In the world of cyberattacks and ransomware, predictions are tough. And more so hard to read through the patterns of cyber terrorism to come up with solid predictions and ransomware recovery tactics. With advancing technologies, both the offending and defending parties have evolved with it. The attacks have become more targeted and sophisticated with the passing time.
The predictions for 2018 hit the jackpot. CSO’s 2018 predictions didn’t foresee the increase in crypto mining. Although this was an easy route for cybercriminals to monetize and achieve an easy revenue. What they did predict was the rapid increase in endpoint vulnerabilities, including the attacks through compromised IoT devices; also the automation of threat-detection tools and processes.
Coming towards the current year of 2019 – We have 5 predictions given to us by CSO experts and contributors about the possible trends of cyberattacks.
Increase in nation-state attacks on surveillance
You can expect a rapid increase in cyberattacks on surveillance that can be carried out by the state itself or could be a sponsored attack on individuals that hold some threat and value- like journalists, politicians, ground-terrorists, different violent gangs and more.
An example of such nation surveillance of it’s own citizen is of a Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi. He was spied on in Canada by it’s own government using Israeli’s cyber weapons. It’s common knowledge that Israel is a big exporter of such technology. 2. Decline in ransomware, but threat is still at large
Decline in ransomware, but threat is still at large
Although a sharp 30% decrease in ransomware attacks has been observed over the time period of 2016 to 2017 due to ransomware recovery implementation. The dynamics of cyberattacks are changing as criminals move towards other ways to generate revenue.
Cryptojacking and attacking on the health-care sector is increasing as it is an easy way to make quick cash. SamSam family of ransomware is focused on few U.S companies and health-care organizations, becoming more focused and targeted- according to symantec.
File-less malware with worm-like properties emerges
This malware consists of worm like properties giving it the functionality to self-activate by exploiting vulnerabilities in a system without getting detected. Last year a group by the name of Shadow Brokers caused zero day vulnerabilities and added them in a ransomware that was targeted at Microsoft Windows – one of the worst attacks to date.
Increase in nation-state attacks due to trade wars
Nation-state attacks will increase stealing intellectual property and trade plans in order to gain competitive edge in the market. Governments that are involved in trade wars add more fuel to the fire, leading to new techniques used by cyberattackers to exfiltrate IP.
Do not believe everything you read on the internet
It is advised not be skeptical about all the information you read on the internet. Russia has played a big role as cyber influencers, as they are very skilled- making other threat actors learn from them. For example, several fake Iranian accounts on social media were working on spreading pro-Iranian social agendas.
