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Security Conversations

Danny Adamitis on an 'unkillable' router botnet used by Chinese .gov hackers

Jan 5, 2024
Danny Adamitis, a principal information security engineer at Black Lotus Labs, dives into the alarming discovery of a resilient botnet utilizing outdated SOHO routers. He reveals how this covert network aids Volt Typhoon, a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group. The conversation highlights the global danger of obsolete devices and the urgent need for organizations to bolster their network defenses. Danny shares practical strategies for detecting and mitigating threats, emphasizing robust monitoring and awareness of network assets.
34:07

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The KV botnet, comprised of outdated SOHO routers, exemplifies how vulnerable end-of-life devices can facilitate covert cyber operations by threat actors.
  • Effective network defense strategies include regular reboots and enhanced logging practices to detect and mitigate risks from persistent botnets like KV.

Deep dives

Understanding Black Lotus Labs

Black Lotus Labs operates under Lumen Technologies, which resulted from the merger of several prominent telecommunications companies. The lab focuses on analyzing telemetry data from diverse sources to enhance cybersecurity and protect their corporate network and clients. By correlating data from various points, the team aims to uncover sophisticated threat actors who might evade traditional detection methods. Their extensive data collection includes monitoring billions of net flow sessions and DNS resolutions daily, essential for identifying security threats.

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