CYBER RISKS
U.S. launches online hub to help ransomware victims
The U.S. government on Thursday unveiled an online hub for the victims of ransomware attacks, saying it will make it easier for companies and municipalities to find resources and get assistance if they are targeted by cyber hackers.
Microsoft says Israeli group sold tools to hack Windows
An Israeli group sold a tool to hack into Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Corp. and technology human rights group Citizen Lab said on Thursday, shedding light on the growing business of finding and selling tools to hack widely used software.
Facebook says Iranian hackers used site to spy
Facebook said Thursday it had taken down about 200 accounts run by a group of hackers in Iran as part of a cyber-spying operation that targeted mostly U.S. military personnel and people working at defense and aerospace companies.
Connecticut provides breach safe harbor
Connecticut is following Utah and Ohio in approving legislation that provides a safe harbor for companies with cybersecurity programs.
Ransomware gang REvil’s websites become unreachable
Websites run by the ransomware gang REvil suddenly became unreachable Tuesday.
Aon names cybersecurity managing director
Aon PLC said Tuesday it has named Adam Bixby as managing director, proactive security leader, for cyber solutions North America.
BoE to crack down on ‘secretive’ cloud computing services
Cloud computing providers to the financial sector can be “secretive,” and regulators need to act to avoid banks’ reliance on a handful of outside firms becoming a threat to financial stability, the Bank of England said on Tuesday.
District council declares Germany’s first ‘cyber-catastrophe’
(Reuters) — A district council in eastern Germany has declared a disaster after its computer systems were paralyzed by a hacker attack in what the federal cybersecurity watchdog confirmed was the country’s first-ever “cyber-catastrophe.” Hackers knocked out the IT operations of the municipality of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, on Tuesday, a spokesperson confirmed to Reuters on […]
China drafts new cybersecurity industry plan
(Reuters) — China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Monday it has issued a draft three-year action plan to develop the country’s cybersecurity industry, estimating the sector may be worth more than 250 billion yuan ($38.6 billion) by 2023. The draft comes as Chinese authorities step up efforts to draft regulations to better […]
Huawei, Verizon agree to settle patent lawsuits
(Reuters) — Chinese telecommunications company Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and U.S. group Verizon Communications Inc. agreed to settle a pair of lawsuits alleging patent infringement, the companies both said on Monday. The confidential settlement came days into a trial that opened in one of the two lawsuits last week. Huawei and Verizon filed joint motions […]
McDonald’s in South Korea, Taiwan hit by data breach
McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest burger chain, said on Friday that a data breach in South Korea and Taiwan has exposed some customer and employee information, making it the latest global company to be targeted by cybercriminals.
Meatpacker JBS says it paid $11M in ransomware attack
Meatpacker JBS USA paid a ransom equivalent to $11 million following a cyberattack that disrupted its North American and Australian operations, the company’s CEO said in a statement on Wednesday.
Cyber exposures top list of emerging risks: Insurers
Cybersecurity exposures top the list of emerging risks for insurers, which must deal with both coverage and operational issues relating to risk, a panel of chief risk officers said.
Insurtech company secures $100M more in funding
San Francisco-based insurtech company Embroker Inc. said Wednesday it has secured an additional $100 million in funding, which will permit it to expand into becoming a licensed insurer.
Aon sees early Q3 close on Willis deal
Aon PLC plans to close its $30 billion proposed purchase of rival Willis Towers Watson PLC “as early as possible in the third quarter,” according to Aon CEO Greg Case.
Cyber premiums, loss ratio up sharply in 2020: Survey
Cyber premiums increased 21% in 2020 from 2019, but insurers’ loss ratio increased as well, a survey found.
GOP senators push FCC to act on Trump social media order
Four Republican U.S. senators on Tuesday urged the Federal Communications Commission to review whether to revise liability protections for internet companies after President Donald Trump urged action.
Chipmaker MaxLinear hit by ‘Maze’ ransomware attack
Radio-frequency chipmaker MaxLinear Inc. said on Tuesday it was hit by a cyberattack, with a hacker releasing some proprietary information about the company online.
Ex-eBay employees charged with cyberstalking couple
Six former eBay Inc. employees have been criminally charged with cyberstalking a Massachusetts couple who published an online newsletter viewed as critical of the e-commerce company, federal prosecutors in Boston said on Monday.
Ransomware attacks against Beazley clients up 25%
Ransomware attacks against Beazley PLC clients increased 25% between last year’s fourth quarter and this year’s first quarter overall, with the manufacturing sector reporting a 156% increase, says a report issued Tuesday.
Honda plants resume production after suspected cyberattack
Japan’s Honda Motor Co has resumed production at automobile and motorcycle plants in the United States and other countries after they were hit by a suspected cyberattack this week, a spokesman said on Friday.
Google tells employees: Take a seat, or a new desk
The employer that brought free cooking classes and ping pong tables to the office is giving employees a $1,000 expense account to spiff up their home workspaces, according to a letter addressed to “Googlers” from CEO Sundar Pichai.
ACLU sues biometrics company under Illinois privacy law
The American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations filed suit in state court in Illinois Thursday charging a company that collects biometric data for law enforcement with violating the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act.
Cyber insurer Coalition raises $90M in equity capital
Cyber insurer and security company Coalition Inc. said Wednesday it has raised $90 million in additional equity capital.
