🕵️‍♀️ This Week’s Cyber Security Headlines: Exploiting Trust, Breaking Systems

🕵️‍♀️ Exploiting Trust, Breaking Systems: This Week’s Cyber Reality Check

Every week, we’re reminded that cybersecurity isn’t static.

It’s a moving target, shifting from code repositories to airports to identity systems, and attackers are relentless in finding the weak spots.

This week, three themes stand out: developer trust, supply chain fragility, and identity exploitation.

Here’s what you need to know (and how to use it in conversations, interviews, or training).

1.  Fake GitHub Repositories Infect macOS with Atomic Infostealer

What happened:

Attackers set up fake GitHub repos disguised as popular tools like LastPass, 1Password, Notion, and Shopify. Victims think they’re downloading the real thing but instead install Atomic Infostealer, which harvests sensitive data. To push these repos, attackers are using SEO poisoning to rank them high on Google and Bing.

Why it matters:

This isn’t just phishing, it’s a supply chain compromise through search. Even “careful” users who think they’re doing the safe thing (searching, not clicking links) can still be tricked. GitHub removed over 100,000 malicious repos in 2024 alone.

How to use it:

Bring this up when talking about software supply chain risk. Point to signed releases, hash validation, and the growing risk of SEO manipulation. It shows you understand systemic risk, not just “don’t click suspicious links.”

🔗 See the full article here

2. Ransomware Grounds Flights Across Europe

What happened:

A ransomware attack on Collins Aerospace, a supplier powering airport check-in and boarding systems, caused chaos across the UK, Germany, Belgium, and Ireland. Brussels Airport canceled nearly 140 flights. Reports suggest attackers maintained persistence even after partial recovery.

Why it matters:

Third-party risk isn’t an abstract idea. One supplier’s outage rippled through multiple countries, disrupting travel for thousands. ENISA reports that 62% of major European cyber incidents in 2024 involved third-party providers.

How to use it:

Frame this when discussing business continuity and supplier risk management. Mention segmentation, offline backups, and incident response drills. It shows awareness that ransomware isn’t just data theft, it disrupts economies and lives in real time.

🔗 See the full article here

3. Scattered Spider Keeps Pushing Identity Attacks

What happened:

At Gartner’s Security & Risk Summit, experts warned that Scattered Spider (linked to “The Com”) continues to evolve with identity-focused tactics: MFA fatigue, SIM swaps, social engineering, and even physical threats. Their playbook is being picked up by other groups like ShinyHunters and Lapsus$.

Why it matters:

Identity is now the frontline. Verizon’s DBIR 2025 shows 74% of breaches involve the human element, from stolen credentials to tricked employees. MFA alone won’t cut it when attackers blend tech with psychology.

How to use it:

Use this in conversations about identity resilience. Mention FIDO2, privileged access management, and continuous monitoring. It shows you understand identity as both a tech and a people problem.

🔗 See the full article here

This week drives home a tough truth: cybersecurity is about trust.

Trust in what you download, trust in your suppliers, and trust in your own workforce. And that trust is exactly what attackers are exploiting.

If you’re just starting in IT or cybersecurity, the best thing you can do is master the fundamentals. Without them, you can’t defend what you don’t understand.

That’s why I recommend the CourseCareers IT course as beginner-friendly, flexible, and built to get you job-ready.

Start learning courses today; just click the link below. 👇

👉 CourseCareers with Sandra

And remember:
Your knowledge is your best defense.

– Sandra