COVID-19 Update: 'We're in a Bad Place'

Tom Field • October 29, 2020

COVID-19 infections are hitting new daily highs in the U.S., and some European countries are re-imposing restrictions. Plus, the flu season is just around the corner. "We're in a bad place," says pandemic expert Regina Phelps, who shares insights on pandemic trends and response.

►

Critical Infrastructure Security

For Sale: 3 Million Cards Used at Dickey's Barbeque Pit

Latest

Phishing Scam Costs Wisconsin GOP $2.3 Million

Doug Olenick • October 29, 2020

The Republic Party of Wisconsin says fraudsters used phishing emails and doctored invoices to steal $2.3 million earmarked for President Donald Trump's reelection campaign. The FBI is investigating.

Governance & Risk Management

100,000 Windows Devices Still Exposed to SMBGhost Flaw

Doug Olenick • October 29, 2020

Almost eight months after Microsoft warned of a critical vulnerability in Windows called SMBGhost, more than 100,000 unpatched devices remain vulnerable, according to security researchers. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing rush to move workers into home offices may have led to delays in applying the fix.

Cybercrime

Russian Hacking Group Upgrades Malicious Toolset

Akshaya Asokan • October 29, 2020

Turla, a hacking group based in Russia, is deploying a revamped set of customized tools to target potential victims, including a European government agency, for its espionage campaigns, according to Accenture.

Cybercrime

Ryuk Ransomware Delivered Using Malware-as-a-Service Tool

Prajeet Nair • October 28, 2020

The operators behind the Ryuk strain of malware are increasingly relying on a malware-as-a-service tool - the Buer loader - to deliver the malware, rather than botnets such as Trickbot and Emotet, the security firm Sophos reports.

Encryption & Key Management

Analysis: The Security of 5G Devices, Networks

Doug Olenick • October 28, 2020

So far, much of the discussion about 5G security has focused on avoiding the use of technology from Chinese manufacturers, including Huawei and ZTE. But security experts are increasingly concerned that 5G network and device providers rushing products to market aren't devoting enough attention to security.

COVID-19

CISOs' Pandemic Challenge: More Disruption, Less Budget

Mathew J. Schwartz • October 28, 2020

The imperative for CISOs during the COVID-19 pandemic is to do more with less. While disruptive attacks - as well as privacy concerns - keep rising, budgets are down. As organizations rapidly adopt new technologies, however, EY's Kris Lovejoy says CISOs must seize the opportunity to streamline.

Endpoint Security

New Online Platform Coordinates IoT Bug Reports

Jeremy Kirk • October 27, 2020

A new online platform called VulnerableThings.com is aiming to become the go-to place for reporting and viewing reports on software flaws in IoT devices. The IoT Security Foundation and Oxford Information Labs say the platform could help vendors comply with new IoT regulations and standards.

Cybercrime

Even in Test Mode, New Mirai Variant Infecting IoT Devices

Doug Olenick • October 26, 2020

A greatly enhanced variant of the powerful Mirai botnet is already infecting IoT devices even though it's operating in a test environment, according to researchers at cybersecurity firm Avira Protection Lab.

Blockchain & Cryptocurrency

KashmirBlack Botnet Targets Content Management Systems

Prajeet Nair • October 26, 2020

Security researchers at Imperva have uncovered a botnet that attacks vulnerabilities in websites' underlying content management systems and then uses these compromised servers to mine for cryptocurrency or send spam to more victims.

Critical Infrastructure Security

US Treasury Sanctions Russian Entity Over Triton Malware

Akshaya Asokan • October 24, 2020

The Treasury Department has issued sanctions against a Russian research institute that U.S. officials now claim helped deploy Triton, destructive malware designed to damage industrial control systems. The announcement follows other economic penalties levied against Iran in the same week.

Business Continuity Management / Disaster Recovery

Ransomware Knocks Out Voter Database in Georgia

Akshaya Asokan • October 23, 2020

An Oct. 7 ransomware attack targeted a database used to verify voter signatures in Georgia, and the database is still not fully functional. The DoppelPaymer gang has taken credit for the attack.

Critical Infrastructure Security

US Officials Blame Data Exfiltration on Russian APT Group

Jeremy Kirk • October 23, 2020

U.S. intelligence officials say a Russia-backed hacking group has compromised some state and local government computer systems since at least September and exfiltrated data. So far, however, the attackers do not appear to have attempted to otherwise interfere with or disrupt those networks.