- IT threat evolution Q3 2020
November 20, 2020
IT threat evolution Q3 2020 Mobile statistics The statistics presented here draw on detection verdicts returned by Kaspersky products and received from users who consented to providing statistical data. Quarterly figures According to Kaspersky Security Network, the third quarter saw: 1,189 797 detected malicious installers, of which 39,051 packages were related to mobile banking trojans; 6063 packages proved to be mobile ...
- New Mount Locker Ransomware Version Targeting TurboTax Files
November 20, 2020
A new version of the Mount Locker crypto-ransomware strain is specifically targeting victims’ TurboTax files. As reported by Bleeping Computer, Advanced Intel’s Vitali Kremez came across a new Mount Locker sample that specifically sought out files used by the TurboTax tax preparation software. In particular, Kremez observed the sample going after files bearing the “.tax,” “.tax2009,” “.tax2013” ...
- Weaponizing Open Source Software for Targeted Attacks
November 20, 2020
Trojanized open-source software is tricky to spot. This is because it takes on the façade of legitimate, non-malicious software, making it especially stealthy and useful for targeted attacks. However, a closer investigation can reveal suspicious behavior that exposes their malicious intent. How are open-source software trojanized? How can we detect them? To answer these questions, let ...
- QBot partners with Egregor ransomware in bot-fueled attacks
November 20, 2020
The Qbot banking trojan has dropped the ProLock ransomware in favor of the Egregor ransomware who burst into activity in September. Qbot, otherwise known as QakBot or QuakBot, is Windows malware that steals bank credentials, Windows domain credentials, and provides remote access to threat actors who install ransomware. Victims usually become infected with Qbot through phishing emails ...
- The UK’s new offensive cyber unit takes on organised crime and hostile states
November 19, 2020
A new offensive force made up of spies, cyber experts and the members of the military is already conducting cyber operations to disrupt hostile state activities, terrorists and criminals, the UK government has revealed. The new group – known as the National Cyber Force – aims to tackle threats to the UK’s national security such as ...
- Egregor Ransomware Attack Hijacks Printers to Spit Out Ransom Notes
November 19, 2020
So, you’re a ransomware gang and you want to ensure that you have caught the attention of your latest corporate victim. You could simply drop your ransom note onto the desktop of infected computers, informing the firm that their files have been encrypted. Too dull? You could lock infected PCs and display a ghoulish skull on a bright ...
- Advanced Threat predictions for 2021
November 19, 2020
Trying to make predictions about the future is a tricky business. However, while we don’t have a crystal ball that can reveal the future, we can try to make educated guesses using the trends that we have observed over the last 12 months to identify areas that attackers are likely to seek to exploit in ...
- Exploiting AI – How Cybercriminals Misuse and Abuse Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
November 19, 2020
Artificial intelligence (AI) is swiftly fueling the development of a more dynamic world. AI, a subfield of computer science that is interconnected with other disciplines, promises greater efficiency and higher levels of automation and autonomy. Simply put, it is a dual-use technology at the heart of the fourth industrial revolution. Together with machine learning (ML) ...
- Food-Supply Giant Americold Admits Cyberattack
November 19, 2020
Americold, a company whose cold-storage capabilities are integral to the U.S. food-supply chain (and soon, COVID-19 vaccine distribution), has confirmed an operations-impacting cyberattack, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The filing was brief and read in part: “As a precautionary measure, the company took immediate steps to help contain the incident ...
- CEOs Will Be Personally Liable for Cyber-Physical Security Incidents by 2024
November 17, 2020
Digital attack attempts in industrial environments are on the rise. In February 2020, IBM X-Force reported that it had observed a 2,000% increase in the attempts by threat actors to target Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT) assets between 2018 and 2020. This surge eclipsed the total number of attacks against organizations’ industrial ...