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Group-IB contributes to international “Operation Kaerb” that led to the arrest of the masterminds behind the iServer phishing-as-a-service platform which claimed more than 483,000 victims globally

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AMSTERDAM, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Group-IB, a leading creator of cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent, and fight digital crime, announced today that it has contributed a international operation code named “Operation Kaerb” coordinated by Europol and Ameripol–in partnership with European and Latin American law enforcement agencies and judiciary authorities–which resulted in the arrest of 17 cybercriminals in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Spain, who were behind the iServer phishing-as-a-platform targeting mobile users worldwide. The iServer phishing-as-a-service platform, which was active for five years, is reported by law enforcement investigators to have targeted over 1.2-million mobile phones, and claimed approximately 483,000 victims worldwide. The administrator of the iServer phishing platform, an Argentinian national, was also arrested during the multi-agency law enforcement operation that took place between 10 to 17 September 2024.

 

Active for at least five years, the iServer platform was primarily used by Spanish-speaking criminals in North and South America, but it has since expanded its reach into Europe and other regions. While iServer was essentially an automated phishing platform, its specific focus on harvesting credentials to unlock stolen phones set it apart from typical phishing-as-a-service offerings. iServer’s platform features a web interface that enables low-skilled criminals, known as “unlockers,” to steal device passwords, user credentials from cloud-based mobile platforms and other personal information from victims. This allows them to bypass “Lost Mode” and unlock phones acquired through illegal means.

During its investigations into iServer’s criminal activities, Group-IB specialists also uncovered the structure and roles of criminal syndicates operating with the platform: the platform’s owner/developer sells access to “unlockers,” who in their turn provide phone unlocking services to other criminals with locked stolen devices. The phishing attacks are specifically designed to gather data that grants access to physical mobile devices, enabling criminals to acquire users’ credentials and local device passwords to unlock devices or unlink them from their owners. iServer automates the creation and delivery of phishing pages that imitate popular cloud-based mobile platforms, featuring several unique implementations that enhance its effectiveness as a cybercrime tool.

Unlockers obtain the necessary information for unlocking the mobile phones, such as IMEI, language, owner details, and contact information, often accessed through lost mode or via cloud-based mobile platforms. They utilize phishing domains provided by iServer or create their own to set up a phishing attack. After selecting an attack scenario, iServer creates a phishing page and sends an SMS with a malicious link to the victim.

A “redirector” link is used to filter and verify the visitor before leading them to the final phishing page; if they do not comply with the rules, access is denied. Once victims enter their credentials, these are verified by the platform, and additional information like OTP codes may be requested.

 

Ultimately, criminals receive the stolen and validated credentials through the iServer web interface, enabling them to unlock a phone, turn off “Lost mode” and untie it from the owner’s account.

“We are honored to stop millions of cyber attacks targeting mobile users. The arrest of the syndicate members, including the mastermind, has averted significant fraud and safeguarded the personal lives of individuals across various regions,” said Dmitry Volkov, CEO of Group-IB. “This serves as yet another great example of cross border collaboration, and we will continue to support local and international law enforcement efforts to combat cybercrime globally.”

ABOUT GROUP-IB

Established in 2003, Group-IB is a leading creator of cybersecurity technologies to investigate, prevent, and fight digital crime globally. Headquartered in Singapore, and with Digital Crime Resistance Centers in the Middle East and Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Asia-Pacific, Group-IB analyses and neutralizes regional and country-specific cyber threats via its Unified Risk Platform, offering unparalleled defence through its industry-leading Threat Intelligence, Fraud Protection, Digital Risk Protection, Managed Extended Detection and Response (XDR), Business Email Protection, and External Attack Surface Management solutions, catering to government, retail, healthcare, gaming, financial sectors, and beyond. Group-IB collaborates with international law enforcement agencies like INTERPOL, EUROPOL, and AFRIPOL to fortify cybersecurity worldwide, and has been awarded by advisory agencies including Aite-Novarica, Gartner, Forrester, Frost & Sullivan, and KuppingerCole.

For more information, visit us at www.group-ib.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Group-IB Public Relations
PR@Group-IB.com  

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In HelloNation, Veterinary Expert Dana Novara Highlights How Local Vets Support Pets and Their Owners

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The article outlines how veterinarians strengthen community ties through education, crisis response, and preventive care.

DENVER, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — How do local veterinarians support both pets and the people who care for them? HelloNation has published the answer in a HelloNation article that explores the broader community role veterinarians play beyond routine veterinary care.

The HelloNation article explains that while veterinarians are widely known for providing checkups, surgeries, and emergency treatment, their impact extends far beyond medical services. Veterinary clinics often serve as trusted community hubs where pet owners seek not only treatment, but also guidance and reassurance.

According to the article, veterinary clinics regularly provide education on preventive care, nutrition, and behavior. These everyday conversations help families make informed decisions about their pets’ health. By offering clear advice and accessible information, veterinarians contribute to stronger long term outcomes for both animals and owners.

The article also describes how many veterinarians participate in local events that promote animal welfare and community engagement. Clinics may host vaccination drives, pet adoption events, and educational workshops. These efforts bring residents together around a shared interest in responsible pet ownership and community well being.

Veterinary Expert Dana Novara provides insight in the article into how veterinarians become consistent and approachable figures within their neighborhoods. The article notes that this accessibility fosters trust. Over time, relationships built during routine appointments strengthen confidence and communication between pet owners and veterinary professionals.

Beyond routine services, the article highlights the role veterinarians play during local disasters. In times of floods, wildfires, or severe storms, veterinary clinics often provide emergency medical care, temporary shelter, or coordination with rescue groups. Their expertise supports both pets and families during stressful and uncertain situations.

The HelloNation article emphasizes that these efforts reduce strain on communities facing emergencies. By safeguarding pets, veterinarians help relieve a major source of concern for owners. This dual focus on animal welfare and human reassurance reinforces the importance of veterinary professionals in local support networks.

Collaboration is another theme explored in the article. Many veterinarians work closely with rescue groups, shelters, and advocacy organizations. By offering discounted or pro bono services, they help rescued animals receive essential treatment before adoption. These partnerships improve adoption outcomes and promote preventive care throughout the community.

Veterinary Expert Dana Novara is featured in the article discussing how these collaborations benefit both pets and residents. The article explains that when veterinarians engage with rescue groups and educational programs, they help reduce the number of untreated animals and increase awareness of available resources.

The piece also points to the subtle but meaningful public health impact of veterinary care. By promoting vaccinations and preventive care, veterinarians reduce the spread of preventable diseases. Their educational outreach encourages responsible pet ownership and supports healthier environments for all.

Ultimately, the article frames veterinarians as community anchors whose influence reaches beyond clinical walls. Through education, collaboration, crisis response, and consistent care, they help create connected neighborhoods where both pets and people feel supported.

How Local Vets Support Pets and Their Owners features insights from Dana Novara, Veterinary Expert of Denver, Colorado, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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SOURCE HelloNation

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Beacon Communications Expands in Illinois with Acquisition of Low Voltage Solutions Inc., Broadening National Coverage to Chicago-Area Market

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DENVER, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beacon Communications LLC, a leading provider of critical communications and life safety systems, throughout the U.S., today announced the acquisition of Low Voltage Solutions Inc. (LVS), a Lockport, Illinois-based technology solutions provider. The acquisition bolsters Beacon’s footprint in Illinois – expanding its ability to serve healthcare, government, education, and commercial customers throughout Illinois and the greater Chicago region.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Low Voltage Solutions to the Beacon family,” said Brad Walsh, CEO of Beacon Communications. “Gary, Teresa, and the entire LVS team have built something truly special over the past two decades, with a strong reputation, exceptional customer relationships, and a culture that closely reflects our own. What excites me most is the opportunity to bring our talented teams together, build on the foundation they’ve established, and create new opportunities for our employees and customers. We’re proud to be part of LVS’s next chapter and look forward to everything we can accomplish together.”

Since 1997, LVS has evolved from a voice and data cabling contractor into a full-service provider of integrated technology solutions. Today, the company designs, installs, and supports a comprehensive range of low-voltage systems, specializing in voice, data and fiber optic cabling, electronic security, fire alarm, and audiovisual (AV) technologies. LVS delivers integrated solutions to prominent customers across a variety of industries, including Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago, Morris Hospital, Silver Cross Hospital, Chicago Public Schools, Shedd Aquarium, Argonne National Laboratory, and Verizon.

As part of Beacon, LVS clients will gain access to Beacon’s national resources, including added support company-wide and amplifying strategic partnerships with industry-leading manufacturers of advanced security technologies, nurse call, access control, intercom, infant protection, RTLS, AV, and managed services, along with 24/7 customer support. Beacon customers will also benefit from LVS’s local expertise and established regional relationships.

“LVS has always been built around our people, the relationships we’ve developed, and the commitment we bring to every customer. This partnership with Beacon gives us the opportunity to build on that foundation while bringing additional resources and capabilities to the table. I’m especially confident in our General Manager, Nick Siwak, and the leadership team as they guide LVS into this next chapter. For our customers, that means the same people, relationships, and commitment they have come to expect, backed by the added strength and opportunities of Beacon. I’m excited about what this means for our team and the future of LVS,” stated Gary St. Cin, President of Low Voltage Systems, Inc.

About Beacon Communications
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Littleton, Colorado, Beacon Communications is a national leader in mission critical communications and security solutions. Beacon delivers custom technology solutions, from design and engineering to installation and managed services for integrated electronic security and communication systems including nurse call, access control, intercom, infant protection, RTLS, fire alarm and life safety solutions, AV, and structured cabling.

Beacon helps healthcare, government, education, commercial, energy, and infrastructure organizations operate more safely and efficiently, and provides staff training to customers as well as 24/7 support. Learn more at beaconcom.com.

About Low Voltage Solutions Inc..

Low Voltage Solutions Inc. (LVS) is a Lockport, Illinois-based provider of structured cabling, security, fire and life safety, and audio-visual systems. With a mission to deliver the most comprehensive low voltage solutions for its customers, LVS serves healthcare, education, government, industrial, commercial, hospitality, and retail clients across the Chicago area.

LVS’s long-term success is built on its people: an extraordinarily experienced team of project managers, engineers, and union electricians who see each project through from design to installation. Learn more at lvsolutions.com.

Beacon Communications Media Contact: 
Dez King, Marketing Manager
719-355-9261 | 426357@email4pr.com 

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Register a Birth, Live: Secure Identity Alliance Hosts OSIA Live Interoperability Demo at TRUSTECH Paris

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Six identity technology providers will run a complete birth registration through the OSIA standard (ITU-T X.1281), with a different line-up of vendors each day, 1–3 December 2026

BRUSSELS, Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Secure Identity Alliance (SIA) today announced the OSIA Live Interoperability Demo, which will run throughout TRUSTECH Paris, 1–3 December 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles. Six identity technology providers, DIGITECH, iDAKTO, IN Groupe, Mühlbauer, Thales and X Infotech, will connect their systems through OSIA, the international standard for interoperable identity management systems (ITU-T Recommendation X.1281). Together they will run a complete birth registration, from checking the parent’s identity to a birth certificate printed on a card and verified on the spot.

Join us at Trustech and drop in to get your birth certificate on the spot. Register free here!

The birth certificate is the first identity document a person receives, and the foundation for every credential that follows: national ID, passport, driving licence. Yet in many countries it is still a paper document that is easy to forge and hard to recover if lost. Modernizing means connecting many components, such as enrollment, biometrics, unique identification number generation and credential management systems and civil and population registries. These are often supplied by different vendors, and without a shared standard each connection is a costly custom integration that ties governments to a single supplier.

At the demo, visitors play the child whose birth is being registered. The parent’s identity is first obtained and checked, and the visitor gives their details and a live face capture. After data verification, the birth is registered and a unique identification number (UIN) is attributed to the visitor, playing the child. Visitors then receive their birth certificate on the spot: their data and portrait are printed on a card together with a visible digital seal (QR code). Finally, they present the QR code to a mobile app, which verifies their identity by collecting the data and portrait from the different OSIA-powered identity systems.

To protect privacy, visitors’ faces appear on screen and are stored only for the purpose of printing the birth certificate in the framework of the demo. No fingerprints are captured, and the child is fictional. All data is erased at the close of each day.

“Interoperability is often presented as a promise. At TRUSTECH, governments will see it work, from a child’s very first identity record to a credential that can be trusted anywhere,” said Debora Comparin, Chair of the OSIA Initiative. “Six independent companies that compete have built one seamless process together, and they swap places every day. That is what OSIA gives governments: the freedom to choose the best system building block for each step, without lock-in.”

The demo will also be presented on stage on Wednesday 2 December at 12:00 in the ID Conference Room.

Practical information
OSIA Live Demo Area, Alley D, between the Innovation Stage and the ID Conference Room, TRUSTECH Paris, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 1–3 December 2026. Open drop-in during show hours. On stage: Wednesday 2 December, 12:00, ID Conference Room. More information: www.osia.io #OSIALiveDemo

About the Secure Identity Alliance
The Secure Identity Alliance brings together leading global providers of identity technology. SIA leads OSIA, eSEC, ADIA and co-leads SIDI Hub. SIA is a supporting organization of the ITU Focus Group TIDA. www.secureidentityalliance.org 

About OSIA
OSIA is the international standard for interoperable identity management systems, published as ITU-T Recommendation X.1281. It defines open interfaces between the building blocks of identity systems, so governments can combine components from different suppliers and avoid vendor lock-in. www.osia.io

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