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Showing posts with label Threat Landscape. Show all posts
Threat Landscape
AI Business Security Cyber Security Ransomware attack Threat Landscape

Explaining AI's Impact on Ransomware Attacks and Businesses Security

 

Ransomware has always been an evolving menace, as criminal outfits experiment with new techniques to terrorise their victims and gain maximum leverage while making extortion demands. Weaponized AI is the most recent addition to the armoury, allowing high-level groups to launch more sophisticated attacks but also opening the door for rookie hackers. The NCSC has cautioned that AI is fuelling the global threat posed by ransomware, and there has been a significant rise in AI-powered phishing attacks. 

Organisations are increasingly facing increasing threats from sophisticated assaults, such as polymorphic malware, which can mutate in real time to avoid detection, allowing organisations to strike with more precision and frequency. As AI continues to rewrite the rules of ransomware attacks, businesses that still rely on traditional defences are more vulnerable to the next generation of cyber attack. 

Ransomware accessible via AI 

Online criminals, like legal businesses, are discovering new methods to use AI tools, which makes ransomware attacks more accessible and scalable. By automating crucial attack procedures, fraudsters may launch faster, more sophisticated operations with less human intervention. 

Established and experienced criminal gangs gain from the ability to expand their operations. At the same time, because AI is lowering entrance barriers, folks with less technical expertise can now utilise ransomware as a service (RaaS) to undertake advanced attacks that would ordinarily be outside their pay grade. 

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, stated that it has detected and blocked more than 20 fraudulent operations with its famous generative AI tool. This ranged from creating copy for targeted phishing operations to physically coding and debugging malware. 

FunkSec, a RaaS supplier, is a current example of how these tools are enhancing criminal groups' capabilities. The gang is reported to have only a few members, and its human-created code is rather simple, with a very low level of English. However, since its inception in late 2024, FunkSec has recorded over 80 victims in a single month, thanks to a variety of AI techniques that allow them to punch much beyond their weight. 

Investigations have revealed evidence of AI-generated code in the gang's ransomware, as well as web and ransom text that was obviously created by a Large Language Model (LLM). The team also developed a chatbot to assist with their operations using Miniapps, a generative AI platform. 

Mitigation tips against AI-driven ransomware 

With AI fuelling ransomware groups, organisations must evolve their defences to stay safe. Traditional security measures are no longer sufficient, and organisations must match their fast-moving attackers with their own adaptive, AI-driven methods to stay competitive. 

One critical step is to investigate how to combat AI with AI. Advanced AI-driven detection and response systems may analyse behavioural patterns in real time, identifying anomalies that traditional signature-based techniques may overlook. This is critical for fighting strategies like polymorphism, which have been expressly designed to circumvent standard detection technologies. Continuous network monitoring provides an additional layer of defence, detecting suspicious activity before ransomware can activate and propagate. 

Beyond detection, AI-powered solutions are critical for avoiding data exfiltration, as modern ransomware gangs almost always use data theft to squeeze their victims. According to our research, 94% of reported ransomware attacks in 2024 involved exfiltration, highlighting the importance of Anti Data Exfiltration (ADX) solutions as part of a layered security approach. Organisations can prevent extortion efforts by restricting unauthorised data transfers, leaving attackers with no choice but to move on.
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US Tariffs
Chinese Hacker Cyber Security Threat Landscape Trade War US Tariffs

US Tariffs May Lead to Chinese Cyberattacks in Retaliation, Experts Warn

 

As the trade battle between the United States and China heats up, some cybersecurity and policy experts fear Beijing could retaliate in cyberspace. Shortly after the US raised its tax on imported Chinese goods to 104 percent on Wednesday last week, China raised its duty on American imports to 84 percent.

"China urges the US to immediately correct its wrong practices, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and properly resolve differences with China through equal dialogue on the basis of mutual respect," the Office of the Tariff Commission of the State Council noted in a statement. 

Citing a "lack of respect" from Beijing, US President Trump raised the China tariff yet again, this time by 125 percent. The government later "paused" punitive tariffs on numerous other countries, but maintained the 125 percent tax on China. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, "President Trump will strike back harder when you strike at the United States of America.” 

There is growing concern that President Xi Jinping may use his army of cyber-spies to support the People's Republic, even though this back and forth has the potential to ruin trade between the two countries, drive up consumer costs, or cut off supply completely. 

"China will retaliate with systemic cyber attacks as tensions simmer over," cybersecurity advisor Tom Kellermann stated. "The typhoon campaigns have given them a robust foothold within critical infrastructure that will be used to launch destructive attacks. Trade wars were a historical instrument of soft power. Cyber is and will be the modern instrument of choice.” 

The "typhoon campaigns" refer to a sequence of digital incursions supported by the Chinese government that were revealed last year. Among them are Volt Typhoon, which has been infiltrating America's vital infrastructure since at least 2023 and plotting destructive cyberattacks against those targets, and Salt Typhoon, an espionage team that gained access to at least nine US government and telecom networks. 

"To the extent that China is holding back on conducting certain types of cyberattacks, it may feel less restrained now," noted Annie Fixler, director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

"The intelligence community has assessed that China has conducted operational preparation of the battlefield to disrupt US critical infrastructure and cause societal panic, impede US government decision making, and degrade our ability to mobilize forces," Fixler added. 

In addition to spying, which is always going on, it is unclear what, if anything, Beijing-backed goons intend to do online to protest Trump's tariffs. However, financially motivated cybercriminals have already discovered ways to take advantage of people's misunderstanding of the constantly changing trade regulations.
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Threat Landscape
Cyber Warfare Online Security Russia-Ukraine War Technology Threat Landscape

The Rise of Cyber Warfare and Its Global Implications

 

In Western society, the likelihood of cyberattacks is arguably higher now than it has ever been. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) advised UK organisations to strengthen their cyber security when Russia launched its attack on Ukraine in early 2022. In a similar vein, the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued warnings about increased risks to US companies. 

There is no doubt that during times of global transition and turmoil, cyber security becomes a battlefield in its own right, with both state and non-state actors increasingly turning to cyber-attacks to gain an advantage in combat. Furthermore, as technology advances and an increasing number of devices connect to the internet, the scope and sophistication of cyber-attacks has grown significantly. 

Cyber warfare can take numerous forms, such as breaking into enemy state computer systems, spreading malware, and executing denial-of-service assaults. If a cyber threat infiltrates the right systems, entire towns and cities may be shut off from information, services, and infrastructure that have become fundamental to our way of life, such as electricity, online banking systems, and the internet. 

The European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) believes that cyber warfare poses a substantial and growing threat to vital infrastructure. Its research on the "Threat Landscape for Foreign Information Manipulation Interference (FIMI)" states that key infrastructure, such as electricity and healthcare, is especially vulnerable to cyber-attacks during times of conflict or political tension.

In addition, cyber-attacks can disrupt banking systems, inflicting immediate economic loss and affecting individuals. According to the report, residents were a secondary target in more than half of the incidents analysed. Cyber-attacks are especially effective at manipulating public perceptions through, at the most basic level, inconvenience, to the most serious level, which could result in the loss of life. 

Risk to businesses 

War and military conflicts can foster a business environment susceptible to cyber-attacks, since enemies may seek to target firms or sectors deemed critical to a country's economy or infrastructure. They may also choose symbolic targets, like media outlets or high-profile businesses connected with a country. 

Furthermore, the use of cyber-attacks in war can produce a broad sense of instability and uncertainty, which can be exploited to exploit vulnerabilities in firms' cyber defences.

Cyber-attacks on a company's computer systems, networks, and servers can cause delays and shutdowns, resulting in direct loss of productivity and money. However, they can also harm reputation, prompt regulatory action (including the imposition of fines), and result in consumer loss. 

Prevention tips

To mitigate these risks, firms can take proactive actions to increase their cyber defences, such as self-critical auditing and third-party testing. Employees should also be trained to identify and respond to cyber risks. Furthermore, firms should conduct frequent security assessments to detect vulnerabilities and adopt mitigation techniques.
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Threat Landscape
Cyber Warfare Drone malware Russia-Ukraine War Threat Landscape

Russians Seize Malware-Infected Ukrainian Drones

 

Ukrainian forces are installing malware into their drones as a new tactic in their ongoing war with Russia. This development adds a cyber warfare layer to a battlefield that has already been impacted by drone technology, Forbes reported. 

Russian forces identified Ukrainian drones carrying malware, as evidenced by a video uploaded on social media. According to a Reddit thread that includes the video, this malware performs a variety of disruptive functions, including "burning out the USB port, preventing reflashing, or hijacking the repurposed FPV and revealing the operator location.” 

“This tactic highlights how Ukraine is leveraging its strong pre-war information technology sector to counter Russia’s advanced military technologies and strong defense industrial base,” states defense expert Vikram Mittal in his analysis. 

The malware serves several strategic objectives. It hinders Russian troops from analyzing seized Ukrainian drones to create countermeasures, prohibits them from repurposing captured technology, and may allow Ukrainian forces to track the whereabouts of Russian drone operators attempting to use captured devices.

“By embedding malware into their drones, Ukrainian developers have found a way to disrupt Russian counter-drone efforts without requiring additional physical resources, a critical advantage given Ukraine’s logistical constraints. This innovation could have broader implications for the war. If successful, Ukraine may begin integrating malware into other electronic systems to limit Russia’s ability to study or reuse them,” Mittal explains.

As drone warfare tactics continue to evolve, the report suggests that this trend would likely lead to a new technological competition between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine's use of malware is expected to spark a new technological competition, similar to what is already happening with Ukrainian and Russian drone technology. 

In response, Russia is likely to deploy similar spyware on its drones and equipment, while both sides respond by establishing safety protocols and developing anti-virus software to combat the malware. In response, scientists on both sides will create increasingly powerful malware to circumvent these protections. This continuous cycle of assault and defence will add a new dimension to the fight for drone supremacy.
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Zero-day Flaw
Malicious Files nation-state hackers Threat Landscape Vulnerabilities and Exploits Zero-day Flaw

Windows Shortcut Vulnerability Exploited by 11 State-Sponsored Outfits

 

Since 2017, at least 11 state-sponsored threat groups have actively exploited a Microsoft zero-day issue that allows for abuse of Windows shortcut files to steal data and commit cyber espionage against organisations across multiple industries. 

Threat analysts from Trend Micro's Trend Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) discovered roughly 1,000 malicious.lnk files that exploited the flaw, known as ZDI-CAN-25373, which allowed cyber criminals to execute concealed malicious commands on a victim's PC via customised shortcut files.

“By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker can prepare a malicious .lnk file for delivery to a victim,” researchers at Trend Micro noted. “Upon examining the file using the Windows-provided user interface, the victim will not be able to tell that the file contains any malicious content.”

The malicious files delivered by cybercriminals include a variety of payloads, including the Lumma infostealer and the Remcos remote access Trojan (RAT), which expose organisations to data theft and cyber espionage. 

State-sponsored outfits from North Korea, Iran, Russia, and China, as well as non-state actors, are among those behind the flaw attacks, which have affected organisations in the government, financial, telecommunications, military, and energy sectors across North America, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. 

Additionally, 45% of attacks were carried out by North Korean players, with Iran, Russia, and China each accounting for approximately 18%. Some of the groups listed as attackers are Evil Corp, Kimsuky, Bitter, and Mustang Panda, among others.

According to Trend Micro, Microsoft has not fixed the flaw despite receiving a proof-of-concept exploit through Trend ZDI's bug bounty program. Trend Micro did not react to a follow-up request for comment on their flaw detection and submission timeline.

Microsoft's position remains that it will not be fixing the vulnerability described by Trend Micro at this time because it "does not meet the bar for immediate servicing under our severity classification guidelines," though the company "will consider addressing it in a future feature release," according to an email from a Microsoft spokesperson.

Meanwhile, Microsoft Defender can detect and block threat behaviour, as detailed by Trend Micro, and Microsoft's Windows Smart App Control prevents malicious files from being downloaded from the internet. Furthermore, Windows recognises shortcut (.lnk) files as potentially malicious file types, and the system will automatically display a warning if a user attempts to download one.
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Threat Landscape
Business Security Cyber Security Generative AI Threat Intelligence Threat Landscape

Nearly Half of Companies Lack AI-driven Cyber Threat Plans, Report Finds

 

Mimecast has discovered that over 55% of organisations do not have specific plans in place to deal with AI-driven cyberthreats. The cybersecurity company's most recent "State of Human Risk" report, which is based on a global survey of 1,100 IT security professionals, emphasises growing concerns about insider threats, cybersecurity budget shortages, and vulnerabilities related to artificial intelligence. 

According to the report, establishing a structured cybersecurity strategy has improved the risk posture of 96% of organisations. The threat landscape is still becoming more complicated, though, and insider threats and AI-driven attacks are posing new challenges for security leaders. 

“Despite the complexity of challenges facing organisations—including increased insider risk, larger attack surfaces from collaboration tools, and sophisticated AI attacks—organisations are still too eager to simply throw point solutions at the problem,” stated Mimecast’s human risk strategist VP, Masha Sedova. “With short-staffed IT and security teams and an unrelenting threat landscape, organisations must shift to a human-centric platform approach that connects the dots between employees and technology to keep the business secure.” 

95% of organisations use AI for insider risk assessments, endpoint security, and threat detection, according to the survey, but 81% are concerned regarding data leakage from generative AI (GenAI) technology. In addition to 46% not being confident in their abilities to defend against AI-powered phishing and deepfake threats, more than half do not have defined tactics to resist AI-driven attacks.

Data loss from internal sources is expected to increase over the next year, according to 66% of IT leaders, while insider security incidents have increased by 43%. The average cost of insider-driven data breaches, leaks, or theft is $13.9 million per incident, according to the research. Furthermore, 79% of organisations think that the increased usage of collaboration technologies has increased security concerns, making them more vulnerable to both deliberate and accidental data breaches. 

With only 8% of employees accountable for 80% of security incidents, the report highlights a move away from traditional security awareness training and towards proactive Human Risk Management. To identify and eliminate threats early, organisations are implementing behavioural analytics and AI-driven surveillance. A shift towards sophisticated threat detection and risk mitigation techniques is seen in the fact that 72% of security leaders believe that human-centric cybersecurity solutions will be essential over the next five years.
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USAID
Cyber Security Data Leak DOGE Elon Musk Threat Landscape USAID

Threat Analysts Warn of the 'Largest Data Breach' After Elon Musk's DOGE Controversy

 

The debate over Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency continues, with the world's richest man accused of snooping on some of America's most sensitive data. The DOGE has been tasked with reducing government spending by a paltry $2 trillion, which Musk himself admits might be unfeasible. 

However, the billionaire and his crew have lost no time to shed the fat, targeting everything from the National Space Council to USAID. Concerns have been raised regarding the DOGE's level of access, and some staff members have received death threats as a result of the debate.

"You can’t un-ring this bell,” the anonymous source told the local media outlet. Once these DOGE guys have access to these data systems, they can ostensibly do with it what they want." 

Four sources spoke to the local media outlet, but only Scott Cory would go on record. The former CIO for an HHS agency said: "The longer this goes on, the greater the risk of potential fatal compromise increases.” 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Treasury have all apparently been accessed by the DOGE. "I don't think the public quite understands the level of danger," a federal agency administrator continued. 

With its newfound authority, the DOGE might prevent payments to government agencies and redirect funds to organisations it chooses. There are concerns that possible access to Federal Aviation could be "dire," even if Musk hasn't altered the current system yet. 

There have also been criticism that he has brought in a young team of technical wizards, but one payment-systems expert remarked that this is actually a good thing: "If you were going to organise a heist of the US Treasury, why in the world would you bring a handful of college students?" He went on to suggest that you'd need numerous people with at least ten years of experience with COBOL. 

Despite not being paid, working 120 hours a week, and sleeping in the offices, DOGE employees have been flexing their muscles to make some significant savings. Looking at the broad picture, one source concluded: "I'd want to believe that this is all so enormous and convoluted that they won't be successful in whatever they're attempting to do. But I wouldn't bet that outcome against their egos.”
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Threat Landscape
Cyber Security Home Security IoT Smart Device Threat Landscape

Three Ways to Safeguard Your Smart Home From Cybercriminals

 

Your smart home is a technological marvel. However, when camera flaws allow our neighbours to spy on us, smart speakers are manipulated with lasers, robot vacuums are breached to shout obscenities, and entire security systems are compromised by a smart plug, it's fair if you're hesitant to link your home to the internet. 

However, there is no reason to completely forgo the benefits of smart home devices. The idea is to recognise the risks and make use of available security features. Whether you have a network of smart kitchen gadgets or a single voice assistant, these measures will ensure that no one messes with your belongings. 

Secure your wi-fi network 

The majority of routers come with a model-specific SSID and either a random password or something generic, such as "admin," making it easier for cybercriminals to gain access to your home Wi-Fi and snoop about your linked smart home devices. Keep in mind that these manufacturer-supplied credentials are available online for anybody to use, so the first step is to secure your Wi-Fi network with a strong password. 

The process differs slightly depending on the device, but the basics are the same; here's how to get started. Those employing a mesh system will be able to manage security settings via a handy smartphone app. If your router supports it, consider altering the SSID, which is simply the name of your Wi-Fi network (e.g., PCMag_Home). While older devices are limited to WPA2, newer routers support the more secure WPA3 protocol. 

Replace outdated routers

You presumably purchased a new phone or laptop during the last several years. But how about your router? Has it accumulated dust on a shelf for far too long? If your internet performance isn't already hurting, the security of your linked gadgets very likely is. 

An ageing router indicates ageing security protocols—and an easier access point for undesirable actors. If you need a new router, the latest home internet standard is Wi-Fi 6. Prices for Wi-Fi 6 routers have dropped dramatically in recent years, with more alternatives available. Meanwhile, Wi-Fi 7 is still in its early stages of release. Check out our reviews of the finest wireless routers, gaming routers, and mesh networks.

Manage your account passwords

After securing the Wi-Fi network, it's time to safeguard the individual devices and services that connect to it. Numerous smart gadgets are managed by a smartphone app, so you'll need to create an account for each one. Using the same password for everything is handy, but it also poses a security risk.

If one of those accounts is compromised and the password is revealed, hackers may gain access to all of the other accounts on which you used that password. Instead, create a one-of-a-kind password that no one else will be able to guess. You may use a random password generator to generate difficult-to-guess codes, and a password manager to remember them all for you.
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