Latest news with #AndrewCostis
Techday NZ
5 days ago
- Techday NZ
Experts warn of surge in Google, Apple, Microsoft breaches
Cybersecurity experts are raising alarm over a significant campaign targeting users through the Google Chrome Web Store, as well as the discovery of a vast database containing hundreds of millions of stolen log-in credentials. The recent developments underscore rising risks associated with browser extensions and the continuing vulnerabilities in digital identity platforms. "A Google Chrome Web Store campaign is using over 100 malicious browsers that mimic tools like VPNs, AI assistants, and crypto utilities to steal cookies and execute remote scripts secretly. Though Google has removed many extensions identified, some still remain on the Web Store," said Andrew Costis, Engineering Manager of the Adversary Research Team at AttackIQ. "The campaign relies on malvertising strategies to trick users into clicking buttons that link to malicious browser extensions. The extensions connect the victim to the threat actor's infrastructure, allowing information to be stolen, as well as modifying network traffic to deliver ads, perform redirections, or serve as a proxy. "With some of these extensions still active on the Chrome Web Store, it is essential that individuals and organizations take appropriate precautions. Knowledge is key -- users should only trust proven, reputable publishers and familiarize themselves with lure website domains. Additionally, organizations should implement adversarial exposure validation tools to ensure their security systems are tested against malicious browser campaigns." The campaign's persistence highlights the challenges facing platform operators like Google in completely eradicating malicious content from widely used app stores. With new extensions and techniques emerging regularly, the risk to end users remains ongoing. Meanwhile, cybersecurity concerns have been exacerbated by the discovery of a database containing an estimated 184 million records of stolen log-in credentials. The database reportedly contains detailed access information for popular services, including Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, as well as various banking, healthcare, and government platforms across numerous countries. "What's most noteworthy is how this breach highlights the immense value of centralized identity platforms like Google, Okta, Apple and Meta to attackers. With over 184 million records exposed, threat actors can now launch widespread account takeover attempts across countless SaaS applications and cloud services that rely on these providers for authentication," sid Cory Michal, Chief Security Officer at AppOmni. "This is not surprising. Databases like this are regularly bought, sold, and repackaged on dark web forums like BreachForums. Massive credential dumps are part of an ongoing black market where breached data is commoditized and often aggregated from multiple incidents over time. What's new isn't the existence of the data, but the scale, the recency of some credentials, and the targeting of identity providers that are widely used to access SaaS and cloud services—making this breach especially potent for enabling downstream account takeovers. "This breach calls attention to a bigger issue. We increasingly run our personal and professional lives through online platforms and SaaS products, yet our digital identities are still largely protected by outdated, vulnerable methods like usernames, passwords, and easily phishable MFA methods. As long as these remain the primary means of access, attackers will continue to exploit them at scale with infostealer malware and phishing. This highlights the urgent need for adoption of stronger, phishing-resistant authentication methods, continuous identity monitoring, and a shift toward identity-centric security models. "It also reinforces the need for organizations to adopt an identity-centric security posture and monitor for malicious activity even when logins appear legitimate. In today's SaaS driven environments, users and systems authenticate from anywhere, often using federated identity providers like Apple, Google, and Meta. This makes identity a primary control point for security." Both incidents reveal the critical need for vigilance and adaptation in security practices, as threat actors continue to exploit outdated habits and overlooked vulnerabilities with increasing effectiveness and reach.
Techday NZ
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Techday NZ
LexisNexis data breach exposes 364,000 personal records
LexisNexis, a prominent global data analytics and legal intelligence provider, has confirmed a data breach impacting more than 364,000 individuals, raising significant concerns over the security of personal information held by data brokers. The breach, reportedly executed through a third-party platform used for software development, exposed a wide array of sensitive data, including names, dates of birth, phone numbers, addresses, email and postal details, driver's license numbers, and Social Security information. The exposure of such comprehensive personal data has triggered alarm among both customers and cybersecurity experts. LexisNexis serves a varied clientele, ranging from law enforcement agencies to automotive manufacturers, which means the implications of the breach extend across numerous industries and organisations. The breadth and depth of the data held by LexisNexis amplify the potential fallout from the incident. Andrew Costis, Engineering Manager of the Adversary Research Team at AttackIQ, commented on the breach, highlighting its origins and wider impact: "Legal AI and data analytics company LexisNexis has disclosed a data breach that has affected at least 364,000 people. An unknown hacker accessed customer data through a third-party platform that LexisNexis utilises for software development. The stolen data includes names, dates of birth, phone numbers, postal and email addresses, driver's license numbers, and Social Security information. Given the range of LexisNexis' customer base, which spans law enforcement agencies to vehicle manufacturers, the scope of individuals and organisations impacted is substantial." Costis further stressed the critical importance of security for data brokers: "Protecting the information of its customers is a necessity for any successful company. However, for data brokers like LexisNexis, who profit from collecting and selling huge amounts of personal and financial customer data, the need for airtight security measures is exponentially greater. One breach can often set off a chain reaction of mistrust from their client base, putting not just the company at risk, but their massive stockpile of customer data as well. A recent example of this effect can be seen in the recent 23andMe breach and subsequent bankruptcy." He called for more proactive defence strategies: "To protect valuable customer data, organisations must prioritise proactive defense, with a strong focus on threat detection and response. By utilising techniques like adversarial exposure validation, organisations can test their system's response to identify and address any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited." Steve Cobb, Chief Information Security Officer at SecurityScorecard, added analysis on the risks associated with third-party platforms: "The breach at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, involving unauthorised access via GitHub and the exposure of over 360,000 individuals' personal data, highlights a critical blind spot in third-party risk management." He pointed out the ongoing challenges LexisNexis faces with its data broker role: "LexisNexis has already faced scrutiny over data sharing relationships and has faced multiple lawsuits for its role as a data broker that collects and sells sensitive information. The immense volume of sensitive data that the company holds makes the integrity of every access point, including software development platforms, non-negotiable." Cobb emphasised the importance of treating third-party platforms with the same security rigour as core systems: "Third-party platforms are high-value assets used by organisations that demand the same level of security oversight as any core system. When enterprises treat them as afterthoughts, they open the door to cascading risk. In today's ecosystem, third-party risk isn't an external issue, but an internal vulnerability. The future of cyber defence hinges on operationalising visibility and integrating supply chain detection and response into the heart of security operations." LexisNexis has historically faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and the sharing of sensitive information. This latest breach may reinvigorate debate around the accountability of data brokers and the regulatory frameworks designed to protect individuals' privacy. As the volume and value of digital information continue to rise, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the responsibility data custodians bear to maintain the highest standards of security across all facets of their operations, including those managed by third-party suppliers.
Techday NZ
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Techday NZ
LexisNexis data breach exposes personal details of 364,000 people
LexisNexis, a prominent global data analytics and legal intelligence provider, has confirmed a data breach impacting more than 364,000 individuals, raising significant concerns over the security of personal information held by data brokers. The breach, reportedly executed through a third-party platform used for software development, has exposed a wide array of sensitive data, including names, dates of birth, phone numbers, addresses, email and postal details, driver's license numbers, and Social Security information. The exposure of such comprehensive personal data has triggered alarm among both customers and cybersecurity experts. LexisNexis serves a varied clientele, ranging from law enforcement agencies to automotive manufacturers, which means the implications of the breach extend across numerous industries and organisations. The breadth and depth of the data held by LexisNexis amplify the potential fallout from the incident. Cybersecurity specialists have been quick to comment on the nature and severity of the breach, as well as its broader implications for the industry. Andrew Costis, Engineering Manager of the Adversary Research Team at AttackIQ, highlighted that the breach originated through a third-party software development platform. This detail underscores emerging challenges in supply chain security. "Given the range of LexisNexis' customer base, which spans law enforcement agencies to vehicle manufacturers, the scope of individuals and organisations impacted is substantial," Costis said. He further warned of the risks inherent to data brokers who manage vast repositories of highly sensitive personal and financial information, noting that "one breach can often set off a chain reaction of mistrust," placing both the company and its clients' data in jeopardy. Costis referenced the recent example of genetic testing firm 23andMe, which faced severe operational and reputational damage following its own data compromise. He emphasised the urgent need for companies like LexisNexis to implement "airtight security measures." He called for organisations to adopt proactive defence strategies, including robust threat detection and their system's capability to respond to simulated adversarial attacks. "By utilising techniques like adversarial exposure validation, organisations can test their system's response to identify and address any vulnerabilities before they can be exploited," he said. Additional analysis was provided by Steve Cobb, Chief Information Security Officer at SecurityScorecard, who focused on the risks associated with third-party services. He stated, "The breach at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, involving unauthorised access via GitHub and the exposure of over 360,000 individuals' personal data, underscores a critical blind spot in third-party risk management." Cobb pointed out that platforms used for software development, like GitHub, demand the same level of defensive scrutiny as a company's core systems, yet are often overlooked. "Third-party platforms are high-value assets used by organisations that demand the same level of security oversight as any core system. When enterprises treat them as afterthoughts, they open the door to cascading risk," Cobb remarked. He emphasised the importance of visibility and supply chain detection as central elements in today's security operations, asserting that "the future of cyber defence hinges on operationalising visibility and integrating supply chain detection and response into the heart of security operations." LexisNexis has historically faced scrutiny over its data collection practices and the sharing of sensitive information. The latest breach may reinvigorate debate around the accountability of data brokers and the regulatory frameworks designed to protect individuals' privacy. The incident serves as a reminder that as the volume and value of digital information continue to rise, so too does the responsibility of data custodians to maintain the highest possible standards of security across all facets of their operations, including those managed by third-party suppliers.
Techday NZ
25-04-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Organisations increasingly refuse ransom demands, says DBIR report
The latest edition of the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) has highlighted significant shifts in global cyberthreat trends, particularly surrounding the ongoing challenge of ransomware attacks. The report, published this week, provides a comprehensive analysis of notable incidents and tactics used by cybercriminals over the past year and offers insight into both the evolution of cyberattacks and changing defensive strategies in organisations globally. One of the key findings in this year's report is a notable decline in the number of organisations paying ransoms following a ransomware attack. The DBIR indicates that ransomware was involved in 44% of data breach incidents, but 64% of affected organisations did not accede to ransom demands. This development suggests an increasing awareness of best practices among businesses and a potential shift in strategy by corporate leadership and IT teams in response to ransomware's perennial threat. Andrew Costis, Engineering Manager of the Adversary Research Team at AttackIQ, reflected on these findings, stating, "It's encouraging to see a decline in ransomware payments. This could be partially due to greater awareness, plus various takedown operations by law enforcement and international efforts in recent years. The decline could also be a result of improved resilience, which may also be linked to improving business continuity planning and maturing responses to ransomware." Despite the fall in ransom payments, Costis cautioned that the threat is far from abating, indicating that perpetrators are adapting their tactics and finding new targets. "Attacks are still continuing to evolve due to the rise in incidents. Attackers have adapted, and are targeting companies with limited security resources, which makes it imperative that SMB organisations receive the support that is required to fend off these attacks," he added. Nick Tuasek, Lead Security Automation Architect at Swimlane, also weighed in on the report's findings, noting the ongoing transformation of ransomware operations. "Ransomware's rise in impact will continue to increase in the coming years with the popularisation of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS) on the dark web, sophisticated insider threat recruitment efforts by ransomware operators, and the continued rise of the cryptocurrency economy." Tuasek echoed the sentiment that industry collaboration and consistent refusal to pay ransoms is vital to stemming the tide of attacks. "It's great news that fewer organisations are paying the ransoms. The only way to get ransomware to stop is to band together as an industry and make it no longer profitable by refusing to pay the ransoms," he said. The DBIR also points to a disproportionate impact on smaller businesses, underscoring the vulnerabilities faced by organisations with fewer resources. Tuasek highlighted several reasons behind this vulnerability: "There are a few reasons why these organisations are more vulnerable to ransomware attacks, the first being lower general cybersecurity maturity. A robust cybersecurity programme or hiring an MSSP can be priced outside the reach of small organisations. Additionally, a lack of mature disaster recovery procedures or processes in smaller organisations is common, meaning these organisations may be more tempted to pay the ransom to regain access to their data and network quickly." The report's findings add to ongoing discussions among policymakers, business leaders, and cybersecurity experts about the need for increased investment in security infrastructure, especially for smaller organisations. Many agree that further cooperation between private and public sectors, coupled with effective law enforcement action and technological innovation, will be critical in combating the continuing evolution of ransomware and broader cyberthreats facing enterprises worldwide.
