US Cyber Command Alert: Patch Palo Alto Networks Products

Mathew J. Schwartz • June 30, 2020

Palo Alto Networks product alert: All users should immediately patch a "critical" flaw in Pan-OS that can be remotely exploited to bypass authentication and take full control of systems or gain access to networks, U.S. Cyber Command and the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency warn.

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning

Hacker Group Stole $200 Million From Cryptocurrency Exchanges

Latest

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

How Ekans Ransomware Targets Industrial Control Systems

Akshaya Asokan • July 4, 2020

Researchers with FortiGuard Labs have uncovered two samples of the Ekans ransomware strain that offer some additional insight into how the crypto-locking malware targets industrial control systems, according to a new report. Ekans, also known as Snake, was first spotted earlier this year.

Cybercrime

Operators Behind Valak Malware Expand Malicious Campaign

Ishita Chigilli Palli • July 3, 2020

The operators behind the Valak malware strain have expanded their malicious campaigns to other parts of the world, targeting financial, manufacturing, healthcare and insurance firms, according to Cisco Talos. Attackers are now using existing email threads and ZIP files to spread the information stealer.

Application Security

Apache Guacamole Vulnerable to Reverse RDP Vulnerabilities

Akshaya Asokan • July 3, 2020

Apache Guacamole, an open-source application that allows for remote connections to devices, contains several vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to steal data or run remote code execution, Check Point Research found. These bugs come at a time when many employees are still working remotely.

Anti-Phishing, DMARC

Sizing Up Security Challenges for Telecom Companies

Geetha Nandikotkur • July 3, 2020

To mitigate cyberthreats, telecommunications companies in the GCC region need to enhance their incident detection and response capabilities, says Doha, Qatar-based Mustapha Huneyd, former global CISO of Ooredoo, a regional telecom firm.

Account Takeover

Digital IDs: A Progress Report

Nick Holland • July 3, 2020

The latest edition of the ISMG Security Report discusses global progress on adopting standard digital identifiers. Plus, a former cybercriminal discusses emerging fraud trends, and an update on the evolution of e-signatures.

Cybercrime

European Police Hack Encrypted Communication System

Doug Olenick • July 2, 2020

European police gained access to messages sent via the encrypted cellular service EncroChat, leading to the arrest of hundreds of alleged organized crime members across the Netherlands, France, Norway, Sweden and the U.K., the EU's law enforcement intelligence agency Europol reports.

Account Takeover

POS Malware Using DNS to Steal Payment Card Data

Ishita Chigilli Palli • July 2, 2020

Fraudsters are using a revamped version of the Alina Trojan to target Windows-based POS devices to steal payment card data, according to Century Link's Black Lotus Labs. The malware operators are using unsecured DNS protocols to exfiltrate the data.

Fraud Management & Cybercrime

Ex-Fraudster Brett Johnson: 'There Are Going to Be a Lot of Victims'

Tom Field • July 2, 2020

Tens of millions of Americans have lost jobs because of COVID-19. As a result, former 'most wanted" fraudster Brett Johnson predicts a surge in fraud, saying bluntly: "There are going to be a lot of victims."

Cybercrime

Studying an 'Invisible God' Hacker: Could You Stop 'Fxmsp'?

Mathew J. Schwartz • July 2, 2020

Could your organization withstand an attack by the master hacking operation known as "Fxmsp"? Hollywood loves to portray hackers as having ninja-like skills. But Fxmsp often favored the simplest tools for the job, because they so often worked. Defenders: Take note.

Governance & Risk Management

It's Official: CCPA Enforcement Begins

Doug Olenick • July 1, 2020

Enforcement of the California Consumer Privacy Act officially began Wednesday despite the lack of a final, codified version of the regulation. Experts weigh in on compliance steps organizations should take.

Identity & Access Management

Building Trust in Digital Identities

Anna Delaney • July 1, 2020

Implementing trusted digital IDs will create benefits for end users as well as service providers, says Nick Mothershaw, chair and executive director at the Open Identity Exchange. But widespread international adoption of such IDs will take time to achieve, he acknowledges.

Cybercrime

FakeSpy Android Malware Disguised as Postal Service Messages

Akshaya Asokan • July 1, 2020

The operators behind an updated version of the FakeSpy malware are targeting Android devices using SMS phishing messages to spread the info stealer, according to Cybereason. The messages are designed to appear to come from postal and delivery services.