Hackers and cybercrime prevention
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News
17 May 2024
Why the UK needs to fix its broken IT security market
Ollie Whitehouse, CTO of GCHQ’s National Cyber Security Centre, says the market for secure software is broken. Are new laws required to make software companies liable for poor security? Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2024
US authorities crack BreachForums for a second time
The BreachForums data leak website has been seized by the FBI and international partners again Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2016
UK second only to US in DDoS attacks
Distributed denial of service attacks on UK organisations have eased from a peak in the fourth quarter of 2015, but the UK remains the world’s second most targeted country Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2016
Expect ransomware arrests soon, says bitcoin tracking firm Chainalysis
Law enforcement organisations are set to ramp up arrests of cyber criminals behind ransomware attacks, according to financial technology startup Chainalysis Continue Reading
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News
19 Aug 2016
Police arrest woman in connection with Sage data breach
A woman has been arrested on suspicion of fraud in connection with a data breach at accounting software firm Sage Continue Reading
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E-Zine
18 Aug 2016
CW Benelux: Painting by numbers
In this issue of CW Benelux, we describe how data scientists in the Netherlands have applied technology to art. The Dutch are renowned for being creative with technology and the country has a deep history in art, boasting some of the most celebrated painters. It is therefore apt that the combined tech brains of ING, Microsoft, the Technical University of Delft and other contributors have created The Next Rembrandt, which serves as a visual showcase for big data. The new portrait in the style of Rembrandt van Rijn was put together by a combination of big data technology and 3D printing. All of Rembrandt’s 346 paintings were analysed using data analytics, making it possible to create a seemingly genuine Rembrandt image, while a 3D printer made accurate emulation of his paint patterns and textures a reality. Also in the Netherlands, we feature a case study about how The Hague is solving a bike parking headache with a mobile app. Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2016
Cerber ransomware service reaps $195,000 profit in a month
Franchises such as Cerber are making highly profitable ransomware available to a broader range of cyber criminals, according to a report by security firm Check Point Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2016
Financial sector faces era of cyber mega heists
Banks and other financial institutions are threatened by a new breed of elite cyber criminals running professional operations that will use any means to achieve their goals, says Barclays security chief Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2016
Sage data breach underlines insider threat
Organisations need to take insider threats more seriously say security experts, as Sage warns that a data breach using an internal log-in may have compromised employee data at nearly 300 UK firms Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2016
PwC Australia uses gamification to teach cyber security lessons
With the number of cyber incidents identified by Australian organisations more than doubling in the past year, PwC is using an online game to give enterprises first-hand experience of what it means to face a cyber attack Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2016
Strider cyber attack group deploying malware for espionage
Symantec security researchers have uncovered a spying campaign by a previously unknown group using modular malware as stealthware Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2016
Banner Health cyber breach underlines need for faster intrusion detection
A data breach at Banner Health has highlighted the importance of intrusion detection and prompted calls for greater cyber security investment in the increasingly targeted healthcare industry Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2016
Artificial intelligence takes centre stage in cyber security
Artificial intelligence-led cyber security technology has been in the spotlight at two major industry conferences in Las Vegas, signalling a firm trend in cyber defence research Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2016
Italian-based Android RAT spies on mobiles in Japan and China, say researchers
Researchers discover an Italian-based Android RAT designed for spying that is targeting mobile devices using their unique identification codes Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2016
One in five businesses hit by ransomware are forced to close, study shows
More than half of UK companies have been hit by ransomware in the past year, a study on the impacts of this popular attack method has revealed Continue Reading
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News
01 Aug 2016
Barclays to use voice recognition for phone banking
Retail bank says technology will provide secure verification by recognising the unique characteristics of each person’s voice Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Jul 2016
Six essential processes for keeping data secure
Data security is increasingly vital for organisations as the countdown begins for compliance with new rules imposed by the EU’s general data protection regulation Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2016
UK education system failing to support cyber security profession
Countries and companies must act quickly to address the cyber security skills shortage through improvements in education, workforce diversity, training opportunities, security technology and data collection, a report says Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2016
Security industry welcomes cyber crime’s inclusion in official stats
The security industry welcomes the inclusion of cyber crime statistic in official crime reports to highlight the size and nature of the threat Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2016
Mobile payments get Isaca’s security approval
Mobile contactless payments enable three key security controls that make them more secure than physical and e-commerce payments, according to a report by Isaca Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2016
Carbon Black bets on next-generation antivirus
Carbon Black is betting on next-generation antivirus technology by acquiring Confer to extend the capability and appeal of its endpoint protection offerings Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2016
Case study: Rémy Cointreau boosts security and productivity
Drinks firm Rémy Cointreau uses Centrify’s identity and mobile management to simplify security, improve business agility and reduce IT costs Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2016
French public sector’s never-ending struggle with the cloud
The French government has more hurdles to overcome than many of its European neighbours when it comes to adopting cloud computing services Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2016
Cyber attacks cost UK business more than £34bn a year, study shows
Nearly half of UK firms lack advanced cyber defences, despite the high level of concern about cyber attacks and associated costs Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2016
Cost-effective managed IPS for small businesses
Small businesses typically struggle to afford cyber intrusion prevention systems, but the introduction of a service tailored for this market could change that Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2016
IBM sets up security centre in Canberra
IBM leads the charge as large private businesses invest heavily in security resources across Australia in an attempt to close the security gap Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2016
Datadog calls for password reset after cyber breach
Monitoring and analytics firm detected unauthorised activity associated with production servers and database of user credentials Continue Reading
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E-Zine
07 Jul 2016
CW ASEAN: July 2016
Lessons from the Philippine government hack: In this issue we ask why a hack on the Philippine Commission on the Elections (Comelec) was allowed to happen and what organisations in Southeast Asia can learn from this breach of security. Retailers in the region are concerned – read how the theft of customer data is their biggest worry. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
07 Jul 2016
CW ANZ: July 2016
Australia knows it has a cyber security problem, but not the scale. In this month’s CW ANZ we describe how Australia's $230m security strategy serves as a wake-up call to enterprises. We also reveal the techniques and technologies being used to protect one Australian school, as well as a more general look at the main cyber threats to orgainsations in Australia. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Jul 2016
The problem of passwords and how to deal with it
Security experts have long recognised passwords as inadequate, but finally technology is offering some viable alternative authentication methods that businesses can explore to keep their data safe Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2016
Business has critical role in fighting cyber crime, says report
The National Crime Agency is calling for a stronger collaboration between business and law enforcement to fight cyber crime in the light of a report produced with private sector partners Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2016
UK's Darktrace aims to lead the way to automatic cyber security
Darktrace hopes to be a leader in the move to automated cyber security to free up security professionals to focus on business risk and innovation Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2016
LizardStresser IoT botnet launches 400Gbps DDoS attack
Attack groups using the LizardStresser botnet are exploiting IoT devices to mount massive DDoS attacks without using amplification techniques, say researchers Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2016
Lauri Love using illness as a shield against extradition, claims prosecution
Prosecution lawyer questions whether activist Lauri Love is not fit enough to stand trial in the US over hacking charges,as expert witnesses warn that US prisons are ill-equipped for people with mental health problems. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2016
Most cyber security strategies ignore the way attackers really work
Cyber attackers use more legitimate software than malware, which means most organisations are incapable of detecting much of the malicious activity in their networks, a report reveals Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2016
Lauri Love may be faking mental illness claims lawyer for US
Prosecution lawyer Peter Caldwell questions whether activist Lauri Love is exaggerating mental health problems to avoid extradition to face hacking charges in the US Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2016
Lauri Love suicide risk if extradited to US over hacking allegations
Westminster Magistrates’ Court hears evidence from medical experts that alleged hacker Lauri Love is at risk of suicide if extradited to the US Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2016
Cyber security industry mostly welcomes report on TalkTalk breach
Most of the recommendations of a government committee inquiry into the TalkTalk breach have been welcomed, but pundits have expressed reservations about some, particularly proposed new fines Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2016
Lower average cost of Australian data breaches is not a sign of comfort
The average cost of a data breach to Australian organisations dropped in 2015, according to research Continue Reading
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E-Zine
14 Jun 2016
The password’s the problem – lessons from the LinkedIn breach
In this week’s Computer Weekly, after millions of LinkedIn users had their data compromised, we look at the lessons to be learned from this latest data breach incident. Our buyer’s guide looks at NoSQL technologies and compares the offerings from database leaders Microsoft and Oracle. And we examine the benefits of cloud-based data analytics and how to make it work for your organisation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2016
EU firms slow in detecting cyber attacks, study shows
European firms take an average of 469 days to discover a compromise, compared with an average of 146 days globally, according to Mandiant Continue Reading
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News
12 Jun 2016
Philippines government data breach is a warning to Asean region
Security is a rising concern in the Asean region, with fears fuelled by incidents such as the recent hacking incident in Manila Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2016
IoT security: Lack of expertise will hurt, says Bruce Schneier
Government action at national and international levels is essential for addressing IoT security issues, but the relevant expertise is lacking, according to security expert Bruce Schneier Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2016
Small businesses bearing the brunt of cyber crime, says FSB
The Federation of Small Businesses is calling for more government support for its members in defending against cyber threats Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2016
Internet traffic to triple by 2020, says Cisco
The latest edition of Cisco’s Visual Networking Index predicts a near tripling of internet traffic during the coming years as more than a billion people come online Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2016
Millions of sensitive IT services exposed to the internet, study finds
Encryption should become the default as study reveals millions of sensitive services are exposed to the internet, says Rapid7 Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2016
Human error causes more data loss than malicious attacks
Stupid humans, you are the weakest link, at least according to the ICO Continue Reading
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News
01 Jun 2016
MPs’ private emails are routinely accessed by GCHQ
Computer Weekly investigation reveals the extent of interception of MPs’ and peers’ email communications and data Continue Reading
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News
26 May 2016
BSA warns of malware risk from unlicensed software
While piracy rates are declining, unauthorised software poses a big security risk, says the Business Software Alliance Continue Reading
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News
26 May 2016
UK government details plans for National Cyber Security Centre
The objectives of the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre are to address systemic vulnerabilities, reduce risks, respond to serious incidents and nurture national cyber security capability Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2016
A new wave of cyber attacks targets the Middle East’s banks
Hot on the heels of the Qatar National Bank breach comes a campaign employing advanced social engineering techniques Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2016
Network Collapse: Why the internet is flirting with disaster
It’s surprising the internet works at all, given the age of its core software. The question is, can we catch it before it falls over? Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2016
UK government announces CyberFirst bursary scheme
GCHQ will partner with other government departments and private industry to offer students a comprehensive package of financial assistance and cyber skills Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2016
NHS data security standards to be designed around technology, people and processes
The Care Quality Commission’s delayed review of NHS data security standards will encourage NHS organisations to have senior information risk owners and Caldicott Guardians at board level Continue Reading
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E-Zine
20 May 2016
CW Benelux: May-July 2016
Welcome to the Computer Weekly ezine focused on the Benelux region. This quarterly publication will look at the issues facing CIOs in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg. Continue Reading
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News
19 May 2016
Lessons from LinkedIn data breach revelations
There are several important lessons to be learned from revelations about LinkedIn's 2012 data breach, say security experts Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2016
Cyber espionage campaign targets Ukraine separatists
Security researchers discover a surveillance operation against separatists in Eastern Ukraine using spear phishing attacks to spread previously unknown malware Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2016
Police set for better engagement with UK tech firms
The policing lead for digital investigation and intelligence says new structures will improve engagement and collaboration between the UK tech industry and police forces Continue Reading
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E-Zine
17 May 2016
Countdown begins to new EU data protection rules
In this week’s Computer Weekly, with the new EU data protection rules ready to become law, firms now have just two years to prepare for the stringent regulations – we assess the challenges. Manufacturing giant Rolls-Royce talks about why it moved its HR systems to the cloud and the lessons it learned. And we look back at 50 years of technology innovation in storage. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2016
Time to shift information security focus away from prevention, says Swiss bank CISO
Organisations need a new approach which recognises security is “breakable”, according to Michael Meli Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2016
Swift reports another Bangladesh central bank-style cyber attack
Global financial messaging organisation Swift warns of a highly adaptive cyber criminal campaign targeting banks with user credentials to submit transfer requests Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2016
IAM central to Deutsche Bank’s digital transformation
Deutsche Bank is using a centralised identity and access management (IAM) system and an application program interface (API) architecture for digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
10 May 2016
UK court rejects demands for Lauri Love to hand over encryption keys
Court rules against an attempt by the National Crime Agency to force activist Lauri Love to disclose encryption keys by bypassing the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act Continue Reading
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News
09 May 2016
Australian health sector an easy target for cyber criminals, says IBM
A push to encourage greater adoption of electronic health records has raised the spectre of online record theft Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2016
Ransomware emerges as a top cyber threat to business
Security researchers at Kasperky Lab and FireEye confirm that the upward trend of ransomware is continuing and has emerged as a top threat to business Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2016
Cyber security in Belgium will gain prominence after terror attacks
Belgium’s physical security has been branded inadequate, so how does the country’s cyber security measure up? Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2016
Payment card industry issues data security standard update
PCI DSS version 3.2 introduces six new requirements for compliance, some additional guidance and a raft of clarifications Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2016
Technology moving too fast for governments to keep up, says former Darpa chief
Former US defence technology chief supports encryption and privacy, despite intelligence services’ fears Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2016
IPv6 alone will not secure IoT, warns GE CISO
It is important for all users of the internet of things to understand what they are getting into with IPv6, and to be aware of the risks and myths, says GE CISO Hanns Proenen Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2016
Business failing to learn lessons of past cyber attacks, report shows
Organisations are still failing to address basic security issues and well-known attack methods, Verizon’s latest Data Breach Investigations Report reveals Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2016
GCHQ told analysts to assume surveillance 'bulk data' is legal
Documents obtained by charity Privacy International reveal insights into GCHQ’s collection of sensitive bulk data, as lawyers question the impact of surveillance on legal privilege, fair trials and protection of whistleblowers Continue Reading
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E-Zine
19 Apr 2016
The hunters who prey on cyber criminals
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the hunters – a new breed of security expert that proactively hunts down cyber attackers before they can strike. We visit Silicon Valley to meet some of the up-and-coming startups in data analytics and business intelligence. And we hear from IT leaders about the people, process and cultural aspects of managing digital transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
19 Apr 2016
Employees’ use of personal devices puts firms at risk of malware infection, says report
Downloaders care about their own security while grabbing pirated content, not that of their employers Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2016
Israeli volunteers ready their cyber defences as Anonymous affiliates attack
Every April, Israel braces itself for an onslaught from pro-Palestinian hackers, but the occupants of a small conference room in Tel Aviv stand in their way Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2016
NCA attempts 'back door' access to obtain activist Lauri Love’s passwords
Court told that use of civil proceedings to force disclosure of alleged hacker Lauri Love's passwords is disproportionate and would breach human rights law Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2016
QA launches cyber attack defence training facility in London
Training firm QA launches a cyber attack simulation facility in London to enable organisations to test and learn cyber defence skills Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2016
Activist Lauri Love faces order to disclose encryption keys
The UK’s National Crime Agency takes an unusual legal step to force a former university student accused of hacking to disclose encryption keys Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2016
'Citizens will be stripped naked' by Turkey’s data law
Turkey's data protection law, introduced in March 2016, will make Turkey a near total surveillance state, yet the EU, apparently more concerned about securing Turkey's help in controlling immigration, is turning a blind eye Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2016
UK campaign launched against location data security risks
UK consumers are unwittingly signing up to be location tracked and this data is being used and sold on for commercial benefit, warns privacy campaign Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2016
DDoS attacks on universities normally performed by “disgruntled” students or employees
The majority of distributed denial of service attacks on universities are made by students or employees, says the head of infrastructure services at the University of London Continue Reading
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News
31 Mar 2016
Adwind at centre of cyber attack on Singapore bank
Kaspersky Lab has revealed that the Adwind malware-as-a-service platform was at the centre of an attack on a Singapore bank Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Mar 2016
CW@50: Fertile British breeding grounds for information security innovation
Computer Weekly is marking its 50th anniversary this year with a series of articles celebrating 50 years of British technology innovation. In this article, we look at the evolution of information security threats and some of the British innovation to counter those threats Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2016
Security should be driven by business, says Corvid’s Andrew Nanson
Information security should be business-driven and investments assessed for their effectiveness and business value, according to Corvid CTO Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2016
Cyber criminals use Microsoft PowerShell in ransomware attacks
A newly discovered family of ransomware, dubbed PowerWare, uses Microsoft PowerShell to target organisations through macro-enabled documents Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Mar 2016
Hunters: a rare but essential breed of enterprise cyber defenders
They wait, they watch, they search the outer reaches of networks and the darkest corners of the web, setting traps, crafting tools, collecting evidence and going in pursuit: they are the hunters Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2016
Government warned of smart meter security threat back in 2012
The government was warned four years ago that its plans for a nationwide smart meter roll-out represented a “potentially significant” security and privacy threat, Computer Weekly has learned Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2016
Businesses urged to update Apple software to dodge zero-day attacks
Security experts are urging Apple Mac, iPhone and iPad users to update their operating systems to avoid data-stealing attacks that exploit a new zero-day vulnerability Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2016
US hospital claims to have fought off a ransomware attack
A hospital in Kentucky claims to have regained control of its IT systems five days after cyber criminals hit it with a ransomware attack Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2016
National Cyber Security Centre to be UK authority on information security
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is to be the UK's one-stop authority on infosec, based in London and led by GCHQ's Ciaran Martin Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2016
Australian girls believe online harassment is endemic
There are clear signals that online threats against women and attempts to invade their privacy are becoming societal norms in Australia Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2016
Most students say cyber security is a growing threat
Some 70% of higher education students say they are aware that cyber crime and attacks are a threat, but less than half think security is their responsibility Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2016
$1bn cyber bank heist thwarted by spelling error
Cyber thieves made 30 requests for the New York Federal Reserve to transfer nearly $1bn from the Bangladesh central bank’s account, but a typo and the volume of requests alerted banking officials Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2016
Lack of security knowledge limiting business initiatives, survey shows
Security concerns are limiting the adoption of cloud and mobility throughout organisations, according to the first Dell Data Security Survey Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Mar 2016
Security Think Tank: Many breaches down to poor access controls
In the modern business environment, what are the most common access control mistakes – and how best are these corrected? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Mar 2016
Building datacentres under the sea
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at Microsoft’s trial of an underwater datacentre and assess the technology and environmental implications of running cloud services under the sea. As PC suppliers build new products around Windows 10, we ask if the desktop PC is set to be reinvented. And with ransomware on the rise, we examine the threat of cyber extortion. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Opinion
07 Mar 2016
The problem with passwords: how to make it easier for employees to stay secure
An organisation’s IT security can be compromised if staff do not follow a strict policy of using strong passwords to access internal systems Continue Reading
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News
04 Mar 2016
RSAC16: Cyber criminals are hiding in plain sight, says RSA report
Cyber criminals are using social media as a communication and sales channel, not just for reconnaissance and phishing, an RSA study has revealed Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Mar 2016
Security Think Tank: Top five access control mistakes
In the modern business environment, what are the most common access control mistakes and what is the best way to correct them? Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2016
RSAC16: RSA’s Amit Yoran comes out in support of strong encryption
A policy of weakened encryption would harm US economic interests and undermine those trying to defend digital environments, according to RSA president Amit Yoran Continue Reading
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News
01 Mar 2016
RSAC16: US works on data access agreement with UK
The US is negotiating with the UK to establish a new framework that will permit UK authorities to access electronic communications directly from US companies Continue Reading
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E-Zine
01 Mar 2016
Protecting the UK from cyber attacks
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the National Crime Agency’s top cyber cop, Sarah Goodall, about how the police are tackling IT security threats against the country through global collaborations. We ask CIOs for their tips on building an IT strategy for the digital age. And we review the big six storage suppliers’ plans for all-flash arrays. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2016
Majority of Britons support government surveillance for national security
A survey reveals that a majority of UK citizens support government surveillance for national security as Apple attempts to rally public support in its row with the FBI over encryption Continue Reading