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Private Malware to Ransomware-as-a-Service: the Rise of Mallox

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The recent rapid proliferation and increased sophistication of Mallox ransomware signals a pressing demand for organisations to urgently bolster their defenses, protecting their digital assets and mitigating risks.

To address this need, Kaspersky has released a report titled “Mallox Ransomware: In-Depth Analysis and Evolution”. The new publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the Mallox ransomware, chronicling its transformation from a privately operated malware to a full-scale Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operation.

The report highlights Mallox’s significant impact since its initial appearance in early 2021. Originally a highly targeted, human-operated ransomware, Mallox inflicted severe damage on organisations worldwide.

Kaspersky’s research details how this once-isolated threat has rapidly evolved, with more than 700 new samples identified from 2021 to mid-2024. This surge in activity is largely attributed to Mallox’s transition into a RaaS model, enabling it to expand aggressively by recruiting affiliates and partners through a dark web forum.

In January 2023, the operators behind Mallox launched a robust RaaS affiliate program, actively seeking skilled “pentesters” to expand their reach. Offering lucrative profit-sharing terms, the program has attracted a host of cybercriminals, contributing to a marked increase in Mallox-related attacks.

The report further delves into the advancements in Mallox’s encryption schemes, which have become increasingly sophisticated. Kaspersky’s detailed analysis of these cryptographic techniques underscores the continuous innovation by Mallox developers to enhance the ransomware’s efficacy.

The report also sheds light on Mallox’s global spread, focusing on its preferred infection vectors. Notably, the attackers often exploit vulnerabilities in MS SQL and PostgreSQL servers, demonstrating its adaptability and threat to a broad range of industries. This in-depth analysis serves as an essential resource for cybersecurity professionals, offering critical insights into the nature and evolution of this formidable ransomware.

Mallox has demonstrated a particular preference for targeting certain regions. Brazil, Vietnam, and China have emerged as the most frequently targeted countries.

Although India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Colombia, Turkiye, and the United States of America have experienced fewer attacks, they remain vulnerable to the ransomware’s threat.

“Understanding the Mallox ransomware – its evolution, characteristics, and devastating potential – empowers organisations to fortify their defenses.

“With the right security measures in place, companies can not only protect their digital assets but also diminish the risk of becoming the next target of this formidable threat,” comments Kaspersky security expert Fedor Sinitsyn.


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E-Business

Temu Joins INTA to Combat Counterfeits and Elevate IP Standards Worldwide

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Temu, the global online marketplace, has joined the International Trademark Association (INTA) as a corporate member and serves on its Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

INTA is a global association that brings together more than 6,700 organizations, representing over 37,000 trademark professionals and brand owners across 181 countries. By joining INTA, Temu deepens its commitment to building a trusted online marketplace and advancing global IP protection through broader, cross-industry collaboration.

“INTA welcomes TEMU’s willingness to engage in anticounterfeiting initiatives, including in the Association’s annual Anticounterfeiting Workshop and Online Takedown Certificate Program which serve to share best practices and connect stakeholders,” said Alastair Gray, Director of Anti-Counterfeiting, INTA. “Constructive collaboration with these efforts can contribute to the protection of intellectual property rights for INTA members and support the removal of counterfeit products from the platform which ultimately protects consumers.”

At the 2025 INTA Annual Meeting held in San Diego in May, Temu participated in the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee Roundtable, serving as a moderator to facilitate discussions among brand owners, online platforms, and government officials on emerging technologies, best practices for collaboration, and strategies to strengthen global anti-counterfeiting efforts.

“Joining INTA and serving on its Anti-Counterfeiting Committee reflects Temu’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a trustworthy online shopping experience,” said a Temu spokesperson. “We value collaboration with industry peers and stakeholders and are dedicated to advancing collective efforts in intellectual property protection.”

Temu also participates in INTA-led online workshops, including the Online Platform Notice and Takedown Certification Program, which outlines the latest procedures and best practices used by e-commerce platforms and social media companies. These workshops aim to enhance the quality and accuracy of rights-holder notices, promoting more effective takedown processes and content moderation.

Since launching in 2022, Temu has made significant investments in IP enforcement. Its measures include comprehensive seller vetting and compliance training, 24/7 algorithmic monitoring with manual review, a dedicated IP protection portal and brand registry to streamline takedown submissions, and an internal enforcement team that handles claims with speed and accuracy.


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Huawei Unveils AI Computing System to Challenge Nvidia’s Flagship Product

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China’s Huawei Technologies unveiled an AI computing system on Saturday that an industry expert said rivals Nvidia’s most advanced product, as the company aims to expand its footprint in the country’s booming AI sector.

Huawei Unveils AI Computing System to Challenge Nvidia’s Flagship Product

The CloudMatrix 384 system made its public debut at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), a three-day event in Shanghai, attracting a large crowd to Huawei’s booth with its showcase of cutting-edge AI innovations.

The system has attracted significant interest from the global AI community since Huawei (HWT.UL) first introduced it in April. Industry analysts see it as a direct challenger to Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72, the most advanced system-level offering currently available from the U.S. chipmaker.

In an April article, Dylan Patel, founder of semiconductor research firm SemiAnalysis, stated that Huawei now possesses AI system capabilities that could surpass those of Nvidia.

Huawei staff at its WAIC booth declined to comment when asked to introduce the CloudMatrix 384 system.

A spokesperson for Huawei did not respond to questions.

Huawei has become widely regarded as China’s most promising domestic supplier of chips essential for AI development, even though the company faces U.S. export restrictions.

Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang told Bloomberg in May that Huawei had been “moving quite fast” and named the CloudMatrix as an example.

The CloudMatrix 384 system features 384 of Huawei’s latest 910C chips and, according to SemiAnalysis, surpasses Nvidia’s GB200 NVL72 in certain performance metrics, despite the latter using 72 B200 chips.

SemiAnalysis attributes this performance advantage to Huawei’s strong system design, which offsets the lower power of individual chips by leveraging a greater number of them and incorporating system-level innovations.

Huawei describes the system as utilizing a “supernode” architecture that enables ultra-high-speed interconnectivity between chips.

In June, Zhang Pingan, CEO, Huawei Cloud confirmed that the CloudMatrix 384 was already operational on Huawei’s cloud platform.


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Transcorp Hotels Delivers Stellar H1 Results, Declares Over ₦1Bn Dividend

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Transcorp Hotels Plc has delivered a stellar performance in the first half of 2025, recording a 60% year-on-year surge in revenue to ₦47.57 billion, up from ₦29.72 billion in H1 2024. Gross profit climbed 71% to ₦36.21 billion, maintaining a strong 76% margin despite inflation and operational headwinds.

The hospitality giant, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc, also announced an interim dividend payout of ₦1.024 billion — offering ₦0.10 per 50 kobo ordinary share to shareholders.

In a bold move, the company unveiled Nigeria’s largest corporate venue — the 5,000-seat Transcorp Centre — staking its claim as the new leader in event hospitality. Chairman Emmanuel Nnorom described the results as proof of Transcorp Hotels’ transformative strategies and unwavering investor commitment. MD/CEO Uzo Oshogwe attributed the success to relentless execution and a resilient business model.

Transcorp Hotels, renowned for iconic assets like Transcorp Hilton Abuja and its digital platform Aura, says it isn’t just leading Nigeria’s hospitality sector — it’s redefining excellence across Africa.


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