Why Ransomware Keeps Me Up at Night: Tackling Phishing Threats

 Most companies have strong perimeter defences and adopt advanced strategies like Zero Trust network models. They manage patches effectively, conduct regular employee training, and run tabletop exercises and simulations for their Incident Response (IR) teams.

Yet, despite these defences, cyber-attacks still occur, often because of the human element. Among the many cyber threats, the one that worries me most is ransomware. Why? Because it can bypass even the best security measures—all it takes is a user clicking on a phishing email.

The fear of ransomware keeps me up at night. That’s why in addition to user awareness training and leveraging the MITRE ATT&CK framework, there are several technical and procedural strategies that can help mitigate phishing attacks, which are often the gateway to ransomware.

Here are some effective measures:

Detecting and Mitigating Lateral Movement in the Network

SOC Strategies for Detecting and Mitigating Lateral Movement in the Network

Introduction

Lateral movement is one of the most critical stages of the cyber kill chain, where adversaries who have gained access to your network attempt to explore and exploit different systems. Once an attacker reaches this stage, the key goal of your SOC team is to minimise their dwell time—the amount of time they spend within the network undetected.

Click here to explore common techniques used by adversaries during lateral movement and how the Blue SOC team can detect and respond swiftly to mitigate damage.

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The Future of Cybersecurity

 In today’s fast-paced world, we are all searching for the next best thing in technology. Just as everything else evolves, so does cybersecurity. With the COVID-19 pandemic catalysing a global shift, the way businesses operate has undergone a major transformation. Technology has shifted to the cloud, as the pandemic forced employees to work from home and organisations to adopt remote access solutions. As a result, we now see that almost everything is cloud-based, with models such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) becoming commonplace.

However, as more companies migrate to the cloud, there is a growing need to secure these cloud environments. Cloud-based services have their benefits, but they also introduce new vulnerabilities and challenges for cybersecurity teams. With the increasing complexity of attacks and the sophistication of cybercriminals, it’s clear that the next major shift in the industry will be the widespread adoption of Security as a Service (SECaaS) — the outsourcing of cybersecurity functions to cloud-based providers.

Click here to read how SECaas and MDR is the future of Cybersecurity

Hacking Techniques

In today's digital age, understanding the landscape of hacking techniques is critical for both organisations and individuals. Cyber threats are evolving rapidly, and the sophistication of attacks has increased, targeting vulnerabilities across various platforms and networks. 

Click here to read about common hacking techniques. It offers insights into the tools used by attackers, real-world examples, and preventive measures that can be implemented by both corporations and individuals. By staying informed and proactive, you can better protect your assets from these malicious activities.

Click here for more info on hacking Techniques

Data Removal Guide - Removing Your Personal Information Online

Navigating the digital world can be a bit of a jungle, and keeping your personal information safe is a crucial part of it. Removing your info from online services might sound complicated, but trust me, it's pretty straightforward once you know the ropes. Here's a quick way to make a big dent in protecting your data:

1. Finding Removal Links: Many online services have dedicated websites for data deletion requests, often hidden in the fine print or obscure pages.
2. Target Major Data Brokers: Start with major data brokers and people search sites like MyLife, MyHeritage, Spokeo and Info Record. Removing your info from these sites can reduce your presence on smaller, connected sites.
3. Step-by-Step Removal Process:
• Visit the Website: Go to the data broker or people search site.
• Find the Removal Link: Look for it in the privacy policy or terms of service section.
• Submit Your Request: Fill out the necessary form to request data removal.
• Follow Up: If there’s no response, use their contact options to follow up.

Reference:

https://inteltechniques.com/data/workbook.pdf

How to protect your new laptop

When you get a new home computer or work laptop, securing your new device is crucial to protect your personal information and maintain privacy. Here are some essential steps you can take:

1. Create a Snapshot: Before making any changes, create a system image backup (snapshot) of your laptop. This ensures you can revert to a known good configuration if anything goes wrong.

2. Check Privacy Settings: Review and adjust privacy settings on your operating system. Limit access to sensitive data and features.

3. Update Your OS: Ensure your operating system is up to date with the latest security patches. Regular updates help protect against vulnerabilities.

4. User Account Settings: Set up strong, unique passwords for your user accounts. Consider using multi-factor authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of security.

5. Install Antivirus Software: Install reputable antivirus software to detect and prevent malware. Regularly update it to stay protected.

6. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN): A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, enhancing privacy and security. It also helps bypass geo-restrictions and protects against cyber threats.

7. Password-Protected Screensaver: Set up a screensaver with password protection. This ensures that if you step away from your laptop, it remains secure.

8. Encrypt Your Hardware: Enable hardware encryption for your laptop’s storage drive. This adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.

Remember, combining a VPN, antivirus, and password manager provides comprehensive security for your laptop.

References 

Start as you mean to go on: the top 10 steps to securing your new computer (welivesecurity.com)

The best ways to protect your new laptop | TechRadar

Start as you mean to go on: the top 10 steps to securing your new computer (welivesecurity.com)

Enhancing Your Digital Security: Wireless Connections and Bluetooth Tips

With all of us using our devices more than ever, staying connected is a must. But, as we’re tapping into public Wi-Fi and pairing our phones via Bluetooth, it’s crucial to think about security. I’ve gathered some simple tips to help keep our online activities safe and sound. Here’s what you need to know:

Public Wi-Fi Safety

We all love using public Wi-Fi to save on data, but it can come with risks. Here’s how to use it safely:

1. Verify the Hotspot: If you’re in a café or any public place with Wi-Fi, make sure you’re connecting to the real network. If there are multiple networks with similar names, ask the staff which one is legit.

2. Look for “https”: When you’re entering sensitive info on a website, check for “https” at the beginning of the URL. This means your data is encrypted and safer from prying eyes.

3. Use Encryption Add-Ons: Consider adding browser extensions that enforce encryption even on sites that might not use it by default.

4. Turn Off Auto-Connect: Adjust your phone settings to stop it from automatically connecting to open Wi-Fi networks. This gives you more control over your connections.

5. Think About a VPN: If you often use public Wi-Fi, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can add an extra layer of security by encrypting your internet traffic.

6. Use Cellular Data for Sensitive Info: When dealing with important stuff, using your mobile data can be a safer bet than public Wi-Fi.

Bluetooth Security

Bluetooth is super handy, but it can pose risks if not used carefully. Here are some tips:

1. Turn Off Bluetooth When Not in Use: If Bluetooth isn’t active, it can’t be hacked. So, turn it off when you’re not using it to keep your device secure.

2. Unpair with Rental Cars: If you’ve connected your phone to a rental car, make sure to unpair and clear your data before you return the car. Do the same if you’re selling a car with Bluetooth.

3. Use Hidden Mode: Set your Bluetooth to "hidden" instead of "discoverable" to prevent unwanted connections from other devices.

Home Wi-Fi Security

Keeping our home Wi-Fi network secure is essential to protecting our personal info. Here’s how:

1. Enable Encryption: Make sure your router’s encryption is turned on to keep your data safe from hackers.

2. Change the Default SSID: Replace the default network name with something unique and not easily guessed. This keeps your network less recognizable to potential intruders.

3. Update Default Passwords: Change the default passwords on your router to strong, unique ones. This helps prevent unauthorized access to your network settings.

4. Use MAC Address Filtering: This feature lets you control which devices can connect to your network by only allowing recognized MAC addresses.

5. Turn Off When Not in Use: If you’re not using the internet for a while, turning off your router can help protect it from potential threats.

6. Keep Security Software Updated: Use anti-virus and anti-spyware software on your devices to add an extra layer of protection.

Password Tips

Remembering passwords can be tough, but using strong and unique ones is crucial:

1. Don’t Reuse Passwords: Use different passwords for different accounts, especially for sensitive ones like banking and health records.

2. Create Strong Passwords: Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols to create passwords that are hard to guess.

Staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. By following these tips, you can enjoy your connected life with a bit more peace of mind. If you have any questions or need help setting up any of these security measures, just let me know!

Stay safe and connected!

Reference 

https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/how-protect-yourself-online