What do a 15-year-old hacker, Julian Assange, inattentive administrators, and the War Thunder forum have in common? They were all involved in data leaks from the Pentagon. This article will explore several of the most prominent examples of leaks linked to one of the world's most secure agencies, as well as discuss the experience of interaction between the U.S. Department of Defense and ethical hackers.

Jonathan James

According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the first hacking of the Pentagon occurred in 1999 by a 15-year-old named Jonathan James, known among hackers as C0mrade. Jonathan found a server with a backdoor that allowed anyone to connect. He connected to the server, installed a sniffer, and gained access to all the traffic. This server belonged to a unit of the Department of Defense. Within a month, the boy intercepted numerous credentials, which he used to access the Department of Defense computers and download a vast amount of emails from Pentagon employees' mailboxes. Jonathan did all this not for personal gain but out of simple curiosity. Naturally, the intrusion was noticed, investigated, and the juvenile perpetrator was found. Jonathan's case is unique because he became the first minor in the U.S. to go to jail specifically for hacking.

Gary McKinnon

Two years after Jonathan James's story, another young hacker managed to breach this fortress alone. In January 2001, Gary McKinnon, a systems administrator from London, first broke into the American military computer system. Instead of wondering "how to hack the Pentagon," he simply found a flaw in the security system. Gary created a Perl program that identified administrator-status computers without a password. To the U.S. military ministry's embarrassment, there were many such machines. For 13 whole months, Gary studied the contents of Pentagon and later NASA computers unpunished. He was searching for evidence of extraterrestrial life and, according to him, found it. A year after his first intrusion, Gary was exposed, but he managed to avoid responsibility because a wave of protest arose, and the UK authorities did not extradite him to the U.S.

Julian Assange

Discussing whether the Pentagon was hacked, one cannot overlook Julian Assange, the founder of WikiLeaks. Since 2006, the portal has been publishing classified materials from the Pentagon and other U.S. law enforcement agencies. It is not known for certain whether Assange hacked government servers himself or if he received documents from third parties. But as the creator and distributor of information, he faces numerous charges, with a total criminal sentence of 175 years of imprisonment.

Edward Snowden

To extract and publicize classified Pentagon documents, hacking is not always necessary. Sometimes the danger lies within the employees themselves, who disagree with the methods of the military ministry. The most striking example is Edward Snowden. In 2013, he was an employee of the military system and had access to classified documentation. He learned about the massive U.S. surveillance of citizens of various countries around the world. Deciding to disclose the data, Snowden downloaded nearly 2 million secret documents onto a flash drive and took it out of the NSA office hidden in a simple Rubik's Cube. Then came the publications in the world media, major disclosures, accusations of espionage, fleeing the country, and a safe haven in Russia. It should be noted that there was also no selfish motive in this case.

Case of Jack Teixeira

In 2023, a loud scandal erupted related to the leak of classified Pentagon documents. Their photos appeared on the Discord platform, the 4Chan forum, Twitter, and some Telegram channels. Initially, it was thought that the Russians had hacked the Pentagon, but it later turned out that the leak was again related to a person working in the system and having access to secret information. Later, the world was shocked by footage of the arrest of Jack Teixeira—an Air Force pilot in red shorts being led by heavily armed American special forces. The information published by Teixeira contained secret documents concerning the conflict in Ukraine and revealing U.S. surveillance of partner countries. Jack was accused of espionage and now faces many years in an American prison.

Curious Cases

There have been many curious cases in the history of the Pentagon and similar agencies that led to the disclosure of official information. For example, last year a story surfaced about a typo that caused letters from the U.S. Department of Defense to go to mail addresses in Mali for years. Confidential information about U.S. (and French) military technology often surfaced on the War Thunder game forums so frequently that moderators had to publicly explain why their forum became a treasure trove of secret drawings. The U.S. military department did not overlook careless administrators either. Data can be found on at least one case when an unprotected Pentagon server with sensitive information was "shining" online for a long time. There are probably more such unpublicized incidents.

Pentagon and ethical hackers

If the human factor problem is solved by tightening internal policies toward employees, the Pentagon website and the entire U.S. Department of Defense infrastructure are protected by ethical hackers. As early as 2016, a government vulnerability search program called Hack the Pentagon was launched on the HackerOne platform. More than 100 potential breaches in ministry defense were discovered, and over 1,400 pentesters participated in the project. The number of participants is easily explainable. First, hacking the Pentagon online is the dream of any hacker. Secondly, the first bug bounty program of the Ministry of Defense was conducted on a paid basis. Individual payouts ranged from $100 to $15,000, with a total budget of $75,000. The next program was conducted in 2018 and focused on publicly accessible websites of the Ministry of Defense. 

By the end of 2020, the department was hacked more than 12,000 times, but within controlled tests. Hackers were no longer paid for finding vulnerabilities but were awarded points on the HackerOne platform. The start of the third bug bounty program of the Pentagon was announced in 2023. But this time, hackers were invited to try to penetrate systems that control mechanical operations, such as heating and air conditioning in the main building, the Pentagon's heating and cooling installation, a modular office complex, and a parking lot. The task of the hackers is to identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities and provide recommendations for improving and strengthening the overall security situation.

Conclusion

It is naive to think that in the modern world there are objects that simply cannot be hacked. And the Pentagon is no exception. Today we have told only a few stories related to hacking and data leakage from the U.S. military department. But there are many more incidents that have not been publicly disclosed. Meanwhile, the Pentagon does not close itself off and actively uses external specialists to find vulnerabilities and weak spots in the system. This is the right tactic that helps the ministry improve its cybersecurity and respond more intelligently to attempts at penetration.

Kindernothilfe (KNH) is a German non-profit organization dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in impoverished and underprivileged regions worldwide. Founded in 1959, it has made significant contributions as one of Europe’s largest charities dedicated to child aid. Operating in over 30 countries, Kindernothilfe emphasizes the importance of ensuring children’s rights and providing access to education, healthcare, child protection, and community development initiatives, all aimed at enhancing children’s living conditions and eradicating poverty.

The challenge: Finding a secure and user-friendly solution for global teams

Before choosing Passwork, Kindernothilfe relied on KeePass, a solution that limited scalability and lacked user-friendly features essential for a globally operating organization. With over 300 employees across more than 30 countries, the organization required a secure, scalable, and intuitive password management solution.

Doing so was crucial to meet the growing demands of its international team, especially for enhancing password sharing and access management capabilities for remote employees.

The solution: Switching to Passwork for improved security and simplified user access

Kindernothilfe opted for Passwork for its robust self-hosting capabilities, ensuring optimal data control and security. The seamless integration with SAML2 for Single Sign-On (SSO) streamlined access management across multiple platforms.

Furthermore, Passwork’s intuitive interface, along with its mobile app and browser extension, made it possible to manage passwords effortlessly from any device. The secure password-sharing features enhanced team collaboration, significantly reducing human error and improving overall security protocols.

The implementation: Gradual rollout and building a secure infrastructure

The implementation process took approximately two months. It was primarily focused on establishing and thoroughly testing the infrastructure to ensure Passwork met Kindernothilfe’s security requirements. The integration of SAML2 for Single Sign-On (SSO) was smooth and completed within a short timeframe.

To facilitate the successful implementation of Passwork, Kindernothilfe opted for a phased rollout rather than deploying the password management solution organization-wide all at once. They began with a smaller group of employees to showcase the benefits of the system and gradually promoted its use.

While organizing various promotional and educational activities, such as “Lunch and Learn” events, the organization encouraged employees to engage with Passwork. The goal was to achieve the point where at least 50% of the staff actively used Passwork before expanding the system to the entire organization.

The results: Increasing operational efficiency for cross-border teams

Currently, approximately 50% of the staff are actively using Passwork—a centralized, secure, and user-friendly solution for password sharing. This incremental approach not only ensured higher user engagement but also significantly strengthened security protocols across the organization.

By improving password management processes, Kindernothilfe increased its overall operational efficiency, especially for cross-border teams. Educational initiatives, such as “Lunch and Learn” sessions, were instrumental in raising awareness about Passwork and facilitating its successful adoption throughout the organization.

The introduction of children to technology is happening at an increasingly younger age. This early exposure to the digital world, while beneficial in many ways, also carries significant risks due to the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. Parents must stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats targeting young internet users to ensure their safety. 

Today, we aim to shed light on various cybersecurity trends and provide practical advice for parents to safeguard their children's online presence.

AI and its impact on young users

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming numerous industries, and its applications are becoming a part of daily life, from chatbots to personalized online shopping experiences. This technological advancement naturally attracts the curiosity of children, who often use AI tools for educational purposes or entertainment. A UN study indicated that approximately 80% of young participants interact with AI multiple times daily. However, these interactions are not without risks, including data privacy breaches, exposure to cyber threats, and inappropriate content.

Children often use AI applications for seemingly innocuous activities like photo editing. These apps might prompt users to upload personal photos, which could then be stored in unknown databases or used in ways the user did not intend. Parents must guide their children in using these applications cautiously, ensuring no personal information is visible in the background of photos or shared through the app.

AI chatbots, while useful, can sometimes provide content that is not age-appropriate. Imagine a scenario where a parent has installed an AI chatbot on their child's smartphone to assist with homework and answer educational questions. One day, the child decides to ask the chatbot a seemingly innocent question about birds. However, instead of receiving a child-friendly response, the chatbot generates inappropriate content related to adult topics or includes explicit language, causing the child to stumble upon content that is not age-appropriate.

In this example, the AI chatbot, though designed to be helpful, has failed to filter or moderate its responses properly, leading to a potentially harmful and inappropriate experience for the child.

The world of gaming and its hidden dangers

Gaming is a popular activity among children, with statistics showing that 91% of children in the UK aged 3-15 play digital games. This vast digital playground, however, also exposes them to potential attacks from cybercriminals. In 2022 alone, security solutions identified over seven million attacks related to popular children's games, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Games designed for younger children, such as Poppy Playtime and Toca Life World, were targeted.

The gaming environment often includes unmoderated voice and text chats, which can be a breeding ground for cybercriminals. These criminals can build virtual trust with young players, similar to how they would in person, by offering gifts or promises of friendship. Once trust is established, they can extract personal information, encourage clicking on phishing links, or even groom the children for more sinister purposes.

Moreover, when children can't find an app or game in their region, they might look for alternatives, which often turn out to be harmful copies. This danger exists even on trusted platforms like Google Play. Between 2020 and 2022, the research identified over 190 apps infected with the Harly Trojan on Google Play, secretly signing up users for paid services. The downloads of these apps are estimated at 4.8 million, but the real number of victims could be higher.

Both children and adults are vulnerable to this trend. Understanding cybersecurity basics is crucial. For instance, it's vital to examine the permissions an app seeks when you install it. Consider a basic flashlight app – it has no reason to request access to your text messages or camera. Being alert to these details is crucial for maintaining online security.

Fintech for kids: Opportunities and risks

One emerging trend is the development of financial products and services tailored for children as young as 12. These specialized offerings, such as bank cards and digital wallets designed for kids, present both promising opportunities and notable risks for young consumers and their parents.

Opportunities:

• Financial Education: Fintech products for kids can be powerful tools for teaching financial literacy from an early age. 
• Parental Control: Fintech solutions designed for children often come with built-in parental control features. These features allow parents to monitor their child's spending, set spending limits, and receive real-time notifications of transactions. 
• Digital Payments: In an increasingly cashless society, introducing children to digital payments and financial technology at a young age can help them adapt to the changing financial landscape.

Risks:

• Cybersecurity Threats: As fintech products for children gain popularity, they become attractive targets for cybercriminals. Cybersecurity risks include phishing scams, identity theft, and data breaches. 
• Social Engineering: Cybercriminals may use social engineering tactics to manipulate children into revealing sensitive information or making unauthorized transactions. 
• Financial Implications: While fintech products offer financial education opportunities, they also expose children to the risk of overspending or making unwise financial decisions. 

Navigating online privacy with growing children

As children mature, they develop a greater understanding of personal space and privacy, which extends to their online activities. With the internet becoming more accessible, children are increasingly conscious of these aspects. Therefore, when parents decide to install digital parenting apps on their children's devices, the reaction from the kids might not always be positive.

This situation necessitates that parents develop the ability to effectively communicate with their children about their online experiences and the significance of using digital parenting tools for their safety, while also respecting their personal space. It's important to set clear boundaries and explain the purpose of these apps to the children. Regularly checking in with them and modifying the app's restrictions as the child grows and becomes more responsible is also crucial for maintaining a healthy balance.

A quick note on smart home devices

As a final thought, to ensure that this article is comprehensive, it’s important to note that the rise of smart home devices has made life more convenient but also more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Children, who are often users of these devices, can unknowingly become targets for cybercriminals. For example, some security studies on a popular smart pet feeder uncovered serious vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access and data theft. Parents must ensure the security of these devices and educate their children on safe usage practices.

Final thoughts 

In conclusion, as technology continues to advance, so do the challenges and risks associated with its use, particularly for young users. Parents play a critical role in educating and protecting their children from these evolving cyber threats. By staying informed and engaging in regular discussions about online safety, parents can help ensure a safer digital environment for their children.

The technology of virtual reality, which has spread relatively recently, is rapidly evolving and gaining popularity. Manufacturing companies are actively developing and experimenting with this new technology. Virtual reality is used not only in the entertainment industry but also in science, education, medicine, architecture, and others. For cybercriminals, access to such data can become an attractive target.

At present, cases of hacking VR headsets and glasses are not widespread, but as virtual reality technologies develop and their popularity increases, it can be expected that such attacks will become more relevant for cybercriminals. Examples of cases may include vulnerabilities in the software of VR devices, which can be used for remote control or for collecting confidential information. In the future, with an increase in the number of VR technology users, the likelihood of such device hacks may increase.

VR technology

Virtual reality is a technology that allows users to immerse in a three-dimensional virtual world using technical means. A person can either simply observe another reality through glasses—watching 360-degree videos—or interact with it by playing games using controllers.

A full VR set includes a headset, controllers, and cameras. The headset creates the sensation that the player is in another reality—he or she can see and hear it. Motion sensors and accelerometers provide additional opportunities to fully immerse in the game. With controllers, one can perform actions and control their movements in the game, while cameras additionally collect information—reading the player's movements and warning if the player approaches set boundaries in real life, for example, a wall or furniture.

It's also important to highlight the capabilities of devices operating in augmented reality mode, where a person simultaneously sees both the good old "analog" world and virtual interfaces with which they can also interact.

Risks and information security threats when using VR

Cybercriminals may be interested in users' confidential data. By finding vulnerabilities in a VR application and hacking it, they can gain access to cameras and microphones.

Hacking VR headsets is a serious violation of users' privacy and security. Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in the software or hardware of devices to access users' personal data, including location information, physiological parameters, and even video and audio recordings of virtual reality sessions. This can lead to various negative consequences, including theft of personal information, blackmail, privacy breaches, and even physical danger.

Cybercriminals can also deploy VR exploits to gain control over players' devices. In this case, they have access to the PC, can activate the microphone to eavesdrop, monitor user actions, and collect various information, including bank transactions, logins, and passwords.

If malicious software replicates itself, it can infect all visitors in a virtual room. This allows for collecting data about many people at once, monitoring their actions, encrypting files on their PCs, and then blackmailing them for ransom to restore access. When using a VR headset or set in business, hacking will have more serious consequences. A computer connected to a VR device becomes an entry point for cybercriminals into the corporate network.

Data protection and ensuring virtual reality security

To protect devices from hacking, it's necessary to understand the threat level and take security seriously. Here are some recommendations for protection. 

Regularly update the VR headset software to eliminate identified vulnerabilities and provide protection against new types of cyber threats. Connect only to secure Wi-Fi networks with data encryption (such as WPA2). Also, avoid open and unreliable networks to prevent interception of personal information.

It's important to protect access to the VR headset with a password or other authentication methods to prevent unauthorized access to the device. VR headset applications should be downloaded only from official stores to avoid installing malicious software. Finally, if possible, configure access rights to the device's data and functions to limit third-party applications' access to personal information. Following these measures will reduce the risk of cyber threats and ensure the safe use of VR headsets online.

Also important not to neglect updating your devices' software, as cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to access others' devices. Companies, in turn, promptly fix vulnerabilities in their products. For example, Apple released the first security patch fixing a zero-day vulnerability for Apple Vision Pro the day after journalists published reviews.

Conclusion

The use of virtual and augmented reality is rapidly evolving. New ways of applying it are found in various fields. There are not many cases related to the hacking of VR headsets and VR sets. However, experts predict an increase in attacks by cybercriminals in the future, proportional to the spread of VR technologies.

Using vulnerabilities in VR devices, cybercriminals can collect confidential data, record audio from microphones, and video from cameras, and even gain control over PCs and access corporate systems. To avoid this, it's necessary to take precautions: update software in time, not share access data with anyone, connect only through reliable Wi-Fi networks, and install VR applications only from official stores.

Neural networks are increasingly penetrating various spheres of our lives: from big data analysis, speech synthesis, and image creation to controlling autonomous vehicles and aircraft. In 2024, Tesla developers added neural network support for autopilot, AI has long been used in drone shows to form various figures and QR codes in the sky, and marketers and designers apply AI in their work to generate illustrations and text.

After the release of ChatGPT at the end of 2022 and its popularity, various companies have been actively developing their services based on GPT models. With the help of various services and AI-based Telegram bots, neural networks have become accessible to a wide range of users. However, if information security rules are not followed, the use of various services and neural networks involves certain risks. Let's discuss these in more detail.

Risks of using neural networks

The euphoria caused by the discovery of GPT chat for many people has been replaced by caution. With the emergence of numerous services based on language models, both free and paid, users have noticed that chatbots can provide unreliable or harmful information. Particularly dangerous is incorrect information regarding health, nutrition, and finances, as well as data on weapon manufacturing, drug distribution, and more. 

Moreover, the capabilities of neural networks are constantly expanding, and the latest versions can create remarkably believable fakes, synthesizing voice or video. Fraudsters use these features to deceive their victims by forging messages and calls from acquaintances and videos with famous personalities.

The main threat is the emerging trust many users have in neural networks and various chatbots in particular. Surrounded by an aura of accuracy and impartiality, people forget that neural networks can operate on fictional facts, provide inaccurate information, and generally make erroneous conclusions. It has been shown repeatedly that mistakes happen. If you ask frivolous questions, the damage will likely be minimal. But, if you use chatbots to resolve issues in finance or medicine, the consequences can be quite destructive. Moreover, often to get a response from a neural network, you must provide some data.

A big question is how this data will then be processed and stored. No one guarantees that the information about you that you included in the queries will not subsequently appear somewhere on the darknet or become the basis for a sophisticated phishing attack.

In March 2024, bug hunters at Offensive AI Lab, thanks to a data encryption feature in ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, found a way to decrypt and read intercepted responses. Regardless of how quickly OpenAI was able to patch this hole, its existence is a prime example of how malicious actors might use vulnerabilities in APIs to steal confidential data, including passwords or corporate information. In addition, vulnerabilities make it possible to conduct DDoS attacks on the system and bypass protection.

There are several types of attacks on AI, and it is important to be able to distinguish them. For example, evasion attacks (modification of input data) are potentially the most frequent. If the model requires input data for operation, it can be modified appropriately to disrupt the AI. On the other hand, data poisoning attacks have a long-term character. A Trojan present in the AI model remains even after it is retrained. All this can be combined into adversarial attacks – a way to deceive a neural network to produce an incorrect result.

Neural networks are still not sufficiently protected from attacks, data falsification, and interference in their operation for malicious purposes, so users should be vigilant and follow certain rules when working with chatbots.

Precautions and recommendations

The technology of large language models is rapidly developing, penetrating deeper into everyday life, and gaining more users. To protect yourself and your data from potential threats, it is important to adhere to some rules when working with neural networks:

• Do not share confidential information with chatbots;
• Download neural network applications and services from reliable sources;
• Verify the information provided by the chatbot.

Moreover, the main recommendation when working with public neural networks is not to assume that your dialogue with it is private. It's better to avoid a situation where the questions asked contain any private information about you or your company. The exception is if you are working with an isolated instance of a neural network, located in your environment and for which your company is responsible.

Also, carefully check the services through which you interact with the neural network. An unknown Telegram channel promising free work with all known LLM models definitely should not be trusted.

Companies, whose employees use neural networks at the workplace, should be especially cautious. The interest of malicious actors in corporate data is higher, and they hunt for sensitive organizational information first and foremost.

The best way to protect against cyber threats is to implement ongoing cybersecurity and AI training for employees. This is an important component of any work process, especially in Russia, where there is a shortage of qualified cybersecurity specialists. Only 3.5% fully meet the current requirements for a worker in this field. Through training, it is possible to improve specialists' skills and, consequently, reduce the number of attacks by more than 70%.

Additional measures should also be taken to enhance the overall IT security of the company. First of all, it is necessary to develop improved AI training algorithms considering its potential vulnerabilities, which will make the model more reliable by 87%. It is also necessary to "train" the neural network: to allow it to cope with artificially created cyber attacks to improve the algorithm's performance. This will help reduce the number of hacks by 84%. Moreover, it is necessary to constantly update the software to reduce the number of vulnerabilities by more than 90%.

Conclusion

Both businesses and ordinary users have already managed to "taste" the benefits of neural networks. In a large number of areas, they help solve everyday tasks and save effort and money. For example, generative neural networks have significantly affected the cost of producing movies, TV series, and other videos where graphics and processing are needed. At the same time, roughly the same neural networks have caused a wave of deep fakes, such as the new variation of the Fake Boss attack. 

Every user must understand that the neural network is vulnerable. Just like a messenger, mailbox, or work task planner – it can be hacked or subject to other failures, so it is important to approach working with it consciously.

Web browsers stand as gatekeepers of information, offering a semblance of privacy through a feature widely known as "Incognito mode." This mode, known variably as "Private" in Opera, "InPrivate" in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge, and simply "Incognito" in Google Chrome, suggests a veil of confidentiality. These names suggest a level of confidentiality, which can mislead some users about the actual capabilities of this mode. In this article, we have shed light on what Incognito mode really does, how it protects data, and how to maintain privacy online.

Understanding incognito mode

Incognito mode is a browser feature designed to hide certain online activities from other users of the same device. When activated, the browser stops saving:

• The history of search queries and visited pages;
• Cookies and site data;
• Information entered in forms;
• Passwords for autofill purposes.

Moreover, files downloaded while in Incognito mode won't appear in the device's download history. However, it's important to note that the websites you visit, your system administrator, and your internet service provider can still track your actions.

Myths surrounding incognito mode

One of the most pervasive myths about Incognito mode is its supposed ability to render users invisible to internet service providers (ISPs), governments, and malicious software. Contrary to popular belief, Incognito mode does not make one's online activities invisible to ISPs or shield against government surveillance. Nor does it offer any protection against viruses or malware. The mode merely ensures that the local browsing history, cookies, and site data are not stored on the user's device once the session is ended.

Another dangerous misconception is the belief that Incognito mode can protect users from all forms of online tracking. While it does prevent the storage of cookies and browsing history on the device, it does not hide the user's IP address or encrypt their internet traffic. Websites visited, as well as network administrators and ISPs, can still track online activities. This misunderstanding can lead users to overestimate the protection Incognito mode offers, potentially engaging in risky online behaviors under the false assumption of complete anonymity.

Appropriate uses for incognito mode

Despite its name, Incognito mode cannot guarantee complete privacy or data protection on the internet. Users should keep this in mind when using it. However, Incognito mode does offer several convenient features:

• It can keep your browsing interests hidden from family members or colleagues;
• It allows you to log into multiple accounts simultaneously by opening additional sessions in Incognito mode;
• It makes it harder for websites to collect information about your preferences for targeted advertising;
• It enables you to access your accounts on shared devices without leaving your account open to others. 

We recommend considering more reliable protection measures than just Incognito mode. If you're the sole user of your device, Incognito mode might not be particularly useful. Focusing on more effective measures such as antivirus protection, using a VPN, and controlling app permissions is advisable. If you're concerned about your data, consider regular backups and encryption.

Built-in VPNs and incognito mode

Some browsers offer built-in VPNs when using Incognito mode. Unfortunately, these are only partial measures that provide relative security for user information online. While Incognito mode can hide your browsing history within the browser, a built-in VPN might not be as reliable as a standalone application. For instance, a VPN provider can be hacked, or it might share user data with third parties. 

Free VPN services might collect user data for analytics or severely limit the performance of such solutions. It's also important to be wary of "dangerous" VPN servers that steal personal data, as they sit between the user and the web resource. Additionally, some VPNs may come bundled with malicious modules (e.g., miners) that financially benefit the VPN or browser owner at the expense of unsuspecting users.

Wrapping up – maintaining privacy online

For robust data protection and complete confidentiality, Incognito mode is insufficient. Additional tools are necessary. One solution for ensuring anonymity online is using a VPN from trusted vendors. A Virtual Private Network encrypts your data and hides your IP address. Other protective measures include:

• Using secure, up-to-date browsers;
• Installing and regularly updating antivirus software on your devices, as well as antivirus plugins for browsers to prevent visiting malicious sites and downloading suspicious files;
• Using complex and unique passwords for each account, along with two-factor authentication where possible;
• Exercising caution when opening and downloading files from unreliable sources to avoid malware;
• Only using VPN services from trusted vendors;
• Carefully reviewing the privacy policies of websites and services to understand how they handle user data.

Remember the importance of common sense and digital hygiene. Avoid downloading files indiscriminately, clicking on unknown links, or entering sensitive information on suspicious websites. While Incognito mode is a convenient feature, it's most effective when used correctly and with an understanding of its limitations.

Cybersecurity — as complex as it sounds — is an essential concept that we all need to be aware of in this day and age. Computers, phones, and smart devices have become an extension of our bodies at this point, which makes their security paramount. From your family photos to your bank details and social media handles, everything lives inside these devices. That’s why a security breach could have potentially life-changing consequences. With viruses and malware getting more advanced than ever, it’s no longer just a programmer’s job to care about cybersecurity. Every user should have at least a basic understanding of it to be able to implement it onto their devices. 

But, most of us aren’t too tech-savvy, so we can’t even understand the most basic computer terms. That’s why the first step is to get familiar with cybersecurity jargon so that you can easily grasp and follow tutorials online. In this article, we’re covering some of the most common cybersecurity terms and phrases. We’ve handpicked the most important ones, so read till the end and don’t miss any. Let’s get into it!

Phishing

Phishing is a malicious way to get unsuspecting users to click on shady links or attachments, or get them to reveal sensitive information by posing as a legitimate organization or business. Some attempts can be spotted easier than others depending on how sophisticated the setup is, and the user’s level of awareness.

Trojan

Sometimes, harmful code can be disguised as a legitimate program, application, or file, which is called a Trojan. 

Keylogger

A keylogger is a software tool that can monitor and record all keystrokes entered by a user. Through the data gathered by a keylogger, hackers can easily steal sensitive information like login details, credentials, OTPs (one-time passwords), private texts, and much more.

Account hijacking

Account hijacking is where a hacker takes control of a user’s account with malicious intent like stealing sensitive information or sharing problematic content through their platform. You could see it as a form of online identity theft, making it one of the biggest cybersecurity threats faced by celebrities and influential personalities.

DevSecOps

DevSecOps seem like gibberish at first glance, but it’s a combination of the words “development,” “security,” and “operations.”

The combined term refers to a software development approach that integrates security solutions into the development process right from the get-go. It’s ideal because, with cybersecurity threats, prevention really is better than cure. 

Digital footprint

As an online user, anything you do online creates a “footprint” consisting of your activities on the internet. For instance, what you post, what you like, the purchases you make, or simply the web pages you browse through. That’s your digital footprint. 

Cyber insurance

It’s a type of insurance that helps large organizations cover the risk of financial losses that may occur as a result of data breaches or cyberattacks.

Threat vector

Hackers or cyber attackers use a certain method or path to get into their target device, network, or system, referred to as the “threat vector.” 

IP address

An Internet Protocol (IP) address consists of a series of numbers associated with WiFi routers, servers, computers, and just about anything that’s connected to the Internet. Just like your standard home address, an IP address specifies the location of a system or device, letting users find it anywhere on the global network.

Malware

Malware is one of the most common words used within the cybersecurity space. It’s short for “malicious software,” and can be any code that’s meant to cause harm to systems or computers. Depending on how dangerous it is, it can steal, delete, and spy on information, or even destroy a system altogether.

Virus

A computer virus is a specific type of malware that’s designed to corrupt, change, or delete information from a system. Like viral diseases, a computer virus also passes onto other systems through in-built multiplication means like sending out emails with malware as attachments, etc. 

Antivirus software

Antivirus software, as the name suggests, is a computer program that’s responsible for preventing, detecting, and getting rid of malware. Getting a strong antivirus service for your Mac or Windows PC is the most important step you can take to reinforce your cybersecurity defenses as an average user.

VPN

Most of us already know or use VPNs, without ever even knowing what it stands for. It’s an acronym for “Virtual Private Network,” whereby the user’s actual IP address gets replaced by the VPN’s — granting them digital anonymity and making a cyber attacker’s life much harder. 

Cryptojacking

Cryptojacking is another modern threat for unsuspecting users where hackers can start using your computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency in an unauthorized manner. This slows down performance and starts jacking up your utility bills while the user has no clue.  

Data encryption

Data encryption is the process of encoding data such that no third party can access it unless they have a decryption key. 

Data protection

Data protection is an umbrella term that consists of many different practices designed to prevent private info from getting exposed to the wrong eyes. Data encryption, for instance, is one of the examples of data protection. 

DDoS attacks

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is a method used by attackers to render a server or site unusable. It involves overwhelming it with bots or malicious traffic in volumes that are way over the capacity it’s meant to handle.

Worm

A worm is a particularly nasty type of malware that can reproduce itself just to spread to other networks and computers. They can either slow down the computer by compromising its resources or steal data.

Conclusion

Now that you know some of the most commonly used cybersecurity jargon, you can hopefully start to educate yourself on this crucial topic. This vocabulary should allow you to comprehend basic cybersecurity tutorials to perform regular tasks like installing an antivirus program, performing a scan, and quarantining or removing threats from your computer. All the best!

The issue of data residency is becoming increasingly critical in 2024, especially concerning data stored in cloud environments. 

This concern is primarily driven by stringent data protection frameworks like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates strict guidelines for handling personal data within the European Union and European Economic Area. 

The GDPR has necessitated a comprehensive reassessment of how organizations manage, protect, and govern personal data, underscoring the need for robust and dynamic data governance practices.

Let’s take a closer look. 

The global Impact of GDPR and beyond

The introduction of the GDPR has catalyzed a global movement toward stronger data privacy protections. Countries across the globe, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the UAE, have responded by enacting their data protection laws. This worldwide legislative trend highlights a growing consensus on the importance of data privacy, reflecting an international commitment to safeguarding personal information against misuse and breaches in the digital era.

The consequences of failing to comply with data protection regulations are severe, with the potential for substantial financial penalties and reputational damage. The case of Meta, Facebook's parent company, being fined $1.3 billion by the EU for GDPR violations in May 2023, exemplifies the tangible risks organizations face. This incident not only underscores the financial implications of non-compliance but also highlights the broader reputational risks, emphasizing the critical need for stringent adherence to data privacy standards.

Concepts of data residency 

Ultimately, the idea of Data Residency involves the physical or geographical location of data, with legal mandates often requiring that data be stored within the country or region of its collection to comply with local privacy laws. However, there are two further definitions to consider. 

Data localization
Extending beyond residency, data localization imposes stricter controls on data, mandating that it remains within a specific jurisdiction. This approach reflects a desire for greater control over data movement and access, aiming to enhance data security and sovereignty.

Data sovereignty
This aspect focuses on the governance of data based on the laws of the country where it is stored and processed. Data sovereignty emphasizes the principle of national authority and control over data, highlighting the legal complexities and challenges of international data management.

Navigating cloud computing challenges in depth

The advent of cloud computing has revolutionized the way organizations store, process, and manage data. However, this revolution brings with it specific challenges, particularly when it comes to ensuring data residency. The dynamic and distributed nature of cloud services, while offering unprecedented flexibility and scalability, introduces complexities in adhering to data residency, localization, and sovereignty policies. The essence of cloud computing—its ability to seamlessly scale and distribute resources across geographical boundaries—stands in contrast to the rigid requirements of data residency regulations.

Moreover, the diversity in cloud deployment models adds another layer of complexity. Public clouds, offering services over the Internet, present challenges in controlling where data is stored and processed. Private clouds, operated solely for a single organization, offer greater control but require significant investment and expertise to manage effectively. Hybrid clouds, combining elements of both public and private clouds, offer flexibility but necessitate sophisticated strategies to manage data residency effectively. Each model presents unique risks and considerations for data security, from the potential for unauthorized access.

In this context, our company, Passwork, offers a self-hosted solution that addresses these challenges head-on. By providing a secure, self-hosted password management system, Passwork enables organizations to maintain complete control over their data, ensuring that it resides within their infrastructure. This approach not only aligns with data residency, localization, and sovereignty requirements but also enhances data security by keeping sensitive information out of third-party hands. 

Our solution is designed to meet the needs of businesses seeking to navigate the complexities of data protection in the cloud era, offering peace of mind through enhanced control and security. 

The pivotal role of Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) platforms

In the quest for robust data residency compliance, Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) platforms have emerged as indispensable tools. These platforms offer unparalleled capabilities for the continuous monitoring, detection, and management of data across cloud environments. With DSPM platforms, organizations gain detailed visibility into the location, movement, and activities associated with their data, enabling them to effectively navigate the complexities of data protection regulations.

DSPM platforms are instrumental in the proactive identification and classification of sensitive data, facilitating the implementation of appropriate protection measures. By leveraging these platforms, organizations can ensure that they are not only compliant with current data protection regulations but are also prepared to adapt to future changes in the regulatory landscape. The ability of DSPM platforms to provide real-time insights and alerts about potential risks and vulnerabilities is invaluable, enabling organizations to address compliance issues swiftly.

Conclusion

As we move forward in the digital age, the importance of data protection and privacy continues to grow. 

Organizations worldwide must recognize the critical need for effective data management and protection strategies, including the adoption of advanced technologies like DSPM platforms. By embracing these strategies, organizations can not only ensure compliance with international data protection standards but also protect sensitive information, maintain their reputational integrity, and avoid significant financial and legal repercussions. 

The journey toward global data privacy is ongoing, and it requires a committed, proactive approach to navigate the challenges and opportunities it presents.

Many users today worry about their private information being stolen or misused, whether by cybercriminals hacking into databases or government agencies reading personal messages. 

Yet, despite these fears, people often voluntarily leave a significant digital footprint online by sharing sensitive information through social media posts, filling out forms, and agreeing to data processing terms without a second thought. 

This behavior, while seemingly harmless, can lead to various consequences, from minor annoyances like spam calls to more invasive disruptions such as persistent targeted ads.

In this article, we will explore what kind of data is being collected, who is collecting it, how it is done, and why this practice has become so widespread.

Who collects your data and why

In today’s data-driven world, information, especially user data, has become a highly valuable resource. Companies and organizations use it to make informed decisions, and, in many cases, monetize it. 

This data includes not just credit card numbers or sensitive financial details but also more seemingly innocuous information, such as your age, relationship status, interests, and even your location. 

Companies use this information to better promote their products and services, tailoring advertisements to match your specific interests. In contrast, scammers use this data to refine their fraudulent activities, targeting individuals more accurately based on their online behavior and preferences.

From the user’s point of view, the collection of this data is often seen as the price of using free services. It's important to recognize that free online platforms generally stay afloat through advertising revenue, which depends heavily on reaching the right audience. 

Without web analytics, companies wouldn’t be able to tailor their content and offerings effectively, which is why data collection has become so integral to their business models. 

That said, many users don't fully grasp the risks of their data being stolen or misused. While it might seem that leaking data on your browsing history or online shopping habits poses little risk, even this seemingly unimportant information can be used against you. For example, it could make you a target for phishing schemes or other forms of cyberattacks.

Entities collecting user data can include:

• Browsers and websites: Using cookies, tracking tools, and local storage to gather data on your browsing habits, preferences, and interactions. This data helps improve user experience and allows companies to personalize advertising content.
• Government agencies: They may collect data for purposes like national security, law enforcement, or monitoring for potential threats. Often, this involves social media monitoring and large-scale data analysis.
• Private companies: Firms track user behavior to better understand consumer preferences, enabling them to offer targeted ads and refine their marketing strategies.
• Cybercriminals: Through illegal methods such as phishing, criminals can gather sensitive data to carry out fraud, identity theft, or other illicit activities.

Data is collected for various reasons, ranging from enhancing service convenience to outright breaches of privacy. Being aware of what data is collected and how it's used can help minimize risks and safeguard personal information.

How data Is collected

The internet is an open source of information, and much of your personal data can be collected from publicly available platforms like social media profiles, professional websites, and online forms. Even without explicitly sharing sensitive information, companies and malicious actors can build a detailed profile of your interests, habits, and identity based on the digital trail you leave behind. 

Analytics services and web tracking tools monitor your online activities, from the websites you visit to the products you search for or purchase.

Companies use various tools to gather user data, including:

• Web analytics platforms such as Google Analytics, which offer detailed insights into user behavior on websites.
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, which store and analyze customer data to better manage business-client relationships.
• Social media analytics, which track user interactions like likes, comments, and follows to build an understanding of user interests.
• Feedback mechanisms, such as reviews, surveys, and polls, that provide direct information from users about their preferences and satisfaction levels.

These tools enable companies to refine their products and services, ensuring they meet consumer demands while simultaneously improving the effectiveness of their marketing strategies.

Risks and threats

While marketing tools are generally used to create personalized ads and improve service quality, there are risks associated with data collection.

• Privacy concerns: Even anonymized data carries the risk of being de-anonymized.
• Data security: Companies must protect user data from leaks and cyberattacks.
• Purpose of data use: Users may be unaware of how their data will be used, leading to potential misuse.

For instance, in 2018, Telegram agreed to share user data with authorities if users were suspected of terrorism. Additionally, users can lose control over how their personal data is used, which could lead to spam, unwanted calls, or more serious consequences like identity theft or account fraud.

Final thoughts

Practicing good digital hygiene is crucial in reducing the risks of personal data collection. Users should carefully review the privacy policies of websites and apps they use and limit sharing personal information to trusted platforms.

Legally, data collection on the internet must comply with strict regulations concerning personal data protection. Companies should publish privacy policies, seek user consent for data processing, and adhere to rules on data usage and sharing. In turn, users have the right to know how their data is used and to control its processing.

The distribution of malware alongside cracked games or applications is one of the oldest tricks in the cybercriminal playbook. Surprisingly, even in 2024, there are still naive victims who believe in modern-day Robin Hood and assume that downloading cracked paid programs and games from pirate sites is perfectly safe. However, while this threat is old, criminals continuously invent new methods to deliver malware to the victim's computer to bypass security solutions.

A recent campaign of this kind was discovered targeting Apple computers with the latest versions of macOS (13.6 and above), utilizing the features of the Domain Name System (DNS) service to download malicious payloads. Victims are offered free downloads of cracked versions of popular applications. 

But what awaits those who succumb to temptation?

Fake activation

After downloading a disk image supposedly containing a cracked program, the victim is prompted to copy two files into the Applications folder: the application itself and an "activator" program. If only the application is copied and launched, it will not work. The instructions state that the cracked program must be "activated”. Analysis revealed that the activator's function is primitive—it removes a few initial bytes in the application's executable file, after which the application starts working. Essentially, the criminals took an already cracked application and modified it so that it could not be launched without the activator. Of course, the activator has an unpleasant additional function—upon launch, it requests administrator rights and, using them, installs a script loader in the system. This script downloads additional malicious payloads from the Internet—a backdoor that regularly requests commands from criminals.

Connection through DNS

To download the malicious script, the activator turns to a rather exotic and innocently appearing tool—the Domain Name System (DNS). It has an interesting technical feature. Each DNS record not only links the internet name of a server to its IP address but can also contain an arbitrary textual description of the server, known as a TXT record. The criminals exploited this by placing fragments of malicious code in TXT records. The activator downloads three TXT records from a malicious domain and assembles them into a ready script.

This seemingly complex scheme has several advantages. First, the activator does nothing particularly suspicious—accessing DNS records is a common activity for any internet application, and it is a necessary first step for any communication session. Second, by changing the domain's TXT records, criminals can easily update the script to modify the infection scheme and the final malicious payload. Third, removing malicious content from the network is not so simple due to the distributed structure of the domain name service. For internet providers and companies, it's even difficult to notice a policy violation, as each such TXT record is only a fragment of malicious code, which in itself does not pose a threat.

The final round

Thanks to the periodically launched script downloading scenario, criminals can update the malicious payload and perform any actions they need on the victim's computer. At the time of our analysis, they were interested in stealing cryptocurrency. The backdoor automatically searches the victim's computer for Exodus or Bitcoin wallets and replaces their applications with trojanized versions. The infected Exodus wallet steals the key phrase (seed phrase), and the infected Bitcoin wallet steals the encryption key that encrypts the private keys, allowing the attackers to sign transfers on behalf of the victim. Thus, by "saving" a few dozen dollars on cracked applications, one can lose an order of magnitude more in crypto.

Other famous cases of cryptocurrency hacking

One of the most high-profile cases in the history of cryptocurrencies is the 2014 hack of the Mt. Gox exchange, which resulted in the theft of around 850,000 Bitcoin. This incident highlighted the importance of cryptocurrency exchange security and led to stricter security measures in the industry. The Mt. Gox hack showed that even the largest platforms are not immune to attacks and that the importance of storing cryptocurrency in a secure wallet cannot be overstated.

Another famous case is the DAO (Decentralised Autonomous Organisation) hack in 2016 when over $50 million in Ether was stolen due to a vulnerability in a smart contract. This case highlighted the risks associated with technological innovation and the need for careful auditing of smart contract codes.

How to protect yourself from an attack on your crypto wallet

Let's state the obvious: to avoid the threat and not become a victim of criminals, download applications only from official app stores. If you want to download an application from the developer's site, ensure you are on the real site, not one of the many fake sites. If you are thinking about downloading a cracked version of an application—think again. "Honest and trustworthy" sites with pirated products are as rare as unicorns and elves.

It is also worth applying these safety measures:

• Cold storage. Storing cryptocurrency in a wallet that is not connected to the internet is considered one of the most secure methods of protection. Cold wallets can be in the form of hardware devices or paper wallets.
• Two-factor authentication. (2FA): Using 2FA to access cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges greatly increases security by adding an extra layer of verification.
• Regular security audits. Regular security audits and software updates for wallets and exchanges help identify and address vulnerabilities.
• Education and awareness. Understanding basic cybersecurity principles and being aware of current threats helps prevent many attacks.

These protections, while not guaranteeing complete security, greatly reduce the risk of losing your cryptocurrency to hacker attacks or fraud. It is important to remember that in the world of cryptocurrencies, security must come first, and every user is responsible for protecting their investment.