21-Feb-2026 Cybersecurity Breaches: Banque de France Hack, Starkiller Phishing, Google Gemini Malware

Welcome to Hacked dAily by Cytadel Cyber, the pioneering AI-driven cybersecurity podcast. Dive into today's vital security updates designed for CISOs and decision-makers. First, a major data breach at Banque de France's bank registry service has exposed the personal information of 1.2 million accounts. This incident is a stark reminder for banks to strengthen their cybersecurity protocols to maintain trust and comply with regulations. Next, the 'Starkiller' phishing kit, capable of bypassing multi-factor authentication, poses new risks for organizations. Its emergence warns businesses about the need to continually enhance their security frameworks to fend off sophisticated threats. Meanwhile, a newly identified Android malware exploits Google Gemini's AI capabilities to evade detection, threatening the security of millions of Android users. This highlights the imperative for robust security measures to confront advanced malware tactics. In other news, the US-based Universal Mailing Service has been hit by the Securotrop ransomware group, which claims to have extracted vast amounts of data. This case illustrates persistent ransomware challenges, urging businesses to safeguard their data against evolving threats. Finally, a ThreatDown report shows social engineering as the leading access vector for attacks in 2025, with AI tools amplifying these threats. The anticipated rise of AI in social engineering calls for increased security measures and awareness to counteract its sophisticated exploits. Stay informed with Hacked dAily—your essential guide to navigating the cybersecurity landscape. This episode is sponsored by Cytadel Cyber. Specialist in Ransomware Readiness Assessments, Threat Intel-Led Red Teaming, AI DeepFakes, AI Voice Cloning and AI Vishing Simulations. Cyatdel helps you test your cyber resilience against the threats of today, keeping your data secure. Checkout cytadel.co.uk for more information.