Geek Guy

Category: Cybersecurity

Dive into deep-dive analysis on the evolving threat landscape, focusing on identity security (ITDR, NHI), data protection (DSPM), and agentic identity. Stay updated with expert insights on threat actor tactics and local AI security for researchers and market analysts.

Barcelona-based spyware startup Variston reportedly shuts down

Variston, a Barcelona-based spyware vendor, is reportedly being liquidated. Intelligence Online, a trade publication that covers the surveillance and intelligence industry, reported that a legal notice published in Barcelona’s registry on February 10 confirmed that Variston has gone into liquidation. This comes almost exactly a year after TechCrunch reported that Variston was in the process…

Russian state threat group shifts focus to US, UK targets

A subgroup of Seashell Blizzard has shifted its focus to targets in the U.S., Canada, Australia and the U.K. within the past year, expanding the scope of its malicious activity, Microsoft’s threat intelligence team said in a report released Wednesday. The initial-access operation, which Microsoft tracks as the “BadPilot campaign,” has allowed the Russian state…

Getting the Most Value out of the OSCP: Pre-Course Prep

The first post in a five-part practical guide series on maximizing the professional, educational, and financial value of the OffSec certification pursuit for a successful career in offensive cybersecurity consulting Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in this article are solely my own. I have reviewed the content to ensure compliance with OffSec’s copyright policies and agreements.…

Microsoft fixes 63 vulnerabilities, including 2 zero-days

Microsoft patched 63 vulnerabilities affecting some of its underlying systems and core products, the company said in its latest security update Tuesday, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Windows CoreMessaging and Windows Storage. More than two-thirds of the vulnerabilities covered in the update are high-severity flaws on the CVSS scale. Vulnerabilities with high-severity base scores run…

CISA election security officials placed on leave: report

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reportedly placed several members of its election security team on administrative leave. The Associated Press, citing a person familiar with the situation, reports that 17 CISA employees have been placed on leave pending review.  The employees had worked with election officials to counter a range of…

Thai authorities detain four Europeans in ransomware crackdown

In a sweeping international law enforcement operation, Thai authorities arrested four Europeans in Phuket, accusing them of orchestrating ransomware attacks affecting Swiss companies worldwide. The suspects are allegedly tied to the 8Base ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) gang, which extorted $16 million worth of Bitcoin from over 1,000 individuals. The operation, termed “Phobos Aetor,” reflected a tightly coordinated…

CISA election, disinformation officials placed on administrative leave, sources say

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency placed several members of its election security group on administrative leave last week, multiple sources familiar with the situation told CyberScoop. According to one source, the moves happened Thursday and Friday of last week and were targeted at employees focused on CISA’s mis-, dis- and malinformation teams. The moves…

Careers in Cybersecurity: Myths and Realities with Kathleen Smith

In this episode we welcome Kathleen Smith, CMO of ClearedJobs.net, to discuss the current state of the cybersecurity job market. Kathleen shares her extensive experience in the field, recounting her tenure in various cybersecurity events and her contributions to job market research and recruiting. She discusses challenges such as distinguishing between genuine workforce shortages and…

Building an Impenetrable Framework for Data Security

Why does the Secure Framework Matter? The focus of this operation isn’t just about the immediate prevention of potential threats but ensuring we have a solid line of defense that could weather any storm thrown our way. It’s all about staying ahead of the curve and keeping your organization protected from both known and unknown…

Ensuring Satisfaction with Seamless Secrets Sprawl Management

Are You Properly Managing Your Non-Human Identities? Modern organizations are continually interacting with an ever-growing number of machines, applications, and devices, often through cloud-based systems. These interactions, when left unmonitored, can lead to what is known as secrets sprawl. Proper secrets sprawl management can dramatically improve the efficiency of operations and ensure customer satisfaction. But…

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Stay Relaxed with Top-Notch API Security

Are Businesses Truly Aware of the Importance of Non-Human Identities in Cybersecurity? There’s one critical aspect that’s frequently overlooked: Non-Human Identities (NHIs). These machine identities, composed of Secrets such as tokens, keys, and encrypted passwords, play a pivotal role in maintaining top-notch API security in organizations, keeping their valuable data safe and their operations running…

Justifying the Investment in Cloud Compliance

Why is Cloud Compliance Investment a Necessity? I often get asked, “Why is cloud compliance investment a necessity?” The answer is simple; it’s all about securing non-human identities (NHIs) and managing secrets. By understanding the importance of NHIs and secrets management, companies can efficiently oversee the end-to-end protection of their data, thereby justifying their cloud…

Getting Better at Detecting Cyber Threats

A Question of Preparedness: How Prepared Are You In Detecting Cyber Threats? How confident are you in your organization’s ability in detecting cyber threats? As more and more industries venture on full-scale digitization, the risks associated with cybersecurity also exponentially increase. For this reason, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive security system that…

Exciting Advances in Privileged Access Management

Why should we be excited about Privileged Access Management? Have you ever pondered the gravity of the implications of not managing Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and their Secrets in your company’s cybersecurity strategy? The rapid digitization of industries such as healthcare, financial services, travel, DevOps, and SOC teams makes securing machine identities an area of utmost…

Achieving Independence with Robust IAM Systems

Why does robust IAM matter in our pursuit of independent cybersecurity? Coupled with the increased complexity of infrastructure and applications, has highlighted the need for advanced, independent cybersecurity measures. While traditional security methods remain essential, they often fall short in addressing the full scope. A critical component often overlooked in these strategies is Identity and…

Budget-Friendly Cybersecurity That Fits

Is Effective Cybersecurity Out of Your Budget? Cybersecurity is undoubtedly a necessity. Yet, many organizations hesitate to invest because of the perception that robust security measures carry a hefty price tag. But what if there was a way to get budget-friendly cybersecurity that effectively shields your business from threats, harm, and potential losses? The answer…

Capable Protection: Enhancing Cloud-Native Security

Is Your Organization Managing Non-Human Identities Effectively? Adhering to essential cybersecurity protocols is no longer optional; it’s a survival requisite. A crucial element often overlooked in this maze is the management of Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and Secrets. Understanding and effectively managing this aspect can result in a significant upgrade to an organization’s cloud-native security, minimizing…

Video: How Hack The Box Fast-Tracks Enterprise Deals With Channel Partners

Doing business with massive enterprises usually means navigating a maze of red tape, long approval processes, and legal roadblocks. But Hack The Box is changing the game—leveraging channel partners to streamline deals while opening doors for new relationships and revenue opportunities for solution providers. In this episode of Partner POV, host Katie Bavoso sits down…

Hugging Face platform continues to be plagued by vulnerable ‘pickles’

Researchers at ReversingLabs have identified at least two machine-learning models on Hugging Face, a popular platform for community AI development, that link to malicious web shells and managed to evade detection through the use of “pickling.” Pickle files are python-based modules that allow a developer to serialize and deserialize code. They’re commonly used by AI…

IMI becomes the latest British engineering firm to be hacked

British engineering company IMI has disclosed a cybersecurity incident just days after rival firm Smiths reported it was targeted by hackers.  IMI, a Birmingham-based firm that designs and manufactures products for industrial automation, transport, and climate control, said in a filing with the London Stock Exchange on Thursday that it is “currently responding to a…

Gaining Assurance with Advanced Secrets Rotation

The Benefits of Harnessing Advanced Secrets Rotation How can companies ensure maximum cybersecurity assurance when dealing with Non-Human Identities (NHIs)? The answer lies in effective NHI and Secrets Management, and a central component of this lies in advanced secrets rotation. Understanding the Importance of Advanced Secrets Rotation Secrets are critical for NHIs as they function…

Delivering Value with Streamlined IAM Protocols

Why is IAM Crucial in Delivering Value to Modern Businesses? Companies must reassess their cybersecurity strategies and adapt to the changing landscape. Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and Secrets Security Management have emerged as critical elements. But how does Identity and Access Management (IAM) fit into this picture, and why is it instrumental in delivering value to…

Unlocking the Freedom of Secure Cloud Environments

Is Your Cloud Environment Truly Secure and Free? Have you ever wondered if your cloud environment is as secure as it could be? The management of Non-Human Identities (NHIs) and Secrets is a revolutionary methodology that offers a sense of freedom in cybersecurity. This approach effectively addresses the disconnect between the security and R&D teams…

Ransomware payments dropped 35% in 2024

Ransomware payments saw a dramatic 35% drop last year compared to 2023, even as the overall frequency of ransomware attacks increased, according to a new report released by blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis.  The considerable decline in extortion payments is somewhat surprising, given that other cybersecurity firms have claimed that 2024 saw the most ransomware activity…

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Ransomware payments dropped in 2024 as victims refused to pay hackers

Ransomware payments fell by more than one-third in 2024 as an increasing number of victims refused to negotiate with hackers. In a report published Wednesday, crypto forensics firm Chainalysis said that while ransomware gang leak sites posted more victims than in previous years during 2024, fewer victims gave in to the hackers’ demands. Chainalysis reported…

Infosec pros: We need CVSS, warts and all

A key pillar of a strong cybersecurity program is identifying vulnerabilities in the complex mix of software programs, packages, apps, and snippets driving all activities across an organization’s digital infrastructure. At the heart of spotting and fixing these flaws is the widely used Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), maintained by a nonprofit called the Forum…

4 Ways to Mitigate the Human Factors of Cybersecurity

Before exploring how to mitigate the human factors in cybersecurity, it’s essential to understand what this term means. The human factors of cybersecurity refer to the actions or events where human error leads to a successful hack or data breach. While it might seem that hackers primarily target weak points within a system, they often…

Spyware maker Paragon confirms U.S. government is a customer

Israeli spyware maker Paragon Solutions confirmed to TechCrunch that it sells its products to the U.S. government and other unspecified allied countries. Paragon’s executive chairman John Fleming said in a statement to TechCrunch on Tuesday that, “Paragon licenses its technology to a select group of global democracies — principally, the United States and its allies.”…

Android security update includes patch for actively exploited vulnerability 

Google has addressed a total of 47 security vulnerabilities in its February update for the Android operating system, highlighted by the patching of a critical flaw that has reportedly been under active exploitation.  The primary focus of the security update is CVE-2024-53104, a high-severity vulnerability affecting the USB Video Class (UVC) driver in the Linux…

Here’s all the ways an abandoned cloud instance can cause security issues

There is a line of thought among the public that “the internet is forever.” A security company published research Tuesday that showed why “forever” can be a security nightmare.  Over the course of four months, cybersecurity researchers at watchTowr monitored and ultimately took control of what they referred to as “abandoned” digital infrastructure, focusing on…

Grubhub confirms data breach affecting customers and drivers

U.S. food delivery giant Grubhub says hackers accessed the personal details of customers and drivers after breaching its internal systems.  Grubhub is a popular food-ordering and delivery platform with over 375,000 merchants and 200,000 delivery providers using its platform in more than 4,000 U.S. cities. New York-based Wonder Group acquired the company last fall in…

From credit card fraud to zero-day exploits: Xe Group expanding cybercriminal efforts

A cybercriminal organization that has been operating for over a decade has moved from credit-card skimming to exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, according to a joint investigation by cybersecurity firms Solis Security and Intezer. The group, tracked as XE Group, now poses heightened risks to global supply chains, particularly in manufacturing and distribution sectors, by leveraging stealthier…