GRBusiness
Preventing your network from becoming a Botnet
Not having sufficient network protection may allow your organization’s devices to be part of the next cyber-attack explains Harish Chib, vice president, Middle East & Africa, Sopho
Botnets are large volumes of distributed networked computers and devices that have been taken over by a cybercriminal. Botnets, also referred to as bots, are usually taken over by malicious software to enable remote control by a threat actor.
They are set up and developed by a hacker to provide a powerful and dark, cloud computing network to conduct cyberattacks of a criminal nature.
The growth in mobile and network devices has created large scale social and productivity benefits for us. We can now remotely access computers, security systems, cameras, appliances, and a growing list of devices, interconnected with cloud. Collectively this is referred to as the Internet of Things or IoT.
A worrying aspect of the growth of Internet-connected devices is the absence of basic security precautions. Most end users rarely change factory defaults, which can be exploited by hackers to take control of the devices.
Another door for cybercriminals to take control of connected devices is called the back-door entry. This is a manufacturer’s access to the device through an undisclosed connection, used for remote testing and updates.
This large distributed, network of computers, under the control of threat actors, represents an aggregation of computing power that can be used for a devastating effect.
Inside the network
Malicious software designed to exploit IoT devices are usually not sophisticated. They operate by scanning network ports, looking for access opportunities, and gaining access through default credentials, or brute-force hacking to gain access.
This software is much easier to defend against, as it merely requires configuring the network firewall protection devices.
Similar to other malware, botnets can enter an organization through multiple points of entry. This includes email attachments, hacked web sites, connected sensors and other IoT devices, and USB sticks.
Once a malicious software has entered an organization, it will call home – the hackers command and control server – to register its success in gaining entry and to request further instructions.
It may be told to lie low and wait, or be instructed to move laterally on the network to infect other devices, or to participate in an attack. This attempt by the malicious software to call-home represents an opportunity to detect infected systems on the network that are becoming part of a botnet.
Once an attack has got underway, the attack itself can be difficult to detect. From a network traffic point of view, the device will simply be sending emails out as spam, transferring data or mining bitcoins, or performing DNS lookups and a variety of other requests, usually seen in large scale attacks. In isolation, none of these types of activities are noteworthy.
Building protection
The most important ingredient for effective protection from botnets is the organization’s network firewall. The following can help to get best protection from the firewall.
- Advanced Threat Protection can identify botnets already operating on the network. Ensure the firewall has malicious traffic detection, botnet detection, and command and control, call-home traffic detection.
- Intrusion prevention can detect hackers attempting to penetrate and take over the network. Ensure the firewall has next-gen intrusion prevention system that is capable of identifying attack patterns inside the network.
- Sandboxing can pick up the latest malicious software before it reaches the organization’s computers. Ensure the organization firewall offers advanced sandboxing that can identify suspicious web or email files and activate them in a safe environment.
- Effective web and email protection can prevent malware from getting onto the network. Ensure the firewall has behavioral-based web protection that can simulate JavaScript code in web content to determine behavior before it reaches the browser.
- Ensure the firewall has top-shelf anti-spam and antivirus technology to detect malware in email attachments.
- Web Application Firewall can protect servers, devices, and business applications from being hacked. Ensure the firewall offers WAF protection for any system that requires remote access.
Best-practices
- Change the password for all your network devices to a unique complex password, and use a password manager if necessary.
- Minimize use of IoT devices and update all essential connected devices. Also disconnect unnecessary devices from the network and upgrade older devices to newer models.
- Avoid using IoT devices that require ports to opened in the network firewall or router to provide remote access. Instead, use cloud-based devices that connect only to the cloud provider’s servers and do not offer direct remote access.
- Do not enable UPnP on your firewall or router. This protocol enables devices to open ports on the firewall on demand without your knowledge increasing the surface area of attack.
- Use secure VPN technologies to manage your connected devices remotely.
Botnets have a massive slowdown effect on the global Internet traffic. They can also have a devastating impact on an organization, if the objective of the attack is to steal sensitive information.
Even if the botnet operating on the organization’s network is not after its data, it could be using devices and network resources to cause devastating harm to another organization.
Do not let your network become part of the next global botnet attack.
…OML 13 Asset Eyes 80,000 bpd by End of 2025
In a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and economic growth efforts, the NNPC Ltd has officially unveiled its latest crude oil grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, before the international crude oil market.
It would be recalled that in July, 2024, NNPC Ltd and its partner, the Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Ltd introduced the Utapate crude oil blend, following the lifting of first cargo of 950,000 barrels which headed for Spain.
During a ceremony held at the Argus European Crude Conference taking place in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC E & P Limited (NEPL), Mr. Nicholas Foucart described the introduction of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s crude oil export to the global energy market.
“Since we started producing the Utapate Field in May 2024, we have rapidly ramped up production to 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) with minimum downtime. So far, we have exported five cargoes, largely to Spain and the East Coast of the United States; while two more additional cargoes have been secured for November and December 2024, representing a significant boost to Nigeria’s crude oil export to the global market,” Foucart told a packed audience of European crude oil marketers.
He added that since its introduction into the global market, the Utapate crude oil blend has enjoyed a positive response from the international crude oil market, due to its highly attractive qualities.
Foucart said the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13, fully operated by NEPL and Natural Oilfield Services Ltd (NOSL), a subsidiary of SEEPCO Ltd, boasts a huge reserves of 330million barrels of crude oil reserves, 45 million barrels of condensate and 3.5 tcf of gas.
“We have a number of ongoing projects to increase our production from the current 40,000bopd to 50,000bopd by January 2025 and 60,000bopd to 65,000bopd by June 2025. Essentially, we are targeting opportunities to increase production to 80,000bopd by the end of 2025,” Foucart added.
He said the Utapate crude oil terminal is sustainable, affordable and fully compliant with the rigorous environmental regulations and sustainability principles especially those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and other ecological effects.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Trading Ltd (NTL), Mr. Lawal Sade said the pricing structure of the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to that of Amenam crude as it is a light sweet crude which is highly sought after by refiners across the world due to its low sulphur content, efficient yield of high-value products, API gravity and other similarities.
He said in bringing the new crude oil blend to the global market, NNPC Ltd wanted to optimise value for both its producers and counterparties across the globe.
He added to ensure predictability and sustainability of supply, the NNPC Trading intends to run a term contract on the Utapate crude oil blend cargoes, principally targeting off-takers from the European and the US East Coast refineries.
Produced from the Utapate field in OML 13 in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to the Nembe crude oil grade. It has a low sulphur content of 0.0655% and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, fitting perfectly into the required specification of major buyers in Europe.
The NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local communities.
The Utapate field development plan, executed between 2013-2019 and approved in October, included converting wells and facilities from swamp/marine to land-based operations.
The plan involved a multi-rig drilling campaign for 40 wells and the development of significant infrastructure such as production facilities, storage tank, a subsea pipeline and an offshore loading platform to facilitate crude oil evacuation and loading.
The entry of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market is coming barely a year after the NNPC Ltd announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the NNPC/Aiteo operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 Joint Venture (JV).
This remarkable achievement signals the commitment of the NNPC Ltd to increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves through the development of new assets.
Energy
NNPC Ltd Set to Supply 100mmscf/d Gas to Dangote Refinery
…10-year Deal to Boost Local Production, Revamp Industrial Growth, reports Ikenna Oluka
The NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has successfully executed a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
The agreement, signed by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justin Ezeala and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Tuesday at the Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
This major milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of utilizing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.
This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) in the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D), 50MMSCF/D being firm supply and the rest 50MMSCF/D interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and growth.
This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilization.
NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide.
The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.
It is also a further proof of NGML’s unwavering commitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country.
Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica), in a significant step forward for female representation in the Maritime field, held a strategic meeting with SIFAX Group at the SIFAX headquarters on November 12th, 2023.
The two organizations aim to foster mentorship, sponsorship, and skills development programs that will empower women to pursue and excel in maritime careers, where female representation remains below 1%. Key figures from WIMAfrica, including Continental Vice President Mrs. Carolyn Ufere and Nigeria’s President Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, emphasized the need for corporate partnerships to expand access to training and professional networks for women. SIFAX’s Coordinating Director, Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, expressed the Group’s commitment to gender inclusivity and highlighted the presence of women in leadership roles across its various sectors.
In closing, WIMAfrica extended an invitation for SIFAX Group to support its upcoming conference in Lagos, themed “New Economy and Moving Forward for the Next Generation,” which seeks to inspire young women to explore maritime career paths like engineering and marine security. The collaboration between WIMAfrica and SIFAX Group marks a crucial move toward an inclusive future in Africa’s maritime industry.
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