Apple IDs a Hacker’s Delight, HUD buying into shared services and more

By Ryan Kamauff

Here are the top cyber news and stories of the day.

• Cyber Security Depends on Education – One of the issues that is always brought up with Cyber in organizations is how to train and educate your personnel to behave responsibly in the cyber domain. This blog at Harvard Business Review examines how one IBM team is addressing this issue. The author finds that often the practitioners with the skills to educate in cyber are called upon to defend networks, instead of pass on knowledge. This knowledge sharing element is paramount to increasing the cyber security capabilities of our next generations. Via HBR, more here.
• China ‘gravely concerned’ by Snowden’s claims of U.S. cyber attacks on China – In an interesting twist of fate, China is now taking to the airwaves to protest alleged US cyber attacks on their networks. Not too long ago, the US was complaining of Chinese attacks in the same manner. It seems pretty clear that this diplomatic double talk will continue until real communication up and down the chains of command in both nations happens. Via Reuters, more here.
• Cyber attack alert in South Korea – “South Korea has issued a cyber attack alert after government websites shut down on the anniversary of the start of the Korean War. Officials said on Tuesday they were still investigating whether hacking was responsible. The alert warns government and the public sector to be wary of the possibility of cyber attacks.” Cyber attacks are far less expensive than kinetic warfare, but can be just as effective. They are hard to defend and even harder to attribute. We may see more and more cyber attacks focused around key dates, designed to create animosity and fear. Via ComputerWorld, more here.
• Fake anti-virus jumps from PCs to Android – “A fresh ransomware scheme is plaguing Android users by way of the well-known FakeAV malware, which has now made the leap from computers to mobile devices.” Fake Anti-virus programs are some of the most annoying programs, because they continuously pop up and try to get money from users. The app on Android, Android.fakedefender, locks up Android devices and prevents other applications from launching. In cases such as these, a factory data reset may be your only hope. Via InfoSecurity, more here.
• Apple IDs a Hacker’s Delight – Cyber criminals are using phishing to try to grab Apple IDs from unsuspecting users. ‘A simple “we need to verify your Apple ID” message usually does the trick. Many users don’t hesitate to click on the links contained in such notifications[.]‘ Via ISS Source, more here.
• Nearly 200,000 new malware samples appear daily – “According to Kaspersky Lab, nearly 200,000 new malware samples appear around the world each day.” This means that malware is growing way faster than we can detect or create remedies for it. As these attacks increase, we need to get smarter about our cyber behavior. Via Net Security, more here.
• Google implements Chrome app scanning for G+ developer site – ‘Google is implementing the “Enhanced Item Validation” process, which applies new security measures for applications submitted as part of the G+ developers program for the Chrome browser.’ Since the internet is what most people use on their computers, it is the most obvious gateway for malware and adversaries. These additional measures will help protect users from malicious applications. Via InfoSecurity, more here.
• Facebook Security Glitch Exposed Millions of Users’ Data – “Facebook has disclosed a data breach has revealed six million user phone numbers and e-mail addresses over the past year.” Apparently, there was a database issue, which Facebook claims they fixed within 24 hours. Via CIO Today, more here.
• HUD buying into shared services; renewed push to merge DoD’s CIO – HUD will be moving their financial management services to the Treasury Department’s Bureau of Fiscal Service. Using these shared services should create efficiencies for both agencies. This migration could take up to two years. The success of this migration will inform other migration efforts across the federal government. Via Federal News Radio, more here.
• Major part of DCGS now open source – “A recently created military software open source foundation received its first major chunk of code when Lockheed Martin donated in May middleware software used in the Distributed Common Ground System, a military data analysis tool the subject of mounting controversy.” This code is designed to offer separation between data and services. Via FierceGovernmentIT, more here.
• Security engineer hides hacking device in laptop power supply to create network backdoor – An engineer has placed a Raspberry Pi computer into a power brick for a laptop, enabling simple access into corporate networks. When plugged in, the device phones home to his server, providing SSH access to the network it calls from. The brick does end in an ethernet cable, instead of a typical power cable. Via Med City News, more here.

Original post