Tag Archives: Malware

12Oct/24

As an ethical hacker, I can’t believe the risks people routinely take when they access the internet in public

Christopher Patrick Hawkins, University of Staffordshire

In the modern world we are all constantly connected, but this comes with risks. As most cybersecurity specialists will tell you, the biggest vulnerability in any system is the user – whether at home or work.

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28Sep/23

The Hidden Licensing and Security Risks Lurking in Open-Source Software

Walt Szablowski, Founder and Executive Chairman of Eracent, cautions that there is a blind spot for software asset procurement and management teams when selecting and managing software products. It’s imperative for all application users and developers to understand what licensing requirements and potential security risks are involved in widely used open-source software (OSS). Maintaining compliance and protecting against vulnerabilities requires complete visibility and constant vigilance to ensure legal compliance, protect intellectual property, and avoid costly litigation and security breaches. Continue reading

29Aug/23

International ransomware gangs are evolving their techniques. The next generation of hackers will target weaknesses in cryptocurrencies

Alpesh Bhudia, Royal Holloway University of London; Anna Cartwright, Oxford Brookes University; Darren Hurley-Smith, Royal Holloway University of London, and Edward Cartwright, De Montfort University

In May 2023, the Dallas City Government was hugely disrupted by a ransomware attack. Ransomware attacks are so-called because the hackers behind them encrypt vital data and demand a ransom in order to get the information decrypted.

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27Apr/23

How to mitigate the risk of AI prompt injection and protect your systems from harm

April 26, 2023 /Technology/ — Prompt Engineering is considered one of the hottest new tech skills. It refers to communicating with AI systems by using natural human language, such as English, to make them respond to some specific action or task. Talking to AI software can be done for legitimate reasons, it can also be done for harmful purposes.

Here are some examples of AI prompt injection attacks that have been used for harmful instructions: Continue reading

09Dec/22

Avast 2023 Predictions Highlight Increased Risk for Detrimental Damage Caused by Ransomware Gangs

Avast, a leading global digital security and privacy consumer brand by Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), anticipates an increased risk of ransomware attacks in 2023 threatening to leak people’s and businesses’ valuable data if ransom demands aren’t paid. Additionally, Avast researchers foresee optimization of social engineering used in scam attacks, taking advantage of economic hardships and energy crisis fears. The experts also expect increased malicious activity overall, as open-source malware becomes more accessible, and cybergangs recruit hacktivists to join their causes. Continue reading