Latest news with #GASA
GMA Network
24-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Emong intensifies into a typhoon
Tropical Cyclone Emong has intensified into a typhoon on Thursday morning, according PAGASA. ''EMONG' (International name: CO-MAY) has intensified into a Typhoon and is also being monitored within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR),' PAGASA said. 'All are advised to monitor official updates from DOST-PAGASA,' it added. Emong as of 8 a.m. was spotted 220 kilometers west of Dagupan City with winds and gustiness of 120 to 150 km per hour (kph). It was moving south southeast slowly. In an 8 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau placed the following areas are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals: Signal No. 3: The northern portion of Pangasinan (Anda, Bolinao, Bani) The western portion of La Union (Luna, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando, Bauang, Caba, Bangar) Signal No.2 Ilocos Norte Ilocos Sur The rest of La Union Apayao Abra Kalinga Mountain Province Ifugao Benguet The central portion of Pangasinan (Agno, Burgos, Mabini, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Bugallon, Infanta, Dasol, Lingayen, Binmaley, Dagupan City, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Manaoag, Laoac, Binalonan, San Manuel, San Nicolas, Pozorrubio, Sison, San Fabian, San Jacinto) The northwestern and western portions of mainland Cagayan (Rizal, Santa Praxedes, Claveria) The western portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Santa Fe) Signal No.1 Batanes The rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands The western and central portions of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Mallig, Quirino, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, San Mateo, Ramon, Cordon, Burgos, Cabatuan, Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Tumauini, Gamu, Luna, Maconacon, Alicia, San Mariano, Naguilian, San Guillermo, City of Cauayan, Echague, Ilagan City, Angadanan, Benito Soliven, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Agustin, Divilacan, San Isidro, Jones) The rest of Nueva Vizcaya Quirino The rest of Pangasinan The northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan) Tarlac The western and central portions of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao, Talugtug, Cuyapo, Nampicuan, Guimba, Science City of Muñoz, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Llanera, Talavera, Santo Domingo, Quezon, Licab, Aliaga, Zaragoza, San Antonio, Jaen, Cabanatuan City, Santa Rosa, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, Bongabon, Laur) Dante, Tropical Depression The low pressure area (LPA) outside the Philippine area of responsibility is now a tropical depression. GASA said the tropical depression as of 8 a.m. was located 2,080 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon. 'The Low Pressure Area (LPA 07i), which is outside the PAR, has developed into a tropical depression and is still being monitored,' PAGASA said. 'All are advised to monitor official updates from DOST-PAGASA,' it added. The tropical cyclone has winds and gustiness of 45 to 55 kilometers per hour (kph). It was moving north northwest at 15 kph. PAGASA is also monitoring Tropical Storm Dante inside PAR. Class cancellations Classes at all levels and government work on Thursday, July 24, in parts of Luzon and Visayas have been suspended due to inclement weather. METRO MANILA ILOCOS REGION 1. Ilocos Norte 2. Ilocos Sur 3. La Union 4. Pangasinan CAGAYAN VALLEY 1. Cagayan 2. Nueva Vizcaya CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION 1. Abra 2. Apayao 3. Benguet 4. Ifugao 5. Kalinga 6. Mountain Province CENTRAL LUZON 1. Bataan 2. Bulacan 3. Nueva Ecija 4. Pampanga 5. Tarlac 6. Zambales CALABARZON 1. Cavite 2. Quezon 3. Batangas 4. Laguna 5. Rizal MIMAROPA 1. Marinduque 2. Occidental Mindoro 3. Oriental Mindoro 4. Palawan 5. Romblon BICOL REGION 1. Albay 2. Camarines Sur 3. Catanduanes 4. Sorsogon 5. Masbate WESTERN VISAYAS 1. Antique 2. Iloilo —VAL, GMA Integrated News
Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits 'forced to act as security guards' for elderly relatives online
A study of 1,000 UK adults with an older relative found 60% have had to step in to help them stay safe online, with one in three admitting the person is prone to risky habits A recent survey of 1,000 Brits has uncovered a worrying trend among the elderly, with 41% of respondents who have an older loved one believing they could be duped by scammers. A full 81% have elder family members, and 30% acknowledge their risky digital behaviour. Topping the list of unsafe practices are clicking on dubious links (68%), answering calls from unknown callers (60%), oversharing personal details (55%), using simple passwords (51%), and responding to unsolicited texts (47%). The study, commissioned by Avast, highlights a significant concern about the vulnerability of Britain's aged population in the face of evolving tech scams. Leyla Bilge, Global head of scam research, expressed concern: " Technology evolves so quickly that we often focus on its impact on younger generations, but we can't ignore how it affects everyone." She emphasised the importance of assisting elders in digital protection: "Supporting our parents and grandparents with online safety can be challenging, but it's incredibly important." The findings also showed that 26% of older Brits have encountered scams, while 21% have been victims of financial fraud, not to mention other serious threats like data breaches and identity theft. This has resulted in 75% of Brits fretting over their older relatives becoming scam targets. Seniors have also fallen prey to questionable emails, phone calls, and text messages, with 24% being tricked by fake websites. Despite the risks, nearly half (46%) of the elderly still resort to jotting down their passwords on paper, as reported by their family members. A worrying 24% of people are reusing the same passwords across all their accounts, while 17% are writing them down in a note on their devices. Leyla Bilge from Avast shared some sage advice: "Think of the safety guidance you would get on a flight – put on your own oxygen mask before helping others." She continued, "The same applies to Cyber Safety: learn the tips yourself first and then you can use that knowledge to help guide and inspire others." Bilge emphasised the impact of education, saying, "Even a single conversation could make a big difference in ensuring our older loved ones stay safe and connected in the digital world." Echoing the sentiment, Jorij Abraham, managing director of the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA), highlighted the importance of collective vigilance. "As online threats become more sophisticated, it's vital that we treat cyber safety as a shared responsibility across generations." He added, "A simple conversation can help prevent a devastating scam and empower families to navigate the digital world more confidently together." To bolster online security, here are FIVE ESSENTIAL TIPS: 1. Bolster Password Practices: Craft long, distinct passwords for each account – aim for 15-20 characters blending lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Steer clear of personal details and consider a password manager. 2. Recognise Warning Signs: Exercise caution with unexpected emails, texts, or calls purporting to be from banks, the NHS, or tech support. Scams often instil a false sense of urgency to provoke hasty decisions. 3. Get to Grips with Common Cons: It's crucial for older adults to familiarise themselves with prevalent scams, including phishing, bogus tech support, romance frauds, grandparent cons, sham software updates, and NHS swindles. 4. Install Robust Security Measures: Safeguard your phones, computers, and tablets with security software that offers scam defence, like Avast featuring Scam Guardian, and opt for a secure web browser. Regularly update your devices and applications. 5. Turn Cyber Safety into a Group Activity: Establish a "phone-a-friend" strategy and consult with a trusted individual if you're uncertain about the authenticity of a message or request.
Tom's Guide
07-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I tried 3 AI-powered scam detectors to help keep me safe online — and there's a clear winner
Regardless of whether it's some fine Russian women dying to meet me or a rogue document for me to read from a mysterious online bank, it seems that every day I'm inundated with scam emails, texts and phone calls. The bad news is that by using the fruits of artificial intelligence, the scams are getting increasingly sophisticated and believable with accurate design elements (rather than fuzzy images), realistic sounding English (not grammatically incorrect wording) and an overall look that is at a glance, credible. Gone are the easy to see-through Nigerian Prince scams, fake lottery winnings and offers to cash a six figure check, replaced by calls purporting to be from the IRS, texts about unpaid tolls as well as no shortage of tech support and crypto currency come-ons. Scammers are becoming a little too convincing and people worldwide are falling for them – hook, line and online sinker – according to the Netherlands-based Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). The organization's latest 'Global State of Scams Report,' revealed that 2 billion scam victims worldwide lost over $1 trillion dollars to an ever-increasing variety of scams – a little less than 1 percent of the World Bank's global $106 trillion economic output. One of the biggest online growth industries, only those living in a cave without Internet are immune to modern day scammers, regardless of whether it's a scam farm in Myanmar, a Romanian job that doesn't exist or a Chinese pig butchering operation. Call it wishful thinking or online self-delusion, but two-thirds of the nearly 60,000 people GASA surveyed in 2024 thought they could recognize scams. Still, 74% concluded that they were the victim of an online crime; the average loss was $3,520. No surprise, bank, electronic money transfers and e-wallet transactions top the list of successful scams, because – as bank robber Willie Sutton said – 'that's where the money is.' With AI's help, scams today can feel like they're coming from all angles, including realistic looking but fake sites for banks, online payment companies and major web firms, like Amazon and PayPal. In fact, scams today seem limited only by criminal creativity, but the best defense is a good offence by using the fruits of artificial intelligence to stop them. The scam detectors I looked at come from the makers of the best antivirus software and use close to a million scams to train their models to analyze suspect imagery, text, video and overall design. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I tried them out with three typical scams, including emails purporting to be from the FBI and PayPal as well as a rogue text about unpaid tolls. They show the range of efforts to get me to go to a malicious site, open a dangerous link or supply my login credentials. The good news in the AI arms race is that these detectors use scammers' favorite tool to defeat them and create a virtuous circle. Based on machine learning techniques, the detectors use verified scams they pick up to further train, refine and speed up the detection model that looks for patterns of fraud, deception and rip-offs. In other words, the more scams found, the better the detection can become. They can't perform magic. Although the AI scam detectors I used were generally effective at separating the online wheat from the chaff, some were frustratingly slow. The best part is that with greater input data, the AI models can be made more effective. And it looks like there'll be no shortage of scams to feed into the AI detection machine. Bitdefender has a two barreled approach that starts with its free Scamio detection site and mini apps for Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Discord. Just drop a dodgy image, email or text string into Scamio, and a moment later it pronounces the item safe or dangerous. Its chatbot provides the rationale in a chat window that can be interrogated. However, this leaves the onus on you to be skeptical and paranoid about your online life. Bitdefender's Scam Copilot (no relation to Microsoft Copilot) automates scam detection by incorporating an AI chatbot that's similar to Scamio and leverages the latest advances in Large Language Models (LLM). It proactively looks for hidden scams in the background of the company's Ultimate Security Plus and Premium Security plans. Scam Copilot spots rip offs that are endemic in your area as well as those hiding in Gmail, Outlook and text messages, calendar invites in iOS and chat apps, like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram and Discord. To work, some of these apps require specific permission, such as access to notifications or the ability to read messages. To train its AI app, Bitdefender went through hundreds of thousands of online frauds and swindles using several machine learning techniques. The resulting layered model can identify malicious patterns, such as unauthorized remote access as well as dangerous online transactions, and blocks them before they show up on your screen. It runs on a balance between cloud and local processing. Its interface is similar to the rest of Bitdefender's products with a Scam Copilot box up front in the dashboard that replaces the Quick Scan option. It includes details about scams it encountered via email, links and messaging, along with a way to go right to an on-demand chat window with provisions for analyzing text, images and links. Overall, it did well catching all three scams I assembled. However, the Scam Copilot was slow at nearly 30 seconds to recognize each. In other words, it's thorough but can be time-consuming. Like Bitdefender's Scamio, Norton's Genie started as a stand-alone product for getting a thumbs up or down verdict on suspicious items. Using the latest AI techniques, Genie has expanded its usefulness as an automated scam detector that's a fully-fledged part of Norton's phalanx of protective services. Available with AntiVirus Plus, Norton Mobile Security, and Norton 360 plans, Genie Scam Protection combines traditional defenses like URL detection and behavioral analysis with natural language processing that can root out the telltale signs of potential scams from emails and texts and images. The Genie Scam Protection's model is the result of processing hundreds of thousands of real-world scams fed through its machine learning infrastructure. The resulting detection model runs on cloud processing to react to quick changes in criminal techniques. It starts with the Safe SMS feature's ability to stop text-based scams. Norton adds the SafeWeb protection to steer you away from those sites with a bad reputation for malware distribution and scamming visitors. It looks deeply into shopping sites to verify that they are genuine, don't have dangerous links or embedded malware. The company's Genie Scam Protection Pro takes this to a new level and is included with the top Norton 360 plans and LifeLock ID protection services, which adds $10,000 of insurance per event should something dangerous slip through. The Pro version has an extra focus on tech support scams and includes Safe Call to block scam calls that seem to outnumber legitimate calls these days. Meanwhile, Safe Email proactively scans existing emails looking for extra patterns that might indicate dangers. Regardless of which version you get, the scam protection fits into Norton's security dashboard and operates in the background – day and night. It shows the number of questionable files scanned and the latest information on current scams. There's also the Ask Genie box that provides direct access to try out presumed scams in the chat window. The Genie Scam Protection passed my three-part scam test and offers to provide details as to its decision. On the other hand, the FBI warning scam took 29.8 seconds to process, while others took half as long. Still, that's too long for many impatient web hounds. The newest of the three, McAfee Scam Detector, is not something the company will charge extra for or only include with its high-end security suites. Call it the democratization of scam protection, McAfee's scam protection will be part of all of the company's security products because it's considered fundamental protection. As an opening blow in the AI cold war, McAfee's technological emphasis was on stopping phishing scams that are after your login credentials or personal data. Today, Scam Detector goes a lot further by fighting fire with fire with AI techniques to recognize and stop a wide variety of computer-generated criminal scams. McAfee machine learning experts used thousands of known online scams to train its AI model and develop its detection algorithms to counter more personal and directed scams with a flexible technique that's able to spot all kinds of scams and frauds in a crowd. Fully automatic, the predictive model runs 24/7 in the background looking for the telltale signs of AI scams. It doesn't need a chat window for instant (or nearly so) analysis of suspect items and the good news for the impatient among us, including me, is that it all works quickly because the AI processing is done locally and not online. This works especially well on one of the best AI laptops with an NPU. The responses are generally completed in near real time but analyzing a video for AI scams might take as much as four seconds, not half a minute as is the case with some of the others. Whether it's text, an email or video, whenever something enters the computer with a recognizable scam component or pattern, the security software detects it, flags it and blocks its execution before it can unleash its dangers. McAfee's Scam Detector was still being finished back when I ran my scam tests with the others but after seeing it in action myself, I was very impressed with how quick and thorough it was. The bottom line for scams today is that they are the inevitable result of a free, open and inherently uncontrollable online world. There's no avoiding them, but you can fight back and turn the tables by aiming AI right back at them. The best scam detectors can put up a fight against all sorts of online rip offs, although for the time being you might have to be a little patient for a verdict.
IOL News
07-07-2025
- IOL News
Scam alert: how to keep your holiday plans safe from travel fraudsters
Travel scams are on the rise, so be careful before embarking on your holiday. Image: Pexels As holiday plans begin to take shape for many across the globe, a dark cloud looms over the travel industry: a surge in holiday scams. Globally, fraudsters pilfered over $1 trillion from unsuspecting victims in 2024, as revealed in a recent report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA). Travel was cited as one of the hardest-hit sectors. Analysis indicates that nearly $25 million will be lost to online travel fraud this year alone, potentially impacting one in five travel bookings. This alarming trend isn't confined to the borders of specific countries; even South Africa is witnessing a sharp rise in travel-related scams. Antoinette Turner, general manager at Flight Centre South Africa, stressed the seriousness of the situation. 'South Africa is witnessing a significant uptick in scams – from counterfeit accommodation listings to phishing emails impersonating major booking platforms. Criminals are leveraging advanced AI tools, making their tactics increasingly sophisticated. Travellers need to exercise heightened vigilance,' she warned. In response to this growing threat, Turner offers pragmatic advice to help travellers spot red flags and protect their finances: Stick to trusted sites and double-check URLs Scammers are savvy, often utilising professional-looking emails or ads that appear legitimate. To safeguard yourself, always type the website address directly into your browser, avoiding links. Ensure URLs start with 'https' and proceed with caution if you notice minor spelling errors or odd domain endings. Use credit cards, not EFTs "If a deal looks too good to be true, it usually is," cautioned Turner. Paying via credit card can offer some protection through chargeback options, while cash transferred through EFT often renders recovery impossible. Don't go off-platform Stick to in-app messaging and payment systems on trusted platforms like Airbnb and Scammers frequently attempt to lure users to WhatsApp or email, promising discounts for direct bookings – a definitive red flag. Watch out for urgency tactics Be alert to pressure tactics such as fake countdown timers or last-minute discounts which can rush decisions. Take a moment to step back and verify any claims. Check credentials and verify logos Scammers often mimic well-known brands to build trust. To avoid falling victim, use official directories to verify travel agencies or operators before any transactions. Spot fake reviews Be cautious of overly positive reviews lacking detail, especially if they appear on multiple platforms with poor grammar. Additionally, heed negative reviews that hint at potential scams; they can serve as vital alerts from fellow travellers. Social media platforms are increasingly becoming the breeding ground for these scams, with Action Fraud in the UK reporting that over half of holiday scams are initiated via sites like Facebook or Instagram. Turner succinctly captures the widespread nature of these fraudulent schemes, issuing a stark warning: "Scammers are exploiting every stage of the booking process, from initial flight and accommodation reservations to post-trip refund scams. A holiday should be a chance to relax, not the start of a financial nightmare."
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
iPhone限定！Whoscall 進階版新推「即時來電辨識 Plus」
[Newtalk新聞] 近年來，詐騙手法不斷翻新，從假冒銀行、物流到針對求職與投資的新型詐騙層出不窮，且多以陌生來電為開端。為因應詐騙手法的即時性與變化，Gogolook（6902）旗下數位防詐 APP「Whoscall」宣布整合蘋果（Apple）最新 Live Caller ID Lookup 技術， 推出「即時來電辨識 Plus（Live Caller ID）」新功能，透過即時連線雲端資料庫，提升來電辨識品質與覆蓋率，為 iPhone 用戶帶來升級的防護體驗。 採行最新 iOS 技術！Whoscall 進階版追加「即時來電辨識 Plus」辨識率迎來升級 警政署統計，台灣每月平均受理超過萬件詐騙案件，其中透過電話誘騙的比例仍居高不下。尤其是許多詐騙會使用剛申請的號碼，或頻繁更換來電號碼，讓民眾防不勝防。Whoscall 去年和全球防詐聯盟 GASA（Global Anti-Scam Alliance）共同發布的《亞洲詐騙調查報告——台灣篇》也指出，隨著民眾接觸資訊的方式日益多元，詐騙集團的手法也逐漸滲透至日常資訊中，民眾接觸的三大詐騙管道為電話（59.9%）、社群平台（54.5%）、簡訊（52.5%），電話詐騙仍佔大多數。 為回應詐騙樣態日益複雜與即時性需求，Whoscall 今（30）日宣布在進階版釋出「即時來電辨識 Plus」新功能。過去由於 iOS 系統限制，相較於 Android 用戶，iOS 用戶無法即時透過連網查詢號碼資訊，Whoscall 憑藉全台最完整的資料庫以及 AI 分析技術，每週提供用戶最新的號碼資料庫，維持高效的辨識率與防護力。 在來電辨識功能受到蘋果日益重視下，Whoscall 透過與 iOS 新技術整合，為用戶帶來全新升級的「即時來電辨識 Plus」功能，結合自動化即時連線、頻繁更新的 Whoscall 雲端號碼資料庫，全面提升涵蓋詐騙、騷擾及商家來電的辨識效率與準確性，更加提升使用者滿意度與安全性。 Whoscall 擁有全台最完整的防詐號碼資料庫，並結合 165 詐騙資料以及用戶回報數據，升級後的「即時來電辨識 Plus」即能顯著感受辨識率提升。Whoscall 也將持續優化新功能，並預計於今年第四季擴大官方商家電話資料，協助用戶快速辨別來自電商、宅配或金融機構等單位，避免錯失重要通知。 Whoscall 產品總監沈婉婷表示：「詐騙手法與來電號碼日新月異，現有的辨識機制恐難以應對快速變化的風險。在與 iOS 技術整合後，『即時來電辨識 Plus』支援更頻繁的資料自動更新機制，協助用戶更全面地辨識可疑來電，提升整體防詐安全，且一切符合 Apple 的隱私權規範。Whoscall 是台灣唯一配合 Apple 最新技術發展新功能的開發商，持續在 AI 與防詐領域中領跑，並積極與更多單位合作，共同打造更安全的數位通訊環境。」 Whoscall iOS「即時來電辨識 Plus」功能注意事項： 用戶需更新到 iOS 18 以上版本方可使用。 本次更新將優先提供給進階版訂閱用戶，終身無廣告用戶和免費用戶暫無升級。 為了獲得最佳的辨識體驗，建議用戶同時啟用「即時來電辨識 Plus」和「自動更新號碼資料庫」功能，享受最全面的來電辨識服務。 立即體驗 Whoscall 「即時來電辨識 Plus」：whoscallapp://livecallerid/ 查看原文 更多Newtalk新聞報導神預言？網美仙塔律師涉詐70萬交保！網酸：母校院長才剛告誡詐騙又來「電子郵件催繳違規罰單」！公路局：勿點不明連結
