Tag Archive for: LAUNCHES

Kaspersky launches XDR platform to combat growing ransomware threats in Southeast Asia

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  • Kaspersky has responded to the increased risk of targeted ransomware attacks on businesses in SEA by introducing the Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform.
  • Kaspersky’s latest data indicates that Lockbit, a targeted ransomware group, attacked 115 businesses in SEA.

Digital kidnappers are targeting enterprises in Southeast Asia (SEA), and global cybersecurity company Kaspersky predicts that this trend will continue in the coming years, albeit in more sophisticated and targeted ways. Ransomware, a type of malware that locks computer and mobile devices or encrypts electronic files, is used by cybercriminals to demand a ransom in exchange for a decryption key or the return of data.

Ransomware has evolved as a threat since the first known attack in 1989; and since 2016, attackers have shifted from targeting users to larger enterprises. High-impact incidents, such as the WannaCry ransomware attack, have caused estimated damages of up to US$4 billion. Ransomware groups continue to target enterprises worldwide, including those in SEA, due to the high return on investment.

Kaspersky warns about the advancements in ransomware

Kaspersky is taking proactive steps to combat the escalating danger of targeted ransomware attacks on businesses in Southeast Asia. Its latest move is the introduction of the Kaspersky Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform, which offers comprehensive protection against such attacks through its multi-layered defense mechanisms. Kaspersky reports that there has been a significant increase of almost 181% in daily ransomware attacks worldwide in the last year, resulting in approximately 9,500 encrypted files per day.

The attackers behind these attacks constantly improve their tactics and tools to demand higher ransoms and create a greater reputational impact. In 2020, Kaspersky warned of the rise of Ransomware 2.0, which employs highly targeted attacks and “pressure tactics” to achieve these goals.

Targeted ransomware groups have emerged as a new form of extortion in the past two years, using tactics such as reselling hacked data or files, conducting DDoS attacks, and launching targeted phishing campaigns. This tactic has been dubbed Ransomware…

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Dallas launches cybersecurity app to help protect residents from digital threats

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In a world where digital safety is under attack, the city of Dallas is providing a free service to protect residents from cybersecurity threats on their phones and other devices.

Dallas Secure, the city’s new mobile threat protection app, went live in early December and operates on software created by Dallas-based mobile security company Zimperium, which partnered with the city on the project more than a year ago. The company previously customized versions of the app for residents in New York City, Los Angeles and Michigan.

Dallas’ chief information officer, Bill Zielinski, said the city wanted to go on the offensive to combat the rise of cyber attacks on residents. After fraudsters scammed Dallas Water Utilities customers in September, the city responded by issuing news releases, pushing media alerts and warning people on the city website.

“We were basically chasing down what has already happened, and there have already been many people who have been impacted,” he said. “So we’ve been looking for things that we could do as the city to protect our residents by doing more proactive responses.”

How does it work?

Once downloaded, the app works in the background and gives users on-screen alerts of any potential threats on their device, including connecting to unsecured wireless networks and any phishing attempts.

“If it’s a phone call coming in, it gives you information about whether there’s a threat that might be possible,” Zielinski said. “Then, it provides an easy-to-use interface for actions that they can take to prevent that.”

For example, if a user connects to a malicious or unsecure Wi-Fi network, the app will notify users of the potential threat and ask whether or not they would like to disconnect.

Unlike some other cybersecurity tools, the app does not collect personal information and maintains users’ privacy, Zimperium CEO Shridhar Mittal said.

“The difference here is that it’s constantly monitoring everything that’s going on in your device and not sending any personal information out of your device at all,” Mittal said. “It is purely for the protection of the citizen.”

It also performs overall scans of users’ mobile devices and detects any…

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FACT SHEET: Vice President Harris Launches New Initiatives to Strengthen U.S.-Philippines Alliance

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The United States and the Philippines enjoy an alliance and partnership based on deep historical, economic, and cultural ties, and our shared democratic values.  The United States and the Philippines stand together as friends, partners, and allies.  Now and always, the U.S. commitment to the defense of the Philippines is ironclad, and we are committed to strengthening our economic and investment relationship.
 
The Vice President’s travel to the Philippines reaffirms the bilateral alliance and will spur cooperation on a range of issues, including:  advancing clean energy, addressing the climate crisis, promoting inclusive growth and innovation, increasing access to quality education and health resources, combating trafficking in persons, facing common security challenges, supporting freedom of the seas, and deepening people-to-people ties.
 
The Vice President is launching the following initiatives.
 
CLIMATE ACTION, ENERGY SECURITY, AND SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE

  • Energy Policy Dialogue: The U.S Department of Energy, U.S. Department of State, and Philippine Department of Energy will establish an Energy Policy Dialogue, a high-level platform for the two nations to develop new forms of energy cooperation, including on short and long-term energy planning, offshore wind development, and grid stability and power transmission.
  • Launching 123 Agreement Negotiations for Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation: The Vice President announced that the United States and the Philippines are initiating negotiations on a civil nuclear cooperation agreement (“123 agreement”) to support expanded cooperation on zero-emission energy and nonproliferation priorities.  Once in force, this agreement will provide the legal basis for U.S. exports of nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines. The United States is committed to working with the Philippines to increase energy security and deploying advanced nuclear reactor technology as quickly as safety and security conditions permit to meet the Philippines’ dire baseload power needs.  Such a deployment would support both energy security and climate goals, as well as support workers and businesses in both countries.
  • Critical Mineral…

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Connex Group launches Connex 360

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Connex 360, a new subsidiary of the Connex Group of Companies, was recently established in Colombo, offering cutting-edge IT services and solutions for B2B sectors, including the most recent growth into SMEs.

Connex 360’s vision is to be the most trusted, innovative, and reliable distributor in the industry by utilizing vital, robust, and cost-effective technologies to link people to the rest of the world. Integrity, commitment, enthusiasm, diversity, quality, and teamwork make up its key values.

Chief Operating Officer of Connex 360, Shamal Abeyrathne said, “We look forward to raising awareness among industry stakeholders, such as potential SMEs, Corporates, and a number of other partnering companies. We are leaning toward encouraging new partners to join us while simultaneously continuing to grow and support our current partnerships.”

Connex was able to equip its partners with ongoing support as well as the most recent technological knowledge of long-term considerations geared by the company’s industry expertise, strengths and broad product portfolios of some of the leading brands. The company’s primary concern is the training of its staff and also empowering its partners using new trends, industry knowledge, and technology. Envisioning a life where they are confident in their goals and are an inspiration to everyone around them.

Connex, a distributor of IT solutions, offers cutting-edge system provisioning, assimilation, and consulting to assist businesses in meeting their information technology requirements. Delivering a wide variety of IT infrastructure products and services to businesses across the nation, the remarkable solution include Surveillance and Access Control Solutions from Dahua, Network Switches and Wireless AP from TrendNet, Network Cabling and Accessories from ExTell Systems, Internet Security by Trend Micro, Microsoft Licences for OS, MS Office and software licenses, laptops, workstations, desktops and accessories by Lenovo, Smart Home and IOT solutions with LifeSmart, and hard disks and storage solutions from SeaGate.

With its impressive eight years of industry expertise, the Connex Group of Companies upholds its status as a promising islandwide…

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