By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
The Indian government is set to train 5,000 cyber commandos over the next five years, while the Feds crack down on the white supremacist group ‘Terrorgram’ for inciting terrorism via Telegram. Meanwhile, CosmicBeetle has unveiled a new ransomware, ‘ScRansom,’ targeting SMBs globally, and researchers warn that Chinese hackers are exploiting open-source tools to launch cyberattacks. Additionally, a Washington school district has shut down for two days following a major cyberattack.
Stay tuned for the latest global cyber updates.
India to Train 5,000 Cyber Commandos in Bold Push Against Cybercrime
The Indian government is set to prepare 5,000 cyber commandos over the next five years to combat the rising tide of cybercrime in the country. This initiative, launched by Home Minister Amit Shah on September 10, 2024, marks a major step in safeguarding India’s digital infrastructure.
The specialized cyber commandos, drawn from police units across states, Union Territories, and central police organizations, will protect IT networks, lead cyberspace investigations, and address security needs across government and law enforcement agencies. Their mission: proactively prevent and neutralize cyber threats before they strike.
Feds Crack Down on White Supremacist Group ‘Terrorgram’ for Inciting Terrorism via Telegram
Two leaders of the white supremacist group, Terrogram Collective, have been indicted on terrorism and hate crime charges for using Telegram to spread extremist ideologies and coordinate attacks.
Dallas Humber from California and Matthew Allison from Idaho were arrested for encouraging hate crimes and providing detailed guidance for terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure and government officials. The indictment highlights the growing use of encrypted platforms for promoting violence and organizing domestic terror threats.
Chinese Hackers Exploit Open-Source Tools to Launch Cyber Attacks, Warn Researchers
Cybersecurity researchers at Natto Thoughts have uncovered that Chinese hackers are abusing open-source tools like Nmap to execute sophisticated cyberattacks.
State-sponsored groups such as APT41 and APT40 are using Nmap to scout and infiltrate global networks, focusing on critical infrastructure. These threat actors demonstrate the increasing importance of reconnaissance tools in modern cyber warfare.
CosmicBeetle Unveils New Ransomware ‘ScRansom’ in Global SMB Attacks
The threat actor known as CosmicBeetle has launched a custom ransomware strain called ScRansom, targeting small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
Working as an affiliate for RansomHub, CosmicBeetle is shifting from its previous ransomware, Scarab, to ScRansom, continually improving its techniques to compromise industries like manufacturing, healthcare, education, and financial services.
Washington School District Shuts Down for Two Days After Cyberattack
A Seattle-area school district, Highline Public Schools, serving over 17,000 students, remains closed for the second day due to a cyberattack that has left critical network systems offline.
The district has been investigating unauthorized activity since the attack, with no public confirmation of the attack’s nature or responsible party. The closures have disrupted education and school activities as the district prioritizes student safety and system recovery.
Maltese Government Moves to Legalize Ethical Hacking After Major Incident
The Maltese government is drafting new legislation to support ethical hacking, Prime Minister Robert Abela announced. The move comes after criminal charges were filed against students who identified vulnerabilities in Malta’s largest student app, FreeHour.
The proposed legal framework, designed to protect white-hat hackers, will soon undergo public consultation and aims to foster a secure environment for ethical cybersecurity practices in Malta.
