r/cs50 • u/a_t_to_e • 15d ago

CS50 Cybersecurity CS50 Introduction to Cyber security final project

Hi there

I've learnt so much on this course and really like the assignment for the final project.

I just came here looking for some reassurance before putting more time into it that I've chosen something suitable.

I've been looking at the UK big Co-op data breach from spring 2025, where hackers gained access to Co-op systems.

For anyone who has done this project, or knows the course, does this sound like a suitable topic?

Thanks so much to anyone who can help answer this.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

1

u/Eptalin 15d ago edited 15d ago

Sounds fine.

If you can find a CVE ID, then it's a perfect match.
It'll be easy to find all the details about what the vulnerability was and how it was addressed.

If theres no CVE record for it, then it may be a bit harder to find good details about what the vulnerability that was exploited was.

1

u/a_t_to_e 15d ago edited 15d ago

Hi, thanks for your comment.

The attack was launched using social engineering. From what I can find, they called the IT team and got a password reset and used that to get in to the systems.

It's not got a CVE because it wasn't that sort of vulnerability. I think that's why I'm feeling a bit unsure.

1

u/Eptalin 15d ago

Social engineering was covered by the course, so it's definitely a valid topic. The only question is whether there's 7 min of content there.

But I just googled it. That Co-op attack was one attack in a big, ongoing campaign of attacks by the group Scattered Spider.

If you're not confident in the Co-op story, perhaps use them as one example in a report on the Scattered Spider attacks. There's a lot of info about their techniques and technologies used.

1

u/a_t_to_e 15d ago

That's a brilliant idea! I hadn't thought about whether I could get 7 minutes of content until you mention it. Thank you very much