Dec 21, 2025

I just heard about a serious cybersecurity breach at Amazon, where a North Korean infiltrator managed to embed themselves within the company’s IT department. This individual was hired through normal remote recruitment channels, falsely claiming to be based in the U.S. What tipped off investigators was an unusual keystroke latency of about 110 milliseconds—far beyond what you’d expect from a domestic connection. Further digging uncovered the use of multiple proxy layers and remote control software designed to hide the true location, a tactic consistent with North Korean espionage and cybercrime operations. This case underscores how critical it is to implement advanced behavioral monitoring and network intelligence, especially with so many organizations relying on remote work.

There are multiple ongoing cyber threats that require urgent attention right now. A new malware framework called Water Saci is targeting industrial control systems, putting critical infrastructure at risk. Cisco users are facing zero-day exploits linked to a China-based advanced persistent threat group, enabling attackers to conduct espionage and move laterally within networks. Fortinet devices, particularly firewalls and VPN appliances, have vulnerabilities currently being exploited in the wild, making immediate patching a top priority. On the web platform front, a severe flaw in a widely used WordPress automotive plugin allows attackers to take over entire sites, raising concerns about supply-chain security.

In addition, a massive botnet known as KimWulf has compromised roughly 1.8 million devices by exploiting weak passwords and unpatched systems. This botnet fuels DDoS attacks and spreads malware campaigns, representing a significant threat to internet stability. Malicious Chrome extensions are also actively abusing user permissions to steal data and inject unwanted ads. Several major breaches have come to light recently: LKQ, an auto parts supplier, suffered an Oracle E-Business Suite compromise; the UK Foreign Office was targeted by Chinese hackers; Pornhub faced extortion after a data theft incident; and 700Credit exposed millions of sensitive personal and financial records. Japanese retailer Askul was hit by ransomware, compromising nearly three-quarters of a million customer records.

On the geopolitical front, French authorities recently arrested a hacker responsible for breaching their Interior Ministry in a rare public attribution. Belarusian activists and journalists remain targets of spyware linked to Belarusian security services, while China-affiliated groups like LongNoseGoblin are expanding cyber espionage in Asia. Russian threat actors continue exploiting Microsoft 365 features for phishing and covert data theft. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has added three actively exploited vulnerabilities to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, urging organizations to patch immediately to prevent further damage.

Finally, regulatory and law enforcement actions are ramping up globally. The European Union fined platform X €140 million for deceptive practices involving verified badges, signaling increased scrutiny on digital platforms. The FBI dismantled a major cryptocurrency laundering network tied to Russian operators, disrupting cybercrime financing channels. Privacy investigations into TikTok’s tracking are ongoing in Europe, and the U.S. Sentencing Commission is considering harsher penalties for deepfake-related crimes. Taken together, these developments highlight the urgent need for continuous vigilance, rapid patching, and enhanced behavioral analysis to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Stay Well!