A lot happens in the security world, some big and some small, and many stories get lost in the mix. In an effort to keep our readers informed and updated, we present the Webroot ThreatBrief, highlighting 5 major security news stories of the week.
Encrypted messaging apps used for terrorist communication
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, authorities are looking more at encrypted messaging apps as likely communication means for terror organizations. Apps such as Telegram, offer end-to-end encryption for group chats, although the risk in using them is high. Along with the less-than-stellar encryption, the app also uploads your entire Contacts list to Telegram’s servers. In response to the blowback it had been receiving, Telegram has banned nearly 80 ISIS-related channels.
Response Plans for Cyber Attacks
As the risks of cyber attacks increase for businesses, it is becoming crucial to have a response plan in place, to avoid major loss of data. One of the best ways to reduce the chances of a cyber attack is to implement security training for all employees, as negligence is highly likely and the known cause of multiple past breaches. Additionally, it is good to regularly conduct security assessments to determine any vulnerabilities and to have a stronger understanding of what data is being stored and the best method for protecting it.
DDoS attacks occurring in Britain
On Wednesday, reports came in showing a high volume of DDoS attacks occurring mainly in the UK, after the hacktivist group known as Anonymous declared war on ISIS. The DDoS attacks, which overwhelm network systems with data until they reach a failure point, are thought to have originated from ISIS hackers, though it is nearly impossible to tell for sure.
Read more: http://www.cnet.com/news/british-spy-unit-reportedly-hit-anonymous-with-ddos-attacks/
Smart TV Security Concerns
With the great leaps that technology has made over the last decade, the rise in Smart TVs with network access has brought the Internet right to your living room. Due to the increased use for both homes and businesses, consumers should be cautious when allowing the TV to access their local network, as it could be used maliciously to gain access to sensitive information. Additionally, the remote use of webcams and voice-activation features could be used maliciously, to gain entry to a business or personal area, and should be disabled unless in authorized use.
Read more: http://www.technewsworld.com/story/81691.html
Recurrence of Dyreza for Windows 10
In the last week or so, there have been cases of the banking trojan, Dyreza, being found in Windows 10 environments. The latest variant is capable of killing processes used in endpoint security software, using injection into known good processes to continue running. Unfortunately for consumers, this update seems to have arrived just in time for Black Friday/Cyber Monday, as many will be doing their online shopping for the holidays.
