How is AI Augmenting Phishing Email Attacks?

As technology evolves, there's a growing concern among IT and security leaders about how artificial intelligence (AI) might impact cybersecurity. And guess what? They have every right to be cautious! AI is making life easier for cyber criminals, making it tricky for our awesome CISOs and cybersecurity experts to protect us.

You know what cyber criminals are doing now? They're using AI to make phishing emails and social engineering attacks super convincing. In the past, spotting phishing emails was a bit easier because of sloppy writing by hackers who didn't know certain languages well. Grammar mistakes, weird vocabulary, and bad spelling gave them away. But AI is changing the game. Now, even folks with no language skills can create slick phishing emails that look totally legit, leading to more people falling into their traps.

But fret not! We've got some fantastic ways to strengthen our cybersecurity programs in this AI-driven era. Let's check them out:

1. Team AI vs. Cyber AI: We can fight AI with AI! Yep, it's possible! By using tools and services that leverage AI, we can better defend against those sneaky AI-assisted attacks. It's all about staying up-to-date with the latest tech and getting skilled people on board or retraining our awesome existing staff to use these AI goodies. Machine learning algorithms, anomaly detection, and real-time monitoring are like our secret weapons, helping us spot and respond to security threats like superheroes.

2. Keeping Everyone in the Know: Hey, we all need a little schooling sometimes, right? Especially when it comes to new tech like AI! Let's make sure everyone, from the top brass to our fabulous employees, knows the ins and outs of AI's potential dark side. We'll teach them how to spot those crafty AI-generated phishing emails and other tricks used by cybercriminals. Oh, and remember, learning is a never-ending journey, as threats are always changing.

3. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: It's all about working together! Our amazing CISOs will lead the charge, with support from the rest of the C-suite. We'll build a powerful security framework to handle those intelligence-powered threats. This framework will guide us in using AI wisely, even when dealing with third-party entities. By doing this, we'll reduce risks and keep our data safe and sound.

So, let's stand tall, embrace AI's power, and protect ourselves like the cybersecurity champions we are! With the right tools, knowledge, and teamwork, we'll stay one step ahead of those cyber baddies. Together, we've got this!

Worried about AI threats? Talk to the experts! We were the first in the area to leverage it for every day use in security, so we know our stuff. Click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your cyber security needs.

Do You Use JumpCloud? They Got Hacked!

JumpCloud, an enterprise software firm based in the United States, has revealed that its systems were breached by a state-backed hacking group nearly a month ago. The attack initially appeared to be specifically targeted towards a limited number of customers, but they aren't certain. The company became aware of the incident on June 27, a week after the attackers gained access through a spear-phishing attack.

Although there was no immediate evidence of customer impact, JumpCloud took proactive measures by rotating credentials and rebuilding compromised infrastructure. However, on July 5, during their investigation into the attack and analysis of logs in collaboration with incident response partners and law enforcement, JumpCloud discovered unusual activity in the commands framework affecting a small group of customers.

As a precautionary step, JumpCloud immediately force-rotated all admin API keys to protect customer organizations and promptly informed them to generate new keys. The company's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Bob Phan, acknowledged that the attack was highly targeted and confirmed suspicions that the adversaries possessed sophisticated capabilities.

Phan emphasized the importance of information sharing and collaboration as the primary defense against such threats. Alongside the incident details, JumpCloud released indicators of compromise (IOCs) to assist partners in securing their networks against future attacks from the same threat group.

JumpCloud has not disclosed the exact number of customers impacted by the breach and has refrained from attributing the APT group responsible to a specific state.

Phan stated that JumpCloud would continue enhancing its security measures to safeguard customers from future threats and would closely cooperate with government and industry partners to exchange information regarding this incident.

Earlier in January, JumpCloud also conducted an investigation into the potential impact of a security incident involving CircleCI on its customers.

Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Louisville, Colorado, JumpCloud offers a directory-as-a-service platform, providing single sign-on and multi-factor authentication services to more than 180,000 organizations across 160 countries.

We can implement aforementioned blocks on your network that protect against potential fallout from this JumpCloud hack. Click to Call or Email us and we’ll schedule a time to help you change your electronic locks.

7 Tips for Keeping Your Home Printer Secure

I wanted to bring your attention to a matter regarding the usage and security of your home printer. Considering the infrequent use of home printers, it is likely that you have not utilized yours recently, except perhaps during tax season or to print out a coupon last month. Nevertheless, it is important to note that even though your home wireless printer may not be in regular use, it remains powered on and connected to your network, making it a potential target for hackers who may be looking for a solid way into your life. 

You might wonder, "Why would anyone be interested in hacking my printer?" Cybercriminals are known to exploit any device that is connected to your Wi-Fi, as it serves as a gateway for them to infiltrate other devices, such as your computer or smartphone. Considering the prevalence of unsecured printers, it is highly likely that your own personal printer lacks any necessary security measures. 

To emphasize this point, one company recently hijacked approximately 28,000 printers worldwide as a demonstration, printing out a guide on printer security. Though the irony may elicit a chuckle, it is crucial to ponder the security of your own wireless printer. Regrettably, it is likely to be a vulnerable target. 

Now consider the fact that some of you, being business owners, might use your computer at home to work on QuickBooks Online, sensitive company data, your email account, your cloud apps, even your Facebook messages. Basically, if someone gets into your home network, they can springboard off that into your company and personal life. 

Fortunately, there are several simple steps you can take to address this issue and enhance the security of your printer. These include: 

·         Changing the default login credentials.

·         Keeping the printer's firmware up to date.

·         Utilizing a network firewall.

·         Placing your printer on a guest network.

·         Disabling any unused ports or services.

·         Disconnecting the printer when it is not in use.

·         Educating your family members on best practices for cybersecurity.

If you are interested in conducting a comprehensive home cybersecurity checkup, our team would be delighted to assist you. Click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your current and future security needs.

Keep an Eye on Those Endpoints

Your network is made up of multiple entry points. These entry points are known as endpoints. They can be your trusty computers, smartphones, servers, or any other devices connected to your wifi or ethernet ports. It's important to be aware of the security status of these endpoints because they can be vulnerable to attacks when you least expect it, even if you primarily rely on cloud apps.

When a hacker breaches one of these endpoints, they don't just stop there. It becomes a gateway for them to access your valuable data and potentially infiltrate other endpoints or cloud services within your network. Shockingly, statistics show that about 64% of organizations have experienced the costly consequences of endpoint attacks. Perhaps you have already faced such a situation, or it might be waiting for you unless you take appropriate measures to protect your devices.

To safeguard your network, here are some foundational recommendations that you should consider implementing without delay…

Tackle password issues: Address any password-related problems promptly. Make sure to use strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing them across multiple accounts.

Deploy pre-boot malware protection: Utilize solutions that proactively detect and prevent malware before your operating system boots up, providing an added layer of security.

Keep your antivirus and anti-malware up to date: Regularly update your antivirus and anti-malware software to ensure that you have the latest protection against emerging threats.

Monitor device access: Be vigilant in monitoring the access to your devices, including those owned by employees. Implement proper access controls and permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized entry.

Prepare for device loss or theft: Have a plan in place to address the potential loss or theft of devices. This could involve remote wiping capabilities, data encryption, or backup solutions to mitigate the impact of such incidents.

By taking these basic steps, you can significantly enhance the security of your network and reduce the likelihood of falling victim to endpoint attacks. Stay proactive and safeguard your valuable assets, data, and reputation!

Click to Call or Email us today to schedule a meeting to discuss your current and future security needs.

Are Your Cloud Settings Properly Configured?

Congratulations! Your company has recently subscribed to a fantastic new cloud tool. Now that you have the ability to store and access data in the cloud, everyone is eager to get started. However, have you considered the crucial aspect of cybersecurity? You might assume that it's already built into the tool, but the reality is a bit more nuanced. While there are security settings available, are you certain they are appropriately enabled?

Suffering a hack on your cloud account can be a nightmare. Just ask the unfortunate 40% of companies that have experienced this very scenario. Surprisingly, one of the primary causes of such breaches is their own failure to configure the cloud security settings correctly. This misconfiguration comes with a significant price tag, leading to a range of issues, from ransomware attacks to account takeovers. Once a cloud system is breached, all bets are off.

So, how can you protect yourself? The answer lies in taking a closer look at your cloud account security settings and ensuring they are properly configured. If you require assistance with this crucial task, don't hesitate to reach out. Click to Call or Email us today and we'll be more than happy to lend a hand.