By Waqas
In 2024, integrated residential security solutions are vital for comprehensive protection against evolving threats, safeguarding homes and families with advanced technology and seamless connectivity.
This is a post from HackRead.com Read the original post: Integrated Residential Security Solutions to Employ in 2024

As we progress through 2024, home security is rapidly advancing, with a notable shift towards integrated residential security solutions. These systems are the cornerstone of keeping your living space safe, using cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to provide comprehensive protection. 

Your home can now be outfitted with a suite of smart security devices, ranging from intelligent alarms to automated surveillance cameras, all working in unison to offer round-the-clock monitoring and real-time alerts.

With the increase in smart home devices, your home’s network faces many cyber threats. Robust firewalls, encrypted Wi-Fi systems, and consistent software updates are essential to safeguard your domain from potential digital breaches. 

Image: Hackread.com

Embracing these sophisticated security systems empowers you to create a safer and smarter home environment. Whether through enhanced connectivity that allows for seamless control over your security devices or via improved sensors that detect the slightest anomalies, your home security is now more reliable and intuitive. 

****Evolving Technologies in Home Security****

You’ll find now more than ever that your home’s defense is revolutionized by smart technologies that adapt and learn. These innovations are not only enhancing security but also ensuring seamless compatibility with your digital lifestyle.

****Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning****

To keep your home safe, Artificial Intelligence and machine learning are no longer just buzzwords—they are crucial components that drive modern security systems. 

Large-scale AI models in residential security mean your system can now accurately detect potential threats by distinguishing between normal and suspicious behaviors. This intelligence layer allows for proactive measures, significantly minimizing false alarms that were once a common nuisance.

****IoT and Smart Device Integration****

The intersection of IoT and home security forms a network of smart devices working in concert to safeguard your premises. 

Your security setup extends beyond traditional alarms, incorporating smart locks, cameras, and lighting to create a responsive environment. Integration with IoT devices ensures your home responds intuitively to various scenarios, such as adjusting lights and lock settings as you arrive or depart.

****Cloud and Edge Computing****

Your security system’s efficiency and scalability are vastly improved thanks to cloud computing, which provides reliable data storage and remote access to your system. Meanwhile, edge computing takes processing closer to the data source—your home’s security devices. 

This means faster responses to security triggers and less reliance on bandwidth, as data can be processed locally. The harmonious combination of cloud and edge computing improves reliability and streamlines the management of your home security infrastructure.

****Enhanced Surveillance and Monitoring Solutions****

State-of-the-art surveillance technology is key to ensuring the safety of residential spaces. These systems leverage advanced sensors and artificial intelligence to provide real-time alerts and high-quality video imaging, transforming traditional security measures.

****Advanced Camera Technologies****

Modern security cameras come equipped with intelligent noise reduction and superior imaging capabilities. 

This ensures you receive clear videos, reducing false alarms due to poor image quality. Enhanced low-light performance is now a standard feature, providing better surveillance, even in dim conditions.

****AI-Driven Surveillance****

Surveillance systems have grown smarter, incorporating AI technology to analyze video feeds in real time. This means your cameras can distinguish between routine movements and potential security threats, allowing for accurate alarms and alerts. 

AI-driven multi-family residential security camera solutions can aid in recognizing suspicious activities quickly, bolstering the security of private residences.

****Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts****

Your security solution can offer real-time monitoring, with the ability to automatically notify you or dispatch personnel when an incident occurs. 

Cameras and remote monitoring services provide constant vigilance for your property. Should an incident occur, you will be immediately informed with a detailed alert, enabling swift response and ensuring your peace of mind.

****Security Systems Implementation****

When choosing the optimal security system for your home, it’s essential to understand the installation process, recognize the significance of digital identity and authentication, and ensure the solution is tailored to meet your specific needs.

****Professional vs. DIY Installation****

The decision between professional installation and DIY solutions depends largely on your comfort level with technology and specific security needs. 

With professional installation, you’re guaranteed expert setup and continued professional monitoring. 

On the other hand, DIY installation provides a more hands-on approach and may be cost-effective if you have technical proficiency.

****Digital Identity and Authentication****

Incorporating digital identity and authentication into your residential security system adds a robust layer of protection. Reflecting on FTX’s downfall, it’s evident how vital stringent security measures are in any technology-dependent system, preventing unauthorized access and ensuring the integrity of sensitive information. 

Such systems usually involve biometric scanners or advanced code encryption, providing a more personalized and secure method for access control.

****Customization for Specific Needs****

Your home’s security system should be as unique as your household’s. Customization can range from selecting cameras with advanced motion detection to installing smart locks that integrate with your entire home automation system. Identify your specific needs to determine the features that will best secure your residence.

****Innovative Access Control Systems****

Innovative access control systems have evolved to offer not only enhanced security but also user convenience and system efficiency. 

From unlocking doors with a simple facial scan to managing access rights via sophisticated digital models, these systems are transforming residential security.

****Biometric and Facial Recognition****

Biometric security systems utilize your unique physical characteristics to ensure that only authorized individuals can access your home. 

Facial recognition technology, an integral part of this security approach, provides a touchless, fast, and secure method to manage entry. The security industry has embraced this technology for its ability to combine convenience with robust security.

****Smart Lock Technologies****

Smart locks represent a revolutionary step in home security, offering you the ability to control and monitor your door locks remotely. 

Characterized by home Wi-Fi connectivity or Bluetooth, these locks can integrate with your smart home systems, allowing real-time alerts and remote access management. They contribute significantly to your security and sustainability by reducing the need for physical keys and waste.

****Digital Twin Access Management****

The application of digital twin technology in access control refers to a virtual representation of your physical security system. You can visualize and manage the flow of people within your home in a secure digital environment. 

By layering this technology onto access point systems (APS), you gain a comprehensive view that enhances financial security and physical safety. Digital twins in security may also integrate with blockchain technology, offering a decentralized approach that can bolster security protocols.

****Conclusion****

With enhanced connectivity and smarter algorithms, your home security system in 2024 integrates flawlessly across devices. Your standard video systems are upgraded to advanced sensors and high-definition video capabilities, providing you with crisp imagery and precise detection of events.

Cybersecurity is no longer an afterthought in your connected home. Employing strong firewalls, encrypted Wi-Fi systems, and consistent software updates will help safeguard your digital assets on top of the physical ones. Moreover, cloud technology brings a new layer of convenience and efficiency. Your security feeds, storage, and real-time alerts are accessible anytime, anywhere, providing a seamless user experience.

By incorporating these integrated security solutions, your home remains a sanctuary, fortified against potential threats and giving you the peace of mind you deserve.

1.  The Pros and Cons of Smart Homes
2.  NDR in the Modern Cybersecurity Landscape
3.  Top 3 Cybersecurity Tools to Protect Business Data
4.  Cybersecurity for Startups: Best Tips and Strategies
5.  IT and Cybersecurity Jobs in the Age of Emerging AI Tech

Integrated Residential Security Solutions to Employ in 2024

Eight out of nine apps that people use to input Chinese characters into mobile devices have weakness that allow a passive eavesdropper to collect keystroke data.

Source: badboydt7 via Shutterstock

Nearly all keyboard apps that allow users to enter Chinese characters into their Android, iOS, or other mobile devices are vulnerable to attacks that allow an adversary to capture the entirety of their keystrokes.

This includes data such as login credentials, financial information, and messages that would otherwise be end-to-end encrypted, a new study by Toronto University's Citizen Lab has uncovered.

**Ubiquitous Problem**

For the study, researchers at the lab considered cloud-based Pinyin apps (which render Chinese characters into words spelled with roman letters) from nine vendors selling to users in China: Baidu, Samsung, Huawei, Tencent, Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, iFlytek, and Honor. Their investigation showed all but the app from Huawei to be transmitting keystroke data to the cloud in a manner that enabled a passive eavesdropper to read the contents in clear text and with little difficulty. Citizen Lab researchers, who have earned a reputation over the years for exposing multiple cyber espionage, surveillance, and other threats targeted at mobile users and civil society, said each of them contain at least one exploitable vulnerability in how they handle transmissions of user keystrokes to the cloud.

The scope of vulnerabilities should not be underestimated, Citizen Lab researchers Jeffrey Knockel, Mona Wang and Zoe Reichert wrote in a report summarizing their findings this week: The researchers from Citizen Lab found that 76% of keyboard app users in mainland China, in fact, use a Pinyin keyboard to input Chinese characters.

"All of the vulnerabilities that we covered in this report can be exploited entirely passively without sending any additional network traffic," the researchers said. And to boot, the vulnerabilities were easy to discover and do not require any technological sophistication to exploit, they noted.  "As such, we might wonder, are these vulnerabilities actively under mass exploitation?"

Each of the vulnerable Pinyin keyboard apps that Citizen Lab examined had both a local, on-device component and a cloud-based prediction service for handling long strings of syllables and particularly complex characters. Of the nine apps they looked at, three were from mobile software developers — Tencent, Baidu, and iFlytek. The remaining five were apps that Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, Vivo, and Honor — all mobile device manufacturers — had either developed on their own or had integrated into their devices from a third-party developer.

**Exploitable via Active & Passive Methods**

Methods of exploitation differ for each app. Tencent's QQ Pinyin app for Android and Windows for instance had a vulnerability that allowed the researchers to create a working exploit for decrypting keystrokes via active eavesdropping methods. Baidu's IME for Windows contained a similar vulnerability, for which Citizen Lab created a working exploit for decrypting keystroke data via both active and passive eavesdropping methods.

The researchers found other encrypted related privacy and security weaknesses in the Baidu's iOS and Android versions but did not develop exploits for them. iFlytek's app for Android had a vulnerability that allowed a passive eavesdropper to recover in plaintext keyboard transmissions because of insufficient mobile encryption.

On the hardware vendor side, Samsung's homegrown keyboard app offered no encryption at all and instead sent keystroke transmissions in the clear. Samsung also offers users the option of either using Tencent's Sogou app or an app from Baidu on their devices. Of the two apps, Citizen Lab identified Baidu's keyboard app as being vulnerable to attack.

The researchers were unable to identify any issue with Vivo's internally developed Pinyin keyboard app but had a working exploit for a vulnerability they discovered in a Tencent app that is also available on Vivo's devices.

The third-party Pinyin apps (from Baidu, Tencent, and iFlytek) that are available with devices from the other mobile device makers all had exploitable vulnerabilities as well.

These are not uncommon issues, it turns out. Last year, Citizen Labs had conducted a separate investigation in Tencent's Sogou — used by some 450 million people in China — and found vulnerabilities that exposed keystrokes to eavesdropping attacks.

"Combining the vulnerabilities discovered in this and our previous report analyzing Sogou's keyboard apps, we estimate that up to one billion users are affected by these vulnerabilities," Citizen Lab said.

The vulnerabilities could enable mass surveillance of Chinese mobile device users — including by signals intelligence services belonging to the so-called Five Eyes nations — US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — Citizen Lab said; the vulnerabilities in the keyboard apps that Citizen Lab discovered in its new research are very similar to vulnerabilities in the China-developed UC browser that intelligence agencies from these countries exploited for surveillance purposes, the report noted.

**About the Author(s)**

Jai Vijayan is a seasoned technology reporter with over 20 years of experience in IT trade journalism. He was most recently a Senior Editor at Computerworld, where he covered information security and data privacy issues for the publication. Over the course of his 20-year career at Computerworld, Jai also covered a variety of other technology topics, including big data, Hadoop, Internet of Things, e-voting, and data analytics. Prior to Computerworld, Jai covered technology issues for The Economic Times in Bangalore, India. Jai has a Master's degree in Statistics and lives in Naperville, Ill.

Chinese Keyboard Apps Open 1B People to Eavesdropping

Cyberattacks on logistics are becoming increasingly common, and the potential impact is enormous.

Chahak Mittal, Cybersecurity GRC Manager, Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.

April 25, 2024

5 Min Read

Source: Rawf8 via Alamy Stock Photo

COMMENTARY

Imagine you're standing in a bustling city, surrounded by the symphony of commerce. The exchange of goods and the flow of transportation are all around you. This is the heartbeat of our global economy. But what would happen if this heartbeat were to be disrupted? If the very lifeblood of our interconnected world were to falter — or worse, come to a grinding halt?

The consequences would be catastrophic. Imagine empty shelves in grocery stores, gas stations running out of fuel, and hospitals unable to get the supplies they need. Imagine widespread panic and social unrest.

This is not just a hypothetical scenario. It's a real threat we need to take seriously. Cyberattacks on logistics are becoming increasingly common, and the potential impact is enormous. Logistics is the backbone of our global economy. It's the process that keeps the world's shelves stocked and the wheels of commerce turning.

**Cyberattacks on Logistics May Have Severe Ramifications**

Let's first discuss why cyberattacks on logistics are so concerning.

Remember back to the haunting early days of the pandemic. Lockdown measures paralyzed entire nations, factories fell silent, and transportation came to a grinding halt. The repercussions were profound, as essential goods faced severe delays, and shortages left many in dire straits. The fabric of our interconnected world was put to the test, and the challenges were immense.

Four years later, we see news headlines about cyberattacks on Ukraine's logistics and its global impact. Think for a moment about the unimaginable consequences if a cyberattack were to disrupt logistics on a larger scale than COVID-19 or even exceed its impact.

It is unsettling that a nation could be brought to its knees not by an army or weapons but by code on a computer. This prospect cannot be ignored, especially given that the transport and logistics industry is undergoing a digital transformation.

Companies are increasingly using digitalization tools to streamline all processes, from warehouse inventory management to vehicle tracking. This is a good thing, of course. Digitalization can help to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service. But there is a dark side to digitalization. The more digitized a company is, the more vulnerable it is to cyberattacks.

**An Expanded Battlefield**

Let's now delve into the second part of our journey: understanding how cyberattacks on logistics can be weaponized. Throughout history, proper logistics have always been the secret weapon behind any victorious endeavor, whether in war or other ventures. From the days of the Civil War, where horses, mules, and wagons provided armies the food, equipment, and ammunition they needed, to the modern era with colossal military operations with intricate supply chains, logistics have always been the beating heart of success.

Now the battlefield has expanded into the digital realm. The logistics that have propelled economies and nations forward are now vulnerable to a new kind of adversary –— one that wields not swords and shields, but lines of code and malicious intent.

But let's go even deeper. What if these cyberattacks on logistics were not just the work of lone hackers seeking chaos? What if they were orchestrated by state actors with strategic intent? The Russia-Ukraine conflict has demonstrated the potential of such scenarios. The cyber offensive aimed at Ukraine reached far beyond its borders, affecting global supply chains and sending shockwaves through economies. 

In this ever-evolving digital landscape, a new kind of arsenal is being amassed in the shadows: stockpiled zero-day vulnerabilities. Just as nations once accumulated weapons to safeguard their sovereignty, they now amass vulnerabilities as digital ammunition. These zero-day vulnerabilities, arcane exploits unknown even to software creators, have become potent tools of cyber warfare.

Imagine the power of a nation armed with a stockpile of these vulnerabilities. It can strike silently, crippling logistical infrastructures without firing a single shot. This reality becomes more tangible as each day passes. The Russia-Ukraine conflict showcases this new arsenal's alarming potential, serving as a reminder that our reliance on interconnected logistics is both a strength and a vulnerability.

**Fortifying Our Defenses**

So, where do we go from here? How can we fortify our logistical arteries against these emerging threats? Just as the strength of a nation's military once depended on its ability to ensure a steady flow of supplies to the frontlines, today's battles are won by safeguarding the flow of data, goods, and services.

The lessons of history remain relevant — a robust logistics network is not only essential for prosperity, but it is also a fundamental pillar of security. We must invest in cyber-defense strategies that mirror the importance we place on physical defense. Collaboration between governments, industries, and international partners is paramount. The private sector, too, holds a pivotal role.

As we embrace digitalization, we must do so with cybersecurity at the forefront. Companies must not only prioritize efficiency but also fortify their digital infrastructure against potential attacks. 

Strong alliances, collaborative diplomacy, and international cooperation are essential to our defense strategy. Just as alliances between nations bolster our military might, alliances between industries and governments can fortify cybersecurity. By harnessing the power of cyber and soft power in harmony, we can navigate the intricate dance of modern warfare.

The time to act is now. We stand at a crossroads where the path of progress intersects with the shadows of uncertainty. The interconnectedness that has fueled our global economy is also its Achilles' heel. Cyberattacks on logistics are not a distant possibility; they are a sobering reality.

The disruption of our supply chains, the paralysis of our economies — these are the stakes we face. But history has shown us that challenges can become catalysts for innovation. We can forge a new paradigm, one where technology and diplomacy converge to safeguard our way of life.

It is a future where alliances are not just forged on battlefields, but in virtual boardrooms and digital summits, and where the strength of a nation's cybersecurity is as integral to its defense strategy as its military might.

**About the Author(s)**

Cybersecurity GRC Manager, Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc.

Chahak Mittal is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Cybersecurity Governance, Risk, and Compliance Manager at Universal Logistics. She is a cybersecurity leader deeply committed to knowledge sharing and community engagement. Through her roles as a Judge at Globee Awards, Major League Hacking (MLH) Hackathons, and as a dedicated cybersecurity instructor volunteer in the Microsoft TEALS Program, she has actively contributed to the cybersecurity ecosystem. Chahak's active involvement in organizations such as the Information Systems Security Association and SecureWorld's Detroit Advisory Council has been instrumental in her pursuit of staying at the forefront of industry trends and challenges. Furthermore, she has channeled her insights into thought-provoking cybersecurity articles, published on SecureWorld.io, ISC2, and CyberDefense Magazine, making a meaningful contribution to the field's intellectual discourse.

Digital Blitzkrieg: Unveiling Cyber-Logistics Warfare

A flaw was found in kubevirt 0.29 and earlier. Virtual Machine Instances (VMIs) can be used to gain access to the host's filesystem. Successful exploitation allows an attacker to assume the privileges of the VM process on the host system. In worst-case scenarios an attacker can read and modify any file on the system where the VMI is running. The highest threat from this vulnerability is to data confidentiality and integrity as well as system availability.

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1.  GitHub Advisory Database
2.  GitHub Reviewed
3.  CVE-2020-14316

**Privilege Escalation in kubevirt**

Critical severity GitHub Reviewed Published Apr 24, 2024 to the GitHub Advisory Database • Updated Apr 24, 2024

**Package**

gomod kubevirt.io/kubevirt (Go)

**Affected versions**

< 0.30.0

**Description**

Published to the GitHub Advisory Database

Apr 24, 2024

Last updated

Apr 24, 2024

GHSA-828r-r2c8-rfw3: Privilege Escalation in kubevirt

The five intelligence sources that power social engineering scams.

Source: LightField Studios Inc. via Alamy Stock Photo

COMMENTARY

Social engineering is one of the most prevalent attack vectors used by cyber scammers to infiltrate organizations. These manipulative attacks typically are executed in four phases: 

1.  Information gathering (attacker gathers information about the target)
    
2.  Relationship development (attacker engages the target and earns their trust)
    
3.  Exploitation (attacker persuades the target to carry out an action)
    
4.  Execution (the information collected through exploitation is operationalized to execute the attack)
    

The first phase obviously is the most important — without the right information, it can be difficult to execute a targeted social engineering attack. 

**Five Sources of Intelligence**

So how do attackers gather data about their targets? There are five sources of intelligence cybercriminals can use to gather and analyze information about their targets. They are:

1\. OSINT (open source intelligence)

OSINT is a technique hackers use to collect and assess publicly available information about organizations and their people. Threat actors can use OSINT tools to learn about their target's IT and security infrastructure; exploitable assets such as open ports and email addresses; IP addresses; vulnerabilities in websites, servers, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices; leaked or stolen credentials; and more. Attackers weaponize this information to launch social engineering attacks.

2\. SOCMINT (social media intelligence)

Although SOCMINT is a subset of OSINT, it deserves a mention. Most people voluntarily expose personal and professional details about their lives on popular social media platforms: their headshot, their interests and hobbies, their family, friends and connections, where they live and work, their current job position, and lots of other details. Using SOCINT tools such as Social Analyzer, Whatsmyname, and NameCheckup.com, attackers can filter social media activity and information about an individual and design targeted social engineering scams. 

3\. ADINT (advertising intelligence)

Say you download a free chess app on your phone. There's a small area on the app that serves location-based ads from sponsors and event organizers, updating users on local players, events, and chess meetups. Whenever this ad gets displayed, the app shares certain details about the user with the advertising exchange service, which includes things like IP addresses, the type of operating system in use (iOS or Android), the name of the mobile phone carrier, the user's screen resolution, GPS coordinates, etc. Typically, ad exchanges store and process this information for serving up relevant ads based on user interest, activity, and location. Ad exchanges also sell this valuable data. What if a threat actor or a rogue government buys this information? That's exactly what intelligence agencies and adversaries have been doing to track activity and hack their targets. 

4\. DARKINT (Dark Web intelligence)

The Dark Web is a billion-dollar illicit marketplace transacting corporate espionage services, DIY ransomware kits, drugs and weapons, human trafficking, et al. Billions of stolen records (personally identifiable information, healthcare records, banking and transaction data, corporate data, compromised credentials) are available for purchase on the Dark Web. Threat actors can purchase off-the-shelf data and mobilize it for their social engineering schemes. They can also choose to outsource professionals who will socially engineer people on their behalf or discover hidden vulnerabilities in target organizations. In addition, there are hidden online forums and instant messaging platforms (such as Telegram) where people can access information about potential targets. 

5\. AI-INT (AI intelligence)

Some analysts are calling AI the sixth intelligence discipline, on top of the five core disciplines. With recent advancements in generative AI technology like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, it's not hard to imagine cybercriminals deploying AI tools to mine, assimilate, process, and filter information about their targets. Threat researchers are already reporting the presence of malicious AI-based tools that are popping up in Dark Web forums such as FraudGPT and WormGPT. Such tools can significantly reduce the research time for social engineers and provide actionable information they can use to execute social engineering schemes. 

**What Can Businesses Do to Mitigate Social Engineering Attacks?**

The root cause of all social engineering attacks is information and the careless handling of it. If businesses and employees can reduce their information exposure, they will lower social engineering attacks by a significant degree. Here's how:

*   Train staff monthly: Using phishing simulators and classroom training, teach employees to avoid posting sensitive or personal information about themselves, their families, their coworkers, or the organization.
    
*   Draft AI-use policies: Make it clear to employees what is acceptable and unacceptable online behavior. For example, prompting ChatGPT with a line of code or proprietary data is unacceptable; responding to unusual or suspicious requests without proper verification is unacceptable.
    
*   Leverage the same tools hackers use: Use the same intelligence sources highlighted above to proactively understand how much information about your organization, your people, and your infrastructure is available online. Develop an ongoing process to reduce that exposure.
    

Good cybersecurity hygiene begins with clamping down on root causes. The root cause behind 80% to 90% of all cyberattacks is attributed to social engineering and bad judgement. Organizations must focus on two things primarily: reducing information exposure and controlling human behavior via training exercises and education. By applying efforts in these two areas, organizations can significantly reduce their threat exposure and the potential downstream impact of that exposure.

**About the Author(s)**

Founder & CEO, KnowBe4, Inc.

Stu Sjouwerman is founder and CEO of KnowBe4, provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform used by more than 65,000 organizations around the globe. He was co-founder of Sunbelt Software, the anti-malware software company acquired in 2010. He is the author of four books, including Cyberheist: The Biggest Financial Threat Facing American Businesses.

Where Hackers Find Your Weak Spots

Over the past two years, a shocking 51% of organizations surveyed in a leading industry report have been compromised by a cyberattack. Yes, over half. 
And this, in a world where enterprises deploy an average of 53 different security solutions to safeguard their digital domain. 
Alarming? Absolutely.
A recent survey of CISOs and CIOs, commissioned by Pentera and

Pentera's 2024 Report Reveals Hundreds of Security Events per Week, Highlighting the Criticality of Continuous Validation

Thousands of exposed files on a misconfigured North Korean server hint at one way the reclusive country may evade international sanctions.

For almost a decade, Nick Roy has been scanning North Korea’s tiny internet presence, spotting new websites coming online and providing a glimpse of the Hermit Kingdoms’ digital life. However, at the end of last year, the cybersecurity researcher and DPRK blogger stumbled across something new: signs North Koreans are working on major international TV shows.

In December, Roy discovered a misconfigured cloud server on a North Korean IP address containing thousands of animation files. Included in the cache were animation cells, videos, and notes discussing the work, plus changes that needed to be made to ongoing projects. Some images appeared to be from an Amazon Prime Video superhero show and an upcoming Max (aka HBO Max) children’s anime.

The findings and security lapse—detailed in a report by the Stimson Center think tank's North Korea–focused 38 North Project, which helped analyze the findings along with Google-owned security firm Mandiant—provide a glimpse at how North Korea can use skilled IT and tech workers to raise funds for its heavily sanctioned regime. It also comes as US officials increasingly warn about North Korean IT workers infiltrating companies and their outsourcing.

North Korea’s internet is a small—and fragile—space. The repressive nation only has 1,024 IP addresses and around 30 websites that connect to the global internet. While there is a limited internal intranet, only a few thousand of the country’s 26 million people can get on the internet. When they do, it’s highly controlled: These select few North Koreans can use the internet for an hour at a time and have a person sitting next to them approving their use every five minutes.

When Roy discovered the exposed cloud server, it was being updated on a daily basis. Martyn Williams, a senior fellow on the 38 North Project who helped analyze the contents of the server, says the server likely allowed work to be sent to and from North Korean animators. The server itself is still live, but it mysteriously stopped being used at the end of February. While there is a login page, its contents can be accessed without a username and password. “I found the login page after I found all the exposed files,” Roy says.

Inside, the files contained editing comments and instructions in Chinese which were translated to Korean, the researchers write in their report. “For a lot of the animation files, we would find things like spreadsheets with details of the workflow,” Williams says. A sample of the files shared with WIRED show detailed anime images and video clips, with notes for the authors and date stamps on various files. In one instance, the report says, an animator was “asked to improve the shape of the character’s head.”

Based on the documents and drawings, the researchers were able to identify some of the shows and projects the North Koreans were working on. Some of the projects included work from season 3 of the Amazon show _Invincible_, which is produced by California-based Skybound Entertainment. There were also documents linked to Max and Cartoon Network show _Iyanu: Child of Wonder_, produced by YouNeek Studios, as well as files from a Japanese anime series and an animation studio in Japan.

Some file names gave away clues about the series and episode numbers. There were also files and projects the researchers could not identify—including a “bunch of files” with videos of horses and a Russian book on horses, Williams says.

Sanctions placed upon the North Korean regime, for its ongoing human rights abuses and nuclear warfare programs, prohibit US companies from working with DPRK companies or individuals. However, the researchers say it is highly unlikely that any companies involved would have a clue about North Korean animators working on the shows, and there is nothing suggesting the companies violated any sanctions or other laws. “It is likely that the contracting arrangement was several steps downstream from the major producers,” the report says.

Spokespeople for Amazon and Max spokesperson declined to comment for this story. YouNeek Studios did not respond to a request for comment.

“We do not work with North Korean companies, or Chinese companies on _Invincible_, or any affiliated entities, and have no knowledge of any North Korean or Chinese companies working on _Invincible_,” a spokesperson for Skybound Entertainment says. “We take any claims very seriously and have commenced an investigation into this.” In a post on X, the company characterized the findings as “unconfirmed” and said it is working with authorities to investigate.

Williams says it is possible that a front company in China is used to help disguise the activity and involvement of North Koreans. The researchers were able to analyze connections to the exposed server and, despite most having their location masked by a VPN, spotted access from Spain and three Chinese cities. “All three cities are known to have many North Korean–operated businesses and are main centers for North Korea’s IT workers who live overseas,” the report says.

While Williams says the researchers did not find any identifiable names of North Korean organizations buried in the files, the country has a well-established animation company called April 26 Animation Studio, which is also known as SEK Studio. Originally set up in the 1950s, the studio has worked on hundreds of international TV shows and movies.

However, in recent years, the US Treasury Department has sanctioned SEK Studios, individuals linked to it, and various “front companies” that it says are used to “work for foreign customers.” Many of these have links to China, according to the sanctions. “SEK Studio has utilized an assortment of front companies to evade sanctions targeting the government of the DPRK and to deceive international financial institutions,” a statement issued as part of the sanctions in 2021 says.

The main aim of these efforts, says Michael Barnhart, a North Korea researcher at Mandiant, is to raise money for the North Korean regime. The country’s hackers and scammers have stolen and extorted billions of dollars to help fund its military ambitions in recent years, including from huge cryptocurrency heists. In early 2022, the FBI issued a 16-page alert warning companies that remote North Korean freelance IT workers were infiltrating businesses to earn money they could funnel back home.

“The volume is much higher than we were expecting,” Barnhart says of North Korea’s IT workers. They are constantly changing their tactics to avoid being caught, he says. “We had one not too long ago, where during the interview, the person’s mouth was just off-frame. You could tell that someone in the background was speaking on their behalf.” Technically, Barnhart says, companies should verify their remote workers’ devices and make sure that there is no remote software connecting to a company laptop or network. Businesses should also put extra efforts at the hiring stage by training HR staff to detect possible IT workers.

However, he says, increasingly there is a greater crossover between North Korean IT workers and individuals who are members of known hacking groups or classified as advanced persistent threats (APTs). “The more we focus on IT workers, the more we’re starting to see APT operators and efforts blending in with those,” he says. “This might be the most quick learning-on-your-feet, nimble nation-state that I've ever seen.”

North Koreans Secretly Animated Amazon and Max Shows, Researchers Say

By Owais Sultan
In banking and business, you need to know how your investments are doing and what they are made…
This is a post from HackRead.com Read the original post: Unlocking the Power of Portfolio Analysis – A Comprehensive Guide

In banking and business, you need to know how your investments are doing and what they are made of to get the best results and make smart decisions. Portfolio analysis is a powerful tool that helps people and companies figure out how much money their assets are making, what their pros and cons are, and how to change their plans in a smart way to reach their financial goals.

This piece will explain everything you need to know about portfolio analysis tools, including what they’re for, how they work, and how buyers can make more money by using them. 

****What is Portfolio Analysis?****

The orderly process of looking at how well, how risky, and how diverse a person or business’s investments are is called portfolio analysis. It involves looking at the portfolio’s overall risk, finding out how assets are related and correlated, and looking at the results that different asset types produce. The main goals of portfolio analysis are to make sure that the right assets are assigned, that the portfolio performs as well as possible, and that it fits the investor’s goals and risk tolerance.

****Objectives of Portfolio Analysis****

1\. Performance Evaluation: By comparing investments to relevant benchmarks and monitoring the achievement of financial objectives, portfolio analysis assists investors in assessing the past performance of their holdings.

2\. Risk Assessment: By looking at the portfolio’s risk profile, investors can get an idea of how much risk they are exposed to, find possible sources of risk, and judge how well their risk management strategies are working.

3\. Diversification Analysis: Portfolio analysis can help investors find the best way to divide up their assets, while also taking into account their financial goals, investment timeline, and risk tolerance.

4\. Asset Allocation: When looking at an investor’s financial goals, investment timeline, and risk tolerance, portfolio analysis can help them find the best asset allocation plan.

5\. Rebalancing: Using portfolio analysis, investors may be able to find ways to adjust their portfolio by changing the way their assets are allocated to keep the risk-return profile they want.

****Leveraging Investment Portfolio Analysis Tool for Better Profit****

Using tools for portfolio analysis could help you make smart investment choices. Let’s talk about it:  

*   Performance Tracking: Users of financial portfolio analysis tools can keep an eye on how their stocks are doing in real-time by comparing them to relevant standards and previous data. This tool lets investors keep track of their progress toward their financial goals and make changes to their plans as needed.
*   Risk Assessment: These tools help buyers figure out how risky their investments are by looking at things like volatility, association, and possible bad results. As long as investors know how risky their assets are, they can use risk management methods to keep their cash safe.
*   Asset Allocation: Investors can find out how they have spread their money across different types of assets, businesses, and regions by using tools that analyze investment accounts. By seeing how the portfolio is put together, investors can find areas where they are over- or under-exposed and make changes to their assets.
*   Diversification Analysis: These tools check the financial diversity of the portfolio to make sure it’s not too focused on just a few stocks or businesses. Diversification is one of the most important things you can do to lower risk and boost results. Investment portfolio research tools can help you do it.
*   Scenario Analysis: Investors can model different market events with the help of advanced technologies and see how they will affect their investments. Modeling different possible outcomes can help investors figure out how resistant their assets are to changes in the market.

****Methodologies of Portfolio Analysis****

There are different techniques and methods used in portfolio analysis, and each one has its purpose and way of giving information about the portfolio. The following are examples of common techniques:

1\. Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT): MPT is a popular method for portfolio analysis that places a strong emphasis on the value of diversity and the connection between risk and return. It assists investors in building effective portfolios that provide the best returns for a certain degree of risk.

2\. Risk-Return Analysis: This approach evaluates the risk-return characteristics of the portfolio by looking at the past performance of individual assets and how they correlate with market benchmarks.

3\. Sector and Asset Class Analysis: Investors may spot regions of overexposure or underrepresentation and decide on diversification by looking at the portfolio’s composition of various asset classes and industries.

4\. Scenario Analysis: Using this method, one may examine the possible risks and possibilities under fluctuating market circumstances by simulating various scenarios and evaluating their influence on the portfolio.

****Benefits of Portfolio Analysis****

Find out right now why you should use portfolio analysis:  

*   Informed Decision-Making: By giving investors insightful information on the performance and makeup of their assets, portfolio analysis enables them to make data-driven choices that support their financial objectives.
*   Risk Management: Investors may safeguard their assets from market volatility and unanticipated occurrences by implementing proper risk management measures when they have a clear grasp of the risk exposure of their portfolio.
*   Improved Returns: Investors may find chances to optimize the performance of their portfolio, rebalance assets, and modify the asset allocation to maximize returns by using portfolio analysis.
*   Goal Alignment: By ensuring that their investment plan is in line with their time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial objectives, investors may remain on track to meet their objectives with the use of portfolio analysis.

****Conclusion****

A good way for buyers to get a good idea of their investment portfolio’s results, dangers, and variety is to do a portfolio analysis. By carefully looking over their stocks, investors can make smart decisions, get the best results, and learn important things about how well their investment plan is working.

No matter how much experience you have, taking the time to look over your account may help you reach your financial goals and feel confident in your ability to handle the constantly changing financial markets.

Unlocking the Power of Portfolio Analysis – A Comprehensive Guide

At most, someone who intentionally or repeatedly shares information on their social platform that’s misleading or downright false may have their account blocked, suspended or deleted.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 14:00

If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, you already know about how strongly I feel about the dangers of spreading fake news, disinformation and misinformation. 

And honestly, if you’re reading this newsletter, I probably shouldn’t have to tell you about that either. But one of the things that always frustrates me about this seemingly never-ending battle against disinformation on the internet, is that there aren’t any real consequences for the worst offenders. 

At most, someone who intentionally or repeatedly shares information on their social platform that’s misleading or downright false may have their account blocked, suspended or deleted, or just that one individual post might be removed.  

Twitter, which has become one of the worst offenders for spreading disinformation, has gotten even worse about this over the past few years and at this point doesn’t do anything to these accounts, and in fact, even promotes them in many ways and gives them a larger platform. 

Meta, for its part, is now hiding more political posts on its platforms in some countries, but at most, an account that shares fake news is only going to be restricted if enough people report it to Meta’s team and they choose to take action.  

Now, I’m hoping that Brazil’s Supreme Court may start imposing some real-world consequences on individuals and companies that support, endorse or sit idly by while disinformation spreads. Specifically, I’m talking about a newly launched investigation by the court into Twitter/X and its owner, Elon Musk.  

Brazil’s Supreme Court says users on the platform are part of a massive misinformation campaign against the court’s justices, sharing intentionally false or harmful information about them. Musk is also facing a related investigation into alleged obstruction.  

The court had previously asked Twitter to block certain far-right accounts that were spreading fake news on Twitter, seemingly one of the only true permanent bans on a social media platform targeting the worst misinformation offenders. Recently, Twitter has declined to block those accounts. 

This isn’t some new initiative, though. Brazil’s government has long looked for concrete ways to implement real-world punishments for spreading disinformation. In 2022, the Supreme Court signed an agreement with the equivalent of Brazil’s national election commission “to combat fake news involving the judiciary and to disseminate information about the 2022 general elections.” 

Brazil’s president (much like the U.S.) has been battling fake news and disinformation for years now, making any political conversation there incredibly divisive, and in many ways, physically dangerous. I’m certainly not an authority enough on the subject to comment on that and the ways in which the term “fake news” has been weaponized to literally challenge what is “fact” in our modern society.  

And I could certainly see a world in which a high court uses the term “fake news” to charge and prosecute people who are, in fact, spreading \*correct\* and verifiable information.  

But, even just forcing Musk or anyone at Twitter to answer questions about their blocking policies could bring an additional layer of transparency to this process. Suppose we want to really get people to stop sharing misleading information on social media. In that case, it needs to eventually come with real consequences, not just a simple block when they can launch a new account two seconds later using a different email address. 

**The one big thing **

Talos recently discovered a new threat actor we're calling “Starry Addax” targeting mostly human rights activists associated with the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) cause. Starry Addax primarily uses a new mobile malware that it infects users with via phishing attack, tricking their targets into installing malicious Android applications we’re calling “FlexStarling.” The malicious mobile application (APK), “FlexStarling,” analyzed by Talos recently masquerades as a variant of the Sahara Press Service (SPSRASD) App. 

**Why do I care? **

The targets in this campaign's case are considered high-risk individuals, advocating for human rights in the Western Sahara. While that is a highly focused particular demographic, FlexStarling is still a highly capable implant that could be dangerous if used in other campaigns. Once infected, Starry Addax can use their malware to steal important login credentials, execute remote code or infect the device with other malware.  

**So now what? **

This campaign's infection chain begins with a spear-phishing email sent to targets, consisting of individuals of interest to the attackers, especially human rights activists in Morocco and the Western Sahara region. If you are a user who feels you could be targeted by these emails, please pay close attention to any URLs or attachments used in emails with these themes and ensure you’re only visiting trusted sites. The timelines connected to various artifacts used in the attacks indicate that this campaign is just starting and may be in its nascent stages with more infrastructure and Starry Addax working on additional malware variants. 

**Top security headlines of the week **

**A threat actor with ties to Russia is suspected of infecting the network belonging to a rural water facility in Texas earlier this year.** The hack in the small town of Muleshoe, Texas in January caused a water tower to overflow. The suspect attack coincided with network intrusions against networks belonging to two other nearby towns. While the attack did not disrupt drinking water in the town, it would mark an escalation in Russian APTs’ efforts to spy on and disrupt American critical infrastructure. Security researchers this week linked a Telegram channel that took credit for the activity with a group connected to Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency. The adversaries broke into a remote login system used in ICS, which allowed the actors to interact with the water tank. It overflowed for about 30 to 45 minutes before officials took the machine offline and switched to manual operations. According to reporting from CNN, a nearby town called Lockney detected “suspicious activity” on the town’s SCADA system. And in Hale Center, adversaries also tried to breach the town network’s firewall, which prompted them to disable remote access to its SCADA system. (CNN, Wired) 

**Meanwhile, Russia’s Sandworm APT is also accused of being the primary threat actor carrying out Russia’s goals in Ukraine.** New research indicates that the group is responsible for nearly all disruptive and destructive cyberattacks in Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022. One attack involved Sandworm, aka APT44, disrupting a Ukrainian power facility during Russia’s winter offensive and a series of drone strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy grid. Recently, the group’s attacks have increasingly focused on espionage activity to gather information for Russia’s military to use to its advantage on the battlefield. The U.S. indicated several individuals for their roles with Sandworm in 2020, but the group has been active for more than 10 years. Researchers also unmasked a Telegram channel the group appears to be using, called “CyberArmyofRussia\_Reborn.” They typically use the channel to post evidence from their sabotage activities. (Dark Reading, Recorded Future) 

**Security experts and government officials are bracing for an uptick in offensive cyber attacks between Israel and Iran** after Iran launched a barrage of drones and missiles at Israel. Both countries have dealt with increased tensions recently, eventually leading to the attack Saturday night. Israel’s leaders have already been considering various responses to the attack, among which could be cyber attacks targeting Iran in addition to any new kinetic warfare. Israel and Iran have long had a tense relationship that included covert operations and destructive cyberattacks. Experts say both countries have the ability to launch wiper malware, ransomware and cyber attacks against each other, some of which could interrupt critical infrastructure or military operations. The increased tensions have also opened the door to many threat actors taking claims for various cyber attacks or intrusions that didn’t happen. (Axios, Foreign Policy) 

**Can’t get enough Talos? **

*   Cisco Warns of Global Surge in Brute-Force Attacks Targeting VPN and SSH Services 
*   Decade-old malware haunts Ukrainian police 
*   Attackers are pummeling networks around the world with millions of login attempts 
*   OfflRouter virus causes Ukrainian users to upload confidential documents to VirusTotal 
*   Large-scale brute-force activity targeting VPNs, SSH services with commonly used login credentials 
*   Talos Takes Ep. #179: Why we need to stop calling as-a-service group takedowns "takedowns" 

**Upcoming events where you can find Talos **

 **Botconf** **(April 23 - 26)** 

_Nice, Côte d'Azur, France_

> _This presentation from Chetan Raghuprasad details the Supershell C2 framework. Threat actors are using this framework massively and creating botnets with the Supershell implants._

**CARO Workshop 2024** **(May 1 - 3)** 

_Arlington, Virginia_

> Over the past year, we’ve observed a substantial uptick in attacks by YoroTrooper, a relatively nascent espionage-oriented threat actor operating against the Commonwealth of Independent Countries (CIS) since at least 2022. Asheer Malhotra's presentation at CARO 2024 will provide an overview of their various campaigns detailing the commodity and custom-built malware employed by the actor, their discovery and evolution in tactics. He will present a timeline of successful intrusions carried out by YoroTrooper targeting high-value individuals associated with CIS government agencies over the last two years.

**RSA** **(May 6 - 9)** 

_San Francisco, California_    

**Most prevalent malware files from Talos telemetry over the past week **

_This section will be on a brief hiatus while we work through some technical difficulties._

Could the Brazilian Supreme Court finally hold people accountable for sharing disinformation?

Debian Linux Security Advisory 5664-1 - Jetty 9 is a Java based web server and servlet engine. It was discovered that remote attackers may leave many HTTP/2 connections in ESTABLISHED state (not closed), TCP congested and idle. Eventually the server will stop accepting new connections from valid clients which can cause a denial of service.

    -----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----Hash: SHA512- -------------------------------------------------------------------------Debian Security Advisory DSA-5664-1                   security@debian.orghttps://www.debian.org/security/                          Markus KoschanyApril 17, 2024                        https://www.debian.org/security/faq- -------------------------------------------------------------------------Package        : jetty9CVE ID         : CVE-2024-22201Jetty 9 is a Java based web server and servlet engine. It was discovered thatremote attackers may leave many HTTP/2 connections in ESTABLISHED state (notclosed), TCP congested and idle. Eventually the server will stop accepting newconnections from valid clients which can cause a denial of service.For the oldstable distribution (bullseye), this problem has been fixedin version 9.4.50-4+deb11u2.For the stable distribution (bookworm), this problem has been fixed inversion 9.4.50-4+deb12u3.We recommend that you upgrade your jetty9 packages.For the detailed security status of jetty9 please refer toits security tracker page at:https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/jetty9Further information about Debian Security Advisories, how to applythese updates to your system and frequently asked questions can befound at: https://www.debian.org/security/Mailing list: debian-security-announce@lists.debian.org-----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE-----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HK3G-----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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