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TECHNOLOGY

Exploitation of internet-facing applications no. 1 initial attack vector for last year

September 12, 2022 6:17 p.m.

According to the recent Kaspersky Incident Response Analytics Report, more than half (53.6%) of cyberattacks in 2021 started with vulnerability exploitation. Other common initial attack methods included compromised accounts and malicious emails.  

When attackers plan their campaigns, they usually aim to find easily identifiable security issues, such as public servers with well-known vulnerabilities, poor passwords or compromised accounts. Year after year these initial access vectors have led to an increasing number of high-severity cybersecurity incidents.

Analysis of anonymized data from incident response cases handled by Kaspersky Global Emergency Response Team (GERT) from all over the world proves that exploitation of public-facing applications, accessible from both the internal network and the internet, has become the most widely used initial vector to penetrate an organization’s perimeter.

The share of this method as an initial attack vector has increased from 31.5% in 2020 to 53.6% in 2021, while usage of compromised accounts and malicious emails has decreased from 31.6% to 17.9%, and 23.7% to 14.3%, respectively. This change is likely tied to the vulnerabilities discovered on Microsoft Exchange Servers last year. The ubiquity of this mail service and the public availability of exploits for these vulnerabilities have resulted in a huge number of related incidents.

Going into the impact of the attacks, file encryption, which is one of the most common ransomware types and deprives organizations of access to their data, has remained the main problem facing companies for three years in a row. In addition, the number of organizations who encountered cryptors in their network significantly increased during the observed period (from 34% in 2019 to 51.9% in 2021). Another alarming aspect is that in well over half of cases (62.5%), attackers spend more than a month inside the network before encrypting data. 

Adversaries manage to stay unnoticed inside an infrastructure largely because of OS tools, well-known offensive tools and the use of commercial frameworks, which are involved in 40% of all incidents. After the initial penetration, attackers use legitimate tools for different purposes: PowerShell to collect data, Mimikatz to escalate privileges, PsExec to execute commands remotely or frameworks like Cobalt Strike for all stages of attack.

“Our report demonstrates that an appropriate patch management policy alone can reduce the likelihood of a successful attack by 50%. This yet again confirms the necessity of basic cybersecurity measures. At the same time, even the most thorough implementation of such measures cannot ensure an uncompromisable defense,” comments Konstantin Sapronov, Head of Global Emergency Response Team. “Given that adversaries resort to various malicious methods, the best way to protect your organization is to use tools and approaches that allow adversarial action to be noticed and stopped throughout the different stages of an attack.” 

To minimize the impact of an attack in case of an emergency, Kaspersky recommends the following:

The full Incident Response Analytics Report is available on Securelist.

TECHNOLOGY

OPPO leads AI innovation with world’s 1st on-device MoE implementation, paves way for AI advancements

5:41 p.m. October 25, 2024

Global leading smart device brand OPPO has achieved a significant breakthrough by becoming the first company to implement the Mixture of Experts (MoE) architecture on-device. This milestone enhances AI processing efficiency, opens new possibilities for more advanced and flexible on-device AI, laying the groundwork for future innovations in AI’s integration with mobile hardware. 

As AI technology continues to evolve, more tasks are being performed on-device. However, large AI models require substantial computational power, which can impact performance, especially on devices with limited hardware resources. In response, OPPO has collaborated with leading chipset providers to implement the MoE architecture on-device to overcome these limitations.

The MoE architecture dynamically activates specialized sub-models (“experts”) to handle specific tasks, thereby significantly improving processing efficiency and cutting down computing and data transfer consumption. Lab tests reveal that on-device MoE architecture accelerates AI task speeds by approximately 40%, reducing resource demands and improving energy efficiency. This means faster AI responses, longer battery life and enhanced privacy as more tasks are handled locally on the device. 

Illustration of MoE Architecture

OPPO’s implementation of the MoE architecture on-device is a breakthrough that highlights its advancement in AI innovation. By lowering AI’s computational costs, MoE allows more devices-ranging from flagship to affordable devices-to perform complex AI tasks, accelerating AI’s adoption across the industry. As a result, The MoE architecture on-device opens new opportunities for the industry to make advanced AI capabilities more accessible to a wider audience.

Looking ahead, OPPO remains committed to advancing AI technology and making it available to more users. With over 5,860 patent applications in the AI field, OPPO continues to invest heavily in AI R&D. The establishment of OPPO’s AI Center in 2024 serves as a key step in consolidating its AI research efforts, furthering the company’s mission to provide high-quality AI experiences to users worldwide.  Through continued research like MoE and the global rollout of AI-powered features across its smartphone lineup, OPPO aims to extend high-quality AI experiences to a broader audience, ensuring that AI technology becomes more accessible to users across its device categories.

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TECHNOLOGY

TCL White Lines: Future of home living

1:48 p.m. September 18, 2024

TCL, a global leader in consumer and one of the world’s top two TV brands, is reinforcing its commitment to innovation and improving daily life through advanced technology.

While maintaining its strong position in the TV market, TCL is now actively pursuing leadership in the complete smart home solutions space, encompassing air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators, and audio equipment.

Under the guidance of newly appointed CEO Peter Chen, TCL is setting a new standard in home living. “My vision is to solidify TCL’s presence in these categories, ensuring that we not only continue to innovate but also enrich the lives of consumers worldwide. As we expand globally, my goal is to ensure that TCL remains one of the top innovators in consumer appliances, continuing to meet and exceed the evolving needs of our customers.”

With nearly a decade of experience at TCL, Mr. Chen has witnessed the company’s evolution from a rising star to a dominant force in the TV market. His contributions have been instrumental in building market share and establishing TCL as a recognized leader. But Mr. Chen’s goals for the company go far beyond its current successes.

This year, TCL is prioritizing global expansion and continued product innovation. The company’s advanced technology is revolutionizing home appliances, offering superior comfort, convenience, and efficiency, as exemplified by the TCL White Lines category. TCL has already achieved remarkable success in this area

As of May, TCL has achieved the top position in terms of volume sold within the air conditioner market. Furthermore, they have secured the No. 1 spot in the split-type category for both ytd 2023 and 2024 in retail stores, according to market research conducted by TRS Research.

In the refrigerator category, TCL have tailored their offerings to cater to various market niches, with the top-mounted models capturing significant market share. This targeted approach has allowed TCL to meet diverse consumer needs effectively.

While in the washing machine segment, TCL has made a significant impact by offering a diverse and high-quality product lineup. Their focus on high-end top-load models, coupled with competitive pricing, has been a key factor in their success. Likewise, they’ve also provided a broad range of options, including both top-load and twin-tub models, catering to various customer needs and preferences.

TCL’s focus on delivering superior technology that fits seamlessly into everyday life with consumers. As a result, TCL earned the No. 1 share in front-load washing machine sales in retail stores in the Philippines based on cumulative market share data from the beginning of 2023 through June 2024 based on TRS Research data. This accomplishment reflects TCL’s commitment to delivering superior products that meet the needs of their customers while maintaining affordability and quality.

“These targeted strategies have been instrumental in fueling our market share growth, reflecting TCL’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction across all Whitelines categories,” Mr. Chen enthuses.

As part of the strategy, TCL is not only committed to global growth but is also leading the charge in sustainability and environmental stewardship. Just this year, they are integrating advanced energy-saving technologies into their appliances to help consumers reduce their energy consumption and lower their utility bills. The goal is to not only enhance the efficiency of their products but also to support their customers in making eco-conscious choices.

“Our dedication to sustainability drives us to continuously push for eco-friendly designs and practices that minimize our environmental impact. We believe in leveraging innovative technology to improve people’s lives, solve everyday problems, and bring joy to families. By focusing on these principles, we aim to inspire and empower individuals to pursue greatness while creating a safer and healthier world for everyone,” Mr. Chen continues.

Elevate your everyday home with TCL White Lines Appliances to experience comfort, efficiency, and a cooler significant way of living.

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TECHNOLOGY

Seamless multitasking is possible with vivo Y28

6:04 p.m. September 16, 2024

People nowadays constantly juggle different things—work, social life, entertainment, and more. Thankfully, the vivo Y28 is designed to keep up with this fast-paced lifestyle. 

With its 6000mAh battery and IP64 dust and water resistance, it’s built to last through even the busiest days. But the real game-changer? This phone makes multitasking effortless, allowing you to switch between apps seamlessly without breaking a sweat.

Multitasking advantage

Why settle for a phone that does one thing at a time when the vivo Y28 can do so much more? Imagine watching a video and responding to texts at the same time, or managing work documents while keeping an eye on your inbox. 

The vivo Y28 makes it all possible, thanks to its ability to run up to 12 apps simultaneously on your screen. Here’s how to make multitasking on the vivo Y28 a breeze:

https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7401342215055871240

Open an app like Netflix or WhatsApp.

Minimize it with a simple tap.

Now you can interact with multiple apps all at once. You don’t have to pause your movie to reply to a message or close your work emails to check your calendar. The vivo Y28 keeps everything running smoothly.

The vivo Y28 is perfect for people who need a phone that can do more:

Professionals can manage work tasks, emails, and documents without closing anything.

Social media users can watch videos, scroll through feeds, and chat all on the same screen.

Students can keep research articles open, join online classes, and respond to group messages, all at once.

Anyone on the go who needs multiple apps running smoothly to handle life’s demands.

Powered by Memory Booster

The magic behind the vivo Y28’s ability to multitask lies in its Memory Booster technology:

8GB RAM + 8GB Extended RAM: This powerhouse combo lets you switch between 25+ background apps without slowing down, making it easier to stay productive.

RAM Saver: It automatically clears out unnecessary data to free up to 600MB of memory, keeping your phone running at peak performance.

App Retainer: You can leave apps open and come back exactly where you left off. No reloading, no delays.

Master multitasking now with vivo Y28

The vivo Y28 is designed for people who want to make the most out of every moment. Its multitasking capabilities, combined with a durable build and long-lasting battery, make it the perfect phone for those who expect more from their devices. Life doesn’t slow down, and with the Y28, neither do you.

Visit vivo concept stores, kiosks nationwide, or shop online through the vivo website, S

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