Connor Jones
Connor Jones has been at the forefront of global cyber security news coverage for the past few years, breaking developments on major stories such as LockBit’s ransomware attack on Royal Mail International, and many others. He has also made sporadic appearances on the ITPro Podcast discussing topics from home desk setups all the way to hacking systems using prosthetic limbs.
Connor has previously written for the likes of Red Bull Esports and UNILAD, before a lengthy stint at ITPro. He has a master’s degree in Magazine Journalism from one of the UK’s leading journalism departments at the University of Sheffield, as well as an undergraduate degree in English Language from Sheffield Hallam University.
When he’s not hitting the phones trying to squeeze stories out of sources and press offices, in his free time Connor studies software development, is a keen cook, and enjoys leading an active life through cycling, hiking, racket sports, and weightlifting.
Latest articles by Connor Jones
![Royal Mail van parked in a fleet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/87hgKreegcXy3Wnkj5P225-320-80.jpg)
LockBit set Royal Mail ransom at £65 million
By Connor Jones published
News The leak offers a rare and unique insight into the negotiations tactics of both LockBit and the UK's NCSC
![Three towers in Manchester's Deansgate Square against a clear blue, slightly cloudy sky](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VV9tKwUsGUDf7twY3f3PZg-320-80.jpg)
Manchester still the North's largest tech sector as funding increases to £532 million
By Connor Jones published
News The city retained its title while also raising more than rival European cities
![Ransomware mockup with dark red colour scheme, a lock denoting encryption, and binary code set in the backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cBajWuTEG6Xgkp68dMFCNW-320-80.jpg)
ION Trading reportedly pays LockBit ransom demands
By Connor Jones published
News Paying ransomware groups is a highly discouraged practice but has been historically sanctioned in the most severe cases
![The facade of BT corporate office in London, UK](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qzyve67kqoPJWZsbaea56A-320-80.jpg)
BT Group extends Kyndryl deal to migrate legacy mainframe apps to the cloud
By Connor Jones published
News Applications will either be repackaged for cloud environments, dismantled and have their functionality transplanted into other apps, or retired completely
![Close-up of a businessman's hand stacking coins in a pile](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UzStcg9FRtNat46nDYPkqF-320-80.jpg)
Business leaders continue to raise salaries as tech layoffs mount
By Connor Jones published
News Only 5% of CFOs said they would be reducing staff compensation amid a challenging economic climate
![A hacker wearing black gloves using a laptop keyboard](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oYDfG52QZQa82XWH3MszoP-320-80.jpg)
US extradites French ShinyHunters hacker, faces 123 years in prison
By Connor Jones published
News The hacker is believed to be a member of the hacking group known for its spree of data breaches across 2020 and 2021
![Abstract image of a ghost on a digital screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8YzX9Y9nRFJq588NTwvWBZ-320-80.jpg)
FBI's landmark Hive ransomware takedown 'a drop in the ocean'
By Connor Jones published
News A huge win for law enforcement, but the 'hacking back' takedown of Hive's domain is just a small drop in the expansive ransomware ocean
![A close up image of red computer code on a black screen with the word malware displayed in white](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9WCAq7PysdEAdKA8p5UCsQ-320-80.jpg)
'Highly evasive' polymorphic malware generated using ChatGPT
By Connor Jones published
News Researchers at CyberArk Labs developed a novel method to generate malware using text that goes largely undetected by signature-based antimalware products
![Royal Mail van parked in a fleet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/87hgKreegcXy3Wnkj5P225-320-80.jpg)
Royal Mail ransom note leaked, LockBit’s role remains uncertain
By Connor Jones published
News The prolific ransomware operation has denied involvement but researchers remain sceptical
![Malware represented by red and blue digital binary code](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8zAFemEHH7huuwq3CVw6yP-320-80.jpg)
Linux fixes maximum-severity kernel vulnerability
By Connor Jones published
News Most businesses running SMB servers are believed to be shielded but one expert likened potential exploits to Heartbleed
![The Guardian's website on a smartphone display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pMKBkjCdqE2vdgCWzR5VeS-320-80.jpg)
The Guardian newspaper believes "IT incident" caused by ransomware
By Connor Jones published
News It's the second case of a major Western media organisation being targeted by a cyber attack this year
![A businessman working remotely outdoors in sunny conditions](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2dnDToqYahv48cT8HnW7bD-320-80.jpg)
Asian countries dominate list of least cyber-secure remote working locations
By Connor Jones published
News The research aimed to highlight the security risks of post-pandemic 'workations'
![A close up image of red computer code on a black screen with the word malware displayed in white](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9WCAq7PysdEAdKA8p5UCsQ-320-80.jpg)
Best free malware removal tools in 2023
By Connor Jones last updated
Best Worried your device is infected? Here are some of the best free malware removal tools at your disposal in 2023
![Two different Twitter verified check marks appearing against a backdrop of a screenshot of IT Pro's Twitter page](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B6fM9DM7dKNBJVRHSn5x8M-320-80.jpg)
Businesses to receive unique Twitter verification badge in platform overhaul
By Connor Jones published
News There will be new verification systems for businesses, governments, and individuals - each receiving differently coloured checkmarks
![Google Chrome logo on a Chromebook](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QCRhwsVhmvbdnfreEQHQfM-320-80.jpg)
Google rolls out patch for high-severity Chrome browser zero day
By Connor Jones published
News It's the eighth time this year Google has been forced to address a zero-day vulnerability in its world-leading browser
![A close up image of a smartphone with the ICO webpage displayed on screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZoUhWWg8D3ay7Ce5Ux2vJR-320-80.jpg)
ICO: The public sector isn’t getting 'an easier ride' with GDPR penalties
By Connor Jones published
News The UK’s information commissioner outlines his new approach to regulation and why the most constructive punishments will always be favoured
![Elon Musk with his hands together, in a reverent pose, framed by a circle of Twitter logos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ag5GnshwgfkocGqSjjYt9k-320-80.jpg)
‘Hardcore’ Musk decimates Twitter staff benefits, mandates weekly code reviews
By Connor Jones published
News The new plans from the CEO have been revealed through a series of leaked internal memos
![google cloud logo on statue](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xbAh3ismUhJukhVeQ9rPUF-320-80.jpg)
Google Cloud Platform now automatically detects highly common ransomware dropper
By Connor Jones published
News Cobalt Strike is one of the most widely abused cyber security tools on the market and the latest measures aim to prevent cloud-based cyber attacks
![Chancellor Jeremy Hunt outside Downing Street](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LtJgxxLSsmXwL7Hj3nUmTN-320-80.jpg)
Jeremy Hunt's Autumn Statement harnesses "Brexit freedoms" to grow tech sector
By Connor Jones published
News The review of the government's budgetary focuses delivered significant tax increases while preserving spending in key growth areas
![The White House is the daytime](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/N4xvDLYtVcnfGxpNwvhoNB-320-80.jpg)
US federal agency breached by Iranian state-backed hackers via Log4Shell exploit
By Connor Jones published
News The initial intrusion was discovered in February but a full incident response wasn't launched until June
![Global map in black and red colour scheme denoting threat with plots in major cities to show cyber attacks being observed across the world](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZEPsanqUhiLaDxNju6F5sB-320-80.jpg)
Hundreds of thousands of Emotet attacks spotted daily after four-month hiatus
By Connor Jones published
News The botnet that refuses to die returns again and is equipped with new payloads and tactics to evade detection
![A Google kitchen area at one of its offices](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ceXhktdiLs5eXDuzbfNQwR-320-80.jpg)
Google agrees record $391.5m settlement in US digital tracking case
By Connor Jones published
News The sum represents the largest settlement ever paid in a US digital privacy case which dates back to 2018
![Audience sitting in formal attire attending a lecture with a slideshow presentation](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gtq5vU24QPceQGpPsdxJcG-320-80.jpg)
IT workers' self-confidence hampering portfolio career ambitions
By Connor Jones published
News Research suggests imposter syndrome is holding back around half of IT professionals from realising their multi-faceted dream careers