The world of cybersecurity is ever-evolving and so are the cyber threats. In just the last year, we saw many new cyber threats emerge and cause potential damage. Hackers exploited blockchain-powered smart contracts, deepfake videos emerged harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence, security flaws revelations affected billions of chips all over the world, and whatnot. We even witnessed hackers demanding ransom money in the form of digital currency, which is untraceable, to allow victim access to their locked devices. In every sense of the word, the year 2018 was chaotic in the world of cybersecurity.
Taking a look at the events of last year only makes one wonder for 2019 holds for us. Let’s discuss some cybersecurity threats that everyone should watch out for!
AI-Related Exploits
As in 2018, deepfakes are likely to cause problems this year as well. AI has enabled hackers to create fake videos and audios that look and sound absolutely real. These deepfakes seem so real that even machines pass them as authentic. This poses a significant risk as it opens the door for various malicious activities, such as the creation of phishing emails that exploit AI techniques to trick unsuspecting individuals into divulging sensitive information like passwords and account details.
In this age of digital media and news, a single fake video or audio clip can wreak havoc for companies. Now that hackers have discovered this technique, they are likely to continue using it and even use the latest advancements to their advantage to take it a step further. By staying vigilant, raising awareness, and adopting proactive measures, it is possible to minimize the potential harm caused by AI-related exploits and safeguard the integrity of digital information in an era where fake media can have far-reaching consequences.
Wormable Attacks
Microsoft has already discovered a couple of wormable flaws in Remote Desktop Services (RDS). In May, the fixed the BlueKeep vulnerability only to find new wormable flaws just a few months later.
Warmable attacks do not require user interaction to pass from computer to computer. This makes them highly notorious and hard to control. Luckily, Microsoft discovered these flaws during security-enhancing activities before hackers or people with malicious intent can use them for attacks.
However, now that the updates are released, hackers can use reverse engineering to find the flaws and exploit them on systems that are not updated. Therefore, Microsoft is urging users to update their systems as soon as possible. Be sure to keep up to date with cybersecurity measures to avoid attacks like these.
Cloud Computing Attacks
Any company that stores data for themselves or for other organizations is a hot target for hackers. In today’s era of technology, data is king. While collecting and analyzing user data can help organizations in multiple ways, in the wrong hands, it can also be used in malicious ways. Moreover, if sensitive data like personal information, bank details, or passwords are leaked, it can wreak havoc. This is why cloud computing attacks are on the rise.
While giants like Google and Amazon highly invest in cybersecurity defenses, smaller firms are less likely to do so. So even if a company only keeps a track of customer data, they may still be at risk.
It only makes sense to be smart while treading the waters in the cyber world. It is advisable to contact professional IT experts who can keep your systems secure and up-to-date. By leveraging their expertise, they can implement comprehensive security measures, proactively detect and mitigate threats, manage software updates and patches, and ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Engaging IT experts allows you to focus on your core business operations while having peace of mind that your systems are in capable hands, safeguarding your valuable digital assets and minimizing the risk of cyberattacks.