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Sextortion Scam
Bitcoin Cyber Security Email Scams Fraud Email Internet scammers Microsoft Microsoft 365 Ransom Demand Sextortion Scam

Beware of Fake Microsoft Emails Exploiting Microsoft 365 Vulnerabilities

 

The internet is rife with scams, and the latest involves hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in the Microsoft 365 Admin Portal to send fraudulent emails directly from legitimate Microsoft.com accounts. These emails bypass spam filters, giving them an appearance of credibility, but their true purpose is extortion. These scam emails claim to have sensitive images or videos of the recipient in compromising situations. To prevent this alleged content from being shared, the recipient is asked to pay a ransom—often in Bitcoin. This type of cybercrime, known as “sextortion,” is designed to prey on fear and desperation, making victims more likely to comply with the scammer’s demands. 

Unfortunately, sextortion scams are becoming increasingly common. While tech companies like Microsoft and Instagram implement protective measures, hackers find new ways to exploit technical vulnerabilities. In this case, scammers took advantage of a flaw in the Microsoft 365 Message Center’s “share” function, commonly used for legitimate service advisories. This loophole allows hackers to send emails that appear to come from a genuine Microsoft.com address, deceiving even cautious users. To identify such scams, it is crucial to evaluate the content of the email. Legitimate companies like Microsoft will never request payment in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. 

Additionally, scammers often include personal information, such as a birthday, to make their claims more believable. However, it is important to remember that such information is easily accessible and does not necessarily mean the scammer has access to more sensitive data. Victims should also remember that scammers rarely have the incriminating evidence they claim. These tactics rely on psychological manipulation, where the fear of exposure often outweighs rational decision-making. Staying calm and taking deliberate action, such as verifying the email with official Microsoft support, can prevent falling prey to these schemes. Reporting such emails not only protects individual users but also helps cybersecurity teams track and combat the criminals behind these campaigns. 

Microsoft is actively investigating this criminal activity, aiming to close the exploited loopholes and prevent future scams. In the meantime, users must remain vigilant. Keeping software up to date, enabling multi-factor authentication, and using strong passwords can help mitigate risks. A scam email may look convincing, but its demands reveal its true intent. Always approach threatening emails critically, and when in doubt, seek guidance from the appropriate channels. By cultivating a habit of skepticism and digital hygiene, users can strengthen their defenses against cybercrime. Awareness and timely action are essential for navigating the modern threat landscape and ensuring personal and organizational security.
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Privacy
Cyberattacks CyberCrime Cyberhackers Cybersecurity CyberThreat Data Leak Microsoft Power Pages Misconfiguration Privacy

Data Leak Reported Due to Power Pages Misconfiguration


 

The Power Pages platform from Microsoft offers users an easy-to-use, low-code platform that enables them to build data-driven websites with only a little bit of programming knowledge or experience. In both the public and private sectors, companies large and small rely on this tool to facilitate the collection and analysis of data that can assist them with all manner of problems that may arise from customers or citizens seeking information to solve a problem. 

There may be other issues regarding these web pages, such as the possibility of leaks of sensitive information for their respective organizations as well if the settings for these web pages are not set up properly.  According to cybersecurity researchers, a new vulnerability has been discovered in Microsoft Power Pages that stems from misconfigured access controls within websites built with this platform that can expose sensitive data. 

If the vulnerability resulted in millions of sensitive business records being exposed to unauthorized users, this could pose a serious security risk for affected organizations as a result. It is an application service platform, that is based on the Power Platform, and offers developers a low-code platform that can be used to build externally facing websites on top of Microsoft's infrastructure without a lot of coding. 

To guarantee a layer of access control, the Power Pages system uses a layered approach when it comes to writing a custom website. A site's permissions can be configured from a table level, a column level, or a column-level. Despite these risks, misconfigurations of these settings can unintentionally expose sensitive data to the public internet when businesses misconfigure these settings.  Organizers can expose more columns to the Web API than are necessary, thereby increasing the potential attack surface of their applications. 

According to Aaron Costello, AppOmni's chief of SaaS security research, Power Pages users have to pay more attention to the software's security settings to ensure their information is protected, especially given the product's popularity. It was announced earlier this year that websites that are created using Power Pages have over 250 million users every month, according to a statement from Microsoft.  Several AppOmni and Microsoft 365 customers are now using AppOmni Insights to assist with the detection of these kinds of exposures and to provide subsequent remediation guidance if such exposures are found. 

For a detailed understanding of how these kinds of vulnerabilities can arise, it is worthwhile to first understand the platform's RBAC model and how Power Pages are constructed. In contrast to traditional custom web development, Power Pages has the following main advantages: out-of-the-box (OOB) role-based access control (RBAC), the option of using Microsoft's Dataverse as the database automatically and the ease of a drag-and-drop interface, which is made possible by prebuilt components, which greatly reduces the need for custom code in the design of the web site. 

Affording too many permissions to roles like "Anonymous Users" (non-authenticated visitors) and "Authenticated Users" (authenticated visitors) may expose an organization to potential data leaks, which may not have been anticipated. It is worth noting that Microsoft's customers have the option of easily deploying these data-driven web applications. However, if these applications are mismanaged from a security perspective, they may have a heavy cost to pay for their security. This data is primarily made up of internal organization files as well as sensitive personal information regarding both users from inside the organization and those who register on the website and are registered to either organization. 


PII was recovered from most of these cases and consisted of full names, email addresses, phone numbers, and addresses for the home, in the majority of cases.  The information of over 1.1 million NHS employees was leaked by a large shared business service provider to the NHS, with many parts of the data including email addresses, telephone numbers, and even the addresses of the employees' homes, and this was being done without the employee's knowledge. 

In this particular case, the findings were fully disclosed responsibly and have been resolved since then. A lack of understanding of the access controls in Power Pages, as well as insecure custom code implementations are the main reasons for these data leaks. With excessive permissions given to unauthenticated users, any user may be able to extract records from the database if they have access to the readily available Power Page APIs available on the web. 

A Power Pages site also allows users to generate accounts and become authenticated with the help of APIs once they have registered. Users from outside of the company can also be granted global access for reading operations on the system. Researchers identified that the absence of column-level security in Microsoft Power Pages could enable unauthorized individuals to access sensitive data without restrictions. Additionally, it was noted that users often fail to replace sensitive information with masked strings, further exacerbating security vulnerabilities. 

In response, Microsoft has implemented multiple safeguards within the backend of Power Pages and Power Platform Apps. These measures include warning banners across all Power Platform admin console pages, as well as prominent alerts and warning icons on the table permissions configuration page of Power Pages. These updates aim to help administrators identify and address potentially risky configurations. This incident underscores the importance of proactive security practices in safeguarding sensitive data. Organizations utilizing Power Pages are encouraged to review and strengthen their configurations to mitigate risks and enhance overall security.
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Technology
DDOS Attacks Microsoft phishing Ransomware Technology

600 Million Daily Cyberattacks: Microsoft Warns of Escalating Risks in 2024


Microsoft emphasized in its 2024 annual Digital Defense report that the cyber threat landscape remains both "dangerous and complex," posing significant risks to organizations, users, and devices worldwide.

The Expanding Threat Landscape

Every day, Microsoft's customers endure more than 600 million cyberattacks, targeting individuals, corporations, and critical infrastructure. The rise in cyber threats is driven by the convergence of cybercriminal and nation-state activities, further accelerated by advancements in technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Monitoring over 78 trillion signals daily, Microsoft tracks activity from nearly 1,500 threat actor groups, including 600 nation-state groups. The report reveals an expanding threat landscape dominated by multifaceted attack types like phishing, ransomware, DDoS attacks, and identity-based intrusions.

Password-Based Attacks and MFA Evasion

Despite the widespread adoption of multifactor authentication (MFA), password-based attacks remain a dominant threat, making up more than 99% of all identity-related cyber incidents. Attackers use methods like password spraying, breach replays, and brute force attacks to exploit weak or reused passwords1. Microsoft blocks an average of 7,000 password attacks per second, but the rise of adversary-in-the-middle (AiTM) phishing attacks, which bypass MFA, is a growing concern.

Blurred Lines Between Nation-State Actors and Cybercriminals

One of the most alarming trends is the blurred lines between nation-state actors and cybercriminals. Nation-state groups are increasingly enlisting cybercriminals to fund operations, carry out espionage, and attack critical infrastructure1. This collusion has led to a surge in cyberattacks, with global cybercrime costs projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually by 2025.

The Role of Microsoft in Cyber Defense

Microsoft's unique vantage point, serving billions of customers globally, allows it to aggregate security data from a broad spectrum of companies, organizations, and consumers. The company has reassigned 34,000 full-time equivalent engineers to security initiatives, focusing on enhancing defenses and developing phishing-resistant MFA. Additionally, Microsoft collaborates with 15,000 partners with specialized security expertise to strengthen the security ecosystem.

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Microsoft
cyber attack Cyber Attacks data information Data Theft Microsoft

Chinese Botnet Quad7 Targets Global Organizations in Espionage Campaign



Microsoft has unveiled a sweeping cyber threat posed by a sophisticated Chinese botnet, Quad7, targeting organizations worldwide through advanced password spray attacks. Operated by a group identified as Storm-0940, this campaign primarily aims at high-value entities, including think tanks, government organizations, NGOs, law firms, and the defense industry, with espionage as its primary objective. 

Microsoft researchers report that Storm-0940 employs stolen credentials to establish persistent access, facilitating deeper intrusions and more extensive cyber espionage. The botnet’s initial actions include harvesting credentials and deploying remote access trojans (RATs) and proxies to maintain long-term access, enhancing the group’s ability to conduct disruptive attacks. 

The infiltration tactics of Quad7 stand out for their precision and stealth. According to Microsoft, Storm-0940 relies on a separate covert network, CovertNetwork-1658, to submit a limited number of sign-in attempts across multiple accounts within targeted organizations. 

In most cases — around 80 percent — CovertNetwork-1658 limits attempts to just one per account per day, minimizing the likelihood of detection. Once a password is successfully guessed, Storm-0940 quickly moves to compromise the system further, sometimes completing the breach within the same day. Quad7’s operational scope has recently expanded beyond its initial focus on TP-Link routers, now encompassing ASUS routers, Zyxel VPN endpoints, Ruckus wireless routers, and Axentra media servers. 

Researchers first identified Quad7 in late September 2024, noting its targeted attacks on specific device ports, particularly port 7777. Cybersecurity experts, including those from Sekoia and a researcher known as Gi7w0rm, initially linked the botnet to TP-Link devices. However, it has since broadened its scope, targeting new clusters labeled based on device type, such as “rlogin” for Ruckus and “zylogin” for Zyxel. 

Each variant, including clusters named xlogin, alogin, axlogin, and others, showcases Quad7’s adaptability. Some of these clusters comprise thousands of compromised devices, while others involve as few as two infections, reflecting the botnet’s flexibility in scaling its operations. 

This escalating threat underlines the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity vigilance across potentially vulnerable devices worldwide. As Quad7’s reach expands, securing routers and other entry points is essential in protecting against ongoing cyber espionage and disruption.
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PC Window
Cyber Security CyberCrime Cyberhackers Cyberthreats Microsoft PC Window

Windows Recall Release Pushed Back, Microsoft Sets December Date

 


Once again, Microsoft has delayed the rollout of its controversial Recall feature for Copilot Plus PCs, which had been planned for December. It had been planned that the software giant would begin testing Recall with Windows Insiders in October, which would take screenshots of most of what users see on a Copilot Plus PC once it is turned on. 

It has now been confirmed that Microsoft needs more time to develop the new feature. In the summer, Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PC initiative had yet to be released, but one of its most recent features was Recall, which would log months’ worth of users' PC usage and would attempt to help them keep track of things and find them again if users forgot about them. Nevertheless, if users are familiar with Recall, likely learned about it because of the problems that emerged during preview builds of Windows before it was released. 

All of the data on the PC was stored in plaintext, so other users (or malicious software) could easily get to the database and take screenshots, which could potentially expose a lot of sensitive data, such as the name and contact information of the user. As originally anticipated, Recall would have launched in conjunction with the release of the Copilot+ PC, which can take advantage of the AI-driven feature built into Recall. 

Afterwards, it was postponed because of security concerns. As it turns out, the feature was first supposed to debut in September, then in October, and now in December. Security experts had raised some concerns about how the feature, which is intended to capture and store data, is capturing and storing data, and the company previously clarified that it would be a purely opt-in feature. The researcher who developed this tool demonstrated that malware can be used against the Recall platform to steal information about users, such as passwords and banking information. 

There has been some recent news from Microsoft that it has added some security features to recall so that it won't screenshot any passwords, personal information, banking information, or any medical pages when users look at them. Users will also be required to authenticate their identity via biometrics via Windows Hello when they attempt to access a feature that requires biometric authentication. A new feature that Microsoft added to Recall is quickly deleting all screenshots with one click. Users can also add website addresses to a list that users do not want Recall to look at or store any screenshots they found. 

A recall of the actions performed in the web browser in Private Mode, like Chrome's Incognito Mode, will also not be screenshotted. Microsoft had to delay the release of Recall multiple times because it was changing Recall's security, enabling it to be an opt-in experience, and permitting owners of Copilot Plus PCs to remove the software completely. This past month, Microsoft has been concentrating on ensuring that its Recall database is completely encrypted and that access can only be gained by authenticating through Windows Hello, which has been implemented over the past couple of months. 

To use Recall, Copilot Plus PCs have local AI models built into Windows 11 that can be used to take screenshots of most things users do or see on their computer and then search and retrieve those things. With this explorable timeline, users can scroll through the snapshots on their PC to have a closer look at what they did on a certain day as they recall the events from the previous day. It was announced earlier this week that Recall would not be a mandatory feature on Copilot Plus PCs, but will instead be an opt-in feature and could be removed completely at any time. 

There appeared to be confusion after several YouTube videos claimed that Recall could be installed on any PC running Windows 11, version 24H2, but the video was later deleted. The classic elements of fear, uncertainty, and doubt have permeated discussions across the tech community, primarily due to recent references to Windows Recall in version 24H2. Microsoft's direct removal of the Recall feature earlier in the summer seems to have inadvertently introduced some inconsistencies in how the feature displays and operates within Windows 11. 

These issues have raised concerns among users and developers, as the unexpected appearance of Recall references has led to questions about the stability and control of this feature within the latest version. As Microsoft continues refining and enhancing the Recall feature, prioritizing security and user control, the company aims to reassure users that privacy concerns will be carefully addressed. This extended development period reflects Microsoft’s commitment to establishing Recall as a secure, user-friendly, and reliable addition to the Windows ecosystem, particularly on Copilot Plus PCs. 

By ensuring that Recall remains an entirely opt-in experience with robust encryption and privacy safeguards, Microsoft seeks to mitigate the challenges and uncertainties raised within the community. With the December release now set as the anticipated launch, users and industry experts alike will be closely watching for further improvements and successful integration of this innovative tool into the broader Windows experience.
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Technology
AI technology AI tools Business AI Copilot data security LLM Microsoft Salesforce Technology

Microsoft and Salesforce Clash Over AI Autonomy as Competition Intensifies

 

The generative AI landscape is witnessing fierce competition, with tech giants Microsoft and Salesforce clashing over the best approach to AI-powered business tools. Microsoft, a significant player in AI due to its collaboration with OpenAI, recently unveiled “Copilot Studio” to create autonomous AI agents capable of automating tasks in IT, sales, marketing, and finance. These agents are meant to streamline business processes by performing routine operations and supporting decision-making. 

However, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has openly criticized Microsoft’s approach, likening Copilot to “Clippy 2.0,” referencing Microsoft’s old office assistant software that was often ridiculed for being intrusive. Benioff claims Microsoft lacks the data quality, enterprise security, and integration Salesforce offers. He highlighted Salesforce’s Agentforce, a tool designed to help enterprises build customized AI-driven agents within Salesforce’s Customer 360 platform. According to Benioff, Agentforce handles tasks autonomously across sales, service, marketing, and analytics, integrating large language models (LLMs) and secure workflows within one system. 

Benioff asserts that Salesforce’s infrastructure is uniquely positioned to manage AI securely, unlike Copilot, which he claims may leak sensitive corporate data. Microsoft, on the other hand, counters that Copilot Studio empowers users by allowing them to build custom agents that enhance productivity. The company argues that it meets corporate standards and prioritizes data protection. The stakes are high, as autonomous agents are projected to become essential for managing data, automating operations, and supporting decision-making in large-scale enterprises. 

As AI tools grow more sophisticated, both companies are vying to dominate the market, setting standards for security, efficiency, and integration. Microsoft’s focus on empowering users with flexible AI tools contrasts with Salesforce’s integrated approach, which centers on delivering a unified platform for AI-driven automation. Ultimately, this rivalry is more than just product competition; it reflects two different visions for how AI can transform business. While Salesforce focuses on integrated security and seamless data flows, Microsoft is emphasizing adaptability and user-driven AI customization. 

As companies assess the pros and cons of each approach, both platforms are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping AI’s impact on business. With enterprises demanding robust, secure AI solutions, the outcomes of this competition could influence AI’s role in business for years to come. As these AI leaders continue to innovate, their differing strategies may pave the way for advancements that redefine workplace automation and decision-making across the industry.
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Vulnerabilities
CyberCrime Cybersecurity CyberThreat HM Surf macOS Microsoft Privacy Safari Vulnerabilities

HM Surf Bug in macOS Raises Data Privacy Concerns

 


Several vulnerabilities in the Safari web browser for macOS may have left users open to being spied on, having their data stolen, and acquiring other types of malware thanks to this security weakness. Specifically, the vulnerability arises from the special permissions Apple gives to its proprietary apps, and here, it is the browser, as well as the ease with which an attacker can obtain the important configuration files of an app. 

Ultimately, what it allows a user to do is to circumvent the Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) security layer on MacBooks that is designed to safeguard sensitive data from an attacker. CVE-2024-44133 has been rated as a "medium" severity vulnerability by the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), meaning that it has a 5.5 severity score as per the CVSS. According to the CVE-2024-44133 vulnerability report, attackers can bypass the user data protection methods implemented by the operating system by bypassing Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC). 

During the September 16 update for Mac Studio (2022 and later), iMac (2019 and later), Mac Pro (2019 and later), Mac Mini (2018 and later), MacBook Air (2020 and later), MacBook Pro (2018 and later), and iMac Pro (2017 and later), the vulnerability, also referred to as CVE-2024-44133, had been fixed. Please take note that this vulnerability will only impact devices that are managed by Mobile Device Management (MDM), not any other device. Typically, MDM managed devices are subject to policies and procedures set by the IT department of an organization, which is responsible for centrally managing and maintaining the devices.


According to Microsoft, the flaw has been named "HM Surf." By exploiting this vulnerability an attacker would be able to bypass macOS' Transparency, Consent, and Control (TCC) features and gain unauthorized access to a user's protected data, which they would have no control over. There is a possibility users may discover Safari's TCC in action while browsing a website that requires access to the camera or microphone when browsing through the website. It was noted by Apple in mid-September that a bug in macOS Sequoia 15 has been fixed by removing the vulnerable code. However, the bug does not seem to affect MDM-managed devices. As stated in the blog post, Microsoft’s Sequoia 15 release only protects Apple’s Safari web browser when it is installed. 

It was also pointed out that browsers like Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox don't have the same private entitlements as Apple applications, so they cannot bypass TCC checks like Apple applications can. Therefore, once TCC checks are approved, it is up to the app to maintain access to the privacy database as long as people have approved the checks. This vulnerability can be exploited by removing the TCC protection for the Safari browser directory and editing a configuration file in that directory. It is stated in Microsoft's response that it involves gaining access to the user's data, such as browsed pages, the camera, microphone, and location of the device, without the user's knowledge.

Users of macOS are strongly encouraged to apply these security updates as soon as possible so that their system will be protected. Using its behavior monitoring capabilities, Microsoft Defender for Endpoint has detected activities associated with Adload, one of the most prevalent macOS threat families, which may be exploiting this vulnerability in some way. In addition to detecting and blocking CVE-2024-44133 exploitation, Windows Defender for Endpoint also detects and blocks anomalous modifications of the Preferences file through HM Surf or other mechanisms that potentially exploit the vulnerability.

According to Microsoft, it was TCC technology that first enabled them to learn how to bypass the technology when they discovered powerdir's vulnerability. Please remember that TCC, as its name implies, is a technology that prevents apps from accessing users' personal information when they are installed and that this includes services such as location services, camera and microphone devices, download directories, and others, without the user's knowledge or consent. 

In the world of mobile applications, the only legal way for them to gain access to these services is by approving a popup through their user interface, or if they approve per-app access via the settings in their operating system. This vulnerability, known as HM-Surf, may allow attackers to bypass key security features on macOS systems, which gives them a chance to gain access to sensitive data through the use of malicious code. It is possible that users who are not authorized to exploit the flaw could exploit macOS' own security functions, such as the sandboxing mechanisms and restrictions on file access. 

HM-Surf exploit is a vulnerability that allows attackers to gain enhanced privileges, which allows them to access sensitive data and files that would otherwise require a login and password. Initial warnings were raised about this vulnerability because it played a role in adware campaigns, where malicious actors used this loophole to install unwanted software on users' devices in order to profit from the vulnerability. There are, however, a lot more dangers than just adware; though, it is only the beginning. If the same vulnerability were weaponized, then it might even be used for more serious attacks, such as data exfiltration, surveillance, or even as a gateway to further malware infiltration in the near future. There is probably no doubt that HM-Surf's unique ability to bypass Apple's robust security architecture is one of the most troubling aspects of this malware. 

Security macOS is widely regarded as a secure platform, but the recent discovery of the HM-Surf vulnerability shows that even advanced systems are not immune to evolving cyber threats. This finding serves as a crucial reminder for users and organizations to prioritize cybersecurity and adopt proactive measures to protect their digital environments. Microsoft's cybersecurity team uncovered HM-Surf, an exploit posing a serious risk to macOS. Their investigation revealed a program altering Google Chrome settings to grant unauthorized microphone and camera access while collecting user and device data. 

These actions suggested preparations for a second-stage payload that could further compromise the device. The culprit was identified as the well-known macOS adware "AdLoad." This malware hijacks browser traffic, inundates users with ads, harvests data, and transforms infected devices into botnet nodes for further malicious activity. Although Microsoft's findings aligned with HM-Surf techniques, the researchers could not conclusively link AdLoad to actively exploiting the vulnerability. 

Nevertheless, they warned that "attackers using a similar method to deploy a prevalent threat" underscored the need for enhanced protection. The HM-Surf vulnerability illustrates the risks associated with macOS, highlighting that no operating system is invulnerable to sophisticated attacks. Exploiting such weaknesses could lead to severe consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, and the exposure of sensitive data. The evolving nature of these threats suggests that attackers are continuously refining their methods to bypass security measures.

To address these challenges, organizations must adopt a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity. This includes regular system updates, comprehensive monitoring, and user education on safe practices. Deploying advanced threat detection and real-time monitoring can help detect and mitigate attacks before they cause significant harm. Regular security assessments can also identify and address potential vulnerabilities. In summary, the emergence of the HM-Surf vulnerability is a stark reminder of the dynamic landscape of cybersecurity threats. For macOS users and businesses, this discovery emphasizes the need to act swiftly in strengthening defenses and protecting digital assets against evolving risks.
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Phishing Campaign
Azure Cyber Security Honeypots Microsoft Phishing Campaign

Microsoft Builds Fictitious Azure Tenants to Lure Phishers to Honeypots

 

Microsoft employs deceptive tactics against phishing actors, creating realistic-looking honeypot tenants with Azure access and luring attackers in to gather intelligence on them. 

Tech giant can use the acquired data to map malicious infrastructure, gain a better understanding of sophisticated phishing operations, disrupt large-scale campaigns, identify hackers, and significantly slow their activity. 

Ross Bevington, a key security software engineer at Microsoft known as Microsoft's "Head of Deception," described the strategy and its negative impact on phishing activities at the BSides Exeter conference. 

Bevington developed a "hybrid high interaction honeypot" on the now-defunct code.microsoft.com to gather threat intelligence on actors ranging from rookie hackers to nation-state outfits targeting Microsoft infrastructure. 

Illusion of phishing success 

Currently, Bevington and his team combat phishing by employing deception techniques that exploit full Microsoft tenant environments as honeypots, which include custom domain names, thousands of user accounts, and activities such as internal communications and file-sharing. 

Companies or researchers often set up a honeypot and wait for threat actors to take note of it and take action. A honeypot not only diverts attackers from the real environment, but it also allows for the collection of intelligence on the tactics used to infiltrate systems, which can then be used to the legitimate network. 

In his BSides Exeter presentation, the researcher describes the active strategy as visiting active phishing sites identified by Defender and entering the honeypot renters' credentials. Because the credentials are not safeguarded by two-factor authentication and the tenants include realistic-looking information, attackers can easily get access and begin spending time hunting for evidence of a trap. 

Microsoft claims to monitor over 25,000 phishing sites every day, providing about 20% of them with honeypot credentials; the others are prevented by CAPTCHA or other anti-bot techniques. 

Once the attackers log into the fake tenants, which occurs in 5% of cases, extensive logging is enabled to follow every activity they perform, allowing them to learn the threat actors' methods, approaches, and procedures. IP addresses, browsers, location, behavioural patterns, whether they use VPNs or VPSs, and the phishing kits they employ are all part of the intelligence gathered. 

Furthermore, when attackers attempt to interact with the fake accounts in the environment, Microsoft blocks responses as much as feasible. The deception technology now takes an attacker 30 days to realise they have breached a fictitious environment. Microsoft has regularly gathered actionable data that other security teams could use to construct more complex profiles and better defences.
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Windows
Antivirus Memory Integrity Microsoft performance Protection Ransomware Security system Technology Virtualization Windows

How to Enhance Your Windows Security with Memory Integrity

 

Windows Security, the antivirus program built into Microsoft’s operating system, is generally sufficient for most users. It provides a decent level of protection against various threats, but a few important features, like Memory Integrity, remain turned off by default. This setting is crucial as it protects your system’s memory from malicious software that attempts to exploit Windows drivers, potentially taking control of your PC.

When you enable Memory Integrity, it activates Virtualization Based Security (VBS). This feature separates the code verification process from the operating system, creating a secure environment and adding an additional layer of protection. Essentially, VBS ensures that any code executed on your system is thoroughly checked, preventing malicious programs from sneaking through Windows’ defenses.

However, Microsoft disables Memory Integrity by default to maintain smoother app performance. Some applications may not function properly with this feature on, as the extra layer of security can interfere with the way certain programs execute code. For users who prioritize app performance over security, this trade-off may seem appealing.

But for those concerned about malicious attacks, enabling Memory Integrity is a smart choice. It prevents malware from bypassing the usual system checks, providing peace of mind when dealing with potential security threats. On older PCs, though, you might notice a slight reduction in performance once Memory Integrity is activated.

Curious to see how your system handles this extra protection? Enabling and disabling Memory Integrity is a simple process. First, type “Windows Security” into the search bar or Start menu. Under Device Security, you may see a notification if Memory Integrity is off. Click Core Isolation, then toggle Memory Integrity on. To deactivate it, return to the same settings and flip the switch off.

It’s not just Memory Integrity that comes disabled by default in Windows. Microsoft leaves certain protections off to strike a balance between security and user experience. Another useful feature you can enable is ransomware protection, which safeguards specific folders and prevents unauthorized apps from locking you out of your data. Similarly, you can turn on advanced app screening to block potentially harmful programs.

While leaving Memory Integrity and other protections off can offer a smoother computing experience, activating them significantly strengthens your system’s defenses against cyber threats. It’s a choice between performance and security, but for those prioritizing protection, flipping these settings on is an easy step towards a safer PC.
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Technology
AI Artificial Intelligence CNBC Copilot CyberCrime Cybersecurity Data Privacy Data Safety Microsoft OpenAI Recall Technology

Microsoft Introduces AI Solution for Erasing Ex from Memories

 


It reveals the story of a woman who is emotionally disturbed and seeks the help of artificial intelligence as she tries to erase her past in director Vikramaditya Motwane's new Hindi film, CTRL. There is no doubt that the movie focuses on data and privacy, but humans are social animals and they need someone to listen to them, guide them, or be there as they go through life.  The CEO of Microsoft AI, Mustafa Suleyman, spoke about this recently in a CNBC interview. 

During an interview with CNN, Suleyman explained that the company is engineering AI companions to watch "what we are doing and to remember what we are doing." This will create a close relationship between AI and humans. As a result of the announcement of AI assistants for the workplace, many companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google have come up with such solutions.  

It has been announced by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella that Windows will be launching a new feature called Recall. A semantic search is more than just a keyword search; it digs deep into users' digital history to recreate moments from the past, tracking them back to the time they happened. It was announced today by Microsoft's AI CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, that Copilot, the company's artificial intelligence assistant, has been redesigned. 

Copilot, a newly revamped version of Microsoft's most popular AI companion, shares the same vision of a companion for AI that will revolutionize the way users interact with technology daily in their day-to-day lives with the AI head. After joining Microsoft earlier this year, after the company strategically hired key staff from Inflection AI, Suleyman wrote a 700-word memo describing what he refers to as a "technological paradigm shift." 

Copilot has been redesigned to create an AI experience that is more personalized and supportive, similar to Inflection AI's Pi product, which adapts to users' requirements over time, similar to the Pi product. The announcement of AI assistants for the workplace has been made by a number of companies, including Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google.  The Wall Street Journal reported that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella explained that "Recall is not just about documents." in an interview. 

A sophisticated AI model embedded directly inside the device begins to take screenshots of users' activity and then feeds the data collected into an on-board database that analyzes these activities. By using neural processing technology, all images and interactions can be made searchable, even going as far as searching images by themselves. There are some concerns regarding the events, with Elon Musk warning in a characteristic post that this is akin to an episode of Black Mirror. Going to turn this 'feature' off in the future." 

OpenAI has introduced the ChatGPT desktop application, now powered by the latest GPT-4o model, which represents a significant advancement in artificial intelligence technology. This AI assistant offers real-time screen-reading capabilities, positioning itself as an indispensable support tool for professionals in need of timely assistance. Its enhanced functionality goes beyond merely following user commands; it actively learns from the user's workflow, adapts to individual habits, and anticipates future needs, even taking proactive actions when required. This marks a new era of intelligent and responsive AI companions. 

Jensen Huang also highlighted the advanced capabilities of AI Companion 2.0, emphasizing that this system does not just observe and support workflows—it learns and evolves with them, making it a more intuitive and helpful partner for users in their professional endeavors. Meanwhile, Zoom has introduced Zoom Workplace, an AI-powered collaboration platform designed to elevate teamwork and productivity in corporate environments. The platform now offers over 40 new features, which include updates to the Zoom AI Companion for various services such as Zoom Phone, Team Chat, Events, Contact Center, and the "Ask AI Companion" feature. 

The AI Companion functions as a generative AI assistant seamlessly integrated throughout Zoom’s platform, enhancing productivity, fostering stronger collaboration among team members, and enabling users to refine and develop their skills through AI-supported insights and assistance. The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence continue to reshape the technological landscape, as companies like Microsoft, OpenAI, and Google lead the charge in developing AI companions to support both personal and professional endeavors.

These AI solutions are designed to not only enhance productivity but also provide a more personalized, intuitive experience for users. From Microsoft’s innovative Recall feature to the revamped Copilot and the broad integration of AI companions across platforms like Zoom, these developments mark a significant shift in how humans interact with technology. While the potential benefits are vast, these innovations also raise important questions about data privacy, human-AI relationships, and the ethical implications of such immersive technology. 

As AI continues to evolve and become a more integral part of everyday life, the balance between its benefits and the concerns it may generate will undoubtedly shape the future of AI integration across industries. Microsoft and its competitors remain at the forefront of this technological revolution, striving to create tools that are not only functional but also responsive to the evolving needs of users in a rapidly changing digital world.
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Microsoft
cybercriminals Hacking malware Malware attacks Microsoft

Hackers Exploit Visual Studio Code as a Remote Access Tool, Researchers Find

 

In a new wave of cyberattacks, hackers are using Microsoft’s Visual Studio Code (VSCode) as a remote access tool to gain unauthorized entry into computers, according to Cyble Research and Intelligence Labs. Visual Studio, a popular integrated development environment (IDE) for app development on the .NET framework, supports languages like C#, VB.NET, and C++. 

While the tool is widely used for legitimate purposes, cybercriminals have now found a way to exploit it for malicious activities. The attack begins with a seemingly harmless file, a malicious “.LNK” shortcut, which is likely spread through spam emails. Once opened, the file displays a fake “Installation Successful” message in Chinese. 

In the background, however, it secretly downloads a Python package named “python-3.12.5-embed-amd64.zip” and creates a directory on the target system. This malicious file then executes an obfuscated Python script (update.py) from the online source paste[.]ee, which was not detected by the VirusTotal scanning service. 

To maintain access, the malware sets up a scheduled task, “MicrosoftHealthcareMonitorNode,” which runs every four hours or when the computer starts, using SYSTEM-level privileges. If the system does not have VSCode already installed, the malware fetches the Visual Studio Code Command Line Interface (CLI) from Microsoft’s servers. 

This tool is then used to open a remote tunnel that enables the attackers to generate an 8-character activation code, giving them unauthorized remote access to the victim’s computer. Once access is established, the malware gathers sensitive system information, such as data from critical directories, running processes, user details, and even geographical locations. 

With this, hackers can fully control the victim’s machine, accessing files, directories, and the terminal. This discovery highlights the growing sophistication of cyberattacks and emphasizes the need for vigilance, especially with common developer tools like VSCode. Users are advised to be cautious of unexpected email attachments and ensure their systems are protected against such threats.
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ransomware attacks
Cyber Attacks Cybersecurity awareness Gaming PC Microsoft Microsoft Security Response PC Ransomware attack prevention ransomware attacks

How to Protect Your PC from Ransomware with Windows Defender

 

Ransomware is a significant threat that can lock users out of their own files until a ransom is paid to recover the data. CBS News recently highlighted the devastating impact of ransomware, focusing on the Scattered Spider group, which caused millions in damage by targeting Las Vegas casinos. While personal computers are less common targets, it’s still crucial to take precautions. 

The best way to protect your system from ransomware is by avoiding sites or downloads likely to contain malware. However, using additional measures like modern antivirus software or built-in protections in Windows can enhance security. Microsoft Defender, integrated into Windows, offers ransomware protection, but users need to enable it manually. To activate ransomware protection in Windows, you must access the Windows Security app. This can be done by searching for “Windows Security” via the Start Menu or settings. Once inside the app, go to “Virus & threat protection” and activate Controlled folder access. 

This feature limits which applications can alter files in crucial folders, such as Documents, Pictures, and others. While trusted programs like Microsoft Office automatically retain access, unauthorized apps cannot modify or even see these folders until granted permission. This restriction is vital for stopping ransomware from encrypting sensitive files. An essential step to further enhance security is backing up your data. Windows Security facilitates this through integration with OneDrive. By logging into your OneDrive account, either through the Windows PC itself or directly in the OneDrive app, you can ensure automatic backups of your important files. 

This provides an additional layer of security, helping to recover encrypted data without paying a ransom. While OneDrive offers convenient cloud backup, it’s also recommended to keep offline backups. These backups are immune to ransomware that might affect your online accounts. Without an offline backup, relying solely on cloud services still leaves a vulnerability. Turning on ransomware protection comes with minor inconveniences, especially for those who save files in common folders. 

For instance, gamers might experience issues with save files being restricted, but this can be remedied by adding specific apps to the access list or adjusting where files are saved. Overall, securing your PC against ransomware involves enabling the built-in features in Windows, setting up OneDrive backups, and keeping an offline backup for extra safety. Taking these steps ensures you’re prepared in case your files are ever threatened by ransomware attacks.
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Windows
Advanced Technology Microsoft Microsoft Copilot Security Feature Windows

Windows 11’s Recall feature is Now Ready For Release, Microsoft Claims

 

Microsoft has released an update regarding the Recall feature in Windows 11, which has been on hold for some time owing to security and privacy concerns. The document also details when Microsoft intends to move forward with the feature and roll it out to Copilot+ PCs. 

Microsoft said in a statement that the intention is to launch Recall on CoPilot+ laptops in November, with a number of protections in place to ensure that the feature is safe enough, as explained in a separate blog post. So, what are these measures supposed to appease the critics of Recall - a supercharged AI-powered search in Windows 11 that uses regular screenshots ('snapshots' as Microsoft calls them) of the activity on your PC - as it was originally intended? 

One of the most significant changes is that, as Microsoft had previously informed us, Recall will only be available with permission, rather than being enabled by default as it was when the function was first introduced. 

“During the set-up experience for Copilot+ PCs, users are given a clear option whether to opt-in to saving snapshots using Recall. If a user doesn’t proactively choose to turn it on, it will be off, and snapshots will not be taken or saved,” Microsoft noted. 

Additionally, as Microsoft has stated, snapshots and other Recall-related data would be fully permitted, and Windows Hello login will be required to access the service. In other words, you'll need to check in through Hello to prove that you're the one using Recall (not someone else on your PC). 

Furthermore, Recall will use a secure environment known as a Virtualization-based Security Enclave, or VBS Enclave, which is a fully secure virtual computer isolated from the Windows 11 system that can only be accessed by the user via a decryption key (given with the Windows Hello sign-in).

David Weston, who wrote Microsoft’s blog post and is VP of Enterprise and OS Security, explained to Windows Central: “All of the sensitive Recall processes, so screenshots, screenshot processing, vector database, are now in a VBS Enclave. We basically took Recall and put it in a virtual machine [VM], so even administrative users are not able to interact in that VM or run any code or see any data.”

Similarly, Microsoft cannot access your Recall data. And, as the software giant has already stated, all of this data is stored locally on your machine; none of it is sent to the cloud. This is why Recall is only available on Copilot+ PCs - it requires a strong NPU for acceleration and local processing to function properly. 

Finally, Microsoft addresses a previous issue about Recall storing images of, say, your online banking site and perhaps sensitive financial information - the tool now filters out things like passwords and credit card numbers.
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Threat Landscape
DcRAT HTML smuggling malware Microsoft Russian Users Threat Landscape

DCRat Malware Propagates via HTML Smuggling

 

Russian-speaking customers have been targeted in a new campaign aimed at distributing a commodity trojan known as DCRat (aka DarkCrystal RAT) using HTML smuggling. 

This is the first time the malware has been propagated via this technique, which differs from past delivery channels such as hijacked or bogus websites, phishing emails with PDF attachments, or macro-laced Microsoft Excel documents.

"HTML smuggling is primarily a payload delivery mechanism," Netskope researcher Nikhil Hegde stated in an analysis published last week. "The payload can be embedded within the HTML itself or retrieved from a remote resource.” 

The HTML file, in turn, can be distributed through fraudulent websites or malspam operations. When the file is launched from the victim's web browser, the hidden payload is decrypted and downloaded to the system. The assault subsequently relies on some form of social engineering to persuade the victim to open the malicious payload. 

Netskope claims to have identified HTML pages in Russian that, when opened in a web browser, automatically download a password-protected ZIP bundle to disc in an attempt to avoid discovery. The ZIP payload contains a nested RarSFX package, which eventually leads to the DCRat malware deployment. 

DCRat, which was first launched in 2018, can be used as a full-fledged backdoor and can be used with various plugins to expand its capabilities. It can run shell commands, record keystrokes, and exfiltrate data and credentials, among other things. Organisations should check HTTP and HTTPS traffic to verify that systems do not communicate with malicious domains. 

The development comes as Russian businesses have been targeted by a threat cluster known as Stone Wolf, which tried to infect them with Meduza Stealer by sending phishing emails posing as legitimate providers of industrial automation systems. 

"Adversaries continue to use archives with both malicious files and legitimate attachments which serve to distract the victim," BI.ZONE noted. By using the names and data of real organizations, attackers have a greater chance to trick their victims into downloading and opening malicious attachments.” 

It also comes after the rise of malicious campaigns that most likely used generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to write VBScript and JavaScript code used to propagate AsyncRAT via HTML smuggling. 

"The scripts' structure, comments and choice of function names and variables were strong clues that the threat actor used GenAI to create the malware," HP Wolf Security stated. "The activity shows how GenAI is accelerating attacks and lowering the bar for cybercriminals to infect endpoints.”
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Privacy
Artificial Intelligence CyberCrime Cybersecurity CyberThreat Data Privacy Microsoft OpenAI Privacy

Growing Focus on Data Privacy Among GenAI Professionals in 2024

 


Recent reports published by Deloitte and Deloitte Consulting, highlighting the significance of data privacy as it pertains to Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), have been widely cited. As the survey found, there has been a significant increase in professionals' concerns about data privacy; only 22% ranked it as their top concern at the beginning of 2023, and the number will rise to 72% by the end of 2024. 

Technology is advancing at an exponential rate, and as a result, there is a growing awareness of its potential risks. There has been a surge in concerns over data privacy caused by generative AI across several industries, according to a new report by Deloitte. Only 22% of professionals ranked it as among their top three concerns last year, these numbers have risen to 72% this year, according to a recent study. 

There was also strong concern regarding data provenance and transparency among professionals, with 47% and 40% informing us that they considered them to be among their top three ethical GenAI concerns for this year, respectively. The proportion of respondents concerned about job displacement, however, was only 16%. It is becoming increasingly common for staff to be curious about how AI technology operates, especially when it comes to sensitive data. 

Almost half of security professionals surveyed by HackerOne in September believe AI is risky, with many of them believing leaks of training data threaten their networks' security. It is noteworthy that 78% of business leaders ranked "safe and secure" as one of their top three ethical technology principles. This represents a 37% increase from the year 2023, which shows the importance of security to businesses today.

As a result of Deloitte's 2024 "State of Ethics and Trust in Technology " report, the results of the survey were reported in a report which surveyed over 1,800 business and technical professionals worldwide, asking them to rate the ethical principles that they apply to technological processes and, specifically, to their use of GenAI. It is becoming increasingly important for technological leaders to carefully examine the talent needs of their organizations, as they assist in guiding the adoption of generative AI. There are also ethical considerations that should be included on this checklist as well. 

A Deloitte report highlights the effectiveness of GenAI in eliminating the "expertise barrier": more people will be able to make more use of their data more happily and cost-effectively, according to Sachin Kulkarni, managing director, of risk and brand protection, at Deloitte. There may be a benefit to this, though as a result there may be an increased risk of data leaks as a result of this action." 

Furthermore, there has been concern expressed about the effects of generative AI on transparency, data provenance, intellectual property ownership, and hallucinations among professionals. Even though job displacement is often listed as a top concern by respondents, only 16% of those asked are reporting job displacement to be true. As a result of the assessment of emerging technology categories, business and IT professionals have concluded that cognitive technologies, which include large language models, artificial intelligence, neural networks, and generative AI, among others, pose the greatest ethical challenges.  

This category had a significant achievement over other technology verticals, including virtual reality, autonomous vehicles, and robotics. However, respondents stated that they considered cognitive technologies to be the most likely to bring about social good in the future. Flexential's survey published earlier this month found that several executives, in light of the huge reliance on data, are concerned about how generative AI tools can increase cybersecurity risks by extending their attack surface as a result, according to the report. 

In Deloitte's annual report, however, the percentage of professionals reporting that they use GenAI internally grew by 20% between last year and this year, reflecting an increase in the use of GenAI by their employees over the previous year. 94% of the respondents said they had incorporated it into their organization's processes in some way or another. Nevertheless, most respondents indicated that these technologies are either still in the pilot phase or are limited in their usage, with only 12% saying that they are used extensively. 

Gartner research published last year also found that about 80% of GenAI projects fail to make it past proof-of-concept as a result of a lack of resources. Europe has been impacted by the recent EU Artificial Intelligence Act and 34% of European respondents have reported that their organizations have taken action over the past year to change their use of AI to adapt to the Act's requirements. 

According to the survey results, however, the impact of the Act is more widespread, with 26% of respondents from the South Asian region changing their lifestyles because of it, and 16% of those from the North and South American regions did the same. The survey also revealed that 20 per cent of respondents based in the U.S. had altered the way their organization was operating as a result of the executive order. According to the survey, 25% of South Asians, 21% of South Americans, and 12% of Europeans surveyed had the same perspective. 

The report explains that "Cognitive technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to provide society with the greatest benefits, but are also the most vulnerable to misuse," according to its authors. The accelerated adoption of GenAI technology is overtaking the capacity of organizations to effectively govern it at a rapid pace. GenAI tools can provide a great deal of help to businesses in a range of areas, from choosing which use cases to apply them to quality assurance, to implementing ethical standards. 

Companies should prioritize both of these areas." Despite artificial intelligence being widely used, policymakers want to make sure that they won't get themselves into trouble with its use, especially when it comes to legislation because any use of it can lead to a lot of problems. 34% of respondents reported that regulatory compliance was their most important reason for implementing ethics policies and guidelines to comply with regulations, while regulatory penalties topped the list of concerns about not complying with such policies and guidelines. 

A new piece of legislation in the EU, known as the Artificial Intelligence Act, entered into force on August 1. The Act, which takes effect today, is intended to ensure that artificial intelligence systems that are used in high-risk environments are safe, transparent, and ethical. If a company does not comply with the regulations, it could face financial penalties ranging from €35 million ($38 million), which is equivalent to 7% of global turnover, to €7.5 million ($8.1 million), which is equivalent to 1.5% of global turnover. 

Over a hundred companies have already signed the EU Artificial Intelligence Pact, with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI among them; they have also volunteered to begin implementing the requirements of the bill before any deadlines established by law. Both of these actions demonstrate that they are committed to the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence in society, and also help them to avoid future legal challenges in the future. 

The United States released a similar executive order in October 2023 with broad guidelines regarding the protection and enhancement of military, civil, and personal privacy as well as protecting the security of government agencies while fostering AI innovation and competition across the entire country. Even though this is not a law, many companies operating in the U.S. have made policy changes to ensure compliance with regulatory changes and comply with public expectations regarding the privacy and security of AI.
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Sensitive data
cyber attack identity Microsoft Security Sensitive data

Microsoft Tightens Cloud Security After Major Breaches

 



In its efforts to better its cloud security, Microsoft has done much to remove any potential vulnerabilities and tightened the process of authenticating individuals. This comes after the tech giant saw several security breaches within the past year. Under the Secure Future Initiative launched in November 2023, Microsoft has so far purged 730,000 unused applications and deactivated 5.75 million inactive tenants in its cloud system. The initiative has been a direct response to cyber intrusions that had resulted in the revelation of sensitive data.

Reducing the Cyber Attack Surface

The firm has sought to minimise its attack surface by identifying dead or idle areas of its cloud infrastructure and is working to eliminate them. Removing hundreds of thousands of applications and millions of unused tenants works at making Microsoft shrink down the possible avenues the hackers may employ to penetrate it. Furthermore, Microsoft has sought to make the software production environment more secure by equipping the software teams with 15,000 locked-down devices. In its other security measure, the company conducted video-based identity verification for 95 percent of its production staff for further security in the identity authentication process. 

Better Identity and Authentication Security

Cybersecurity is one aspect where Microsoft has improved much. For instance, the identity management systems for its Entra ID and Microsoft Account (MSA) platforms have been remarkably enhanced.

These updates target better generation, storage, and rotation of access token signing keys as means to advance the protection of the public and government cloud environments. This is partly because of an incident in 2023, when hacking group Storm-0558 from China successfully accessed Exchange Online systems and penetrated the private email accounts of dozens of state officials. 

Secure Future Initiative Focus Areas

The SFI project is the most ambitious cybersecurity effort Microsoft has undertaken to date, providing 34,000 engineers dedicated to bulking up the company's defences. It focuses mainly on six critical areas: identity and access control, securing cloud tenants and production systems, strengthening engineering systems, improving network security, enhancing threat detection, and perfecting incident response. By doing all of these broad strokes, the likelihood of any future breach of this scale is reduced.

Mitigating Past Security Mistakes

Analysis by the US Department of Homeland Security's Cyber Safety Review Board had shown that a succession of security lapses at the company allowed these breaches. The inquiry, focused on the Storm-0558 intrusion, had asserted that it was time for Microsoft to strengthen its security posture, which primarily revolved around identity and authentication processes. Based on this, the company has moved very quickly to shore up weaknesses and prevent something similar from happening in the future.

Progress in Key Security Areas

Microsoft says it made strides in several areas in the latest report on SFI.

Unused applications and tenants removed reduce cloud attack surface. In network security, the firm now maintains a central inventory for more than 99% of physical assets, providing greater oversight.

Virtual networks with back-end connectivity are isolated from the corporate networks, which in turn is subjected to even more rigorous security audits. Centralised pipeline templates accounting for 85% of the production builds have been so far a part of the security. Personal access tokens now also have a much shorter life. Proof-of-presence checks are also instituted at the most sensitive points of the software development pipeline. 

Organisational Changes for Better Security

Beyond the technical, there have been organisations which are aimed at ensuring the executives are held responsible for security outcomes. There have been those who tied senior leadership compensation to specific security goals and that the company's threat intelligence team reports directly to the Chief Information Security Officer. This is in the way that it gives the assurance that security is top of the agenda across the organisation.

The Microsoft Secure Future Initiative is a reflection of its attempt to learn from previous failures in the area of security and succeed further in the cloud environment. The company intends to secure itself and, by extension, its customers from future cyber-attacks by enforcing identity verification, reducing attack surfaces, and having a strong network as well as engineering security. Hence, through continuous actions, Microsoft aims to ensure that such instances-where confidential and sensitive data are leaked-would not recur in the future.





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Microsoft
Botnet Cyber Crime FBI Flax Typhoon IoT Microsoft

FBI Shuts Down Chinese Linked Botnet Campaign in a Joint Operation

FBI Joint Operation 

The FBI has cracked down on a vast botnet operation linked to a Chinese hacking group, the attackers targeted government agencies, universities, and other entities in the US. 

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance issued a joint report alerting organizations to take safety measures after finding the botnet was used to deploy DDoS attacks and compromise organizations in the US.

Flax Typhoon Involved

Talking about the threat at the Aspen Cyber Summit, Chris Wray, FBI director, said the operation was launched by the Flax Typhoon group, the attackers deployed malware on more than 200,000 customer devices. In a joint operation, the FBI and US Department of Justice were able to take hold of botnet’s infrastructure, 50% of the compromised devices were found in the US.

The hijacked devices- cameras, internet routers, and video recorders, made a large botnet to steal crucial data. The attacks were similar to another botnet campaign operated by the Volt Typhoon group, it also used web-connected devices to make a botnet that hijacked systems and stole sensitive data. 

But Flax Typhoon’s botnet also compromised a larger range of devices, compared to the router-based network by Volt Typhoon.

Flax Typhoon group disguises itself as an information security company but has a long history of working with close links to the Chinese government, says Wray.

“They represent themselves as an information security company—the Integrity Technology Group. But their chairman has publicly admitted that for years his company has collected intelligence and performed reconnaissance for Chinese government security agencies.”

Rise in State-sponsored Attacks

Although the operation was a success, says Wray, he warns that threats of state-sponsored attacks from China still exist.  Wray warned that although this operation was a success, the wider ecosystem of state-affiliated cyber attacks out of China was still alive and well.

“This was another successful disruption, but make no mistake — it’s just one round in a much longer fight. The Chinese government is going to continue to target your organizations and our critical infrastructure, either by their own hand or concealed through their proxies, and we’ll continue to work with our partners to identify their malicious activity, disrupt their hacking campaigns, and bring them to light,” Wray said.

According to a Microsoft report from 2023, Flax Typhoon has been in the game since 2021. Other reports suggest the group has been active since 2020. In the initial years, the Flax Typhoon attacked government agencies, critical manufacturing, the education sector, and IT firms in Taiwan.
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PC
Apple Devices BitLocker encryption Cyber Security Linux Microsoft Operating system PC

Why Windows 11 Requires a TPM and How It Enhances Security

 

When Microsoft launched Windows 11 in 2021, the new operating system came with a stringent hardware requirement: the presence of a Trusted Platform Module (TPM), specifically one that meets the TPM 2.0 standard. A TPM is a secure cryptoprocessor designed to manage encryption keys and handle security-related tasks, making it a critical component for features such as Secure Boot, BitLocker, and Windows Hello. 

The TPM architecture, defined by the ISO/IEC 11889 standard, was created over 20 years ago by the Trusted Computing Group. The standard outlines how cryptographic operations should be implemented, emphasizing integrity protection, isolation, and confidentiality. A TPM can be implemented as a discrete chip on a motherboard, embedded in the firmware of a PC chipset, or built directly into the CPU, as Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm have done over the past decade. 

Most PCs manufactured since 2016 come with a TPM 2.0, as Microsoft mandated that year that all new computers shipped with Windows must have this technology enabled by default. Even some older devices may have a TPM, though it might be disabled in the BIOS or firmware settings. Intel began incorporating TPM 2.0 into its processors in 2014, but the feature was mainly available on business-oriented models. Devices built before 2014 may have discrete TPMs that conform to the earlier TPM 1.2 standard, which is not officially supported by Windows 11. 

The TPM enhances security by providing a secure environment for processing cryptographic operations and storing sensitive data, like private keys used for encryption. For example, it works with the Secure Boot feature to ensure that only signed, trusted code runs during startup. It also enables biometric authentication via Windows Hello and holds the BitLocker keys that encrypt the contents of a system disk, making unauthorized access nearly impossible. Windows 10 and 11 initialize and take ownership of the TPM during installation, and it’s not just limited to Windows; Linux PCs and IoT devices can also use a TPM. 

Apple devices employ a different design known as the Secure Enclave, which performs similar cryptographic tasks. The added level of security provided by a TPM is crucial in protecting against tampering and unauthorized data access. For those with older PCs, upgrading to Windows 11 may require enabling TPM in the BIOS or using a utility to bypass hardware checks. However, the extra security enforced by TPM in tamper-resistant hardware is an essential advancement in protecting your data and ensuring system integrity.
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