Tag Archive for: paid

83% of organizations paid up in ransomware attacks 

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Today, cloud network detection and response provider ExtraHop released the 2023 Global Cyber Confidence Index, which found that not only did the average number of ransomware attacks increase from four to five from 2021 to 2022, but also that 83% of victim organizations paid a ransom at least once. 

The report found that while entities like the FBI and CISA argue against paying ransoms, many organizations decide to eat the upfront cost of paying a ransom, costing an average of $925,162, rather than enduring the further operational disruption and data loss. 

Organizations “are paying ransoms because they believe it’s the quickest and easiest route to get their business back up and running,” said Jamie Moles, senior technical manager at ExtraHop.

At the same time, the popular double extortion modus operandi of many cyber gangs “incorporates stealing data before encrypting it and threatening to publish it on the internet if you don’t pay the ransom,” said Moles, thus placing extra pressure on organizations to pay up. 

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The cost of cybersecurity debt 

The research comes just after KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut parent company Yum! Brands announced it had experienced a ransomware breach. 

One of the underlying themes of ExtraHop’s report released today is that organizations are giving ransomware attackers leverage over their data by failing to address vulnerabilities created by unpatched software, unmanaged devices and shadow IT. 

For instance, 77% of IT decision makers argue that outdated cybersecurity practices have contributed to at least half of security incidents. 

Over time, these unaddressed vulnerabilities multiply, giving…

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Partnering With Ukraine on Cybersecurity Paid Off, Leaders Say > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

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A year ago, a hunt forward 10-member team of the U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The Marine Corps major leading that team called back and she said, “We’re gonna be here for a bit,” said Army Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, commander, U.S. Cyber Command and director, National Security Agency/chief, Central Security Service. 

Nakasone spoke on a panel today at the Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. 

That team grew from 10 to 39 people, working with Ukraine to strengthen its cyber defenses and provide reassurance. It paid off big-time as Russia launched its invasion, he said. 

The lesson: presence, persistence and the value of partnerships is what matters most, he said. 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, industry, academia, as well as foreign allies and partners are among those that the Defense Department works with closely, he said. 

A prime example is Cybercom partnering with the FBI and CISA, to ensure safe and secure elections, he mentioned. 

“We generate really good insights. We share intelligence and information with the FBI and CISA. And then, we take action against adversaries who are going to try to do us harm,” Nakasone said. 

The past year, the NSA released 24 unclassified cybersecurity advisories regarding what to expect in terms of Russian attacks on such things as the U.S. critical infrastructure, he said. 

Frank Kendall, secretary of the Air Force, who also spoke on the panel, said regarding military cyber systems, “If we put the resources into them, we can be reasonably cybersecure. … But [enemy] tactics will continue to evolve. They’re going to get more sophisticated over time as we build better defenses.” 

Over the last few decades, America’s ability to secure against cyberattacks has improved pretty dramatically, he added. 

“You’re never going to be perfect, but you can be highly resilient and you can be at a point where you if you get an unexpected attack, you can recover,” Kendall said. 

When Russia…

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Medibank data breach ransom should have been paid, says cybersecurity expert

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Medibank should have negotiated and paid the ransom demanded by hackers after its data systems were breached exposing the details of almost 10 million current and former customers, argues a cybersecurity expert.

Chris Rock, a professional hacker who co-founded global company SIEMonster, which is based in New York and has partnerships with Amazon and Oracle, says the hackers that Medibank are negotiating with are, like it or not, business people.

Chris Rock, a professional hacker and co-founder of SIEMonster, a cybersecurity firm.

Chris Rock, a professional hacker and co-founder of SIEMonster, a cybersecurity firm.

“They are not just one-time wonders, this is a business for them,” says Rock, who is an Australian. He argues that once a ransom is paid it’s not in the hackers’ interest to leak the information. And while there is no guarantee, Rock says if the hackers leak the information after receiving payment, then the next company they target won’t pay.

Rock, who for the past three decades has worked for governments, universities, and companies such as Australia’s BlueScope Steel, says he knows his view is in the minority.

The board and management of Medibank, Australia’s largest health insurer with 27.3 per cent of the market, have refused to pay the hackers the $US9.7 million ($14.6 million) ransom they demanded. The federal government and its security agencies also advised against payment.

Since the attack by Russian hackers was made public in mid-October, the personal information and health conditions of some Medibank customers have been released in batches on the dark web. This has included information on Medibank customers who have had abortions and received treatment for mental health conditions. The hackers released a further block of customer records on the weekend, which included details on chronic conditions such as heart disease, and details of people with cancer, dementia, and infections.

Medibank was verifying those recent records that were released. The company’s chairman, Mike Wilkins, and chief executive David Koczkar have issued a number of apologies to customers.

From left to right: Medibank chief executive David Koczkar and chair Mike Wilkins at the company’s annual general meeting in November.

From left to right: Medibank chief executive David Koczkar and chair Mike Wilkins at the company’s annual general meeting in November. Credit:Eamon Gallagher

“I understand…

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Best Antivirus Apps for Android and iOS (Free & Paid) in 2022

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There’s no need to use antivirus apps on your Android and iOS smartphones if users play safe. If you’re techy enough to know what sites not to visit, links not to click on, apps not to install, and files not to open, then you need not worry about viruses or malware infecting your device. But there are lots of mobile users out there, ignorant about methods to secure smartphones.

There are various ways a smartphone could get infected with viruses and malware, but that is a topic for another day. Nonetheless, should you find yourself in a situation where your device has gotten infected with a virus or malware, then you need to make use of an antivirus app to clear out such virus. But not all antivirus tool work. Most are viruses themselves.

That is why you should be extra careful when installing any antivirus app on your device. In this article on Naijaknowhow, I’ll cover a list of the best antivirus apps to use for Android and iOS devices. They are both free and paid, so you have the option of choosing whichever suits your personal needs. You may also want to check our list of the best antivirus for Windows & Mac PCs.

List of the Best Antivirus Apps for Android and iOS (Free & Paid) to Download

To clear our malware and virus from your smartphone, you should make use of antivirus cleaners. This listicle contains the best apps that’ll help you achieve that. These apps also serve as privacy protectors.

1. Avast Security & Virus Cleaner

Avast Antivirus & Security

Avast Security can be said to be the best virus cleaner app for Android and iOS phones. This app offers protection against viruses and malware that you may find on your device. Even if they’re hidden, this app scans for them and does a clean job of removing them totally from your smartphone. Avast Security is among the best antivirus apps out there.

This app offers both free and premium features to its users. If you want its premium features, then you need to subscribe to a plan to access them. Avast Security app lets you keep sensitive and personal information secure. It has an app lock feature that locks apps with a pin or password. This ensures that no one can access the content of those apps without permission.

Avast Antivirus & Security
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