Vlog - Security Snark

This week's episode offers a cybersecurity resource for businesses, the FBI gets hacked, Russia is tied to a hacking group, and the MLB is the target of pirating.

FTC Shares Ransomware Defense Tips for Small US Businesses 

Bleeping Computer

Attack Type:

What To Know:  Here is a new resource from the FTC, intended to help businesses who lack in-house cybersecurity resources.

Why You Should Care:  Ransomware continues to be a pervasive and serious threat to the livelihood of small businesses across the U.S.  Many businesses who are attacked with ransomware never recover and will go out of business within a few months.

FBI System Hacked to Email ‘Urgent’ Warning about Fake Cyberattacks 

Bleeping Computer

Attack Type: 

What To Know:  The FBI’s email servers were hacked to distribute spam email impersonating FBI warnings that recipients' networks were breached.

Why You Should Care:  Anyone can be hacked, even the FBI.  Also, you cannot implicitly trust the source of an e-mail – always “Trust, but verify.”

Russian Intelligence Agency Linked to Hacker Group 

Security Week

Attack Type: 

What To Know:  In Russia and some other countries, members of the state security services will work with and for organized crime.

Why You Should Care:   Organized crime sometimes has access to state level cyberweapons.

Pirate-Site Operator Hacked MLB and Tried to Extort $150,000, Feds Say 

Ars Technica

Attack Type: 

What To Know:  MLB’s content was being stolen and resold for a profit.  The pirate then got really greedy and attempted to extort the MLB for $150,000.

Why You Should Care:  The costs of piracy are passed on to consumers, driving up prices for content.