Uncovering CDW Data Leak & OpenAI's AI Chip Plans

Uncovering CDW Data Leak & OpenAI's AI Chip Plans

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Impending Leaked Data of CDW by LockBit Cybercrime Gang
   • Failed ransomware negotiations
   • Cybercriminals' claims and CDW's response
3. Open AI's Consideration of Developing its Own AI Chips
   • Growing chip shortage affecting AI model training
   • Exploring strategies for AI chip development
4. NSA and CISA Reveal the Top 10 Cybersecurity Misconfigurations
   • Common cybersecurity misconfigurations found in large organization networks
   • Vulnerabilities and malicious purposes
   • Secure by Design practices recommended
5. Thousands of Android Devices with Unkillable Backdoors Pre-installed
   • Cheap Android TV streaming boxes found with pre-installed backdoors
   • Potential impact and fraudulent activities
6. Critical Zero-day Bug in Atlassian Confluence Under Active Exploit
   • Remote exploit vulnerability in Confluence server
   • Unauthorized admin accounts and sensitive data access
   • Patching and mitigation measures
7. Google and Yahoo to Mandate DEMAR Authentication Technology
   • Requirements for email senders using Google and Yahoo platforms
   • Enhanced email security against impersonation
   • Promotion of broader DEMAR adoption
8. Resource of the Week: Fish.report
   • Comprehensive tool for combating brand impersonation and phishing attacks
   • Features and benefits for tracking and analyzing fishing campaigns
9. Upcoming Events
   • ChannelPro SMB Forum
   • TryCraft Tuesday: Using Memory Forensics for Investigations
   • Selling Cybersecurity Solutions as an MSP
   • IoT Compass Signature Event
10. Wrap-up and Feedback

The Impending Leaked Data of CDW by LockBit Cybercrime Gang

In this shocking story, we Delve into the impending data leak of CDW, a major global reseller, by the LockBit cybercrime gang. The breach was a result of failed ransomware negotiations, with LockBit claiming that CDW's offer was too low, leading to their decision to make all the data public. Despite the ongoing incident, CDW has remained silent, not issuing any official statements or responses. As the countdown timer approaches, questions arise about the potential impact of this data leak on CDW, its customers, and the broader cybersecurity landscape.

Open AI's Consideration of Developing its Own AI Chips

As the chip shortage continues to affect AI model training, Open AI is considering taking matters into its own hands by developing its own AI chips. With leading chipmaker NVIDIA's AI chips constantly sold out, Open AI is exploring strategies such as acquiring an AI chip manufacturer or designing chips in-house. While GPUs are crucial for Open AI's operations, their high cost and limited availability present challenges. The development of purpose-built AI hardware could revolutionize AI model development, offering higher efficiency and lower power consumption.

NSA and CISA Reveal the Top 10 Cybersecurity Misconfigurations

In a much-needed move, the NSA and CISA have revealed the top 10 most common cybersecurity misconfigurations found in large organization networks. These misconfigurations pose significant vulnerabilities and are frequently exploited by threat actors for various malicious purposes. Among the issues listed are inadequate user and admin privilege separation, insufficient network monitoring, poor access controls, and uncontrolled code execution. The advisory emphasizes the importance of secure-by-design practices among software manufacturers and includes recommendations for effective mitigation measures.

Thousands of Android Devices with Unkillable Backdoors Pre-installed

A startling discovery by researchers at Human Security reveals that thousands of Android devices, including TV streaming boxes and tablets, come with unremovable backdoors pre-installed. These compromised devices, which potentially impact around 200 Android models, are found in homes, businesses, and schools across the US. The built-in backdoor allows unauthorized access to apps and communication with a Chinese server. The fraudulent activities linked to these devices range from advertising fraud to counterfeit accounts and remote code installation.

Critical Zero-day Bug in Atlassian Confluence Under Active Exploit

Atlassian Confluence, a widely used collaboration software, is currently facing a critical zero-day vulnerability that is actively being exploited. This remotely exploitable flaw, uncommon for privilege escalation issues, is a significant threat to on-premises instances of Confluence. It could enable attackers to Create unauthorized admin accounts and gain access to sensitive data. Atlassian has released patches to address the issue, urging immediate action by organizations to update their software and implement mitigation measures.

Google and Yahoo to Mandate DEMAR Authentication Technology

In a move to enhance email security and combat impersonation, Google and Yahoo are requiring companies sending over 5,000 emails to adopt Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DEMAR) technology. This technology adds an extra layer of protection against spoofing through SPF, DKIM, and DMARC protocols. By notifying domain name owners about potential email spoofing attempts, companies can ensure better email sender verification and reduce the risk of phishing attacks. While half of email senders have adopted DEMAR, strict enforcement is significantly lower, highlighting the need for increased vigilance.

Resource of the Week: Fish.report

Our resource of the week is fish.report, a comprehensive tool designed to combat brand impersonation and phishing attacks. It offers capabilities similar to leading brand protection services, allowing users to track attack timelines, evaluate phishing campaigns, and collaborate effectively. The tool also provides features like hosting provider analysis, step-by-step response guidance, and real-time detection of phishing sites. By leveraging an open-source signature language, fish.report enhances security controls and enables proactive identification and takedown of emerging impersonation sites.

These were just a few of the top stories and notable mentions in cybersecurity and technology this week. Stay informed and aware of the latest developments to protect yourself and your organization from cyber threats.

Highlights:

• CDW faces imminent leak of data by LockBit cybercrime gang due to failed ransomware negotiations.
• Open AI considers developing its own AI chips amidst a chip shortage affecting AI model training.
• NSA and CISA reveal top 10 cyber security misconfigurations found in large organization networks.
• Thousands of Android devices come with unkillable backdoors pre-installed, impacting around 200 models.
• Critical zero-day bug in Atlassian Confluence actively exploited, allowing unauthorized admin accounts and access to sensitive data.
• Google and Yahoo mandate DEMAR authentication technology to enhance email security.
• Fish.report offers comprehensive tools to combat brand impersonation and phishing attacks.

FAQ:

Q: What is the LockBit cybercrime gang and what do they do? A: LockBit is a notorious cybercrime gang known for ransomware attacks and data breaches. They target organizations by encrypting their data and demanding ransom payments for its release. In the case of CDW, the gang decided to leak the data after failed negotiations.

Q: How can organizations protect themselves from the top 10 cybersecurity misconfigurations? A: To protect against the top 10 cybersecurity misconfigurations, organizations should implement secure-by-design practices, including robust security controls, early integration of security into the development process, and elimination of default passwords. Additionally, measures such as network segmentation, access control management, and regular patching should be implemented and closely monitored.

Q: Is the use of purpose-built AI chips more efficient in AI model development? A: Yes, purpose-built AI chips can greatly enhance the efficiency of AI model development. These chips are specifically designed for AI tasks, allowing for faster processing, lower power consumption, and improved performance. By leveraging purpose-built hardware, organizations can maximize their AI capabilities and achieve better results in training and inference processes.