Take Precautions Now Against These 5 Trending Cyber Threats

Every day, information technology (IT) professionals strive to keep the systems and data they manage secure against various dangerous cyber threats. With the increasing prevalence of targeted and persistent threats, IT professionals must be equipped with tools, resources and — perhaps most importantly — current threat intelligence that enables them to stay ahead of adversaries through proactive threat detection. These five trending threats should be on every IT professional’s radar.

Bad actors never stop evolving their tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs), which leaves businesses facing a myriad of dangerous threats like these to contend with every day:

Malware

It is a broad term short for “malicious software.” Malware is software designed to harm or exploit computers, networks or devices. Malware can come in various forms, including viruses, wipers, worms, spyware and trojan horses. Its intent is typically to steal information, disrupt normal computer operations or gain unauthorized system access. Over half (57%) of our survey respondents have been impacted by malware in the last 12 months.

Defensive tips: Defending against malware involves a multi-layered approach to ensure robust protection.

- Install and regularly update reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to detect and remove malicious programs.
- Keep your operating system, software and applications up to date with the latest security patches to close vulnerabilities that malware can exploit.
- To mitigate the impact of a potential malware attack, regularly back up important data to an external drive or cloud service.
- Ensure that every user on the network receives regular security awareness training.

Ransomware

A type of malware that encrypts or locks files on a computer or network, rendering them inaccessible to the user. The attackers then demand a ransom, usually in cryptocurrency, to provide the decryption key to unlock the files. It’s like digital extortion, where the victim must pay to regain access to their data; over three-fifths of our survey respondents (64%) said their company will likely experience a successful ransomware attack in the next year, and three-quarters said they would struggle to recover.

Defensive tips: Defending against ransomware requires proactive measures to prevent infection and mitigate damage.

Install and maintain updated antivirus and anti-ransomware that mitigate risk and help you bounce back fast if disaster strikes.
Regularly update your operating system and all software to patch security vulnerabilities.
Implement a robust backup strategy, ensuring that critical data is backed up frequently to an external location not connected to your network, such as a secure cloud service or offline storage.
Using phishing simulations, educate employees about phishing attacks, emphasizing the importance of not opening suspicious emails or clicking on unknown links.

Advanced persistent threats (APTs)

APTs are sophisticated and prolonged cyberattacks orchestrated by highly skilled and organized threat actors, often working for nation-states. APTs typically engage in sophisticated efforts that evade traditional security measures to infiltrate and compromise a targeted network or systems. They aim to remain undetected for an extended period, allowing them to gather valuable information or gain control over infrastructure.

Defensive tips: Protecting businesses from Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) requires a comprehensive approach.

Implement robust network security measures, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems and endpoint protection to monitor and defend against unauthorized access.
Regularly update and patch all software and systems to close potential security gaps that APTs might exploit.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration tests to identify and address exploitable weaknesses in your network.
Educate employees about recognizing phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics often used by APT actors.
Establish a rigorous incident response plan with regular drills to ensure quick and effective action if an APT is detected.

Credential compromise

Malicious ctor’s unauthorized acquisition and subsequent use of genuine login credentials allow them to log into an account, system, or network legitimately. Credential compromise can occur through various methods, including phishing attacks and malware infections. Sometimes, malicious employees sell their credentials, which bad actors can use to quickly penetrate security to do harmful things like steal data or deploy malware.

Defensive tips: Mitigating the risk of credential compromise in a company by

Enforce a strict password policy that requires regular changes to strong and unique passwords for all accounts.
Encourage employees to utilize password managers to generate and store complex passwords securely.
Educate employees and users about phishing attacks and the importance of not sharing passwords or clicking on suspicious links.
Monitor and review access logs for unusual activities and implement automated alerts for unauthorized access attempts.
Consider using single sign-on (SSO) solutions to simplify and secure the authentication process.
Monitor the dark web to protect business and personal credentials, including domains, IP addresses and email addresses.

Endpoint threats

Endpoint threats refer to security risks targeting devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets and IoT devices that connect to a network. These threats can include malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, and unauthorized access, as well as exploiting vulnerabilities in endpoints to infiltrate and compromise the broader network. Attackers may use these threats to steal sensitive information, disrupt operations or gain a foothold for further malicious activities. Strong endpoint security involves implementing antivirus software, regular software updates, strong access controls, and regular high-quality employee training to recognize and effectively respond to potential threats.

Defensive tips: Defending against endpoint threats requires a multi-faceted approach.

Deploy comprehensive endpoint protection solutions to detect and neutralize threats, such as endpoint detection and response (EDR) and antivirus (AV) software.
Regularly update all devices with the latest security patches to close vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit.
Implement strong access controls, ensuring only authorized users can access sensitive data and systems.
Use encryption to protect data both in transit and at rest.
Encourage employees to practice cybersecurity hygiene, such as avoiding suspicious links and emails, using strong, unique passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication.
Regularly back up critical data and develop an incident response plan to address any security breaches quickly.

Source: ID Agent