In 2022, crypto-jacking attacks surged nearly threefold, resulting in a substantial financial burden in the form of high electricity and cloud service for victims. As the prevalence of these attacks continues to proliferate, it’s imperative for organisations to understand the mechanisms underlying crypto-jacking and implement effective countermeasures. While legitimate crypto mining, such as bitcoin mining, is considered a lawful endeavour…
Malware and ransomware represent critical cybersecurity threats with severe consequences for individuals and organisations. Malware encompasses a broad spectrum of malicious software designed to harm or compromise computer systems, often for Identity theft, espionage, or illicit data sale. On the other hand, ransomware is a highly specialised and financially motivated subset, aiming to profit from the victim’s desperation to recover…
Zero trust has emerged as a foundational security strategy designed to solve the complexities of the modern IT world. This proactive model operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” thereby significantly enhancing cybersecurity defences in environments increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated threats. In recognition of its importance, many organisations are adopting the trust model to enhance their security posture.…
The dark web refers to the shadowy realm of the internet, comprising websites and marketplaces for fraudulent activities. These websites are inaccessible via traditional browsers and are not indexed by search engines like Bing or Google. A significant part of the dark web trades in stolen information, including personal data from breaches or cyber crime. Such threats can affect individuals,…
The Ping of Death (PoD) represents a significant security threat when an attacker crashes, destabilises, or freezes computers and services by targeting them with oversized data packets. This type of cyber attack generally targets vulnerabilities persisting in legacy systems, which organisations may have failed to patch adequately. Unpatched systems also remain vulnerable to such attacks, where attackers flood the target…
As the cyber landscape expands, malicious actors have evolved beyond simply breaching systems. Cyber criminals now aim to maintain an undetected presence to control the system and extract the data according to their needs. Command and Control (C2) attacks create a covert link between the compromised system and the C2 servers, enabling prolonged access. This prolonged connection allows cyber actors…
The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) cyber attacks necessitates a paradigm shift in cyber security strategies. Traditional defence mechanisms are insufficient in addressing these evolving threats. Organisations must prioritise advanced threat detection solutions leveraging AI to identify and counter these evolving threats. Additionally, fostering a culture of cyber security awareness among employees remains crucial as social engineering tactics will likely…
The Protect Your System Amigo (PYSA) ransomware is a formidable threat that infiltrates your network to exfiltrate sensitive data and encrypt critical files for ransom. This malicious threat targets sectors like higher education institutions, healthcare providers, and private companies. PYSA continues to evolve, adapting sophisticated tactics to exploit vulnerabilities within organisational defenses. The emergence of this threat underscores the necessity…
Internet Protocol (IP) spoofing is a deceptive tactic employed by cyber actors to manipulate the source address of an IP packet using a forged one. This approach allows threat actors to bypass security measures on your network, potentially accessing sensitive information (such as passwords or financial data) that your system might unwittingly provide. By appearing legitimate, attackers can establish trust…
Smishing, a prevalent form of social engineering, utilizes text messaging to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information. These attacks pose significant risks to both personal security and privacy, with the potential for severe repercussions. Prompt recognition of smishing tactics is essential for prevention and response. Staying alert and implementing strong security measures are critical in reducing vulnerability to these threats.…
