Threat Hunting in the Age of Ransomware Ransomware moves fast and hides in normal work. Threat hunting helps you spot it before files are encrypted. A practical hunt uses many data sources: endpoint telemetry, email gateways, DNS logs, file changes, and user activity. The goal is to find patterns that do not fit the daily routine. Even a single host showing unusual file access or a strange login spike can be a clue. ...
Malware Analysis for Beginners: Static and Dynamic Techniques Malware analysis helps us learn what a program does, how it hides its actions, and how to defend systems. For beginners, a simple goal is to spot behavior and key indicators without spreading the sample. Start in a safe lab, keep notes, and build up your skills step by step. Static analysis This looks at the file itself, without running it. Check what kind of program it is (EXE, DLL, or a script). Look at the headers, imports, and names inside the binary. Simple steps include using the file command, listing strings the program prints or loads, and examining the import table. Check if the file uses packing or encryption, and measure entropy to see if the body is hidden. Note suspicious sections, unusual API calls, or odd file names. If the sample is a PE or ELF file, you can compare imports and sections to clean versions of the same family. A careful read of strings and headers often reveals clues about its purpose or the attack chain. ...
Malware Analysis for Security Professionals Malware analysis helps security teams understand threats, improve defenses, and communicate findings clearly. This guide offers practical steps that security professionals can apply when they encounter suspicious files or activity. The goal is to identify what the sample does, how it does it, and how to respond safely. Static analysis can reveal a lot without running the file. Start with a quick check of the file type, size, and entropy. Look at imports and strings; you may spot API calls tied to network traffic, file operations, or process injection. Note any packers or heavy obfuscation, as they often hide malicious behavior. Generate a hash and compare it to a threat database. Check the digital signature and signer information; unsigned or unexpected certificates can be a red flag. Static clues help you plan safe, deeper analysis. ...
Threat intelligence and malware analysis explained Threat intelligence and malware analysis work together to strengthen defenses. Threat intelligence collects knowledge about attacker groups, their goals, tools, and campaigns. Malware analysis studies individual samples to reveal how they operate, how they spread, and how they hide. When used together, they help security teams see both the big picture and the details of a single threat. Threat intelligence sources include open sources, commercial feeds, and the telemetry collected inside an organization. You can map data into these basic types: ...
Malware Analysis: Techniques for Detecting and Defending Malware analysis helps security teams understand how a threat operates and how it can be stopped. By studying its actions, defenders learn what to monitor, what to block, and how to recover quickly after an incident. There are two main paths: static analysis, which looks at the code and structure without running it, and dynamic analysis, which observes behavior in a safe environment. Each path adds pieces to the full picture of a threat. ...
Information Security Essentials for Everyone Information security helps us stay safe without needing a computer science degree. By adopting a few simple habits, you can reduce the risk of data theft, scams, and broken devices. This guide gives practical steps you can use every day. Start with passwords and authentication. Use a password manager to create long, unique passwords for each site and service. This stops one weak password from exposing many accounts. Then enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts such as email, banking, and social networks. If you have a choice, use an authenticator app rather than SMS codes for stronger protection. ...
Threat Intelligence and Malware Analysis Essentials Threat intelligence and malware analysis help security teams turn data into defense. When teams collect signals from many sources, they can spot campaigns, map attacker methods, and respond faster. This article outlines practical essentials for beginners and professionals alike. Threat intelligence essentials Threat intelligence covers signals about who attacks, how they act, and where they target. There are three broad levels: Tactical: indicators like IPs, file hashes, and domains used in recent campaigns. ...
Malware Analysis for Cyber Defenders Malware analysis helps defenders understand threats, learn their techniques, and improve defenses. It turns observation into concrete protections for users and systems. The goal is to map behavior to detections, rules, and fast responses. A practical approach combines safe testing, careful observation, and clear notes. Use a repeatable workflow so teams can learn from every sample. What to analyze Purpose and capabilities: what the malware tries to do. Persistence and evasion: how it stays active and avoids detection. Data targets: files, registries, or network services it affects. A practical workflow ...
Threat Intelligence and Malware Analysis for Defenders Threat intelligence and malware analysis work best when defenders connect what they see in their networks to a bigger picture. Intelligence provides context—who is behind an attack, why they act, and what they target—while malware analysis shows how threats behave inside devices or traffic. Together, they help teams detect, prioritize, and respond with clearer, faster decisions. A practical workflow helps teams start small and grow: ...
Fundamentals of Operating System Security An operating system (OS) controls hardware, software, and data. Security means protecting those resources from accidental damage or deliberate attacks. A strong OS security posture uses layers, from the hardware up to applications. When you understand the basics, you can reduce risk with practical steps. Three core ideas guide most security work: defense in depth, least privilege, and secure defaults. These ideas shape how we configure users, services, and policies in everyday systems. ...