Tag: Heimdal Security Blog

Patch Management Guide

Patch management involves distributing and applying updates to various endpoints, which is crucial in fixing software vulnerabilities or unforeseen system interactions.  60% of cyber incidents leading to covert data theft link to absent, misconfigured, or incompletely implemented patches.  A concerning…

How to Create a Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan?

Organizations that want to avoid a security breach or attack naturally do everything in their power to avoid it from happening in the first place. The more proactive and preventative work you do, the higher your chance of avoiding an…

Vulnerability Prioritization: How to Beat Patching Paralysis

Key Takeaways: Vulnerability prioritization is about deciding what to patch, and in what order.  Many organizations use unsatisfactory methods when prioritizing patches. Learn how a holistic, risk-based approach to vulnerability prioritization can improve patch management.  Find out how automated vulnerability…

Researchers Warn NetSupport RAT Attacks Are on the Rise

Researchers warn of an increase in NetSupport RAT (Remote Access Trojan) infections impacting education, government, and business services sectors. NetSupport Manager is a remote control and desktop management tool by NetSupport Ltd. Its initial role was to aid IT professionals…

Assigning User Privileges in Heimdal [It’s Easy]

Managing user privileges is a critical task for any organization. This article aims to guide you through the process of assigning user privileges in Heimdal, ensuring a secure and efficient management of your cybersecurity infrastructure.  Key Takeaway Summary  Understanding User…

How to Implement an Effective Mac Patch Management Strategy

An effective Mac patch management strategy involves following a series of well-planned steps and best practices. Patch management strategies are not just about bug fixes, closing vulnerabilities, and improving system performance. Meeting compliance requirements is also on the goals list. …

Heimdal Launches Unique AI Feature to Detect Email Fraud

Heimdal has launched “Outliers Detection”, an AI-powered feature that upgrades its Email Fraud Protection platform. This tool uses AI to proactively spot and stop email threats early, keeping businesses safe. Our method is both innovative one-of-a-kind. We use anomaly detection…

Truepill Sued Over Data Breach Exposing 2.3 Million Customers

Truepill data breach exposed sensitive information belonging to 2,364,359 people and risks multiple lawsuits. The B2B-focused pharmacy platform discovered the incident on August 31, 2023. They promptly launched an investigation and took additional security measures to contain the incident. However,…

Samsung UK Online Store Suffers Data Breach

Samsung Electronics has informed its customers about a data breach impacting those who shopped at the Samsung UK online store from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020. This breach resulted in unauthorized access to personal information. Breach Traced to…

FBI and CISA Issue Advisory on Rhysida Ransomware

Today, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have jointly issued a warning about the Rhysida ransomware group. This gang has been attacking various organizations in different sectors since May 2023. A detailed Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) has…

The Most Common Healthcare Cyberattacks

In the wrong hands, medical data can be used for a variety of crimes, such as patient identity theft, clinician identity theft, extortion, tax fraud, insurance fraud, and more. Geopolitical agendas further complicate the threat landscape, as cyberattacks such as…

Daixin Threat Group Claims Ransomware Attack on 5 Hospitals in Ontario

Daixin Team claimed responsibility for the ransomware attack that impacted 5 hospitals in Ontario, Canada, on October 23rd. TransForm, the shared service provider of the five healthcare organizations, confirmed the ransomware attack. The stolen database contains information on 5.6 million…

How To Break The Metrics Mirage in Vulnerability Management

Meet Jeff. He’s the CISO of a mid-sized financial services company – and it’s his job to keep the organization safe from security attacks. Every week, he checks the graphs and dashboards in his SIEM (security information and event management)…

Privilege Overreach, the Lurking PAM Security Threat

Managing privileged access to internal resources is a challenge for organizations worldwide. If left unaddressed, it could lead to data breaches, downtime, and financial loss. Statistics show that 80% of data breaches seem to be caused by misuse of privileged…

Silent Safeguards – The Essence of ISO 27001 Controls

ISO 27001, sometimes referred to as ISO/IEC 27001 is an international standard that addresses organizational information security. Issued in 2005 and with a second revision in 2013, the ISO 27001 standard describes the Information Security Management Systems requirements for global…

Toronto Public Library Under Cyberattack

Canada’s largest public library system reported a cyberattack that took down its website, member services pages, and limited access to its digital collections. The Toronto Public Library provides more than 12 million items across 100 branches to more than 1.2…

Separation of Privilege (SoP) 101: Definition and Best Practices

Separation of privilege is splitting up tasks and assigning rights to different parts of a system. It means that user privileges are segmented between various users and accounts, but you can also apply it to applications, system sub-components, tasks, and processes.…

European Governments Email Servers Targeted by Threat Actors

Since at least October 11, the Russian hacker organization Winter Vivern has been using a Roundcube Webmail zero-day vulnerability in attacks against think tanks and government agencies in Europe. According to security researchers, the cyberespionage group (also identified as TA473)…

9 Best Carbon Black Alternatives & Competitors in 2023

A quick search on the Internet retrieved a pack of VMware Carbon Black alternatives for endpoint protection services. I analyzed features, pros, cons and pricing and then I drew conclusions. So, here`s a list of 9 Best Carbon Black Alternatives…

12 Benefits of Zero Trust for Mid-Sized Businesses

Zero Trust security is evolving from “nice to have” to an absolute must for organizations everywhere. Fortunately, Zero Trust offers numerous advantages to companies of all sizes, including medium-sized ones. While achieving full Zero Trust is a long-term goal, even…

Why Organizations Struggle With Vulnerability Management?

Where Do Organizations Struggle With Vulnerability Management? With over 60% of companies having been the victims of cyberattacks in the last year, you can see that companies seem to be struggling with the way in which they manage vulnerabilities. Vulnerability…

Phobos Ransomware: Everything You Need to Know and More

In the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, ransomware remains a pervasive and destructive weapon in the arsenal of cybercriminals. Among the various ransomware strains, Phobos has gained notoriety for its sophisticated capabilities and devastating consequences. This article delves into Phobos…

Apple Fixes 3 New Actively Exploited Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

Apple released an emergency security update to patch three newly identified zero-days exploited actively by threat actors. The vulnerabilities affected iPhone and Mac users, and with this, the total zero-days fixed by Apple this year rose to 16. What Do…

Improper Usage of SAS Token Leads to Massive Microsoft Data Leakage

Microsoft researchers leaked 38TB of sensitive data to a public GitHub repository while training open-source AI learning models. The Microsoft data leakage occurred starting July 2020 and white hat hackers only discovered and reported it on June 22nd, 2023. Consequently,…

Cryptocurrency Scams to Heavily Target TikTok Users

Cybercriminals heavily target TikTok users with cryptocurrency giveaway scams. The vast majority of the posts impersonate Elon Musk and relate to Tesla or SpaceX. These types of posts have been on other social media platforms – Instagram and Twitter –…

EDR for Banking: 6 Ways EDR Can Help Financial Organizations

There are financial advantages to investing in cybersecurity, especially in Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions. Breaching one financial institution can bring threat actors access to a variety of companies’ assets. That is because banks store money and data for…

Best Practices for Endpoint Security in Healthcare Institutions

While achieving compliance with industry standards is the minimum, it’s not enough to prevent insider threats, supply chain attacks, DDoS, or sophisticated cyberattacks such as double-extortion ransomware, phishing, business email compromise (BEC), info-stealing malware or attacks that leverage the domain…

How DNS Layer Security Stops Ransomware and Other Cyberattacks

DNS-Layer Security protects users from threats that arise from inbound and outbound traffic. It refers to monitoring communications between endpoints and the internet at a DNS-layer level. Imagine the DNS layer security as a gatekeeper who makes sure that all…

Two New York Hospitals Breached by the LockBit Ransomware Group

The notorious LockBit ransomware group claims to have breached two major hospitals from upstate New York, the Carthage Area Hospital and Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center. The two hospitals serve hundreds of thousands of patients. Details on the Attack: The Hospitals Are…

What Effect Does Firm Size Have on Ransomware Threats?

In an increasingly digital world, the threat of ransomware looms large over organizations of all sizes. However, the impact of ransomware attacks can vary significantly depending on the size of the targeted firm.  This article delves into the effects of…

5 Examples of DNS IoCs That Are Red Flags for Cyberattacks

In the increasingly digitalized world that we live in, doing business without being connected 24/7 is almost unthinkable. Any medium to large organization needs to have an online way of displaying its products or services. It also needs a fast…

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…

Banking Cybersecurity: The Risks Faced by Financial Institutions

A data breach in the financial sector is one of the most impactful events in the cybersecurity landscape. That is because Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) institutions/ financial institutions safeguard and store not only our money but also very…

How to Use DNS IoCs to Prevent Ransomware Attacks

As malware and attack techniques continue to evolve in sophistication, DNS IoCs help threat hunting teams to prevent ransomware attacks. Prioritizing threat hunting to prevent and mitigate advanced threats is critical to safeguarding an organization`s data and assets. The red…

Ransomware Trends and Predictions for 2023 and Beyond

New ransomware trends are on the rise as ransomware has emerged as one of the most formidable cyber threats in recent years, causing significant disruptions to businesses, governments, and individuals worldwide.  As we step into 2023 and beyond, it’s crucial…

MGM Resorts Suspends IT Systems Following Cyber Incident

MGM Resorts International confirmed that a cyber incident has disrupted several of its critical systems, affecting its main website, online reservations, and in-casino services, including ATMs, slot machines, and credit card machines. The company revealed this via a statement on…

What Is Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR)?

Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) is yet another step toward the perfect security solution. Researchers designed MXDR with two major vectors in mind. First, it had to keep up with the latest internal and external threats. Second, to protect…

Patch Management Policy: A Practical Guide

Patching, a highly necessary, yet sometimes neglected practice of resolving security risks related to vulnerabilities, can prove difficult for organizations of all sizes. You probably already know that a regular and well-defined patch management routine proactively ensures your systems function…

Ragnar Locker Claims Israel Hospital Cyberattack

The Ragnar Locker ransomware gang claims responsibility for the cyberattack on Mayanei Hayeshua hospital from Israel. The incident occurred in August 2023, and cybercriminals allegedly managed to steal 1TB of data. Now, the criminal gang threatens to leak all that…

Navigating PAM Implementation Risks: A Comprehensive Guide for CISOs

Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) bear the responsibility of safeguarding their organizations against an ever-evolving array of cyber threats. Among a myriad of other challenges, Privileged Access Management (PAM) emerges as a pivotal domain. However, implementing PAM solutions involves navigating…

What Is Token-Based Authentication?

Secured authentication to databases and systems is essential to enterprise cybersecurity management. According to the 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report, 82% of all breaches stem from human error, often due to mishandled or compromised login details that allow malicious entities…

Cisco BroadWorks Is Affected by a Critical-Severity Vulnerability

The Cisco BroadWorks Application Delivery Platform and Cisco BroadWorks Xtended Services Platform are both affected by a serious vulnerability that might allow remote attackers to counterfeit credentials and bypass authentication. Cisco BroadWorks is a cloud communication services platform used by…

Warning: RocketMQ Vulnerability Actively Exploited by Threat Actors

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) adds a new critical-severity vulnerability to its KEV catalog. The issue is tracked as CVE-2023-33246 and it affects Apache’s RocketMQ distributed messaging and streaming platform. Exploiting the vulnerability is possible without authentication…

Minneapolis School District Reveals Full Extent of Data Breach

Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) recently disclosed the full extent of a data breach from earlier this year, affecting more than 105,000 individuals. The breach, initially attributed to the Medusa ransomware group, compromised a wide range of personal information. The Breach…

University of Sydney Reports Data Breach

The University of Sydney (USYD) has reported a data breach involving a third-party service provider, leading to the exposure of personal information for a subset of international applicants. The breach did not affect local students, staff, alumni, or donors. Upon…

Freecycle Confirms Data Breach Affecting Over 7 Million Users

Freecycle, a global online platform promoting the exchange of used items, announced a significant data breach affecting over 7 million of its users. The nonprofit organization became aware of the intrusion on August 30th, though the stolen information had been…

5 Ways Heimdal® Protects You From DNS Attacks

As cyber-attacks continue to proliferate, it’s essential for organizations to stay ahead of the game when it comes to security. One area that requires particular attention is the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS attacks are more common than one might…

Heimdal Announces Expansion into the Indian Market

 Mumbai, 31st August 2023 — Heimdal, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, is thrilled to announce its official entry into the Indian market.  This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in Heimdal’s mission to provide cutting-edge cybersecurity services to businesses…

Why Is MDR Better Than EDR: Enhancing Cybersecurity in the Modern World

Cybersecurity has become a paramount concern for businesses and organizations in today’s interconnected world. The rise of sophisticated cyber threats and the increasing complexity of IT environments have made it crucial for companies to invest in robust security solutions.  Managed…

7 Key MXDR Benefits

Protecting businesses has gotten increasingly difficult today. The sophistication of cyberattacks, the growth of distributed workforces, and the increased reliance on third-party providers have greatly expanded the attack surface, making it more complex than ever. In order to minimize the…

Sourcegraph’s Website Breached by Threat Actors

Popular AI-powered coding platform Sourcegraph reveals that its website was breached this week due to a leaked site-admin access token. The token leaked online on July 14th, but it took until the 28th of August for an attacker to use…

Malicious Generative AI Tools. Buzz, Threat, and Solution

After almost a year of generative AI euphoria and praising the Open.Ai ChatGPT model, it`s time to take a step back. Let`s assess how this amazing piece of technology changed the cyber threat landscape. Like any innovation, generative AI tools…

Weaknesses in Cisco ASA SSL VPNs Exploited Through Brute-Force Attacks

In a recent surge of cyber threats, hackers have targeted Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) SSL VPNs using a combination of brute-force attacks and credential stuffing. These attacks have taken advantage of security vulnerabilities, particularly the absence of robust multi-factor…

47,000 London Metropolitan Police Personnel Impacted by Data Breach

London`s Metropolitan Police announced bolstering cybersecurity measures after one of its suppliers detected a data breach. A contractor responsible for printing warrant cards and staff passes was the target of a cyberattack. Data belonging to 47,000 officers and police staff…

Enhancing Cybersecurity: How XDR Software Empowers CISOs

As modern threats surpass traditional security measures, XDR software steps in as a revolutionary solution. A software that empowers CISOs to proactively navigate the evolving threat landscape. Understanding the Challenge CISOs face a daunting task. Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated,…

DreamBus Malware Exploits Unpatched RocketMQ Servers

Threat actors exploit a known remote code vulnerability in RocketMQ servers to infect devices with DreamBus malware. CVE-2023-33246 was discovered in May 2023 and received a 9.8 score, which labels it as critical. It is a permission verification issue that…

Nordic Users Targeted by National Danish Police Phishing Attack

A new type of cyber-attack is currently spreading like wildfire in the Nordics, targeting email addresses indiscriminate of user profiles (i.e., small office/home user, home user, mobile user, power user, and large business user). Earmarked the National Danish Police phishing…

How to Manage XDR Alerts with Heimdal

Heimdal XDR offers you full visibility into network traffic, user behavior, and endpoint activity. It makes investigating threats much easier, showing you how threats happened and when they occurred. This means you can quickly figure out why each alert was…

How to Implement an XDR Software?

Traditional security solutions are no longer enough to protect your business from sophisticated attacks. As a cybersecurity professional, you have probably heard of XDR (Extended Detection and Response), a strategy that is gaining popularity due to the numerous benefits it…

French Unemployment Agency Announces a Data Breach

Pole emploi, the government’s unemployment registration and financial assistance office in France, announced a data breach. The incident affected 10 million French citizens whose data were exposed. Details About the Pole Emploi Data Breach The agency disclosed a security event…

The 12 Best Endpoint Security Software Solutions and Tools [2023]

Choosing the right endpoint security software can feel overwhelming, especially in a market valued at 13.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 and expected to grow to 29 billion U.S. dollars by 2027 (Statista). Organizations worldwide turn to endpoint security solutions…

What Is a Host Intrusion Detection System (HIDS) and How It Works

HIDS stands for host-based intrusion detection system and is an application that monitors a computer or network for suspicious activities. The monitored activities can include external actors` intrusions and also internal misuse of resources or data. A host intrusion detection…

How Does XDR Software Help Security Teams

XDR software collects and processes data from various security layers, networks, and endpoints in an organization`s IT environment. It is a fast and accurate tool that helps security teams detect and respond faster to cyber threats wherever they might be…

XDR Security for MSSPs

Given the complexity of today’s digital environment, organizations, especially Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), are learning that maintaining a robust security posture is a top priority and are turning to Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) to help them secure their…

Thousands of Openfire Servers at Risk from Critical CVE

Over 3,000 Openfire servers have yet to be updated against a critical security vulnerability. Tracked as CVE-2023-32315, the flaw has been actively exploited for more than two months, putting unpatched servers at significant risk. Upon a Closer Look Openfire, a…

University of Minnesota Reports Massive Data Breach

The University of Minnesota is currently conducting an investigation into a substantial data breach that could potentially impact a large number of alumni and members of the university community. Millions Potentially Exposed The breach was brought to light last month…

Ransomware Vs. Malware: What’s The Difference?

Cyber-attacks can come in many forms. In the world of cybersecurity, the terms “ransomware” and “malware” are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion about their distinct characteristics and implications.  While both ransomware and malware fall under the broader category of…