What threats lurk in the digital world? Alarming facts about cybersecurity.
The turn of October and November is a time when an atmosphere of mystery and the unknown lingers in the air. This period is traditionally associated with the celebrations of Halloween and All Saints Day. However, in the current digital era, the biggest frights are not various supernatural beings. In the online world, real threats lurk that can have far-reaching consequences for both individuals and entire organizations. In this article, we will delve into several alarming facts, figures, and data about cybersecurity that can evoke a sense of uncertainty and respect towards the invisible threats that surround us in the digital world.
1. Cyber crime is hugely profitable
The main driving force behind the ever-increasing number of cyber-attacks is the huge financial gain attackers can achieve. It's important to realize that in the digital world, no one is completely safe. Attackers are ruthless and can target anyone on their radar - from hospitals, schools, and cafes to ordinary users and seniors who use computers minimally. Sometimes, just one successful phishing email is enough, and your life savings can vanish in an instant. To understand the extent of this problem, just look at the statistics: in the first half of this year alone, clients of Czech banks lost an astonishing 670 million crowns due to cyber-attacks. And everything indicates that the year 2023 will again set a record in the number of these attacks.
2. Cyber-attacks are also responsible for human lives.
Cybersecurity can have a direct impact not only on our digital lives but also on our physical health. Most people imagine cyber-attacks only affect our bank accounts or personal data, but the reality is much more frightening. Hospitals, which should be places of safety and care, are becoming frequent targets of cyber attacks. These healthcare institutions are equipped with extensive computer systems that can be easily paralyzed by various attacks.
In Germany, the situation of a patient tragically worsened as a result of such an attack. An ambulance had to transport her to a more distant hospital bearest one could not accept patients due to a cyber attack. As a result, the woman died during the transport. In this case, every second can be a matter of life and death. Unfortunately, we will never know the exact number of victims of these attacks. This leaves us with the question, how many patients could have been saved if hospital systems were always fully functional?
3. Ransomware is still a cyber nightmare
Imagine one day you open your computer, and instead of your usual background, you see a warning message. Your files have been encrypted; the only way to get them back is to pay a ransom. This is, in short, how ransomware works. What makes this type of attack even more terrifying is the speed with which it can spread. Some ransomware variants can infect entire networks within hours, leaving organizations powerless and without access to their data. And for many individuals and businesses, data loss can be irreversible and devastating if they do not have up-to-date backups.
You might think that ransomware is rare. But the opposite is true. According to a Sophos survey, as many as 66% of the companies surveyed have experienced this virus. Even worse is the fact that many companies actually pay the ransom. And the cost of such ransom? While last year it was more in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, this year, the average ransom price has exceeded one million dollars.
4. The younger generation does NOT behave more responsibly in cyberspace
Cybersecurity in the workplace is more than just the task of the IT department. Still, each individual's responsibility and behavior on the Internet also plays a key role. With the incoming younger generation adept with electronic devices, the situation will only improve. However, current studies do not support the idea that older generations are more prone to cybersecurity errors.
According to research published on Help Net Security, younger employees have worse security habits when creating passwords than their older colleagues. Millennials and Generation Z are more likely to indulge in bad habits than Generation X and workers over 40. Although one cannot make general conclusions from a single study, it's clear that all generations need to be educated in cybersecurity, especially those who have lived with mobiles and tablets since they were young.
5. Artificial intelligence as a tool for improving cyber attacks
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an increasingly common tool in our daily lives, whether for study or work. For many of us, it's a handy assistant that makes many tasks easier. However, with the growing popularity of AI, the risk of its misuse also increases. Attackers can now use AI for cyber attacks. One of the most common attempts at a cyber attack begins with phishing. This is where AI can play a crucial role. While many phishing attempts can be easily recognized due to poor quality, AI can create persuasive fake emails. And with increasing sophistication, the number of those deceived is also growing. And yet, it is so simple for an attacker to use AI. However, the possibilities of AI in phishing are just the beginning. AI can program write malicious software, and there are several other ways AI can benefit an attacker...
