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Rapid7 released version 4.2 of the Metasploit Framework today, which includes tools needed to assess risk on networks that are deploying or have already deployed IPv6. In addition, the new version offers an additional 54 exploits, 66 auxiliary modules, 43 post-exploitation modules, and 18 payloads.

Juniper Networks today announced that it has acquired Mykonos Software, a security startup that provides technology that uses deception to detect and confuse attackers. Things move fast in the security world, as the company just announced a $4 million round of funding in late January led by Tom Golisano, founder of payroll processing giant Paychex, and former owner of the Buffalo Sabres.

Apple has included a new – and admittedly interesting – security function in the upcoming version of Mac OS Mountain Lion (OS X 10.8). Called Gatekeeper, the function will restrict the installation of downloaded applications based on their source. Think of it as a step-up on Microsoft’s Authenticode. Yet, is it more control for the user, or more control over the user? Also, will it really prevent malicious applications from being installed?

Google has had a rough week so far, and it’s only Wednesday. The problems started last Friday, when the Wall Street Journal reported on the findings of Stanford researcher Jonathan Mayer, who discovered the search giant was circumventing Apple’s privacy settings in Safari. Days later, Microsoft accused Google of cheating protections on its own browser, but is Redmond crying wolf?

Total Malware Samples Surpassed 75 Million in 2011. Malicious Sites Nearly Double, while Mobile Malware Continues to Grow.McAfee today released its Threat Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2011 which indicated that while malware continues to be created at a wild pace, overall growth of PC-based malware actually declined during the quarter.McAfee also said that it has reached a new milestone in terms of total malware captured to-date which has now surpassed 75 million samples.

Securing Critical Infrastructure: Utilities Must Assess The Risks of Their Business Operations and Harden all Devices Attached to the NetworkSixty or seventy years ago when utility infrastructures were first built, they were not interconnected or accessed by third parties. The systems were so isolated, no one outside the organization—including potential attackers—knew what vulnerabilities existed.

In my previous column I touched on the point of implementing Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) as part of a measure to prevent clickjacking. I thought I would expand on the benefits of WAFs, and why they can make all the difference between a safe organization and one that’s been compromised. Many IT managers and CIOs still grapple with WAFs because they are expensive and a bear to maintain.

A threat to target the Internet’s root Domain Name System (DNS) servers and knock the Internet offline may be more difficult than the hackers think. Hackers reputedly associated with Anonymous made the threat to launch what they dubbed “Operation Global Blackout” March 31 in response to actions by Wall Street, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and “irresponsible leaders and the beloved bankers who are starving the world for their own selfish needs.”

Russia’s political season is heating up. Here in America, we have Super PACs, skewed election coverage, and scandals. As it turns out, Russia has some of that too -- perhaps politics and fighting among party lines is somewhat universal. The difference however, is that we’re not seeing the types of Internet-based activism in America that exists in Russia. Furthermore, when political powers enforce their might in America, it’s a bit more subtle.

Earlier this month, Trustwave had a change of heart and reversed a decision to issue subordinate certificates that allowed a private company the ability to impersonate virtually any domain on the Web. Those actions have led Mozilla to clarify its stance on the issue, and offer one final warning to any company seeking to offer the same business services that Trustwave walked away from.

Defendant Allegedly Sought to be Associated with an Armed Extremist Group, Believed He Would Take Part in al-Qaeda AttackOn Friday, the Department of Justice said that FBI agents had arrested a man for allegedly attempting to detonate a bomb in a planned suicide attack on the U.S. Capitol Building.

In college, I took a required Computer Science class called “Systems Principles”. My professor started the class by listing out the seven key components in a successful system/program development process:1. Requirements2. Specifications3. Design

The Federal Trade Commission and the Bureau of Consumer Protection were attacked by AntiSec Thursday and into Friday, in response to their support and participation in ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, and issues with Google’s recent privacy policy changes.

Researchers at Panda Security have uncovered a botnet that not only swipes financial information, but also goes after rival malware.PandaLabs, the company’s research arm, recently detected a new bot called Ainslot.L targeting Windows machines. The malware’s primary job is to log user activities, download additional malware to take control of the system and steal log-in information related to online banking sites. But as a side bonus, the malware goes on a seek-and-destroy mission targeting other bots, including Zeus and DarkComet.

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Application Security

Application Security

As AI dramatically shortens the time from vulnerability disclosure to exploitation, enterprises must look beyond patching to reduce application risk.

Cloud Security

Cloud Security

A total of 22 patches were releaased, a majority for code execution, privilege escalation, and information disclosure vulnerabilities.

ICS/OT

Government

Late amendments to the Cyber Security and Resilience Bill would give ministers new powers to restrict risky technology providers as supply chain attacks intensify.

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