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Improving Cyber Capabilities: Tips from the Experts

Are you concerned about the growing cyber attacks? This blog will educate you about the best ways to improve the cyber capabilities of your organization. 

In the contemporary world, the use of mobile devices and the internet has become a necessity. However, it brings tremendous risks every day. It increases the chances of cyber attacks, thereby affecting the reputation and revenues of organizations. But the good news is that there are several ways organizations can strengthen their cyber capabilities and reduce mobile vulnerabilities. Let's take a look at the best ways of improving cyber capabilities!

Create Awareness Among Employees

If you want to address Android or iOS exploits, the best way is to create awareness and educate your employees. The employees must be trained to identify the techniques used by malicious users to attack mobile devices. It will help them to stay aware, identify attacks, and mitigate them. Phishing is one of the most common attacks that affect organizations. So, employees must be trained to identify and report phishing emails. Apart from phishing, they must stay updated about all the latest cyberattack techniques.

Check the Source

Many people simply click on the links without verifying the source. It can result in malware infection. Therefore, it is vital to check and verify the links before clicking on them. You need to check whether the link is a familiar one or not. In case it is an unfamiliar one, you must try to gain more insights into its source. If the link seems to be suspicious, avoid opening it. Moreover, if you receive links with unbelievable deals, consider ignoring them.

Use Strong Passwords

One of the simplest ways to limit iOS or Android exploits and enhance cyber capabilities is to use strong passwords. Avoid using easy-to-guess and common passwords. You can combine letters, numerals, and symbols to form a strong password that is hard to decode. Moreover, in case any of the devices have a default password, make sure to get it changed.

Use Firewalls and Antivirus Software

Firewalls and antivirus software are excellent ways to create a defense against cybersecurity attacks. When installed on the mobile device, they help in detecting malware, suspicious links, and various other threats. However, it is important to ensure that the antivirus software is up-to-date. It is important for the optimum protection of your devices.

Collaborate with the Experts

Another effective way of enhancing your cyber capabilities is to partner with experts. The professionals have knowledge and understanding of all the vulnerabilities, from memory corruption to zero-day vulnerability. Moreover, they also know the best ways to mitigate them. So, collaborating with experts can help you secure the mobile devices and networks of your organization.

Conclusion Cybersecurity attacks are increasing day by day. So, you need to be prepared to combat them in the best possible way. Leveraging these tips can help you improve your capabilities. Are you ready to enhance Opsec and strengthen your cyber capabilities? If yes, Zeroblack is the best go-to platform for you. Reach out to the experts today! 

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What Makes Mobile Devices an Easy Target for Hackers?

Did you know smartphones are the main targets of most hackers? Ever wondered about the reason? In this blog, you will get to know about the various reasons that make mobile devices an easy target for hackers.

In today's era, doing business without mobile devices is impossible. However, with the increase in smartphone usage, the chances of cyber attacks are also high. That is why mobile security has become more important for organizations than ever before. But the question is what makes mobile devices vulnerable to attacks. Let's explore!

Ignorance and Assumption of Users

Not all mobile users are tech nerds. Most often, mobile phones are viewed as a means of connecting with others, communicating, and carrying out important tasks. Moreover, many users assume that their phones are perfectly secure. They may not have any idea about the network security issues. The hackers exploit such ignorance and assumption of users and attack the devices. As a result, the sensitive information stored in the phone gets compromised.

Access to a Large Amount of Information

Data stored on mobile phones can be easily and quickly accessed anytime and anywhere. That is why people prefer storing huge amounts of important information on their mobile devices. From personal finance information to company data, everything is stored on the phone. However, it makes mobile devices vulnerable to attacks. The hackers know that by attracting smartphones, they can gain access to both personal and professional data. Therefore, they target mobile devices.

Increase in App Usage

Mobile users download a lot of apps for different purposes. Many organizations even require their employees to download various apps. The hackers view it as an opportunity to attack the phones and gain access to the important information of users. Hackers introduce malicious apps in the app stores. When the user downloads such applications, it infects the mobile device. As a result, the hacker gets control of the mobile phone and extracts critical information.

Easy Delivery of Malware

Malware delivery on mobile devices is simple and easy. There are several ways hackers can attack the phone and deliver malware. When a user visits an unknown website, there is a chance of malware infection. Similarly, downloading games and apps can also infect mobile devices. Once the device is infected, unauthorized users can gain access to the sensitive data stored in it. 

Ways to Secure Mobile Devices

By now, you must have a clear idea of the reason why hackers target mobile devices. To enhance operational security, here are some tips that can help.

Verify the authenticity of apps before downloading

Set strong passwords that are hard to decode

Encrypt important data on the mobile device

Understand the potential vulnerabilities

Conclusion Mobile security is continuously being compromised over the years. That is why experts focus on conducting static & dynamic analysis to improve security. Are you looking for a firm to address the mobile security issues of your organization? Collaborate with Zeroblack and get the best mobile security solutions. With adequate knowledge of mitigation bypasses, operational security, and more, they meet all your security needs.

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Most Common Mobile Vulnerabilities and Ways to Mitigate Them

The world is witnessing exponential growth in smartphone usage. No doubt, it has made things easier and more convenient for individuals and organizations. However, there are also several associated vulnerabilities. Having knowledge of the Android and iOSexploits will enable organizations to adopt the right mitigation strategies and prevent potential damages. Here is a list of common mobile vulnerabilities and the right ways to mitigate them.

Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering is the most common vulnerability affecting mobile apps. It is an approach that attackers use to gain access to the source code, understand the functionalities of the app, and formulate Android exploits. One of the best ways to protect mobile apps against reverse engineering is code obfuscation. It makes it quite difficult for hackers to understand the functionality of the app, thereby preventing them from exploiting it.

Insecure Data Storage

Another prominent mobile vulnerability is insecure data storage. It gives rise to issues such as data leakage. The leakage of sensitive data and information of the organization can affect the reputation of the business in the market. If data is not encrypted or stored in a secure manner, malicious users can easily gain access to the data and use it to their advantage. An ideal way to secure your sensitive business data is by encrypting the data and protecting the encryption keys with appropriate measures. 

Code Tampering

Code tampering refers to the process in which malicious users modify source codes, change resources, and include malicious content in the apps. After injecting malware, the attackers may release the tampered mobile apps in the app stores. Downloading the app is likely to infect your smartphone and give rise to security issues. Ultimately, it can lead to reputational damages, identity theft, and loss of revenue. Therefore, mitigating this mobile security issue is important. The introduction of a code signing certificate can help users easily identify potential code alterations. Implementation of anti-tamper techniques can also be useful in preventing code tampering of mobile apps.

Insecure Communication

A lot of business information is shared through mobile devices. In case the data is not encrypted and sent as clear texts, it gives rise to security threats. The attackers who monitor the mobile networks can easily gain access to all the information sent and capture them. As a result, data leaks take place. To avoid the risk of data theft during mobile communication, it is vital to deploy TLS/ SSL certificates. However, make sure to get the certificates from trusted and reliable certificate authorities. It will help in securing all communication channels and preventing the loss of important business data. 

Conclusion

By now, you must have a clear idea of the potential mobile vulnerability your organization may come across. It is time to adopt the right mitigation strategies and prevent data loss in your organization. Partner with network security and operational security (Opsec) experts for the best results. Whether you want solutions for zero-day vulnerability or to enhance your cyber capabilities, Zeroblack is the perfect platform for you. Connect with the experts and discuss the specific requirements of your business.

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Quick Tips to Enhance Mobile Security

The smartphone usage is continuously on the rise. As of 2022, the number of smartphone users stands at 6.6 billion. Further, it is expected to reach 7.7 billion by 2027. With the rise in mobile phone usage, security threats have increased. Therefore, there is ongoing static & dynamic analysis to improve the security of mobile devices. Improving mobile security focuses on enhancing both the network and operational security.

Are you thinking about the best ways to improve mobile security? If yes, here are the popular ways you can adopt.

Monitor Software Vulnerabilities

One of the most common ways smartphones get infected is through the software installed. Therefore, it is important to keep a check on software vulnerabilities. An effective way of minimizing software threats is to update them on a regular basis. Software updates include important security fixes for the latest vulnerabilities and security threats. So, updating your software can help strengthen the security features of mobile devices. In some cases, the software updates are automatic. However, if the updates are not automatic, make sure to check the software and update them regularly.

Turn Off Your Mobile’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi When Not in Use

To ensure network security, it is vital to turn off your Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when it is not being used. If it is not turned off, there is a chance that malicious users may connect to the device and gain access to your important data and files. Therefore, switching it off is a wise thing to do. Moreover, you must also avoid connecting with an unknown Wi-Fi. It can also help in enhancing your mobile security.

Search for the Lock Icon

People access several browsers from their mobile devices. It increases the vulnerability of smartphones to potential security attacks. To secure mobile devices, it is crucial to ensure browsing only secure websites. Wondering how to know whether a website is safe or not? Well, it is quite simple and easy. When accessing any website, look for the lock icon on the address bar of the browser. If there is a lock icon, it means that the website has an up-to-date security certificate, and you can be rest assured of a secured connection. However, if the lock icon is missing, it is a sign of an unsecured website. Refrain from using such websites to protect your mobile device.

Encrypt Data

Smartphones contain a wealth of data for users. To avoid the loss of sensitive data and information, it is vital to encrypt your data. Encryption stores your personal and financial data in an unreadable form. It prevents hackers from gaining access to your important data. Apart from encrypting data, taking a backup of your data can also be an ideal way of enhancing mobile security.

Conclusion

Mobile security has become important in the era of increased cybersecurity attacks. Following these strategies can help in effective mitigation bypasses and protect your sensitive financial and personal data. Want to enhance the mobile security of your organization? Zeroblack can provide you with the best security solutions for optimal results.

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What is OPSEC? Why is It for Everyone?

In a tech-driven era where malicious attackers are relentlessly trying to find loopholes in the cyber landscape, 360-degree security has become a mandate. Among all the diversified types of security, OPSEC has proved to be a reliable and rock-solid way to protect sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands and avoid adversaries like memory corruption.

What is OPSEC?

Also known as procedural security, Operational Security (OPSEC) is a risk management process that encourages individuals and enterprises to view operations from the perspective of an antagonist to protect sensitive data and insights. Although the security protocol was fundamentally used by the military, now it is becoming popular in business ecosystems as well. The OPSEC umbrella includes a five-step process:

Data Identification

Identifying the sensitive data with thorough R&D. By working with iOS security researchers, vivid product research, customer/employee information, intellectual property, financial statements, etc. are identified as the kind of information/resources that would need protecting.

Threat identification

For every category of information deemed sensitive, experts identify the kind of threats that are present. Undoubtedly one must be wary of third parties trying to steal information, but there are internal threats as well that need equal emphasis.

Vulnerability assessment

The third step involves analyzing security pitfalls and other vulnerabilities. By deploying reverse engineering principles, professionals assess what safeguards your data and determine what weaknesses can be exploited to gain access to your sensitive information.

Appraising vulnerabilities 

The next step is to rank the vulnerabilities using factors such as the extent of damage, the likelihood of an attack and the amount of time and effort you would need to recover. If an attack is more damaging, prioritize it more to mitigate the associated risk at the very first instance.

Determining countermeasures

The last step of OPSEC is to create and implement a strategy to eliminate threats and mitigate risks. This includes everything ranging from updating hardware, training employees on sound security practices/company policies or managing sensitive data.

Why should you care about OPSEC?

Cyber attackers are constantly profiling targets and looking for potential weaknesses in OPSEC platforms. Within a few hours of online recon using OSINT (Open Source Intelligent Techniques), attackers can gather enough information on a target to learn their:

Name

Address

Location

SSN/NI Number

Email accounts and passwords

Online digital footprint

Financial information

Employment information

Social media profile

Sensitive personal data, etc.

If you want to avoid identity theft, or you don’t like the sound of your sensitive enterprise/ financial information getting stolen by anyone, working with OPSEC experts can do wonders to safeguard your data with offensive cyber security. Unlike conventional defensive security which focuses on reactive measures like finding and fixing system vulnerabilities and patching software, offensive security is an adversarial, proactive approach to protect your systems and networks from attacks through practices like ethical hacking and reverse engineering.

It's a wrap! Need a robust, comprehensive OPSEC program to mitigate risks and vulnerabilities before they become problems? Reach out to the experts at Zeroblack now. Ranging from implementing a precise change management process and restricting access to network devices with AAA authentication to training, automating tasks and implementing dual control, the professionals can create an orchestrated incident response and disaster recovery planning for your OPSEC program.

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Android Exploits: Vulnerabilities that Can Give Hackers the Upper Hand

The Android OS might have dominated the industry for years, but its threats are constant and imminent. In recent years, it has fortified the security mechanisms, fixing significant vulnerabilities as the OS evolved. However, that hasn’t stopped the new vulnerabilities from emerging and causing disruption. According to market reports, when assessing the android exploits in 2021, a total of 574 vulnerabilities came to light. (Source: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/2021-mobile-security-android-more-vulnerabilities-ios-more-zero-days/)

Although that was a notable reduction from the previous year, and the vulnerabilities had a low attack complexity, a threat needs neutralizing. Keeping that in mind, this blog will shed some light on the top android mobile vulnerabilities that can cause concern. 

Android Exploits – Beware of these Vulnerabilities

System loopholes like zero-day vulnerabilities are common. But, when they go unaddressed, that’s what leads to the exploits leaving the door open for hackers. Let’s look at a few Android OS vulnerabilities that can become a concern for a system user.

Inadequate Transport Layer Protection

Android applications can fail while encrypting the network traffic while protecting sensitive data and communications. The encryption is supposed to be used to authenticate the connections like internet-accessible webpages. There should be encryptions throughout the backend connections too. If not, that exposes the session token to malicious actors, active within the same network. These might have a lower vulnerability range but can compromise the security of the user accounts landing the organization in a data breach situation.

The only way to mitigate this is by ensuring security constraints throughout the application and defining confidentiality. There should be encryption whenever there is an exchange of sensitive information.

Insufficient Authentication

If the system does not operate under sufficient authentication checks when a user is trying to access data, then that leaves a gaping vulnerability. It defies the security practices that must be in place. You need authorization protocols in place so that there is clarity regarding what the user, application, or service has permission to act on. You might authenticate a user to the platform, but that does not give them exclusive authority to access the functionality. 

You can mitigate this issue by enforcing proven authentication frameworks, and emphasizing policy-based configurations. Similarly, there is a significant number of iOS exploits as well that respective system operators need to be aware of.

Binary Protection

It indicates Root Detection or Insufficient Jailbreak. Rooting an Android OS breaches the standard encryption and data protection schemes relevant to the system. If the system has vulnerabilities it becomes easy for any malicious code to cause operational disruption. It alters the functionality and intended behaviour of logic.

It is best if you don’t run an application on rooted devices to avert security concerns. You can add a layer of risk mitigation and policy enforcement to secure the data.

Conclusion Are you looking for a trusted and reputed organization to provide you with advanced OPSEC solutions? Then look no further than Zeroblack. The company specializes in cyber intelligence and network security, offering customized training and solutions to enterprises looking to strengthen their cyber capabilities. Reach out for a consultation today!

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Mobile Security Threats In Organisations: 4 Challenges To Navigate And Solve

Mobile security has become a buzzword across government and corporate organisations with the rising proliferation of mobile devices. Research insights from Gartner reveal that 27% of corporate data flows via mobile devices. These development places organisations at risk of cybersecurity threats affecting their employees' devices. Offensive cyber attacks can extract confidential data from mobile devices and wreak havoc on organisational operations.

Android and iOs security researchers are continually devising strategies to minimise these threats. Organisations need to implement up-to-date tools and techniques for adopting a proactive approach towards cybersecurity. Let's break down the top four concerns that face modern organisations in the domain of mobile cyber security.

The Leading Challenges for Mobile Security Within Organisations

Socially Engineered Malware Codes: Malware on mobile devices often target the psychological inclinations of individual users. Mobile users get tempted to click on links that look attractive and appealing. This technique often causes the loss of corporate data to cyber attackers stealing information. Vulnerability training and employee education can potentially help stakeholders within organisations become aware of mobile security risks.

Unidentified Vulnerabilities in Mobile Software Systems: Sometimes, unidentified bugs in mobile software can create an opening for attackers to steal valuable data. Delayed identification of these malicious threats can prevent software vendors from providing timely patches. Reverse engineering mobile applications can allow cybersecurity experts to assess the source code and analyse existing bugs. Automating patch management using cutting-edge tools can also minimise exposure to these software threats.

Mobile Device Attacks: Cyber assailants frequently target the mobile devices of critical stakeholders in large-scale organisations. They identify members with access to sensitive data so that they can wage an attack to extract valuable information. These threats can also lead to memory corruptionon these mobile devices. Device attacks can take many different forms. Attackers can attempt a distributed denial of service (DDoS) using unscrupulous methods. They frequently use avenues like SMS and MMS to initiate these attacks.

Interception of Communication Mechanisms: Wifi-enabled mobile devices are highly susceptible to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. The employees of an organisation may use unsecured Wifi networks in public locations such as airports and railway stations. Hackers can intercept these connections to initiate MITM attacks and extract data from mailboxes and mobile applications. Cellular data connections are also vulnerable to unscrupulous attacks. Hackers can intercept data transmissions and steal information resources without the user's knowledge. Effective mobile security solutions and the adoption of preventative steps can help avoid these attacks.

How To Minimise Mobile Cybersecurity Issues to Protect Your Organisation’s Data Assets?

In the current scenario, it is challenging to curb the use of mobile devices among stakeholders. Instead, organisations can use strategies like the following:

Create strict BYOD (bring-your-own-device) policies for the employees to ensure they do not transmit organisational data to unauthorised entities.

Provide vulnerability training to organisational stakeholders for empowering them to identify and respond to cyber threats.

Hire cybersecurity professionals with knowledge of mitigation strategies, attack surface enumeration techniques, and other tools to manage these security concerns.

If you want to transform your organisation’s mobile security, contact ZeroBlack, a credible cybersecurity company helping organisations to protect their critical assets.

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5 Mobile Vulnerabilities and Common Attacks You Must Know

Strengthening mobile security is imperative to counter the most common attacks on sensitive information. Mobile security has different aspects: mobile applications security, APIs and server security, and back-end security. Cybercriminals take advantage of mobile vulnerabilities and can steal sensitive information like passwords, customer information, and banking details.

5 common threats to mobile devices

Many organizations are investing heavily in mobile initiatives since research shows that mobile initiatives can improve operations and productivity.

The increase in organizational mobility typically causes an increase in mobile devices connecting to your system remotely. Consequently, you need to protect your organization from a data breach by securing increasing endpoints and threats. But, in order to learn more about android and iOS exploits, we must know what causing them:

Phishing attack

Fake emails and text messages containing a clickable link sometimes contain malware. Once you click the link, all information on your devices gets transferred to the third party. Therefore, you should avoid emails and messages from unknowns you find suspicious. This will also lessen the possibility of zero-day vulnerability attacks.

Unsecured public WiFi

We love whatever we get for free. But, you should think twice before connecting your devices to public WiFi. Cybercriminals usually look for their next target on these unsecured networks. You will lose your important and confidential data within seconds of connecting your device to an unsecured public network. Increasingly, employers are offering remote work options, which can create security concerns for your organization on public WiFi networks.

Browser exploits

An exploit uses known security flaws in your mobile browser to gain access to your information. Android exploits work against other applications like PDF readers and easily access data from your device. You might have noticed an unexpected change in your phone browser that signifies a cyber attack on your device.

Bad passwords habits

According to a 2020 study by Balbix, Users reuse passwords more than 99% of the time, whether they use them on work or personal accounts. There's more to it than that. Passwords are shared across an average of 2.7 accounts. These poor password habits make companies more susceptible to cyber threats, as some employees use personal devices to access their organization accounts.

Madware & Spyware

Mobile Adware attacks are known as Madware. These malicious creatures collect your personal information through ads and transmit it to cyber criminals. When you click on a specific link on your browser, it collects information about your location, banking details, and more. Sometimes, these ads or links are a part of the whole cybercrime gamble, and they misuse your information.

In Final Words

Organizations are spending hefty amounts on increasing their cyber capabilities and security practices to mitigate cyber threats. These threats may sound scary, but you can completely stop the possibility of a common attack on your device. The best way to prevent mobile security threats is to take a few common-sense precautions.