🔐 Securing a Brand When No One Ever Hits Their Site

When a CFO types “Is my backup provider secure?” or “Best cybersecurity for a 50‑person firm” into Google or an AI assistant, they get an instant, confident answer, make a judgment, and move on.

For an MSP, that “answer layer” is now part of your attack surface whether you like it or not. It’s where fake support numbers can get recommended to your clients, where poisoned “how‑to” guides can quietly weaken their configurations, and where outdated information about your security posture can scare off the next big account before sales ever hears their name…

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⚠️ Threat Updates

🔴 Fake KMSAuto “Activators” Seed Massive Malware Wave and Crypto Theft (01/04/26)

Authorities linked a large-scale campaign to malware disguised as popular KMSAuto activation tools, with reports citing roughly 2.8 million distributed copies that silently perform clipboard hijacking and credential/asset theft once users run them. Because these tools are often installed on unmanaged or “shadow IT” endpoints to bypass licensing, MSPs may inherit compromised machines that look “clean” to standard AV but quietly leak credentials and crypto funds, making it critical to block pirated software, enforce application control, and include client education about “free activators” in security awareness programs. » More Info

🔴 Ransomware Actors Pivot to DDoS Bundles and Insider Recruitment to Boost Payouts (01/04/26)

Threat intelligence from Recorded Future shows ransomware groups made less money in 2025 despite a 47% increase in reported attacks, pushing them to adopt new pressure tactics in 2026, including bundled DDoS‑as‑a‑Service offerings, systematic insider recruitment, and gig‑economy style work for initial access brokers. For MSPs, that means extortion may now include simultaneous DDoS attacks on client‑facing portals and targeted outreach to disgruntled employees, underscoring the need for insider‑risk monitoring, least‑privilege access, and pre‑negotiated DDoS mitigation for critical SaaS and remote access services. » More Info

🗨️ Parting Words

“Technology should improve your life… not become your life.” – Billy Cox

Are you a vCISO or MSP looking to operationalize security programs? Let’s discuss how Blacksmith Infosec proves that compliance is an opportunity, not a struggle that has to be packaged in FUD!