Author: Ali

Quick answer: In 2026, the ShinyHunters extortion group stole data on more than 30 million students and staff from Instructure, the company behind the Canvas learning platform used by schools and universities. In May 2026, during final exams, the attackers defaced the Canvas login page and disrupted exams across the United States. Instructure eventually paid the ransom, despite FBI efforts to dissuade it. Key facts DateData stolen earlier in 2026; login page defaced in May 2026 OrganizationInstructure, maker of the Canvas learning management system Type of attackData theft, extortion and service disruption AttackerShinyHunters ImpactData on more than 30 million students…

Quick answer: A cyber security plan is a written document that sets out how an organization protects its systems and data. It identifies key assets and risks, defines policies and technical controls, assigns responsibilities, covers training and incident response, and is reviewed at least once a year. Small businesses can start with a short plan built on a recognized framework such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Seven steps to a cyber security planSeven steps to a cyber security plan1-2. Assets and risksList what matters and what threatens it3. PoliciesAccess, passwords, devices, data handling4. ControlsMFA, patching, backups, endpoint protection5-6. People and…

Quick answer: Mathematical attacks, also called cryptanalysis, are attempts to break encryption, hashing or digital signatures by exploiting the mathematics behind them rather than stealing the key. Examples include brute-force key searches, birthday attacks on hash functions and factoring attacks on weak RSA keys. Strong, current algorithms with adequate key lengths make these attacks impractical. Common mathematical attacksCommon mathematical attacksBrute forceTry every possible key until one worksBirthday attackExploit probability to find hash collisionsFactoring attacksBreak RSA by factoring weak or short keysKnown-plaintextUse matching plaintext and ciphertext to recover the keycybersnowden.com Encryption is only as strong as the mathematical problem it relies…

Quick answer: In March 2026, a pro-Iran hacktivist group called Handala broke into Stryker, one of the world’s largest medical technology companies, and remotely wiped tens of thousands of employee devices. The attack disrupted operations for several days and had a material impact on Stryker’s first-quarter earnings. It was a destructive attack designed to cause damage, not a typical data theft. Key facts DateMarch 2026 OrganizationStryker (medical technology, United States) Type of attackWiper (destructive) attack AttackerHandala, a pro-Iran hacktivist group the US government linked to Iranian intelligence ImpactTens of thousands of employee devices wiped; operations disrupted for several days; material…

Quick answer: A cyber security portfolio is a collection of practical work that proves your skills, such as a documented home lab, capture-the-flag write-ups, scripts on GitHub and sample reports. Host it on GitHub or a simple personal site, explain what you did and why in each project, and link it from your CV and LinkedIn profile. What a strong portfolio includesWhat a strong portfolio includesHome labA documented lab with SIEM, firewall and test machinesWrite-upsCTF solutions and investigations explained step by stepTools or scriptsSmall automation projects on GitHubReportsA sample risk assessment or incident reportcybersnowden.com Entry-level security roles attract many applicants…

Quick answer: A cyber security gap analysis compares the security controls you have today with the controls a chosen framework or regulation requires, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, ISO 27001 or the CIS Controls. The result is a prioritized list of gaps and a roadmap for closing them, which is why most organizations run one before an audit or certification. The five steps of a gap analysisThe five steps of a gap analysis1. Choose a frameworkNIST CSF, ISO 27001, CIS Controls or a regulation2. Assess current stateInterviews, evidence and technical checks3. Define target stateThe maturity level your risk and…

Quick answer: Most major cyberattacks of the last decade came down to a handful of basic failures: software that was not patched, stolen passwords used on accounts without multifactor authentication (MFA), attacks through suppliers and software updates, and people tricked by social engineering. In 2026 attackers went further, wiping tens of thousands of devices at Stryker, shutting down Boston Scientific’s global network, targeting US water systems and abusing an AI chatbot to hijack Instagram accounts. This guide covers both data breaches and disruptive attacks from 2014 to 2026, what caused them and what every organization can do differently, with a…

Quick answer: In cyber security, SLAM stands for Sender, Links, Attachments and Message. It is a four-step checklist for spotting phishing emails: check who really sent the email, where the links actually go, whether the attachments are expected and safe, and whether the message itself shows warning signs such as urgency or unusual requests. The SLAM method for spotting phishingThe SLAM method for spotting phishingS – SenderDoes the address exactly match who it claims to be?L – LinksHover first: does the real destination match the text?A – AttachmentsWere you expecting this file? Is the type unusual?M – MessageUrgency, threats, odd…

Quick answer: Your data is collected every time you browse, buy, scroll or speak to a smart device: through cookies, tracking pixels, device fingerprints, app permissions, location signals and the data brokers who combine them. AI adds two new layers. What you type into AI tools may be stored and, depending on the provider and your settings, used to improve models, and AI makes it far easier to analyze, profile and impersonate people. You cannot stop all tracking, but you can reduce it significantly with a few settings and habits. How your data is tracked: before and after AIHow your…

Quick answer: No business is ever completely “cybersecurity-proof”, but a business is well protected when it can prevent the most common attacks, detect the rest quickly and recover without lasting damage. In practice that means seven things: strong identity controls such as multifactor authentication, patched and protected devices, tested backups, trained people, a secured network and cloud, monitoring with an incident plan, and supplier and compliance oversight. Certifications such as ISO 27001 or SOC 2 prove it to others, and metrics prove it to you. Check yourself first: take our free Cybersecurity Readiness Assessment for a score out of 100…