In 2016, cybersecurity breaches caused over 60% of those affected to go out of business in less than a year. In the event of a malware attack, the costs of data recovery can be astronomical. You cannot afford to ignore the emergence of new and dangerous cyber threats in 2019.
If you are a small business owner, the first step to ensure your digital security is to be aware of the present dangers. In this article, read about the 3 most dangerous cyber threats to look out for in 2019.
Small Business Cybersecurity Threats
Over 90% of US businesses are small business, the most vulnerable to cyber threats. Hackers target small businesses because they present an easy target.
Many small businesses lack the expertise needed to maintain a secure digital platform. It’s tough enough trying to run a business.
Hackers depend on the ignorance of small businesses. Become aware of the biggest IT security threats and you’ll be a difficult target for hackers.
The federal Small Business Association offers tips on protecting your business from ransomware. The government endorses two-step encryption in the US Census Bureaus 2018 cybersecurity posture. Every organization, big and small, face three dangerous cyber
threats in 2019.
The 3 Most Dangerous Cybersecurity Risks In 2018
In 2019, viruses are not the most dangerous cyber threat to small businesses, anymore. There are many forms of cyber attacks, that come in the form of malware. Hackers create malware to infiltrate or damage a secure computer system.
All cyber threats involve malware programs, the newest of which are yet to be officially named or classified. Some target security protocols, while others corrupt data files. Other malware replicates itself over a network, undetected. Of all the possible attacks, these are the three most dangerous emerging cyber threats of 2019.
1. Ransomware Attack
Ransomware is nothing new, but, it has become much more prevalent since 2017. Ransomware is a form of malware that takes over a networks administrative access to prevent network data access by the owner. Hackers use ransomware to force a business or organization to pay for access to be returned.
Ransomware finds its way into a computer network by various means. The most effective means for delivering ransomware is in the form of an email link. By opening the fraudulent link, a user unwittingly grants access for the malware to install itself on their computer. If the computer is connected to a network, ransomware can spread across every node like wildfire.
The most effective way to protect against ransomware attacks is to implement a data backup and recovery plan. If your businesses data is completely backed up on a different storage platform, then hackers have no ransom leverage.
But, be wary of putting your trust in cloud-based backup services. Anything connected to the internet presents complicated vulnerabilities. The most secure backup for your network data is on a private, offline data server which is regularly maintained.
2. Internet-of-Things (IoT) Security Breach
Ransomware is particularly dangerous and widespread thanks to the interconnectivity of the modern world to the internet. The internet of things (IoT), like your smartphone, tablet, Wifi printer, smart TV – and more – offers a wide range of data access points for hackers.
More than data theft, the IoT enables hackers to manipulate and control the physical elements of the user’s life. For example, businesses and homes that use smart-locks, smart-plugs, smart-thermostats – etc. – present a juicy target to hackers. By infiltrating your digital security fences, hackers gain access to your physical world.
After you lock up at night, a criminal could simply unlock your doors. By accessing and activating the cameras on your smart devices, criminals can gain sensitive information and footage to leverage for exploitation or password theft. The internet of things has expanded the range of access by which cyber threat is readily accessible.
3. Cryptomining Hijackers (“Cryptojacking”)
One of the most emergent recent cyber threats is that of cryptomining hijackers. This cyber threat targets individual computers and nodes on a network. The goal of this malware is to use your computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrencies, without your knowledge or consent.
Without getting too much into the details of cryptocurrency mining, crypto-mining involves computer processors that solve complicated algorithms. The more algorithms solved, the more cryptocurrency doled out. So, hackers have begun hijacking unwitting users’ computers in order to mine more cryptocurrency.
When your computer is spending all of its processing power of mining crypto coins it runs slow for everything else. It can even cause a system failure if the resource expenditure is too great.
These attacks can range from the hijacking of individual users’ internet browser to hijacking an entire public WiFi network. Users are also made vulnerable to theft of their own cryptocurrency. This cyber threat has only recently become apparent as one of the most dangerous cyber threats in 2018.
Final Thoughts
The best way to steer clear of cybersecurity risks is to be aware and intentional about what you click on. If you are a knowledgeable user and institute a data backup and recovery plan, you become a difficult mark for hackers.
For more information about our Cyber Security Plan, please contact us at info@deangelisandassociates.com