#1 Trusted Cybersecurity News Platform
Followed by 5.20+ million
The Hacker News Logo
Subscribe – Get Latest News
Salesforce Security Handbook

Search results for encrypt-only policy microsoft | Breaking Cybersecurity News | The Hacker News

Microsoft Outlook App for Android Devices Stores Emails Unencrypted on File System

Microsoft Outlook App for Android Devices Stores Emails Unencrypted on File System

May 22, 2014
If you have an account with Microsoft's popular free email service Outlook.com, and using Outlook app for Android, then there is a bad news for you. Microsoft's Android app for Outlook.com,  provides users to access their Outlook emails on their Android devices, fails to provide security and encryption. LOOPHOLES DISCOVERED Researchers from ' Include Security ' firm claims to have found multiple vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Outlook app for Android, that leaves users' email data vulnerable to hackers and other malicious third party apps. By default, Email attachments are stored into easily accessible folders on the Android filesystem Email Database ( Body, Subject ) is stored locally in an unencrypted manner App's 'Pin Code' feature doesn't protect or encrypt email data. EMAIL ATTACHMENTS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ANY OTHER APPS Today almost every applications available at Google Play Store generally ask for  READ_EXTERNAL_STORA...
A Microsoft Office 365 Feature Could Help Ransomware Hackers Hold Cloud Files Hostage

A Microsoft Office 365 Feature Could Help Ransomware Hackers Hold Cloud Files Hostage

Jun 16, 2022
A "dangerous piece of functionality" has been discovered in Microsoft 365 suite that could be potentially abused by a malicious actor to mount attacks on cloud infrastructure and ransom files stored on SharePoint and OneDrive. The cloud ransomware attack makes it possible to launch file-encrypting malware to "encrypt files stored on SharePoint and OneDrive in a way that makes them unrecoverable without dedicated backups or a decryption key from the attacker," Proofpoint  said  in a report published today. The infection sequence can be carried out using a combination of Microsoft APIs, command-line interface (CLI) scripts, and PowerShell scripts, the enterprise security firm added. The attack, at its core, hinges on a Microsoft 365 feature called AutoSave that creates copies of older file versions as and when users make edits to a file stored on OneDrive or SharePoint Online. It commences with gaining unauthorized access to a target user's SharePoint Online...
Google vs. Microsoft — Google reveals Third unpatched Zero-Day Vulnerability in Windows

Google vs. Microsoft — Google reveals Third unpatched Zero-Day Vulnerability in Windows

Jan 16, 2015
Microsoft has heavily criticized Google and its 90-days security disclosure policy after the firm publicly revealed two zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft's Windows 8.1 operating system one after one just days before Microsoft planned to issue a patch to kill the bugs. But, seemingly Google don't give a damn thought. Once again, Google has publicly disclosed a new serious vulnerability in Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 before Microsoft has been able to produce a patch, leaving users of both the operating systems exposed to hackers until next month, when the company plans to deliver a fix. DISCLOSURE OF UNPATCHED BUGS, GOOD OR BAD? Google's tight 90-days disclosure policy seems to be a good move for all software vendors to patch their products before they get exploited by the hackers and cybercriminals. But at the same time, disclosing all critical bugs along with its technical details in the widely used operating system like Windows 7 and 8 doesn't appears to be a righ...
cyber security

2025 Cybersecurity Assessment Report: Navigating the New Reality

websiteBitdefenderCybersecurity / Attack Surface
Insights from 1,200 security professionals reveal perception gaps, concealed breaches, and new concerns about AI-backed attacks.
cyber security

Keeper Security recognized in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for PAM

websiteKeeper SecurityAgentic AI / Identity Management
Access the full Magic Quadrant report and see how KeeperPAM compares to other leading PAM platforms.
Hackers Install Free SSL Certs from Let's Encrypt On Malicious Web Sites

Hackers Install Free SSL Certs from Let's Encrypt On Malicious Web Sites

Jan 07, 2016
Who else didn't see this coming? It was so obvious as I stressed earlier that the  Let's Encrypt free HTTPS certificates would not just help legitimate website operators to encrypt its users' traffic, but also help criminals to bother innocent users with malware through secure sites. Let's Encrypt allows anyone to obtain free SSL/TLS ( Secure Socket Layer/Transport Layer Security ) certificates for their web servers that encrypt all the Internet traffic passed between a server and users. Let's Encrypt is recognized by all major browsers, including Google's Chrome, Mozilla's Firefox and Microsoft's Internet Explorer. The organization started offering Free HTTPS certs to everyone from last month, and it is very easy for anyone to set up an HTTPS website in a few simple steps ( How to Install Free SSL Cert ). However, the most bothersome part is that Let's Encrypt free SSL certs are not only used by website owners to secure its...
Hackers Are Targeting Microsoft Exchange Servers With Ransomware

Hackers Are Targeting Microsoft Exchange Servers With Ransomware

Mar 12, 2021
It didn't take long. Intelligence agencies and cybersecurity researchers had been warning that unpatched Exchange Servers could open the pathway for ransomware infections in the wake of swift escalation of the attacks since last week. Now it appears that threat actors have caught up.  According to the latest reports , cybercriminals are leveraging the heavily exploited ProxyLogon Exchange Server flaws to install a new strain of ransomware called "DearCry." "Microsoft observed a new family of human operated ransomware attack customers – detected as Ransom:Win32/DoejoCrypt.A," Microsoft researcher Phillip Misner  tweeted . "Human operated ransomware attacks are utilizing the Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities to exploit customers." Microsoft's security intelligence team, in a separate tweet,  confirmed  that it has begun "blocking a new family of ransomware being used after an initial compromise of unpatched on-premises Exchange Servers....
Unique Challenges to Cyber-Security in Healthcare and How to Address Them

Unique Challenges to Cyber-Security in Healthcare and How to Address Them

Nov 09, 2021
No business is out of danger of cyberattacks today. However, specific industries are particularly at risk and a favorite of attackers. For years, the healthcare industry has taken the brunt of ransomware attacks, data breaches, and other cyberattacks. Why is the healthcare industry particularly at risk for a cyberattack? What are the unique challenges to cybersecurity in healthcare, and how can healthcare organizations address these? Healthcare at risk Attackers are targeting various industries across the board. However, attackers seem to have a particular affinity for healthcare organizations. For eleven consecutive years, in the  IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021 , healthcare had the highest industry cost of a breach. Additionally, Healthcare data breach costs increased from an average total cost of $7.13 million in 2020 to $9.23 million in 2021, a 29.5% increase. However, the tremendous cost sustained by healthcare organizations for data breach events is not only due to...
⚡ Weekly Recap: Cisco 0-Day, Record DDoS, LockBit 5.0, BMC Bugs, ShadowV2 Botnet & More

⚡ Weekly Recap: Cisco 0-Day, Record DDoS, LockBit 5.0, BMC Bugs, ShadowV2 Botnet & More

Sep 29, 2025 Cybersecurity / Hacking News
Cybersecurity never stops—and neither do hackers. While you wrapped up last week, new attacks were already underway. From hidden software bugs to massive DDoS attacks and new ransomware tricks, this week's roundup gives you the biggest security moves to know. Whether you're protecting key systems or locking down cloud apps, these are the updates you need before making your next security decision. Take a quick look to start your week informed and one step ahead. ⚡ Threat of the Week Cisco 0-Day Flaws Under Attack — Cybersecurity agencies warned that threat actors have exploited two security flaws affecting Cisco firewalls as part of zero-day attacks to deliver previously undocumented malware families like RayInitiator and LINE VIPER. The RayInitiator and LINE VIPER malware represent a significant evolution on that used in the previous campaign, both in sophistication and its ability to evade detection. The activity involves the exploitation of CVE-2025-20362 (CVSS score: 6.5) a...
ThreatsDay Bulletin: CarPlay Exploit, BYOVD Tactics, SQL C2 Attacks, iCloud Backdoor Demand & More

ThreatsDay Bulletin: CarPlay Exploit, BYOVD Tactics, SQL C2 Attacks, iCloud Backdoor Demand & More

Oct 02, 2025 Threat Intelligence / Cyber Attacks
From unpatched cars to hijacked clouds, this week's Threatsday headlines remind us of one thing — no corner of technology is safe. Attackers are scanning firewalls for critical flaws, bending vulnerable SQL servers into powerful command centers, and even finding ways to poison Chrome's settings to sneak in malicious extensions. On the defense side, AI is stepping up to block ransomware in real time, but privacy fights over data access and surveillance are heating up just as fast. It's a week that shows how wide the battlefield has become — from the apps on our phones to the cars we drive. Don't keep this knowledge to yourself: share this bulletin to protect others, and add The Hacker News to your Google News list so you never miss the updates that could make the difference. Claude Now Finds Your Bugs Anthropic Touts Safety Protections Built Into Claude Sonnet 4.6 Anthropic said it has rolled out a number of safety and security improve...
Backups Are Under Attack: How to Protect Your Backups

Backups Are Under Attack: How to Protect Your Backups

Jun 17, 2025 Cyber Threat / Business Continuity
Ransomware has become a highly coordinated and pervasive threat, and traditional defenses are increasingly struggling to neutralize it. Today's ransomware attacks initially target your last line of defense — your backup infrastructure. Before locking up your production environment, cybercriminals go after your backups to cripple your ability to recover, increasing the odds of a ransom payout. Notably, these attacks are carefully engineered takedowns of your defenses. The threat actors disable backup agents, delete snapshots, modify retention policies, encrypt backup volumes (especially those that are network accessible) and exploit vulnerabilities in integrated backup platforms. They are no longer trying just to deny your access but erase the very means of recovery. If your backup environment isn't built with this evolving threat landscape in mind, it's at high risk of getting compromised. How can IT pros defend against this? In this guide, we'll uncover the weak strategies that lea...
⚡ Weekly Recap: Oracle 0-Day, BitLocker Bypass, VMScape, WhatsApp Worm & More

⚡ Weekly Recap: Oracle 0-Day, BitLocker Bypass, VMScape, WhatsApp Worm & More

Oct 06, 2025 Cybersecurity / Hacking News
The cyber world never hits pause, and staying alert matters more than ever. Every week brings new tricks, smarter attacks, and fresh lessons from the field. This recap cuts through the noise to share what really matters—key trends, warning signs, and stories shaping today's security landscape. Whether you're defending systems or just keeping up, these highlights help you spot what's coming before it lands on your screen. ⚡ Threat of the Week Oracle 0-Day Under Attack — Threat actors with ties to the Cl0p ransomware group have exploited a zero-day flaw in E-Business Suite to facilitate data theft attacks. The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-61882 (CVSS score: 9.8), concerns an unspecified bug that could allow an unauthenticated attacker with network access via HTTP to compromise and take control of the Oracle Concurrent Processing component. In a post shared on LinkedIn, Charles Carmakal, CTO of Mandiant at Google Cloud, said "Cl0p exploited multiple vulnerabilities in Ora...
⚡ Weekly Recap: WhatsApp 0-Day, Docker Bug, Salesforce Breach, Fake CAPTCHAs, Spyware App & More

⚡ Weekly Recap: WhatsApp 0-Day, Docker Bug, Salesforce Breach, Fake CAPTCHAs, Spyware App & More

Sep 01, 2025 Cybersecurity News / Hacking
Cybersecurity today is less about single attacks and more about chains of small weaknesses that connect into big risks. One overlooked update, one misused account, or one hidden tool in the wrong hands can be enough to open the door. The news this week shows how attackers are mixing methods—combining stolen access, unpatched software, and clever tricks to move from small entry points to large consequences.  For defenders, the lesson is clear: the real danger often comes not from one major flaw, but from how different small flaws interact together. ⚡ Threat of the Week WhatsApp Patches Actively Exploited Flaw — WhatsApp addressed a security vulnerability in its messaging apps for Apple iOS and macOS that it said may have been exploited in the wild in conjunction with a recently disclosed Apple flaw in targeted zero-day attacks. The vulnerability, CVE-2025-55177 relates to a case of insufficient authorization of linked device synchronization messages. The Meta-owned company ...
⚡ Weekly Recap: Password Manager Flaws, Apple 0-Day, Hidden AI Prompts, In-the-Wild Exploits & More

⚡ Weekly Recap: Password Manager Flaws, Apple 0-Day, Hidden AI Prompts, In-the-Wild Exploits & More

Aug 25, 2025 Cybersecurity News / Hacking
Cybersecurity today moves at the pace of global politics. A single breach can ripple across supply chains, turn a software flaw into leverage, or shift who holds the upper hand. For leaders, this means defense isn't just a matter of firewalls and patches—it's about strategy. The strongest organizations aren't the ones with the most tools, but the ones that see how cyber risks connect to business, trust, and power. This week's stories highlight how technical gaps become real-world pressure points—and why security decisions now matter far beyond IT. ⚡ Threat of the Week Popular Password Managers Affected by Clickjacking — Popular password manager plugins for web browsers have been found susceptible to clickjacking security vulnerabilities that could be exploited to steal account credentials, two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, and credit card details under certain conditions. The technique has been dubbed Document Object Model (DOM)-based extension clickjacking by independent sec...
Free Decryptor Released for BitLocker-Based ShrinkLocker Ransomware Victims

Free Decryptor Released for BitLocker-Based ShrinkLocker Ransomware Victims

Nov 13, 2024 Ransomware / Data Protection
Romanian cybersecurity company Bitdefender has released a free decryptor to help victims recover data encrypted using the ShrinkLocker ransomware. The decryptor is the result of a comprehensive analysis of ShrinkLocker's inner workings, allowing the researchers to discover a "specific window of opportunity for data recovery immediately after the removal of protectors from BitLocker-encrypted disks." ShrinkLocker was first documented in May 2024 by Kaspersky, which found the malware's use of Microsoft's native BitLocker utility for encrypting files as part of extortion attacks targeting Mexico, Indonesia, and Jordan. It appears to have been adapted from benign ten-year-old code. Bitdefender, which investigated a ShrinkLocker incident targeting an unnamed healthcare company in the Middle East, said the attack likely originated from a machine belonging to a contractor, once again highlighting how threat actors are increasingly abusing trusted relationships to ...
5 Things Google has Done for Gmail Privacy and Security

5 Things Google has Done for Gmail Privacy and Security

Mar 29, 2016
Over the past few years, Google has increasingly improved the online security and protections of its Gmail users. Besides two-factor authentication and HTTPS, Google has added new tools and features to Gmail that ensures users security and privacy, preventing cyber criminals and intelligence agencies to hack email accounts . 1. Enhanced State-Sponsored Attack Warnings Apple vs. FBI case urged every company to beef up the security parameters to prevent their services from not just hackers but also the law enforcement. Google for a while now has the capability to identify government-backed hackers , and notify potentially affected Gmail users so they can take action as soon as possible. Google recently announced on its blog post that it will alert Gmail users about the possibility of any state-sponsored attack by showing them a full-page warning with instructions about how to stay safe — very hard to miss or neglect. Meanwhile, the company revealed that ove...
c
Expert Insights Articles Videos
Cybersecurity Resources