Joker's Stash, a forum for stolen data, says it will shut down within 30 days
An administrator of a notorious forum for stolen payment data and illicitly obtained personal information says they will shutter the site in 30 days. The Joker's Stash - an online hub where millions of credit card numbers from restaurants and supermarket chains, among others - will cease operation in the coming month, according to post Friday seen by multiple threat intelligence firms. Word of the closure comes from an administrator whom one researcher described as "credible." READ MORE...
Scotland environmental regulator hit by 'ongoing' ransomware attack
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) confirmed on Thursday that some of its contact center, internal systems, processes and internal communications were affected following a ransomware attack that took place on Christmas Eve. "SEPA confirms ongoing ransomware attack likely to be by international serious and organised cyber-crime groups intent on disrupting public services and extorting public funds," the agency said. READ MORE...
Successful Malware Incidents Rise as Attackers Shift Tactics
As employees moved to working from home and on mobile devices, attackers followed them and focused on weekend attacks, a security firm says. Companies relaxed security controls to help employees to be productive during the coronavirus pandemic, leading attackers to shift their tactics and take advantage of the chaos caused by remote work, according to a report published by cloud security firm Wandera on Jan. 15. READ MORE...
Signal down after getting flooded with new users
Signal users are currently experiencing issues around the world, with users unable to send and receive messages. When attempting to send messages via Signal, users are seeing loading screen and error message "502". According to DownDetector and user reports, Signal is currently experiencing an outage in the U.S, Europe, and other parts of the world. The problem was first reported at 10:09 AM EST. For now, Signal users will have to wait until the company has resolved the issue. READ MORE...
How a VPN can protect your online privacy
Have you ever experienced the feeling of relief that comes when you do something silly, but you're glad you did it where people don't know you? Or maybe you wished you were somewhere like that, but alas… That is what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can do for you: it can put you in a place where you are unknown. To determine if and when you need a VPN, you must define what your goal is. If your main goal is to improve your privacy online, then a VPN is one of the possible solutions. READ MORE...
How law enforcement gets around your smartphone's encryption
Lawmakers and law enforcement agencies around the world, including in the United States, have increasingly called for backdoors in the encryption schemes that protect your data, arguing that national security is at stake. But new research indicates governments already have methods and tools that, for better or worse, let them access locked smartphones thanks to weaknesses in the security schemes of Android and iOS. READ MORE...
Rob Joyce Appointed Director of Cybersecurity at NSA
The U.S. National Security Agency on Friday announced that Rob Joyce, an official who is highly respected in the cybersecurity community, has been named the agency's new director of cybersecurity. Joyce, who according to his LinkedIn profile has been working for the Defense Department for the past 32 years, replaces Anne Neuberger, who has been appointed Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology by the upcoming Biden administration. READ MORE...
- ...in 1904, classic Hollywood actor Cary Grant ("North by Northwest", "The Philadelphia Story") is born in Bristol, England.
- ...in 1911, aviation pioneer Eugene B. Ely lands a Curtiss biplane on the deck of the USS Pennsylvania, the first successful shipboard landing of an aircraft.
- ...in 1969, actor and former professional wrestler Dave Bautista ("Guardians of the Galaxy", "Blade Runner 2049") is born in Washington, DC.
- ...in 1993, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is officially observed for the first time in all 50 states.
