Image by Gage Skidmore, from Flickr
DOGE Hackers Troll Elon Musk In Cyberattack
- Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
A ransomware gang is demanding $1 trillion while mocking Elon Musk in a cyberattack using FOG malware, raising serious infrastructure concerns.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- Hackers demand $1 trillion in new DOGE ransomware note.
- Malware used is FOG, known for data encryption and copying.
- Ransom note mocks Elon Musk and Dogecoin.
The hackers, behind the recent “DOGE Big Balls” ransomware attacks, have embedded jokes targeting Elon Musk and the cryptocurrency Dogecoin into their threats, as first reported by Forbes .
The ransomware strain used in these attacks is a variant of FOG, a known malware family that encrypts victims’ data and copies it for potential blackmail. According to cybersecurity researchers Nathaniel Morales and Sarah Pearl Camiling from Trend Micro , the ransomware has begun mocking both Dogecoin and Elon Musk.
Forbes reports that the updated ransom note echoes Musk’s controversial demand for federal employees to email DOGE weekly work summaries under threat of termination , and now reads:
“Give me five bullet points on what you accomplished for work last week or you owe me a TRILLION dollars.”
Elon Musk’s DOGE program faces rising criticism which extends past the ransomware attack. A whistleblower filed a complaint with Congress and multiple federal agencies which accused DOGE of stealing and exporting confidential NLRB data without authorization . Additionally, the Social Security Administration’s website suffered a major crash shortly after DOGE began its digital infrastructure work.
Forbes notes that the FBI reported through its April 23 internet crime report that ransomware represents the most significant threat to critical infrastructure.
The report shows FOG ransomware as the leading new attack type which was reported during 2024. The United States experienced $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses during the previous year with ransomware attacks being a primary factor.
Forbes reports that the attackers’ note contains memes and fake threats about trilatitude and trilongitude. It reads:
“We are the ones who encrypted your data and also copied some of it to our internal resource,” and provided instructions for victims to contact them via the dark web.
Forbes reports that Dr. Ilia Kolochenko, CEO of cybersecurity firm ImmuniWeb, said: “The most alarming thing about the FBI’s IC3 report is that its numbers are just the tip of the formidable iceberg of organized cybercrime.” He added that many U.S. organizations still choose to quietly pay ransoms, hoping attackers will keep stolen data
Photo by Oberon Copeland @veryinformed.com on Unsplash
WhatsApp Introduces “Advanced Chat Privacy” Feature To Protect Users’ Data
- Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
- Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager
WhatsApp launched a new security feature called Advanced Chat Privacy this Wednesday to protect users’ data and block others from exporting and downloading private data from chats.
In a rush? Here are the quick facts:
- WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature called Advanced Chat Privacy.
- The privacy setting blocks other users from exporting chat history or using data from private chats for AI purposes.
- Users can turn on the new feature through the chat settings.
According to WhatsApp’s announcement , the new security update can prevent people from downloading media shared in chats or using messages for AI features— Meta recently integrated its Meta AI model into its platforms, including WhatsApp, and expanded to Europe in March.
“Today we’re introducing our latest layer for privacy called ‘Advanced Chat Privacy,’” states the document. “This new setting available in both chats and groups helps prevent others from taking content outside of WhatsApp for when you may want extra privacy.”
WhatsApp explains that the new feature guarantees that no group member or any other person can download the information shared for other purposes, and the chat remains protected.
“We think this feature is best used when talking with groups where you may not know everyone closely but are nevertheless sensitive in nature, like talking about health challenges in a support group or organizing your community about something important to you,” wrote the company.
Users interested in activating Advanced Chat Privacy can turn it on through the chat settings as soon as it is available. The company said the feature is currently rolling out globally in the latest version of the app.
add an extra layer of protection to your chats 🔒 advanced chat privacy stops media downloads, block chat exports, and keep your messages between you and who you’re talking to pic.twitter.com/8wmh2OCgQL — WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) April 23, 2025
While this new update adds a new privacy layer to protect users’ data, there are still vulnerabilities and concerns in the tech community.
According to The Verge , Advanced Chat Privacy doesn’t stop people from taking screenshots or downloading information manually. However, a spokesperson from WhatsApp, Zade Alsawah, told the news website that this is a “first version” and that the company expects to add more protection and safety measures in the future.
Meta has announced multiple updates for its chat platform in the past few months. In November, WhatsApp rolled out its audio transcription feature for voice messages, and, in January, the tech giant linked WhatsApp to the accounts center , connecting the platform to Instagram and Facebook.
