Cyber Briefing: 2026.03.11
Permit scams rise, Teams phishing spreads malware, Microsoft patches 84 flaws, ransomware hits EV firm, telecom espionage expands.
👉 What’s trending in cybersecurity today?
Welcome to Cyber Briefing, the newsletter that informs you about the latest cybersecurity advisories, alerts, incidents and news every weekday.
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🚨 Cyber Alerts
1. FBI Warns Of Zoning Permit Applicant Scams
The FBI is alerting the public to a phishing scheme where scammers impersonate local government officials to target people seeking planning and zoning permits. By using public records to reference specific permit details, these criminals trick victims into sending fraudulent payments via wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
2. Teams Phishing Spreads A0Backdoor Malware
Cybercriminals are targeting financial and healthcare workers via Microsoft Teams by posing as IT support to gain remote access through Quick Assist and install a new malware dubbed A0Backdoor. This social engineering tactic begins with an intentional spam flood to the victim’s inbox, providing a false pretext for the attacker to reach out and offer “help” with the issue.
3. Microsoft Fixes 84 Flaws In March Update
Microsoft has addressed 84 security vulnerabilities in its March 2026 update, including two flaws that were already public knowledge before the release. The patches cover a wide range of issues, with a significant majority focused on preventing unauthorized privilege escalation across various Windows components.
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💥 Cyber Incidents
4. Insightin Health Reports New Data Breach
Insightin Health recently notified the California Attorney General of a data breach occurring in September 2025 that stemmed from a vulnerability in the GoAnywhere file-transfer tool. Although the company confirmed that member names and insurance details were accessed, they have not addressed reports that the Medusa ransomware gang claimed responsibility for stealing 378 GB of data.
5. ELECQ EV Charger Firm Hit By Ransomware
Smart EV charger manufacturer ELECQ recently informed customers of a ransomware attack that resulted in the theft of personal account information from its cloud infrastructure. Although the company confirmed that payment data and physical charging devices were not affected, hackers managed to encrypt and copy databases containing names, contact details, and home addresses.
6. Hebrew Language Academy Website Hacked
The Academy of the Hebrew Language has had its official websites disabled by hackers who replaced the content with a message suggesting the language will soon be obsolete. The digital attack features Palestinian resistance imagery and occurs against the backdrop of heightened regional conflict between Israel and Iran.
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📢 Cyber News
7. HHS Settles MMG Fusion HIPAA Case
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reached a settlement with MMG Fusion following an investigation into a massive data breach that exposed the private information of millions of patients. The software company agreed to pay a fine and implement a three-year corrective action plan to address systemic failures in its security and breach notification protocols.
8. Foreign Hacker Breached Epstein FBI Files
A foreign hacker accessed files concerning the FBI investigation into Jeffrey Epstein during a 2021 breach of the bureau’s New York Field Office. Newly released documents and internal sources confirmed the intrusion, which targeted sensitive data involving the late financier’s high-profile global connections.
9. Salt Typhoon Hits Global Telecom Giants
Salt Typhoon has executed a massive cyberespionage campaign against global telecommunications giants to steal millions of phone records belonging to high-ranking government officials. Attributed to China, this group targets critical infrastructure to gather intelligence and monitor sensitive communications, prompting significant national security concerns.
For more news click here!
📈Cyber Stocks
Cybersecurity stocks on Wednesday, 11 March 2026 traded with continued mixed momentum as broader tech rotation persisted.
Check Point Software Technologies finished near 156.82 dollars and was slightly lower, with defensive firewall and threat prevention demand providing relative resilience.
SentinelOne closed at approximately 13.48 dollars and was modestly higher, as smaller AI-enabled endpoint protection names saw selective buying.
Rapid7 finished around 6.51 dollars and was modestly lower, reflecting mid-cap vulnerability management and SIEM exposures tracking broader tech trends.
CyberArk Software closed near 412.30 dollars and was modestly higher, supported by privileged access management demand within identity security frameworks.
Tenable Holdings finished around 20.98 dollars and was slightly higher, as exposure management and risk posture solutions continued to attract steady interest.
💡 Cyber Tip
🏛️ FBI Warns of Zoning Permit Applicant Scams
The FBI is warning about phishing scams where attackers impersonate local government officials to target people applying for zoning or planning permits. Using public records, scammers include real project details in emails and send fake invoices demanding payment through wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
🛠️ What You Should Do
Verify any permit-related payment requests directly with local government offices
Check sender email domains carefully for misspellings or non-government addresses
Avoid paying permit fees through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps
Do not click links or open attachments from unexpected emails
Report suspicious messages to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
⚠️ Why This Matters
These scams use real project information to appear legitimate. Victims can lose large sums quickly because payments are routed through irreversible methods like crypto or wire transfers.
📚 Cyber Book
Digital Footprint Defense by Eduardo Maschietto
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