Experts predict a new era of advanced cybercrime

Technology will continue to advance in 2024, and with it challenges in areas such as cyber security.

Lack of experts in the sector, geopolitical cyber attacks waves vulnerabilities in mobile applications or virtual reality headset They will be in focus, and everything will be dominated by artificial intelligence.

The cyber fraud They will be increasingly complex and sophisticated, and among the main threats will be ‘ransomware’, a malicious program that takes control of users’ computers and then demands the payment of a ransom in exchange for the return of control and information.

Once again, users’ first line of defense is to update their software, use antivirus, and be skeptical.

Artificial intelligence, on stage
Experts predict a ‘new era’ of advanced cybercrime by 2024 and place AI as one of the big game-changers.

With the rise of cybercrime-as-a-service (CaaS) operations – the outsourcing of malware via the dark web – and the advent of generative artificial intelligence, threat actors have more “lighter” tools at their disposal to carry out their attacks. , details of Fortinet .

“They are expected to increase the sophistication of their activities. They will launch more selective and stealthy attacks designed to bypass tighter security controls and will become more agile making each tactic in the attack cycle more effective,” the company added.

The new year is here, and technological innovations do not stop
“The technology of the future – the present continuously, to be exact – is advancing at the same pace for hackers and cybercriminals who are also studying, researching and devising ways to use it to get at our money or data,” Panda Security expires.

“Cybercriminals will use artificial intelligence, our favorite tech devices and more to break down our defenses and access our personal information.”

Panda predicts that, among other things, the sale of ‘phishing’ tools (messages impersonating a legitimate entity) with artificial intelligence on the dark web will increase. “We will start to see a growing black market of automated phishing tools flooding email, phones and smart devices.”

Furthermore, it will fly “vising” –phishing by voice – based on AI. Through the call, the identity of a company, organization or trusted person is falsely presented, in order to obtain personal and sensitive information from the victim.

Beware of virtual reality headsets
The “unbridled” use of QR codes and virtual and mixed reality headsets will be another focus of cyber security. Panda notes on its website that in 2024, “we will see a malicious researcher or hacker find a way to collect or access data from the headset’s sensors and recreate the environment in which users play.”

These helmets offer a wealth of new and personal information that can be stolen, monetized and used as a weapon by bad actors, for example, the layout or exact location of our home.

While its creators work to design and build in protections to prevent malware or actors from gaining access, “the front door is there, and interested cyber attackers will likely find an entrance.”

Organizations are increasingly aware of the consequences that an attack on their systems and networks can have, in terms of activity paralysis, economic or reputational losses.

According to Innovation, in 2024, it will continue to grow in frequency and complexity, with ransomware as one of the main threats, especially in the public administration, healthcare and retail sectors.

Citing an IBM study, it mentions that 95% of companies worldwide have suffered more than one breach and this trend will continue, as companies migrate to the cloud without implementing a robust security architecture that prevents leaks.

Another challenge, in addition to cyberwarfare that seeks to neutralize industries that are critical at the strategic and tactical levels, is the lack of talent. According to Innovery, companies face a shortage of experts specialized in cyber security (for example, in Spain, more than 25,000 are needed).

although cyber threats Furthermore, the authors of these “need not have priority,” Fortinet emphasizes. Organizations, among others, have a fundamental role to play in this fight, which starts with creating a culture of ‘cyber resilience’, making cyber security everyone’s business.

And the human factor, Innovery points out, is still the weakest link in the chain.

Apart from common sense, since National Institute for Cybersecurity (Incibe) They point out several tips to protect yourself: inform yourself about the main scams circulating on the Internet, do not give out information lightly, research the store before buying, use secure payment methods or diversify passwords.

“2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year in terms of cybersecurity. AI is likely to be the icing on the cake, both on the defender and attacker side, which is why it’s critical to continue researching, developing and above all, protecting yourself,” he concludes. Hervé Lambert, from Panda.