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  • Kaspersky is a multinational cybersecurity and antivirus company founded in 1997 by Eugene Kaspersky, Natalya Kaspersky, and Alexey De-Monderik. Headquartered in Moscow, Russia, with a holding company in the United Kingdom, Kaspersky has grown into a global leader in cybersecurity, offering a wide range of products for both consumers and businesses. Products and Services Kaspersky develops and sells antivirus, internet security, password management, endpoint security, and other cybersecurity products and services. Its consumer software lineup traditionally included antivirus and Internet security services. Kaspersky also provides advanced detection and response solutions, secure operating systems (KasperskyOS), and IoT security products. Performance and Reputation Kaspersky is consistently rated among the top antivirus vendors for its effectiveness in detecting malware and protecting against cyber threats. Independent tests by organizations such as AV-Test, AV-Comparatives, and SE Labs regularly give Kaspersky high marks for its detection rates and overall performance. Its software is available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and other platforms.Controversies and Bans However, Kaspersky has faced scrutiny and bans in several countries, particularly the United States, due to allegations of ties between the company and the Russian government. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security banned Kaspersky software from federal agencies, citing security concerns. Additional bans and warnings followed from other governments, including Germany and Canada, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As of September 29, 2024, Kaspersky is no longer legally available in the United States, and existing users no longer receive updates, making the software unsafe to use in the country. Kaspersky has responded by emphasizing its commitment to transparency and has moved core infrastructure from Russia to Switzerland.
  • KDE Plasma is a free and open-source desktop environment developed by the KDE community for Unix-like operating systems, such as Linux. It serves as the graphical interface layer between the user and the operating system, providing a visually rich and highly customizable workspace for launching applications, managing files, interacting with system settings, and organizing windows. Key Features Customizability: Plasma is renowned for its deep customization options. Users can change color schemes, move panels, adjust fonts, and download or create custom widgets (known as “Plasmoids”) to tailor the desktop to their preferences. Simplicity and Power: The environment is designed to be simple by default, making it accessible for new users, but it also offers powerful features and advanced configuration options for those who need them. Widgets and Layouts: Plasma’s interface is built around widgets, which can be added, removed, or rearranged on the desktop and panels. This modular approach allows for flexible layouts and personalized workflows. KRunner: A versatile tool for quickly launching applications, performing calculations, converting units, searching files, and more—all accessible via a simple keyboard shortcut. System Integration: KDE Plasma integrates well with other KDE applications and tools, offering features like a robust clipboard manager, system-wide notifications, encrypted vaults for sensitive data, and session management. Device Variants: While Plasma Desktop targets traditional PCs and laptops, KDE Plasma also has variants for other devices: Plasma Mobile for smartphones and tablets Plasma Bigscreen for TVs and set-top boxes Plasma Nano for embedded and touch-based devices Technology and Architecture Underlying Technology: Plasma is built using the Qt toolkit and KDE Frameworks, with its interface written in QML for smooth graphics and efficient performance. Windowing Systems: It supports both the X Window System and Wayland, with ongoing improvements for modern display protocols and hardware acceleration. Open Source Philosophy: As with all KDE projects, Plasma is developed openly, with a strong emphasis on privacy, security, and user empowerment. KDE is the community and project umbrella that develops Plasma, along with a suite of applications (like Kate, Krita, and Dolphin) and libraries(...)
  • A keylogger, also known as a keystroke logger, is a tool—either software or hardware—that records every keystroke made on a keyboard, typically without the user’s knowledge. The primary purpose of a keylogger is to capture sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, messages, and other confidential data that users type into their devices. This information is often sent to a remote attacker, who can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or unauthorized access to systems. Types of Keyloggers Software Keyloggers These are malicious programs installed on a device, often through infected downloads, email attachments, or compromised websites. Once active, they run in the background, intercepting and recording keystrokes. Advanced software keyloggers can also capture screenshots, clipboard contents, and even audio or video from the device’s microphone or camera. Hardware Keyloggers These are physical devices connected between a keyboard and a computer, or embedded inside the keyboard itself. They record keystrokes directly from the hardware and store the data for later retrieval. Hardware keyloggers require physical access to the device to install and collect data, but they are generally harder to detect than software versions. How Keyloggers Work • Recording Keystrokes: Keyloggers monitor and log every key pressed on the keyboard.• Data Storage/Transmission: The captured data is saved to a file, which may be accessed locally or sent remotely to an attacker.• Additional Features: Some keyloggers can also capture screenshots, clipboard data, or even audio and video inputs Detection and Protection Detecting keyloggers can be challenging, especially for advanced variants that operate at the kernel level or are embedded in hardware. Specialized anti-keylogger software and regular security scans can help identify and remove software-based keyloggers. Physically inspecting hardware connections can help detect hardware-based keyloggers.
  • Keylogging (or keystroke logging) is the practice of recording every key pressed on a keyboard, usually without the user’s knowledge or consent. The primary goal is to capture sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, personal messages, and other confidential data as they are typed. Types of Keyloggers There are two main types of keyloggers:• Software Keyloggers: Malicious programs installed on a device, often delivered through infected downloads, email attachments, or compromised websites. These can operate at various levels, such as intercepting keyboard input via system hooks, monitoring API calls, or even running at the kernel level for deeper access. Software keyloggers can also periodically send the captured data to remote attackers.• Hardware Keyloggers: Physical devices connected between the keyboard and the computer, or embedded inside the keyboard itself. These require physical access to install and cannot spread like software, but they also record keystrokes and store or transmit the data for later retrieval. Uses of Keyloggers Keyloggers can be used for both legitimate and malicious purposes:• Legitimate uses: Employers monitoring employee activity, parents supervising children, or IT departments troubleshooting devices.• Malicious uses: Cybercriminals use keyloggers to steal login credentials, financial information, and other private data for identity theft or fraud. Impact and Risks Keyloggers pose a significant security risk because they can covertly capture vast amounts of sensitive information. Advanced keyloggers may also record screenshots, clipboard contents, and even audio or video from a device’s microphone or camera.
  • The Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog (KEV) is an authoritative, publicly available list of security vulnerabilities that have been actively exploited in the wild. Maintained by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in partnership with organizations like NIST and MITRE, the KEV catalog is designed to help organizations prioritize remediation efforts by focusing attention on vulnerabilities that present the most immediate and significant risks. Key characteristics of the KEV catalog: Includes only vulnerabilities with evidence of active exploitation by malicious actors, based on analysis from security vendors, researchers, government, and open-source reporting. Each entry has an assigned CVE ID (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures identifier) and clear, actionable remediation guidance, such as vendor patches or mitigation steps. The catalog is updated regularly as new exploited vulnerabilities are identified and confirmed. Federal civilian executive branch (FCEB) agencies are required by law (Binding Operational Directive 22-01) to remediate KEV-listed vulnerabilities within set timeframes, but CISA strongly encourages all organizations—including those in the private sector and state/local governments—to use the catalog to enhance their security posture. Benefits and usage: Prioritization: By focusing on vulnerabilities that are already being exploited, organizations can allocate resources more efficiently and reduce the risk of compromise. Actionable intelligence: The catalog provides detailed information, including affected products, exploitation status (such as use in ransomware campaigns), and links to vendor advisories or patches. Community defense: By addressing KEV-listed vulnerabilities, organizations contribute to the overall resilience of the cybersecurity ecosystem. How to access and use: The KEV catalog is freely available in formats like CSV and JSON for easy integration with vulnerability management tools. Organizations are encouraged to subscribe to updates and incorporate KEV entries into their vulnerability management and patching workflows.