Security News
Researchers at cybersecurity firm Intezer have been monitoring a campaign that appears to be mainly aimed at the energy sector, but attribution to a known threat group is made difficult by the fact that the operation involves several common malware families. The threat actor is attempting to deliver its malware using spear-phishing emails that are customized for the employees of each targeted organization.
The South Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute has confirmed that an unknown third-party gained unauthorized access to its systems. "Currently, the Atomic Energy Research Institute is investigating the subject of the hacking and the amount of damage," the institute also said.
Threat actors impersonate the now-defunct DarkSide Ransomware operation in fake extortion emails sent to companies in the energy and food sectors. In a new report, Trend Micro researchers reveal that a new extortion campaign started in June where threat actors are impersonating the DarkSide ransomware gang.
Several organizations in the oil, gas and food sectors have received threatening emails from cybercriminals posing as DarkSide - the ransomware gang behind the Colonial Pipeline hack. "The content used on the emails has led us to believe that they did not come from the said threat group, but from an opportunistic low-level attacker trying to profit off the current situation around DarkSide ransomware activities," researchers said, in a Thursday blog post.
Everbridge and WizNucleus announced a partnership to increase digital and physical security for some of the world's largest nuclear, electric, and other utility companies. Through the partnership, WizNucleus customers gain seamless access to Everbridge's CEM solutions, including Control Center, helping increase preparedness for a wide range of digital and physical threats.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm on Sunday called for more public-private cooperation on cyber defenses and said U.S. adversaries already are capable of using cyber intrusions to shut down the U.S. power grid. She added: "Even as we speak, there are thousands of attacks on all aspects of the energy sector and the private sector generally."
The number of reported cases of possible attack is sharply growing and lawmakers from both parties, as well as those believed to be affected, are demanding answers. Chris Miller, the acting defense secretary during the last months of the Trump administration, created a Pentagon team to investigate the suspected attacks.
Norway-based green energy solutions provider Volue has been working on restoring systems after being targeted in a ransomware attack. After the attack was disclosed, Volue asked customers to log off from its servers to "Avoid any further spreading of the ransomware," and also asked them to change their passwords for Volue services.
South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Energy and Infrastructure has ordered a review of the cybersecurity preparedness of the nation's energy infrastructure. Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Seung-wook convened a meeting yesterday, saying it was needed considering the ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline that shuttered one of the USA's main oil transport facilities.
IBM unveiled a breakthrough in semiconductor design and process with the development of the world's first chip announced with 2 nanometer nanosheet technology. IBM's new 2 nm chip technology helps advance the state-of-the-art in the semiconductor industry, addressing this growing demand.