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Blackstone, KKR and other finance giants targeted in password theft hacking campaign

Rising4 outlets reported this in 5 reports over 2 days - a further 1 report reprinted copy already published elsewhere
After publishing: 1 description edited1 change
  1. indiatimes.comseen 8 Aug, 21:59description edited
    what the description said, before and after

    U.S. financial firms and businesses faced phone-based hacking attacks recently. Hackers used fake websites to steal employee passwords and gain access. These attacks targeted private equity, law firms, and financial ratings agencies. Sophisticated social engineering tactics were employed by the attackers. Many organisations remain vulnerable to these human-element cyber threats.

    Hackers used phone calls to target financial firms and businesses recently. They created fake websites to steal employee passwords and account information. These low-tech tactics proved effective against sophisticated security measures. Google identified hacker groups operating under various names like Redact and Falcon. The attacks highlight the persistent effectiveness of human manipulation in cybersecurity.

original reportingcopies
Thu, 6 August 2026peak 3 reports on Fri, 7 August 2026Fri, 7 August 2026

What it is about

Lee ClarkAustin LarsenGoogle Threat Intelligence GroupReutersGoogleBridgewater AssociatesMoodyRaphael SatterPaul HastingsAnirban SenNick ZieminskiBloombergLevi StraussGreenberg TraurigClearlake, Washington, United StatesWashington, United StatesBlackstoneBridgewaterBainKKR

Who published it, and when

original reportcopyedited after publishingfirst to report
spokesman.com1 original report
indiatimes.com1 original report - edited after publishing
thestar.com.my1 copy echoing spokesman.com
Times of India1 original report
thenextweb.com1 original report
6 Aug, 17:02over 17 hours7 Aug, 09:54

How it spread - 4 original reports, 1 reprint

  1. Thu, 6 August 2026

    2 reports
    • spokesman.com17:02first to report

      Ransom-seeking hackers who use phone calls to compromise their victims targeted dozens of prominent U.S. financial institutions and other businesses over the past month, according to Google and internet intelligence data reviewed by Reuters.

      1 reprint
    • indiatimes.com17:40edited after publishing

      Hackers used phone calls to target financial firms and businesses recently. They created fake websites to steal employee passwords and account information. These low-tech tactics proved effective against sophisticated security measures. Google identified hacker groups operating under various names like Redact and Falcon. The attacks highlight the persistent effectiveness of human manipulation in cybersecurity.

  2. Fri, 7 August 2026

    2 reports
    • Times of India07:38

      Recent reports from Google reveal that hackers have set their sights on prominent US financial companies, employing cunning phone scams to extract sensitive credentials from employees. Following this, they launched customized malicious websites designed specifically for each target. Shifting their attention to private equity firms, these assailants have allegedly compelled some businesses to pay ransoms after committing data theft.

    • thenextweb.com09:54

      A voice-phishing campaign tracked as UNC6671 targeted Blackstone, KKR, CME and other finance giants, impersonating IT to steal logins. No breaches have been confirmed.

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