A new hacker ultimatum could represent another escalation in the long battle between hackers and cybersecurity workers and the companies they protect. A group calling itself Scattered LapSus Hunters is demanding that Alphabet (GOOG) fire two of its key security experts. The hackers say they will release internal data if the request is not met. The demand, posted on Telegram, targets Austin Larsen of Google’s Threat Intelligence Group and Charles Carmakal, Chief Technology Officer at Mandiant Consulting, a unit within Google Cloud.
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From Breach to Phishing Wave
The threat comes after Alphabet disclosed in August that criminals linked to ShinyHunters gained access to Salesforce (CRM) through a third-party tool called Salesloft Drift. Using stolen tokens, attackers pulled large sets of business contact data. While no passwords or core Google systems were exposed, the data has been used to fuel a new wave of phishing and voice scams. As a result, criminals are sending more convincing fake messages, and Alphabet reports that 37% of attempted account takeovers now stem from these tactics. The company has urged all Gmail users to reset their passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Industry Response and Risk
In response, Alphabet has disabled all Salesloft integrations across its platforms, and Salesforce has brought in Mandiant to study the breach. The demand to fire specific employees is unusual, as hackers in past cases have typically sought ransom or data access. Experts note that the group has not provided proof that it can access Google systems, and its claims appear to rely on public reports. Even so, the move highlights growing risk for companies that hold vast networks of user data. Investors will watch how Alphabet and Salesforce handle the fallout, since strong security controls remain vital for cloud adoption and long-term trust in the market.
Is GOOG Stock a Buy?
Google continues to boast a bullish stance among the Street’s analysts with a Strong Buy consensus rating. The average GOOG stock price target stands at $221, implying a 3.50% upside from the current price.
