As we approach 2023, the cloud’s cybersecurity threats will grow at an alarming pace. Cybercrime is an existential threat, and current cybercriminal companies’ strategies and technology are advancing quickly. Now is the moment to examine future threats.
When analyzing the risk posed by cybersecurity threats in the modern world, it’s important to remember that the criminal organizations involved are no longer gangs. They’re now global giants. They don’t operate in secret but from offices in a multilevel structure.
According to a recent study, cloud computing will be a top three cybersecurity threat by 2023.
Potential Cybersecurity Threats In 2023
Listed below are the most pressing threats to our security, thus it is imperative that we take appropriate precautions.
1: An escalation in ransomware attacks
In the first half of 2022, there were 235 million ransomware assaults worldwide. Although things were slightly better during the third quarter, anecdotal evidence suggests that things might worsen.
Cybercriminals may now easily install malware on a network, encrypt all data, and demand money to recover access. These ransomware spreaders strive to make their operations more professional and investigate new attacks on high-value targets.
In the meanwhile, supply chain issues will allow ransomware attacks. Attackers create messages to lure employees hunting for a procurement solution and becoming ransomware victims.
2: DDoS attacks
When your network is overwhelmed with requests to overload and deplete its resources, it’s under attack. DDoS attacks are common cybersecurity threats. This makes lawful network access more challenging.
During a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) assault, a cybercriminal infects and controls dozens or hundreds of websites and devices. These include IoT devices to form a “botnet” that attacks your network from countless angles.
The frequency of distributed denial of service (DDoS) assaults reached an all-time high in 2017, which may be primarily due to the rising prevalence of unprotected devices used by remote workers.
Compared to the first half of 2021, the number of malicious DDoS attacks in 2022 was around sixty percent more. There was a startling increase of 81% in the number of smart or sophisticated cybersecurity assaults that took place during that period.
3: Email Scams in the Workplace
Business Email Compromise (BEC) assaults are at the third top of our list because of their potentially enticing payments. FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center estimates BEC’s 2021 losses at $2.4 billion.
These scams involve falsified emails from a firm CEO, employee, or vendor. These emails take personal information from the victim. In most instances, they demand an instant financial transfer and utilize social engineering to coerce their victims. If victims don’t cooperate, they usually threaten grave repercussions.
Payroll diversion scams target people’s paychecks. Scammers impersonating workers will email the payroll department to update their direct deposit account information. The bogus employee’s email will send this request. Sometimes the emails seem legitimate and offer a reasonable explanation to bolster their authenticity.
Con artists typically impersonated corporate bosses within a year. CEO wages were likely greater than lower-level employees. Recently, mid-level employee impersonations have become increasingly common.
4: Crypto-Scams and the Practice of Pig-Butchering
Swindlers start ‘pig-butchering’ schemes using translation software to contact victims worldwide.
“Hey, are we still on for lunch on Friday?”.
The idea is to see whether they receive a response and, if so, to establish an online relationship with the recipient as quickly as possible.
Con artists would ask the victim if they know about cryptocurrency to encourage them to visit a bogus website where a buddy made a lot of money. After the victim visits the fake website, the con artists will ask about cryptocurrencies.
If the victim invests, they’ll see a speedy return, persuading them to invest more. Con artists “fatten the pig” until it’s time to slaughter it, then withdraw all the money.
5: Widening Scope of Danger
Every company’s susceptibility to cybersecurity threats has risen in recent years owing to the advent of telecommuting and the likelihood that workers working from home offices (and coffee shops) would unwittingly grab control of their organization’s equipment.
With the advent of cloud computing, more systems are vulnerable to attack. As a result, spear phishing, social engineering fraud, ransomware attacks, data theft, and evil behavior are increasing.
6: Confronting Cybercrime in the Withdrawal Procedure
The cash-out zone has the most potential for finding threat actors due to its tremendous activity. Law enforcement may watch suspicious behavior if frequent bank account transactions exceed $10,000.
Since bitcoin is simpler to track than other cryptocurrencies, more companies provide mixing services. These may avoid discovery by consuming crypto that can be traced and cleaning it, so it can’t be related to illegal behavior, like ransomware attacks. This evades detection.
Gift cards provide the least risk for hackers since they have little to no accountability. Potential victims are learning that the ‘IRS’ won’t ask for a gift card or bitcoin payment. In light of these dynamics, criminals may explore innovative ways to hide illicitly obtained money.
7: Data Poisoning
AI will allow enterprises in every sector to explore new potential areas. Companies may explore new growth opportunities. Even though it’s unpleasant, those who engage in destructive behavior know this reality.
The Log4J Log4Shell vulnerability proves that data poisoning is becoming more frequent in AI systems. A hostile actor uses data poisoning to achieve their goals by introducing contaminated data into an AI system. This finding helps the adversary.
AI’s research outcomes will be distorted and may present a wrong answer to a company’s decision-makers. Data poisoning is a possible new attack vector for business systems.
To safeguard your AI, you should regularly review its outputs. Verify the data when a system suddenly heads in a different path than it has in the past.
Questioning the Future – What Lies Ahead
People who can deceive others effectively have a great deal of talent. They will undoubtedly keep attempting to steal our money in a broad range of inventive ways.
They will be successful in their endeavor by using a diverse assortment of cybersecurity threats. However, as time passes, every one of us is becoming a more conscious cybercitizen.
We are improving at recognizing potentially harmful acts and protecting ourselves from them. In other words, we are becoming cybercitizens who are more aware.
