Romance Scam Delivers Malware Hidden In ‘Lovely Photos’ File - 1

Image by Joshua Reddekopp, from Unsplash

Romance Scam Delivers Malware Hidden In ‘Lovely Photos’ File

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

A new cyberattack is targeting German speakers with adult-themed romance scams, secretly delivering malware.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • The attack targets German speakers using adult-themed romance scam emails.
  • Emails contain links to ISO malware hosted on Russian servers.
  • Keitaro TDS filters victims by location and time.

According to Sublime Security , the attackers use two deceptive links to entice victims by luring them via a romantic email.

The first link looks like a video preview image, yet the second link leads to a disguised archive file. If clicked, the system checks if the user is in Germany. If so, it downloads a 300MB ISO file from a Russian server.

The researchers explain that the attackers use Keitaro TDS, a commercial traffic distribution system, to target users during their working hours through this malicious campaign.

“Keitaro is able to view many characteristics of the computer, making the request and providing connection paths,” Sublime explained. This targeted precision increases the chances of success.

Once downloaded, the ISO file evades detection by inflating its size. When mounted, it reveals a file called ‘lovely_photos.exe’ and a text file with a password. Running the file prompts the user for that password, which triggers the extraction of explicit images and multiple malicious files.

The malware builds an AutoIt interpreter to run a heavily disguised script, designed to bypass antivirus software. “The final AutoIt script is extensively obfuscated […] over 11,500 lines of code,” Sublime noted. The script installs itself as a scheduled Windows task called DragonMapper, ensuring the malware runs every time the user logs in.

This campaign highlights the increasing sophistication of social engineering attacks and how threat actors are now combining adult scams with anti-analysis techniques and legitimate tools like AutoIt and Keitaro TDS to remain undetected.

Tesla And Samsung Agree To $16.5 Billion Chip Supply Deal - 2

Photo by Manny Becerra on Unsplash

Tesla And Samsung Agree To $16.5 Billion Chip Supply Deal

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Elon Musk confirmed on Monday that Tesla has reached a $16.5 billion agreement with Samsung. The South Korean company will supply semiconductors for the American firm’s electric vehicles (EVs).

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Elon Musk confirmed Tesla has reached a $16.5 billion semiconductor agreement with Samsung.
  • The South Korean company submitted a filing but didn’t disclose the counterpart.
  • Samsung said the new contract will end by December 2033.

Musk announced the new partnership in a post on the social media platform X, stating that Samsung will develop advanced chips for the automaker.

“Samsung’s giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip. The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate,” wrote Musk. “Samsung currently makes AI4. TSMC will make AI5, which just finished design, initially in Taiwan and then Arizona.”

Samsung’s giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip. The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate. Samsung currently makes AI4. TSMC will make AI5, which just finished design, initially in Taiwan and then Arizona. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 28, 2025

According to CNBC , Samsung explained in a new filing—without naming the counterpart—that it signed a contract starting on July 26, set to expire on December 31, 2033. The Korean firm said it would not reveal the name of the partner until the end of the contract “to protect trade secrets.”

“Since the main contents of the contract have not been disclosed due to the need to maintain business confidentiality, investors are advised to invest carefully, considering the possibility of changes or termination of the contract,” said the company. Its shares rose 6% this week.

Musk did not provide further details about the agreement but emphasized that the strategic partnership plays a crucial role for his company.

“Samsung agreed to allow Tesla to assist in maximizing manufacturing efficiency,” added Musk in another post. “This is a critical point, as I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress. And the fab is conveniently located not far from my house.”

The new deal also strengthens Samsung’s business trajectory, as it has recently fallen behind competitors such as Micron and SK Hynix.

Tesla has been expanding its services and product offerings. It recently began rolling out its Robotaxi services in Texas .