An Operating System (OS) is the software that acts as a bridge between the computer hardware and the applications being run on the computer. It is responsible for managing and controlling the computer’s resources such as memory, processors, and input/output devices. The OS provides a user-friendly interface for users to interact with the computer, making it easier for users to perform tasks like file management, launching applications, and configuring system settings.
The city government of Oakland has declared a state of emergency after it was hit by a ransomware attack. The attack, which began in the evening of February 8th, has forced the city to take all its IT systems offline, and has affected many non-emergency services, including the ability to collect payments, issue permits, and process reports.
The underground economy of the initial access brokers (IABs) is more flourishing than ever. At least this is one of the conclusions of the recent report “Hi-Tech Crime Trends 2022/2023” released by Group-IB. Initial access brokers exploit vulnerabilities or misconfigurations to get hold of valid access credentials (typically VPN or RDP) and outsource or sell them to criminal gangs, including ransomware operators.
Ransomware appears to be one of the most expensive and disruptive internet afflictions. It is a type of malware that encrypts the victim's files and vital information, and hackers demand payoffs to provide the decryption keys. While ransomware is not any new form of attack on cybersecurity, the prevalent scenario is indeed alarming; the following numbers corroborate the same- It seems that individuals and organizations are likely to get affected by ransomware attacks even in 2023 and beyond.
The content of this post is solely the responsibility of the author. AT&T does not adopt or endorse any of the views, positions, or information provided by the author in this article. This blog was jointly authored with Arjun Patel. GuLoader is a malware downloader that is primarily used for distributing other shellcode and malware such as ransomware and banking Trojans.
