time to time, it’s very likely you have come across several hosts advertising the best VPN service of the moment for top privacy and geo-blocking online.

From a niche tool targeting businesses and cybersecurity nerds, virtual private networks (VPNs) have seen a boom in usage among everyday users in the latest years. VPN popularity is indeed tangled up with the fact that today’s digital life—for better or worse—is getting more complex and central in our lives. Even so, influencers trying to convince their subscribers to make the purchase have inevitably been a big push for this growth—while getting their cut.

Nothing out of the ordinary that other companies don’t do, you might think. Yet, helping people to protect their most sensitive data involves way more responsibilities than recommending a new pair of shoes or a smartphone.

Recent research investigating influencer VPN ads might be more harmful than good after all, by “negatively influencing viewers’ mental models of internet safety.” We asked the main providers out there what they are doing—if anything—to prevent this from happening.

The risks of influencer VPN ads on YouTube

“Our analysis suggests that VPN ads make many claims that have the potential to influence viewers’ mental models not just of VPNs, but of computer security and privacy in general,” concluded the research paper after reviewing 243 YouTube videos containing these ads.

For instance, researchers found many influencers using absolute terms, false technical claims, and misleading visuals to oversell the security and privacy guarantees of the products.

Among all the providers analyzed, VirtualShield was the one with the highest ratio of videos contaminated with overpromises and exaggerations. These ads less frequently mentioned encryption and IP address routing, too, the two very features at the core of the product itself.