supply chain attacks Archives

Tech Optimizer

December 29, 2025

Software supply chain attacks pose huge dangers – here’s how to bolster your defenses

65% of organizations faced supply chain attacks in the past year. Only 24% of organizations analyze AI-generated code for security or intellectual property issues. Organizations employing at least four types of compliance measures report faster action on critical vulnerabilities, with 54% acting more swiftly compared to 45% of the broader respondent pool. Continuous automation improves remediation speed and defense effectiveness, while many organizations still rely on inadequate periodic manual monitoring.

Winsage

October 29, 2025

Warnings Mount Over Windows Server Update Services Hacks

Concerns have increased regarding a critical vulnerability in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), identified as CVE-2025-59287, which allows unauthenticated attackers to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability arises from a legacy serialization mechanism within WSUS, which is no longer actively developed. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added this vulnerability to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, indicating its urgency. Cybersecurity firms have reported active exploitation attempts, with thousands of WSUS instances exposed to the internet. Attacks are primarily reconnaissance activities that could lead to broader network compromises. If an attacker compromises a single server, they could control the entire patch distribution system, enabling internal supply chain attacks and distributing malware disguised as legitimate Microsoft updates. Alerts have been issued by the Canadian Center for Cybersecurity and the Australian Cyber Security Centre regarding this global threat. Microsoft's initial patch on October 15 failed to fully resolve the issue, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability quickly. Attack vectors include exploiting the deserialization of AuthorizationCookie objects and unsafe deserialization via the ReportingWebService. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because WSUS is often neglected and should not be exposed to the internet.

Tech Optimizer

September 27, 2025

Antivirus Statistics 2025: Revealing Growth & Usage

The global antivirus software market is projected to reach approximately billion by 2025 and grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6.9% through 2029. By 2025, 84% of users are expected to have antivirus software installed on their computers, and approximately 68% will have antivirus protection on their smartphones. In recent testing, antivirus products were evaluated against 212 test cases, with 560,000 new malware variants detected globally each day. Microsoft Defender and Norton achieved perfect protection scores of 100% in evaluations conducted in June 2025. Microsoft is redesigning Windows to relocate antivirus and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) applications out of the kernel. In 2024, the U.S. government prohibited the sale of Kaspersky antivirus software due to national security concerns. Gen Digital anticipates revenue between .70 billion and .80 billion for 2026. The integration of AI into malware frameworks is pushing antivirus vendors to adopt machine learning-driven threat detection models. Antivirus plans are predominantly priced between and , with 32.1% of plans falling within this range. Only 3.6% of antivirus options are free, and 93% of products offer a 30+ day money-back guarantee. 79% include defenses against ransomware and phishing attacks, and 61% come with a built-in firewall. The average maximum coverage per antivirus subscription extends to 24 devices. In 2024, around 121 million Americans used third-party antivirus software, with 17 million adults intending to adopt antivirus software within six months. Among users of commercial antivirus software, 74% reported encountering malware in the past year. Detection effectiveness in malware tests often surpasses 99% for leading antivirus products, while false positive rates vary significantly. Symantec leads the Windows antivirus market with a share of 13.81%, followed by AVAST Software (11.93%) and ESET (11.03%). Approximately 560,000 new malware variants are identified daily, and there are over 1 billion documented malware samples worldwide. Ransomware attacks targeting Windows constitute around 93% of all enterprise ransomware incidents. In 2024, 17% of U.S. adults reported using antivirus software on mobile phones, with 73% opting for paid versions. Free antivirus solutions typically offer basic features but lack advanced modules. The enterprise antivirus market is projected to reach approximately .0 billion by 2024, with significant growth expected in the coming years. North America holds approximately 48.3% of the global antivirus market share, while Europe experiences growth due to regulations. IoT devices are increasingly targeted, with unpatched firmware responsible for about 60% of IoT breaches. The average cost of an IoT security failure incident is approximately 0,000. Typical antivirus subscriptions range from to 0 per year, with many vendors offering multi-device bundles.

Tech Optimizer

September 20, 2025

The Browser Wasn’t Enough, Google Wants To Control All Your Software

Google announced plans to regulate "sideloaded" Android applications, which are installed from sources outside the official Android repository. This initiative includes a verification system for developers, allowing only applications from verified developers to be sideloaded, aimed at preventing malicious software. Google likened this process to airport security checks, focusing on confirming developer identities rather than inspecting application content. The OSS Rebuild program, introduced earlier, aims to verify authors of open-source libraries and ensure installed versions match published source code. Critics express concern that Google's control over developer verification could lead to exclusion of certain packages, impacting competition and developer recourse. Google has indicated plans to allow students and hobbyists to install self-developed applications, with the rollout of verified sideloading expected by 2027 in most regions.

Tech Optimizer

August 21, 2025

Inside Quick Heal’s Journey: Building India’s First Antivirus to a Global Brand

Quick Heal Technologies was founded by brothers Kailash and Sanjay Katkar in Pune, focusing on antivirus solutions to combat rising computer viruses. It became India's first homegrown antivirus and is now a globally recognized company. Despite India's digital economy expanding, only 7% of organizations are mature in cybersecurity readiness, facing challenges such as a skills deficit, fragmented security implementations, and a disconnect between executive priorities and security realities. India needs over 800,000 cybersecurity professionals, and educational institutions must integrate practical threat scenarios into their curricula. The "Make in India" movement is fostering indigenous cybersecurity solutions that address local threats while being globally relevant. Quick Heal utilizes AI to enhance threat detection and response, analyzing vast amounts of data while emphasizing the irreplaceable role of human expertise in strategic decision-making. Emerging threats include AI-powered social engineering, supply chain attacks, and cloud misconfigurations. Organizations should adopt Zero Trust architectures, invest in continuous security training, and utilize integrated threat intelligence. Quick Heal's leadership emphasizes solving real problems for customers and encourages young engineers to gain practical experience in cybersecurity. Recommended strategies for CISOs include aligning security investments with business priorities, embracing automation, and establishing integrated threat intelligence for effective risk management.

Tech Optimizer

August 4, 2025

Zero-Day Flaw in PostgreSQL Exploited to Target BeyondTrust Systems

A significant PostgreSQL vulnerability, CVE-2025–1094, was identified during the investigation of another vulnerability, CVE-2024–12356, which was exploited in the BeyondTrust breach in December 2024. The breach involved unauthorized access to BeyondTrust's systems and was linked to the state-sponsored hacking group Silk Typhoon from China. The U.S. Treasury Department confirmed its network was compromised through a stolen BeyondTrust API key. CVE-2025–1094 is an SQL injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands due to improper handling of invalid UTF-8 byte sequences. Rapid7 found that CVE-2024–12356's exploitation relied on CVE-2025–1094, and that CVE-2025–1094 could be exploited independently. BeyondTrust issued patches for these vulnerabilities, but the patch for CVE-2024–12356 did not directly address the underlying cause of CVE-2025–1094. The exploitation of these vulnerabilities underscores the need for timely patching and proactive security measures in organizations using PostgreSQL.

Tech Optimizer

June 9, 2025

Cryptostealing Malware Found in Printer Software Highlights Growing Supply Chain Threat

A cybersecurity incident involving Procolored printers revealed vulnerabilities in everyday hardware, as users may have downloaded malware capable of stealing cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Tech content creator Cameron Coward reported an antivirus alert linked to Procolored printer software, prompting an investigation by G Data researchers who found malicious code in installation files on the manufacturer's website. The identified threats included a remote access tool (Win32.Backdoor.XRedRAT.A) and a cryptocurrency wallet stealer (MSIL.Trojan-Stealer.CoinStealer.H). Compromised files were last updated in October 2024 and distributed through official channels. The company initially denied the issue but later removed the downloads from their website in May 2025 and acknowledged the malware might have been introduced via USB transfers. An analysis of an attacker’s wallet showed a total of 9.3 BTC accumulated across 330 transactions before it was emptied. Cybersecurity experts recommend that users conduct antivirus scans and consider reformatting drives and reinstalling operating systems if infections are suspected.

Winsage

February 15, 2025

You can debloat Windows 11 in just 2 clicks with this new intuitive tool

Talon is an open-source tool designed to simplify the removal of bloatware from Windows 11, allowing users to enhance system performance with minimal effort. It automates the debloating process by removing pre-installed software such as Clipchamp, LinkedIn, and Microsoft News, targeting non-tech-savvy users. While it offers some customization options, it primarily follows a preset script for ease of use. Users can revert changes using the "Reset This PC" option, but certain removals, like Edge, will remain uninstalled unless Windows is reinstalled. Talon is compatible with Windows 11 Home and Pro versions, but not guaranteed for Insider Builds. It is open-source and available on GitHub, with community contributions reviewed for security.

Winsage

December 9, 2024

The Countdown to Windows 10 End of Life: What IT Teams Need to Know

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Extended Security Updates (ESUs) will be available for a maximum of three years at approximately per device. Windows 10 is currently the most targeted among older Windows operating systems, facing high-severity vulnerabilities. Organizations should conduct an asset audit, evaluate ESUs, migrate critical systems to the cloud, and establish a decommission plan for legacy systems. Morphisec offers a lightweight security solution for legacy systems, utilizing Automated Moving Target Defense (AMTD) technology to protect against advanced threats without the need for updates or internet connectivity.