E-Business
Kaspersky Identifies New Stealthy Ransomware
Kaspersky’s Global Emergency Response Team has identified a previously unseen ransomware strain in active use, deployed in an attack following the theft of employee credentials.
The ransomware, dubbed “Ymir”, employs advanced stealth and encryption methods. It also selectively targets files and attempts to evade detection.
Ymir ransomware introduces a unique combination of technical features and tactics that enhance its effectiveness.
Uncommon memory manipulation techniques for stealth. Threat actors leveraged an unconventional blend of memory management functions – malloc, memmove, and memcmp – to execute malicious code directly in the memory.
This approach deviates from the typical sequential execution flow seen in widespread ransomware types, enhancing its stealth capabilities. Furthermore, Ymir is flexible; by using the –path command, attackers can specify a directory where the ransomware should search for files.
If a file is on the whitelist, the ransomware will skip it and leave it unencrypted. This feature gives attackers more control over what is or isn’t encrypted.
Use of data-stealing malware. In the attack observed by Kaspersky experts, which took place on an organisation in Colombia, threat actors were observed using RustyStealer, a type of malware that steals information, to obtain corporate credentials from employees.
These were then utilised to gain access to the organisation’s systems and maintain control long enough to deploy ransomware. This type of attack is known as initial access brokerage, where attackers infiltrate systems and sustain access.
Typically, initial access brokers sell the access they gain on the dark web to other cybercriminals, but in this case, they appear to have continued the attack themselves by deploying ransomware.
“If the brokers are indeed the same actors who deployed the ransomware, this could signal a new trend, creating additional hijacking options without relying on traditional Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) groups,” explains Cristian Souza, Incident Response Specialist at Kaspersky Global Emergency Response Team.
Advanced encryption algorithm. The ransomware employs ChaCha20, a modern stream cipher known for its speed and security, even outperforming Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).
Although the threat actor behind this attack has not shared any stolen data publicly or made further demands, researchers are closely monitoring it for any new activity. “We haven’t observed any new ransomware groups emerging in the underground market yet.
Typically, attackers use shadow forums or portals to leak information as a way to pressure victims into paying the ransom, which is not the case with Ymir. Given this, the question of which group is behind the ransomware remains open, and we suspect this may be a new campaign,” elaborates Souza.
Looking for a name for the new threat, Kaspersky experts considered a Saturnian moon called Ymir. It is an “irregular” moon that travels in the opposite direction of the planet’s rotation – a trait that intriguingly resembles the unconventional blend of memory management functions used in the new ransomware.
National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has urged Nigerian insurance companies to develop and introduce cyber insurance products.
This is in response to the escalating digital risks accompanying global digitalization.
This initiative aims to provide coverage against cyber threats and data breaches, ensuring that businesses and individuals are protected in the evolving digital landscape.
To facilitate this development, NAICOM is collaborating with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC).
This partnership seeks to promote cyber insurance and ensure compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Regulations, emphasising the importance of data protection training for industry practitioners.
Despite the growing threat of cybercrime, cyber insurance remains underutilised in Nigeria. Industry reports indicate that many businesses and individuals overlook the importance of cyber insurance, even as global cybercrime losses are projected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025.
NAICOM’s directive underscores the need for the insurance industry to adapt to the digital era by offering products that address contemporary risks, thereby enhancing the resilience of Nigeria’s digital economy.
Google has increased the price of its Google One subscription in Nigeria.
The tech giant, in a note to its customers, said, “Price will automatically increase to N1,900/month on 28 Mar 2025 for your Google One subscription. Cancel at any time in Google Play.”
The old price was N1,200. Google One, a cloud storage service offered by Google LLC, provides users with a centralised platform to manage their storage across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
It added that subscribers who do not cancel their subscription will be charged automatically on the payment method they provided.
In the world of technology and entrepreneurship, few names resonate as powerfully as Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa, Africa’s leading technology distribution powerhouse.
Mrs. Chioma Ekeh, CEO of TD Africa
A media-reclusive entrepreneur and quiet achiever, she has made a name for herself not with loud proclamations but through consistent actions that have shaped the trajectory of the continent’s digital economy.
She has steered the company to unprecedented heights, forging strategic partnerships with global giants such as HP, Microsoft, Apple, Starlink, IBM, Dell Technologies, Ring (by Amazon), Cisco, Lenovo, APC by Schneider Electric, Samsung, Bosch, Philips, Logitech, and Vivo.
These collaborations have not only strengthened TD Africa’s position as a market leader but have also contributed to the growth of Africa’s tech ecosystem.
At the recently held Accra Synergy Summit, a high-profile event held in Ghana that brought together top strategic partners and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Mrs Ekeh made a bold declaration: “We are no longer waiting for change — we are driving it. We are no longer spectators in the digital revolution — we are architects, engineers, and visionaries shaping the future.” This statement, emblematic of her visionary leadership, underscores her commitment to driving Africa’s tech renaissance.
Ekeh’s words are not mere rhetoric; they are backed by tangible achievements and a deep understanding of Africa’s digital potential. The data speaks for itself.
According to the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Africa’s digital economy is on track to reach $180 billion this year, with projections indicating it will soar to an astonishing $712 billion by 2050.
This growth is not just an increase in numbers — it signifies a paradigm shift in how Africa engages with technology and innovation.
With over 570 million internet users today, Africa is undergoing an unprecedented digital awakening, a number expected to double by 2030 according to the World Bank.
From financial inclusion to business automation, Africa is embracing the digital age at an accelerated pace, with 70% of global mobile money transactions already occurring in sub-Saharan Africa.
This widespread adoption is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of African entrepreneurs and businesses.
The continent’s tech ecosystem is also attracting significant global attention. In 2022 alone, African tech startups secured over $6.5 billion in investments, a clear testament to the world’s belief in Africa’s digital future.
Ekeh’s message is clear: Africa’s future is bright but requires collective effort.
Rapid transformation does not happen in a vacuum. It is built on strategic collaborations and forward-thinking leadership.
According to Ekeh, “This renaissance is not happening in isolation. It is built on the foundation of strong partnerships. It is fuelled by collaboration — between businesses, governments, and technology enablers like TD Africa. Each of us has a role to play in ensuring that Africa doesn’t just adopt technology but creates, innovates, and leads.”
Her words serve as a rallying cry for businesses, governments, and individuals to strengthen partnerships, increase investments, and take bold steps toward excellence. “Africa is no longer just a consumer of technology. Africa is a builder. Africa is no longer following global trends. Africa is setting them. Africa is no longer waiting for the future. Africa is the future,” she concluded.
Chioma Ekeh’s leadership and vision are a testament to what can be achieved when passion, innovation, and collaboration come together.
As Africa continues its journey toward a tech-driven future, her words and actions remind us that the power to shape tomorrow lies in our hands today.
TD Africa has remained at the forefront of Africa’s tech revolution as the market leader in technology distribution.
Under Ekeh’s leadership, the company has not only expanded its portfolio of global partners but has also facilitated the seamless deployment of innovative tech solutions across various sectors.
By empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology, TD Africa is laying the groundwork for an Africa that does not just consume technology but pioneers it.
CBN Restates Commitment To Strengthening Regulatory Oversight
Report Reveals Foreign Investors Withdrew N45.8bn from NGX in January 2025
PalmPay Opens New Customer Experience Center to Strengthen Customer Support
MoMo PSB Partners with Sochitel to Launch Gift Card Services
MTN Nigeria Recovers N32Bn out of N74Bn USSD Debt
News3 days agoHuawei Trains 70,000 Nigerians in ICT Development
Telecom3 days agoMTN Nigeria Recovers N32Bn out of N74Bn USSD Debt
Telecom3 days agoMicrosoft Confirms Skype is Shutting Down
General News3 days agoTrump Ends Funding for Malaria, Other Global Health Programs
Telecom3 days agoMoniepoint and Afrigopay Unite to Drive Digital Payments and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria
General News3 days agoNAFDAC Withdraws Registration of Artemether/Lumefantrine Oral Suspension over Stability Concerns
Telecom3 days agoGSMA Report Finds 70 Percent of Consumers Willing to Pay Premium for Environmentally Friendly Phones
Telecom3 days agoAVEVA Earns Leader Status in IDC MarketScape for MES 2024-2025