Kevin Mitnick a Legendary hacker Pioneer - The Evolution of a black night of the Hacking order

 Kevin Mitnick, from hacking pioneering, through, the most famous hacker in the world, to the age of AI hacking power, and how everything connects all together.

I'm writing this post in the name of a person-first, passionate, and extraordinary figure named "Kevin Mitnick", a truly novel hero, one of his kind.

Kevin, a Jewish American, was a brilliant hacker, a gifted writer, and a passionate advocate for security awareness, he became a gifted consultant for Fortune 500 companies and governments across the word. His death is a major loss to the cybersecurity community, but his legacy will live on with us.

Kevin Mitnick's famous business card

From Hacking Pioneering to AI Hacking - The Evolution of a Legendary Hacker

In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, few names resonate as strongly as Kevin Mitnick's. From his early days as a hacking pioneer to his status as one of the world's most notorious hackers, Mitnick's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. As technology advances, so does the art of hacking, and Mitnick's story serves as a fascinating bridge between the past and the age of AI hacking. In this post, we explore the life and exploits of Kevin Mitnick and delve into how his legacy has shaped the world of cybersecurity as we know it today.

Part 1: The Early Days of Hacking Pioneering

Kevin Mitnick's fascination with computers began at a young age, sparking an insatiable curiosity about the inner workings of these machines. In the 1980s and '90s, as the internet was still in its infancy, Mitnick emerged as a prodigious hacker, earning a reputation for his mastery of social engineering techniques. He navigated the digital realm with unparalleled skill, infiltrating networks and systems, all while evading law enforcement's grasp. His cunning and audacious exploits earned him the nickname "The Condor."

Part 2: The Rise to Infamy - Becoming the Most Famous Hacker in the World

With each successful hack, Mitnick's notoriety grew. His targets ranged from corporate giants to government agencies, making headlines worldwide. His ability to breach supposedly impenetrable systems exposed the vulnerabilities of early digital infrastructure, sending shockwaves through the tech industry. Mitnick's exploits came to a head when he was captured and eventually sentenced to prison, sparking a global debate on the ethics of hacking and the importance of robust cybersecurity.

Part 3: The Age of AI Hacking - Connecting the Dots

As technology continued to advance, the world of hacking evolved with it. The age of artificial intelligence brought new challenges and opportunities for hackers, and Mitnick recognized the potential of AI as both a tool for cyber defense and a weapon for malicious actors. After serving his sentence, Mitnick shifted his focus from the dark side of hacking to becoming a cybersecurity consultant, utilizing his knowledge and experience to help organizations protect themselves from cyber threats.

Part 4: The Legacy of Kevin Mitnick in the Age of AI Hacking

Kevin Mitnick's legacy lives on as a cautionary tale and an inspiration for the cybersecurity community. His exploits showcased the importance of constant vigilance in the face of ever-evolving hacking techniques. As AI-powered tools become more sophisticated, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has never been greater. Mitnick's transformation from a notorious hacker to a cybersecurity expert demonstrates that even those once on the wrong side of the law can use their skills for the greater good.

Last

Kevin Mitnick's journey from hacking pioneering to becoming one of the most famous hackers in the world is a compelling story of redemption, innovation, and adaptation. His life's arc reflects the evolving landscape of cybersecurity, with AI hacking emerging as the latest frontier. As we move forward, the lessons from Mitnick's exploits and his transition to cybersecurity consulting can guide us in staying one step ahead of malicious actors in this ever-changing digital world. With a combination of knowledge, ethics, and innovation, we can build a safer digital ecosystem for the future.

Ransomware attacks on Azure Storage: How to protect your data

Ransomware attacks on Azure Storage are a growing phenomenon. These attacks can cause significant losses of data and time and can lead to activity interruptions, loss of reputation, and damage to customer trust.

Ransomware attacks on Azure Storage typically work by hackers breaking into a user's systems and encrypting their data. Hackers then require the user to pay a ransom to get the encryption key and recover the data.

There are several ways that ransomware attacks can occur on Azure Storage, including:

• Phishing attacks Hackers send fake emails or emails that contain malicious links or files. When a user opens the malicious links or files, they may be infected with malware.
• Brute-force attacks Hackers try to guess users' login passwords to Azure Storage.
• Identity management attacks Hackers exploit weaknesses in the Azure identity management system to gain access to users' Azure Storage systems.

By taking several steps, users can protect their Azure Storage from ransomware attacks:

• Use Azure Security Center Azure Security Center provides advanced security functions that help detect and block ransomware attacks.
• Use Azure Backup Azure Backup allows users to create periodic backups of their data. DR, BCP.
• Use Azure Active Directory Identity Protection Azure Active Directory Identity Protection provides protection against unauthorized login attempts.
• Use Azure Key Vault Azure Key Vault allows users to securely store and manage encryption keys.

In summary

Ransomware attacks on Azure Storage are a real threat. By taking the steps listed above, users can protect their data and keep it safe.

Below are case studies for ransomware attacks on Azure Storage for further learning:

1. In 2022, a group of hackers called Conti attacked the American energy company Colonial Pipeline. Hackers penetrated the company's storage systems and demanded a ransom of 5 million dollars in exchange for the recovery of the data. The company paid the ransom, and the data was released.
2. In 2021, a hacker group called REvil attacked the American insurance company CNA Financial. Hackers penetrated the company's storage systems and demanded a ransom of 45 million dollars in exchange for the recovery of the data. The company did not pay the ransom, and the data was not released.
3. In 2020, a group of hackers called Ryuk attacked the American health company Universal Health Services. Hackers penetrated the company's storage systems and demanded a ransom of 67 million dollars in exchange for the recovery of the data. The company paid the ransom, and the data was released.

These examples demonstrate the significant damage that ransomware attacks on Azure Storage can cause. They can lead to activity interruptions, loss of reputation, and damage to customer trust.

Here are some links to more information about ransomware attacks on Azure Storage:

• Microsoft: Azure Security Center: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/security-center/
• Microsoft: Azure Backup: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/backup/
• Microsoft: Azure Active Directory Identity Protection: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/identity-protection/
• Microsoft: Azure Key Vault: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/key-vault/

Latest updates on Google's AI BARD 2023.Sep.19

Bard can now access useful information from Google apps, in Gmail, Docs, and Drive

Bard can now retrieve and help work in real-time from maps, YouTube, hotels, and flights. Can be disabled at any time.

Google search, [G] button can help check bard, can click to learn more.

When someone shares a Bard conversation with you through Bard's sharing feature, you can now continue the conversation in your account and build on what they started.

You can upload photos with Google Lens, get Google Search images, and change Bard's comments to be simpler, longer, shorter, more professional, or more casual in all supported languages.

Bard is available in new locations and languages, now in over 40 new languages including Arabic, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), German, Hindi, Spanish and more.

Images can be uploaded alongside text in conversations with Bard, which makes it possible to increase imagination and creativity in new ways. Bard has added the capability of Google Lens at this stage in English.

Added text-to-speech capabilities to Bard in over 40 languages, including Hindi, Spanish, and American English.

Pinned and recent threads, you can now pick up where you left off with your past bard conversations and organize them according to your needs.

Exporting Python code to Replit The ability to export Bard to code has been expanded. Python code for Replit, plus Google Co lab.

Bard has been updated to recognize computational instructions and run code in the background, making Bard better at math tasks, coding questions, and string manipulation, plus exporting Bard-generated tables to Google Sheets

More relevant responses with location details - Accurate location helps Bard deliver more relevant responses in your area.

The revolution of AI pushes the technology ahead

It is hard to believe that only ten months have passed since the AI ​​revolution began.  The release of a free public version of ChatGPT in November of last year prompted Google and other competitors to accelerate their development efforts, releasing beta versions in an attempt to push the boundaries of AI technology while ensuring their products meet industry standards.

  Google released an early version called Bard, which is a prototype of its flagship product, Gemini AI.  The article I linked to mentions that Gemini is expected to be released in three months, but does not provide details on its features.  As someone who has been following this product for the past two years, I can say that Google has not yet announced a specific release date as the company has discovered more capabilities in the areas of machine learning, artificial intelligence and deep learning (AI, ML, DL).

 However, it is important to note that the release date may be delayed.  There are those who claim that high capabilities have been discovered in DL, Google wants to test those capabilities before release.  In addition, some argue that the Gemini AI will not be as powerful as some people hope.  Only time will tell what the true capabilities of this product are.

  All in all, regarding the potential of artificial intelligence, there is much more to look forward to.  There are many challenges that need to be addressed before AI systems can reach their full potential as imagined.

  In short, the race is on, and the AI ​​revolution is already underway.

 Don't expect too much from this letter... but this is too important a topic to ignore.

To an article about google Gemini AI

A post about the rapid evolution of AI systems, when there is still no regulation

 📌 I recommend you take seven minutes of your life to read and listen to this.

 First of all, I will say that the evolutionary development we are experiencing in the last year of AI solutions, are only the tip of the iceberg in the sense of how many changes are going to be made in our world without us knowing or noticing them until it is impossible to correct errors on the way or the apocalypse predicted by human groups as recently appeared on the internet, and on the deep web will prove that the writing was on the wall.  

I myself am not at all paranoid and I make good use of the AI, and it's hard for me to define it as a bad thing.  

In the link you will find an opinion of one who opposes the changes that are taking place, worth reading, as well as a recording of a potential car buyer with Tesla's AI system for the specific case.  

So it is recommended that you spend the next few minutes to absorb the things and think.  Here's a short quote from the post 

"My point is: it's great to automate low-value, routine queries to allow human customer service agents to focus on complex, high-value interactions. But human empathy can't be replaced. 

It's what (thankfully) sets us apart. A robot can't replicate experiences and emotions: human empathy is core and so essential in (human) customer interactions."

And when you finish... THINK 💬🤔

 Below is the link, at the bottom of the post is the recording.

 https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ramona-janson_artificialintelliegence-machinelearnig-ugcPost-7086626735047286784-w1YH

Build trust with partners, customers and industry quick and easy with PCI-DSS compliance

PCI-DSS compliance is on of the best way's to show your cyber-resilience is trusty. The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is a set of security requirements designed to protect cardholder data. It is widely recognized as a best practice for organizations that store, process, or transmit credit card data, and showing your organisation resilience to privacy (PII).

PCI DSS compliance is not the least demanding of all regulations, but it is certainly one of the most comprehensive. The standard covers a wide range of security controls, from physical security to network security to application security. This makes it a good starting point for organizations that are looking to improve their overall cyber security posture.

Of course, PCI DSS compliance is not a silver bullet. It is important to remember that no single regulation can guarantee that an organization will be immune to cyber attacks. However, PCI DSS compliance can help to reduce the risk of a data breach and can help organizations to demonstrate their commitment to security.

Here are the organisation benefits achieved by PCI DSS compliance:

• Reduced risk of data breaches
• Increased customer trust
• Compliance with other regulations
• Improved operational efficiency
• Reduced liability

If you are considering achieving PCI DSS compliance, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

The standard is a middle level complexity and can be challenging to implement.

There are different levels of compliance, depending on the volume of cardholder data that you process.

You will need to be audited by a qualified third party to verify your compliance.

However, the benefits of achieving PCI DSS compliance can outweigh the challenges. If you are serious leveraging your Commitment to information security and privacy protection, you can put the PCI DSS compliance in you priority to become compliant officialy. It's a good place to start.

CISO revealing AI risk secret: work with AI without creating unwanted risks in your organization

AI Risks & Security measures 

NJP

The latest concerns raised and publicized by CISOs, information security consultants, and cybersecurity managers regarding the use of AI, Bard, ChatGPT, etc. are not entirely unfounded. While AI technology has numerous benefits and potential applications, it also introduces certain risks that organizations need to address. However, it is important to approach the issue with nuance and consider both the advantages and challenges associated with AI adoption.

Here are some points to consider specific threats that organizations may face when using AI like ChatAI /ML (machine learning), along with potential solutions:

• Data privacy and security - AI systems like ChatGPT often rely on large amounts of data to function effectively. Care must be taken to monitor the information presented to the AI system for fear that sensitive organizational information or business development will be revealed. 

• Unauthorized data access - One of the primary concerns is the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive organizational data. To mitigate this threat, organizations should implement strong access controls and encryption mechanisms to protect data both at rest and in transit. Robust user authentication and authorization protocols should be in place to ensure that only authorized individuals can access and interact with the AI system. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing on their systems. Implementing strong network security measures, such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems, can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts, using SIEM systems to detect behavior and anomalies.

• Adversarial attacks - Adversarial attacks aim to manipulate AI models by providing misleading or crafted inputs. Organizations can employ techniques such as adversarial training and robust model architectures to make AI systems more resilient against such attacks. Ongoing research and collaboration with the AI community can help stay ahead of emerging adversarial techniques.

• Insider threats - Employees who have access to AI systems may intentionally or inadvertently misuse the technology, leading to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. Organizations should establish clear policies and guidelines for AI system usage, conduct regular training and awareness programs, and implement monitoring mechanisms to detect any suspicious behavior or policy violations.

• Ethical considerations - AI systems should be designed and deployed in an ethically responsible manner to avoid biases, discrimination, or unfair practices. Organizations should ensure transparency in AI decision-making processes, regularly evaluate the system's fairness and accuracy, and provide channels for user feedback and redressal.

• User awareness and training - If employees within an organization are given access to AI systems like ChatGPT, it is crucial to provide adequate training and guidelines for their usage. This helps prevent accidental disclosure of sensitive information and ensures that employees are aware of the potential risks associated with AI.

• Regulatory compliance - Organizations need to consider relevant laws and regulations when using AI, particularly those of data protection, privacy, and industry-specific standards. Compliance with regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or industry-specific frameworks like the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and industries that deal with highly regulated data, such as healthcare or finance. It is crucial to avoid legal ramifications and maintain customer trust.

• Continuous monitoring and updates - AI systems need to be regularly monitored and updated to address emerging threats and vulnerabilities. This includes keeping the underlying software and models up to date, applying security patches, and conducting periodic audits of the AI system's performance and behavior.

In addition, it is recommended for organizations establish incident response plans to promptly address and mitigate any security incidents or breaches. Regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and ongoing monitoring of AI systems are essential to identify and remediate any vulnerabilities or weaknesses.

It is worth noting that these concerns are not unique to AI systems but are present with many other technologies as well. The key lies in implementing appropriate security measures, establishing best practices, and fostering a culture of cybersecurity within organizations to mitigate the risks effectively. 

While there are valid concerns surrounding the use of AI, it is important to evaluate these concerns in the context of the specific organizational needs, industry regulations, and the potential benefits that AI can bring. With proper planning, implementation, and risk mitigation strategies, the use of AI, including ChatGPT, can be done responsibly and securely, minimizing the potential risks associated with its adoption.

In Conclusion

A comprehensive security approach to Organizations that plans to use AI involves a combination of technical measures, user awareness and training, policy and governance frameworks, and ongoing monitoring and adaptation. By considering these factors, organizations can effectively manage the risks associated with AI adoption while leveraging its potential benefits.

Cloud Migration of data systems or platforms

Here are some methodologies for moving systems to the cloud in a hybrid configuration, when some of the assessments such as stored information and user identification databases will remain on-premises:

1. Assess your current environment, The first step is to assess your current environment and identify the systems and data that you want to move to the cloud. This will help you to determine the best migration strategy for your needs.
2. Choose a cloud agent /migration partner, If you don't have the resources or expertise to move your systems to the cloud yourself, you can choose a cloud migration partner to help you. A cloud migration partner can help you to assess your needs, develop a migration plan, and execute the migration.
3. Migrate your systems to the cloud, Once you have chosen a migration strategy, you can begin migrating your systems to the cloud. This process can be complex, so it's important to work with a qualified team to ensure a smooth migration.
4. Test your migrated systems, Once your systems have been migrated to the cloud, it's important to test them to make sure that they are working properly. This will help you to identify any potential problems and resolve them before they impact your users.
5. Monitor your migrated systems, Once your systems are in the cloud, it's important to monitor them to make sure that they are performing as expected. This will help you to identify any
   potential problems early on and resolve them before they impact your users.

1. 

   Image copyrights: prplbx.com

Here are some additional considerations for moving systems to the cloud in a hybrid configuration:

• Security - Security is a top concern for any organization that is considering moving to the cloud. When you move your systems to the cloud, it's important to make sure that your data is secure. There are a number of things you can do to protect your data in the cloud, such as using encryption and access controls, FW, Security SaaS etc.

• Compliance - If your organization is subject to compliance regulations, you'll need to make sure that your cloud migration plan complies with those regulations. There are a number of cloud providers that offer compliance solutions that can help you to meet your compliance requirements.

• Cost -  The cost of moving to the cloud can vary depending on the size and complexity of your organization. There are a number of factors that can affect the cost of cloud migration, such as the type of cloud services you use, the amount of data you need to store, and the level of security you require.

Moving systems to the cloud can be a complex and challenging process, but it can also offer a number of benefits, such as increased scalability, flexibility, and cost savings. By following the steps outlined above, you can help to ensure that your cloud migration is successful. You can also try to contact a local or international advisor to help you get throgu it according to your Time, Neeed, Costs (TNC)

What is CICD and how can it help in Secured code development or Dev-ops

 What is CI/CD

CI/CD or "Continuous Integration, Continuous Deployment", or "Continuous Delivery". It is a set of practices and tools that enable software development teams to automate the building, testing, and deployment of their software applications.

In software engineering, CI/CD is the set of work methods, tools and automations that form the technical backbone of agile software development. CI/CD tools enable continuous software development, which reduces as much as possible the time that passes between adding a feature or creating a change in the software code, and submitting a new and stable version of the software to the client

Continuous Integration (CI) involves developers regularly integrating their code changes into a shared repository, where automated builds and tests are run to detect and fix any issues early on in the development process.

Continuous Deployment (CD) focuses on automating the delivery process to ensure that the software can be reliably and repeatedly deployed to any environment, such as staging or production, with minimal manual intervention. It takes the automation a step further by automatically deploying the software changes to production environments after passing the necessary tests and approvals.

Continuous Delivery (CD) is a software development practice that aims to automate the process of delivering software changes to production environments. CD extends Continuous Integration (CI) by automating the deployment process after the code changes have passed the necessary tests and have been reviewed.

CD ensures that software changes are delivered in a consistent and reliable manner, allowing teams to deploy changes to production quickly and frequently. With CD, teams can deploy smaller, incremental changes more frequently, which can lead to faster feedback and shorter development cycles.

The key to successful CD is automation, which eliminates human error and ensures that software changes are delivered consistently. CD involves automating the entire deployment pipeline, from building the software to testing, packaging, and deploying it to production.

CD also involves collaboration and communication between development, operations, and other stakeholders. It requires a cultural shift towards a DevOps mindset, where teams work together to automate the entire software development lifecycle, from planning to production.

Together, these practices ensure that software changes are tested, reviewed, and deployed in a consistent and timely manner, reducing errors and accelerating the development cycle.

It is essential component of a modern software development process, as it enables teams to deliver high-quality software changes quickly and reliably while reducing the risk of errors and downtime in production environments.

Together, these practices ensure that software changes are tested, reviewed, and deployed in a consistent and timely manner, reducing errors and accelerating the development cycle.

Secprof Blog: CI/CD 

What kind of integration sys can help in a CICD process and what kind of solutions they provide?

There are several integration systems that can help in a CICD process, and each provides different solutions to facilitate the automation of software development, testing, and deployment processes. Here are some examples:

• Version Control Systems (VCS): VCSs such as Git or SVN help to manage source code and enable developers to collaborate effectively. They are an essential component of a CICD process, as they facilitate Continuous Integration by providing a centralized repository for code changes.

• Build Automation Tools: Tools such as Jenkins, Travis CI, or CircleCI, automate the build process and enable developers to compile and package their code changes automatically. These tools also provide Continuous Integration by running automated tests and reporting the results to the development team.

• Testing Frameworks: Testing frameworks such as Selenium, JUnit, or NUnit enable developers to automate the testing of their code changes. These frameworks provide Continuous Integration by allowing developers to detect and fix issues early in the development process.

• Configuration Management Tools: Configuration management tools such as Ansible or Puppet help to automate the deployment of software changes to various environments. They provide Continuous Delivery by enabling developers to deploy changes consistently across all environments.

• Containerization Tools: Containerization tools such as Docker or Kubernetes provide a standardized environment for running applications and enable developers to package their applications into portable containers. These tools provide Continuous Deployment by automating the deployment of applications to production environments.

Integration systems help to automate various aspects of the software development process, making it easier and more efficient for developers to deliver high-quality software quickly and reliably.

Here is a short video explaining of CI/CD

What is "OWASP Top Ten" Means?

OWASP Top Ten is a list of the top ten most critical web application security risks identified by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a non-profit organization focused on improving software security. The list is updated every few years to reflect changes in the threat landscape and to provide guidance on current security risks to organizations that develop or use web applications.

The current version of the OWASP Top Ten (as of 2021) includes:

1. Injection
2. Broken Authentication and Session Management
3. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
4. Broken Access Control
5. Security Misconfiguration
6. Insecure Cryptographic Storage
7. Insufficient Logging and Monitoring
8. Injection (similar to number 1 but focused on non-SQL injection attacks)
9. Improper Session Handling
10. Insecure Communications

Secprof - Copyrights: synopsys.com

These vulnerabilities are commonly exploited by attackers to compromise the security of web applications, and as such, it is important for organizations to be aware of them and take steps to mitigate the risks associated with each vulnerability. The OWASP Top Ten serves as a valuable resource for security professionals, developers, and organizations to understand the current state of web application security risks and to take steps to improve the security of their web applications.