As twenty-nineteen rapidly comes to an end, cybersecurity professionals have long been looking ahead to twenty-twenty when keeping business safety and security top of mind. The world of cybersecurity is a fast-paced and ever-changing field, so information technology professionals must stay ahead of the game. Through research, experiences, and - in some cases - employing hackers to identify weak areas in technology, IT teams must understand every nuance and need. Here are five trends to look for as we move into the next decade.
1. Phishing Attacks
Phishing has become one of the most common types of cyber attacks around the globe over the past several years. Through a combination of phishing and hacking, criminals are finding more success through email scams. Since phishing attackers depend upon a recipient’s lack of awareness or naivety, this type of attack won’t decrease any time soon. In fact, the rate of opens and clicks on phishing emails and links unfortunately continues to grow.
To protect a business from this problem, awareness and scepticism for emails that have links attached from unknown or seemingly unusual sources should never be opened until the source is confirmed. This can be done by training and making staff aware of phishing attack methods. Additionally, IT teams can use software to scan emails which may recommend caution or suggest the email may be tied to a scam. When an email comes through with this warning, extreme caution should be exhibited.
2. Shadow IT Risks
Shadow IT is the use of devices or applications by end users that have not been approved by IT. When personal devices are used within a business, it inadvertently puts that organisation at risk. IT teams can prepare for this by continuing to monitor the network, deploying software that identifies when shadow devices or applications are used, and educating staff about the potential dangers of shadow IT.
According to a recent study, one major potential risk is that shadow IT users (i.e. employees) may unknowingly put the organisation at risk for penalties or fines if usage violates regulations of data privacy. If a violation does occur, this could pose a significant situation for business owners; strict regulations often come with heavy fines and reparations. Teaching what shadow IT is (and how to avoid it) is a great first step when educating non-information technology staff.
3. Managed and Unmanaged Devices
Similar to shadow IT, if a company has employees, there will always be risks tied to managed and unmanaged devices. An unmanaged device is one that is under the user’s complete control, and the organisation has no rights to enforce company technology policies. Alternatively, managed devices are regulated and under the control of the organisation.
With the readily available connections through the cloud or with IoT devices, information technology departments have a new wave of difficulties to manage. Because many devices have credentials that were rarely changed from initial start-up, cyber attackers have access to breaking into these devices, putting the security of an organisation at risk.
To help identify and manage this trend, teams such as cybersecurity professionals in London can provide guidance so businesses can pinpoint areas of concern. It is imperative to secure data both within and out of the organisation network. With professional assistance, business owners can create a partnership that will not only benefit the company as a whole, but also alleviate some of the unknown from the owner themselves.
4. Artificial Intelligence Attacks May Be Near
Twenty-twenty may begin to see a rise in cyber attacks through artificial intelligence (AI). Because AI has the ability to learn in an environment, cyber criminals are capitalizing on this adaptability. The intent here is not to steal data, but rather change or modify data for a specific purpose.
Additionally, there are three fundamental dangers an AI-based cyber attack poses for security: it has the ability to impersonate verified and reliable users; it can blend into the background, making it difficult to identify; and attacks are much more targeted with effective results.
Impersonating a reliable user profile. Because AI malware can sit undetected for long periods of time and has the ability to learn in an environment, this type of attack can learn specific users behaviours and mimic that through attacks, making it difficult to distinguish imitation emails from genuine emails.
Blending into the background. Difficult to detect, AI malware can often sit undetected for months. The attacker’s movements are slow and specific in order to not set off red flags for security professionals monitoring a network.
Targeted attacks. Because AI malware is adaptable to an environment, the attacks can be very specific and targeted. This is capable of targeting a source much more quickly and efficiently.
5. The Cloud Will Become a Greater Target
The surge in cloud computing has grown quickly, which should lead to no surprise that malicious attacks will also rise. While working off a cloud-based enterprise is convenient and can reduce IT costs significantly, companies are running the risk of opening themselves up to more malicious attacks if they do not have updated computer systems. Another key way to avoid attacks is to train employees not to open unknown email links.
When businesses work without an in-house IT team, partnering with an IT consultancy firm will put any company on track to ensuring the safety and security of the network and data. This partnership should result in open communication, a set of principles and procedures for daily network practices, and a thorough response plan for potential cyber attacks.
One key take-away from any technology related issue is that the people using it are human. Mistakes and errors in judgment happen. Information technology and security should not only rest on the shoulders of technology engineers; in reality, it is the responsibility and obligation of all employees to know what and how they access information.
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).