United News of Bangladesh

The website of retail chain Shwapno has been hacked with attackers releasing customers’ personal information online and demanding a large ransom from the company. The leaked data circulating across Facebook and various websites since Saturday reportedly includes names, phone numbers and purchase histories of customers who shopped at Shwapno in 2025. Shwapno Managing Director Sabbir Hasan said hackers had gained control of the company’s customer database last year and had been demanding $1.5 million since around August 2025 to restore access. The company did not comply with the demand. Urging caution, Shwapno advised customers to remain alert against potential phishing attempts and fraud. “We request customers not to share personal or financial information over calls or messages from unknown or suspicious numbers, and to avoid clicking on unverified links,” the company said, adding that it never asks for passwords or OTPs over phone calls. The company, a subsidiary of ACI PLC, said it is preparing to file a case and is working with local law enforcement, including the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit, as well as international forensic experts to address the breach.

As Iranian missiles hit Israel, some Android users received text messages promising real-time updates on nearby bomb shelters. But instead of helpful information, the links installed spyware, giving hackers access to cameras, location data, and personal information. The attack, linked to Iran, shows how cyber operations are now a key part of modern warfare. Experts say Tehran and its allied groups are using digital tactics to make up for military disadvantages, combining hacking, disinformation, and artificial intelligence. Gil Messing, chief of staff at cybersecurity firm Check Point Research, said the texts were timed to coincide with missile strikes, creating a “digital-physical” attack. “This was sent to people while they were running to shelters,” he said. “The exact timing is unprecedented.” Even if a ceasefire is reached, cyberattacks are expected to continue because they are cheap, fast, and focus on spying, theft, and intimidation rather than outright destruction. High-volume, low-impact attacks Most attacks so far have caused little direct damage but forced U.S. and Israeli companies to patch security weaknesses. DigiCert, a Utah-based cybersecurity firm, has tracked nearly 5,800 attacks by about 50 Iran-linked groups targeting networks in the U.S., Israel, and Gulf countries. Many attacks aim to intimidate rather than inflict major damage. Recently, a pro-Iranian group claimed responsibility for breaching an account of FBI Director Kash Patel, posting old personal documents. Such attacks are often designed to boost supporters’ morale and unsettle opponents. Hospitals and data centers under threat Iran is likely to target weak points in U.S. infrastructure, including hospitals, supply chains, and critical data centers. Recent strikes included Michigan-based medical company Stryker and another unnamed healthcare firm, hit with ransomware that aimed to disrupt rather than demand money. Cynthia Kaiser of Halcyon said, “There is a deliberate focus on the medical sector, and targeting is expected to increase.” AI’s role in cyber warfare Artificial intelligence is speeding up attacks and spreading false information, including deepfakes. One fake image of sunken U.S. warships received over 100 million views. Iranian authorities also control internet access to shape domestic perceptions of the war, sometimes labeling real footage as fake. In response, the U.S. created a Bureau of Emerging Threats last year to counter risks from new technologies. AI also helps defenders respond faster, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. While Russia and China remain the largest cyber threats, Iran has shown it can target American systems, including political campaigns, water plants, military networks, and online movements opposing Israel.

A ward level leader of Jubo League was hospitalised in critical condition after unknown attackers hacked him and cut the veins of his legs in Barishal city, said police on Friday. The attack on Shahriar Sachib Rajib, general secretary of the ward No-21 unit of the city, occurred on Thursday night. Rajib was shifted to a Dhaka hospital from Barishal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital on Friday morning for advanced treatment, she said. Mizanur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Kotwali Model Police Station, said a video footage shows two men equipped with sharp weapons chasing him around 9:30pm. Read: Jubo Dal activist hacked to death in Barguna After catching him, the miscreants hacked him indiscriminately with the weapons and fled away, he said. There were marks of injuries in legs, hands and chest of Rajib, the OC said, fearing his condition was critical. Efforts were underway to nab those involved and uncover the reason behind the attack, the police official added.

Three students were hacked by some drug addicts in the capital's Darus Salam area due to creating interruption in their drug taking on Friday, leaving them critically injured. The victims are Arafat Ismail Alif, 18, a student of Agriculture Diploma Institute, Tanvir Khan Hemantu, 19, a student of Mirpur Polytechnic College and Abdur Rahman Rahi, 18, a student of Bangla College. They were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital by locals immediately. Md. Bachchu Mia, Inspector-in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital Police outpost, said that the injured are being treated at the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College. The matter has been reported to the concerned police station, he added.

A 40-year-old woman and her son were hacked to death in Araihajar upazila of Narayanganj on Sunday, police said. The deceased were identified as Razia Sultana and her son Talha. On information, police recovered the bodies from their house  at Ujan Gobindi village of the upazila  in the morning where Razia used to live with her son after her husband’s death. READ: Four of family suffer burns in Narayanganj fire Azizul Haque Hawladar, officer-in-charge (OC) of Araihajar police station, said the duo might have been killed by someone they knew on Saturday night.  The bodies were sent to Sadar General Hospital morgue for post-mortem, he added. The motive behind the killing will be known after an investigation, said the OC. 

A union parishad (UP) member was allegedly hacked to death by assailants in the Balunda Bazar area of Jashore's Sharsha upazila Tuesday night. Ashanuzzaman Bablu, 45, son of Rahazan Ali of Mohishakura village, was a member of ward 7 of Bagamchara UP, said Mamun Kahan, officer-in-charge of Sharsha Police Station. Read: Dentist murder in city: Prime accused held The assailants attacked Bablu when he was sipping tea at a stall in the bazar around 10pm, leaving him dead on the spot, he said. On information, police rushed to the spot and recovered the body. "The body will be sent to the morgue of Jashore General Hospital for an autopsy," the OC said. Efforts are on to identify and nab the killers, OC Mamun added.

A union parishad (UP) chairman has been hacked allegedly by some miscreants over establishing dominance in Dighalia upazila in Khulna, police said on Monday. The injured was identified as Zakir Gazi, chairman of Barakpur Union Parishad of the upazila. Also read:Suspended PBI official sent to jail over Khulna college girl’s rape Some miscreants hacked Zakir Gazi indiscriminately around 9pm on Sunday after stopping his motorbike in front of Royaliyarchar Primary School and fled the scene, leaving him seriously injured, said Md Ahsan Ullah Chowdhury, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dighalia police station. Later, he was rushed to Khulna Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) and then to Khulna City Medical College and Hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment, he added. Also read: Construction worker crushed under falling shaft of crane in Khulna According to locals, there had been an enmity between a local group and UP chairman Zakir Gazi over establishing dominance in the area. The OC said no case has been filed in this regard.

A Rohingya leader of the Balukhali refugee camp in Ukhiya upazila of Cox’s Bazar has been hacked to death allegedly over establishing dominance in the camp, the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) said on Friday. The deceased was identified as Md Azimuddin,48, son of Kamal Uddin, and head of block L/16 of Camp-18, said Kamran Hossain, additional superintendent of APBn-8. Aound 8pm on Thursday, some Rohingyas from Camp-20 stealthily attacked the leaders responsible for guarding M/9 sub block of block B in Camp-18, he said. "They attacked to create dominance over the camp." READ: 7 Rohingyas illegally entered from India held in Cox’s Bazar During the attack, two more Rohingyas named Syed Karim, 40, and Rahimulla, 36, were hurt, said additional SP Kamran. "APBn-8 is conducting raids to detain the attackers," he added.

A 44-year old woman has been hacked to death in  Kalai upazila of Joypurhat district . The deceased was identified as Shipan Akhter, wife of Tojam Sarker of Duhil-Napara village of the upazila. Police said Tojam found her wife’s throat-slit body in her room Saturday morning and informed police. READ: One killed, 4 injured in Joypurhat road crash Locals suspected that she might have been killed following previous enmity over a piece of land. Officer-in-Charge of Kalai Police Station Moinul Hossain said that the body was sent to Joypurhat District Hospital for autopsy. Those involved in the murder would be identified and arrested soon, he said

A 35-year-old woman and her two daughters were hacked to death allegedly by her husband at Angarpara village in Ghior upazila of Manikganj district early Sunday. The deceased were identified as Lovely Akter, wife of Asadur Rahman Rubel, Choya Akter, 16, a SSC examinee of Baniajuri Government School and College and Kotha Akter, 12, a class V student of a local primary school. Rubel is a quack and has a chamber at Baniajuri Bus Stand. Riaz Uddin Ahmed Biplab, officer-in-charge of Ghior Police Station, said Rubel along with his family used to live at his father-in-law’s house.  Recently he borrowed huge amount of money to maintain his family and the couple used to lock into altercation over the matter. READ: Youth hacked to death over affair in Manikganj Local people spotted the bodies of the trio at the house in the morning and informed police. It is suspected that Rubel attacked his wife and two daughters with a sharp weapon at one stage of heated argument on Saturday night, leaving them dead. Later, local people found Rubel lying on Dhaka-Aricha highway at Pachuria in a bid to commit suicide and handed him over to police.