US Warns Firms to Secure Microsoft Tools After Cyberattack

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U.S. authorities have urged companies to strengthen the security of Microsoft’s endpoint management systems following a cyberattack on medical device manufacturer Stryker.

The attack disrupted Stryker’s operations, affecting order processing, manufacturing and product shipments. The company reported a global issue linked to its Microsoft environment, though it later said the incident had been contained.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned that similar attacks could target other organizations and advised companies to follow best practices for securing Microsoft Intune, a tool used to manage devices, applications and user access.

An Iran-linked hacking group claimed responsibility, highlighting the growing geopolitical dimension of cyber threats. U.S. agencies, including the FBI, are now working to assess risks and coordinate response measures.

The incident underscores the importance of securing enterprise systems as cyberattacks increasingly target critical infrastructure and corporate operations.

Debt Deals for Qualtrics and EA Test Investor Appetite

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Banks led by JPMorgan are preparing back-to-back debt sales tied to major technology deals, in a move seen as a key test of investor appetite in a volatile market.

The first transaction involves financing the $55 billion leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts, which has already attracted strong demand, exceeding $19 billion. The package includes multiple loans and debt instruments across currencies.

Following this, banks plan to market a separate debt package to support Qualtrics’ $6.75 billion acquisition of Press Ganey Forsta. That deal is expected to be financed largely through leveraged loans and high-yield bonds.

The transactions come at a time when the technology sector is facing uncertainty, particularly due to concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting traditional software business models.

Market participants are closely watching how investors respond, as the success or failure of these deals could influence future large-scale financing in the tech sector.

Meta Fails to Block Illegal UK Finance Ads

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Meta has repeatedly failed to stop illegal advertisements for high-risk financial products in Britain, despite previously committing to block them, according to a review by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority.

The regulator found that in a single week in November, 1,052 ads for foreign exchange trading and complex financial products appeared on Meta platforms from advertisers not authorized to promote them. More than half of those ads were linked to unauthorised advertisers the FCA had already flagged to Meta.

The findings add to growing pressure on the company to do more to stop scam-related financial promotions on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. British authorities say social media platforms have become a major source of fraud targeting consumers with risky investment schemes and misleading trading offers.

The FCA said it has continued testing Meta’s systems and has not seen a meaningful improvement. Meta responded by saying it acts aggressively against fraud and removes most reported violations within days, while arguing that it has ongoing safeguards in place.

The issue is especially sensitive in Britain because regulators currently have limited power to punish platforms for paid scam ads. While the Online Safety Act is being introduced, the section allowing direct action against paid fraudulent ads is not expected to take effect until at least 2027.

The case has renewed calls for stronger enforcement and faster action from technology companies, with critics arguing that scam advertising remains too easy to run in the UK compared with countries such as Australia, where stricter financial ad verification rules already apply.