NETSCOUT unveils surge in global DDoS attacks in 1H2023

netscout ddos attacks threat intelligence report security cyber cybersecurity

NETSCOUT has released its 1H2023 DDoS Threat Intelligence Report, shedding light on the escalating threat landscape.

Cybercriminals launched a staggering 7.9 million distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks in the first half of 2023, marking a concerning 31 percent year-over-year increase.

The surge in DDoS attacks has been propelled by a confluence of global events, with the Russia-Ukraine conflict and NATO-related activities serving as key catalysts.

In...

26 September 2023 | Networks

Microsoft: UN treaty creates ‘ideal conditions’ for cybercrime

Amy Hogan-Burney, Associate General Counsel, Cybersecurity Policy & Protection at Microsoft, has voiced concerns about a Russia-led United Nations (UN) cybercrime treaty. 

As the global menace of cybercrime gains sophistication and extends its reach, a united front is crucial to effectively combat these digital threats. Concerted cooperation between law enforcement agencies, governmental bodies, international partners, and private corporations is required.

However,...

31 August 2023 | Legislation & Government

BT partners with NATS to modernise UK air traffic operations

BT has established a seven-year partnership with NATS, a leading provider of air traffic control services.

The strategic collaboration aims to bolster NATS' technological foundation, creating a robust and adaptable network architecture to support air traffic operations across the UK.

NATS currently manages a staggering 2.5 million flights annually, underscoring the critical role it plays in ensuring safe and efficient air travel. The new long-term contract with BT is...

15 August 2023 | Networks

Russian hackers suspected of cyberattack exposing data of 40M citizens

A cyberattack targeting the UK Electoral Commission has exposed the data of up to 40 million citizens. British intelligence services have uncovered evidence linking the cyberattack to Russian hackers.

The attack, described as a "complex cyber attack," targeted the Electoral Commission's computer systems, gaining unauthorised access to sensitive information. The breach was not detected until 14 months after the initial intrusion, prompting questions about the organisation's...

9 August 2023 | Security

Risk Register 2023: Infrastructure cyberattack could harm thousands

In a stark warning, the UK government has alerted the public to the impact of a cyberattack on critical infrastructure.

The findings come from the latest National Risk Register report, which is based on the government’s classified National Security Risk Assessment and considers malicious risks like terrorism and cyberattacks alongside non-malicious risks such as severe weather incidents.

The government estimates there’s a 5-25 percent likelihood of a serious...

4 August 2023 | Security

Russian hackers attack UK airports’ websites

UK airports have become the latest target of cyberattacks, with claims of hacking attempts by pro-Kremlin groups.

On Wednesday afternoon, London City Airport's website experienced downtime which coincided with an apparent claim of a hack by a pro-Kremlin group called UserSec.

Shortly afterwards, another group – Anonymous Russia – claimed to have launched a similar attack on Birmingham Airport's website. However, the website remained operational at the...

20 July 2023 | Security

FCC announces plan to halt SIM-swappers

The FCC has unveiled a set of rules aimed at safeguarding consumers against scams that seek to commandeer their cell phone accounts.

The proposed regulations, designed to protect citizens' freedom to choose their preferred device and provider, require wireless providers to implement secure authentication methods when swapping SIM cards or porting phone numbers to another carrier.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said: “Every consumer has a right to expect that their...

13 July 2023 | Legislation & Government

Over 338K FortiGate firewalls remain unpatched to critical bug

A critical vulnerability in FortiGate firewalls, known as CVE-2023-27997, has left more than 338,000 devices exposed to potential exploitation.

The flaw, which allows for remote code execution, was patched by Fortinet last month, but a significant number of devices have yet to be updated.

Infosec company Bishop Fox has even developed an example exploit to demonstrate the severity of the vulnerability.

Rated 9.8 out of 10 in terms of CVSS severity, the...

4 July 2023 | Security

Hackers force Russian military satellite operator offline

A group of unidentified hackers has taken credit for targeting prominent Russian satellite communications operator Dozor-Teleport.

The network disruption caused by the cyberattack impacted critical services utilised by energy companies, as well as the country's defense and security services.

The attack was perpetrated by an organisation claiming to be affiliated with the Wagner Group, a group of mercenaries financed by the Russian military that staged a coup last month...

3 July 2023 | Networks

UK Government stops publishing Huawei security reports

The UK's annual report investigating potential security risks posed by Chinese telecoms company Huawei has not been made public for nearly two years, raising concerns about government transparency.

The decision to shelve the publication of the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre (HCSEC) report was reportedly made by the then-culture secretary, Nadine Dorries, according to the Telegraph.

The HCSEC report, which analyses potential risks to the UK's national...

27 June 2023 | Legislation & Government