Each week, Cybersafe.co.uk will be updating you on the latest cyber attacks threatening the private and sensitive data of businesses all over the UK. As technology evolves, so do cyber criminals and their methods of attack. If your company does not have the right cyber security processes in place, it runs a serious risk of cyber attackers infiltrating its network and data. The results could devastate your business if your data falls into the wrong hands. Whether it be paying a ransom which could cost you a fortune, losing all your data and not being able to recover it, a fine due to GDPR breaches, or reputational damage, all of these effects could have a severe impact on how (and if) your business will be able to move forwards.
9th May 2024 – Below, we update business leaders on what you and your employees need to look out for when assessing cyber threats to their data.
Here are the most prominent cyber threats to businesses which you should be aware of:
IT outage at UK Border Force – Cyber Attack?
A recent IT outage affecting automated passport control e-gates at UK airports has been resolved, with government officials ruling out a cyber attack. The blackout caused significant delays for travellers but did not compromise border security. The Home Office is investigating the incident to prevent future occurrences and looking at IT support. This is not the first time such outages have affected the UK’s automated border gates, which various travellers, including citizens from select countries, use.
The e-gate technology, initially introduced in the late 2000s, has been widely implemented across UK airports and Eurostar terminals. Despite occasional disruptions, the system serves travellers from various countries, including the EU, the US, and others, streamlining the immigration process for eligible individuals. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the reliability and efficiency of these automated border control systems in the face of technological challenges.
This time, it was good that it was not a cyber attack but it does highlight how vulnerable these systems are. Fortunately, due to the nature of the outage, there was high alert to prevent any other outages and stop any attempted cyber attacks during the outage. Cyber security is essential! Be Cybersafe.
New malware targeting Company-used Apple Macs
A new macOS malware dubbed “Cuckoo” is targeting both Apple Silicon and Intel-based Macs, posing a threat to users’ security. Disguised as a music converter app, the malware behaves like a combination of information-stealing malware and spyware. It tricks users into manually allowing its installation, then escalates privileges to access sensitive data such as passwords and personal information stored in various applications and cloud services.
This incident underscores the importance of robust cyber security measures for businesses and individuals alike. Malware like Cuckoo can infiltrate systems through seemingly innocuous means, highlighting the need for vigilant security protocols. Businesses must ensure the implementation of effective cybersecurity measures to safeguard their data and systems against such threats. Additionally, individuals should exercise caution when downloading software from unverified sources and consider using reputable antivirus software to mitigate the risk of malware infections.
