Ongoing global pandemic has increased our dependency on the internet more than ever. While the internet offers connectivity and efficiency, it also brings various threats. Cybersecurity is more vulnerable due to threats such as phishing, online hacking, ransomware and many more are on the list.
Cyber threats tactics and attack methods are changing and improving rapidly. Cyber criminals access a computer or network to harm the data through various ways. Especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, cyber threats are getting more sophisticated and intense amid the increasing dependency on internet and digital devices.
What is a Cybersecurity Threat?
A cybersecurity threat is a malicious and deliberate attack by an individual or organisation to gain access to a network, to damage, disrupt or steal confidential data.
According to World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report 2020” the chances of catching and prosecuting a cybercriminal are almost nil (0.05%). Only awareness and resilience is key to securing sensitive data and avoiding breaches.
Some Emerging Cybersecurity threats in 2021
Ransomware
Ransomware is a malicious program that encrypts data and the attackers demand payment to release the disrupted data. In the present context, the threats of ransomware are becoming even more dangerous as they are also maturing with the evolution of technology. Ransomware is considered to be the third most popular type of malware used in data breaches.
More pandemic-related phishing
A phishing attack is carried through a digital message which is sent to individuals devices and the message is designed in a way to fool people into clicking a link inside of it. Cybercriminals are using the COVID-19 pandemic as a theme for their phishing campaigns. Such attacks are related to major events, such as a surge in new cases or the announcement of a new drug or vaccine. The objective of such attacks is to get unsuspecting victims to click on a malicious link or attachment or give up sensitive information.
Social engineering and cryptocurrency
Social engineering attacks include,phishing emails, scareware, quid pro quo and other techniques to attain specific goals by targeting human psychology. Sometimes these attacks are also aimed at gaining access to social media accounts or cryptocurrency wallets. According to reports almost 93% of business data breaches come from employees unknowingly engaging in a social engineering attack.
Growing numbers of cloud breaches
While cloud infrastructure is very secure yet Cloud misconfigurations are common sources of data breaches. To strengthen the cloud computing defenses, one should work on proper cloud storage configuration, security of application user interfaces (APIs) and the end-user actions on cloud devices.
Attacks on the Internet of Things (IoT)
A growing number of businesses and organisations are using Internet of Things (IoT) applications and devices to enhance customer service and manage internal infrastructure. A cyber-attack might also weaken or disable IoT-based devices. IoT-technology-based devices are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. If a cybercriminal hacks into an IoT-based device with company data, it can lead to the sensitive data leak, asking for ransom money, and misuse of sensitive information of an organisation or individual.
While cybersecurity threats are an ongoing fight, they can be prevented by being aware of the various types of tools, practices, and resources. It is important to use anti malware, antivirus software and keep your system and network secure by using preventative measures.
