Tag Archive for: Dec.

Cyber Security Today, Dec. 27, 2023 – A record year for ransomware


A record year for ransomware.

Welcome to Cyber Security Today. It’s Wednesday, December 27th, 2023. I’m Howard Solomon, contributing reporter on cybersecurity for ITWorldCanada.com and TechNewsday.com in the U.S.

 

 

The year isn’t quite over but it’s clear that 2023 hit a record for ransomware attacks. Researchers at NCC Group say that as of the end of November the total number of attacks around the world hit 4,276 — slightly more than twice as many as last year. And December’s numbers haven’t been added.

More year-end numbers to consider: More than 26,000 vulnerabilities were discovered this year, according to researchers at Qualys. However, less one per cent of them were high risk — about 7,000. And of them, only 206 had weaponized code available. These are the ones information security professionals have to pay attention to, because they are the most likely to be exploited. By the way, of those 206 vulnerabilities, just over 32 per cent were involved network infrastructure or web applications. High-risk holes need to be patched or mitigated fast. According to the research, the mean time to exploit vulnerabilities this year was 44 days. However, many times threat actors were able to create an exploit the same day a vulnerability was publicized.

Speaking of the need for fast patching of critical applications, here’s something to ponder: On a podcast earlier this month I reported that a vulnerability in JetBrains’ TeamCity application development platform was being exploited by a Russian-based group. According to a new report from ReversingLabs, a patch for that hole was released in September. But by this month only two per cent of TeamCity administrators had installed it.

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Revealing Malware Secrets in a Digital World #POST 47 | by Monty Excel | Dec, 2023


Have you ever wondered about the invisible dangers that exist in the digital world, waiting to compromise your device and personal information?

Malware, a portmanteau of malicious software, is a broad term encompassing various types of harmful programs designed to infiltrate, damage, or disrupt computer systems. In this article, we’ll delve into different malware types, demystifying these digital threats with real-world examples.

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US: Police responding to shooting in downtown Mobile, Alabama, late Dec. 31


01 Jan 2023 | 01:28 AM UTC

Police responding to shooting in downtown Mobile, Ala., US, late Dec. 31. Avoid the area.


Warning

security

transportation

USA

Event

Authorities are responding to a shooting in downtown Mobile, Alabama, late Dec. 31. At least one person is dead and nine others injured in the incident near 200 Dauphin Street. Authorities did not immediately confirm a motive for the shooting. An investigation is ongoing as of early Jan. 1.

Heightened security, as well as localized business and transport disruptions, are likely in the coming hours as investigations continue.

Advice

Avoid the area until the situation stabilizes and authorities give the all-clear. Allow additional travel time and seek alternative routes to circumvent the incident site.

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New version of the Advice to Travelers app (Dec. 16 2021)


A new version of the mobile Advice to Travelers app is now available. Created in 1999, the Advice to Travelers page has seen a massive increase in hits on the France Diplomatie site in recent years, with 32 million hits in 2020 compared with 9.4 million in 2019, and more than 58 million since the beginning of 2021.

In light of the rapidly evolving health situation, it is more necessary than ever to make proper preparations for travel abroad.

To meet the needs of French citizens who travel abroad, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs decided to update the mobile app launched in 2012. In this latest version, users will have access, as they do on the website, to the 191 files that provide information on the situation in destination country to facilitate smooth stays abroad.

That information includes security advisories (written references and maps), conditions for entry and stays, health information (vaccination requirements, restrictions on movement linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, etc.) and practical information (practices and customs, local laws, etc.).

It is updated regularly by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ Crisis and Support Center in partnership with our field-based posts using a system certified by the ISO 9001 standard. In 2020, 3,378 updates were made.

The latest version of the app can be downloaded onto Android and IOS devices.

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