Tag: cyber security

  • Iranian hackers attack 3 major Pakistani telecom companies

    Iranian hackers attack 3 major Pakistani telecom companies

    A group of Iranian hackers has targeted three telecom firms in Pakistan and breached data servers, revealed a cyber security company, Symantec.

    While the report does not reveal the names of the companies that were targeted, it discloses that the group uses virtual “tunnels” to stay connected to the victims’ machines without a trace.

    Using virtual tunnel technique, they can also access other machines on the same network to extract valuable information.

    Jon DiMaggio, senior cyber threat analyst at Symantec explained, Iranian “Greenbug” is capable to breach telecom network repeatedly. “As we would close one door, they would attempt to come back from another.”

    Besides, this is not the first time a hacker group has been involved in cyberattacks against telecom companies. According to Symantec, 18 different groups linked to various governments around the globe targeted telecom firms in 2019.

    Telecom companies will always get these cyberattacks because they have valuable information in their databases, says Symantec. Big telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon have heavily invested in protection against cyberattacks, however, not all companies have the same resources.

    The reports recommended firms to keep their systems up to date with the latest security tools and features. There are tools that can automatically eliminate vulnerabilities from the databases of companies.

  • WhatsApp will not operate on outdated smartphones, Here is why

    WhatsApp will not operate on outdated smartphones, Here is why

    Millions of Android and iPhone devices with an outdated operating system (Andriod or IOS) will no longer be able to run WhatsApp, the app owned by Facebook, BBC reported on Saturday. WhatsApp as saying the move is important to protect the security of its users. 

    Smartphones with Andriod version 2.3.7 and older, and iPhone IOS 8 and older, would be affected by the update, said the report. Most users would be able to update their operating systems in order to continue using the services of WhatsApp.

    “WhatsApp clearly had no option but to ensure its services remain secure; however it faces the difficult side-effect that the app is no longer compatible with older smartphones,” said CSS (tech research company) insight analyst Ben Wood.

    A spokesperson for the messaging platform said: “This was a tough decision for us to make, but the right one in order to give people better ways to keep in touch with friends, family, and loved ones using WhatsApp.”

    This is the latest in a series of moves after the app withdrew support for numerous devices in 2016, and then from all Windows phones on the last day of last year.

  • Mohammad Bin Salman allegedly hacked Jeff Bezos’ cellphone

    Mohammad Bin Salman allegedly hacked Jeff Bezos’ cellphone

    Amazon founder Jeff Bezos phone was reportedly hacked by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

    According to The Guardian report, Bezos’ phone received a ‘malicious file’ from the WhatsApp number of the crown prince. After a few hours, the phone started transmitting a large amount of data to an unknown receiver.

    A few months after the intrusion, MBS was accused in the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Although, there was no tangible evidence against MBS’ involvement in the murder of Khashoggi, the journalist was working for The Washington Post which is owned by Bezos.

    Furthermore, information about Bezos’ personal life was also breached and provided to a tabloid, owned by American Media Inc (AMI). In consequence, AMI published a story revealing his extramarital affair. AMI insisted that the information was a tip off by the brother of Bezos’ girlfriend, however, the billionaire’s forensic team concluded that Saudis had managed to access his cellphone information.

    Meanwhile, the government of Saudi Arabia has denied these allegations and have asked for an inquiry into them.

    Nonetheless, the allegations will seriously damage the efforts of the Crown Prince in bringing Western culture and economic investments into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.