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We are continuing to get a large number of reports of emails imitating Manx Telecom being sent to @manx.net addresses and are aware of over 60 subsequent account compromises.
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On Christmas Day 2024, audiences were treated to another inventive adventure with Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl. This latest instalment saw the infamous Feathers McGraw return with a fiendish plot to steal the Blue diamond. While the charming animation captured the holiday spirit, the movie also delivered a surprisingly pertinent message about technology and cybersecurity in today's world.

The Plot: Feathers Goes High-Tech

Feathers McGraw, the cunning penguin from The Wrong Trousers, re-emerges with a plan as audacious as it is modern. This time, he leverages technology to execute his heist, including:

  1. Cracking Wallace’s Password: Feathers gains unauthorised access to Wallace’s personal systems by deducing his password. How? By using publicly available information, notably Wallace’s love of cheese.
  2. Hacking the "Norbots": Wallace's latest invention, the "Norbots" (autonomous robotic helpers), becomes Feathers’ unwitting accomplices. By gaining access to systems, Feathers pushes a malicious update, seizing control of the Norbots and uses them to assist in his theft.
  3. Going under the Radar: Even after compromising the Norbots, Feathers does his best to hide his access, allowing the compromise to go unnoticed for a period of time.

The Lessons: How Fiction Reflects Reality

While the story is a whimsical tale, the underlying cybersecurity lessons are strikingly real:

  1. The Dangers of Unsecured Devices

Wallace’s Norbots, designed to simplify life, became a liability due to inadequate security measures. This echoes a growing concern in the real world: the vulnerabilities of IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Poorly secured smart devices can become entry points for hackers, leading to outcomes far worse than a stolen diamond.

Lesson: Always ensure your IOT devices have default passwords changed and adequate security controls.

  1. The Perils of Weak Passwords

Wallace’s password, easily guessed by Feathers, underscores the risks of using predictable credentials. In the real world, "CHEESE" wouldn’t stand a chance against even the simplest brute-force attacks.

Lesson: Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

  1. The Importance of Digital Footprint

Feathers relied on Wallace’s love of Cheese, known to the public through Wallace’s newspaper appearances. This mirrors real-world social engineering tactics, where attackers use information from social media or public records to craft phishing attacks or guess passwords.

Lesson: Be mindful of the information you share online and review privacy settings on social platforms regularly.

  1. The Threat of Software Exploits

Feathers’ malicious update was reminiscent of supply chain attacks, like the infamous SolarWinds breach. This method, where attackers infiltrate trusted software updates, is a sophisticated attack.

Lesson: Vet software providers carefully, monitor for unusual activity, and consider implementing robust endpoint detection tools.

Why This Matters

The intersection of technology and crime is no longer confined to Hollywood or animation. As technology changes, the risks depicted in A Vengeance Most Fowl reflect genuine challenges faced by individuals, businesses, and governments.

Final Thoughts

Wallace and Gromit may have ultimately thwarted Feathers McGraw, but the lessons remain. As we embrace technology to make our lives easier, we must also recognise the importance of securing it. After all, in a world where even a penguin can hack your Norbots, vigilance is key.