Wireless carriers fined $200 million after illegally sharing customer location data

After four years of investigation, the Federal Communications Commission FCC has concluded that four of the major wireless carriers in the US violated the law in sharing access to customers’ location data. The FCC fined AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon a total of almost $200 million for...

Porn panic imperils privacy online, with Alec Muffett (re-air): Lock and Code S05E08

This week on the Lock and Code podcast… A digital form of protest could become the go-to response for the world’s largest porn website as it faces increased regulations: Not letting people access the site. In March, PornHub blocked access to visitors connecting to its website from Texas. It marke...

How to back up your iPhone to a Mac

They say the only backup you ever regret is the one you didnt make. iPhone backups can be used to easily move your apps and data to a new phone, to recover things youve lost, or to fix things that have failed. One of the most cost effective ways to backup your iPhone is to save backups to your Ma...

Vans warns customers of data breach

Skater brand Vans emailed customers last week to tell them about a recent “data incident.” On December 13, 2023, Vans said it detected unauthorized activities on its IT systems, attributed to "external threat actors." An investigation revealed that the incident involved some personal information ...

Tax scammer goes after small business owners and self-employed people

While most tax payers don’t particularly look forward to tax season, for some scammers it’s like the opening of their hunting season. So its no surprise that our researchers have found yet another tax-related scam. In this most recent scam, weve not seen the lure the scammer uses, but it is likel...

Going viral shouldn’t lead to bomb threats, with Leigh Honeywell: Lock and Code S05E06

This week on the Lock and Code podcast… A disappointing meal at a restaurant. An ugly breakup between two partners. A popular TV show that kills off a beloved, main character. In a perfect world, these are irritations and moments of vulnerability. But online today, these same events can sometimes...

Why keeping track of user accounts is important

CISA the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has issued a cybersecurity advisory after the discovery of documents containing host and user information of a state government organization’s network environment—including metadata—on a dark web brokerage site. An attacker managed to...

Ransomware review: February 2024

This article is based on research by Marcelo Rivero, Malwarebytes ransomware specialist, who monitors information published by ransomware gangs on their Dark Web sites. In this report, "known attacks" are those where the victim did not pay a ransom. This provides the best overall picture of...

2 million job seekers targeted by data thieves

A cybercriminal group known as ResumeLooters has infiltrated 65 job listing and retail websites, compromising the personal data of over two million job seekers. The group used SQL injection and cross-site scripting XSS attacks—both common techniques— to extract the sensitive information from the...

Known ransomware attacks up 68% in 2023

Today, Malwarebytes released its 2024 State of Malware report, detailing six cyberthreats that resource-constrained IT teams should pay attention to in 2024. Top of the list is "Big Game" ransomware, the most serious cyberthreat to businesses all around the world. Big game attacks extort vast...

Safer Internet Day, or why Brad Pitt needed an internet bodyguard

February 6, 2024 is Safer Internet Day. When I was asked to write about the topic, I misunderstood the question and heard: “can you cover save the internet” and we all agreed that it might be too late for that. While we laughed about it, it made me think. The internet has been around for quite so...

AI likely to boost ransomware, warns government body

The British National Cyber Security Centre NCSC says it expects Artificial Intelligence AI to heighten the global ransomware threat. In a report, the NCSC makes the assessment that AI will almost certainly increase the volume and heighten the impact of cyberattacks over the next two years. We’re...

How to lock out your ex-partner from your smart home

Stalkers can use all kinds of apps, gadgets, devices, and phones to spy on their targets, which are often their ex-partners. Unfortunately, while they no doubt have many positive uses, smart home devices give stalkers an array of tools to keep an eye on their targets. If you are the partner that...

DNA data deserves better, with Suzanne Bernstein: Lock and Code S05E01

This week on the Lock and Code podcast… Hackers want to know everything about you: Your credit card number, your ID and passport info, and now, your DNA. On October 1 2023, on a hacking website called BreachForums, a group of cybercriminals claimed that they had stolen—and would soon...

IT administrators’ passwords are awful too

The key is under the doormat by the front door. The administrator password is "admin". These are easy to remember clues when you are providing entrance to someone you trust. The problem is that they are also enormously easy to guess. It’s where we would expect an unwanted visitor to check first,...

Clever malvertising attack uses Punycode to look like KeePass’s official website

Threat actors are known for impersonating popular brands in order to trick users. In a recent malvertising campaign, we observed a malicious Google ad for KeePass, the open-source password manager which was extremely deceiving. We previously reported on how brand impersonations are a common...

Giant health insurer struck by ransomware didn't have antivirus protection

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation PhilHealth, has confirmed that it was unprotected by antivirus software when it was attacked by the Medusa ransomware group in September. Antivirus software--or more correctly, its modern descendents endpoint security and Endpoint Detection and Response...

Webinar: Bridging digital transformation & cybersecurity

Digital transformation may be revolutionizing businesses and the way we operate, but it also presents notable challenge: How can organizations stay secure amidst the ceaseless tide of change? Our latest Byte Into Security webinar has the answers. Meet the Experts Marcin Kleczynski, CEO of...

Major cyberattack leaves MGM Resorts reeling

A major incident impacting MGM Resorts has caused computer shutdowns all over the US. The systems most impacted are tied to casinos and hotel computer systems. According to the AP, locations caught by this shutdown range from New York and Ohio to Michigan and Mississippi. At this point Id link to...

Google strengthens its Workplace suite protection

Google has announced the strengthening of safeguard measures for its Workspace customers. You may well be using Workspace without realising it. If youre using a Google product such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, or Google Docs Editors Suite among other apps, then congratulations: you are fully inside...

Beware malware posing as beta versions of legitimate apps, warns FBI

The FBI has issued a warning that cybercriminals are embedding malicious code in mobile beta-testing apps in attempts to defraud potential victims. The victims are typically contacted on dating sites and social media, and in some cases they are promised incentives such as large financial payouts...

TikTok facing fines for violating children’s privacy

The European Data Protection Board is expected to fine TikTok for violating the privacy of young children within the next four weeks. The European Data Protection Board said a binding decision has been reached over TikTok's processing of childrens data, after the ByteDance-owned app submitted leg...

How Apple fixed what Microsoft hasn't, with Thomas Reed: Lock and Code S04E16

Earlier this month, a group of hackers was spotted using a set of malicious tools--that originally gained popularity with online video game cheaters--to hide their Windows-based malware from being detected. Sounds unique, right? Frustratingly, it isn't, as the specific security loophole that was...

From Malvertising to Ransomware: A ThreatDown webinar recap

Our recent webinar From Malvertising to Ransomware highlight the clear connection between malvertising--the practice of embedding malicious code within legitimate online advertisements--and the epidemic of ransomware attacks affecting businesses globally. Presented by Mark Stockley, security...

6 tips for a cybersecure honeymoon

You've done it, you've got married. The big day is over, and while you're relaxing on honeymoon you definitely don't want to get distracted by security problems. So, we rounded up some quick tips to keep you safe. Refrain from posting on social media about your honeymoon. This is good practice...

Baby monitor safety: What you need to know

Do you have an impending new arrival in your family of the small and very noisy variety? If so, youre probably going to invest in a baby monitor for peace of mind both at night and during the day. But do you know what kind of monitor youre going to buy? Will it be audio only, or have images? Will...

Update your Cisco System Secure Client now to fix this AnyConnect bug

Cisco Secure Client is the fresh recipient of a fix to address a high-severity vulnerability related to improper permissions. The flaw allows attackers to potentially escalate privileges to the SYSTEM account. From the vulnerability advisory: A vulnerability in the client update feature of Cisco...

Ransomware attack on MSI led to compromised Intel Boot Guard private keys

On April 7, 2023 MSI Micro-Star International released a statement confirming a cyberattack on part of its information systems. While the statement does not reveal a lot of tangible information, this snippet is important: "MSI urges users to obtain firmware/BIOS updates only from its official...

World Password Day must die

The continued existence of World Password Day is a tell that something has gone badly wrong in cybersecurity. Now in its tenth year, the day is supposed to act as an annual reminder for people to follow good password hygiene: Dont reuse passwords; use long passwords; no, longer passwords than tha...

TikTok: What’s going on and should I be worried?

Since 2020, several governments and organizations have banned, or considered banning, the immensely popular social media app TikTok from their staffs devices. With all these alarming bells ringing, we thought it might be handy to break down what we know and see if we can plot a sensible strategy...

The NBA tells fans about data breach

The National Basketball Association NBA has notified its fans they may be affected by a data breach in a third-party service the organization uses. For now, it is safe to assume that the attacker only obtained names and email addresses, but the NBA has hired the services of external cybersecurity...

The 5 most dangerous cyberthreats facing businesses this year

Which of the myriad, extant cyberthreats should your business be paying the most attention to in 2023? Thats the question we set out to answer in this years annual State of Malware report, and the answers might surprise you. To understand why, you need to know what makes this years report so...

What is AI good at (and what the heck is it, actually), with Josh Saxe: Lock and Code S04E04

In November of last year, the AI research and development lab OpenAI revealed its latest, most advanced language project: A tool called ChatGPT. ChatGPT is so much more than "just" a chatbot. As users have shown with repeated testing and prodding, ChatGPT seems to "understand" things. It can give...

New data wipers deployed against Ukraine

As war in Ukraine rages, new destructive malware continues to be discovered. In a recent tweet, the Ukrainian Computer Emergency Response Team CERT-UA named five wipers used against Ukrinform, Ukraines national news agency. It suspects a link to the Sandworm group. UPDATE: UAC-0082 suspected...

Ransomware revenue significantly down over 2022

According to blockchain data platform Chainalysis, ransomware revenue "plummeted" from $765.6 in 2021 to at least $456.8 in 2022. The data is based on an analysis of the cryptocurrency addresses known to be controlled by ransomware attackers. Precision While the real numbers are likely much highe...

Fighting technology's gender gap with TracketPacer: Lock and Code S04E02

Last month, the TikTok user TracketPacer posted a video online called "Network Engineering Facts to Impress No One at Zero Parties." TracketPacer regularly posts fun, educational content about how the Internet operates. The account is run by a network engineer named Lexie Cooper, who has worked i...

Software provider denied insurance payout after ransomware attack

The Supreme Court of Ohio issued a ruling days before the New Year that a software and service provider shouldn't be covered by insurance against a ransomware attack as it didn't cause direct or physical harm to tangible components of software, as it doesnt have any. "When insurance policy covers...

Electronic Sales Suppression Tools are cooking the books

When you see point of sale software in the news, its usually because the terminal has been compromised and is now stealing payment details used in the device. Insecure stores, whether compromised as part of an inside job or a phishing attack, are a big problem for both buyers and the store itself...

Security advisories are falling short. Here's why, with Dustin Childs: Lock and Code S03E25

Decades ago, patching was, to lean into a corny joke, a bit patchy. In the late 90s, the Microsoft operating system OS Windows 98 had a supportive piece of software that would find security patches for the OS so that users could then download those patches and deploy them to their computers. That...

A week in security (October 24 - 30)

Last week on Malwarebytes Labs: Lock and Code: A gym heist in London goes cyber Healthcare site leaks personal health information via Google and Meta tracking pixels An odd kind of cybercrime: Gift vouchers, medical records, and...food Cisco warns of ISE vulnerability with no fixed release or...

DeadBolt ransomware gang tricked into giving victims free decryption keys

Dutch police and other law enforcement agencies have managed to trick the DeadBolt ransomware operators into releasing 150 decryption keys for free. The method of obtaining decryption keys was found by a Dutch incident response company called Responders.NU, who shared the method with the police...

White House unveils Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights

On Tuesday, the Biden-Harris Administration's Office of Science and Technology Policy OSTP unveiled a new Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, which lists five principles to guide the design, use, and development of intelligence-based automated systems "to protect the American public in the age of...

School app Seesaw compromised to send shock NSFW image

On Wednesday, parents and teachers reported that student learning platform, Seesaw, had been hacked after some users received an infamous explicit photo known as "goatse" on private chats. Schools from districts in Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas...

Apple puts the password on life support with passkey

The "passwordless future" is something many internet users--and a great majority of the cybersecurity industry--have hoped for. Now Apple is about to make those hopes a reality. With the release of iOS 16 yesterday, and macOS Ventura next month, Apple fans will be able to use passkeys, its passwo...

The MSP playbook on deciphering tech promises and shaping security culture

The in-person cybersecurity conference has returned. More than two years after Covid-19 pushed nearly every in-person event online, cybersecurity has returned to the exhibition hall. In San Francisco earlier this year, thousands of cybersecurity professionals walked the halls of Moscone Center at...

Update now! QNAP warns users DeadBolt is exploiting Photo Station vulnerability

QNAP Quality Network Appliance Provider has warned users to update Photo Station to the latest available version. The warning comes after QNAP detected that cybercriminals known as DeadBolt have been exploiting a Photo Station vulnerability in order to encrypt QNAP NAS systems that are directly...

British Airways customers targeted in lost luggage Twitter scam

Getting back into the travel habit? Jumping on a plane soon? Experienced a bit of a luggage disaster and looking for help on social media? Watch out, because a lack of prior research could prove very costly. Word has spread of a bogus Twitter account pretending to be a customer support channel of...

How to secure a Mac for your kids

If you want to know how to secure your Mac so your kids can use it safely, I can help. In 2018 I decided to give my kids an old Apple laptop to share, and I documented the steps I took to secure it. They were still a few years short of their tenth birthdays, and it was their first computer, so I...

6 reasons MSPs need a patch management platform

Weve all heard the stories: Organizations getting breached like there's no tomorrow thanks to threat actors exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities. Likewise, weve also all heard the familiar refrain: Patch regularly! But for many businesses--including the Managed Service Providers MSPs that serve...

Tech support scammers target Microsoft users with fake Office 365 USB sticks

Microsoft is a hot target for scammers and acts of fraud. For example, tech support scam websites cover themselves in Windows branding and messages. Phone scammers claim to be calling directly from Microsoft. If its not a Bill Gates themed lottery spam mail in your mailbox, its a fake Excel...