What is an Incident Response Plan (IRP) Checklist?

An Incident Response Plan is your best bet for protecting your company from the consequences of a data breach. The time to plan and prepare for security crises is NOW, whatever they may be, long before they occur.

What is an Incident Response Plan?

A cybersecurity incident response plan (IR plan) is a set of guidelines designed to assist businesses in preparing for, detecting, responding to, and recovering from network security problems. Most IR strategies are tech-focused, addressing concerns like malware detection, data theft, and service disruptions. However, any sizeable cyber assault can have a wide-ranging impact on a firm; therefore, the plan should include finance, customer service, HR, employee communications, legal, and other outside entities.

Why is Incident Response Plan Important?

An Incident Response Plan is important because it defines how to reduce the length and severity of security incidents and identify stakeholders, streamline digital forensics, enhance recovery time, and prevent unfavorable publicity and customer attrition.

Small cybersecurity mishaps, such as malware infection, can quickly escalate into more significant issues, resulting in data breaches, data loss, and company interruption.

A good incident response procedure will help your company reduce damages, patch exploitable vulnerabilities, restore affected systems and processes, and close the attack vector.

Incident response is essential for preventing future occurrences and maintaining a company that handles sensitive data like PII, PHI, or biometrics.

IRP Audit

Before writing your Incident Response Plan, you should conduct a security audit of your company. This will help you identify weak areas. You should also identify who is responsible for the incident and determine who will handle the incident. In addition, you should define the parties involved and who will handle it.

Creating an IRP should include several key stakeholders, such as representatives from different company areas, including outside PR. In addition to the team members, it should also include the CEO, board members, and PR representatives. The process should be transparent and approved by key stakeholders easy to implement, but it should not be overly complex. It must be simple to understand, and it should be based on a multi-tiered approach.

How to create an Incident Response Plan & Checklist?

Create an Incident Response Plan

• The first and most important step in incident response planning is preparation. It should include defining the roles of the IR team and creating an underlying security policy. The security policy should identify the locations and relative value of sensitive data, as well as how many IT resources your company needs to respond to an attack. Make sure that your executives are on board with the plan before it goes live.
• The second step in creating an Incident Response Plan (IRP) is testing. It is critical to test the IRP to ensure that all components are working correctly. The purpose of testing is to determine whether the plan is effective and whether the team can handle the incident effectively. The IRP must be supported by upper management. The plan must be able to prevent or mitigate a security breach. It must be easy to implement, and it should be quick to execute.
• The final step in creating an Incident Response Plan is to define the response, the incident, or the event that will trigger it. There are many types of incidents, and different responses must be developed for each. Your IRP should identify the kind of security incident likely to occur and identify responsible parties. In addition, you should include a comprehensive communication plan, including the methods and frequency of communication with the affected parties.

Creating an incident response plan checklist can help your staff cope with a significant incident. IR Plan checklist is made keeping in mind what should be done after an incident.

Post-Incident– The ultimate step of an incident response plan is to create a post-incident investigation checklist. This checklist should include various information, such as disk images, logs, and network traffic reports. It should also detail key elements, including entry point, root cause analysis, and organizational resources targeted in the aftermath of an incident. After the investigation is complete, the team should recommend changes to prevent the same occurrence from occurring again.

Recovery– A recovery phase focuses on bringing systems back to normal operation. The response team must notify affected parties of the nature and extent of the attack within a specified period, such as 72 hours for GDPR. Once the system has been returned to production, the team needs to perform necessary tests, validate that it is operating normally, and document the process. The entire process should take a minimum of a day, depending on the size of the IT network and the business operation.

The recovery phase involves bringing affected systems back to production and testing them regularly. A well-developed plan should include these processes. The more specific they are, the better your plan will be. The more thorough and comprehensive your plan is, the more effective it will be.

Conclusion

The purpose of our cyber incident response plan checklist is to assist your IT security team in developing a complete, coordinated, repeatable, and effective incident response strategy.

Please remember that creating a cybersecurity incident response plan is never a one-time task. Unfortunately, enterprises and their IT security teams may find themselves outmaneuvered by hackers who pivot in their attack strategies/TTP and malware choice if they do not engage in frequent incident response training and IR exercises, including real cyber assault scenarios.

This article should provide you with the information and resources you need to design and implement a successful incident response plan. Partner with Protected Harbor to add best-in-class behavioral analysis to all of your essential data repositories and infrastructure to ensure your data is safe.

At Protected Harbor, we work with individual customers on an Incident Response Plan (IRP) and help them perform an audit to determine where they are today within their IRP. We follow the Critical Controls and guide our customers that match their Incident Response Plan with the specific controls. This provides them with the ability to have a real improvement plan in place.

With that being said, don’t miss out on other crucial aspects of data protection that can be included in your checklist—things like protected data center, disaster recovery plan, backups, testing, and so on. Contact us to create an IRP which is best for you.

What is API security, and why does it matter?

The process of preventing or mitigating attacks on APIs is known as F. APIs serve as the foundation for mobile and web apps. As a result, it’s vital to safeguard the sensitive information they send.

An API is a software interface that determines how different pieces of software interact with one another. It regulates the kind of requests between programs, how they are made, and what data formats are utilized. APIs are being used in the Internet of Things (IoT) and website applications. They frequently collect and process data or allow the user to submit data processed within the API’s context.

Google Maps, for example, is powered by an API. Google Maps can be embedded into a page by a web designer. When users use Google Maps, they are just using a prewritten API given by Google, rather than code that the web designer built piece by piece. API security includes both your APIs and those you use indirectly.

Web API security entails user and program authentication to secure sensitive data and prevent malicious conduct. Web API security is critical to the success of web applications and for safe communication in your company. This article walks you through the procedures to secure the security of your APIs.

Types of API Security

API security has grown increasingly critical, especially with the rise of IoT. Users, APIs, and the apps and systems they interact with exchange critical and sensitive data. Hackers can use an insecure API to get access to a computer or network that is otherwise secure. Let’s take a look at commonly used API security types.

API Gateway Security

An API Gateway is a critical component of an API security architecture because it acts as a focused server that regulates traffic. This functionality can also detect potential vulnerabilities, potentially exposing your APIs.

The process of defining API security involves four steps. The first step is to determine the security goals. Next, you need to identify testable implementation constraints and complete the verification. During this step, you need to ensure that the security measures are sufficient to protect your API from threats. The third step involves identifying new assets and goals. And the fourth step is the security strategy to implement the controls that will protect your API.

When you develop a sample API, incorporate security controls into the code. These controls will prevent unauthorized users from modifying or intercepting the messages. Another step is to enforce the security policy in your API. You should use application-level security measures and check your code for vulnerabilities. For example, use OAuth to protect your API against external attackers. However, this is not enough. It’s imperative to follow data privacy regulations.

Restful API security

REST APIs support HTTP and Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption. TLS is an internet security standard that verifies that data delivered between two systems (a server and a server, or a server and a client) is encrypted and unaltered. This means that a hacker attempting to steal your credit card information from a shopping website will be unable to view or modify your information. If a website’s URL starts with “HTTPS,” you know it’s secured with TLS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure).

REST APIs also use JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), a file format that makes data movement between web browsers easier. REST APIs don’t need to keep or repackage data because they use HTTP and JSON, making them much faster than other APIs.

Web Application Security

Web application security is the practice of defending websites and online services from various security risks that take advantage of flaws in the application’s code. Content management systems (e.g., WordPress), database administration tools (e.g., phpMyAdmin), and SaaS apps are common targets for online application assaults.

Organizations that fail to safeguard their web applications are vulnerable to attack. This can lead to data theft, strained client relationships, canceled licenses, and legal action, among other things.

Why does API security matter for businesses?

Many organizations use APIs, but do they adhere to API security best practices? If not, this may be one of the most overlooked security risks. These services are not limited in the number of resources they allow, which opens up the door to brute force attacks. Additionally, APIs can expose users’ sensitive information to attackers who take advantage of weak authentication processes. It usually takes 200 days before a company becomes aware of a breach – and it usually takes an external party to discover it.

Developing API security is an important step in securing your application. This requires you to adhere to best coding practices and implement proper security practices. Some common vulnerabilities make your system prone to attacks, such as user-level authentication, weak encryption, storing critical secrets on disk, and not applying security updates and patches. So, it is vital to protect your business against these problems.

In addition to good coding practices, API security can also be compromised if a user uses unsecured public Wi-Fi, as these networks are the perfect environment for hackers. The security of your API depends on how you secure it, so be sure to use a secure VPN to prevent such problems. If you are using public Wi-Fi, your software must have a VPN for security.

Why is API important?

It is vital to protect your business against security issues. There are several ways to do this. For example, you should check your APIs periodically to ensure that they are secured against malicious code. You can test the security of your APIs with a tool like Sqreen. These tools are free and can be used by any business. A security expert can recommend the best practices to secure your APIs. If you don’t want to worry about security, use a security tool to protect your application.

In addition to keeping the data of your customers safe, APIs also help companies protect themselves from identity theft. There are many different types of attacks that can target an API, and each one has its own unique set of risks. For example, two-factor authentication is the best way to protect your APIs. It can prevent unauthorized transactions and can also prevent bots. Then, it would help if you used a security solution that protects your business.

The key to protecting your APIs is a comprehensive security strategy. Your security team should consider your business’s API access. It should be able to handle unauthorized access and protect sensitive data. It’s essential to know how APIs work. You can also implement a firewall by integrating the security solution into the API.

How to implement API security?

To protect your APIs, you need to consider all possible threats. Your APIs should be protected against attacks that might be malicious. By doing this, you’re preventing the attackers from using sensitive data. Moreover, it’s essential to encrypt your APIs as they may become vulnerable to attack from external sources. You need to ensure that every API you offer is encrypted and password-protected so that there’s no way for hackers to access them.

Verification
To secure your API from ill-usage, you need to validate users’ identities. You can verify user identity by using a unique API key. To prevent this, you can also verify their identity through the server. To prevent DNS, routing, or IP spoofing, you must implement an authentication protocol to avoid possible attacks. The best way to ensure this is to integrate authentication into your API security framework. If you do not, it’s impossible to guarantee your API will be secure.

Authentication
It is essential to the security of your API. Authentication ensures that your APIs are only accessible to people with the proper credentials. By ensuring that only trusted users can access your data, you can increase the trust of your APIs. This is important for several reasons. For one thing, authentication keeps unauthorized users from damaging your data. And when the user wants to change the API, they need to verify that the user is indeed you.

Limit Access
A good API security policy is not just a matter of setting limits. It also ensures that the APIs are secure. An attacker will not be able to get access to sensitive data if they are not logged in. A good security plan will prevent this from happening. It will also protect your APIs from brute force attacks. It would help if you did not allow people to access your stored data. Object-level authentication will ensure that your users are authenticated.

Conclusion

APIs are expected to become the leading attack vector shortly because they are an attractive target to attackers.

Taking proactive actions to safeguard your API design is the only method to protect your API from attackers.

Following an API Security checklist, such as the one outlined in this post, is the best method. You can also partner with one of the leading security services providers, and they can take care of this for you.

Protected Harbor secures your business using OWASP and similar resources, making sure you’re safe from the most common vulnerabilities at all times. Protected Harbor partners with the clients understanding their requirements and then successfully implementing the ways you might need to safeguard your API against common threats. There’s still a lot to learn about API security, but this is a fantastic place to start. Secure yourself today.

API Security Checklist

A checklist to help you plan and carry out your testing strategy:

• Create a separate test environment for your API whenever possible so you can test without breaking production.
• Create functional tests for the happy path first, then automate them with your preferred toolchain.
• Using the same tools, create negative tests for edge scenarios that lead to security concerns. Begin with testing authentication as a first quick victory.
• Create detailed documentation for all access control techniques, such as roles, in your APIs. Create test users with a variety of permissions and access to secret resources. Then create test scenarios in which these users try to access unlawful resources. Keep in mind that authorization is just as necessary as authentication!
• Don’t think of your API as if it were a black box. Discover the kind of issues that your back-end architecture is susceptible to (such as mass assignments, SQL injections, etc.).
• Create test cases with input exceeding boundaries. Additional attributes, going outside established constraints, and command or SQL injections are all examples (if necessary).
• Keep an eye on all error responses for signs of internal information leakage.
• Include security tests in the performance testing process to guarantee that any unusual behavior under stress does not compromise security.

What is the most common cause of healthcare data breaches?

Patient’s medical records are a goldmine for malicious hackers—if they can get their hands on them. According to Cisco Internet Security Threat Report, healthcare is currently the most targeted industry by cybercriminals.

Health data breaches have been on the headlines for a while now. From the crippling breach of Anthem to the compromising of 10 million patient records at UCLA Health — nothing is sacred when it comes to cyberattacks these days. While the impact of security incidents might differ depending on their magnitude, it seems that poorly protected IT systems and hacking/IT incidents are often the biggest culprits in causing privacy and financial setbacks.

Healthcare data breaches are on the rise. Although many are concerned with hacking, several factors could potentially cause a significant healthcare data breach.

Common causes of healthcare data breaches!

Data breaches are becoming more and more common. With the rise of hacking, phishing, malware attacks, and new security regulations, all healthcare organizations need to stay proactive in protecting their data.

The most common cause of data breaches for healthcare organizations is malicious or cyber-criminal attacks. Data breaches can come from various sources, including hackers stealing protected health information (PHI) from an organization’s database, unencrypted devices, or a weak, stolen password. One of the biggest causes of healthcare data breaches is misconfigured medical devices and office equipment. Medical device security remains a major concern for organizations. Click here to know how do breaches happen and how to prevent them?

Hacking/ IT Incidents accounts for 47% of healthcare data breaches making it the #1 cause of healthcare data breaches.
(Source: Electronic Health Reporter)

Patient Data Theft: High risk
Health care industry members are all too familiar with data theft and new methods of exfiltrating information from connected medical devices such as electronic medical records (EMRs) and protected health information (PHIs). IP-enabled medical devices can be easily exploited by experienced hackers because of minimal access controls and known vulnerabilities. A hacker may then take data directly from the medical device, but since medical devices typically contain limited data, he is more likely to go to servers, data centers, or other devices on the network, like the XP workstation that is connected to the electronic medical record. Data breaches in healthcare are defined as theft and loss 32% of the time, compared to only 15% in different industries, 2^nd to Hacking and IT incidents, as per Healthcare drive. With the number of high-profile breaches in healthcare over the past three years, healthcare organizations need tighter controls to mitigate this risk.

What is the cost to your company?

According to IBM’s Cost of Data Breach Report 2021:

• Healthcare organizations spent an average of $161 per breached record in 2021, which is expected to increase in the future.
• On average, it takes 329 days to identify a breach.

The reports show that the cost of data breaches has risen once again, reaching a record high since IBM first published the report 17 years ago. The average cost of a data breach increased by 10% year over year, to $4.24 million per incident and that of healthcare data breaches increased by $2 million to $9.42 million per incident in 2021. The average cost of ransomware attacks was $4.62 million per incident.

How can you avoid a data breach?

• Back up data– Having a proper backup schedule and implementing a secure process to access the off-site data is a preliminary requirement. Confirm that your backup/recovery partner is also HIPAA compliant. Cloud hosting solutions can also be considered for better security.
• Two factor authentication- Multi-factor authentication, also known as 2FA, is a simple concept that can be implemented by companies easily. A key benefit of two-factor verification lies in its very name: it requires two variables to access an account, just as you need two keys to enter a house. The security is therefore twice as strong.
• Safeguard data and devices- Ensure that the tools and policies for security are implemented, securing all the devices accessing your network. Remote monitoring for unauthorized access and unusual activity can opt. Limit and set proper data control and access for the devices.
• Train and educate staff– create a policy for regular security training and practice sessions. Identifying phishing emails, ensuring password complexity, and adhering to anti-malware protocols should be a part of this training. More details

To wrap things up!

Security and compliance are among the top factors healthcare organizations consider when adopting new technologies. Many organizations didn’t or were not able to take the time to strategically align new cloud-based tools and platforms with existing security standards as they transitioned to remote work after the pandemic.
Security and privacy should be a priority when working with technology partners in healthcare. It is a trusted partner’s responsibility to ensure users’ privacy and security, having incorporated a variety of safeguards into their processes, designs, and code, as well as constructing the infrastructure to ensure careful protection of user information. Cisco, Greenway, GE Healthcare, and Protected Harbor are some of the most trusted and reliable healthcare IT solution providers who take pride in their experience of delivering solutions to healthcare and other organizations.

China eyeing U.S. healthcare data

Do you want your PHI (protected health information) or DNA going to an authoritarian regime that has a history of using DNA for repression and surveillance? People’s Republic of China (PRC) has collected large sets of data from U.S. over the years, through every means possible. Access to American healthcare data now poses a serious risk to the privacy, economy, and national security of the United States.

The Covid-19 outbreak is only one part of the healthcare pandemic the country is suffering. The sudden dent in the healthcare infrastructure left the companies and the government reeling. As COVID rates and testing have requirements spiked, China’s BGI (Beijing Genomics Institute) Group, the world’s largest biotech and healthcare analytics company, proposed to help build and run advanced COVID testing labs throughout the U.S.  BGI would provide technical expertise, high throughput sequencers, and even make financial donations for more research.

With America struggling to set up enough testing and research facilities, China’s proposal was hard to ignore in times of such desperation. That is until the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center raised suspicion and warned against it.
“access to U.S. healthcare and genomic data by China poses serious national security and privacy risk for the United States.” The NCSC said in a statement. Apparently, the Chinese biotech group supplying the COVID-19 testing kits and helping to set up more than 18 research labs also planned on using samples to obtain healthcare data on American citizens, such as DNA and PHI.

China’s access to U.S. healthcare data

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has been looking to obtain America’s ethnically diverse health data for years. According to National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), they have been able to gain access to US healthcare data, including genomic data, through a variety of channels, both legal and illegal, including theft of research and cyberattacks.”

#DYK: China has for years accessed U.S. genomic data through legal and illegal means. China’s DNA collection at home has helped it carry out human rights abuses. It’s collection of such data from America poses equally serious risks. See: https://t.co/zR5l1KuZZ8 pic.twitter.com/XCYj3CE0FZ

— NCSC (@NCSCgov) February 19, 2021

According to a report by CFR (Council of Foreign Relations), China already has more data on the genetic sequencing of the US population than the United States has on its own population.
Chinese companies invested in U.S. firms that handle sensitive personal and healthcare data, providing them with easy access to this US Electronic Health Records (EHR). For example, BGI purchased U.S. genomic sequencing company Complete Genomics in 2013, and China’s Wuxi Pharma acquired NextCODE Health in the U.S. and later formed Wuxi NextCODE Genomics.

Recent healthcare data breaches from hackers in China within the PRC government include the theft of personal data and EMRs. Anthem Inc. in 2015 lost healthcare data on roughly 78 million people; information including health identification numbers, names, Social Security numbers, employment, and income information. Two individuals based in China were indicted by the U.S. Justice Department for hacking Anthem and three other U.S. companies, in 2019.

The China Challenge

Bill Evania, a veteran of both the CIA and the FBI, also suspected that offer of help from BGI was a modern-day trojan horse. Using the labs as a way to establish a foothold in the U.S. healthcare market, much like previous corporate acquisitions, and then mining the health data even US Government agencies can’t access. Further, all Chinese companies are obligated to share data collected with the PRC government under the PRC’s national security laws. So any Chinese healthcare company on U.S. soil poses a national security risk.

We have seen the consequences in the past. The U.S. Department of Commerce sanctioned two subsidiaries of China’s BGI in July 2020 over the PRC government’s use of genetic techniques to repress Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.

But how has this happened? China has taken the advantage of the loose safety and security infrastructure protecting our PHI and EMR. Policies need to be revamped concerning the sharing and control of these data at the national and international levels.

China’s BGI has collaborated with many American healthcare and research entities over the past decade, providing them with genomic sequencing services, as well as gaining access to health records and genetic information of U.S. citizens. But to date there are not enough regulations and policies to stop internal employees to share such information with other company employees, who just happen to also work for the Chinese government.

Conclusion and Diagnosis

“We have a short term approach to data management, solve the problem today, but that often leads to larger problems down the road.”                                – Richard Luna, CEO, Protected Harbor

To address the ever-growing surveillance capabilities of China and other authoritarian states, the U.S. and other nations should take bold action instead of timid, gentle steps. To begin with, the government needs to strengthen healthcare privacy legislation and regulation. Enhanced privacy laws would provide protections against only for foreign states, but also from domestic governments and private parties wishing access to protected healthcare data.

National healthcare IT organizations should also increase user safety and privacy, encryption, reporting, auditing, to enhance data transfer and internet openness. Since electronic health records (EHR) are now the norm, every healthcare organization must be sensitive to the intersection of health information, security, and must adhere to HIPAA compliances. HIPAA Security Rule involves many physical safeguards, technological measures, and organizational standards. It applies to technology in three key ways: technologies that store PHI must log out after a certain time to prevent unauthorized access, all users must be assigned unique logins that can be audited, and, PHI must be encrypted.

No healthcare IT department is alone in the battle to protect against illegal or legal healthcare data breaches. Partnering with reliable and secured healthcare IT solution expert such as Protected Harbor can help solve the issues at a grassroots level. With two organizations working together, the healthcare data industry can lay multiple pillars of healthcare data infrastructure to strengthen national security. We cannot accept our information as safe as is, given the scope of data collection on devices and China’s known involvement in this area. There are no checks and balances in the sharing of data. For example, a company allows the vendors access to the billing data to generate reports. But the vendor has access to ALL of the data, not just what’s needed to generate reporting. The IT department and cybersecurity U.S. needs to be heavily vested in the security and safety of data.

The U.S. has spent the last decade creating interoperable healthcare systems and China is now using legitimate interconnected companies to capture data. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, different technologies and data have been linked at a faster rate than security measures applied to the data. Millions of Americans have lost their DNA and personal information, allowing China to leverage our health information to develop artificial intelligence and precision medicine, putting America’s $100 billion biotechnology industry at a disadvantage. We need to cut the oxygen and this starts from the ground level moving up the ladder to the national level.

Log4j vulnerability puts the internet at risk.

Various cybersecurity organizations around the globe reported about the discovery of critical vulnerability of Apache Log4j library. The reports of attacks exploiting this vulnerability are already on the internet. Some researchers say this could be one of the worst attacks of all time, so how bad is the risk, and what needs to be done now?

Highlights

• Log4j is an open-source Apache logging framework used by developers to record activities within an application.
• Log4j’s security vulnerability allows hackers to execute remote commands on a target system, putting countless services at risk of an attack by hackers.
• Researchers rated this critical java-based library vulnerability 10 out of 10 in CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System).
• Amazon, Cisco, Apple iCloud, Twitter, Red Hat, Steam, Tesla, and more software companies and services use the Log4j library.

What is Log4j, and Why you’re at risk?

Log4j or Log4shell is a Java-based logging utility, one of several java logging frameworks developed by Apache software foundation. Any modern-day software you use keeps track of errors and other events in the form of logs. Instead of creating a logging system for storing records and additional information, the Log4j shell comes in handy for the developers as it’s an open-source platform. That’s why the Log4j library is a widely used and most popular logging package.

Hackers can take control of any software using Log4j, exploiting the newfound vulnerability, to run malicious code against the network firewall by forcing it to store a log entry. Hackers are in action looking for the systems which might be vulnerable. The attackers have already developed automated attacking tools that exploit the bugs and worms present on the system. And if the conditions are adequate, these can act independently and spread to more systems and servers.

On Friday, December 10, The United States Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency reported the Log4j vulnerability, as did CERT Australia. New Zealand’s NCSC supported the statements adding that the vulnerability is actively being exploited. Here’s a tweet by the United States Department of Homeland Security, just in case if you think we’re kidding.

All organizations should upgrade to Log4j version 2.15.0 or apply appropriate vendor-recommended mitigations immediately.

Read more from @CISAgov about how to protect your organization ⬇️ https://t.co/5HJ72gQ1C9

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) December 12, 2021

Is cPanel plugin also vulnerable?

cPanel hosting, in simple words, is a control panel dashboard built on a Linux-based model. Website developers use it to manage the hosting environment, backups, FTP, emails, etc. cPanel web hosting allows developers to integrate the websites with a GUI (graphical user interface), similar to looking like a desktop interface. With it, you can update the version of PHP used on websites, control the firewall, and add a security certificate, among other things. BuiltWith, a leading web profiler company, estimates that there are more than three million users of cPanel, and all are at risk of Log4j shell vulnerability.

So what happens now?

Apache has already rushed to develop a solution. Thousands of IT teams from companies around the globe are rushing to update to the most recent Log4j version 2.15.0, which is the most effective solution as of now. While patches and updates will soon be delivered, applying them to all the systems would still be a cumbersome task. Because the web servers and computing mechanisms are not that simple now, layered with multiple code levels and customized according to needs, on an estimate, it could take months from now to get them upgraded.

It’s not the first time we have encountered a vulnerability like this, and this isn’t the last time either. So, in the long run, you are constantly exposed to these critical loopholes, especially on the popularly used tools and plugins. There are only two roads from here; you stay on the already existing vulnerable system or upgrade to a proactive service provider who takes care of it all.

Get secured

Technology is getting better and faster every day, which means there are enough loopholes, attacks, and inevitable vulnerabilities. At Protected Harbor, customers’ safety and security is the utmost priority, and we satisfy our customers at all cost.

“What makes us different is we expect attacks,” commented Protected Harbor CEO Richard Luna. “We assume at any point a system can be compromised and plan for it by limiting the extent of data loss.  We prepare for failure at every hardware and software level, from multiple failover firewalls and multiple redundancy resilient databases to web servers and everything in between.  We protect our clients. After all, our name is Protected Harbor.”

Protective Harbor’s proactive security is one of the most powerful shields to these attacks. The company’s remote servers and air-gapped data backup add to the level of security and functionality. Also, rapid mitigation and resolution are faster than the industry standard because our clients are not limited to a network.

While regular MSPs have used cloud backups, we use a direct 10 GB pipe to our house. These other MSPs have to wait for the restore to download the image from the cloud. That could be a very long time. Our servers and solutions are all in-house. In the case of an emergency, we can switch data between servers and immediately upload a restored image instantly.

There’s a lot more to it, Click here to check how secured you are.

What are the different types of viruses and ransomware?

In this digital age, viruses and ransomware are becoming a growing security concern for computer users. The threat of malicious software is real, and understanding the different types of viruses and ransomware is essential to protect yourself and your data. There are four main types of viruses, each with its own characteristics and potential harm. These include Trojans, bots, malware, and ransomware. With some basic knowledge, computer users can better protect themselves against these malicious programs. Knowing the differences between these types of viruses and their capabilities is the first step to keeping your computer safe and secure.

Virus:

A computer virus is a malicious code or program written to alter how a computer operates and is designed to spread from one computer to another. A virus operates by inserting or attaching itself to a legitimate program or document that supports macros to execute its code. In the process, a virus can potentially cause unexpected or damaging effects, such as harming the system software by corrupting or destroying data.

Two types of viruses causing headaches for security experts are multipartite virus and polymorphic virus. Multipartite viruses leverage multiple attack vectors to infiltrate systems, while polymorphic viruses cunningly change their code to evade detection. Understanding and defending against these sophisticated adversaries is crucial to safeguarding our digital world.

A macro virus is a malicious code quickly gaining popularity amongst hackers. It is a type of virus that replicates itself by modifying files containing macro language, which can replicate the virus. These can be extremely dangerous as they can spread from one computer to another and can cause damage by corrupting data or programs, making them run slower or crash altogether. Users need to take preventive measures against the threat of viruses, as they can eventually cause serious damage.

Worm:

A computer worm is a type of malware that spreads copies of itself from computer to computer and even operating system. A worm can replicate itself without any human interaction and does not need to attach itself to a software program to cause damage.

Ransomware:

The idea behind ransomware, a form of malicious software, is simple: Lock and encrypt a victim’s computer or device data, then demand a ransom to restore access.

In many cases, the victim must pay the cybercriminal within a set amount of time or risk losing access forever. And since malware attacks are often deployed by cyber thieves, paying the ransom doesn’t ensure access will be restored.

Ransomware holds your personal files hostage, keeping you from your documents, photos, and financial information. Those files are still on your computer, but the malware has encrypted your device, making the data stored on your computer or mobile device inaccessible.

Who are the targets of ransomware attacks?

Ransomware can spread across the Internet without specific targets since it’s one of the most common types of computer virus. But this file-encrypting malware’s nature means that cybercriminals can also choose their targets. This targeting ability enables cybercriminals to go after those who can — and are more likely to — pay larger ransoms.

Trojan:

A Trojan horse, or Trojan, is a type of malicious code or software that looks legitimate but can take control of your computer. A Trojan is designed to damage, disrupt, steal, or inflict some other harmful action on your data or network.

A Trojan acts like a bona fide application or file to trick you. It seeks to deceive you into loading and executing the malware on your device. Once installed, a Trojan can perform the action it was designed for.

A Trojan is sometimes called a Trojan or a Trojan horse virus, but that’s a misnomer. A Trojan cannot. A user has to execute Trojans. Even so, Trojan malware and Trojan virus are often used interchangeably.

Bots:

Bots, or Internet robots, are also known as spiders, crawlers, and web bots. While they may be utilized to perform repetitive jobs, such as indexing a search engine, they often come in the form of malware. Malware bots are used to gain total control over a computer.

The Good

One of the typical “good” bots used is to gather information. Bots in such guises are called web crawlers. Another “good” use is automatic interaction with instant messaging, instant relay chat, or assorted other web interfaces. Dynamic interaction with websites is yet another way bots are used for positive purposes.

The Bad

Malicious bots are defined as self-propagating malware that infects its host and connects back to a central server(s). The server functions as a “command and control center” for a botnet or a network of compromised computers and similar devices. Malicious bots have the “worm-like ability to self-propagate” and can also:

• Gather passwords
• Obtain financial information
• Relay spam
• Open the back doors on the infected computer

Malware:

Malware is an abbreviated form of “malicious software.” This is software specifically designed to gain access to or damage a computer, usually without the owner’s knowledge. There are various types of malware, including spyware, ransomware, viruses, worms, Trojan horses, adware, or any malicious code that infiltrates a computer.

Each type of malware has its own purpose and potential impacts, making it important to be aware of the different types of malware. We can protect ourselves from these malicious software threats with the right knowledge and resources.

Generally, the software is considered malware based on the creator’s intent rather than its actual features. Malware creation is rising due to money that can be made through organized Internet crime. Originally malware was created for experiments and pranks, but eventually, it was used for vandalism and destruction of targeted machines. Today, much malware is created to make a profit from forced advertising (adware), stealing sensitive information (spyware), spreading email spam or child pornography (zombie computers), or extorting money (ransomware).

The best protection from malware — whether ransomware, bots, browser hijackers, or other malicious software — continues to be the usual preventive advice: be careful about what email attachments you open, be cautious when surfing by staying away from suspicious websites, and install and maintain an updated, quality antivirus program.

Spyware:

Spyware is unwanted software that infiltrates your computing device, stealing your internet usage data and sensitive information. Spyware is classified as a type of malware — malicious software designed to gain access to or damage your computer, often without your knowledge. Spyware gathers your personal information and relays it to advertisers, data firms, or external users.

Spyware is used for many purposes. Usually, it aims to track and sell your internet usage data, capture your credit card or bank account information, or steal your personal identity. How? Spyware monitors your internet activity, tracking your login and password information, and spying on your sensitive information.

Go Phishing

With COVID-19 changing the way many businesses are forced to work, phishing attacks have increased significantly while becoming more complex. Hackers often look at crises as opportunities and COVID-19 is no different. Attackers are using names of coworkers and companies to fool people into thinking they’re legitimate emails. With many employees working from home and logging in, there is an increased reliance on remote system tools, and phishing scams have evolved to mimic them.

Stressful times are upon us and there is no letup in sight. As a result, IT staff are finding themselves overwhelmed as they address a multitude of system issues, software problems, and new problems stemming from employees working remotely. Many employees are using personal devices, which are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. To be truly prepared for remote work and sophisticated threats, businesses need to analyze their weaknesses and implement proper cybersecurity approaches.

At PROTECTED HARBOR, we provide custom solutions to cyber-attacks, ransomware and other debilitating infrastructure issues. Our team of IT professionals ensures your infrastructure is secure through the creation and implementation of security policies. We analyze and remediate risks to keep you safe. On average, we save our clients up to 30% on IT costs while increasing their security, productivity, durability and sustainability. We are an extension of many IT departments, freeing them up to concentrate on daily work while we do the heavy infrastructure lifting.

Contact us today to find out more, www.protectedharbor.com