Embedded Files
"A child born today will grow up with no conception of privacy at all." - Edward Snowden
Cybersecurity Introduction
Cybersecurity Introduction
Cybersecurity is a terrifying new reality amongst any and everybody. Cyber threats impact privacy, financial security, data, and lastly could impact the well-being of individuals affected by cyber-attacks. The best policy to fight against cyber-attacks is digital literacy. Understanding the digital landscape and utilizing your mind as the best defense against cyber-attacks is the best means of defending your privacy and data from cyber criminals. Within this unit we'll cover the CCBC cyber training and how cyber threats have impacted the world through recent cyber-attacks present in the news.
While the film WarGames is not an exact one-for-one representation of how cybersecurity is conducted around the world and is much so an 80's movie at heart, the screens showing concurrent cyber-attacks is real. WarGames also accurately reveals how serious the US government takes cyber-attacks, that game-theory is attached to how cyber-attacks are conducted.
Many users will dispute the usage of many of these cyber-attack live maps; however, they provide a visualization - as does the film WarGames - of the sheer amount of cyber-attacks conducted on a daily basis. When I was in Homeland Security - a magnet program through Joppatowne High School - a cyber security worker came in and showed us a similar map and explained to us the danger of cyber threats.
CCBC Cyber Training
CCBC Cyber Training
CCBC's cyber training modules helped understand all circumstances where cyber-attacks may take place. Whether or not the attack is ransomware, phishing, strictly malware, or even data breaches, we are all responsible for protecting our data. It may seem as if successful attacks are inevitable; however, there are many ways to defend against these attacks. Being cautious seems to be the general rule of thumb to prevent attacks, and having digital literacy to read between the lines of emails, links sent to you, malware disguised as pop-up advertisements , or even the updating of software through the correct sources are all a means of preventing succesful cyber-attacks. Through training modules such as the ones we practiced, we can be much more aware within data protection and maintain safety in the digital realm.
This is a great representation as to why cybersecurity is so important. While it would be pretty cool to see Matthew Lillard "hack into the mainframe", and take over every news channel, every screen in the USA, and give a speech to the general public via public broadcasting - this is as stated firstly in the clip - a national security threat of great magnitude. Now imagine how "uncool" it would be if it wasn't the massive 90's pop culture icon Matthew Lillard and just some guy with real bad intentions...
Cyber-Attacks in Our Lives Now
Cyber-Attacks in Our Lives Now
Evaluating The Source Material
Evaluating The Source Material
Authors: Adam Goldman, Jane Bradley, Dustin Volz, and Micheal Schwirtz.
Published In: The New York Times
When Was It Published: June 26, 2026
The Truthfulness: Hard to say due to the article being written by western reporters. Three out of the four reporters are based out of London and one of the reporters is located in D.C; therefore, there is obvious bias against the Russian government. The Russian government also denies these attacks, yet the New York Times does claim Russia is widely known for their cyber-attacks. While the article is biased, it sure feels like it could be true due to previous experience from Russian activity in the digital space. The criminals who did this attack claimed responsibility and were indeed Russian, yet it is unclear whether or not the Russian government played a role in this endeavor.
How Was It Written: The article was written as the telling of a series of events while providing background on the culprits within the case. The object was to tell their readers the set of events that took place while also providing context in how the problem arose. I also think this article did serve a purpose within anti-Russian propaganda as it smears the Russian government's digital activity, claiming the Russians protect cyber criminals for their own purposes.
Overview
Overview
This article published by the New York Times is an article depicting the use of ransomware by Russian cyber criminals that may or may not be protected by the Russian government. Furthermore, this article states that the cyber criminals were able to hack into Jaguar and Land Rover - British automotive companies - through Jaguar and Land Rover's outdated software. Typically attacks like these can be contained; however, many experts within the cybersecurity field have stated these attacks are of a new design and were revolutionary compared to the attacks of old. The ransomware attacks halted Jaguar and Land Rover's production lines and shook the British economy through supply line damages. The Russian group, Scattered Lapus$ Hunters are one of many Russian cyber criminal entities that may have been given the green light by the Russian government to attack western-based financial targets to damage the British Economy and many other western governments. Even though the hackers have used phishing scams within the past to damage western coorporations in the past, the moral of this story is to always keep your software updated as hackers are always finding new, innovative ways to breach your data. The great lesson of this story is that the British government was able to hold the line on this attack through the immediate shutting down of their computer systems. While the shutdown caused 2.5 billion dollars in damages, the proposed shutdown prevented further damage and is the only true "next step" when defending against a ransomware attack.
Do you want to play a game?
There is malware within your computer, and you have 48 hours to send me one million dollars, or you will lose all of your personal files on your computer. Can you do it?While it's not a perfect analogy, Jigsaw's game is one that many hackers play. Chose to harm yourself or your company through the temporary or permanent shut down of your computer, harm yourself or your company through the loss of money, or simply have your files wiped. Like in Saw, there is no winning and some pain will be felt once the trap has been set even if you manage to set yourself free. The Solution? Don't get caught in the trap! Be cautious at all times when interacting with the digital world.
A new phishing scam that utilizes a new program called Kali365. Kali365 gained traction through apps like Telegram, and the application does not need a password to obtain access to your Microsoft Online account.
Evaluating The Source Material
Evaluating The Source Material
Authors: Kurt Knusson, CyberGuy Report, and FOX News.
Published In: FOX News.
When Was It Published: June 28th, 2026.
The Truthfulness: This article seems to be truthful. There is no reason to lie or have a bias towards writing this article other than the protection of Microsoft assets. Unless this was specifically written by Microsoft - which it's not - I deem this article to be an unbiased look into the cyber space as we know it, and a call to action for Microsoft users.
How Was It Written: This article was written as a means to promote security amongst Microsoft users. While it told the series of events that took place, the article skimmed over personal accounts from the victims of said attacks. The article as stated above was an unbiased look into a cybercrime phenomenon taking place within Microsoft 365.
Overview
Overview
Many new age cybercriminals have utilized phishing scams in the past and have even developed fake websites for you to place your credentials into. This tactic is as old as time and can be often revealed with experienced digital users. In recent time, hackers have found new and innovative ways within phishing. In this article, scammers have been able to infiltrate Microsoft 365 accounts without a password by sending emails posing as Microsoft or Microsoft Support entities. You receive an email, click the link to login, enter your credentials into an actual, legitimate Microsoft page, and all of the sudden your account is out of use. How? These new age hackers are utilizing the link to the real Microsoft page to overview the information being entered. Even though it's a real Microsoft page to sign in as normal, the link you clicked allowed the scammers to attach themselves to the page like a parasite. Often times, the scamming group will request that this is an urgent matter and push users to quickly take action and log in for a multitude of reasons. This new type of attack only primarily effects users of Microsoft 365 - a large portion of corporate America - and this attack usually comes from a text or email. The FBI warns that we can prevent these attacks by not utilizing links as a means to log into Microsoft. To prevent phishing scams, we must be aware of text or emails warning us to give up confidential information. Always log into your accounts directly from the website you are aiming to log into and never trust emailed links as you should always be cautious, even if it looks to be a legitimate wesbite.
While fishing and phishing are completely two seperate things, the two definitions have overlap within the meaning. Phishing scams often use "chum" or "bait" in their emails or text messages and within that bait is usually something that'll attract your attention. For example, scammers will typically say your account has been exposed or that your personal data might be at risk if you do not log in immediately! Just like Jaws, the fisherman wants you to bite the bait with urgency. Also - just like in Jaws - once you bite the hook is set. Once you click a link or enter your confidential information, your data is at risk and there is no undoing what has taken place.
The best solution to these tactics? Don't bite!
Citations
Citations
Goldman, A., Bradley, J., Volz, D., & Schwirtz, M. (2026, June 26). A $2.5 Billion Whodunit: The Hack That Dented the U.K. Economy [Review of A $2.5 Billion Whodunit: The Hack That Dented the U.K. Economy]. Www.nytimes.com; The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/26/world/europe/jaguar-russia-hack.html
Knutsson, K. (2026, June 28). FBI warns Microsoft users about passwordless scam. Fox News. https://www.foxnews.com/tech/fbi-warns-microsoft-users-passwordless-scam
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse