Ferrari Ransom, DJI Drones, and The Italian Job 🍿

News 📰

📰 — Ferrari Ransomed
Ferrari faced a cyber incident involving a ransom demand for client contact details. The company immediately initiated an investigation with a top cybersecurity firm and informed authorities. Adhering to its policy of not paying ransoms, Ferrari notified customers (March 20, 2023) about the potential data exposure. The company has since reinforced its systems with third-party experts and confirmed no impact on operational functions.

📰 — Senator Take Steps To Ban DJI Drones
In a bold move, a bipartisan group of US Senators have urged the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to reevaluate the risks tied to drones manufactured by DJI, which owns 90% of the North American' market.

Despite being identified as a "Chinese military company" in 2022, DJI drones remain prevalent in the US.

Senators have expressed concerns over CCP's potential access to sensitive information about US critical infrastructure. The Senators are calling for a comprehensive analysis of the security risks DJI drones pose, and to make the results public.

Tech 📟

📟 — Attackers Target NuGet Packages — JFrog Research
A sophisticated and highly-malicious attack has been discovered targeting .NET developers via the NuGet repository. The malicious packages, downloaded 150K times before being removed, contained a "download & execute" payload with a PowerShell script that triggered a second-stage payload for remote execution. Despite the removal, .NET developers remain at high risk from malicious code due to NuGet packages' ability to run code upon installation.

Money 💸 

💸 — Aembit Raised $16.6M In Seed Funding
Aembit raises $16.6M from Ballistic Ventures and Ten Eleven Ventures to launch its workload identity and access management service. The Maryland-based company focuses on helping DevOps and security teams manage federated workloads communication without altering their code.

🌶️

Hacking History 🍿

(Send this section to your non-techie friend)

The Italian Job (1969)

Today, we're diving into a classic heist film that not only delivers high-octane action and thrilling suspense but also showcases the early portrayal of “computer hacking” in pop culture.

Buckle up as we explore the 1969 masterpiece, "The Italian Job." 🎥

The Plot: A Robbery for the Ages

"The Italian Job" follows the story of Charlie Croker (played by the iconic Michael Caine), a clever thief fresh out of prison.

With a daring plan in mind, Charlie employed a “computer hacker” (played by comedian Benny Hill) to pull off the ultimate heist: stealing a shipment of gold bullion from underneath the noses of the Italian police and mafia.

The film is packed with memorable moments, including one of the most iconic car chase scenes in film.

One scene, in particular, stands out for us – a massive traffic jam caused by compromising the city's traffic control computer. This pivotal sequence showcases the power of technology and foreshadows the ever-growing role of hacking in modern society.

Why It's Still Relevant Today

Though "The Italian Job" is over five decades old, its themes and portrayal of hacking remain strikingly relevant in our tech-driven world. Here are three key takeaways from the movie that still resonate today:

1. Hacking as a Tool: The film demonstrates how hacking can be used as a powerful tool to achieve a specific goal – in this case, orchestrating the perfect heist. As technology continues to advance, hacking has become an increasingly potent weapon in the hands of both criminals and cyber defenders.
   

2. The Vulnerability of Infrastructure: The massive traffic jam caused by hacking the traffic control system highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Today, protecting our infrastructure from cyber threats is more important than ever, as attacks on power grids, water systems, and other vital services can have severe consequences.
   

3. The Thin Line Between Right and Wrong: While the film's protagonists are criminals, their clever tactics and ingenuity make them likable to the audience. This blurred line between right and wrong raises ethical questions about hacking and its various applications, which remain relevant in the ongoing debate over cyber warfare, hacktivism, and the role of technology in society.

A Timeless Classic Worth Revisiting

"The Italian Job" is an engaging and entertaining film that offers a unique look at the early days of computers and the importance of security. With its memorable characters, thrilling plot, and enduring themes, it's a must-watch for movie fans and cybersecurity enthusiasts alike.

So, grab some popcorn, sit back, and enjoy this timeless classic.

🌶️

Quotables

🌶️

Cyber Savvy
Insider Tips & Hacks

Practical tips, tricks, best practices, and advice from a security insider.

Take Control of Your App Permissions

• What is it?
  It's time to pay attention to those app permission requests that appear when you install a new app or update an existing one. Conducting an app permissions audit involves reviewing and managing the access your apps have to your device's features and data.

• Why is it important? 
  Some apps may request access to information they don't genuinely need, potentially compromising your privacy and security. Granting unnecessary permissions can inadvertently expose your data to third parties, leading to targeted advertising or even data breaches.

• So, what should you do about it? 
  Channel your inner Marie Kondo and start a thorough audit of your app permissions. Navigate to your device's settings, locate the app permissions section, and review each app's access to your data and device features. Make sure they only have the permissions they truly need to function. Remember: if an app's permissions don't spark joy and respect for your privacy, it's time to say "thank you, next."

🌶️

Jala-meme-ños 🌶️ 🤣

😬

🌶️