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Business Email Compromise (BEC) Impersonation: The Weapon of Choice of Cybercriminals, Finds VIPRE’s Q3 2024 Email Threat Report

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BEC attacks targeting the manufacturing sector increase to 10%; use of attachments is getting ‘sneakier’; and Redline is the malware family of the quarter.

LONDON, Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VIPRE Security Group, a global leader and award-winning cybersecurity, privacy, and data protection company, has released its Q3 2024 Email Threat Trends Report, shedding light on the evolving cybersecurity landscape. This comprehensive analysis of real-world data reveals the sophisticated strategies and techniques employed by cybercriminals, with a particular persistent focus on the highly lucrative tactic of business email compromise (BEC). VIPRE processed 1.8 billion emails globally, of which 208 million were malicious.

BEC impersonation weaponisation  

In this third quarter of 2024, cybercriminals intensified their efforts to exploit organisational vulnerabilities through employee deception. BEC scams surged, accounting for 58% of phishing attempts. Notably, 89% of these BEC attacks involved impersonation of authority figures, including CEOs, senior executives, and IT staff, underscoring the sophisticated tactics employed by malicious actors.

BEC aims for the manufacturing sector

The manufacturing sector saw a significant rise in BEC attacks, potentially driven by financial fraud. These incidents increased from just 2% in Q1 to 10% in Q3 this year. This rise may be attributed to the industry’s widespread use of mobile sign-ins at various worksites. Employees accessing systems “on the go”, often under pressure to meet production deadlines, are more susceptible to phishing attempts.

Subtler tactics are a larger threat

Email threats in Q3 were dominated by scams (34%), commercial spam (30%), and phishing (20%). These email threats overshadowed ransomware and malware combined, which comprised less than 20% of all email attacks. Interestingly, despite their lower prevalence, ransomware and malware continue to receive disproportionate attention from the cybersecurity industry.

Sneakier attachments

To counter advancing email security solutions, criminals are deploying increasingly more intricate methods to bypass defenses. Attackers are employing sneakier techniques such as disguising malicious attachments as voicemail recordings or critical security updates to lure unsuspecting users into downloading them.

Additionally, Microsoft PDFs and .DOCX files remain the most common forms of malicious attachments. In Q3 2024, 2.18 million emails were detected containing harmful attachments, marking a 30% increase from the previous quarter’s 21% attachment-based attacks.

Phishing links and compromised websites

Cybercriminals continue to favour the URL redirection technique, a tactic that typically proves effective at evading security controls. This deceptive ploy utilises a “clean” URL within the body of the email, which then redirects unsuspecting users to a malicious one once inside. In Q3 2024, URL redirection accounted for 52% of such attacks, leading victims to meticulously crafted fraudulent websites designed to appear authentic, and gain trust.

Malspam pendulum swing from malicious links to attachments

When it comes to malspam, there is a pendulum swing from a preference for malicious links to attachments. During Q3, malspam efforts were centered on malicious attachments (64%), while only 36% employed a link. The attachment formats used were predominantly LNK, ZIP, and DOCX. Only a quarter ago, links were the tool of choice by a factor of nearly nine-to-one (86% links to 14%).

The ‘Malware Family of the Quarter’ goes to Redline

Redline is the top malspam family of Q3 2024, a spot it has maintained since the corresponding quarter in 2023. RedLine is designed to steal sensitive information from web browsers, such as credentials and payment data. Typically distributed via phishing emails or malicious websites, it sends stolen data to a command-and-control server controlled by the attacker. It can completely take over a compromised machine and uses multiple infiltration methods.

“The findings of this report yet again illustrate the sophistication of criminal tactics. BEC email and phishing attacks are becoming more targeted and convincing,” Usman Choudhary, CPTO, VIPRE Security Group, says. “Additionally, malware distribution through malicious spam campaigns continues to pose a serious threat to organisations. These findings stress the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures and ongoing employee education to combat these evolving threats, especially as bad actors gear up for the upcoming holiday season – Black Friday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year.”

To read the full report, click here: VIPRE’s Email Threat Trends Report: Q3 2024. 

VIPRE leverages its vast understanding of email security to equip businesses with the information they need to protect themselves. This report is based on proprietary intelligence gleaned from round-the-clock vigilance of the cybersecurity landscape.

About VIPRE Security Group

VIPRE Security Group, part of Ziff Davis, Inc., is a leading provider of internet security solutions purpose-built to protect businesses, solution providers, and home users from costly and malicious cyber threats. With over 25 years of industry expertise, VIPRE is one of the world’s largest threat intelligence clouds, delivering exceptional protection against today’s most aggressive online threats. Our award-winning software portfolio includes next-generation antivirus endpoint cloud solutions, advanced email security products, along with threat intelligence for real-time malware analysis, and security awareness training for compliance and risk management. VIPRE solutions deliver easy-to-use, comprehensive layered defense through cloud-based and server security, with mobile interfaces that enable instant threat response. VIPRE is a proud Advanced Technology Partner of Amazon Web Services operating globally across North America and Europe.

The group operates under various brands, including VIPRE®, StrongVPN®, IPVanish®, Inspired eLearning®, Livedrive®, and SugarSync®. www.VIPRE.com

 

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Verse and Arcadia Partner to Empower Organizations with Unprecedented Energy Insights

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47 mins ago

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October 28, 2024

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Collaboration enables data-driven decisions that reduce costs, deliver more accurate budgets, and streamline sustainability reporting.

Key Highlights:

Verse and Arcadia have partnered to provide unparalleled insight into corporate energy cost and usePartnership combines Arcadia’s industry-leading utility data platform with Verse’s intuitive design and advanced emissions data Available as the Verse Utility Bill Management app on Verse’s Aria™ platform, the integrated solution helps organizations:
Centralize energy reportingTransform data into actionable insights Diagnose cost deviations to identify ways to reduce energy spend and avoid billing errorsEnhance power procurement planning and more accurately forecast energy spend

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In an era of volatile energy costs and increasingly stringent sustainability reporting rules, Verse and Arcadia are joining forces to transform how organizations reduce, forecast, and report on their energy costs and consumption. 

Verse and Arcadia are partnering to provide unparalleled insight into corporate energy cost and use.

Verse’s Utility Bill Management app now integrates with Arcadia’s utility data platform, unlocking global data access for unparalleled visibility into corporate energy use and costs. Available on Verse’s Aria software platform, the app combines Arcadia’s extensive utility billing data and interval meter coverage — spanning thousands of providers in more than 50 countries — with Verse’s intuitive user interface and advanced emissions forecasting. By eliminating fragmented manual data entry in spreadsheets, Verse and Arcadia support data-driven decisions that can reduce costs, enable more accurate budgeting, and streamline sustainability reporting.

“We’re excited to partner with Arcadia to make corporate utility data even more accessible and usable,” said Seyed Madaeni, CEO of Verse. “We’ve heard from Fortune 500 companies that they aren’t always able to confidently forecast and reconcile their energy spend. This partnership builds trust between energy, sustainability, and finance teams by providing a platform for data-driven expectations management.”

“Structured and accessible utility data is the foundation of any advanced energy management and sustainability strategy,” said Kiran Bhatraju, CEO of Arcadia. “We’re excited to be working with Verse to deliver data and insights to their corporate clients.” 

The partnership marks a significant step forward in providing organizations with the tools they need to manage energy costs effectively and develop strategic power procurement plans. 

About Verse
Verse’s Aria™ software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform helps organizations reduce their energy costs and emissions. Our software and services support corporate energy buyers at all stages of the decarbonization journey — from understanding their current energy costs to managing a complex portfolio of clean energy assets. With unparalleled data and industry expertise, real-time analysis within minutes, and optimization for least cost, Verse helps organizations turn their energy challenges into successes. Visit www.verse.inc to learn more.

About Arcadia
Arcadia is a global utility data platform connecting the clean energy future. Our platform unlocks global energy data for businesses, powering solutions to drive electrification and decarbonization. Founded in 2014 on the belief that everyone deserves access to clean energy, Arcadia also manages the nation’s leading community solar program. Contact our team to learn more about our data platform.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/verse-and-arcadia-partner-to-empower-organizations-with-unprecedented-energy-insights-302288745.html

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Fortune Media and Great Place To Work Name Roth Staffing Companies to 2024 Best Workplaces for Women List

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October 28, 2024

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Roth Staffing named one of the Best Workplaces for Women, Ranking #7 in the small and medium category.

ORANGE, Calif., Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Great Place To Work® and Fortune magazine have selected Roth Staffing as one of the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women™. This is Roth Staffing’s ninth time being named to this prestigious list, this year coming in at #7 in the small and medium category. Earning a spot means that Roth Staffing is one of the best companies to work for in the country.

“We are excited and feel so honored to be recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Women,” said Adam Roth, CEO of Roth Staffing Companies. “At Roth Staffing, we believe in empowering every individual to reach their full potential.

To determine the Best Workplaces for Women, Great Place To Work analyzed the survey responses of nearly 600,000 women who work for Great Place To Work Certified™ companies that were eligible for the list. To be considered, a company must employ at least 50 women, have at least 20% of non-executive managers who are women, and at least one female C-suite executive.

“We are excited and feel so honored to be recognized as one of the Best Workplaces for Women,” said Adam Roth, CEO of Roth Staffing Companies. “At Roth Staffing, we believe in empowering every individual to reach their full potential. This award is a testament to the culture of inclusivity, support, and opportunity we’ve worked so hard to build. It’s a win for every woman who has been part of our journey, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come. Thank you to our incredible team for making this possible.”

The Best Workplaces for Women list is highly competitive. Survey responses reflect a comprehensive picture of the workplace experience. Honorees were selected based on their ability to offer positive outcomes for women regardless of job role, race, sexual orientation, work status, or other demographic identifier.

Great Place To Work analyzed the gender balance of each workplace compared with Bureau of Labor Statistics industry data. Companies were also assessed on how representation changes as women rise from front-line positions to the board of directors.

“The things that create a great workplace for women are the same basic needs that every employee has,” says Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work. “The best workplaces have closed the experience gap, providing access and opportunity to all regardless of an employee’s gender or background.”

“Fortune congratulates the companies that made the cut for the Best Workplaces for Women,” says Fortune Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell. “Based on survey responses of so many women nationwide, these companies clearly demonstrate they have created workplaces where many feel valued, supported, and encouraged to do their best work.”

About Roth Staffing Companies

Roth Staffing Companies is one of the largest privately held staffing firms in the United States, operating from more than 100 locations across 20 states and the District of Columbia. Roth Staffing consists of five specialized business lines: Ultimate Staffing Services for administrative and office positions, Ledgent Finance & Accounting, Ledgent Technology, Adams & Martin Group for legal staffing, and About Talent for workforce solutions.

Roth Staffing Companies, L.P. has locations Arizona: Phoenix; California: Brea, Carlsbad, Century City, Cerritos, Costa Mesa, Fremont, Fresno, Inland Empire, Irvine, La Jolla, Los Angeles, Orange County, Oxnard, Palo Alto, Pasadena, Pleasanton, Roseville, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Torrance, Tustin, Woodland Hills; Colorado: Denver; Connecticut: Hartford, New Haven; Florida: Boca Raton, Clearwater, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach; Georgia: Atlanta; Massachusetts: Boston; Maryland: Baltimore, Columbia, Frederick, Rockville, Timonium; Michigan: Detroit; Minnesota: Bloomington, Minneapolis; Missouri: St. Louis, Kansas City; North Carolina: Raleigh; New Hampshire: Nashua; New Jersey: Paramus; Nevada: Las Vegas; Oregon: Portland; Texas: Austin, Dallas, Houston, North Houston, San Antonio; Virginia: Arlington; Washington: Wisconsin: Milwaukee.

About the Fortune Best Workplaces for Women

Great Place To Work selected the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women List by analyzing the survey responses of nearly 600,000 employees who work for Great Place To Work Certified™ companies that also meet the criteria for this list. To be eligible, a company must employ at least 50 women, have least 20% of non-executive managers who are women, and have at least one female C-suite executive. Company rankings are derived from 60 employee experience questions within the Great Place To Work Trust Index™ Survey.

About Great Place To Work

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Its proprietary platform and Great Place To Work Model help companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified and receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.

Follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram or visit http://www.greatplacetowork.com and sign up for the newsletter to learn more.

About Fortune

Fortune upholds a legacy of award-winning writing and trusted reporting for executives who want to make business better. Independently owned, with a global perspective and digital agility, Fortune tells the stories of a new generation of innovators, builders, and risk takers. Online and in print, Fortune measures corporate performance through rigorous benchmarks and holds companies accountable. Fortune creates communities by convening true thought leaders and iconoclasts — those who shape industry, commerce, and society – through powerful and prestigious lists, events, and conferences, such as the iconic Fortune 500, the CEO Initiative, and Most Powerful Women. For more information, visit http://www.fortune.com.

Media Contact

Samantha Cabot, Roth Staffing Companies, 714.939.8600, scabot@rothstaffing.com, www.rothstaffing.com 

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Give the Gift of Family Legacy This Holiday Season with Autobiographer

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47 mins ago

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October 28, 2024

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The newly-launched storytelling app debuts a limited time $99 gift price for the 2024 holiday season as well as Autobiographer Anthology, a premium-tier family service.

NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As the holiday season approaches, Autobiographer, the groundbreaking storytelling app, offers a unique and meaningful gift option for those who treasure family history. Launched earlier this year, Autobiographer provides a revolutionary way to preserve family legacies through authentic conversations that capture the depth and nuance of real-life stories.

Autobiographer offers a gift beyond material possessions, it preserves your family’s story for generations to come.

“The holidays are a time for family, reflection, and creating lasting memories,” said Matt Bowman, Autobiographer co-founder and CEO. “With Autobiographer, we’re offering a gift that goes beyond material possessions – the gift of preserving your family’s unique story for generations to come.”

Autobiographer transforms personal interview sessions into beautiful digital story books, creating priceless heirlooms that preserve family history. The app’s Guide engages users in thoughtful exchanges on their life experiences via voice interviews, uncovering every detail and anecdote of a story, and memorializing them into a written segment that can be edited and added to. Autobiographer organizes these chapters into a digital book, capturing every important moment for future generations.

Key features of Autobiographer for holiday gifting include:

Personalized Storytelling: The app’s proprietary question-asking architecture fosters genuine curiosity about each user’s life, creating a uniquely personalized experience.Easy-to-Use Interface: Users simply choose a personal moment when they want to converse with their Autobiographer Guide, which listens attentively and crafts conversations into written stories.Secure Storage: Leveraging Apple’s on-device security, including FaceID and iCloud encryption, Autobiographer ensures that family stories remain protected and are stored only on a user’s device. It is core to Autobiographer that every person’s story is their own.Affordable Legacy Creation: For a limited time, Autobiographer will offer a digital story book gift for $99. Additionally, our ongoing monthly membership is available for $20 per month, offering unlimited conversations and the ability to create up to 250 pages of content annually – a fraction of the cost of traditional biography services.Three Types of Shareable Content: Users can turn their conversations into personal letters, short stories, or a full-length autobiography and share them with others effortlessly, right from their devices.Autobiographer Anthology: A premium service for families, offering joint accounts and dedicated support to create individual autobiographies and a collective family story.Gift Options: Special holiday gift packages are available, allowing users to purchase Autobiographer subscriptions for loved ones.

“In a world where digital messages are often fleeting, Autobiographer offers a way to create lasting family legacies,” added Bowman. “This holiday season, give the gift of story – a present that will be cherished for generations.”

Autobiographer is available for download through The App Store (Apple). For more information on holiday gifting options, visit www.autobiographer.com/gift. 

About Autobiographer:

Autobiographer is a groundbreaking storytelling app that helps you discover, preserve, and share your life story through authentic and adaptive conversation. With each interaction, Autobiographer makes preserving your cherished memories effortless, intuitive, and fun. With an unwavering commitment to privacy and security, Autobiographer ensures your stories are securely stored through personal device encryption and only shared with the people you love. The founders’ guiding belief is that the world’s best stories are within us, they just haven’t been discovered yet.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/give-the-gift-of-family-legacy-this-holiday-season-with-autobiographer-302288005.html

SOURCE Autobiographer

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