Best Computer Monitors for the Productive Home Office (2026)

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Introduction

Setting up a high-performance home office in 2026 means more than just a good chair and fast internet — your monitor is the centerpiece of your workspace. Whether you’re managing cybersecurity alerts, editing high-res media, analyzing dashboards, or simply juggling multiple windows, the right display can make or break your workflow.

In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best home office monitors for different use cases — including 4K USB-C monitors, ultrawide displays for multitasking, and affordable options for secondary setups. Each monitor here has been selected for its balance of resolution, ergonomics, connectivity, and value, so you can focus on productivity without compromise.

Let’s dive into some of the top monitors that can transform your desk into a command center.

Dell P2725QE 27” 4K UHD Monitor

The Dell P2725QE offers crisp 4K resolution and a fully adjustable stand, making it perfect for home office professionals who value detail and ergonomics. With USB-C connectivity delivering 90W power, built-in USB ports, and a sleek design, it doubles as both a monitor and a docking station for your laptop.

  • 27″ 4K UHD (3840×2160) IPS Display
  • USB-C with 90W Power Delivery
  • 99% sRGB, HDR support
  • Ergonomic stand with height, tilt, swivel
  • Built-in USB-C Hub for peripherals

Check Price on Amazon

LG 34WN80C-B 34” UltraWide

Ideal for multitaskers and cybersecurity analysts, the LG 34WN80C-B provides a 3440×1440 ultra-wide canvas for dashboards, terminal windows, and browser tabs. The USB-C port delivers 60W of power, and its HDR10 and IPS panel make it a reliable, visually stunning productivity powerhouse.

  • 34″ UltraWide QHD (3440×1440)
  • 99% sRGB, HDR10, IPS
  • USB-C with 60W PD
  • Great for multitasking/dashboards

Check Price on Amazon

ASUS ProArt Display PA278CGV

Designed for creative pros and engineers alike, the ASUS ProArt PA278CGV features factory-calibrated color accuracy (100% sRGB, Rec.709) and smooth 75Hz refresh. It includes USB-C, DisplayPort daisy-chaining, and an ergonomic stand, making it ideal for designers, coders, and content creators who demand precision.

  • 27″ QHD IPS, 100% sRGB & Rec.709
  • USB-C with 65W Power Delivery
  • Calman Verified Color Accuracy
  • Ideal for creative professionals

Check Price on Amazon

Acer CB272 27” Budget Monitor

The Acer CB272 is a budget-friendly monitor that delivers solid performance for everyday tasks. With a 1080p IPS display, slim bezels, and a 75Hz refresh rate, it’s a great choice as a secondary screen or for users who need a clean, reliable setup without spending a fortune.

  • 27″ Full HD IPS (1920×1080)
  • up to 120Hz Refresh Rate, Slim Bezel
  • Adjustable Ergonomic Stand
  • Great value for secondary use

Check Price on Amazon

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Monitor for Your Home Office

Your monitor isn’t just a screen — it’s a daily tool that directly impacts your efficiency, comfort, and focus. Whether you’re handling sensitive cybersecurity operations, designing content, or managing meetings and multitasking, investing in the right display pays off in productivity.

For sharp visuals and future-ready connectivity, the Dell P2725QE offers a 4K experience with USB-C power and clarity. If you need more screen real estate, the LG 34WN80C-B delivers ultrawide versatility perfect for analysts and multitaskers. Creative professionals will love the color precision of the ASUS ProArt PA278CGV, while the Acer CB272 remains a reliable choice for budget-conscious setups.

No matter your role or workspace size, there’s a monitor here to level up your home office. Pick the one that fits your workflow — and start working smarter, not harder.

[disclosure]

Best Home Wifi Routers for 2026 – Security Focused Review

futuristic router with two antennas
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Introduction

Is your home router leaving your network wide open to attack? Many popular SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) routers come with outdated firmware, weak security settings, and are long abandoned by manufacturers. This article shows you which routers to avoid, what security features modern routers must have, and how to harden your network for peace of mind in 2025. We aim to help you find the best home router 2025.

Why Router Security Matters for Home and Remote Work in 2026

Whether you’re attending Zoom meetings, accessing company data, or just streaming media, your SOHO wifi router is a critical line of defense. Unfortunately, attackers often target these devices due to poor configurations and long-unpatched vulnerabilities. If your router hasn’t received a firmware update in over a year—or if it still uses “admin/admin” as the login—it could already be compromised.

4 Major Security Weaknesses Found in Insecure SOHO Routers

1. Outdated Firmware

Firmware updates fix critical vulnerabilities. Without updates, routers are exposed to remote code execution, buffer overflow attacks, and credential theft. Many models are no longer supported after just 3–5 years.

2. Default Credentials

Default admin usernames and passwords are easy to guess. Attackers use automated tools to brute-force these logins and take full control of your router settings.

3. Weak Wi-Fi Encryption

Using WEP or outdated WPA1 protocols puts your wireless network at risk. Hackers can crack these in minutes. Always use WPA2-AES or WPA3 for maximum wireless security.

4. Missing Security Features

Insecure routers often lack features like firewalls, VPN support, 2FA, or guest network isolation. These are essential for protecting sensitive data in any modern home office setup.

Routers with the Worst Security Track Record

Here are several routers known for their poor security history and lack of vendor support:

Router ModelSecurity IssuesKnown Vulnerabilities
Netgear R7000 NighthawkUnpatched firmware, RCECVE-2020-27866, CVE-2016-6277
TP-Link Archer C20/C7Hardcoded credentials, outdated firmwareCVE-2019-7405
D-Link DIR-615/825Auth bypass, command injectionCVE-2019-16920
Linksys WRT54GVery outdated, no WPA2End of life, no current support
Ubiquiti EdgeRouter X (when misconfigured)Open SSH, poor default firewall settingsConfiguration-based risk

Secure SOHO Router Features to Look For

When buying a new SOHO router, ensure it has these modern security features:

  • WPA3 Wi-Fi encryption (or WPA2-AES at minimum)
  • Automatic and signed firmware updates
  • Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) firewall
  • Built-in VPN support (client/server)
  • Guest network isolation
  • Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for admin access
  • Device logging and traffic alerting

Best Secure SOHO Routers to Buy in 2026

Here’s a curated list of five of the most secure and up-to-date SOHO routers for 2025, each offering robust protection, modern standards, and future-proof features:

Top 5 Most Secure SOHO Routers (2025)

RouterWi-Fi StandardKey Security FeaturesIdeal ForPrice
ASUS ROG Rapture GT-BE98 PROWi-Fi 7WPA3, VPN, AiMesh, subscription-free securityPower users, gaming, multi-device homes~$699
Netgear Nighthawk RS700SWi-Fi 7WPA3, firewall, auto firmware updates, VPNHigh-performance SOHO setups~$599
Amazon Eero Pro 7Wi-Fi 7WPA3, secure mesh networking, automatic updatesMesh coverage, smart homes~$579
GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)Wi-Fi 6Built-in VPN, firewall, DNS encryptionTravel, remote work, privacy-focused users~$119
TP-Link Archer AXE75Wi-Fi 6WPA3, HomeShield security, VPN supportBudget-conscious SOHO users~$99

🧠 What Makes These Routers Secure?

WPA3 Encryption: Stronger protection against brute-force attacks.

Built-in VPN Support: Encrypts traffic for remote workers and privacy.

Automatic Firmware Updates: Keeps vulnerabilities patched.

Firewall & Threat Detection: Blocks malicious traffic and scans for intrusions.

Device Isolation & VLAN Support: Segments networks for added protection.

Top 5 Router Hardening Tips

  1. Change the default admin password to a strong, unique passphrase.
  2. Disable remote administration unless you’re using a VPN.
  3. Turn off WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup), which is vulnerable to brute-force attacks.
  4. Use guest networks to isolate smart devices or visitors from sensitive systems.
  5. Enable automatic updates and review system logs regularly for suspicious activity.

How to Upgrade Your Router Without Downtime

  • Back up your current configuration (if your router supports it).
  • Set up and secure the new router offline before connecting to the internet.
  • Immediately install any firmware updates from the vendor.
  • Enable security features: WPA3, firewalls, and 2FA.
  • Reconnect devices, segment your network, and verify connectivity.

Conclusion: Don’t Let Your Router Be the Weakest Link

Your SOHO router may be small, but it plays a huge role in protecting your digital life. Legacy routers with outdated firmware, default settings, or weak encryption put your work, finances, and identity at risk. Upgrading to a secure, modern router is one of the best cybersecurity investments you can make in 2025.

Check your current router model and security features today. If it’s over 5 years old or hasn’t received updates recently, replace it with a device that puts security first.

[disclosure]

Review: Anker 565 USB-C Hub (11-in-1) – The Ultimate Docking Station for Power Users in 2026

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If you’re running a multi-monitor setup in 2026, managing cloud infrastructure, or just need serious I/O flexibility, the Anker 565 USB-C Hub is a powerhouse that transforms a single USB-C port into a full-fledged workstation.

Key Features

  • 11 Ports of Expansion: Includes 10 Gbps USB-C and USB-A data ports, 4K HDMI, 4K DisplayPort, Ethernet, AUX, SD/microSD slots, and two additional USB-A ports
  • Dual Monitor Support: Connect HDMI and DisplayPort simultaneously for crisp 2K@60Hz or 1080p@60Hz output (Windows only; macOS mirrors displays)
  • 85W Pass-Through Charging: Keeps your laptop powered while running peripherals—ideal for Dell XPS and other USB-C PD laptops
  • High-Speed Data Transfer: Move files fast with 10 Gbps ports and 104 MB/s SD card slots
  • Compact & Travel-Ready: Lightweight and sleek, perfect for remote work setups or mobile creators

Real-World Use Case

For someone like me—who’s juggling virtualization, content creation, and cloud security workflows—this hub is a game-changer. It handles simultaneous display output, fast file transfers, and stable Ethernet without throttling or overheating. The layout is intuitive, with enough spacing to avoid cable clutter or blocked ports.

Whether you’re connecting a Dell XPS, MacBook, or Chromebook, this hub adapts with USB4 and Thunderbolt compatibility. Just note: display output is limited to HDMI and DisplayPort—USB-C video isn’t supported.

Final Verdict

The Anker 565 USB-C Hub is a top-tier choice for professionals who need reliable connectivity without the bulk of a full docking station. It’s ideal for cloud engineers, remote workers, and creators who demand performance and portability.

What do you think? Is the Anker a good choice?

[disclosure]

Top Cloud Security Certifications for 2025

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Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

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The first one we will cover is the Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification, developed by (ISC)², affirms expertise in securing cloud environments across public, private, hybrid, and multi-cloud architectures. It is a vendor-neutral credential that emphasizes best practices in cloud governance, data protection, and risk management.

CCSP is suited for professionals who design, implement, or oversee security in cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, with a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance and architectural rigor.

What the Certification Covers

The CCSP exam assesses knowledge across six domains:

  1. Cloud Concepts, Architecture, and Design
    Foundational cloud principles, service models, and secure architecture design.
  2. Cloud Data Security
    Methods for protecting cloud-hosted data, including classification, access control, and encryption.
  3. Cloud Platform and Infrastructure Security
    Security strategies for virtualized platforms, network protections, and host hardening.
  4. Cloud Application Security
    Secure software development practices and API protection strategies.
  5. Cloud Security Operations
    Monitoring, incident response, and disaster recovery in dynamic cloud environments.
  6. Legal, Risk, and Compliance
    Understanding regional laws, contractual obligations, and compliance frameworks such as GDPR or ISO/IEC 27017.

Recommended Experience

Candidates should have at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in information technology, with three of those years in information security and one year in cloud security. Individuals without the full experience may earn the title Associate of (ISC)² after passing the exam and accrue experience over time.

Exam Details

The CCSP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions and allows up to four hours for completion. It costs approximately $599 USD and is available in English and other selected languages. Once earned, the certification is valid for three years, with continuing education credits required for renewal.

Career Relevance

CCSP supports roles such as Cloud Security Architect, Risk and Compliance Analyst, Security Consultant, and Cloud Governance Lead. It is especially beneficial for professionals working across multiple cloud platforms or in highly regulated industries seeking a broad security foundation.

AWS Certified Security – Specialty

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Next, we have the AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification validates expertise in securing complex AWS workloads. It focuses on deep technical skills in implementing security best practices using native AWS tools and services.

This certification is aimed at professionals who manage cloud security architectures, perform risk analysis, and ensure compliance in environments built on Amazon Web Services.

What the Certification Covers

The exam evaluates five core areas:

  1. Incident Response
    Handling security events using AWS-native services and automated detection techniques.
  2. Logging and Monitoring
    Utilizing tools like CloudTrail, GuardDuty, CloudWatch, and AWS Config to track and audit changes.
  3. Infrastructure Security
    Designing secure networks with Virtual Private Clouds (VPCs), configuring firewalls and protecting endpoints.
  4. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
    Creating secure authentication workflows, managing roles and permissions, and applying least-privilege principles.
  5. Data Protection
    Encrypting data using AWS Key Management Service (KMS), Secrets Manager, and related tools for securing sensitive information.

Recommended Experience

Candidates should have at least five years of IT security experience and a minimum of two years working with AWS environments. Hands-on familiarity with AWS security services and a solid understanding of the shared responsibility model are essential.

Exam Details

The exam consists of 65 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions. Test takers have up to 170 minutes to complete it. The certification costs around $300 USD and is valid for three years. Languages offered include English, Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish for Latin America.

Career Relevance

This certification is suited for roles such as Cloud Security Engineer, DevSecOps Specialist, Security Architect, and Compliance Analyst—especially in organizations that heavily rely on AWS infrastructure or operate under strict regulatory requirements.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate

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The Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate certification validates expertise in securing Azure cloud environments. It focuses on implementing security controls, managing identity and access, and protecting data, applications, and networks across hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures.

This certification is designed for professionals who monitor and maintain an organization’s security posture using tools like Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Microsoft Sentinel, and Azure Policy.

What the Certification Covers

The exam evaluates skills across four core domains:

  1. Manage Identity and Access
    Configure Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), implement Conditional Access policies, and manage authentication methods.
  2. Implement Platform Protection
    Secure virtual networks, configure firewalls and network security groups, and protect compute resources.
  3. Manage Security Operations
    Monitor threats using Microsoft Sentinel and Defender for Cloud, configure alerts, and automate incident response.
  4. Secure Data and Applications
    Apply encryption, manage secrets and certificates with Azure Key Vault, and enforce data protection policies.

Recommended Experience

Candidates should have hands-on experience administering Azure environments and a solid understanding of networking, virtualization, and cloud architecture. Familiarity with scripting, automation, and Microsoft Entra ID is also recommended. While there are no formal prerequisites, completing the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certifications can provide a helpful foundation.

Exam Details

The certification is earned by passing Exam AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies. The exam includes multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, and case study questions. It lasts approximately 100–170 minutes and costs around $165 USD. The certification is valid for one year and can be renewed online at no cost.

Career Relevance

This certification supports roles such as Azure Security Engineer, Cloud Security Analyst, and Infrastructure Security Specialist. It’s especially valuable for professionals working in enterprise or regulated environments that rely heavily on Microsoft Azure.

Here’s a clean, informational overview of the Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification, styled to match your previous entries:

Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer

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The Google Professional Cloud Security Engineer certification validates the ability to design and implement secure infrastructure on Google Cloud. It focuses on configuring access, securing data, managing operations, and ensuring compliance using Google’s native security technologies.

This certification is ideal for professionals responsible for protecting cloud-based workloads, enforcing governance policies, and responding to threats in Google Cloud environments.

What the Certification Covers

The exam evaluates skills across five core domains:

  1. Configuring Access
    Managing IAM roles, service accounts, and resource hierarchies to enforce least-privilege access.
  2. Securing Communications and Boundary Protection
    Implementing firewalls, VPC Service Controls, Cloud Armor, and private connectivity.
  3. Ensuring Data Protection
    Applying encryption at rest and in transit, managing secrets, and securing AI/ML workloads.
  4. Managing Operations
    Monitoring logs, detecting incidents, automating responses, and maintaining security posture.
  5. Supporting Compliance Requirements
    Mapping controls to frameworks like PCI and HIPAA, using Assured Workloads and Access Transparency.

Recommended Experience

While there are no formal prerequisites, Google recommends at least three years of industry experience, including one year designing and managing solutions on Google Cloud. Familiarity with IAM, VPC architecture, encryption, and security automation is essential.

Exam Details

The exam consists of 50–60 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. Candidates have 120 minutes to complete it. The certification costs $200 USD (plus tax) and is available in English and Japanese. It is valid for two years and must be renewed by retaking the exam before expiration.

Career Relevance

This certification supports roles such as Cloud Security Engineer, DevSecOps Specialist, Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), and Compliance Analyst. It’s especially valuable for professionals working in Google Cloud environments with high security and regulatory demands.

Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK)

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The last certificate we will cover is the Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK), developed by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), is a vendor-neutral credential that validates foundational and practical expertise in cloud security. It emphasizes governance, architecture, risk management, and emerging technologies across diverse cloud environments.

CCSK is often considered a stepping stone to more advanced certifications like CCSP and is widely recognized across industries for its comprehensive coverage of cloud security principles.

What the Certification Covers

The CCSK exam is based on two core documents: the CSA Security Guidance v5 and the CSA Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM). It covers 12 domains:

  1. Cloud Architecture and Concepts
    Core cloud models, deployment types, and architectural principles.
  2. Governance and Risk Management
    Organizational security, risk frameworks, and policy development.
  3. Legal and Compliance
    Regulatory requirements, contracts, and jurisdictional considerations.
  4. Data Security and Encryption
    Protecting data at rest, in transit, and in use across cloud platforms.
  5. Identity and Access Management (IAM)
    Authentication, authorization, and entitlement strategies.
  6. Infrastructure and Virtualization Security
    Securing compute, storage, containers, and serverless workloads.
  7. Application Security
    Secure development lifecycle, API protection, and DevSecOps practices.
  8. Security Operations
    Monitoring, logging, incident response, and business continuity.
  9. Emerging Technologies
    Coverage of AI, telemetry, and cloud-native security tools.
  10. Cloud Workload Security
    Strategies for securing dynamic and distributed workloads.
  11. Zero Trust Architecture
    Integrated Zero Trust principles across cloud domains.
  12. Cloud Security Governance Tools
    Use of CCM, CAIQ, and STAR Registry for assurance and auditing.

Recommended Experience

There are no formal prerequisites, making CCSK accessible to both newcomers and experienced professionals. However, familiarity with cloud computing, cybersecurity fundamentals, and risk management concepts is strongly recommended for success.

Exam Details

The CCSK exam is open-book and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. Candidates have 90 minutes to complete it. The cost is $445 USD and includes two attempts. The certification does not expire, though professionals are encouraged to stay current with CSA updates and evolving cloud practices.

Career Relevance

CCSK supports roles such as Cloud Security Analyst, Compliance Officer, Security Consultant, and DevSecOps Engineer. It’s especially useful for professionals working in multi-cloud or hybrid environments, or those seeking a broad, standards-based understanding of cloud security.

[disclosure]

Best performance and fastest memory with the new Amazon EC2 R8i and R8i-flex instances

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Today, we’re announcing general availability of the new eighth generation, memory optimized Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) R8i and R8i-flex instances powered by custom Intel Xeon 6 processors, available only on AWS. They deliver the highest performance and fastest memory bandwidth among comparable Intel processors in the cloud. These instances deliver up to 15 percent better price performance, 20 percent higher performance, and 2.5 times more memory throughput compared to previous generation instances.

With these improvements, R8i and R8i-flex instances are ideal for a variety of memory intensive workloads such as SQL and NoSQL databases, distributed web scale in-memory caches (Memcached and Redis), in-memory databases such as SAP HANA, and real-time big data analytics (Apache Hadoop and Apache Spark clusters). For a majority of the workloads that don’t fully utilize the compute resources, the R8i-flex instances are a great first choice to achieve an additional 5 percent better price performance and 5 percent lower prices.

Improvements made to both instances compared to their predecessors
In terms of performance, R8i and R8i-flex instances offer 20 percent better performance than R7i instances, with even higher gains for specific workloads. These instances are up to 30 percent faster for PostgreSQL databases, up to 60 percent faster for NGINX web applications, and up to 40 percent faster for AI deep learning recommendation models compared to previous generation R7i instances, with sustained all-core turbo frequency now reaching 3.9 GHz (compared to 3.2 GHz in the previous generation). They also feature a 4.6x larger L3 cache and significantly better memory throughput, offering 2.5 times higher memory bandwidth than the seventh generation. With this higher performance across all the vectors, you can run a greater number of workloads while keeping costs down.

R8i instances now scale up to 96xlarge with up to 384 vCPUs and 3TB memory (versus 48xlarge sizes in the seventh generation), helping you to scale up database applications. R8i instances are SAP certified to deliver 142,100 aSAPS, which is highest among all comparable machines in on premises and cloud environments, delivering exceptional performance for your mission-critical SAP workloads. R8i-flex instances offer the most common sizes, from large to 16xlarge, and are a great first choice for applications that don’t fully utilize all compute resources. Both R8i and R8i-flex instances use the latest sixth generation AWS Nitro Cards, delivering up to two times more network and Amazon Elastic Block Storage (Amazon EBS) bandwidth compared to the previous generation, which greatly improves network throughput for workloads handling small packets, such as web, application, and gaming servers.

R8i and R8i-flex instances also support bandwidth configuration with 25 percent allocation adjustments between network and Amazon EBS bandwidth, enabling better database performance, query processing, and logging speeds. Additional enhancements include FP16 datatype support for Intel AMX to support workloads such as deep learning training and inference and other artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) applications.

The specs for the R8i instances are as follows.

Instance size
 vCPUs
 Memory (GiB)
 Network bandwidth (Gbps)
 EBS bandwidth (Gbps)
r8i.large 2 16 Up to 12.5 Up to 10
r8i.xlarge 4 32 Up to 12.5 Up to 10
r8i.2xlarge 8 64 Up to 15 Up to 10
r8i.4xlarge 16 128 Up to 15 Up to 10
r8i.8xlarge 32 256 15 10
r8i.12xlarge 48 384 22.5 15
r8i.16xlarge 64 512 30 20
r8i.24xlarge 96 768 40 30
r8i.32xlarge 128 1024 50 40
r8i.48xlarge 192 1536 75 60
r8i.96xlarge 384 3072 100 80
r8i.metal-48xl 192 1536 75 60
r8i.metal-96xl 384 3072 100 80

The specs for the R8i-flex instances are as follows.

Instance size
 vCPUs
 Memory (GiB)
 Network bandwidth (Gbps)
 EBS bandwidth (Gbps)
r8i-flex.large 2 16 Up to 12.5 Up to 10
r8i-flex.xlarge 4 32 Up to 12.5 Up to 10
r8i-flex.2xlarge 8 64 Up to 15 Up to 10
r8i-flex.4xlarge 16 128 Up to 15 Up to 10
r8i-flex.8xlarge 32 256 Up to 15 Up to 10
r8i-flex.12xlarge 48 384 Up to 22.5 Up to 15
r8i-flex.16xlarge 64 512 Up to 30 Up to 20

When to use the R8i-flex instances
As stated earlier, R8i-flex instances are more affordable versions of the R8i instances, offering up to 5 percent better price performance at 5 percent lower prices. They’re designed for workloads that benefit from the latest generation performance but don’t fully use all compute resources. These instances can reach up to the full CPU performance 95 percent of the time and work well for in-memory databases, distributed web scale cache stores, mid-size in-memory analytics, real-time big data analytics, and other enterprise applications. R8i instances are recommended for more demanding workloads that need sustained high CPU, network, or EBS performance such as analytics, databases, enterprise applications, and web scale in-memory caches.

Available now
R8i and R8i-flex instances are available today in the US East (N. Virginia), US East (Ohio), US West (Oregon), and Europe (Spain) AWS Regions. As usual with Amazon EC2, you pay only for what you use. For more information, refer to Amazon EC2 Pricing. Check out the full collection of memory optimized instances to help you start migrating your applications.

To learn more, visit our Amazon EC2 R8i instances page and Amazon EC2 R8i-flex instances page. Send feedback to AWS re:Post for EC2 or through your usual AWS Support contacts.

– Veliswa

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Increased Elasticsearch Recognizance Scans, (Tue, Aug 19th)

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I noticed an increase in scans that appear to try to identify Elasticsearch instances. Elasticsearch is not a new target. Its ability to easily store and manage JSON data, combined with a simple HTTP API, makes it a convenient tool to store data that is directly accessible from the browser via JavaScript. Elasticsearch has, in particular, been popular for consolidating log data, and the "ELK" (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) platform has been a very successful standard for open source log management.

Call me old fashioned, but the idea of exposing my database directly to the user has always been a bit "frightening" to me. But the kids like to do dangerous things, and as a result we have plenty of exposed Elasticsearch instances. No surprise that attackers are looking for them.

The particular query I have been seeing these last couple days is "/_cluster/settings ". Running this against my own Elasticsearch instance:

$ curl -isku $ELASTIC_USERNAME:$ELASTIC_PASSWORD https://localhost:9200/_cluster/settings/
HTTP/1.1 200 OK
X-elastic-product: Elasticsearch
content-type: application/json
content-length: 32

{"persistent":{},"transient":{}}

does not really retrieve any concerning details, but it easily proves that we have a running Elasticsearch instance. 

Without authentication, a 401 error is returned, but again, there are no details about what version I am running. It is, however, possible that the formatting or the details of the error message can be used for fingerprinting.

 curl -isk https://localhost:9200/_cluster/settings/
HTTP/1.1 401 Unauthorized
WWW-Authenticate: Basic realm="security", charset="UTF-8"
WWW-Authenticate: Bearer realm="security"
WWW-Authenticate: ApiKey
content-type: application/json
content-length: 497

{"error":{"root_cause":[{"type":"security_exception","reason":"missing authentication credentials for REST request [/_cluster/settings/]","header":{"WWW-Authenticate":["Basic realm=\"security\", charset=\"UTF-8\"","Bearer realm=\"security\"","ApiKey"]}}],"type":"security_exception","reason":"missing authentication credentials for REST request [/_cluster/settings/]","header":{"WWW-Authenticate":["Basic realm=\"security\", charset=\"UTF-8\"","Bearer realm=\"security\"","ApiKey"]}},"status":401}

My best guess is that this actor is just looking for possible instances of Elasticsearch to come back later for details. Elasticsearch is always somewhat scanned for, but the request for /_cluster/settings/ is new. The graph below compares all requests for Elasticsearch with requests for /_clustser/settings

graph of elasticsearch related requests over the last 30 days

This weekend, a blog post by cyberNK regarding an "Elastic EDR Zero-Day" made headlines [1]. I do not think these requests are related, and Elastic disputed the blog post [2].

[1] https://ift.tt/Hur5apS
[2] https://discuss.elastic.co/t/elastic-response-to-blog-edr-0-day-vulnerability/381093

—
Johannes B. Ullrich, Ph.D. , Dean of Research, SANS.edu
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(c) SANS Internet Storm Center. https://isc.sans.edu Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

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Apache ActiveMQ Flaw Exploited to Deploy DripDropper Malware on Cloud Linux Systems

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Threat actors are exploiting a nearly two-year-old security flaw in Apache ActiveMQ to gain persistent access to cloud Linux systems and deploy malware called DripDropper.
But in an unusual twist, the unknown attackers have been observed patching the exploited vulnerability after securing initial access to prevent further exploitation by other adversaries and evade detection, Red Canary said in

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UK abandons Apple backdoor demand after US diplomatic pressure

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The United Kingdom has withdrawn its demand that Apple create a backdoor to its encrypted cloud systems following months of diplomatic pressure from the United States, according to a statement from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Gabbard announced the decision Monday on X, stating that the U.S. government had worked closely with British partners “to ensure Americans’ private data remains private and our Constitutional rights and civil liberties are protected.”

The reversal marks a significant development in the ongoing global debate over government access to encrypted communications and represents a victory for American officials concerned about protecting U.S. citizens’ digital privacy rights. 

The British government’s original demand came through a technical capability notice issued in January 2025 under the country’s Investigatory Powers Act. The order would have required Apple to provide blanket access to end-to-end encrypted cloud data, including information belonging to users outside the United Kingdom.

Apple responded to the British demand by disabling its Advanced Data Protection feature for U.K. users in February 2025. The feature provides end-to-end encryption for iCloud data storage, making it inaccessible even to Apple itself.

The company expressed disappointment with the requirement, stating it had never built backdoors into its products and never would. Apple subsequently appealed the order’s legality through the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which denied the British government’s attempts to keep the proceedings secret.

“We are gravely disappointed that the protections provided by ADP will not be available to our customers in the U.K., given the continuing rise of data breaches and other threats to customer privacy,” Apple said at the time.

American lawmakers had expressed significant concern about the U.K.’s encryption demands. In February, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote to Gabbard arguing that forcing Apple to create backdoors would “seriously threaten the privacy and security of both the American people and the U.S. government.”

The lawmakers noted that Apple does not create different encryption software for different markets, meaning any backdoor created for British authorities would potentially affect American users. They suggested the U.S. should reconsider its cybersecurity and intelligence-sharing arrangements with the U.K. if Apple were forced to comply with the demands.

The dispute echoes previous conflicts between Apple and government authorities over encryption access. In 2015, Apple engaged in a prolonged legal battle with the U.S. government over providing access to an iPhone belonging to a terrorist who carried out the San Bernardino attack. The FBI ultimately gained access through a third-party vendor after Apple refused to create custom software to bypass the device’s security.

The post UK abandons Apple backdoor demand after US diplomatic pressure appeared first on CyberScoop.

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