SecurityBrief New Zealand - Technology news for CISOs & cybersecurity decision-makers

Kiwi Stories

Under the spotlight: CERT NZ reveals last year's most pervasive cyber threats
Crypto

Under the spotlight: CERT NZ reveals last year's most pervasive cyber threats

New Zealanders from 'all walks of life' reported 1131 cybersecurity issues ranging from cryptocurrency scams to phishing in 2017.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Thu, 29th Mar 2018
Ilumony founders launch NZ cryptocurrency investment platform
Crypto

Ilumony founders launch NZ cryptocurrency investment platform

The new platform, called Invsta, is in pre-beta testing and will be live to the general public later this year.

By Kai Ping Lew • 3 min read • Tue, 20th Mar 2018

Global Stories

Cryptominers posing a new threat for enterprise IT infrastructures
Crypto

Cryptominers posing a new threat for enterprise IT infrastructures

As well as viruses, trojans, worms and ransomware attacks, IT managers now have a new threat to worry about: cryptominers.

By Scott Robertson • 4 min read • Fri, 4th May 2018
NZ fintech sector growth outpacing rest of the world
Fintech

NZ fintech sector growth outpacing rest of the world

New Zealand's fintech sector is expanding at 48.5%, outpacing the global average of 31-33%, with strong regulatory ties and a vibrant ecosystem driving growth.

By Kai Ping Lew • 2 min read • Fri, 4th May 2018
Once legit site found to be cryptomining, 6,000 machines infected
Malware

Once legit site found to be cryptomining, 6,000 machines infected

Check Point researchers discovered a previously legitimate video software download site has moved into cryptomining, earning around US$700 a day.

By Ashton Young • 2 min read • Mon, 30th Apr 2018
'World's biggest' DDoS market BUSTED, but experts remain cynical
Distributed Denial of Service

'World's biggest' DDoS market BUSTED, but experts remain cynical

Europol has announced another major takedown that is a triumph for the 'good guys', but experts say it only shows how easy it is for cybercriminals.

By Ashton Young • 5 min read • Thu, 26th Apr 2018
Google to ban cryptocurrency mining extensions from Chrome
Crypto

Google to ban cryptocurrency mining extensions from Chrome

Google bans cryptomining extensions from the Chrome Web Store, citing misuse by developers which impacts user performance and increases power consumption.

By Sara Barker • 2 min read • Mon, 9th Apr 2018
Updated: MailChimp prohibits cryptocurrency, ICO & blockchain email promotions
Crypto

Updated: MailChimp prohibits cryptocurrency, ICO & blockchain email promotions

Email marketing giant MailChimp is the latest large enterprise to initiate a crackdown on cryptocurrency and ICO-related promotions.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Tue, 3rd Apr 2018
Data centres beware: New report predicts imminent attacks
Hyperscale

Data centres beware: New report predicts imminent attacks

Cryptomining is increasingly outdoing ransomware in popularity but cybercriminals are running out of CPU, painting data centres as prime targets.

By Ashton Young • 4 min read • Mon, 26th Mar 2018
Report uncovers big business of cybercrime – but just how big?
Distributed Denial of Service

Report uncovers big business of cybercrime – but just how big?

'Would you like anything else with your $10 DDoS attack-as-a-service sir?' Armor's report paints a disturbing picture of the cybercrime market.

By Ashton Young • 3 min read • Thu, 22nd Mar 2018
Not a Bitcoin owner? You're still fair game for a cryptomining attack
Crypto

Not a Bitcoin owner? You're still fair game for a cryptomining attack

Check Point has released a 'cryptomining 101' document that details how cybercriminals hack into devices to steal their CPU power for illicit mining.

By Ashton Young • 3 min read • Wed, 21st Mar 2018
Adobe Sign announces new partnerships and payments integration
Digital Signage

Adobe Sign announces new partnerships and payments integration

Adobe Sign is designed to help organisations speed up business and plug into third-party applications to deliver seamless customer experiences.

By Kai Ping Lew • 3 min read • Mon, 19th Mar 2018
Cybercriminals laundering $200b in ill-gotten gains – here's how
Gaming

Cybercriminals laundering $200b in ill-gotten gains – here's how

​A new report from Bromium has landed with a number of startling findings, including the confirmation of a bustling cybercrime laundry market.

By Ashton Young • 5 min read • Sat, 17th Mar 2018

Stories from Other Regions

Bank Negara Malaysia stops SWIFT fraud in its tracks
Blockchain

Bank Negara Malaysia stops SWIFT fraud in its tracks

Falsified SWIFT messages were used to attempt unauthorized fund transfers, which were blocked through a collaborative effort.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Mon, 9th Apr 2018
Monash University researchers scour dark web to understand cybercrime
Cybersecurity

Monash University researchers scour dark web to understand cybercrime

IT researchers at Monash University have exposed activity on the dark web that could spell the end for some cybercriminals.

By Sara Barker • 2 min read • Wed, 28th Mar 2018
Agile Digital & Vault Systems bring blockchain to cloud security
Cloud Security

Agile Digital & Vault Systems bring blockchain to cloud security

Blockchain is about to become part of the Australian cloud market, thanks to a partnership between two Australian tech firms.

By Sara Barker • 2 min read • Mon, 26th Mar 2018
ATO scammers steal $50k's worth of cryptocurrency from Australian taxpayers
Crypto

ATO scammers steal $50k's worth of cryptocurrency from Australian taxpayers

Australian Tax Office warns of cryptocurrency scam demanding Bitcoin payments for fake tax debts, with losses of over $50,000 reported.

By Sara Barker • 3 min read • Mon, 19th Mar 2018