Hundreds of Porsches in Russia were rendered immobile last week, raising speculation of a hack, but the German carmaker tells The Register that its vehicles are secure.β¦
Interview Imagine botnets in physical form and you've got a pretty good idea of what could go wrong with the influx of AI-infused humanoid robots expected to integrate into society over the next few decades.β¦
The UK's foreign secretary is calling for closer collaboration with Europe to combat the growing threat of information warfare as hybrid attacks target countries on the continent.β¦
If you work on firmware RE, unknown protocols, C2 RE, or undocumented file formats, give it a read.
I start by defining a custom binary file format, then show how Kaitai Struct comes into play
Portugal has become the latest country to carve out protections for researchers under its cybersecurity law.β¦
The head of the department delivering the UK government's digital identity scheme has rejected the Β£1.8 billion cost forecast by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), but is not willing to provide an alternative until after a delayed consultation on the plans.β¦
Researchers at security software vendor Huntress say theyβve noticed a huge increase in ransomware attacks on hypervisors and urged users to ensure theyβre as secure as can be and properly backed up.β¦
I know SaaS app detection and response is not in everyone's remit although I've worked in a few orgs where we've had to threat model SaaS apps, understand their telemetry and devise attack paths that could lead to unfavourable outcomes. We spent a lot of time doing this research. I thought about it and myself if I could get ( don't hate for me it ) agents to perform this research. So I started with this mental objective:
"How can I greedily transpose a SaaS app and find attack surface by transposing it onto MITRE attack and emulating adversarial techniques making some assumptions about an environment"
It turns out, I think, that the early results are really promising. Full transparency I am trying to build this into a product, but I've released a public version of some of the analysis in the attached link. You can view Slack and see 2 views:
My next steps are to integrate audit log context to identify detection opportunities and configuration context to identify mitigation options. If youβve had to do this with your own teams, Iβd really value hearing your perspective. Always open to chatting as this is my life now
This particular course, SANS 588, has assembled 6 sections all on areas of pentesting I am most interested in learning, on account of all my prior work in the past as a DevSecOps engineer.
These subjects are what I want to study, but the hefty price tag of approx 9000 dollars is pretty crazy, and I don't have a company to pay for it. Are there any other worthwhile and reputable providers of this kind of education or certification?
Internet security refers to tactics that protect your online activities from a variety of cyberthreats such as malware, phishing attacks, scams, and even unauthorized access by hackers. In this article, we will highlight the importance of internet security in safeguarding your digital network and outline what you can do to have a comprehensive online security system in place.
Internet usage has become central to our daily life. In 2024 alone, DataReportal reported that around 5.56 billionβthatβs 67.9%βof the worldβs population were connected to the internet. This was 136 million more than the year before, resulting in the creation of approximately 402.7 million terabytes of data each day. With this wealth of information, it is no wonder that cybercriminals are scrambling to make billions of dollars off the internet.
Globally, the average cost of data breaches rose by 10% between 2023 and 2024, totaling an estimated $4.88 million. This staggering amount included not only the loss in business revenues but also recovery costs and regulatory fines. For this reason, it has become important to implement internet security to protect our online personal data, activities, and devices from cyberthreats and unauthorized access.
While internet security is sometimes confused with, itβs important to point out their subtle distinctions. Internet security focuses on protecting your activities and data as they travel across the web, while cybersecurity is focused on protecting digital assets such as systems, networks, and data from cyberthreats. These two concepts work together to create your complete digital protection environment.
Internet security threats come in a variety of forms, complexities, and detectability. Some of the common threats we face today include:
While internet security threats may seem overwhelming at first glance, solutions are available to safeguard your computer or mobile devices. Below is a detailed look at some security measures.
Your home network serves as the foundation of your digital life, connecting all your devices and enabling your online activities. Having a strong network security foundation with multiple layers of protection will keep your connections and data safe from cyber threats.
Your router serves as the gateway between your home devices and the internet, making it a critical security component. Start by changing your routerβs default administrator username and password immediately after setup. These factory defaults are widely known and easily exploited by attackers. Choose a strong, unique password that combines letters, numbers, and symbols to prevent unauthorized access to your routerβs settings.
Enable WPA3 encryption on your wireless network, as it provides the strongest protection for your Wi-Fi connections. If your router doesnβt support WPA3, use WPA2 as a minimum standard. These protocols scramble your data as it travels between devices and your router, making it unreadable to anyone attempting to intercept your communications.
Create a unique network name or service set identifier (SSID) that doesnβt reveal your router manufacturer or model number, and pair it with a complex Wi-Fi password at least 12 characters long with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Avoid using personal information such as your address or name in either your network name or password, as this information can help attackers guess your password.
Regularly update your routerβs firmware to patch security vulnerabilities and improve performance. Check your router manufacturerβs website quarterly for updates if automatic updates arenβt available, as outdated firmware often contains known security flaws that cybercriminals actively exploit.
Separate the guest network for visitors and smart home devices to protect your primary network where you store sensitive data. If a guestβs device is compromised or if a smart device has security vulnerabilities, the threat canβt easily spread to your main computers and phones. Configure your guest network with a strong password and consider time limits for access.
Enable access point isolation, also called client isolation, on your wireless network to prevent potentially compromised devices from attacking other devices on the same network. If you are an advanced user, consider creating separate virtual networks (VLANs) for different device types, such as keeping work computers on a different network segment than entertainment devices.
Modern routers include built-in firewalls that monitor suspicious activity in incoming and outgoing network traffic, and block potentially harmful connections and unnecessary ports and services.
Antivirus programs are engineered to prevent, detect, and remove viruses and other types of malicious software. Antivirus software can run automatic scans on specific files or directories to make sure no malicious activity is present, and no network or data breach has occurred.
McAfeeβs antivirus software comes with key security capabilities such as malware detection, quarantine, and removal, as well as options for scanning files and applications, and an advanced firewall for home network security.
Multi-factor authentication is an authentication method that requires at least two pieces of evidence before granting access to a website. Using this method adds another layer of security to your applications and reduces the likelihood of a data breach.
Web browsers vary widely in terms of the security features, with some offering just the basics and others providing a more complete range of features. Ideally, you should opt for a browser that offers the following security features:
When properly implemented, these steps help ensure that your internet connection remains private, your data stays secure, and unauthorized users canβt access your network resources. Regular maintenance of these security settings, combined with staying informed about emerging threats, gives you the foundation for safe and confident internet use.
These days, smartphones and tablets hold more personal information than ever beforeβfrom banking details and photos to work emails and location data. While this convenience makes life easier, it also creates new opportunities for cybercriminals to target your mobile devices. As you secure your network and desktop or laptop devices, so should you treat your mobile devices with the same care. Here are some straightforward security practices that you can implement to significantly reduce your exposure to mobile threats:
Here are answers to the most common questions about protecting yourself online.
What does internet security cover?
Internet security protects you from a wide range of online threats including viruses, malware, phishing attacks, identity theft, and data breaches. It also covers your devices, personal information, online accounts, and network connections to help you browse, shop, and communicate safely online.
How is internet security different from antivirus software?
While antivirus software focuses specifically on detecting and removing malicious programs, internet security provides comprehensive protection that includes antivirus plus additional features such as firewalls, web protection, email security, identity monitoring, and safe browsing tools.
Do Macs and smartphones need internet security protection?
Yes, all devices that connect to the internet can be targeted by cybercriminals. Mobile devices and Macs face increasing security threats including malicious apps, phishing attempts, and network attacks, making protection essential regardless of your device type.
How can I stay safe on public Wi-Fi?
Avoid accessing sensitive accounts or making purchases on public Wi-Fi networks. When you must use public Wi-Fi, stick to encrypted websites with the βhttpsβ in the URL, avoid automatic connections, and consider using a VPN for added protection.
How can you keep children safe online?
As children grow older, their internet use becomes more extensive. To keep them safe online, educate them about the risks of web browsing and about best practices to avoid online threats like not sharing passwords. Explain which information should be shared and which should be kept private. Instruct them to never click on links from unknown sources. Set up parental controls on certain websites to filter inappropriate content and keep a child-friendly interface.
What are the signs that my account has been compromised?
Watch for unexpected password reset emails, unfamiliar login notifications, unusual account activity, friends receiving spam from your accounts, or unauthorized charges on your financial statements. If you notice any of these signs, change your passwords immediately and contact the relevant service providers.
How often should I update my software and devices?
Enable automatic updates whenever possible and install security patches as soon as they become available. Regular updates fix security vulnerabilities that criminals actively exploit, so staying current is one of your best defenses against cyber threats.
As more cyberthreats emerge and expand both in scope and sophistication, itβs essential that you protect your internet activities. Effective protection doesnβt have to be complicated. Taking steps to install antivirus software, create strong and unique passwords, enable your firewall, and use multi-factor authentication will help build a strong defense against online threats.
Start implementing these internet security measures today and enjoy the confidence that comes with knowing youβre protected online.
For added security, consider using an all-in-one antivirus solution like McAfee+ to safeguard your devices from online threats. Let McAfee handle your security while you focus on enjoying the internet.
The post What Is Internet Security? appeared first on McAfee Blog.
Nearly 200 people, including minors accused of involvement in murder plots, have been arrested over the last six months as part of Europol's Operational Taskforce (OTF) GRIMM. The operation targets what cops call "violence-as-a-service" - crime crews recruiting kids and teens online to carry out contract killings and other real-world attacks.β¦
The UK government has announced enhanced protection for undersea cables using autonomous vessels alongside crewed warships and aircraft, responding to escalating Russian surveillance activities.β¦
The UK's data protection watchdog has criticized the Home Office for failing to disclose significant biases in police facial recognition technology, despite regular engagement between the organizations.β¦
Barts Health NHS Trust has confirmed that patient and staff data was stolen in Clop's mass-exploitation of Oracle's E-Business Suite (EBS), and says it is now taking legal action in an effort to stop the gang publishing any of the snatched information.β¦
Agentic browsers are too risky for most organizations to use, according to analyst firm Gartner.β¦