The Ransomware Crisis Deepens, While Data Recovery Stalls
When it comes to ransomware, more companies are seeing attacks and have had data encrypted, according to research out this week. And even though more companies are backing up or paying ransom demands, less data was recovered in 2021 compared with the previous year. For instance, in its “State of Ransomware 2022” report, cybersecurity firm…
Conti Ransomware Activity Surges Despite Exposure of Group’s Operations
An individual claiming to be a Ukrainian cybersecurity researcher has leaked vast amounts of data belonging to the Conti group, including malware source code, chat logs, credentials, email addresses, and C&C server details. The files were leaked in response to the hackers expressing support for the Russian government as it began its invasion of Ukraine….
Linux Systems Are Becoming Bigger Targets
When it comes to security, there are some low-lying threats that can cause big problems. One important example is malware designed to exploit Linux systems, often in the form of executable and linkable format (ELF) binaries. And, as the Linux footprint continues to expand, so, too, will attacks against it. Researchers from FortiGuard Labs noted…
Open Source Code: The Next Major Wave of Cyberattacks
Open source software is ubiquitous. It has become an unequaled driver of technological innovation because organizations that use it don’t have to reinvent the wheel for common software components. However, the ubiquity of open source software also presents a significant security risk, as it opens the door for vulnerabilities to be introduced (intentionally or inadvertently)…
“We absolutely do not care about you”: Sugar ransomware targets individuals
Ransomware tends to target organizations. Corporations not only house a trove of valuable data they can’t function without, but they are also expected to cough up a considerable amount of ransom money in exchange for their encrypted files. And while corporations struggle to keep up with attacks, ransomware groups have left the average consumer relatively…
Cyber Insights 2022: Improving Criminal Sophistication
This is a result of basic mechanics: “When one object exerts a force on a second object, the second one exerts a force on the first that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction.” In cyber, it means that when defenses get stronger, attackers get more sophisticated; and when attackers get more sophisticated, defenses…
Living Off the “Edge” of the Land
Edge computing is eminently practical in that it solves several important problems, many of which are related to the latency created when data must travel long distances. The edge offers significant functional and economic benefits, such as the emergence of a new breed of real-time applications. And the need for more edges has increased due…
Meshed Cybersecurity Platforms Enable Complex Business Environments
Cybersecurity deployments have become as complex as the networks they are trying to protect. And that’s not a good thing. The demands of digital acceleration have forced organizations to quickly adopt new technologies and expand their networks. And far too often, security is applied as an afterthought. As a result, according to IBM, enterprises have…
Don’t Help Cybercriminals Dash With Your Customers’ Cash This Black Friday
The excitement of landing a Black Friday bargain will soon fuel online sales across the world. In the US alone, consumers are expected to drop a total of $148.5 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, according to the latest survey data from Finder. In the rush, it’s easy to forget the fundamentals of online…
Two Bulletproof Hosting Administrators Sentenced to Prison in U.S.
Between 2009 and 2015, the two individuals – Aleksandr Skorodumov, 33, of Lithuania, and Pavel Stassi, 30, of Estonia – served as administrators for an organization that offered bulletproof hosting to malware families such as Citadel, SpyEye, Zeus, and the Blackhole exploit kit. The organization, which was founded and led by Russian nationals Aleksandr Grichishkin…
