Cyberside Chats: Cybersecurity Insights from the Experts

Do you think your old cloud storage is harmless? Think again. This week on Cyberside Chats, Sherri and Matt dive into shocking new research from Watchtowr that reveals how hackers can take over abandoned Amazon S3 buckets—and use them to infiltrate government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, and critical infrastructure. We’ll break down real-world examples of how this risk can be exploited, including malware-laced software updates, hijacked VPN configurations, and compromised open-source dependencies. Plus, we’ll share practical strategies to protect your organization from this growing cybersecurity threat!

Links & Resources: 

• Watchtowr’s Research on Abandoned S3 Buckets: https://labs.watchtowr.com/8-million-requests-later-we-made-the-solarwinds-supply-chain-attack-look-amateur/ 

• How Encryption Works by Sherri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALsXbShTWJk 

• LMG Security’s Cloud Security Audits: https://www.LMGsecurity.com/services/advisory-compliance/cloud-security-assessment/ 

Like what you heard? Subscribe to Cyberside Chats for more expert cybersecurity insights every week. 

#cybersecurity #databreach #AWS #S3 #CISO #Cloud #AWSsecurity #Hackers #Infosec #IncidentResponse

In this episode of Cyberside Chats, we dive into the world of ransomware, focusing on the notorious Ghost Ransomware Gang. Recently flagged by the FBI and CISA, Ghost has targeted organizations in over 70 countries. We explore their methods of infiltration, with a spotlight on outdated software vulnerabilities, and discuss how organizations can fortify their defenses.

We'll also provide insights into the broader ransomware landscape, including trends and statistics for 2024, and offer practical advice on protecting against these cyber threats. Lastly, we delve into the operations of the RansomHub group, revealing their so-called 'ethical' hacking practices.

Join Sherri Davidoff and Matt Durrin as they unravel these cyber threats and equip you with strategies to safeguard your organization.

#ransomware #ransomwareattacks #cybersecurity #cyberaware #GhostRansomware #CISA

Zero-day exploits are hitting faster than ever—are you ready? This week, we dive into the U.S. Treasury breach, which we now know involved multiple zero-days, including a newly discovered flaw in BeyondTrust’s security software. Attackers aren’t just targeting IT systems anymore—they’re coming for security tools themselves to gain privileged access. 

We also cover new zero-days in Microsoft, Apple, and Android, and why time-to-exploit has dropped from 32 days to just 5. Plus, we’ll share key defensive strategies to help you stay ahead. 

The race between attackers and defenders is accelerating—don’t get left behind. 

Takeaways: How You Can Defend Against These Threats 

• Patch Faster—Automate Where Possible 
  With zero-days being exploited in days, manual patching isn’t fast enough. Automate patching for high-risk, internet-exposed systems. 

• Monitor Known Exploits & Zero-Days 
  Stay ahead of threats with the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog. 

• Strengthen Privileged Access & Network Segmentation 
  Security tools like BeyondTrust are high-value targets—lock them down. Limit exposure: if attackers breach one system, they shouldn’t be able to pivot everywhere. 

• Threat Hunt for Exploitation Attempts 
  Don’t wait for alerts—assume exploitation is happening. Look for privilege escalations, odd script executions, and unexpected admin account changes. 

• Assess & Limit Third-Party Risks 
  Security vendors are part of your attack surface—evaluate them like you would any other software provider. Make sure they follow secure development practices, have clear incident response plans, and communicate openly about vulnerabilities and patches.  

Helpful Links & Resources 

• CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog 
  LMG’s Software Supply Chain Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB8iriZJ57k 

• Google’s Cybersecurity Forecast 2025 report: https://cloud.google.com/security/resources/cybersecurity-forecast 

In this episode of Cyberside Chats, Sherri and Matt dive into a shocking new cybersecurity controversy at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). A rogue email server, installed outside normal security controls, has raised alarms about data security risks to millions of federal employees.

We compare this developing situation to the infamous 2015 OPM hack, in which state-sponsored attackers stole the personal records of over 22 million individuals. Are we witnessing history repeat itself—this time with even more catastrophic consequences?

Topics Covered:

• Flashback to 2015: How weak security and stolen credentials led to one of the worst data breaches in U.S. history.
• The New OPM Scandal: How an unauthorized email server could open the door to ransomware, espionage, and phishing attacks.
• Cybersecurity Risks: Data exfiltration, credential theft, security bypassing, and compliance failures.
• Lessons for IT Leaders: How to detect rogue devices, enforce Zero Trust policies, and prevent a breach before it happens.

If the rogue OPM server isn’t secured, millions of federal employees could face serious risks. Listen to learn more. Do you think history is repeating itself with cybersecurity lapses going unchecked? What do you think? Drop your thoughts in the comments.

Tune in again next Tuesday for another episode of Cyberside Chats!

DeepSeek or DeepRisk?

A new AI powerhouse is making waves—DeepSeek has skyrocketed in popularity, rivaling top AI models at a fraction of the cost.

But with data stored in China and unknown security safeguards, is your organization at risk? In this episode of Cyberside Chats, Sherri Davidoff and Matt Durrin break down the cybersecurity implications of AI tools like DeepSeek. You'll learn about:

▪ DeepSeek's unique IP exposure risks and cybersecurity challenges.
▪ The growing threat of "Shadow AI" in your organization and supply chain.
▪ How to update your policies, vet vendors, and protect sensitive data in an era of rapidly evolving AI risks.

Join Sherri and Matt as they provide an in-depth look at DeepSeek's cybersecurity risks and explain why your organization must communicate clear acceptable use policies with employees and partners.

Don’t forget to follow us for weekly Cyberside Chats security updates!

🔗 Here’s the LMG Security AI Readiness Checklist we reference in the video:
https://www.LMGsecurity.com/resources/adapting-to-ai-risks-essential-cybersecurity-program-updates

#DeepSeek #cybersecurity #cyberaware #cybersecurityawareness #ciso #cybersecure #aithreats #ai #DeepSeekSecurity

In this episode of Cyberside Chats, we dive into the surprising pardon of Ross Ulbricht, creator of the infamous Silk Road dark web marketplace. What does this decision mean for the future of cybercrime enforcement and your organization’s security? We’ll explore the potential policy shift, how it could embolden criminals, and actionable steps you can take to stay ahead of evolving threats. Don't miss these critical insights! 

Takeaways: 

• Anticipate Increased Cybercrime Activity. The pardon of Ross Ulbricht could embolden cybercriminals. Proactively strengthen your organization’s defenses by updating incident response plans and running tabletop exercises to prepare for more brazen attacks. 

• Monitor Policy Changes Closely. Stay informed about shifts in U.S. government enforcement against cybercrime. If the crackdown slows, adapt your risk assessments and adjust your security posture to counter an evolving threat landscape. 

• Collaborate and Share Intelligence. Join industry groups and forums to exchange insights on how others are preparing for and responding to cyber threats in the wake of policy and enforcement changes.  

• Reinforce Employee Training. With the possibility of emboldened cybercriminals, ensure staff are well-trained to recognize phishing and social engineering tactics, which are often the first step in an attack. 

• Enhance Threat Detection Capabilities. Invest in tools and services that monitor dark web activity and ransomware trends to stay ahead of potential threats, especially as new actors and groups emerge. 

In this episode of Cyberside Chats, we explore the FBI’s daring takedown of PlugX malware. By commandeering the malware’s command-and-control infrastructure, the FBI forced PlugX to uninstall itself from over 4,200 devices globally. This bold move echoes similar actions from 2021, such as the removal of malicious web shells from Exchange servers.

We unpack the legal, ethical, and operational implications of these law enforcement actions and provide actionable advice for IT and security leadership to prepare for similar events.

Key topics include:

• How the FBI executed the PlugX takedown and what it means for organizations.
• The risks and benefits of law enforcement hacking into private systems to mitigate threats.
• Preparing for potential third-party access to your network by “authorized” actors like law enforcement or tech vendors.

Takeaways:

• Be aware that “authorized” third parties, such as law enforcement or Microsoft, may access your computers if they’re part of a botnet.
• Monitor threat intelligence feeds so you’re informed when events like these occur.
• Proactively communicate with your ISP about their processes for responding to law enforcement notifications.
• Ensure your contact information is current with your ISP and DNS registrars to avoid communication gaps.
• Review and update your incident response (IR) and forensics plans to account for potential third-party access.
• Include scenarios involving third-party access in your tabletop exercises to improve preparedness.

Resources:

“FBI Hacked Thousands of Computers to Make Malware Uninstall Itself”

“The Microsoft Exchange Server Hack: A Timeline”

“Taking Down the Waledac Botnet (The Story of Operation b49)”

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Contact us to discuss this and more with other cybersecurity professionals.

#cybersecurity #PlugX #PlugXhack #hack #hacker

In Episode 2 of CyberSide Chats, Sherri Davidoff and Matt Durrin dive into the launch of the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark, a new security initiative aimed at making Internet of Things (IoT) devices more secure for consumers. As the number of connected devices continues to rise, the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark promises to help users make informed decisions about the security of products like cameras, smart locks, and voice assistants.

Sherri and Matt will discuss the potential impacts of the Cyber Trust Mark and discuss the ongoing challenges of securing IoT devices. They also tackle the rising threat of QR code phishing, as more devices will carry QR codes for secure setup—raising new concerns for consumers.

Tune in to learn how this new mark can help protect your privacy and security in an increasingly connected world!

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode to stay informed on the latest cybersecurity trends!

#USCyberTrustMark #cybersecurity #cyberaware