BotNet News

Cyberthreat News Sophisticated cyber actors and nation-states steal information to make money, disrupt or destroy services, and threaten our national security. The best way to defeat them is by identifying attacks before they happen and mitigating them as quickly as possible. This is the role of individuals and families, small

Firewalls protect your PC from unauthorized access by screening unsolicited data from the internet. Firewalls are based on pre-programmed rules that determine what traffic is allowed to come into or out of your computer. In other words, a firewall acts like a guard at a doorway to ensure no one

Cyber-security protects personal, business and critical infrastructure data and systems from unauthorized access or attack. It encompasses a broad range of technologies and tactics, from firewalls to encryption to intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS). The field of cybersecurity is evolving fast—attacks are increasingly frequent, sophisticated and costly. The average

Malware is a term for malicious software, or code, that is designed to attack and infect devices like computers, smartphones, tablets, and digital medical devices. It is used by criminals to steal information, ransom data or other assets, disrupt operations, or even commandeer those devices to form botnets to perform

Attackers use phishing to trick users into clicking on malicious links or downloading malware. Often, these attacks impersonate banks, online services, or even employees. They usually use a sense of urgency to exploit the recipient’s quick action. For example, they may request that the user bypass normal verification procedures in

AI cybersecurity involves practices to secure AI data, models and usage. Practices include red team exercises (ethical hacking), threat hunting, vulnerability assessments and monitoring to root out cases of shadow AI (the unsanctioned use of AI tools by employees). It also includes implementing isolation controls and a zero-trust access model

Cybercrime involves illegal activities carried out using computers, networks or other digital infrastructure. From hacking into financial institutions, to sex- and drug trafficking and digital piracy, these offenses have profound effects on individual users, small businesses and global corporations and governments. As a crime that transcends physical boundaries, cyber criminals

Cybersecurity is vital to maintaining the trust and functionality of our digital ecosystem. From e-commerce and remote work to critical infrastructure like electrical grids and gas pipelines, cybersecurity protects the information and systems that we rely on everyday. The rapid shift toward digitization has made the need for cybersecurity more

Cyberthreat News is a weekly rundown of small changes in attackers’ tactics that add up to significant risk for businesses and citizens. From reshaped tools to shifting infrastructures, this week’s news shows that sophisticated threat actors continue to evolve their attack arsenals to stay ahead of security. A newly documented

Antivirus is software that prevents, detects and removes malicious code (malware) from your computers, laptops or mobile devices. Malware can damage or corrupt data, steal passwords and other sensitive information, slow down device performance, and even cause a system to crash. Antivirus programs scan for and identify threats, quarantine them

Ransomware is one of the most prevalent and dangerous cyber threats in today’s business environment. This attack vector is constantly evolving as cyber criminals look for new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in everything from email attachments to enterprise software platforms. The ransomware threat illustrates why comprehensive cybersecurity strategies are necessary

Before the Internet, criminals had to dig through trash or intercept mail to steal personal information. Now, they can do it much more quickly and easily via the Internet – or hack into people’s accounts, infect their devices with malware or other threats, or steal data from company networks. Cyber

Cyber-security protects the information, systems and infrastructure that power our digital world. From safeguarding your personal information to ensuring the services you depend on stay operational, cybersecurity is essential to our daily lives. Cyberattacks target everything from high-profile enterprises to small businesses and individuals, and the consequences can be catastrophic.

Ransomware is malware that encrypts files on victim systems and then displays a message demanding payment in exchange for the decryption keys. Typically, attackers demand a sum of cryptocurrency (either bitcoin or other) to unlock encrypted files. Many variants also delete backup and shadow copies of files to make recovery

Antivirus is software that helps prevent, scan, detect and remove malware (or malicious programs that steal information, disrupt computer operations or gain unauthorized access) from devices and networks. It typically runs as a background process to provide continuous protection, scanning devices, files and systems in real time. Modern antivirus software

AI can be a powerful force multiplier for attackers and defenders alike, but it’s not without risks. As organizations increasingly adopt security AI, they must carefully plan their deployments and ensure they are getting the most return on their investments. A few mistakes or weaknesses can quickly derail even the

Phishing occurs when a bad actor spoofs the authentic sender of an email, phone call or text message in order to trick an individual into taking unsafe action that divulges sensitive information, forces a malicious download or otherwise compromises personal and organizational data. Attackers will often use scare tactics, flattery

A botnet is a network of computers or devices infected with malware that is controlled remotely without the users’ knowledge or consent. The infected machines, or bots, work together to execute various malicious activities, such as DDoS attacks, spam campaigns, and data theft. Many cybercriminals rent out these networks for

Hacking is the process of breaking into computer systems for malicious purposes, which can include installing malware, stealing data, or disrupting services. Hacking involves exploiting weaknesses in software, hardware, and network security to gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Hackers often use social engineering to gain access by tricking

Ransomware has become one of the most pervasive cyber threats in our tech-centric society. From a single ransomware attack that first appeared in September 2013 and is known as CryptoLocker to high profile attacks that have caused major disruptions such as the Colonial Pipeline hack that temporarily skyrocketed U.S gas

Digital security encompasses all of the measures that protect our computers, mobile devices and other Internet-connected technology from cyber threats. This includes everything from antivirus software to secure communication channels, and it ensures that our financial information is safe while we shop or conduct transactions online. It also safeguards our

Firewall is a network security tool that filters, blocks, and verifies data packets to prevent threats. It is an integral part of any cybersecurity solution, and can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud. Depending on the product, firewalls can be hardware appliances that plug into a networking infrastructure or

Ransomware is malware that encrypts files on infected systems, demanding payment for the decryption key. The ransom is typically paid in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin that are difficult to trace. While the initial attack may target individuals, cyber criminals have expanded their attacks to businesses. They often target small and midsize

A group of infected devices, usually computers and servers but also IoT devices like cameras or thermostats, that are controlled remotely by a malicious software (malware). Once compromised, these devices can be used to carry out large-scale cyber attacks. The attackers (known as bot-herders) amass these devices, or “zombie computers”,

Data Breach is when personal information is exposed, stolen or impermissibly disclosed. Cyberattackers can use this information for financial gain, or harm individuals and businesses. It can be caused by a variety of factors including accidental disclosure, loss or theft of unencrypted devices, hacking into a system using software vulnerabilities