Full Report
Are you a security researcher or a journalist in the cybersecurity/cybercrime space? DataBreaches.net and Zack Whittaker at this.weekinsecurity.com are conducting a survey on the types of threats that researchers and journalists have experienced, including legal threats or legal process and threats of violence by cybercriminals. The survey is at https://forms.gle/. Please complete the survey and... Source
Analysis Summary
# Main Topic
Joint survey by DataBreaches.net and Zack Whittaker (this.weekinsecurity.com) aimed at cybersecurity researchers and journalists to document the types of threats they experience, specifically focusing on legal threats/processes and threats of violence stemming from cybercriminals.
## Key Points
- The primary goal is data collection regarding hostile actions taken against security researchers and journalists operating in the cyber/cybercrime domain.
- Explicit threat types being surveyed include: legal threats/processes and threats of physical violence from cybercriminal actors.
- The survey URL is provided to encourage participation and wider dissemination among the target community.
## Threat Actors
- **General Category:** Cybercriminals.
- **Specific Motivation:** Retaliation or intimidation against researchers and journalists investigating or reporting on their activities.
## TTPs
- **Threat TTPs being investigated (not observed in this announcement itself):**
- Issuing legal threats or initiating legal processes against targets.
- Direct threats of physical violence.
## Affected Systems
- Not applicable. This announcement targets professional individuals (security researchers and journalists).
## Mitigations
- The primary "mitigation" being sought is the collection of data via the survey to better understand the scope and prevalence of these issues.
- **Action Requested:** Complete the survey located at `hxxps://forms.gle/P9jr6VxfD1LV6odg9` and share it.
## Conclusion
This announcement serves as an intelligence gathering operation targeting the professional community involved in researching cybercrime. Researchers and journalists are strongly encouraged to participate, as the resultant data will illuminate the extent of adversarial actions—particularly legal intimidation and physical threats—used by criminal groups to silence or hinder reporting.
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# Morning News Roll-up {Implied Date: December 20, 2025}
## Overview
The primary news item relates to a collaborative effort between DataBreaches.net and this.weekinsecurity.com to survey cybersecurity professionals and journalists regarding the threats they face, particularly legal actions and violence threats from cybercriminals. Secondary stories highlight recent cybercrime prosecutions and legislative actions.
## Top Stories
### ANNOUNCE: Survey on threats experienced by journalists and security researchers
- Summary: DataBreaches.net and Zack Whittaker are running a survey dedicated to documenting threats—including legal action and violence—faced by security researchers and journalists working in the cyber/cybercrime space.
- Source: DataBreaches.net announcement
### Ukrainian National Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Use Nefilim Ransomware to Attack Companies in the United States and Other Countries
- Summary: A Ukrainian national has entered a guilty plea related to conspiracy charges involving the deployment of the Nefilim Ransomware against U.S. and international companies.
- Source: DataBreaches.net
### Nigerian National Convicted by Federal Jury of Wire Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft, and Unauthorized Access to Protected Computer
- Summary: A Nigerian national was convicted by a federal jury on multiple charges stemming from cyber activities, including wire fraud, use of fraudulent credentials, and unauthorized computer access.
- Source: DataBreaches.net