Security News

Microsoft: Iranian hackers encrypt Windows systems using BitLocker
2022-09-08 15:30

Microsoft says an Iranian state-sponsored threat group it tracks as DEV-0270 has been abusing the BitLocker Windows feature in attacks to encrypt victims' systems. This aligns with Microsoft's findings that DEV-0270 uses BitLocker, a data protection feature that provides full volume encryption on devices running Windows 10, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2016 and above.

Windows 11 Settings now lets you manage Xbox subscriptions
2022-09-01 19:28

Microsoft says the latest Windows 11 preview build has improved the Accounts Settings page to provide Xbox subscription management capabilities. The new 'Your Microsoft account' settings page within Windows 11's Settings was rolled out by the Windows Insider team starting in October 2021.

New ransomware hits Windows, Linux servers of Chile govt agency
2022-09-01 17:50

Chile's national computer security and incident response team has announced that a ransomware attack has impacted operations and online services of a government agency in the country. The attack started on Thursday, August 25, targeting Microsoft and VMware ESXi servers operated by the agency.

That 'clean' Google Translate app is actually Windows crypto-mining malware
2022-08-30 10:27

Watch out: someone is spreading cryptocurrency-mining malware disguised as legitimate-looking applications, such as Google Translate, on free software download sites and through Google searches. "The malware is dropped from applications that are popular, but don't have an actual desktop version, such as Google Translate, keeping the malware versions in demand and exclusive," Check Point malware analyst Moshe Marelus wrote in a report Monday.

Windows malware delays coinminer install by a month to evade detection
2022-08-29 17:19

A new malware campaign disguised as Google Translate or MP3 downloader programs was found distributing cryptocurrency mining malware across 11 countries. According to a report by Check Point, the malware is created by a developer named 'Nitrokod,' which at first look appears to be clean of malware and provides the advertised functionality.

Windows 11 KB5016691 preview update released with 22 changes
2022-08-26 02:03

Microsoft has released the optional KB5016691 Preview cumulative update for Windows 11 with 22 fixes or improvements. This Windows 11 cumulative update is part of Microsoft's August 2022 monthly "C" update, allowing users to test upcoming fixes coming in the September 2022 Patch Tuesday.

Microsoft: Russian malware hijacks ADFS to log in as anyone in Windows
2022-08-25 16:36

Microsoft has discovered a new malware used by the Russian hacker group APT29 that enables authentication as anyone in a compromised network. Dubbed 'MagicWeb', the new malicious tool is an evolution of 'FoggyWeb', which allowed hackers to exfiltrate the configuration database of compromised Active Directory Federation Services servers, decrypt token-signing and token-decryption certificates, and fetch additional payloads from the command and control server.

Windows Terminal is now the default terminal in Windows 11 dev builds
2022-08-24 23:00

Microsoft has finally made Windows Terminal the default terminal in Windows 11 Insider 'Dev' preview builds, bringing a new modern interface for all your command-line programs. In both Windows 10 Insider builds and Windows 11, Microsoft has already integrated support for Windows Terminal into the operating system, letting you select it as your default console terminal.

VMware confirms Carbon Black causes BSODs, boot loops on Windows
2022-08-24 16:08

VMware has admitted an update on some versions of its Carbon Black endpoint solution is responsible for BSODs and boot loops on Windows machines after multiple organizations were affected by the problem. The problem surfaced yesterday, with threat hunter Tim Geschwindt stating on Twitter he knew of about 50 organizations struggling with the issue, and saying the Carbon Black endpoint solution was "Causing blue screens of death for devices running sensor version 3.7.0.1253".

VMware Carbon Black causing BSOD crashes on Windows
2022-08-23 21:42

Windows servers and workstations at dozens of organizations started to crash earlier today because of an issue caused by certain versions of VMware's Carbon Black endpoint security solution. The root of the problem is a ruleset deployed today to Carbon Black Cloud Sensor 3.6.0.1979 - 3.8.0.398 that causes devices to crash and show a blue screen at startup, denying access to them.