What Was 2020’s Most Expensive Cybercrime?

Reading the latest FBI report might convince you that Business Email Compromise was the largest cybercrime in 2020. Ransomware proves them wrong by a factor of at least 5 if not more. Both are scourges that SMBs need to protect themselves from. Become more aware to become more secure.

iran cyber attack

Israel Launches ‘Stuxnet 3.0’ On Iran

Iran announced that a blackout occurred at its uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. Iran blamed Israel for a sabotage attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility that damaged its centrifuges. Israel …

booking.com breach

Booking.com Fined Following Vishing Attack

Summary Message: Working out your Breach Notification during a Breach is a recipe for disaster. Back in December of 2018, Booking.com experienced a breach, where the company was exploited through …

facebook user breach

Facebook Exploit – Cybersecurity Advisory

April 2021: CyberHoot received notification of a hacking forum publishing the stolen phone numbers and personal data of 533 million Facebook users. The data was initially part of a breach …

UK Census Smishing Attack

As many know, the United States had its decennial (every ten years) census in 2020, helping determine and record population statistics all over our country; questions around race, sex, and …

instagram scam

Instagram Scams: How To Avoid Them

Since Instagram’s official launch in 2010, it’s seen more than 1 billion accounts opened with users sharing close to 100 million photos every day. Instagram’s popularity skyrocketed since its launch …

twitter vulnerability

Twitter Steganography Risks

Steganography is the interesting but potentially dangerous technique of hiding data or malware code secretly within an ordinary, non-secret file or message to avoid detection. The use of steganography can …

non-fungible token blog

Why NFTs Are The Future

The popular musician Grimes sold some animations she made with her brother Mac on a website called ‘Nifty Gateway’. Some were one-offs, while others were authentic limited editions, all were …

ransomware ban

US Treasury Bans Ransomware Payments

Oct.1st, 2020: The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) warned organizations that making ransomware payments is illegal. These payments violate US economic sanctions banning the support of …

apple privacy

Apple’s New Privacy Initiative

Apple’s tracking-optional iOS 14.5 update provides privacy-preserving features, giving users the ability to opt-out of being followed around the Internet via “trackers” in their apps. This privacy-driven iOS 14.5 update …

romance scams catfish

FTC Warns of ‘Romance Scammers’

For people searching for love online, it has become a little difficult due to scammers’ hell-bent on catfishing vulnerable people. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning about such …

canada clearview ai

Canada Rules Clearview AI’s Illegal

Clearview AI has created one of the broadest and most powerful facial recognition databases in the world. Their application allows a user (law enforcement we hope) to upload a photo of …

europol emotet takedown

Emotet Operation Takedown

In January of 2021, law enforcement and judicial authorities across the globe disrupted one of the most notable botnets of the past decade: Emotet. Investigators have taken control of its …

Security Advisory – Apple and Linux/Unix

February 1st, 2021 Update: All Apple MacOS products are also at risk for the sudo privilege escalation vulnerability details in CVE-2021-3156. Patch these operating systems as soon as you have …

wordpress risks

WordPress Site Risks

WordPress websites account for more than one-third of all websites on the Internet. WordPress is both flexible and powerful and runs some of the most used Internet sites such as …

Ubiquiti Security Breach

Ubiquiti, a large vendor of cloud-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as Wi-Fi Access Points, Video Recorders, and Security Cameras recently faced a security incident. Ubiquiti stated an incident …

chrome extensions

Chrome Extension Privacy Concerns

Browser extensions are tools that help with spelling/grammar, finding deals, storing passwords, or blocking ads; users don’t consider helpful tools being malicious in any form at all. Have you installed …

smishing

PayPal Smishing Attack

A PayPal text message phishing campaign was discovered that attempts to steal your account credentials and other sensitive information. This form of phishing attack, through text messages, is called Smishing.  Hackers …

Ransomware Task Force Forming

The damaging effects of ransomware hit $11.5 billion in 2019, and doubled in 2020 as new, more damaging strains of ransomware (Maze, Sodinokibi, Ryuk, Dharma) hit companies even harder. Older …

IRS Impersonation Attack

Fake IRS Tax Forms This week, AbnormalSecurity reported an attack on an estimated 15-50 thousand email inboxes with a phishing attack. The attack’s purpose was to gain personal information that …

irs pin

IRS Pin Protection in 2021

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced this week that in January 2021 taxpayers can apply for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN). This single-use code is designed to …

awdl apple threat

Close Proximity iPhone Hack

Google’s Project Zero cybersecurity researcher (and white-hat hacker) Ian Beer published an article in December of 2020, outlining how hackers can break into nearby iPhones to steal personal data. The …

‘Smart’ Doorbell Vulnerabilities

The holiday season is officially upon us. Now is a good time to find great deals but proceed with caution: be wary of “too good to be true” deals. CyberHoot …

firefox 83 https

HTTPS-Only Mode Introduced by Firefox

For those that don’t know, the webpage you’re reading this article on features the security protocol of ‘HTTPS’ for example, https://cyberhoot.com/; meaning all data leaving this webpage to and from your …

vishing threat

Vishing, A Threat You Haven’t Thought About

During COVID19 Hackers have upped their attacks to even circumvent two-factor authentication measures. Learn how they are using Vishing to by-pass your best VPN security measures and steal and ransom your data.

EOL and EOS Software and Hardware

11 Reasons to Upgrade Hardware and Software

The pyramids in Egypt and the Great Wall of China were built to last forever. Computer hardware and software? Not so much. IT departments typically replace their workstations, servers, and …

human firewall

Building A Human Firewall

Most cybersecurity experts believe people are the weakest link but at CyberHoot we view people as the strongest line of defense known as the Human Firewall. Through training, policy guidance, and technical protections, people can go from weakest link to cybersecurity tour-de-force in protecting your company. Give them a fighting change and help them become more aware and in so doing, more secure personally and professionally.

Securing Remote Workers

COVID19 has forced many workers into work from home conditions. This has introduced new risks that are more easily addressed by cloud-enabled companies than more traditional on-premises application using companies. This article seeks to identify tips for both in securing businesses whether cloud-enabled or on-premise is your primary application source.

vCISO virtual CISO

vCISOs, Keeping Your Business Secure

There seems to be a news report every day about the latest security breach. Securing the privacy of company information, user information, and customer data is a top priority for …

cyber insurance

Cyber Insurance: Why It’s Needed – Part 1

Cyber Insurance is a developing market with businesses regularly purchasing cyber coverage in addition to liability, errors and omissions, fire, and flood. With so many attacks and data breaches happening …

microsoft critical vulnerability

ALERT: Microsoft Releases “Zerologon” Patch

CyberHoot’s Chief Information Security Officer constantly monitors the cybersecurity threats MSPs and SMBs face. Recently, a critical vulnerability was patched by Microsoft in August 2020. This vulnerability was so severe, …

smishing threat phishing

Smishing, The New Phishing

Many people know about Phishing, a form of social engineering to deceive individuals into doing a hacker’s bidding. Hackers convince users to click on malicious links in an email resulting …

government cybersecurity attacks

State & Local Government Cyberattacks Up 50%

Cybersecurity firm BlueVoyant published a report on August 27, 2020, finding that State and Local Governments have seen a 50% increase in cyberattacks since 2017. The report outlined the cyberattacks …

wifi 6

The New & Improved Wi-Fi 6 Standard

Do you ever get frustrated with your Internet speeds and find yourself saying “there’s no way this is as fast as it can go”? Well luckily for you, there’s a …

api security threat

API Security Risks and Recommendations

Experts are warning security professionals of the next big threat hitting the cyber world: Application Programming Interface (API) attacks. APIs work to make systems perform better by integrating other website’s …

facial recognition cyberhoot

Facial Recognition Takes A Step Back

As facial recognition technology improves and becomes more widespread in its applications for authentication purposes, it is important to understand that security researchers are also devising schemes to fool these systems and to both hide identities from the technology, and to find people from large identity databases alike. The only thing certain about facial recognition today is that it exists and it will continue to be refined and that privacy laws are struggling to keep pace with these advancements.

gandcrab ransomware

GandCrab Ransomware

Increasingly sophisticated and damaging ransomware attacks are here. Availability has always been threatened, but backups prevented ransoms from being paid so hackers have added confidentiality attacks. Ransomware like Maze and REvil now threaten to release critical data online if a ransom isn’t paid. Visit Cyberhoot to learn how to protect from this evolution and escalation in the ransomware war with hackers.

garmin ransomware attack

Garmin Ransomware Attack

Garmin, like Twitter the week before, suffered a massive breach. For Garmin it was ransomware while Twitter saw 130 of its most influential accounts taken over by hackers. Both companies suffered at the hands of hackers who used social engineering attacks to get into the companies and cause their damage. Visit CyberHoot to learn how to protect yourself and your company from these attacks.

diebold atm hack

Jackpotting: Asian ATM Hacking Reaches the US

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) have been around for more than 50 years. In that time, criminals have found many unique ways to steal the cash they contain. Physical security, network security, logical security all play roles in protecting these machines from compromise. Learn how banks are protecting the machines and what you can learn from ATM heists to protect your own business at CyberHoot.

msp attack increases

U.S.S.S. Reporting Increase In Hacked MSPs

The Secret Service warned of increasing attacks on MSPs in July 2020. If you’re not learning how to protect yourself as a Next Generation MSP, then you’re going to be compromised and you’re going to be out of business in the future. The risks are too great. You need to become more aware to become more secure. Learn how to do all this with CyberHoot.

twitter hacked

Major Twitter Accounts Hacked

July 15, 2020: Hundreds of high-profile twitter accounts were hacked including Elon Musk, Kanye West, Barack Obama, Bill Gates, and many others. They all posted nearly identical messages asking for …

SIGRed is not your run of the mill vulnerability.

SIGRed – Critical Microsoft Vulnerability

Every so often, a vulnerability is discovered so egregious that its discovery warrants a special name. On July 14th 2020, a new vulnerability named “SIGRed” was announced that could lead to the compromise of ALL Windows servers from a simple email phishing attack containing a specially-crafted DNS query that would yield complete hacker control of impacted servers. Now that I have your attention, stop what you were planning to do, and read up on SIGRed and apply the Patch of the Registry work-around NOW.

pet adoption scams

Hacker’s Latest Scam: Pet Adoptions

Cyber criminals capitalize on global events (COVID) and national trends that result from global events (Pet Adoption increases). CyberHoot is seeing an increase in Pet Adoption Scams and wants to help our users become more aware of how to spot these scams and avoid them. Become more aware to become more secure.

tattoo recognition software

Social Media Used To Catch Violent Protester

Social media video was used to identify and apprehend a violent protester in Philidelphia. Our images and identity markers are being documented everywhere we go and our privacy is being bottled up in countless databases across the world, boiled down to a digital fingerprints, and used by law enforcement and others if the data is breached and stolen. Are the right protections in place to protect our 4th amendment rights? With great power comes great responsibility. It also requires great cybersecurity protection which CyberHoot is not convinced exists to keep these digital fingerprints safe and protected from misuse.

mac malware article

Malware in Macs

MAC Malware has grown faster than Windows Malware in the last 24 months. If you bought a MAC because it was “safer” think again and learn all the types of malware that’s impacting these systems. Become more aware to become more secure especially with respect to MAC hardware.

Hackers Are Releasing Fake Contact Tracing Apps

Hackers are constantly adapting to the changing realities of today’s global pandemic. Their latest attack method is the release of bogus contact tracing applications. Twelve (12) country’s have had fake contract tracing apps released by hackers impersonating their government contact tracing programs in order to compromise citizen’s mobile devices. Learn how to protect yourself in this article.

stalkerware cybersecurity

Stalkerware Could Be Spying On You

In this day and age, the ability to track someone with their mobile devices is incredibly easy. It’s made easier still using automated tools like stalkerware available online from the dark web. Learn how to protect yourself and your devices at CyberHoot.com.

youtube blog

YouTubers: The Growing Security Target

YouTube Influencers make a good deal of money and are being targeted for account hi-jacking by hackers seeking to extort them for bitcoin ransom payments. Pay or lose your followers/subscribers when the hacker posts offensive materials alienating subscribers.