Articles of interest from the week of August 26, 2019

IRS Issues Warning on New Email Phishing Scam

A new email phishing scam involving false claims about electronically filed tax returns was reported Aug. 22 by the IRS. (By Michael Trimarchi, Bloomberg Tax)

CISA Insights - Ransomware Outbreak

Ransomware has rapidly emerged as the most visible cybersecurity risk playing out across our nation’s networks, locking up private sector organizations and government agencies alike. And that’s only what we’re seeing – many more infections are going unreported, ransoms are being paid, and the vicious ransomware cycle continues on. We strongly urge you to consider ransomware infections as destructive attacks, not an event where you can simply pay off the bad guys and regain control of your network (do you really trust a cybercriminal?). (By the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security)

Employers Beware: Microsoft Word ‘Resume’ Phish Delivers Quasar RAT

Pentesting as Part of an Organizational Security Program

Robust IT security programs are a must for any organizations that rely more and more on information system infrastructures to manage data, activities, business procedures and relations with clients. As so much is stored and processed through a company’s IT systems, no business, regardless of size and type of industry, is safe from attackers and malicious hackers.  (By Daniel Brecht, Infosec)

Microsoft Tops Phishers' Favorite Brands as Facebook Spikes

Cybercriminals often exploit victims' familiarity with popular brands to manipulate them into falling for phishing campaigns. Microsoft is the most common brand to spoof, researchers report, with PayPal in second place and Facebook rapidly catching up in a close third. (By Kelly Sheridan, DarkReading)