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The New Face of Fraud: 40% of Business Email Compromise (BEC) Emails Are AI-Generated

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2 years ago

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BEC emails see a 20% year-on-year increase, malicious links increase by 74%, and malicious attachments double

LONDON, July 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VIPRE Security Group, a global leader and award-winning cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection company, has unveiled its Q2 2024 Email Threat Trends Report. The report highlights the ingenuity of cyber criminals in using AI to evade detection and maliciously scam individuals and enterprises. VIPRE processed 1.8 billion emails globally, detecting 226.45 million spam emails and 16.91 million malicious URLs to identify the email threat trends that impact enterprises the most.

The high stakes of Business Email Compromise (BEC)

BEC remains a major scourge. Nearly half (49%) of all detected spam emails are attributed to BEC scams, with the CEO, followed by HR and IT, being the most common targets. It takes on a more sinister complexion when a full 40% of the BEC emails uncovered were AI-generated, and in some instances, AI likely created the entire message.

Double the malicious attachments

Q2 2024 saw twice as many evasive malicious attachments compared to the previous year, underlining the sophistication of modern email exploits. Entities without measures to detect these advanced threats could find themselves in hot water, facing double the risk compared to 12 months ago.

74% increase in malicious links

The research identified 16.91 million malicious URLs, a 74% rise from the previous year. This surge highlights the growing use of advanced evasion techniques by attackers.

Emerging trends in phishing and malspam

Phishing remains a dominant threat with attackers favouring URL redirection and cloud-hosting services. Cloudflare Turnstile was the most commonly used technique (51%) in phishing emails. Cloudflare Turnstile is a free service designed to protect websites from malicious traffic and functions as an advanced CAPTCHA alternative.

A significant shift in malspam tactics is observed. 86% of malspam emails used malicious links and only 14% contained attachments – a reverse of the Q1 2024 trend, where 78% of malspam emails contained malicious attachments, while only 22% used malicious links. This swing may be due to the increasing difficulty in detecting malicious links leading to seemingly legitimate websites that harbor infected links.

Sector-specific targeting

Threat actors increasingly targeted the manufacturing sector with 25% of email attacks, followed by retail (which was absent from 2023’s targets) at 20% and real estate at 11%. Attackers appear to be focusing on industries perceived as lacking advanced cybersecurity measures. In 2023, finance led the way with 25% of email attacks, and manufacturing surged to 43% in Q1 2024, a top position the sector continues to hold.

Regional spam sources

The US continues to be the top contender when it comes to sending and receiving spam (receiving nearly half of all phishing emails), most likely thanks to its vast data center infrastructure. Consistent with last quarter, the UK was the second-largest source of spam, followed by Canada, Sweden, and Iceland; three countries that failed to make the list either last quarter or this time last year.

“As AI technology advances, the potential for BEC attacks grows exponentially. Malefactors are now leveraging sophisticated AI algorithms to craft compelling phishing emails, mimicking the tone and style of legitimate communications,” Usman Choudhary, Chief Product and Technology Officer, VIPRE Security Group, says. “The next wave of BEC attacks could see attackers using AI to dynamically analyse and exploit real-time information, creating tailored and contextually accurate scams nearly indistinguishable from genuine correspondence. Enterprises must stay ahead by adopting robust AI-driven defenses and continuously educating their workforce on emerging threats.”

To read the full report, click here: VIPRE’s Email Threat Trends Report: Q2 2024.

VIPRE leverages its vast understanding of email security to equip businesses with the information they need to protect themselves. This report is based on proprietary intelligence gleaned from round-the-clock vigilance of the cybersecurity landscape.

About VIPRE Security Group

VIPRE Security Group, part of Ziff Davis, Inc., is a leading provider of internet security solutions purpose-built to protect businesses, solution providers, and home users from costly and malicious cyber threats. With over 25 years of industry expertise, VIPRE is one of the world’s largest threat intelligence clouds, delivering exceptional protection against today’s most aggressive online threats. Our award-winning software portfolio includes next-generation antivirus endpoint cloud solutions, advanced email security products, along with threat intelligence for real-time malware analysis, and security awareness training for compliance and risk management. VIPRE solutions deliver easy-to-use, comprehensive layered defense through cloud-based and server security, with mobile interfaces that enable instant threat response. VIPRE is a proud Advanced Technology Partner of Amazon Web Services operating globally across North America and Europe.

The group operates under various brands, including VIPRE®, StrongVPN®, IPVanish®, Inspired eLearning®, Livedrive®, and SugarSync®. www.VIPRE.com

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-new-face-of-fraud-40-of-business-email-compromise-bec-emails-are-ai-generated-302208822.html

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Tucker Medical selects GE HealthCare MRI technology to advance personalized preventive care in Singapore

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September 3, 2026

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Collaboration will explore clinical education, knowledge exchange and imaging excellence across Southeast Asia

Tucker Medical has installed a SIGNA™ 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging system at its Novena Specialist Center in Singapore to support its personalized, risk-informed approach to assessment and screening.Through a memorandum of understanding, Tucker Medical and GE HealthCare intend to explore clinical education, knowledge exchange, research support and opportunities to advance imaging practices across Southeast Asia.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GE HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) and Tucker Medical today announced a new relationship centered on advanced magnetic resonance imaging and a shared interest in supporting personalized, preventive healthcare. Tucker Medical has installed a GE HealthCare SIGNA™ 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system at its Novena Specialist Center in Singapore, adding advanced imaging capabilities to its precision prevention model.

Founded by medical oncologist Dr. Steven Tucker, Tucker Medical applies its “ASAP” (Assessment, Screening And Prevention) framework to personalize care based on individual risk, including genetics, family and personal history, prior cancer treatment, and metabolic and cardiovascular factors. Particular focus includes hereditary cancer risk, adult survivors of childhood cancer, long-term cancer survivors, and others requiring individualized long-term surveillance.

The installed system includes GE HealthCare’s AIR™ Recon DL deep-learning image reconstruction technology, Sonic DL™ for accelerated MRI acquisition, AIR™ Coil technology and Digital Expert capabilities. These technologies are designed to support high-quality imaging, workflow efficiency and the patient experience across MRI examinations.

“At Tucker Medical, we believe prevention becomes more meaningful when it is informed by a deeper understanding of each individual’s risk and health trajectory,” said Dr. Steven Tucker, Founder and Medical Director, Tucker Medical. “This applies both to individuals with increased risk who have never had cancer and cancer survivors whose disease and prior treatment may create health risks that persist for decades. Imaging is an important part of that picture. The addition of MRI allows us to further integrate imaging into our broader assessment, screening and longitudinal surveillance approach and to continue developing our model of personalized preventive care in Singapore and across the region.”

“Healthcare is increasingly moving toward more personalized approaches that bring together clinical information across the patient journey, and imaging has an important role to play in supporting that shift,” said Dede Yan, Zone General Manager, SEA6 (Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Brunei, Laos), GE HealthCare. “We are pleased to support Tucker Medical as it expands its imaging capabilities and to explore opportunities to share knowledge, strengthen clinical education and help advance imaging practices across Southeast Asia.”

Through a memorandum of understanding, GE HealthCare and Tucker Medical are establishing a framework to explore clinical education, knowledge exchange, research support and imaging excellence.

The organizations also intend to explore establishing Tucker Medical as a regional immersion training centre. The initiative could provide healthcare professionals with opportunities to experience MRI technologies in a clinical setting through activities such as workflow demonstrations, case reviews, clinical observations and peer-to-peer education.

In addition, the organizations plan to explore opportunities to gather product feedback and clinical insights and to support future educational activities, professional forums and knowledge-sharing initiatives in medical imaging and oncology.

About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.

GE HealthCare is a leading global healthcare solutions provider of advanced medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and AI, cloud and software solutions that help clinicians tackle the world’s most complex diseases. Serving patients and providers for 130 years, GE HealthCare is delivering bold innovations designed for the next era of medicine across its Advanced Imaging Solutions, Patient Care Solutions, and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics segments to help clinicians deliver more personalized, precise patient care. We are a $20.6 billion business with approximately 54,000 colleagues working to create a world where healthcare has no limits.

GE HealthCare is proud to be among 2026 Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™.

Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or visit our website for our latest news and perspectives. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tucker-medical-selects-ge-healthcare-mri-technology-to-advance-personalized-preventive-care-in-singapore-302868805.html

SOURCE GE HealthCare

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Minor Hotels partners with Checkout.com to power high-performance payments across global hospitality

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September 3, 2026

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Checkout.com will support Minor Hotels’ global expansion through its global acquiring network, powering high performance payments across international marketsAI-powered payment optimization will help Minor Hotels improve acceptance rates and deliver more seamless, secure checkout experiences for guestsA global payments partner with local acquiring and expertise will help simplify operations and reduce lost revenue from failed payments

SINGAPORE, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Checkout.com, a leading global digital payments company, today announced its partnership with Minor Hotels, a global hospitality group with more than 640 hotels across 67 countries.

Minor Hotels operates a diverse portfolio of hotels and resorts, alongside food and beverage businesses and luxury transportation services. As the group continues to expand across markets, it is consolidating its payments infrastructure to create a consistent foundation for growth and ensure high quality digital payment experiences for guests.

Through the partnership, Checkout.com will provide global acquiring and payment optimization capabilities for Minor Hotels’ resort properties across multiple markets worldwide. Minor Hotels selected Checkout.com for its global reach and local expertise, and its ability to deliver payment performance across multiple international markets while adapting to local requirements. Checkout.com’s domestic acquiring capabilities improve authorization rates and reduce processing costs through local transaction routing. Where possible, like-for-like settlement in local currencies reduce unnecessary foreign exchange conversions and simplify treasury and reconciliation as Minor Hotels scales.

The partnership will also bring together Checkout.com’s Intelligent Acceptance and Dynamic 3DS Authentication capabilities. Intelligent Acceptance is Checkout.com’s AI-driven optimization engine that enhances the performance of every transaction and is powered by global network intelligence. It maximizes first-attempt approvals and reduces failed transactions, helping to drive revenue across complex cross-border and multi-currency payment flows. Dynamic application of 3DS authentication is based on issuer preferences and local regulatory requirements, reducing unnecessary friction for guests.

Anthony Green, Global Head of Digital Marketing and Ecommerce at Minor Hotels, said: “As our portfolio continues to grow across markets, we need payment infrastructure that is reliable, flexible and able to support a premium experience for our guests. Checkout.com’s global acquiring capabilities and payments expertise will help us simplify complexity, improve performance and build a stronger foundation for our next phase of growth.”

Yao Xiang, Head of Commercial, Greater China and Southeast Asia at Checkout.com, said: “Hospitality businesses operate across complex payment flows, markets and currencies, while guests expect every payment to be simple and secure. We’re proud to partner with Minor Hotels as it continues to grow globally, bringing together our local acquiring capabilities, payment optimization technology and dedicated expertise to help its team improve performance and deliver better guest experiences.”

About Checkout.com

Checkout.com processes payments for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy. Our global digital payments network supports over 145 currencies and delivers high-performance payment solutions across the world, processing billions of transactions annually. In 2025, Checkout.com processed more than $300bn in ecommerce payments volume.

We help enterprise merchants boost acceptance rates, combat fraud, and turn payments into a major revenue driver. Headquartered in London and with 19 offices worldwide, Checkout.com is trusted by leading brands such as Spotify, HelloFresh, eBay, Uber, Pinterest, Vinted, Klarna, Financial Times, and Sony.

Checkout.com. Where the world checks out.

About Minor Hotels

Minor Hotels is a global leader in the hospitality industry with more than 640 hotels, resorts and branded residences in operation and committed development across 67 countries. The group crafts innovative and insightful experiences through its hotel brands including Anantara, Elewana Collection, The Wolseley Hotels, Tivoli, Minor Reserve Collection, NH Collection, nhow, Avani, Colbert Collection, NH, Oaks, and iStay, as well as a diverse portfolio of restaurants and bars, travel experiences, and spa and wellness brands. With over four decades of expertise, Minor Hotels builds stronger brands, fosters lasting partnerships, and drives business success by always focusing on what matters most to our guests, team members and partners.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/minor-hotels-partners-with-checkoutcom-to-power-high-performance-payments-across-global-hospitality-302868813.html

SOURCE Checkout.com

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AWOL Vision Debuts LuxVision at IFA 2026: World’s First 4K 120Hz UST with Optical Shift

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50 minutes ago

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September 3, 2026

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Engineered for premium home entertainment, AWOL Vision’s new flagship ultra-short-throw projector delivers 4K 120Hz performance, 6,000 ISO lumens of brightness, optical lens shift, and intelligent setup.

BERLIN, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AWOL Vision, a global home entertainment brand delivering immersive audiovisual experiences through large-format displays, home cinema technology, and connected entertainment—makes its first appearance following a refreshed global brand identity unveiled in June 2026. Centered around its new vision, “Bring Wonder Home,” this milestone unites the AWOL Aetherion UST series and AWOL Valerion long-throw series under one cohesive AWOL Vision brand framework.

Nothing between you and the moment
At the heart of the LuxVision is 4K at 120 frames per second. It processes nearly one billion pixels per second to display fast-paced scenes with sharp, smooth, and rich detail. Gamers also benefit from an input lag of just 1 ms, ALLM, VRR, and Dolby Vision Gaming. Three HDMI 2.1 ports, a DisplayPort, and 4-channel HDMI Multiview allow you to connect multiple screens and sources simultaneously.

Maximum Flexibility and Design
A throw ratio of 0.18:1 transforms a surface into a cinema screen of up to 200 inches even at extremely short distances, while vertical optical lens shift enables precise image positioning at the touch of a button—while fully preserving true 4K detail sharpness. A motorized lens cover and a stray-light-free lens ensure a pure, precise, and distortion-free image. At the same time, customizable CMF options (color, material, finish) allow for elegant integration into any living space.

Brilliant Image Quality and Laser Technology
With 6,000 ISO lumens (RGB triple laser), the projector ensures vivid images even in bright daylight or during a movie night at home (110% Rec. 2020). Dynamic tone mapping, a 7-step iris, and support for Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, Filmmaker Mode, and 3D guarantee a true cinematic experience. AWOL’s 2nd-generation Anti-RBE technology minimizes rainbow effects and visual fatigue.

True immersion removes every distraction. With LuxVision, there is Nothing Between You and the Moment.

Price and Availability

MSRP: $5,999 / €5,999 / £4,999
Launch Time: Around October
Booth: H22-113

Check out more photos of the AWOL LuxVision here.

About AWOL Vision

Founded in 2020, AWOL Vision is a home entertainment brand focused on delivering immersive audiovisual experiences through large-format display solutions, home theater technologies, and connected entertainment products. For more information, visit  www.awolvision.com.

PR contact: pr@awolvision.us 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/awol-vision-debuts-luxvision-at-ifa-2026-worlds-first-4k-120hz-ust-with-optical-shift-302867771.html

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