Rich Macfarlane
@rjmacfarlane
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Associate Professor Cyber Security, Edinburgh Napier University. Course Leader for NCSC certified MSc Cyber Security courses. CSC @SecScotland Moderator.
Joined November 2011
🎂👨‍🎓Our #MScASDF in Cyber Security is 10 years old this year... from 2009 working on the first modules with @billatnapier @DrJamieGraves & Lionel... teaching practicals in new virtual environments... one of the first courses to be @NCSC accredited in 2014... @ComputingNapier
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🚨Now over 55% of tickets gone so far! 📢FREE STACS Computing Science specific conference for Early years, Primary and Secondary teachers. 29th Nov 2025 at @StirUni Sign up here https://t.co/cjkeq0c9KP
#ByTeachersForTeachers
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Inspire the Next Generation: CyberFirst for Senior Phase! 🛡️Join Darren Brown & Gareth Rae to learn how to deliver advanced, hands-on #CyberFirst content that leads to real-world certifications! Essential for Secondary Teachers. TICKETS: https://t.co/cjkeq0c9KP
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Microsoft says the Aisuru botnet hit its Azure network with a 15.72 terabits per second (Tbps) DDoS attack, launched from over 500,000 IP addresses. https://t.co/4NQvUDu1a6
bleepingcomputer.com
Microsoft said today that the Aisuru botnet hit its Azure network with a 15.72 terabits per second (Tbps) DDoS attack, launched from over 500,000 IP addresses.
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This week's session will be exploring the numerous and exciting career paths that cybersecurity can lead you down. Join us on Wednesday, 19th November at 2PM in C27, Merchiston Campus! #ENUSEC #Cybersecurity #InfoSec #Careers
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#ESETResearch has discovered the first known AI-powered ransomware, which we named #PromptLock. The PromptLock malware uses the gpt-oss:20b model from OpenAI locally via the Ollama API to generate malicious Lua scripts on the fly, which it then executes 1/6
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The fantastic @Bugcrowd and the awesome SIGINT will be returning for some ethical hacking and OWASP, and we'll be heading over to Appleton Tower to participate in some live bug bounties! Free pizza and refreshments will be provided. #BugBounty #Hacking #CyberSecurity #InfoSec
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👨‍🎓 Schools Cyber Security Competition ✍ Sign-up open (extended till late Nov) Open to groups of 14–18 year-olds in schools and colleges across Scotland. 📅Stage 1 - Online - Nov-Dec. Finals - Mar 2026 - On Campus CTF at Napier Sign up here: https://t.co/MYZqnM5PzC
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Really honoured to have been recognised in this years Alumni Awards! My time at Edinburgh Napier was so special. I left with more than a degree; it changed the trajectory of my life. @EdNapierAlumni
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Today is the day! The last release of #BSidesLDN2025 tickets! No code required, release time 1337hrs today! ONLY available here: https://t.co/lRbIvBBVUz
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🔔🎄 Jingle all the way… to the #HolidayHack Challenge! Subscribe now and be the first to know when the game begins. Don’t let the sleigh leave without you! https://t.co/sxu3vgWOmi
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🔥 OpenAI just launched an AI #cybersecurity researcher. It finds bugs, proves they’re real, and patches them — all by itself. Powered by GPT-5, it’s already discovered 10 vulnerabilities. The age of autonomous bug hunters starts now →
thehackernews.com
OpenAI’s GPT-5 Aardvark scans, exploits, and patches software flaws autonomously—marking a leap in AI-driven cybersecurity.
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WATCH: Pro-Hamas cyberhackers blasted an anti-Trump message over the public address system at Pennsylvania’s Harrisburg International Airport. The message lasted about 10 minutes, the airport said. The “political message” did not contain any threats to airlines, passengers, or
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⚡ North Korean hackers just used the blockchain to hide malware — the first time ever seen. Google says they used EtherHiding to plant code inside smart contracts, making it nearly impossible to remove and easy to update for just $1.37 in gas fees. Full story ↓
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Save the date 🗣️ Tell your friends 🗣️ Securi-Tay 2026 will be happening on February 27th, 2026! 🎉 Find out more details at https://t.co/C1OSsupiqR
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⚠️ Over 100 SonicWall SSL VPN accounts breached — not brute-forced. Attackers used legit creds and traced back to a single IP. Even patched devices are falling to Akira ransomware campaigns. Learn more →
thehackernews.com
Huntress reports widespread SonicWall VPN compromises and Akira ransomware exploits amid firewall backup leaks.
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Japan's largest brewer suspends operations due to cyberattack - @billtoulas
https://t.co/a6WzdW47mb
https://t.co/a6WzdW47mb
bleepingcomputer.com
Asahi Group Holdings, Ltd (Asahi), the brewer of Japan's top-selling beer, has disclosed a cyberattack that disrupted several of its operations.
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Insider attacks ... Ransomware actors offer cash for access to BBC reporter ... eek
bbc.co.uk
Reporter Joe Tidy was offered money if he would help cyber criminals access BBC systems.
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🚨 Microsoft warns — Hackers used LLM-generated code to hide malware in an SVG file disguised as a business dashboard, bypassing defenses with self-addressed emails + invisible scripts. Details →
thehackernews.com
Microsoft uncovers August 28 phishing using LLM-generated SVG code and AI tactics to bypass security.
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Akira ransomware breaching MFA-protected SonicWall VPN accounts - @LawrenceAbrams
https://t.co/YG3XPtOcU6
https://t.co/YG3XPtOcU6
bleepingcomputer.com
Ongoing Akira ransomware attacks targeting SonicWall SSL VPN devices continue to evolve, with the threat actors found to be successfully logging in despite OTP MFA being enabled on accounts. Resear...
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