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Telegram
Crypto scams Cyber Fraud Encryption malware scams phishing tactics Telegram

Report: Telegram Crypto Scammers Adopt More Sophisticated Tactics

 

Telegram, a popular communications app known for encrypted messaging and calls, has become a prime target for sophisticated malware scams, according to the Web3-focused Scam Sniffer account on X. Sharing data on the platform, Scam Sniffer revealed that scammers on Telegram are now deploying malware instead of traditional phishing tactics.

The app, often considered an alternative to WhatsApp and Signal, offers privacy through encryption, making it attractive for both legitimate users and scammers. Previously, cryptocurrency scams on Telegram relied heavily on phishing techniques involving spoofed web pages and social engineering to extract sensitive information or access to crypto wallets.

However, the latest scam wave employs deceptive tools like fake verification bots, scam trading groups, and so-called “exclusive alpha groups,” as noted by Scam Sniffer. Victims are tricked into installing malware disguised as verification tools. Once installed, the malware can access passwords, wallets, clipboard data, and even browser information, leaving victims highly vulnerable.

Scammers have shifted to malware schemes partly because users are now more aware of traditional phishing tactics. Scam Sniffer pointed out that these new approaches make it harder to trace the source of the scams. The rise in cryptocurrency scams has been dramatic, with data showing over 2000% growth in dedicated scam groups. Bitcoin's soaring value, surpassing $100,000, has made cryptocurrency users more frequent targets.

Telegram has actively banned accounts involved in these scams, but managing the volume of malicious actors remains challenging. The website “Web3 is Going Great,” which tracks Web3-related scams, reports $7.84 million in losses from scams and hacks so far this year.
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Quantum computing
Bitcoin Bitcoin Vulnerability Blockchain Blockchain Technology Computing Cryptography Cyber Secuirty Encryption Quantum computing

Bitcoin Security Concerns Amid Quantum Computing Advancements

 

Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital, has raised alarms over Bitcoin’s future security, cautioning that its SHA-256 encryption may become vulnerable within the next two to five years. Speaking on the All-In Podcast, he highlighted rapid advancements in quantum computing, particularly Google’s unveiling of the Willow quantum chip featuring 105 qubits. Palihapitiya estimates that 8,000 such chips could potentially breach SHA-256 encryption, underscoring the pressing need for blockchain networks to adapt.

Quantum Computing's Impact on Cryptography

While acknowledging the infancy of quantum computing, Palihapitiya pointed to Google’s Willow chip as a pivotal development that could accelerate breakthroughs in cryptography. Despite scalability challenges, he remains optimistic that the cryptocurrency sector will evolve to develop quantum-resistant encryption methods.

Not all experts share his concerns, however. Ki Young Ju, founder of CryptoQuant, has expressed confidence that Bitcoin’s encryption is unlikely to face quantum threats within this decade.

Satoshi Nakamoto’s Early Solutions

Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, had anticipated such scenarios. In 2010, Satoshi proposed that the Bitcoin community could agree on the last valid blockchain snapshot and transition to a new cryptographic framework if SHA-256 were compromised. However, these early solutions are not without controversy.

Emin Gün Sirer, founder of Avalanche, has warned that some of Satoshi’s early-mined coins used an outdated Pay-To-Public-Key (P2PK) format, which exposes public keys and increases the risk of exploitation. Sirer suggested the Bitcoin community should consider freezing these coins or setting a sunset date for outdated transactions to mitigate risks.

Recent advancements in quantum computing, including Google’s Willow chip, briefly unsettled the cryptocurrency market. A sudden wave of liquidations resulted in $1.6 billion being wiped out within 24 hours. However, Bitcoin demonstrated resilience, reclaiming the $100,000 resistance level and achieving a 4.6% weekly gain.

Proactive Measures for Long-Term Security

Experts widely agree that proactive steps, such as transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptographic frameworks, will be essential for ensuring Bitcoin’s long-term security. As the quantum era approaches, collaboration and innovation within the cryptocurrency community will be pivotal in maintaining its robustness against emerging threats.

The ongoing advancements in quantum computing present both challenges and opportunities. While they highlight vulnerabilities in existing systems, they also drive the cryptocurrency sector toward innovative solutions that will likely define the next chapter in its evolution.

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Technology
Encryption Google Oxford University Quantum computing Technology

Google's Quantum Computing Leap: Introducing the "Willow" Chip

 



Google has made a significant stride in quantum computing with the announcement of its latest chip, named "Willow." According to Google, this advanced chip can solve problems in just five minutes that would take the most powerful supercomputers on Earth an astonishing 10 septillion years to complete. This breakthrough underscores the immense potential of quantum computing, a field that seeks to harness the mysterious and powerful principles of quantum mechanics.

What is Quantum Computing?

Quantum computing represents a revolutionary leap in technology, distinct from traditional computing. While classical computers use "bits" to represent either 0 or 1, quantum computers use "qubits," which can represent multiple states simultaneously. This phenomenon, known as superposition, arises from quantum mechanics—a branch of physics studying the behavior of particles at extremely small scales. These principles allow quantum computers to process massive amounts of information simultaneously, solving problems that are far beyond the reach of even the most advanced classical computers.

Key Achievements of Willow

Google's Willow chip has tackled one of the most significant challenges in quantum computing: error rates. Typically, increasing the number of qubits in a quantum system leads to higher chances of errors, making it difficult to scale up quantum computers. However, Willow has achieved a reduction in error rates across the entire system, even as the number of qubits increases. This makes it a more efficient and reliable product than earlier models.

That said, Google acknowledges that Willow remains an experimental device. Scalable quantum computers capable of solving problems far beyond the reach of current supercomputers are likely years away, requiring many additional advancements.

Applications and Risks of Quantum Computing

Quantum computers hold the promise of solving problems that are impossible for classical computers, such as:

  • Designing better medicines and more efficient batteries.
  • Optimizing energy systems for greater efficiency.
  • Simulating complex systems, like nuclear fusion reactions, to accelerate clean energy development.

However, this power also comes with risks. For example, quantum computers could potentially "break" existing encryption methods, jeopardizing sensitive information. In response, companies like Apple are already developing "quantum-proof" encryption to counter future threats.

Global Efforts in Quantum Computing

Google's Willow chip was developed in a cutting-edge facility in California, but the race for quantum supremacy is global:

  • The UK has established a National Quantum Computing Centre to support research and development.
  • Japan and researchers at Oxford University are exploring alternative methods, such as room-temperature quantum computing.

These international efforts reflect intense competition to lead this transformative technology.

A Step Towards the Future

Experts describe Willow as an important milestone rather than a definitive breakthrough. While it is a game-changing chip, challenges such as further reductions in error rates remain before quantum computers see widespread practical use. Nevertheless, Google’s advancements have brought the world closer to a future where quantum computing can revolutionize industries and solve some of humanity’s most complex challenges.

This remarkable progress highlights the vast potential of quantum computing while reminding us of the responsibility to use its power wisely.

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Ransomware
Encryption malware NHS Obfuscation Technique Qilin RaaS Ransomware

NEW Qilin Ransomware Variant Emerges with Improved Evasion Techniques

 



A much more potent version of the Qilin ransomware has been found, according to cybersecurity experts, showing a new and revamped kind that is ready to attack core systems using advanced encryption along with improved stealth techniques.


A Rebranding with a Twist: Qilin's Evolution

The Qilin ransomware operation, which first appeared in July 2022, has now morphed into a more formidable opponent with a new version dubbed "Qilin.B." Known previously as "Agenda," the malware was rebranded and rewritten in Rust, a programming language harder to detect and often used for high-performance systems. The Qilin group is notorious for demanding multi-million dollar ransoms, focusing on high-stakes sectors such as healthcare, where operational disruptions can be particularly severe.

Qilin's latest incarnation has been a powerful tool in mass-attack campaigns. Just last year, a significant cyber attack was launched against Synnovis, a pathology firm providing services to the United Kingdom's NHS, which resulted in the cancellation of thousands of hospital and family doctor appointments. In return for collaborating on campaigns, Qilin partners are promised a large percentage of ransom payments, up to 85% — an arrangement that is structured to encourage high-paying ransomware attacks with the highest payoffs.


Improved Encryption and Obfuscation

This variant, Qilin.B, has the following methods that make their detection a hard nut to crack by the standard systems of security. According to Halcyon, a research firm specialising in cybersecurity, enhanced encryption, such as AES-256-CTR systems that support AESNI, together with RSA-4096 and OAEP padding have been seen in this particular variant. Such standards ensure that decrypting files from this threat is impossible minus the private key, as the case of preventive actions being the only way forward.

Further, the obfuscation technique is available in Qilin.B with which the developers hide the coding language of malware in order to prevent detection via signature-based detection systems. Such evasion mechanisms make the detection and quick response even more difficult by the cyber security teams in case of infections. As reported by the researchers from Halcyon, who had studied malware upgrades, increasing sophistication can be seen in ransomware tactics, specifically Qilin.B was developed to resist reverse engineering as well as delay incident response.


New Tactics to Dodge System Defences

Qilin.B disables important system services such as backup and removes volume shadow copy to prevent rollback of the infected systems. In addition, it disables restarts and self-cleans up by removing the ransomware after a successful attack to minimise digital artefacts. All these features make it more robust for defence against evolving ransomware groups that will continue to change their approach to remain at least a step ahead of security patches.


Growing Need for Cross-Platform Security

As Qilin ransomware is becoming more agile, security experts say the cybersecurity posture of organisations must be more offensive-minded. Qilin.B is rebuilt in Rust and can be executed properly across different environments-from Linux to VMware's ESXi hypervisor. The required security monitoring needs to recognize stealthy methods identified with Qilin.B, including detection of code compiled in Rust because traditional systems would fail to counter it.


Advanced Configurations and Control

Qilin.B. This is another notable configuration option from the attackers so that one can personalise his attack. Thus, this version comes along with new names for some functions, encrypted strings and other complex code, in order to take more time for defence activities and forensic analysis of an incident. According to researchers of the Halcyon company, the best behaviour-based detecting systems should be implemented and it can easily find out what malware does, without the outdated method of searching for signatures by which malware has successfully dodged, in this case.

With the advancements of Qilin.B in terms of encryption and evasion, the security firm Halcyon recommends that organisations supplement their security infrastructure with cross-platform monitoring and backup solutions which are designed to fight against ransomware attacks' newest variations. A more complete system in detecting and responding to threats will still be an asset as ransomware advances through networks well-protected.

Continuous improvement in ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) points to the intensifying threat that organisations have to grapple with as they secure sensitive data from increasingly sophisticated adversaries. The Qilin operation exemplifies how ransomware groups continue to adapt themselves to avoid defences, so proactive and adaptive security measures are justified in industries.


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Vulnerability
AI developers CISA Cyber Security data security Encryption Executive Order 14117 government data National Security U.S. personal data Vulnerability

CISA Proposes New Security Measures to Protect U.S. Personal and Government Data

 

The U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has proposed a series of stringent security requirements to safeguard American personal data and sensitive government information from potential adversarial states. The initiative aims to prevent foreign entities from exploiting data vulnerabilities and potentially compromising national security.

These new security protocols target organizations involved in restricted transactions that handle large volumes of U.S. sensitive personal data or government-related data, especially when such information could be exposed to "countries of concern" or "covered persons." This proposal is part of the broader implementation of Executive Order 14117, signed by President Biden earlier this year, which seeks to address critical data security risks that could pose threats to national security.

The scope of affected organizations is wide, including technology companies such as AI developers, cloud service providers, telecommunications firms, health and biotech organizations, financial institutions, and defense contractors. These businesses are expected to comply with the new security measures to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.

"CISA’s security requirements are split into two main categories: organizational/system-level requirements and data-level requirements," stated the agency. Below is a breakdown of some of the proposed measures:

  • Monthly Asset Inventory: Organizations must maintain and update a comprehensive asset inventory that includes IP addresses and hardware MAC addresses.
  • Vulnerability Remediation: Known exploited vulnerabilities should be addressed within 14 days, while critical vulnerabilities, regardless of known exploitation, must be remediated within 15 days. High-severity vulnerabilities should be resolved within 30 days.
  • Accurate Network Topology: Companies must maintain a precise network topology, which is crucial for identifying and responding to security incidents swiftly.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): All critical systems must enforce MFA, and passwords must be at least 16 characters long. Immediate access revocation is required upon employee termination or a change in roles.
  • Unauthorized Hardware Control: Organizations must ensure that unauthorized hardware, such as USB devices, cannot be connected to systems handling sensitive data.
  • Log Collection: Logs of access and security-related events, including intrusion detection/prevention, firewall activity, data loss prevention, VPN usage, and login events, must be systematically collected.
  • Data Reduction and Masking: To prevent unauthorized access, organizations should reduce the volume of data collected or mask it, and encrypt data during restricted transactions.
  • Encryption Key Security: Encryption keys must not be stored alongside the encrypted data, nor in any country of concern.
  • Advanced Privacy Techniques: The use of techniques like homomorphic encryption or differential privacy is encouraged to ensure sensitive data cannot be reconstructed from processed data.
CISA has called for public feedback on the proposed security measures before they are finalized. Interested parties can submit their comments by visiting regulations.gov, entering CISA-2024-0029 in the search bar, and submitting feedback through the available form.
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WiFi
Cyber Threats Encryption Online Security Privacy WiFi

How Ignoring These Wi-Fi Settings Can Leave You Vulnerable to Hackers

 

In today's plugged-in world, most of us rely on the Internet for nearly everything from shopping and banking to communicating with family members. Whereas increasing reliance on the internet has exposed opportunities for doing just about anything remotely, it also increases the chances that cyber thieves will target your home Wi-Fi network looking for a weak point to pry into. Thus, securing your home network is critical to your own privacy.

The Importance of Router Settings

But for privacy lawyer Alysa Hutnik, the most common mistake isn't what people do but rather what they don't: namely, change the default settings on their Wi-Fi routers. The default settings on every router are public knowledge, and that's how hackers get in. "You wouldn't leave your front door open," she points out-a failure to alter these default settings is a little different from that.

The very first thing in securing your Wi-Fi network is changing the default password to something strong and unique. This would reduce the chances of unauthorised access significantly. You may also want to take a look at all the other configurations you can make on your router to optimise security features.

Encryption: Protecting Your Data

Another thing you should do to secure your home network is to enable encryption. Most of the current routers do offer some form of encryption options, like WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). This encrypts information in such a way that while travelling over your network, it makes hacking even more inconvenient to intercept. If you have not enabled the encryption on your router then it's pretty much the same as leaving personal information lying around open for everyone to grab. A check on your settings and enabling the WPA encryption adds the much-needed layer of defence.

Check Security Settings on All Devices

Securing your home network doesn't stop at the router. Any device that connects to your Wi-Fi should have its privacy and security settings properly enabled as well. Hutnik says that whenever you bring home a new device, a new phone, smart speaker, or laptop, it takes a few minutes to read through the options for privacy and security settings. Many devices have configurations not optimised for security by default. Usually, those configurations can be customised in a minute or two.

Quick Easy-to-Follow Steps to Mitigate Risk

Beyond the configuration of your network and devices, Hutnik calls you to take a few extra precautionary actions regarding your privacy. One such action is sticking tape on your webcam when you are not using it. There is always the prospect of hackers taking control of your camera through malware, so spying on you. As simple as placing a sticker or a Post-it note on your webcam might give you relief over it.

Sure enough, these measures won't protect you from cyber-attacks right and left, but they certainly reduce the risk. The more of our lives we put online, the more important it becomes that we take time to harden our home networks and equipment.

Stay Vigilant and Stay Protected

This will help protect you more from hackers and other online threats: understanding home network vulnerabilities and taking preventive actions about routers, using encryption, and checking your devices' settings. It involves the little things like covering your webcam and thereby trying to ensure that these little habits make you a safer human being on the internet.


Take small steps in securing your home network to avoid many future headaches and ensure that your personal info does not end up in cyber-criminals' pockets.


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TOR
anonymization Browser Cyber Security Darknet Encryption Network Online Privacy Security servers TOR

Exploring the Tor Network: A Comprehensive Look at Online Anonymity and Privacy

 

The Tor network, originally developed in the early 2000s by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, has been operated since 2006 by the independent non-profit organization, The Tor Project. The project's primary goal is to offer a free method for anonymizing internet traffic. Approximately 85% of The Tor Project’s funding comes from U.S. government entities, while the remaining 15% is sourced from private donations and NGOs.

Tor, which stands for "The Onion Router," functions by routing a user's connection through three randomly selected servers (nodes), layering encryption like the layers of an onion. The destination site only detects the IP address of the final node, called the exit server, masking the user's original address. The system refreshes the connection route every 10 minutes, though the access node remains stable for two to three months.

Data transferred within the Tor network is encrypted until it reaches the exit server. However, users must still encrypt any sensitive information entered on websites, as data exiting the network can be read if it's not further encrypted. To access Tor, users need a specialized browser—like the Tor browser, based on Mozilla Firefox and configured for secure browsing.

With about 6,500 servers currently active worldwide, individuals, companies, and organizations operate these nodes. Any internet user with a DSL connection can set up a Tor node. However, the network's openness can be a vulnerability; if an exit node operator is not vigilant, unencrypted data can be intercepted. Additionally, sophisticated entities, such as intelligence agencies, could potentially track Tor users by analyzing traffic patterns or compromising nodes.

Despite these risks, Tor remains the most secure method of maintaining anonymity online. Around two million people, particularly those in heavily monitored states, use the Tor network daily. The darknet, a collection of hidden websites, also depends on Tor's anonymization for access.
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Victim
Cyber Security Cybersecurity Data Breach Encryption Extortion Healthcare HHS Ransomware Ransomware attack Trinity Victim

New Trinity Ransomware Strain Targets U.S. Healthcare, Federal Officials Warn

 

A new ransomware strain, known as Trinity, has reportedly compromised at least one healthcare organization in the U.S., according to a recent report from federal authorities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a warning on Friday, alerting hospitals about the serious threat posed by the ransomware group. They highlighted that Trinity’s methods make it a "notable risk" to both the U.S. healthcare and public health sectors.

HHS's Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center confirmed that one U.S. healthcare entity has recently fallen victim to the Trinity ransomware, which was first detected around May 2024.

To date, seven victims of Trinity ransomware have been identified, including two healthcare providers—one in the U.K. and another in the U.S. The latter, a gastroenterology services provider, lost 330 GB of data. While the facility remains unnamed, it has been listed on Trinity’s data leak site and is currently facing technical disruptions, including limited phone access.

Additionally, researchers have found another case involving a dental group based in New Jersey.

HHS noted similarities between Trinity and two other ransomware groups—2023Lock and Venus—hinting at potential collaboration between these cybercriminals.

Trinity ransomware mirrors other known operations by exploiting common vulnerabilities to extract data and extort victims.

After installation, the ransomware gathers system information, such as available processors and drives, to escalate its attack. Operators then scan for weaknesses to spread the ransomware within the network.

The files encrypted by the attack are marked with the “trinitylock” extension, and victims receive a ransom note demanding payment within 24 hours, with threats of data exposure if they fail to comply.

At present, there is no available decryption tool for Trinity, leaving victims with few options, according to the HHS advisory.

The attackers operate two websites: one to assist those who pay the ransom with decryption, and another that displays stolen data to extort victims further.

Federal officials have discovered code similarities between the Trinity and Venus ransomware strains, noting identical encryption methods and naming schemes, which suggest a close link between them. Trinity also shares features with 2023Lock, including identical ransom notes and code, implying it could be an updated variant.

Cybersecurity researchers have also pointed out that Trinity may be a rebranded version of both Venus and 2023Lock. According to Allan Liska of Recorded Future, Trinity is "not a highly advanced strain of ransomware," and the attackers do not appear particularly sophisticated.

HHS emphasized that the potential collaboration between these threat actors could enhance the complexity and impact of future ransomware attacks.

Previous HHS warnings have covered other ransomware groups such as Royal, Cuba, Venus, Lorenz, and Hive.

Despite heightened law enforcement efforts, ransomware attacks persist, with operations continuing to generate significant revenue—approximately $450 million in the first half of 2024 alone.

The healthcare sector has been particularly affected by these attacks, causing severe disruptions. Just last week, a Texas hospital, the only level 1 trauma center in a 400-mile radius, had to reduce services and turn away ambulances due to a ransomware incident.

As of Friday, the hospital reported restored phone services, with only a limited number of ambulances being redirected to other facilities.
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wiretapping
CALEA China Cybersecurity Data Breach Encryption Hackers Privacy surveillance Telecom wiretapping

China-backed Hackers Breach U.S. Telecom Wiretap Systems, Sparking Security Concerns

 

China-backed hackers infiltrated wiretap systems of multiple U.S. telecom and internet providers, reportedly seeking to collect intelligence on American citizens. This revelation has raised alarm in the security community.

Wiretap systems, required by a 30-year-old U.S. federal law, allow a small number of authorized employees access to sensitive customer data, including internet activity and browsing history. These systems, now compromised, highlight long-standing concerns about their vulnerability.

Security experts had long warned about the risks of legal backdoors in telecom systems. Many saw this breach as an inevitable outcome of such vulnerabilities being exploited by malicious actors. Georgetown Law professor Matt Blaze remarked that this scenario was “absolutely inevitable.”

According to the Wall Street Journal, the hacking group, Salt Typhoon, accessed systems used by major U.S. internet providers like AT&T, Lumen, and Verizon. The group reportedly collected large amounts of internet traffic, and a U.S. government investigation is now underway.

The hackers' goals remain unclear, but experts believe the breach could be part of a larger Chinese effort to prepare for potential cyberattacks in the event of conflict, possibly over Taiwan. The intrusion reinforces the dangers of security backdoors.

Riana Pfefferkorn, a Stanford academic, pointed out that this hack exposes the risks of U.S. wiretap systems, arguing that these measures jeopardize citizens’ privacy rather than protecting them. She advocates for increased encryption as a solution to these vulnerabilities.

The compromised wiretap systems are part of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA), a law enacted in 1994 to help the government access telecom data through lawful orders. However, this system has become a target for hackers and malicious actors.

After 9/11, U.S. surveillance laws expanded wiretapping to collect intelligence, sparking an entire industry dedicated to facilitating these operations. Yet, the extent of government access to private data was only exposed in 2013 by whistleblower Edward Snowden.

Post-Snowden, tech giants like Apple and Google began encrypting customer data to prevent unauthorized access, even from government agencies. However, telecom companies have been slower to follow suit, leaving much U.S. phone and internet traffic vulnerable to wiretapping.

Governments worldwide continue to push for legal backdoors into encrypted systems. In the EU, for example, proposed laws aim to scan private messages for illegal content, raising security concerns among experts.

Signal, the encrypted messaging app, warned of the dangers of backdoors, pointing to the Chinese hacking incident as an example of why such measures pose severe cybersecurity risks. Meredith Whittaker, Signal’s president, stressed that backdoors cannot be restricted to just "the good guys."

Blaze called the CALEA law a cautionary tale, emphasizing the dangers of building security systems with inherent vulnerabilities.
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Privacy
Cell Phone Digital Privacy Encryption FBI Privacy

Encryption Battle: FBI's Year-Long Struggle with Mayor's Cellphone

Encryption Battle: FBI's Year-Long Struggle with Mayor's Cellphone

Recently, there's been some buzz around New York City Mayor Eric Adams and his cellphone. Federal investigators seized his phone almost a year ago during a corruption investigation, but they can't unlock it. Adams says he forgot his phone password, making it a big problem for the investigators.

About the Encryption Battle

Prosecutors in the case against Mayor Adams, which involves alleged illegal payments from the Turkish government, disclosed that the FBI has been unable to unlock Adams' personal phone, even after nearly a year since it was confiscated. 

This phone is one of three devices taken from Adams, but his personal phone was seized a day later than the other two official devices. By then, Adams had changed the phone's passcode from a four-digit PIN to a six-digit code—a step he says was to prevent staffers from accidentally or intentionally deleting information. He also claims to have immediately forgotten the new code.

Our phones hold a lot of personal information—text messages, call logs, emails, and more. This makes them valuable for investigations but also raises privacy concerns. The case of Adams' phone highlights a bigger issue: the tension between privacy and security.

On one side, law enforcement needs access to information for their investigations. On the other side, everyone has a right to privacy and the security of their personal data. This balance is tricky and often leads to debates.

For the feds, not being able to access Adams' phone is a setback. Digital evidence can be crucial in cases, and a locked smartphone is a big challenge. This isn't the first time authorities have faced this problem. There have been many cases where they struggled to unlock phones, sparking debates about their power to compel individuals to reveal passwords.

Privacy Concerns

From a privacy viewpoint, Adams' case is a win. It shows how strong modern encryption is in protecting personal data. Even if someone is a public figure under investigation, the technology protects their data from unauthorized access. This is reassuring for anyone concerned about the privacy and security of their own devices.

But there's also an ethical side. If Adams genuinely forgot his password, it shows human vulnerability. Forgetting passwords is common, and it reminds us how much we rely on technology. But if the forgotten password is an excuse, it raises questions about the moral obligations of those in power.

The seriousness of the case

This case also highlights the importance of understanding and managing our digital lives. As our phones become extensions of ourselves, knowing how to secure them, remember passwords, and understand the legal implications is crucial. 

Mayor Eric Adams' locked phone case is a picture of the larger digital privacy debate. It shows the power of encryption and the ongoing struggle between privacy and security. 

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Privacy
Cyber Security DPC Encryption Fine GDPR Meta Passwords Plaintext Privacy

Meta Fined €91 Million by EU Privacy Regulator for Improper Password Storage

 

On Friday, Meta was fined €91 million ($101.5 million) by the European Union's primary privacy regulator for accidentally storing some user passwords without proper encryption or protection.

The investigation began five years ago when Meta informed Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC) that it had mistakenly saved certain passwords in plaintext format. At the time, Meta publicly admitted to the issue, and the DPC confirmed that no external parties had access to the passwords.

"It is a widely accepted practice that passwords should not be stored in plaintext due to the potential risk of misuse by unauthorized individuals," stated Graham Doyle, Deputy Commissioner of the Irish DPC.

A Meta spokesperson mentioned that the company took swift action to resolve the error after it was detected during a 2019 security audit. Additionally, there is no evidence suggesting the passwords were misused or accessed inappropriately.

Throughout the investigation, Meta cooperated fully with the DPC, the spokesperson added in a statement on Friday.

Given that many major U.S. tech firms base their European operations in Ireland, the DPC serves as the leading privacy regulator in the EU. To date, Meta has been fined a total of €2.5 billion for violations under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which was introduced in 2018. This includes a record €1.2 billion penalty issued in 2023, which Meta is currently appealing.
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Whatsapp Messages
Cyber Attacks CyberCrime Cybersecurity CyberThreat Digital Forensics Encryption Whatsapp Messages

Reading Encrypted WhatsApp Messages Through Digital Forensics

 


In recent years, WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps in the world. End-to-end encryption is the process by which the service uses robust security for the protection of its users' communications. The fact that messages are encrypted makes it very easy to ensure that they will remain private until they reach their intended destination from the moment they leave the smartphone of the sender. 

The end-to-end encryption method works like this: it scrambles the content of communications into an unreadable form that cannot be decrypted. Before the message leaves the sender's device, the message will be transformed into a complex code, thus protecting the sensitive data inside. It is critical to note that the key to this system is only possessed by the intended recipient's device and therefore only he or she would be able to unlock and decrypt messages that come in this format. 

Encryption with this digital key is considered to be particularly useful in combating the phenomenon of man-in-the-middle (MiTM) attacks. The man-in-the-middle attack refers to an action where a malicious actor intercepts a communication between two parties, possibly by listening in or even altering the content of the communication. The letter appears as though somebody reads it secretly before it reaches the recipient and there is something about it that is suspicious. 

With WhatsApp's encryption, it makes sure that even if a man-in-the-middle attacker intercepts the data, they will not be able to decipher the contents of the data, since they do not have access to the right key to decrypt it. Even though this encryption is designed to protect members of WhatsApp against man-in-the-middle attacks and interception during transmission, it doesn't mean that WhatsApp messages will be immune to cell phone forensics technology used by digital forensic experts who are trained in digital forensics analysis. 

A WhatsApp message is stored on the smartphone where it is retrieved at any time The recipient must be able to decrypt the message he receives once the message reaches his or her device. During this process of decryption, which occurs automatically on the device, cell phone forensics professionals have the opportunity to examine the messages on the device. 

A WhatsApp message is stored in WhatsApp's local database when it arrives on the device of the recipient when it's encrypted. It is recommended that you encrypt this database, but the key for encryption is kept on the device itself. It is possible to decrypt the messages sent by WhatsApp using the encryption key that is stored by WhatsApp on a smartphone when it is opened in real-time by the customer to read their messages. 

A screen will then appear on the device displaying the content that has been decrypted. A smartphone forensics technology was developed to exploit this process, assuming access was possible to the phone, the device itself. By accessing the cell phone forensically, it is possible to extract the WhatsApp database directly from the mobile phone and then decrypt it with forensic tools.

There is a sense that the digital forensic examiner has access to the communications, just as he or she would have access to them if they were on WhatsApp. Cell phone forensics technology can decipher encrypted communication on a smartphone and recover deleted messages from other messaging applications like WhatsApp and many others, depending on the phone's make, model and operating system. 

Even though the lock on the smartphone protects WhatsApp communication, there are many government agencies and a few private digital forensics experts that have access to technology that can crack or bypass smartphone passcodes, which can be used to intercept WhatsApp communication.
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software vulnerabilities
ATM Cyber Security Cybersecurity measures cybersecurity vulnerability Encryption Software Updates software vulnerabilities

The Expanding PKfail Vulnerability in Secure Boot and Its Alarming Impact

 

The PKfail vulnerability in Secure Boot has grown into a far-reaching security threat, affecting thousands of devices across multiple sectors. Originally believed to be a limited issue, it arises from manufacturers releasing hardware with known compromised software, allowing unauthorized software to bypass Secure Boot encryption. Even after the initial leak of the Secure Boot encryption code in 2022, manufacturers continued to distribute devices with compromised security, and some even included warnings like “DO NOT TRUST” in the firmware. 

The original discovery indicated that devices from top manufacturers such as Dell, Acer, and Intel were compromised. However, recent investigations have expanded the list to include other major brands like Fujitsu, Supermicro, and niche producers like Beelink and Minisforum. Alarmingly, the list of impacted devices has grown to nearly four times its original size, now encompassing around a thousand models of laptops, desktops, and other x86-based hardware. What’s more concerning is that the PKfail vulnerability isn’t limited to standard consumer devices. It extends to enterprise servers, point-of-sale systems, gaming consoles, ATMs, and even medical and voting machines. 

These revelations indicate that the Secure Boot vulnerability has a much wider reach, exposing critical infrastructure to potential attacks. According to Binarly’s detection tool, this breach affects numerous industries, making it a significant cybersecurity risk. The challenge of exploiting Secure Boot remotely is substantial, often requiring advanced skills and resources, making it a tool primarily used by hackers targeting high-profile individuals or organizations. It’s particularly relevant for high-net-worth individuals, government agencies, and large corporations that are more likely to be the targets of such sophisticated attacks. 

State-sponsored hackers, in particular, could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to confidential data or to disrupt critical operations. Addressing the PKfail vulnerability requires immediate action, both from manufacturers and end-users. Device manufacturers must issue firmware updates and improve their security practices to ensure their hardware is protected against such threats. Meanwhile, organizations and individual users should regularly check for software updates, apply patches, and implement stringent cybersecurity measures to minimize the risk of exploitation. 

The PKfail incident underscores the critical importance of cybersecurity vigilance and reinforces the need for robust protection measures. As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations and individuals alike must stay informed and prepared to defend against vulnerabilities like PKfail.
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Public Communication Freedom
Broadcasting Cyber Security Cyberattacks CyberCrime Cyberhackers Cyberthreats Encryption Police Shield Public Communication Freedom

Police Shield Communications from Public Scrutiny with Encryption

 


A police radio transmission went silent in Aurora, Colorado, in 2016, and then in Denver, Colorado, in 2019. Many journalists are used to using newsroom scanners to monitor police radio communications to identify any newsworthy events as soon as they happen. Still, suddenly they were cut off from critical updates about events that threatened public safety and interfered with their ability to produce timely and accurate reports. 

There were three years of failed legislation before the Colorado legislature agreed in 2021 to enact statutory language that addressed a trend among Colorado's law enforcement agencies to fully encrypt their radio communications following three years of failed legislation. It has been reported by the Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition that by May 2021, a considerable number of law enforcement agencies across the state have encrypted their radio transmissions, and this will lead to increased security. 

According to the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act, journalists have a right to request police radio transmissions, but they may have their records withheld or redacted for legal reasons. The provisions that were incorporated into the law on police accountability required agencies to set up a “communications access policy” for local news media outlets that would enable them to listen to primary dispatch channels on commercially available radio receivers, scanners, or other technologies that would be feasible. 

Despite the passing of House Bill 21-1250 in 2017, journalists still cannot listen to Denver and Aurora police radio transmissions like they used to do before both agencies blocked public access to their broadcasts - Denver in 2019, and Aurora three years earlier. Even though both departments have outlined their radio access policies in writing, neither department has been able to agree with any news organizations in the Denver metro area. 

In the same manner as law enforcement, broadcasters play an important role in protecting the public because they can quickly communicate vital information to a large audience. A spokesperson for the Colorado Broadcasters Association, Justin Sasso, told the Colorado Times in an interview that broadcasters have used law enforcement radio communication systems for years efficiently. According to advocates of press freedom, this explosion of encryption can be attributed to the increased scrutiny and demand for police accountability sparked by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement of 2020, which led to the publication of the first report on cryptography in 2021. 

The BLM protests in 2020 laid the groundwork for the implementation of encryption protocols for routine police communications throughout the country, following the Citizen Scanner Monitoring Project, which allowed citizens to document racist remarks made by law enforcement over radio frequencies. According to police communications, the intent throughout the entire BLM uprising in 2020 was to be as violent as possible throughout the protests. 

There is a desire on the part of the company to hide these communications now so that future lawsuits will not occur. "There is no other justification for what is happening," Williams stated emphatically. It has been reported that law enforcement agencies around the nation are increasingly moving toward encrypted radio transmissions in a bid to protect the privacy of their officers and the public. 

A bill has been introduced in the Colorado state legislature to ensure public access to information by upholding the third amendment. As part of Colorado’s HB 21-1250 law, which was passed in 2021, governmental entities that use radio encryption must draft journalist access policies with the assistance of media outlets in Colorado. Even so, no Colorado law enforcement agency has yet to draft a “communications access policy” that complies with Colorado’s law due to the lack of enforcement measures. 

Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition learned in May that, while Art Acevedo was serving as interim chief of the Aurora Police Department, the Aurora Police Department was considering restoring a public feed of radio broadcasts via the Broadcastify mobile app with a 10-minute delay - as long as the app ran on a smartphone. He said that Broadcastify does not currently provide a way to protect sensitive information about witnesses and victims that are being transmitted over radio platforms to the general public, such as names and addresses.

In 2023, legislation was enacted mandating the deletion of all names and identifying information of juvenile victims and witnesses from police and court records. This legislative change significantly altered the landscape of law enforcement transparency. One of the most notable changes introduced by the bill is the acceleration of the effective date for the release of body-worn and dashboard camera footage requirements, which was initially set for July 1, 2023. 

According to the new provisions, the footage-release requirement will take effect upon the governor's signature. The legislation stipulates that unedited video and audio recordings of incidents involving complaints of peace officer misconduct must be released within 21 days after a request for the recordings. Alternatively, if the release of the footage would substantially interfere with or jeopardize an active or ongoing investigation, the release could be delayed up to 45 days from the date of the allegation of misconduct. 

Until these body-camera provisions become effective, law enforcement agencies retain the discretion provided by the Colorado Criminal Justice Records Act to delay the release of footage or to disclose only certain portions of the recordings. House Bill 21-1250 also includes a provision that prohibits law enforcement departments from retaliating against whistleblowing officers. These protections apply to officers who disclose information about dangers to public health or safety or violations of law or policy committed by another officer. 

The bill passed the House with a 39-24 vote on Wednesday and is now proceeding to the Senate. Free press advocates argue that increased police transparency is essential. However, the auditor’s clause present in Denver’s decryption license and media access policy effectively prevents the press from signing the media access agreement, conflicting with the intent of HB 21-1250. As free press advocates consider returning to the Colorado legislature to strengthen the bill, abolitionists maintain that while transparency is necessary, it alone is insufficient to eliminate police violence.
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Software
ebooks Encryption malware PDF PowerShell Software

Improved ViperSoftX Malware Distributed Through eBooks

 



Researchers have found new advancements in the ViperSoftX info-stealing malware, which was first discovered in 2020. This malware has become more sophisticated, using advanced techniques to avoid detection. One of its new methods is using the Common Language Runtime (CLR) to run PowerShell commands within AutoIt scripts, which are spread through pirated eBooks. This clever approach helps the malware to hide within normal system activities, making it harder for security software to detect.

How ViperSoftX Spreads

ViperSoftX spreads through torrent sites by pretending to be eBooks. The infection starts when users download a RAR archive that includes a hidden folder, a deceptive shortcut file that looks like a harmless PDF or eBook, and a PowerShell script. The archive also contains AutoIt.exe and AutoIt script files disguised as simple JPG image files. When a user clicks the shortcut file, it sets off a series of commands, starting with listing the contents of “zz1Cover4.jpg.” These commands are hidden within blank spaces and executed by PowerShell, performing various malicious actions.

What the Malware Does

According to researchers from Trellix, the PowerShell code performs several tasks, such as unhiding the hidden folder, calculating the total size of all disk drives, and setting up Windows Task Scheduler to run AutoIt3.exe every five minutes after the user logs in. This ensures the malware remains active on infected systems. Additionally, the malware copies two files to the %APPDATA%MicrosoftWindows directory, renaming them to .au3 and AutoIt3.exe.

A sneaky aspect of ViperSoftX is its use of CLR to run PowerShell within AutoIt, a tool normally trusted by security software for automating Windows tasks. This allows the malware to avoid detection. ViperSoftX also uses heavy obfuscation, including Base64 encoding and AES encryption, to hide commands in the PowerShell scripts extracted from image decoy files. This makes it difficult for researchers and analysis tools to understand what the malware does.

Additionally, ViperSoftX tries to modify the Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI) to bypass security checks. By using existing scripts, the malware developers can focus on improving their evasion tactics.

The malware's network activity shows it tries to blend its traffic with legitimate system activity. Researchers noticed it uses deceptive hostnames, like security-microsoft[.]com, to appear more trustworthy and trick victims into thinking the traffic is from Microsoft. Analysis of a Base64-encoded User-Agent string revealed detailed system information gathered from infected systems, such as disk volume serial numbers, computer names, usernames, operating system versions, antivirus product information, and cryptocurrency details.

Researchers warn that ViperSoftX is becoming more dangerous. Its ability to perform malicious actions while avoiding traditional security measures makes it a serious threat. As ViperSoftX continues to evolve, it's essential for users to stay alert and use strong security practices to protect their systems from such advanced threats.


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Ransomware
Crypto DoNex Encryption malware Ransomware

Decrypting DoNex: The Flaw That Brought Down a Ransomware Empire

Decrypting DoNex: The Flaw That Brought Down a Ransomware Empire

DoNex Ransomware Encryption: Flaw in Cryptographic Schema

Experts uncovered a critical flaw in the encryption schema of the DoNex ransomware, including all variations and predecessors. Since March 2024, they've worked with law enforcement to give a decryptor to affected DoNex victims covertly.

The cryptographic vulnerability was widely discussed at Recon 2024, compelling the researchers to reveal the problem and its ramifications publically.

The Vulnerability

Avast researchers discovered that the DoNex ransomware went through many rebrandings after its original identification as Muse in April 2022. Subsequent revisions of DoNex included a rebrand to a reported Fake LockBit 3.0 in November 2022, followed by DarkRace in May 2023, and lastly DoNex in March 2024. 

Since April 2024, the team has discovered no further copies, and the ransomware group's public TOR address remained dormant, implying that DoNex's evolution and rebranding efforts may have ended.

How It Works

The DoNex malware uses a complicated encryption method. During execution, the CryptGenRandom function generates an encryption key. This key creates a ChaCha20 symmetric key, which is later used to encrypt files.

Following encryption, the symmetric key is encrypted with RSA-4096 and appended to the impacted file. Files up to 1 MB are encrypted in their whole, whilst larger files are encrypted in block segments. An XOR-encrypted configuration file stores the ransomware's configuration, as well as information on whitelisted extensions, files, and services to terminate.

While the researchers have not described the specific process they used to understand the decryption, more information about the same cryptographic flaw is available in files related to the Recon 2024 event lecture titled "Cryptography is hard: Breaking the DoNex ransomware." The event was hosted by Gijs Rijnders, a malware reverse engineer and cyber threat intelligence specialist of the Dutch National Police.

Implications

DoNex particularly targeted victims in the United States, Italy, and Belgium with tailored attacks. The researchers confirmed that the leaked DoNex decryptor can decrypt all forms of the DoNex ransomware, including earlier versions.

Victims of the DoNex ransomware can identify an attack based on the ransom note left by the software. Although several varieties of DoNex (Fake LockBit, DarkRace, and DoNex) create different ransom notes, they all have the same layout.

  • Victim Relief: Victims no longer need to rely on paying the ransom to regain access to their files. The decryptor provides a straightforward solution.
  • Public Disclosure: The flaw was publicly discussed at the Recon 2024 conference, leading to the official release of details and the decryptor. Transparency is crucial in the fight against ransomware.
  • Ongoing Vigilance: While this breakthrough is significant, it’s essential to remain vigilant. Cybercriminals adapt quickly, and new variants may emerge. Regular backups and robust security practices remain crucial.

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Technology
Communication Encryption Computing Encryption Quantum communication Quantum computing Quantum Technology Secure Data Technology

Quantum Key Distribution Achieves Breakthrough with Semiconductor Quantum Dots

 

In the face of emerging quantum computing threats, traditional encryption methods are becoming increasingly vulnerable. This has spurred the development of quantum key distribution (QKD), a technology that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to secure data transmission. While QKD has seen significant advancements, establishing large-scale networks has been hindered by the limitations of current quantum light sources. However, a recent breakthrough by a team of German scientists may change this landscape. 

The research, published in Light Science and Applications, marks a significant milestone in quantum communication technology. The core of this breakthrough lies in the use of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), often referred to as artificial atoms. These QDs have shown great potential for generating quantum light, which is crucial for quantum information technologies. In their experiment, the researchers connected Hannover and Braunschweig via an optical fiber network, a setup they called the “Niedersachsen Quantum Link.” This intercity experiment involved a fiber optic cable approximately 79 kilometers long that linked the Leibniz University of Hannover and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig. Alice, located at LUH, prepared single photons encrypted in polarization. Bob, stationed at PTB, used a passive polarization decoder to decrypt the polarization states of the received photons. 

This setup represents the first quantum communication link in Lower Saxony, Germany. The team achieved stable and rapid transmission of secret keys, demonstrating that positive secret key rates (SKRs) are feasible for distances up to 144 kilometers, corresponding to a 28.11 dB loss in the laboratory. They ensured a high-rate secret key transmission with a low quantum bit error ratio (QBER) for 35 hours based on this deployed fiber link. Dr. Jingzhong Yang, the first author of the study, highlighted that their achieved SKR surpasses all current single-photon source (SPS) based implementations. Even without further optimization, their results approach the levels attained by established decoy state QKD protocols using weak coherent pulses. Beyond QKD, quantum dots offer significant potential for other quantum internet applications, such as quantum repeaters and distributed quantum sensing. These applications benefit from the inherent ability of QDs to store quantum information and emit photonic cluster states. This work underscores the feasibility of integrating semiconductor single-photon sources into large-scale, high-capacity quantum communication networks. 

Quantum communication leverages the quantum characteristics of light to ensure messages cannot be intercepted. “Quantum dot devices emit single photons, which we control and send to Braunschweig for measurement. This process is fundamental to quantum key distribution,” explained Professor Ding. He expressed excitement about the collaborative effort’s outcome, noting, “Some years ago, we only dreamt of using quantum dots in real-world quantum communication scenarios. Today, we are thrilled to demonstrate their potential for many more fascinating experiments and applications in the future, moving towards a ‘quantum internet.’” 

The advancement of QKD with semiconductor quantum dots represents a major step forward in the quest for secure communication in the age of quantum computing. This breakthrough holds promise for more robust and expansive quantum networks, ensuring the confidentiality and security of sensitive information against the evolving landscape of cyber threats. 

As the world continues to advance towards more interconnected digital environments, the necessity for secure communication becomes ever more critical. The pioneering work of these scientists not only showcases the potential of QKD but also paves the way for future innovations in quantum communication and beyond.
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VPN security
Encryption Online Privacy post-quantum cryptography Quantum computing secure communication Technology VPN security

Ensuring Secure Communication in the Digital Age with VPNs and Post-Quantum Cryptography

 


Cryptography secures online communication, but with reported losses of $534 million due to data breaches in 2023, robust encryption is crucial. Weak encryption invites breaches and man-in-the-middle attacks. Strong VPNs provide robust encryption and secure internet communication paths, essential for online privacy, security, and unrestricted access.

VPNs protect online activities by encrypting internet traffic, masking IP addresses, and bypassing geo-restrictions. They enhance security on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi and prevent tracking by websites, advertisers, and governments.

Traditional VPNs use encryption algorithms like RSA and ECC, which are vulnerable to quantum computers' advanced capabilities. Quantum computers could break these algorithms quickly, exposing sensitive data.

Emergence of Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)

As quantum computing advances, new quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms are needed to ensure data security. Government agencies recommend adopting these algorithms to maintain secure communications in a quantum future.

PQC-VPNs use new cryptographic algorithms resistant to quantum attacks, ensuring long-term data protection. Early adoption helps organizations maintain security, comply with data protection regulations, and gain a competitive edge.

VPNs create secure tunnels for internet traffic, encrypting data before it travels and decrypting it upon arrival, ensuring secure communication.

Businesses must protect sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance. PQC VPNs future-proof data security against quantum threats, safeguard sensitive information, and demonstrate a commitment to cutting-edge security.

PQC VPNs secure data transmission, partner collaboration, cloud connectivity, IoT communication, remote access, and customer data handling.

Transitioning to PQC involves updating VPN software and infrastructure to support new algorithms. A hybrid approach combining traditional and quantum-resistant encryption ensures a smooth transition. Comprehensive testing and performance optimization are crucial.

Overall, adopting PQC-enabled VPNs is essential for future-proofing enterprise security against quantum threats, ensuring regulatory compliance, and maintaining a competitive edge.
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User Safeguard
Cyberattacks CyberCrime Cybersecurity Encryption Post-Quantum PQC Technology User Safeguard

Tech Titans Adopt Post-Quantum Encryption to Safeguard User Data

 


As stated by experts, quantum computers could break cryptography by 50% by the year 2033. Many cryptographic methods that are being used today are believed to be the result of mathematical problems which are too difficult to solve by brute force. However, if quantum computers can crack those algorithms within a matter of seconds, then they may be able to unlock standard encryption methods in a matter of seconds if they are capable of breaking them. 

It was announced by Zoom last month that a new type of encryption was added to Zoom Workplace, a new form of encryption that would replace the existing type of encryption, called post-quantum cryptography (PQC), in Zoom Workplace product. A few days later, Facebook's owner Meta revealed that most of the company's internal communication systems are encrypted using post-quantum technology. The announcements from the communications giants and the social media giants came several months after Apple announced in February that it would be launching the most advanced version of post-quantum cryptography, PQ3, for its iMessage platform, which will be the first major messaging platform to implement this technology. 

PQC, PQ3, post-quantum cryptography—what do all these terms mean? The following is a brief explanation of what post-quantum encryption is and why it will be crucial to the protection of the most sensitive data in the years to come. Encryption is a term that is familiar to most of the users – it is one of the most common security measures. 

A passcode or PIN-protected encryption key is how people secure their messages, documents, and photos from anyone who might have access to their personal information without the password- or PIN-protected encryption key being used to decrypt the data so that nobody would be able to read the data without that secret encryption key. The current state of encryption can be divided into two types: regular encryption and end-to-end encryption (E2EE). It is important to note that in the case that users' data is simply encrypted. This is the case with TikTok DMs, for example, which are encrypted only as it is sent over the platform. 

Users have the option to unencrypt their messages and read them. The data sent between the sender and receiver will be encrypted end-to-end because the sender and the receiver hold the keys, and not the messaging platform itself, so only they will be able to read the data.  When users lock their digital devices, both laptops and smartphones, their data is usually encrypted and remains encrypted until they unlock their devices based on their biometrics, PINs, or passwords to provide them with access to their data. 

It is also important to note that many major messaging platforms today are end-to-end encrypted. Apple's iMessage, Meta's WhatsApp, and Signal are among the most popular platforms that allow end-to-end encryption for communication. Accessing encrypted data is nearly impossible in the absence of a key that encrypts the data. In a nutshell. A powerful enough computer can theoretically break encryption if it is given enough time since encryption is just a complex equation tying together a series of numbers. 

In the past, anyone has had the chance to use a classical computer at some point in time. Classical computers rely on the principles of classical physics and utilize bits, which can either be a 1 or a 0. In contrast, quantum computers leverage the strangeness of quantum mechanics and employ qubits. Qubits can exist as a 1, a 0, or both simultaneously due to superposition, granting them significantly more processing power. This advancement has the potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare and finance, but it also poses a threat to data security. 

The encryption methods currently safeguarding sensitive information may become vulnerable when quantum computers become more sophisticated. Malicious actors could steal encrypted data today and decrypt it later using these future machines, rendering current encryption techniques ineffective. This vulnerability is known as a "harvest now, decrypt later" (HNDL) attack. To combat this threat, companies are implementing a new type of encryption called post-quantum cryptography (PQC). PQC utilizes complex mathematical algorithms designed to be resistant to decryption by even the most powerful quantum computers. 

By employing PQC today, organizations aim to render HNDL attacks obsolete, as stolen data would remain encrypted even if it fell into the wrong hands. The Signal Foundation was the first major messaging app to incorporate PQC, while Apple followed suit with a more advanced version. However, PQC is a relatively new technology, and potential flaws in its design could leave it susceptible to future exploitation by quantum computers. Additionally, the lack of standardization in PQC implementation creates compatibility issues, but the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is expected to finalize a universal standard later in 2024.
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VPN
Cyber Security Data protection Encryption internet Security IP address hiding Online Privacy VPN

Understanding the Complexities of VPNs: Balancing Privacy and Security in the Digital Age

 

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are crafted to safeguard online privacy through the encryption of internet traffic and concealment of IP addresses, thereby preventing the determination of user locations. This functionality becomes apparent when users attempt to access websites or services while abroad. 

Typically, an IP address triggers the loading of a URL based on the local area, potentially limiting access to U.S.-based services or sites. VPNs offer a workaround for such constraints. For instance, a U.S. traveler in Europe might face restrictions accessing certain paid streaming services available in the U.S., which can be circumvented by a VPN masking the local European IP address, thus granting access to U.S.-based content.

When utilizing a VPN, a VPN server substitutes its IP address as it transmits encrypted data to the public internet. For example, if an individual resides in New York but connects to a VPN server in Amsterdam, their IP address will reflect a location in the Netherlands. While VPNs appear to conceal a user's digital footprint, they don't ensure absolute anonymity. Internet service providers (ISPs) can detect VPN usage but cannot access specific online activities protected by VPN encryption, such as browsing history or downloaded files. VPNs are effective in preventing government agencies from surveilling users' online activities by creating an encrypted tunnel that shields data from prying eyes.

Despite their advantages, VPNs are not foolproof. In the event of a system breach, cybercriminals can bypass VPN protection and access user data. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, law enforcement agencies can obtain access to VPN data. In cases of serious crimes, police may request online data from a user's ISP, and if a VPN is employed, the VPN provider may be compelled to disclose user details. VPN logs have facilitated law enforcement in apprehending individuals involved in criminal activities by revealing their actual IP addresses.

Law enforcement agencies can legally request specific information from VPN providers, including logs of websites visited and services used while connected to the VPN, actual IP addresses, connection timestamps, and billing information. While some VPN providers claim to adhere to a no-logs policy to enhance anonymity, data may still be accessible under legal compulsion or through undisclosed logging practices. The level of cooperation with law enforcement varies among VPN providers, with some readily providing information upon request and others being less cooperative.

In terms of tracking IP addresses, police may obtain access to VPN connection logs, allowing them to trace a user's actual IP address and identify the user's device and identity. However, live encrypted VPN traffic is challenging to track, limiting law enforcement's ability to monitor online activities in real-time. Nevertheless, malware attacks and breaches in VPN security can compromise user data, emphasizing the importance of maintaining updated software and security measures.

Data retention laws vary by country, impacting the degree of privacy offered by VPNs. Users are advised to select VPN providers located in countries with strong privacy protections. Conversely, countries with stringent data retention laws may compel VPN providers to share user data with government agencies, posing risks to user privacy. Certain nations, such as China and North Korea, have extensive internet censorship measures, making it essential for users to exercise caution when using VPNs in these regions.

While VPNs alter IP addresses and encrypt data, they do not guarantee complete anonymity. Technically proficient individuals may find ways to track VPN data, and sophisticated tracking techniques, such as browser fingerprinting, can potentially reveal a user's identity. Moreover, corporate VPN users may be subject to monitoring by their employers, highlighting the importance of understanding the privacy policies of commercial VPN providers.

In conclusion, while VPNs offer enhanced privacy and security for online activities, users should be aware of their limitations and potential vulnerabilities. Maintaining awareness of privacy laws and selecting reputable VPN providers can mitigate risks associated with online privacy and data security.
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