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Internet scammers casting about for people's financial information have a new way to lure unsuspecting victims: They go "phishing". Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses spam or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information.
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishers send an email or pop-up message that claims to be from a business or organization that you deal with - for example, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), bank, online payment service, or even a government agency. The message usually says that you need to "update" or "validate" your account information. It might threaten some dire consequence if you don't respond. The message directs you to a website that looks just like a legitimate organization's site, but it isn't. The purpose of the bogus site? To trick you into divulging your personal information so the operators can steal your identity and run up bills or commit crimes in your name.
The FTC, the nation's consumer protection agency, suggests these tips to help you avoid getting hooked by a phishing scam:
If you get an email or pop-up message that asks for personal or financial information, do not reply or click on the link in the messag. Legitimate companies don't ask for this information via email. If you are concerned about your account, contact the organization in the email using a telephone number you know to be genuine, or open a new Internet browser session and type in the company's correct Web address. In any case, don't cut and paste the link in the message.
Don't email personal or financial information. Email is not a secure method of transmitting personal information. If you initiate a transaction and want to provide your personal or financial information through an organization's Web site, look for indicators that the site is secure, like a lock icon on the browser's status bar or a URL for a website that begins "https:" (the "s" stands for "secure"). Unfortunately, no indicator is foolproof; some phishers have forged security icons.
Review credit card and bank account statements as soon as you receive them to determine whether there are any unauthorized charges. If your statement is late by more than a couple of days, call your credit card company or bank to confirm your billing address and account balances.
Use anti-virus software and keep it up to date. Some phishing emails contain software that can harm your computer or track your activities on the Internet without your knowledge. Antivirus software and a firewall can protect you from inadvertently accepting such unwanted files. Antivirus software scans incoming communications for troublesome files. Look for anti-virus software that recognizes current viruses as well as older ones; that can effectively reverse the damage; and that updates automatically. A firewall helps make you invisible on the Internet and blocks all communications from unauthorized sources. It's especially important to run a firewall if you have a broadband connection. Finally, your operating system (like Windows or Linux) may offer free software "patches" to close holes in the system that hackers or phishers could exploit.
Be cautious about opening any attachment or downloading any files from emails you receive, regardless of who sent them.
Report suspicious activity to the FTC. If you get spam that is phishing for information, forward it to FTC Complaint Assistant.
If you believe you've been scammed, file your complaint at FTC's Identity Theft Web site to learn how to minimize your risk of damage from ID theft.
Visit FTC Scam Alerts to learn other ways to avoid email scams and deal with deceptive spam.
Think of how many times a day you share your personal information. You may write a check at the local grocery store, apply for a credit card, make a call on your cell phone, charge tickets to a Milwaukee Bucks game, mail your tax return or buy Midwest Express tickets over the Internet. With each transaction, you share your personal information: your bank and credit card account numbers, your income, your social security number, your name, address and phone number.
In 1998, Congress passed a law making identity theft a federal crime. The U.S. Secret Service, FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigate violations of the Act. Persons accused of identity theft are prosecuted by the Department of Justice. Wisconsin also has passed legislation making identity theft a felony, and criminals here have been convicted of the crime.
Consumer complaints about identity theft continue to grow. More than 40 percent of all complaints filed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year were for identity theft. Unless you live your life in a bubble, you can't prevent the stealing of your personal information, but you can minimize the risks of this crime happening to you by following these suggestions:
Never divulge information about your social security number, credit card number, account passwords and other personal information unless you initiate contact with a person or company you know and trust.
Don't carry around more checks, credit cards and other bank items than you really need. Don't carry your social security number in your wallet, and be sure to pick passwords and PINs (Personal Identification Numbers) that will be tough for someone to figure out. Don't write your social security number on your check.
Protect your incoming and outgoing mail, especially envelopes that may contain checks, credit card applications or other information valuable to a fraud artist. Deposit outgoing mail, especially something containing personal financial information in the official Post Office collection boxes, hand it to the mail carrier, or take it to the local post office instead of leaving it in your home mailbox.
Before discarding credit card applications, cancelled checks, bank statements or other information useful to an identity thief, tear them up as best you can, preferably by using a paper shredder.
Safely store extra checks, credit cards and documents that list your social security number.
Contact your financial institution immediately if you lose your checkbook or bank credit card, if there is a discrepancy in your records, or if you notice something suspicious such as a missing payment or unauthorized withdrawals.
If your credit card bill doesn't arrive on time, contact your credit card company. This could be a sign that someone has stolen your account information, changed your address and is making large charges in your name from another location.
Once a year check your credit record with the three major credit bureaus. To order your report, call the following toll-free numbers; Equifax: 800-685-1111, Experian: 1-888-397-3742, TransUnion: 1-800-888-4213
Close any accounts that have been fraudulently accessed or opened.
File a local police report and get a copy of the report to your bank, credit card company or others that may need proof of the crime.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is the federal clearinghouse for complaints by victims of identity theft. Although the FTC does not have the authority to bring criminal cases, it can assist victims by providing information to help resolve problems that can result from identity theft. Should you find yourself a victim of identity theft, you can file a complaint with the FTC by calling toll-free 1-877-ID-THEFT (438-4338).
Most of us assume that thieves are only interested in the cash in our wallet or purse, when in many cases, they are more interested in access to sensitive information that can be used to steal our identity. Use caution and don't be the next victim of identity theft or other financial fraud. | https://www.firstsentinelbank.com/phishing |
Download the content from the Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit (click Download and select Office-2016-baseline.zip).
The downloadable attachment to this blog post includes importable GPOs, scripts for applying the GPOs to local policy, a custom administrative template (ADMX) file for Group Policy settings, all the recommended settings in spreadsheet form and as Policy Analyzer rules. The recommended settings correspond with the Office 2016 administrative templates version 4639 released on December 15, 2017; we have included those ADMX and ADML files in a zip file in the package's Templates subdirectory.
Instead of retaining the entire Office 2013 baseline and simply adding settings that were newly introduced in the Office 2016 GPOs, we have conducted a thorough review of all available configuration settings – as we did beginning with the Windows 10 baselines – including in the baseline only those settings that address contemporary security threats. In the process we removed over eight dozen settings that had been in previous baselines but that were determined not to advance security posture in a meaningful way, and added a handful of new settings. The result is a more streamlined, purposeful baseline that is easier to configure, deploy, and validate.
Macro security
Office’s support for macros remains a vital tool for enterprise automation and at the same time a vector for attack, so macro security remains an important consideration. Office 2016 introduced a new GPO setting, “Block macros from running in Office files from the Internet” that was also later backported to Office 2013. Enabling the setting disables macros embedded in Office documents that came from the internet, including through email from an external sender. Office displays a notification that does not give the user an option to enable the macros. This baseline enables the setting for all apps that offer it: Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Word. Because this setting affects only Office documents received from the Internet that contain embedded macros, we anticipate that enabling this setting should rarely if ever cause operational problems for enterprises. The settings do not affect documents that are received from the enterprise’s Intranet or Trusted Sites zones.
The baseline also retains the “VBA Macro Notification Settings” options from our previous baselines that require that macros embedded in Office documents be signed by a trusted publisher. We recognize that some organizations have had workflows and processes relying on such macros for a long time, and that enforcing these particular settings can cause operational issues. It can also be challenging to identify all the documents and VBA projects that need to be signed. We will continue considering moving these settings into a separate GPO to make it easier to switch the settings on or off without affecting the rest of the baseline. Please let us know via the comments on this post what you think of that idea.
Blocking Flash activation
We have also added a setting to the custom “MS Security Guide” ADMX that prevents the Adobe Flash ActiveX control from being loaded by Office applications. Vulnerabilities in Adobe Flash are often exploited by sending the victim a Microsoft Office document that contains malformed Flash data and an OLE reference that activates Flash and passes it the malformed data, which triggers the exploit code. This setting allows you to either (1) block all activation of Flash from within Office or (2) only block activation of Flash when it is directly embedded or linked in an Office document. The baseline recommends that you block all activation as it is the safest option available but note that it can impact productivity scenarios (e.g. consuming embedded videos in PowerPoint) within your enterprise. Please test this setting within your environment to identify the appropriate level of protection that balances your security and productivity requirements.
Office has long included a “kill-bit” feature similar to Windows’ that enables administrators to block specific controls from being activated within Office processes. Enabling the new setting in “MS Security Guide” configures Flash kill-bit registry values to block Flash activation in Office processes, reducing your security exposure.
Other changes
Although we have removed many settings from the baseline, there are a few changes to which we would like to call attention. All of these are under User Configuration\Administrative Templates.
Microsoft Outlook 2016\Account Settings\Exchange, Authentication with Exchange Server: we are keeping this setting enabled, but changing its configuration from “Kerberos/NTLM Password Authentication” to “Kerberos Password Authentication.” We do not anticipate operational issues from strengthening this setting. Please test this change in your environments and let us know what you observe.
Microsoft Office 2016\Manage Restricted Permissions, Always require users to connect to verify permission: we are removing this setting from the baseline, but there is a security and usability tradeoff, and our finding is that the security benefit is too small for the usability degradation. The setting ensures that if someone’s access to a rights-managed document or email is revoked after they have received it, they will be blocked from opening it the next time they try. The downside is that this blocks all offline access. In our experience, this kind of revocation is far less common than the need to open rights-managed items when in airplane mode.
We have dropped the “Disable all trusted locations” Trust Center settings, but disabled two additional “Allow Trusted Locations on the network” settings that had been overlooked in past baselines for Project and Visio.
We believe that this baseline strikes the correct balance between security and usability, but as always we welcome your feedback for opportunities to improve it. Thank you. | https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/secguide/2018/02/13/security-baseline-for-office-2016-and-office-365-proplus-apps-final/ |
The vast majority of companies and government organizations around the world today have set a service-oriented architecture (SOA) as their target. From a technical point of view, the decision is a no-brainer, because in truth, most organizations would seem to have little choice: in the past three years virtually every major technology company in the world has agreed to adopt Web services. After a generation of failed attempts this revolutionary accord is paving the way for organizations to connect - relatively simply and easily - computers running incompatible operating systems, programming languages and communications protocols under the SOA.
SOA is a potential boon to business because it simplifies IT, lowers costs and provides great agility in managing business processes. But while technical teams work with enthusiasm on projects designed to lead the organization to what they hope will be an SOA Nirvana, very few organizations have begun to address the implications of a service-oriented architecture for the organization and the new governance models it will force them to establish if they are to achieve their goals.
As a result, Eric Pulier, author with Hugh Taylor of Understanding Enterprise SOA, and presenter of a paper called "SOA Play Nicely" to last year's CMG conference in Orlando, Florida, warns that some organizations are unwittingly laying major traps for themselves by rushing to take up SOA prematurely. Worse, he says, some organizations have been conned by vendor hype into thinking a service-oriented architecture can be the answer to all of their prayers, without stopping to consider what they would need to do to make it so.
"They're not recognizing the issues," he says. "[Yet] because all the major platform vendors have adopted this as the normal course of business, every IDE, every development environment, naturally pushes you towards spitting out more and more services before you're ready. You need caution and you need to lay a real foundation first before you start rolling out services."
The fact is, Pulier says, SOAs blur traditional boundaries in large organizations. Until now, most IT initiatives demanded coordination between such distinct groups as software development, network operations, security, architects and line-of- business managers. Not so any more.
"Obviously the entire world has decided that these standards for interoperability are to be adopted as a means of achieving more efficiency in the enterprise," Pulier says. "But that means that the traditional boundaries of an organization will necessarily have to be rethought. That comes back to a fundamental proposition of an SOA, or one of the reasons for your trying to move towards that, which is reuse."
With the SOA potentially creating reusable software code that must be accessed dynamically by composite applications, both inside and outside the firewall, the traditional roles and responsibilities of IT have been forever changed, or even erased, he says. | https://www.cio.com.au/article/182460/soa_here_dragons/ |
Today marks the official release of Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 , the 17th generation of Bitcoin’s original software client launched by Satoshi Nakamoto almost ten years ago and still the dominant Bitcoin implementation on the network today.
Overseen by Bitcoin Core lead maintainer Wladimir van der Laan, this latest major release was developed by some 135 contributors over a span of about seven months.
The result of well over 700 merged pull requests, Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 includes a range of performance improvements and bug fixes, as well as other changes.
Here’s an overview of some of these changes.
Improved Coin Selection:
Coins in a wallet are effectively stored as separate chunks (“transaction outputs”). There is typically one chunk for each received payment; therefore, most chunks represent different amounts. When a payment is made from a wallet, different chunks are added together to make up an amount that’s large enough to make the payment, plus the fee. The different chunks often don’t add up to the exact amount needed, however, in which case a “change address” is added to the transaction, sending any leftover funds back to the same wallet.
Up until now, the Bitcoin Core wallet added different chunks together. Only then would it calculate and add the fee required to pay for the transaction. But in some cases, adding the fee to the transaction meant that the added chunks no longer made up a large enough amount, in which case an additional chunk had to be included.
Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 introduces the “Branch and Bound” algorithm designed by BitGo engineer Mark Erhardt. This offers two concrete improvements. First, the fee for each chunk is calculated before it is selected to be part of a transaction in order to avoid new chunks having to be added later. Second, the algorithm tries to match different chunks so they add up to the exact amount needed, avoiding the need for “change addresses” (where the leftover “change” gets sent) where possible. (Big wallets with lots of chunks, like those operated by exchanges or other high-traffic entities, are less likely to need change addresses than other wallets.)
Additionally, the coin selection algorithm in Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 includes an optional privacy improvement.
While it is against best practices, it’s possible to receive multiple payments to the same Bitcoin address. Reusing addresses is bad for privacy in itself as it’s obvious that all the coins on that address and all payments made from that address are from the same user. But it’s even worse when the different chunks tied to the same address are used in different transactions, linking them to chunks that were not initially associated with that address.
To fix this last problem, Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 gives users the option to prioritize adding chunks tied to the same address together in a transaction and to leave any other chunks out of the transaction where possible.
Easily Create & Use New Wallets:
Since Bitcoin Core 0.15.0 , it’s been possible to create several wallets that operate independently of each other. These wallets all have their own separate Bitcoin addresses, private keys and, therefore, funds.
Users can utilize the different wallets for different purposes; for example, one wallet can be used for personal day-to-day purchases, another for business-related transactions, and a third just for trading. This can make accounting easier and more convenient, and users can more easily benefit from increased privacy as the different wallets cannot be linked to each other by blockchain analysis.
However, up until now, new wallets could only be created when starting up the node, and it was not available for Bitcoin Core wallet (GUI) users. Both of these limitations are now resolved. Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 lets users create new wallets whenever they’d like, and it offers this feature in the GUI.
As an added benefit, Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 introduces a feature called “Scantxoutset.” This lets users quickly verify whether their new wallet already includes coins by checking the unspent transaction output (UTXO) set, instead of re-scanning the entire transaction history.
Non-HD to HD Wallet Upgrade:
Whereas Bitcoin Core versions older than 0.13.0 still required users to back up all their private keys, all Bitcoin Core versions since have offered Hierarchical Deterministic (HD) wallets instead. HD wallet users only need to store one seed phrase (a list of words) as a backup.
However, Bitcoin Core users who upgraded their system to Bitcoin Core 0.13.0 and newer were unable to create new HD wallets. An incompatibility between non-HD wallets and HD wallets meant that these users were still stuck backing up all their private keys.
Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 now lets these users upgrade to the HD format as well. In addition, Bitcoin Core wallet users who already had HD wallets can now opt to generate or import a new HD seed.
Watch Only–Only Wallets:
Bitcoin wallets typically store private keys, which allow users to spend their coins. But Bitcoin Core has also supported “Watch Only” addresses for some time now. The private keys to these addresses are not stored in the wallet, but coins attached to these addresses are still visible in the wallet. This lets users easily accept payments and keep track of their funds while, for example, storing their private keys offline.
Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 takes this concept one step further and allows users to create specific Watch Only wallets in which every address is a Watch Only address. As a concrete example, this will make it easier to use Bitcoin Core to keep track of funds in a hardware wallet or on a paper wallet in the form of an HD seed.
Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions:
While many transactions are straightforward — one user pays another — Bitcoin allows for more complex types of transactions as well. These include, for example, multisignature (multisig) transactions where several users need to sign off on sending funds, as well as privacy-enhancing CoinJoin transactions where different users merge their independent transactions into one big transaction.
To better facilitate these types of transactions, Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 introduces the BIP 174 Partially Signed Bitcoin Transaction (PSBT) framework, designed by Andrew Chow. This framework lets Bitcoin Core users sign a transaction partially, but also adds metadata to such a partially signed transaction. This metadata can be used by someone else to complete the transaction.
PSBT will be particularly useful if the standard is adopted by other wallets. As one potential use case, it could, for example, let a user protect his funds by locking them into a multisig account in which a transaction would require a signature created from the Bitcoin Core wallet, as well as a signature from a hardware wallet. Or it could let Bitcoin Core users partake in CoinJoin schemes with (other) privacy-preserving wallet users.
For now though, the partially-signed-transaction feature is only for users who operate Bitcoin Core from the command line or through connected apps.
Pruning from the User Interface:
Storing all (on-chain) Bitcoin transactions that ever happened, the Bitcoin blockchain is currently well over 180 gigabytes and growing every day. New Bitcoin Core users must download and validate all this data.
Thanks to a trick called “blockchain pruning,” however, these users do not necessarily need to store all this data. In pruning mode, nodes will automatically forget about older transaction data and keep only what’s necessary to operate securely. Until now, pruning mode could be enabled only through command line.
For the first time, Bitcoin Core 0.17.0 offers a convenient GUI toggle to enable pruning from the wallet, making it more accessible for casual, non-technical Bitcoin users who wish to run a full node for optimal security.
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Developers have been remarkably cagey, mostly replying with the non-answer “choose whichever is better for you”.
Fortunately, Apple now only accepts sandboxed Mac apps, clarifying the situation: Customers should buy Mac apps directly unless there’s a good reason not to.
Here are some reasons why it’s preferable to buy non-sandboxed apps directly from developers:
& bull; Better App User Experience: Non-sandboxed apps can auto-navigate the user to correct folders in Open/Save panels, send Growl notifications and install PDF Services automatically.
& bull; More features: Non-sandboxed BBEdit can directly edit files that require administrator privileges, non-sandboxed OmniFocus can automatically determine the selected document in the Finder when creating a clipping. There’s lots more.
& bull; Better Data Integrity: Document-based Core Data apps are incompatible with Sandboxing. One work-around is to disable disk-based journaling, increasing the risk of data corruption. It appears sandboxed Core Data Mac apps will need to switch to packages for a long-term solution, changing file formats for no good reason (and packages are less convenient for data sharing than flat files).
& bull; More and Faster Updates: Different developers follow different update schedules, but typically direct apps get updated more often and with less latency than Mac App Store apps. Some developers intentionally throttle down their direct update schedule to match Apple’s delays and avoid customer confusion, but that’s the developer’s decision.
& bull ; Less Risk of Losing Your Software Investments: I bought Divvy via the Mac App Store. Unfortunately Divvy relies on Apple’s Accessibility APIs, which aren’t allowed for sandboxed apps. That means aside from minor bug fixes, I will no longer receive updates for the application I purchased.
Some developers are going out of their way to allow seamless cross-grading from Mac App Store versions of their apps to direct apps, which is commendable and helps alleviate somewhat the situation Apple has created.
Sandboxing is just the latest App Store rule change, I’m sure there’s more to come. All things being equal, it’s safer to buy directly instead of being cut off from your own software based on an arbitrary Apple policy change.
& bull; More Money Goes to the Developer: For a $10 application, only $7 goes to the developer when you buy it through the Mac App Store. For a direct purchase, it’s more on the order of $9.
The fact more developers weren’t encouraging customers to buy directly is a testament to how much Mac developers care about User Experience—they’re willing to forego the extra profit of selling direct to make things easier for their customers.
However, as alluded to above, there are downsides to buying directly. Buying through the Mac App Store offers these benefits:
& bull; Better Purchasing Experience: Apple probably already has the customer’s credit card on file. No .zip to unpackage and drag into the right place. It Just Works.
& bull; Better Maintenance Experience: Buy a new Mac, launch App Store.app and enter your Apple credentials. Ta-da, a list of the apps you purchased ready to reinstall. No trying to remember what apps you previously had installed, who wrote them, what the developer’s website is or what your license key was.
• iCloud Access: Apple has decided only Mac App Store apps (and thus now sandboxed apps) can access iCloud. Fortunately this isn’t much of an issue since the smart folks at SmileOnMyMac have already demonstrated a work-around of having a “bridge” Mac App Store application which allows its directly-sold PDFPen to access iCloud as well.
& bull; Vetted By Apple: I don’t hold this benefit in very high regard, but it does add a safety net versus downloading and running arbitrary software off the web. For example, I’m looking forward to OS X 10.8’s Gatekeeper as a way of limiting the software my mother downloads and attempts to run on her Mac (though this is apparently possible since 10.6).
The bottom line is that sandboxing has effectively collapsed the ambiguity and customers should now purchase their apps directly instead of through the Mac App Store. | https://www.macworld.com/article/217937/sandboxing_strengthens_the_case_for_buying_direct.html |
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Let's see if we can get better results using "fpdns" http://www.rfc.se/fpdns
SegFault:~/fpdns-0.9.1 cg$ ./fpdns.pl 24.93.41.125 fingerprint (24.93.41.125, 24.93.41.125): [recursion enabled]
SegFault:~/fpdns-0.9.1 cg$ ./fpdns.pl 24.93.41.126 fingerprint (24.93.41.126, 24.93.41.126): [recursion enabled]
SegFault:~/fpdns-0.9.1 cg$ ./fpdns.pl www.learnsecurityonline.com fingerprint (www.learnsecurityonline.com, 216.83.24.173): [recursion enabled]
SegFault:~/fpdns-0.9.1 cg$ ./fpdns.pl 192.168.0.109 fingerprint (192.168.0.109, 192.168.0.109): Microsoft Windows 2003
SegFault:~/fpdns-0.9.1 cg$ ./fpdns.pl 192.168.0.104 fingerprint (192.168.0.104, 192.168.0.104): Microsoft Windows 2000
I have mixed feelings on how accurate this is, i think it hasnt been updated in awhile and perhaps is the last fingerprint they had for bind, the current version is 9.4.1 i was a bit disheartened by it, then i found this survey from 2004 that said that BIND has 70% of the market of DNS, thats quite a bit, so my limited testing of about 50 sites that all came up as is probably right.
*I checked the file, is the latest fingerprint and there are several ways you can get that for a result so that probably explains why i kept getting that answer. Jury is still out on the effectiveness and i'm not sure i am motivated enough to install some of these crazy DNS servers just to check. if someone knows of some sites running some obscure DNS let me know so i can scan it and check.
So just wanted to paste a few links to various views on the security community I have a come across lately. The Extinction of Hackers by F...
What is your GCP infra worth?...about ~$700 [Bugbounty]
BugBounty story #bugbountytips A fixed but they didn't pay the bugbounty story... Timeline: reported 21 Oct 2019 validated at Cr...
Devoops: Nomad with raw_exec enabled "Nomad is a flexible container orchestration tool that enables an organization to easily deploy and manage any containerized or legacy...
Jenkins - decrypting credentials.xml
If you find yourself on a Jenkins box with script console access you can decrypt the saved passwords in credentials.xml in the following way... | https://blog.carnal0wnage.com/2007/07/fingerprinting-dns-servers.html?m=0 |
The webService binary on Insteon HD IP Camera White 2864-222 devices has a stack-based Buffer Overflow leading to Control-Flow Hijacking via a crafted usr key, as demonstrated by a long remoteIp parameter to cgi-bin/CGIProxy.fcgi on port 34100.
MISC: https://github.com/badnack/Insteon_2864-222
CVE: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2018-11560 | https://www.cctvcalculator.net/en/knowledges/vulnerability-database/cve-2018-11560/ |
Congratulations! You've gotten through the week of the Google Docs phishing ploy that rocked the world, or at least a vocal corner of the media. Speaking of speaking out, FBI Director James Comey this week gave his most thorough explanation yet of the election-rocking Clinton investigation letter he gave last fall, though it's unlikely to satisfy critics. Oh, and apps can use your phone's mic to listen for marketing beacons your ears can't hear. Fun!
In other news, hackers tried to extort Netflix by threatening to put the unreleased, upcoming season of Orange Is the New Black online, a pretty serious miscalculation. Intel fixed a seven-year-old bug that left enterprise machines exposed. Researchers figured out how to hack a 220-pound industrial robot arm, which is how the uprising starts. Fancy Bear continues to hack on Russia's behalf despite those US sanctions last fall. South Korea's missile defense system has gone operational, but doesn't provide as much cover as you'd think. And the US improved on last year's last-place finish in NATO's cyber-defense games---but could still maybe use some work.
And there’s more. Each Saturday we round up the news stories that we didn’t break or cover in depth but that still deserve your attention. As always, click on the headlines to read the full story in each link posted. And stay safe out there. | https://www.wired.com/2017/05/security-news-week-hackers-beat-two-factor-authentication-rob-bank-accounts/ |
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is the law that covers general fire safety in England and Wales.
In Scotland, Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 covers requirements on general fire safety, supported by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
As employers (or building owners or occupiers) you're known as the ‘responsible person' and you must carry out a fire safety risk assessment and keep it up to date. Fire risk assessments in Cheshire can be carried out either as part of an overall health and safety risk assessment or as a separate exercise.
Based on the findings of the assessment, employers need to ensure that adequate and appropriate fire safety measures are in place to minimise the risk of injury or loss of life in the event of a fire.
Your fire risk assessment in Cheshire should identify what could cause a fire to start, i.e. sources of ignition (heat or sparks) and substances that burn, and the people who may be at risk.
For full information on the fire safety law, please see the HSE page and the government's fire safety law and guidance documents for business pages.
Example of what a fire safety risk assessment in Cheshire includes.
The purpose of a Cheshire fire risk assessment is to identify the fire hazards, identify people at risk, evaluate, remove or reduce the risks, record your findings, prepare an emergency plan and provide training and review and update regularly.
The assessor will reference a question template when completing the assessment, the completed report or survey can document the following examples.
We connect UK businesses, organisations and landlords with recommended and approved fire risk assessors.
We have built a reputation for ourselves through both our customer service and the standards of our fire risk assessment in Cheshire. The fire risk assessors are experts in their field and hold a vast range of different accreditations, certifications and qualifications.
We are an experienced team in the fire safety industry and have organised many single and multi-site projects. Our mission is to help clients stay compliant with fire safety laws and make fire risk assessments readily available nationwide.
Request a free quote with your requirements today. We look forward to hearing from you. | https://fire-risk-assessment-network.com/area/cheshire |
With rising concerns about the privacy of social networking, many will be looking to invest some Bitcoin in Global Village; the world’s first Bitcoin social networking site. Global Village is in the beta testing phase and the people at nobs.is (no bullsh*t) say the site will boast military grade encryption for the security of their users’ data. Anyone worldwide can already log on and create an account in seconds; using the encrypted Global Village to create groups, post status updates and send encrypted messages within the social network. Only Global Village members who have an encryption key will be able to read users’ shared messages and the system will be built without a master key.
“Our security specialists are world class encryption experts,” says Konen Saarin, the Icelandic company’s point man. “They mix and match encryption formulas, such as AES256, RSA, ECDH521, until we can guarantee that not even the dark lords of cyber spying will be able to see so much as a single picture of your cat.”
In the future Global Village inhabitants will be able to re-share their encrypted messages to Twitter and Facebook. Saarin adds, “Our digital kevlar covers apps, iOS and Android, as well as our site.”
NoBs.is takes privacy very seriously. “Privacy first,” is the company’s promise. Thus, they not only shield Global Village members, they also host a ‘privacy cookbook’. The site’s inhouse blogger, Tomorrow, reviews security products and gives tips on how to shield yourselves from the omnipresent, all-seeing eyes in the skies. The blog has a section called Through the Grapevine, where you will find links to great articles related to security or Bitcoin.
Global Village will not backup customers’ entries. “If you want to remove something from your account, just hit delete and forget about it, because it’s gone forever,” says Saarin. “Your entries are yours, after all.”
The Icelanders have opened a directory of bitcoin scams, because they are great believers in the cryptocurreny and will do whatever they can to keep scammers out of the community. In addition to all that, they also maintain what they believe to be the largest bitcoin business directory on the Internet. They have partnered with some of the websites listed in the privacy cookbook and the business directory. On some of the listings in the directory readers can find discount codes to receive massive discounts or extensions of services.
The price of Internet privacy is eternal vigilance and Saarin says, “You will see improvements and additions as often as possible and the development will never stop.” The world’s first Bitcoin social networking site is now live and anyone worldwide can use the Global Village right now to create groups, post status updates and send encrypted messages within the social network.
To see NoBs for yourself please go to: http://nobs.is
Press releases are for informational purposes only. The information does not constitute investment advice or an endorsement by Bitcoin PR Buzz. Bitcoin PR Buzz does not certify the accuracy of the information in press releases published on this website.
Issuers of Press Releases, and not Bitcoin PR Buzz, are solely responsible for the content of press releases, and the accuracy of the content in press releases. | https://bitcoinprbuzz.com/nobs-the-worlds-first-bitcoin-social-networking-site-with-military-grade-encryption/ |
Only State of California employees are allowed to drive any State owned, rented, or leased vehicles on State business. The policy on State vehicle use prohibits any student or non-State employee to drive any State owned, leased, or rented vehicle unless given special permission by the State of California or the University.
Volunteers may become authorized vehicle drivers on State business.
Non-academic staff, student volunteers and others are appointed by the use of the Human Resource Services CSUSB Volunteer Identification Form, which is completed and returned to the Human Resources Department. Approved volunteer drivers are then subject to the CSU employee vehicle driver requirements.
A valid California driver's license and a current defensive driver-training certificate are required to drive on official State or University business. Call the campus Parking Services Department at (909) 537-5912 for a schedule of the next defensive driving certification course on campus. An on-line course is also available.
You may also check the California State Office of Risk and Insurance Management (ORIM) website for their Defensive Driving Training courses offered throughout the state of California. All courses are free to all state employees.
All California State University, San Bernardino employees that drive on State business must have their driving record verified through the DMV Pull Notice Program.
In order to operate vehicles on University business, you must maintain a good and safe driving record. The DMV will provide the University with periodic updates of your driving record.9. Who initiates the DMV Pull Notice Request and what is the procedure?
Supervisors may verify whether an employee is authorized to drive on State business by submitting a name and California Drivers License number to the Department of Police Services. The DMV Pull Notice Program requires 3-4 weeks to respond to any request for information. Therefore, sufficient time should be allowed to verify an employee's authorization to drive on State business. The DMV pull notice request is a free service to the University. The DMV pull notice request satisfies the CSU requirement to verify the California driving records of all State employees authorized to drive on State business.
When the State driver is at fault for a vehicle accident the State driver's University department budget pays for the vehicle damage repair expense. When the other driver is at fault for an accident, the responsible party or their insurance carrier pays for the vehicle damage repair expense for the State owned University vehicle. ORIM claim adjusters assist with vehicle damage recovery efforts when the other party is at fault for the accident.
All motor vehicle accidents involving a State-owned vehicle or any vehicle being used on State business must be reported on theVehicle Accident Report Form (Form STD 270) form within 48 hours to the State Office of Risk and Insurance Management (ORIM). If the accident results in bodily injury or significant property damage, the accident must be first reported by telephone and/or fax copy of the STD 270 to the ORIM fax phone number at (916) 322-6006. The ORIM website (link: http://www.orim.dgs.ca.gov/default.htm) allows individuals to download a copy of the STD 270 Vehicle Accident Report form.
The “rules” for these circumstances are outlined in the State Administrative Manual (SAM 0757). There are some conditions for reimbursement that the employee should understand.
The accident cannot be the State employee's fault.
The employee must collect his/her collision/comprehensive coverage first, and then request reimbursement for the deductible amount.
The employee without any collision/comprehensive coverage on their personal vehicle cannot collect anything. | https://www.csusb.edu/risk-management/vehicles/vehicle-faqs |
Nir Zuk says he developed the technology used in all firewalls today. David Pensak claims to have built the first commercially successful firewall. Marcus Ranum says his own reputation as inventor of the firewall is "marketing BS," and that David Presotto is the man. (See Ranum's Wild Security Ride.)
William Cheswick and Steven Bellovin, who literally wrote the book on firewalls in 1994 while at AT&T Bell Labs, say they didn't invent the firewall, either -- they built a circuit-level gateway and packet filtering technology.
But all of these security experts -- as well as Jeff Mogul, Paul Vixie, Brian Reid, Fred Avolio, and Brent Chapman, and others -- were associated in some way with the roots of firewall technology. Several of them have been called the father of the firewall, but most experts agree that there's not just one biological father of the technology. "There were lots of people involved in it... The idea was floating around," Ranum says.
John Pescatore, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner, explains it this way: "Cheswick and Bellovin were the fathers of the network firewall concept: Use packet filtering to deny all except that what is specifically allowed. Ranum was the father of the first firewall 'product' -- DEC SEAL, the open source [firewall], and the TIS Gauntlet," Pescatore says.
"And Presotto [and his colleagues] added the stateful inspection concept. Zuk was the father of the stateful firewall product at Check Point, and later pushed the appliance approach at NetScreen, so I would call him the father of the firewall appliance," Pescatore says.
The firewall's history has been well-documented, for sure, but it's tough to pinpoint just which stage of the firewall was zero day. Most security experts trace the firewall's roots, back to work done at Digital Equipment Corp. in the late 1980s by Jeff Mogul, Brian Reid, and Paul Vixie, starting with the gatekeeper.dec.com gateway, as well as to Mogul's "screend" technology.
DEC SEAL, which was shipped in 1992, was the first commercial firewall and included proxies developed by Ranum. "DEC SEAL was interesting because it had a part number and a manual and a corporation behind it," Ranum says.
During the late '80s and early '90s Cheswick, Bellovin, and company were also working on their version of the technology. "But they were building a different technology [to solve] a different problem. AT&T didn't want anything to get out," recalls Avolio, now an information assurance analyst for Johns Hopkins University's Applied Physics Lab. He says the teams from DEC and AT&T eventually did collaborate some on their research.
Meanwhile, Zuk, who helped build Check Point's firewall technology, isn't shy about taking credit for the first commercial firewall. "There is only one firewall technology in the world today -- the one that I invented. All the other guys'... work was purely academic and on paper," says Zuk, CTO of Palo Alto Networks, which sells application-aware firewalls. "Check Point's firewall was the first usable firewall that worked," he says. (See Firewalls Ready for Evolutionary Shift and Startup Puts New Spin on Firewalls.)
Then why have other security experts also been called fathers of the firewall? "Success has a lot of parents," he says.
Pensak, CTO at V.i. Labs, says there are several players besides himself who had a part in the evolution of the firewall. "Each of us had a role to play. The guys I would consider fathers on the technology end of it are Marcus Ranum, Fred Avolio," and others, he says.
Interestingly, not all of the firewall's "fathers" are big fans of the firewall anymore. Cheswick, lead member of the technical staff at AT&T Research, says he hasn't personally used a firewall since the 1990s: "They are an economic solution to weak host security. I want to see stronger host security," he says. Even so, Cheswick says the firewall still has a place -- but as "just another network element."The firewall as Bill and I described it in 1994 in our book is obsolete," says Bellovin, now a professor of computer science at Columbia University. Having a guard at the front door today when there are thousands of backdoors into the network just doesn't fly now, he notes. "I'm not saying get rid of it at the door. It provides a low grade of access control for low-value resources. But the real access control [should be] at the host."
Have a comment on this story? Please click "Discuss" below. If you'd like to contact Dark Reading's editors directly, send us a message. | https://www.darkreading.com:443/cybersecurity-analytics/who-invented-the-firewall- |
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There is no good anti virus. All of them are worthless.
I don't have an opinion on media players although I use winamp for music.
How do you know when a politician is lying? His mouth is moving.
These are my own opinions and there are lots of "experts" on here that will disagree, so try reading reviews on all AV programs you are interested in, not just my suggestions and test them for yourself, most will offer free trials.
Look for things like Realtime Scanners and Behavioral Detection Scanners which are your best defenses against infections, also support options for when you have problems or viruses. It has to incorporate a good firewall as well.
Also you should download and use Malwarebytes regularly to assist your AV program. | https://www.computing.net/answers/security/what-is-the-best-media-player-and-antivirus/34478.html |
Originally founded in 1962, Worcester became part of the Worldwide Bosch Group in 1996 and we are the UK market leader in domestic boilers. Our current product range includes gas and oil boilers, hot water cylinders, renewable technologies such as heat pumps and solar water heating systems, as well as controls and accessories.
Worcester is also home to our Commercial & Industrial Division. Bosch C&I is one of the leading suppliers of heating and hot water products in the UK. We specialise in the manufacture of Industrial Boilers, Commercial Boilers and Heat Interface Units – which are also manufactured in Worcester.
Our commitment to the highest standards of manufacturing over the last 50 years, has led our boilers to receive coveted Which? Best Buy awards for ten years running, and for Worcester to receive a Royal Warrant for supplying our boilers to Her Majesty The Queen’s Sandringham Estate.
Our UK headquarters is based in Worcester where all the main functions of the business are located including the manufacturing of gas boilers. We have a further site in Clay Cross Derbyshire where our oil boilers are manufactured.
Studying a degree in Law and an interest in Data Privacy is desired.
Be able to quickly learn complex information and present in an understandable format.
You will have a keen attention to detail.
Clear methodical ways of working.
Work to deadlines and be flexible.
Ability to communicate confidently and build relationships at all levels.
Self-motivated and can work well as part of a team. | https://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/graduate-jobs/bosch/undergraduate-placement-data-security |
We are pleased to bring you a free webinar where we will explore the numerous new capabilities we have introduced in the recently release GA version of Azure ML. This session will be full of examples and demos. There will be time for Q&A as well. The webinar will occur tomorrow, Tuesday March 3rd, at 10AM Pacific time. It will be hosted by Hai Ning, Principal Program Manager on the Azure ML team:
As you may already know, Azure ML offers a great experience for data scientists of all skill levels and requires nothing but a browser and net connectivity.
You can create simple data flow graphs and ML experiments via simple drag and drop.
The Azure ML Studio includes best-in-class algorithms from Microsoft businesses like Xbox and Bing, R and Python packages and a gallery of sample experiments which make it easy to get started.
You can operationalize an ML model into web services within seconds.
Register here to attend this webinar. | https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/machinelearning/2015/03/02/free-webinar-an-overview-of-the-new-capabilities-in-azure-machine-learning/ |
Having the leading ride-hailing brand in the world gives Uber a good chance of creating the premier global transportation platform.
Revenue has historically grown quickly, but has decelerated markedly in the Ridesharing segment.
Operating profitability does not look attainable in the short to medium term. Much higher revenues, or significantly tighter cost control, will be needed for it to become profitable.
Our biggest concern is that autonomous cars would weaken its competitive position.
After reading Uber's (UBER) S-1 filing it becomes clear that they are aiming to become the Amazon (AMZN) of transportation. The word "platform" appeared 738 times in the filing. Another sign of this ambition can be found in their relatively new services like JUMP bikes, Uber Eats, and Uber Freight.
When it comes to conquering the world, Uber seems to be doing a pretty good job. The map showing their global ridesharing footprint is quite impressive. In a significant number of countries it has a >65% ridesharing market share. The few important markets where it is not the dominant company, it has sold its operations in exchange for shares in the local leader. This is the case with Yandex Taxi in Russia, Didi (DIDI) in China, and Grab (GRAB) in Southeast Asia.
Uber recently bought Dubai-based Careem for approximately $3.1 billion, further strengthening its position in the Middle East region
This international strategy of either buying a competitor to gain the number one position, or exiting the market and selling the operations to the local leader, should help Uber reduce its cash burn.
Still, trying to value Uber is complicated, to put it mildly. Looking at the positives, growth has been quite remarkable. As the Figure below shows, growth in annual gross bookings has been explosive, and they are constantly looking for new ways to expand the business.
This growth has come at a significant cost, with Uber still reporting massive operating losses. The approximately $3 billion operating loss for 2018 is roughly 27% of their revenue. This is certainly an improvement compared to the previous year, where operating losses were close to 52% of revenue.
While weak, Uber is showing some operating leverage, but not enough to expect profitability any time soon. We expect Uber to put more focus on controlling costs in the future, or making some modifications to its business model. Otherwise it will need significantly higher revenues for it to attain sustainable profitability. While gross bookings have continued growing quickly, it is concerning that the ridesharing segment is showing signs of deceleration. The last few quarters most of the growth has come from Uber Eats.
Moving our attention to their competitive position, we believe Uber only has a limited "moat" to defend itself against competition. The source of this moat comes from a variety of sources, including the value and recognition of its brand. There is also a small benefit from operating in many countries, mainly because some people appreciate being able to use the same app when they travel as in their local market.
Having SoftBank (OTCPK:SFTBY) in their corner, as well as the billions they will likely raise in their IPO, are also important advantages, if used wisely. The amount of capital available can itself be a source of competitive advantage, giving Uber more flexibility to make large investments and outlast competitors.
There is, however, a more crucial element in Uber's business model: drivers. In our opinion the Figure below is the most important one in the entire filing, as it is central to Uber's business model. As can be seen, their liquidity network effect fly-wheel starts and ends with the drivers.
Increasing the number of drivers in a market is necessary to lower wait times and fares, which increases the use of the app, improving driver earnings, which results in attracting more drivers. Drivers are a therefore the key piece in the business model.
Source: Uber's S1 filing
This makes losing drivers also their biggest vulnerability. It is strategic for Uber to gain driver's loyalty and make sure they are well taken care of. Otherwise drivers will be less likely to drive exclusively for them, making it easier for competitors to catch up.
Longer-term, we see autonomous cars as the biggest threat to Uber. They risk turning the two-sided market place into a direct to consumer service. Building a two-sided market place is a lot more complicated, but has higher barriers to entry. A direct to consumer app can be launched quickly, provided one has enough resources. For example, should Google's (GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) Waymo reach a point where they are ready to deploy autonomous vehicles at scale, they could simply add a ride-hailing option to a new version of Google Maps.
Takeaway
While Uber is the clear ridesharing global leader, and should be taken seriously, we see important vulnerabilities in their business model.
Given these risks we don't believe there is a favourable risk/reward for investors at the reported ~$100 billion valuation it is expected to begin trading at in the stock market.
The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling investments you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion, or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal.
Disclosure: I am/we are long SFTBY. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. | https://seekingalpha.com/article/4254524-ubers-biggest-vulnerability?source=tweet |
San Luis Rey (SLR) is a growing community that is home to over one million people. Founded in 1706, the city has a long history and multiple districts. San Luis Rey has a thriving tourism industry, strong agricultural industry, state of the art telecommunication centers and major conference centers. The city covers over 200 square miles and servers as a major rail and road hub for the states of Hamilton and Franklin.
This document addresses a small subset of potential issues SLR may face, with a focus on terrorism related incidents. It is not intended to be comprehensive and excludes natural disasters. However, emergency contact information for government assistance agencies may be valuable in any major incident and many of the situation and response plans addressed can be modified to adapt to other scenarios.
A Mayor and an elected council govern the City of San Luis Rey. The Mayor nominates a City Manager, Chief of Police, and Chief of Public safety. The council must confirm the appointees by majority vote. There are eight consulates serving diverse regions.
This brief provides listings of #Iranian regime changes in tactics and methods associated with their #influence… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 5 minutes ago #Taliban hardliners starting to exert control reut.rs/2Zb9xg9 23 minutes ago
CTI #threatintelligence #strategicintelligence #Strategic #Intelligence #Analysis #Estimative and #Warning Intellig… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 59 minutes ago | https://cybershafarat.com/2014/03/03/san-luis-ray-emergency-response-plan-utica-college-masters-in-cybersecurity/ |
Given that Ukraine is a key global delivery location for IT and engineering R&D services, the conflict has introduced widespread uncertainty and significant concerns for companies operating in the country and the region.
With an imminent risk of cyber attack and a potential breakdown of internet and telecommunications systems in Ukraine, and of cyber attacks spilling over and causing collateral damage in neighboring countries, many clients have reached out asking about urgent cyber actions to put in place.
The more your company has ties with Russia or Ukraine the more it concerns you. But even if it doesn’t, there are still some crucial steps to take.
7 Urgent Cyber Actions for Companies to Take
Hunt down and monitor all available indicators of compromise (IoCs) on current or recent cyber attacks (e.g., HermeticWiper, Whispergate, IsaacWiper, etc.)
Hunt and monitor all known IoCs for groups that have publicly indicated their support for Russia (e.g. Conti, Sandworm, Red Bandits, Stormous, etc.)
If not done already, deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) on workstations and servers – it remains the essential tool to prevent a myriad of attacks. Now is the time to step up.
Set up the discussion with your top management to keep versus replace Russian security tools. It is obviously a cyber risk issue, but also think about the ability to maintain the tools with the sanctions. You could risk not having any EDR in 2 weeks!
Some customers are actively working on disabling all privileged accounts used in Russian perimeters (at least enhanced monitoring). But do consider the message you will send back to the employees by doing so.
At the very least, anticipate the need for network isolation of Russian and Ukrainian entities. This means creating a red button that can be activated in a few minutes (e.g. routers, firewalls).
Assess the risk of a compromised active directory (AD) on Russian perimeters. In case it is too interconnected with the Group, AD isolation should be considered, which is a very complicated topic.
In the longer term, we already know this conflict will have a huge impact on cybersecurity models. We will have to consider digital borders within companies, which means less interconnected information systems (IS), which are easily isolable. It may be necessary to work by “allied block,” following geopolitics very closely.
Every company will have to integrate digital sovereignty into its strategy.
Let our cybersecurity experts support you in assessing your company’s cyber risk profile and upgrading your cybersecurity strategy. | https://www.wavestone.us/insights/7-urgent-steps-to-mitigate-cyber-risk-in-the-wake-of-the-ukraine-russia-crisis/ |
This page aims to help you remove Red Screen Internet Security Alert. Our removal instructions work for Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer, as well as every version of Windows.
In case something unusual has been going on with your Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or any other browser that you might have such as sudden and unwanted generation of a great number of awfully annoying ads at the time when you are trying to browse the Internet, or the removal of the usual homepage and search engines and the fact that they have been replaced with some new odd ones, it could be that all of these effects are to be blamed on a hijacker named Red Screen Internet Security Alert with a telephone number (Do NOT call this number 888-550-3852).
Here, you are going to read all about the essential details about this sort of programs. What’s more, we believe that the article below could help you deal with such an irritating page redirect once and for all.
If you have a Windows virus, continue with the guide below.
If you have a Mac virus, please use our How to remove Ads on Mac guide.
If you have an Android virus, please use our Android Malware Removal guide.
After you open their folder, end the processes that are infected, then delete their folders.
Note: If you are sure something is part of the infection – delete it, even if the scanner doesn’t flag it. No anti-virus program can detect all infections.
A new file will open. If you are hacked, there will be a bunch of other IPs connected to you at the bottom. Look at the image below:
If there are suspicious IPs below “Localhost” – write to us in the comments.
Open the start menu and search for Network Connections (On Windows 10 you just write it after clicking the Windows button), press enter.
To remove parasite on your own, you may have to meddle with system files and registries. If you were to do this, you need to be extremely careful, because you may damage your system.
If you want to avoid the risk, we recommend downloading SpyHunter - a professional malware removal tool - to see whether it will find malicious programs on your PC.
Download SpyHunter
More information about SpyHunter and steps to uninstall. Please review SpyHunter's EULA, Threat Assessment Criteria, and Privacy Policy
Type Regedit in the windows search field and press Enter.
Inside, press CTRL and F together and type the threat’s Name. Right click and delete any entries you find with a similar name. If they don’t show up this way, go manually to these directories and delete/uninstall them:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER—-Software—–Random Directory. It could be any one of them – ask us if you can’t discern which ones are malicious.
Normally, hijackers like Red Screen Internet Security Alert could be able to trick you into allowing them yourself to get installed on your personal computer. What is essential is that the most frequent source of page redirects are program bundles. Those bundles are in fact packages of many apps, games and programs, which are oftentimes free for all the users who want to get them. Also, such bundles could contain a variety of new apps, and you may really be interested in trying them for free and thus you may actually disregard the added optional and potentially unwanted installs. Regardless of that, make sure to keep in mind that any separate program or bundle could get safely installed into your PC provided that you get them installed in the right way.
The PROPER way of getting any bundle installed in your system is by completing this process cautiously and making sure to customize the installation in a way that doesn’t allow any added third party software to get inside your PC. The choices allowing this sort of a smart installation process are the ADVANCED or ths CUSTOM (also seen as MANUAL). Also remember that going for the Quick or Default installation options typically allows all added applications to get installed along the main program – something you might not really want. | https://howtoremove.guide/red-screen-internet-security-alert/ |
malware removal best,web application firewall project plan,malwareurls.joxeankoret.com Archives - SecureMoz Malware Detection ToolsSecureMoz | https://securemoz.com/tag/malware-removal-bestweb-application-firewall-project-planmalwareurls-joxeankoret-com/ |
Whether or not you know what Heartbleed is or what exactly it does, odds are you've heard the term thrown around over the last month or so, usually accompanied by a flurry of panic and hasty advice.
In the simplest terms, Heartbleed is a bug affecting OpenSSL, a piece of security software used by some of the most widely used websites online, and indeed, many that have a very real need for watertight security systems.
Obviously, anytime the words 'bug' and 'security' occupy the same sentence ought to be a cause for concern, but Heartbleed is perhaps one of the most serious security threats of the last decade or so, due in no small part to the number of services which have found themselves affected by its breach.
This really depends on the services use, but if you browse the internet on a semi-regular basis, there's a good chance one or a few services you make use of will have been affected by Heartbleed.
For example, if you're a Yahoo user, cyber criminals, in theory, may have access to any Yahoo accounts, and the data therein.
What Happens Next?
As with any large scale bug, a patch is required to seal the loophole and prevent future access to any of the sites which make use of OpenSSL software.
OpenSSL have made this available already, but warn that smaller sites who use their services may take a little longer than the highly-publicized giants who've been affected to make use of the patch itself.
Given also that versions of the software are affected, representatives from OpenSSL are advising users to update their existing version to OpenSSL 1.0.1g, which is not currently affected by Heartbleed, rather than using version 1.0.2, for which a bug fix is underway at present.
If you'd like to learn more about Heartbleed and how to guard your network from it, contact SEGI Sales today on 480-317-0868.
SEGI provides IT Infrastructure Solution such as Network Infrastructure Installation, Security & Special Systems Installations, and Facility Protection Installation for IT & data center projects, healthcare facilities, universities, Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, and any facility with mission critical network deployment requirements in the Rocky Mountain, Tempe, Desert Southwest, and Arizona area. | http://www.segisalespros.com/Blog/major-security-bug-found-in-web-encryption-tool |
Video conferencing app Zoom, the undisputed titan in an era of social distancing, has acquired end-to-end encryption start-up Keybase.
The acquisition, announced May 7, follows multiple privacy and security-related scandals — including the rise of video conference gatecrashing (“zoombombing”), controversial data sharing with Facebook, false claims that video calls were encrypted, and revelations that nefarious actors were peddling half a million Zoom accounts on the darknet.
Under the terms of the new deal, Keybase will become a subsidiary of Zoom and its team will lead security engineering work to develop an end-to-end encryption feature available for paying customers.
Founded in 2014, Keybase has received funding from the likes of Andreessen Horowitz and Reddit’s co-founder Alexis Ohanian, as well as the Stellar Development Foundation, with which it also launched a $120 million Stellar (XLM) airdrop in fall of last year.
Keybase’s secure messaging and cloud-based file-sharing services use public-key cryptography and offer a publicly-auditable directory for verifying digital identities.
As part of its 90-day security plan to mitigate the issues exposed in recent scandals, Zoom says it plans to publish a detailed draft cryptographic design on May 22 and will host discussion sessions to solicit feedback from stakeholders, cryptographic experts and the public.
In its own announcement on May 7, Keybase said there are as of yet no specific plans for the Keybase app following the acquisition but that ultimately its future is now “in Zoom’s hands.”
Blockchain alternatives to the platform
As reported, concerns over Zoom’s privacy and security drawbacks have spurred the development of blockchain-based video chat solutions, including a new decentralized application (dApp) from Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) pioneer Vonage co-founder Jeff Pulver.
Beyond privacy, limitations with integrating payment methods into Zoom have fostered the development of third-party cryptocurrency paywall solutions such as 2key Network’s SmartSessions. | https://bullalot.com/crypto/zoom-acquires-encryption-startup-keybase-to-fix-privacy-security/ |
Today we live in a digital world. We do most things online, from grocery shopping and shoe shopping to trading stocks, paying our bills, and saving for pensions. This regular use of the internet has, therefore, challenged the security aspects for many companies. The company ZignSec strives to set industry standards through their innovations while at the same time being able to anticipate the market challenges.
So, what can ZignSec do for you? Visit https://zignsec.com/.
Online ID Scanning – A Method for Secure Digital Identity Verification
Online ID scanning, which is also known as e-leg, e-ID, and eIDV, is an electronic identification that you can use to safely access webpages and services online. It is also used to verify your identity in order to log in to more highly-secured webpages such as online banks and the stock market. Just as you would need to show your passport or driver’s license to receive a package at the post office, you can do so with an online ID scan, verifying your identity online.
With ZignSec’s online ID scanning, customers are able to scan their passports and physical driver’s license in real time. Within 10 seconds, your company can identify anyone. This service is used globally and has an easy application. | https://twakan.com/secure-digital-identity-verification/ |
Cars are smartphones now. At least—as with cell phones before them—cars are becoming increasingly linked-in and integral to our digital Matrix lives. That’s perhaps why it wasn’t all that surprising that Ford’s EVP of Global Marketing, James Farley, didn’t use his keynote address at the opening day of the New York International Auto Show to announce some line extension or new braking system, but rather to introduce a mobile app competition.
Specifically, Farley used his prime showcase slot to announce the company’s $50,000 Personalized Fuel-Efficiency App Challenge. Ford wants developers to cook up apps that will help customers optimize their personal fuel-economy performance. But what’s noteworthy is that the apps won’t use humans as a medium to enter information; rather they will utilize data directly from the cars themselves via OpenXC, a vehicle-specific API. OpenXC creates data out of parameters such as steering wheel angle, GPS, and brake pedal status and can share it directly with an Android device or to the Web.
The platform has only been around for a little over a year, but OpenXC has already been used to create apps that alert drivers to local rain by combining data from Weather Underground and the car’s GPS, or ones that reflect LEDs off the windshield to present heads-up information directly to the driver.
But these basic sorts of applications are only the beginning.
Doug Frisbie, Facebook’s head of automotive global marketing who also joined Farley onstage, described a near future where cars will use and convey crowd-sourced traffic information or play a radio station that only has tunes recommended by friends.
Looking slightly further ahead, Google’s Brendon Kraham (pictured up top) told the crowd that this continued smushing of data and vehicle will feed even more data into predictive software like Google Now, and present real-time recommendations of where and how we drive based on our past activity. Even further into the future, it’s easy to see how similar technologies will underpin the behavior of automated, driverless cars.
But before we get ahead of ourselves, we can find real effects of the connected, open-source car even today. For example, In the recent dust-up between electric car maker Tesla and The New York Times, the car manufacturer was able to refute claims made by a reporter who penned a negative review of a test drive by publishing data logs of the car’s trip. The Times was forced to issue a partial mea culpa.
This type of location-aware ability will also affect how parents monitor their teenager’s activities outside the house or employers peeking in on their employees on the road. Aside from privacy issues inherent in location-aware tech, there is the possibility (really, the probability) that these automotive technologies will be used for nefarious purposes. As anything becomes increasingly intelligent, it also becomes increasingly corruptible. This is particularly concerning in light of the recent spate of hacks organized on a global scale.
While drivers will find many benefits of a Web-enabled ride, nobody wants their car to become the plaything of a bored teenager somewhere in Eastern Europe.
Technology's march is as inevitable as it is unstoppable; our cars—along with everything else in our lives—will only become increasingly connected. Smartphones let us carry the Web with us everywhere, and smart cars will mean that even behind the wheel, we're still plugged in.
This story, "Will Ford's open-source car API drive us to distraction?" was originally published by TechHive.
To comment on this article and other PCWorld content, visit our Facebook page or our Twitter feed. | https://www.pcworld.com/article/2032255/will-fords-open-source-car-api-drive-us-to-distraction-.html |
The fact of the issue is, however, that sites have substantially evolved over the previous decade – and the techniques of old are not useful for modern company.
Back then, it would suffice to have a straightforward web site with a web page, services, pricing, regarding us, and call web pages.
A potential consumer would most likely to your site, scroll around, see the various web pages and eat content as they please.
Nevertheless, if you are a service spending any type of loan on advertising, you want to regulate what consumers are finding out about on your site, existing deals at the right time, as well as maximize the profits you make from each individual.
ClickFunnels is the most convenient way to make high converting sales as well as advertising and marketing funnels.
It is an unique tool produced particularly to transform prospective customers right into customers.
It truly is an all-in-one solution to develop sales funnels and also includes landing pages, e-mail combination, billing, webinars, membership sites, therefore a lot more. No surprise it has quickly end up being a preferred device for online marketers.
Below is my in-depth ClickFunnels Evaluation, consisting of favored features, pricing, pros/cons, as well as contrasts against competitors.
Adobe Connect Meeting Recording: But First, What Exactly Is a Sales Funnel?
Sales funnels (likewise called advertising and marketing funnels) are multi-step projects that are designed to move potential prospects through your sales process, and also turn them into purchasers.
Picture a real-life channel. On top, you put fluid in, which narrows down in the direction of one taken care of location.
In sales, a similar event happens. On top, visitors arrive at your internet site, yet not all that enter make it out of the various other end as purchasers.
Numerous things need to occur from the moment a site visitor enters your funnel, to the moment they act and efficiently finish a purchase.
By damaging down the consumer’s journey right into smaller steps, you could be a lot more accurate regarding exactly how and when you offer a deal to your audience.
As discussed previously, ClickFunnels is the most effective sales funnel software program around today.
The company makes the vibrant case of offering you every little thing you should market, sell, and also deliver your items online – and they most definitely supply.
Find split-testing software program … etc
Yet ClickFunnels looks after everything with their system. You not just conserve a ton of cash by not needing to buy various products/services, but you likewise stay clear of the technical mess of having to establish everything up, as well as could concentrate on exactly what’s actually important – expanding your company.
ClickFunnels uses a Totally free 14-Day Trial, so you get to check out the device as well as actually see if it’s right for your company.
Preferred Functions
* Swiftly Produce Pages Making Use Of Layouts and Elements *.
Prior to getting as well far, it is very important to comprehend that a funnel is a collection of web pages put together in a strategic order, with the goal of transforming as lots of potential customers into clients. As well as a page is just a collection of various elements designed to get a person to take a specific action.
ClickFunnels provides even more compared to 50 various components to assist you construct the perfect web page. The editor is extremely simple to utilize and all you need to do is drag and go down different aspects on the page, and also upgrade the message and also look to fit your needs – no coding abilities needed!
ClickFunnels likewise makes your life much easier by offering you with a ton of complimentary design templates.
Actually, ClickFunnels provides over 37 types of web pages for you to mix as well as match with. These are damaged down into the complying with 10 categories:
The pre-built layouts are totally customizable, as well as are just what most individuals make use of.
You are able to select a theme, edit or replace the elements with your personal, and your brand-new web page prepares to go.
You can additionally connect any type of funnel you produce with your very own email advertising solution (if you don’t utilize the one included in ClickFunnels), and utilize the ClickFunnels integrated in payment system.
This is additionally a good time to state that ClickFunnels supplies extremely valuable as well as easy to understand training videos when you initially subscribe. I very suggest undergoing those since they rapidly allow you to use the device at its complete capacity, and also you’ll have extra fun playing around. Adobe Connect Meeting Recording
* Develop One-Click Subscription Websites *.
One of the very best functions with ClickFunnels is the ability to conveniently develop membership websites and supply web content to your audience in one location.
Your subscription website will come full with enrollment pages, subscription gain access to web pages, as well as content web pages which you can easily secure or leak feed to your consumers according to acquisitions they made in your funnel.
ClickFunnels subscription websites enable you to send out emails, easily handle your e-mails, and build a neighborhood all while getting rid of the stress and anxiety that’s associated with other solutions such as Kajabi, or WordPress platforms.
It’s actually helpful to not have to acquire a different software or plugin to produce subscription websites.
However, ClickFunnels additionally has their own powerful automation device called Actionetics.
Although you could develop, schedule, as well as supply emails as with any other e-mail advertising and marketing system, Actionetics is so much more.
I enjoy Actionetics due to the fact that it not just replaces your e-mail advertising but carrier marketing and also SMS advertising software programs too. This takes automation to an entire new level and also helps you communicate the perfect message to your customers, specifically when they require it. A video overview of Actionetics will certainly be provided better below.
* Billing as well as Settlement Assimilation *.
An incredible attribute within ClickFunnels is the ability to collect all of the billing details from your consumers exactly on your sales page. Marketing is made so much less complicated when consumers don’t need to leave your site.
ClickFunnels incorporates with significant settlement portals such as PayPal, Stripe, as well as InfusionSoft, to name a few.
1. ClickFunnels Criterion Strategy – $97/month.
The basic strategy includes all the features you would certainly need within ClickFunnels, but with constraints on the variety of funnels (20) and pages (100) you can have in your account, along with the amount of site visitors (20K) could watch your web pages per month.
You additionally do not get innovative functionality such as ClickFunnels own email marketing as well as affiliate monitoring devices.
2. ClickFunnels Etison Collection – $297/month.
This strategy includes all the bells and whistles of the common strategy, without any restrictions. It also has two additional products created by ClickFunnels called Actionetics (email marketing) and also Knapsack (affiliate administration system).
In Actionetics – you could take care of every one of your get in touches with that subscribe to your checklist, send out e-mail broadcasts, and also create a host of other automations. In Backpack – with the click of a computer mouse, you can include an affiliate program to any of your funnels. Then Knapsack will track your clicks, sales, and just how much to pay your associate partners.
If there’s one inquiry I get most often, it’s “Which ClickFunnels Strategy should I get”?
The distinction in between the two plans really is the restrictions, and also Actionetics/Backpack. If you are a standard user and also don’t expect to make use of more than 20 funnels in your account – the Criterion Strategy need to be adequate.
Nevertheless, if you prepare to have an associate program or intend to maintain your email advertising and marketing within ClickFunnels as well as not make use of a third party software application, the Etison Suite is for you.
You could always start on the lower strategy and upgrade if needed.
3. Funnel Hacks System – $997
For any individual that’s major regarding their company, the ClickFunnels Funnel Hacks System is the offer of the century.
The $997 Funnel Hacks System includes durable training programs packed with 6-month access to the ClickFunnels Etison Suite.
This is an incredible deal given that beyond this program, 6-months of Etison Suite alone would certainly cost you $1782.
ClickFunnels vs. Every person Else.
Lots of people ask just how ClickFunnels compares with other landing page builders such as Leadpages, Unbounce, as well as Infusionsoft.
Generally it’s not truly a fair contrast since each of these tools stands out is one area or the various other.
The chart over provides an extensive analysis – yet I’ll highlight some of the major comparisons listed below.
ClickFunnels vs Leadpages
Prior to ClickFunnels, Leadpages was the huge pet.
Leadpages is merely a lead capture software application – absolutely nothing more. You could create landing web pages, lead boxes, collect leads … that’s virtually it. Furthermore, the Leadpages templates are likewise restricted on personalization.
ClickFunnels is far more functional – it’s much easier to utilize and does so far more than develop lead capture pages.
Simply put, Leadpages is truly just a touchdown page contractor, while ClickFunnels is concentrated around developing highly integrated funnels.
ClickFunnels vs Infusionsoft
Infusionsoft is not a landing page or sales web page builder. It has a few of that capability built it, yet that’s not what it’s understood for.
At it’s core, Infusionsoft is a CRM system – one that permits you to handle your entire client database. ClickFunnels has this capacity with Actionetics, but it’s not almost as advanced as Infusionsoft.
Infusionsoft is likewise exceptionally pricey and also forces every brand-new client to pay $2000 for a required kickstart training bundle just to learn how you can use the complicated system (which is notoriously challenging to make use of).
ClickFunnels Associate Program
There are two main paths individuals drop as ClickFunnels users.
Those that decide to make use of the device for their company – in hopes of one day attain the Two Comma Club (over $1M in income).
And also those that are interested in gaining passive earnings as a ClickFunnels Affiliate as well as winning the Desire Automobile Competition (where they pay $500/$1000 to your dream car if you reach 100/200 energetic month-to-month signups, respectively).
With a whopping 40% regular monthly reoccuring commission, ClickFunnels easily has among the best associate programs of any type of platform available.
That’s right – you make money an ongoing 40% commission on every affiliate signup you make through the ClickFunnels Affiliate Program. But, just what does that really relate to?
The basic plan is a $97/month financial investment and the Etison Suite strategy is a $297/month financial investment. for that reason you make $38.80 each fundamental strategy and $118.80 per Etison Suite strategy … each and every month!
Usually, every 100 signups will certainly generate $4000/month in associate payments (basically depending upon the number of Etison Strategy customers are in there).
Click on this link to read more about coming to be a ClickFunnels Associate.
The Bottom Line
ClickFunnels is by far the greatest platform if you are looking to quickly build high converting sales funnels.
Because it was developed from the ground up to be the most effective sales channel contractor, it vanquishes all of the competitors because regard.
Externally, it may not be the cheapest product around – but if you utilize it to its full capability, your business will end up being more lucrative and you will certainly save money from not needing to utilize various other devices. If you have actually reviewed this much into my ClickFunnels Evaluation, I recommend you see on your own with a Free 14-Day Trial right here. | https://antivirus-blog.com/adobe-connect-meeting-recording-what-you-need-to-know/ |
Origami makes it easy to save and access search criteria or view, which can be applied across reports and dashboards, making it hassle-free to gain detailed analysis.
Thinking about making the switch? We are all ears.
Get all the answers you need about converting to Origami Risk. | https://www.origamirisk.com/products/risk-management-dashboards |
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FBI/CISA warn about the RaaS network behind the Colonial hack, Colonial restarts operations, and researchers detail groups that rent the ransomware.
Colonial Pipeline Co. may have turned off the tap following Friday’s ransomware attack, but the news about the devastating assault keeps gushing.
In the wake of the DarkSide cyberattack, President Biden signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at bolstering the federal government’s cyber defenses as the administration juggles a number of digital attacks including SolarWinds and last week’s ransomware incident against a major fuel pipeline causing lasting gas shortages.
While not specifically targeting critical infrastructure, the Biden directive instructs the Commerce Department to create new cybersecurity standards for tech companies that sell software services to the federal government.
“The Colonial Pipeline incident is a reminder that federal action alone is not enough,” the White House said in a statement.
IRL Dark Side of Pipeline Cyberattack
As of 5 p.m. on Wednesday evening, Colonial was sputtering back to life after closing the fuel faucet to the eastern and southern U.S.; the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) had issued a joint advisory about the threat actor – DarkSide – that mugged the company; and five affiliated crooks that rent DarkSide ransomware had been fingered by Mandiant FireEye.
051321 09:22 UPDATE: Colonial announced that as of 9 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, delivery was back up in a majority of the markets it services. It projected that all of its markets would be getting fuel by mid-day. The company included a map, shown below, that indicates the segments of its pipeline that are now delivering liquid fuel, in green, with blue lines showing which lines will be back online later today.
Following the Biden administration’s declaration of a state of emergency across 17 states and Washington D.C., the nation convulsed at the thought that fuel was going to – what? Evaporate, maybe, or, at least, get a bit pricey? By Wednesday, the Twitterverse was featuring images of people stockpiling gasoline in any old thing they could get their hands on: sloshing-full trash bags, stacked piles of red gas canisters in the trunk of a car that hopefully wasn’t fated to be rear-ended, you name it.
Thus did the hashtag #gasshortage spring to life.
Better pick up a couple extra bags.
Oh, shit. #gasshortage? pic.twitter.com/a09ue2eQfK
You can see why the public had a buy-all-the-toilet-paper reaction to the hit on the nation’s fuel delivery infrastructure: Colonial carries 45 percent of fuel supplies to the eastern U.S.
Right now, things are on the road back to normal. Colonial issued a statement saying that it initiated the restart of pipeline operations around 5 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday.
Colonial, which moves about 2.5 million barrels of liquid fuels to the eastern and southern U.S. every day, had proactively shut down about 5,500 miles of pipeline in response to Friday’s attack.
The company said that it will take several days for its product delivery supply chain to return to normal. There may be some hiccups along the way: “Some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions during the start-up period,” according to its statement. “Colonial will move as much gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as is safely possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal.”
Colonial, which has been working closely with law enforcement, the Department of Energy and the cybersecurity firm FireEye to mitigate the damage and restore operations, reportedly has no plans to pay the ransom to get its files decrypted, according to what sources told Reuters on Wednesday. DarkSide reportedly demanded nearly $5 million worth of Bitcoin in ransom, according to sources familiar with the incident.
On Wednesday, DarkSide said on its website that it was releasing data from three more victims, including a technology company in Chicago.
Finger Pointing
Earlier this week, President Biden said that Russia should bear some responsibility for the infrastructure disruption, since the hacking came from inside its borders. However, two people involved with the Colonial investigation told Reuters that the affiliate who launched the ransomware attack against Colonial was a Russian criminal, not a threat actor with specific ties to the Russian government.
DarkSide is, rather, one of the for-profit ransomware groups that call Russia their home. These cyber-gangs rent ransomware such as DarkSide, use it to steal companies’ data, and then hold it for ransoms ranging from $200,000 to $20 million.
CISA and FBI Ring the Alarm Bell
The fuel-buying public may experience some relief at the news about the pipeline restart, but the nation’s law enforcement agencies warned us that this is no time to relax. In a joint advisory, CISA and the FBI said that DarkSide affiliates leveraging DarkSide have recently been targeting organizations in industries including manufacturing, legal, insurance, healthcare, and energy.
Prevention is the best cure for this ransomware plague, the agencies said. They urged potential targets to use best practices in these resources to strengthen their cybersecurity posture:
Nozomi Networks CEO Edgard Capdevielle told Threatpost on Wednesday that the joint advisory is spot-on: Ransomware truly is a cyber pandemic. “Ransomware is out of control,” he said via email. “The FBI stats say it all – attacks were up 20 percent last year – and even more telling, ransom demands rose 225 percent. Attackers are going after higher-value targets with deeper pockets, which means critical infrastructure is in the cross hairs. Nozomi saw a 35 percent increase in grid attacks during COVID – a number that has remained steady since effective prevention measures combined with a post-breach mindset are critical to an effective defense.”
Even better than advice about best practices would be government action, he said. “My hope [in] this is where we finally turn a corner. We need organizations to stop waiting for attacks to prioritize their defenses, and we need the government to take necessary action to hold threat actors accountable.”
Capdevielle suggested that what the nation’s critical infrastructure organizations need are more aggressive programs and incentives, including tax breaks for cybersecurity or perhaps even entrusting private companies to take on their defense.
“From our work with critical infrastructure and industrial organizations around the world, we’ve found that those who invest early in cybersecurity are able to respond faster and with less financial damage to ransomware and other cyber-attacks” Capdevielle said. “Enterprises with mature cybersecurity are more resilient and able to navigate those challenges easier than those that waited until an incident to invest in their defenses.
“Frankly, it’s complicated,” he said. “There isn’t an easy solution, and real results must navigate government politics, privacy law, and international laws, and will require cooperation from nation-state adversaries. It’s not a simple task, but we can take steps now to solve the problem. Waiting will only make it more difficult to solve.”
Researchers Spy on DarkSide
Meanwhile, Mandiant FireEye released a new report on DarkSide that detailed three groups of affiliate threat actors that the firm has been tracking.
FireEye said that the creators of DarkSide and their affiliates have affected organizations in 15+ countries and multiple industries, pulling the double-extortion gambit of exfiltrating victim data, deploying the DarkSide ransomware, and then threatening to publish the stolen data to their blog in order to pressure victims into paying the ransom.
For what it’s worth, be it a publicity stunt or yet another attempt to portray themselves as crooks with ethics, DarkSide issued a mea culpa on the Colonial attack, calling it a “very big oops.” Our bad, they said: We were just after moolah, not the kneecapping of the nation’s infrastructure. We’ll vet our criminal customers better in the future, they promised.
This threat actor isn’t interested in gaining a foothold to set up shop for the long term. Rather, it moves fairly quickly, with intrusions escalating to ransomware infection within two to three days. FireEye said it has some evidence suggesting that UNC2628 has also partnered with other RaaS networks, including Sodinokibi (aka REvil) and NetWalker ransomwares.
Researchers have seen UNC2628 make suspicious authentication attempts – consistent with a password-spraying attack – against corporate VPNs immediately prior to starting intrusion operations. Regardless of how it intrudes on victimized networks, it’s moved laterally in environments almost exclusively via Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), using legitimate credentials and the Cobalt Strike commodity malware and Beacon payloads.
While the country recovers from the attack and cybersecurity researchers dissect DarkSide, DarkSide itself must surely be laughing all the way to the bank. Joe Tidy, a cybercrime reporter for the BBC, noted that DarkSide’s bringing in some eye-watering profit, judging by the figures cited in FireEye’s report. “The money they must be making,” he tweeted. “In 2019 I remember the outrage caused by news that ransoms were hitting $1m. Now these ransomware groups have a specific commission band for $5m+.” Added Colonial’s update about fuel delivery getting back to normal on Thursday.
051321 13:56 UPDATE: Corrected Edgard Capdevielle’s reference to the increase in ransom demands, which the FBI says have increased 225 percent.
Join Threatpost for “Fortifying Your Business Against Ransomware, DDoS & Cryptojacking Attacks” – a LIVE roundtable event on Wed, May 12 at 2:00 PM EDT. Sponsored by Zoho ManageEngine, Threatpost host Becky Bracken moderates an expert panel discussing best defense strategies for these 2021 threats. Questions and LIVE audience participation encouraged. Join the lively discussion and Register HERE for free.
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Today’s organizations generate and manage tremendous amounts of data, from transaction logs and demographic information to social media activity and online traffic data. In addition to this information, companies with strong business intelligence capabilities extend beyond internally collected data, utilizing third-party databases to gain deeper analysis and insights.
The increasing number of affordable and powerful tools allows companies to develop extensive analytics platforms that extend beyond sales and into other key areas of the business. In fact, data analytics should be a critical weapon in every organization’s fraud protection strategy to guard against loss and reduce vulnerability to regulatory enforcement.
Statistical sampling is typically utilized during internal audit procedures or in response to a suspicion of fraud, but that inherently only focuses on a portion of the data, and leaves vast amounts of unanalyzed information. Conversely, data analytics utilizes forensic techniques to analyze the entirety of the population of data, looking for unusual characteristics that might indicate fraud, enabling high-risk transactions to be flagged for further examination.
By leveraging data analytics, companies can identify potential fraud, waste, and abuse and develop proactive steps to minimize the risk of future misconduct. Read our white paper to understand more about the capabilities of data analytics, and three techniques that organizations can use to bolster anti-fraud programs:
Data mining methods can ease the burden of collecting data when investigating potential asset misappropriation or corruption, compiling it into a structured format, capable of cross-referencing, and further analysis.
With fraud becoming more complex and increasingly difficult to detect, companies should look to leverage next-level fraud analytics to strengthen efforts to prevent, detect and mitigate illicit activity. | https://rsmus.com/insights/services/risk-fraud-cybersecurity/next-level-data-analytics-for-fraud-prevention-and-detection.html |
Meredith is the national practice leader for the Professional Risk Practice at USI Insurance Services. In her role, she oversees the regional operations for all executive liability and professional liability lines of coverage.
She also serves as an in-house resource for all professional liability, technology errors and omissions, media liability, cyber & network security, and privacy related lines of coverage. In this role, she provides consultative services, market negotiations, policy analysis and placement, policy administration, and claims advocacy services.
Meredith has 24 years of experience in the insurance industry, the last 15 as a national practice leader in the Professional Risk Practice. Prior to joining USI, Meredith was an underwriter at Royal & SunAlliance and American International Group. She spent nine years underwriting professional and technology errors and omissions lines of coverage.
She speaks on various panels relating to the topics of network security and privacy for all industry classes and conducts seminars on behalf of our local and regional offices. | https://cybersecurity.rutgers.edu/meredith-schnur.html |
The Hustle's My First Million presents: Million Dollar Brainstorm is back. Host Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) and The Hustle CEO Sam Parr (@theSamParr) sit down and discuss what side hustles, trends and big business ideas that's keeping them up at night. Today Shaan kicks it off with food industry ideas: keto peanut butter, vintage fast food chains transitioning into the modern era, modifying US chains and taking them global. Then the guys chat about Aliexpress, pop-up esport tournaments, Tough Mudder bankruptcy, data privacy tools, targeting wealthy alumni for fundraising, networking hacks and a discussion about Silicon Valley mistruths.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Every week we dive deep into different business opportunities and explain how to pounce on them.
Basically...we spoon-feed you interesting businesses you can start tomorrow. And hey, maybe it'll help you get your first million users, revenue, profit, employees (that'd be wild), or whatever it is you want a million of.
So, click below to follow. We guarantee* it'll be the best damn podcast you ever heard. | https://www.mfmpod.com/36-data-privacy-tools-food-franchises-silicon-valley-mistruths/ |
A new, advanced banking Trojan is infecting users in Turkey, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and the United Kingdom, according to researchers at ESET.
In a blog posted on Wednesday, the researchers warned of a Trojan called Win32/Spy.Hesperbot, which does keystroke logging and sets up a remote proxy on the end user's machine. Hesperbot also does some advanced tricks, such as creating a hidden virtual network computing (VNC) server on the end user's machine, ESET says.
The Trojan uses a very credible-looking, phishing-like campaign that appears to come from trustworthy organizations to lure its victims, ESET says. "The aim of the attackers is to obtain login credentials giving access to the victim's bank account and to get them to install a mobile component of the malware on their Symbian, Blackberry or Android phone," the blog says.
So far, the Trojan hasn't spread too far. ESET estimates that it has infected several hundred users' computers in Turkey, and even fewer in the Czech Republic, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. It tries to trick users into loading the malware by sending emails that appear to be tracking information from the local postal service, the blog states.
"In the course of our research, we also stumbled upon an additional component used by Win32/Spy.Hesperbot," the blog says. "This malware, detected by ESET as Win32/Spy.Agent. OEC, harvests e-mail addresses from the infected system and sends them to a remote server. It is possible that these collected addresses were also targeted by the malware-spreading campaigns."
The attack is new and may not yet be recognized by all antivirus systems.
Have a comment on this story? Please click "Add a Comment" below. If you'd like to contact Dark Reading's editors directly, send us a message. | https://www.darkreading.com/risk/new-advanced-banking-trojan-discovered-in-the-wild |
Cryptography has taken a tumultuous journey over the past 20 years. As the digital world has evolved, its role in protecting the modern enterprise has become more crucial than ever. Cyber attackers now lie in wait for businesses, and there is no perimeter strong enough to keep them out. As a result, organisations are deploying zero-trust solutions, ensuring security even in the case of a breach. The modern security challenge has been made even more complicated by the move to remote working, BYOD policies and increasingly hybrid scenarios involving an organization’s data centers and multiple clouds. Cryptography is now increasingly needed in the modern environment of remote management, but the pace needed in implementing it enterprise-wide is a challenge all in itself.
At the core of this is the fact that the cryptographic space is currently highly fragmented, with numerous solutions inherently utilizing the technology. There are many ways to authenticate identity, such as passwords, OTP and smartcards, plus numerous cryptographic methods for encrypting databases, VMs, storage and more across different clouds and data centers. To add further complexity, cryptographic signatures are also required for documents, transactions and code. Multiple point and siloed solutions can result in reduced visibility, agility, and flexibility, not to mention the strain on management with high costs involved in the deployment in different environments.
Making the shift to hybrid hardware and software: Hardware solutions have traditionally powered legacy key protection. In today’s environments where everything is virtualized and managed remotely, and enterprises are moving to cloud deployments, pure hardware solutions constitute a significant obstacle. As a result, software solutions for key protection with strong guarantees are needed to replace and complement existing hardware.
Transforming from siloed to unified key management: While legacy key protection and management has been comprised of different solutions, a unified approach with one platform that can support all cryptographic solutions in any environment is needed today.
Ensuring integrated key management and key protection: Legacy key protection provides only simplistic management and dedicated key management solutions are often not integrated with key protection. A unified platform providing integrated key protection and management is required.
Key misuse prevention: Legacy key protection solutions address the problem of key theft only. Today, key misuse must be addressed as an integral part of key protection.
Adopting an agile infrastructure: Rigidity plagues legacy key protection and management solutions. Cryptography standards are continually changing; updates must be rolled out quickly and new threats need to be considered and resolved. Today’s cryptographic infrastructure needs to support agility.
Speeding up deployment: Legacy cryptographic solutions that relied solely on hardware were ultimately slow in deployment. Today, enterprise security teams must offer on-demand cryptographic services internally in order to quickly support business needs.
Evidently, the fragmented legacy cryptographic infrastructure of the 1990s does not support modern business needs and is in desperate need of modernization.
Clearing a path
To address these challenges, firstly, modern solutions are needed that are based on openness and transparency in collaborative environments. Second, modern computing environments need modern software. Third, a new technological approach is required to deliver a software key store with proven security guarantees to complement legacy hardware and support new security requirements. Legacy solutions involved building a fortress around the device that held key material and prevented any attacker from breaching that machine. In today’s zero-trust environments, this is problematic when it comes to software-only solutions.
A different approach is to ensure that cryptographic keys are never kept in one single place at any particular time, forcing a cyber attacker to simultaneously breach several machines in order to gather information. That way there would be no single point of security failure, and strong separations between the different machines would make it extremely hard to breach.
The question however still remains; How can one cryptographic operation such as decryption or signing be carried out without holding the key? Fortunately, a methodology called Secure Multiparty Computation (MPC), also known as threshold cryptography, can do exactly this. Using MPC, the secret key is generated in two or more parts called shares, so that all shares are needed to get any information about the key. These different shares reside on different servers and devices, so that an attacker has to breach them all to steal the key.
MPC protocols enable different machines to obtain the result of the cryptographic operation, without combining any of the shares or revealing any sensitive information about the key. This means the key remains fully protected, even while in use. MPC protocols have mathematical proofs of security, guaranteeing that an attacker who cannot breach all machines is unable to learn anything about the key, even if they know the protocols used. Although anti-intuitive, when using MPC, the key is never whole in any single place, not whilst in use or while the code is generated. | https://informationsecuritybuzz.com/articles/viewing-enterprise-cryptography-in-a-new-light-traversing-a-fragmented-environment/ |
IronPro, the professional liability unit of Bermuda-based Ironshore, is introducing a suite of enhanced risk management services for cyber policyholders.
IronPro will provide eligible Ironshore highly protected information (HPI) policyholders with cyber monitoring and alert services (CMAS) during the policy period.
The firm has engaged BorderHawk, an Atlanta-based security firm, to offer CMAS services that analyse cyber activity to detect questionable client events.
CMAS generates and transmits a cyber risk warning alert to a predetermined point of contact for immediate action in the event of a potential risk.
Cyber risk warning alerts signal potential vulnerabilities or threats associated with a specific IP address, thereby indicating heightened risk exposure to the client entity.
IronPro’s product enhancement will also feature a cyber security assessment and technical services review to be conducted by US Homeland Security, at no additional cost. Homeland Security’s C3 Voluntary Program and National Cybersecurity Assessment and Technical Services (NCATS) provide an objective third party perspective on the current cyber security exposure within the policyholder’s network.
Ironshore HPI policyholders can then access an on-call third party chief security officer who can address and help remediate identified vulnerabilities.
“We recognise that while ‘alerting’ systems can be a critical component of cyber security programmes, most organisations depend on ‘accidental discovery’ to initiate investigations of malicious cyber threats,” said c president of BorderHawk.
“IronPro clients will be notified when questionable activity occurs, providing a more responsive investigation when primary security tools do not recognise a potential threat.”
Akridge also said that CMAS addresses recent reports that some malware solutions “demonstrate an estimated recognition effectiveness of only 60 percent and malware dwell times of nearly twenty-four months before discovery is the norm in detecting potential threats.”
Kurtis Suhs, IronPro privacy national practice leader and vice president of technology errors and omissions, added: “IronPro’s enhanced risk management offering complements our existing specific asset-class PrivaProtector policy form to address risk exposures for critical infrastructure insureds within the healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and commercial facilities sectors.” “A more aggressive approach to cyber security protection is designed to minimize the loss associated with data breach events.” | https://www.bermudareinsurancemagazine.com/news/ironshore-subsidiary-to-offer-risk-management-services-for-cyber-policyholders-2422 |
The Act No. 18/2018 Coll. In addition to the GDPR, the Act also implements the Data Protection Directive with respect to Law Enforcement (Directive (EU) 2016/680) ('the Law Enforcement Directive').
The Act is enforced by the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Slovak Republic ('ÚOOÚ'), which among other things, acts upon data subjects' complaints, adopts guidelines, participates in the protection of fundamental rights of natural persons in relation to the processing of personal data, and executes data protection supervision.
1.1. Key acts, regulations, directives, bills
The General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679) ('GDPR') was implemented into Slovak law by the Act.
The Act was adopted on 29 November 2017 and entered into force on 25 May 2018. In essence, it duplicates GDPR provisions, transposes into the Slovak law system the Data Protection Directive with Respect to Law Enforcement (Directive (EU) 2016/680), and introduces some derogations from the GDPR.
As the ÚOOÚ does not publish its decisions and there is only limited information relating to case law. Based on the latest 2020 Annual Report (only available in Slovak here), the ÚOOÚ imposed 54 fines in the total amount of €103,300 in 2020. The lowest fine in the amount of €300 was imposed on a controller due to unauthorised disclosure of personal data and highest fine in the amount of €20,000 was imposed on a controller due to breach of principles of transparency and data minimisation.
The case law related to the previous legal framework, namely Act No. 122/2013 Coll. on the Protection of Personal Data, as amended ('the Act No. 122/2013') is also very limited and not well developed. The court decisions that are publicly available do not interpret problematic provisions of the previous legal framework.
In a number of cases, the requirement of data subject consent under the Act No. 122/2013 was used as an argument against revealing the identity of a natural person by public authorities when requested to do so under Act No. 211/2000 Coll. on Free Access to Public Information, as amended. No test has been established by courts that address such conflict and, as such, it would need to be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
3. Data Protection Authority | Regulatory Authority
3.1. Main regulator for data protection
The main regulator for data protection is the ÚOOÚ.
3.2. Main powers, duties and responsibilities
Data controller: GDPR.
Data processor: GDPR.
Personal data: GDPR.
Sensitive data: GDPR.
Health data: GDPR.
Biometric data: GDPR.
Pseudonymisation: GDPR.
GDPR.
5.2. Contract with the data subject
GDPR.
5.3. Legal obligations
GDPR.
5.4. Interests of the data subject
GDPR.
5.5. Public interest
GDPR.
5.6. Legitimate interests of the data controller
GDPR.
5.7. Legal bases in other instances
Chapter four of the Act contains specific situations of lawful processing of personal data.
When processing personal data for archiving, scientific, or historical research, or statistical purposes, the data controller and the data processor are obliged to take appropriate safeguards for the rights of the data subject. These safeguards include the introduction of adequate and effective technical and organisational measures, in particular to ensure compliance with the principle of data minimisation and pseudonymisation.
As these are privileged purposes which derogate from the purpose limitation principle, it is also possible to limit the rights of data subjects (provided appropriate safeguards were taken as mentioned above); namely, it is possible to limit the right of access, the right of rectification, the right to restriction of processing, and the right to object. Furthermore, for the purpose of archiving, the right also exists to have another recipient notified, as well as the right to portability under the GDPR.
Employment
The Act provides for the following rules relating to specific processing situations envisaged in Chapter IX of the GDPR.
Employers are entitled to provide or disclose employee personal data in the following scope: title, name, surname, job classification, professional classification, functional classification, employee's personal or employee number, business area, place of work, telephone number, fax number, electronic mail address to workplace, and employer identification data, if necessary in connection with the performance of a job, or professional or functional duties of a data subject. Provision or disclosure of personal data cannot infringe on esteem, dignity, and security of the data subject.
informing the public through mass media, provided that personal data is processed by a data controller entitled to conduct such business activity of mass media information.
Publication of a birth number as a national identification number is forbidden, unless the data subjects concerned published it themselves. Processing of a birth number is allowed only with explicit consent.
The Act limits the opportunities of data controllers to collect data about a natural person from another natural person without the consent of the former. This prohibition does not apply if such data collection and data processing is required to protect the latter person's legitimately protected interests, or if the latter person notifies facts justifying the legal liability of the data subject, or if personal data is processed under a special law subject to specific provisions of the GDPR.
7. Controller and Processor Obligations
7.1. Data processing notification
Registration and notification schemes required by the Act No. 122/2013 were removed as of 25 May 2018. There are no longer any national notification or registration requirements.
There are no national restrictions.
7.4. Data protection impact assessment
The Decree provides certain rules on how the data controllers should carry out a Data Protection Impact Assessment (only available in Slovak here) ('DPIA'). In addition, the DPIA List provides for which processing operations will be subject to a DPIA, as envisaged in Article 35(4) of the GDPR.
7.5. Data protection officer appointment
The Act does not set out any additional requirements related to DPOs from the one included in the GDPR.
With regard to children's consent in relation to information society services, the Act does not set a lower age level, and therefore the age of 16 years applies. The Act does not set out any additional rules on the age of consent for other purposes (other than information society services), and so the civil rules on legal capacity apply. Under Act No. 40/1964 Coll. Civil Code of 26 February 1964 (only available in Slovak here) ('the Slovak Civil Code'), minors have a limited legal capacity and possess the capacity to undertake acts that, by their nature, fit to the intellectual and volitional maturity that corresponds to their age.
7.9. Special categories of personal data
Under the Act, processing of certain special categories of personal data (genetic, biometric data, and data relating to health) is lawful when it is envisaged by specific law or an international treaty. This exemption from a general prohibition on processing of special categories of personal data, as introduced in Article 9(1) of GDPR, will be relied upon, for instance, by insurance companies in connection with life insurance.
The Act does not set out specific regulations that relate to processing of data on criminal convictions.
7.10. Controller and processor contracts
There are no additional requirements for a contract between a controller and processor in the Act.
8. Data Subject Rights
The Act contains the same rights as included in the GDPR.
Data subjects' rights may be limited where personal data is processed for archiving purposes, scientific or historical research purposes, or statistical purposes. The Act contains no further variations from the GDPR as to rights of data subjects.
There is no variation in the Act for the right to data portability provided in the GDPR.
8.7. Right not to be subject to automated decision-making
There is no variation in the Act on automated individual decision-making, including profiling in the GDPR.
a penalty of up to €2,000 imposed on a data controller or a processor if it fails to provide adequate conditions for the control, and a penalty of up to €10,000 if it obstructs the control process.
Act No. 300/2005 Coll. Criminal Code (only available in Slovak here) ('the Slovak Criminal Code') establishes a criminal offence for unauthorised manipulation of personal data. The sanctions for this offence include imprisonment of one year or two years, or fines. In practice, this offence seldom (if ever) occurs alone without being connected to other offences, such as fraud. According to the statistics (only available in Slovak here) kept by the General Prosecution Authority of the Slovak Republic, six offenders were prosecuted in 2020 in connection with the crime of unauthorised handling of personal data under the Slovak Criminal Code.
Individuals can seek civil law remedies before Slovak courts.
Data subjects have a right to compensation, namely a claim for damages under general civil law, if they suffer damage as a result of a breach of statutory obligations set out in the Act. However, this does not prevent them from seeking protection of their personal integrity and privacy under the Slovak Civil Code. | https://www.dataguidance.com/notes/slovakia-data-protection-overview |
Demonstrated experience using Splunk to ingest and analyze network data.
Demonstrated experience in network vulnerability analysis and penetration testing with both open-source and commercial tools, such as Cobalt Strike, Nmap, Wireshark, Metasploit, Canvas, Kismet, BackTrack.
Demonstrated experience providing in-depth holistic analysis of a technical threat to critical infrastructure by leveraging various data sources.
Demonstrated experience with the current infrastructure, business processes, policy, and adversary capabilities is key to producing accurate risk assessments.
Demonstrated experience working complex data analysis, experience with analytical assessments of operational and technical data.
Demonstrated experience with multiple operating systems such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX.
Demonstrated experience with programming skills with scripting languages such as Perl, PowerShell, Python, and Bash.
Demonstrated experience with system kernel level processing to detect and report on significant kernel events such as root kits, hooked functions, call tables, and data structures.
Demonstrated experience performing documented user requirements and directing or assisting in the design of test plans in support of user requirements for software or IT systems.
Demonstrated experience with analytics, writing, and briefing skills.
Demonstrated experience distilling information into documented and sourced products.
Demonstrated experience in analysis, targeting, or investigations.
Demonstrated experience with data identification, reduction, and analysis to detect suspicious data types, modified software and/or other malicious content.
Demonstrated experience collaborating with multiple teams to accomplish objectives.
Demonstrated experience with attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to independently manage and prioritize multiple tasks to ensure deadlines are met.
Demonstrated on-the-job experience with collaboration and outreach across multiple customer environments such as IT, Cyber, Security, and Operational.
Demonstrated experience working with virtualization software and virtualized environments such as ESXi, VMWare, VirtualBox, and Hyper-V.
Demonstrated experience with both static and dynamic malware analysis and the ability to conduct analysis of identified malicious software and code.
Demonstrated experience working with debuggers and disassemblers such as OllyDbg, WinDbg, IDA Pro, and Binary Ninja.
Demonstrated experience working closely and collegiately with customer mission partners.
Demonstrated experience with fostering and facilitating strategic partnerships across organizational boundaries to positively impact delivery.
Demonstrated experience communicating complex technical topics to a non-technical audience.
Demonstrated experience distilling complex issues into succinct problems, to recommend and impact solutions.
Bachelors Degree in technology, engineering, business, or a related technical discipline.
B4CORP Company Information
B4Corp is a small defense contracting company that focuses on providing an optimum environment for mission-focused, highly-skilled consultants to support the United States of America’s intelligence community and other defense organizations. B4Corp provides a low overhead, highly efficient, high salary environment that allows employees to excel at meeting the client’s needs. B4Corp is looking for information technology professionals that have a high sense of personal responsibility, self-motivation, and mission drive.
B4Corp’s dedication and care for its employees is reflected in the outstanding compensation and benefits B4Corp provides. Our salaries are second to none. B4Corp’s benefits reflect the company’s policy of putting the employees first. Our health insurance demonstrates this with 100% employer coverage and providing employees with a plan that has $0 copay, 0% coinsurance and an HSA that can allow employees to accrue health savings for the future. B4Corp’s maximum flexibility comp / makeup time policy, along with the company’s cafeteria-style benefit plan that allows employees to maximize their benefit dollars, reflects B4Corp’s commitment to its employees. | https://www.b4corp.com/job/2023119-cyber-security-project-engineer-200000-00/ |
JBS, the largest beef supplier in the world, reportedly paid ransomware hackers who breached its computer networks about $11 million to regain access to its systems.
NBC News reports that JBS, the largest beef supplier in the world, paid ransomware hackers around $11 million to regain access to its computer networks. Breitbart News reported last month that a cyberattack crippled JBS, the largest meat supplier in the world. The company is also Australia’s largest meat and food processing company with 47 facilities across the country including abattoirs, feedlots, and meat processing sites.
JBS USA said in a statement that it was the target of an “organized cybersecurity attack,” affecting some of its servers supporting its North American and Australian IT systems. The FBI claims that the cyberattack was perpetrated by the Russian hacking group REvil, also known as Sodinokibi.
REvil has perpetrated multiple ransomware attacks in an attempt to receive millions of dollars in payments from affected companies. It has targeted hundreds of businesses including Travelex, Acer, and Apple supplier Quanta.
In a statement, JBS indicated that while it was able to regain access to most of its systems without REvil’s help, it chose to pay to keep its files safe. The company said in a statement: “At the time of payment, the vast majority of the company’s facilities were operational,” adding that it “made the decision to mitigate any unforeseen issues related to the attack and ensure no data was exfiltrated.”
Charles Carmakal, the chief technology officer at cybersecurity firm Mandiant, commented on the ransom payment stating: “For an organization like theirs, it feels like it’s a pretty common extortion demand. For bigger organizations, you’ll tend to see eight-figure extortion demands.” He added: “Sometimes, you’ll see what I believe are really large demands, going up to 40, 45, 50 million. Most people don’t want to pay that much and will try to negotiate it down as best they can.”
JBS CEO Andre Nogueira commented: “This was a very difficult decision to make for our company and for me personally. However, we felt this decision had to be made to prevent any potential risk for our customers.” | https://mixedtimes.com/politics/meat-supplier-jbs-paid-ransomware-gang-11-million |
Cloudflare automatically detected and mitigated a 26 million request per second (rps) DDoS attack, which it claims is the largest HTTPS DDoS attack on record.
The attack targeted a customer website using Cloudflare’s Free plan last week, the company revealed. The attack originated mostly from Cloud Service Providers instead of Residential Internet Service Providers, which the company said indicates the use of hijacked virtual machines and powerful servers to generate the attack, instead of much weaker Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
The 26M rps DDoS attack also originated from a small but powerful botnet of 5,067 devices. Each node generated around 5,200 rps at peak. Cloudflare compared this to a larger botnet of 730,000 devices it has been tracking. The larger botnet wasn’t able to generate more than one million requests per second, which is around 1.3 requests per second on average per device for example. On average, the 26M rps botnet was 4,000 times stronger due to its use of virtual machines and servers.
The company added that it’s worth noting the attack was over HTTPS. “HTTPS DDoS attacks are more expensive in terms of required computational resources because of the higher cost of establishing a secure TLS encrypted connection,” said Cloudflare. “Therefore, it costs the attacker more to launch the attack, and for the victim to mitigate it. We’ve seen very large attacks in the past over (unencrypted) HTTP, but this attack stands out because of the resources it required at its scale.”
Within less than 30 seconds, the botnet generated over 212 million HTTPS requests from over 1,500 networks in 121 countries. The top countries were Indonesia, the United States, Brazil and Russia, with about 3% of the attacks coming through Tor nodes. The top source networks were the French-based OVH, the Indonesian Telkomnet, the US-based iboss, and the Libyan Ajeel.
Cloudflare pointed out that its recent DDoS Trends report shows that most of the attacks are small, like cyber vandalism, However, even small attacks can severely impact unprotected Internet properties. It added that large attacks are growing in size and frequency, but remain short and rapid. Attackers concentrate their botnet’s power to try and wreak havoc with a single quick knockout blow, trying to avoid detection.
The company highlighted some of the record-breaking attacks it witnessed over the past year. In August 2021, it disclosed a 17.2M rps HTTP DDoS attack, and more recently in April 2022, a 15M rps HTTPS DDoS attack. | https://nationalcybersecurity.com/cloudflare-mitigates-biggest-ever-https-ddos-attack-cybersecurity-cyberattack-cybersecurity-infosecurity-hacker/ |
According to BlueWeave Consulting, Patch Management Software Market is anticipated to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. The market is expected to grow from USD millions of every 2019 to USD million by 2024, at a CAGR of 10.7% from 2019 to 2024. The Patch Management Software Market is growing owing to several factors. This includes growing vulnerabilities to promote patch management solutions, enhanced deployment of third-party applications, favorable government regulations, along with increasing demand for up-to-date os/applications. However, several restraints can hinder the growth of the Patch Management Software Market. The hindering factor is the low priority of vulnerability remediation.
The opportunities surrounding the Patch Management Software Market include the increasing market for mobile and web platforms and cultural shifts from manual to automated patch management. Again, several challenges include application compatibility and patch testing issues, along with a lack of awareness about cybersecurity.
Get Sample Of This Report: https://www.blueweaveconsulting.com/global-patch-management-software-market-bwc19277#ReportSample/
Patch management software section holds the highest market share during the forecast period.
Patch management software empowers business ventures to audit, review, test, convey, and accommodate the deployment state for software updates. It additionally mechanizes the up-degree procedure to stay up with the latest with the most recent patches. Moreover, it revises issues, close vulnerabilities, and improve item functionalities, which are fundamental to the security of the IT foundation in many situations.
Software vendors distribute the patches in 4 distinct methodologies, namely, binary executable patch, source code patch, firmware patch, and service pack. The patches for restrictive programming can be distributed as parallel executables, as their sellers retain the source codes. These patches change or supplant the predetermined records of programming programs when the users execute the patches.
The North American region holds a significant share in the Patch Management Software Market during the forecast period.
North America is the leading region in the technological aspect. The patch management market in North America is aggressive because of the nearness of countless solution providers. The North American market is exceptionally managed and constrained by different government benchmarks and guidelines. The significant economies in this district are the US and Canada. The US and Canada have been expansively executing patch the board applications to maintain a strategic distance from ransomware assaults. North America has built up a strong framework for the execution of cybersecurity arrangements. The profound infiltration of web applications and expansion in defenseless gadgets in North America has offered to ascend to various vulnerabilities causing incidental ransomware assaults.
The report incorporates a top to bottom extensive competitor analysis of the key players in the fix the patch management market alongside their organization profiles, latest advancements, and key market procedures. | https://uberant.com/article/605047-global-patch-management-software-market-demand-forecast-to-2026/ |
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1. Will you provide a free consultation?
The best data breach lawyers in the UK will provide you with a free consultation to make sure they can help you before asking for any money. But, before you accept an initial consultation with a law firm, check that there are no data breach costs involved in doing so.
If you want to make a data breach or cybercrime compensation claim with Hayes Connor, we’ll advise you on whether you have a valid claim, answer any questions you might have and go through your options with you. We will do all this without charging you a penny.
2. Do you offer a no-win, no-fee service?
It is vital that everyone can afford to make a data breach or cybercrime compensation claim should they need to. But not all solicitors offer no-win, no-fee funding arrangements. So, before you appoint a solicitor, ask how much you will have to pay if you don’t win your case.
Removing the financial risk, at Hayes Connor Solicitors, we provide many services on a no-win, no-fee basis to help our clients get the compensation they deserve. In such cases, if we don’t win, you don’t have to pay us a penny.
Find out more about no-win, no-fee approach to data breach costs.
3. How much will you charge me if I win?
If your claim is successful, you usually have to contribute towards your solicitor’s costs. This ‘success fee’ is taken from the compensation awarded to you, and in some cases, it can be much higher than you expected.
The amount of the success fee depends on when your case is settled, but with Hayes Connor Solicitors, you never have to pay more than 25% of your compensation. We have to charge this to cover our costs. There are no hidden charges or other administration fees.
About Hayes Connor Solicitors
Over the past few years, Hayes Connor has become the leading provider of data breach legal services. It is all we do, and, because we have been doing this for longer than most, we lead our field when it comes to understanding the complexities involved. Before that, we worked on different types of compensation claims. With over 50 years’ experience helping our clients secure the justice they deserve, our solicitors work tirelessly to ensure the best possible outcome for you.
Because we understand that the full impact of a data breach is often not felt until months after the initial violation, we take a long-term view when it comes to claiming compensation on your behalf. But more than this, we also help you get your life back on track ASAP. | https://www.hayesconnor.co.uk/news-and-resources/news/what-is-the-cost-of-making-a-data-breach-claim/ |
Consulting on adding Individual Meta, Title, ALT tags will be provided to almost all the pages of the site.
Consulting on how search engine handles dynamic pages and how those pages are indexed by the search engines. If there are any products which make the URLs search engine friendly we will provide instruction on using that too. A couple of examples are Mod_Rewrite in PHP and XQASP doe asp web pages.
We will validate code of each and every page and check if they are search engine friendly. We will review the HTML and JavaScript code and provide consultation to clean up broken tags, excessive JavaScript and any other stumbling blocks spiders may encounter as they crawl your website.
Checking and validating the internal linking of your site is very important as this is where you will be losing your PageRank and relevancy.
We will be giving consulting on SEO copywriting for your site to get the best contents of your pages to bring relevancy to the pages of the site.
Off-page optimization is the link popularity building for your site. We will provide consultation on how to build links for you from quality sites and make your site rank suitably high. Link popularity is very important for search engine optimization and search engines live link popularity.
We will make a comparison review of how you stand in relation to the websites of your competitors and your market and provide a report on it.
We will optimize for graphics where appropriate. Every site needs some Alt tags and some optimization for the images which we will provide.
Keyword research for a various combo of keywords if needed will be done.
We will provide SEO consulting on Site Map pages that have to be added to your site. A sitemap is also often called ‘spider food’. Search engines find it very easy to navigate and index all the site content using this file.
We will give suggestion on Including Robots.txt file to guide search engines on what to exclude from indexing. The search engine bots usually spend a limited time on your site. We don’t want them to waste their time indexing unnecessary things.
Que. 1: How long it will take SEO consulting for a site?
Depends on what you really need from us, you want the whole site to rank or just one single product, it is left to you to decide. If you feel we are the right people for you then just give the responsibility to us we will get the whole site reviewed and make it rank high in the search engines. Or if you just want us to work on the only couple of products of your site then we will provide SEO consulting on that too. Time taken will depend on your idea of the project.
Que. 2: What is the position you will get your consulting? Is it really worth coming to us?
You will definitely get among top 10 ranks provided you do all the changes we suggest to the pages. There are more than 45 techniques involved.
Que. 3: What about the rates/prices?
I need a clear picture of what you really need. After the briefing I have given you in the above text, tell me which is suitable for you. We can decide the rates accordingly.
We are keenly aware that your business has a specific target audience and we always keep this in mind when analyzing your site. | http://my-system-security.com/search-engine-optimization-consulting-seo.html |
Vulnerabilities existed in Google Cloud, DevSite, and Google Play could have allowed attackers to achieve cross-site scripting attacks, opening the door to account hijacks. These discoveries made researcher to earn $3,133.70 for the DevSite issue and $5,000 for the vulnerability in Google Play.
The first vulnerability is a reflected XSS bug in Google DevSite. An attacker-controlled link could run JavaScript on the origins http://cloud.google.com and http://developers.google.com, meaning a malicious actor could read and modify its contents, bypassing the same-origin policy.
Due to a vulnerability in the server-side implementation of <devsite-language-selector> part of the URL was reflected as html, so it was possible to get XSS on the origins using that component from the 404 page.
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The second vulnerability is a DOM-based XSS on Google Play. DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities usually arise when JavaScript takes data from an attacker-controllable source, such as the URL, and passes it to a sink that supports dynamic code execution, such as eval() or innerHTML.
This enables attackers to execute malicious JavaScript, which typically allows them to hijack other users’ accounts.
Getting an error was simple as doing /?search=& and because window.location includes the hash which never encodes ‘ it’s possible to escape the href context and set other html attributes. Unlike the DevSite XSS this is prevented by the CSP but was still awarded more by the panel. | https://thecyberthrone.in/2022/07/31/cross-site-scripting-vulnerability-found-in-google-cloud-and-play/ |
Avast’s interface is much like those of other no cost antivirus courses, but it does have a handful of features that distinguish it from opponents. The large “you’re protected! inches message and controls to launch diagnostics are easy to identify. In addition , this features three main reliability categories: Defend, Level of level of privacy, and Performance. These options could be customized to fit your preferences. For much more advanced safety, Avast provides a paid out version, which has more features.
The free tier has limited features, just like an anti-spam feature. The premium prepare, on the other hand, involves features just like an advanced fire wall and insurance coverage for up to 20 devices. Various other prime features include a disk cleanup feature, www.app-ink.net/transitioning-from-the-drm-to-the-vdr a VPN, and password administrator. These accessories aren’t necessary, and you can get similar third-party products by cheaper rates.
One of the most crucial security highlights of a free ant-virus program certainly is the ability to stop malware out of ever getting onto your computer. Avast intercepts the majority of websites that endeavor to distribute adware and spyware, and often catches it in its download stage. However , occasionally Avast definitely will miss a malicious document. Thankfully, Avast’s advanced safeguard is so solid that it will not let spyware and adware execute, avoiding it right from causing virtually any damage to your personal computer.
Other Avast features incorporate current protection, external hard drive encoding, and personalised updates every 30 days. It can prohibit dangerous downloads available, stop vicious email parts, and even give protection to your level of privacy by blocking intrusive internet tracking. | https://www.overagesadvisor.net/avast-antivirus-assessment-precisely-what-are-avasts-main-security-alternatives/ |
A new Android malware has been identified that existed as an app on Google Perform and is claimed to spread by way of WhatsApp conversations. Known as FlixOnline, the app pretended to let consumers to see worldwide Netflix written content. It was, nevertheless, intended to check the user’s WhatsApp notifications and send automated replies to their incoming messages with the written content it receives from the hacker. Google pulled the app straight away from the Perform keep soon after the firm was reached out to. Having said that, it was downloaded hundreds of instances ahead of it received eliminated.
Researchers at risk intelligence company Check out Stage Investigation discovered the FlixOnline app on Google Perform. When the app is downloaded from the Perform keep and set up, the underlying malware begins a services that requests “Overlay,” “Battery Optimisation Disregard,” and “Notification” permissions, the researchers mentioned in a press note.
The objective of acquiring these permissions is believed to let the malicious app to make new windows on top rated of other apps, end the malware from currently being shut down by the device’s battery optimisation schedule, and acquire accessibility to all notifications.
Alternatively of enabling any genuine services, the FlixOnline app monitors the user’s WhatsApp notifications and sends an car-reply message to all WhatsApp conversations that lures victims with cost-free accessibility to Netflix. The message also includes a hyperlink that could let hackers to acquire consumer details.
The “wormable” malware, which suggests that it can spread by itself, could spread more by way of malicious hyperlinks and could even extort consumers by threatening to send delicate WhatsApp information or conversations to all their contacts.
Check out Stage Investigation notified Google about the existence of the FlixOnline app and the facts of its investigate. Google speedily eliminated the app from the Perform keep on acquiring the facts. Having said that, the researchers discovered that the app was downloaded almost 500 instances above the program of two months, ahead of it went offline.
The researchers also feel that whilst the individual app in query was eliminated from Google Perform soon after it was reported, the malware could return by a further related app in the long term.
“The truth that the malware was capable to be disguised so conveniently and in the end bypass Perform Store’s protections raises some severe red flags. Whilst we stopped one particular campaign of the malware, the malware family members is possible right here to keep. The malware might return hidden in a unique app,” mentioned Aviran Hazum, Manager of Mobile Intelligence at Check out Stage, in a ready quote.
The impacted consumers are recommended to get rid of the malicious app from their gadget and alter their passwords.
It is significant to note whilst the malware variant offered by the FlixOnline app was intended to spread by way of WhatsApp, the immediate messaging app isn’t going to incorporate any individual loophole that permitted the circulation of malicious written content. Alternatively, the researchers discovered that it was Google Perform that was not capable to restrict accessibility to the app at very first glance — regardless of making use of a combine of automated resources and preloaded protections which includes Perform Secure.
What is the very best cell phone underneath Rs. 15,000 in India proper now? We talked about this on Orbital, the Devices 360 podcast. Later on (beginning at 27:54), we communicate to Okay Personal computer creators Neil Pagedar and Pooja Shetty. Orbital is offered on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. | https://cfbdailynews.com/tech/android-malware-discovered-on-google-play-that-spreads-via-whatsapp/32163/ |
Interos is the operational resilience company — reinventing how companies manage their supply chains and business relationships — through our breakthrough SaaS platform that uses artificial intelligence to model and transform the ecosystems of complex businesses into a living global map, down to any single supplier, anywhere.
Reducing months of backward-looking manual spreadsheet inputs to instant visualizations and continuous monitoring, the Interos cloud platform helps the world’s companies reduce risk, avoid disruptions, and achieve superior enterprise adaptability. Businesses can also uncover game-changing opportunities to radically change the way they see, learn and profit from their relationships.
Based in Washington, DC, Interos serves global clients with business-critical, interdependent relationships across their primary operational areas: supply chain, financial, cybersecurity, regulatory and ESG compliance, and geographical. The fast-growing private company is led by CEO Jennifer Bisceglie and supported by investors Venrock and Kleiner Perkins. For more information, visit www.interos.ai.
LastPass is an award-winning password manager helping more than 30 million users organize and protect their online lives. For more than 85,000 businesses of all sizes, LastPass provides identity and access management solutions that are easy to manage and effortless to use. From single sign-on and enterprise password management to adaptive multifactor authentication, LastPass for Business gives superior control to IT and frictionless access to users.
ManageEngine crafts the industry’s broadest suite of IT management solutions, offering more than 100 products and free tools. We have everything you need to manage all of your IT operations, including networks, servers, applications, service desks, Active Directory, security, desktops, and mobile devices.
Since 2002, IT teams have turned to ManageEngine for affordable, feature-rich software that’s easy to use. Our on-premises and cloud solutions power the IT of over 280,000 companies around the world, including nine of every ten Fortune 100 companies.
As you prepare for the IT management challenges ahead, we’ll lead the way with new solutions, contextual integrations, and other advances that can only come from a company solely dedicated to its customers. And as a division of Zoho Corporation, we’ll continue pushing for the tight business-IT alignment you’ll need to seize future opportunities.
Delinea is a leading provider of privileged access management (PAM) solutions that make security seamless for the modern, hybrid enterprise. Our solutions empower organizations to secure critical data, devices, code, and cloud infrastructure to help reduce risk, ensure compliance and simplify security. Delinea removes complexity and defines the boundaries of access for thousands of customers worldwide, including over half of the Fortune 100. Our customers range from small businesses to the world’s largest financial institutions, intelligence agencies, and critical infrastructure companies.
ForAllSecure was founded on the mission to make the world’s software secure. Utilizing patented technology from a decade of research at Carnegie Mellon University, ForAllSecure delivers an advanced fuzz testing solution. Fortune 1000 companies in aerospace, automotive, and high-tech partner with ForAllSecure for scalable, autonomous security testing that keeps pace with increasing development speeds and deployment frequencies. DARPA deemed ForAllSecure the winner in the Cyber Grand Challenge, and MIT Technology Review named ForAllSecure in the 50 Smartest Companies list. To learn more about how to efficiently and effectively secure mission critical software, visit www.forallsecure.com
Netenrich helps organizations accelerate and scale security and digital operations to avoid disruption and preempt risk. Its Resolution Intelligence® Cloud is a native SaaS data analytics platform for managing cybersecurity and digital operations. Leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, and 10+ years of digital ops experience, the agnostic platform transforms security and ops data into intelligence that organizations can act on before critical issues occur. More than 3,000 customers and managed services providers rely on Netenrich to deliver secure operations at scale and speed. The company is based in San Jose, CA.
Okta is the leading independent identity provider. The Okta Identity Cloud enables organizations to securely connect the right people to the right technologies at the right time. With more than 6,500 pre-built integrations to applications and infrastructure providers, Okta provides simple and secure access to people and organizations everywhere, giving them the confidence to reach their full potential. More than 9,400 organizations, including JetBlue, Nordstrom, Siemens, Slack, T-Mobile, Takeda, Teach for America, and Twilio, trust Okta to help protect the identities of their workforces and customers.
Rapid7 is creating a more secure digital future for all by helping organizations strengthen their security programs in the face of accelerating digital transformation. Our portfolio of best-in-class solutions empowers security professionals to manage risk and eliminate threats across the entire threat landscape from apps to the cloud to traditional infrastructure to the dark web. We foster open source communities and cutting-edge research–using these insights to optimize our products and arm the global security community with the latest in attackers methods. Trusted by more than 10,000 customers worldwide, our industry-leading solutions and services help businesses stay ahead of attackers, ahead of the competition, and future-ready for what’s next.
Recorded Future delivers the world’s most technically advanced security intelligence to disrupt adversaries, empower defenders, and protect organizations. With proactive and predictive intelligence for security operations and response, threat analysis, third-party risk, vulnerability management, brand protection, and geopolitical risk, Recorded Future amplifies the impact of deployed security solutions. Recorded Future’s platform provides elite, context-rich, actionable intelligence in real time that’s immediately usable and ready for integration across the security ecosystem. Learn more at recordedfuture.com and follow us on Twitter at @RecordedFuture. | https://events.foundryco.com/event-series/csos-future-of-cybersecurity-summit-july-2022/sponsors/ |
General Dynamics Information Technology is seeking a Cloud Cyber Security Analyst Senior with experience in Cloud and Software Defined Data Center Security.
The position will support a US Air Force program that is playing a major role in strengthening and modernizing America's Strategic Deterrent Force. GDIT will develop and deliver a digital engineering design solution which enables and integrates the program’s complete set of data, tools, and model-based systems engineering (MBSE) activities, and makes them available to internal and appropriate external engineering and programmatic stakeholders throughout the program’s lifecycle.
This effort will culminate in an abstracted, highly transportable environment delivered to the Government, to be instantiated “virtually” on the Government’s network infrastructure, and updated during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of weapon system development.
For this effort, GDIT will use cloud based concepts including IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service); PaaS (Platform as a Service); and SaaS (Software as a service) and containerization concepts including Terraform and Docker to buildout the DEE. Together, the application of these concepts will result in a Software-Defined Data Center (SDDC).
Duties of the Cloud Cyber Security Analyst Senior will include developing and integrating the DEE containerized architecture, which includes polices and automation needed to enhance the SecDevOps delivery pipeline within the SDDC.
We are GDIT. The people supporting some of the most complex government, defense, and intelligence projects across the country. We deliver. Bringing the expertise needed to understand and advance critical missions. We transform. Shifting the ways clients invest in, integrate, and innovate technology solutions. We ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. We are there. On the ground, beside our clients, in the lab, and everywhere in between. Offering the technology transformations, strategy, and mission services needed to get the job done.
GDIT is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status, or any other protected class. | https://www.militaryhire.com/jobs-for-veterans/job/2096995/Cloud-Cyber-Security-Analyst-Sr-Secret-Preferred-Remote/city/Falls-Church/ |
LAS VEGAS—If you begin to see smartwatches dangling from tree branches, and activity-tracking wrist bands collecting in rain gutters, then you can thank the Consumer Electronics Show for belching out something akin to a pyroclastic flow of wearable tech over half the earth's surface.
Every CES needs a pre-packaged narrative, and this year the hardware industry decided wearable tech should dominate the script. Wearables are novel. They're visual. And manufacturers are juicing the category with R&D and capital, so we need to scrutinize the hell out of wearables, and figure out exactly how and where they fit into our lives.
I'm leaving CES with five key takeaways. Your data analysis may vary, so aim your contrarian tweets in the direction of @jonphillipssf. Together we can stay ahead of the curve before the wearables ash cloud covers us completely.
1. Big tech needs wearables even more than you do
Image: Jon Phillips
Dear, Intel. Please send your heart-rate-monitoring earbuds. I would like to test them now.
At this year's show, Intel showed off a smart earbud concept that can monitor your heart rate, and cajole you into harder workouts. Sony demoed an activity tracker called the Core that can align steps, geo-location data, and life events in a single, strikingly visual timeline. And LG announced an activity tracker, the Lifeband Touch, that offers phone call notifications, call silencing, and music controls.
To varying degrees these wearables are intriguing, but what's really telling is their pedigree. The wearables conversation has been hijacked by the biggest names in consumer electronics while "traditional" wearables companies (think FitBit and Pebble) have been nudged to the second row. Indeed, at this year's CES, big tech almost seemed desperate to check off their wearable boxes, as if some greater claim to relevance was at stake.
Two factors are in play here. First, the bigger the name, the more sophisticated the story craft. All these companies know what moves headlines, so wearables had to be part of the 2014 narrative. But just as importantly, the hardware titans aren't dummies. They see the future, and it is wearables. Intel in particular needs new territory for Intel Inside.
2. The activity tracker space is painfully overcrowded
image: Jon Phillips
The Garmin Vivofit has a great approach to battery life, but that's its biggest claim to relevance.
For rice cakes, how many different ways can a wrist-worn device show us our daily step counts? Accelerometer-based activity trackers run the risk of becoming the commodity hardware sub-category of the wearables space, and in some cases it's painful to watch new wristbands come to market with such dubious raison d'etre.
Take the new Garmin Vivofit. It doesn't need constant recharging every 10 days, as it remains juiced for a year thanks to a replaceable watch battery. It's a great feature. But is it enough to sway my vote when 10 other activity trackers are vying for my attention?
image: jon phillips
Basis Carbon Steel Edition activity tracker—now with REM sleep data.
Still, we did see flashes of niftier innovation under the CES tent. The Basis tracker looks better than ever in Carbon Steel Edition trim, and exposing REM sleep patterns is a trick that piques my quantified self. I'm also super intrigued by Sony's Core life event graphing. Sure, it may not surprise and delight us when the product finally ships, but it's an approach that advances an activity-tracking space that threatens to enter a bubble of me-too mediocrity.
3. Smartwatch vendors still don't get design
The Neptune Pine smartwatch is large and in charge, and doesn't care who knows.
If you gathered up half of the smartwatches on display at CES 2014, and threw them inside a clear, plastic sack, you'd see a close approximation of what the Brits have traditionally called a Bag of Tat: A loose collection of cheap, gaudy trinkets that provide almost zero value individually, and specious value in aggregate.
OK, I'm exaggerating. Probably. Maybe just a bit. But I got up close and personal with almost every smartwatch of CES 2014, and found way too much industrial design that I would never want attached to my wrist. Some CES watches looked gaudy enough for gumball machines. Some looked like they were designed by circa-1970s digital watch companies—and not in a good way.
Pebble smartwatches just keep on looking better, defying industry trends.
And, yeah, I like the "idea" of the mega-large Pine smartwatch. I'm glad at least one smartwatch company dared to create something akin to a tablet that you wear on the end of your arm. Someone had to do it. I'm just doubtful this is the fashion statement for me.
Now, I actually have great faith in the basic smartwatch concept despite the fact that heavyweights like Samsung and Sony have let us down. In fact, I think both Google and Apple are perfectly primed for smartwatch success, and I hope they bring life to smartwatch rumors that remained at a slow boil throughout 2013. But for now, as we wait for others to figure out the smartwatch market, designers really need to get their visual ID under control.
4. Smartglasses aren't actually real image: jon phillips
Epson Moverio: Wear at your own fashion risk.
The concept. I love the concept. Notifications that appear in my line of sight. Completely hands-free text messaging. Augmented-reality overlays displaying contextual information on top of the pedestrian landscape of (yuck) real life. It all sounds great in theory, but not a single set of smartglasses is ready for mainstream consumers. CES 2014 only reinforced what most of us already know.
Epson showed off second-generation Moverio glasses that poke and hint at useful industrial applications, but you will never—never—see a normal using this latest version in a public setting. There's just no mainstream use case. And the Epson specs look like movie props. Do you want to be that guy?
Then there's GlassUp. It's got more fashion-forward aesthetics than competitors, but these specs are still in a rough prototype stage. I don't think Google Glass will ever go full retail (at least not in any form remotely close to the current alpha version), and I have the same concerns about GlassUp, which is slated to ship to early crowd-funding backers in March, and go retail for $400 later this year.
The essential smartglass concept is incredibly intriguing, but a raft of obstacles—relating to comfort, safety, aesthetics and plain-old usefulness—stand in the way. Not a single smartglass company emerged at CES to scream "We're ready!" and not even the overall wearables hype engine of the show paid much attention to glasses this year.
GlassUp: A smart-looking prototype, if nothing else.
5. Wearables: Still incredibly exciting, all stumbles aside
I'm a cynic. You've already read this far, so you know that about me. But even I, in all my pissy-mooded grumblings of negativity, find optimism in where wearables are heading.
Consider: I feel naked without my Jawbone UP24 attached to my wrist. And I'm encouraged by the new Hangouts feature in the latest Google Glass update. It really does make text messaging a bit more convenient for those times when you can't pull out your phone.
And I'm optimistic about where Intel is going with wearables-friendly chip design. And I'm even glad that half of the wearable companies that demoed at CES showed us gear we'd never want to wear in public. We won't buy their products, but the industry will learn from their mistakes.
Las Vegas was hit by a big, messy, exaggerated mass of wearables hype at CES this year. Let's just accept that as fact, nolo contendere. But the wearables of 2014 aren't the 3D TVs, connected appliances, and no-name E-readers of CESes past. There are just too many useful products—or flawed products with a few useful features—to suggest the hardware industry isn't on to something important.
This story, "The 5 critical lessons CES taught us about wearable tech" was originally published by TechHive.
Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Read our affiliate link policy for more details. | https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086044/the-5-critical-lessons-ces-taught-us-about-wearable-tech.html |
Dr. Rowe has worked for nearly two decades in security and network architecture with a variety of industries in international companies. He has provided secure enterprise architecture on both military and commercial satellite communications systems. He has also advised and trained both national and international governments on cyber-security.
Since joining Brigham Young University in 2010, he has designed a variety of courses on information assurance, cybersecurity, penetration testing, cyber forensics, malware analysis and systems administration and published over a dozen papers in cyber-security. | https://peer.asee.org/cyber-war-is-not-gender-war-experiences-of-creating-a-productive-heterogeneous-environment-in-cyber-security-research |
Searchtopresults.com is a browser hijacker that often replaces search engine on the affected browser. It can be installed on random browser program without taking approval from user or computer owner. This program comes up as a default start-up page and pretends to be a normal search engine page. However, it may have lost credibility due to invasive technique it is using in order to gain access on target computer.
Freeware and shareware are actually programs that may drop Searchtopresults.com redirect onto the computer. There is actually a way to oppose the installation of this unwanted program, if you only choose to load the downloaded program using customized install. In this method, you can cross-out Searchtopresults.com and choose not to install them on the computer. In most cases, it is installed by default because of user’s ignorance on adware that is present on most free software.
The purpose of Searchtopresults.com is to be your default search engine. Second to that, this unwanted program tries to gain online profit through ads that appears on search results. This is the reason why Searchtopresults.com is forcibly injected as your normal home page.
Furthermore, the presence of Searchtopresults.com hijacker on the computer may put your privacy at risks. It may not steal user name and password from your PC but it can monitor how you search the web. It also logs your line of interest and key phrases you input on search engine. Gathered data can be sold to another adware maker that can be a reference to display attractive ads.
Searchtopresults.com Removal Procedure
Below is a systematic instruction that is very useful in getting rid of the potentially unwanted program (PUP) from compromised Windows computer. Aside from removing the malicious browser extension, this guide is also helpful in deleting browser hijacker and pop-ups.
In order to totally eliminate the threat, it is vital to follow the process in exact manner.
Quick Fix - Scan the PC with Combo Cleaner for Windows
Combo Cleaner is a trusted PC security and optimization tool equipped with powerful virus and malware detection engine. This program can get rid of browser hijacker like Searchtopresults.com through this procedure.
1. Download the application from the following page:
4. At the end of the setup process, click Finish to run Combo Cleaner.
5. The tool will update the signature file, please wait for this process to complete.
6. To begin checking for threats like Searchtopresults.com, click on the Start Scan button. Wait for this scan to finish.
7. At the end of the scan process, click on Remove all threats to delete Searchtopresults.com hijacker including all malicious objects from the computer.
Free features of Combo Cleaner for Windows includes Disk Cleaner, Big Files finder, Duplicate files finder, and Uninstaller. To use antivirus, privacy scanner, and to delete identified threats, users have to upgrade to a premium version.
2. Type chrome://extensions/ in the address bar and press Enter on keyboard.
3. Find Searchtopresults.com or relevant entry and remove it from Google Chrome browser.
3. Choose Extensions on sidebar menu.
4. Look for object that is pertaining to Searchtopresults.com and remove it from the browser.
After deleting the malicious browser extension, it is expected that Searchtopresults.com is also gone from the homepage.
5. Press Windows Key + R and then, type appwiz.cpl command.
6. Program and Features window will open. Arrange the list in chronological manner with recently installed applications on top. To do this, click on 'Installed On' column.
7. Select Searchtopresults.com or recently installed unwanted entry. Then, click on Uninstall to remove it from Windows system.
Step 2 : Scan the computer with Sophos Antivirus
To remove Searchtopresults.com automatically, scanning the computer with this powerful anti-virus tool is recommended. This scanner does not just uncover known threats like viruses or malware, it is also effective in discovering browser hijacker like Searchtopresults.com that slows down online browsing activities.
1. Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool from the link below. Save the file on your computer where you can easily access it.
» Download Sophos Virus Removal Tool
2. Once the download completes, browse the location of the file. Double-click to run the program and begin the install process.
3. On first windows of installation wizard, click Next to continue. Then, it will display the program’s License Agreement. You need to Accept the terms in order to proceed. If Windows prompts for User Account Control, please click Yes to proceed.
4. On succeeding windows, click Next or Continue to carry on with the installation. After completing the installation process, Launch Sophos Virus Removal Tool.
5. Internet connection is required when running this scanner in order to download important updates. Make sure that everything is up-to-date to effectively remove malicious program like Searchtopresults.com.
6. Click the button to carry out the Scan. This will check the system for presence of malicious objects, malware, and viruses. The tool reveals items that were found linked to Searchtopresults.com and other suspicious entities. Be sure to remove all identified threats.
The above procedures should have totally eliminated the Searchtopresults.com browser hijacker. However, if you found that there are still remnants of the threat, please proceed to manual removal of associated objects as outlined below.
Step 3 : Scan and Delete Adware with AdwCleaner
In addition to the procedure, we suggest scanning the computer with AdwCleaner tool. Possibly, there are some traces of Searchtopresults.com on the browser that was not deleted during the preceding steps. This tool will scan the computer and check for presence of malicious applications as well as invalid browser entries that produces hijacking, redirects, and pop-ups.
1. Follow the link below to download the tool called AdwCleaner.
» Download AdwCleaner
2. When the download has completed, please close all running programs on the computer especially browsers affected by Searchtopresults.com.
3. Browse the location of the downloaded file and double-click on adwcleaner_Ver.exe to start running the tool. Then, click on Scan button.
4. AdwCleaner searches the computer for malicious programs, extensions, plug-ins, adware, and any items that may be associated to Searchtopresults.com. It will also check for suspicious entries on browser settings that is associated with the hijacker.
5. Clean or Remove all suspicious and harmful items identified after the thorough scan.
6. After the cleanup procedure, rebooting the computer is required to finalize the removal of detected threats.
Check if your internet browser application is no longer being bothered by Searchtopresults.com. If the browser hijacker still persists, please continue with the steps below to reset internet programs to default settings.
1. Open Google Chrome Internet browser.
2. On the address bar, type chrome://settings/reset and press Enter key.
3. Under Reset and clean up section, choose Restore settings to their original defaults.
4. Click Reset settings button to clear all entries of Searchtopresults.com.
5. Close the existing tab and restart Google Chrome. That should have removed Searchtopresults.com extension and associated objects.
Reset Mozilla Firefox to Default
This section describes how to remove unwanted extension from Firefox that may be related to Searchtopresults.com. This process can fix many browser issues by restoring Firefox to factory settings without affecting your essential information (bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, and Internet cookies) on the browser. If you desire to remove only specific extension, please see manual removal of add-on from Firefox.
1. Input the string about:support on Firefox web address and press Enter on keyboard.
2. You will now see the Troubleshooting Information page of Mozilla Firefox.
3. You will notice a section on upper-right corner of the screen stating Give Firefox a tune up. Click the Refresh Firefox button.
4. If confirmation window appears, click Refresh Firefox to continue.
5. Firefox browser will close and start the resetting process. When done, it will display a list of restored data. Searchtopresults.com should be gone by now. Click Finish to open a fresh version of Firefox. | https://malwarefixes.com/remove-searchtopresults-com-redirect/ |
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play in protecting ourselves and the rest of the McMaster community from online threats.
There are a lot of resources available for those that are looking to learn a bit about cybersecurity and how to protect themselves online. Just Google any cybersecurity topic and you will turn up millions of results. But sifting through those can be daunting and confusing, so we decided to do the sifting for you. Throughout out the week we will be directing you to free online materials from a variety of sources that you can share with your friends and family.
Get Started with LinkedIn Learning
A great resource for the McMaster community can be found on LinkedIn Learning. The IT Security team is curating shared course collections of materials that we think will benefit the community:
CyberSecurity for Everyone! – Learn more about online threats that affect everyone and gain the skills and understanding you need to better protect yourself.
CyberSecurity for Leaders – A selection of courses that will provide leaders with the necessary context and understanding to include cybersecurity in their decision making process.
CyberSecurity for IT Professionals – This collection of courses is intended to provide IT professionals the context that will help them to incorporate cybersecurity into their decision making as they manage and maintain the organization’s computers, systems and data.
CyberSecurity for Aspiring Cyber Pros – A collection of learning to help those looking to transition into Cybersecurity as a career take the right first steps.
Members of the McMaster community can log into LinkedIn Learning to access these materials. | https://cto.mcmaster.ca/national-cybersecurity-awareness-month-arm-yourself-with-the-knowledge-to-stay-safe-online/ |
SINGAPORE – October 16, 2018 – BSA companies are at the forefront of privacy and security. We are working with governments around the world who are focused on protecting the privacy of their citizens. Many have begun implementing new personal data privacy laws or are considering enactment of new legislation to support the effort to build strong privacy protections around the world. BSA | The Software Alliance, the leading advocate for the global software industry, is releasing comprehensive Global Privacy Best Practices to guide policymakers as they seek to develop and implement these data protection frameworks.
“We need to ensure that policies meet the privacy and security expectations of consumers, which is critical to the continued success of the data economy,” said Victoria Espinel, President and CEO of BSA | The Software Alliance. “Data improves the ability of people to make decisions and for companies in every industry sector to compete. As governments around the world look to modernize their systems, we will work alongside them to ensure that personal privacy rules are robust and internationally consistent.”
Enabled by software, data-driven innovation continues to power the modern economy, and it will become even more important across every industry sector. Establishing clear guidelines on how personal data is used will protect privacy, and also help boost crucial economic growth and job creation.
Through these Global Privacy Best Practices, BSA recommends a user-centric approach to privacy that will provide consumers with mechanisms to control their personal data. It is important to ensure that the use of personal data is consistent with consumer expectations, while also enabling companies to provide innovative solutions for businesses and consumers.
BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life.
With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 30 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy. | https://ww2.bsa.org/news-events/news/bsa-the-software-alliance-unveils-global-privacy-best-practices-to-guide-the-development-of-data-privacy-frameworks-and-build-trust-in-the-global-economy |
• According to Statista.com, total global trade was worth $22.3 trillion in 2021.
• According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), ships carried over 80% of the goods traded globally.
• 80% of $22.3 trillion is $17.84 trillion, so ships carried around $18 trillion in goods in 2021.
With trillions of dollars on the line, you would think that the world’s ships would be well-protected from cyber attacks. But you would be wrong. Thanks to antiquated IT systems, a general lack of proactive cyber defenses, and an absence of cybersecurity personnel onboard, most ships are easy targets for hackers extorting money through ransomware attacks, and hostile players wanting to wound specific nation’s economies by outright sabotage.
“Threat actors can easily disable or tamper with onboard and offboard systems,” said David Warshavski, vice president of Enterprise Security at the cyber technology and services company Sygnia. “While this may not seem critical to overall operations, it can effectively halt a ship from moving or delivering its cargo.”
Thankfully, there are steps that can be taken to bring maritime cybersecurity up to 21st century standards, and some maritime associations and shipping companies are already taking them. But others aren’t: “There are a lot of cyber deniers that are just saying, ‘Ah, this isn’t that big of a problem’,” said Gary Kessler, principal consultant in the Maritime Solutions Group at Fathom5, an industrial technology company delivering security-first solutions to the maritime industry. “Their frequent response is, ‘Has anybody sunk a ship yet with a cyberattack?’.”
Why Ships Are So Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks
When it comes to cyber attacks, “the maritime sector has unique vulnerabilities that are a consequence of its nature,” said Scott Blough, principal cyber security consultant at Mandiant, a global cybersecurity firm and Google subsidiary. For instance, “it is a worldwide industry, with 80% of all world trade touching a ship at some point in its journey,” said Ian Bramson, global head of Industrial Cybersecurity with ABS Group, which supports the safety and reliability of high-performance assets and operations. “With hackers increasingly looking to disrupt the supply chain to cause chaos and incur larger payouts, maritime operations are becoming increasingly compelling targets.” “Furthermore, ships are rarely as segmented as traditional industrial environments,” Bramson added. “This means that attackers that gain access to one system can often move to other areas — like engine rooms or control systems — with relative ease. This lack of segmentation essentially means there are generally very few safeguards in place to stop a threat that has already breached perimeter security.”
Two ways to add such safeguards is through constant vigilance by IT experts onboard ships, and regular software updates to patch security holes in their IT environments. But most vessels do not have IT people onboard (or even on shore), while many have outdated computers running their ship systems.
“It’s amazing how many shipboard systems are based upon older Windows kernels such as Windows 7 and Windows XP,” said Kessler. “You can’t totally secure these systems because we’re talking about operating system kernels that are no longer supported by Microsoft.”
As for patching those shipboard computers whose operating systems are still supported by their manufacturers? Unfortunately, the VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) satellite communication systems used by ships have limited bandwidth and high connection costs. These constraints make the transfer of large data files from shore to ships time-consuming and expensive, and thus impractical at sea. In other words, “pushing updates is not something that we want to be doing using VSATs,” said Kessler.
Meanwhile, when ships do get to port, installing cybersecurity updates can get pushed out of the way by other priorities. This results in those ships leaving port with their computers still vulnerable.
Then there’s the “huge population” of people who gain access to ships, Bramson told TSI. “Of particular note is the proliferation of third-party maintenance of ship systems as vendors come aboard to test and update systems at ports across the world,” he noted. “Even if these people have good intentions, each person brings a risk. It only takes one vendor accidentally using a malware-infected device to compromise the ship as a whole.”
These problems aren’t the only ones hampering maritime cybersecurity. A case in point: Government initiatives such as the U. S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Performance Goals (which are voluntary) are trying to convince shipping companies to become fully responsible for their own cyber protection. Yet those who try to do so can see their efforts stymied by vendors who restrict the application of cybersecurity controls on their proprietary products.
The maritime sector has unique vulnerabilities that are a consequence of its nature with 80% of all world trade touching a ship at some point in its journey, experts say.
To make matters even muddier, there are a plethora of regulatory bodies stepping all over each other in their well-intentioned attempts to make global shipping more cybersecure. In the U. S. alone, there are over a dozen agencies that play a role in maritime security, which causes effort overlaps and waste. This confusion is made worse by a lack of international cooperation on common standards for items such as incident reporting timelines.
Improving a shipping fleet’s level of cybersecurity is not a ‘dive in and fix it’ situation. To do it right, “organizations need to start with the basics,” said Bramson. This means doing a survey of the entire company’s Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure, “and that begins with a cybersecurity asset inventory,” he said. “Only with that information can crews move onto vulnerability management. You can only protect vital systems if you know what you have and where the risk lies.” “It’s critical to map the systems and applications (and their dependencies) that are key to the ship’s operation, and map the relevant attack vectors that would allow threat actors to disable these systems,” Warshavski observed. “Only then will it be possible to accurately prioritize deployment of security measures and logging mechanisms that facilitate early detection, and allow organizations to mitigate attacks before they fully manifest and become highly disruptive.”
Once the cybersecurity asset inventory has been completed, it is time to detect vulnerabilities and determine what needs to be changed in a shipping company’s IT and OT infrastructure, cyber defenses, and security processes. In other words, it is time to research, develop and implement a cybersecurity plan.
Caution: companies lacking the expertise to do this in-house should seek qualified outside help, because “identifying and implementing the appropriate technologies and processes is a key element in mitigating cyber risk,” said Blough.
So, what should a cybersecurity plan tailored to a specific shipping company include? “Well, a lot of cyber defenses are built upon what we sometimes call ‘Basic Cyber Hygiene’, or ‘Cybersecurity 101’,” Kessler replied.
Mapping a ship’s systems and applications (and their dependencies) and the relevant attack vectors that would allow threat actors to disable these systems, is key to deployment of security measures. Moritz Lüdtke image.
For instance, shipping companies and their fleets should be running, at the very least, on the latest version of Windows — with their systems having security updates installed as soon as they become available. Critical systems should be isolated and protected using complicated passwords, rather than ‘12345’ or ‘PASSWORD’. If possible, shipping companies should investigate applying the ‘Zero Trust’ security approach to their systems. Zero Trust requires users to regularly authenticate their identities as they try to access resources on the network — much like swiping an electric pass at various locked doors — rather than just signing in at a main login portal and going wherever they like unchallenged. Hackers rely on this last weakness to let them break onto a network at one point, and then wreak havoc everywhere.
An effective cybersecurity plan touches on all aspects of a shipping company’s business, not just its ships. Dorian Mongel image.
Other elements of basic cyber hygiene include separating crew access to the internet from corporate access — because people download all kinds of malware unthinkingly on their own time — and not allowing USBs to be used on corporate computers unless their provenance is absolutely known. After all, hackers are known to leave unmarked malware-loaded USB memory keys in the offices they’re targeting. All it takes is for one curious employee to plug the USB key into their computer to find out what it contains, and poof! The malware is launched into their network.
The next step is to replace outdated computers and networks with systems capable of running modern cyber defensive software. “There is an adage in information security that if you take a network that is not secure and try to layer security on top of it, the result will never be as good as using a network that was designed with security in mind in the first place,” said Kessler. He added that such ‘fixes’ can end up costing “a ton of money” without providing the desired results. “It’s actually more cost-effective to rebuild your network to be secure by design.”
Take a Wide-Ranging Approach to Cybersecurity
This is why all elements of that business must be considered and, if need be, changed, when a cybersecurity plan is being developed.
“Policies and procedures need to be updated to include cybersecurity resilience,” Bramson said. “Policies such as Management of Change (MoC) and an Incident Response Plan (IRP) need to include changes and response procedures for critical OT equipment.”
Sometimes hackers penetrate a target company’s network not by attacking it directly, but by penetrating the network of a company supplier with weaker security, and then using that bridgehead to enter their target. This is why shipping cybersecurity teams should find ways to identify attacks on their supply chains as well as themselves. In both instances, “protecting against these attacks is a matter of monitoring operations closely, having good identity and access management protocols, and adhering to cybersecurity best practices,” said Bramson.
“Attacks through the supply chain — for example, when malicious programs are inserted into a system or device that another company uses — are of concern,” he noted. “Preventing these attacks relies on rigorous acceptance and cyber testing of new equipment to identify anomalous behavior that could indicate deficiencies in the system.”
A wide-ranging approach to cybersecurity is not a one-shot deal. Once in place, it shapes everything the company does from now into the future. For example, “one of the most important things that companies should be doing is incorporating cybersecurity throughout all stages of the system development life cycle,” said Blough. “Including cybersecurity in activities such as business requirement reviews ensures that security issues are considered in these requirements and budgets before acquisition. Companies should also incorporate threat modeling into their IT system development lifecycle to proactively identify risks. Early adoption of cybersecurity requirements increases the efficiency and lowers the cost of cybersecurity controls compared to adding after development has been completed.”
Prepare for Penetrations
Reality check: The best cybersecurity defenses will be penetrated at some point, due to the inevitable synergy between hacker cunning and company bad luck. This is why the best cybersecurity plans assume that this will happen, and have proactive measures built in to limit and control the damage.
Preparing for penetration lies in staying aware of the latest cyber threats, so that shipping companies can identify and respond to them as soon as they breach the cyber defenses. “Be familiar with the ‘Battle Terrain’,” Warshavski advised. “Attacks will happen inside defended corporate networks, and our experience shows that companies that had a good understanding of their technology and security stack, across networks and cloud platforms, were better positioned to utilize the tools they already have to fend off attacks as they happened.”
Repelling penetrative attacks successfully also requires lots of pre —attack preparations, which is part of an effective cybersecurity plan. Fortunately, there are lots of after-attack response models to choose from. “One such framework that the U. S. government promotes is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) and Risk-Management Framework (RMF) that is designed to help organizations manage their cybersecurity risk,” said Blough. “This approach allows organizations to efficiently focus resources on the appropriate areas based on risks specific to that organization rather than the alternative inefficient ad-hoc approach.”
A third element of effective after-attack response is putting together the company’s Response Team long before anything actually goes wrong. “Once an attack is discovered, there are multiple parties that have to be aligned to facilitate a swift response and recovery effort — Legal, PR, insurance, negotiators, Forensics, external IT support; just to name a few,” Warshavski said. “More often than not, some of these are various parties that have to work in perfect sync. It’s imperative to get them all in one room before an incident occurs, to ensure that procedures and proper lines of communications are properly established beforehand.”
Four core security domains in a framework to help mitigate cyber risk. Mandiant image.
Once all of this is in place, it is vital for shipping companies to stage cyber attack simulations on a regular basis, so that their people and procedures stay sharp and ready to respond appropriately. “Employees need to know what their role will be should an attack happen, so they can jump into action when the time comes,” Bramson said. “Cybersecurity incident response plans not only need to be established and maintained, but also to be practiced. As with other types of drills, such practice helps people cope with ‘if it happens’ situations, while improving their response times and decision-making during an actual event.”
One Last Thought
Given just how vulnerable many ships are to cyber attacks, and how central IT functions are to keeping modern vessels running safely and smoothly, the time has come for shipping companies to put this expertise onboard as a matter of course.
“I think having a bridge officer on board every vessel with informed responsibility for IT operations and cybersecurity is a place that we need to go,” said Kessler. “You need someone onboard who can look at an incident affecting the ship’s IT systems who can tell if it is user error, a bug or a cyber attack. Right now, many bridge crews can’t tell the difference between an act of God and an act of an intelligent actor when something goes wrong with their computers — and this just has to change.” | https://www.tsi-mag.com/upgrading-maritime-cybersecurity-in-a-dangerous-world/ |
운영 체제: Windows XP Professional Edition / Home Edition / 64-bit Edition / Zver / PC Edition / Starter Edition / Service Pack 1 / SP2 / SP3 32/64비트, x86 Comodo Antivirus 새로운완전한버전 Full 2020. 2020-05-05 · 바이러스 차단, 멀웨어 차단, 스파이웨어 차단, 피싱 차단, 랜섬웨어 차단, 브라우저 보호 등. 오늘날의 온라인 위협은 바이러스 이상을 의미합니다. 장치를 감염시키고 사이버 범죄자에게 개인 데이터에 대한 액세스 권한을 부여할 수 있는 매우 다양한 종류의 온라인 위협 요소가 있습니다. 1일 전 · Once a new thread has been identified, you are instantly protected against it. Our best free Antivirus for Windows software protects millions in minutes. Windows Antivirus by Avira features the latest technologies. Our Antivirus Scanner with award-winning protection detects malware such as viruses, ransomware, Banker Trojans and many more. 1일 전 · "Avira free security is the latest evolution of the modern antivirus solution. In its basic form, it brings forth one of the best antivirus engines, a VPN, and a lot of other efficient goodies that will have a big impact on protecting your privacy and even ensure that your computer is running as it should.".
Before you download Avira Free Antivirus, please verify that your system meets these minimum specifications: Windows: Windows 7 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows Vista SP1 32-bit or 64-bit, Windows XP SP3 32-bit, Windows XP SP2 64-bit RAM: Min. 1024 MB RAM Windows Vista, Windows 7, Min. 512 MB RAM Windows XP. Windows 용 10 가지 맬웨어 제거 도구 1. Avira Antivirus. 32 및 64 비트, Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 32 및 64 비트, Vista SP2 32 및 64 비트, Microsoft Windows XP SP3. Adware에서 구입: 무료 / $ 36 / Year / PC. 10. 슈퍼 얼라이언스 스파이웨어. 2014년 4월 윈도우 xp 지원이 종료된 이후 여러 프로그램들도 점점 xp를 지원하지 않아서 아직 설치 가능한 여러 무료 프로그램들을 모아 봤습니다. 보안과 최신 하드웨어 지원을 위해 xp를 사용하지 않는것이 좋.
호환성: 서비스 팩 3 SP3 이상이 설치된 Windows XP 32 비트, SP 1 이상이 설치된 Windows Vista 32 비트 및 64 비트, SP가 설치된 Windows 7 32 비트 및 64 비트 1 이상, Windows 8/8 Pro 32 비트 및 64 비트, Windows 8.1 / 8.1 Pro 32 비트 및 64 비트 웹 사이트 방문. 판다 시큐리티의 Panda Free Antivirus는 Windows XP SP3 ~ Windows 10 32bit & 64bit 운영 체제에 CPU는 Pentium 300MHz, RAM 256MB에 Hard Disk 여유 공간 240MB 이상에. Microsoft Windows XP Home / Professional 32 비트 SP3 이상 / Professional 64 비트 3 SP2 이상 4 프로세서: 1GHz 이상 메모리RAM: 1GB32비트 또는 2GB64비트. | http://mitrasbo.com/xp-sp3-32-avira-antivirus |
07 Sep 2011 00:04:33 GMT Thanks to Amit Kulkarni for his contributions to this blog.
Since its launch, the Apple iPhone has been on the wish lists of most consumers. The iPhone 4 has already made an impression in the marketplace, so it is obvious that spammers will make the best of this opportunity. Symantec observed spam tactics just before the release of iPhone 4 and is expecting an even greater spam volume when iPhone 5 is released to the market.
The next generation of iPhone is expected to hit the market in September and spammers don’t want people to wait until the official release. Below is a sample of spammer hype campaigning to lure people into their trap. As usual, the bait is a survey one has to complete to be eligible to own “this coveted piece of art!”
25 Jul 2011 19:45:15 GMT The five-time Grammy award winner Amy Winehouse was found dead in London on July 23rd. Symantec has already observed spammers who are trying to capitalize on related news headlines by sending out malicious threats less than a day after the news was released.
The two samples given below are examples that we have observed. These Portuguese-language attacks use similar spam techniques. All samples are sent from randomized individual email accounts with various subject lines related to the celebrity’s death in an attempt to lure interested readers to open a malicious URL. Immediately after the link is clicked, a pop-up window is shown, which asks users to download a file that is loosely disguised as an image or video file, for example (anything other than an executable).
The file is given a name that is related to the celebrity, and of course isn’t an image or video file, but a malicious binary. Symantec has detected the threats in these samples as... Read more Phishing Apple’s iDisk
Mathew Maniyara |
14 Jul 2011 10:10:36 GMT Apple's MobileMe is a collection of online services and software. Among its various services is a file-hosting service called iDisk. Recently, Symantec has recorded phishing sites that spoofed iDisk’s Web page. The phishing sites were hosted on a free Web-hosting site.
So, what’s in this service that interests phishers? The service is based on a paid subscription, with which files of up to 20 GB can be uploaded and shared. Phishers are looking to gain access to this service for free. This is an example of a phishing attack targeting user information for reasons other than financial gain.
The phishing site prompts the user to enter their password for logging in. (In this case, the user ID was already populated on the phishing page.) After the password is entered, the page redirects to the legitimate Web page of Apple MobileMe with an error message for an invalid... Read more Don’t Let Spam Score a Goal in your Mailbox
Carlos Mejia |
11 Jul 2011 14:03:17 GMT It’s been a week since the 2011 edition of the oldest international soccer tournament in the world began, held this year in Argentina. I’m talking about the Copa America. This event is hosted by a South American country every three or four years during the summertime and lasts almost a month. Some say that this tournament is the American equivalent of the UEFA Euro Cup.
South American families and friends hang out together to enjoy the games, and users look for news and the latest results over the Internet. Just as with other important sporting competitions, Symantec has been observing spammers taking advantage of this event to announce multiple unsolicited offers and discounts that are purportedly linked to the soccer tournament.
The spam sample below invites users to visit a Web page that is offering medical equipment. The site also offers more products and discounts that are valid only during the tournament time.
06 Jul 2011 12:26:09 GMT We have recently observed a run of spam that is trying to capitalize on the new social networking platform provided by Google, named Google+. The spam samples are similar to other social network spam messages, which are discussed in one of our previous blogs. Currently, Google is trialing their new venture with limited users; therefore, participation is by invitation only. Hence, it is expected that we’ll see bogus Google+ invites distributed as spam in the wild.
The message in this latest spam campaign looks like a legitimate invite from an already registered user, and it provides an invitation link. However, if one takes even a cursory glance at the URL in the status bar, it shows that the link doesn’t relate to Google in any way.
05 Jul 2011 12:29:52 GMT He was seen several years ago. Now, he is back with the name “Don Gunshot”!
Luring people with promises of huge sums of money in return for bogus favors is the classic method adopted by the Nigerian/419 type of spammers. It is one of the oldest forms of spamming; very rudimentary, yet creatively lethal. This revisited scam tactic uses coercion to force people to pay up or else they will (apparently) face dire consequences. From a lighter point of view, however, it is a bit more humorous than scary.
The above email is indeed a perfect example of a scammer trying to blackmail someone they don’t know from Adam. The spammer does not know you, but he pretends to have received blood money to kill you. He blackmails you with threats of dire consequences if you even try to whisper the secrets explained in the mail. Forget the police, and if you dare to try and tell... Read more Independence Day Offer: Spam Edition
Suyog Sainkar |
30 Jun 2011 17:31:45 GMT As most all of us will know, the United States’ Independence Day is on the fourth of July, which is only a few days away. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, fairs, ceremonies, get togethers, and various other public and private events celebrating the national holiday. Many people also utilize this time for vacation trips, especially if it’s a long July 4th weekend. However, not everyone goes out of town or participates in special events. Some people actually take advantage of the nice holiday weekend to stay at home and catch up on other activities, which may include shopping. Since sales levels are usually lower during holiday weekends, stores and online shopping sites offer lots of exciting deals. In any case, today’s technology makes it possible to shop online from anywhere—even while on a beach vacation, say!
The spammers, as always, have exploited this likelihood and are distributing spam messages... Read more The Rise of Chinese Spam
What’s interesting about this increase is the resurfacing of a body-obfuscation technique that is being used by Chinese spammers—the technique is called “invisible text.” What is “invisible text,” exactly? Invisible text is the body text that’s the same color as the background; therefore, it is invisible to the human eye.
Below are some samples that Symantec has observed. The first sample is a typical Chinese seminar (training course) promotion spam... Read more « first
threatintel: Linux Kernel #Exploit Ported to #Android http://t.co/Xnqu34T6sd11 Jun 2013
threatintel: iOS 7's new security options for iPad, iPhone. Will Activation Lock deter theft or will thieves find ways around it? http://t.co/kmu3L6TOc311 Jun 2013 threatintel: Survey sees how US public feels about #NSA controversy. Interesting stats for the privacy vs national security debate http://t.co/qXVoSeRIU611 Jun 2013 threatintel: US, Chinese presidents talk cybersecurity. Stronger relations may help, but the problems won't disappear overnight http://t.co/Fi3Q9lN3fM10 Jun 2013 | http://www.symantec.com/connect/symantec-blogs/security-response/2281/all/all/all/all?page=10 |
The Business Continuity Institute (BCI) announced that its annual Business Continuity Awareness Week (BCAW) 2012 will take place March 19-23.
BCAW 2012 will provide the opportunity to engage with experts from around the world, to learn about the importance of dealing effectively with incidents on varying scales and how to make an organisation more resilient.
The theme for BCAW 2012 is all about time, linking to the old saying that “no crisis improves with age”. Many businesses feel that a crisis can be managed as and when it arises. However, time is not on your side in a crisis.
People are making decisions under pressure, options are reduced and media scrutiny is at its greatest, exposing the business to unnecessary risk.
Highlights of the week
New research: the BCI and its partners will be publishing new research through the week. Webcasts will provide an opportunity to engage with the authors of these reports.
New webcasts: 30-plus webcast programme will run throughout the week. View them live and ask questions or watch recordings.
BCAW Forum: a LinkedIn Forum for newcomers to ask questions of the business continuity community and for more experienced practitioners to debate the hot topics in the industry.
BC24: groundbreaking, multi-role, online incident simulation game to test your organisation’s crisis management skills, and informally benchmark with businesses across the world.
BCAW 2012 is facilitated by the BCI, the international membership body for business continuity management with something approaching 7,000 members in over 100 countries.
For further information, contact Lee Glendon CBCI, the BCI’s head of research and advocacy, via e-mail at: [email protected]
I want to hear from you. Tell me how we can improve.
B. Monitoring employees’ temperatures
C. Plexi-glass dividers between workstations
D. 6-foot social distancing markers on floors
E. Increased building disinfecting
F. Continued remote work for employees | https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/82747-business-continuity-awareness-week-is-march-19-23 |
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I am avoiding writing this. We’re talking three hours of avoidance and procrastination. Maybe because, at the core of all my “issues” lies vulnerability.
In avoiding writing this, I am avoiding the risk of being seen, of being witnessed, and being told my writing is crap.
Lately I’ve noticed myself putting up walls to protect myself from the possibility of future pain. But when I do this, I don’t connect with those I love. Which means I am feeling pain now. I want to be vulnerable, to risk the possibility of future pain, rather than cause myself pain right now.
1. Two people talking to each other, one was angry (but not at the other), and both were speaking at the same time, over each other, each trying to have their stories heard. I felt myself becoming over-stimulated, and backing away. I wanted to leave, because I could see how neither person was hearing the other, and this made me sad and overwhelmed.
2. I delivered a painting to an acquaintance of mine, and we began to talk. The more we talked, the more openly we each shared, and at one point, I realized just how well this man was listening to me. He asked thoughtful questions, and listened with intent. I felt seen, I felt heard, I felt safe. This allowed me to be vulnerable, and to share some things with him that, before yesterday, I didn’t think I would have. He also allowed himself to be vulnerable and share with me.
Vulnerability is one of my core values, and I surround myself with people who have the ability to be vulnerable, to share their deepest truths. This helps me to grow, to be seen, and to connect with others. | http://belindafireman.com/tag/vulnerability/ |
If the request is unfounded or excessive, we may refuse to act on it, or charge a reasonable fee which takes into account administrative costs.
A request will be deemed to be unfounded or excessive if it is repetitive, or asks for further copies of the same information.
When we refuse a request, we will tell the individual why, and tell them they have the right to complain to the ICO.
We may use cookies to give you the best experience on our website.
You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. | https://littleplumstead.norfolk.sch.uk/gdpr-data-protection/ |
Dish Community is promoting spectrum and roughly 120,000 Enhance Cell pay as you go prospects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to Liberty Latin America. The mixed asset buy will quantity to $256 million.
For Liberty Latin America, the take care of Dish, upon completion, means entry to “precious low, mid, and excessive band spectrum” that the operator’s Senior Vice President Vivek Khemka mentioned will allow it to “add extra capability, enhance speeds, and additional strengthen [its] main 5G cell community.”
In response to Reuters, Dish Community has roughly $21 billion in debt, with $5 billion coming due in 2024 and 2025, and the choice to promote will unencumber some capital for the supplier. Additional, Dish views Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands markets as aggressive and topic to climate challenges, and so believes that by not having to broaden its networks there, will understand notable capital financial savings.
“This transaction will improve competitors throughout the wi-fi market in Puerto Rico and the USVI, whereas offering Dish with further capital to concentrate on our wi-fi enterprise in america,” commented Tom Cullen, government vp of Company Improvement at Dish Community.
Given Dish Community’s disappointing Q3, tightening its focus looks like a good suggestion. The corporate’s inventory plummeted to a 25-year low and the corporate posted a internet lack of $139 million whereas in the identical quarter final yr, the corporate reported internet revenue of $412 million. The pay TV enterprise misplaced 64,000 subscribers in Q3, in comparison with a internet add of 30,000 subs in Q3 2022. The corporate had a internet lack of 225,000 wi-fi subscribers in Q3, in comparison with a internet enhance of 1,000 in year-ago quarter. Dish Wi-fi has 7.5 million wi-fi subscribers. Full financials can be found right here. | https://cybersecuritymate.com/dish-community-sells-spectrum-prospects-to-liberty-latin-america/ |
EFF is proud to announce a new addition to our crack advisory board: security expert and scholar Tadayoshi Kohno. A professor at University of Washington’s Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, Kohno is a researcher whose work focuses on identifying and fixing security flaws in emerging technologies, the Internet, and the cloud.
Kohno examines and tests software and networks with the goal of developing solutions to security and privacy risks before those risks become a threat. His research focuses on helping protect the security, privacy, and safety of users of current and future generation technologies.
Kohno has revealed security flaws in electronic voting machines, implantable cardiac defibrillators and pacemakers, and automobiles. He recently studied flaws in augmented reality (AR) apps, and last year co-developed a tool for developers to build secure multi-user AR platforms. A 2019 report he co-authored about the genealogy site GEDmatch, used to find the Golden State Killer, showed vulnerabilities to multiple security risks that could allow bad actors to create fake genetic profiles and falsely appear as a relative to people in the GEDmatch database.
Kohno has spent the last 20 years working to raise awareness about computer security among students, industry leaders, and policy makers. He is the recipient of an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship, a U.S. National Science Foundation CAREER Award, and a Technology Review TR-35 Young Innovator Award. He has presented his research to the U.S. House of Representatives, and had his research profiled in the NOVA ScienceNOW “Can Science Stop Crime?” documentary and the NOVA “CyberWar Threat” documentary. Kohno received his Ph.D. from the University of California at San Diego, where he earned the department’s Doctoral Dissertation Award.
We’re thrilled that Kohno has joined EFF’s advisory board.
Thanks, you're awesome! Please check your email for a confirmation link.
Oops something is broken right now, please try again later. | https://www.eff.org/sv/deeplinks/2020/05/security-expert-tadayoshi-khono-joins-eff-advisory-board |
Between October 25 and 26 of 2016, 911 emergency dispatch centers in at least a dozen states from California to Florida were overwhelmed by what investigators now believe was the largest cyberattack on the country’s emergency-response system. The attack caused hundreds of smartphones to dial 911, flooding call systems with excessive phone traffic. Although no injuries or deaths were linked to the resulting disruption in service, this is a key case study in which a cyber incident, linked to a piece of malicious code pushed out by Twitter, has triggered cascading, real-world effects, compromised public safety, and necessitated an increased role in response from the emergency management community.
Cyberattacks can compromise real world systems and have real world effects far beyond the initial breach, and the recent 2016 attacks are not the only high profile attack with real-world effects. In 2014 breaches to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) resulted in the theft of personally identifiable information for tens of millions of people. The attack has been linked to China. A cyberattack on Sony Pictures in 2014 led to leaks of information such as personal information about Sony Pictures employees and their families, e-mails between employees, information about executive salaries at the company, copies of then-unreleased Sony films. This attack was later linked to North Korea.
Kinetic Cyber Threats and Emergency Management
Although the attacks on OPM and Sony show that personal information has been a key target, recent trends indicate that actors are now setting their sights on compromising critical infrastructure, introducing the involvement of emergency management.
As adversaries seek to target critical infrastructure using malware, the reality of the virtual world colliding with the physical world and causing real world damage becomes more apparent. Should threat actors be successful in compromising a piece of critical infrastructure, affects could be catastrophic. In fact, in early January, an electricity provider in Vermont detected advanced malware in their system linked to the same malware affiliated with the Russian hack of the Democratic National Convention. Vulnerabilities exist within communities, large and small, here in the US, and that a successful attack on critical infrastructure has the potential for devastating effects to public life and safety. A malware-based incident at a wastewater treatment plant could directly lead to a public health crisis by causing untreated water to backlog into fresh water. Although a compromise to any one piece of infrastructure considered critical could be considered catastrophic, among the most devastating would be a large-scale compromise to the electric grid. A compromise to the grid could not only cause a severe blackout, but could trigger innumerable cascading events, including transportation disruptions, food shortages, and communications systems failures.
What Does This Mean for Emergency Managers?
As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and hostile actors, possibly supported by foreign states, target public and private information technology (IT) infrastructure, the emergency management community is faced with a dilemma in addressing cybersecurity; the disconnect between the culture of departments responsible for maintaining IT, critical infrastructure, and emergency management. Hagerty Consulting has three key recommendations to assist emergency managers to bridge this gap.
Recognize the Problem – The first step is recognizing and understanding the key challenge; historically, IT and emergency management functions have been separate and distinct, which often leads to the assumption that emergency management does not have a role in cybersecurity planning and response. IT is responsible for the prevention of cybersecurity threats through mechanisms such as system hardening, software patching, and penetration testing, Emergency management handles physical response through the deployment of first responders and their equipment. With functions that are so inherently distinct, it is often difficult to conceptualize tangible linkages between the emergency management and IT functions within government. However, the evolving threat landscape necessitates a deeper collaboration between IT and emergency management than what currently exists as sophisticated adversaries aim to compromise key pieces of critical infrastructure.
Establish Pre-Event Relationships with IT and Private Sector Partners – Emergency managers should collaborate with their partners in IT departments and the private sector before an attack occurs. Helping emergency management respond to cyber threats is not to force first responders to learn coding or train them in malware identification. Instead, bridging the historical gap between the IT and emergency management community’s means tapping into emergency management’s strength of operational coordination and communication. Furthermore, collaborating with private sector partners, who own a significant portion of critical infrastructure, will ensure that response is streamlined. In a significant cyber event that has kinetic effects, IT would manage the virtual response (e.g. quarantining the malware, scanning systems) and emergency management would manage the physical response (e.g. establishing unified/area command, managing on-scene incident management); while both entities ensure response is being coordinated throughout the incident.
Develop a Mechanism for Operational Coordination in Cyber Incident – Emergency managers should take steps to ensure that relationships with IT partners are actionable and executable. The key is establishing a mechanism for operational coordination to ensure IT and emergency management are collaborating throughout the response, and not operating in a vacuum. This could include developing cyber threat annexes to their Emergency Operations Plans; implementing a framework for cyber incident response and operational coordination with IT; establishing clear roles and responsibilities and assigning ownership; and conducting workshops, trainings, and exercises with IT partners to review mechanisms for collaboration in a cyber incident.
Siobhan Mullen is a Managing Associate and the Project Lead for Hagerty Consulting’s Cyber Preparedness Portfolio. Ms. Mullen has served as project manager and lead planner in a multitude of preparedness planning efforts, including continuity of operations, evacuation, mass care, disaster recovery, and training and exercise. She has a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice and a master’s degree in Cybersecurity and Intelligence. | https://hagertyconsulting.com/about-us/blog/emergency-management-cybersecurity-planning/ |
If so, you could be heading towards a sizeable sum of money. That’s because Sony announced details of a new bug bounty program that it is running in co-ordination with vulnerability-reporting platform HackerOne.
Sony is inviting security researchers, gamers and anyone else who is interested to “test the security of PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Network.”
Before now, Sony has been running a private invitation-only bug bounty program with some security researchers, but it says that it now believes the best way to enhance security is to embrace the wider community.
To encourage testing by more people, the bug bounty program will be offering rewards for different levels of responsibly disclosed vulnerabilities, reaching over $50,000 for previously unknown critical vulnerabilities on the PS4.
Of course, there are some rules.
Bounty rewards will differ in size depending on the severity of the vulnerability and the quality of the report (both of which will be determined by Sony). For a low-severity vulnerability on PlayStation Network, for instance, you might only receive a reward of $100, ramping up to a minimum of $3,000 for details of a high-severity security problem.
On the PlayStation 4 itself, the numbers increase rapidly to in excess of $50,000 for the most critical reports.
That doesn’t mean you have free reign to spam those sites or to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against them. Intentionally disrupting Sony’s operations or causing any harm is not going to win you any friends, let alone financial rewards.
And don’t think that you’ll be able to report vulnerabilities in Sony’s older gaming hardware (such as earlier versions of the PlayStation, the PS Vita, or the PSP) or flaws found on the PlayStation 4 if it is not running the current beta version of its system software.
Sony does not want you to be testing its corporate IT infrastructure. I imagine that it has internal security teams and expert third-party firms who help it with that kind of work. The last thing they would want is every man and his dog trying to hack into their corporate email servers.
That’s not to say that Sony might not be interested if you find vulnerabilities that aren’t covered by the rules of the PlayStation bug bounty program. It’s just that you will have to report them via a separate bug bounty process and play by its rules.
But if you do find a critical vulnerability in PlayStation 4 or the PlayStation Network, you could find yourself on the receiving end of a substantial reward – provided you are prepared to work together with Sony, giving them time to remediate any problems before you go public about it.
For full details of what you can do, what you can’t do, and how you might be rewarded for it, go check out the Sony PlayStation bug bounty page at HackerOne.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in this guest author article are solely those of the contributor, and do not necessarily reflect those of Tripwire, Inc. | https://www.tripwire.com/state-of-security/featured/playstation-vulnerability-bug-bounty/ |
As more and more people and organisations adopt cloud services, Cloud Access Security Brokers (CASBs) have become a must-have for the information security team to help monitor activity and enforce security policies. CASBs provide critical capabilities such as governing access and activities in sanctioned and unsanctioned cloud services, securing sensitive data and preventing its loss. It plays an important part in protecting organisations against internal and external threats.
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The Netskope CRA will help you understand your risk around the data that you are sharing and help you identify sensitive data.
If you are interested in CASB, then a CRA is a good starting point to help you get started.
You are encouraged to explore your data using the Netskope user interface. Netskope's real-time Analytics and Reporting tools can provide additional insight into your cloud application data.
Ready to sign up? It is absolutely free. | https://www.sss.co.nz/solutions/security-products/cloud-security-and-enablement/ |
The number of new undergraduate computing majors in U.S. computer science departments increased more than 29% last year, a pace called "astonishing" by the Computing Research Association.
The increase was the fifth straight annual computer science enrollment gain, according to the CRA's annual surveyof computer science departments at Ph.D.-granting institutions.
The 2011-12 academic year also saw the third straight year of double digit growth at these schools, according to the survey.
The CRA also reports gains by schools who participated in the survey both this year and last year. The enrollment gain for those schools was nearly 23%, it said.
The enrollment gains are also reflected in bachelor degree programs, which enrollws 20% more computer science majors than last year.
Computer enrollments "are somewhat cyclical based on the perceived strength of the IT sector," said Peter Harsha, the CRA's director of government affairs.
But in regard to the recent upward trend, Harsha said CRA members are saying that "students are much more aware of the importance of computational thinking in just about every other field of science and technology."
Harsha said that many fields "are increasingly data-driven and computationally-driven, and students see that a degree in computer science gives them access to a wide range of well-paying careers."
The CRA's annual Taulbee Survey has been tracking computer science enrollments and degrees granted for many years at Ph.D-granting schools and has turned up some interesting trends.
The survey is named after the late Orrin Taulbee, the first chairman of the University of Pittsburgh's computer science department.
In 1999, with the emergence of an e-commerce business, enrollments hit new highs, according to the survey, with the average computer science department having an enrollment of about 400 students. But with the dot-com crash, enrollments fell and hit bottom around 2007, at 200 per department.
The average enrollment per department today is just over 300.
Women remain underrepresented in computer science, but latest survey did report an uptick in new female graduates.
The percentage of women graduating with a bachelor's degree in computer science rose from 11.7% in the 2010-11 academic year to 12.9% in 2011-12. But in computer engineering the fraction of female graduates decreased, to 10.6% from 11.8%.
The survey also found that more students are earning a Ph.D., with 1,929 degrees granted - an 8.2% increase over the prior year.
The pool of undergraduate students represented in the CRA survey is 67,850. Of that number, 57,500 are in computer science.
Patrick Thibodeau covers SaaS and enterprise applications, outsourcing, government IT policies, data centers and IT workforce issues for Computerworld. Follow Patrick on Twitter at @DCgov, or subscribe to Patrick's RSS feed . His e-mail address is [email protected]. | https://www.cio.com.au/article/455910/computer_science_enrollments_soared_last_year_rising_30_/ |
EJReynolds – Cybersecurity Commitment. Trust your retirement plan development and your personal data with the experts at EJReynolds.
Retirement Plan Cybersecurity is now a top priority focus for the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Department of Labor (DOL). In 2021, both agencies released guidelines and regulations addressing this important topic, and the trend will continue in the future. The DOL indicated that an audit program is forthcoming. For additional information on the DOL regulations, go to our website blog about cybersecurity and click on Department of Labor Issues Guidelines for ERISA Fiduciaries on Cybersecurity.
What can you do to ensure your data is safe? EJReynolds has taken definitive measures to safeguard our client information with our innovative cybersecurity commitment that will give you peace of mind knowing your most confidential information is safe and secure. Our advanced cybersecurity program stems from our core principles of trust, integrity, and ethics. We collect only the necessary information to consistently deliver the best products and services for our clients. All EJReynolds employees are required to complete ongoing extensive training programs on new threats and how to manage them. We have implemented security standards and processes to ensure that access to client information is limited to your EJReynolds Plan Consultant.
Since 2017, all employees have been required to complete extensive training programs through KnowBe4.com©, a nationally recognized leader in security awareness training. Along with monthly training on the latest ERISA rules and regulations, each employee must complete training sessions in cybersecurity.
Hackers constantly change their tactics; EJReynolds is constantly training our staff to prepare for these situations.
Our commitment to your security is just one more reason to trust your retirement plan administration to EJReynolds. For our latest Cyber Security Updates, go to www.ejreynoldsinc.com/cybersecurity. | https://ejreynoldsinc.com/ejreynolds-cybersecurity-commitment-trust-your-retirement-plan-development-and-your-personal-data-with-the-experts-at-ejreynolds/ |
The UK Government Department for Education has recently released an excellent document detailing some of the steps necessary to demonstrate compliance with GDPR called DfE GDPR Toolkit for Schools.
However, like all good government documents, it does not cover all the scenarios of GDPR and/or how to implement the policies necessary to help ensure the rules are followed. The areas covered by DfE GDPR toolkit for schools include the following steps:
Operationalize Data Protection, and keep it living.
Unfortunately, the DfE GDPR toolkit for Schools does not provide guidance on consent, and when legitimate interest should and could be used. Furthermore, there is very little about accountability – a guiding principle of GDPR (article 5) as each head teacher will be expected to be able to explain who, what, where and why when it comes to personal data.
Of course the real danger is the possibility of parent/carers asking or exercising their ‘Individual Rights’ – rights to access data about their children, performance and all manner of previously unreachable data. Furthermore, a school must respond to these requests within 30 days.
This could be a new type of data feeding frenzy, with every helicopter parent/carer demanding access to the data or threats of court injunctions, ICO regulator action, HM Inspectors whistle blowing and private litigation cases. Could this all become the new talk at the school gates?
The ICO has provided some great information and documented what each of the eight (8) Rights will mean for organizations (including schools). What it hasn’t done is explain what head teachers and Governors could do if they become inundated with such requests It literally could become an entire new administration function (and that’s on top of an already over stretched school office!).
However, what is missing in this DfE document is the lack of coverage on data security and third party access. My child’s data or the data that I have registered with the school or DfE, is held in databases that I have little or no knowledge about. My guess is that many of these third party relationships (data exchanges) date back to a bygone era and relies on vague agreements or loosely worded government or local council contracts.
Many of these contracts would now be considered as ’controller to controller’, or ‘controller to processor’ agreement and my worry is; how would accountability play out if any one of them (the school, DfE or the third party) became victims of e-crime or suffered from a major data loss/leak. Who would pick up the loss, damage or liability?
Take my local provider of schools meals, I have to pay in or ‘top-up’ my daughter’s account so she can spend £2.20 on her lunch. This may be fine, but this processor [on behalf of my local school] stores sensitive personal data (e.g. medical data such as allergies) and my credit card data, making it prime candidate for hacking or e-crime. The problem is, I’ve no idea about the level of accountability or security, or even if there is a contract in place, and if yes, does the processor have to notify my school [and the ICO] if it’s been hacked within 72 hours?
So I am powerless, and yet GDPR is all about taking back control. Giving back the ability to control my data, including whom has access to what, why, where and when – especially when it comes to our children’s data.
Then there is the question of consent. Did I consent to my daughter’s photos being used on the school website? Moreover, why do I need cookies? It’s not like the school are going to tailor messages to suit my browsing habits.
If I go to the website, it’s usually because I need the phone number or to check if it’s closed when its snows. For that matter, I don’t recall giving my explicit, and unambiguous consent to receiving marketing messages about Zumba classes being held in the school hall on a Tuesday evening?
So there is much to be done across the 24,000 schools in England and Wales, and fortunately (for some schools), there are a few of us experienced and qualified DPOs that are giving up their time and money to help out.
Once again, the great British (unrecognized) economy of hard working volunteers is being relied upon to sure up what really should be done by the DfE. | https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/blogs/gdpr-in-schools-dpo-governor/ |
Cybersecurity firm Norton LifeLock’s research team recently published a study in collaboration with IMDEA Software Institute, investigating unwanted app distributions on Android devices – identifying Google Play Store as the primary distributor of malware on Android devices.
Observing 7.9 million applications on 12 million devices between June and September 2019, researchers found that while Google Play Store has a better defense mechanism against undesirable applications, it still accounts for 67% of unwanted app installs, besides being responsible for 87% of all installs.
Using online service VirusTotal, ‘unwanted applications’ were detected at first – including malware (ransomware, banking trojans) and potentially unwanted programs (PUP) such as adware and rogueware. Following this, the distribution vectors were analyzed.
Another important source of unwanted application installation is bloatware – (usually) pre-installed apps that are tricky to uninstall and have unclear functionality. This could be attributed to their source of revenue – unregulated third-party advertisements that entice users and encourage them to click the ads.
It is estimated that 10% – 24% of all devices that are used, come across unwanted applications at least once. Even though the Google Play Store is responsible for most of these, it is much safer than alternative installation platforms. | https://bytevarsity.com/study-identifies-google-play-store-as-largest-distributor-of-malware/ |
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The internet browser feature is very useful for parents with youngsters. When they embark on the online world, they often visit sites that are unacceptable or might contain attacking content. By simply restricting the browsing of such sites to a specific band of websites, father and mother can stop their kids right from visiting these sites. The internet browser feature is particularly useful if you frequently allow them visit websites where although they are not welcome.
The entire AV browser protection program features several different types of firewalls. There is a complete firewall that comes with it, which usually blocks each and every one viruses, worms, Trojans, adware, trojans and spyware and adware. along with a cost-free version of the Windows fire wall.
In addition to the cost-free version of the Glass windows firewall, the total antivirus program also offers fire wall security for Landscape, XP, House windows 7, Mac OS X and Apache. You can also switch on a remote security suite that it will work on all of the major browsers.
You can mount the Total AV firewall in your personal computer or perhaps laptop. Yet , it may take a few minutes to get your personal computer protected, so you may choose to consider using the PC secureness suite. That is another powerful tool to take care of computer protected while surfing the Internet. You are able to choose to create a digital private network in order to allow you to surf the Internet anonymously.
Additionally, it helps you steer clear of identity fraud, which happens when someone uses your online looking and banking information to build purchases that you just did not allow. online.
Your pc security selection will warn you in the event you download a message attachment that is suspicious. or perhaps if a software on your computer that is certainly downloaded has its own type of issue. When you make an effort to remove a software that does not possess any complications, the computer might prompt you to run a scan to repair the problem. If there is a problem, you can then get the software program to solve the problem before it has a opportunity to harm your computer.
Something else you can do along with your computer is to get Total AV antivirus modified regularly. This will likely keep your system protected by being vulnerable to new hazards. | https://talentworld.biz/give-protection-to-your-computer-having-a-total-antivirus-security-software-security-package/ |
Data breach notifications are on the rise, as companies in Australia increase their transparency over damaging security incidents and highlight the success of the country’s new notification scheme.
A total of 242 breach notifications were disclosed between April and June 2018, according to the latest review of the country’s data laws, released by the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC).
The majority of these reported incidents, 59%, were caused by malicious actors attacking an organization’s infrastructure, whereas only 88 breaches, 36%, were the result of human error such as sending personal information to the wrong recipient. Only 5% were due to a system failure.
“The report provides important information on the causes of data breaches so all entities can learn lessons and put in place prevention strategies,” said Angelene Falk, Australian’s information commissioner and acting privacy commissioner, following today’s launch of the Notifiable Data Breaches Quarterly Statistics report.
“The OAIC continues to work with entities to ensure compliance with the [NDB] scheme, offer advice and guidance in response to notifications, and consider appropriate regulatory action in cases of non-compliance.”
The Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, enacted in February, requires businesses, charities, and government agencies with an annual turnover of $3 million or more to notify consumers if their information has been exposed in a data breach, which could cause them “serious harm”.
Failure to report such breaches under the new scheme can rack up fines of up to $2.1 million – a number that has apparently scared companies into action and ranked consumer privacy ahead of an organization’s public image.
Falk added: “Notifications this quarter show that one of the key aims of the scheme – ensuring individuals are made aware when the security of their personal data is compromised – is being met.
“Data breach notification to individuals by the entities experiencing the data breach can equip individuals with the information they need to take steps to reduce their risk of experiencing harm, which can reduce the overall impact of a breach.”
Still, the question remains of how to stop these breaches from occurring in the first place, particularly in sensitive areas such as healthcare, an industry that was found to have the largest number of reported breaches – 49 – according to the OAIC report. The finance sector was a close second, with 36 breaches reported.
The OAIC has recorded 305 notifications since the NDB scheme began in February 2018. It recommends ensuring staff are implementing best password practice, and for organizations to continue raising awareness of good security hygiene. | https://portswigger.net/daily-swig/australian-data-breach-scheme-proves-a-tentative-success |
BI’s Article search uses Boolean search capabilities. If you are not familiar with these principles, here are some quick tips.
To search specifically for more than one word, put the search term in quotation marks. For example, “workers compensation”. This will limit your search to that combination of words.
To search for a combination of terms, use quotations and the & symbol. For example, “hurricane” & “loss”.
Ransomware has become frighteningly pervasive and increasingly serious — a reality punctuated by the massive global WannaCry cyber attack that recently affected tens of thousands of organizations across a wide range of industry sectors.
Organizations can proactively manage ransomware risk through the adoption and implementation of robust cyber security and business continuity practices, and by training employees how to spot and avoid social engineering exploits, such as phishing emails. But there is no such thing as perfect cyber security, limits exist around what is feasible in terms of security and business continuity planning, and mistakes happen. Organizations must accept that they may face a ransomware attack.
Insurance can play a vital role in a company’s overall strategy to address, mitigate and maximize protection against the losses and exposures relating to a ransomware attack. Importantly, virtually all standalone cyber insurance policies offer specific coverage for ransomware and other forms of cyber extortion, in addition to other standard coverages.
Although cyber insurance can be extremely valuable, obtaining the right cyber insurance product presents significant challenges. There is no standardization among cyber insurance policies, notwithstanding that the associated marketing materials frequently make it seem as though the majority of policies available today are capable of an apples-to-apples comparison. This could hardly be further from reality. Cyber insurance policies vary dramatically. Although this creates challenges, it also creates opportunities.
Owing in part of the lack of standardization, organizations can achieve significant negotiated enhancements to off-the-shelf cyber insurance forms that dramatically broaden the coverage. Many, if not the majority, of these enhancements involve no increase in premium.
Organizations initially purchasing or renewing this type of coverage are well advised to engage the assistance of knowledgeable outside counsel at the outset to ensure that the appropriate insurance is in place when an attack occurs, and that coverage is maximized in the wake of an attack.
Here are 10 tips for maximizing coverage for ransomware and other forms of cyber extortion.
• Obtain a broad scope of coverage. Cyber extortion coverage should be written to cover as broad a range of potential threats as possible. The coverage should not be limited to ransomware, but should also cover the various other forms of cyber extortion potentially faced by the organization, including threats to obtain or release protected information — such as personally identifiable customer data, protected health information and confidential corporate information — or to discharge denial-of-service attacks that disrupt an organization’s networks, causing business interruption. By way of example, one recent off-the-shelf cyber policy extortion coverage grant promises to “reimburse Extortion Expenses incurred by an Insured in response to … an actual Network Extortion Threat,” which is defined to list specific types of attacks: “[A]ny credible threat or series of related threats directed at an Insured to: release, divulge, disseminate, destroy or use Protected Information or confidential corporate information of an Insured taken from an Insured as a result of the unauthorized access to or unauthorized use of an Insured’s Computer System or Shared Computer System; cause a Network Security Failure; alter, corrupt, damage, manipulate, misappropriate, delete or destroy Digital Data; or restrict or inhibit access to an Insured’s Computer System or Shared Computer System.” It is important to understand and negotiate the key definitions that define the scope of coverage to ensure that they are sufficiently broad to match the reality of risk faced by the insured organization.
• Obtain a broad definition of covered loss. Covered loss should include reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as a result of a covered threat, including the costs of investigating and assessing a threat, even if no ransom is paid; payment of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin; any other consideration or action that may be demanded by the extortionists; and reasonable expenses incurred to mitigate or reduce other covered expenses.
• Pay attention to conditions. Organizations are advised to pay close attention to policy conditions, including notice and consent provisions, proof of loss provisions, allocation provisions, alternative dispute resolution provisions and any requirements that the organization notify law enforcement of the incident at issue.
• Beware of exclusions. Like any other insurance policy, a cyber policy may contain exclusions that may significantly curtail and undermine the purpose of the coverage. For example, some insurers insert exclusions based on purported shortcomings in the insured’s cyber security. Following one health care-related data breach, for example, CNA Financial Corp. filed coverage litigation against its insured, Cottage Health, seeking to avoid coverage based on an exclusion in the NetProtect360 policy at issue, entitled “Failure to Follow Minimum Required Practices.” Citing the exclusion, CNA alleged that coverage was barred because its insured failed to “continuously implement the procedures and risk controls identified in its application,” to “regularly check and maintain security patches on its systems” and to “enhance risk controls,” among a host of “other things.” These types of exclusions, which are sometimes included in other insurers’ policies, too, should be rejected.
• Be aware of sublimits. Cyber extortion coverage may be written subject to a relatively low sublimit, such that, for example, a $10 million limit primary policy may provide only $250,000 or $500,000 for cyber extortion losses. As with the case of other cyber insurance terms and conditions, sublimits usually are negotiable, and should be sufficiently high to cover reasonably projected exposure.
• Obtain a “discovery” trigger. Cyber extortion coverage should specify that the coverage is triggered by the insured’s “discovery” of a threat, rather than by the occurrence of an incident after a certain “retroactive date.” • WannaCry? Notify! Insurance policies typically contain notification provisions stating that the insured must provide notice “as soon as practicable” after it becomes aware of an incident. It is important to reasonably comply with notice provisions in order to not jeopardize coverage. It is important, moreover, for organizations to recognize that what begins as a relatively low cyber extortion demand may evolve into an incident, or series of related events, that triggers other coverage sections of the policy. Indeed, a ransom demand may be deployed as a purposeful diversion from a different, principal goal, such as stealing sensitive records.
• Obtain “consent.” Cyber extortion coverage invariably will contain a “consent” provision, which will require the insured organization first obtain the insurer’s approval to pay or incur costs, including the payment of ransom. Toward the goal of obtaining coverage, it is important that the insured reasonably comply with these types of provisions. Policies may be negotiated to state that the insurer’s consent may “not be unreasonably withheld.” • Maximize coverage across the entire insurance program. Organizations are advised to consider all potentially applicable insurance coverages. A cyber extortion incident may trigger, for example, computer crime policies, kidnap and ransom policies and traditional property policies. The various policies that may be triggered by a cyber attack likely carry different limits, deductibles, retentions and other self-insurance features, together with various potentially conflicting provisions addressing other insurance, erosion of self-insurance and stacking of limits. It is important to carefully consider the best strategy for pursuing coverage in a manner that will most effectively and efficiently maximize the potentially available coverage across the insured’s entire insurance portfolio.
• Don’t take “no” for an answer. Unfortunately, even where there is a legitimate claim for coverage under the policy language and applicable law, an insurer may deny an insured’s claim. Organizations that refuse to take “no” for an answer may be able to secure valuable coverage if they effectively pursue their claim. | https://www.businessinsurance.com/article/00010101/ISSUE0401/912313755/Finding-the-right-insurance-coverage-helps-mitigate-ransomware-exposures- |
Help! I've been hacked Your service provider goes down. What now? Who do I need to notify, what are my legal obligations? How can we help improve your cybersecurity?
Do you want to protect your organisation against cybercrime, hacking and cyber risks in general? This is certainly relevant for SMEs and all organisations that have trade secrets, commercial data, customer and supplier data, location data, software as a service solutions, etc.
Together with our partners, Timelex can offer you advice on how to improve your cyber security. After all, this is not just a matter of technical IT security but requires a holistic approach in which you have to think about several things, including:
Draw up an action plan that enables you to take concrete steps to improve your cybersecurity.
Don't stop at a plan. There may be a need for advice and guidance, both IT technical and legal.
What are the costs? The government provides subsidies and funding for cybersecurity projects for SMEs. Contact us for an introductory meeting. | https://www.timelex.eu/en/blog/how-can-we-help-improve-your-cybersecurity |
Organizations tend to think once they hire an employee or a contractor, that person is now part of a trusted group of people. Although an organization might give an employee additional access that an ordinary person would not have, why should it trust that person?Many organizations don't perform background and/or reference checks, and as long as the hiring manager likes the candidates, they will hire them. But some people might not be who you think they are, and not properly validating them can be an expensive, if not fatal, mistake. Because many organizations hire complete strangers, who are really unknown entities, and give them access to sensitive data, the insider threat is something that all organizations must now worry about.
If a competitor or similar entity wants to cause damage to your organization, steal critical secrets, or put you out of business, then all it has to do is find a job opening, prep someone to ace the interview, have that person get hired -- and they are in.
The fact that this is easy to do should scare you. Many companies have jobs open for several weeks, and it could take a couple of weeks to set up an interview. That gives a competitor focused on your company a four-week period to prep someone to ace an interview. This is what foreign governments do when they plant a spy against another country. They know a key criterion for that person is passing the polygraph, so they will put that person through intensive training in order to do so.
This points out an organization's key disadvantage: The attacker knows what process you are going to follow to hire someone, and all it has to do is prep someone to ace that part of the process.
I often hear people say all of that is hype and cannot happen to them. This is synonymous to thinking bad things only happen to others -- until they happen to you, of course, and then you have a different view of the world.
Public attacks, like defacing a Web site, are hard for a company to deny. On the other hand, insider threats are occurring all the time, but since they are happening within a company, they are a private attack and are easier to conceal.
Because these attacks are perpetrated by trusted insiders, you need to understand the damage they can cause, how to build proper measures to prevent the attack, how to minimize the damage, and, at a minimum, how to detect the attacks in a timely manner.
Many of the measures companies deploy today are ineffective against the insider. When companies talk about security and securing their enterprises, they are concerned with the external attack, forgetting about the damage that an insider can cause. Many people debate about what percent of attacks come from insiders versus outsiders. But both can cause damage to your company and put you out of business, so who cares what the percent is?
Both have to be addressed and dealt with. I would argue that since the insider already has access, the amount of damage he can cause is much greater than an external attacker, while the chances of getting caught are much lower. If an attacker comes in from the outside, then he has access only to systems that are publicly accessible, and he has to break through security devices. If an attacker comes from the inside, then she has full access and minimal, if any, security devices to deal with. As our digital economy continues to grow and the stakes increase, anyone who wants serious access to an organization is not going to waste his time with an external attack -- he is going to go right for the trusted insider.
Meanwhile, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon. The U.S. Secret Service conducted a series of studies on the insider; conferences are popping up on the subject. Why? Because billions of dollars are being lost and something has to be done to stop the bleeding. You will never be able to completely remove the insider threat because companies need to be able to function. You can't fire all of your employees to prevent an insider attack. The key is to strike a balance between what access people need and what access people have.
Dr. Eric Cole, Ph.D., is a security expert with more than 15 years of hands-on experience. Cole has experience in information technology with a focus on perimeter defense, secure network design, vulnerability discovery, penetration testing, and intrusion detection systems. He is the author of several books, including Hackers Beware, Hiding in Plain Site, Network Security Bible, and Insider Threat. He is the inventor of more than 20 patents, and is a researcher, writer, and speaker. Cole is a member of the Commission on Cyber Security for the 44th President and several executive advisory boards, and is CTO of the Americas for McAfee. Cole is involved with the SANS Technology Institute (STI) and SANS working with students, teaching, and maintaining and developing courseware. He is a SANS fellow, instructor, and course author. | https://www.darkreading.com/risk/insider-threat-reality-check |
I’m not entirely certain when BackTrack/Kali began behaving more like a regular desktop distro but I seem to recall that originally, networking subsystems were down when you booted up into Run Level 3. It was up to you to turn on the interfaces and fire up a GUI if such was desired. IMO, that’s precisely how it should be. I get it. Most of us aren’t ever won’t ever find ourselves in a clandestine lot, inside of a snack and caffeine filled, non-descript, conversion van with a Yagi pointed at the bubble-window, ready to pilfer innocent datums just trying to get by in this lossy-protocoled, collision-rife, world.
Rather, very many of us just want the stinking box online so we can run through our tutorials and hack our own intentionally vulnerable VMs. A thorough taste of hacking’s un-glamorous underbelly is quite enough for many.
I’m confident that the BT fora were inundated with fledgling hackers complaining that their fresh install couldn’t find WiFi or didn’t load the desktop. However, I feel that distros dedicated to the Red Team should try to instill good habits. Having your machine boot and activate an interface announcing your presence and spewing out MAC and hostname is bad for business. Booting into a (comparatively) heavy GUI is also not where I want to begin.
Let’s imagine that we’re trying to crack into a thing. Don’t we want to apply maximal CPU resources, rather than having GUI elements bringing little beyond cost? If you notice, very many of the related tools still live on the CLI. The typical course of development (e.g.: Nmap, Metasploit) is that the CLI version is thoroughly developed before someone drops a GUI atop (respectively: Zenmap, Armitage).
So let’s take our Kali and make a few quick changes. We want to boot up in text/CLI mode and we want networking left off until we choose to make noise. Further, we want to randomize our MAC address and hostname at every boot.
We’ll use iwconfig to enumerate our wireless interfaces.
> systemctl set-default multi-user.target
Created symlink /etc/systemd/system/default.target → /lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target.
Traditionally from text mode, we bring up the GUI desktop with the command startx. Since we don’t yet have that command, let’s create it:
> echo "systemctl start gdm3.service" > /usr/sbin/startx & chmod +x /usr/sbin/startx
While the overall telos of this blog is to, generally speaking, convey code snippets and inspire the personal projects of others, today we’re going to do something a smidgeon different.
This will be a layman’s look at varied dimensions of information security from a comfortable distance. Over the years, I’ve secured servers, operating systems, medical data, networks, communications and I’ve unsecured many of these same things. The topics are too sprawling to be covered in a quick summary — but let’s find a point of entry.
Those of us who are passionate about information security are well aware of how daunting is the situation. For newcomers, it sometimes seems rather impossible. Pick any subject and there are probably well-informed and convincing experts in diametric equidistance from any “happy medium”.
Let’s imagine that (like most of us) you don’t have anything spectacular to protect. However, you dislike the idea of our ever-dissolving privacy. Therefore you want to encrypt communications. Maybe you begin to use Signal. However, there are criticisms that there is a “backdoor” (there is not). Further, there are accusations that open source projects are coded by those who can’t get real jobs. Conversely, open source projects are widely open for peer review. If it worries one enough they are free to review code themselves.
PGP can encrypt content but concerns surround algorithmic selections. Some are worried about metadata crumbs. Of course, there’s nothing preventing the frequent switching of keys and email addresses. You could use BitMessage, any number of chat solutions or drop at paste bins.
Let’s leave those concerns aside for when you’ve figured out what you’re intending to protect. These arguments surround any subject in information security and we’re not going to investigate them on a case by case basis. Least, not in this post.
At the coarsest granularity, the question is analogous to the practicality of locking your doors or sealing your post envelopes. Should I take measures toward privacy?
My opinion is rather predictable: of course you should!
There’s a very pragmatic explanation. If there ever comes a day when you should like to communicate privately, that’s a terrible time to start learning.
Take the easy road and start using some of the myriad tools and services available.
Should you decide to take InfoSec seriously, you’ll need to define a threat model.
That is: What am I protecting? From whom am I protecting? (e.g. what are probable attack vectors?)
That’s where you need to make choices about trusting products, protocols, methods, algorithms, companies, servers, et cet. Those are all exciting subjects to explore but all too often brushing up against them can be exasperating and cause premature burn-out.
That in mind, let’s employ the philosophy that any effort toward security is better than none and take a look at a few points where one might get wetted-toes.
If you have questions or want specific advice, there are several ways below to initiate a secure conversation with me.
Recently, I read a rather excited attention-catching piece about how Wickr is the super-secure version of Slack. Attention caught in part because I feel like Wickr has been around for a while. I’d not seen anyone raving about its security in places where I normally interact with those who are highly informed about such subjects.
Good is that it seems the folk at Wickr did a fine job of making sure valuable data aren’t left behind.
The bad: closed-source, not subject to independent review; crazy marketin’-fancy-talk without a thorough description of how it does what is claimed.
Any time I’m looking at a product or service that boasts security, I sort of expect to see a threat model.
[ Update: At the time I was working on this project, the folk at Wickr were, evidently, opening their source. That’s spectacular news! Check it out on Github. ]
This began as an exercise to provide another piece of security-ish software in a Docker container. Anyone who has used a live distro (e.g., Kali, TAILS) with any regularity knows the ritual of installing favorite tools at each boot, data stores on removable media.
dpkg -I wickr-me_2.6.0_amd64.deb new debian package, version 2.0.
Depends: libsqlcipher0, libuuid1, libicu52, libavutil52|libavutil54, libc6, libssl1.0.0, libx264-142, libglib2.0-0, libpulse0, libxrender1, libgl1-mesa-glx
Recommends: libnotify-bin, gstreamer-plugins0.10-good, gstreamer-plugins0.10-bad, gstreamer-plugins0.10-ugly
gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly - GStreamer plugins from the "ugly" set
So, there’s the format we need to get the gstreamer dependencies. We know that we’ll also want SSH and wget. That should be enough for our Dockerfile.
wickr-me: error while loading shared libraries: libxslt.so.1: cannot open shared object file: No such file or directory
Huh! We need libxslt. Let’s fix that: apt-get install libxslt1-dev
This application failed to start because it could not find or load the Qt platform plugin "xcb".
Available platform plugins are: eglfs, linuxfb, minimal, minimalegl, offscreen, xcb.
Reinstalling the application may fix this problem.
We now have Wickr in a Docker container and, because we are the curious sort, need to peek into what’s happening.
A natural first step is to set Wireshark atop Wickr. At a glance, seems to be communicating with a single IP address (204.232.166.114) via HTTPS.
Unsurprsingly, the client communicates to the server whenever a message is sent. Further it appears to poll the same address periodically asking for new messages. We see that the address resolves to Rackspace in San Antonio, TX.
We can easily establish the link between this IP address, Rackspace and the application.
I mean, what’s the big question here? What happens if there’s a man in the middle? Persons so eagerly connect to any free WIFI, it is clearly a plausible scenario. Well… One way to find out!
Here’s what we learned. Server-side, the application is written in PHP. The IP address is resolved by the URI ‘secex.info’.
When we send, it calls ‘postMessage.php’:
When we receive, ‘downloadMessage.php’:
And it calls ‘newMessageCheck.php’ to, y’know, check for new messages.
Other analyses have forensically examined artefacts left behind; there are published descriptions of the encryption methods used for the local database connection. We didn’t go into more aggressive efforts such as disassembly because we are too lazy for that jazz!
My opinion, we didn’t learn anything wildly unexpected. Overall, Wickr seems an okay solution for convenient encrypted messaging. That’s always the trade: convenience vs. security. Least we ended with a Docker container for the software!
Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of work from a laptop running Kali. Engaged in pursuit of a new job, I’m brushing up on some old tools and skills, exploring some bits that have changed.
My primary desktop rig is currently running Arch because I love the fine grain control and the aggressive releases. Over the years, I’ve Gentoo’d and Slacked, Crunchbanged, BSD’d, Solarised, et cet. And I’ve a fondness for all of them, especially the security-minded focus of OpenBSD. But, these days we’re usually on Arch or Kali. Initially, I went with Black Arch on the laptop but I felt the things and ways I was fixing things were too specific to my situation to be good material for posts.
Anyway, I wanted to get Bitmessage running, corresponding to another post I have in drafts. On Kali, it wasn’t going well so I put it on the Arch box and just ran it over the network. A reasonable solution if you’re in my house but also the sort of solution that will keep a hacker up at night.
If you’re lucky, there’s someone maintaining a package for the piece of software that you want to run. However, that’s often not the case.
If I correctly recall, to “fix” the problem with Bitmessage on Kali would’ve required the manual installation an older version of libraries that were already present. Those libraries should, in fact, be all ebony and ivory, living together in harmony. However, I just didn’t love the idea of that solution. I wanted to find an approach that would be useful on a broader scale.
Enter containerization/virtualization!
Wanting the lightest solution, I quickly went to Docker and realized something. I have not before built a Docker container for a GUI application. And Bitmessage’s CLI/daemon mode doesn’t provide the fluid UX that I wanted. Well, the easy way to get a GUI out of a Docker container is to forward DISPLAY as an evironment variable (i.e., docker run -e DISPLAY=$DISPLAY). Splendid!
Except that it doesn’t work on current Kali which is using QT4. There’s a when graphical apps are run as root and though it is fixed in QT5, we are using current Kali. And that means we are, by default, uid 0 and QT4.
I saw a bunch of workarounds that seemed to have spotty (at best) rates of success including seting QT’s graphics system to Native and giving Xorg over to root. They, mostly, seemed to be cargo cult solutions.
What made the most sense to my (generally questionable) mind was to use X forwarding. Since I had already been running Bitmessage over X forwarding from my Arch box, I knew it should work just the same.
To be completely truthful, the first pass I took at this was with Vagrant mostly because it’s SO easy. Bring up your Vagrant Box and then:
Having proof of concept, I wanted a Docker container. The reason for this is practical. Vagrant, while completely awesome, has substantially more overhead than Docker by virtualizing the kernel. We don’t want a separate kernel running for each application. Therefore Docker is the better choice for this project.
Also, we want this whole thing to be seemless. We want to run the command bitmessage and it should fire up with minimal awkwardness and hopefully no extra steps. That is we do not want to run the Docker container then SSH into it and execute Bitmessage as individual steps. Even though that’s going to be how we begin.
The Bitmessage wiki accurately describes how to install the software so we’ll focus on the SSH setup. Though when we build the Dockerfile we will need to add SSH to the list from the wiki.
We’re going to want the container to start so that the SSH daemon is ready. Until then we can’t SSH (with X forwarding) into the container. Then we’ll want to use SSH to kick off the Bitmessage application, drawing the graphical interface using our host system’s X11.
We’re going to take advantage of Docker’s -v --volume option which allows us to specify a directory on our host system to be mounted inside our container. Using this feature, we’ll generate our SSH keys on the host and make them automatically available inside the container. We’ll tuck the keys inside the directory that Bitmessage uses for storing its configuration and data. That way Bitmessage’s configuration and stored messages can be persistent between runs — and all of your pieces are kept in a single place.
When we generate the container /etc/ssh/sshd_config is configured to allow root login without password only (i.e., using keys). So here’s how we’ll get this done:
mkdir -p ~/.config/PyBitmessage/keys #Ensure that our data directories exist
There we have it! We now have a functional Bitmessage inside a Docker container. \o/
In a future post we’ll look at using eCryptfs to further protect our Bitmessage data stores.
[-] Auxiliary failed: Msf::OptionValidateError The following options failed to validate: RHOSTS.
Mucking about with a fresh copy of Kali brings to attention that it’s packaged with an Armitage that doesn’t correctly work.
I know what you’re thinking… Good. Type the commands into Msfconsole like a real man, y’uh lazy good-fer-naught! And, in practice, that was my immediate solution. But I can’t resist a good tinker when things are misbehaving.
I was anticipating that the problem would be thoroughly solved when I ixquicked it. That was partially correct. Surprised, however, when apt-get update & apt-get upgrade didn’t fix the issue. More surprised at the age of the issue. Most surprised that I could see lots of evidence that users have been plagued by this issue — but no clear work arounds were quickly found.
The MSF Scans feature in Armitage parses output from Metasploit’s portscan/tcp module and uses these results to build a list of targets it should run various Metasploit auxiliary modules against. A recent-ish update to the Metasploit Framework changed the format of the portscan/tcp module output. A patch to fix this issue just needs to account for the new format of the portscan/tcp module.
That is, a colon makes it into the input for the Msfconsole command to define RHOSTS. I.e.: set RHOSTS 172.16.223.150: - 172.16.223.150
An other kind coder tweaked the regex and submitted the patch and pull request, which was successfully incorporated into the project.
Sadly, things have stalled out there. So if this problem is crippling your rig, let’s fix it!
We just want a fresh copy of the project.
root@kali:~/armitage# git clone https://github.com/rsmudge/armitage
root@kali:~/armitage# ./package.sh
Buildfile: /root/test/armitage/build.xml
[javac] Note: /root/test/armitage/src/ui/MultiFrame.java uses or overrides a deprecated API.
[javac] Note: Recompile with -Xlint:deprecation for details.
[javac] Note: Some input files use unchecked or unsafe operations.
[javac] Note: Recompile with -Xlint:unchecked for details.
[unzip] Expanding: /root/test/armitage/lib/sleep.jar into /root/test/armitage/bin [unzip] Expanding: /root/test/armitage/lib/jgraphx.jar into /root/test/armitage/bin [unzip] Expanding: /root/test/armitage/lib/msgpack-0.6.12-devel.jar into /root/test/armitage/bin [unzip] Expanding: /root/test/armitage/lib/postgresql-9.1-901.jdbc4.jar into /root/test/armitage/bin [unzip] Expanding: /root/test/armitage/lib/javassist-3.15.0-GA.jar into /root/test/armitage/bin
adding: readme.txt (deflated 55%) adding: armitage.exe (deflated 49%) adding: cortana.jar (deflated 5%) adding: armitage.jar (deflated 5%) adding: whatsnew.txt (deflated 65%)
And here, best I can guess from messages read, is where a lot of people are running into trouble. We have successfully produced our new working copy of armitage. However, it is in our own local directory and will not be run if we just enter the command: armitage
Let’s review how to figure out what we want to do about that.
First, we want to verify what happens when we run the command armitage.
java -XX:+AggressiveHeap -XX:+UseParallelGC -jar armitage.jar $@
We have enough information to assemble a solution.
I trust that the people behind Kali and Armitage will get this corrected so I don’t want to suggest a solution that would replace the armitage command and prevent an updated version from running later. So, let’s just make a temporary replacement?
root@kali:~/armitage# echo -e '#!/bin/sh\njava -XX:+AggressiveHeap -XX:+UseParallelGC -jar ~/armitage/armitage.jar $@' > /usr/bin/tmparmitage
Hereafter, we can use the command ‘tmparmitage’ (either CLI or ALT-F2) to run our fresh version until things catch up.
The project, honestly, was going swimmingly when derailed by the goings-on of life.
One of the interesting components of the project was, of course, choosing crypto implementations. There are know shortcomings to handling it in JS but that’s still the most convenient for some users. Outside of the browser, server-side, you had all the same questions about which solution was best. Which protocol(s) should be available?
Well, I’ve just learned about a project which I would have loved to have available back then. Project Wycheproof can help you test your crypto solutions against known problems and attacks. Featuring 80 tests probing at 40 known bugs, here’s a snip from the introduction:
Prereqruisites: Docker, Git, SSHFS.
Today we’re going to look at using Docker to create a WordPress installation with the Project Largo parent theme and a child theme stub for us to play with.
Hart Hoover has established an image for getting a WordPress installation up and running using Docker. For whatever reason, it didn’t work for me out-of-box but we’re going to use his work to get started.
mkdir project.largo.wordpress.docker cd project.largo.wordpress.docker
We’ll clone the Docker/Wordpress project. For me, it couldn’t untar the latest WordPress. So we’ll download it outside the container, untar it and modify the Dockerfile to simply pull in a copy:
git clone https://github.com/hhoover/docker-wordpress.git
Once the project is built, we will start it and forward ports from the container to the host system, so that the Docker container’s site can be accessed through port 8000 of the host system. So, if you want to see it from the computer that you’ve installed it on, you could go to ‘HTTP://127.0.0.1:8000’. Alternatively, if your host system is already running a webserver, we could use SSHFS to mount the container’s files within the web-space of the host system.
In this example, however, we’ll just forward the ports and mount the project locally (using SSHFS) so we can easily edit the files perhaps using a graphical IDE such as NetBeans or Eclipse.
mkdir largo.mount.from.docker.container sshfs user@$DIP:/var/www $HOME/largo.mount.from.docker.container cd largo.mount.from.docker.container
PROJECT=$(pwd -P)
Now, we can visit the WordPress installation and finish setting up. From the host machine, it should be ‘HTTP://127.0.0.1:8000’. There you can configure Title, Username, Password, et cet. and finish installing WordPress.
Now, let’s get us some Largo! Since this is a test project, we’ll sacrifice security to make things easy. Our Docker WordPress site isn’t ready for us to easily install the Largo parent theme, so we’ll make the web directory writable by everybody. Generally, this is not a practice I would condone. It’s okay while we’re experimenting but permissions are very important on live systems!
Lastly, we’ll download and install Largo and the Largo child theme stub.
wget http://largoproject.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/largo-child.zip -O $PROJECT/wp-content/themes/largo-child.zip unzip $PROJECT/wp-content/themes/largo-child.zip -d $PROJECT/wp-content/themes
If you want to set your system to use a specific editor, you can set $EDITOR=vi and then you’re going to learn that some programs expect the configuration to be set in $VISUAL and you’ll need to change it there too.
In a similar way, many things were using the en_US.UTF-8 set in LANG, but other things were looking to LANGUAGE and determining that I wanted Chinese.
Having identified the problem, the fix was simple. Firstly, I just changed it in my local environment:
Working on remote servers, some tools are practically ubiquitous — while others are harder to come by. Even if you’ve the authority to install your preferred tools on every server you visit, it’s not always something you want to do. If you’ve hopped on to a friend’s server just to troubleshoot a problem, there is little reason to install tools that your friend is not in the habit of using. Some servers, for security reasons, are very tightly locked down to include only a core set of tools, to complicate the job of any prying intruders. Or perhaps it is a machine that you normally use through a graphical interface but on this occasion you need to work from the CLI.
These are very compelling reasons to get comfortable, at the very least, with tools like Vim, mail, grep and sed. Eventually, you’re likely to encounter a situation where only the classic tools are available. If you aren’t competent with those tools, you’ll end up facing the obstacle of how to get files from the server to your local environment where you can work and, subsequently, how to get the files back when you’re done. In a secured environment, this may not be possible without violating protocols.
Let’s take a look at how we can build a makeshift system monitor using some common tools. This particular configuration is for a server running PHP, MySQL and has the tools Htop and mytop installed. These can easily be replaced with top and a small script to SHOW FULL PROCESSLIST, if needed. The point here is illustrative, to provide a template to be modified according to each specific environment.
(Note: I generally prefer tmux to Gnu Screen but screen is the tool more likely to be already installed, so we’ll use it for this example.)
We’re going to make a set of windows, by a configuration file, to help us keep tabs on what is happening in this system. In so doing, we’ll be using the well-known tools less and watch. More specifically, less +F which tells less to “scroll forward”. Other words, less will continue to read the file making sure any new lines are added to the display. You can exit this mode with CTRL+c, search the file (/), quit(q) or get back into scroll-forward mode with another uppercase F.
Using watch, we’ll include the “-d” flag which tells watch we want to highlight any changes (differences).
Then you can switch between windows using CTRL+a, n (next) or CTRL+a, p (previous).
I use this technique on my own computers, running in a TTY different from the one used by X. If the graphical interface should get flaky, I can simply switch to that TTY (e.g., CTRL+ALT+F5) to see what things are going on — and take corrective actions, if needed.
It’s generally a great idea to have Vim keep backups. Once in awhile, they can really save your bacon.
The other side of that coin, though, is that they can get left behind here and there, eventually causing aggravation. | http://j0rg3.insomnia247.nl/weblog?-tags=Docker,watch,LinuxMint,Ant,BackTrack,terminal,QT5,Keybase,recursive-delete,system-monitor,Cryptography |
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1) To finish AppNee's original mission, we still have 3500+ applications to share. And in AppNee's current running mode, this would take 13 years at least. But it is likely that AppNee will make an evolution in a few years. Then AppNee will slow down a lot or be archived with unscheduled maintenance only.
2) Due to job changes, we cannot reply most emails (and emails with content like copyright complaints, threats, extortion will be automatically filtered out via keywords by our local email client).
More and more top-level domain names with word "appnee" are being snapped up by domain speculators. We are dismissive of this and warn these human trash: trying to trick visitors with AppNee's reputation won't work. So please note two points: 1) Now, AppNee merely uses one top-level domain name (appnee.com), all others such as appnee.net, appnee.us are fake; 2) In the future, we will tell everyone our new domain before stopping using appnee.com, via email only. So, please do not ask us questions like "Is appnee.net, appnee.us, or remnantnh.com yours?". The answer is always the same "We have only one site, and it's appnee.com now."
With IP from countries such as Italy, German and USA increasingly copying and misappropriating AppNee's content and server resources, finally we decided that from October 26 these countries would be forced to conduct behavior detection. And if necessary, we have to block them from accessing all of our websites. This action will take 6 months at least!
0) Free.AppNee.com is going to be integrated into AppNee some days later. Then Free.AppNee.com will be removed totally.
1) Starting from 2021.02.16, there will be no new software added to appnee.com with a fixed period. This situation can last from a few months to two years.
2) For software that has been released, except for critical software, the update frequency will be reduced to vX.X or vX (e.g.: v1.1 to v1.2, or v1 to v2).
3) Given that people in some countries are embezzling, selling, and abusing the free resources that AppNee releases, it's possible that AppNee will enable its user registration function. As a result, any unregistered user will no longer be able to access any resources published on AppNee.
The International Arcade Museum at the Museum of the Game is the world's premier resource covering game, coin-operated amusement device and videogame history.
Paint mixer is a free online tool that helps you to mix colors, so you don't waste your paint. It's a great tool for artists to improve their color mixing skills.
ColorHexa.com is a free color tool providing information about any color and generating matching color palettes for your designs (such as complementary, analogous, triadic, tetradic or monochromatic colors schemes).
This tool blends two hex colors by giving specified number of intermediates between them :).
TryColors.com - is a free online color mixing/blending tool that helps you blend paint or dye. | https://appnee.com/tag/malwarebytes-anti-exploit/ |
In addition, relying solely on detection and response technologies to thwart ransomware attacks relies on a very dangerous assumption—that you will detect 100% of the ransomware attempts. This is a theoretical impossibility, as attackers always find new and novel ways to bypass organizations defenses. Mistakes, errors and unintended misconfigurations can go unnoticed by IT staff and be successfully exploited by threat actors to gain access to your network resources and plan a successful ransomware attack.
Proper ransomware defenses require layers of defenses so that cascading failures and/or bypasses of prevention, detection and response solutions do not lead to the unrecoverable encryption or the unauthorized exfiltration of sensitive data.
Traditional defenses are not close enough to the data.
The New Approach to Ransomware Prevention
Existing endpoint ransomware defenses are not effective because they are too far removed from the data itself. They focus on the adversary's tools—those used to breach a system, establish command and control, exfiltrate the data, and more—as opposed to simply protecting the data itself from encryption, prior to both data exfiltration and ransomware.
See how Cigent D3E protects data from attacks.
Perpetual Data Protection
Cigent D3E focuses only on protecting all of your valuable data, whether unencrypted or encrypted, at all times. It does this by ensuring only trusted, authenticated users can access sensitive files while simultaneously blocking ransomware encryption attempts.
Only one or two agents per endpoint are required to prevent ransomware (Cigent D3E and AV/NGAV). AV should still be deployed to meet regulatory requirements, stop spyware and other nuisance malware, and prevent known and zero-day malware and ransomware that can be detected by machine-learning based AV solutions.
Learn more about Cigent endpoint defense.
Explore related cybersecurity articles. | https://www.cigent.com/ransomware |
Enjoy the best articles from InsideQuantumTechnology.com from this week as well as news that... read more
Rigetti posts $2.1M in Q2 revenue, discusses potential government contract delay
Rigetti Computing posted second quarter 2022 revenue of $2.1 million, almost $600.000 short of... read more | https://www.insidequantumtechnology.com/news-archive/call-for-presentations-closes-on-july-14-for-the-worlds-quantum-cybersecurity-event/ |
System.Security.Cryptography.Pkcs.dll, System.Security.dll
RecipientInfoEnumerator 类为 RecipientInfoCollection 集合提供枚举功能。The RecipientInfoEnumerator class provides enumeration functionality for the RecipientInfoCollection collection. RecipientInfoEnumerator 实现 IEnumerator 接口。RecipientInfoEnumerator implements the IEnumerator interface. | https://docs.microsoft.com/zh-cn/dotnet/api/system.security.cryptography.pkcs.recipientinfoenumerator?view=netcore-3.0 |
As I indicated in my first blog on this topic I believe a lot of firms are looking for people with core competencies related to their specific industry. Let me tell you a little story.
Back when I worked for Motorola we designed highly sophisticated real-time software to operate cellular infrastructure equipment. There was a group of software developers out of Cork, Ireland that worked closely with our team in Arlington Heights, IL. As we were building our project management structure for the organization the Cork office recruited a person that turned out to be one of the best project managers we ever had. Did this person have any experience in developing cellular software? Not by a long shot. The person had no background in software development or anything close to computer technology. This person came from the construction industry. So what made this person successful? I believe there were three key skills that this person had to make them successful.
The first was an ability to put the pieces of the puzzle together. For those of you out there that are project managers, these are called work packages. This person could effectively put these pieces together in a network diagram and develop a timeline for the work. This then became the basis for this person to organize and drive the project.
The second key skill that this person had was to ask the right questions. None of these questions had anything to do with how the work was to get done. It is not the project manager’s job to know how the work is to get done. The correct questions where what needs to get done, who is accountable, how do these things relate to one another and how long will they take. It was the answers to these questions that led to the development of the network diagram and project timeline.
The third skill this person had was an ability to work effectively with other people. Yes, we are back to those interpersonal skills again. I believe all top notch project managers know how to work effectively with others. (More on this topic next week.)
So when you are interviewing your project managers don’t ask them if they can build a server, start up an AS400 or re-initiate a mainframe. Instead you should be asking them to describe how they develop a network diagram, collect data for their work packages and work with others to create a cooperative working environment. It is those skills that will make your project mangers successful.
I probably have two or three more posts on this topic and then will provide a concise summary that you can use when screening your project managers. More next week…
Networks have never been more complex and cyber threats have never been more advanced. To protect it all, you need to see it all. That's Visibility Without Borders from Netscout.
The Edge is the future—uncover the components of Edge success today and achieve your goal in becoming a modern, digital-first, and data-driven enterprise.
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Future-proofing your hybrid work strategy isn’t optional. The winners will partner up to reimagine their business, create better experiences, improve productivity, and rethink workspaces. Learn more.
Software risk is business risk. Learn how to build trust in your software with Synopsys with a click through to | https://www.cio.com/article/295231/it-organization-how-to-hire-the-right-project-managers-part-3-of.html |
The world medical community is gasping for additional ventilators—machines that move air in and out of the lungs of COVID-19 patients who are having trouble breathing on their own. But what is it about the lungs of an individual that makes his or her respiratory system more vulnerable to coronavirus infection? And why does this vulnerability increase with age? The research of Prof. Valery Krizhanovsky, an expert in a unique stage of the cellular life cycle called senescence, may provide better answers to both of these questions.
Senescence is a “zombie-like” state in which cells permanently stop dividing, yet don’t die. The natural build-up of senescent cells—something akin to biological garbage that hasn’t been taken out—is a hallmark of aging tissues. It is also associated with a number of age-related diseases, including cancer.
In the early 2000s, the SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) virus began to spread all over the world. Caused by a coronavirus—the same family of viruses behind the current pandemic—SARS attacked through the lining of the lung, causing fever, shortness of breath, and pneumonia.
At that time, scientists demonstrated that the SARS virus enters the lungs by docking at a molecular receptor called angiotensin converting enzyme 2, or ACE2. Further, they showed that the more ACE2 a particular cell expressed, the more likely it was to become infected.
This is where Prof. Krizhanovsky, a member of the Weizmann Institute’s Department of Molecular Cell Biology, enters the story.
Prof. Krizhanovsky believes that increased presence of senescent cells—cells that have lost the ability to divide—in the lungs of elderly individuals may be a factor that drives high mortality among older COVID-19 patients. His hypothesis is based on compelling circumstantial evidence: AT2 cells, the sub-population of cells in the lung most likely to become senescent, express the coronavirus-binding ACE2 receptor at particularly high levels.
He suspects that—in addition to the “open door” to the coronavirus created by the ACE2 receptor—senescent cells may produce inhibitory molecules that disrupt the immune system’s protective activity. He is currently examining the correlation between ACE2 expression and senescence, to determine whether coronavirus-infected senescent lung cells have an edge in evading the body’s immune response.
This basic research may have important implications for practical therapeutics. If ACE2-rich senescent cells are indeed an “on ramp” that expedites coronavirus infection, it may be possible to use drugs to reduce the number of senescent cells. Such a treatment would reduce the overall viral load, leading to a more hopeful prognosis for COVID-19 patients, particularly the elderly. | http://www.weizmann.ac.il/WeizmannCompass/sections/briefs/in-covid-19-why-does-vulnerability-rise-with-age |
The world’s first smartphone that translates photographs of written text into audio and then “speaks” the words aloud to users is expected to become available in early 2008.
The device is the product of a joint venture between the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and world-renowned inventor Ray Kurzweil. It enables users to read most documents or other objects with printed text that can be photographed by the smartphone’s embedded digital camera. For example, a blind user could employ the gadget to tell the difference between a $20 or $100 dollar bill, or to read restaurant menus and magazine articles.
Text-to-speech functionality is nothing new—in fact, Kurzweil is credited with creating the first print-to-speech reading machine for the blind more than 30 years ago—and there are currently larger handheld-readers with the functionality available, but the new device is the first mobile phone that captures images of text and converts them into audio.
The device will be marketed by K-NFB Reading Technology starting in February, and it will retail for about $2,100—$1,595 for the software from Nuance and roughly $500 for the 4.2 ounce Nokia N82 smartphone, according to the AP. Future versions of the device are expected to be able to recognize individual faces or locations and even translate multiple languages.
“The knfbREADER Mobile will allow the blind unprecedented access to the printed word, affording a level of flexibility and capability never before available,” said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, in a statement. “No other device in the history of technology has provided such portability and quick access to print materials.”
There are currently about 10 million blind and visually impaired individuals in the United States that could benefit from the smartphone, the AP reports.
The device could also be used to help people with dyslexia cope with the reading disability, and the U.S. military has provided funding to College Park, Md.-based Applied Media Analysis for a similar smartphone technology that could be used by soldiers or others to translate foreign text, according to the AP.
Want to learn how to simplify your IT operations with automation technology that meets your standards.
With Kolide, you can make your team into your biggest allies for endpoint security. Solve problems, right within Slack. Learn more here.
Future-proofing your hybrid work strategy isn’t optional. The winners will partner up to reimagine their business, create better experiences, improve productivity, and rethink workspaces. Learn more.
Software risk is business risk. Learn how to build trust in your software with Synopsys with a click through to
Networks have never been more complex and cyber threats have never been more advanced. To protect it all, you need to see it all. That's Visibility Without Borders from Netscout.
The Edge is the future—uncover the components of Edge success today and achieve your goal in becoming a modern, digital-first, and data-driven enterprise. | https://www.cio.com/article/293076/infrastructure-nokia-smartphone-reads-photographed-text-aloud-to-the-blind-visually-impaired.html |
Energy suppliers play an enormous role in public life. Aside from utilities, they provide critical infrastructures that are essential for maintaining core social functions as well as health, security and socio-economic well-being of the general public. Any disruption, let alone destruction, of energy plants due to cyberattacks or blackouts would have an enormous impact - especially when their functions can neither be maintained nor taken over.
Recent news: Reports from the cybersecurity company ESET, which analyzed the “Crash Override” malware behind the smart grid blackout in Kiev, cite evidence that the malware’s modular structure could be easily adapted to other electric companies and systems. Longer, more significant power failures are predicted for the future.
GRC entails much more than individual processes such as an internal control system, compliance or risk management. It combines all capabilities that enable organizations to reliably achieve their goals, cope with uncertainty, and take action with integrity.
Establishing GRC processes and overseeing their ongoing development is one of the main responsibilities of top management – not only due to the tangible benefits they can generate across the company. These types of processes generate synergistic effects, promote collaboration, and ensure long-term performance.
“After our implementation of iRiS, we were able to reduce the controls for integrated risk management in our company by 85.25%.” confirmed Sven Waldecker, Risk Management & ICS Officer at EnBW (Energie Baden-Württemberg AG).
GRC sets the guidelines for transparent, sustainable enterprise and performance management that weighs risks and opportunities to generate value. Companies with a comprehensive GRC concept also have more resources to utilize opportunities because they have a better understanding of the risks and contingent liabilities.
Individual software solution
All companies want to differentiate themselves from competitors – in their market presence, product and service offerings, operational and organizational structures, but also their business and GRC processes. GRC software, therefore, must be very flexible in order to map the designated processes and grow with them over time.
Marco Mannes, Corporate Risk Manager at Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (EnBW), works with risk2value from avedos. “The software’s greatest advantage is its incredible flexibility,” he explained. “Once you have internalized the functionality and structure, you realize that you can use the software as building blocks to address many different requirements.”
Many energy providers are taking steps to implement integrated GRC projects. Back in the year 2000, EnBW began building a risk management system that would be later dovetailed with its internal control system. Another example is TransnetBW, which deployed an integrated governance, risk and compliance organization in order to increase efficiency and improve the coordination of different risk information. The maturity level for management and monitoring instruments such as risk management, compliance management and the internal control system have improved as a result.
We are driven by our belief that the sustainable success of innovative organizations is strongly influenced by a profound enterprise Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) strategy. As a vendor of GRC solutions, we center our efforts on enabling European companies to recognize GRC as a core value driver in enterprise management. As a partner, we support our clients to continually develop the maturity of their organizational processes.
Our software solutions enable the digitalization of GRC processes and anchor them efficiently within the organization. Our software platform risk2value builds a bridge between operational levels and top management by allowing them to link different GRC information across multiple business functions so that they develop a common frame of reference for transparent decisions on various management levels.
The largest and most successful energy providers, insurance companies, banks, telecommunication companies and retailers place their trust in us and run their GRC processes on the GRC platform risk2value. | https://www.avedos.com/en/risk-management-at-energy-suppliers/ |
The popular online stores in Japan, UNIQLO Japan and GU Japan, recently revealed that it suffered a cyber-attack that affected more than 460,000 of its customers. Fast Retailing, the parent company behind the UNIQLO Japan and GU Japan online stores, stated the unknown hackers allegedly accessed its customers’ accounts from April 23, 2019, to May 10, 2019, following a credential stuffing attack.
According to Fast Retailing, the compromised information included, customer name, address, phone number, email address, gender, date of birth, purchase history, clothing measurements, and credit card information.
“It was confirmed on May 10, 2019, that an unauthorized login by a third party other than the customer occurred on the online store site operated by our company (UNIQLO official online store, gu official online store). Although the number of targets and the situation may change according to the progress of the future survey, we will report the facts confirmed at present and our response situation,” Fast Retailing said in a statement.
Citing the attack as a “list-type account hacking”, Fast Retailing stated this kind of attack is performed by using the user ID and password that may have leaked from other companies’ services. The company also notifying the customers to update their passwords to avoid further loss.
“This fraudulent login was performed from April 23 to May 10, 2019, by the method of “list-type account hacking (list-type attack)”, and the number of accounts logged-in illegally as of the present is 461,091 It will be. We deeply apologize to our customers and stakeholders for any inconvenience or concern. We will strive to further enhance security and ensure safety so that similar events do not occur,” the statement added.
Recently, the Japanese government announced that it will be hacking the IoT devices of its citizens. The new initiative is part of a unique survey the government will be undertaking with the intention of securing IoT devices of its citizens. The survey will be carried by the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) with active involvement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.
As part of the survey, employees of NICT will try to hack IoT devices of citizens using default passwords and password dictionaries. After this, they will prepare a list of insecure devices that uses default passwords or easy-to-guess passwords and will submit the list to relevant authorities, as well as internet service providers who will then alert the citizens and ask them to change passwords as well as secure their devices. | https://www.cisomag.com/cyber-attack-affects-over-460000-online-store-accounts/ |
Comodo Antivirus has been built with intelligence: it recognizes typical viral behavior. Antivirus, upon detecting a suspicious file that could be a virus, will immediately place that file in “Antivirus Jail”: the file is blocked, awaiting trial.
If it’s a viral invader, delete it. Comodo Antivirus also includes a mechanism for user to submit any files look suspicious to the Safe List and get immediate feedback on possibly viral files from our security experts and other PC-users. | http://www.removeonline.com/download-comodo-antivirus-virus/ |
As part of a case study I published earlier today, I spoke with SAP Americas CIO, Michael Golz. Most of what we discussed was related to SAP's mobile platform, its eFactory Mobility offering and the associated SAP Work Manager mobile application. (Read, "Why ATS Chose SAP to Make Customer Factories 'Run Better'" for more details.)
As expected, Golz did a lot pontificating about how his company's mobile platform is the best around. But it wasn't what he said about SAP's products that really caught my ear. It was the fact that he still uses a BlackBerry as his smartphone of choice, even though he has access to all of the latest and greatest devices.
Whenever I interview executives or other notable tech personalities, I ask about the gadgets they use and whether they think of themselves as "gadget geeks" or true tech lovers.
Here's what Golz had to say:
"I love to work with the latest and greatest. I am in the fortunate position that we get to try out the latest devices, sometimes before they even are available in the marketplace. Personally, I'm using a combination of the BlackBerry Q10 and the latest iPad. That's my work combination. I must say that I still like the physical keyboard; I'm one of the old fashioned guys. But my iPad is really my primary work device, when I'm doing something that goes beyond email and calendar."
I then informed Golz that I was using a BlackBerry Q10 for our phone interview, to which he replied: "It's a great device."
I hear this a lot from high-level tech executive and IT reps. But I don't really hear it from their users, and there are many more users than IT managers and CIOs. I also find it amusing that Golz thinks he's "old fashioned" because he prefers a "physical" QWERTY keyboard.
I too use a BlackBerry Q10, but I also use an Android device. If I have to or want to carry just one device, I pick the Android.
Later in our conversation, Golz detailed SAP's platform-agnostic strategy.
At SAP, "we don't focus on just one device or platform. We do it across multiple [platforms]," Golz said.
It's not surprising that SAP continues to support BlackBerry. In fact, SAP is a BlackBerry Partner, and it's currently sponsoring a development initiative called the BlackBerry and SAP Mobile Apps Challenge, which is designed to encourage app makers to build BlackBerry 10 apps for the SAP mobile platform.
I can't help but wonder, though, how much longer companies like SAP, who have worked hand and hand with BlackBerry for years, can continue to show their support, when all of the signs seem to suggest BlackBerry is on the downslope of its final hurrah. | https://www.cio.com/article/2370326/sap-cio-still-sticking-with-blackberry.html |
These are two of the most important questions Yuri Aguiar, senior partner and chief technology officer at Ogilvy & Mather, likes to ask job candidates as he seeks out the best IT talent to work for the global advertising agency.
Aguiar, who was honored as a Ones to Watch winner, is a rising IT leader himself. He spoke to CIO.com at the recent CIO Leadership conference in Boston. (You can watch video excerpts of his interview.) “What kinds of decisions candidates have made that pull them into the limelight: those tend to be turning points in their lives,” Aguiar says. Asking candidates about their regrets helps him understand if a job candidate has moved on from their past mistakes. The idea: everyone makes mistakes. The question really is, what did you learn from the experience?
Aguiar says staff contacts are a great place to start recruiting, and his group sometimes attracts employees from other departments at Ogilvy and trains them. Conferences are another recruiting tool.
One other question Aguiar seeks to answer: what interests outside of the office do job candidates have? He’s looking for hobbies and other pursuits. Aguiar says he tends to choose people who demonstrate some balance in their lives.
Of course, that should not be taken to say that Aguiar is an easy boss. He notes that one of his mentors taught him a valuable lesson by quoting from the playwright George Bernard Shaw: “Unreasonable men get results.”
With Kolide, you can make your team into your biggest allies for endpoint security. Solve problems, right within Slack. Learn more here.
The Edge is the future—uncover the components of Edge success today and achieve your goal in becoming a modern, digital-first, and data-driven enterprise.
Networks have never been more complex and cyber threats have never been more advanced. To protect it all, you need to see it all. That's Visibility Without Borders from Netscout.
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Future-proofing your hybrid work strategy isn’t optional. The winners will partner up to reimagine their business, create better experiences, improve productivity, and rethink workspaces. Learn more. | https://www.cio.com/article/276576/it-organization-how-ogilvy-mather-s-cto-finds-great-it-talent.html |
Cyber Security Expert & Speaker Muhammad Adeel Javaid has written an excellent article on cyber security for the coming year. It covers many areas that we do not normally consider when assessing our security solutions.
There are three things he has discussed that are especially interesting to me and are applicable to many people and companies that we work with. With these three points alone, it gives us good reasons to pay attention to what is happening. even in our daily lives.
Adeel writes:
1) “Targets shift from “big win” to “volume-based.” As the hackers have gotten more sophisticated, cyber security has evolved to protect against them. But who is buying and using the high-cost products on the market? The large enterprises that have the budgets to protect themselves.
So where does that leave the 70 million SMBs that can’t increase their security budgets to $1 million a year? Year 2015 will see the target of cyber attacks shift even more than in the past. The focus on the SMB has been increasing, and the delta between protection of SMBs and large enterprises has grown tremendously because of cost and complexity.
In 2015, we’ll see a rapid shift of malware targeting the SMB as hackers begin to focus on volume rather than the large company targets. This will be due in part to larger enterprises being more difficult to penetrate, but also because the time between breach and detection is often days – if not weeks – longer in a smaller organization.”
What this says to me is that if you are an SMB be sure to reassess your cyber security measures. Contact a trusted source and with the help of a good company in your area, review your security plan, backups, and business continuity plans. Use your time and energy proactively instead of reactively.
2) “Home appliances that are connected to the Internet will become the target of hackers. We have already seen a so called “smart refrigerator” that fell victim to hackers and was used in a cyber attack. Now hackers will penetrate these devices, change their settings, cause malfunctions and in some cases use them as a component of a larger cyber attack that receives much greater attention.”
When you are attending the large home shows to see the latest products and watching television with the enticing commercials of ways to manage your entire life from your fingertips remember that these are just more ways you leave yourself open to attack. Again, there are ways to mitigate the risks, so contact a professional for help.
3) “Password re-use Attack Will Increase. It is well documented that following each major password dump by the criminals a wave of secondary “password guessing” attacks hits large enterprises. This process will gain prevalence and criminal tools will automate the “guess scanning” of any new password from any source, whether Breach, Malware, or Phishing.”
Changing passwords frequently and NOT using them in other sites is one way to make it harder for cyber criminals to access your information, however with intense efforts of the wrong people almost anything can be hacked. You can certainly make it harder by not leaving your door wide open for them. | http://www.organizingassociates.com/what-do-refrigerators-and-cyber-attacks-have-in-common/ |
Carlson Restaurants Worldwide (CRW), the Dallas-based operator of T.G.I. Friday’s and Pick Up Stix restaurants, uses business intelligence software from Cognos to identify discrepancies between prices they’ve negotiated for food supplies from their vendors and what their vendors are actually charging them on invoices.
Here’s how it works: Cognos parses all of the company’s invoices from suppliers and contracts with food vendors in CRW’s Oracle data warehouse to see if any of the vendors are actually charging restaurants for food at a higher rate than the chain had negotiated. Since CRW contracts with a variety of different suppliers for meats, dairy products and produce, it also uses Cognos to pinpoint the suppliers that offer the best deals-and stick to them.
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Software risk is business risk. Learn how to build trust in your software with Synopsys with a click through to
The Edge is the future—uncover the components of Edge success today and achieve your goal in becoming a modern, digital-first, and data-driven enterprise.
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Networks have never been more complex and cyber threats have never been more advanced. To protect it all, you need to see it all. That's Visibility Without Borders from Netscout.
With Kolide, you can make your team into your biggest allies for endpoint security. Solve problems, right within Slack. Learn more here. | https://www.cio.com/article/274688/business-intelligence-how-bi-uncovered-rip-offs.html |
Symantec has announced plans to acquire Skycure, a risk-based enterprise mobility solutions provider, for an undisclosed sum. It’s the latest in a growing list of M&A deals designed to reshape Symantec for modern cloud, mobile and cyberthreats.
Just last week, Symantec acquired Fireglass, an agentless isolation solution that eliminates ransomware, malware and phishing threats in real-time by preventing potentially harmful content from ever reaching user endpoints or the corporate network, the companies said. And in two larger deals last year, Symantec underwent a leadership shakeup amid the Blue Coat buyout, and then purchased Lifelock for $2.3 billion in November 2016.
Fast forward to present day, and the Skycure acquisition moves Symantec one step closer to protecting 1 billion endpoints worldwide. As part of the acquisition, Symantec will incorporate Skycure into the Symantec Integrated Cyber Defense Platform. The Symantec Integrated Cyber Defense Platform enables Symantec products to share threat intelligence across all control points, the company added.
The Skycure transaction is expected to close in the second fiscal quarter of 2017, Symantec said. At that time, Skycure’s technologies are expected to be available to Symantec’s existing and new Endpoint Protection and Norton Antivirus customers and partners, Symantec noted.
The solution leverages multi-layered detection and analysis, Skycure said, as well as crowdsourced intelligence and machine learning to help end users identify malicious apps.
With the combination of Skycure and the Symantec Integrated Cyber Defense Platform, Symantec customers will have access to endpoint protection offerings across traditional and mobile devices and advanced capabilities for mobile devices, applications, network gateways and data protection, Symantec asserts.
Symantec’s Evolution
Symantec. which acquired experienced many ups and downs in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017, and some of the highlights from the company’s quarterly earnings report included:
Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) revenue of $1.12 billion, up from $873 million in 4Q16.
GAAP net loss of $143 million, compared to net income of $2.05 billion one year earlier.
Non-GAAP earnings per share (EPS) of $0.28, up from $0.22 year over year.
Ultimately, Symantec’s 4Q17 financial results demonstrate consistent execution across the company’s enterprise and consumer digital safety businesses, CEO Greg Clark said in a prepared statement.
The financial results also indicate the Symantec Integrated Cyber Defense Platform is gaining traction with enterprise customers, Clark said.
Symantec is projecting GAAP revenue between $1.13 billion and $1.16 billion in 1Q18, which would represent year-over-year growth between 31 percent and 34 percent, according to the company. | https://www.msspalert.com/cybersecurity-news/symantec-to-acquire-enterprise-mobile-threat-defense-provider-skycure/ |
Three months after a data breach on Marriott International's guest reservation database, a Baltimore-based law firm filed a national class action lawsuit against the hospitality company.
Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, along with their co-council Morgan & Morgan, filed the lawsuit Friday on behalf of 500 million guest whose personal information may have been stolen. The lawsuit alleges that Marriott failed to ensure the integrity of its servers and to properly safeguard consumers’ highly sensitive and confidential information.
In 2014, hackers went into the Marriott's servers getting guest information and roaming through their system undetected for four years. After discovering the cyber attack in September,Marriott failed to take proper steps to notify costumers until today and not tell customers about the extent of the breach.
Hassan Murphy, Managing Partner at Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, said today, “Marriott is one of the largest hotel chains in the world. That such a corporation would fail to properly safeguard the highly personal and sensitive information of its guests and customers is inexplicable. Even more egregious is the fact that Marriott did not discover this breach for nearly four years, and then for months after that discovery failed to tell its customers what had occurred. This conduct constitutes a significant breach of trust and confidence unparalleled in the hospitality industry.”
In September, Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh suggest customers protect tier information by checking credit reports, monitoring back accounts and placing a freeze on credit files.
Murphy added, "We will continue working until Marriott fixes this problem and appropriately compensates its victims for their losses.”
Copyright 2018 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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now signed up to receive the Headlines Newsletter. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/state/baltimore-law-firm-files-class-action-lawsuit-against-marriott-for-data-breach |
Fireworks shows have always been about two things: lighting up the night sky with brilliant colors, and booming explosions that scare kids out of their wits. Behind the scenes, though, much has changed. It’s safer, for one thing. (No more lighting fireworks shells by handheld flares.) And pyrotechnicians employ computers to coordinate their displays and the accompanying celebratory music. The advancements in electronics and computerization has sparked a revolution in pyrotechnics, says Felix Grucci, a partner in Fireworks by Grucci, which has been lighting up the skies since 1850.
“We have it down to tenths of a second between the timing mechanisms and the music,” Grucci says. Grucci’s company handled the pyrotechnics at the past six presidential inaugurals, the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics, and is on tap to run fireworks shows in more than 75 cities this July Fourth.
Want to learn how to simplify your IT operations with automation technology that meets your standards.
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Networks have never been more complex and cyber threats have never been more advanced. To protect it all, you need to see it all. That's Visibility Without Borders from Netscout. | https://www.cio.com/article/272845/infrastructure-technology-sparks-revolution-in-pyrotechnics.html |
[By: Vanessa C. DiDomenico, Sharon R. Klein, and Karen H. Shin, Blank Rome LLP]
The maritime community continues to see a rise in cybersecurity incidents. For instance, earlier this year, DNV, a Norwegian shipping classification society, suffered a ransomware attack through its ShipManager software, forcing the organization to shut down its servers. The attack affected approximately 70 customers operating around 1,000 vessels (close to 15 percent of the total fleet using DNV’s service). The interconnected and fragile ecosystem of numerous stakeholders depending on uninterrupted logistics networks makes this industry especially attractive to cyber-attacks and ransomware attempts.
Ransomware is defined as a type of malicious software designed to block access to an entity’s systems and/or networks until the entity pays a sum of money. Cybercriminals monetize their operations by extorting their victims and can further sell extracted data on the dark web. As shipping becomes increasingly digitized and dependent on internet, network and satellite transmissions, bad actors are finding new forms to infiltrate systems ashore and afloat.
Common forms of maritime ransomware attacks can include phishing emails, direct hacking into vulnerable systems and networks, malicious advertisements, or compromised websites, whereby ransomware can infect a computer by clicking an advertisement or downloading a file, among other means. Ransomware can infiltrate not only local computers but entire networks, and, in some cases, interconnected systems with third-party suppliers have been compromised.
Cybersecurity breaches that occur from ransomware, a common attack vector, can have immediate and long-lasting effects in the maritime industry. Sensitive and critical data can be encrypted restricting the accessibility and control of key systems. Without access to certain systems, operations can cease, causing delays, and in some cases, spoliation of time-critical cargoes. There are also concerns with the dissemination of captured business-critical data. Of course, there are financial and reputational repercussions as well. In some cases, there could be legal consequences such as the threat of governmental regulatory enforcement or litigation from customers, employees, or business partners for the lack of adequate data security safeguards or violation of economic sanctions laws if ransom payment is fulfilled to certain blocked entities or individuals.
As vessels sail around the world, the operating profiles and systems differ from those protections offered by land-based systems. There are also various levels of sophistication among equipment, especially on older ships, which can require independent software and a variety of upgrades, or patches, at different intervals to maintain security protections. Typically, there are systems on board performing different functions including general information technology (IT), serving a communication and administrative function, and operational technology (OT), which directly monitor and control equipment. Furthermore, OT systems, which are usually segmented from IT systems and not typically exposed to networks with external access, can be infiltrated through updates that are done locally, via USB flash drive (e.g., to obtain updated electronic charts), or disrupted when remote network connections are utilized. Both IT and OT systems must have cyber prevention and detection measures and be included in cybersecurity plans. Thus, it is essential to understand the ship-to-shore interface and identify vulnerabilities, preferably quarterly.
Shipowners and operators can take steps to prevent cyber-attacks aboard and limit threats to vessels by being prepared and responding accordingly. Cybersecurity plans and policies should be created to identify vulnerabilities, threats, and impacts. Proper training and cyber awareness should be conducted for employees shoreside and shipboard. Regular software updates and multi-factor authentication are important, as well as encryption of sensitive data and reminders to implement proper cyber hygiene onboard.
Companies should also understand how to respond to and recover from cybersecurity incidents. Response plans should be updated annually to address all relevant contingencies and shipboard personnel should keep a hard copy onboard in case system access is compromised. Ideally, procedures in the ship’s safety management system should already address onboard contingencies if the vessel experiences a loss of critical systems and equipment. The response plans should also contain information regarding communications and escalation management to ensure there are channels to gain shoreside support if an event occurs. Post-incident recovery should consist of an initial assessment to investigate the incident and preserve evidence. Evaluating the incident and its impacts will aid in continuous improvement to prevent recurrence.
Cybersecurity not only prevents hackers from obtaining information and access to networks and systems, but it also protects digital assets and data. Therefore, identifying vulnerabilities, developing cybersecurity plans, and executing regular cybersecurity exercises aid to improve the safety and security of seafarers, ships, and the environment in which they operate. | https://www.maritime-executive.com/editorials/maritime-ransomware-impacts-and-incident-response |
The companies have lost experienced people. “I love the idea [from Alan Kay, a personal computing pioneer] that a point of view is worth 80 IQ points. The best way to a mature point of view is to have actual experience doing the thing you’re analyzing.” -Jerry Michalski, former vice president and research director of New Science Associates (which was bought by Gartner) and former editor of Esther Dyson’s “Release 1.0,” now president of Sociate
We can win back the subscriptions.
“We’ve found there are higher subscription renewal rates for clients who use the one-off consulting services. It’s a matter of building that relationship. Forrester was research-centric. When we bought Giga, they were more relationship-centric. We needed both; now we’ve got them.”
Networks have never been more complex and cyber threats have never been more advanced. To protect it all, you need to see it all. That's Visibility Without Borders from Netscout.
Future-proofing your hybrid work strategy isn’t optional. The winners will partner up to reimagine their business, create better experiences, improve productivity, and rethink workspaces. Learn more.
Software risk is business risk. Learn how to build trust in your software with Synopsys with a click through to
The Edge is the future—uncover the components of Edge success today and achieve your goal in becoming a modern, digital-first, and data-driven enterprise.
SANS Summer Buy Window: Through July 31 eligible SLTTs can save more than 50% off training.
With Kolide, you can make your team into your biggest allies for endpoint security. Solve problems, right within Slack. Learn more here. | https://www.cio.com/article/272618/it-organization-the-demise-of-it-analysts.html |
UNIX programmers implemented a One way hash of DES to "encrypt" passwords as part of the crypt(3) function. It was impossible to decrypt these passwords since they were a modified version of DES, so in order to know if someone had the right password the plain text would be encrypted and the result compared with the hash of the password database. If they matched, a user would be granted access. As computers became faster so did the speed at which DES would be cracked. An amd64 3500+ running OpenBSD using the systems crypt(3) functions can hash 121,000 passwords in 1 second in 2005. So a slower hash algorithm was needed and one that could take more than 8 characters for the passwords. Many Operating Systems have implemented MD5 hashing which does 1880 crypts per second on the aforementioned OpenBSD system. OpenBSD went even further and designed an interesting hash of blowfish that has a variable setting for rounds that blowfish will encrypt the hash with the string "OrpheanBeholderScryDoubt" 64 times per round. The result is that with 12 rounds, a crypt will do 2 passwords in 1 second.
One way hashing wasn't confined to just passwords. With the md5 and SHA, as well as the rmd160 commands one can make a cryptographic hash sum (or fingerprint) of a file or text in the system. For example, if you want to ensure a file or directory has not been altered, you can print the checksum onto read-only media (i.e. paper/burn onto a cd). Whenever you run the checksum program against the same file or directory, you should get the same results unless something has been altered. If this topic interests you, tripwire is popular software you'll want to read more about.
rot13 is probably good to keep data safe from your 7 year old sister.
Another type of cryptography is the XOR method. XOR used as a One time pad is potentially secure. Here is an example of a typical XOR encryption the xortext.c program is also available:
$ cat /etc/passwd | ./xortext blah | hexdump -C | head | http://www.hackepedia.org/?title=Cryptography&oldid=5384 |
The new unit offers breadth, heightened analysis and a streamlined process from its cross-operational body by providing a stronger, more reliable and capable service.
Sophos, a global leader in next-generation cybersecurity, has announced Sophos X-Ops, a new cross-operational unit linking SophosLabs, Sophos SecOps and Sophos AI, to help organisations better defend against constantly changing and increasingly complex cyberattacks.
Sophos X-Ops leverages each group’s predictive, real-time, real-world and deeply researched threat intelligence, which, in turn, collaborate to deliver stronger, more innovative protection, detection and response capabilities.
Sophos is also issuing OODA: Sophos X-Ops Takes on Burgeoning SQL Server Attacks research about increased attacks against unpatched Microsoft SQL servers and how attackers used a fake downloading site and grey-market remote access tools to distribute multiple ransomware families.
Sophos X-Ops identified and thwarted the attacks because the Sophos X-Ops teams combined their respective knowledge of the incidents, jointly analysed them, and took action to quickly contain and neutralise the adversaries.
Joe Levy, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Sophos
“Modern cybersecurity is becoming a highly interactive team sport, and as the industry has matured, necessary analysis, engineering and investigative specialisations have emerged. Scalable end-to-end operations now need to include software developers, automation engineers, malware analysts, reverse engineers, cloud infrastructure engineers, incident responders, data engineers and scientists and numerous other experts, and they need an organisational structure that avoids silos,” said Joe Levy, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Sophos.
“We’ve unified three globally recognised and mature teams within Sophos to provide this breadth of critical, subject matter and process expertise. Joined together as Sophos X-Ops, they can leverage the strengths of each other, including analysis of worldwide telemetry from more than 500,000 customers, industry-leading threat hunting, response and remediation capabilities and rigorous artificial intelligence to measurably improve threat detection and response.
“Attackers are often too organised and too advanced to combat without the unique combined expertise and operational efficiency of a joint task force like Sophos X-Ops.”
Speaking in March 2022 to the Detroit Economic Club about the FBI partnering with the private sector to counter cyberthreats, FBI Director Christopher Wray said: “What partnership lets us do is hit our adversaries at every point, from the victims’ networks back all the way to the hackers’ own computers, because when it comes to the FBI’s cyberstrategy we know trying to stand in the goal and block shots isn’t going to get the job done.
“We’re disrupting three things: the threat actors, their infrastructure and their money. And we have the most durable impact when we work with all our partners to disrupt all three together.”
Sophos X-Ops is taking a similar approach: gathering and operating on threat intelligence from its own multidisciplinary groups to help stop attackers earlier, preventing or minimising the harms of ransomware, espionage or other cybercrimes that can befall organisations of all types and sizes and working with law enforcement to neutralise attacker infrastructure.
While Sophos’ internal teams already share information as a matter of course, the formal creation of Sophos X-Ops drives forward a faster, more streamlined process necessary to counter equally fast-moving adversaries.
“Effective cybersecurity requires robust collaboration at all levels, both internally and externally; it is the only way to discover, analyse and counter malicious cyber actors at speed at scale. Combining these separate teams into Sophos X-Ops shows that Sophos understands this principle and is acting on it,” said Michael Daniel, President and CEO, Cyber Threat Alliance.
Sophos X-Ops also provides a stronger cross-operational foundation for innovation, an essential component of cybersecurity due to the aggressive advancements in organised cybercrime. By intertwining each group’s expertise, Sophos is pioneering the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) assisted Security Operations Center (SOC), which anticipates the intentions of security analysts and provides relevant defensive actions.
In the SOC of the future, Sophos believes this approach will dramatically accelerate security workflows and the ability to more quickly detect and respond to novel and priority indicators of compromise.
“The adversary community has figured out how to work together to commoditise certain parts of attacks while simultaneously creating new ways to evade detection and taking advantage of weaknesses in any software to mass exploit it. The Sophos X-Ops umbrella is a noted example of stealing a page from the cyber miscreants’ tactics by allowing cross-collaboration amongst different internal threat intelligence groups,” said Craig Robinson, IDC Research Vice President, Security Services.
“Combining the ability to cut across a wide breadth of threat intelligence expertise with AI-assisted features in the SOC allows organisations to better predict and prepare for imminent and future attacks.” | https://www.intelligenttechchannels.com/2022/08/01/sophos-links-three-teams-of-cybersecurity-experts-for-sophos-x-ops-to-defend-against-cyberattacks/ |
Developers of email, instant-messaging and voice-over-internet-protocol applications would be forced to redesign their services so their contents can be intercepted by law enforcement agents armed with legal wiretap orders under federal legislation reported on Monday by The New York Times.
The legislation would, among other things, require cellphone carriers, websites and other types of service providers to have a way to unscramble encrypted communications traveling over their networks, the report said. It specifically mentions companies such as Research in Motion and Skype, which are popular in part because their cellular communications and VoIP services respectively are widely regarded as offering robust encryption that's impractical if not impossible for government agents to crack.
That in turn has led to warnings by investigators that their ability to wiretap criminal and terrorism suspects is "going dark” as the world increasingly communicates using newer technologies instead of the traditional phone system.
“We're talking about lawfully authorized intercepts,” Valerie E. Caproni, general counsel for the FBI, told The New York Times. “We're not talking expanding authority. We're talking about preserving our ability to execute our existing authority in order to protect the public safety and national security.”
Under the Communications Assistance to Law Enforcement Act, phone and broadband service providers are required to have the technical means in place to eavesdrop on their subscribers. But it doesn't apply to communication service providers, which often offer strong end-to-end encryption services that make it infeasible for them to intercept traffic even through it travels over their networks.
Under a draft bill expected to be submitted to the US Congress when it convenes next year, such services would have to be redesigned, according to Monday's report. Foreign-based providers that do business inside the US would also have to install a domestic office capable of performing intercepts, it said.
The measure is sure to stoke fierce opposition among business leaders, security experts and civil liberties advocates. They argue that the backdoors may have vulnerabilities that can allow hackers to illegally intercept protected communications. Indeed, something similar to that occurred in 2006 when hackers took advantage of legally mandated wiretap functions in Greece to spy on top government officials, including the prime minister.
In addition to threatening the public's privacy, such backdoors can put US-sanctioned services at a competitive disadvantage with those that don't have backdoors built in, critics have charged.
The FBI spent $9.75m last year helping communication companies comply with surveillance requests, the report said. Beyond the costs, the process can significantly delay critical investigations, defenders of the measure said. ® | https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/09/27/encryption_backdoor_legislation/ |
Description of : WinAntispyware is a Trojan disguised as an anti-spyware application. It installs stealthily onto a user's system, advertises aggressively, and consumes system resources unnecessarily.
Recommendation for : It is highly recommended that this application be removed. Non-removal of this application will expose you to unscrupulous advertisers who will constantly send you numerous unsolicited ads. | http://www.fbmsoftware.com/spyware-net/process/was6_exe/1652/ |
“I have nothing to hide” was once the standard response to surveillance programs utilizing cameras, border checks, and casual questioning by law enforcement.
Privacy used to be considered a concept generally respected in many countries with a few changes to rules and regulations here and there often made only in the name of the common good.
Things have changed, and not for the better.
China’s Great Firewall, the UK’s Snooper’s Charter, the US’ mass surveillance and bulk data collection — compliments of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Edward Snowden‘s whistleblowing — Russia’s insidious election meddling, and countless censorship and communication blackout schemes across the Middle East are all contributing to a global surveillance state in which privacy is a luxury of the few and not a right of the many.
As surveillance becomes a common factor of our daily lives, privacy is in danger of no longer being considered an intrinsic right.
Everything from our web browsing to mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT) products installed in our homes have the potential to erode our privacy and personal security, and you cannot depend on vendors or ever-changing surveillance rules to keep them intact.
Having “nothing to hide” doesn’t cut it anymore. We must all do whatever we can to safeguard our personal privacy. Taking the steps outlined below can not only give you some sanctuary from spreading surveillance tactics but also help keep you safe from cyberattackers, scam artists, and a new, emerging issue: misinformation.
Known as PII, this can include your name, physical home address, email address, telephone numbers, date of birth, marital status, Social Security numbers (US)/National Insurance numbers (UK), and other information relating to your medical status, family members, employment, and education.
All this data, whether lost in different data breaches or stolen piecemeal through phishing campaigns, can provide attackers with enough information to conduct identity theft, take out loans using your name, and potentially compromise online accounts that rely on security questions being answered correctly. In the wrong hands, this information can also prove to be a gold mine for advertisers lacking a moral backbone.
Browsing habits and website visits
Internet activity is monitored by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and can be hijacked. While there is little consumers can do about attacks at the ISP level, the web pages you visit can also be tracked by cookies, which are small bits of text that are downloaded and stored by your browser. Browser plugins may also track your activity across multiple websites.
Cookies are used to personalize internet experiences and this can include tailored advertising. However, such tracking can go too far, as shown when the unique identifiers added to a cookie are then used across different services and on various marketing platforms. Such practices are often considered intrusive.
Our email accounts are often the pathway that can provide a link to all our other valuable accounts, as well as a record of our communication with friends, families, and colleagues. As central hubs to other online services, hackers may try to obtain our passwords through credential stuffing, social engineering, or phishing scams in order to jump to other services.
If an email account acts as a singular hub for other services, a single compromise can snowball into the hijack of many accounts and services.
Online purchases, financial information
When you conduct a transaction online, this information may include credentials for financial services such as PayPal, or credit card information including card numbers, expiry dates, and security codes.
New attacks known as Magecart campaigns are not possible to avoid by the average consumer as they take place on vulnerable e-commerce websites, with code injected into payment portals to skim and steal card data input by customers. Past victims of Magecart groups include Ticketmaster, Boom! Mobile, and British Airways.
Cybercriminals who steal financial services credentials through phishing and fraudulent websites, who eavesdrop on your transactions through Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attacks, or who utilize card-skimming malware, can steal these details when they are not secured.
Once this information has been obtained, unauthorized transactions can be made, clone cards may be created, or this data may also be sold on to others in the Dark Web.
Medical records and DNA profiles
Another entrant to the mix, hospitals are now transitioning to electronic records and home DNA services store genetic information belonging to their users, submitted in the quest for health-related queries or tracing family histories.
Why does it matter? The loss of medical information, which is deeply personal, can be upsetting and result in disastrous consequences for everyone involved.
When it comes to DNA, however, the choice is ours whether to release this information — outside of law enforcement demands — and it is often the use of ancestry services that release this data in the first place. Privacy concerns relating to DNA searches have been cited for sales downturns with some popular home ancestry kits.
Businesses that handle data belonging to their customers are being scrutinized more and more with the arrival of regulatory changes such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation, designed to create a level playing field and stipulate adequate security measures to protect consumer privacy and data.
Companies will often encrypt your information as part of the process, which is a way to encode information to make it unreadable by unauthorized parties.
One way this is achieved is by using SSL and TLS certificates that support encryption on website domains. While usually a paid service, Let’s Encrypt also offers free SSL/TLS certificates to webmasters who wish to improve their websites’ security. Unfortunately, this has also led to the adoption of SSL by fraudsters.
(Let’s Encrypt did, however, have to revoke three million certificates in March 2020 due to a bug in backend code.)
Apple, Google, and Mozilla have forced TLS certificate lifespans to reduce to 398 days.
End-to-end encryption is also becoming more popular. This form of encryption prevents anyone except those communicating from accessing or reading the content of messages, including vendors themselves.
Following Snowden’s disclosure of the NSA’s mass surveillance activities, end-to-end encryption has been widely adopted by many online communication services. With a recent shift to working from home practices prompted by COVID-19, this has expanded to include video conferencing tools including Zoom.
See also: Zoom backtracks and plans to offer end-to-end encryption to all users | Google is adding end-to-end encryption to its Android Messages app | Facebook and Google refuse 1 in 5 Australian law enforcement data access requests
Privacy advocates may cheer, but governments and law enforcement agencies have not rejoiced at the trend — and a political battlefield has emerged between tech vendors and governments that are attempting to enforce the inclusion of deliberate backdoors into encrypted systems.
It is up to us to make use of any privacy-enabling technology we have at hand. Below are some guides with simple steps to get you started.
Searching the web is a daily activity for many of us, and as such, it is also a hotbed for tracking and potential cyberattacks.
The most commonly-used browsers are Google Chrome, Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Mozilla Firefox. However, you should consider using Tor if you want to truly keep your browsing private.
The Tor Project is an open-source browser that is privacy-focused. The software creates tunnels rather than establishing direct connections to websites, which prevents users from being tracked through traffic analysis or IP addresses.
Not to be confused with the Dark Web — although required to access it and .onion domains in general — Tor is legal and is often used by the privacy-conscious, including journalists, activists, civil rights groups, and NGOs.
The Tor browser can be slower than traditional browsers, but it is still the best choice for secure browsing. The non-profit recently launched a membership program to secure funding and boost integration in third-party products.
If you are more comfortable using Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or another browser, there are still ways to improve your security without implementing major changes to your surfing habits.
Cookies: Clearing out your cookie caches and browser histories can prevent ad networks from collecting too much information about you. The easiest way to do so is to clear the cache (Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, Edge).
You can also set your preferences to prevent websites from storing cookies at all. In order to do so, check out these guides for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Safari, and Edge.
HTTP v. HTTPS: When you visit a website address, you will be met with either Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) or Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure (HTTPS). The latter option uses a layer of encryption to enable secure communication between a browser and a server.
The most important thing to remember is while HTTPS is best used by default in general browsing, when it comes to online purchases, it is crucial to protecting your payment details from eavesdropping and theft.
It is still possible for payment details to be stolen on the vendor’s side, but to reduce the risk of theft as much as possible you should not hand over any important information to websites without HTTPS enabled. (It is estimated that shopping cart conversion rates increase by 13 percent with HTTPS enabled, which should encourage webmasters to use the protocol, too.)
To find out whether HTTPS is enabled, look in the address bar for “https://.” Many browsers also show a closed padlock.
Search engines
Google’s search engine, alongside other major options such as Yahoo! and Bing, make use of algorithms based on your data to provide “personalized” experiences. However, browsing histories and search queries can be used to create crossover user profiles detailing our histories, clicks, interests, and more, and may become invasive over time. (Ever purchased a toaster and then see ads for toasters frequently? There’s a reason for that.)
To prevent such data from being logged, consider using an alternative that does not record your search history and blocks advertising trackers. These options include DuckDuckGo, Qwant, Startpage, and the open source Searx engine.
If you wish to stay with your current browser you can also use software that bolts-on to your browser to enhance the privacy and security of your surfing activities.
Browser plugins
HTTPS Everywhere: Available for Firefox, Chrome, and Opera, HTTPS Everywhere is a plugin created by the Tor Project and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to expand HTTPS encryption to many websites, improving the security of your communication with them.
NoScript Security Suite: Endorsed by Edward Snowden as a means to combat government surveillance, this plugin has been built for Firefox and other Mozilla-based browsers for the purposes of disabling active content including JavaScript, which may be used to track your online activity. Users can also choose which domains to trust and whitelist.
Disconnect: Another worthy addition to the list, Disconnect provides a visual guide to websites that are tracking your activity. Invisible trackers that monitor you and may also expose you to malicious content can be blocked. Disconnect is available for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Opera.
Facebook Container: In a time where Facebook has come under fire for its data collection and sharing practices time after time, Mozilla’s Facebook Container application is a worthwhile plugin to download if you are worried about the social media network tracking your visits to other websites. The plugin isolates your Facebook profile and creates a form of browser-based container to prevent third-party advertisers and Facebook tracking outside of the network. While not bulletproof, this add-on is worth considering if you want to separate Facebook from the rest of your browsing activities.
Blur: Blur, available for Firefox and Chrome, is an all-around plugin to protect your privacy and security. While the add-on can be used as a password manager and generator, ad blocking, and encryption, the true value is the use of “masked cards” in the premium version of the software. When data breaches occur, financial information is often the target. With this plugin, however, throwaway virtual cards are used with online vendors in replacement for the direct use of your credit card data, keeping it safe should a cyberattack occur.
Privacy Badger: Last but certainly not least, the EFF’s Opera, Firefox, and Chrome-supporting plugin Privacy Badger is focused on preventing ad networks from tracking you. The software monitors third parties that attempt to track users through cookies and digital fingerprinting and will automatically block those which use multiple tracking techniques. The plugin also includes color-coded indicators of domain tracking scripts.
There is no denying that public Wi-Fi hotspots are convenient, especially in a time when many of us are working outside of the office. However, you may be placing your privacy and security at risk if you choose to use one while on the move without the right precautions.
The problem with them is simple: As you do not need authentication to access them, neither do cyberattackers — and this gives them the opportunity to perform what is known as Man-in-The-Middle (MiTM) attacks in order to eavesdrop on your activities and potentially steal your information, as well as manipulate traffic in a way to send you to malicious websites.
Hackers may be able to access the information you are sending through the Wi-Fi hotspot, including but not limited to emails, financial information, and account credentials. Hackers may also set up their own rogue honeypot Wi-Fi points that appear legitimate whilst only being interested in stealing the data of those who connect to it.
It is best not to use a public, unsecured Wi-Fi connection at all. An alternative and far more secure method is always to use a mobile 4G/5G connection through your own mobile device when possible.
If you need an internet connection for a device other than your smartphone, an easy way to accomplish this is to set up your mobile device as a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot itself. You can usually find this option in your main scroller menu, or under Wi-Fi settings.
There are other precautions you can take to make a public Wi-Fi hotspot safer — but it’s never devoid of risk.
When you connect to a new Wi-Fi hotspot on Microsoft Windows machines, make sure that you select “Public” when the option appears, as this will enable the operating system to turn off sharing; turn off the Wi-Fi connection when you do not need it, enable firewalls, and try to only visit websites with HTTPS enabled.
In addition, do not use the Wi-Fi hotspot to access anything valuable, such as an online banking service — save that for use with a mobile connection and dedicated mobile applications.
One of the most important layers of security to implement is the use of a virtual private network (VPN) if accessing a public Wi-Fi hotspot — and the use of a trustworthy VPN should be implemented across all your devices, no matter your connection type.
A virtual private network is a way to create a secure tunnel between browsers and web servers. Data packets are encrypted before they are sent to a destination server, which also results in IP addresses and your location becoming hidden. Many VPNs will also include a ‘kill switch’ that cuts off your internet access temporarily if a connection drops in order to keep your online activity secure.
VPNs have now entered the mainstream. Many users only adopt these services to access geolocation-blocked content — such as websites and apps banned in select countries — for example, a user in the United States could make themselves appear to be located in the United Kingdom, and vice versa.
However, VPNs have also surged in popularity in response to increased surveillance, making their use a popular option for activists or those in countries ruled by censorship. In addition, some organizations will require their employees to now use a VPN when accessing corporate resources remotely, a demand which may now be more common due to employees forced to work from home due to COVID-19.
(For a more detailed look at how VPNs operate, check out our guide.)
VPNs are not a silver bullet for security; far from it, but they can help mask your online presence. It is worth noting, however, that VPN usage is banned in some countries.
Free vs. premium VPNs
Premium, paid services are often more trustworthy. Free options are often slower and will offer limited bandwidth capacity. VPNs cost money to run and so providers will also require users of free services to agree to alternative means for them to turn a profit — and this may include tracking and selling your data.
Remember, when you are using a free service, whether it’s a VPN or Facebook, you are the product and not the customer.
The most important element to consider when deciding on a VPN is trust. Using a VPN requires all your traffic to go through a third-party. If this third-party VPN is unsecured or uses this information for nefarious reasons, then the whole point of using a VPN for additional privacy is negated.
Conflicts of interest, VPN providers being hosted in countries of which governments can demand their data, and sometimes less-than-transparent business practices can all make finding a trustworthy option a complex and convoluted journey.
However, to make this trip easier, our favorites include NordVPN, Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and TorGuard. Sister site CNET has also provided an up-to-date directory of good VPN options.
This kind of advice is repeated ad nauseam but it is worth saying again: using complex passwords is the first line of defense you have to secure your online accounts.
Many vendors now actively prevent you from using simple combinations that are easy to break, such as QWERTY12345 or PASSWORD123, with dictionary-based and brute-force attacks.
However, in July, researchers found that one out of every seven passwords in use is still ‘123456’. By November, nothing had changed, with the worst — and very common — password options found in data leaks being “123456,” “123456789,” “picture1,” “password,” and “12345678.”
It can be difficult to remember complicated password credentials when you are using multiple online services, and this is where password vaults come in.
Password managers are specialized pieces of software used to securely record the credentials required to access your online services. Rather than being required to remember each set of credentials, these systems keep everything in one place, accessed through one master password, and they will use security measures such as AES-256 encryption to prevent exposure.
Read on: Best encryption software for business in 2020: BitLocker, FileVault, Guardium, and more
Vaults may also generate strong and complex passwords on your behalf, as well as proactively change old and weak ones.
It is true that password managers and vaults may have vulnerable design elements that can be exploited on already-compromised machines, but when you balance risk, it is still recommended to use such software. Vendors with the best ratings include LastPass, Keeper, and Blur, but for a full range, check out CNET’s password manager directory.
Enable Two-factor authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication (2FA), also known as two-step verification, is a widely-implemented method of adding an extra layer of security to your accounts and services after you have submitted a password.
The most common methods are via an SMS message, a biometric marker such as a fingerprint or iris scan, a PIN number, pattern, or physical fob. Using 2FA creates an additional step to access your accounts and data, and while not foolproof, can help protect your accounts — and password vaults, too.
2FA is a strong security standard, but if you are unlucky enough to become a victim of SIM hijacking, this layer of security means very little. SIM-wapping occurs when a cybercriminal poses as you to a service provider, such as AT&T, using social engineering techniques and information gathered about you to fool employees into transferring ownership of your mobile number.
Once they have secured your phone number, they have a small window of time to hijack online accounts — such as emails, bank accounts, or cryptocurrency wallets — before you notice your service has ended. In this time, attackers may be able to access 2FA codes.
AT&T has become the subject of multiple lawsuits centered around customers who allegedly lost millions in cryptocurrency due to SIM-swap attacks.
This type of fraud is difficult to protect against. However, one way to do so is to connect 2FA telephone numbers to a secondary number that is not publicly known and so could only become subject to a SIM-swap if leaked elsewhere.
Mobile devices can act as a secondary means of protection for your online accounts via 2FA, but these endpoints can also be the weak link that completely breaks down your privacy and security.
Both Apple iPhones and mobile devices based on Google’s Android operating system have sold by the millions. Android has maintained the lion’s share of the global smartphone and tablet market for years, but due to its popularity, the majority of mobile malware samples are geared toward this OS.
To combat this, Google runs a bug bounty program and consistent security patch cycle for vendors.
iOS, in contrast, is a proprietary operating system and iPhones are generally considered more secure — despite the emergence of security flaws on occasion which are almost laughable — and frequent security updates are issued to users.
(Google has previously said that Android security is now as good as iOS, but we are still waiting to see the real-world evidence of this claim.)
It sounds simple, but many of us don’t do it — make sure your mobile device is locked in some way to prevent physical compromise.
You can turn on your iPhone‘s Passcode feature to enter a four or six-digit passcode, as well as select the ‘custom’ option to set either a numeric or alphanumeric code. On iPhone X and later, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, while on earlier iPhone devices, go to Settings > Touch ID & Passcode. If TouchID is not a feature on your iPhone, the menu option will simply show Passcode.
On Android, you can choose to set a pattern, PIN number, or password with a minimum of four digits. You can choose by tapping Settings > Security & location/Security > Lock Screen.
We want to stop ourselves from being monitored without consent, but some technologies can be beneficial for tracking down our own lost or stolen property.
Find my iPhone is a security feature for iOS devices that you can enable to allow you to track your device through iCloud. The system also includes a remote lock to prevent others from using your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch in the case of theft.
In order to enable Find my iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Scroll to the bottom to tap Find my iPhone, and slide to turn on.
Google’s Find My Device can be used to ring a missing device, remotely secure your smartphone, and also wipe all content on your stolen property. The service is automatically made available by default once a Google account is connected to your device but it does require the device to be turned on, to have an active internet connection, and to have both location and the Find My Device feature enabled.
To disable it, select Settings > Security > Unknown Sources. On the later Android models, the option is usually found in Settings > Apps > Top-right corner > Special access.
Encryption: Depending on your smartphone’s model, you may have to enable device encryption, or some will be encrypted by default once a password, PIN, or lock screen option is in place. If you have such a device you can generally encrypt your smartphone through Settings > Security > Encrypt Device.
Some smartphone models do not have this option as encryption is enabled by default but you can choose to encrypt accompanying SD cards by going to Settings > Security > Encrypt SD card.
You can also choose to enable the Secure Folder option in the same settings area to protect individual folders and files.
Rooting your device to allow the installation of software that has not been verified by vendors or made available in official app stores has security ramifications. You may not only invalidate your warranty but also open up your device to malware, malicious apps, and data theft.
An example of this is KeyRaider, a malicious campaign uncovered by Palo Alto Networks in 2015. The malware specifically targeted jailbroken iOS devices, leading to the theft of 225,000 Apple accounts and their passwords. A new iOS jailbreak method was released in May.
There was once a time when Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) was one of only a handful of options available to secure and encrypt your online communication that existed. PGP is a program that can be used for cryptographic protection, however, PGP is complicated to set up and use and there are other options out there that are more palatable to the average user.
If you still wish to use PGP, the Electronic Frontier Foundation has useful guides on its implementation for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Keybase.io, an open-source app built based on PGP for mobile and desktop systems available for macOS/iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows, is another option for making use of PGP and end-to-end encryption without the technical difficulties usually involved.
Signal is widely regarded as the most accessible, secure messaging service in existence today. Available for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows, the free app — developed by Open Whisper Systems — implements end-to-end encryption and no data is stored by the company’s servers, which means that none of your conversations can be seized or read by law enforcement or hackers.
In order to use the service, you will need to tie a phone number to the app. You can also use Signal to replace traditional SMS messaging, but the same encryption and protections do not apply unless both recipients are using the app.
WhatsApp
WhatsApp is an alternative messaging app, which completed a rollout of end-to-end encryption across all compatible devices in 2016.
Available for Android, iOS, Windows Phone, macOS, Windows, and desktop, the messaging app is a simple and secure means to conduct chats between either a single recipient or a group. Having grown even more popular in recent years — perhaps more so as a way for colleagues to communicate while they work from home — and now boasting over one billion users, WhatsApp is certainly worth downloading to replace traditional chat apps. However, to tighten things up, make sure you visit the Chat Backup option in “Chats” and turn it off.
iMessage
Apple’s iMessage, a communications platform that comes with Mac and iOS products, is another option if you want to secure and protect your digital communications.
Messages are encrypted on your devices via a private key and cannot be accessed without a passcode. However, if you choose to back up your data to iCloud, a copy of the key protecting these conversations is also stored.
In order to keep your messages truly private, turn off the backup option. Apple will then generate an on-device key to protect your messages and this is not stored by the company.
In addition, only conversations taking place between iPhones — rather than an iPhone and Android device, for example — are encrypted. 2FA must be implemented to use end-to-end encryption.
Apple Card transactions — on iOS 12.4 or later — home and health data, the iCloud keychain, Safari search history, map favorites, Siri data, Wi-Fi passwords, and more, can be encrypted and stored via iCloud.
Facebook Messenger
Facebook Messenger is not encrypted by default, and the social media giant says rolling out encryption could take years. The chat service does, however, have a feature called “Secret Conversations” on iOS and Android — but not the standard web domain — which is end-to-end encrypted.
In order to start a secret conversation, go to the chat bubble, tap the “write” icon, tap “Secret,” and select who you want to message. You can also choose to set a timer for messages to vanish.
No matter which mobile operating system you have adopted, downloading apps from verified, trusted sources such as Google Play and Apple’s App store is always the best option to maintain your security and privacy.
However, the permissions you give an installed app are also important.
Apps can request a variety of permissions including sensor data, call logs, camera and microphone access, location, storage, and contact lists. While many legitimate apps do require access to certain features, you should always make sure you are aware of what apps can access what data to prevent unnecessary security risks or information leaks.
Research published in January suggests that 14% of all Android apps contain contradictions in app data collection policies.
To be on the safe side, any time you no longer need an application, you should simply uninstall it.
Mobile malware
Mobile malware is far from as popular as malicious software that targets desktop machines but with these variants infecting Android, iOS, and sometimes make their way into official app repositories. A common technique used by malware developers is to submit a mobile application which appears to be legitimate, and then upload malicious functions after a user base has been established, such as in a recent case of an Android app containing the Cerberus Trojan infiltrating Google Play.
The types of malware that can hit your mobile device are varied, from Trojans and backdoors to malicious code that focuses on the theft of valuable information, such as online banking credentials.
The most common way that such malware can infiltrate your smartphone is through the installation of malicious apps, which may actually be malware, spyware, or adware in disguise.
It’s recommended that you download and install an antivirus software solution for your mobile device, however, you will probably be safe enough as long as you do not jailbreak your phone and you only download app .APKs from trusted sources, rather than third-party repositories.
Many email providers now encrypt email in transit using TLS, but there are few email services, if any, which you can truly consider 100% “secure” due to government laws, law enforcement powers, and the difficulty of truly implementing strong encryption in email inboxes beyond using PGP to sign messages.
However, ProtonMail is worth considering. The open-source email system is based in Switzerland and therefore protected under the country’s strict data protection laws. Emails are end-to-end encrypted which prevents ProtonMail — or law enforcement — from reading them. In addition, no personal information is required to open an account.
Another way to send emails without tracking is to use a temporary, throwaway email address. These can be generated through services including Temp Mail and EmailOnDeck.
Now that you’ve begun to take control of your devices, it is time to consider what data is floating around the internet that belongs to you — and what you can do to prevent future leaks.
One of the first places to travel to is Troy Hunt’s Have I Been Pwned service. The free search engine (of sorts) can be used to check your email accounts and linked online services for the exposure of credentials caused by data leaks. If you find you have been ‘pwned,’ stop using all the password combinations involved immediately — not only in the case of the compromised account but across the board.
Google privacy checks
If you are a user of Google services, the Privacy Check up function can be used to stop Google from saving your search results, YouTube histories, device information, and for you to decide whether you are happy for the tech giant to tailor advertising based on your data.
Make sure you also take a look at your main Google Account to review security settings and privacy measures. The Security Check up page also shows which third-party apps have access to your account and you can revoke access as necessary.
An important feature on this page is activated if you are saving passwords in the Google Chrome browser. Google will check to see if these passwords have been compromised in a data breach, and if so, will alert you and urge you to change them immediately. To make this easier, each alert will link to the impacted domain or service so you can quickly log in and change your details.
Review activities: Under Activity Log, you can review all your activity across the social network, including posts published, messages posted to other timelines, likes, and event management. You can use the “edit” button to allow something on a timeline, hide it, or delete it outright — a handy function for wiping clean your older timeline.
Download data: Under this tab, you can choose to download all the data Facebook holds on you.
Privacy Settings and Tools: Here, you can choose who can see your future posts. For the sake of privacy, it is best to set this to friends only, unless you are happy for such content to automatically be made public.
How people can find and contact you: You can tighten up your account by also limiting who can send you friend requests, who can see your friend lists, and whether people are able to use your provided email address or phone number to find your profile. A particular feature you may want to turn off is the ability for search engines outside of the network to link to your Facebook profile.
Location: Turn off this to prevent Facebook from gathering a log of your location history.
Face recognition: Another feature you should consider turning off — it’s unnecessary.
Apps and websites: Under this tab, you can see a list of third-party services that have been logged into using your Facebook credentials and whether they are active.
Ad Preferences, advertisers: A settings option that has been heavily expanded upon since the Cambridge Analytica scandal, in this section, you can review what Facebook believes are your interests, a list of advertisers that “are running ads using a contact list that they or their partner uploaded which includes information about you,” and you can manage personalized ad settings — at least, to a point.
Your interests: If you select this tab you will see topics, such as property, finance, food, and education, which are collated based on ads or promotional material you have previously clicked on. In order to remove a topic, hover over the option and select the “X” in the top right. The same principle applies to the “Advertisers” tab.
Your information: There are two tabs here that are both relevant to your online privacy and security. The first tab, “About you,” allows you to choose whether Facebook can use your relationship status, employer, job title, or education in targeted advertising. The second tab, “Your categories,” includes automatically generated lists of topics that the social network believes are relevant for ad placement — all of which can be hovered over and removed.
Ad Settings: To further thwart targeted ads, consider saying no to all the options below.
Another section to mention is under the “About Me” tab in Facebook’s main account menu. Here, you can choose whether to make information public (whether globally or to your friends), or only available to you. This information includes your date of birth, relationship status, contact information, and where you’ve lived.
Twitter
Under the “Settings and privacy” tab there is a variety of options and changes you should implement to improve the security of your account.
Login verification: After you log in, Twitter will ask you for additional information to confirm your identity to mitigate the risk of your account from being compromised.
Password reset verification: For added security, this requires you to confirm your email or phone number while resetting your password.
Privacy and safety: You can deselect location tracking and stop your locations being posted at the same time you send out a tweet, and there is also an option for removing all past location data from published tweets in your history.
In this section, you will also come across “Personalization and data,” which allows you to control — to an extent — how the social network personalizes content, collects data, and what information is shared with third-parties. You have the option to choose not to view personalized adverts, but the main setting you need to be aware of is for sharing.
Apps and sessions: Under this tab, you can see what third-party services, if any, are connected to your account, as well as what devices your Twitter account is actively logged into.
There is also an interesting section under “Your Twitter data.” Once you have entered your password, you can see Twitter’s compiled collection of interests and advertising partners based on your activities.
It is also possible to request your full data archive under the main Settings tab.
Instagram
To give your Instagram account a privacy boost, there are a few changes you can implement.
By default, anyone can view the photos and videos on your Instagram account. By going to Settings and then Account Privacy, you can change this to ensure only those you approve of can see your content.
If your account is public, then anyone can view and comment on your images and videos. However, you can block people you would rather not interact with.
Keep IoT devices password protected. Default credentials — unfortunately often still in play when it comes to IoT vendors — are an easy way for hackers to compromise a device. The first and easiest way to protect your devices is to change these credentials ASAP.
Making sure your IoT device firmware, as well as your router software, is up-to-date is also a key factor.
Consider running all your IoT devices on a separate home network. Therefore, in the case of compromise, the damage can be limited.
If your IoT device does not require an internet connection to run, then disable it. (Unfortunately, this is rare nowadays)
If you no longer need an IoT device or have upgraded, perform a factory reset and remove older devices from your network.
Always check the default settings on new products. It may be that default options — such as the implied consent for usage data and metrics to be sent to the vendor — will benefit the vendor, but not your privacy.
Just do it
The threats to our privacy and security are ever-evolving and within a few short years, things can change for the better — or for the worse. It is a constant game of push-and-pull between governments and technology giants when the conversation turns to encryption; cyberattackers are evolving and inventing new ways to exploit us daily, some countries would rather suppress the idea of individual privacy, rather than protect it; and now threat actors are taking advantage of the disruption caused by COVID-19 to launch salvos against corporations and individuals alike.
In a world where many of us have been asked to rapidly change our working practices and to do our jobs from home, research suggests cyber incidents are on the rise with many of us “oblivious” to security best practices, and if we don’t take basic precautions, we may be risking not only our personal devices but also company systems.
Thankfully, the threat to our privacy has now been acknowledged by technology companies. Many organizations, both for- and non-profit, have taken it upon themselves to develop tools for our use to improve our personal security — and it is now up to us to do so. | https://thecyberpost.com/news/security/cybersecurity-101-protect-your-privacy-from-hackers-spies-and-the-government/ |
In an episode of the TV drama The West Wing, President Josiah Bartlet uses chess as an analogy for geopolitical strategy. Bartlet, locked in a global game of brinkmanship with the Chinese, observes that in both chess and foreign relations, it’s dangerous to focus too narrowly when considering your next move. “You’ve got to see the whole board,” he tells an aide.
Seeing the whole board is exactly the challenge that CEOs and CIOs face in guiding the use of business technology. In a world of seemingly unlimited technology fads but limited investment capital, it’s unwise to rely on consultants to do the thinking for you. After all, they have a vested interest in creating more work for themselves. CEOs and CIOs need to develop their own sense of the future technology needs of the enterprise. And that requires vision that’s tempered with discipline, a focus on value and a healthy dose of skepticism.
Here are four ways to achieve IT thought leadership, based on lessons we’ve learned at Vanguard.
Create a disciplined process for evaluating technology. It’s easy for CEOs and CIOs to become so consumed by the day-to-day demands that the future of the business doesn’t get the formal attention it deserves. If you truly want answers to the questions Are we using the best processes? and What could we be doing with IT? you must establish a disciplined process to identify and evaluate strategic technology opportunities.
At Vanguard, our disciplined approach to technology has three key elements: 1. Senior managers devote several hours a week to major technology decisions; 2. We have a group of people dedicated exclusively to thinking about strategic technology; and 3. We tap into the perspectives of vendors and clients.
Our technology steering committee?of senior IS and business staff?serves as a high-level focus group with a business-needs perspective. We’ve learned that you have to invest time to let bold ideas bubble up. When we meet, it takes an hour to get through the business at hand; only then do we get to the what ifs and why nots so important to the company’s future.
Our in-house R&D team approaches these what ifs from a different perspective. The group is assigned to assess the potential of technology that’s still two to four years away from widespread adoption. Group members scan the environment to identify technology opportunities and then pitch innovative ideas to the business areas. They expect to sell the business on just 20 percent to 25 percent of the ideas they pitch.
IT thought leaders must cast a wide net to identify opportunities for innovation. At Vanguard, we seek insights from multiple perspectives. We routinely ask the frontline people who interact with our clients, “What should we be doing differently?” We also solicit ideas from our best IT vendors?who, after all, are themselves in the business of R&D.
The CIO should tap into the knowledge base of vendors. She must be plugged into the IT industry to recommend which vendors can truly be key partners in developing a particular technology. The CIO can then bring those vendors’ scientists?not just their salespeople?to the conference table.
Focus on value. New technology ought to improve internal operations or meet client needs with new or improved products and services. At Vanguard, if a new technology doesn’t add value in one or both areas, we aren’t interested.
It can be tough to recognize the value of a new technology, even when it’s right in your face. I remember a presentation in my first year of business school by a developer of new software called VisiCalc?a primitive spreadsheet program that predated Excel. Nobody was impressed. We couldn’t imagine why anyone would need a PC-based spreadsheet when they could do things the modern way, as we did: performing our number crunching on time-share terminals in the university’s computer lab.
Sometimes the toughest question is not whether to adopt the technology but how to apply it to capture the most value. For example, at Vanguard we’ve adopted collaborative browsing technology that allows us to serve clients simultaneously via the Web and the phone. It’s leading-edge stuff: The software lets a Vanguard phone associate take control of a caller’s Web browser and guide him through our website while they talk on the phone. The catch is that this is expensive technology?too expensive to use in every client interaction. The challenge for the business is in deciding when to make it available.
Be skeptical about technology hype. One could make the case that, from a client service standpoint, the investment-management industry has seen just three technology advances of magnitude during the past 20 years.
n The 800 number, which provided every household in America with easy access to direct sellers of mutual funds.
n The PC, which revolutionized companies’ internal operations by giving everyone desktop access to current business information.
n The Web, which created a new channel for investment products and services, as well as a cost-effective way to provide individual investors with new educational and investment tools.
It’s hard to know what the next big technological breakthrough in the investment industry could be. In my view, most of the hot technologies being touted today?including voice/portal technology and data aggregation?amount to incremental improvement. While these technologies are worth pursuing, they won’t reinvent the industry. So I take a skeptical view when consultants or anyone else makes claims to the contrary. In every industry, IT thought leaders should maintain a healthy skepticism about killer apps. Trust your intuition. With experience, IT thought leaders develop a sixth sense for what is valuable and what isn’t. Some years back, everyone said mainframe computers were passŽ. One of the thought leaders of Silicon Valley came to see me to reinforce the view that mainframes were dead, IBM was a dinosaur, and we should replace our mainframe computer with a multitude of servers (from his company, of course). We didn’t buy his thinking because it just didn’t feel right. As you know, more than a decade later, the mainframe is alive and well?a critical part of systems infrastructure, valued for its reliability in large-scale, mission-critical transaction processing.
Getting thought leadership right takes a system of checks and balances?a commitment to focus and disciplined processes, a sense of skepticism and the confidence to trust your intuition. CEOs and CIOs have to cultivate all of those traits to be able to see the whole board.
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