In 2023, a significant shift occurred in the domain of cyber-attacks due to the widespread adoption of AI (artificial intelligence). This technology has fallen into the wrong hands, as individuals actively exploit it to cause harm. They are constantly seeking faster and more efficient methods to steal from you, extort you, or even destroy your business. We understand that there is a tendency to dismiss the seriousness of cyber-attacks and adopt a “we’re all going to get hacked anyway” attitude to avoid dealing with the issue. It’s also tempting to ignore warning signs, treating them as overhyped reports designed to sell products. However, the reality is that the question is no longer if your organization will be hacked, but when it will happen.
Here are some cyber-attacks you should be aware of in 2024.
- AI-Powered Attacks : If cybersecurity is a chess game, AI would be the Queen, providing the player with the most powerful advantage if utilised effectively. Reports on cyber-attacks predict a rise in highly sophisticated deepfake social engineering attacks aimed at deceiving individuals into giving away their money. Instances of scams involving AI-generated voices mimicking family members to extort money have already been observed. These scams involve calling relatives and falsely claiming they have been injured, kidnapped, or worse. Furthermore, hackers are using this technology to trick employees into providing login credentials by posing as members of their IT department or superiors. To combat these threats, employee awareness training and security measures like MFA (multi-factor authentication) are crucial.
- IoT Attacks : The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the increasing number of Internet-connected devices. Nowadays, even household appliances such as refrigerators can be linked to the Internet to notify you when it’s time to replace the water filter or alert you in case of a power outage. This situation gives hackers a much larger number of entry points into your life. If a house has over 100 doors to enter compared to just five, the security risk is significantly higher. That’s why IoT attacks pose a major challenge for us, while offering a significant opportunity for hackers. Although many individuals are aware of the importance of securing their computers, they may not be as diligent in securing their refrigerator or their pet’s tracking device. However, these devices could provide access to your personal information, email, credit cards, and devices.
- Risk of Remote Work : The rise of remote work is an ongoing trend, and with it comes a significantly higher vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Whether its laptops being carried around and connected to doubtful Wi-Fi networks or mobile phones acting as a “key” to access important applications like banking, Microsoft 365, or credit card services, these devices pose a great risk of being lost or stolen. Moreover, when individuals use their own devices for work or work remotely, they often mix personal and professional activities on the same device. Imagine an employee who frequently visits gambling or adult-oriented websites using the same device to log in to their work email or critical applications. Even if they log into their personal social media accounts, which can be hacked, it could serve as a gateway for hackers to access your company’s information through the employee’s personal accounts.
- Ransomware Attacks : Did you know that there are approximately 1.7 million ransomware attacks happening every day? That means every second, 19 people around the world are getting hacked. It’s quite alarming, isn’t it? If you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid falling victim to these attacks, just remember that someone else is being hacked on a regular basis, and it’s highly likely that you could be targeted too. In the past year, ransomware attacks have increased by 37%. The average ransom payment has exceeded $100,000, with demands averaging around $5.3 million. It’s a lot of money! Thankfully, not all ransom attacks are successful. Businesses have become much savvier when it comes to protecting themselves against cyber threats. While the threat of ransomware is real and concerning, it’s good to know that there are steps being taken to keep us safe. Stay vigilant and make sure you have the necessary protections in place to safeguard your digital life.
- Cloud Misconfigurations : Cloud misconfigurations are becoming increasingly problematic as more companies rely on cloud technology for storing and managing their data. If the security settings are not properly configured, it can lead to severe consequences for the company. For example, allowing external sharing can result in a significant data breach, leading to damage to the company’s reputation and potential legal penalties.
- Supply Chain Breaches : Supply Chain breaches have shown to be highly effective. They allow cybercriminals to go after companies that rely on the services of a breached supplier. Cybercriminals can steal confidential information or obtain limited entry to their computer systems. In certain instances, when the breaches are organized and funded by a government, the main goal is to cause disruption.
Not sure if you are protected or not?
Still in doubt if your digital assets are fully protected or not?
Do not worry, even if you are in slight doubt, Raksha IT is here for you!
At Raksha IT, we use a comprehensive, compliance-based & outcome-driven approach to protect your digital assets from cyber-attacks.
Reach out to us today & let us be your trusted partner in technology.
