2018 - Steven Andiloro| Security

It’s a new year, full of optimism and potential. If all goes right, 2018 can prove to be a great year for the world. But this year also has tremendous potential to be incredibly dangerous.

For those that do not know, 2017 was a landmark year for cybersecurity. The rise of ransomware reached its zenith with the NotPetya and WannaCry worldwide cyber attacks bringing several businesses and governments to a screeching halt; and data breaches became something of the norm, with major corporations, such as Equifax, HBO and Uber, admitting sensitive information was breached. Billions of people around the world were affected in one way or another by 2017’s cyber attacks alone. There’s no reason to believe that this year won’t be any different; in fact, it may be even worse.

So what are some threats that we should be aware of this year?

The Number of Cyber Criminals Will Rise

With how frequent these cyber attacks have become, it stands to reason that they’ve gained a bit of attention. Multiple high-profile news outlets have reported on the attacks and even claimed that hacking is a billion-dollar industry. Naturally, this makes the “hacking industry” seem too attractive to not partake.

It has also become easier than ever to become a hacker. In order to become a hacker in the past, you needed a computer and an in-depth knowledge of programming and coding; today, you simply need a basic understanding of how technology works and a computer (which are far more abundant and common). Expect the number of hackers to rise in 2018.

Attacks on Vulnerable Systems

Cybercriminals will continue their malignant campaigns against the systems that are too weak or underfunded to defend themselves. Naturally, this means healthcare and schools. Both schools and healthcare systems have vast amounts of sensitive, private information that can easily get into the hands of criminals, especially considering how popular IoT devices have become.

Security Software Must Be Ready

You may be thinking, “I have Internet security software on my computer and phone, I’m perfectly safe.” Well, that may not be the case. Industry professionals also predict that the new year will bring a new focus on security software. Essentially, hackers will be delving into the code of security software and attempting to find holes and weaknesses.

While we must enter every year with a slight sense of hope, we must also be prepared for any and all dangers. Cyber security is no longer a possibility; it is a reality. And it is one that we must prepare for.

I tend to talk a great deal about cyber security and new technologies that can keep our personal information safe as it travels across the vastness of the Internet on this site. And while that is most certainly important, I wanted to focus on another important topic: personal safety. Keeping your personal information safe is crucial, but physically protecting yourself is far more important. With the dawn of a new year, I figured I would take this moment to jot down a few quick and helpful tips for staying safe this year.

Keep Your Car Keys Close By When Sleeping

We have all pictured the same scenario: we are home alone, sleeping comfortably when suddenly, a burglar breaks in and is willing to get physical in order to steal your household items. By having your car keys nearby while sleeping, as long as you have a panic button, you can instantly set off your car alarm. This will, theoretically, get the attention of your neighborhood and, eventually, the police.

Keep Your Car Keys In Hand

While we’re on the subject of car keys, they can be very handy in case of an emergency while walking to your car. By carrying your keys in your hand, it makes the process of getting into the safety of your car faster. And if you have the key clenched in between your fingers, with the stem of the key protruding from your knuckles, it can make for a handy weapon in case of a physical attack.

Be Careful of the Information on Your Smartphone

In today’s world, it’s almost impossible to find someone who doesn’t carry a smartphone at all times. These magical devices have undoubtedly taken the world by storm. They now carry some of our most personal secrets, which is precisely why we must be careful with how we use them. A great tip to help protect your personal information is to to never store your home address on your phone. If your phone is ever stolen and broken into, thieves can use that information to then rob your house. Instead, store an address that is very close to your home address, so that you can still use your phone’s GPS system to get close enough to your house, or, better yet, don’t include your home address at all.

Hopefully these tips will offer you a happy and safe new year.