Search This Blog
Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Footer About

Footer About

Labels

Load More
Trendy Right Now

Popular Posts

Showing posts with label Digital Vulnerabilities. Show all posts
Online Security
Cyber Security Digital Vulnerabilities Identity Theft Internet Safety Internet Security Awareness NordVPN Online Safety Online Security

NordVPN Survey Finds Most Americans Misunderstand Antivirus Protection Capabilities

 

A new survey by NordVPN, one of the world’s leading cybersecurity firms, has revealed a surprising lack of understanding among Americans about what antivirus software actually does. The study, which polled over 1,000 U.S. residents aged 18 to 74, found that while 52% use antivirus software daily, many hold serious misconceptions about its capabilities — misconceptions that could be putting their online safety at risk. 

According to the findings, more than a quarter of respondents incorrectly believe that antivirus software offers complete protection against all online threats. Others assume it can prevent identity theft, block phishing scams, or secure public Wi-Fi connections — functions that go far beyond what antivirus tools are designed to do. NordVPN’s Chief Technology Officer, Marijus Briedis, said the confusion highlights a troubling lack of cybersecurity awareness. “People tend to confuse different technologies and overestimate their capabilities,” he explained. “Some Americans don’t realize antivirus software’s main job is to detect and remove malware, not prevent identity theft or data breaches. This gap in understanding shows how much more cybersecurity education is needed.” 

The survey also found that many Americans mix up antivirus software with other digital security tools, such as firewalls, password managers, ad blockers, and VPNs. This misunderstanding can create a false sense of security, leaving users vulnerable to attacks. Even more concerning, over one-third of those surveyed reported not using any cybersecurity software at all, despite nearly half admitting their personal information had been exposed in a data breach. 

NordVPN’s research indicates that many users believe following good online habits alone is sufficient protection. While best practices like avoiding suspicious links, using strong passwords, and steering clear of phishing attempts are important, experts warn they are not enough in today’s sophisticated cyber landscape. Modern malware can infect devices without any direct user action, making layered protection essential. 

Participants in the survey expressed particular concern about the exposure of sensitive personal data, such as social security numbers and credit card details. However, the most commonly leaked information remains email addresses, phone numbers, and physical addresses — details often dismissed as harmless but frequently exploited by cybercriminals. Such data enables more personalized and convincing phishing or “smishing” attacks, which can lead to identity theft and financial fraud. 

Experts emphasize that while antivirus software remains a critical first line of defense, it cannot protect against every cyber threat. A combination of tools — including secure VPNs, multi-factor authentication, and strong, unique passwords — is necessary to ensure comprehensive protection. A VPN like NordVPN encrypts internet traffic, hides IP addresses, and shields users from tracking and surveillance, especially on unsecured public networks. Multi-factor authentication adds an additional verification layer to prevent unauthorized account access, while password managers help users create and store complex, unique passwords safely. 

The key takeaway from NordVPN’s research is clear: cybersecurity requires more than just one solution. Relying solely on antivirus software creates dangerous blind spots, especially when users misunderstand its limitations. As Briedis put it, “This behavior undoubtedly contributes to the concerning cybersecurity situation in the U.S. Education, awareness, and layered protection are the best ways to stay safe online.” 

With cyberattacks and data breaches on the rise, experts urge Americans to take a proactive approach — combining trusted software, informed digital habits, and vigilance about what personal information they share online.
Read more »
XS-Leak
Browser Cyber Crime Digital Vulnerabilities XS-Leak

New Method to Perform XS-Leak Side Channel Attacks Disclosed

 

Luan Herrera, a cybersecurity expert committed to vulnerability reporting, detailed another approach to performing a side-channel assault variant known as XS-Leak abusing redirect hops to trigger a cross-site leak condition. Herrera's research centers around the XS-Leaks group of side-channel assaults, equipped for abusing a browser to extricate conceivably sensitive data into the exposed system, including administrator credentials. XS-Leak assault strategies depend on measuring network reaction time to gather information about site visitors by abusing communication channels that permit sites to communicate with one another to recreate a client's or system's profile. 

The documents mention a "novel technique" for abusing a limitation in the Fetch specification, a way that permits sites to call resources: “A limit of 20 redirect hops is set before a network error message appears; because of this limit, threat actors could count the number of redirect hops that occur in a cross-origin redirect by activating the redirect before reaching the victim’s endpoint, measuring network responses, and partially exposing the size of the URL list,” the report says. 

The expert additionally detailed a few different ways to detect and forestall these cross-redirects that can prompt a side-channel assault, including the utilization of SameSite cookies, COOP and frame protections. Google is likewise aware of this issue, so measures such as confining some chrome-accessible websites have just been announced to reduce the amount of data exposed in a potential side-channel assault. 

Herrera concurs that this assault can be forestalled in the same way that similar assault variations are forestalled, although he believes that a holistic perspective on the issue is required: “A comprehensive view of the problem is still being discussed on GitHub about whether it is possible to change the Fetch specification and the limit value in order to prevent the appearance of these attack variants,” adds the researcher. 

The report also incorporates the results of a challenge to deploy an XSS assault utilizing JavaScript code. A Google security expert known as "terjanq" also directed an investigation concerning the XS-Leak family of assaults, describing the launch of a cache polling assault against a small group of Google products, which could deploy a leak of sensitive data.
Read more »
Nuclear Programme
Cyber Crime Digital Vulnerabilities North Korea Nuclear Programme

Is North Korea Planning Something Bigger in the Field of Cyber Crime ?

 

North Korea is excelling in a field of cybercrime with each passing day despite the tight economic sanctions levied by the United Nations and the United States of America in 2006 to prevent North Korea of the necessary funds for its nuclear program. North Korea has boosted its cyber capabilities by exploiting digital susceptibilities across the globe.

North Korea’s hacking groups code-named Lazarus Group or Hidden Cobra have launched several cyber-attacks across the globe to extort money for its banned nuclear weapons development program. Lazarus was suspected of being the driving force behind the famous robbery of nearly $80 million from the Bangladeshi Central Bank.

US Department of Homeland and the FBI in 2017 released a cybersecurity bulletin explaining the connection of North Korea to several cyber-attacks on US businesses and critical infrastructure. In May 2020 North Korea recruited nearly 100 science and technology university graduates into its military forces to oversee its tactical planning systems. Approximately 100 hackers graduate from Mirim College, also known as the University of Automation.

As per the reports of defector testimony, North Korea is training graduates from Mirim College to dismantle Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, build destructive computer viruses and write code in various computer programming languages. WannaCry ransomware a North Korean-led cyberattack in 2017, which wrought havoc in more than 300,000 computers in 150 countries by exploiting vulnerabilities in the Microsoft Windows operating system.

According to US Army reports, the alarming thing is that North Korea is not acting alone, North Korea has recruited nearly 6,000 cyber agents across the globe in four intelligence organizations. China is one of the North Korea supporters, it helps North Koreans illicit cyber activities via training and academic intrusion. North Korean students often study at topmost Chinese science and technology universities such as the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) where they have access to advanced technology and equipment which are unavailable in their home country due to U.S. and U.N. sanctions.

In November 2019, the North Korean Chairman of the Education and the Chinese Ministry of Education jointly signed the China-North Korea Education and Cooperation Agreement (2020-2030) to reinforce academic partnerships and postgraduate student exchanges. This tie-up was done to increase foreign exchange and higher education training programs which may lead to increased cybercrime, given the nature of these science and technology universities.

The U.S. government continues to expose new and dangerous cyber groups that pose a serious threat to international security and U.S. national interests. However, all is not lost for the United States and its global allies, the U.S. Department of Justice can mandate cybersecurity audits for U.S. banks and financial institutions as part of deferred prosecution agreements to boost compliance with the basic cybersecurity structure described by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF).
Read more »
Subscribe to: Comments (Atom)