Top Cybersecurity threats to look out for in 2019
Network outages, hacking, computer viruses and other malware affect our lives in ways that range from inconvenience to the potentially devastating loss of income and/or assets. As the number of mobile users, digital applications and data networks increase, so do the opportunities for exploitation. Cybersecurity is a major concern for all companies and individuals as poor security can lead to costly downtime and critical data loss as well as the invasion and loss of privacy. Here are three of the biggest cybersecurity threats you could be facing in 2019:
- Ransomware & Cryptojacking
Malicious attacks are becoming more prevalent in the world we live in today. Ransomware is when attackers install software on a target computer, lock access to files and demand a ransom to return access. Cryptojacking is where cyber-criminals quietly use computers to mine cryptocurrency and profit from the gains. These kinds of attacks are especially threatening for data-conscious businesses, which is why it’s important to only open trusted emails and run secure software. In addition to this, it is important to verify the origin of software to avoid attackers stealing computer resources.
- Smartphone Access
More and more people are using mobile services for work, exposing companies to new threats for corporate security. A company-issued device in the wrong hands could spell trouble. Smartphone devices and any other Internet of Things (IoT) devices need to have security software installed and be updated regularly.
- Bad online etiquette
Malicious attacks come in many forms and people still need to be reminded about the basics when it comes to online security. Phishing is an example where an attacker fakes a legitimate website or email to trick the victim into handing over credentials and sensitive information. Poor passwords are still prevalent today and attackers can gain access by easily finding out your passwords. A culture of safe online practices should be implemented in the workplace to help employees identify scams when they reach their inbox, verify URLs and make sure that they never give data to unverified sources. Enforcing the use of strong passwords is also critical to the security of any organisation or individual.
Attackers typically take advantage of online users who are not vigilant. Out-of-date software leaves open security holes for attackers to gain access and the rise of smartphones and IoT devices means more devices need to be kept up-to-date. It’s critical to ensure that smart connected devices stay secure at all times.
