Senior Cyber Safety Briefing – October 16, 2025

🚨ALERT – Nation‑state hackers breach security firm F5, steal source code
👉Why it matters – F5’s Big-IP tools are deeply embedded in enterprise and federal networks. The intrusion gives attackers a potential inside track to exploit systems relying on F5 software. Reuters+2Axios+2
📣Call to Action – If any of your network gear (or VPNs, routers, appliances) use F5 software, double-check with your vendor, apply patches immediately, and reboot affected devices.

🔥PRIVACY & BIG TECH – SimonMed Imaging breach impacts 1.2 million patients
👉Why it matters – Medical records include deeply personal data. Exposure increases your risk of identity theft, fraudulent claims, and medical billing fraud. TechRadar
📣Call to Action – If you are (or have been) a SimonMed patient, enroll in offered credit monitoring, check your medical bills for odd charges, and freeze your credit if you see suspicious activity.

🧠MUST‑READ – Landmark insurance breach: file by year’s end to claim up to $2,500
👉Why it matters – Six insurers and their admin Landmark Admin suffered a breach. If your data was exposed, you may qualify for compensation—but there is a hard deadline. The Sun
📣Call to Action – Check for mail notices from your insurer or Landmark Admin. Submit your claim by December 26, 2025, with supporting documents.

📈ECONOMY & SECURITY – High‑severity patches released by Fortinet & Ivanti
👉Why it matters – Vulnerabilities in widely used security tools (Fortinet appliances, Ivanti endpoint software) could let attackers escalate privileges or breach networks. SecurityWeek
📣Call to Action – If you (or your service providers) run Fortinet or Ivanti products, apply October’s patches without delay.

🧠MUST‑READ – Oracle patches critical EBS flaw (CVE‑2025‑61884)
👉Why it matters – This vulnerability allows unauthorized access to sensitive data in Oracle E‑Business Suite installations; many enterprises use that stack for financials, HR, etc. SecurityWeek
📣Call to Action – If you or any entity you rely on runs Oracle EBS, ensure that the patch is applied and confirm no unauthorized access has occurred.

✅Quick Safety Tip of the Day
Whenever you get a “security update” prompt, pause and verify it’s from the official app or vendor—it might be a fake prompt.

(AI was used to create this article.)

🙋Closing Note

Stay safe, stay secure, stay curious, and remember my friends—you’re never too old to outsmart a scammer👋