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Decoding XDR: Allie Mellen on What’s Next [Threat Vector] Dec 24, 2024

Show notes

While we are on our winter publishing break, please enjoy an episode of our N2K CyberWire network show, Threat Vector *by Palo Alto Networks**. See you in 2025!*

Announcement: We are pleased to share an exciting announcement about Cortex XDR at the top of our show. You can learn more here. Check out our episode on "Cyber Espionage and Financial Crime: North Korea’s Double Threat" with Assaf Dahan, Director of Threat Research at Palo Alto Networks Cortex team.

Join host David Moulton on Threat Vector, as he dives deep into the rapidly evolving XDR landscape with Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst at Forrester. With expertise in security operations, nation-state threats, and the application of AI in security, Allie offers an inside look at how XDR is reshaping threat detection and response. From tackling the SIEM market’s current challenges to optimizing detection engineering, Allie provides invaluable insights into the people, processes, and tools central to an effective SOC. This episode offers listeners a thoughtful exploration of how to navigate today's complex threat landscape and separate XDR hype from reality. Perfect for cybersecurity professionals looking to stay ahead in the field, tune in to hear expert perspectives on the next steps in cybersecurity resilience.

Ready to go deeper? Join Josh Costa, Director of Product Marketing, Allie Mellen, Principal Analyst at Forrester and David Moulton, Director of Content and Thought Leadership for Unit 42 as they discuss the State of XDR https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/State-of-XDR-with-Forrester.

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About Threat Vector

Threat Vector, Palo Alto Networks podcast, is your premier destination for security thought leadership. Join us as we explore pressing cybersecurity threats, robust protection strategies, and the latest industry trends.

The podcast features in-depth discussions with industry leaders, Palo Alto Networks experts, and customers, providing crucial insights for security decision-makers.

Whether you're looking to stay ahead of the curve with innovative solutions or understand the evolving cybersecurity landscape, Threat Vector equips you with the knowledge needed to safeguard your organization.

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks enables your team to prevent successful cyberattacks with an automated approach that delivers consistent security across the cloud, network, and mobile. ⁠http://paloaltonetworks.com⁠

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Court puts the ‘spy’ in spyware. Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

A federal judge finds NSO Group liable for hacking WhatsApp. China accuses the U.S. government of cyberattacks. The UK’s Operation Destabilise uncovers a vast criminal network. An alleged LockBit developer says he did it for the money. Apache releases a security update for their Tomcat web server. Siemens issues a security advisory for their User Management Component. Italy’s data protection authority fines OpenAI $15.6 million. Researchers demonstrate a method to bypass the latest Wi-Fi security protocol. Apple sends potential spyware victims to a nonprofit for help. Our guest is Sven Krasser, CrowdStrike's Senior Vice President Data Science and Chief Scientist, talking about balancing AI and human intervention. Hackers supersize their McDonald’s delivery orders.

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CyberWire Guest

Today, our guest is Sven Krasser, CrowdStrike's Senior Vice President Data Science and Chief Scientist, talking about balancing AI and human intervention.

Selected Reading

Judge rules NSO Group is liable for spyware hacks targeting 1,400 WhatsApp user devices (Recorded Future)

Chinese cyber center points finger at U.S. over alleged cyberattacks to steal trade secrets (CyberScoop)

Inside Operation Destabilise: How a ransomware investigation linked Russian money laundering and street-level drug dealing (Recorded Future)

Suspected LockBit dev faces extradition to the US (The Register)

Apache fixes remote code execution bypass in Tomcat web server (Bleeping Computer)

Siemens Warn of Critical Vulnerability in UMC (GovInfoSecurity)

Italy's Privacy Watchdog Fines OpenAI for ChatGPT's Violations in Collecting Users Personal Data (SecurityWeek)

WPA3 Network Password Bypassed via MITM Attack & Social Engineering (CyberSecurityNews.com)

Apple Warns Users Of iPhone Spyware Attacks—What You Need To Know (Forbes)

McDonald’s Delivery App Vulnerability Let Anyone Place an Order for Just $0.01 (CyberSecurityNews.com)

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Jim Zufoletti: Building your experience portfolio. [Entrepreneur] [Career Notes] Dec 22, 2024

Show notes

CEO and co-founder of SafeGuard Cyber Jim Zufoletti shares his journey starting out as an intrepreneur and transformation into a serial entrepreneur in cybersecurity. Jim shares how he got his feet wet working for others as an intrepreneur and catching the entrepreneurial bug in the mid-90s. He has co-founded a number of companies starting with FreeMarkets, a B2B ecommerce company. After that went public and Jim moved on, he went to business school at the University of Virginia and crossed paths with his future co-founder of SafeGuard Cyber. At UVA, Jim was inspired by a professor who exposed him to the effectuation approach to entrepreneurship, Along those lines, Jim recommends those looking to start a business in cyber build their experience portfolio. Jim took what he learned to help build where he is today. His company helps protect the humans in this new digital world with the current work from home environment. And, we thank Jim for sharing his story with us.

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Quishing for trouble. [Research Saturday] Dec 21, 2024

Show notes

Adam Khan, VP of Security Operations at Barracuda, joins to discuss his team's work on "The evolving use of QR codes in phishing attacks." Cybercriminals are evolving phishing tactics by embedding QR codes, or “quishing,” into PDF documents attached to emails, tricking recipients into scanning them to access malicious websites that steal credentials.

Barracuda researchers found over half a million such emails from June to September 2024, with most impersonating brands like Microsoft, DocuSign, and Adobe to exploit urgency and trust. To counter these attacks, businesses should deploy multilayered email security, use AI-powered detection tools, educate employees on QR code risks, and enable multifactor authentication to safeguard accounts.

The research can be found here:

Threat Spotlight: The evolving use of QR codes in phishing attacks

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Ukraine’s fight to restore critical data. Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

Russian hackers attack Ukraine’s state registers. NotLockBit is a new ransomware strain targeting macOS and Windows. Sophos discloses three critical vulnerabilities in its Firewall product. The BadBox botnet infects over 190,000 Android devices. BeyondTrust patches two critical vulnerabilities. Hackers stole $2.2 billion from cryptocurrency platforms in 2024. Officials dismantle a live sports streaming piracy ring. Rockwell Automation patches critical vulnerabilities in a device used for energy control in industrial systems. A new report from Dragos highlights ransomware groups targeting industrial sectors. A Ukrainian national is sentenced to 60 months in prison for distributing the Raccoon Infostealer malware. We bid a fond farewell to our colleague Rick Howard, who’s retiring after years of inspiring leadership, wisdom, and camaraderie. The LockBit gang tease what’s yet to come.

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CyberWire Guest

Today’s guest segment is bittersweet as we bid farewell to our beloved Rick Howard, who’s retiring after years of inspiring leadership, wisdom, and camaraderie. Join us in celebrating his incredible journey, sharing heartfelt memories, and letting him know just how deeply he’ll be missed by all of us here at N2K.

Selected Reading

Ukraine’s state registers hit with one of Russia’s largest cyberattacks, officials say (The Record)

NotLockBit - Previously Unknown Ransomware Attack Windows & macOS (GB Hackers)

Critical Sophos Firewall Vulnerabilities Let Attackers Execute Remote Code (Cyber Security News)

Botnet of 190,000 BadBox-Infected Android Devices Discovered (SecurityWeek)

BeyondTrust Security Incident — Command Injection and Escalation Weaknesses (CVE-2024-12356, CVE-2024-12686) (SOCRadar)

Crypto-Hackers Steal $2.2bn as North Koreans Dominate (Infosecurity Magazine)

Massive live sports piracy ring with 812 million yearly visits taken offline (Bleeping Computer)

Rockwell PowerMonitor Vulnerabilities Allow Remote Hacking of Industrial Systems (SecurityWeek)

Ransomware Attackers Target Industries with Low Downtime Tolerance (Infosecurity Magazine)

Ukrainian Raccoon Infostealer Operator Sentenced to Prison in US (SecurityWeek)

NetWalker Ransomware Operator Sentenced For Hacking Hundreds Of Organizations (Cyber Security News)

LockBit Admins Tease a New Ransomware Version (Infosecurity Magazine)

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Breached but not broken. Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

CISA urges senior government officials to enhance mobile device security. Russian state-sponsored hacker group Sandworm is targeting Ukrainian soldiers. A website bug in GPS tracking firm Hapn is exposing customer information. Multiple critical vulnerabilities have been identified in Sharp branded routers. Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fines Meta $263 million for alleged GDPR violations. Google releases an urgent Chrome security update to address four high-rated vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks on India-based organizations surged 92% year-over-year. Cybercriminals target Google Calendar to launch phishing attacks. Fortinet patches a critical vulnerability in FortiWLM. Juniper Networks warns of a botnet infection targeting routers with default credentials. Our guest is Jeff Krull, principal and practice leader of Baker Tilly's cybersecurity practice, with advice on using employee access controls to limit internal cyber threats. When is “undesirable” a badge of honor?

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CyberWire Guest

Our guest is Jeff Krull, principal and practice leader of Baker Tilly's cybersecurity practice, talking about using employee access controls to limit internal cyber threats.

Selected Reading

CISA urges senior government officials to lock down mobile devices amid ongoing Salt Typhoon breach (The Record)

Sandworm-linked hackers target users of Ukraine’s military app in new spying campaign (The Record)

Tracker firm Hapn spilling names of thousands of GPS tracking customers (TechCrunch)

Multiple security flaws reported in SHARP routers (Beyond Machines)

Meta fined $263 million for alleged GDPR violations that led to data breach (The Record)

Update Google Chrome Now—4 New Windows, Mac, Linux Security Warnings (Forbes)

India Sees Surge in Banking, Utilities API Attacks (Dark Reading)

Google Calendar Phishing Scam Targets Users with Malicious Invites (Hackread)

Fortinet Patches Critical FortiWLM Vulnerability (SecurityWeek)

Juniper Warns of Mirai Botnet Targeting Session Smart Routers (SecurityWeek)

Recorded Future CEO Calls Russia’s “Undesirable” Listing a “Compliment” (Infosecurity Magazine)

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Hacking allegations and antitrust heat. Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

The U.S. considers a ban on Chinese made routers. More than 200 Cleo managed file-transfer servers remain vulnerable. The Androxgh0st botnet expands. Schneider Electric reports a critical vulnerability in some PLCs. A critical Apache Struts 2 vulnerability is being actively exploited. Malicious campaigns are targeting Chinese-branded IoT devices. A Nebraska-based healthcare insurer discloses a data breach affecting over 225,000 individuals. IntelBroker leaks 2.9GB of data from Cisco’s DevHub environment. CISA issues a Binding Operational Directive requiring federal agencies to enhance cloud security. On today’s CERTByte segment, Chris Hare and Dan Neville unpack a question targeting the Network+ certification. INTERPOL says, “Enough with the pig butchering.“

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CertByte Segment

This week, Chris is joined by Dan Neville to break down a question targeting the Network+ certification (N10-008 expires on 12/20/24 and the N10-009 update launched on June 20th of this year). Today’s question comes from N2K’s CompTIA® Network+ Practice Test, both exam versions of which are offered on our site.

Have a question that you’d like to see covered? Email us at certbyte@n2k.com. If you're studying for a certification exam, check out N2K’s full exam prep library of certification practice tests, practice labs, and training courses by visiting our website at n2k.com/certify. To get the full news to knowledge experience, learn more about our N2K Pro subscription at https://thecyberwire.com/pro.

Please note: The questions and answers provided here and on our site are not actual current or prior questions and answers from these certification publishers or providers.

Selected Reading

U.S. Weighs Ban on Chinese-Made Router in Millions of American Homes (Wall Street Journal)

Attack Exposure: Unpatched Cleo Managed File-Transfer Software (BankInfo Security)

Androxgh0st Botnet Targets IoT Devices, Exploiting 27 Vulnerabilities (Hackread)

Schneider Electric reports critical flaw in Modicon Programmable Logic Controllers (Beyond Machines)

RATs can sniff out your Chinese-made web cameras: here’s how to defend yourself (Cybernews)

Regional Care Data Breach Impacts 225,000 People (SecurityWeek)

Hacker IntelBroker Leaked 2.9GB of Data Stolen From Cisco DevHub Instance (Cyber Security News)

New critical Apache Struts flaw exploited to find vulnerable servers (Bleeping Computer)

CISA Issues Binding Operational Directive for Improved Cloud Security (SecurityWeek)

Playbook for Strengthening Cybersecurity in Federal Grant Programs for Critical Infrastructure (CISA)

INTERPOL urges end to 'Pig Butchering' term, cites harm to online victims (INTERPOL)

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The cost of peeking at U.S. traffic. Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

The Biden administration takes its first step to retaliate against China for the Salt Typhoon cyberattack. The Feds release a draft National Cyber Incident Response Plan. Telecom Namibia suffers a cyberattack. The Australian Information Commissioner has reached a $50 million settlement with Meta over the Cambridge Analytica scandal. CISA releases its 2024 year in review. LastPass hackers nab an additional five millions dollars. Texas Tech University notifies over 1.4 million individuals of a ransomware attack. Researchers discover a new DarkGate RAT attack vector using vishing. A fraudster gets 69 months in prison. On our Threat Vector segment, David Moulton speaks with Nir Zuk, Founder and CTO of Palo Alto Networks about predictions for 2025. Surveillance tweaks our brains in unexpected ways.

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Threat Vector Segment

On our Threat Vector segment, we preview this week’s episode where host David Moulton talks with Nir Zuk, Founder and CTO of Palo Alto Networks. They talk about Palo Alto Networks' predictions for 2025, focusing on the shift to unified data security platforms and the growing importance of AI in cybersecurity. You can catch new episodes of Threat Vector every Thursday here and on your favorite podcast app.

Selected Reading

Biden Administration Takes First Step to Retaliate Against China Over Hack (The New York Times)

US Unveils New National Cyber Incident Response Plan (Infosecurity Magazine)

Telecom Namibia Cyberattack: 400,000 Files Leaked (The Cyber Express)

Landmark settlement of $50m from Meta for Australian users impacted by Cambridge Analytica incident (OAIC)

CISA Warns of New Windows Vulnerability Used in Hacker Attacks (CyberInsider)

CISA 2024 Year in review (CISA)

LastPass threat actor steals $5.4M from victims just a week before Xmas (Cointelegraph)

Texas Tech University Data Breach Impacts 1.4 Million People (SecurityWeek)

Microsoft Teams Vishing Spreads DarkGate RAT (Dark Reading)

Man Accused of SQL Injection Hacking Gets 69-Month Prison Sentence (SecurityWeek)

The psychological implications of Big Brother’s gaze (SCIMEX)

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Rhode Island cyberattack exposes sensitive data. Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

A cyberattack in Rhode Island targets those who applied for government assistance programs. U.S. Senators propose a three billion dollar budget item to “rip and replace” Chinese telecom equipment. The Clop ransomware gang confirms exploiting vulnerabilities in Cleo’s managed file transfer platforms. A major Southern California healthcare provider suffers a ransomware attack. A leading US auto parts provider discloses a cyberattack on its Canadian business unit.SRP Federal Credit Union notifies over 240,000 individuals of cyberattack. A sophisticated phishing campaign targets YouTube creators. Researchers identify a high-severity vulnerability in Mullvad VPN. A horrific dark web forum moderator gets 30 years in prison. Our guests are Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, hosts of the new FAIK Files podcast. Jailbreaking your license plate.

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CyberWire Guest

Our guests are Perry Carpenter and Mason Amadeus, hosts of The FAIK Files podcast, talking about their new show. You can find new episodes of The FAIK Files every Friday on the N2K CyberWire network.

Selected Reading

Personal Data of Rhode Island Residents Breached in Large Cyberattack (The New York Times)

Senators, witnesses: $3B for ‘rip and replace’ a good start to preventing Salt Typhoon-style breaches ( CyberScoop)

Clop ransomware claims responsibility for Cleo data theft attacks (Bleeping Computer)

Hackers Steal 17M Patient Records in Attack on 3 Hospitals (BankInfo Security)

Major Auto Parts Firm LKQ Hit by Cyberattack (Securityweek)

SRP Federal Credit Union Ransomware Attack Impacts 240,000 (Securityweek)

ConnectOnCall Announces 914K-Record Data Breach (HIPAA Journal)

Malware Hidden in Fake Business Proposals Hits YouTube Creators (Hackread)

Critical Mullvad VPN Vulnerabilities Let Attackers Execute Malicious Code (Cyber Security News)

Texan man gets 30 years in prison for running CSAM exchange (The Register)

Hackers Can Jailbreak Digital License Plates to Make Others Pay Their Tolls and Tickets (WIRED)

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Marcelle Lee: Cyber sleuth detecting emerging threats. [Research] [Career Notes] Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

Please enjoy this encore episode of Career Notes.

Senior security researcher from Secureworks Marcelle Lee shares her career journey into cybersecurity and how she helps solve hard problems in her daily work. Marcelle came into cybersecurity not through any traditional path. She describes her route from a different field and starting in cyber at her local community college through a grant program. Marcelle took full advantage of the opportunities she had and grew her career from there. She recommends finding your specialty, but continue to build other skills. As a woman in the field, she is a strong proponent of diversity and encouraging others to find what excites them. And, we thank Marcelle for sharing her story with us.

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While we are on our winter publishing break, please enjoy an episode of our N2K CyberWire network show, Threat Vector *by Palo Alto Networks**. See you in 2025!*