Happy Friday! Today’s roundup covers a ransomware threat that has reached hundreds of organizations and a portable monitor built to make hybrid work a little less cramped. We’ll take the security brief first, then move on to a compact desk upgrade, because protecting the work and seeing more of it both count as productivity wins.
Security Brief
SafePay ransomware has affected at least 600 organizations since August 2024, according to CISA and FBI joint advisory AA26-293A. A quick date clarification: the advisory itself is dated October 20, while CISA’s public announcement followed on October 21. The reported victims span the Americas, Europe, and Australia, making this less a distant headline and more a practical reminder for small businesses to check their defenses.
The advisory describes attackers gaining access through stolen, phished, or guessed VPN credentials, as well as vulnerabilities in internet-facing systems. The cited edge-device exploits include older Cisco issues CVE-2020-3259 and CVE-2023-20269. Once inside, attackers have used legitimate administration tools, including PsExec and Windows Remote Management (WinRM), to move through networks, which can make malicious activity harder to distinguish from routine IT work.
Data theft is part of the threat, not just file encryption. CISA reports use of RClone and WinSCP for exfiltration, and notes that attackers have targeted backups, including by resetting network-attached storage to factory settings. They then encrypt files and demand payment in cryptocurrency. In plain terms: a backup that is connected, reachable, and writable from the compromised network may not be the safe fallback it appears to be.
For small businesses, the most useful takeaway is a focused set of protections: patch VPNs and other internet-facing edge devices, prioritize known-exploited vulnerabilities, and enforce multifactor authentication across services, especially VPNs, email, and administrator accounts. Keep encrypted, immutable backups offline or otherwise isolated, and test restoration so recovery is more than a checkbox. Segment the network to limit lateral movement, restrict administrative privileges, and review unusual use of remote-management and file-transfer tools. These steps can reduce the chance that one compromised account becomes a business-wide outage.
Desk Upgrade
The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a portable second screen aimed at people who want more workspace without hauling a full-size monitor. It typically costs around $94.99, with sales sometimes bringing it below $90. Its 15.6-inch IPS panel has a 1920 × 1080 resolution, and reported brightness measurements reach roughly 335 nits: useful for everyday documents, browsing, and the familiar multi-window shuffle.
Portability is a key part of the pitch: the display weighs about 1.72 pounds and includes a built-in kickstand, plus a VESA mount for more permanent positioning. Connectivity includes full-size HDMI and two USB-C ports with 15W Power Delivery. For compatible laptops, USB-C can make setup simpler; HDMI adds flexibility when a laptop or other device does not support video over USB-C. The result is a useful extra screen for travel, temporary workstations, and hybrid desks that need to pack away.
There are trade-offs, and the budget price shows up in the details. Color accuracy is mediocre, so this is not a smart choice for color-critical photo or video work. The plastic construction can feel flimsy, and the built-in speakers are weak: best treated as a backup, not a reason to skip headphones. This is a practical productivity display, not a premium creative monitor or a replacement for a sturdy office setup.
The short version: the MP165 E6 makes sense when extra screen space and easy transport matter more than premium materials, strong audio, or precise color. Check the current price and connection requirements before buying, especially if a single-cable USB-C setup is part of the plan. For more product coverage, browse the Network Repair1 shop.
Daily Links
- CISA/FBI: SafePay ransomware advisory AA26-293A
- Tom’s Hardware: MSI Pro MP165 E6 portable monitor review
- PCMag: MSI Pro MP165 E6 review
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