Cybersecurity Attack Trends In 2023
The new year is just beginning, offering a time of renewal as we all plan for the possibilities to come in 2023. Now also represents a time when companies should plan for resiliency in the face of ever-present cyberattacks.
Sixty-eight percent of surveyed business leaders believe that cybersecurity risks are getting worse. They have a good reason and are absolutely right. Attacks continue to get more sophisticated because that’s an arms race that will never end. They are also more often perpetrated by large criminal organizations these days instead of some kid in a basement. These criminal groups treat these attacks like a business.
In 2021, the average number of global cyberattacks increased by 15.1%.
To protect your business in the coming year, you must watch the attack trends. What new methods are hackers using to get your login credentials? What types of attacks are increasing in volume because they’re working? Knowing these things helps you better update your IT security to mitigate the risk of a data breach or malware infection.
We’ve pulled out our security crystal ball for the upcoming year. Ok, really, we researched what cybersecurity experts are expecting. Crystal balls are much more expensive than research, after all. Here are the attack trends that you need to watch out for.
Attacks on 5G Devices
The world has been buzzing about 5G for a few years. Finally it’s beginning to fulfill the promise of lightning-fast internet. As providers build out the infrastructure, we expect cellular internet to be a high-attack area.
Hackers want to take advantage of the 5G hardware used for routers, mobile devices, and PCs. Anytime you have a new technology like this, it’s bound to have some code vulnerabilities. This is exactly what hackers are looking to exploit. We mean, just look at what happened with smart refrigerators, they became hacker target number 1.
Companies can prepare by getting to know the firmware security in newly purchased devices, especially for those enabled for 5G. Some manufacturers make a point of building better firmware security into their designs than others. Always ask about this when purchasing new devices.
One-time Password (OTP) Bypass
Multi-factor authentication offers one of the best forms of account security. It’s incredibly well-known as very effective at preventing fraudulent sign-in attempts. It can stop account takeovers even in cases where the criminal has the user’s password. So, naturally, hackers want to get around it worse than bad.
Here are a few different ways that hackers try to bypass MFA:
- Reusing a token: Gaining access to a recent user OTP and trying to reuse it
- Sharing unused tokens: The hacker uses their own account to get an OTP. Then attempts to use that OTP on a different account.
- Leaked token: Using an OTP token leaked through a web application.
- Password reset function: A hacker uses phishing to fool the user into resetting a password. They then trick them into handing over their OTP via text or email.
Attacks Surrounding World Events
During the pandemic, the global cyberattack volume increased by approximately 600%. Large criminal hacking groups have realized that world events and disasters are lucrative in the cyberworld just like in the physical world.
These groups launch phishing campaigns in response to world events. Attacks come in for everything from the latest hurricane or typhoon to the war in Ukraine. Unsuspecting people often fall for these scams because they are distracted by the crisis and sympathetic humans.
People need to be especially mindful of scams surrounding events like these. Cybercriminals often use social engineering tactics, such as sad photos, to play on end user emotions. It’s awful to contemplate people using these horrific events, but criminals stoop pretty low to begin with.
Smishing & Mobile Device Attacks
Mobile devices go with us just about everywhere these days. We’ve gone back to an electronic pocket watch, in effect. This direct in pocket connection to a potential victim is not lost on cybercriminals. Look for more mobile device-based attacks coming, including SMS-based phishing (“smishing”).
Many people don’t expect to receive fake messages to their personal numbers. They think nobody has those cell numbers. Unfortunately, cell numbers are no longer as private as they once were. Hackers often buy lists of them online. These cyberattackers then craft convincing fake texts to look like shipping notices or receipts. One wrong click is all it takes for an account or data breach.
Mobile device malware is also on the rise. During the first quarter of 2022, malware targeted to mobile devices rose by 500%. So, ensure that you have good mobile anti-malware, as well as other protections on your devices, such as a DNS filter.
Elevated Phishing Using AI & Machine Learning
These days, phishing emails are not so easy to spot as they once were. It used to be that they nearly always had spelling errors or grainy images. While some still do, most don’t.
Criminal groups elevate today’s phishing using AI and machine learning. Today’s phishing emails not only will it look identical to a real brand’s emails, but also come personalized. Hackers use these tactics to capture more victims. These new technologies also allow hackers to send out more targeted phishing messages in less time than in years past.
Why Is This Published By A Business Phone Company?
Here at NoContractVoIP, we believe that your success is our success. And, since we specialize in business communication, we also want to help you communicate better while staying safe. We create the cutting edge communication systems that modern companies need.
To talk to a business phone system specialist, call 866-550-0005 or contact us today.
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