Latest Cyber Threats: Don’t Let 2024 Catch You Off Guard

While Dridex, romance scams, and Emotet were significant threats in 2019-2020, the cyber threat landscape is constantly evolving. Here’s a look at some of the latest cyber threats individuals and organizations need to be aware of in 2024:

1. Supply Chain Attacks:

These attacks target vulnerabilities in software used by multiple organizations. By compromising a single vendor, attackers can gain access to the systems of many downstream users.

Examples: The 2020 SolarWinds supply chain attack compromised a widely used network monitoring platform, impacting thousands of organizations.

What to Do: Research your vendors’ security practices and prioritize those with strong security programs.

2. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS):

RaaS lowers the barrier to entry for cyberattacks, allowing even less-skilled criminals to launch ransomware attacks. These services provide attackers with all the tools they need to encrypt a victim’s data and demand a ransom.

What to Do: Regularly back up your data and implement strong security measures to make it harder for attackers to gain access to your systems.

3. Deepfakes and Social Engineering:

Deepfakes are realistic-looking videos or audio recordings that have been manipulated using artificial intelligence. Cybercriminals can use deepfakes to impersonate executives or other trusted individuals in social engineering attacks, tricking victims into revealing sensitive information or authorizing fraudulent transactions.

What to Do: Be skeptical of unexpected communications, even if they appear to come from someone you know. Verify the sender’s identity through a separate channel before taking any action.

4. Internet of Things (IoT) Vulnerabilities:

The growing number of internet-connected devices (IoT) creates new opportunities for attackers. These devices are often poorly secured and can be exploited to launch attacks on other devices or networks.

What to Do: Only buy IoT devices from reputable vendors and keep them up to date with the latest security patches. Disable features you don’t need and change default passwords.

5. Cloud Security Concerns:

As more businesses move their data and applications to the cloud, cloud security becomes a critical concern. Misconfigured cloud services can expose sensitive data to unauthorized access.

What to Do: Understand your cloud security responsibilities and choose a cloud provider with a strong security track record.

Staying Ahead of the Curve:

Cybersecurity is an ongoing battle. By staying informed about the latest threats and implementing robust security measures, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a cyberattack.

Additional Resources:

Remember, cybersecurity is everyone’s responsibility. By taking steps to protect yourself and your organisation, you can help create a more secure digital world.

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