Here Are The Cybersecurity Threats Which Are On The Rise In 2020

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, new and unknown risks are being brought out in the open. As users of technology in this time and age, it must be our ultimate responsibility to suppress as many of these threats as possible.

In the old days, when the internet was beginning to blossom into the massive skyscraper that it has become today. The threats we faced were trivial. In spite of that, people were quick to take action and resolve the problems.

The cybersecurity threats that businesses, organizations, and regular users face on the internet has multiplied exponentially with the advancements in technology.  If anything, users need to be aware of what could go wrong with their PCs in 2020.

From cryptojacking to concerns regarding the use of cryptocurrency, here are six cybersecurity threats which are on the rise in 2020:

1-Cryptojacking:

To understand how to overcome cryptojacking, you need to have a thorough understanding of what cryptojacking is. Cryptojacking is the unauthorized use of devices such as a computer, tablet, mobile phone or any connected device to mine for cryptocurrency.

If you don’t already know, cryptocurrency, of which the most popular is Bitcoin, uses cryptography to secure financial transactions by providing anonymity to its users.

Bitcoin can be stolen from users by the process of ‘mining.’ Mining involves cybercriminals installing malware that solves complicated mathematical puzzles and gains access to the currency.

In 2020, cryptojacking remains a severe concern for the inhabitants of the cybersecurity world. Since cybercriminals are developing new techniques to execute attacks on a larger scale.

 Attacks like this would be reminiscent of the Smominru crypto mining botnet. The attack infected thousands of Windows servers and resulted in the loss of $3.6 million worth of Monero. It is another type of cryptocurrency.

However, it should be relieving to know that since the majority of cryptojacking attacks rely on web advertisements and JavaScript.

However, they are easy to prevent. Installing ad-blocking browser extensions such as uBlock Origin, No Coin and MinerBlock can help eradicate the problem.

2-IoT Threats:

According to Statista.com, the Internet of Things is expanding day by day.  Devices connected to IoT now include webcams, routers, and household appliances, household security systems along with the usual laptops, mobile phones, and tablets. The number of devices is likely to reach a startling 31 billion by 2020.

Although the IoT provides ease in many aspects of data sharing and business processes. More devices correlate to a higher risk of cyber infections and cyber invasions.

There are so many devices interconnected with each other on the IoT. The tiniest vulnerability in the system could result in malware affecting the entire system of devices. If a hacker gains access to one such network, he or she could exploit it by overloading the system or by reaping financial benefits.

3-Mobile Malware:

About 62.9% of the population owning a mobile phone. The numbers of mobile phones present in the world were thought to be about 5 billion by 2020.

 These alarmingly high numbers point towards certain discrepancies that can be utilized by cybercriminals to launch sophisticated attacks.

Under these conditions, the persistent threat of cyber-attack places mobile phones as a top target for hackers.

Mobile malware includes everything from viruses, ransomware, spyware to phishing attacks. All these are specifically designed to exploit the vulnerabilities of most smartphones.

Prevention from such type of attacks includes downloading anti-malware software. It detects and prevents any such kind of malware from causing harm.

Another way of reducing mobile attacks is by installing the latest version of the iOS and Android Operating System. An outdated version of the OS provides easy access to hackers.

Last, but certainly not least, mobile phone users must educate themselves regarding emerging threats and how to deal with them.

4- State-Sponsored Attacks:

In the current political atmosphere, experts have predicted that state-sponsored cyber attacks are expected to increase in number.

State-sponsored attacks occur when instead of some rogue hackers, seeking to cause disruption, entire nations infiltrate other governments to collect intelligence.

Recently, it has been reported that the UAE employed hackers to spy and collect information on Qatar, during the Gulf crisis of 2017.

Incidents like this raise questions regarding the role that cybersecurity plays when it comes to the diplomatic relations between countries.

Rigid measures are required to safeguard the sensitive information of nations from falling into the wrong hands. As cyber attacks such as these can result in the depletion of the social and economic infrastructure of countries at risk.

5- Phishing attacks:

In 2020, phishing attacks are expected to become more sophisticated. In the past, the majority of phishing attacks used to take place through emails with malicious attachments.

In the present, however, phishing scams are expected to take place via emails with malicious links. Also, along with with pop up ads and social media chat applications.

Hackers have also extended their reach to create fully functional browser extensions. These extensions are designed to snoop and collect users information.

However, IT experts have pointed out that in spite of increasing threats of phishing, users can be equipped to identify phishing scams and to steer clear of them.

To prevent hackers access to the data of organizations, employees must be provided with awareness on how to recognize these elaborate scams. So, that they can’t compromise the organization’s safety unknowingly.

6-Severe shortage of IT professionals:

Since the past few years, problems in technology have been at the forefront of many debates. Many people fear that the emergence of such new issues leaves us unequipped to deal with them.

This is true. Especially in regards to the number of cyber-security professionals working today.

The shortage of professionals in the field of IT has been a trend for quite some time now, and the scarcity is only expected to increase in 2020.

There are about a million positions unfilled worldwide. This number is only expected to increase to 3.5 million by 2021.

The severe disproportion in the number points toward how unequipped we are to deal with problems emerging in the world of technology.

Conclusion:

Keeping in mind, the increasing cyber-security threats faced today. We must make sure we do whatever is possible to contribute to the immunity of the cyber world. To ensure a world where our devices are as safe as possible.