Attackers long ago learned that successful breaches begin long before the first exploit is launched. They start with reconnaissance: mapping login flows, reading JavaScript, parsing error messages, scanning APIs and public docs, and stitching together clues from repos, DNS, headers and telemetry. What’s new is not that reconnaissance happens — it’s that AI makes it far faster, deeper, and more context-aware, turning apparently trivial hints into precise, actionable plans.

In late September 2025, cybersecurity researchers from eSentire’s Threat Response Unit (TRU) uncovered a sophisticated new malware strain that represents a concerning evolution in cyber threats. Dubbed “ChaosBot,” this Rust-based backdoor cleverly abuses Discord’s legitimate communication platform for command-and-control operations, making detection significantly more challenging for traditional security tools.

Recent high-profile retail security incidents — affecting household names in the UK retail sector — reveal the same recurring root causes: fragile third-party integrations, slow patching and dependency management, excessive access rights, unpracticed incident response, and inconsistent customer communications. These failures are not unique to retail: they show how modern web apps and services can be compromised when processes and defensive hygiene lag behind scale. The practical steps below convert those lessons into a prioritized action plan you can implement this week.