All posts by jerry

Defensive Security Podcast Episode 305

Security

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In this episode, we discuss the Google Mandiant 2025 M-Trends report.  The report is available here: https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/m-trends-2025-en.pdf

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Defensive Security Podcast Episode 304

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In this episode of the Defensive Security Podcast, hosts Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity, focusing on the rise of BEC scams and the significant losses attributed to cybercrime in 2024. They explore emerging threats, including social engineering tactics and hardware vulnerabilities, particularly in management interfaces. The conversation also delves into the complexities of vulnerability management, the risks associated with supply chain attacks in open source software, and the alarming rate at which CVEs are being exploited. The hosts emphasize the need for organizations to be proactive in their security measures and to understand the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Links:

  • https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/fbi-internet-crime-bec-scams-investment-fraud-losses/746181/
  • https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/asus-releases-fix-for-ami-bug-that-lets-hackers-brick-servers/
  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/21/microsoft_apple_patch/
  • https://thehackernews.com/2025/04/ripples-xrpljs-npm-package-backdoored.html
  • https://thehackernews.com/2025/04/159-cves-exploited-in-q1-2025-283.html

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Defensive Security Podcast Episode 303

Security

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Summary

In this episode of the Defensive Security Podcast, hosts Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat discuss various cybersecurity topics, including the rise of ransomware, the importance of backup strategies, and the implications of AI in phishing attacks. They discuss into the challenges of managing non-human identities and the need for effective communication of security metrics. The conversation also touches on the recent Oracle breach and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats.

Links:

  • https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/remote-access-tools-ransomware-entry/745144/
  • https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/oracle-breach-2-obsolete-servers
  • https://thehackernews.com/2025/04/explosive-growth-of-non-human.html?m=1
  • https://thehackernews.com/2025/04/security-theater-vanity-metrics-keep.html?m=1
  • https://www.securityweek.com/ai-now-outsmarts-humans-in-spear-phishing-analysis-shows/

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Defensive Security Podcast Episode 302

Security

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In this episode, Jerry and Andrew discuss various cybersecurity topics, including the recent Oracle Cloud security breach, a GitHub supply chain attack, insider threats, and the implications of AI in cybersecurity. They explore the challenges of maintaining trust in cloud services, the complexities of insider threats, and the evolving landscape of cybercrime driven by AI advancements. The conversation emphasizes the need for robust security measures and the importance of adapting to emerging threats in the cybersecurity realm.

Links:

  • https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/oracle-privately-confirms-cloud-breach-to-customers/
  • https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/recent-github-supply-chain-attack-traced-to-leaked-spotbugs-token/
  • ttps://www.securityweek.com/39-million-secrets-leaked-on-github-in-2024/
  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/02/deel_rippling_espionage/
  • https://www.securityweek.com/ai-giving-rise-of-the-zero-knowledge-threat-actor/

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Defensive Security Podcast Episode 301

Security

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In this episode of the Defensive Security Podcast, hosts Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat discuss a range of cybersecurity topics, including the recent Oracle Cloud breach, the challenges of asset management in large environments, and the importance of prioritizing vulnerabilities. They also explore the findings from a pen test report, the implications of emerging threats like Medusa ransomware, and the need for better security practices in organizations.

Links:

  • https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/oracle-customers-confirm-data-stolen-in-alleged-cloud-breach-is-valid/
  • https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/10-critical-network-pentest-findings-it.html?m=1
  • https://www.horizon3.ai/attack-research/attack-blogs/critical-or-clickbait-github-actions-and-apache-tomcat-rce-vulnerabilities-2025/
  • https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2025/03/30/fbi-warns-use-2fa-as-time-traveling-hackers-strike/
  • https://www.reversinglabs.com/blog/epss-is-not-foolproof-shift-your-appsec-beyond-vulnerabilities

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Defensive Security Podcast Episode 300

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Summary

In this episode, we celebrate the 300th episode of the Defensive Security Podcast then discuss various cybersecurity topics including the rise of AI-driven threats, the importance of zero trust architecture, best practices for incident response, the impact of human error on security breaches, and the risks associated with collaboration tools. We also cover the dangers of malvertising campaigns exploiting platforms like GitHub.

Like what we’re doing and want to help support us? Donate here: https://www.patreon.com/defensivesec

Links:

  • https://venturebeat.com/security/51-seconds-to-breach-how-cisos-are-fighting-back-against-lightning-fast-attacks/
  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/10/incident_response_advice/
  • https://www.scworld.com/news/95-of-data-breaches-involve-human-error-report-reveals
  • https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/remote-access-infra-remains-riskiest-corp-attack-surface
  • https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-says-malvertising-campaign-impacted-1-million-pcs/

Defensive Security Podcast Episode 299

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Summary

In this episode of the Defensive Security Podcast, hosts Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat discuss various cybersecurity topics, including a Disney employee’s mishap with an AI tool that led to a significant hack, vulnerabilities in VMware ESX hypervisors, and a developer’s sabotage of their ex-employer. They also explore the implications of GitHub repository exposure and the growing risks associated with third-party vendors in cybersecurity.

Link to support Andy and Jerry’s work creating the Defensive Security Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/defensivesec

Story links:

Defensive Security Podcast Episode 298

Security

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In this episode of the Defense of Security podcast, hosts Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat discuss various cybersecurity topics, including a recent incident involving notorious hackers breaching a company network in under an hour, strategies to defend against deepfake attacks, the targeting of freelance developers by North Korean adversaries, vulnerabilities in Palo Alto firewalls, and the emergence of ghost ransomware. The conversation emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures and the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Want to support the Defensive Security Podcast?  You can donate here: https://www.patreon.com/defensivesec

Takeaways:

  • The speed of cyber attacks is increasing, with breaches occurring in under an hour.
  • Organizations must implement robust processes to defend against deepfake attacks.
  • Freelance developers are at risk of being targeted by sophisticated cybercriminals.
  • Palo Alto firewalls are vulnerable to attacks if management interfaces are exposed to the internet.
  • Ghost ransomware is a growing threat, often using familiar tactics to exploit vulnerabilities.

Links:

  • https://arstechnica.com/security/2025/02/notorious-crooks-broke-into-a-company-network-in-48-minutes-heres-how/
  • https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/4-low-cost-ways-defend-organization-against-deepfakes
  • https://www.welivesecurity.com/en/eset-research/deceptivedevelopment-targets-freelance-developers/
  • https://www.theregister.com/2025/02/19/palo_alto_firewall_attack/
  • https://hackread.com/fbi-cisa-ghost-ransomware-threat-to-firms-worldwide/

Defensive Security Podcast Episode 297

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Links:

  • https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/ransomware-gangs–tactics-/739937/
  • https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/over-12-000-keriocontrol-firewalls-exposed-to-exploited-rce-flaw/
  • https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/02/russian-spies-use-device-code-phishing-to-hijack-microsoft-accounts/
  • https://www.darkreading.com/cyber-risk/open-source-ai-models-pose-risks-of-malicious-code-vulnerabilities
  • https://www.csoonline.com/article/3823429/24-of-vulnerabilities-are-abused-before-a-patch-is-available.html

Defensive Security Podcast Episode 296

Security

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In this episode of the Defense of Security Podcast, Jerry Bell and Andrew Kalat discuss the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats, focusing on ransomware tactics that exploit insider threats, the hijacking of LLM resources, and the effectiveness of phishing simulations. They explore how adversaries are increasingly targeting employees to gain access to sensitive data and how organizations can better protect themselves against these threats. The conversation also covers the ethical implications of phishing tests and the need for a more supportive approach to security awareness training. In this episode, Jerry and Andrew discuss the challenges faced by cybersecurity teams, the dynamics between security and other business units, and the importance of learning from incidents to improve security practices. They explore the balance between enabling business operations and maintaining security, the implications of generative AI in the workplace, and the need for effective governance around AI usage. The conversation emphasizes the proactive role security professionals must take in navigating these complexities while ensuring organizational safety.

 

 
Takeaways
  • Ransomware attackers are increasingly using insider threats to gain access.
  • Greed can turn employees into insider threats, especially in tough economic times.
  • LLM hijacking is a new tactic that exploits compromised API keys.
  • Phishing simulations may create a rift between users and IT security teams.
  • Punitive measures for phishing failures can lead to underreporting of actual attacks.
  • Security awareness training should focus on protecting users, not punishing them.
  • Adversaries are finding valid API keys to exploit cloud resources.
  • The effectiveness of phishing simulations is being questioned by experts.
  • Organizations need to do a better job at protecting their secrets and credentials.
  • The cybersecurity landscape is rapidly evolving, requiring constant adaptation. Cybersecurity teams often feel like janitors cleaning up after others.
  • Organizational dynamics can create resentment in security teams.
  • Learning from incidents is crucial for improving security practices.
  • Balancing security needs with business operations is essential.
  • Generative AI presents both risks and opportunities for organizations.
  • Effective governance is needed for AI usage in business.
  • Security professionals must help businesses understand risk management.
  • Building relationships across departments can improve security outcomes.
  • AI tools should be used with proper agreements to protect data.
  • The landscape of AI in business is rapidly evolving and requires adaptation.

Links

  • https://www.scworld.com/news/ransomware-attackers-turn-to-workers-for-data-breach-access
  • https://www.darkreading.com/application-security/llm-hijackers-deepseek-api-keys
  • https://www.wsj.com/tech/cybersecurity/phishing-tests-the-bane-of-work-life-are-getting-meaner-76f30173
  • https://www.securityweek.com/security-teams-pay-the-price-the-unfair-reality-of-cyber-incidents/
  • https://www.darkreading.com/threat-intelligence/employees-sensitive-data-genai-prompts