Tag Archive for: Local

Ransomware attacks increasing in frequency, spreading in reach | Local

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Ransomware attacks, like the one that cost Hanesbrands Inc. about $100 million in second-quarter sales, are increasing in frequency among corporations facing uncertain prospects of a complete restoration and recovery.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software employed by hackers that can block access to a computer system until a ransom is paid.

The Winston-Salem-based apparel manufacturer reported in a May 31 regulatory filing that it began experiencing the ransomware attack on May 24.

Hanesbrands disclosed Aug. 11 in its second-quarter earnings report that its global supply chain network and ability to fulfill customer orders were affected for about three weeks.

“At this time, we believe the incident has been contained,” the manufacturer said in a separate quarterly regulatory filing Aug. 11.

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Watch now: Central Illinois universities wary of cybersecurity threats | Local Education

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NORMAL — Illinois State University is working to address several potential cybersecurity weaknesses identified in its most recent state audit. The changes come as universities across the country are working in a constantly evolving cybersecurity landscape.

The audit from the Illinois Auditor General identified weakness associated with the formal information technology policies as well as more specific issues around the management of application accounts. Released May 26, the report covers the period from June 30, 2020, to June 30, 2021.

Dan Taube, chief information security officer for the university, said ISU staff members are working to address the issues brought up in the audit, and to make continual efforts toward keeping the university’s networks safe.



Dan Taube

Taube


Those efforts include formalizing updated IT policies, which are central to making sure all 60,000 accounts that interact with the ISU network are not becoming vulnerabilities, Taube said.

“The truth about cybersecurity is it’s everyone,” he said.


Illinois State University’s financial audit summary for fiscal year 2021 from the state auditor’s office.


Other steps ISU has taken to address weaknesses include improving communication to delete accounts from some applications soon after an employee leaves the university or changes jobs.

Managing what accounts have access to certain data can help address the issue with measures such as limitations on what student accounts can access, FBI Springfield Computer Scientist Justin Harris said….

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Local siblings serving together in U.S. Navy

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Photo: Gadsden natives Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Lowe (left) and Seaman Recruit Evan Lowe (right) serve at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) at Corry Station in Pensacola, Fla. (Courtesy of U.S. Navy) 

By Lt. Omari Faulkner/U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach

Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Lowe and Seaman Recruit Evan Lowe of Gadsden currently serving at Information Warfare Training Command (IWTC) at Corry Station in Pensacola, Florida.
Eric is an instructor and Evan is a student at IWTC. Both serve among the future generation of information warfighters. IWTC instructors are experts in the subject matter they teach, providing cutting-edge technical training that transforms students into mission-ready U.S. Navy sailors. Students at IWTC are taught the requirements and skills needed to be successful in their new careers.
Eric, who joined the U.S. Navy six years ago, currently serves as an information systems technician.
“I wanted to be in the military,” he said Eric. “My older brother was a U.S. Marine, and I knew I wanted to serve as well.”
Evan joined the U.S. Navy three months ago.
“After not living a very stable life, I decided to follow in my big brother’s footsteps and join the navy,” he said.
According to the Lowe brothers, the values required to succeed in the U.S. Navy are similar to those found in Gadsden.
“Growing up, I learned to be tolerant and understanding of people from all walks of life,” said Eric.
“I learned that responsibility comes from managing your time effectively, which are all foundational pillars for the U.S. Navy,” added Evan.
As one of Center for Information Warfare Training’s four training commands, IWTC provides schooling for the U.S. Navy and joint services in cryptologic, information systems and cyber functions, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations.
The Center for Information Warfare Training (CIWT) delivers trained information warfare professionals to the U.S. Navy and joint services, enabling optimal performance of information warfare across the full spectrum of military operations. CIWT trains enlisted personnel and officers in all functions of…

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Over 5 lakh malware infections detected in local telco users

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A staggering 5,25,820 counts of malware infections have been identified amongst the users of the four telecom operators in the country, according to the Horizon Scanning Report for Bangladesh Telecom Operators prepared by the cyber threat intelligence researchers of Bangladesh e-Government CIRT (Computer Incident Response Team). These counts of malware infections have been accounted for during the first quarter of this year, i.e. from January 2022 to April 2022.

All four telecom operators in Bangladesh have a significant infection rate of numerous malware for network communications. The total malware infections amongst the users have been accounted for during the first quarter of this year, i.e. from January 2022 to April 2022 in the Horizon Scanning Report for Bangladesh Telecom Operators.

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Grameenphone, having the highest subscriber base with 83.02 million users, leads the way with 294,657 total malware counts and 47 unique counts of malware infections. The virus called ‘android.hummer’ has the highest infection rate of 24.4%.

Coming in second place is Robi Axiata, with 104,578 total malware counts, having 40 unique counts of malware infections. The ‘avalanche-andromeda’ virus has a 12.85% infection rate and leads the malware chart for the second-largest telecom operator in the country.

Meanwhile, Banglalink, having the third-highest subscriber base with 37.41 million users, has a total malware count of 98,423 with 31 unique cases of software infections. The infection rate is highest for the ‘android.hummer’ virus, as it has an infection rate of 21.64%.

Teletalk, the government-based telecom operator, has a total malware count of 28,162 with 31 unique malware infections. The ‘avalanche-andromeda’ virus has the highest count having an infection rate of 11.39%.

Unsurprisingly, all the operators have the highest number of infections in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh.

According to a globally accessible knowledge base of hacking techniques based on real-world observations, developing and refining the necessary analytics is vital as it can aid in detecting evidence which can confirm the presence of…

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