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Hackers Now Target Financial, Intellectual Property

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International Data Corporation (IDC) said that hackers have shifted their ultimate goals from disruption and notoriety to financial and intellectual property theft as advanced threats drive high growth in new product segment.

According to the IT research power house, hackers’ tactics have changed accordingly. The malware used today is increasingly target specific and stealthy, often evading signature-based defenses. Further, since the malware itself is simply a tool for the collection and exfiltration of data, sophisticated attackers are using different pieces of code for each phase of the offensive, making the detection of advanced attacks much more difficult.

To defend against these specialized threats, IDC said, a new segment of products has emerged that leverage a variety of technologies above and beyond signature-based defenses.

Recognizing this, IDC even defined a new competitive security market segment dubbed Specialized Threat Analysis and Protection (STAP).

STAP products must use a predominantly signature-less technology (i.e., sandboxing, emulation, big data analytics, containerization) to detect malicious activity. These solutions can be based at the network level, on the endpoint, or both, and scan both inbound and outbound traffic for anomalies including botnet and command and control traffic.

The market also includes products that allow for the reverse engineering and forensic analysis of discovered malware.

The worldwide market for STAP solutions is forecast to have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 42.2% from 2012 through 2017 with revenues reaching $1.17 billion in 2017.

“Organizations have quickly begun to realize that they need improved protection against targeted attacks,” said John Grady, Research Manager with IDC’s Security Products group. “IDC has seen these solutions become a strategic necessity for many organizations, especially in the financial services and government sectors, with budget being quickly allocated to prioritize deployment.”

Products in the STAP market remain incredibly varied, though they all tackle the same fundamental issue of bringing visibility and protection against threats that legacy security products are unable to address.

Additional findings from IDC’s research include the following: Many STAP solutions today are deployed in a layered fashion (e.g. endpoint and network-based solutions), meaning that not all vendors in this market compete against one another.

In many cases, there remains a gap between detection and remediation, although vendors are moving quickly to address this.

Ultimately, many STAP functions will be incorporated into traditional security products, although IDC believes this will be towards the end of the forecast period.

The IDC study, Worldwide Specialized Threat Analysis and Protection 2013-2017 Forecast and 2012 Vendor Shares, examines the STAP market and provides a market size for 2011, vendor shares for 2012, and a forecast for 2013–2017.


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E-Business

Konga Unveils ‘All in All, Everything ×2’ Campaign, Offering Month-Long Discounts Across Product Categories

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce giant, has announced the launch of its highly anticipated ‘All in All, Everything ×2 – Category Month’ campaign.. This month-long shopping festival, running from September 1 to September 31, offers customers unprecedented discounts across a vast range of products.

The campaign is strategically designed to empower households and businesses by providing a golden opportunity to enjoy massive savings from globally renowned brands across diverse product categories.

The core of the “Category Month” campaign lies in its dynamic, week-by-week approach. Each week, Konga will spotlight a specific category, delivering targeted discounts that excite and engage shoppers.. For instance, the first week is set to focus on the Home and Kitchen category, presenting customers with a chance to upgrade their living spaces and culinary tools at unbeatable prices. This phased approach allows shoppers to plan purchases and shop intentionally throughout the month.

This strategic campaign is made possible through robust partnerships with top brands from around the world. These collaborations enable Konga to not only offer substantial price cuts but also guarantee the authenticity and quality that shoppers have come to expect from Konga. The synergy between Konga’s expansive platform and these global powerhouses ensures exceptional value while reinforcing Konga’s reputation as a trusted source for premium goods at affordable prices.

Over the course of the month, shoppers will enjoy exciting discounts across categories, including Home and Kitchen, Electronics, BHPC/Konga Fashion, Power and Automobile, Phones and Tablets, Computing and Accessories, Drinks and Groceries, and Baby, Kids and Toys. Konga’s “Category Month” has something for everyone.

In addition to the incredible deals, the campaign is bolstered by Konga’s efficient logistics infrastructure, offering customers unparalleled convenience. Customers in select locations can leverage KongaNow, the company’s express delivery service, with guaranteed delivery within one to six hours on eligible items. This fast and reliable delivery ensures shoppers can enjoy their purchases almost immediately.

Industry watchers have hailed Konga’s innovative campaigns as a catalyst for driving consumer confidence in online shopping, while also giving partner brands unmatched visibility.. The Category Month campaign further strengthens Konga’s commitment to enabling a vibrant digital marketplace where value, affordability, and trust intersect seamlessly.

The Category Month campaign is a strategic effort to enrich the lives of its customers by making high-quality products more accessible. Customers are encouraged to visit the Konga website to explore all the offers and take full advantage of ‘All in All, Everything ×2 – Category Month’.


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Firm Warns of Phishing Through Fake University Login Pages Targeting Academia

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As the new international academic year begins, Kaspersky has detected a wave of phishing webpages targeting college and university students as well as professors. Attackers are deploying fake login portals that mimic official university websites, tricking users into entering credentials which can lead to stolen data or a complete loss of access to their university accounts.

Links to these phishing portals are either distributed in emails or appear in web search results when looking for academic institutions’ login pages.

The fraudulent portals closely replicate the branding and design of legitimate university systems. Students of multiple academic institutions across different regions have been targeted, including in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region.

If users enter their credentials on these fake academic portals, cybercriminals can steal sensitive data such as login details which grant access to university accounts containing personal information, academic records, and financial data. Attackers may also change the passwords, blocking students and professors from critical resources like course materials, email, or payment systems. Compromised accounts can be used to send phishing emails to peers, spreading the attack within university networks.

“Colleges and universities are vulnerable due to their reliance on digital platforms and the high volume of users accessing systems during the international back-to-school rush.

These fake login portals can appear convincing, exploiting the trust that students and professors place in their university systems. We’re urging the academic community to stay vigilant and double check the web addresses of their educational institutions’ login pages to avoid losing data,” commented Olga Altukhova, Senior Web Content Analyst at Kaspersky.

To stay safe against education fraud, Kaspersky recommends the following:

  • Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): Activate MFA wherever possible, adding an extra layer of security to your online accounts. Use a reliable password manager that doesn’t just store your passwords but also generates one-time passwords for 2FA automatically.
  • Use a reliable security solution for comprehensive protection from a wide range of threats, such as  Kaspersky Premium.
  • Stay skeptical: Exercise caution when encountering “too good to be true” offers, especially if they require payments or personal information upfront.
  • Verify the source: Thoroughly research any scholarships, giveaways, or offers that come your way. Look for official contact details and confirm legitimacy before taking any action.
  • Secure personal information: Avoid sharing sensitive data online unless you’re absolutely certain about the legitimacy of the request.
  • Use trusted sources: Stick to official school websites, recognised scholarship platforms, and reputable retailers when making payments or providing personal information.

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FG Shuts Down over 13.5m Social Media Accounts for Alleged Policy Violations

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Federal government has confirmed the closure of 13,597,057 social media accounts over harmful content and breaches of the country’s digital code of practice.

FG Shuts Down over 13.5m Social Media Accounts for Alleged Policy Violations

The figure was contained in the Code of Practice 2024 Compliance Report, submitted by major technology firms including Google, Microsoft, and TikTok.

The report outlined efforts made by online platforms to curb offensive content and strengthen user protection.

The compliance framework, introduced in 2022 and jointly enforced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), required platforms to address user complaints and remove content that violates community guidelines or national regulations.

According to the latest report, social media platforms collectively deleted 58,909,112 posts flagged as offensive within the year.

Authorities also recorded 754,629 user complaints, while 420,439 pieces of content were reinstated following successful appeals.

In a statement issued by Hadiza Umar, spokesperson, NITDA, commended global platforms for what she described as “continued compliance” with Nigeria’s Code of Practice. She noted that the submission of the annual reports demonstrates a shared commitment to creating a safer digital environment.

“The compliance reports provide valuable insights into the platforms’ efforts to address user safety concerns in line with the Code of Practice and their community guidelines,” Umar said.

“We remain committed to working with industry players, civil society, and regulatory partners to strengthen user safety measures, enhance digital literacy, and promote trust and transparency in Nigeria’s digital ecosystem.”

The government said the monitoring exercise underscores its drive to ensure that Nigeria’s growing digital space remains secure, responsible, and free from harmful content.


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