Author: Ali

Quick answer: In 2024, a financially motivated group tracked by Mandiant as UNC5537 used passwords stolen by infostealer malware to log in to the Snowflake cloud data accounts of about 165 organizations. The accounts did not use multifactor authentication. Victims included Ticketmaster and AT&T. Snowflake said its own platform was not breached: the attackers simply logged in with valid stolen credentials. Key facts DateApril to June 2024 (disclosed from late May 2024) OrganizationsAbout 165 Snowflake customers, including Ticketmaster and AT&T Type of attackCredential-based data theft and extortion AttackerUNC5537 (tracked by Mandiant); data advertised by ShinyHunters How they got inPasswords stolen…

Business email compromise (BEC) is a scam where criminals impersonate a boss, supplier or colleague by email to trick staff into sending money or sensitive data. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded about $2.9 billion in reported BEC losses in 2023, more than any other online crime it tracks. This guide shows how BEC works, the warning signs, and the simple controls that stop it. Key takeawaysBEC usually involves no malware, just a convincing email and a request to pay or change bank details.The strongest control is a rule that every payment change is confirmed by phone on a…

Quick answer: A worm is a type of malware that copies itself and spreads from one system to another on its own, usually by exploiting vulnerabilities or weak passwords. Unlike a virus, it does not need a user to open a file or run a program. Because worms spread automatically, they can infect large numbers of systems in minutes, as WannaCry showed. How a worm spreadsHow a worm spreadsFindScan the network for vulnerable systemsExploitUse a flaw or weak password to get inCopyInstall itself on the new hostRepeatStart scanning again from the new hostcybersnowden.com Worms are among the fastest-moving threats in…

Quick answer: In cyber security, a payload is the part of an attack that carries out the attacker’s goal, such as encrypting files, opening a backdoor, stealing data or installing more malware. The exploit or delivery method gets the payload onto a system; the payload is what does the damage. Defenses aim to stop delivery, prevent execution and detect payload behavior. Exploit vs payloadExploit vs payloadDeliveryEmail, download, USB or a vulnerable serviceExploitThe method that gets code runningPayloadWhat runs next: ransomware, backdoor, data theftDefensePatch, restrict, detect behavior and containcybersnowden.com Attacks are easier to understand when you separate how attackers get in…

Quick answer: CVE-2024-4577 is a critical flaw in PHP running in CGI mode on Windows servers, disclosed in June 2024. It let attackers run commands on vulnerable servers, including default XAMPP installations. Within days, criminals were exploiting it to plant web shells and deploy the TellYouThePass ransomware. The fix is to update PHP to version 8.3.8, 8.2.20 or 8.1.29 or later. Key facts DisclosedJune 2024 Affected softwarePHP in CGI mode on Windows, including default XAMPP installations Type of attackRemote code execution, used for web shells and ransomware Exploited byTellYouThePass ransomware operators, from as early as 8 June 2024 ExposureAbout 458,800…

To secure your home Wi-Fi router, change the default admin password, update the firmware, switch to WPA3 or WPA2 encryption, turn off WPS and remote management, and put smart devices on a guest network. These steps take about 30 minutes and protect every device in your home. This checklist walks through each one in order of impact. Key takeawaysThe router admin password and the Wi-Fi password are different; change both.Firmware updates fix known security flaws, so turn on automatic updates if your router offers them.Use WPA3, or WPA2 with AES if WPA3 is not available.Put smart TVs, cameras and speakers…

Quick answer: Reverse engineering in cyber security is the process of analyzing compiled software, firmware or hardware to understand how it works without access to the original source code. Defenders use it to study malware, find vulnerabilities, understand attacker tools during incidents and build detections. Common tools include disassemblers, decompilers and debuggers such as Ghidra, IDA and x64dbg. Where reverse engineering is usedWhere reverse engineering is usedMalware analysisUnderstand what malicious code doesVulnerability researchFind flaws in software and firmwareIncident responseLearn how an attacker's tool worksDetection engineeringWrite signatures and rules from findingscybersnowden.com When a new malware sample appears, there is no manual…

Quick answer: In cyber security, chain of custody is the documented record of who collected, handled, transferred and stored digital evidence, when and for what purpose. It proves the evidence has not been altered, which is essential if it is used in court, in regulatory investigations or in disciplinary action. Without it, even strong evidence can be challenged or rejected. Chain of custody essentialsChain of custody essentialsIdentifyRecord what the evidence is and where it was foundPreserveCreate verified copies and keep originals untouchedDocumentLog every transfer: who, when, why and howStore securelyRestricted access and tamper-evident storagecybersnowden.com Digital evidence is easy to change…

Quick answer: On 19 and 20 September 2025, a cyberattack on Collins Aerospace’s MUSE passenger processing software disrupted electronic check-in and baggage drop at several European airports, including London Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin. Airlines switched to manual check-in, causing delays and cancellations. Reports cited ENISA, the EU’s cybersecurity agency, as describing it as ransomware. Key facts Date19 to 20 September 2025, with disruption for several days OrganizationCollins Aerospace (part of RTX), supplier of MUSE check-in software Type of attackAttack on a shared supplier, reported as ransomware AttackerNot publicly named ImpactElectronic check-in and baggage drop disrupted at Heathrow, Brussels, Berlin and…

A passkey is a sign-in method that replaces your password with a cryptographic key stored on your phone, computer or security key. You confirm it with your fingerprint, face or device PIN, and the website never receives anything a criminal could reuse. This guide explains how passkeys work, why they stop phishing, and how to set one up on your main accounts in a few minutes. Key takeawaysA passkey is a key pair: the private key stays on your device and the website only stores the public key.Passkeys cannot be phished or reused, because they only work on the real…