The Spanish Ministry of Finance is investigating a possible cyberattack on its databases, which could have compromised the personal, banking, and tax data of approximately 47.3 million Spanish citizens. For now, the Ministry has stated that there is no indication that a hack has occurred, although its security team continues working to rule it out, according to sources within the department headed by María Jesús Montero. The cybersecurity firm Hackmanac has issued an alert via the social network X (formerly Twitter) about a possible cyberattack on the Ministry of Finance, which could have compromised the personal, banking, and tax data of approximately 47.3 million citizens.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing all spheres of our society, including cybersecurity. The use of this technology is making it increasingly... cyber scams These methods are becoming more credible, automated, and difficult to detect, as cybercriminals use them to create scams and phishing campaigns based on text, voice, or video that is virtually indistinguishable from legitimate content. "Anyone can become a victim of fraud or identity theft," warns Laura Caballero, director of the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia. Faced with these new threats, she argues that the best way to protect oneself is to strengthen prevention. Caballero proposes measures such as activating two-factor authentication—an identity verification system in which the user must pass two security checks before accessing an account or service—using strong passwords, and having tools to identify fraudulent messages, emails, or calls. According to data from the Cybersecurity Agency of Catalonia, 82.6% of emails with malicious links already use AI, and the agency predicts that by 2026, digital identity theft and scams based on this technology will increase.

The reason cyber spies choose Barcelona isn't much different from the reason that draws more than twelve million tourists to the Catalan capital each year, according to City Hall data. "Need a vitamin D boost without getting sunburned? In January, Barcelona is usually sunny and pleasant!" And what about the food: "Gained a few pounds after Christmas? It's not time to exercise yet." Although it might seem like it, these aren't phrases from a travel agency or the city's tourist information office, but rather the promotional tactics used by the organizers of a secret cyber spy meeting. The meeting is being held this Wednesday in the Eixample district, and only the attendees know the location. Everything is very clandestine because the content of the meetings will be particularly sensitive.