Gen Threat Report Unmasks Surge in PharmaFraud Scams and the Evolving Face of Cybercrime in an AI-Powered World
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) has released its Q2/2025 Threat Report, revealing significant cybersecurity challenges in an AI-powered threat landscape. The company identified and blocked 1 million attacks from over 5,000 fake pharmacy websites in a scheme dubbed "PharmaFraud." The report highlights several concerning trends, including a 21% increase in data breaches, a 340% surge in financial scams, and a 100% rise in sextortion scams.
In a significant breakthrough, Gen successfully cracked the first known AI-powered ransomware, FunkSec, releasing a free decryptor for victims. The report also details a dramatic increase in Facebook-based threats, with 14% of blocked threats linked to Technical Support Scams. Additional findings include a 317% increase in malicious push notifications and a 62% rise in remote access attacks.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) ha pubblicato il suo Rapporto sulle Minacce del secondo trimestre 2025, rivelando importanti sfide di cybersecurity in un panorama di minacce alimentato dall'intelligenza artificiale. L'azienda ha identificato e bloccato 1 milione di attacchi provenienti da oltre 5.000 siti web di farmacie false in uno schema denominato "PharmaFraud". Il rapporto evidenzia diverse tendenze preoccupanti, tra cui un aumento del 21% delle violazioni di dati, un incremento del 340% delle truffe finanziarie e un raddoppio delle truffe di sextortion.
In un importante risultato, Gen è riuscita a decifrare il primo ransomware noto alimentato dall'IA, FunkSec, rilasciando un decryptor gratuito per le vittime. Il rapporto descrive anche un aumento significativo delle minacce su Facebook, con il 14% delle minacce bloccate legate a truffe di supporto tecnico. Altri dati mostrano un incremento del 317% delle notifiche push malevoli e un aumento del 62% degli attacchi con accesso remoto.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) ha publicado su Informe de Amenazas del segundo trimestre de 2025, revelando desafíos significativos en ciberseguridad en un panorama de amenazas impulsado por IA. La compañía identificó y bloqueó 1 millón de ataques provenientes de más de 5,000 sitios web falsos de farmacias en un esquema denominado "PharmaFraud". El informe destaca varias tendencias preocupantes, incluyendo un aumento del 21% en violaciones de datos, un incremento del 340% en estafas financieras y un crecimiento del 100% en estafas de sextorsión.
En un avance importante, Gen logró descifrar el primer ransomware conocido impulsado por IA, FunkSec, liberando un descifrador gratuito para las víctimas. El informe también detalla un aumento dramático en amenazas basadas en Facebook, con el 14% de las amenazas bloqueadas vinculadas a estafas de soporte técnico. Otros hallazgos incluyen un aumento del 317% en notificaciones push maliciosas y un incremento del 62% en ataques de acceso remoto.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN)은 2025년 2분기 위협 보고서를 발표하며 AI 기반 위협 환경에서의 심각한 사이버보안 문제를 공개했습니다. 회사는 "PharmaFraud"라는 명칭의 계획에서 5,000개 이상의 가짜 약국 웹사이트에서 발생한 100만 건의 공격을 식별하고 차단했습니다. 보고서는 데이터 유출 21% 증가, 금융 사기 340% 급증, 섹스토션 사기 100% 증가 등 우려스러운 여러 추세를 강조합니다.
중요한 돌파구로서 Gen은 AI 기반 최초의 랜섬웨어인 FunkSec를 성공적으로 해독하여 피해자들을 위한 무료 복호화 도구를 공개했습니다. 보고서는 또한 페이스북 기반 위협이 크게 증가했음을 상세히 설명하며, 차단된 위협의 14%가 기술 지원 사기와 관련되어 있다고 밝혔습니다. 추가 발견사항으로는 악성 푸시 알림 317% 증가와 원격 접근 공격 62% 증가가 포함됩니다.
Gen (NASDAQ : GEN) a publié son Rapport sur les Menaces du deuxième trimestre 2025, révélant des défis majeurs en cybersécurité dans un paysage de menaces alimenté par l'IA. L'entreprise a identifié et bloqué 1 million d'attaques provenant de plus de 5 000 sites pharmaceutiques frauduleux dans un schéma nommé "PharmaFraud". Le rapport met en lumière plusieurs tendances préoccupantes, dont une augmentation de 21 % des violations de données, une hausse de 340 % des escroqueries financières et une augmentation de 100 % des escroqueries de sextorsion.
Dans une avancée significative, Gen a réussi à déchiffrer le premier ransomware connu alimenté par l'IA, FunkSec, en publiant un déchiffreur gratuit pour les victimes. Le rapport détaille également une augmentation spectaculaire des menaces sur Facebook, avec 14 % des menaces bloquées liées aux arnaques de support technique. Parmi les autres constats, on note une augmentation de 317 % des notifications push malveillantes et une hausse de 62 % des attaques par accès à distance.
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) hat seinen Bedrohungsbericht für das zweite Quartal 2025 veröffentlicht und dabei erhebliche Herausforderungen im Bereich der Cybersicherheit in einer von KI geprägten Bedrohungslandschaft aufgezeigt. Das Unternehmen identifizierte und blockierte 1 Million Angriffe von über 5.000 gefälschten Apotheken-Websites in einem als "PharmaFraud" bezeichneten Schema. Der Bericht hebt mehrere besorgniserregende Trends hervor, darunter einen 21%igen Anstieg von Datenverletzungen, einen 340%igen Anstieg von Finanzbetrügereien und eine 100%ige Zunahme von Sextortion-Betrugsfällen.
Ein bedeutender Durchbruch gelang Gen mit der erfolgreichen Entschlüsselung der ersten bekannten KI-gestützten Ransomware FunkSec, wofür ein kostenloser Entschlüsseler für Opfer bereitgestellt wurde. Der Bericht beschreibt außerdem einen dramatischen Anstieg von Facebook-basierten Bedrohungen, wobei 14% der blockierten Bedrohungen mit technischen Support-Betrügereien in Verbindung stehen. Weitere Erkenntnisse umfassen einen 317%igen Anstieg bösartiger Push-Benachrichtigungen sowie einen 62%igen Anstieg von Angriffen mit Fernzugriff.
- Successfully blocked 1 million PharmaFraud attacks, protecting users from fake pharmacy scams
- Developed and released free decryptor for AI-powered FunkSec ransomware
- Demonstrated strong threat detection capabilities across multiple cybersecurity vectors
- Expanded protection services through Norton Genie and Avast Scam Guardian
- 21% increase in data breach events with 16% rise in breached emails
- 340% surge in financial scams, particularly on Facebook
- 317% spike in malicious push notifications threatening users
- 62% increase in remote access attacks indicating growing cybersecurity challenges
Insights
Gen's threat report reveals strong defensive capabilities against emerging cyber threats, positioning it favorably in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape.
Gen's Q2/2025 Threat Report showcases the company's proactive stance in the cybersecurity space with several significant technical achievements. The blocking of
The identification of over 5,000 fraudulent pharmacy domains and the coining of "PharmaFraud" positions Gen as a thought leader identifying emerging threat categories. This intelligence-gathering capability adds significant value to their security products and validates their research investment. The documented increases in various attack vectors –
Gen is effectively leveraging these security insights across their product portfolio, integrating threat intelligence into solutions like Norton Genie and Avast's Scam Guardian. This cross-pollination between their research division and product teams creates a virtuous cycle: better threat intelligence leads to improved products, which then capture more threat data.
From a competitive standpoint, Gen's ability to work with law enforcement on the FunkSec case demonstrates valuable relationships with authorities and positions them as a responsible security partner. Their detailed analysis of social media threats, particularly the Facebook-based financial and tech support scams, shows adaptability in tracking threats across platforms where users are most vulnerable.
Gen blocks 1 million fake pharmacy attacks, releases free ransomware decryptor, and tracks increasing data breaches, financial scams, sextortion and tech support scams
"Cyber threats continue to be smarter, faster, and more personal," said Siggi Stefnisson, Cyber Safety CTO at Gen. "From AI-powered ransomware to fake online pharmacies, the risks are real – and increasingly difficult for people to spot. But with global cooperation, advanced detection, and a relentless commitment to developing products that stop the latest threats, we can stay one step ahead. While threats continue to evolve, so does our ability to fight them."
PharmaFraud: Sophisticated Scams Masquerading as Medicine
When you need medication – whether it's a routine antibiotic, a high-demand weight loss treatment, or something more private – the internet can seem like the quickest, most discreet option. Cybercriminals now know it. Gen researchers dubbed the growing threat of fraudulent online pharmacies "PharmaFraud," and exposed a vast network of more than 5,000 web domains selling in-demand drugs such as erectile dysfunction treatments, weight-loss medications, and antibiotics—products often sought quickly, privately, or at lower cost. In 2025, Gen has blocked 1 million attacks coming from these sites against unsuspecting online shoppers.
These PharmaFraud operations use a range of tactics: injecting malicious code into medical websites, manipulating search results, deploying AI-generated health blogs and fake reviews. The sites are convincing imitations with polished layouts, bogus customer service information, and detailed product pages. But buyers beware – what may appear legitimate is often a scam, resulting in financial fraud and identity theft. Behind the scenes are red flags, such as low-cost offers for prescription-only drugs, missing contact information, requests for cryptocurrency payments, unsecured checkout processes, and prompts for sensitive personal, medical, or financial data.
Beating the Bots: Gen Cracks AI-Powered Ransomware
Gen continues to uphold its commitment to help victims of ransomware, uncovering a critical cryptographic flaw in FunkSec. This was the first known ransomware strain partially built using AI. While the malware successfully encrypted data and demanded payment, the Gen research team worked with law enforcement to help victims recover their files without paying via a free decryptor released by Avast. FunkSec has since gone quiet.
Financial and Tech Support Scams Flourishing on Facebook
The risk of being targeted by a financial scam increased 3-fold (
At the same time,
Other key highlights from the report include:
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21% increase in data breach events, with breached emails increasing by nearly16% . - Lumma Stealer remained active post-takedown, using a fresh infrastructure to continue transferring stolen data.
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317% spike in malicious push notifications, often disguised as video players or system alerts. - +
62% rise in remote access attacks, led by the return of Wincir RAT and abuse of cloud services like OneDrive. - DealPly adware, a threat that has been steadily declining, made a comeback particularly in the US,
Brazil ,France andIndia . - A target on small businesses with infostealers, exploits, and remote access tools. Scams remained the top threat to small businesses.
The Gen family of trusted brands helps protect people from falling victim to the scams highlighted in this report through solutions like Norton Genie scam protection, available as a standalone app and included as part of the Norton 360 lineup, and Scam Guardian, newly added scam protection included with Avast Free Antivirus and Avast Premium Security. For Identity Theft, LifeLock helps keep people covered in the event of a breach or data exposure.
To read the full Q2/2025 Gen Threat Report, visit https://www.gendigital.com/blog/insights/reports/threat-report-q2-2025.
About Gen
Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) is a global company dedicated to powering Digital Freedom through its trusted consumer brands including Norton, Avast, LifeLock, MoneyLion and more. The Gen family of consumer brands is rooted in providing financial empowerment and cyber safety for the first digital generations. Today, Gen empowers people to live their digital lives safely, privately and confidently for generations to come. Gen brings award-winning products and services in cybersecurity, online privacy, identity protection and financial wellness to nearly 500 million users in more than 150 countries. Learn more at GenDigital.com.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Posey-Thomas
Gen
Press@GenDigital.com
Courtney Rowles
Edelman for Gen
Courtney.Rowles@edelman.com
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SOURCE Gen Digital Inc.
FAQ
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