Category: Information Security Buzz

Explaining the OWASP API Security Top 10

Any company that employs APIs can tell you that they’re the glue that holds all things together, the hub that simplifies and scales digital growth. However, not all can tell you how to protect them. And that’s a problem. Thankfully,…

SLOW#TEMPEST Campaign Targets Chinese Users with Advanced Tactics

A sophisticated cyber campaign, dubbed SLOW#TEMPEST, has been uncovered by the Securonix Threat Research team, targeting Chinese-speaking users. The attack, characterized by the deployment of Cobalt Strike payloads, managed to evade detection for over two weeks, demonstrating the malicious actors’…

North Korean Threat Actor Exploits Chrome Zero-Day

A North Korean threat actor has been found exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Chromium, now designated as CVE-2024-7971. The exploit, which enables remote code execution (RCE), is being attributed with high confidence to a North Korean group known as Citrine…

FBI: RansomHub Hits Over 200 Entities Since Feb

RansomHub, previously known as Cyclops and Knight, has quickly gained traction, targeting over 210 victims across US critical infrastructure sectors. This ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) model has been active since February 2024. These include water and wastewater, information technology, government services and…

Top Cost-Effective Cybersecurity Strategies for SMBs

Safeguarding your small or medium-sized business against escalating cyber threats is essential, yet the steep costs of sophisticated security measures can be daunting. This guide delves into smart, budget-friendly cybersecurity tactics designed to fortify your business without draining your finances.…

Meeting the New Cyber Insurance Requirements

In the event of a cyberattack, companies – especially small to mid-sized businesses – often face losses so great they risk pulling their business under. With the number of ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, and data breaches on the rise, it…

Why Companies Need Real-Time Compliance

The need for real-time compliance has never been more critical. As regulatory landscapes evolve and become more complex, organizations face mounting pressure to ensure they remain compliant at all times. This shift from traditional, periodic audits to continuous, real-time compliance…

Flights Disrupted at Seattle-Tacoma Airport Due to Possible Cyberattack

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA-TAC) appears to have been targeted by a cyberattack, with critical systems experiencing widespread internet outages for the third consecutive day, according to officials from the Port of Seattle. The disruptions, which began early on Saturday, have…

Discovering The Importance of Cybersecurity Advisory Boards (CABs)

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, Cybersecurity Advisory Boards (CABs) are crucial in helping organizations navigate the complexities of today’s digital landscape. By bringing together industry leaders, CABs provide strategic insights, foster collaboration, and ensure cybersecurity strategies stay ahead of…

Ransomware Attacks, Demands, and Payments Rise in Q2

In Q2 2024,  new ransomware groups, including PLAY, Medusa, RansomHub, INC Ransom, BlackSuit and some additional lesser-known factions, led a series of attacks that eclipsed the first quarter of this year by 16% and the second quarter of 2023 by…

Prism Infosec Debuts Red Team Engagement Service

Prism Infosec, an independent cybersecurity consultancy,has introduced PULSE testing service. The service aims to help entities that may not have the resources to dedicate to a full-scale red team exercise and assess their defense capabilities against real-world threats.  The company…

The Evolving Landscape of Identity and Access Management in 2024

In the digital age, where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and data privacy regulations are more stringent than ever, Identity and Access Management (IAM) has become a cornerstone of organizational security. As we navigate through 2024, the IAM landscape continues…

FIDO Alliance Releases Authenticate 2024 Agenda

The FIDO Alliance has announced its agenda today for Authenticate 2024, the only industry conference dedicated to all aspects of user authentication. The event will be held from 14 to 16 October 2024 at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad,…

Qilin Targets Chrome-Stored Credentials in “Troubling” New Attack

The Qilin ransomware group, already infamous for its devastating attacks, has now been caught stealing credentials stored in Google Chrome browsers. This new tactic could amplify the chaos typically associated with ransomware breaches, spreading the impact far beyond the initial…

Extortion Campaign Targets 110,000 Domains Using Exposed AWS Files

A sophisticated cloud extortion campaign has compromised over 110,000 domains by exploiting misconfigured Amazon Web Services (AWS) environment variable (.env) files. By scanning for exposed .env files on unsecured web applications, threat actors were able to obtain AWS Identity and…

Innovative Phishing Campaign Targets Mobile Users with PWAs

In a new twist on phishing tactics, ESET analysts have uncovered a series of sophisticated campaigns targeting mobile users by leveraging Progressive Web Applications (PWAs). This use of PWAs, which are essentially websites functioning as standalone apps, sets this phishing…

US Intelligence Agencies Warn of Iranian Election Influence Efforts

In a joint statement, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have warned about heightened Iranian efforts to interfere in the upcoming US elections.…

FlightAware Notifies Users of Data Security Incident

FlightAware, a provider of real-time flight tracking information, has informed users of a data security incident that may have exposed personal information. The company is taking precautionary measures by requiring all potentially impacted users to reset their passwords. The incident,…

5 Emerging Malware Variants You Must Be Aware Of

The cybersecurity landscape is marked by sophisticated malware strains designed to harvest sensitive data, get a foothold on company networks, and generally wreak havoc. A new report from ReliaQuest examines five malware variants that have recently impacted the threat landscape…

Ransomware Gangs Introduce New EDR-Killing Tool

Sophos researchers have uncovered a new tool, EDRKillShifter, that malicious actors are using to target endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems. The discovery came after an unsuccessful ransomware attack in May. The threat actors deployed the tool to disable endpoint…

Taming Identity Sprawl With a Least Privilege Approach

Remember the Hydra, the multi-headed creature from Greek mythology? Warriors attempting to slay the beast faced a seemingly impossible challenge: when they cut off one head, multiple heads re-emerged. Security teams entrusted with Identity and Access Management (IAM) can relate…

China-linked Attackers Target Russian Govt Entities

Researchers from Kaspersky have detected a series of ongoing targeted cyberattacks on dozens of computers at Russian government entities and IT organizations. The bad actors infected devices via phishing emails with malicious shortcut attachments. These shortcuts were used to deliver…

Russian Sentenced to 40 Months for Selling Stolen Data on Dark Web

A Moscow-based Russian national, Georgy Kavzharadze, has been sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for selling stolen financial information on the dark web marketplace known as Slilpp. The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia announced that Kavzharadze,…

Malware Loaders Dominate Cybersecurity Threats in 2024

Malware loaders are a significant threat in the cybersecurity landscape, with nearly 40% of all malware observed in critical security incidents involving these specialized tools. Among the most prevalent loaders are “SocGholish,” “GootLoader,” and “Raspberry Robin,” which have been frequently…

NIST Debuts First Set of Finalized Post-Quantum Encryption Standards

The US Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has officially released its first set of finalized encryption standards designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers. These post-quantum encryption standards are expected to secure a wide array…

Email Security Risk Remains Alarmingly High

A staggering 94% of companies have fallen victim to phishing attacks over the last year, while 91% experienced data loss or exfiltration incidents. It’s not surprising, then, that 95% of cybersecurity leaders are increasingly stressed about email security, particularly phishing…

Six Reasons Healthcare Organizations Need Robust Cybersecurity

Medical organizations must implement robust cybersecurity solutions due to the sensitivity of the data they handle and the increasing frequency of cyberattacks. As these organizations rely more heavily on technology for storing and managing patient data in the digital era,…

The Importance of APIs/API Security in Financial Services

In the evolving financial services landscape, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have become fundamental tools for facilitating seamless digital transactions and interactions. However, as the reliance on these technologies grows, so does the need for stringent API security. Ensuring the safety…

Passwordless Prescription: The Cure for Healthcare Cybersecurity

The healthcare industry is poised for a cybersecurity transformation, with passwordless authentication at the forefront. Utilizing passkeys and biometrics improves user experience and significantly strengthens data security against contemporary threats such as credential stuffing and MFA fatigue. So says Phil…

Vectra AI Expands XDR Platform

Vectra AI, a provider of AI-driven Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions, has expanded its Vectra AI Platform, enhancing its ability to provide Security Operations Center (SOC) teams with a real-time view of their active posture. This expansion leverages the…

Optimizing AWS GuardDuty for Enhanced Security Monitoring

Approximately 2.38 million customers worldwide use Amazon Web Services (AWS) to host and power their cloud-based business assets, per a recent market report. If you’re reading this, you’re probably one of them. With officially over half (50.1%) of the market…

Police Recover Over USD 40 Million from International Email Scam

A global stop-payment mechanism developed by INTERPOL has enabled Singapore authorities to recover over USD 40 million from a business email compromise (BEC) scam, marking their largest-ever recovery of fraudulently obtained funds. On 23 July 2024, a commodity firm based…

Ransomware Attack Targets Grand Palais, Paris

French cybercrime police are investigating a ransomware attack on the Grand Palais Exhibition Hall in Paris, a venue for Olympic events such as fencing and Taekwondo. According to Reuters, the central computer system of the Grand Palais was targeted, but…

Tech Contractor Exposes Data of 4.6 Million US Voters

A US technology contractor has inadvertently exposed the personal data of 4.6 million voters and election documents from multiple counties in Illinois, sparking significant concerns over election security and voter privacy. The databases, managed by Platinum Technology Resource, were found…

The Illusion of Reputational Damage

In June, the HIPAA Journal reported a story that seems to be the trifecta of insider threat, third party risk, and medical technology risk. A terminated subcontractor employee of a medical transcription service stole at least one million patient records.…

Proficio Unveils ProBAS Breach and Attack Simulation Service

Proficio, a Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider, has rolled out its ProBAS Breach and Attack Simulation service. The solution “rigorously” tests businesses’ security defenses, to ensure they can prevent compromise events and detect attacks throughout the entire threat detection and…

LianSpy Spyware ‘LianSpy’ Targets Android Users

Security researchers at Kaspersky have uncovered a new Android spyware campaign called LianSpy, which has been used for cyberespionage against targeted Android device users in Russia. The malware, dubbed “LianSpy,” has been in operation since July 2021, quietly harvesting sensitive…

Wristband Releases Public Beta of its B2B Authentication Platform

Wristband, a developer-first authentication platform designed for B2B SaaS, has released the public beta launch of its B2B authentication platform. Jim Verducci, CEO of Wristband, says building robust B2B authentication in-house is a complex and time-consuming process that can take…

Dark Angels gang scores a record-breaking $75 million ransom

Staff Reporter Over the past year, ransomware attacks have reached unprecedented levels of ambition and boldness, highlighted by a significant increase in extortion attacks. In fact, research from Zscaler ThreatLabz revealed an unparalleled ransom payout of $75 million – the…

The Critical Role of Response Time in Cybersecurity

In today’s digital landscape, cybercriminals pose a perpetual threat to organisations. We are repeatedly reminded of the consequences of inadequate cybersecurity measures. In a cybersecurity breach, response time is critical to mitigating damage. Most cyber-attacks are like wildfires. Without the…

What Every Business Needs to Know About Ransomware

Today’s businesses rely heavily on technology to streamline operations, enhance productivity, and connect with customers. However, this dependency has also opened the door to a growing threat: ransomware attacks. By 2031, the cost of ransomware attacks is estimated to reach…

A Guide to Select the Best Operating System for NAS Data Recovery

Home users and businesses use NAS (Network-Attached Storage) to store and manage data clearly and organise it and make it easy to access. With simplified scripts and hardware pre-installed with an optimised operating system, the NAS architecture helps improve the…

4 Ways BYOI and Social Login Enhance User Experience

We live in an era where customers demand convenience and instant gratification and want to use their smartphones and mobile devices to access their apps and services instantly. At the same time, trust in established brands such as Google or…

Nine IT Experts Weigh in On Managed File Transfer (MFT)

In an era where everything IT-leaning is getting leaner, meaner, faster, and more secure, we need to make sure not to leave file transfers behind. As the security and IT landscapes modernize, organizations are increasingly looking for a way to…

Deepfakes: Distorted Reality and the Growing Threat

Today’s digital era is seeing the line between reality and fabrication become increasingly blurred, thanks to the advent of deepfake technology. Deepfakes are AI-generated videos or audio that convincingly mimic real people, making it appear like they said or did…

Understanding Compliance and File Integrity Monitoring (FIM)

In an age marked by frequent data breaches and cyber threats, organizations must follow strict regulatory standards to protect their sensitive and proprietary data. To remain compliant, they must also adhere to specific rules and guidelines aimed at data protection,…

Celebrating 20 Years Of Cybersecurity Awareness: Secure Our World

October is a month known for many things: the change of seasons, the approach of Halloween, and, importantly, Cybersecurity Awareness Month. This year is especially momentous as it marks the 20th annual Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a collaborative effort launched by…

Strategies for Merchant Ransomware Protection

Introduction Ransomware attacks have become a significant threat to businesses of all sizes, including merchants who rely on electronic payment systems for their operations. These malicious attacks can lock you out of your critical systems, encrypt your data, and demand…

Data Mapping vs. Data Lineage: Understanding The Differences

Securing data relies upon making sense of it. To achieve this, organizations rely on two key concepts: Data Mapping and Data Lineage. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to distinct processes with different objectives and implications. This…

Why You Should Phish In Your Own Pond

Phishing – that scourge of the internet for several decades now – remains the most popular attack vector when it comes to bad actors trying to get their hands on confidential information. The targets span commercial enterprises, to government agencies (just ask…

12 Indispensable Online Tools for Startup Success

Introduction Starting a new business can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. As an entrepreneur, you’ll need all the help you can get to streamline your operations, manage your resources efficiently, and reach your target audience effectively. Fortunately, the digital…

Localization Problems: 10 Biggest Challenges and Solutions

10 biggest challenges in localization Introduction As a seasoned localization expert, I have had the privilege of navigating the complex landscape of localization for years. Localization, the process of adapting content to a specific region or culture, is crucial for…

Storm-0324 Threat Group Expands Attack Vectors, Targeting Microsoft Teams

A financially driven cyber threat group that Microsoft has been tracking under the alias “Storm-0324” is expanding its cyber-attack methodologies. Historically, this group primarily infiltrated systems via email-based infection vectors, later passing on access to the compromised networks to other…