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.