Whenever there is a technological development, a cyber-security threat usually isn’t far behind. So, considering the current state of the tech landscape, you may be wondering what the biggest security risks are this year and in the coming year.Unfortunately, there are a number of threats you need to stay alert for. While most of these target larger corporations, some may be a cause for concern for users with basic OS platforms. Here is what you need to know:
Ransomware in the Cloud
The headlines in 2017 were dominated by reports of ransomware wreaking havoc on various computer systems across the world. For the most part, this threat involved basic malware that breached defenses, hijacked computer files, and locked them so that gaining access was impossible. The hackers then demanded a ransom for this locked information. However, there is a good chance that quick-thinking hackers are going to take this one step further and target cloud computing businesses. Now, as you are aware, corporations such as these are privy to an enormous amount of personal details. On the bright side, some industry behemoths like Amazon and Google are taking necessary precautions. Regrettably, the same can’t be said for medium-sized companies that still may be quite vulnerable.
Cryptocurrencies Risks
One of the reasons that people initially flocked to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin was due to the resilience of its security measures. However, most people entering the cryptocurrency market don’t know that not all cryptocurrencies boast such strong protection. This means that accounts are at risk from AI-powered bots and ransomware attacks. It isn’t just cryptocurrency, however, that digital criminals are after. As you are probably aware, mining cryptocurrency requires a huge amount of computer processing power. This has resulted in hackers commandeering systems for their own mining purposes. The hackers are installing mining tools unbeknownst to computer and server owners. While this initially began with individuals, it is also becoming more common with large-scale organization servers.
Continued Election Hacks
The 2016 US election hacks were certainly an eye-opener, proving that democratic institutions were not as independent as people once thought. That threat, however, is far from over. Even as the date for the US Midterm elections draws closer, there have been security concerns. This includes the recent DDOS attack on the Kent County’s servers. While there was no information stolen during that particular incident, the tech employed showed that the effects could have been much worse. Therefore, this continues to be a problem for government agencies that don’t have the necessary security defenses to protect their systems.
The Digital Targeting of Physical Locations
Last but certainly not least, hackers aren’t just focused on digital systems anymore. They are now going after physical locations as well. These days, you will be hard-pressed to find any kind of agency that isn’t hooked up to a digital system. The problem begins, however, when these agencies are in charge of public transport, electricity, and similar departments. When hackers are able to target these locations, they gain control of these services and are able to cause a great deal of chaos. So, as more organizations connect online, this threat grows larger.
Currently, and in the near future, these are the major cybersecurity threats the public needs to be vigilant about. So, if any of these risks could affect you, it is important to take the necessary precautions to circumvent them.
