2023-09-23 07:50:51
The troublesome malware isn’t slowing down!! Kaspersky reveals that in the first half of 2023, it ‘blocked 2,375 malware’ or unwanted software items targeting small and medium-sized businesses or SMBs, 257.68% higher than the same period last year. “Smishing” (smishing) smartphone hacker!! Kaspersky Announcing the latest SMB threat statistics for Thailand for January-June 2023, the new report shows that in the first half of 2023, 251 SMB employees experienced malware or malicious software in disguise. It’s a business application. There were 270 unique files spread this way. And the total number of files detected was 2,375 files. “Malware” is a general term that means “Malicious software” is designed by cybercriminals and used by professional cybercriminals to harm users’ devices or networks. Covers a wide range of cyber threats, malware, and malicious agents such as Trojans and viruses. Ransomware is also a form of malware. Malware attacks are dangerous for small businesses. This is because malware can destroy devices that require expensive repairs or replacements. Malware also allows attackers to access and steal data. This puts both customers and employees at risk. Malware attacks on SMB businesses have increased. Compared to the same period last year, Thailand’s 2023 numbers have increased significantly. In the same period of 2022, Kaspersky found only 68 SMB employees affected by malware and 81 malicious files. The total number of detections in the first half of 2023 was higher than in the second half. For the first time in 2022, the number reached 257.68%, of which Kasper only recorded 664 files. According to this report, Unique Users represents the number of SMB employees using Kaspersky products at the time of the attack. Unique hits shows the number of times cybercriminals have attempted to attack users. Unique Files are unique malware detected and blocked by Kaspersky. The statistics used in this report were collected from January – June 2023 by Kaspersky Security Network (KSN), a system for processing information related to cyber threats shared voluntarily and anonymously by users of content. related To assess the threat landscape for the SMB sector, Kaspersky experts have compiled a list of the most popular software products used by customers who own small or medium-sized businesses around the world, including MS Office, MS Teams, Skype and others. Any other used by SMBs. Kaspersky then runs these software names once morest Kaspersky Security Network (KSN) to see if malware and unwanted software are distributed under these rogue applications. How much is this? According to the Office of Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion (OSMEP), Thailand, there are 3.178 million small and medium-sized businesses or SMBs, accounting for 99.57% of the total number of enterprises in the country. There are more than 12.6 million people employed, accounting for 71.86% of total employment. There is no doubt that SMBs are the backbone of a country’s economy. SMBs are a target for cybercriminals. Xiang Thiang Yow, General Manager, Southeast Asia, Kaspersky, said: “Many people’s perception is that organizations The larger size is more attractive to cybercriminals. But in reality Cybercriminals can target anyone. Especially those with little cyber protection, SMBs often have limited resources and may not have the same level of sophisticated security measures in place. This makes these businesses easy targets for cybercriminals.” Cybercriminals attempt to deliver malware and unwanted software to employees’ devices using a variety of methods, such as exploits, phishing emails, and email phishing. and fake messages Even non-business items, such as YouTube links, can be used to target SMBs because employees often use the same devices for work and personal use. Known “smishing” smart hacks Phone “smishing” is one of the most common methods used to hack into employees’ smartphones. It’s a combination of SMS and phishing. The victim receives a link via SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, WeChat, or another messaging app if the user clicks on the link. Malicious code is uploaded to the system. Scammers often reach employees via email. It uses social engineering techniques to try and trick employees into following phishing links. Revealing confidential company information or transferring money “The impact of cyberattacks on SMBs can be damaging. Resulting in financial loss. reputational damage And in some cases, it may even mean closing the business. Therefore, it is important to prioritize cybersecurity for SMBs to protect their digital assets. Maintain customer trust It guarantees the continuous development and success of businesses that create high growth for the country,” Mr. Yow added.
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#Malware #outbreak #Attacking #SMB #businesses #smishing #smartphone #hacker
virus
Rising Threat: Ancient Viruses and Bacteria Resurfacing from Melting Permafrost
2023-09-19 01:16:54
For millions of years, humans have coexisted with countless viruses and bacteria. Over the years and the evolution of science, experts have developed antibiotics to combat viruses that are harmful to health, however, they have responded by improving their resistance.
During recent years, and as a consequence of climate change that has affected several ecosystems, the melting or thawing of ‘permafrost’, the permanently frozen layer of soil in the polar regions, has been caused, which is releasing ancient viruses and bacteria that have latent and come back to life.
You can also read: Marburg hemorrhagic fever, as lethal as Ebola, causes several deaths
Some viruses and bacteria survive in the cooling systems of nuclear power plants.
In August 2016, on the Yamal Peninsula in the Arctic Circle, Russia, a 12-year-old boy died and several people were hospitalized following being infected by anthrax. This is believed to have occurred because a reindeer infected with the bacteria died more than 75 years ago and its frozen carcass became trapped under a layer of permafrost, which thawed due to a heat wave.
Experts indicate that as permafrost melts, other infectious agents are released. The temperature in the Arctic Circle is rising regarding three times faster than in the rest of the world, which is gradually exposing the oldest layers of permafrost. This means that microbes, bacteria and viruses that have been frozen for thousands of years might re-emerge.
???? The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns regarding the presence of a flesh-eating bacteria in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.
You may be interested: Scientists revive ‘zombie’ virus that was frozen for 48,500 years
St. Louis Red Cross Corps on duty during the American influenza epidemic.
Scientists have discovered fragments of RNA from the 1918 Spanish flu virus and smallpox and bubonic plague are also thought to be buried in Siberia.
In addition to permafrost, microbes up to 50,000 years old have also been found inside crystals in a mine in Mexico and bacteria more than 4 million years old in a cave in New Mexico.
These organisms have developed natural resistance to antibiotics over millions of years. Many bacteria naturally produce antibiotics to gain a competitive advantage over other microbes. In caves, where there is little food, organisms must be ruthless to survive, which has led to the development of antibiotic resistance.
Read also: Longer or shorter days? The terrible effect of the rotation of the Earth’s axis
It is important to note that ancient microbes and viruses that would be ‘re-emerging’ do not necessarily pose an immediate threat to humans. However, it is essential to study and understand these phenomena to be prepared and take the necessary measures to protect our health and the health of the environment.
Boris Revich, head of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that due to the effects of global warming and the melting of the poles: “the vectors of deadly infections of the 18th and 19th centuries may return, especially near the cemeteries where the dead were buried. victims of these infections.”
More news in EL TIEMPO
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#Viruses #bacteria #ancient #times #returning #due #global #warming #People #Culture
The Nipah Virus Outbreak in India: Causes, Symptoms, and Transmission Routes
2023-09-16 14:50:12
In recent days it became known that Indian authorities are trying to contain an epidemic of the Nipah virus, a pathogen that is transmitted from animals to humans and has a high mortality rate.
The virus was first reported in 1998, when it began to spread among a population of pig farmers in Malaysia. Although health authorities consider that Nipah outbreaks are rare, the World Health Organization (WHO) has considered that the disease it causes should be investigated due to the health risk it represents.
The virus that worries India
Specialist checks patient in India.
The multilateral organization has also indicated that some of the outbreaks that have occurred so far have been caused by the transmission of sick pigs to humans. That was the case with the first outbreaks in Malaysia, which also ended up causing new infections in Singapore.
This first epidemic left around a hundred dead in Malaysia alone and another death in Singapore, and led to the slaughter of around a million pigs.
(You may be interested in: Avian flu: why is its arrival in Antarctica worrying?).
“It is believed that transmission occurred through respiratory droplets or contact with nasopharyngeal secretions or tissues of sick pigs,” the WHO detailed.
Meanwhile, he indicated that in other countries such as Bangladesh and India (which reported outbreaks in 2001) the main sources of infection were identified in contaminated fruits and the urine or saliva of sick bats, which can also contract the virus.
In addition, infections have been reported in health facilities, thus affecting health personnel. “From 2001 to 2008, regarding half of the cases reported in Bangladesh were due to human-to-human transmission through care of infected patients,” the WHO noted.
Health workers protecting themselves to care for a person with Nipah virus, in India.
Now India is facing its fourth outbreak in the last five years, which has raised the alarm of international health authorities. In fact, in the southern state of Kerala, two deaths from Nipah and four other confirmed cases have been recorded since last month.
One of the main concerns of experts points to the severity of the symptoms generated by the virus.
“Human infection can be asymptomatic or cause acute respiratory disease (mild or severe) or fatal encephalitis. Infected people initially present flu-like symptoms (fever, headaches, myalgias, vomiting and sore throat),” the WHO has indicated.
(You may be interested: WHO urges to strengthen measures once morest new variants of Omicron: ‘It is still a threat.’)
“Some people may also suffer from atypical pneumonia and serious respiratory problems, such as acute dyspnea. In severe cases, encephalitis and seizures appear, which progress to coma in 24 to 48 hours,” concludes the health agency.
The symptoms of the virus
According to authorities, several symptoms may occur at the same time, as well as unusual pneumonia, seizures, or there is even the possibility of asymptomatic cases.
Some of the most common symptoms are:
Fever
Headache, headaches
Vomiting
Tos
Dizziness
Sore throat
Drowsiness
Alteration of consciousness.
Transmission routes
One of the ways the virus is transmitted is through the body fluids of an infected person such as saliva and blood. Some animals, such as bats and pigs, can also contract the virus and transmit it through contact with food.
There is no preventive vaccine, so doctors can only deal with symptomatic treatment, and the mortality rate is up to 70%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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EDITORIAL TIME
*With AFP and EFE
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#origin #Nipah #virus #terrifies #India #Health
The Truth About the Spread of Papilloma Virus Through Hair Lasers and Public Restrooms: Insights by Dermatology and Beauty Consultant Faten Al-Bukhari
2023-09-08 17:36:03
Al-Marsad newspaper: Dermatology and beauty consultant, Faten Al-Bukhari, revealed the fact that the “papilloma” virus is transmitted through hair lasers or public restrooms.
The dermatology consultant said, during her appearance on the “Sayidaty” program: “This virus can appear anywhere in the body, and there are more than 200 types.”
She added: “But types 16 and 18 cause cervical cancer, and they have a special vaccination in the Kingdom. The problem with this virus is that it spreads quickly and is through touch.”
She continued: “It is a stubborn virus that does not go away even when wiped with alcohol from surfaces that come in contact with it.”
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#Video #consultant #reveals #dangerous #types #papilloma #virus #transmission #methods