By Ashwani Mishra, Editor-Technology, 63SATS
In a wave of cyber-related incidents, Russia faced an unprecedented DDoS attack during the BRICS summit, targeting the Foreign Ministry’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Microsoft issued a warning about Chinese disinformation efforts aimed at influencing U.S. elections through the Taizi Flood troll network. A data breach at Autobell Car Wash exposed over 52,000 individuals’ information, while a cyberattack on Winnebago Public Schools in Nebraska forced an early closure. Amid growing concerns, nearly 70% of business leaders, according to Fortinet’s report, are worried about employee cybersecurity awareness as AI-driven cyberattacks rise. Meta introduced facial recognition technology for account recovery, marking a shift towards advanced identity verification methods in social media security.
Stay tuned for more information on the global cyber front.
Russia Faces ‘Unprecedented’ Cyberattack During BRICS Summit
The Russian Foreign Ministry encountered a major cyberattack on Wednesday, coinciding with the BRICS summit in the country, according to ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. The attack, described as “unprecedented,” was a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that targeted the ministry’s infrastructure, including the official website.
Zakharova emphasized that the attack originated from foreign sources, disrupting the ministry’s online operations. The timing of the cyberattack, happening during a significant international event, raises concerns about external entities attempting to destabilize or disrupt Russia’s diplomatic engagements.
Microsoft Warns of Chinese Disinformation Targeting U.S. Elections
Microsoft has issued a warning that Chinese-controlled social media bots are attempting to influence U.S. elections, particularly targeting voters in states like Alabama, Texas, and Tennessee. The coordinated disinformation campaign has also been aimed at disparaging several Republican lawmakers, including Florida Senator Marco Rubio.
The troll network, identified as Taizi Flood, has been linked to China’s Ministry of Public Security. According to Microsoft, this group has engaged in spreading antisemitic content, accusations of corruption, and promoting opposition candidates, primarily targeting those who have previously criticized Chinese government policies.
Autobell Car Wash Data Breach Affects Over 52,000 Individuals
Autobell Car Wash has reported a significant data breach that exposed sensitive information of 52,714 individuals. The breach, which occurred between April 1 and April 7, 2024, allowed unauthorized parties to gain access to confidential data stored in the company’s network. The company has since launched an investigation and started notifying affected customers.
In response, Autobell has taken measures to strengthen its security protocols and ensure the breach does not happen again. The incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of businesses to cyberattacks and the importance of robust data protection strategies.
Nebraska School Closes Early Following Cyberattack
A cyberattack on Winnebago Public Schools in Nebraska forced the institution to send students home early on Tuesday. The school announced that the attack disrupted critical systems, leading to the early dismissal and the cancellation of classes on Wednesday, October 23. Superintendent Kamau Turner stated that the breach had affected key services like phones and internet.
Efforts to restore operations are ongoing, with the school team working diligently to address the breach. Turner asked for patience from the school community as some services might experience intermittent disruptions while the system is brought back to full functionality.
70% of Business Leaders Concerned About Employees’ Cybersecurity Awareness
A significant portion of business leaders—nearly 70%—believe that their employees lack critical cybersecurity knowledge, up sharply from 56% in 2023. This insight comes from Fortinet’s 2024 Security Awareness and Training Global Research Report, which highlights growing concerns over AI-driven cyberattacks. Over 60% of respondents expect AI-enhanced attacks to become more prevalent, complicating employees’ ability to detect them.
To address these threats, 80% of companies are ramping up cybersecurity training programs. Many are delivering regular awareness campaigns, with 34% doing so monthly and 47% quarterly. The report emphasizes the need for engaging, high-quality content to help employees recognize evolving cyber risks.
Meta Introduces Facial Recognition for Account Recovery
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced a new security initiative using facial recognition technology to help users recover compromised accounts. This innovation involves users submitting video selfies for identity verification, streamlining the account recovery process, particularly for victims of scams or celebrity impersonations.
This new method is intended to simplify and speed up recovery efforts, making it more efficient than traditional document-based verification. Meta’s decision follows the success of LinkedIn’s identity verification rollout in 2023, reflecting a broader industry trend toward integrating advanced technologies for security purposes.