Cybersecurity

Flaws in public records management tool could let hackers nab sensitive data linked to requests

A popular tool used by numerous state and local governments to manage public records requests contained defects that could have allowed hackers to download troves of unsecured files tethered to records inquiries, including highly sensitive personal information like IDs, fingerprints, child welfare documentation and medical reports, Nextgov/FCW has learned. The flaws, which have been remedied, […]

Cybersecurity

Local governments in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Missouri dealing with ransomware

Multiple local governments are dealing with cyberattacks, including ransomware incidents, this week, causing outages and problems for county hospitals, libraries and other local services. Bucks County, Pennsylvania — home to nearly 650,000 people — said on Wednesday that it is still grappling with a cybersecurity incident that has knocked out the Emergency Communications’ Department’s computer-aided […]

Cybersecurity

Governments May Spy on You by Requesting Push Notifications from Apple and Google

Dec 07, 2023The Hacker NewsPrivacy / Data Security Unspecified governments have demanded mobile push notification records from Apple and Google users to pursue people of interest, according to U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. “Push notifications are alerts sent by phone apps to users’ smartphones,” Wyden said. “These alerts pass through a digital post office run by […]

Cybersecurity

UK passes the Online Safety Bill — and no, it doesn’t ban end-to-end encryption

The British government’s controversial Online Safety Bill finally completed its passage through parliament on Tuesday, marking the end of one of the most (if not the most) fraught episodes in the United Kingdom’s recent legislative history. The origin and intention of the new law — which began three prime ministers and seven secretaries of state […]

Cybersecurity

White House urging dozens of countries to publicly commit to not pay ransoms

The U.S. National Security Council (NSC) is urging the governments of all countries participating in the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) to issue a joint statement announcing they will not pay ransoms to cybercriminals, according to three sources with knowledge of the plans. CRI’s 47 members will convene in Washington for its annual summit on […]

Cybersecurity

U.K. and U.S. Sanction 11 Russia-based Trickbot Cybercrime Gang Members

Sep 08, 2023THNCybercrime / Malware The U.K. and U.S. governments on Thursday sanctioned 11 individuals who are alleged to be part of the notorious Russia-based TrickBot cybercrime gang. “Russia has long been a safe haven for cybercriminals, including the TrickBot group,” the U.S. Treasury Department said, adding it has “ties to Russian intelligence services and […]

Cybersecurity

Top five APAC government hacks of 2023 (so far)

Local and national governments in the Asia-Pacific region have been high on the target list for hacking groups in 2023 Add bookmark In an interconnected world driven by advanced technology, the threat of cyber-espionage looms large, with governments increasingly becoming prime targets. The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, home to bustling economies and geopolitical complexities, finds itself […]