Tag Archives: ransomware

You can’t afford to postpone investing cybersecurity in 2021

March 2, 2021 In 2021, complacency about your IT security is dangerous. Recent news about hidden, extensive breaches of state and federal government entities and private corporations shocked many in IT and cybersecurity. According to investigators, Russian agents spread espionage malware through updates from IT management firm SolarWinds. The list of victims continues to grow, and investigators believe … Continue reading "You can’t afford to postpone investing cybersecurity in 2021" Read More

IT security measures are for everyone – including the CEO

December 4, 2020 A crook is making news for offering to sell hundreds of stolen C-level email user names and passwords. “The login information has been verified by cybersecurity teams and is for Office 365 and Microsoft accounts of CEOs, COOs, CFOs, CTOs, and other senior positions,” TechRepublic reported Wednesday. The email user name and password combinations are … Continue reading "IT security measures are for everyone – including the CEO" Read More

Meet a Cybercriminal: Jiang Lizhi

September 23, 2020 Jiang Lizhi, 35, works at a company called Chengdu 404 Network Technology Company Ltd. in the capital city of China’s Sichuan province. He’s the Vice President for the Technical Department of Chengdu 404. Chengdu 404 bills itself as a network security company, with “elite ‘white hat’ hackers” providing defensive measures and data analytics services. According … Continue reading "Meet a Cybercriminal: Jiang Lizhi" Read More

Don’t pay ransom to cyber criminals, Microsoft advises

January 1, 2020 Don’t pay ransom – it only spurs more ransomware attacks, according to Microsoft. In a recent blog post by Microsoft’s Detection And Response Team, organizations are urged to maximize their security efforts instead. “Paying a ransom is often expensive, dangerous, and only refuels the attackers’ capacity to continue their operations,” the post says. “(B)ottom line, … Continue reading "Don’t pay ransom to cyber criminals, Microsoft advises" Read More

Ransomware attacks: Likely to go “from bad to worse”

December 29, 2019 This year’s trends in ransomware attacks have left IT Security researchers worried about what’s coming in 2020. Dark Reading cites “growing collaboration between threat groups on ransomware campaigns; the use of more sophisticated evasion mechanisms; elaborate multi-phase attacks involving reconnaissance and network scoping; and human-guided automated attack techniques.” Hackers also have developed ways to research … Continue reading "Ransomware attacks: Likely to go “from bad to worse”" Read More

Maze hackers using blackmail – while claiming moral high ground

December 18, 2019 The hackers behind Maze ransomware are really something. They are currently in the news for blackmailing victims that refuse to pay their ransom demands. They have released a list of victim names and sample files locked up by their ransomware. Maze Ransomware also hit the city of Pensacola, Fla., Dec. 7, a day after a … Continue reading "Maze hackers using blackmail – while claiming moral high ground" Read More

Malware disguised as party invites, holiday hours makes the rounds

December 17, 2019 More ongoing proof that hackers try anything: New emails about a Christmas party or holiday hours could bring disaster. Hackers invite unsuspecting victims via an email that talks about a holiday party or holiday hours in the body of the email. It comes with an attachment the victim believes lists a party menu, or a … Continue reading "Malware disguised as party invites, holiday hours makes the rounds" Read More

ImageQuest’s Jay Mallory shares true stories in “Tales from the Malware Front”

October 22, 2019 What do an employee working from home, a financial services advisor, an attorney, and a mortgage company CEO have in common? Two things – one each experienced a hacking attempt, and each were a topic in today’s “Tales from the Malware Front.” Sponsored by Citizens Union Bank, the event provided attendees guidance on how to … Continue reading "ImageQuest’s Jay Mallory shares true stories in “Tales from the Malware Front”" Read More

How much does a ransomware attack cost? Ask Baltimore

October 19, 2019 Ever think about what you’d need to do to recover from a ransomware attack? What services you’d need to hire to get your organization back up and running? Well, you might look to Baltimore as an example. Last week, city officials there approved payments to seven firms which helped Baltimore get its systems back online … Continue reading "How much does a ransomware attack cost? Ask Baltimore" Read More

Know who cares about what Disney Princess you are? Hackers.

October 8, 2019 Are you still answering quizzes on Social Media? Seeing friends who are answering them and inviting you to join them? October is a great month to put a stop to that behavior! You’re not just sharing interesting facts about yourself with friends – you also are giving criminals ways to impersonate you. Some of your … Continue reading "Know who cares about what Disney Princess you are? Hackers." Read More

City hit with ransomware. Doesn’t pay. Recovers.

September 7, 2019 The city of New Bedford, Mass., recently revealed it experienced a ransomware attack over the Fourth of July holiday. However, unlike other recent stories of cities getting hit with ransomware, New Bedford had a relatively happy ending. A greedy crook demanded an eye-popping $5.3 million to decrypt the city’s systems. New Bedford countered with its … Continue reading "City hit with ransomware. Doesn’t pay. Recovers." Read More

Ransomware is hitting small U.S. communities. How to fight back

September 4, 2019 This summer has shown that criminals are targeting small governments – cities and school districts – with ransomware. Attacks are costing governments, their insurance carriers, and their taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars. But city hall and school boards can fight back. City-Journal.org lists several ways communities can battle the flood of malware aimed at … Continue reading "Ransomware is hitting small U.S. communities. How to fight back" Read More