The future of cyber security threats and how to stop them
Malware, ransomware and other IT hacking threats are constantly evolving and developing new immunities to modern security systems. In order to combat and prevent any security issues, it is important for an IT user to look to the future and recognise the threats that are still developing.
The future of cyber security threats
“Cryptojacking” is one of the more recent forms of cybercriminal activity which first gained momentum in 2017 and sees no signs of stopping. The transaction method of cryptocurrency has exploded into a revolutionary financial phenomenon. Even the more traditional financial institutions have begun to take notice. The rise in market value of tops coins such as Ethereum and Bitcoin has shown how cryptocurrencies have the potential for unprecedented profit.
Because of this, cybercriminals have been using mining scripts to steal cryptocurrency.
It is hoped that popular browsers will bring out extensions to deal with this issue. In the meantime, users can prevent mining by keeping an eye on their task manager. There are already rudimentary extensions to prevent JavaScript cryptocurrency miners. This is one of the more common forms of cryptojackers.
However, GPU focused miners are an emerging threat which will become a bigger problem in the future. The malware automatically infects the user’s machine, unlike ransomware which requires “customer service” to infect. It is hoped that future system updates on browsers will deal with this threat. Until then, blocking domains that are known to deliver cryptojacking malware is a useful solution.
Industry-specific hacking is another rising threat. The 2017 hack on the NHS crippled the UK’s health system. A report on the NHS hack stated that it could have been prevented with “basic IT security”. The Sony Pictures hack was another industry-specific attack that had a seemingly political cause. 2014 also saw a massive iCloud vulnerability taken advantage of in order to access and spread the confidential data of users.
In order to prevent threats to a specific industry the solution is a broad and seemingly obvious one: keep security systems up to date. The more famous hacks of recent years took advantage of security systems that were inadequate because they were so antiquated.
The use of worms as a function of malware launch is seeing a resurgence. This is because they allow for a faster spread of malware than most other techniques. This is the method of hacking that was behind the WannaCry and Trickbot attacks of 2017. It is popular with hackers because more users can become infected before the attack is noticed. We are likely to see more worms in the future. The best line of defence is a secure and up to date firewall.
If you that fear your business is inadequately protected from the future of cyber security threats, seek advice from the IT security professionals at CARA.
