cybersecurity experts

Winsage
June 3, 2026
Cybersecurity researchers have identified an unpatched vulnerability that could expose NTLMv2 hashes to attackers, linked to the "search:" URI handler. This issue is similar to CVE-2026-33829, which involved a spoofing vulnerability in the Windows Snipping Tool's ms-screensketch: URI handler. The flaw allows attackers to trick users into connecting to their SMB servers, disclosing NTLMv2 hashes for authentication exploitation. The new vulnerability operates using "search:" and "crumb=location:" parameters, resulting in a similar Net-NTLMv2 leak. Microsoft has chosen not to address this issue, stating only vulnerabilities classified as Important or Critical would be fixed. Recommendations to mitigate risks include blocking outbound SMB traffic, enforcing SMB signing, and disabling NTLM authentication where possible.
Tech Optimizer
June 3, 2026
Endpoints are critical computing devices connected to networks, including personal computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart appliances, and are often targeted in cyberattacks. Robust endpoint security is essential, especially in business environments with sensitive data. Endpoint protection solutions include antivirus software, endpoint detection and response (EDR) systems, and multi-factor authentication. - 81% of businesses have faced malware-related attacks. - 59% of ransomware incidents compromise data stored in public cloud environments. - In 2023, the average cost associated with breach detection and escalation reached USD 1.58 million. - 97% of executives access work accounts via personal devices. - During Q3 2024, malware detections at endpoints surged by 300%. - 13% of employees reported being victims of phishing attacks while working remotely. - 70% of employees using ChatGPT in the workplace do so without informing their employers. - 68% of companies have reported at least one successful endpoint attack that compromised their data or IT infrastructure. - 55% of professionals consider smartphones among the most vulnerable endpoints. - 47% of organizations monitor their networks around the clock. - The global financial impact of cybercrime is projected to exceed .5 trillion annually by 2025. - In 2021, 53% of organizations experienced successful ransomware attacks, marking a 148% increase from 2020. - Paying a ransom can double the total cost of a ransomware incident. - 40% of organizations delay patch rollouts to avoid potential conflicts. - 67% of IT professionals believe that Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies have weakened their organization's security posture. - 69% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) expected at least one ransomware attack in 2022. - Only 50% of organizations encrypt sensitive data on their devices. - Organizations with a high number of remote workers face the greatest risks regarding endpoint security threats. - The endpoint security market is anticipated to grow from USD 13.37 billion in 2023 to USD 31.2 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1%. - Approximately 70% of companies plan to increase their investment in endpoint security solutions over the next two years. - The average financial impact of a data breach is estimated at around USD 4.88 million. - In 2023, the highest costs related to breaches were linked to detection and escalation, averaging USD 1.58 million. - As of 2024, the United States has the highest average cost of data breaches globally at USD 9.36 million. - A significant breach affecting 50 to 60 million records in 2024 is expected to cost USD 375 million. - Organizations facing compliance challenges typically incur an average breach cost of USD 5.05 million. - 40% of organizations admit to postponing patch implementations to avoid potential conflicts. - 92% of remote employees report using personal smartphones or tablets for work tasks. - 80% of executives are inclined to send work-related messages from personal devices. - 80-90% of successful ransomware attacks originate from unmanaged devices. - 62% of cybersecurity experts cite data loss and leaks as their primary concerns regarding BYOD policies. - 36% of employees using personal devices for work admit to delaying security updates. - 71% of employees store sensitive work passwords on personal phones. - 67% of organizations work with multiple vendors for management and security across various device types. - Only 42% of surveyed companies have a solution to proactively identify sensitive data on employee devices. - 38% of employees state that their employer lacks BYOD policies, or that existing policies are often disregarded. - There was a 300% increase in malware detections at endpoints during Q3 2024. - In 2024, a data breach involving Twilio compromised 33 million phone numbers linked to Authy accounts. - 90% of successful cyberattacks and up to 70% of data breaches originate from endpoint devices. - 54% of security experts reported that over 20% of their total endpoints were unmanaged. - 67% of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) faced AI-driven threats in the past year. - Among HR professionals who offboarded employees in the last year, 71% reported that at least one employee failed to return company-owned devices. - 65% of employees indicated they often bypass organizational security protocols to enhance productivity. - Over 90% of security incidents related to lost or stolen devices lead to unauthorized data breaches. - 13% of employees admit to being victims of phishing attacks while working remotely. - 63% of companies may have former employees retaining access to organizational data. - 62% of employees acknowledged transferring company intellectual property to personal devices. - 59% of stolen company-owned devices contained sensitive information. - Gartner estimates that shadow IT accounts for 30-40% of IT expenditures in large organizations. - 80% of employees engage in shadow IT activities. - 76% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) believe shadow IT poses a security risk. - 58% of SMBs have encountered significant shadow IT initiatives without the knowledge of their official IT departments. - 30% of IT leaders cite information security as the primary challenge to adopting BYOD policies. - The prevalence of shadow IT has surged by 59% due to remote work. - 70% of employees using ChatGPT in the workplace do so without employer knowledge. - 32% of remote and hybrid employees use applications or software not sanctioned by IT. - 59% of organizations have experienced data loss due to cloud-based shadow IT. - ChatGPT is the most frequently used unauthorized application among employees. - By 2027, it is projected that 75% of employees will acquire, modify, or create technology beyond IT's visibility. - The trend of paying ransoms has increased; over 47.8% of companies chose to pay in Q3, rising to 59.6% in Q4. - Tanium raised USD 300 million in Series G funding, resulting in a valuation of USD 9 billion. - Cybereason secured USD 275 million in Series F funding. - SentinelOne acquired Attivo Networks in a transaction valued at USD 616 million.
Winsage
June 1, 2026
Microsoft is facing scrutiny due to a critical remote execution vulnerability, CVE-2026-41089, rated at 9.8, affecting Windows Server domain controllers from version 2012 onward. This vulnerability allows unauthenticated users on the same network to send malformed UDP packets to a domain controller, potentially granting unauthorized system access or causing a reboot, leading to denial-of-service scenarios. The vulnerable service is Netlogon, and there are no immediate mitigations available; patches will be released on May 12. The vulnerability could allow attackers to create multiple accounts with various access levels, compromising the security of entire networks. Cybersecurity experts recommend patching all linked domain controllers simultaneously. The vulnerability is caused by a buffer overflow in the Netlogon service due to a field in a network packet exceeding its expected size. A GitHub repository exists with proof-of-concept code that can crash the LSASS service. Additionally, Microsoft is in conflict with security researcher Chaotic Eclipse, who has published zero-day exploits following a breakdown in negotiations.
Winsage
May 23, 2026
Microsoft has identified two significant vulnerabilities in Windows Defender, specifically related to the Malware Protection Engine, which could allow denial-of-service attacks. These vulnerabilities could destabilize the security mechanism of Windows. Microsoft has released patches in versions 1.1.26040.8 and 4.18.26040.7 of the Malware Protection Engine to address these issues. Users with automatic updates enabled will receive these patches without further action, but it is recommended that users manually check for updates in the Windows Security settings. There is currently no evidence that these vulnerabilities have been exploited in real-world scenarios.
AppWizard
May 8, 2026
Recent research from Surfshark indicates that Meta's Messenger app collects 32 out of 35 possible data types, making it the "most data-hungry messaging app." Following Meta's decision to disable end-to-end encryption for Instagram direct messages on May 8, 2026, user privacy is compromised, allowing Meta access to message content. Cybersecurity experts express concerns about the implications of this change and highlight that users provide valuable data to the company. In contrast, WhatsApp continues to offer end-to-end encryption. Surfshark also notes that 90% of messaging apps now incorporate AI features, raising privacy concerns regarding user data sharing. For privacy-conscious users, Signal is ranked as a top alternative due to its minimal data collection and strong encryption. A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is highlighted as a tool for enhancing online privacy and security.
Winsage
May 5, 2026
Microsoft's Defender anti-malware tool update version 1.449.425.0 removed two DigiCert root digital certificates, leading to false positives that flagged them as severe malware (Trojan:Win32/Cerdigent.A!dha). This incident was later identified as a false positive, and updating to version 1.449.430.0 or later reinstates the certificates. The issue may be linked to a DigiCert employee encountering disguised malware. Additionally, Windows updates from April 14 caused third-party backup applications to malfunction due to the addition of vulnerable psmounterex.sys kernel driver versions to a blocklist. Users experienced difficulties with mounting backup image files, and Microsoft referenced a vulnerability rated 9.3 out of 10 in the driver. Other affected software includes Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud and UrBackup server. Microsoft has not explained the delay in adding the vulnerable driver to the blocklist, and other recent update-related issues have also been reported.
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