Each day MSSP Alert broadcasts a quick lineup of news, analysis and chatter from across the global managed security services provider ecosystem.
Here’s the lineup for Thursday, August 3, 2017:
7. Amazon Echo Hack: Yes, hackers can turn the Amazon Echo into a secret bugging device. "Um... Alexa, are you secure?"
6. China VPNs Under More Pressure: Amazon is telling cloud customers in China that VPNs (virtual private networks) are not permitted. The move comes as Apple also backpedals from VPNs in China. Some folks compare the Amazon and Apple moves to U.S. corporate greedsters pursuing profits at the expense of customer privacy...
5. Cyberattacks Eat Profits: The cyberattack that crippled Ukraine businesses and spread worldwide to shut down shipping ports, factories and corporate offices has taken a costly toll on the results of major U.S. and European companies in the latest quarter, with more to come, according to Reuters.
4. HBO Hack Forensics: HBO is conducting a forensic review of its computer systems to better understand the scope of a cyber attack that surfaced over the weekend, Reuters said. Entertainment Weekly reported on Monday that hackers stole 1.5 terabytes of data and leaked online a script or treatment for an upcoming episode of the network's popular series "Game of Thrones," along with yet-to-be-broadcast episodes of the series "Ballers" and "Room 104," the Reuters report noted.
3. Security Sale: Symantec will sell its certificates business to Thoma Bravo, the private equity firm. Thoma Bravo, in turn, will merge the acquired business with the DigiCert, a related company that the private equity firm already owns.
2. Connected Car Vulnerabilities: McAfee has uncovered several connected car security vulnerabilities. They involve a Telematics Control Unit (TCU) used in multiple cars across at least four car manufacturers. A telematics unit is used by the vehicle to have a connection to the outside world, be it the Internet or a manufacturer specific Intranet site, McAfee notes. Here's a look at the vulnerabilities and their implications.
1. Good News/Bad News?: Symantec says its full-year revenue will be stronger than previously expected, thanks to strong demand from enterprise customers. Meanwhile, McAfee allegedly cut about 10 percent of its staff last week, according to rumors swirling at this week's ChannelCon event. We're checking out the rumor.
