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The Growing Threat of Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Attacks


Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) attacks have emerged as a formidable menace to businesses worldwide. Organizations must be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their digital assets against this rising threat.

What Is RDP?

RDP is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft that allows users to connect remotely to another computer over a network. It facilitates remote access, making it convenient for system administrators, IT support teams, and even regular users to manage and troubleshoot computers from a distance. However, this very convenience has become a double-edged sword.

The Alarming Statistics

Recent reports highlight the severity of the RDP problem:

Sophos Incident Response Cases (2023): In a study analyzing over 150 incident response cases from 2023, Sophos found that RDP was implicated in 90% of cyberattacks. This percentage has never been higher since tracking began in 2020. Cybercriminals exploit RDP to gain initial access to target endpoints, making it a preferred entry point.

Initial Access Point: In 65% of the cases studied, RDP served as the gateway for attackers to infiltrate networks. Once inside, they would move laterally, install malware, disable endpoint protection tools, and establish remote access.

Repeat Offender: In a chilling example, an attacker successfully compromised a victim four times within six months by exploiting exposed RDP ports. Each breach allowed the attacker to wreak havoc anew.

Why RDP Is Vulnerable

Several factors contribute to RDP’s vulnerability:

Exposed Ports: Organizations often leave RDP ports exposed to the internet, making them easy targets. Attackers scan for open ports and exploit weak credentials or known vulnerabilities.

Credential Stuffing: Attackers use automated tools to test common usernames and passwords. If an RDP server has weak credentials, it becomes a prime target.

Lateral Movement: Once inside a network, attackers escalate privileges and move laterally. RDP provides an ideal pathway for this lateral movement.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate the risks associated with RDP, consider the following measures:

Network Segmentation: Isolate critical systems from RDP exposure. Limit access to only authorized users and devices.

Strong Authentication: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to fortify RDP logins. This adds an extra layer of security beyond passwords.

Regular Audits: Regularly audit RDP configurations and close unnecessary ports. Patch vulnerabilities promptly.

VPN or Secure Gateway: Use a virtual private network (VPN) or a secure gateway to funnel RDP traffic. This reduces direct exposure to the internet.

Logging and Monitoring: Monitor RDP activity for suspicious behavior. Set up alerts for failed login attempts and unusual patterns.

The Urgent Call to Action

The FBI, CISA, and the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) have all issued warnings about RDP risks. Businesses must take heed and adopt a proactive stance. Secure your RDP services, educate employees, and stay informed about emerging threats.

Remember, in the battle against cyber adversaries, prevention is the best defense. Let’s fortify our digital ramparts and keep our organizations safe from the relentless tide of RDP attacks.

NSA Shares Key Strategies for Improved Network Security

 




The National Security Agency (NSA) has rolled out a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen internal network security. Stepping away from the traditional trust-all model, the focus is on embracing a cutting-edge zero-trust framework. This transformative approach assumes the presence of potential threats, urging organisations to implement stringent controls for resource access. In simpler terms, it's like upgrading your home security system from assuming everyone is trustworthy to actively verifying each visitor's credentials. The NSA's recent guidance delves into the nitty-gritty of fortifying the network and environment components, offering practical steps that even non-tech enthusiasts can understand. Let's break down these game-changing strategies and explore how they can revolutionise cybersecurity for everyone.

Unlike traditional models, the zero-trust architecture operates under the assumption that a threat could already exist, necessitating stringent controls for resource access both inside and outside the network perimeter. To gradually advance zero-trust maturity, the NSA emphasises addressing various components, or pillars, vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors.

The recent guidance from the NSA zeroes in on the network and environment component, encompassing hardware, software assets, non-person entities, and communication protocols. This involves intricate measures such as data flow mapping, macro and micro segmentation, and software-defined networking (SDN).

Data flow mapping starts with identifying where and how data is stored and processed. Advanced maturity is achieved when organisations possess a comprehensive inventory, ensuring visibility and mitigation of all potential routes for breaches. Macro segmentation involves creating distinct network areas for different departments, limiting lateral movement. For instance, an accounting department employee doesn't require access to the human resources segment, minimising the potential attack surface.

Micro segmentation takes security a step further by breaking down network management into smaller components, implementing strict access policies to restrict lateral data flows. According to the NSA, "micro segmentation involves isolating users, applications, or workflows into individual network segments to further reduce the attack surface and limit the impact should a breach occur."

To enhance control over micro segmentation, the NSA recommends employing SDN components, offering customizable security monitoring and alerting. SDN enables centralised control of packet routing, providing better network visibility and allowing the enforcement of policies across all segments.

The NSA categorises each of these components into four maturity levels, ranging from preparation to an advanced phase where extensive controls and management systems are in place, ensuring optimal visibility and growth of the network.

While constructing a zero-trust environment is a complex endeavour, the result is an enterprise architecture that can withstand, detect, and respond to potential threats exploiting weaknesses. The NSA initially introduced the zero-trust framework guide in February 2021, highlighting its principles and advantages. In April 2023, they released guidance on advancing zero-trust maturity in the user component.

By adopting these strategic measures, organisations can significantly enhance their resilience against cybersecurity threats. The principles of zero-trust not only provide a robust defence mechanism but also empower organisations with the tools to proactively address multiplying cyber challenges.



RansomHouse Gang Streamlines VMware ESXi Attacks Using Latest MrAgent Tool

 

RansomHouse, a ransomware group known for its double extortion tactics, has developed a new tool named 'MrAgent' to facilitate the widespread deployment of its data encrypter on VMware ESXi hypervisors.

Since its emergence in December 2021, RansomHouse has been targeting large organizations, although it hasn't been as active as some other notorious ransomware groups. Nevertheless, it has been employing sophisticated methods to infiltrate systems and extort victims.

ESXi servers are a prime target for ransomware attacks due to their role in managing virtual computers containing valuable data for businesses. Disrupting these servers can cause significant operational damage, impacting critical applications and services like databases and email servers.

Researchers from Trellix and Northwave have identified a new binary associated with RansomHouse attacks, designed specifically to streamline the process of targeting ESXi systems. This tool, named MrAgent, automates the deployment of ransomware across multiple hypervisors simultaneously, compromising all managed virtual machines.

MrAgent is highly configurable, allowing attackers to customize ransomware deployment settings received from the command and control server. This includes tasks such as setting passwords, scheduling encryption events, and altering system messages to display ransom notices.

By disabling firewalls and terminating non-root SSH sessions, MrAgent aims to minimize detection and intervention by administrators while maximizing the impact of the attack on all reachable virtual machines.

Trellix has identified a Windows version of MrAgent, indicating RansomHouse's efforts to broaden the tool's reach and effectiveness across different platforms.

The automation of these attack steps underscores the attackers' determination to target large networks efficiently. Defenders must remain vigilant and implement robust security measures, including regular updates, access controls, network monitoring, and logging, to mitigate the threat posed by tools like MrAgent.

Implementing Zero Trust Principles in Your Active Directory

 

In the past, many organizations relied on secure perimeters to trust users and devices. However, this approach is no longer viable with the geographical dispersion of workers and the need for access from various locations and devices. End-users now require access to corporate systems and cloud applications outside traditional work boundaries, expecting seamless and fast authentication processes.

Consequently, numerous organizations have adopted a zero-trust model to verify users accessing their data, recognizing Active Directory as a critical component of network authentication. Ensuring the security of credentials stored within Active Directory is paramount, prompting the question of how zero trust principles can be applied to maintain security.

The zero trust model, characterized by the principle of "never trust, always verify," requires authentication and authorization of every user, device, and network component before accessing resources or data. Implementing this model involves constructing a multi-layered security framework encompassing various technologies, processes, and policies.

One fundamental step in securing Active Directory environments is enforcing the principle of least privilege, which restricts privileges to the minimum necessary for individuals or entities to perform their tasks. This mitigates the risks associated with privileged accounts, reducing the potential impact of security breaches or insider threats.

Implementing a zero trust model also entails granting elevated privileges, such as admin rights, only when necessary and for limited durations. Techniques for achieving "just-in-time" privilege escalation include the ESAE (Red Forest) model and temporary admin accounts.

Additionally, employing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for password resets enhances security by adding extra layers of authentication beyond passwords. This mitigates vulnerabilities in password reset processes, which are often targeted by hackers through social engineering tactics.

Moreover, scanning for compromised passwords is crucial for enhancing password security. Despite the implementation of zero trust principles, passwords remain vulnerable to various attacks such as phishing and data breaches. Continuous scanning for compromised passwords and promptly blocking them in Active Directory helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and systems.

Specops Password Policy offers a solution for scanning and blocking compromised passwords, ensuring network protection from real-world password attacks. By integrating such services, organizations can enhance their password security measures and adapt them to their specific needs.

Solutions like Specops Software provide valuable tools and support through demos or free trials for organisations seeking to bolster their Active Directory security and password policies.

Hundreds of Network Operators' Credentials Compromised on Dark Web


Leaked creds of RIPE, APNIC, AFRINIC, and LACNIC are available on the Dark Web

After doing a comprehensive scan of the Dark Web, Resecurity discovered that info stealer infections had compromised over 1,572 customers of RIPE, the Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), and the Latin America and Caribbean Network Information Center (LACNIC). 

Included in this number are new artifacts and historical records discovered in January 2024 as a result of an examination of subterranean marketplaces and Command and Control (C2) servers. In light of the highly disruptive hack that occurred recently against telecom provider Orange España, the cybersecurity community should reconsider how it protects the digital identities of employees who work in network engineering and IT infrastructure management.

Victims whose credentials were revealed on the Dark Web by info stealers such as Azorult, Redline, Vidar, Lumma, and Taurus have been alerted by Resecurity. 

Cybersecurity experts were able to compile the following data using the feedback that was gathered:

  • 16% of respondents were already aware that their accounts had been compromised due to a malicious code infection, and they had made the required password changes and enabled two-factor authentication. 
  • The remaining 45% did not know about the compromised credentials and acknowledged that their password change had been successful.
  • 14% knew of the compromised credentials, however, they didn't activate 2FA until they were notified (statement received).
  • Twenty percent of respondents agreed that further investigation into the incident that compromised credentials was necessary.
  • Five percent of the recipients were unable to offer any comments.

Cyberespionage organizations active

It's noteworthy that the majority of network administrators (those found to have been infiltrated) who oversaw networks used email addresses registered with free services like Gmail, GMX, and Yahoo. 
Cyberespionage organizations that are intensely focused on particular targets, including network administrators and their social networks, may find great value in these facts. Finding out about their private emails might result in more advanced campaigns and increase the chances of successful reconnaissance.

Malicious actors do more than just steal credentials. If they have access to network settings, they might change current setups or add dishonest components, which could seriously damage company infrastructure. 

Unauthorized changes of this nature have the potential to cause serious service interruptions and security breaches, which emphasizes how important it is to protect digital assets with strong security procedures and increased awareness.

The gathered data might verify that personnel engaged in mission-critical IT administration and network engineering tasks are similarly susceptible to malicious programming. If their accounts are compromised, they could serve as "low-hanging fruit" for significant cyberattacks.

What are experts saying?

Resecurity's cybersecurity specialists have drawn attention to the growing threats posed by the Dark Web, where nefarious actors could take advantage of credential compromises held by network engineers, data center technicians, ISP/Telco engineers, IT infrastructure managers, and outsourcing firms that oversee networks for their corporate customers. 

Therefore, for highly skilled threat actors, this employee category represents a high-value target. Resecurity's Dark Web study highlighted the danger landscape by identifying several compromised network engineer credentials that could allow threat actors to access gateways.

Unveiling the Unseen Cybersecurity Threats Posed by Smart Devices

 

The number of smart devices worldwide has surpassed the global population, with a continuous upward trend, particularly amidst remote and hybrid work settings. Ranjit Atwal, Gartner's senior research director, attributes this surge to the increase in remote work. As work mobility grows, the demand for connected devices like 4G/5G laptops rises, crucial for employees to work from anywhere.

Smart devices encompass gadgets connecting to the internet, like smart bulbs, speakers (e.g., Amazon's Alexa), and wearables such as the Apple Watch. They collect data, enhancing user experience but also pose security risks exploited by cybercriminals. Surprisingly, consumers often overlook security when purchasing smart devices, as shown by Blackberry's research.

In response, the European Union proposed the "Cyber Resilience Act" to enforce cybersecurity standards for all connected devices. Failure to comply may result in hefty fines. Margrethe Vestager from the European Commission emphasizes the need for market products to meet robust cybersecurity measures, likening it to trusting CE-marked toys or fridges.

Security vulnerabilities in smart devices pose threats, as seen in TP-Link's smart lightbulb. Exploiting these vulnerabilities could grant hackers access to networks, risking data and enabling potential malware deployment. Even smart homes face numerous entry points for hackers, as illustrated by investigations conducted by Which?, showcasing thousands of hacking attempts in a week.

Mirai botnet targets smart devices, using brute-force attacks to gain access via weak passwords. In a concerning case, a Google Home speaker was turned into a wiretap due to vulnerabilities, highlighting the potential risks associated with unsecured devices.

Securing home networks becomes paramount. Strategies include:

1. Purposeful Device Selection: Opt for devices that suit your needs, avoiding unnecessary interconnected gadgets.
2. Router Security: Update router settings, change default passwords, and enable automatic firmware updates.
3. Password Management:Use password managers to create strong and unique passwords for each account.
4. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Employ MFA to add layers of verification during logins.
5. Wi-Fi Network Segmentation: Create separate networks for different devices to isolate potential threats.
6. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs):Invest in VPNs to encrypt online activities and protect against cyber threats on unsecured networks.

Implementing these measures strengthens overall cybersecurity, safeguarding personal data and devices from potential breaches and threats.

Why Next-Generation Firewalls are Essential for Modern Network Security


Firewalls have long been considered the first line of defense in network security. They monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. However, as technology evolves and cyber threats become more sophisticated, traditional firewalls are no longer adequate for protecting your network.

The Limitations of Traditional Firewalls

Traditional firewalls focus on monitoring traffic via IP addresses and port numbers. They are designed to block or allow traffic based on these parameters. However, they stumble when it comes to deeply examining packet contents to pinpoint specific applications or services. This shortcoming blurs the line between safe and harmful traffic, particularly as encryption becomes the norm in modern communication.

For example, a traditional firewall may allow traffic from a trusted IP address, but it cannot determine if the traffic contains malicious content. Similarly, it may block traffic from an untrusted IP address, but it cannot determine if the traffic is actually harmless. This lack of visibility into the contents of network traffic leaves your network vulnerable to attacks.

The Need for Next-Generation Firewalls

To address these limitations, next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) have been developed. NGFWs go beyond traditional firewalls by incorporating additional security features such as deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, and application awareness.

Deep packet inspection allows NGFWs to examine the contents of network traffic in real-time. This enables them to identify and block malicious content, even if it is coming from a trusted IP address. Intrusion prevention systems (IPS) provide an additional layer of protection by detecting and preventing known vulnerabilities and exploits.

Benefits of NGFWs

Application awareness allows NGFWs to identify and control specific applications or services, regardless of the port or protocol used. This provides greater visibility and control over network traffic, allowing you to block or allow traffic based on the application or service rather than just the IP address or port number.

Traditional firewalls are no longer adequate for protecting your network against modern cyber threats. Next-generation firewalls provide greater visibility and control over network traffic, allowing you to better protect your network against attacks. If you’re still relying on a traditional firewall for your network security, it may be time to consider upgrading to a next-generation firewall. 

Five Reasons Why Network Security Is Paramount

 

Governments, organisations, and individuals who own computers all require exceptional network security.What is it exactly? It's a preventative strategy to keep your network and data safe from malware, unauthorised users, and other risks. 

Numerous hardware components and tools, including routers, firewalls, and anti-malware software, are necessary for the procedure. Network security is crucial for large organisations and governments, but everyone needs a safe and secure network.Here are five reasons why: 

Integral part of cybersecurity 

Many technical phrases are used interchangeably, so you may hear individuals refer to cybersecurity as network security and vice versa. Cybersecurity is the overarching word. It involves safeguarding everything, including the network, as well as the devices and data. Network security is concerned with the network as a whole, which supports multiple systems and applications. When designing a cybersecurity plan, a security-minded organisation (or individual) will not overlook network security. 

Thwart cyberattacks 

The frequency of attacks like the one on the Colonial Pipeline is rising. Now is the time for organisations, particularly those that have significant ransom funds, to invest in enhanced protection. Cyberattacks are increasing for a number of reasons. One is the expansion of the 5G network. All of the network's vulnerabilities expand as it evolves. 

Not only do you need new security to enable something as innovative and exciting as 5G, but you also need to embrace it. Hackers benefit from developments in technology like artificial intelligence and machine learning. They can set up systems that accomplish it automatically so they do not need to hack systems manually. 

Lucrative field 

Network security benefits the economy and people looking for well-paying jobs. Organisations are searching for specialists as security risks escalate. Information security analyst employment is expected to grow by 28% in the US alone between 2016 and 2028, which is four times faster than the average for all occupations. The pay can also be very good. The average salary for a network security professional in the US is $97,600 per year, according to ZipRecruiter. The compensation increases with the level of specialisation. 

Safeguards data 

Data is something that should be valued and safeguarded by both businesses and individuals. If you run a business, your data may include financial information, marketing materials, and other elements that contribute to the success of your enterprise. Individuals also have financial information and private information they don't want others to have access to. Your data will remain yours thanks to network security. 

Saves money 

The Colonial Pipeline hack showed us how costly it can be to have poor network security. Yahoo spent about $350 million in direct costs as a result of the breach that affected its 3 billion users. Attacks can deplete your money account on an individual basis. The psychological trauma of having your information stolen or sold is another factor. Even though excellent network security may cost you money up front, it is well worth the investment.

Unlocking the Power of Zero Trust Security: 5 Reasons to Adopt the Framework

Zero Trust Security

As cyber threats continue to evolve, traditional security models are becoming less effective in protecting against them. That’s why many organizations are turning to a zero-trust security model to secure their networks, data, and applications. '

Zero trust is a security framework that assumes that all users, devices, and applications are untrusted until proven otherwise. In other words, zero trust requires authentication and authorization for every access request, even those originating from inside the network. 

Here are five reasons why you should consider adopting a zero-trust security model.

1. Improved Security

The primary benefit of a zero-trust security model is improved security. By assuming that everything is untrusted, zero trust forces every access request to be authenticated and authorized. This means that even if an attacker gains access to your network or device, they won’t be able to access sensitive data or applications without the proper credentials. Zero trust makes detecting and responding to security threats easier since every access request is logged and monitored.

2. Better Visibility

Zero trust provides better visibility into network activity. By requiring authentication and authorization for every access request, zero trust allows you to see who is accessing what, when, and from where. This visibility is critical for detecting and responding to security threats. It also helps with compliance since you can easily see who has access to sensitive data and applications.

3. Simplified Compliance

Speaking of compliance, zero trust can simplify compliance efforts. Many regulatory frameworks, such as the GDPR and CCPA, require organizations to protect sensitive data and limit access to it. Zero trust provides a framework for doing this. 
By requiring authentication and authorization for every access request, zero trust ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive data and applications. This can help you meet regulatory requirements and avoid fines for non-compliance.

4. Flexibility

Zero trust is a flexible security model that can be implemented in a variety of environments. It works equally well for on-premises networks, cloud environments, and hybrid environments. This makes it a good choice for organizations that are migrating to the cloud or using multiple environments. 
Zero trust can also be implemented incrementally, allowing you to gradually transition to the new security model without disrupting your existing systems.

5. Reduced Risk

Finally, zero trust can reduce the risk of security breaches and data loss. By requiring authentication and authorization for every access request, zero trust makes it harder for attackers to gain access to sensitive data and applications. 
It also makes it easier to detect and respond to security threats before they become major breaches. This can reduce the risk of financial loss, reputational damage, and legal liability.

How to Avoid Cyberattacks on Your Home Network

 


As remote working can offer employees several benefits, it also poses the possibility of creating the additional threat of cyber-attacks in the future because employees work outside of their company's internal network.  

There is also the possibility that if hackers compromise the computers of remote employees by stealing their corporate credentials or if they are infected with malware, it becomes a costly threat to the organization's network security.   

There are many cybersecurity risks that organizations face if they cannot identify and protect their remote workers from cyberattacks such as data breaches, phishing campaigns, ransomware attacks, and business email compromises (BECs).  

The NSA has released cybersecurity tips to help remote workers protect themselves and their networks against cyberattacks and hackers. This is to prevent this from happening in the first place. The NSA has outlined these tips to help remote workers prevent this.  

NSA cybersecurity technical director Neal Ziring said in a world where telework is common cybercriminals can use their home network as a platform for stealing sensitive information and protecting their identities due to its use as part of the home network access point. Cybercrime risk is reduced by securing devices and networks and being online safely.  

As a result of the NSA's recommendations, there are several ways to ensure remote network and data security. The recommendations were based on those made by the agencies. 

Stay Up-to-Date With Modern Operating Systems, Apps, and Browsers   

It is one of the most effective methods of protecting your device from cyberattacks if you use the latest operating system. You should keep it updated with the latest security patches.  

As a rule of thumb, use the latest operating system version. Old versions of operating systems, which are no longer receiving updates, may eventually cease to receive updates across the board - this could result in no security patches if vulnerabilities are discovered after the cut-off, which could be exploited by attackers.  

Your screen usually prompts you for these updates. This prompt will prompt you to restart your computer. Therefore, you need to do that as soon as possible before the update is installed. 

In the same way, you should use the latest applications, software, and browsers. This is because they will offer you the latest security updates. This will make it more difficult for cybercriminals to exploit known vulnerabilities in software to attack you.  

Keep Your Router Secure and Up to Date  

Your internet service provider (ISP) provides you with a router to connect to the internet. Many people do not think about this device much, leaving it hidden in a corner after installation. 

But your router is a crucial part of your networking set-up, providing a gateway into and out of your home network -- something that can be exploited by cyber attackers if it is not secured properly.  

Keeping your router up-to-date with the latest security patches is like keeping every other internet-connected device updated with the latest security patches and you can set your router up to download and install them automatically as soon as they are available.  

A router should be replaced with a newer model if it reaches end-of-life and will not receive updates from the ISP if it is not supported long-term by the company.  

Set up a Wireless Network Segmentation System

It is a wise idea to separate your Wi-Fi connections so that there are separate Wi-Fi networks for your work and home devices so that you can better secure your work and home devices. 

A basic recommendation from the US National Security Agency (NSA) is that you should segment your wireless network into three main types, namely primary wireless, guest wireless, and IoT wireless. It is through this segmentation that you can prevent your less secure devices from directly communicating with your more secure devices.  

Use Password Managers to Protect Your Passwords

To guarantee the safety of your passwords, especially those you use to access corporate cloud environments, you need to secure them. To prevent attackers from guessing your passwords, you need uniqueness and complexity. 

The problem of remembering multiple passwords will always remain. However, using a password manager, this obstacle can be avoided by using a strong, unique password that will help you keep track of all passwords.  

Additionally, you should not store passwords on your device in plain text so they cannot be stolen or lost. If your device is lost or stolen, your accounts will be protected from unauthorized access.  

Accounts Should be Multi-Factor Authenticated 

Whenever possible, you should use multi-factor authentication (MFA), or two-factor authentication (2FA) to protect your accounts. 

To link your corporate account with your employer's, it is ideal if your employer provides you with an authenticatorMulti-factor authentication (MFA) can also improve your personal accounts' security. One of the most effective methods of protecting data is to use security keys based on applications or hardware. If that is not possible, SMS-based multifactor authentication can be an effective alternative. 

Secure Your Computer  

In the case of remote workers, you should make sure that you use a piece of software that protects your computer from viruses, which your employer probably provides you with. You can also install antivirus software on your personal computers to keep you and your family safe. You do not have to spend a lot of money on this software, so look for a free one online.   

To keep your computer safe, antivirus software alerts you when malicious attachments, websites, or other potential threats are detected. 

Public Wi-Fi Should be Used Cautiously  

Remote working has an advantage unlike anything else available right now. Working from anywhere is just one of the reasons people prefer coffee shops over home offices.  

While there is an internet connection on the device, do you know whether or not it is secure? A report by the National Security Agency shows that public hotspots are more likely to be targets of malicious software, so it is highly recommended to treat public Wi-Fi with extra caution, or if the situation can be avoided, avoid using it altogether. 

Unlike Wi-Fi hotspots, you are better off using a cellular network for Internet connection, such as mobile Wi-Fi or even devices with 4G or 5G capabilities, as an alternative Wi-Fi hotspot. The NSA recommends using a VPN provider to protect your connection when connected to public Wi-Fi. This is to avoid malicious activity and protect you from spying. 

Zero Trust Cybersecurity Protocols Slow Companies to "Mask Up"

 


There is only one way to find out if you can trust someone, and that is by trusting them, according to Ernest Hemingway, considering that most organizations follow zero trust policies, which were developed nearly two decades ago by John Kindervag. These policies are now the default behavior. This is not a wise piece of advice for network security. As a result, we have seen an increase in the number of cases of infection due to the Coronavirus pandemic and remote work. 

Despite this, companies are a bit slow to adopt zero trust when it is about protecting against malware and data exfiltration. By 2026, Gartner has predicted that only 10% of large enterprises will have in place a zero-trust program that is mature and measurable by the end of this decade. 

Currently, less than 1% of organizations have automated their systems with zero trust. This is according to a consulting firm. It was reported that despite zero trust is a critical strategy for reducing risk for most organizations, few had implemented the system. 

The end of Implicit Trust is Here 

In his latest commentary for Gartner's VP Analyst Series, John Watts, VP Analyst at Gartner, said that many organizations have established their infrastructures with implicit rather than explicit trust models to facilitate access and operation for workers and workloads. 

John added that in the context of zero trust, the main risk that many companies face is the possible use of implicit trust by attackers. This can give them a competitive advantage over customers. In addition, damage can be limited by segmenting access to a network. It allows the attack to have a lesser impact on resources and systems during an attack. 

When spyware or other malware is infected into an environment through a vendor's software installed within it, the damage caused can be limited to a small segment of trusted applications within the environment. 

It is pertinent to note that implicit trust refers to workloads and devices that rely on limited factors when authorizing devices, workloads, and accounts. This includes requests originating from a local IP address behind a perimeter firewall. 

Explicit trust refers to when devices, workloads, and accounts for access need to be authenticated and authorized in a way that takes into account more context (e.g., location, time, posture, successful multi-factor authentication), Watts explained. 

The Engine Should Have (or not have) a Zero-Trust Policy. 

A zero-trust framework, including zero-trust software, under which zero-trust operations can be implemented, should be able to do the following: 

  • Several services and applications are created for extended workforces that are vulnerable to exploits and scan attacks that can be identified and prevented. 
  • As an alternative to allowing open connections on a network, you should limit access to specific network resources to prevent malware from moving laterally. 
  • Developing an access management “engine” based on risk and trust is critical to controlling access. 
These engines are based on analytics built on things such as account activity, the identity strength of the user, device attributes, and several other parameters to calculate a risk score in near real-time from real-time data. A risk score higher than a certain threshold could trigger an action such as isolating a device, enabling a second factor of authentication, or suspending a user's account. This depends on what level of risk that is. 

Moveable firewalls 

Rather than implementing one large perimeter around resources like the traditional firewall model, zero trust implements many smaller perimeters. As Watts pointed out, zero trust is not the only method by which one can reduce risk. There is an imperative aspect of scope which is to ensure that not everything can be controlled by a set of zero-trust procedures. In general, legacy systems, such as mainframes, are excluded from zero-trust architectures, and this is the case for public-facing applications used by citizens and consumers. 

Sadly, Gartner analysts also warned that the majority of cyberattacks through 2026 will focus on areas not covered by zero trust controls. This is because these attacks cannot be mitigated by these controls. Due to API threats, this problem has arisen. Watts said that some threats could be encountered during zero trust implementation, such as insider attacks and account takeovers. He said that advanced analytics would help organizations mitigate the threat posed by this threat. 

A Threat Stream of APIs: Islands of Danger

In addition, Gartner forecasted earlier this month that by 2023, the total cost of computing around the globe will reach $4.5 trillion. As a result, this has resulted in a growth of 2.4% compared to 2022, though it is slightly lower than the 5.1% growth forecast for the previous quarter. 

According to the firm, less consumer purchasing power and lower device spending will contribute to a continued rise in overall enterprise IT spending. This is even as inflation continues to erode consumer purchasing power. 


How to Prevent Home Network Hackers? Here's all you Need to Know

 

Your home Wi-Fi network may not be as secure as you believe. Internet crime costed Americans more than $6.9 billion in 2021. Personal data breaches were also significant, in addition to phishing and scams. Many personal data breaches could have been avoided with a little home network security. The average household in the United States has more than ten devices connected to its home Wi-Fi network. 

The number of devices ranging from laptops and tablets to phones, smartwatches, and streaming devices can quickly grow, and each is potentially vulnerable to hacking. With so much data stored on those devices – credit card numbers, bank records, login credentials, and other personal and private information – you want to make sure you're protected from hackers if your network is compromised.

A secure home network minimizes the risk of being hacked and having someone gain access to sensitive information. Furthermore, it will keep unwanted or unauthorized users and devices from slowing down your connection or freeloading on the internet service you pay for.

How to Protect Your Home WiFi Network

Here are the fundamentals for safeguarding your home Wi-Fi network. 

1. Make a strong Wi-Fi password and change it frequently.
It is critical to creating a unique password for your Wi-Fi network in order to maintain a secure connection. Avoid passwords or phrases that are easily guessed, such as someone's name, birthday, phone number, or other common information. Simple Wi-Fi passwords are easy to remember, but they are also easy for others to figure out

2. Activate the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption.
Most routers include a firewall to prevent outside hacking and Wi-Fi encryption to prevent eavesdropping on data sent between your router and connected devices. Both are usually turned on by default, but you should double-check to make sure.

Now that you know how to access your router's settings, double-check that the firewall and Wi-Fi encryption are turned on. Turn them on if they're turned off for any reason. Your network security will appreciate it.

3. Turn off remote router access.
Anyone who is not directly connected to your Wi-Fi network can access the router settings via remote router access. There should be no reason to enable remote access unless you need to access your router while away from home (for example, to check or change the configuration of a child's connected device).

Remote access can be disabled in the router's admin settings. Disabling remote router access may not be the default, unlike other security measures.

While, even with the most up-to-date and effective methods of protecting your home network, security is never guaranteed. Hackers and cybercriminals will find ways to exploit the internet as long as it exists. However, by following the tips above, you can better protect your network from anyone attempting to use your connection or access your data.

Sludge: A Security Measure That Can Cause Problem to Hackers and Save a Network


What is Sludge and how does it prevent cyberattacks?

Threat actors can be stopped from attacking networks when minor modifications are done to make their campaigns more problematic. The suggestion comes from the latest research by info sex experts at NSA (National Security Agency), Fastly, and John Hopkins University. The paper titled "Sludge for Good: Slowing and Imposing Costs on Cyber Attackers" explains various small security measures and network conditions that make a technical red tape and can probably slow down the data collection and exfiltration process.  

The paper explaining cyber sludge during operations said:

"three events over the past three years have illustrated actions consistent with slowing cyber attackers using sludge: defense of the 2020 U.S. elections, counter-ransomware efforts, and responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In this section, we describe how these examples demonstrate and achieve sludge-like impacts. Sludge was not inevitable for any of these events. The cybersecurity community in the public and private sectors could have exclusively pursued zero tolerance and complete elimination of the problems using technical and non-technical solutions. Instead, these examples offer support that slowing the adversary was a component of the strategy."

Sludge can cause problems for hackers and waste their time

The concept of sludge became popular in 2021 from a book by legal scholar Cass Sunstein. The idea, according to the authors, is not to openly prevent an attack, but instead, offer enough obstacles and inconveniences in the way to waste the time of any individual who attempts to attack the network. 

To this date, the majority of the cyber defenses have been designed to be usually effective and strong and remove or stop threat actors as soon as possible. The experts have laid out an approach where they deploy defenses that want to increase the usage of hackers' resources and time while trying to make as little harm as possible to the victim. 

How does Sludge work?

In reality, the sludge can take the form of anything from honeypot machines to login banners and fake databases- anything that will waste the time and resources of a potential hacker and save a network from the threat of any compromise. Some of the potential techniques are multiple verification needs, compulsory acknowledgments, and usage of cloud instances to make temporary infrastructure that hackers can't exploit for continuous access. 

The experts accepted that these steps will also make it easy for users that want genuine access. However, they also said that administrators can modify changes or workarounds that helped actual users while still causing inconvenience to hackers. 

Cybersecurity experts mostly aim to reduce their recovery time period, failure rates, and lead times. If threat actors attack likewise, sludge can be used to tactically increase negative results. 



What TrickBot Tells Us About The Future of Malware

 

Malware is quickly evolving and operating at increasingly advanced levels of infectiousness and evasiveness. In the present cyberspace landscape, malicious groups possess highly advanced skilled developers, decentralized, corporate-like operations, and partnerships with other cybercriminal groups that provide them worldwide access which means more victims, and more backup plans. 

TrickBot gang is one such example of popular malware that is hitting world organizations constantly, as per the observations made by IBM Security X-Force over the years. Recently, IBM Security X-Force published its year’s Threat Intelligence Index, in which it was noted that TrickBot was one of 2021’s most active threat groups, also known as ITG23, and Wizard Spider. 

TrickBot is a recognized banking Trojan that victimizes businesses and consumers for their data, such as banking information, personally identifiable information (PII), account credentials, and bitcoins data. 

It has been observed by The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that continued targeting by spearphishing campaigns employing TrickBot are taking place in North America. Reportedly, an advanced cybercriminals group is luring victims, via phishing emails, with a traffic breach phishing scheme to download TrickBot. 

Additionally, what makes ITG23 more acute and resilient to disruptions and shutdowns is its highly modular malware, it can adapt to any network it finds itself in. Also, the group has the collective shares infrastructure, and support functions, IT teams, recruiters, and even human resources to make things easier for them. 

Originally discovered in 2016, TrickBot was an online banking fraud Trojan that surfaced with other Trojans namely Qakbot, Dridex Zeus, and Gozi. However, ITG23 soon expanded its operations as follows:

• Stealing credentials, data, and personal information 
• Installing backdoors within the network to enable remote access 
• Elevating account privileges to expand access to the compromised network 
• Disabling antivirus tools or other cybersecurity measures, such as Windows Defender 
• Modifying itself to avoid detection  
• Downloading and installing other malware or ransomware to carry out secondary attacks, the most common of which involve Ryuk or Conti ransomware 

In the report, the IBM Security X-Force has observed some defenses to spot malware and lateral movement to safeguard networks from malware attacks and these defenses include behavioral-based antimalware detection, intrusion detection, prevention solutions (IDPs), endpoint detection and response (EDR), and a security information and event management (SIEM) system.

China Accuses Walmart For Nineteen Cybersecurity Network Breaches

 

American retail giant 'Walmart' is alleged for causing nineteen cybersecurity incidents in the country by China, according to state-sponsored media. As per the reports, public security agencies found nineteen exploitable network security vulnerabilities in Walmart's network system on November 25, last year. 

The company didn't patch these vulnerabilities immediately, says China Quality News, a state-sponsored media for State Administration Market Supervision (SAMR) regulatory agency. The news outlet believes it is a breach of China's Internet Security Law. 

It also reports that an administrative penalty warning is issued besides an order to Walmart to correct their network flaws. No financial penalty has been issued to date. The Register reports, "the timing of the announcement is curious, as earlier in the week reports emerged in the Middle Kingdom that Walmart subsidiary Sam's Club was not stocking Xinjiang-produced goods." 

Xinjiang is a conflicted area in US-China relations, the west has a notion that China's minority Muslim Uyghur population members are kept detained in monitored internment camps, facing human rights violations. 

China, however, denies all these accusations of violations by the western world. Sam's Club in November last year claims to sell over four million Chinese memberships in 36 stores across 23 cities, saying its platform covered "most of the country." 

Sam's Club customers are canceling their memberships now because of the controversy. According to Reuters, Sam's Club puts the whole incident as a misunderstanding. 

It received a message from China's Central Commission for Discipline 
Inspection, alleging Sam's club of "secretly" and "maliciously" removing the products and giving a "deceptive excuse" of products not in stock. "Removing all products from a region without a valid reason hides an ulterior motive behind it, exposes stupidity and short-sightedness, and is bound to suffer its own evil consequences," said the Chinese agency. 

It also accused Sam's Club of using "dirty means to boycott" Chinese products and said customers would answer back by canceling their memberships.

Ukraine Hosts Massive Scale Simulation of Cyber-attack Against Energy Grid

 

Cybersecurity experts from throughout Ukraine took part in a large-scale cyber-attack simulation that echoed the destructive real-world strike on Ukraine's power infrastructure in 2015. 

With 250 participants, 49 teams battled – either digitally or in person at a Kiev venue – to earn points by resolving an attack against an imaginary energy provider after it had multiple unexpected system failures. Security experts from Ukraine's governmental and private sectors, as well as higher education institutions, worked for five and a half hours to determine the nature of a hostile network penetration before dismissing the intruder and recovering systems to normal operation. 

The winning team was Berezha Security Group from Kiev, and cybersecurity engineer Dmitry Korzhevin was the best-performing individual participant. The competition, which took place on December 2, was the latest Grid NetWars event hosted by SANS Institute, a US information security training organisation, with previous tournaments held in Singapore, India, Japan, and Australia. 

The event was also coordinated by Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection, and the Cybersecurity Critical Infrastructure project for the US Agency for International Development (USAID). 

Ihor Malchenyuk, head of cybersecurity regulatory assistance and institutional development at the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine project stated, “Every day 560,000 new malicious programs are detected in the world, therefore it is necessary to constantly improve qualifications and ‘pump’ the skills of cybersecurity specialists.” 

“Such competitions as Grid NetWars provide an opportunity to practice not only the knowledge and skills of each specialist separately but also train joint interaction. After all, the training conditions are as close to reality as possible.” 

Tim Conway, technical director of the industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) programs at SANS, assisted event participants with the help of two other US-based infosec experts. 

“Grid NetWars is a product that has existed for a number of years and has been used in country-level exercises since its creation,” Conway told The Daily Swig. 

“It has also been leveraged by practitioners around the world who attend critical infrastructure or industrial control system-specific events like the SANS ICS Summit where Grid NetWars competitions are conducted in the evenings after courses.” 

The latest, Ukraine-based event had successfully enabled “participants to face real-world challenges, develop skillsets, gain exposure to technical tools, and most importantly ‘practice the way they play through collaboration, and provided the opportunity to work together in teams just like they would in a real-world incident response”, he added. 

Conway assisted in the investigation of the 2015 attack on three Ukrainian power distribution centres, which knocked out power for up to six hours and left 225,000 people without power. A year later, the country's electrical grid was hit again, and Ukraine's then-president, Petro Poroshenko, said that thousands of recent cyberattacks on state institutions were proof that Russian secret agencies were waging a cyberwar against the country.

70% of WiFi Networks in Tel Aviv were Cracked by a Researcher

 

In his hometown of Tel Aviv, a researcher cracked 70% of a 5,000 WiFi network sample, demonstrating that residential networks are extremely vulnerable and easy to hijack. Ido Hoorvitch, a CyberArk security researcher, first strolled about the city center using WiFi sniffing equipment to collect a sample of 5,000 network hashes for the study. 

The researcher then took the use of a vulnerability that allowed the extraction of a PMKID hash, which is typically generated for roaming purposes. Hoorvitch sniffed with WireShark on Ubuntu and utilized a $50 network card that can function as a monitor and a packet injection tool to collect PMKID hashes. 

Although Hoorvitch highlighted that this form of attack does not require such heavy-duty technology, the team deployed a 'monster' cracking rig made up of eight xQUADRO RTX 8000 (48GB) GPUs in CyberArk Labs. The attack is centered on a weakness found by Hashcat's primary developer, Jens 'atom' Steube. This bug can be used to obtain PMKID hashes and crack network passwords.

"Atom’s technique is clientless, making the need to capture a user’s login in real-time and the need for users to connect to the network at all obsolete," explains Hoorvitch in the report. "Furthermore, it only requires the attacker to capture a single frame and eliminate wrong passwords and malformed frames that are disturbing the cracking process." 

The generation and cracking of PMKs with SSIDs and different passphrases can then be used to crack PMKID hashes collected by wireless sniffers with monitor mode enabled. This data is created from the right WiFi password when a PMKID is generated that is equal to the PMKID acquired from an access point. Hoorvitch employed a conversion tool and Hashcat, a password recovery software, after sniffing out PMKID hashes with the Hcxdumptool utility. 

According to Hoorvitch, many Tel Aviv residents use their cellphone numbers as their WiFi password, thus it wasn't long before hashes were cracked, passwords were obtained, and doors to their networks were opened. Each crack on the researcher's laptop took around nine minutes in these circumstances. The team was able to break into over 3,500 WiFi networks in and around Tel Aviv. 

Despite the risk of being hacked, most consumers do not set a strong password for their WiFi networks, according to the report. Passwords should be at least ten characters long, contain a mix of lower and upper case letters, symbols, and numerals, and be unique. Keeping your router firmware up to date will also safeguard your hardware from attacks based on vulnerability exploits, according to the researcher. WAP/WAP1 and other weak encryption protocols should be disabled as well.

Following a Ransomware Cyberattack, D-BOX Stated it is Gradually Restarting Operations

 

After a ransomware cyberattack on its internal information-technology systems, D-BOX Technologies Inc. says it is progressively resuming operations, with restoration work likely to be completed in the coming weeks. Production was never entirely disrupted by the cyberattack, according to the Montreal-based entertainment company, and rehabilitation of its different internal IT systems has begun. 

D-BOX creates and redefines realistic, immersive entertainment experiences by using elements such as motion, vibration, and texture to move the body and stimulate the imagination. D-BOX has partnered with some of the world's most innovative firms to provide new ways to improve amazing stories. 

The company has postponed the release of its interim financial statements and analysis for the three months ending June 30. The incident had a limited impact on internal systems, and services to studios and theatre operators were unaffected, according to the statement. The company expects a 40% increase in revenue in the first quarter, reaching roughly 3.1 million Canadian dollars ($2.5 million). It stated that its management was attempting to file the financial report as quickly as possible, but that a delay of two to four weeks was probable. 

Analysis suggests that the systems of its clients were neither hacked nor impacted during the cyberattack, according to a report by an external firm specializing in cyber incidents. As a result of the incident, D-BOX does not expect any security patches to its services or software updates to be necessary for its partners. In addition, as a precaution, the company has provided all of its employees and directors a 12-month subscription to Equifax's identity theft and fraud protection service. 

“Security is a top priority and D-BOX is committed to continuing to take all appropriate measures to ensure the highest integrity of all our systems,” said Sebastien Mailhot, President, and CEO of D-BOX. “I’m proud of the efforts of our IT team and external advisors, as they mitigated the attack and accomplished an enormous amount of work in order to resume activities. D-BOX is committed to continuing to communicate directly with all of its clients and partners, whom we thank for their patience as we resolve this situation. The Corporation believes that the financial impact of this cyberattack on the results should be negligible.”

Hackers Reportedly Target Cox Media Group Stations



‘Cox Media Group’, is one of the largest media conglomerates in the United State, earlier today, the organization has to put down its live streams for television and radio stations. According to the sources, the attack has been deemed unprecedented due to which Cox Media programs were inaccessible across the country. 

The Cox Media Group has ownership of 33 television stations in 20 markets, 54 radio stations in 10 markets, various multi-platform streaming videos, and several digital platforms. The TV stations in markets like Pittsburgh; Boston; Dayton, Seattle; Ohio; Oklahoma, and Tulsa, are a mixture of major network affiliates like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, etc. 

A report has been published by Inside Radio that disclosed the technical details of the attack wherein it was mentioned that the attack took place on the morning of the 3rd June and crashed the internal networks and streaming capabilities including the mobile apps and web streams properties. However, official websites of Cox Media and several programs kept running without any harm but some programs have to be rescheduled.

“This morning we were told to shut down everything and log out our emails to ensure nothing spread. According to my friends at affiliate stations, we shut things down in time to be safe and should be back up and running soon,” a Cox employee shared with media. 

Notably, the incident didn’t impact traditional pay-TV feeds for the channels. Meanwhile, the Dish Network reported that its network didn’t experience any issue regarding ransomware attack, so far; Dish Network is the broadcaster that made a deal with Cox Media for about 14 channels in December 2020. 

Deputy National Security Adviser Anne Neuberger on Thursday issued an open letter requesting organizations to take security precautions against ransomware attacks. 

Nowadays, many tech giants and several cybersecurity firms are taking ransomware attacks way more seriously, still, the gaps in prevention persist. 

State of the Art Cyber-Security and Network Security a Top Priority for The Business Market



Reportedly, accepting the growing need for better cyber-security tactics and embracing a further developed regime for securing the businesses on the cyber front, European organizations are up for upgrading their network security.

With a high rise in the number of cyber-crime, mainly data breaches, and other infamous cyber-attacks it’s become the need of the hour to promote more initiatives regarding data safety.

By taking upon themselves the idea of spending more on modern security techniques and solutions, the European businesses are investing truly in lucrative methods of counteracting cyber-crime.

Along with getting into partnerships with their local governments, network security is one of the major focuses of the organizations with allegedly an expected compound annual growth rate of over 15% by 2025 in the field.

Protecting data integrity, guarding businesses against any virus or malware attacks, stabilizing the critical business networks and shielding against any unwanted intrusions are a few of the major missions.

Network management has indeed become difficult owing it to the technological advancements, multiplication in the variety of devices and intricate network structures and hence network monitoring tools have become imperative.


Long gone are the days of traditional solutions to not so traditional cyber-hazards and cyber-insecurities. Antiquated prevention systems are obviously failing at keeping cyber-crime at bay.

Reportedly, large amounts of random alerts are generated everyday but go unnoticed which leads to “classes of risky connected devices” going without proper monitoring, analyses and management.


Per sources, analysis of network security has got to be of paramount importance to any business that wishes to successfully and safely function in these imminently digital times.

Finding out what the actual threats are, reducing noise, realizing their motives and ultimately being ready for them when (if) they arrive at all is the smartest decision any organization could make.

The banking sector, per reports is one of the leading turfs to become cyber-active and cyber-ready. With all the e-commerce platforms and cyber-banking being a huge part of the digital game the investments are supposed face a gigantic hike in the coming years.

Cyber-attacks have several repercussions to them that they leave behind after wreaking the primary havoc. Financial damages, tarnished images, dissatisfaction between customers, clients and other stakeholders are at the top of the list.

With improved and upgraded cyber-awareness regimes and cyber-security solutions owing it to better analytics, all the enterprises from large to smaller ones shall definitely be more lucrative than ever.