United States Reported Less Data Breaches in 2020 but with much more Expensive Successful Hacker Attacks
According to the annual report of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), 1,108 cyber incidents were reported in 2020 and the number casualties from these incidents was close to 301 million people, a drop of 66% over the previous year.
The social engineering technique of impersonation also helped attackers reap massive profits:
The volume of business fraud and hacking by corporate e-mail systems (BECs) reported to the FBI in 2020 was US$ 1.8 Billion – a figure that reflects half of all cyber damage in monetary terms.
“The trend away from mass data breaches and toward more precise and sophisticated cyberattacks doesn’t mean businesses can relax. Just the opposite. They need to learn whole new ways of protecting their data.”
– James E. Lee, ITRC COO
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The 127 Percent Spike in Malware Complexity – Why Legacy Defenses Are Now a Liability
🛡️ Malware Complexity Up 127 Percent – Are You Prepared?
🚨 Attackers aren’t just increasing volume – they’re evolving sophistication at record speed.
💥 A 127 percent spike in malware complexity means threats now use AI-driven evasion, polymorphic code, and stealth tactics that make legacy defenses nearly useless.
🏭 Industrial and OT environments are prime targets, with disruptions that can shut down plants or halt critical services.
🕵️ Criminals exploit outdated systems as entry points, blending into trusted channels to bypass detection entirely.
📊 Defending against this wave requires a shift from outdated detection to prevention-first strategies with behavioral analytics, real-time visibility, and advanced threat intelligence.
📢 Legacy tools aren’t just ineffective – they’re dangerous. Book your AUMINT.io consultation today and fortify your organization before the next strike.
#CyberSecurity #Malware #ThreatIntelligence #OTSecurity #CISOs #RiskManagement #ITSecurity #DataProtection
🖥️ CISOs: 10 Free Tools to Improve Your Endpoint Security Posture 🖥️
Endpoints are the gateways attackers target most. Securing them effectively means using the right tools — and you don’t always need a big budget to start.
Here’s a curated list of 10 free tools every CISO should explore to strengthen endpoint security across your environment:
1️⃣ Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (Free Tier) – Basic protection and detection for Windows endpoints.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint
2️⃣ OSQuery – Query your endpoints in real time with SQL-like commands for visibility and auditing.
https://osquery.io/
3️⃣ Lynis – Security auditing and hardening tool for Unix/Linux systems.
https://cisofy.com/lynis/
4️⃣ GRR Rapid Response – Remote live forensics and incident response framework.
https://github.com/google/grr
5️⃣ Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool – Free on-demand malware scanner and remover.
https://www.kaspersky.com/downloads/thank-you/free-virus-removal-tool
6️⃣ CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor (Free Trial) – Lightweight endpoint detection and response for testing.
https://www.crowdstrike.com/
7️⃣ Bitdefender Rescue CD – Offline bootable tool for deep malware cleanup.
https://www.bitdefender.com/support/how-to-create-a-bitdefender-rescue-cd-627.html
8️⃣ Wazuh Agent – Endpoint monitoring and log collection integrated with SIEM.
https://documentation.wazuh.com/current/installation-guide/installing-wazuh-agent/index.html
9️⃣ Cisco AMP for Endpoints (Trial) – Malware protection combined with analytics.
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/amp-for-endpoints/index.html
🔟 Traccar – Open-source GPS tracking to monitor mobile endpoint locations and usage.
https://www.traccar.org/
These tools provide a strong foundation to identify, analyze, and respond to threats without upfront licensing costs.
Want to identify hidden human risks that can lead to endpoint breaches? AUMINT.io runs live social engineering attack simulations so you can measure and reduce human vulnerabilities.
📅 Ready to strengthen your endpoint security? Book a free intro call
🛡️ Save this post and empower your security team with these no-cost tools today!
#CISO #EndpointSecurity #EDR #CyberSecurity #ThreatDetection #AUMINT
The Alarming Rise of Social Engineering Attacks in 2025 – Why No One Is Safe
🎯 Social Engineering Surge – Are Your People Ready?
🚨 The first half of 2025 has seen a sharp rise in social engineering attacks – and they’re more convincing than ever.
💥 Criminals are using AI, deepfakes, and hyper-realistic phishing to impersonate executives, trick employees, and bypass even strong technical defenses.
🕵️ No sector is safe – from small businesses to government agencies, attackers target anyone who can be pressured into a quick decision.
⚠️ The most dangerous myth? Thinking “our staff would never fall for this.” Even trained employees can be manipulated under the right pressure.
📊 Prevention starts with continuous awareness training, phishing simulations, and clear reporting channels – combined with real-time monitoring to detect early signs of an attack.
📢 The weakest link is often human, but with the right approach, your people can become your strongest defense. Book your AUMINT.io consultation today.
#CyberSecurity #SocialEngineering #Phishing #FraudPrevention #RiskManagement #CISOs #ITSecurity #DataProtection