- Cyber Safety
- Posts
- The 68-Day Blind Spot: How Attackers Live Undetected in Your Network
The 68-Day Blind Spot: How Attackers Live Undetected in Your Network
Lynx ransomware is making waves in the cyber world, targeting organizations globally with its sophisticated double extortion tactics. Since its launch in mid-2024, it has impressed and alarmed cybersecurity experts with its advancements, including:
• A Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model facilitating widespread attacks.
• A hybrid encryption method that combines AES-128 and Curve25519 to enhance data security.
• A command-line interface allowing affiliates to tailor their attacks effectively.
Lynx often gains access through phishing and exploits vulnerabilities like SMB over port 445. Once inside, it exfiltrates sensitive data to cloud storage, using legitimate tools to maintain a low profile.
The threat escalates as attackers gradually gradually leak stolen data, increasing pressure on victims. With its technical prowess and psychological strategies, Lynx ransomware is proving to be a formidable adversary in 2025 and beyond, pushing organizations to bolster their defenses.
SonicWall's 2025 Annual Cyber Threat Report reveals a shocking rise in cyberattacks, particularly targeting small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). As threat actors employ advanced AI and automation techniques, traditional defenses fall short, highlighting the urgent need for expert Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to bolster cybersecurity efforts.
Key findings include:
• Ransomware attacks up 8% in North America and a staggering 259% in Latin America.
• Business Email Compromise (BEC) is now responsible for nearly one-third of cyber incidents, up from only 9% last year.
• IoT attacks saw a 124% increase.
With businesses taking an alarming average of 68 days under attack before responding, SonicWall emphasizes the importance of real-time threat monitoring and innovative security solutions. As the cyber landscape evolves rapidly, SMBs must prioritize partnerships with trusted MSPs to combat these relentless threats and safeguard their assets effectively.
Phishing attacks have evolved beyond mere technical exploits. They dive deep into human psychology to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive information.
Key highlights include:
Exploiting Cognitive Biases: Attackers leverage inherent cognitive biases, such as trust in authority and urgency, to manipulate victims into swift, uncritical actions.
Emotional Manipulation: Tactics that induce fear, greed, or curiosity are employed to lower individuals' defenses, making them more susceptible to phishing attempts.
Social Engineering: Phishers exploit social relationships to gain unauthorized access to information by crafting messages that appear to come from trusted sources.
Understanding these psychological tactics is crucial in developing effective defense mechanisms against phishing. Enhancing awareness and critical thinking can significantly reduce the success rate of such attacks.
A recent wave of cyberattacks has seen Chinese hackers exploiting the CVE-2024-24919 zero-day vulnerability in Check Point's VPNs, launching aggressive operations on organizations across Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Here's a quick roundup of the most alarming highlights:
• Targeted Sectors: Attacks primarily focus on critical infrastructure in manufacturing.
• Attack Techniques: The ShadowPad backdoor and NailaoLocker ransomware are being deployed via unpatched VPN gateways.
• Credential Theft: Hackers use stolen credentials to authenticate as legitimate users.
• Persistence Methods: Attackers ensure long-term access through complex systems like DLL sideloading.
As Check Point's teams work alongside CERTs to mitigate these threats, the incident underscores the importance of timely updates and vigilance against evolving cyber threats. The implications for organizations reliant on legacy systems are significant, highlighting vulnerabilities that demand immediate attention.