One quarter of ransomware attacks hitting U.S. targets
Ransomware attacks continue to rise, and U.S. computer users are getting hit the most according to an analysis released by security firm Malwarebytes. The company analyzed data sent from its software running on customers systems between June 1 and October 15, finding hundreds of thousands of ransomware attacks. More than 26 percent of attacks targeted users in the United States, compared to less than 9 percent targeting German users and about 4 percent targeting people in France, the No. 2 and No. 3 most popular targets.
“Throughout the whole year, ransomware has been the dominant problem. It has just kept growing,” says Adam Kujawa, director of malware intelligence for Malwarebytes, adding that that 2016 is undoubtedly the year when ransomware took off, becoming the most significant Internet threat.
Other companies’ research agrees. In its year-end report, security firm Kaspersky Lab found 62 new families of ransomware had hit the internet in 2016, leading to roughly double the number of incidents per user. At the beginning of the year, Kaspersky’s user population encountered ransomware once every 20 seconds, and by the end of the year, that had dropped to once every 10 seconds. There are also signs that link several families of ransomware to Russia.
Kaspersky found that the number of modifications to ransomware variants increased by more than 11-fold in 2016, as the malware authors tried to stay ahead of security firms’ software. In addition, the number of copycats increased as well. Because ransomware is difficult to create properly, knock-off programs—also known as ‘skiddie’ ransomware—are less likely to be able to decrypt a victim’s files, Kaspersky said.
“As the popularity continues to rise and a lesser grade of criminal decides to enter the space, we are likely to encounter more and more ‘ransomware’ that lacks the quality assurance or general coding capability to actually uphold this promise,” the company said. “We expect ‘skiddie’ ransomware to lock away files or system access or simply delete the files, trick the victim into paying the ransom and provide nothing in return.” [Source: eWeek]
Six disruptive digital trends for 2017
Retailers will engage new channels, “geek up” their stores, and use technology to refine inventory management and anticipate customer desires in 2017. That’s according to Software AG, which released a list of six disruptive digital trends retailers must address in 2017. Here’s a recap:
1. New tribes of the Amazon-ization: There will be further “Amazonization” of retail, with new market entrants – as well as existing retailers – finding new ways to sell, fulfill and deliver products to eager, often impatient, consumers.
2. “Conversational” commerce: Retailers will quickly adapt and connect into new channels to engage with customers, using avenues including “conversational commerce” – Amazon Echo or Bots in Facebook Messenger.
3. Real-time inventory: Real-time inventory will be a reality, as more retailers realize that a rip-and-replace program for core merchandising, warehouse and store systems is not the best – or the quickest – way forward. The smartest retailers will look for other approaches like using in-memory caching combined with high speed messaging in order to provide real-time inventory levels across every location, channel, store and shipment.
4. Stores “geek up” to attract customers: Customers want to see techie gadgets when they go into brick-and-mortar stores, and retailers are going to be adding cool things like robots that give them directions, kiosks for in-store ordering, and magic mirrors for trying on clothes.
5. IoT in the kitchen: IoT will start to creep into your kitchens as devices like Amazon Echo, Hiku and others allow consumers to add things to their shopping lists. Conversational commerce will be a precursor to Artificial Intelligence and then “cognitive commerce,” which will appear over the next few years.
6. Retail as big brother: The arrival of “anticipatory customer experience” will allow retailers to manage customer expectations earlier and earlier in the sales process. This, in turn, can help retailers solidify an emotional attachment to their brand, offering customers what they want before they know they want it.
“As retailers get to grips with real-time inventory, geek up their stores to attract new customers and begin to predict what customers want early in the sales cycle, they will have a much easier time taking advantage of the ‘retail moment,’” said Oliver Guy, global industry director for retail, Software AG. “All of this entails being able to orchestrate across systems in order to be able to fulfill the customer promise.” [Source: Chain Store Age]
More than 160 people arrested for organized retail crime in Tennessee
More than 160 people were arrested by the Knox County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crime Task Force since November 21. The task force has arrested 167 people, including 12 minors. Investigators have recovered $30,893.86 in merchandise.
Three men from out-of-state were arrested for counterfeit credit card use. Investigators say William B. Jones had 38 credit cards. Jamar Warner had 17 credit cards in his name, according to the report. Patrick Woodstock had 18 credit cards in his name, according to investigators. The sheriff’s office says 35 restaurant gift cards were found with a total value of $1,750. The cards were bought with counterfeit credit cards.The three men are being held at the Knox County Jail.
Officer Joe Sulewski has been on the task force for four years. He says it gets busier each season. He spends his shift dressed in plain clothes, looking for shoplifters. Often when officers arrest people for shoplifting they also find drug paraphernalia, like needles and spoons with drug residue. “Where you find a lot of theft, you’ll find some drug activity too. They use that to support their habit,” Sulewski said.
The task force was created in 2011 and focuses on shoplifting, theft, car burglaries, car thefts and more criminal activities around retail areas. [Source: ABC News Knoxville]
LP Worldwide: More than 120 arrested during ‘Operation Lightfingers’
Police have arrested more than 120 people during a shoplifting crackdown across Sydney, Australia last week, NSW Police say. ‘Operation Lightfingers,’ comprising officers from the Redfern Region Enforcement Squad with assistance from Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City Local Area Commands, was launched on Tuesday last week (6 December 2016), and concluded on Saturday. The operation targeted shoplifting offences throughout a number of major retail outlets across the Sydney CBD, Surry Hills, Waterloo, Zetland, and Bondi Junction.
Police arrested a total of 123 people during the five-day operation, who were charged with 129 offences including larceny, stealing, and fraud. Over the course of the operation, police also recovered more than $11,200 worth of stolen goods.
Redfern Region Enforcement Squad Commander, Detective Acting Inspector Matthew Crematy, said the festive season generally sees an increase in customers and can therefore create opportunities for shoplifters. “Christmas shopping means more customers in stores so more work for staff members, and a general influx of foot traffic through major shopping precincts. These factors combined can often be seen as an opportunistic time for potential shoplifters to target major retailers.
“Operation Lightfingers is not confined to the holiday season however; we work closely with retail staff through the year to target thieves and send a clear message that these types of offences will not be tolerated. We also work with store-owners on crime prevention strategies and we continue to see improvements in surveillance technologies that can act as an effective deterrent against would-be shoplifters. Having said that, retail theft continues to cost the industry billions of dollars each year, which is why we remain committed to cracking down on those who attempt to take goods without paying for them,” Crematy said. [Source: Mirage News]
Tractor-trailer with $500k worth of Coach bags goes missing from New Jersey warehouse
Someone stole a tractor-trailer containing $500,000 worth of Coach bags from a distribution warehouse in New Jersey Friday, authorities say. Police say they got a call about the theft at SalSon Logistics in Newark shortly before 8:30 a.m. Arriving officers were told the stolen commercial trailer contained four pallets of the luxury women’s purses.
An investigation is ongoing. A Coach representative told CNBC they had no information on the incident. [Source: NBC News New York]
The Road to Eliminating Cargo Theft
Cargo theft in the United States continues to create challenges for our nation’s supply chain. No one is immune to the impact of cargo theft. Although insurance companies carry a majority of the risk, we all stand to lose when cargo is removed from legitimate supply chains.
So how can you mitigate cargo theft? In one word “preparedness.” It’s imperative to have documented prevention protocols in place. It is all about education and awareness. Here are some best practices to protect your freight and assets from being stolen:
- Notify dispatchers via text, email, or phone if you plan on stopping.
- Pre-plan your stops prior to departure from the shipper.
- Get it all done in advance: fuel, shower, eat, and rest prior to loading.
- Even if you did a thorough pre-trip inspection earlier in the day, always do a walk-around when you stop. Give your truck and trailer a visual inspection of tires, brakes, air line, etc. Also—always check all trailer doors when you stop and prior to departing.
- Always drive a minimum of 250 miles after accepting a load before stopping.
- Never discuss your destination, type of cargo, or any personal information on the CB radio or at a truck stop.
- If you must stop, use reputable truck stops or a secured parking area.
- When you park at a truck stop, be aware of anyone who seems to be loitering—that person could be a criminal waiting for you to leave your vehicle unattended.
- If you must eat and/or shower with a loaded trailer, ensure that the rear doors are parked against a fixed object—fence, light pole, etc.—to eliminate the opportunity for theft.
Cargo security is everyone’s responsibility. Keep your guard up at all times and do not be lured into a false sense of security. Your first theft could be your last! [Source: The Road]
LP Worldwide: Fake goods in £1m haul were destined for streets of Wales
Thousands of items of fake electrical goods, clothing and cosmetics were among a haul seized by authorities that were likely to have ended up being sold in Swansea, Wales. Swansea Council’s trading standards department was just one of the agencies involved in a joint operation, which saw counterfeit products worth £1 million seized when police pounced on a convoy 12 of vehicles. Working with West Midlands Police and others, officers found six of the vehicles seized during the raid crammed full with counterfeit products including Kylie Jenner cosmetics, Ugg boots, GHD hair straighteners and fake MAC makeup sets.
The council became involved after investigating complaints locally from consumers who had purchased goods via social media sites including Facebook and Instagram. Mark Child, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for wellbeing & healthy city, said: “We’ve seen an increase in the sale of counterfeit goods across the country. Social media is being used as a platform to sell these products. All of these counterfeit goods are poorly constructed and have not been put through the rigorous safety tests that genuine products are subject to. This means consumers are put at risk, especially where electrical products are concerned.”
The raid is the latest phase of Operation Jasper, a long running campaign, co-ordinated by the National Markets Group and trading standards. The aims of the raid are to disrupt the flow of cheap, dangerous, counterfeit goods by gangs who supply rogue traders at Bristol Fruit market, as well as Facebook and Instagram sellers who get them from the market, and sell them on to members of the public. [Source: AJC.com]
The post Breaking News in the Industry: December 13, 2016 appeared first on LPM.