This year has marked a turning point in virtually all online and offline areas due to the situation created by the coronavirus crisis. As expected, in terms of cybercrime and cybersecurity, many users, businesses, and public figures have witnessed and fallen victim to attacks on their IT systems, unlawful access to their communications, and online scams.
Critical infrastructures, such as hospitals, have been at the centre of these cyberattacks. Influencers and public figures have not been spared either, and remote work and lockdown have entailed numerous risks and consequences that are difficult to quantify.
We do not know exactly what to expect in the coming year, 2021. What we can state with certainty is that in recent months, cyberattacks on businesses, phishing attempts, and the hacking of social media accounts of influencers and anonymous users have increased exponentially.
Considering all these circumstances, it is worth exploring the main cybersecurity trends for the coming year. The ESET report analyses what we can expect in this area for 2021.
Ransomware: financial extortion in exchange for safeguarding data.
Ransomware-based cyberattacks will not be new next year; throughout 2020 they have already gained worrying momentum following the adoption of remote work and the increase in online activity.
In 2021, this type of attack is expected to become even more prevalent, with financial extortion becoming more evident.
Use of legitimate tools for illicit purposes.
In recent years, cybercriminals have focused on carrying out increasingly complex attacks. For some time now, the term «Fileless Malware» has been used, which involves using the operating system itself to execute the attack. It is carried out through tools already preinstalled on the device, without the need to run additional executables beyond the software already available.
The goal is to maximise the effectiveness of the attack by taking advantage of how difficult it is to detect. This cybersecurity challenge is particularly complex for businesses.
The era of smart sex toys.
Most sex toys can be controlled via Bluetooth technology from a mobile app. In many cases, these devices include cameras, microphones, and artificial intelligence analysis features.
Secure development and user awareness are key to preventing privacy protection issues. Users must be able to demand greater security and prevention from manufacturers. This will be a challenge to address in the coming years.
Lockdown and the pandemic have increased communication and work in the digital environment, significantly amplifying businesses’ and users’ exposure to cyberattacks. In recent months, these have increased exponentially.
Next year will bring even more challenges than we may currently be aware of. However, anticipation and prevention are key to avoiding becoming victims of cyberattacks, in which businesses and public figures will be clear targets.
If you believe you are being targeted by some type of cyberattack or your systems may be exposed, contact us. We are experts in cybersecurity, digital identity, and online reputation.
