Security Experts Targeted by Malware on GitHub

GitHub, Hackers, install updates, malicious websites, malware, Ophtek, POC, proof of concept, , , , , , ,
12
Sep 2023

It’s always important to be cautious online, but it’s easy for people to fall victim to malware. Even security experts can fall for the tricks of hackers. 

Yes, even those skilled and highly experienced security researchers can find themselves on the receiving end of malware. The most recent piece of evidence for this phenomena is an attack which is as brazen as it is powerful. It revolves around a piece of bait left, by threat actors, on GitHub, an online repository for developers to store and share their code. And it was a piece of code, disguised as a highly tempting piece of software for a security expert, which led to many of these professionals being left embarrassed.  

How Were the Experts Fooled? 

The GitHub attack involved a piece of software being made available which claimed to be a proof-of-concept (POC). Typically, a POC is a demonstration of a software project, and is used to determine how feasible the project is and the potential of its long-term success. For a security researcher, a POC is a useful way to test for security vulnerabilities, and this is why they are frequently downloaded and analyzed. 

However, this specific ‘POC’ proved to be little more than malware in disguise. Within the fake POC structure was a malware downloader, which was used to download malware and set off a chain of malicious events. Once the malware was downloaded, it began by executing a Linux script to automate specific commands. This allowed the threat actors to start stealing data, which was automatically downloaded to a remote location, by scraping the entire directory of the infected PC. 

The fake POC also allowed the threat actors to gain full access to any of the infected systems. This was achieved by adding their secure shell (a protocol for operating network services) to the authorized keys file on the infected system. All of this was made possible, for the threat actors, due to a vulnerability – known as CVE-2023-35829 – discovered in the Linux operating system, an OS usually used by software developers. 

Avoid the Mistakes of the Experts 

You may be thinking that, if a security expert can fall victim to malware, what hope do you have in the face of targeted attacks? However, as we know, nobody is 100% immune from the efforts of threat actors, and this includes security researchers. As ever, vigilance is key to maintaining the security of your IT infrastructure: 

  • Be wary of malicious websites: while GitHub is far from malicious, the people using it often are. This means you should always do some research on what you’re downloading and who you’re downloading it from. So, for example, try Googling the username of whoever is offering you a download, and see whether there are any trustworthy results or otherwise. Alternatively, ask an IT professional to take a look and assess the risk – contrary to the GitHub attack, they can usually spot malware from a mile away. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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How to Future Proof Your IT Infrastructure in 2023 

Cloud, future, new technology, Ophtek, proof your IT infrastructure, security, virtualization, , , , , , ,
05
Sep 2023

Technology advances at a rapid pace, and this means you need to build scalability into your IT infrastructure to maintain future productivity. 

Businesses need to future proof their IT infrastructure to ensure long-term success and sustainability. After all, technology is constantly evolving, and failing to adapt can result in outdated systems which hinder growth, productivity, and competitiveness. But if you adopt a culture of future proofing, you can minimize this risk by using new technology to enhance scalability and maximize your productivity. Implementing scalability, however, is easier said than done. And that’s why we’ve decided to give you a head start with some suggestions. 

The Best Future Proofing Methods for Success 

If you want to make sure that your IT infrastructure remains relevant and keeps one eye on the future, make sure you adopt these best practices for future proofing: 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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Microsoft Teams at Risk of Letting Malware In 

install updates, malware, Microsoft Teams, Ophtek, Phishing, security, , , , ,
29
Aug 2023


Microsoft Teams has experienced a surge in popularity among businesses since the pandemic, and this makes it a highly prized target for hackers. 

Businesses find Microsoft Teams a powerful tool as it allows employees to work remotely, communicate and be productive. And it’s all through one app. This is why it’s a fantastic business solution and used by 280 million people. Naturally, the size of this audience is going to turn a threat actor’s head. Where there are high numbers of users, there’s an opportunity for malware to be successful. And that’s why the discovery of a vulnerability in Teams has caused so much concern. 

The Vulnerability Lying Within Microsoft Teams 

One of the main uses of Teams is as a communication tool, and this means that the potential for spreading malware via file transfers and linked hard drives is high. But this newly discovered vulnerability is very different. Therefore, it’s important you understand the threat it poses. 

Now, Microsoft Teams allows you to communicate with a wide range of people within your organization. It also allows you to communicate with external parties e.g. subcontractors, clients and facility management teams. Usually, these external users are unable to transmit files to other organizations through Teams. And this is a good thing, as it lowers the risk of malware being sent between businesses. 

However, the security protocols which are in place to stop unauthorized file sending can, it turns out, be compromised. Once this vulnerability is exploited, a threat actor can start sending malware direct to the Teams inbox of staff within that business. Often, the threat actors are increasing the chances of their attack being successful by setting up similar email addresses to that of their target. All it takes is for one employee to open the malware and it can start to spread. 

While the incoming message will still be tagged as “External”, the busy nature of many employees’ days means that it’s likely this message will be ignored. Also, this method of attack is relatively new. Users are well drilled in the telltale signs of a phishing email, but a Teams instant message is very different. Accordingly, the risk of falling victim to this attack is concerning. 

Staying Safe on Microsoft Teams 


Curiously, Microsoft has advised that this vulnerability doesn’t, at present, warrant fixing. No doubt, at some point, it will be patched, but for now you should remain cautious. To help strengthen your defenses, make sure you practice the following: 

  • Always update: there’s never an excuse for not carrying out software updates once they are available. It’s the quickest and simplest way to plug weak points in your cyber defenses, so, if they are not already in place, setting up automatic updates should be your priority. 
  • Reduce your availability: it’s possible to limit your communication through Teams to specific domains only. Again, this reduces your risk by ensuring that your staff can only communicate with trusted sources and not threat actors operating from similar, yet malicious domains. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals. 

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The Importance of an SOC and NOC in Business IT 

Backup, monitoring, network, NOC, Ophtek, security, SOC, Uncategorized, Updates, , , , , , ,
15
Aug 2023

Every business wants their IT infrastructure to be secure, so it’s crucial that you understand all your options. And two of the best are an SOC and an NOC. 

A Security Operations Center (SOC) and a Network Operations Center (NOC) are exciting options for your defenses, but not everyone knows what they are. The good news is that both of these options, which can be based in-house or outsourced to external contractors, are here to protect your IT operations. And they both do this with a high level of sophistication, which ensures that cybersecurity threats are quickly identified and nullified. 

How Does an SOC Protect Your IT Infrastructure? 

Integrating an SOC into your cybersecurity strategies is one of the quickest ways to enhance your defenses. In short, an SOC is a dedicated team of professionals who can provide 24/7 monitoring of your IT systems. Their main duties include: 

Why Does Your Organization Need an NOC? 

IT networks are complex, highly complex. This means that monitoring them effectively is difficult, but crucial when it comes to securing them. It’s difficult for your standard IT team to dedicate themselves to this task, so this is why the emergence of NOCs is so exciting for organizations. With an NOC supporting your IT infrastructure, you can expect 24/7 coverage in the following areas: 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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