Anatova ransomware is a new cryptoransomware variant that appears to have been released on January 1, 2019. It is stealthy, can infect network shares, has already been used in attacks in many countries around the world. It could well prove to become a major ransomware threat in 2019.
Ransomware has somewhat fallen out of favor with cybercriminals as cryptocurrency mining malware offers greater potential for profit. The development of new ransomware variants has slowed, but new variants are still emerging and the threat from ransomware is not going away any time soon. Ransomware attacks are still profitable for cybercriminals and as long as that remains the case the attacks will continue.
Anatova ransomware was identified and named by security researchers at McAfee. The name was taken from the name on the ransomware note. The previously unknown ransomware variant has been used in at least 10 countries, with over 100 Anatova ransomware attacks identified in the United States, more than 65 in Belgium, and over 40 in France and Germany.
Not only does the ransomware variant employ a range of techniques to avoid detection, infection can cause major damage and widespread file encryption. Further, the modular design allows the developers to easily add new functionality in the future.
Most of the strings in Anatova ransomware have been encrypted and different keys are required to decrypt them. Those keys have been embedded in the executable. 90% of calls are dynamic and use non-suspicious Windows APIs and standard C-programming language.
Once downloaded and executed, the ransomware performs a check of the name of the logged in user against a list of encrypted names and will exit if there is a match. Names that prompt an exit include tester, lab, malware, and analyst. These names are commonly used on virtual machines and sandboxes. A check will also be performed to determine the country in which the device is located. The ransomware will exit if the device is in any CIS country, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Iraq, or India.
Anatova ransomware scans for files smaller than 1MB and checks for network shares, although care is taken not to disrupt the operating system during this process and raise a flag before files are encrypted. Once files have been identified, the encryption routine starts. The ransomware uses its own key, so each victim requires a separate key to unlock the encryption.
Once the encryption process has run, the ransom note is dropped on the desktop, the memory is cleaned, and volume shadow copies are overwritten 10 times to ensure files cannot be recovered from local backup files.
The ransom demand is relatively high – Around $700 (10 DASH) per infected machine. Since multiple devices can be infected with a single installation, the total ransom demand could well be considerable.
What is not 100% certain is how the ransomware is being distributed. McAfee detected one sample on a P2P file sharing network which masquerades as a free software program complete with game/application icon to encourage users to download and run the installer. Other attack vectors may also be used. Based on the current distribution vector, a web filter will offer protection against attacks if P2P file sharing/torrents sites are blocked.
The researchers believe Anatova ransomware has been created by highly skilled malware authors who are currently distributing a prototype of the ransomware. More widespread attacks are to be expected once this testing phase has been completed.
Hackers are taking advantage of poor Wi-Fi security to attack small businesses. This post covers simple steps to take to improve Wi-Fi security to block cyberattacks.
Small businesses can implement a robust firewall to protect against cyberattacks, but the Wi-Fi router is often a weak point. A Wi-Fi router providers wireless coverage for your business and it is a likely attack vector if security is lax. By attacking wireless routers, hackers can bypass your firewall.
Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to improve Wi-Fi security and block attacks. Seven simple steps to take to improve Wi-Fi security have been listed below.
Simple Steps for Small Businesses to Take to Improve Wi-Fi Security
Some of the steps below are obvious security measures, but there have been many instances when small businesses have overlooked these simple protections, only for them to be exploited by hackers.
Change Router Admin Credentials
Changing default credentials is one of the easiest but most important steps to take to improve Wi-Fi security. Because it is so simple, no business should be guilty of this security faux pas, but many are, even large businesses. In November, a school system discovered that its WAN provider had not changed the passwords on routers that had been in use for years. This is not the login for Wi-Fi, but the password for the router itself. These default administrator passwords can be found with a simple Internet search.
Disable Remote Administration on Your Router
Many wireless routers allow users to access and change router settings from outside the network. For the majority of businesses, remote administration is not necessary so it should be disabled. While this setting can be convenient, there are other more secure ways to access router settings remotely such as using a VPN. Allowing remote administration makes it far too easy for hackers to access your router.
Monitor Your DNS Settings
In January 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an emergency directive to all government agencies instructing them to perform an urgent audit of their DNS records after it was discovered that a threat group was targeting government agencies and changing their DNS records. By hijacking the DNS, all employees could be directed to malicious websites – clones of legitimate sites. Businesses that do not have an internal DNS server often use their wireless routers for this. Businesses should regularly monitor their DNS settings to ensure that no changes have been made.
Limit the Range of Your Wi-Fi Signal
You will want to make sure that everyone on the premises can access your Wi-Fi network, but it is important that no one outside your offices can do so too. If your Wi-Fi signal is too strong, it could be accessed by someone outside your offices and out of sight – In a car parked in your lot for instance. An overly strong Wi-Fi signal makes it easy for an attacker to conduct brute force attacks without being seen.
Keep Firmware Updated
New router firmware will be periodically released by the manufacturer and, as with all other software updates, they should be applied as soon as possible. Firmware updates are issued to improve security and functionality. They address known vulnerabilities for which exploits exist. Some routers will be set to update automatically, others may require a manual update through the web-based interface. Be sure to check the manufacturers web page, as your router may no longer be supported, which means it is time for an upgrade.
Make Use of Your Guest Network
One of the most important security measures is to segment your network and this is especially important for Wi-Fi. You should not allow any untrusted device to connect to your network, such as those used by visitors. You should have a separate SSID for your employees and guests. This will keep guests away from your primary network.
Ensure Your Wi-Fi Network is Encrypted
You should ensure that your Wi-Fi network is encrypted with WPA as an absolute minimum. Without encryption your network will be open and hackers will be able to intercept wireless traffic. Currently the encryption standard is WPA2, although this will change to WPA3 in 2019. If you are planning on replacing your Wi-Fi router, make sure the new model supports WPA3. If your router only supports WEP it is time to upgrade.
Hackers are increasingly targeting small businesses. These 10 cybersecurity tips for small businesses can be implemented to improve security, prevent successful cyberattacks, and avoid costly data breaches.
Many small business owners misguidedly think that their company is too small to be a target for hackers but cyberattacks on small businesses are common and they are increasing. A successful attack on a Fortune 500 company is likely to be far more profitable for the hacker, but also much harder. Small businesses are relatively easy targets and attacks can be highly profitable.
Small business owners cannot afford to take cybersecurity lightly. A successful cyberattack could prove catastrophic. With this in mind, we have compiled 10 cybersecurity tips for small businesses that can easily be implemented to improve security. We hope you find these small business cybersecurity tips useful for improving your security posture.
Top Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses
Implement a Robust Firewall
A firewall is a cybersecurity solution that sits between a small business network and the outside world and prevents unauthorized individuals from gaining access to the network and stored data. Not all firewalls are created equal. Extra investment in a next generation firewall is money well spent. Don’t forget to also protect remote workers. Ensure that they are also protected by a firewall.
Create and Enforce Password Policies
You should implement password policies that require all users to set strong, secure passwords. A strong, unique password should be used for all systems. Passwords should include capitals, lower-case letters, a number, and a special character, and should be at least 10 digits long. Teach employees how to create secure passwords and enforce your password policies. Consider using a password manager so passwords do not need to be remembered. Consult NIST for the latest password guidance.
Security Awareness Training
Make sure you provide the workforce with regular security awareness training. This is the only way that you can create a culture of cybersecurity. Be sure to cover the security basics, safe Internet use, how to handle sensitive data, creation of passwords, and mobile device security. You should provide training to help employees avoid phishing attacks and consider phishing simulation exercises to test the effectiveness of your training program.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Multi-factor authentication involves the use of a password and at least one other method of authentication. If login credentials are compromised, an additional factor is required to gain access to an account or the network such as an SMS message to a user’s smartphone.
Backups
It is essential to have a good backup policy. In the event of disaster, such as a ransomware attack, you need to be able to recover critical data. Backups must also be tested to make sure files can be recovered. Don’t wait until disaster strikes to test whether data can be recovered. A good strategy is the 3-2-1 approach. Three backup copies, on two different types of media, with one copy stored securely offsite.
Software and Firmware Updates
Vulnerabilities are regularly found in computer software. Patches are released to correct those vulnerabilities, including those that are being actively exploited. Make sure patches are applied promptly, software is kept 100% up to date, and the most up to date firmware has been installed. Implement automatic updates where possible and create a schedule for updates if they need to be performed manually.
Network Segmentation
It is a standard best practice to segment networks and split them into subnetworks. Not only will this improve security it can also improve performance. By preventing access between segments, if one part of the network is compromised, an attacker will not have access to all systems and data. Also make sure you limit access to sensitive data and restrict the use of admin credentials. Apply the rule of least privilege. Do not give employees access to data, networks, and software that they do not need for day to day work duties.
Implement a Spam Filter
Arguably the biggest cyber threat that small businesses face is phishing. A single phishing email could allow an attacker to bypass your perimeter defenses and obtain login credentials or install malware. An advanced spam filter will allow you to improve productivity by blocking non-malicious spam emails and prevent phishing emails from being delivered to inboxes.
Secure Wi-Fi Networks
If you have a wireless network in your workplace it needs to be protected. Ensure that it is secured, data are encrypted, and that it is hidden and does not broadcast its SSID. Use WPA2 for encryption (or WPA3 if possible). Change default passwords and ensure your wireless router cannot be accessed from outside the network.
Consider Implementing a Web Filter
A web filter provides protection against web-based attacks by preventing employees from visiting phishing websites and sites that host malware.
A DNS-based web filter can protect wired and wireless networks and even remote workers. It will block malware downloads and prevent users from accessing dangerous websites and those that serve no work purpose thus improving productivity.
Email archiving for small businesses is now more important than ever. Not only do state and federal laws and industry regulations require data to be retained for long periods, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has introduced new requirements for businesses covering email retention. These requirements for email are best met by using an email archiving solution, although many small businesses are still relying on email backups for long term email storage.
Are Email Backups and Email Archives the Same?
In basic terms, an email backup and an email archive serve a similar purpose. They both allow emails to be stored so they can be recovered if needed. However, there are important differences between an email backup and an email archive, which have become even more important since the introduction of the GDPR.
Emails may need to be recovered for a variety of reasons: An important email is lost, a mailbox has been corrupted, emails need to be reproduced for an audit, for legal discovery, or if a customer exercises their right to be forgotten under the GDPR.
Backups are useful, but they are far from ideal for most of the above reasons. Backups allow email data to be restored in the event of loss if a mailbox has been corrupted – Due to a ransomware attack or a hardware failure for instance. In such cases, email backups allow the email system to be quickly restored to the point when the backup was made.
A backup is simply a copy of email data and allows data to be restored to a specific moment in time – the last known point before a data corruption event occurred. A backup is ideal as a short-term solution to protect against data loss. Each time a backup is made, it typically replaces a previous copy. This means that it is possible for emails to be lost. If an email is deleted or corrupted, and a new backup is made that overwrites the last copy, deleted and corrupted emails may be lost forever. Restoring backups may require the entire mailbox to be restored, even when only a few emails need to be recovered, which is hardly ideal.
How Does an Email Archive Differ from an Email Backup?
With an email archive, emails are moved from the mail system into the archive for long term storage. In addition to emails, tasks, email attachments, and calendars can be archived. Many companies choose to implement an archive not for disaster recovery, as backups are still used for that purpose, but to decreases the workload of an email server, improve performance, and eliminate the need for mailbox limits and PST files.
One of the most important differences between a backup and an email archive is an archive is searchable, which makes it a quick and easy process to find a specific email or set of email messages if they ever need to be recovered. They could be emails sent to or from a specific person, emails that contain an individual’s personal data, or emails relating to a specific person or event.
Backups allows emails to be retained and restored, but backups are not searchable. If an email is lost or needs to be recovered, finding messages can be a very time-consuming process.
In the event of legal action against a company, as part of the eDiscovery process, an organization will have to produce emails related to the case. A limited amount of time is provided to respond, so it is essential that information can be found quickly and efficiently. The same is true for compliance audits, GDPR requests, and when complaints are received from customers.
In contrast to a backup, emails that are archived cannot be lost as no data is overwritten. Archives are also tamper-proof and an audit trail is maintained, ensuring legal compliance. Failure to retain data, missing deadlines for producing data, and accidental deletion of email data can result in major financial penalties. Those fines can prove catastrophic for small businesses. Email archiving for small businesses ensures that these issues never arise.
With an email archive, emails are instantly encrypted to prevent data from being intercepted or accessed by unauthorized individuals and, with cloud-based archives, there is no limit on storage space. Users can continue to use their mail clients or browsers and can easily access archived emails. Email archives are easy to use, manage, maintain, and it is quick and easy process to recover emails on demand.
In short, email archiving for small businesses:
Adds legal safeguards
Ensures protection against data loss
Maintains an audit trail for legal compliance
Ensures emails can be quickly found and recovered
Eliminates the need for mailbox quotas and PST files
Improves efficiency and productivity
Allows long term storage of emails to meet regulatory requirements
TitanHQ has developed ArcTitan to meet the needs of small- to medium-sized businesses and managed service providers (MSPs). ArcTitan is a lightning-fast email archiving solution for small businesses that archives emails at a rate of 200 messages a second and can search 30 million emails a second.
ArcTitan is a very competitively priced secure email archiving solution that is easy to set up and use and will allow businesses to meet their legal responsibilities with respect to email retention. The solution works with all major email clients and integrates seamlessly with Office 365.
If you have any questions about email archiving for small businesses, if you want to set up an email archive, or would like information on the best solution to meet the needs for your business, contact the TitanHQ team today.
The news headlines frequently warn businesses of the need to improve cybersecurity protections to thwart hackers, but not all threats come from outside the company. There are various types of insider threats that need to be managed and mitigated, yet these are all too often overlooked or insufficient controls are put in place to reduce the risk of a deliberate or accidental breach.
What are Insider Threats?
An insider threat is one that comes from within the company, typically an employee who accidentally or deliberately takes an action that causes harm or loss to the company.
Hackers attack companies to gain access to their networks to spy on companies, obtain secrets, steal data or sabotage systems. Breaking through perimeter defenses can be time consuming and difficult but if an insider wants to steal data or sabotage a system, it is far easier as they already have network access.
Not all insider threats involve intentional malicious actions by employees. An employee can also act in a way that negatively affects their company without intending to cause any harm.
This could be intentionally violating company policies in a non-malicious manner. An example would be the installation of software to save the employee time or to allow them to work more efficiently. Installing unauthorized software carries a risk of a malware or spyware infection. An employee could violate company policies which could lead to an accidental data breach. Then there is human error, such as sending an email containing sensitive information to the wrong person. Such actions could prove costly.
Businesses need to protect against all insider threats if they are to avoid costly data breaches. A great many data breaches result from too little focus on cybersecurity defenses to block the threat from within.
Malicious Acts by Employees
Anyone that has access to sensitive company data could potentially abuse their access rights to view or steal data. There is no particular profile of a malicious insider. Everyone could decide one day to steal information or sabotage systems, but you can protect against malicious insiders and manage the risk.
Cover insider threats in security awareness training and encourage employees to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. Provide them with an easy way to report their concerns.
Implement tools that monitor for anomalous behavior
Implement controls to prevent the use of portable storage devices such as thumb drives
Implement tools that prevent employees from downloading and running certain files types – Executable files for instance.
Apply the rule of least privilege – Don’t let employees access data/systems that they do not need to access to complete their day to day work duties
Accidents Will Happen…
The insider threats that can be the hardest to defend against are mistakes by employees. These types of insider threats include responding to a phishing email and disclosing login credentials, sending sensitive data to the wrong email recipient, accidentally visiting malicious websites, and inadvertently downloading malware. These threats need to be managed and mitigated through policies and procedures, training, and software solutions.
…But You Can Minimize Risk!
Phishing is arguably the biggest threat. Hackers know all too well that people make mistakes and can easily be fooled. Priority number one should be blocking phishing emails and making sure they are not delivered. For that you need an advanced spam filter. The more phishing emails that are blocked, the lower the risk of a click.
Security awareness training is also essential. When a phishing email lands in an inbox, employees need to have the skills to recognize it as such. Provide training and make the training interesting to engage employees. Interactive training courses can help in that respect. Make sure you test your employees’ knowledge afterwards with phishing email simulations. They will let you know who has taken the training on board and who needs further training.
Training needs to cover all security threats, not just phishing. Teach employees security best practices, including checking badges before allowing someone into the building, password security, keeping credentials private, and safe use of WiFi.
Another important technical control to implement is a web filter. A web filter allows businesses to control what employees can do online. They block access to phishing websites, block drive-by malware downloads, and prevent employees from visiting questionable websites that carry a high risk of malware infections or malvertising redirects: Adult sites and torrents/P2P file sharing sites for instance. Some web filters will also keep employees safe and secure when working remotely.
The important thing for businesses is not to leave things to chance or to assume they are too small to worry about insider threats and data breaches. Every business is at risk, regardless of size.
For further information on software solutions that can protect against data security threats give the TitanHQ team a call.
