Hackers and cybercrime prevention
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News
18 Sep 2024
NCSC exposes Chinese company running malicious Mirai botnet
The NCSC and its Five Eyes allies have published details of the activities of a China-based cyber security company that is operating a Mirai IoT botnet in the service of government-backed intrusions Continue Reading
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News
18 Sep 2024
Europol provides detail on Ghost encrypted comms platform takedown
Law enforcement bodies from across the world have revealed how they collaborated to bring down encrypted network Ghost and the new ways of working that have been established with Europol at the centre Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2022
Ransomware demands and payments increase with use of leak sites
Ransomware demands and payments continue to climb as gangs increasingly turn to Dark Web leak sites to add pressure on victims Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2022
How India organisations can mitigate cyber threats
Organisations in India will need to invest more in cloud security, gain more visibility into their systems and improve security awareness among employees to fend off cyber attacks Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2022
Biden issues warning about Russian cyber attacks
President Biden has said that US companies running critical infrastructure should immediately harden their defences in anticipation of potential cyber attacks from Russia Continue Reading
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News
22 Mar 2022
Details of Conti ransomware affiliate released
Information about a new Conti affiliate has been released by eSentire and BreakPoint Lab after a joint investigation into the group’s indicators of compromise Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Mar 2022
Revised scope of UK security strategy reflects digitised society
The omission of the word ‘security’ from the title of the UK government’s new National Cyber Strategy is a telling one, reflecting our increasingly digitised society, say Maximillian Brook and Arunoshi Singh of the ISF Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Mar 2022
UK Cyber Strategy a welcome injection of progress
The National Cyber Strategy should be seen as a welcome injection of both focus and investment in bettering cyber defence for everyone, says Turnkey Consulting senior consultant Louise Barber Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2022
Dark web littered with Ukraine crypto scammers
Cryptocurrency scammers are actively targeting people trying to donate funds to support Ukraine Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2022
Ukrainian cyber defences prove resilient
Thanks to a combination of prior experience and global support, Ukraine’s defences against cyber incidents are holding strong in the face of Russian attacks Continue Reading
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Opinion
18 Mar 2022
National Cyber Strategy will enhance UK’s cyber power status
The UK punches above its weight when it comes to wielding cyber power around the world, but challenges to this status are clear. The National Cyber Strategy has a clear role to play in maintaining and enhancing this status, writes Paddy Francis of Airbus Cybersecurity Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
NCSC catches 10 million phishes
Nation Cyber Security Centre’s scam email reporting service enjoys great success as government embarks on new cyber awareness campaign Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
Alarm raised over ‘trickster’ LokiLocker ransomware
The new LokiLocker ransomware is, like its namesake, adept at tricks and misdirection, say BlackBerry researchers Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
FCSA takes steps to help umbrella company members protect themselves better from cyber attacks
After a spate of suspected ransomware attacks on its members, the Freelance and Contractor Services Association is partnering with a cyber security firm that can coach its umbrella firms on how to protect themselves better Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
Biden signs ransomware reporting mandate into law
CNI operators in the US must now report cyber attacks within 72 hours, and ransomware payments within 24 hours Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
Two men convicted after using EncroChat cryptophones to plot killing
Evidence from the encrypted phone network EncroChat led to the conviction of two men for conspiracy to murder Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
CaddyWiper is fourth new malware linked to Ukraine war
ESET’s cyber security analysts have identified yet another destructive wiper malware being used against targets in Ukraine Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Mar 2022
How cyber security teams can conquer the four-day working week
The four-day week may be an idea whose time has come, but for always-on cyber security professionals, the impact of squeezing more work into fewer days is a tricky proposition Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2022
Supreme Court refuses Julian Assange extradition appeal
The case will be referred to the home secretary Priti Patel to make a decision. The WikiLeaks founder has yet to say whether he will file further appeals Continue Reading
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E-Zine
15 Mar 2022
How the tech sector is supporting Ukraine
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the global tech sector response to the invasion of Ukraine, and how hackers are responding to calls for an IT army to target Russia. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at cloud-based ERP and other business applications. And IBM’s UK chief tells us how Big Blue is reinventing itself. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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14 Mar 2022
Direct action is a risky business for Ukraine's volunteer hackers
Hackers have been responding to Ukraine’s call to create an IT army, but there are many reasons why taking direct action in a kinetic conflict is a bad idea Continue Reading
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Podcast
14 Mar 2022
Ukraine: Cyber warfare and IT industry boycott of Russia – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
Alex Scroxton joins the team to discuss the cyber war dimension of the conflict arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the IT industry’s response to Putin’s war Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Mar 2022
How can I avoid an exodus of cyber talent linked to stress and burnout?
Cyber security professionals have played a crucial role during the pandemic, yet many feel like their employers aren’t providing adequate mental health support and have considered quitting their jobs as a result. What can employers do to help them? Continue Reading
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Opinion
14 Mar 2022
Encryption myths versus realities of Online Safety Bill
The UK government can’t legislate the impossible – a safer society depends on encryption, not breaking it Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2022
Kaspersky forced to deny source code leak
Kaspersky says an alleged leak of its source code was in fact material anyone could have gleaned from its public servers Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2022
Police EncroChat cryptophone hacking implant did not work properly and frequently failed
Surveillance operation against EncroChat encrypted phone network had repeated technical failures Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Mar 2022
National Cyber Strategy misses the mark in one important way
The National Cyber Strategy is full of fine words, says Petra Wenham, but as the old expression goes, fine words butter no parsnips, and it misses the mark in one very important way Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2022
Tech brands sign on to HackerOne responsible security drive
Tech companies sign HackerOne’s new corporate security responsibility pledge to bring cyber out of the shadows and promote effective, secure development practices Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2022
Government to force tech firms to stop fraudsters using their platforms for scams
Changes to legislation will make social media and search engine firms responsible for preventing fraudsters using their platforms to commit crimes Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Paid-for advertising measures included in Online Safety Bill
New measures to deal with fraudulent paid-for advertising have been included in the government’s draft Online Safety Bill, marking the fourth extension in two months Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
Strategic Review of Policing: Police tech needs better ethical scrutiny
The Strategic Review of Policing confirms the central role that tech will be playing going forward, but warns of the need for greater ethical scrutiny to ensure public trust Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2022
China’s APT41 exploited Log4j within hours
APT41 compromised multiple government organisations via the Log4Shell exploit within hours of its initial disclosure, Mandiant claims Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2022
How APAC organisations can mitigate edge security threats
The move to the edge expands an organisation’s attack surface. Here are some measures that organisations can take to minimise their edge security risks Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Mar 2022
When more is too much in security
The view that more security tools equals better protection still persists, but security researcher Etay Maor argues that success in cyber lies in simplicity Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2022
Ukraine joins Nato cyber knowledge hub
Ukraine is to become a contributing participant in Nato’s Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2022
Microsoft stops sales of products and services to Russia
Citing sanctions and cyber security concerns, Microsoft has become the latest company to withdraw from the Russian market Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Mar 2022
Universities need better protection from email-based cyber attacks
The need to educate university staff and students on avoiding email-based cyber attacks is more acute than ever, says Proofpoint’s Adenike Cosgrove Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2022
Boardroom does not see ransomware as a priority
Less than a quarter of company directors think ransomware is a top priority for their security teams, according to Egress Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2022
Direct action is a risky business for Ukraine's volunteer hackers
Hackers have been responding to Ukraine’s call to create an IT army, but there are many reasons why taking direct action in a kinetic conflict is a bad idea Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2022
Use of encrypted Telegram platform soars in Ukraine, Russia
Encrypted messaging service Telegram is proving a valuable asset to both sides in Russia’s war on Ukraine Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2022
Cyber companies step up support for Ukraine
Security companies Bitdefender and Vectra AI are both to offer products and services in support of Ukraine Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2022
SunSeed malware hits those involved in Ukraine refugee relief
European governments involved in managing the logistics of hundreds of thousands of people fleeing Ukraine have been targeted by a suspected state-backed actor Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2022
Toyota production to resume after supply chain attack
Toyota production has been set back by over 10,000 vehicles following a cyber attack on a critical components supplier in Japan Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2022
BBC blasted with millions of malicious emails
Responding to an FoI request, the BBC has revealed it receives more than 300,000 malicious email attacks every day Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2022
DCMS opens consultation on telecoms cyber standards
Proposed rules will set out the specific measures telecoms providers need to take to fulfil their legal duties under the Telecommunications Security Act Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2022
ESET details new IsaacWiper malware used on Ukraine
Having been among the first to report on the HermeticWiper malware used against Ukraine last week, ESET has now identified another destructive malware called IsaacWiper Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2022
Ukraine cyber attacks seen spiking, but no destructive cyber war yet
While cyber attacks linked to Russia’s war on Ukraine are taking place, they are having little impact beyond the region Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2022
Cloudflare: Our network is our product
Cloudflare’s chief product officer explains why its network is its product and how it protects organisations against cyber threats Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2022
Mass phishing attacks against Ukrainian citizens reported
The Ukrainian cyber authorities are alerting people located in the country to be alert to phishing attacks Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2022
Darktrace buys attack surface management firm Cybersprint
Emergent AI cyber specialist Darktrace is to pay £39.7m for Netherlands-based Cybersprint Continue Reading
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Opinion
24 Feb 2022
The UK’s cyber security sector is thriving, but our work has only just begun
The government’s Annual Cyber Sector Report painted a positive picture of the UK security industry. CIISec’s Amanda Finch thinks we can go further in developing cyber talent and opening up the sector Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
Researchers link Dridex botnet to emergent Entropy ransomware
A little-known new ransomware called Entropy contains significant code similarities to the general purpose Dridex botnet, suggesting some kind of link between the two Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
KnowBe4 cyber drama tackles Colonial Pipeline in fourth season
KnowBe4’s ongoing cyber security training drama, The Inside Man, reaches its fourth season with a plot drawing inspiration from one of the most impactful cyber attacks of 2021 Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
New wave of cyber attacks on Ukraine preceded Russian invasion
A wave of DDoS attacks, and a second data wiper attack, were seen hitting Ukraine in the hours leading up to the Russian invasion Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
New cyber guidelines to safeguard construction sector
NCSC launches sector-specific security guidance for organisations in the construction industry, with input from the Chartered Institute of Building Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2022
Russia behind dangerous Cyclops Blink malware
Joint NCSC CISA advisory attributes a dangerous malware, dubbed Cyclops Blink, to Russia’s Sandworm APT, likely a GRU unit, with WatchGuard users at particular risk Continue Reading
- 23 Feb 2022
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News
23 Feb 2022
Salesforce pays out over £2m in bug bounties
Salesforce says it received more than 4,000 vulnerability reports in 2021 alone as it delivers a rare public update on its bug bounty programme Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
DCMS launches free cyber skills platform for kids
Government introduces free online cyber skills training for schoolchildren to encourage them into cyber security roles in the future and help address the skills gap Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Backups ‘no longer effective’ for stopping ransomware attacks
Traditional methods of mitigating ransomware are less efficacious thanks to the rise in double and triple extortion techniques Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
No imminent cyber threat to UK from Russia
Intelligence officials say they have no evidence or indication that Russian cyber attackers are preparing offensive assaults on infrastructure or organisations in Britain Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
IBM opens cyber security hub in India
Big Blue’s new cyber security hub, comprising a cyber range, software development facilities and a security operations centre, will serve enterprises across the Asia-Pacific region Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Tech acquisition to be major priority for UK police
Policing minister cites technology as major focus for future of UK police, in comments made ahead of the publication of the Strategic Review of Policing in England and Wales Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2022
UK organisations swift to chide phishing victims
While UK organisations are doing better at security training, many are quick to punish employees who fall victim to phishing attacks, whether real or simulated Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Feb 2022
Security Think Tank: Good training is all about context
In-house or outsourced? What makes a good security training programme, and what questions should buyers ask when procuring training as a service? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
22 Feb 2022
Think nation-state cyber attacks won’t hit you? Think again…
In this week’s Computer Weekly, with Russian state cyber attacks in the news, we find out why security professionals in every organisation need to remain alert. Our buyer’s guide looks at the tools and programmes helping improve IT training. And we look at how the traditional sport of golf is undergoing a digital transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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21 Feb 2022
Why security professionals should pay attention to what Russia is doing
Even though the average organisation is an unlikely target for a Russian state cyber attack, here's why security teams still need to watch what Russian threat groups are up to Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2022
UK joins US in pinning Ukraine DDoS attacks on Russia
A series of DDoS attacks on Ukrainian defence and banking organisations last week is now being firmly attributed to Russian action Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2022
Lawyers say ‘unprecedented’ secrecy deprived EncroChat defendants of fair trials
Lawyers from seven countries say it is impossible for their clients to challenge the accuracy, authenticity, reliability and legality of the evidence against them Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2022
UK organisations untroubled by Trickbot surge
A surge in Trickbot infections is targeting some of the world’s most prominent brands, but UK organisations seem thankfully unaffected Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Feb 2022
It takes a village: Protecting kids online is everyone’s responsibility
The rapid uptake of smartphones among children has contributed to the increasing number of cases of cyber bullying and online grooming. Is this an educational issue or a cultural problem, and can modern enterprise help? Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2022
Red Cross cyber attack the work of nation-state actors
The International Committee of the Red Cross now believes the January 2022 attack on its systems to have been the work of an undisclosed nation state Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
2021 another record year for UK cyber investment
Total revenue generated by the UK’s cyber sector was up 14% last year, and UK-registered security firms raised over £1bn in investment Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
DDoS attacks hit Ukrainian defence ministry and banks
A further wave of cyber attacks has taken place against targets in Ukraine amid heightened tension in the region Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
BlackCat ransomware gang claims responsibility for Swissport attack
Ransomware gang is trying to offload 1.6TB of data stolen from aviation services firm Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2022
Retrospect Backup refines anomaly detection in ransomware battle
StorCentric backup software brand allows customer fine-tuning of anomaly detection in struggle against ransomware, and adds immutable copies via object locking in Azure Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2022
Parasol data breach: Frustrated IT contractors dig into the dark web in search of their data
The emergence on the dark web of passports, payslips and other personal documents belonging to contractors affected by the cyber attack and subsequent data breach at Parasol is prompting group actions and forcing some IT contractors to find out for themselves if their data has been compromised Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2022
TA2451 targets aviation and transport sector with tailored lures
Newly designated cyber criminal group favours highly specific lures and a tried-and-tested modus operandi to compromise targets in the aviation, aerospace and transport sectors Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2022
China emerges as leader in vulnerability exploitation
Threat actors linked to China are emerging as a significant force in the weaponisation of newly discovered CVEs Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Lack of knowledge disastrous for effective security strategy within Dutch companies
Most Dutch companies still haven’t realised that security is an integral part of their IT and company strategy Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Why security professionals should pay attention to what Russia is doing
Even though the average organisation is an unlikely target for a Russian state cyber attack, here's why security teams still need to watch what Russian threat groups are up to Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Hackney Council could be forced to answer questions about IT security training after Psya ransomware
Council is negotiating with the information commissioner after refusing to reply to questions under the Freedom of Information Act about staff IT and security training during the pandemic Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2022
How diplomatic immunity silenced the prosecutor who coordinated Sweden’s EncroChat probe
Defence lawyers claim Swedish court decision not to hear evidence from a Swedish prosecutor leaves important legal questions unanswered over international police operation to hack EncroChat cryptophone network Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Feb 2022
Phishing tests are a useful exercise, but don’t overdo it
The vast majority of cyber attacks start with a phish, so it’s not surprising that phishing tests form part of cyber training plans. But sometimes these tests go too far. Cyberis’ Gemma Moore looks at how to avoid the pitfalls Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
Linux-based clouds an open door for attackers, says VMware
Its prevalence as a cloud operating system means Linux is becoming a meal ticket for malicious actors, but the security industry does not seem to have cottoned on to this yet, says VMware Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
Ransomware ever more sophisticated and impactful, warns NCSC
UK’s National Cyber Security Centre teams up with US and Australian partners in a joint advisory warning organisations of the increasing sophistication exhibited by criminal ransomware gangs Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
Tech companies risk being compelled by law to protect children, says online safety expert
John Carr, a child safety campaigner backing a government-funded campaign on the dangers of end-to-end encryption to children, says tech companies have no choice but to act Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2022
How Dutch hackers are working to make the internet safe
We hear how the personal mission of a Dutch hacker grew into a serious organisation with international ambitions Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Feb 2022
Five key tech trends for digital leaders in 2022
The past two years have seen a surge in investment that will bring new challenges to digital leaders over the next year Continue Reading
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Podcast
09 Feb 2022
Log4Shell, Ukraine and umbrella firm cyber attacks – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
Alex Scroxton joins the team to discuss the Log4j vulnerability and Russian pressure on Ukraine. Also discussed are cyber attacks on umbrella companies, neuro-diversity and junk in space Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2022
DPD delivers swift fix for serious API flaw
API vulnerability potentially left PII on DPD Group’s customers dangerously exposed, but was rapidly fixed on disclosure Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2022
Microsoft to start blocking macros to thwart malware
Microsoft is making changes to web macro permissions across multiple Office apps to help improve user security Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2022
The Security Interviews: Building the UK’s future cyber ecosystem
As the government lays out the next iteration of its Cyber Security Strategy, we speak to Plexal and Lorca’s Saj Huq about his work building a cyber ecosystem to support the UK’s future ambitions Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2022
Airport services firm thwarts attempted ransomware heist
Aviation services provider Swissport says its systems are mostly back up and running after a ransomware attack Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2022
Cyber attacks on European oil facilities spreading
Following a cyber attack on distribution facilities in Germany, more incidents have been reported in Belgium and the Netherlands, but it is too early to necessarily draw a link between them Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2022
Check Point looks to plug ASEAN’s cyber security gap
Check Point is shoring up its sales force and partner ecosystem to address the cyber security needs of small and mid-sized businesses in a region that is highly targeted by threat actors Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2022
BlackCat crew supposedly behind OilTanking ransomware heist
Preliminary reports from Germany’s national cyber authority indicate the recent OilTanking ransomware attack may have been the work of the BlackCat group Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2022
Brookson and Parasol cyber attacks: Contractor complaints about delayed payments continue
Several weeks on from the suspected ransomware attack that blighted two of the umbrella industry’s biggest players, contractors are still chasing their missing money Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2022
Crisp supply shortage looms after KP Snacks hit by ransomware
Supplies of Hula Hoops and many other snack brands are under threat after a ransomware attack on the systems of KP Snacks Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2022
French Supreme Court raises constitutional questions over EncroChat hacking secrecy
Conseil Constitutionnel to decide whether ‘defence secrecy’ over state EncroChat cryptophone hacking breaches French constitution Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2022
Reforms needed to tackle economic crime, says Treasury Committee
The Treasury Committee is disappointed at progress towards tackling economic crime and fraud in both the online and offline worlds, and is calling for more action Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2022
British Council data exposed by third-party cyber failure
The British Council entrusted confidential data on its students to a third-party and was let down Continue Reading
