Category: Heimdal Security Blog

8 Best CrowdStrike Competitors [2023]

Due to the constantly changing nature of cyber threats, businesses must implement strong security solutions. Here is where CrowdStrike competitors come into play, providing cutting-edge cybersecurity services and solutions. There is a cybersecurity solution designed to match your specific requirements,…

Locky Ransomware 101: Everything You Need to Know

In the fast-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, ransomware has consistently remained a top concern for individuals and organizations. Among the myriad ransomware strains, the notorious Locky Ransomware has struck fear into the hearts of victims. Initially appearing in 2016, Locky…

DNS Protection: A Must-Have Defense Against Cyber Attacks

Picture this scenario: you’re browsing the internet, going about your business, when suddenly a malicious website pops up out of nowhere. Your heart races as you realize that your sensitive data and personal information may be at risk. You scramble…

What Is Secure Remote Access?

Secure remote access is an effective approach to cybersecurity that combines multiple technologies, such as encryption, multifactor authentication (MFA), VPNs, and endpoint protection, among others, to safeguard an organization’s network, mission-critical systems, or sensitive data from unauthorized access. Its strength…

U.S. Government Contractor Maximus Hit by Massive Data Breach

U.S. government service contracting giant Maximus has disclosed a data breach warning that threat actors stole the personal data (including Social Security numbers and protected health information) of 8 to 11 million people by exploiting a vulnerability in MOVEit Transfer.…

The Road to Redemption: Ransomware Recovery Strategies for Businesses

Ransomware attacks have become one of the most significant cybersecurity threats facing businesses and organizations today. These malicious attacks encrypt valuable data, rendering it inaccessible to users until a ransom is paid to the attackers.  Despite investing in robust cybersecurity…

Terrestrial Trunked Radio System Vulnerable to Leakage and Message Injection

Dutch researchers revealed 5 vulnerabilities in the Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) that could expose government organizations and critical infrastructure communication to third parties. Two of the collectively called TETRA:BURST flaws, CVE-2022-22401 and CVE-2022-22402, were rated critical. TETRA is used for…

Norwegian Government`s System Breached over Ivanti EPMM Zero-Day

The Norwegian National Security Authority (NSM) revealed that threat actors exploited the CVE-2023-35078 zero-day vulnerability in Ivanti’s Endpoint Manager Mobile (EPMM) to target the Norwegian Government. According to the Norwegian authorities, the attack did not impact the Prime Minister’s Office,…

Yamaha Confirms Cyber Attack on Its Canadian Division

Yamaha’s Canadian music division has confirmed that it fell victim to a recent cyberattack, as two separate ransomware groups claimed responsibility for targeting the company. Yamaha Corporation, a renowned Japanese manufacturer of musical instruments and audio equipment, experienced unauthorized access…

New Vulnerability Puts 926,000 MikroTik Routers at Risk! Users Urged to Patch

Researchers found a critical ‘Super Admin’ privilege elevation vulnerability that impacts MikroTik devices. Over 900,000 RouterOS routers are at risk and security specialists advise users to apply available patches immediately. CVE-2023-30799 enables remote and authenticated threat actors to escalate privileges…

Lazarus APT Group Targets Windows IIS Web Servers to Distribute Malware

Recently, cybersecurity specialists made a concerning discovery regarding the North Korean state-sponsored Lazarus APT group. The ASEC team found that the group is actively targeting Windows Internet Information Service (IIS) web servers as a means to distribute malware. Lazarus employs…

Stolen Microsoft Key: The Impact Is Higher Than Expected

Earlier this month, Microsoft and CISA disclosed a security incident and attributed it to the Chinese threat group Storm-0558. The threat actors stole a Microsoft consumer signing key, which was initially thought to have provided them with access to Exchange…

Mallox Ransomware Witnessing Alarming Surge in Activity

The Mallox ransomware group, also known as TargetCompany, Fargo, and Tohnichi, has become increasingly active, signaling a significant shift in its operations. According to recent findings, Mallox’s ransomware activities in 2023 have seen a staggering 174% increase compared to the…

Critical Zyxel Firewall Vulnerability Exploited in DDOS Attacks

Multiple DDoS botnets have actively exploited a critical vulnerability discovered in Zyxel firewall models, as revealed by cybersecurity researchers. Tracked as CVE-2023-28771, this flaw explicitly impacts Linux platforms and enables remote attackers to gain unauthorized control over vulnerable systems, effectively…

New Severe Vulnerabilities Found in AMI MegaRAC BMC Software

Security Researchers warn about finding new vulnerabilities in the AMI MegaRAC Baseboard Management Controller (BMC) software. The flaws, rated from high to critical, open the way for threat actors to deploy malware and succeed in remote code execution (RCE). Lots…

XDR vs EDR – A Comparison

Cybersecurity purchasers and providers must adopt a new way of thinking in response to the more sophisticated cyberthreats that keep emerging. The necessity for more thorough and integrated approaches to cybersecurity is highlighted by the fact that traditional cybersecurity solutions…

Adobe Releases Patches to Fix Three New ColdFusion Vulnerabilities

Adobe released an emergency ColdFusion security update meant to fix critical vulnerabilities, including a new zero-day vulnerability. Adobe fixed three vulnerabilities as part of their out-of-band update: CVE-2023-38204: a critical remote code execution (RCE) vulnerability (9.8 rating); CVE-2023-38205: a critical…

Tampa General Hospital Reports Cybercriminals Stole 1.2M Patient Data

Tampa General Hospital announced on Wednesday evening that cybercriminals breached its network and stole files containing the personal health information (PHI) of about 1.2 million patients. Located on Davis Island in Tampa, Florida, Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is a not-for-profit,…

P2PInfect: A New Worm Targets Redis Servers on Linux and Windows

P2PInfect is a new cloud-targeting, peer-to-peer (P2P) worm recently discovered by cybersecurity researchers, that targets vulnerable Redis instances for follow-on exploitation. Researchers William Gamazo and Nathaniel Quist said that P2PInfect exploits Redis servers running on both Linux and Windows OS,…

The Crucial Role of Cyber Essentials in the UK Public Sector

The United Kingdom’s public sector is undergoing a digital transformation, relying increasingly on technology to enhance service delivery, streamline operations, and foster improved engagement with citizens. As government organizations continue to embrace technological advancements, they also face a growing array…

BlackCat Alphv Ransomware

The ransomware operation known as BlackCat, also referred to as Alphv ransomware, has been utilized by members of the Alphv group since November 2021. During the last few years, BlackCat has demonstrated a clear upward trajectory in its operations. Their…

BlueKeep: Understanding the Critical RDP Vulnerability

What Is the BlueKeep Vulnerability? BlueKeep is a software vulnerability that affects older versions of Microsoft Windows. Also known as CVE-2019-0708, the vulnerability first emerged in 2019 and is a “wormable” remote code execution vulnerability, being noted first by the…

Micro-Segmentation: Strengthening Network Security Through Granular Control

In the interconnected realm of digital technology, safeguarding cybersecurity has become an utmost priority for organizations. Traditional security approaches, such as relying solely on perimeter-based defenses, have proven insufficient in defending against sophisticated cyber threats. Consequently, a paradigm shift has…

Zoom Vulnerabilities Allow Attackers to Escalate Privileges

Six high-severity and one low-severity vulnerability patches have been released by Zoom. These flaws, if left unattended, would allow threat actors to escalate privileges and gain access to sensitive data. The vulnerabilities were assigned CVSS Scores ranging from 3.3 (low)…

Chinese Hackers Breach Government Email

Microsoft has revealed that Chinese hackers successfully accessed the email accounts of various government organizations. The breach was reportedly detected only weeks after the activity began. According to Microsoft, an entity based in China, named Storm-0558, managed to gain access…

What Is Advanced Endpoint Protection. Key Features and Benefits

Advanced Endpoint Protection (AEP) is an AI-powered cybersecurity toolkit that focuses on detecting and preventing unknown cyber threats from harming a company`s endpoints. In today`s business landscape, where many employees work remotely, protecting assets turned out to be more and…

International Diplomats Targeted by Russian Hacking Group APT29

Russian state-sponsored hacking group ‘APT29,’ also known as Nobelium or Cloaked Ursa, has employed innovative tactics to target diplomats in Ukraine, using car listings as unconventional lures. APT29, which is associated with the Russian government‘s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), has…

Deutsche Bank, ING, and Postbank Customers` Data Exposed in Breach

Deutsche Bank, ING Bank, Postbank, and Comdirect recently announced they suffered customer data leaks. Reportedly, the four European giant banks were using the same third-party business vendor, who fell victim to a MOVEit data-theft attack. The Attack Revealed On July 3rd,…

New Ransomware Strain Discovered: Big Head

A new ransomware strain emerged: Big Head uses fake Windows updates and Microsoft Word installers to spread. Researchers analyzed three samples to establish the infection vector and how the malware executes.  Although the variants may differ, they originate from the…

Automated Patch Management Explained: Benefits, Best Practices & More

There are premises outside of economic implications that draw attention to the importance of Automated Patch Management processes. Keeping systems well informed about the newly-released patches is no longer just a recommendation, it’s a necessity. As defined by our Cybersecurity…

A New Banking Trojan on the Rise: TOITOIN Banking Trojan

TOITOIN is a new Windows-based banking trojan active since 2023. The malware targets businesses operating in Latin America (LATAM), researchers at Zscaler say, employing a multi-stage infection chain and custom-made modules. These modules are custom designed to carry out malicious…

StackRot: A New Linux Kernel Flaw Allows Privilege Escalation

A new vulnerability has been found by security researchers. Dubbed StackRot, the Linux Kernel flaw is impacting versions 6.1 through 6.4. The flaw is tracked as CVE-2023-3269 and is a privilege escalation issue. An unprivileged local user can trigger the…

Top Data Breaches in 2023: Alarming Incidents Impacting Companies

The year 2023 has witnessed a surge in data breaches and cyberattacks, posing significant challenges for organizations striving to safeguard sensitive information. Recent high-profile attacks targeting various industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, government, manufacturing, and energy, highlight the evolving threat…

SMUGX Campaign Targets European Entities

In a recent cyberattack that has raised alarm bells across Europe, several entities in the region have become victims of a sophisticated campaign known as SMUGX. The attackers, believed to be Chinese hackers, have employed a novel technique called HTML…

Internal Threats: A Major Risk to Any Business

As Daniel Wanderson wrote for Security Boulevard, a CEO must consider every aspect of his/her business – and cybersecurity is one of the most important ones since anyone can become the victim of a cyber attack. At any minute, you…

Linux Ransomware Exposed: Not Just a Windows Problem Anymore

In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, ransomware has emerged as a pervasive menace, causing widespread damage to individuals and organizations. While most ransomware attacks have historically targeted Windows systems, the rise of Linux ransomware has thrown a new curveball…

Ransomware Attackers Dump Students’ Data Online After School Hacks

In a disturbing trend, ransomware gangs have escalated their malicious activities by targeting schools and subsequently dumping students’ private files online. This alarming development has raised concerns among parents, educators, and cybersecurity experts worldwide. According to a recent report, these…

LockBit Ransomware Attack Freezes Japan`s Largest Port Activities

The Russian-based threat group LockBit targeted the Port of Nagoya in a ransomware attack. Japan’s largest port is currently unable to load and unload containers from trailers. According to the Nagoya Port Authorities, the attack was discovered on Tuesday, July…

What Is Passwordless Authentication?

In today’s interconnected world, where cyber threats loom large, the traditional password-based authentication method has shown its limitations and ceased to provide adequate security. Passwords pose serious challenges as they are difficult to remember, often reused across different apps, and…

Companies Affected by Ransomware [Updated 2023]

The increasing frequency and size of ransomware attacks are becoming a huge concern for thousands of organizations globally. All over the world, threat actors take advantage of security vulnerabilities and encrypt data belonging to all sorts of organizations: from private…

CISA Warning! 8 Actively Exploited Flaws in Samsung and D-Link Devices

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added 6 flaws affecting Samsung smartphones to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog. On the same day, CISA also added 2 other vulnerabilities impacting D-Link devices. Although security specialists released patches for all…

Charming Kitten’s POWERSTAR Malware Boosts its Techniques

Cybersecurity researchers recently published an advisory on the evolution of POWERSTAR backdoor malware and advanced spear-phishing techniques used by Charming Kitten, a threat actor believed to be from Iran. The most recent version of POWERSTAR has improved operational security measures,…

Massive Data Breach Affects UK Hospital Group

The BlackCat ransomware group claims they have breached Barts Health NHS Trust and stolen seven terabytes of internal documents. On the Dark Web, they call it “more bigger leak from the health care system in UK”. Now, the hackers are…

BlackCat Ransomware Gang to Launch Malicious WinSCP Ads

The BlackCat ransomware group launched a malvertising campaign to push Cobalt Strike. They put up advertisements to attract people to fake WinSCP pages. Instead of the application, the victims download malware. WinSCP (Windows Secure Copy) is a well-known SFTP, FTP,…

What Is a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)?

In today’s digital landscape, businesses face an ever-increasing array of cybersecurity threats. Protecting sensitive data and infrastructure from malicious actors requires expertise, advanced technologies, and round-the-clock vigilance. Training and maintaining an in-house cybersecurity team can be costly – that’s where…

Understanding Managed SIEM: Empowering Businesses with Proactive Security

Organizations face an ongoing battle to protect their sensitive data and critical infrastructure in today’s increasingly sophisticated digital world. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) has emerged as a powerful solution to help businesses detect and respond to security incidents…

Cybersecurity Faces Challenges as DDoS Attacks Surge

In the early months of 2023, the cybersecurity landscape faced an alarming surge in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, posing significant challenges for organizations worldwide. These attacks, aimed at disrupting online services and overwhelming network resources, have become more…

8Base Ransomware Emerges from the Shadows

In May and June 2023, 8Base, a previously undetected ransomware threat, experienced a significant increase in its operations after remaining under the radar for over a year. According to a report by VMware, 8Base employs encryption and “name-and-shame” tactics to…

Top Managed EDR Benefits That Reduce Cybersecurity Risk

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, Managed EDR (MDR) enables organizations worldwide to safeguard their digital assets. During the past years, MDR services have demonstrated effectiveness against a variety of threats: ransomware, supply chain assaults, malware, data exfiltration, and…

Microsoft Teams Allows Malware Delivery, Researchers Found

Despite Microsoft Teams’ restrictions for files from sources outside one’s organization, researchers found a way to “trick” the application. They managed to deliver malware into an organization using the communication platform. More than 280 million people per month use Microsoft…

American Airlines & Southwest Airlines Affected by a Data Breach

American Airlines and Southwest Airlines disclosed a data breach affecting pilots’ data on Friday, June 23. The incident was caused by an attack targeting Pilot Credentials, a third-party vendor that handles several airlines’ pilot selection and application platforms. Details About…

UPS Discloses Data Breach Caused by an SMS Phishing Campaign

Canadian clients of international shipping company UPS are being warned that some of their personal information may have been stolen in phishing attacks after potentially being made public through its online package look-up tools. UPS is aware that some package…

What Is CIAM?

CIAM stands for Customer Identity and Access Management. It refers to a system or set of processes and tools created to manage and protect the online identities of external third parties (users or customers) across a business’s different platforms, apps,…

Threat Actors Claim International Finance Corporation (IFC) Attack

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the largest development institution in the world, headquartered in Washington DC, has become the latest victim of Russian-allied hacktivist groups Killnet and Anonymous Sudan. These hackers have…

North Korean APT37 Exploits New FadeStealer Malware

The hacking group known as APT37, also referred to as StarCruft, Reaper, or RedEyes, has employed a new malware called FadeStealer to steal information. This sophisticated malware incorporates a ‘wiretapping’ feature that enables the threat actors to eavesdrop on and…

RedClouds APT Deploys RDStealer Against Remote Desktop

RedClouds is a recently uncovered cyberespionage and hacking campaign that uses RDStealer malware to steal data from drives shared over Remote Desktop connections. The threat actors behind this campaign, whose identities remain unknown, exhibit advanced skills reminiscent of government-sponsored APT…

Patch Alert! Critical Command Injection Flaw Discovered in NAS Devices

Zyxel announced patches are available and should be applied immediately for the newly discovered vulnerability CVE-2023-27992. The flaw is a pre-authentication command injection issue that affects some of the network-attached storage (NAS) versions. More about CVE-2023-27992 According to the Common…

Windows Patch Management: Definition, How It Works and Why It Helps

Windows patching is essential for closing system and application vulnerabilities and certifying that everything works as it should. Read on to find more about Microsoft Windows patch management, how can you implement a proper windows vulnerability management strategy and how can…

Strengthening Cybersecurity Defenses: Cyber Assessment Framework

In today’s interconnected world, where cyber threats are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated, it is imperative for organizations to prioritize cybersecurity. One essential tool that aids in this endeavor is the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF). Developed by the UK…

Info Stealing Malware Dropped via Only Fans

A new malware campaign employs fake OnlyFans content and adult lures to install the remote access trojan ‘DcRAT,’ enabling threat actors to steal data and credentials or deploy ransomware on infected devices. Using OnlyFans for malicious ends is nothing new;…