Ping - A Firewalls.com Podcast

Multifactor authentication (MFA) is fast becoming a requirement for a secure business network. Not only that, it's becoming a requirement for a business to qualify for the added protection of cyber insurance. WatchGuard Technologies Director of Authentication Alexandre Cagnoni takes us through why multi-factor authentication is so important in the current cyber threat landscape for businesses of all sizes. He also explains why cyber insurers consider it vital. And then, he shares how WatchGuard AuthPoint makes implementing MFA simple for the organization and its employees. Hint: There's an app for that.Read a recent article on the subject by Alexandre here: https://www.securityinfowatch.com/cybersecurity/information-security/breach-detection/article/21229613/how-hackers-bypass-mfa-and-ways-to-stop-them.And find WatchGuard AuthPoint here: https://www.firewalls.com/brands/watchguard/cloud-security/watchguard-authpoint.html.In headlines, we discuss a Robinhood data theft, a discovery of breaches across key sectors, and an international ransomware bust.See the stories:Robinhood security breach compromised data of 7 million usershttps://www.engadget.com/robinhood-users-compromised-security-breach-063802932.html Hackers have breached organizations in defense and other sensitive sectors, security firm sayshttps://www.cnn.com/2021/11/07/politics/hackers-defense-contractors-energy-health-care-nsa/index.htmlRansomware crackdown spreads in U.S., Europe and Asiahttps://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/ransomware-crackdown-spreads-us-europe-asia-rcna4829Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Cybersecurity Awareness Month turns 18 this October 2021. And just like other 18-year olds, it's graduated from dealing with fairly straight-forward problems to facing complex issues. But National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) Interim Executive Director Lisa Plaggemier tells us, that there are a few simple steps individuals and businesses can take to Be Cyber Smart (that's also #becybersmart). Her top two: strong passwords and MFA (multifactor authentication).Lisa also discusses the origins of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the evolution of the threat landscape, how awareness has improved, challenges in cyber careers, and much more. Find resources about the month, and general cyber awareness tips at www.staysafeonline.org.In the news, we cover a cyber awareness survey of EU businesses, and two ransomware attacks, one on TV and another on candy. Is nothing sacred?See the headlines:Deloitte surveys: businesses have a false sense of cybersecurity caused by positive self-evaluation of their capabilities and the lack of basic defense effortshttps://business-review.eu/tech/online/deloitte-surveys-businesses-have-a-false-sense-of-cybersecurity-caused-by-positive-self-evaluation-of-their-capabilities-and-the-lack-of-basic-defense-efforts-224450 Hacking tool linked with Russian crime ring used in Sinclair ransomware attack, analysts sayhttps://www.cnn.com/2021/10/20/media/sinclair-broadcast-evil-corp-ransomware/index.htmlSticky business: Ransomware hits U.S. candymaker ahead of Halloweenhttps://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/ransomware-hits-us-candymaker-ahead-halloween-rcna3391Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Ransomware infections have been rampant in recent months. But typically, we hear more about the aftermath then what leads to a successful attack. In this episode we get the other angle. Sophos VP of Managed Threat Operations Mat Gangwer shares the multi-week story of an attack, from unpatched vulnerability to execution. The responsible ransomware cell? A new name on the scene called Atom Silo. Hear how they got in, what they did when they were there, and what steps to take to avoid a similar fate.Here's the full story of this attack: https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2021/10/04/atom-silo-ransomware-actors-use-confluence-exploit-dll-side-load-for-stealthy-attack/In the news, we cover a couple of very high profile cyber incidents - the Facebook/Instagram/Whats App outage and the Twitch breach. Plus we discuss burnout among cybersecurity pros.See the headlines:Facebook apologizes for second outage in a week, services back uphttps://www.reuters.com/technology/instagram-feeds-not-loading-some-users-2021-10-08/10 Biggest Revelations from the Unprecedented Twitch Leakhttps://www.inverse.com/gaming/twitch-leak-hack-data-breach-streamer-payout-earningsYour cybersecurity team will face burnout, and you need to helphttps://venturebeat.com/2021/10/09/your-cybersecurity-team-will-face-burnout-and-you-need-to-help/Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Zero-trust is the hot term in network security in 2021.  But one reason it's so highly sought out is that many don't know exactly what it means. We called on Fortinet Senior Director of Product Marketing Peter Newton to shed some light on the subject. Peter discusses what makes a zero-trust network philosophy, what steps a company should take to plan for the shift, and what tools can make it easier. Plus, we talk about how the right zero-trust setup makes remote work both easier and more secure simultaneously.Read Peter's blog article on the subject: https://www.fortinet.com/blog/industry-trends/how-to-implement-a-zero-trust-security-strategy In the news, we cover some REvil drama, a new finger pointing at Russia, and states' troubles filling cybersecurity jobs.See the headlines:REvil Affiliates Confirm : Leadership Were Cheating Dirtbagshttps://threatpost.com/revil-affiliates-leadership-cheated-ransom-payments/174972/ EU 'denounces' Russian malicious cyber activity aimed at member states https://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/573867-eu-denounces-russian-malicious-cyber-activity-aimed-at-member-states States at disadvantage in race to recruit cybersecurity proshttps://apnews.com/article/business-technology-internships-0d7fc0ee18295585292b2e13b62e88f3Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Many if not most workers began working from home in March of 2020, and while the numbers have shifted since, a significant portion are still doing at least some remote work. But according to a survey, neither the remote workers or their company IT staff are too happy about the cybersecurity of it all.For our featured topic this episode, we dive into the HP Wolf Rebellions & Rejections Report, which outlines security frustrations and outright rebellious behavior from work from homers, some misses on the cyber training front from employers, and some perceived scapegoating of IT staff.In the cyber news world, we discuss identity theft of condo collapse victims, a major DDoS attack in Russia, the new National Cyber Director, and an Apple IOS patch to counteract zero-click spyware.  Here are the stories:Florida 'cyber grave robbers' charged with condo collapse ID thefthttps://www.reuters.com/world/us/three-charged-with-stealing-identities-florida-condo-collapse-victims-2021-09-08/Yandex Pummeled by Potent Meris DDoS Botnethttps://threatpost.com/yandex-meris-botnet/169368/Chris Inglis scopes out cyber turfhttps://fcw.com/articles/2021/09/09/inglis-cyber-director-turf.aspxCyber arms dealer exploits new iPhone software vulnerability, affecting most versions, say researchershttps://www.reuters.com/technology/cyber-arms-dealer-exploits-new-apple-iphone-software-vulnerability-affects-most-2021-09-13/Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We previewed cyber security policy under President Biden at the beginning of 2021. But a lot of big things have happened in cybersecurity since then, making now seem a pretty good time to check in on where things stand. So we brought in an expert to help: NextGov's Mariam Baksh. Mariam tells us about the latest developments from the White House relating to cyber policy, including what may really make a difference versus what actions could just be for show. She also discusses why the NIST framework is getting a revisit, the involvement of private industry in the latest policy directions, and more. Read more from Mariam: https://www.nextgov.com/voices/mariam-baksh/15380/. And find her on the Critical Update podcast: https://www.nextgov.com/podcasts/. In headlines, we follow up with more from the T-Mobile data breach, talk about Apple and its privacy compromise, and discuss another ransomware cell calling it quits.  Here are the stories: Updating the T-Mobile Data Breach Storyhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/t-mobile-ceo-apologizes-for-massive-hack-announces-cybersecurity-deal-with-mandiant/Apple Just Traded Your Privacy for $15 Billionhttps://www.inc.com/jason-aten/apple-just-traded-your-privacy-for-15-billion.htmlDiabolical Ransomware Gang Calls It Quitshttps://www.thedailybeast.com/ragnarok-diabolical-ransomware-gang-calls-it-quitsGet info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

While ransomware has taken center stage for several months now, bad actors aren't resting on their laurels with existing tools. Threatpost Senior Editor Tara Seals joins us to discuss a newly discovered malware, dubbed Chaos. We talk about what it resembles, what it may do, and why you should be worried. Plus, Tara tells us why the Friends reunion special led to a spike in online fraud.Read more about Chaos: https://threatpost.com/chaos-malware-ransomware-wiper/168520/. In headlines, we discuss a guilty plea for SIM swapping, a data breach affecting T-Mobile, and some troubling password numbers.  Here are the stories: Hacker Pleads Guilty to SIM Swapping Attacks, Cryptocurrency Thefthttps://www.securityweek.com/hacker-pleads-guilty-sim-swapping-attacks-cryptocurrency-theftT-Mobile investigating claims of customer data breachhttps://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/t-mobile-investigating-claims-customer-data-breach-vice-2021-08-15/Most employees reusing personal passwords to protect corporate datahttps://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/08/16/employees-reusing-personal-passwords/?web_view=trueGet info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening! 

Ransomware takes center stage in SonicWall's Mid-Year Update to its 2021 Cyber Threat Report. Out in late July, the report outlines just how bad the ransomware situation currently is, and Brook Chelmo joins us to take a closer look. We also discuss other highlights including positive news about malware in general and non-standard ports, as well as never before seen threat detection.Get your hands on the report here: https://www.sonicwall.com/2021-cyber-threat-report/.In headlines, we go over a controversial newish online tool, the rebirth(?) of some popular ransomware cells, and harassment in cyber careers.Here are the stories:A Controversial Tool Calls Out Thousands of Hackable Websiteshttps://www.wired.com/story/punkspider-web-site-vulnerabilities/ BlackMatter & Haron: Evil Ransomware Newborns or Rebirthshttps://threatpost.com/ransomware-gangs-haron-blackmatter/168212/ One third of cybersecurity workers have faced harassment at work or online - this initiative aims to stamp it outhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/one-third-of-cybersecurity-workers-have-faced-harassment-at-work-or-online-this-initiative-aims-to-stamp-it-out/ Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We've turned 50, as in 50 episodes old, yet cybersecurity hasn't aged a day since we started. Ok, maybe that's not true. We take a look back over our half a hundred's worth of podcasts, spotlighting some top clips, and seeing where things stand with them now. Highlights include a pre-pandemic prediction of work from home security issues, our first covid-19 Pod from Home, an update on diversity issues in cybersecurity careers, an update on ransomware relating to hospitals and beyond, and a check-in on cyber policy under President Biden. Plus we throw in a little Christmas in July clip to warm your hearts.In headlines, we discuss a scam targeting ecommerce stores involving fraudulent returns, a trove of spyware data connected to an Israeli firm, and China called out for the recent Microsoft Exchange hack.See the stories:Return Scams Jump as Fraudsters Exploit E-commerce Boomhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/return-scams-jump-as-fraudsters-exploit-e-commerce-boom-11626168601?mod=e2tw Leaked NSO Group Data Hints at Widespread Pegasus Spyware Infectionshttps://threatpost.com/nso-group-data-pegasus/167897/U.S. and global allies blame China for widespread cybercrime, including massive Microsoft Exchange hackhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/u-s-global-allies-blame-china-microsoft-exchange-hack-cybercrime/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab7e&linkId=124666975Find the latest from us on our blog https://firewalls.com/blog. Please drop us a rating and review wherever you listen, and feel free to email us at podcast@firewalls.com with any questions/suggestions/concerns.And before we close the episode, we drop in a little thank you to all our guests on the first 50 Ping Podcast episodes. We appreciate them and you for listening!

With ransomware attacks seemingly at a fever pitch of late, the cyber insurance industry has come into stark focus as well, as some companies turn to their insurers to cover a ransom when attacked. But Cyber Research Analyst Jamie MacColl with the UK's Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) tells us cyber insurance is more than just paying ransoms. He discusses his latest research paper, titled "Cyber Insurance and the Cyber Security Challenge," which examines the industry - including the positives and negatives of the current setup. He also tells us what could be done to improve it, from better collaboration, incentives for cyber secure clients, and better government guidance.In headlines, we discuss another major ransomware attack, this one particularly widespread, as well as some Google Play apps that stole Facebook credentials, and why #infosecbikini was trending recently.See the stories:Up to 1,500 businesses affected by ransomware attack, U.S. firm's CEO sayshttps://www.reuters.com/technology/hackers-demand-70-million-liberate-data-held-by-companies-hit-mass-cyberattack-2021-07-05/Google removes popular Android apps that stole Facebook passwordshttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/google-removes-android-apps-stealing-facebook-passwords-192721252.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAGd4Ur2DMwqZlNX5MgSuYbyFBvK7IsagBsxZ5n11U53x8Gwx1-OzxxLiRRe5OkbLOI3BsmbWSbmVIDBzK2EbJVXRWpreJCUtdpoD4eh07OnCuKzjtoZ948npUAPG7OjzgfigwOsrZX1WSyoeAxmXlWEJhoX29UfPVyZ6HrzJ1YnFCybersecurity Workers Flood Twitter With Bikini Pics to Protest Harassmenthttps://www.vice.com/amp/en/article/7kvwgb/cybersecurity-workers-flood-twitter-with-bikini-pics-to-protest-harassmentFind the latest from us on our blog https://firewalls.com/blog. Please drop us a rating and review wherever you listen, and feel free to email us at podcast@firewalls.com with any questions/suggestions/concerns.Thanks very much for listening!

The network perimeter basically no longer exists, and the latest security solutions need to account for the new normal. Aaron Chen and Shane Davis with Sophos join us to talk about how the network security landscape has changed just in the last couple of years, new business cybersecurity and connectivity priorities, and the latest Sophos products that address them, including XDR (extended detection and response) and the XGS firewall series - along with the Xstream protection included within.Learn more about Sophos https://www.firewalls.com/brands/sophos.html.In headlines, we talk US government action on cybersecurity, businesses willing to pay the ransom if attacked, and a nuclear North Korean cyber attack.See the stories:Biden Sets Red Line for Putin Over Ransomware Attackshttps://www.securityweek.com/biden-sets-red-line-putin-over-ransomware-attacksSenators draft bill that would require many entities to report cyber breaches within 24 hourshttps://www.cnn.com/2021/06/16/politics/bill-report-cyber-breach-24-hours/index.html 60% of Businesses Would Consider Paying a Ransomware Demandhttps://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/businesses-consider-paying-ransom North Korea Exploited VPN Flaw to Hack South's Nuclear Research Institutehttps://thehackernews.com/2021/06/north-korea-exploited-vpn-flaw-to-hack.html Find the latest from us on our blog https://firewalls.com/blog. Please drop us a rating and review wherever you listen, and feel free to email us at podcast@firewalls.com with any questions/suggestions/concerns.Thanks very much for listening!

Cybersecurity jobs are there for the taking, whether for prospective students or career changers willing to train, as employers desperately search for qualified staff. Dr. Marc Rogers of Purdue University joins us to talk about the shortage of cybersecurity pros in our home state of Indiana and beyond, and how a new website serves as a cyber career matchmaking tool. Dr. Rogers also discusses Purdue's Cyber Apprenticeship Program, the need for companies of all stripes to recognize their cyber exposure, and the state of cybersecurity and cyber threats today. In cyber headlines, it's a ransomware-a-palooza...Feds recover millions from pipeline ransom hackers, hint at U.S. internet tactichttps://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/u-s-recovers-millions-pipeline-ransom-because-hackers-mistake-n1269889REvil, A Notorious Ransomware Gang, Was Behind JBS Cyberattack, The FBI Sayshttps://www.npr.org/2021/06/03/1002819883/revil-a-notorious-ransomware-gang-was-behind-jbs-cyberattack-the-fbi-saysNew Triple Extortion Tactichttps://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/hackers-jbs-ransomware-new-triple-extortion-tactic Fujifilm confirms ransomware attackhttps://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/95369-fujifilm-confirms-ransomware-attackCapitol Hill vendor hit by ransomware attack: reporthttps://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/557272-capitol-hill-vendor-hit-by-ransomware-attack-report The rise of cybersecurity debthttps://techcrunch.com/2021/06/04/the-rise-of-cybersecurity-debt/?guccounter=1 Find the latest from us on our blog https://firewalls.com/blog. Please drop us a rating and review wherever you listen, and feel free to email us at podcast@firewalls.com with any questions/suggestions/concerns.Thanks very much for listening!

We're fortunate to have two excellent interviews to share on this episode of Ping. First, we discuss the op-ed Cyber Security as Counter-Terrorism: Seeking a Better Debate (https://warontherocks.com/2021/05/cyber-security-as-counter-terrorism-seeking-a-better-debate/) with co-authors Emma Schroeder and Trey Herr with the Atlantic Council's Cyber Statecraft Initiative. They suggest the way many view cyber crime as being single, major catastrophic events is wrong, when in reality cyber crime is similar to real-world terrorism, with an ongoing landscape of danger. Hear some tips they offer to better address vulnerabilities and reframe the conversation.Then, in lieu of our regular headlines segment, we welcome writer and former IT pro Lance Whitney to discuss the status of the DarkSide ransomware group following the Colonial Pipeline attack, plus a ransomware warning to healthcare organizations shared by the FBI. And finally, we touch on a consumer caution - the practice of vishing - or voice phishing - and how Amazon orders are being used for evil.See his stories at TechRepublic: https://www.techrepublic.com/meet-the-team/us/lance-whitney/And find the latest from us on our blog https://firewalls.com/blog. Please drop us a rating and review wherever you listen, and feel free to email us at podcast@firewalls.com with any questions/suggestions/concerns.Thanks very much for listening!

In the latest case of real world implications stemming from a cyber attack, operations of the Colonial Pipeline, supplying almost half of the gasoline to the east coast of the U.S., stopped suddenly. Why? Colonial was the victim of a ransomware attack connected to the DarkSide group. We dissect the details of the attack, how it happened, what it means, how Russia may factor in, and when things might return to normal in a supersized headlines segment.Also in headlines, hear about newly discovered vulnerabilities in IoT and OT devices thanks to Microsoft threat hunters, and how one UK company's phishing email training simulation couldn't have gone more wrong.See the stories:Colonial pipeline hack claimed by Russian group DarkSide spurs emergency order from White Househttps://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/colonial-pipeline-hack-claimed-russian-group-darkside-spurs-emergency-rcna878 https://www.axios.com/colonial-pipeline-hack-fbi-darkside-b9bce545-c37e-4377-ad35-4c280ce04460.htmlhttps://www.bbc.com/news/business-57050690 Microsoft Discovers 25 Critical Vulnerabilities in IoT Security Affecting Google, Amazon, Samsung, and Other Devices, SDKs and Librarieshttps://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/microsoft-discovers-25-critical-vulnerabilities-in-iot-security-affecting-google-amazon-samsung-and-other-devices-sdks-and-libraries/Train firm’s ‘worker bonus’ email is actually cybersecurity testhttps://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/may/10/train-firms-worker-bonus-email-is-actually-cyber-security-testGet info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.Please do rate and review us wherever you listen, and reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review or comment, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first.Thanks for listening!

While HTML email is nothing new, a recently discovered trick means a pretty wide open security flaw has been there all along, too. Security researcher, engineer, & tech columnist Ax Sharma joins us to explain how just a bit of code in the wrong hands can manipulate the "external sender" warning on your organization's emails - to either remove it altogether or change it to trick unsuspecting users into malicious clicks. Ax also tells us what solutions are out there to cut your risk. See the full story: Attackers can hide 'external sender' email warnings with HTML and CSSPlus, we dive deeper into the story of Facebook and the 533 million users whose data was exposed. Ax discusses the difference between a breach and data scraping, how social media users should protect their privacy, and Facebook's responsibility in this incident.In headlines, we talk about a ransomware attack targeting a major police department, another update on SolarWinds & Russia's role, and we hear more about the current state of the ransomware threat.See the stories:Hackers threaten to release DC police data in apparent ransomware attackhttps://www.theverge.com/2021/4/27/22405339/washington-dc-police-hack-data-department-ransomeware-babuk Report: Russia 'likely' kept access to US networks after SolarWinds hackhttps://www.engadget.com/russia-us-network-access-after-solarwinds-hack-192305973.html Ransomware extortion demands are growing, and so is the downtime caused by attackshttps://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-extortion-demands-are-growing-and-so-is-the-downtime-caused-by-attacks/Ransomware: don’t expect a full recovery, however much you payhttps://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2021/04/27/ransomware-dont-expect-a-full-recovery/ Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.Please do rate and review us wherever you listen, and reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review or comment, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first.Thanks for listening!

What's your password? If you can come up with just one off the top of your head for all your accounts, you're probably doing it wrong. We take a look at just how wrong some are doing passwords courtesy of a British survey (https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/news/national-pet-day-password-advice). But don't fret, we also offer tips on how to do your passwords right, without wracking your brain.In a second featured topic, we take a cybersecurity quiz that a surprising number of respondents have failed, and discuss why that may be. With questions on - you guessed it - passwords, as well as ransomware, spearphishing, USB drives, and more, you can follow along and imagine how you'd do as well. Plus, hear why network security training in and of itself is not enough to fix the problem. See the quiz and results: https://www.talentlms.com/blog/cybersecurity-statistics-survey/. Then, it's onto headlines, with stories on a Facebook (don't call it a) breach, Fed chairman Jerome Powell's cyber concerns, and a ParkMobile data breach.See the news:After Data Breach Exposes 530 Million, Facebook Says It Will Not Notify Usershttps://www.npr.org/2021/04/09/986005820/after-data-breach-exposes-530-million-facebook-says-it-will-not-notify-users Federal Reserve Chairman Says Cyber-Risk a Top Threat to National Economyhttps://www.darkreading.com/risk/federal-reserve-chairman-says-cyber-risk-a-top-threat-to-national-economy/d/d-id/1340647ParkMobile Breach Exposes License Plate Data, Mobile Numbers of 21M Usershttps://krebsonsecurity.com/2021/04/parkmobile-breach-exposes-license-plate-data-mobile-numbers-of-21m-users/Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Cybersecurity laws are somewhat in their infancy in the U.S., but states are starting to get on board. Our guest Cynthia Brumfield, creator of the Metacurity newsletter and writer of all things cyber, tells us about states getting on board with liability protection for companies that take reasonable actions to secure themselves against threats. What's reasonable and what kind of safe harbor protections will states provide in court? What about data protection laws? And how does the Biden Administration plan to address cybersecurity regulations? We discuss all that and more.Find Cynthia's article on Safe Harbor laws here: https://www.csoonline.com/article/3613176/states-enact-safe-harbor-laws-against-cyberattacks-but-demand-adoption-of-cybersecurity-frameworks.htmlAnd learn about the Metacurity newsletter: https://metacurity.substack.com/In our headlines segment, we discuss a trio of ransomware stories, from a cyber insurance firm's targeting, to an inside look at a ransomware attack, to a ransomware cell gone straight.See the stories:Policyholders may be the primary target in hack of cyber insurance provider CNAhttps://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/ransomware/policyholders-may-be-the-primary-target-in-hack-of-cyber-insurance-provider-cna FatFace pays out $2 million to Conti ransomware ganghttps://grahamcluley.com/fatface-pays-out-2-million-to-conti-ransomware-gang Ransomware admin is refunding victims their ransom paymentshttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/ransomware-admin-is-refunding-victims-their-ransom-payments/ Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening! 

The year 2020 will be remembered for many things - few positive. And another ignominious distinction has to do with cybercrime. SonicWall's 2021 Cyber Threat Report, just released on March 16, dives deep into the threat landscape to show us just how bad the year was when it comes to cyber attacks - or good if you happen to be launching them. SonicWall's Brook Chelmo joins us to go over some highlights, discussing ransomware, IoT device vulnerabilities, reasons why remote work has led to security issues, and much, much more.Get your hands on the report here: https://www.sonicwall.com/2021-cyber-threat-report/.in headlines, we go over the Hafnium Microsoft Exchange hack, a criminal communications bust, and ransomware affecting beer production - the horror!Here are the stories:"Hack everybody you can": What to know about the massive Microsoft Exchange breachhttps://www.cbsnews.com/news/microsoft-exchange-server-hack-what-to-know/ US Indicts Head of Alleged Crime Chat Comms Servicehttps://www.securityweek.com/us-indicts-head-alleged-crime-chat-comms-service?&web_view=true Molson Coors Cracks Open a Cyberattack Investigationhttps://threatpost.com/molson-coors-cyberattack-investigation/164722/Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Spring has sprung - or at least is springing - in many areas, and a major tradition of the season is spring cleaning. And just like you decide which boxes to keep and which ones to dump from your home, your network needs a similar evaluation. How old is your equipment? Does it still do all you need it to? Do you need a few tweaks, or a whole new setup? Firewalls.com Director of Sales Anthony Mercho tells us what you factors to consider when evaluating your network, from the age of your equipment to changes in your organization, to improvements in technology. We also discuss getting back into the office with the hopefully coming soon drawdown of the pandemic, and what settings you may need to revisit when turning back to an in office or hybrid environment rather than exclusively work from home. Oh, and there's lots of WiFi 6, too.In headlines, hear about Congress taking a closer look at the SolarWinds hack and the lessons learned from it, why zero trust should take over, and the aftermath of the water system attack in Florida.See the stories:Congress confronts US cybersecurity weaknesses in wake of SolarWinds hacking campaignhttps://www.cnet.com/news/congress-confronts-us-cybersecurity-weaknesses-in-wake-of-solarwinds-hacking-campaign/NSA, Microsoft promote a Zero Trust approach to cybersecurityhttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/nsa-microsoft-promote-a-zero-trust-approach-to-cybersecurity/After Oldsmar attack, Nikki Fried calls for Florida cybersecurity updatehttps://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/02/19/after-oldsmar-attack-nikki-fried-calls-for-florida-cybersecurity-update/ Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Employees can either be your first line of defense or your greatest cybersecurity vulnerability if they’re unprepared to deal with online threats. But what’s the best way to prepare them? We talk to Rebecca McKeown, an independent Chartered Psychologist and special advisor to Immersive Labs, for some answers. Rebecca specializes in Cognitive Readiness, which helps prepare people to respond in a crisis, like a cyber attack for instance. We discuss how regular, ongoing training (aka micro-drilling) along with after action follow-ups, is the most effective method of improving crisis response, and how it’s an even more effective tool in our current remote work environment. Plus much more on the psychology of crises and challenges of working from home.In our headlines segment, Andrew & Kevin discuss the top 25 companies most commonly used in phishing emails, the people most likely to be phished (watch out Australia), and the India/Kashmir conflict going cyber.See the stories:The Top 25 Most Phished Brandshttps://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/94574-the-top-25-most-phished-brandsHybrid, Older Users Most-Targeted by Gmail Attackershttps://threatpost.com/hybrid-older-users-gmail-attackers/163826/Military, Nuclear Entities Under Target By Novel Android Malwarehttps://threatpost.com/military-nuclear-entities-under-target-by-novel-android-malware/163830/Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

February 7, 2021 marks Super Bowl LV - or 55 for those of us not well-versed in Roman numerals. And just like any other major event, there are cybersecurity implications. We explore them in a pop quiz featuring Tom Brady, the Kansas City Chiefs, Windows, and even Armenia. Listen on to find out how cybersecurity and football intersect.In Ransomware Reckoning, learn just how much ransomware cost last year, and what the outlook is moving forward.For headlines, we tackle - get it? - stories on a major Emotet bust, some creative business email compromise tactics on Microsoft 365, and a switch to paper for US courts thanks to the SolarWinds hack.See the stories:Police dismantle world's 'most dangerous' criminal hacking network https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-cyber-takedown/police-dismantle-worlds-most-dangerous-criminal-hacking-network-idUSKBN29W1Q0 Microsoft 365 Becomes Haven for BEC Innovationhttps://threatpost.com/microsoft-365-bec-innovation/163508/ US court system ditches electronic filing, goes paper-only for sensitive documents following SolarWinds hackhttps://www.theregister.com/2021/02/01/us_court_papers/?&web_view=trueGet info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

As now President Biden enters office, his administration faces a variety of major issues, not only related to the pandemic, but also to cybersecurity and the online world. The continually developing SolarWinds supply chain attack that led to breaches of multiple federal agencies is still making headlines. And data privacy concerns, ransomware, Section 230, and net neutrality all count themselves as significant as well. How will the new administration (and Congress) address them and where are they on the priority list? Washington D.C.-based policy analyst Caitlin Chin answers those questions and more. We go deeper into the government breach and what made this one different, then move into what policymakers could do when it comes to cybersecurity and regulations of social media and internet access in the next 4 years.Check out a few of Caitlin's recent articles:After the SolarWinds hack, the Biden Administration must address Russian cybersecurity threatshttps://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2021/01/11/after-the-solarwinds-hack-the-biden-administration-must-address-russian-cybersecurity-threats/What to expect from a Biden FCC on Section 230, net neutrality, and 5Ghttps://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2020/12/03/what-to-expect-from-a-biden-fcc-on-section-230-net-neutrality-and-5g/ How the 2020 elections will shape the federal privacy debatehttps://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2020/10/26/how-the-2020-elections-will-shape-the-federal-privacy-debate/The U.S. privacy landscape post GDPRhttps://gppreview.com/2018/08/01/the-u-s-privacy-landscape-post-gdpr/In headlines, we talk about a ransomware-stopping collaboration, how cybersecurity pros worry AI will replace them, and the Biden-Peloton controversy.See the news stories:New coalition aims to combat growing wave of ransomware attackshttps://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/534544-new-coalition-aims-to-combat-growing-wave-of-ransomware-attacksAI set to replace humans in cybersecurity by 2030, says Trend Microhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/ai-set-to-replace-humans-in-cybersecurity-by-2030-says-trend-micro/ So long, Peloton: Joe Biden may need new exercise equipment when he moves to White Househttps://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/15/joe-bidens-peloton-could-be-a-white-house-security-risk-report-says.htmlGet info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We like to look forward at Ping, even when the view isn’t always rosy. So for our first episode of 2021, we take a look at predictions by top security firms to give us an idea what to expect in network security for the coming year. After all, knowing is half the battle when it comes to preparation. Andrew and Kevin talk ransomware, AI-enhanced phishing, remote work related dangers, and more as we ring – or ping – in the new year.Find predictions from WatchGuard: https://www.watchguard.com/wgrd-resource-center/cyber-security-predictions-2021, Sophos: https://www.sophos.com/en-us/press-office/press-releases/2020/11/sophos-threat-report-flags-ransomware.aspx, Fortinet: https://www.fortinet.com/blog/threat-research/new-cybersecurity-threat-predictions-for-2021 and Barracuda: https://lp.barracuda.com/BEU-AMER-WBN-20210107-SAppSec-2021-applications-security-predictions_LP-Registration1.html. In our headlines segment, we follow up with the latest on the federal government/FireEye/SolarWinds/Russia hack, discuss why fear may not be the answer for cybersecure employees, and a new form of swatting using doorbell and security cameras.See the stories:SolarWinds hack may be much worse than originally fearedhttps://www.theverge.com/2021/1/2/22210667/solarwinds-hack-worse-government-microsoft-cybersecurityWhy Companies Should Stop Scaring Employees About Cybersecurityhttps://www.wsj.com/articles/why-companies-should-stop-scaring-employees-about-cybersecurity-11607364000FBI Warn Hackers are Using Hijacked Home Security Devices for ‘Swatting’https://threatpost.com/fbi-warn-home-security-devices-swatting/162678/Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening and Happy New Year!

Here at Ping, we like to celebrate the holiday season by sharing stories. And since we’re in the network security business, they tend to have a bit of an unusual twist. Last year, we presented a CyberSecurity Christmas Carol (check it out here: https://www.firewalls.com/blog/cybersecurity-christmas-carol-ping-podcast-episode-9). And this Christmas, we offer a twist on another classic tale. Gather ‘round as we recite the holiday poem, ‘Twas the Hack Before Christmas.In our headlines segment, Andrew & Kevin discuss some pretty major cyber stories, including a federal government hack, concerns about COVID-19 vaccine cybersecurity, and a Google outage that stopped the world briefly.See the stories:US agencies hacked in months-long global cyber-spying campaignhttps://apnews.com/article/us-agencies-hacked-global-cyberspying-e8a2e819f7cc6982f6a72f8c85209b72 Hackers threaten to disrupt COVID-19 vaccine supply chainhttps://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/528852-hackers-threaten-to-disrupt-covid-19-vaccine-supply-chainGoogle: Here's what caused our big global outagehttps://www.zdnet.com/article/google-heres-what-caused-our-big-global-outage/Get info on all things network security through our blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening and Happy Holidays!

The cyber threats of this year aren't going away when the calendar flips to 2021. They'll just continue to evolve. For a primer on the online hazards you can expect next year, we welcome back WatchGuard's Marc Laliberte, who - along with his team - has released a set of 2021 Cybersecurity Predictions. We start off by looking back at WatchGuard's 2020 Cybersecurity Predictions and how the pandemic influenced their outcomes. Then, we discuss why the remote work dangers we've seen this year are only the beginning, and the desperate need for multifactor authentication. Finally, Marc tells us why to think twice before charging your electric car just anywhere.See the 2021 Cybersecurity Predictions here: https://www.watchguard.com/wgrd-resource-center/cyber-security-predictions-2021.In our Ransomware Reckoning segment, we highlight an attack that closed schools in Baltimore beyond Thanksgiving.Then, it's on to cyber news headlines, with stories on cyber threats facing home users, another cyber crime bust, and cyberbiosecurity.Here are the headlines:Cybersecurity report: Average household hit with 104 threats each month https://www.techrepublic.com/article/cybersecurity-report-average-household-hit-with-104-threats-each-month/ Three Arrested for Cybercrime Operation Targeting 150 Countrieshttps://www.securityweek.com/three-nigerians-arrested-cybercrime-operation-targeting-150-countriesThis new cyberattack can dupe DNA scientists into creating dangerous viruses and toxinshttps://www.zdnet.com/article/this-new-cyberattack-can-dupe-scientists-into-creating-dangerous-viruses-toxins And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

In a year unlike any other, holiday shoppers are dealing with changes as well. The tradition of a one-day Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) sale, has been replaced with a month-long drip of deals. Our guest Dan Lohrmann dubs this COVID-19-related change, "Cyber November." On this episode, Dan discusses why things have gone even more online than inline, and why that may lead to new cybersecurity concerns. He also goes over some tips for safe online shopping, and even touches on how the 2020 election went when it comes to security.You can find Dan's article on the holiday shopping season here: https://www.govtech.com/blogs/lohrmann-on-cybersecurity/covid-19-turning-black-friday-into-cyber-november.html.And follow him on Twitter @govcso.In our Ransomware Reckoning segment, we highlight an attack against Capcom, maker of Resident Evil, Street Fighter, and more - and how the Japanese video game company made the best of a bad situation.Then, it's on to cyber news headlines, with stories on cybersecurity for tax pros & the financial sector, and even a warning about network security in space!Here are the headlines:Why Cybersecurity Should Mean Everything to Every Tax Prohttps://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/why-cybersecurity-should-mean-everything-to-every-tax-professionalCheck Please: Adding Up the Costs of a Financial Data Breachhttps://securityboulevard.com/2020/11/check-please-adding-up-the-costs-of-a-financial-data-breach/Op-Ed: Space System Cybersecurity Challenges Ahead - Translating Policy to Practicehttps://spacenews.com/op-ed-space-system-cybersecurity-challenges-ahead-translating-policy-to-practice/And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

A broad federal warning outlines how hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country are in the crosshairs of a wave of ransomware attacks. To discuss this unprecedented coordinated threat, we welcome SonicWall's Barbara Vibbert, who provides context on the variety of vulnerabilities healthcare organizations face, why a successful attack can be so devastating, and what can be done to improve hospital and healthcare cybersecurity.See Barbara's recent blog post on the subject: https://blog.sonicwall.com/en-us/2020/10/securing-internet-connected-devices-in-healthcare/.In cyber headlines, we discuss a major hotel chain facing a fine for a breach, the astronomical numbers of email attacks a well-known organization deals with day to day, and the top cybersecurity career opportunities in the U.S. for the coming years.See the cyber news stories:Marriott fined 18.4 million pounds by UK watchdog over customer data breachhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/marriott-fined-gbp18-4-million-by-uk-watchdog-over-customer-data-breach/The BBC experiences 250,000 malicious email attacks per dayhttps://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/bbc-experiences-malicious-email/ What are the fastest growing cybersecurity skills in 2021https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2020/11/01/what-are-the-fastest-growing-cybersecurity-skills-in-2021/?sh=119663175d73Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and that means it’s a great time to take a hard look at your online posture, protection, and habits to see where there’s room for improvement. Among the organizations with resources to help, is the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA. On this episode, we welcome James Stanley of CISA to talk about why raising awareness of cybersecurity is so important this month (and all year) and the need for personal responsibility in cybersecurity. Plus, since 2020 is the year of the teleworker, we get into some telework tips from CISA for remote workers, IT staff, and business leadership.Learn more about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month https://www.cisa.gov/national-cyber-security-awareness-monthSee CISA’s Telework resources, including toolkits and morehttps://www.cisa.gov/teleworkOn our Ransomware Reckoning segment, Andrew N goes over a new approach to hacking affecting remote learners and the schools they learn from.In our headlines segment, Andrew H & Kevin discuss a breach involving some Robinhood investors, the need for a cyber resilience strategy, and a British government campaign to get more cybersecurity workers that went a bit wrong.See the stories:Robinhood Kicks Cybersecurity Month Off by Getting Hackedhttps://www.investopedia.com/robinhood-kicks-cybersecurity-month-off-by-getting-hacked-5082845The Important Difference Between Cybersecurity And Cyber Resilience (And Why You Need Both)https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2020/10/14/the-important-difference-between-cybersecurity-and-cyber-resilience-and-why-you-need-both/#1578dc481721Gov-Linked “Fatima” Cybersecurity Career Advert Removed After Backlashhttps://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/fatima-advert-removed-backlash/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-54553828But wait, we have one more special Halloween surprise in store. Join Kevin and Andrew H as we browse the shelves for some network security related costumes. How are they network security related? Be sure you listen to the end.Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Ransomware gets the spotlight on Episode 30 of Ping: A Firewalls.com Podcast. We start with our latest edition of Ransomware Reckoning, spotlighting a case that affected COVID-19 clinical trials.Then it's onto headlines. We discuss a Europol survey suggesting many victims don't report ransomware attacks to authorities, and why that's a bad thing. Plus how U.S.-based organizations may face major penalties for paying ransoms to certain organizations.In other news, hear about a new version of Google Chrome with a feature to help better ID phishing. And in another case of cyber attacks affecting day to day life, we discuss a breach of multiple Switzerland universities that led to stolen employee paychecks.Read the stories:Clinical Trial Software Company Hit By Massive Ransomware Attackhttps://www.biospace.com/article/clinical-trial-software-company-eresearchtechnology-hit-by-ransomware-attack/Ransomware victims aren't reporting attacks to police. That's causing a big problem…https://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-victims-arent-reporting-attacks-to-police-thats-causing-a-big-problem/Ransomware Victims That Pay Up Could Incur Steep Fines from Uncle Samhttps://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/10/ransomware-victims-that-pay-up-could-incur-steep-fines-from-uncle-sam/comment-page-1/Truncated URLs Look to Make Big Dent in Phishinghttps://www.darkreading.com/risk/truncated-urls-look-to-make-big-dent-in-phishing/a/d-id/1338969Hackers stole a six-figure amount from Swiss universitieshttps://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/109100/hacking/swiss-universities-hacked.html?web_view=true Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

The need for strong cybersecurity is ever present, but the needs of specific organizations – and the challenges they face – vary. State & local government agencies are responsible for a wide variety of essential services and data. And that makes finding the right fit for securing their networks against online threats complicated. We welcome Fortinet Field Chief Information Security Officer Jim Richberg to discuss how state & local cybersecurity against the backdrop of shrinking budgets and staffing shortages is especially challenging, yet also how evolving technology is making it more & more possible.See Jim’s article on the subject: https://www.fortinet.com/blog/industry-trends/prioritizing-cybersecurity-in-state-and-local-agencies. On our Ransomware Reckoning segment, Andrew N, discusses an attack on the BlackBaud fundraising database. Learn more: https://www.cpomagazine.com/cyber-security/blackbaud-ransomware-demonstrates-the-potential-devastation-caused-by-supply-chain-attacks/.In cybersecurity headlines, Andrew H & Kevin discuss a death related to a hospital ransomware attack, Dunkin Donuts paying up for a breach underreaction, & the status of TikTok in the U.S.See the stories:Patient dies after ransomware attack reroutes her to remote hospitalhttps://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2020/09/patient-dies-after-ransomware-attack-reroutes-her-to-remote-hospital/Dunkin' Donuts settles data breach lawsuithttps://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/93393-dunkin-donuts-settles-data-breach-lawsuitTrump approves TikTok deal. But big questions remainhttps://www.cnn.com/2020/09/21/tech/tiktok-oracle-walmart-explained/index.html Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

The firewall is the cornerstone of any network security setup. But a firewall without the right configuration can cause a world of problems. On this episode of Ping, Firewalls.com Director of Sales Anthony Mercho tells Andrew & Kevin what to consider when it comes to specific configuration scenarios, why the setup wizard (and one size fits all) is a no go, what settings are generally best to avoid, and why the right professional configuration not only maximizes your security, but also your network performance.Learn how to get an expertly done configuration: https://www.firewalls.com/professional-services.html.In our headlines segment, we discuss a survey that says business leaders aren't showing their employees they take cybersecurity seriously, criminal charges against a former Uber security leader for trying to hide a cyber attack, and the idea that CEOs and other business leaders of the future will face consequences themselves for hacks.See the stories:1 in 3 Employees Believe Their Company’s Cybersecurity is a Moderate or Major Problemhttps://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/employee-worries-cyber-security.htmlU.S. charges former Uber security chief with covering up massive 2016 hackinghttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-uber-hack-charges/u-s-charges-former-uber-security-chief-with-covering-up-massive-2016-hacking-idUSKBN25G2GICEOs Could Be Held Personally Liable for Cyberattacks that Killhttps://threatpost.com/ceos-personally-liable-cyberattacks-kill/158990/Then it's the second edition of Ransomware Reckoning, where we spotlight an attempt on Teslahttps://techcrunch.com/2020/08/28/daily-crunch-tesla-ransomware/.Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, cyber threats are ever evolving. Yet the evolution has been particularly notable in the last six months, as the coronavirus pandemic has affected every aspect of day to day life, with cybersecurity no exception. To talk about the state of the threat landscape, Kevin and Andrew welcome back returning guest SonicWall’s Brook Chelmo – armed with the Mid Year Update to SonicWall’s Cyber Threat Report. Brook discusses the latest cyber threat trends, from COVID-19 themed phishing emails & malware, to the troubling targeting of schools, governments, and other soft targets with ransomware. He also explains the continuing concern around internet of things (IoT) vulnerabilities, and the difference between zero day and never before seen threats – plus much more.Get the SonicWall 2020 Cyber Threat Report Mid-Year Update https://www.sonicwall.com/2020-cyber-threat-report/.In cybersecurity headlines, we discuss more about coronavirus scams, how COVID-19 has accelerated the digital transformation, and take a trip to the DarkSide.See the stories:The Cybersecurity 202: Coronavirus crisis spawned more scams than any other event in the last decadehttps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/08/24/cybersecurity-202-coronavirus-crisis-spawned-more-scams-than-any-other-event-last-decade/Microsoft says the pandemic has changed the future of cybersecurity in these five wayshttps://www.techrepublic.com/article/microsoft-says-the-pandemic-has-changed-the-future-of-cybersecurity-in-these-five-ways/Beware This Sinister New ‘Dark Side’ $1 Million Cyber Threat, You Musthttps://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/08/23/beware-of-the-dark-side-a-sinister-new-1-million-cybersecurity-threat-darkside-ransomware/#2733ea7c20e9And finally, we debut a new segment, Ransomware Reckoning, hosted by a new Andrew, as we spotlight a particular ransomware case – this time affecting a beloved whiskey by the name of Jack Daniels. See the full story…https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/jack-daniel-s-manufacturer-was-target-of-apparent-ransomware-attack-1.1480295 Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are out every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

As the coronavirus pandemic wears on and back to school time is upon us, districts are facing decisions about reopening in person, offering virtual learning options, or doing both. To talk about the challenges of distance education including access, funding, student learning, and, of course, cybersecurity, we welcome Amy McLaughlin, Cybersecurity Project Director for the Consortium for School Networking – www.cosn.org. Amy discusses solutions some schools have come up with, why different age groups are better suited for virtual learning than others, why funding formulas are challenging, and her biggest concern with online education moving forward during COVID-19.Our cybersecurity headlines segment includes some scary news about email vulnerabilities, a GandCrabber getting caught, and updates on the Twitter hack and WastedLocker ransomware stories from our previous episode.Read along:Decades-Old Email Flaws Could Let Attackers Mask Their Identitieshttps://www.wired.com/story/decades-old-email-flaws-could-let-attackers-mask-identities/GandCrab ransomware hacker arrested in Belarushttps://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2020/08/04/gandcrab-ransomware-hacker-arrested-in-belarus/Tampa teenager accused in Twitter hack pleads not guiltyhttps://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/tampa-teenager-accused-twitter-hack-pleads-guilty-72168491WastedLocker Ransomware abuses Windows feature to avoid detectionhttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/wastedlocker-ransomware-abuses-windows-feature-to-evade-detection/Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are out every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Compliance is a vital piece of the network security puzzle for many businesses, so we thought we’d spotlight the compliance requirements that people are most familiar with in the US – the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act more commonly known as HIPAA. So who better to discuss HIPAA on our podcast, then the cohosts of a podcast about HIPAA. Donna Grindle and David Sims from the Help Me With HIPAA podcast join us to talk HIPAA, highlight compliance challenges related to COVID-19, and to bust some myths about where HIPAA applies and where it doesn’t.Check out their weekly podcast at https://helpmewithhipaa.com. In a cybersecurity headlines segment heavy on bad news, we talk about a big internet outage, a big Twitter hack, and a (possibly) big ransomware attack on Garmin.See the stories:Much Of The Internet Went Down Yesterday: Here’s The Reason Why https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2020/07/18/internet-down-human-error-not-cyber-attack-to-blame-says-cloudflare/#2ae1ac9878f6The Twitter Hack Shows a Major Cybersecurity Vulnerability: Employees https://slate.com/technology/2020/07/twitter-hack-human-weakness.htmlGarmin down https://www.techradar.com/news/garmin-down-why-the-outage-is-it-to-do-with-ransomware-and-what-can-you-doGet info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are out every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We continue our examination of the cybersecurity career field and why diversity matters on Ping Episode 24. Roderick Chambers, Cyber Threat Intelligence Consultant with Recorded Future and Security Fellow with the Truman National Security Project, joins us to talk about his presentation available now on YouTube, called Blacks in Intelligence and Threat Hunting. The presentation is part of a video series of Lightning Talks, hosted by the Blacks in CyberSecurity organization.In our interview, we discuss Roderick’s background in government intelligence, how that led him to cyber threat intelligence, the lack of diversity in both fields, and what can be done to remedy it. We also discuss the importance of having a workforce that reflects the makeup of the population as a whole when it comes to threat intelligence and beyond, and we touch on some cybersecurity issues of the day – would you rather lose your wallet or cell phone?Here are some resources related to our discussion:Lightning Talk: Blacks in Intelligence and Threat Hunting https://youtu.be/PixO0SgLMlU Blacks in CyberSecurity Conference and Networking Group https://www.blacksincyberconf.com/Cybrary Offering 7 Free Online CyberSecurity Courses https://technical.ly/dc/2020/07/10/cybrary-offering-7-free-online-courses-cybersecurity-it-education-covid19/Trend Micro and Girls in Tech to Provide Cybersecurity Training to Girls Around the Worldhttps://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/trend-micro-girls-tech-training/KnowBe4 partners with the Center for Cyber Safety and Education to support Black Americans in further educationhttps://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/07/13/2061178/0/en/KnowBe4-to-Offer-10-000-Scholarship-for-Black-Americans-in-Cybersecurity.htmlIn our headlines segment, we discuss stories about the EncroChat cyber bust in Europe, some users’ problems with a new Signal feature, and a presidential campaign’s focus on cybersecurity.See the stories:Hundreds arrested after police infiltrate secret criminal phone networkhttps://www.cnn.com/2020/07/02/uk/encrochat-crime-messaging-cracked-intl-gbr-scli/index.htmlSignal’s New PIN Feature Worries Cybersecurity Expertshttps://www.vice.com/en_us/article/pkyzek/signal-new-pin-feature-worries-cybersecurity-expertsBiden campaign hires top cybersecurity officials to defend against threatshttps://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/506746-biden-campaign-hires-top-cybersecurity-officials-to-defend-againstGet info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

The gender gap is great in cybersecurity careers. So what can be done to bring more women into the network security workforce? On Ping Episode 23, we welcome Dr. Nir Kshetri, professor at University of North Carolina-Greensboro & fellow at Kobe University, to talk about his article, “The lack of women in cybersecurity puts us all at greater risk.”We discuss the raw numbers, why the gender balance is so off in cybersecurity careers, why the lack of women in the workforce makes us less protected online, and both what is being done and should be done to help bridge the gap.In our headlines segment, we discuss stories about a botnet creator’s prison sentence, how victims of cyber crime feel, and what the new normal in cybersecurity will look like.See the stories:Satori Botnet Creator Sentenced to 13 Months in Prisonhttps://threatpost.com/satori-botnet-creator-prison/156947/'The most stressful four hours of my career:' How it feels to be the victim of a hacking attackhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/it-is-stressful-it-is-frightening-what-its-like-to-be-a-victim-of-hacking-and-ransomware/What Will Cybersecurity's 'New Normal' Look Like?https://www.darkreading.com/theedge/what-will-cybersecuritys-new-normal-look-like/b/d-id/1338134Get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And please do reach out, as we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in a review, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and again, please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We’re back just a week after our headlines-only episode with a special interview-only edition, welcoming Mike Weaver with Sophos to Ping Episode 22. Mike joins us from home to give some updates on why businesses should prioritize cybersecurity now more than ever. He also shares some tools that can help, including Sophos Home, Intercept X with EDR, and the new SD-RED line of remote ethernet devices. Plus, he provides a primer on the Sophos Evolve 2020 Virtual Conference page (just launched June 16), which features keynote sessions from Sophos leadership and product, cybersecurity, and business programming, all free and on demand. Visit Sophos.com/Evolve to check it out.Remember, you can get info on all things network security through our new, improved blog, https://firewalls.com/blog.And as always, we want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. New episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

Cybersecurity headlines get the spotlight in Episode 21 of Ping: A Firewalls.com Podcast. What’s in the news this week? Andrew and Kevin cover PonyFinal ransomware and explain how it waits patiently to strike – come for the story, stay for the pony puns. We talk about about an Indonesian electoral records breach and why it should worry others as well. Then, it’s a story about a business email compromise (BEC) guru whose guruing days may be over after thefts from Electrolux and more. And finally, as a bonus headline we countdown 9 of the biggest breaches of 2020 so far. *Programming note, we’ll be back in just one week with our next episode – a special interview-focused edition, so subscribe, follow, or just pay attention to our social media channels as our next episode drops Wednesday, June 17.Here are the links to the cybersecurity headlines for this episode:Headline 1 – PonyFinal Ransomware Targets Enterprise Servers then bides its time https://threatpost.com/ponyfinal-ransomware-enterprise-servers/156083/Headline 2 – Indonesia Probes Breach of Data on More than 2 Million Voters https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-cyber-breach/indonesia-probes-breach-of-data-on-more-than-two-million-voters-idUSKBN22Y15KHeadline 3 – Electrolux, Others Conned out of Big Money by BEC Scammerhttps://threatpost.com/electrolux-conned-money-bec-scammer/156359/Headline 4 - The Biggest Hacks, Data Breaches of 2020 So Far https://www.zdnet.com/pictures/the-biggest-hacks-data-breaches-of-2020-so-far/ For more on all things network security, visit our blog at https://www.firewalls.com/blog. We want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are normally released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

You may have heard of the FCC's recent decision to open up space on the 6 GHz wireless spectrum, but what does that really mean for the future of wifi performance? On episode 20 of Ping: A Firewalls.com Podcast, Andrew and Kevin welcome an expert in the wireless world, Sundar Sankaran, VP of Engineering with CommScope’s Ruckus Networks to fill us in on the implications. He provides an explanation of how the new spectrum will allow for better connection speeds, the types of technology that will most benefit, and when you can expect to get your hands on a wifi 6E (the 'e' stands for extended) device.Then we take a look at cybersecurity news in our headlines segment, including:HomeChef confirms data breach after 8 million user records found on Dark Webhttps://techcrunch.com/2020/05/20/home-chef-data-breach/Crypto faithful freak out amid speculation Satoshi sold bitcoinhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-20/crypto-faithful-freak-out-amid-speculation-satoshi-sold-bitcoinVirtual Cybersecurity School Teaches Kids to Fix Security Flaws and Hunt Down Hackershttps://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/05/20/tech/virtual-cyber-security-school/index.htmlFor more on all things network security, visit our blog at https://www.firewalls.com/blog.We want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

After 9 months of Ping in your network security podcast rotation, we thought we were due for a few updates on cyber news stories we've covered in the past. On episode 19, Kevin and Andrew provide updates on topics such as IoT (internet of things) security, a twisty cryptocurrency/bitcoin saga, and a nuclear hack in India. In other words, a "where are they now?" for these cyber headlines.Then we tackle some of the latest cybersecurity news in our regular headlines segment, including:GoDaddy Hack Breaches Hosting Account Credentials https://threatpost.com/godaddy-hack-breaches-hosting-account-credentials/155475/Samsung Patches Zero-Click Vulnerability Impacting All Smartphones Sold Since 2014https://www.zdnet.com/article/samsung-patches-0-click-vulnerability-impacting-all-smartphones-sold-since-2014/Cybersecurity and Covid-19 - the First 100 Dayshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawoollacott/2020/05/05/exclusive-cybersecurity-and-covid-19the-first-100-days/For more on all things network security, visit our blog at https://www.firewalls.com/blog. We want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

The first step in defeating a foe is knowing your enemy, and in that vein we dive into our very own Cyber Threat Dictionary as our featured topic for Episode 18. Andrew and Kevin spotlight a sampling of terms from a to zero-days, defining some major cyber threats you've heard of (like phishing and ransomware), and some you may be less familiar with (rogue APs anyone?). We also offer tips on what to look for and how you can stop these cyber threats from stopping you.Read through the whole Cyber Threat Dictionary to learn more. And see all things network security at our blog.We also discuss cyber security headlines, including: Temporary hospitals are rife with cybersecurity vulnerabilitieshttps://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/temporary-hospitals-are-rife-cybersecurity-vulnerabilitiesWi-Fi is getting its biggest upgrade in 20 yearshttps://www.theverge.com/2020/4/23/21231623/6ghz-wifi-6e-explained-speed-availability-fcc-approvalThis smart toilet recognizes your butt and analyzes poo for diseaseshttps://www.cnet.com/news/this-toilet-uses-butt-recognition-while-analyzing-your-poo-for-diseases/We want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

On Episode 17, we continue our focus on the work from home nature of the world as we currently know it. We welcome back Daniel Kremers with SonicWall to share his expertise on ensuring network security in a remote work setup. He discusses the idea of a home office firewall and some use cases for small business owners and employees. He also provides other security tips for users and network admins alike, relating to passwords, cloud applications, VPNs, and much more.Learn about the new SOHO 250 – a firewall designed for a small office – home office setup. It is in the name after all.And see network security explained on our Firewalls.com Blog, which features lots of info to help you with securing remote work.We also discuss cyber security headlines as usual on this episode, with a special mock draft segment during headline number 2. Here they are: For some CIOs, the decision to limit the use of Zoom isn’t a big dealhttps://federalnewsnetwork.com/cybersecurity/2020/04/for-some-cios-the-decision-to-limit-the-use-of-zoom-isnt-a-big-deal/Coronavirus: Concern has grown among NFL coaches and staff about logistics of 2020 NFL Draft, per reporthttps://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/coronavirus-concern-has-grown-among-nfl-coaches-and-staff-about-logistics-of-2020-nfl-draft-per-report/Our Government Runs on a 60-Year-Old Coding Language, and Now It’s Falling Aparthttps://onezero.medium.com/our-government-runs-on-a-60-year-old-coding-language-and-now-its-falling-apart-61ec0bc8e121We want to hear from you. Suggest an episode topic, ask a question, or just say hi in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

The work landscape has changed drastically over the past few weeks thanks to COVID-19, and our setup is no different. On Episode 16, our first Pod from Home episode, Andrew and Kevin share Tales from Home – observations from their experience shifting from the office to the homefront for work – to help stop the spread.They discuss their setup, schedule, work-life balance, things they miss, and things they like – also getting into issues that employers and employees may experience when working to set up reliable secure remote access. Plus, you’ll even get a couple of show recommendations to pass the non-work time.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog, which features multiple articles about secure remote work. And our YouTube channel features a couple of videos, one from an employer and another from an employee perspective, about working from home. Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include a special guest appearance by Andrew's dog Raven during the first story. They are:COVID-19 exposes gaps in cybersecurity safety net as millions work from homehttps://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/covid-19-exposes-gaps-in-cybersecurity-safety-net-as-millions-work-from-home/ WHO Targeted in Espionage Attempt, COVID-19 Cyberattacks Spikehttps://threatpost.com/who-attacked-possible-apt-covid-19-cyberattacks-double/154083/Cybersecurity experts to fight coronavirus related hackinghttps://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/cybersecurity-experts-come-together-to-fight-coronavirus-related-hackingShare your Tales from Home, suggest an episode topic, or offer any other feedback you may have in the comments, or by emailing podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We’ve said it before, but it pays to know the cyber threats you face on a day-to-day basis. What you’re likely to encounter. So you can take action to protect yourself, your network, and of course, your bottom line.On Episode 15, we talk with SonicWall’s Brook Chelmo about the security company’s 2020 Cyber Threat Report (https://www.sonicwall.com/2020-cyber-threat-report/). The report compiles information about the latest criminal advances and security advances. We go over the highlights (or lowlights depending on your perspective) including a trend to more targeted attacks in both ransomware and phishing. And the move toward perimeter-less security. We summarized the report on a recent blog post (https://www.firewalls.com/blog/a-wireless-world-ping-podcast/). As a bonus, we also get an update from Brook about his conversations with the Hildacrypt ransomware cell, which we first spotlighted on Episode 8.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/professional-services.html or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:DoppelPaymer ransomware used to steal data from supplier to SpaceX, Teslahttps://threatpost.com/doppelpaymer-ransomware-used-to-steal-data-from-supplier-to-spacex-tesla/153393/ Microsoft takes down Necurs botnethttps://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2020/03/10/microsoft-confirms-takedown-of-worlds-most-prolific-malware-millions-of-victims-globally/#a9f1dd1b9f2b Gender Equality in Cybersecurity Could Drive Economic Boosthttps://www.darkreading.com/risk/gender-equality-in-cybersecurity-could-drive-economic-boost-/d/d-id/1337290Cybersecurity’s Diversity Problem Puts Us All At Riskhttps://www.fastcompany.com/90475976/cybersecuritys-diversity-problem-puts-us-all-at-risk While our Engineer’s Minute took an episode off, you’re welcome to submit a question for a future edition, suggest an episode topic, or offer any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We live in a wireless world. From homes to enterprises – and certainly including small businesses – wifi networks and connected devices are a way of life. But that doesn’t mean all those connections are safe. On Episode 14, we talk to WatchGuard’s Ryan Orsi to find out what it takes to have a Trusted Wireless Environment. We hear why establishing security standards is so important – not only for wireless but also for internet of things (IoT) devices. And he tells us why WatchGuard’s Secure WiFi and the WiFi Cloud may be the right fit to get your business network up and running safely and easily.In our Engineer’s Minute, Network Engineer Anthony offers a few steps you can take to keep your wireless network more secure.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/professional-services.html or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:Huawei and 5Ghttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/26/huawei-reiterates-offer-to-license-5g-tech-to-us-firm-to-create-rival.htmlhttps://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/25/america-has-limited-options-on-5g-to-fend-off-chinas-huawei-challenge.html https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/feb/19/us-very-concerned-over-huaweis-role-in-uk-5g-network 7 Tax Season Security Tipshttps://www.darkreading.com/risk/7-tax-season-security-tips/d/d-id/1337038https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-guide-to-identity-theft Phishers’ Favorites Top 25 Brands to Impersonatehttps://www.vadesecure.com/wp-content/uploads/VS_Infographic_Phishers_Favorites_Q4_2019_EN-2.pdfSubmit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

We started our conversation with a focus on cloud services and a specific Office 365 red flag that came up at the end of last year: a spearphishing campaign. But the more we spoke with SonicWall’s Matt Brennan, we learned why spearphishing campaigns – and the related business email compromise – may be the most lucrative form of attack for hackers through a couple of real-life examples. Not to worry though, we also talked about how to stop these attacks and learned about how SonicWall’s Cloud App Security can help.Read Matt’s recent blog post about the O365 spearphishing campaign, and learn more about Cloud App Security on our blog, and on episode 1 of Ping.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:Emotet Malware Now Hacks Nearby Wi-Fi Networks to Infect New Victimshttps://thehackernews.com/2020/02/emotet-malware-wifi-hacking.html500 Malicious Chrome Extensions Impact Millions of Usershttps://threatpost.com/500-malicious-chrome-extensions-millions/152918/The 2020 Census Could be the Next Big Hacking and Disinformation Targethttps://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/the-cybersecurity-202/2020/02/13/the-cybersecurity-202-the-2020-census-could-be-the-next-big-hacking-and-disinformation-target/5e4457c288e0fa4a22a4ab73/Submit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

What is an endpoint, and why is endpoint security a vital part of any protected network? We learn the answers to these questions and more with Sophos’ Mike Weaver, who offers background on the endpoint security landscape and talks about Intercept X by Sophos, a comprehensive endpoint protection option widely recognized as one of the top solutions on the market.Learn more about Intercept X on our Blog. And see an example of a Threat Case (as discussed on the podcast) in this video.In our Engineer’s Minute, Network Engineer Nick offers a quick tip for deploying Intercept X on your network – hint, it’s pretty easy to get up and running.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/services or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:NFL Twitter accounts hacked, including those of Super Bowl-bound Chiefs and 49ershttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/multiple-nfl-twitter-accounts-hacked-including-super-bowl-bound-chiefs-n1124206Coronavirus Campaigns Spread Emotet, Malwarehttps://threatpost.com/coronavirus-propagate-emotet/152404/Billie Eilish sweeps Grammys, but Taylor Swift leads with most malware fileshttps://www.scmagazine.com/home/security-news/cybercrime/billie-eilish-sweeps-grammys-but-taylor-swift-leads-with-most-malware-files/The Department of Interior Grounds its Drones Amid CyberSecurity Concernshttps://finance.yahoo.com/news/dept-interior-grounds-drones-amid-164239401.htmlSubmit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

In Episode 11, we learn about Fortinet’s Cyber Threat Assessment Program, aka CTAP, which offers businesses a free chance to see their vulnerabilities and shore them up before a breach occurs. Fortinet’s Ben Bolen discusses the program and the latest version, CTAP for SD-WAN, with Kevin and Andrew. You’ll hear how it works, who it’s for, and what to do to take part. Learn more and sign up today.In our Engineer’s Minute, Network Engineer Alan stays with the SD-WAN theme with a trick that’ll keep management simple when you switch to an SD-WAN setup.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/services or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:Will SD-WAN Solve IoT’s Toughest Questions?https://www.sdxcentral.com/articles/news/will-sd-wan-solve-iots-toughest-questions/2020/01/Ransomware, phishing, & cyberattacks scare business chiefs the mosthttps://www.zdnet.com/article/ransomware-phishing-and-cyber-attacks-scare-business-chiefs-the-most/Cyber security firm finds ‘multiple vulnerabilities’ in Tik Tok securityhttps://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/cyber-security-firm-finds-multiple-vulnerabilities-in-tik-tok-security-01-14-2020Submit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

In Episode 10, Andrew and Kevin ring in the new year with a look ahead to the future of network security in 2020. They countdown 20 trends and predictions from industry leaders like Fortinet, SonicWall, Sophos, WatchGuard, and Experian – mixing in a few offbeat predictions that are less likely to come true as well. You’ll hear about fleeceware, election interference, AI, and even monkey butlers (that one may require some explanation). In our Engineer’s Minute, Network Engineer Gerald has a New Year’s tradition you should start with your firewall to keep your network security at its best.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/services or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:Tech Chiefs Plan to Boost Cybersecurity Spendinghttps://www.wsj.com/articles/tech-chiefs-plan-to-boost-cybersecurity-spending-115777018023 things I taught 60,000 NASA employees about cybersecurityhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/2020/01/02/3-tips-prevent-hackers-doing-cyberattack-your-pc/2778985001/Ransomware closes Richmond school districthttps://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/01/02/this-virus-affected-critical-operating-systems-ransomware-closes-richmond-school-district/US Coast Guard Sounds Alarm After Ransomware Attackhttps://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/us-coast-guard-sounds-alarm/Submit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

In Episode 9, Kevin and Andrew invite you to gather ‘round the fireside and hear a cautionary holiday tale of a miserly small business owner who needs some convincing from a few ethereal figures on Christmas Eve to take cybersecurity more seriously. It’s a story of phishing, ransomware, time travel, and more! And it’s Ping’s first ever podcast play. Our Network Engineer Nick is in the Christmas spirit as well, as he shares a few naughty and nice network security behaviors in our Engineer’s Minute.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/services or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:New Orleans Scrambles to Respond to Ransomware Attackhttps://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/new-orleans-scrambles/Cryptocurrency tycoon died leaving $145m in limbo. Now lawyers seek exhumation to check it's really him https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/14/business/lawyers-exhumation-gerald-cotten-intl-scli/index.html Amazon issues fix after some Blink home cameras found vulnerable to hackinghttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-amazon-com-blink/amazon-issues-fix-after-some-blink-home-cameras-found-vulnerable-to-hacking-idUSKBN1YE2D2Submit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes are released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!

In Episode 8, Andrew and Kevin take a deep dive into the world of ransomware and get insight on a ransomware cell from SonicWall’s Brook Chelmo. Brook talks about the Russian Hildacrypt ransomware cell, how they work, their motivations, and some of their rules of engagement. He even passes along some tips to avoid being victimized by ransomware, straight from the hackers who deploy it. You can learn more about Brook’s contact with Hildacrypt by listening to his webinar, titled “Mindhunter,” by reading his SonicWall blog post titled “Meeting a Russian Ransomware Cell,” or by reading his LinkedIn post, titled “Meeting Hilda; Two Weeks with a Russian Ransomware Cell.”Our Network Engineer Kevin (no relation) joins us for our Engineer’s Minute to talk about a security tool vital in the fight against ransomware – sandboxing.Learn more about everything network security on our Firewalls.com Blog. And you can learn more about the Professional Services offered by our Certified Experts: https://www.firewalls.com/services or by calling 866-403-5305.Our cyber security headlines discussed on the episode include:Hospitals hit by ransomware attacks are seeing an increase in heart patients’ death rateshttps://www.foxnews.com/tech/hospitals-ransomware-attacks-heart-patient-deathCybersecurity for Giving Seasonhttps://www.propertycasualty360.com/2019/2019/11/25/cybersecurity-for-giving-season/ Over 480 million mobile VPN apps have been downloaded in the past yearhttps://www.zdnet.com/article/over-480-million-mobile-vpn-apps-have-been-downloaded-in-the-past-year/Submit a question for a future Engineer’s Minute, a suggested episode topic, or any other feedback you may have to podcast@firewalls.com. Remember, new episodes will be released every other Wednesday, so subscribe/follow to ensure you get the latest first - and please rate and review.Thanks for listening!