What happens in a cyber-attack? Cyber-criminals negotiations
Last week, details of FatFaces’ cyber-attack surfaced. Some incredible details were reported from the attack, including screen shots of negotiations...
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We like to keep informed about what's happening in the IT and cybersecurity industry. So we thought we would begin sharing a summary of the best headlines each week. We post the most interesting and practical stories on our social accounts too, so connect with me on LinkedIn or follow Superfast IT on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.
This week we cover:
- Manufacturing cyber-attack 2020 stats
- Microsoft Teams updates
- Cyberpunk 2077 video game developer hit with ransomware
- SolarWinds hack was 'largest and most sophisticated attack' ever
- New SMS scam
- Ethical hacking: Military cyber-attacks on ransomware hackers
- Donate a laptop campaign
Manufacturing cyber-attack 2020 stats
Information Age have released cyberattack stats from last year. This week we learned:
- 57% of UK manufacturers faced a cyber-attack in 2020
- 38% described negligent employees or contractors as the root cause of security issues
- 55% of cyber security incidents resulted in the theft of sensitive information about customers or employees
- 67% admitting that their IT security measures aren’t fit-for-purpose
That last stat does shock me. Book some time with me if you want to find out what 'fit for purpose' actually looks like for a small manufacturing or engineering business - I'm always happy to help.
Microsoft Teams updates
New webinar tool
Zoom seems to have better functionality at the moment, but Microsoft are catching up!
Teams will soon have new webinar functionality via their 'Teams Pro' plan. This service plan will be automatically added if you have Microsoft 365 or Microsoft Business Standard/Business Premium licenses.
It opens the opportunity for anyone to host webinars and live events.
Don’t get me wrong, it takes a bit of trial and error to set an event up and send invites, but it most certainly brings the capability to host webinars to anyone, even with limited budget.
Source: ZD Net
Audio conferencing tool remains free
Their free audio-conferencing tool is now available through to June 30th, 2021.
New approvals process
From February, you will be able to add an ‘Approvals’ app to Teams.
It's not available just yet, so we've not tested it, but you will be able to add an approvals 'tab' to a Teams channel. Within the tab, you can create an approvals flow - to create, attach, manage, and share approvals directly from your teamwork hub.
You can create an approvals flow/process flow just like you would start a chat. Within it you will be able to create, attach, manage, and share approvals directly from your teamwork hub.
Shared calendars
Shared calendars will also be available to add to Teams channels too – these can be allocated to specific channels – so a departmental shared calendar can be added.
Chat in meetings
Chat functionality in Teams can now be modified. You can disable it completely, make it available only during meetings or available to users at all times.
Source: UC Today
Cyberpunk 2077 video game developer hit with ransomware
This hit the headlines last week, but more details were revealed this week. Online reports suggest that their internal networks were accessed and servers encrypted in the attack.
The criminals said they would release data if the ransom wasn’t paid, but the developers have said they will not negotiate with the criminals. It looks like no personal data of players or service users have been stolen. Their backups remain intact.
Top Tip: Recovering from a ransomware attack heavily relies on having your data backed up.
SolarWinds hack was 'largest and most sophisticated attack' ever
Microsoft president has predicted that 1000’s on engineers must have been involved in executing the SolarWinds attack and affected a whopping 18,000 customers. Criminals accessed emails to the U.S. Treasury, Justice and Commerce departments and other agencies during last year’s infamous SolarWinds attack.
It is thought to be the biggest in history. It was reported in December 2020, but was thought to have gone unnoticed for around 6 months.
Source: Reuters
New SMS scam
Be wary of a new text scam from Paypal. The text message reads: “PayPal: We've permanently limited your account, please click link below to verify.” Clicking the link will take you to a webpage where they ask for your personal details including your login and bank accounts details (to help them to verify you).
Source: Bleeping Computer
Ethical hacking: Military cyber-attacks on ransomware hackers
I thought this was really interesting, a former spy chief, Ciaran Martin, has said the most serious ransomware groups should be the target of cyber-attacks to disrupt their operations. Playing them at their own game!
Source: Telegraph
Donate a Laptop Campaign
And to finish... we have been overwhelmed by the support for our donate a laptop campaign, so I want to thank all the media outlets that have published our story - we really appreciate your support!
Stourbridge, Dudley and Halesowen News
UK News Group
The Business Desk
And of course, a huge thank you to the businesses that have donated their old laptops to our appeal.
What next?
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