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Researchers Trace 61% of Known Losses This Year to Pyongyang-Backed Hackers
Hackers tied to North Korea's cash-strapped totalitarian dictatorship this year stole a record amount of cryptocurrency, totaling $1.34 billion across 47 incidents, or about double their known haul for 2023, reported blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis.

Infrastructure Problems Blamed; Users Appear to Move to Similar FlowerStorm Service
As the end of the year approaches, it's out with the old and in with the new as researchers report that Rockstar 2FA, which once facilitated prolific phishing-as-a-service hits, has crashed and burned, apparently leading many one-time users to move to rival FlowerStorm.

AI Can Fake Alignment to New Instructions to Avoid Retraining
Advanced artificial intelligence models can feign alignment with new training goals while secretly adhering to their original principles, a study shows. Alignment faking isn't likely to cause immediate danger but may pose a challenge as AI systems grow more capable.

Major Chinese Router Manufacturer Facing Increased Scrutiny After Chinese Espionage
U.S. authorities have launched multiple investigations while reportedly considering banning the widely popular Chinese-manufactured TP-Link routers amid ongoing security risks linked to Chinese cyberespionage and hacking campaigns targeting American critical infrastructure sectors.

Heap Overflow Flaw Threatens Industrial Control Systems Globally
Siemens issued a security advisory for a vulnerability affecting industrial control systems in its User Management Component that could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code. The heap-based buffer overflow flaw impacts products used in manufacturing and the energy sector.

Government Shutdown Could See Thousands of Federal Cyber Workers Furloughed
A looming shutdown could sharply reduce the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's operations, furloughing two-thirds of its workforce and exposing critical federal networks to heightened cyber threats, especially as malicious actors target vulnerable systems during the holiday season.

Looking Back on the Ransomware Attacks, Resilience Lessons and Tech Trends
In the latest weekly update, ISMG editors discussed defining cybersecurity moments of 2024, from the CrowdStrike outage and its implications for vendor resilience to ransomware's continued evolution, and the shifting dynamics in the tech industry affecting startups and M&A activity.

US Seeks Extradition of Dual Russian and Israeli Citizen Rostislav Panev from Israel
A newly unsealed U.S. federal indictment against Rostislav Panev says the LockBit ransomware operation paid the Israeli national a $10,000 monthly salary for coding and consulting services. Federal prosecutors are seeking Panev's extradition from Israel following his August arrest.

Infoblox CEO Scott Harrell Pushes Unified Strategy Amid Hybrid Cloud Convergence
Scott Harrell, CEO of Infoblox, explores the convergence of network operations, security operations and cloud operations to tackle hybrid infrastructure complexities. He introduces Universal DDI and emphasizes a shift toward proactive threat management to counter AI-driven malware.

Feds Warn That Connected Devices Are Prey for Cyberattackers
The security of medical devices has been getting most of the attention from regulators in recent years, but other devices that make up the medical internet of things and operational technology systems are also vulnerable to cyberattacks, federal authorities warned in a new advisory.

Also, CoinLurker Malware Steals Data via Fake Updates
Every week, Information Security Media Group rounds up cybersecurity incidents in digital assets. This week, LastPass breach linked to $5.4M crypto theft, CoinLurker malware steals data via fake updates, cryptocurrency key to 27 million euro seizure and nearly 800 arrested in crypto-romance scam.

CISA Says 2035 Quantum Deadline Remains Achievable Despite Recent Breakthroughs
The federal government’s 2035 mandate to adopt quantum-resistant encryption remains feasible despite technological advancements in quantum computing, a top official for the U.S. cyber defense agency told ISMG, but experts warn challenges such as bureaucratic delays and financial costs persist.

Also: Interpol Says 'Pig Butchering' Shames Victims, A Data Leak Scandal in Mexico
This week, U.S. asks Israel to extradite an alleged LockBit coder, don't say "pig butchering," and an Apache Struts flaw. A hunt for alleged data thieves in Mexico, Europe probes TikTok and Netfilix fined 4.75 million. A ransomware attack against Texas medical centers and a credit union breach.

Identity Governance Acquisition Expands SailPoint's Healthcare Portfolio Globally
The acquisition of Imprivata’s identity governance portfolio marks a pivotal move for SailPoint in strengthening healthcare identity security globally, leveraging cloud solutions, exclusive partnerships and advanced SaaS offerings to address market complexities.

CISA Recommends Strict Mobile Security Measures Following Salt Typhoon Telecom Hack
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency's latest guidance calls on top U.S. political and government officials to adopt stricter mobile security measures in response to the Salt Typhoon hacking campaign, a Chinese espionage effort that has infiltrated major telecom systems.

Data Diodes Enhance Air-Gapped Network Security, Deliver Advanced Network Isolation
Opswat's acquisition of Fend integrates advanced hardware-based security with Opswat's platform, delivering robust protection against cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like power grids and water systems. Fend's small-form-factor data diodes meet the demand for affordable, scalable solutions.

Amendment to Computer Misuse Act Fails During Bloc Vote
A proposed amendment to British anti-hacking law that would have provided a legal shield to white hat hackers failed Wednesday in the House of Lords. Under the Computer Misuse Act, access to a computer system without adequate consent from the system owner is illegal.

Many SonicWall Firewalls Are Unsupported or Lack Patches for Known Vulnerabilities
Thousands of SonicWall network security devices remain exposed with critical security flaws, including 20,000 running outdated firmware that no longer receives vendor support. Despite patches available for some of these flaws, many organizations continue to run the outdated firmware.