Application security, Incident Response, Malware, Network Security, TDR

VIDEO: Designer ransomware threats are in fashion with cybercriminals

Endpoint and network security firm Sophos recently issued a release warning that ransomware attacks and other cyberthreats are becoming increasingly localized in nature, in order to more effectively target victims in specific geographic areas. At Black Hat, SCMagazine.com caught up with John Shier, senior security adviser at Sophos, to discuss these "designer" attacks in more detail.

According to Shier, cybercriminals are becoming more detail-oriented, customizing their malicious spam emails with languages and vernacular that are endemic to the regions receiving them. To complete the ruse, bad actors will often send emails that purport to be from actual local businesses and agencies that operate in a given area, including utility companies, postal services and law enforcement groups. See the full interview below for more details.

Bradley Barth

As director of multimedia content strategy at CyberRisk Alliance, Bradley Barth develops content for online conferences, webcasts, podcasts video/multimedia projects — often serving as moderator or host. For nearly six years, he wrote and reported for SC Media as deputy editor and, before that, senior reporter. He was previously a program executive with the tech-focused PR firm Voxus. Past journalistic experience includes stints as business editor at Executive Technology, a staff writer at New York Sportscene and a freelance journalist covering travel and entertainment. In his spare time, Bradley also writes screenplays.

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