Akamai’s latest security report emphasizes on the battle against cyber threats

The report states that layered analysis of cyber data, including DNS queries, leads to stronger protection against DDoS, malware, and botnet attacks

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Apr 26, 2018 7:38 PM  | 5 min read

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), one of the trusted and largest cloud delivery platform, announced the availability of the State of the Internet / Security: Carrier Insights Report for Spring 2018, which shows that sharing information is an important factor in helping to defend against cyber threats. The report analyses data from more than 14 trillion DNS queries collected by Akamai between September 2017 and February 2018 from communications service provider (CSP) networks around the world.

For more than 19 years, Nominum, acquired by Akamai in 2017, has leveraged in-depth DNS data to improve overall protection against sophisticated cyber-attacks such as distributed denial of service (DDoS), ransomware, trojans, and botnets. Akamai’s Carrier Insight Report builds upon the Nominum expertise and highlights the effectiveness of DNS-based security that is enriched with data coming from other security layers. This layered security approach involves gathering various security solutions to collectively protect an organization’s data.

“Siloed understanding of attacks against individual systems isn’t enough for defenders to prepare for today’s complicated threat landscape,” said Yuriy Yuzifovich, Director of Data Science, Threat Intelligence, Akamai. “Communicating with varying platforms is critical when acquiring knowledge across teams, systems and data sets. We believe that the DNS queries that our service provides act as a strategic component to arming security teams with the proper data necessary for that big picture view of the threat landscape,” he added.

Tackling the Mirai Botnet: Collaboration in Action

Collaboration between teams within Akamai played a crucial role in discovering Mirai command and control (C&C) domains to make future Mirai detection more comprehensive. The Akamai Security Intelligence and Response Team (SIRT) has been following Mirai since its inception, using honeypots to detect Mirai communications and identify its C&C servers.

In late January 2018, Akamai’s SIRT and Nominum teams shared a list of over 500 suspicious Mirai C&C domains. The goal of this was to understand whether, if by using DNS data and artificial intelligence, this list of C&C could be augmented, and make future Mirai detection more comprehensive. Through several layers of analysis, the combined Akamai teams were able to augment the Mirai C&C dataset to discover a connection between Mirai botnets and distributors of the Petya ransomware.

This collaborative analysis suggested an evolution of IoT botnets, from a nearly exclusive use case of launching DDoS attacks to more sophisticated activities such as ransomware distribution and crypto-mining. IoT botnets are difficult to detect because there are very few indicators of compromise for most users—and yet, the collaborative research by these teams created the chance to find and block dozens of new C&C domains to control the activity of the botnet.

Javascript Cryptominers: A Shady Business Model

The exponential rise in public consumption of cryptocurrency adoption has been reflected in a sharp, observable increase in the number of crypto-mining malware strains, and the number of devices infected with them.
Akamai observed two distinct business models for large-scale crypto-mining. The first model uses infected devices’ processing power to mine cryptocurrency tokens. The second model uses code embedded into content sites that make devices that visit the site work for the cryptominer. Akamai conducted extensive analysis on this second business model, as it poses a new security challenge for users and website owners alike. After analyzing the cryptominer domains, Akamai was able to estimate the cost, in terms of both computer power and monetary gains, from this activity. An interesting implication of this research shows that cryptomining could become a viable alternative to ad revenue to fund websites.

Changing Threats: Malware and Exploits Repurposed

Cybersecurity is not a static industry. Researchers have observed hackers leveraging old techniques to reuse in today’s current digital landscape. Over the six months that Akamai collected this data, a few prominent malware campaigns and exploits show notable changes in their operating procedure, including:

  • The Web Proxy Auto-Discovery (WPAD) protocol was discovered in use to expose Windows systems to Man-in-the-Middle attacks between November 24 and December 14, 2017. WPAD is meant to be used on protected networks (i.e. LANs) and leaves computers open to significant attacks when exposed to the Internet.
  • Malware authors are branching out to the collection of social media logins in addition to financial information. Terdot, a branch of the Zeus botnet, creates a local proxy and enables attackers to perform cyber-espionage and promote fake news in the victim’s browser.
  • The Lopai botnet is an example of how botnet authors are creating more flexible tools. This mobile malware mainly targets Android devices and uses a modular approach that allows owners to create updates with new capabilities.

A complimentary copy of the State of the Internet / Security Carrier Insights Report Spring 2018 is available for download at: https://www.akamai.com/us/en/multimedia/documents/state-of-the-internet/spring-2018-state-of-the-internet-security-report.pdf.

Methodology


Akamai Security Research analyzes daily, weekly and quarterly data sets to predict the next moves cybercriminals will take. The goal is to detect attack signals in the sea of DNS data, and validate known attack types while simultaneously detecting new, unknown and unnamed malicious activity. In addition to using commercial and public data sources, the team analyzes 100 billion queries daily from Akamai customers. Akamai works with more than 130 service providers in over 40 countries, resolving 1.7 trillion queries daily. This sample represents approximately three percent of total global DNS traffic generated by consumers and businesses worldwide.

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Luminaries share industry insights at NewsX Festival of Ideas

The event brought together speakers from diverse backgrounds like politics, movies, start-ups, defence, etc.

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Aug 26, 2023 9:05 AM  | 2 min read
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On the first day of the first edition of NewsX Festival of Ideas, noteworthy speakers deliberated on topics through 25 sessions in a lit-fest-style event. It was jam-packed with spellbinding conversations, celebrity sightings, book signings and selfies. The main highlight of the event was the recognition and awards presented to the guest speakers. The event concluded with great enthusiasm and success as it aimed to foster a platform for meaningful conversations, the exchange of innovative ideas, among attendees.


The event, held at The Taj Ambassador at New Delhi, provided a platform for our esteemed guests to share industry insights from their respective fields in a free and open conversation with NewsX. The Festival of Ideas brought together various Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including Politicians & Political Analysts, Celebrities, Authors, Start-up Founders, Defence and Media Experts.

After the event, recognized and honoured participants as a token of appreciation for their dedication and talent. Here’s what some of prominent Thought Leaders, Authors and Luminaries had to say on day one of the Festival of Ideas among others:

‘No one can steal Rajnikanth Stature, We all should respect this fact’ Former UP CM, Akhilesh Yadav

'Felt like Al Pacino from Scarface' Celebrated Actor, Nawazuddin Siddiqui narrates the story of the Gangs of Wasseypur.

‘The decade between 1950 and 1960 was definably the most productive decade for the short history of our republic’ said Congress Lok Sabha MP, Manish Tewari.
‘Each Prime Minister made contribution but the debacle of 1962 goes into the account of PM Jawaharlal Nehru’ stated Ram Madhav, President India Foundation.
‘Agency Journalism is zero ego, no face and very selfless’ ANI Editor, Smita Prakash on the role of traditional media.

'Wakhan Corridor built to keep India away from Czarist Russia.' Author and journalist Sandeep Unnithan on Wakhan corridor.

'The trick is to use the degree as insurance, not as a noose. A lot of people use it as a noose and its deferred gratification.' Deep Kalra, Make My Trip founder on Start-Up culture.

'Rahul is not what he was a year ago, Bharat Jodo Yatra has changed his profile. He is courageous, comes across as sincere but I don't know if he has what's needed to rule India?' says Author of Accidental Prime Minister, Sanajaya Baru.

Stay tuned for the Day-2 of Festival of Ideas as we delve deeper into thought-provoking discussions, inspiring talks with eminent personalities.

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Times Now claims leadership in NCCS AB 22+, 10L+ markets

The channel cites BARC ratings data for Week 16 2022-Week 33 2023 as the source

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Aug 25, 2023 1:01 PM  | 1 min read
time

channels for more than a year (Week 16 2022-Week 33 2023) as per BARC ratings data. This is in the most relevant target group for English News, which is 10L+ markets amongst NCCS AB 22+ age group among males.

*Source: BARC| 10L+| NCCS AB 22+ Males| Wk.16'22 - 33'23, share amongst 6 channels

Moreover, the viewership data of the last 8 weeks, which will be the correct representation of the current scenario, establishes Times Now's dominace across multiple TGs (both NCCS AB 22+ as well as NCCS AB 22+ Males) in 10L+ markets (see chart).

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Channel Factory/Y&A Transformation are gold category sponsors at AdTech

AdTech will be held in New Delhi on March 15-16

e4m by sunny saini
Published: Mar 14, 2023 12:33 PM  | 1 min read
Channel Factory

Channel Factory/Y&A Transformation have announced that they have signed up to be one of the gold sponsors at AdTech, New Delhi.

Commenting on the development, Robin Zieme, Chief Growth Officer – Global, Channel Factory (CF) said: “We have a long-term commitment to India.  Such investments in our early stages in the country are to display our seriousness in the market.  We look forward to connecting with advertisers and agencies at the AdTech to explain our proposition.”

Adding to the same, Yesudas Pillai, Founder Y&A Transformation and Country Lead, CF said: “Robin and I will be officially unveiling CF India at the AdTech on 16th on the main stage.  We have also set up a lounge space on the exhibition floor, lounge No.9.  We are welcoming all our partners and well-wishers to visit us there and engage with us.”

Jaswant Singh, Country Head AdTech India said: “We are working towards making this edition of AdTech bigger and better than ever before. We are grateful to CF/Y&A for choosing our platform for their lunch in India.  We are committed to doing everything possible to make their launch a success.”

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Zee Live to foray into kids genre with science & tech festival

BasicFirst Presents KODE (Kids of Digital Era) will be held in Mumbai on December 14 and 15, and in Bangalore on December 28 and 29

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Nov 12, 2019 11:48 AM  | 3 min read
KODE

Zee LIVE is diversifying its IP portfolio with its first foray into the children’s genre. BasicFirst Presents KODE (Kids of Digital Era) will be held in Mumbai on December 14 and 15, and in Bangalore on December 28 and 29.

With Zee LIVE’s BasicFirst Presents KODE sci-tech festival for kids of digital era, the Zee Group, for the first time, is aiming to seamlessly adapt to the digital natives’ tastes and habits and provide them with a platform to inspire learning and curiosity in the field of science and technology. As Sci-tech increasingly continues to transform the learning experience, making it more interactive and demonstrative, KODE strives to deliver a platform to the young minds to understand and explore this digital world.

The digital natives expect their world to be smart and have a tech-first mentality. They play a vital role in the technological revolution the world is witnessing today. Based on the latest UN data, these digital natives will make up 32 per cent of the global population by 2020. Today, they are the most connected, educated and sophisticated generation of the world.

Zee LIVE has curated KODE to set free the minds of children aged 2 to 14. It is a festival for children to understand, explore and experience the world of science and technology. The festival will include:
• Professionally curated, age-specific workshops, including math and science board games
• Smart Cities: Reimagine the World and AR/VR art workshops for children aged 2 to 5
• Workshops on robotics, smart fabric creation, superhero mechatronics, drone building, crypto/blockchain, etc, for children aged 5 to 9
• Workshops on automotive aeromodelling, building smart cities, material science, app making, astronomy, etc, for children aged 9 to 14.
• An open kitchen for food chemistry experiments

Swaroop Banerjee, COO, Zee LIVE, said: “As a media and technology group, we are focussed on creating engagements through Zee Live that matter to the everyday life of our viewers and consumers. We are excited to foray into the world of kids aged 2 to 14, while curating what we propose will be the nation’s first Science and Technology Festival. We have spent the last year carefully researching every aspect of this festival, the incredible speed of adaption to technology of our young digital natives, the increasing evolution of screens, sensor and voice based technology in their lives combined with how they use it almost as a language to communicate and curate their dreams. What is exciting for us is the quality of engagement here from robotics to lab sciences, drone tech to coding and the fact that the age bracketing of segments will help the parents and kids choose the experience.

Randhir Kumar, Founder & CEO, BasicFirst, said: “Solving students’ doubts via technology is the ultimate objective of our company. We have created a few innovative path-breaking tech-oriented products to address student’s problems, queries and doubts. Our association with Zee Live (KODE) is based on a problem-solving approach intended to bring passion towards digital young minds which would create a more justifiable academic future for students. Sci-tech fests like KODE would certainly help students to generate interest among digital aspects to discover more about Science and Technology.”

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Times Network inks deal with Ethnic Channels Group to launch ET NOW in Canada

ET NOW offers curated content such as India Development Debate, Start Up Central, The Money Show, and India Tonight in North America

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Nov 11, 2019 5:02 PM  | 1 min read
Times Network

Times Network has announced the launch of ET NOW in Canada after successfully locking a distribution deal with Ethnic Channels Group (ECG). The partnership was concretised during MIPCOM 2019 at Cannes, France.

Expanding its footprint in North America, ET NOW offers curated content such as India Development Debate, Start Up Central, The Money Show, India Tonight and more with a holistic deliberation on the Indian financial markets, global and local trends impacting the economy.

Commenting on the partnership, Jagdish Mulchandani, COO & Executive President, Times Network said, “We are excited to bring ET NOW in Canada through our partnership with ECG, the foremost broadcast leader in the region. ET NOW has raised the bar for the English business news category in India and I am confident this launch will further enrich our offering for the South Asian viewers in the region.”

“In today's global market, consumption of business news and information will only continue to increase. As a company that understands both content and technology, ECG is very proud to partner with the Times Group to launch ET Now in Canada," said Slava Levin, Co-Founder & CEO of ECG.

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TikTok partners with Bhumi for #CleanIndia campaign

As part of the partnership, TikTok has launched a #CleanIndia challenge on its platform

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Nov 11, 2019 4:43 PM  | 2 min read
TikTok

TikTok has collaborated with independent and youth volunteer non-profit organisation, Bhumi, to launch the #CleanIndia Campaign. The campaign aims to mobilise TikTok community to contribute to the Swachh Bharat Mission to achieve universal sanitation coverage and draw focus on it in the country.

As part of the partnership, TikTok has launched a campaign #CleanIndia on the platform to encourage users to participate in this challenge by cleaning their neighbourhood and showcasing their work on TikTok by posting before and after videos.

Bhumi will conduct and host cleanliness drives across multiple cities pan India to encourage TikTok users and citizens to volunteer in this mission.

Nitin Saluja, Director, Public Policy, TikTok India said, “TikTok is committed to fostering a constructive change in India through its platform and we are delighted to collaborate with Bhumi for this significant campaign. Cleanliness is extremely important as it has significant health and economic benefits and with this campaign we are excited to contribute to the overall Swachh Bharat Mission by leveraging TikTok’s strong user community that hails from the deepest pockets of India and influence change for social good. ”

"We are delighted to partner with TikTok to take our mission forward and realize the Clean India vision. With the collaboration, our aim is to encourage TikTok community to volunteer and encourage others towards cleanliness of our surrounding areas. We also encourage the TikTok users to become part of our Clean Squad and supplement the Swachh Bharat Mission and improving universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces," said Dr Prahalathan KK, Co-founder, Bhumi.

This collaboration with Bhumi and the #CleanIndia campaign have been launched as part of TikTok For Good, a long-term, integrated engagement initiative.

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Tonino Lamborghini Luxury Beverages launches in India

The full range of branded products will be officially distributed In India in collaboration with Indian distributor M/s Heinrich

e4m by exchange4media Staff
Published: Nov 11, 2019 1:47 PM  | 3 min read
Tonino Lamborghini Luxury Beverages

Last November 9, in Mumbai, it was officially announced with a special event the distribution in India of the Tonino Lamborghini luxury beverages products, at the presence of the CEO and Vice President of the Tonino Lamborghini Company, Ferruccio Lamborghini, and the founder of M/s Heinrich and official distributor for Tonino Lamborghini Luxury Beverages products for India, Thomas Manoj, VIP guests and local authorities.

Tonino Lamborghini Company was founded in Italy in 1981 by Tonino Lamborghini, heir of the Lamborghini family. Mr. Lamborghini has taken inspiration from his family heritage and his vast experience in mechanical and automotive engineering to develop a lifestyle experience brand with a range of luxury design products, including: watches, eyewear, smartphones, perfumes, furniture, clothing, sports accessories, golf & utility carts, 5-star boutique hotels, real estate projects, cafés and lounge.

Driven by a challenging spirit and eclecticism that characterize his DNA, in the mid-‘90s, Tonino Lamborghini was among the first entrepreneurs to launch his own line of Made in Italy Beverages line. To this day, his mission is to spread the intrinsic energy of the brand through a line of iconic Italian beverage products.

The exclusive Tonino Lamborghini Luxury Beverage line today includes Espresso coffee, Hot Chocolate, Energy Drink and Vodka. The products interpret the spirit of the brand also through an appealing design and a unique packaging style.

All Tonino Lamborghini Beverage products are synonymous throughout the world of Made in Italy, high quality and style. Distributed in more than 40 countries, the products are worldwide present in Ho.Re.Ca. and Super Ho.Re.Ca., in selected clubs, in specialized retail channels and in branded hotels, lounges and cafeterias. The full range of branded products will be officially distributed In India in collaboration with the famous Indian distributor M/s Heinrich.

"I am glad to announce today the collaboration with Heinrich for the distribution of Tonino Lamborghini beverages in this great growing Country,” said Tonino Lamborghini. - “Since ’90, at the beginning of this challenge for my father Ferruccio in the field of beverages, the mission of our company is to spread worldwide the intrinsic energy of the brand also through a line of iconic Italian beverage products. Made in Italy, exclusive receipt, unique design packaging, and unmistakable flavour, are core values for our Tonino Lamborghini Luxury beverages line, which goal is to accompany the customers from the breakfast to the evenings, representing a true Italian upscale lifestyle. Therefore, I would like to express our special thanks and appreciation for the efforts in representing our Italian brand style here in India through the distribution of our beverage products to M/s Heinrich. As you know, you are not simply distributing beverages, you are offering to your clients a real Italian way of life!”

Thomas Manoj said, "It is my great honour and prestige to distribute Tonino Lamborghini Luxury Beverages in India. From now on our customers will have the chance to taste the perfect cup of Italian coffee and Hot Chocolate, and will have the opportunity to add to their nights a touch of real Italian Style and energy tasting the Tonino Lamborghini Energy Drink and Tonino Lamborghini Vodka! Thanks to this new collaboration we will bring to India a part of Italy! All our efforts will be to offer these high-quality products in all Indian HORECA and Super Ho.Re.Ca. Channels!”

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