DNS tunneling is a method that allows attackers to exploit the DNS protocol to bypass security controls and exfiltrate data or establish command and control (C2) channels. Since DNS is often allowed through firewalls and is a trusted protocol, it is an attractive technique for attackers to bypass security measures and extract sensitive data. To detect these threats accurately and quickly, TCPWave has designed a detection approach based on a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) with minimal architecture complexity. The lack of quality datasets for evaluating DNS Tunneling connections prompted us to construct a novel dataset containing DNS Tunneling domains generated with many well-known DNS tools. Despite its simple architecture, the resulting CNN model correctly detected more than 98% of total Tunneling domains with a false positive rate in decimals. The ever-increasing rate of cyber threats has made it critical for organizations to safeguard their networks and sensitive data as DNS exfiltration is just one method attackers use to exploit vulnerabilities in the DNS protocol, causing financial and reputational damage. Ransomware attacks have caused significant financial losses to organizations in recent years, and it is predicted that the cost of such attacks will reach $40 billion by 2024.

A recent study found that most ransomware attacks, specifically 76%, were executed outside of regular working hours. The same study discovered that 45% of the attacks started through email, phishing, and business email compromise. The remaining 21% of attacks were aimed at remote servers, with other methods such as third-party contractors, misconfigured cloud instances, remote desktop protocol, and USB media also being used. Ransomware is usually extorted in bitcoins to avoid being traced by law enforcement. TCPWave, an organization, provides a range of features such as a powerful AI algorithm, strong security policies, proper enforcement of data protection, and many best practices to protect from ransomware. The dark web is a hidden section of the internet that necessitates specialized software or configurations to access, which is often associated with illicit activities such as drug sales, weapons trading, and cybercrime. It can be used for legitimate purposes such as whistleblowing and anonymous communication, but its anonymity can make it a haven for criminals. As a result, individuals should be mindful of the potential dangers and exercise caution when using it.