Newsletter #2 - March 19, 2024

Author

Aseem Shrey
March 19, 2024

CyberSecurity 101

Ever dreamed of becoming a digital guardian 💂, protecting businesses and individuals from the ever-present threats lurking in the online world. The realm of cybersecurity offers a dynamic and rewarding career path, but where do you begin?

This newsletter series is your roadmap to understanding The Fundamentals of Cybersecurity and jumpstarting your journey in this exciting field. We'll break down complex concepts into manageable steps, explore in-demand skills, and equip you with valuable resources to launch your CyberSecurity career. So, buckle up and get ready to dive into the thrilling world of protecting our digital future! 💻️ 

🧑‍🏭 Jobs & Internships

  1. Appknox is searching for an Application Security Intern to perform security audits and help research new vulnerabilities.

  2. PCHFL is hiring an Application Security Engineer to conduct security assessments and collaborate with developers to fix vulnerabilities.

  3. A leading private sector bank in India needs a DevSecOps Engineer to integrate security tools, conduct code reviews, and monitor security metrics.

  4. This company is looking for a Security Consultant with experience in penetration testing and security consulting to work with clients and develop security solutions.

  5. RedHunt Labs is seeking a remote Information Security Consultant to perform vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and other security tasks.

🔏 Last Week in Cyber Security

Join our Discord to get more news in the Security Domain. 🛡️

Malicious Forms: Hackers Target Outlook Users with RCE Exploit

Exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Outlook where attackers are able to gain remote code execution (RCE) by sending a malicious form. The attackers can create a form that, when opened by the victim, installs a DLL ( A dynamic link library (DLL) is a collection of small programs that larger programs can load when needed to complete specific tasks. )on the victim’s computer. This DLL can then be used to execute arbitrary code on the victim’s machine.

OpenAI Plugin Security: Researcher Warns of Potential User Impersonation Attacks

A security researcher raises concerns about potential vulnerabilities in OpenAI plugins. The researcher highlights that malicious plugins could impersonate users and compromise their code or data. The author argues for stricter vetting procedures and collaboration between developers and security experts to ensure plugin safety.

Score Top Dollar: How to Choose the Most Rewarding Bug Bounty Programs

Looking to land lucrative bug bounties? The write-up suggests focusing on programs that value researchers. Competitive payouts and transparency in the bug evaluation process are also hallmarks of a good program to target. By prioritizing these qualities, bug bounty hunters can maximize their return on investment.

🪲 Introduction to Cybersecurity 🪲 

What is it and why is it important?

In today's digital world, everything from our personal information to critical infrastructure relies on computer systems and networks. Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting these systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Cyberattacks can have devastating consequences, causing financial loss, data breaches, and disruption of essential services.

💲Cost of Cybercrime to Businesses and Individuals 💲 

The consequences of cybercrime are staggering, costing businesses and individuals billions of dollars annually. Data breaches can expose personal information, and successful attacks can damage an organization's reputation for years to come. According to a report by Cybersecurity Ventures, global cybercrime costs are projected to reach a staggering $10.5 trillion USD annually by 2025 Source: Cybersecurity Ventures.

If you don't know how much $10.5 trillion USD is, think of it like this: it's enough to buy every single cup of coffee sold globally for the next 17 years.  That's a lot of lattes, cappuccinos, and cold brews going down the drain due to cybercrime!

✉️ 🐛 🐛 🐛 

🤺 Power Up Your Defenses

By following these tips, you can significantly improve your online security. Stay tuned for more advanced topics in the coming weeks!

Be Phish-Smarter!

  • Suspicious Emails? Double-check sender addresses, beware of urgency, and avoid unknown attachments.

Password Power!

  • Strong & Unique: Use a mix of uppercase/lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Consider a password manager and enable 2FA whenever possible. ✅

Software Savvy!

  • Updates! Install software updates promptly ⚡️.

  • Free vs. Paid: Be cautious with free downloads.

  • Antivirus: Invest in reputable antivirus and anti-malware software, and keep them updated ⏰.

Secure Browsing Habits! 🌐 

  • HTTPS Everywhere: Look for the padlock symbol and "https" in the address bar.

  • Public Wi-Fi: Avoid sensitive activities on public Wi-Fi, or use a VPN.

  • Social Media Privacy: Review and adjust your privacy settings.

Backup Regularly!

  • Back Up Your Data: Regularly back up your data to a separate device or cloud storage.

Bonus Resource:

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework

Cybersecurity

NIST develops cybersecurity standards, guidelines, best practices, and other resources to meet the needs of U.S.

Stay safe out there!

Consider this week complete! We've unlocked the door to the world of cybersecurity. Next week, we'll delve deeper into the core IT concepts that form the foundation of a strong cybersecurity posture. Stay tuned!

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