GEN DIGITAL INC Stock Price, News & Analysis

Avast, part of Gen (NASDAQ: GEN), reports a concerning 137% increase in sextortion scam risks across the U.S. in 2025. These scams are becoming more sophisticated through the exploitation of AI technology and data breaches to create highly personalized threats.

Criminals are using AI to generate deepfake images and leveraging Google Maps for targeted attacks. The scammers utilize personal information obtained from the Dark Web to create convincing threats, with over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets identified in connection with Google Maps-related scams.

Michal Salat, Threat Intelligence Director for Avast, warns against engaging with these scammers, emphasizing that victims often receive threatening messages claiming access to private content, made more credible by the use of stolen passwords from previous data breaches.

MoneyLion (NYSE: ML) has announced a special stockholder meeting scheduled for April 10, 2025, where stockholders will vote on the proposed acquisition by Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN). The meeting will allow stockholders of record as of February 11, 2025 to consider and vote on the merger agreement adoption. MoneyLion, a digital ecosystem for consumer finance, is set to be acquired by Gen Digital in this strategic transaction.

LifeLock (NASDAQ: GEN) warns of rising AI-driven tax scams, with 56% of individuals already encountering AI-powered voice scams. The IRS Criminal Investigation unit revealed tax fraud and financial crimes increased to $9.1 billion in 2024, up from $5.7 billion in 2022.

Three major scam types identified for 2025 include:

• W-2 Phishing Scams using AI-generated communications to steal tax documents
• Disaster Relief Fund Tax Scams exploiting IRS tax extensions
• Offer in Compromise (OIC) Scams making false debt relief promises

LifeLock's General Manager Ian Bednowitz emphasizes the increasing sophistication of these scams, with 81% of victims reporting financial impacts. The company recommends using reputable tax preparation services, verifying communications, and implementing protective measures like monitoring financial accounts and using identity theft protection services.

MoneyLion (NYSE: ML) announced record financial results for Q4 and full year 2024, highlighting significant growth across key metrics. The company reported FY 2024 revenue of $546 million, up 29% year-over-year, and achieved net income of $9.1 million compared to a net loss of $45.2 million in 2023.

Q4 2024 revenue increased 40% to $158.6 million versus Q4 2023, with a net income of $1.7 million compared to a $4.2 million loss in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA grew 55% to $25.6 million for Q4 and 98% to $92 million for the full year, representing a 17% margin.

Customer and product metrics showed strong growth with total customers increasing 46% to 20.4 million and total products growing 48% to 34.1 million in 2024. Total originations rose 32% year-over-year to $853 million in Q4 and 38% to $3.1 billion for the full year.

Additionally, MoneyLion announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN), with the transaction expected to close in the first half of Gen's fiscal year 2026.

Norton, part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), has launched enhanced AI-powered scam protection features across its Cyber Safety product lineup. The company reports that 90% of all cyberthreats now originate from scams and social engineering threats, nearly tripling since 2021.

The new offerings include Genie Scam Protection and Genie Scam Protection Pro, providing AI protection against scams in texts, phone calls, emails, and web browsing. These features are now available in the US across Norton's product range, including Norton AntiVirus Plus, Mobile Security, and 360 plans.

Key features include Safe SMS for text message scam detection, Safe Web for online protection, AI-powered Scam Assistant, and Norton Private Browser. Additional Pro features include Safe Call for blocking scam calls, Safe Email for proactive email scanning, and Scam Support and Reimbursement services for qualifying customers.

Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN) has announced the pricing of $950 million in senior notes with a 6.25% interest rate, due in 2033. The private offering, scheduled to close on February 13, 2025, is exempt from Securities Act registration requirements. The company plans to use the proceeds, along with available cash, to repurchase all outstanding 5.00% Senior Notes due 2025.

The notes are exclusively offered to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and non-U.S. investors under Regulation S. They will not be registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws, limiting their sale and offer within the United States to qualified exemptions.

Gen Digital (NASDAQ: GEN) has announced a proposed private offering of $1,100 million in senior notes due 2033. The company plans to use the proceeds to repurchase all outstanding 5.00% Senior Notes due 2025 and for general corporate purposes. The offering is exclusively available to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A and non-U.S. investors under Regulation S of the Securities Act.

The notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or state securities laws, requiring an applicable exemption for any U.S. sales. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities.

Gen (NASDAQ: GEN) released its Q4/2024 Threat Report, revealing a significant surge in cyberthreats with 2.55 billion threats blocked (321 per second). Social engineering attacks comprised 86% of all blocked threats, with a risk ratio of 27.7% in Q4.

Key findings include a 14% rise in phishing attacks and malvertising accounting for 41% of blocked attacks. Social media platforms were major threat vectors, with Facebook representing 56% of identified threats, followed by YouTube (24%) and X (10%). The main scam types were deceptive online ads (27%), fake e-shops (23%), and phishing (18%).

Financial scams peaked in Q4, highlighted by the largest deepfake crypto scam that stole over $7 million. Mobile banking trojans saw significant growth, with BankBot infections increasing by 236% compared to Q3. Personal data threats also escalated, with Gen blocking attacks targeting 4.2 million individuals, a 130% increase from Q3. Ransomware showed a 50% increase in Q4.

Norton's latest study reveals AI's growing influence in online dating, with 60% of users believing they've chatted with AI-generated responses. The study shows significant interest in AI applications, with 64% willing to use AI for pick-up lines and 63% for profile development.

However, AI also enables sophisticated scams, with only 46% of users able to identify fake images. 27% of users reported seeing their photos used without permission. The report indicates a 64% increase in blocked dating scam attacks in the US year-over-year, with 40% of dating app users targeted by scams and 41% of those becoming victims.

Common scams include catfishing (55%), romance scams (34%), sugar daddy/baby scams (32%), and sextortion (31%). Norton has launched Genie, a free AI-powered scam detection app, to help users navigate online dating safely.