TECHNOLOGY
Andariel, a Lazarus subgroup, expands its attacks with new ransomware
August 10, 2022 7:57 p.m.
Kaspersky experts have uncovered new attacks by Andariel, an advanced persistent threat (APT) subgroup of Lazarus, known for its campaigns in South Korea.
The attacks involved modifications of the well-known malware, DTrack, as well as the use of a brand-new Maui ransomware. They targeted high-profile organizations in the USA, Japan, India, Vietnam, and Russia.
Andariel has operated for over a decade within the infamous Lazarus group, and Kaspersky researchers identified an interesting incident in Japan involving a never-before-seen Maui ransomware. However, in 2022, the group continued expanding its malware arsenal and the geography of its attacks. As CISA reported in July 2022, Andariel affected public and healthcare organizations with the Maui ransomware. Following their research, Kaspersky experts have revealed a thorough analysis of the APT group.
It shows that Andariel deploys a well-known DTrack malware, which executes an embedded shellcode, loading a final Windows in-memory payload. According to Kaspersky Threat Attribution Engine, this spyware was reportedly created by the Lazarus Group and is being used to upload and download files to victims’ systems, record keystrokes and conduct other actions typical of a malicious remote administration tool (RAT). DTrack collects system information and browser history via Windows commands. Interestingly, dwell time within target networks can last for months prior to activity.
The novel malware used by Andariel in 2021 and 2022 has been dubbed Maui ransomware. Kaspersky experts identified its launch after DTrack was deployed within an organization. Maui has been employed for attacks on multiple occasions, primarily targeting companies in the USA and Japan. Kaspersky researchers have assessed that the actor is opportunistic and may compromise any company around the world regardless of their category of business, instead focusing on their good financial standing.
“We’ve been tracking the Andariel APT group for years and see that their attacks are constantly evolving. What requires special attention is that the group has started deploying ransomware on a global scale, demonstrating ongoing financial motivations and interest,”’ comments Kurt Baumgartner, a security expert at Kaspersky.
To learn more about Maui ransomware and other malware used by Andariel, read the report on Securelist.com
To protect yourself and your business from ransomware attacks, consider following these Kaspersky recommendations:
- Do not expose remote desktop services (such as RDP) to public networks unless absolutely necessary and always use strong passwords for them.
- Promptly install available patches for commercial VPN solutions, providing access for remote employees and acting as gateways in your network.
- Always keep software updated on all the devices you use to prevent ransomware from exploiting vulnerabilities.
- Focus your defense strategy on detecting lateral movements and data exfiltration to the Internet. Pay special attention to outgoing traffic to detect cybercriminals’ connections.
- Back up data regularly. Make sure you can quickly access it in an emergency when needed.
- Use solutions like Kaspersky Endpoint Detection and Response Expert and Kaspersky Managed Detection and Response service, which help identify and stop attacks during the early stages, before attackers reach their final goals.
- Educate your employees to protect the corporate environment. Dedicated training courses can help, such as the ones provided in the Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform.
- Use a reliable endpoint security solution, such as Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business, that is powered by exploit prevention, behavior detection and a remediation engine that is able to roll back malicious actions. KESB also has self-defense mechanisms, which can prevent its removal by cybercriminals.
- Use the latest Threat Intelligence information to stay aware of actual TTPs used by threat actors. The Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal is a single point of access for Kaspersky’s TI, providing cyberattack data and insights gathered by our team for almost 25 years. To help businesses enable effective defenses in these turbulent times, Kaspersky has announced access to independent, continuously updated and globally sourced information on ongoing cyberattacks and threats, at no charge. Request access to this offer here.
TECHNOLOGY
Rest easy with the Index Sleep Monitor smart sleep band from Garmin
11:09 a.m. August 29, 2025
GARMIN has announced the Index™ Sleep Monitor, an ultra-comfortable and lightweight smart sleep band that tracks sleep for a more comprehensive view of overall fitness and recovery.
Featuring up to 7 nights of battery life with continuous Pulse Ox tracking, the Index Sleep Monitor is worn on the upper arm and tracks sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV) status, breathing variations, skin temperature and more to calculate a sleep score for users and provide valuable insights about their health.
After a night of sleep, the data seamlessly syncs to the Garmin Connect™ smartphone app and can be combined with metrics from a compatible Garmin smartwatch to fill in gaps in data for users who don’t wear their watch at night or are looking to better understand how well they recovered.
“We are thrilled to add the Index Sleep Monitor to our suite of innovative health and wellness products. Wearing this smart sleep band every night can provide in-depth sleep insights and a more complete picture of fitness and recovery so users can wake up ready to seize the day.” — Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing
Rest and recover
Throughout the night, the Index Sleep Monitor tracks the following sleep and recovery metrics, which can then be viewed on the Garmin Connect app:
● Sleep score: Every morning, receive a personalized score (0-100) for last night’s sleep based on sleep duration, stress, sleep stages and more.
● Sleep stages: View light, deep and REM sleep stages and when they occur during the night.
● HRV status: See the previous night’s average HRV and status (balanced, unbalanced, low or poor). After several nights of wear, the smart sleep band will establish a personal baseline to help provide a better understanding of recovery and overall wellness.
● Pulse Ox: Track blood oxygen saturation during sleep1.
● Breathing variations: Used in conjunction with Pulse Ox, view and better understand shifts in breathing patterns while sleeping.1
● Respiration: View respiration rates throughout the night.
● Skin temperature: Track skin temperature changes, which can be related to recent activity, sleep environment, potential illness and more.
● Women’s health tracking: Using skin temperature, women can get more insights into their menstrual cycle, including improved period predictions and past ovulation estimates2. Women can also track their menstrual cycle or pregnancy and get exercise and nutrition education in the Garmin Connect app.
● Body BatteryTM energy monitoring: View energy levels to see if the body is charged or needs more rest. Users who wear a compatible smartwatch while awake can get a more complete picture of their energy levels—day and night.
● Stress tracking: See if last night’s sleep was calm, balanced or stressful.
When it’s time to wake up, the smart wake alarm feature looks at lighter sleep stages during a pre-selected window of time to gently wake users with a light vibration so they feel more refreshed.
Available in two sizes (S-M and L-XL), the Index Sleep Monitor is easy to clean; just remove the module and toss the band into the washing machine on the gentle cycle.
It is for P10,290.00 and available via official Garmin Stores online in Kinetic, Shopee, and Lazada and in all Garmin Brand Stores and Garmin Specialty Stores.
For more information, visit https://ph.garmin.com/.
TECHNOLOGY
Time to make your moment: OPPO Reno14 Series 5G now available for pre-order
9:11 p.m. August 10, 2025
OPPO’s latest smartphone series is now available for pre-order in the Philippines—and it’s built for those who want to turn everyday moments into stories worth sharing.
The OPPO Reno14 Series 5G brings together AI-powered photography, vivid 4K video, sleek design, and powerful performance, all in one beautifully crafted device. Whether you’re creating content, diving into your favorite game, or simply making your moment, the OPPO Reno14 Series 5G makes it effortless to discover and explore—without compromise.
Your Studio, In Your Pocket
Capture yourself at your best with AI Portrait capabilities that naturally refine lighting, angles, and facial details—no filters or editing apps needed. Want to adjust after the shot? Features like AI Recompose and AI Perfect Shot help you fix framing, expressions, and more—all within the native camera.
Even in low light, the Ultra-Clear Low-Light Camera System and AI Flash Photography keep your shots vivid and full of life—perfect for nights out, concerts, and candle-lit dinners.
Powered by next-gen chipsets, MediaTek Dimensity 8450 for OPPO Reno14 Pro 5G, Dimensity 8350 for OPPO Reno14 5G, and Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 for OPPO Reno14 F 5G, you can count on a fluid experience whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking.
Smart features like AI HyperBoost 2.0 and AI LinkBoost 3.0 optimize gameplay, prevent lag, and keep your connection smooth wherever you are.
Designed to be seen
The Iridescent Mermaid Design of the OPPO Reno14 Series 5G is more than a color, it’s a statement. Inspired by the shimmer of light underwater, the finish is paired with Velvet Glass and aerospace-grade aluminum for a look and feel that’s luxurious, durable, and uniquely OPPO.
TECHNOLOGY
Concentrix Philippines releases iX Hero
9:21 p.m. July 30, 2025
Concentrix Corporation, a global technology and services leader that’s also the Philippines’ largest private employer, today announced the newest release of iX Hero: the company’s agentic AI-powered application that works together with a human in the loop to supercharge the way customer experience is delivered.
Joining the launch of iX Hero in the Philippines were Concentrix Chief Product Officer Ryan Peterson; Global Vice President, Product Management, Craig Cotton; and Vice President, Product and Domain Leader, Ratna Puri, together with Concentrix Philippines Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer Amit Jagga, as well as Vice President for Transformation and Delivery Shared Services Larah Sta. Maria. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) represented by Assistant Secretary Migui Planas was also present for the event, which included a demo of the application and other AI-driven products in the Concentrix Intelligent Experience (iX) suite.
iX Hero supercharges advisor performance through multiple AI-driven features: from automatic conversation transcription and knowledge apps that find and surface ready-to-use answers to customer questions, to noise cancellation that cuts out distracting background noise and speech harmonization that helps every word during a conversation shine through, all the way to generating transaction summaries and insights that offer coaching tips for improvement – all in one place, all in real-time. It’s akin to giving the advisors superpowers that lead to faster onboarding, better performance, and smarter conversations, so they can focus on what matters most: the customers.
According to Concentrix Chief Product Officer Ryan Peterson, “iX Hero is the culmination of decades of Concentrix expertise in AI and automation, built on insights and fine-tuned from millions of interactions. As a company that supports over 2,000 of the world’s leading brands, we know what it takes for AI to complement human ingenuity because we’ve developed the products that have achieved concrete outcomes and growth for our people, clients and business.”
Enabling Job Access and Inclusivity
iX Hero’s impact to the workforce journey starts at the very beginning – helping job applicants get hired. One of iX Hero’s features called Harmony, fine-tunes speech patterns for clearer pronunciation, making sure every word lands perfectly while keeping voices natural and authentic, and has been piloted in the language assessment part of Recruiting in Concentrix Philippines. In the integrated business solutions industry where clear communication is essential, language skills tests are the first part of the recruiting process. During its pilot in the country prior to the launch, iX Hero’s Harmony enabled applicants’ speech to be clear and easy to understand while retaining their authentic voice, enabling passing scores for those who would otherwise not be able to move on to the next stages of the recruiting process due to language proficiency challenges on speech. As iX Hero is also deployed in the advisor workspace once they are hired, the real-time support continues, leading to superior performance and resulting in game-changing customer experiences.
According to Concentrix Philippines EVP and Chief Business Officer Amit Jagga, “Having the Harmony feature in iX Hero is a perfect example of how AI helps provide access to employment and greater job inclusivity for many Filipinos, in addition to upskilling. More than just a tech product launch, iX Hero represents our commitment to harnessing AI for good and keeping humans at the heart of digital transformation.”
According to DICT Assistant Secretary Planas, “In the DICT we have a slogan that says ‘Walang Iwanan sa Digital Bayanihan’, meaning “no one left behind,” which underscores the government’s mission for every Filipino to have access to technology, connectivity and with it, future-ready jobs. It is very encouraging to have private sector partners like Concentrix who contribute positively to this mission, in a very tangible way, through AI-powered products like iX Hero that can scale in use throughout the country, not just where the organization operates but also as it extends to Concentrix clients and partners who will use it as a solution and tool for their own workforce.”
Real-world results from iX Hero include 20% efficiency gains from quicker adaptation and skill acquisition in a supportive learning environment for sustained professional growth, 22% reduction in average call handling times, 13.5% increase in customer satisfaction and 30% improved communication from speech clarity, language proficiency and non-verbal skills. iX Hero received the TMC Generative AI Product of the Year Award and Concentrix’s iX Product Suite has already received over 20 industry awards globally.
For more information, meet iX Hero on the company website.
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