encryption | Breaking Cybersecurity News | The Hacker News

An analysis of HellCat and Morpheus ransomware operations has revealed that affiliates associated with the respective cybercrime entities are using identical code for their ransomware payloads. The findings come from SentinelOne, which analyzed artifacts uploaded to the VirusTotal malware scanning platform by the same submitter towards the end of December 2024. "These two payload samples are identical except for victim specific data and the attacker contact details," security researcher Jim Walter said in a new report shared with The Hacker News. Both HellCat and Morpheus are nascent entrants to the ransomware ecosystem, having emerged in October and December 2024, respectively. A deeper examination of the Morpheus/HellCat payload, a 64-bit portable executable, has revealed that both samples require a path to be specified as an input argument. They are both configured to exclude the \Windows\System32 folder, as well as a hard-coded list of extensions from the encryp...

Recent data breaches have highlighted the critical need to improve guest Wi-Fi infrastructure security in modern business environments. Organizations face increasing pressure to protect their networks while providing convenient access to visitors, contractors, temporary staff, and employees with BYOD. Implementing secure guest Wi-Fi infrastructure has become essential for authenticating access, protecting data, maintaining compliance across all geographies, and ensuring business continuity. Evolved security solutions now combine zero-trust architecture with cloud-based captive portals to enhance network protection. These systems enable organizations to implement strict access controls, verify every device's security status, and maintain network separation. Through advanced features like conditional access and device registration, businesses can now offer secure guest Wi-Fi access while maintaining complete visibility and control over their network resources. Challenges in Wi-Fi Se...

In cybersecurity, confidence is a double-edged sword. Organizations often operate under a false sense of security , believing that patched vulnerabilities, up-to-date tools, polished dashboards, and glowing risk scores guarantee safety. The reality is a bit of a different story. In the real world, checking the right boxes doesn't equal being secure. As Sun Tzu warned, "Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." Two and a half millennia later, the concept still holds: your organization's cybersecurity defenses must be strategically validated under real-world conditions to ensure your business's very survival. Today, more than ever, you need Adversarial Exposure Validation (AEV) , the essential strategy that's still missing from most security frameworks. The Danger of False Confidence Conventional wisdom suggests that if you've patched known bugs, deployed a stack of well-regarded security tools, and passed the nec...

In 2024, ransomware attacks targeting VMware ESXi servers reached alarming levels, with the average ransom demand skyrocketing to $5 million. With approximately 8,000 ESXi hosts exposed directly to the internet (according to Shodan), the operational and business impact of these attacks is profound. Most of the Ransomware strands that are attacking ESXi servers nowadays, are variants of the infamous Babuk ransomware, adapted to avoid detection of security tools. Moreover, accessibility is becoming more widespread, as attackers monetize their entry points by selling Initial Access to other threat actors, including ransomware groups. As organizations are dealing with compounded threats on an ever-expanding front: new vulnerabilities, new entry points, monetized cyber-crime networks, and more, there is ever-growing urgency for enhanced security measures and vigilance. The architecture of ESXi Understanding how an attacker can gain control of the ESXi host begins with understanding the ...

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered a new, stealthier version of a macOS-focused information-stealing malware called Banshee Stealer . "Once thought dormant after its source code leak in late 2024, this new iteration introduces advanced string encryption inspired by Apple's XProtect," Check Point Research said in a new analysis shared with The Hacker News. "This development allows it to bypass antivirus systems, posing a significant risk to over 100 million macOS users globally." The cybersecurity company said it detected the new version in late September 2024, with the malware distributed using phishing websites and fake GitHub repositories under the guise of popular software such as Google Chrome, TradingView, Zegent, Parallels, Solara, CryptoNews, MediaKIT, and Telegram. Banshee Stealer was first documented in August 2024 by Elastic Security Labs. Offered under a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) model to other cybercriminals for $3,000 a month, it'...

Ransomware isn't slowing down—it's getting smarter. Encryption, designed to keep our online lives secure, is now being weaponized by cybercriminals to hide malware, steal data, and avoid detection. The result? A 10.3% surge in encrypted attacks over the past year and some of the most shocking ransom payouts in history, including a $75 million ransom in 2024. Are you prepared to fight back? Join Emily Laufer , Director of Product Marketing at Zscaler, for an eye-opening session, " Preparing for Ransomware and Encrypted Attacks in 2025 " filled with practical insights and cutting-edge strategies to outsmart these evolving threats. What You'll Learn: ThreatLabz Insights: Get the latest findings from Zscaler's experts on ransomware and encrypted attacks, including the trends making the biggest impact. 2025 Predictions: Find out how ransomware groups are refining their tactics to stay one step ahead—and what you can do to stop them. Encrypted DNS Attacks: Learn how cyb...