Welcome to our weekly roundup, where we share what you need to know about the cybersecurity news and events that happened over the past few days.
Below you’ll find a quick recap of topics followed by links to news articles and/or our blog posts providing additional insight. Be sure to check back each Friday for highlights of the goings-on each week!
BEBLOH Expands to Japan in Latest Spam Attack
An old banking Trojan operating in Europe on a low level has spiked in activity after migrating to Japan. Cybercriminals are using local brand names such as local ISP providers and legitimate looking addresses to fool users into downloading malware that can steal information by monitoring browsers, file transfer protocol (FTP) clients, and mail clients. Its targets? Mostly rural banks.
New Satana Ransomware Encrypts User Files and Master Boot Record
Attackers are developing an aggressive new ransomware program for Windows machines that encrypts user files as well as the computer’s master boot record (MBR), leaving devices unable to load the OS. The program is dubbed Satana — meaning “Satan” in Italian and Romanian — and, according to researchers from security firm Malwarebytes, it is functional but still under development.
More Than 40,000 Patients are Affected in the Latest Healthcare Cyberattack
A recent cyber attack at Stamford Podiatry Group in Connecticut put protected health information of 40,491 patients at risk. The organization contacted patients this week to inform them that their protected health information was compromised. The hack of systems by a smaller healthcare organization is a reminder that such attacks can happen to any healthcare provider or payer organization.
It’s Time for the Olympics and the Olympic-Themed Cyberattacks
The Olympics are right around the corner, and the world will turn its attention to Rio de Janeiro for the Games of the XXXI Olympiad better known as the Summer Olympics in Rio. Unfortunately, the cybercriminals know this and are getting ready for the Olympics as well.
Block Cerber Ransomware in Office 365
In the news this week are reports of Cerber Ransomware targeting Office 365 users. The malware is hidden inside a Microsoft Word macro which makes it challenging to detect using traditional techniques. Users who are trained to not open executables or zip files, may also be more easily duped into opening a Word file – especially if they are a hiring manager and the email says it contains a resume.
For the First Time Ever European Lawmakers Approve New Cybersecurity Law
European lawmakers have approved a new cybersecurity law, a first for the continent, which pushes for greater cyber-defenses and mandates that companies report cyberattacks. The European Parliament in Strasbourg, France endorsed the draft law, which imposes rules and obligations on an array of industries, including banking, energy, transport, and tech giants.
Airlines Are Investing In Cybersecurity
On Thursday (June 29), travel technology provider SITA released its 2016 Airline IT Trends Survey that stated 9% of airlines now plan to invest in cyber security programs within the next 3 years. The report found that: “more than 60% of airlines place oversight for cyber security at the board level rather than within IT departments, suggesting it is starting to be viewed much more as a business risk.”
Ransomware Is Becoming Bigger than Ever
Have you been keeping up with the news lately? Maybe you’ve heard about a new kind of attack that’s causing a lot of problems: ransomware. Ransomware’s been in the news lately because criminals have been holding the computers and data of major institutions hostage, like hospitals and universities.
StubHub Hacker Gets Four to Twelve Years in Prison
The leader of a $1.6-million international ticket-scam ring that hacked into StubHub accounts was sentenced to 4 to 12 years in prison Wednesday as prosecutors blasted him for using his high intelligence to commit crime. Vadim Polyakov, 32, ran a crew that compromised more than 1,000 StubHub accounts, using the stolen data to purchase over 3,500 e-tickets to major entertainment and sporting events.
NASA’s Kepler Twitter Was Hacked and Inappropriate Photos Have Been Posted
NASA’s Kepler Twitter account is the place to go to learn about the space telescope’s new planet discoveries and view artists’ concepts of those strange new worlds. For a brief few minutes on Wednesday, it was also the place to see a rather racy moon image.
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