2nd Jun 2020 07:00
Two Shields Investments plc
("TSI", or the "Company")
BrandShield Update
Two Shields Investments plc, the AIM quoted investment company with a strategy to build a high-quality portfolio of investments in fast growing and scalable digital and technology enabled businesses, is pleased to reproduce the following announcement issued by BrandShield, in which it currently has an 11.34% shareholding and a Convertible Loan Note subscription of $1.8m:
"Levi Strauss & Co. Continues to Protect Its Brands Online During COVID Crisis With BrandShield's Help
June 2020: BrandShield, the cybersecurity company offering online threat intelligence for companies globally, announces it has neutralized over 150 phishing websites targeting the Levi Strauss & Co's brand as part of their scam. The number of sites taken down has doubled compared with previous months.
As millions of people are in lockdown and retail stores are closed across the world, online shopping has seen a massive upswing. This uptick in online commerce brings with it a rising tide of online threats. Hackers are stepping up their efforts to perform different scams against brands, employees, and customers.
During the month of April, BrandShield detected 429 new fraudulent domain names containing the name "Levis," a 40 percent increase since the crisis began. However, phishing and fraud targeting the Levi's brand are not constrained to just domain names with "Levis" in them. Even domains with unsuspicious names impersonate famous brands and falsely purport to sell their products. Such fraudulent sites steal money, data, login credentials, or credit card information. BrandShield was able to swiftly take down 90 percent of phishing and fraud sites targeting the Levi's brand and is continuously working to stop the activity of others.
Through artificial intelligence (AI) and big-data analytics, BrandShield has detected increased fraudulent activity in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, banking, entertainment, foreign exchange, gaming, and e-commerce. Among the thousands of threats BrandShield has detected and neutralized in the past years for Levi Strauss & Co., it has identified several fraud networks that have also threatened other companies that BrandShield works to protect. The companies have approached the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to cooperate in stopping the people behind these networks.
BrandShield has outlined a strategy with simple steps companies should take to address the growing online threat proactively:
· Monitor the digital sphere for any fraudulent activity related to the company and its brands.
· Respond quickly and effectively to take down fake sites, social media accounts, or posts.
· Proactively educate employees and consumers how to avoid scams.
· Encourage consumers to purchase products from authorized distribution channels.
· Manage a complete online threat intelligence map, prioritizing potential threats, controlling reactions, and monitoring the results.
· Find vulnerabilities and secure weak spots, such as removing old company websites that fraudsters can take advantage of.
"The COVID-19 crisis is changing our lives," says Yoav Keren, CEO of BrandShield. "On the one hand, people are spending more time online and becoming more accustomed to conducting online transactions. At the same time, criminals are increasing their online scam activities. We are proud to be spearheading the fight against these fraudsters and scammers so that companies and consumers can enjoy a safer environment online."
"Stopping the infringing and fraudulent use of Levi Strauss & Co.'s trademarks are critical to brand health and value," says Zach Toczyński, Director of Global Brand Enforcement at Levi Strauss & Co. "BrandShield is integral in our global protection strategy and has continued to neutralize threats with tremendous success. Its technology and expertise have enabled us to stay several steps ahead of the bad actors."
For further information please visit https://twoshields.co.uk/ or contact:
Andrew Lawley | Two Shields Investments Plc
| +44 (0)20 3143 8300
|
Neil Baldwin / Andrew Emmott | Spark Advisory Partners Limited (Nominated Adviser)
| +44 (0) 20 3368 3554 |
Andy Thacker | Turner Pope Investments (TPI) Ltd (Joint -broker)
| +44 (0) 20 3657 0050 |
Robert Emmett | Optiva Securities Limited (Joint -broker)
| +44 (0) 20 3137 1902 |
Robin Tozer / Bob Huxford
| Newgate Communications (PR)
| +44 (0) 203 757 6880 |
Notes to Editors:
Two Shields Investments plc, the AIM quoted investment company with a strategy to build a portfolio of high-quality investments in fast growing, scalable digital and technology enabled businesses, including those in the cyber security, e-commerce services and consumer sectors. The Company has appointed an experienced Board of Directors with a proven pedigree in the origination, acquisition, development & sale of projects and creating value for shareholders. The investment mandate covers unquoted and quoted businesses, as well as direct project investment. Where appropriate the Board will apply its extensive combined experience to directly support investee businesses achieve their growth potential.
Related Shares:
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