E-Business
Firm Discovers Sophisticated Chrome Zero-day Exploit Used in Active Attacks

Kaspersky has identified and helped patch a sophisticated zero-day vulnerability in Google Chrome (CVE-2025-2783) that allowed attackers to bypass the browser’s sandbox protection system.

The exploit, discovered by Kaspersky’s Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), required no user interaction beyond clicking a malicious link and demonstrated exceptional technical complexity. Kaspersky researchers have been acknowledged by Google for discovering and reporting this vulnerability.
In mid-March 2025, Kaspersky detected a wave of infections triggered when users clicked personalised phishing links delivered via email. After clicking, no additional action was needed to compromise their systems.
Once Kaspersky’s analysis confirmed that the exploit leveraged a previously unknown vulnerability in the latest version of Google Chrome, Kaspersky swiftly alerted Google’s security team. A security patch for the vulnerability was released on March 25, 2025.
Kaspersky researchers dubbed the campaign “Operation ForumTroll”, as attackers sent personalised phishing emails inviting recipients to the “Primakov Readings” forum. These lures targeted media outlets, educational institutions, and government organisations in Russia.
The malicious links were extremely short-lived to evade detection, and in most cases ultimately redirected to the legitimate website for “Primakov Readings” once the exploit was taken down.
The zero-day vulnerability in Chrome was only part of a chain that included at least two exploits: a still-unobtained remote code execution (RCE) exploit that apparently launched the attack, while the sandbox escape discovered by Kaspersky constituted the second stage. Analysis of the malware’s functionality suggests the operation was designed primarily for espionage. All evidence points to an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) group.
“This vulnerability stands out among the dozens of zero-days we’ve discovered over the years,” said Boris Larin, principal security researcher at Kaspersky GReAT. “The exploit bypassed Chrome’s sandbox protection without performing any obviously malicious operations – it’s as if the security boundary simply didn’t exist.
The technical sophistication displayed here indicates development by highly skilled actors with substantial resources. We strongly advise all users to update their Google Chrome and any Chromium-based browser to the latest version to protect against this vulnerability.”
Google has credited Kaspersky for uncovering and reporting the issue, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to collaboration with the global cybersecurity community and ensuring user safety.
Kaspersky continues to investigate Operation ForumTroll. Further details, including a technical analysis of the exploits and malicious payload, will be released in a forthcoming report once Google Chrome user security is assured.
Meanwhile, all Kaspersky products detect and protect against this exploit chain and associated malware, ensuring users are shielded from the threat.
This discovery follows Kaspersky GReAT’s previous identification of another Chrome zero-day (CVE-2024-4947), which was exploited last year by the Lazarus APT group in a cryptocurrency theft campaign.
In that case, Kaspersky researchers found a type confusion bug in Google’s V8 JavaScript engine that enabled attackers to bypass security features through a fake cryptogame website.
E-Business
Nigeria’s Non-Oil Exports Hit N12.36trn in 2025 – NBS

Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose sharply to N12.36 trillion in 2025, up from N9.09 trillion in 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics’ Foreign Trade in Goods Statistics report.

The performance underscores ongoing efforts to diversify the economy away from crude oil, with stronger activity recorded in agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals and other value-added sectors.
The data show that non-oil exports, which stood at N3.14 trillion in 2022 before slipping to N2.56 trillion in 2023, rebounded strongly in 2024 and climbed further in 2025, pointing to a sustained recovery across several industries.
Monthly figures for 2025 indicate relatively steady performance: exports were N1.23 trillion in January, N964.73 billion in February, and N975.45 billion in March. They rose to N1.22 trillion in April, then moderated to N903.02 billion in May and N923.13 billion in June.
In the second half, non-oil exports again firmed up, recording N1.23 trillion in July, N875.62 billion in August and N894.18 billion in September.
October exports stood at N965.60 billion, while November and December closed stronger at N1.07 trillion and N1.11 trillion respectively, reflecting consistent trade activity through most of the year.
A breakdown of the figures shows that mineral products were the top non-oil export earners in 2025. Other major contributors included prepared foodstuffs, beverages, spirits and tobacco, as well as products of the chemical and allied industries.
Agricultural exports were also significant, with vegetable products valued at N1.54 trillion, while live animals and animal products accounted for N103.4 billion.
Vehicles, aircraft and associated transport equipment generated N1.10 trillion in export earnings, and base metals and metal products contributed N646.16 billion.
Exports of stone, plaster, cement and ceramic products were valued at N369.58 billion, plastics and rubber at N244.17 billion, and machinery, boilers and mechanical appliances at N207.48 billion.
Several smaller categories collectively bolstered overall performance. Raw hides and leather products brought in N48.39 billion, footwear N27.34 billion, paper products N19.60 billion, and textiles N16.55 billion.
Miscellaneous manufactured articles recorded N22.85 billion, optical and measuring instruments N6.69 billion, precious stones N511.8 million, and wood products N636.99 million.
The latest figures, analysts say, highlight the growing role of non-oil exports in Nigeria’s trade profile and the potential for further growth as government policies continue to support production, value addition and market access in non-oil sectors.
E-Business
Meta to Charge Location Fees on Ads to Six Countries from July 1, 2026

Meta, a multinational technology company, has informed advertisers that it will begin applying new location-based fees to certain advertisements delivered in six selected jurisdictions starting July 1, 2026, as the company moves to offset costs linked to digital services taxes and other regulatory charges.

In an email sent to advertisers, the company explained that the new charges will apply to ad impressions delivered to audiences in specific countries, regardless of where the advertiser’s business is based.
“Meta will soon apply new location fees to ads delivered in specific jurisdictions to cover digital service taxes (DST) and other location-based fees imposed on Meta in those jurisdictions,” the company said in the mail.
According to the notice, the fees will be applied to ads delivered in Austria (5%), France (3%), Italy (3%), Spain (3%), Türkiye (5%), and the United Kingdom (2%).
The company added that these rates and jurisdictions could change over time.
Meta described location fees as additional charges tied to where ads are delivered rather than where the advertiser operates.
“Location fees are additional charges that may apply to ads delivered in selected jurisdictions to cover part of the costs associated with doing business in those jurisdictions,” the company said.
The company noted that the charges will be calculated after ads are delivered and will not be deducted from campaign budgets.
Meta gave an example in the email: if an advertiser spends $100 on ads delivered in Italy, where the location fee is 3%, the final cost would be $103, excluding any applicable value-added tax.
Explaining the reason for the change, the company pointed to regulatory developments affecting technology platforms.
“The cost of delivering ads in specific jurisdictions is changing due to the evolving regulatory landscape, including digital services tax legislation. Until now, Meta has covered these additional costs,” the company said.
The company added that the move aligns with broader industry practices, noting that other digital platforms may introduce similar charges linked to digital service taxes.
Meta said the location fees will apply to all ad formats, including image and video ads, as well as campaigns such as WhatsApp click-to-message ads that are billed together with advertising.
The fees will appear on invoices with clear descriptions by jurisdiction, such as “Italy digital services,” the company said, adding that taxes like VAT will still be applied on top of the total amount.
Advertisers were advised to review the affected ad accounts and share the update with their finance, procurement and marketing teams to prepare for the changes.
E-Business
Tizeti Tests Ad-Funded Internet Access Model in Nigeria and Ghana

Tizeti Network Limited, West African broadband provider, has launched an advertising-supported internet platform across its hotspot network in Nigeria and Ghana, allowing users to watch short video adverts in exchange for data access.

The system converts advertising engagement into internet connectivity, offering users the option to view a short video advertisement to unlock data without paying upfront.
Tizeti said the platform is now active across all its hotspot locations in the two countries, covering residential areas, campuses, commercial districts and other high-traffic urban locations.
The service runs on Google Ad Manager’s rewarded web advertising technology, which allows users to voluntarily watch advertisements and receive data rewards once the video is completed.
At a hotspot location, users connect to the network as usual but are given the option to watch a short advert in exchange for a defined amount of data. Those who choose to participate can repeat the process to earn additional internet access.
The company said the approach creates a value exchange between users, advertisers and network providers.
Users gain internet access without immediate payment, while advertisers reach audiences who have actively chosen to view their messages.
“Internet access is a fundamental driver of opportunity,” said Nsikak Asuquo, West Africa manager at Tizeti Network Limited.
“By rolling out reward-based internet access across Nigeria and Ghana, we are expanding connectivity without financial barriers while offering brands a high-engagement platform to reach more than 2.5 million active users,” he added.
Tizeti said participation in the advertising programme is voluntary and operates under its privacy policies, with data handled in compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and Ghana’s Data Protection Act.
The launch comes as Africa’s digital advertising market expands rapidly. Industry projections suggest programmatic advertising spending could exceed $5 billion on the continent by 2028 as brands increasingly shift marketing budgets online.
By integrating Google’s advertising infrastructure directly into its hotspot network, Tizeti aims to turn public Wi-Fi locations into scalable digital advertising channels while widening access to the internet.
Advertisers will be able to buy ad placements through Google Ad Manager’s ecosystem, including open auctions, private deals and programmatic guaranteed campaigns.
Tizeti said its hotspot network serves more than 2.5 million active users across Nigeria and Ghana.
The company provides broadband services using a mix of fibre infrastructure and public Wi-Fi networks, targeting communities, schools and businesses across the region.
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