Technology is evolving at a rapid pace, which brings many great benefits to our lives. However, with growing technology comes growth in cybercrime. In 2019, ransomware attacks alone cost the U.S over $7.5 billion (Cyware). Cybercriminals are finding new ways to breach into business networks and steal information. Here are some cybercrime trends to be aware of in 2020.
Rise in Ransomware Attacks
Ransomware attacks are still the biggest cybersecurity threat on the internet, doubling in number this year. This type of cybercrime either blocks a user’s access to their data or threatens to expose personal information unless a ransom is paid to the hacker.
Decryption tools and software are available to prevent this, but cybercriminals do a good job keeping their malware updated.
Cryptojacking
Coming as a close second to ransomware attacks, crypto jacking is stealing the attention of cybersecurity analysts. Cryptocurrency is a digital form of currency that has recently increased in popularity.
Bitcoin especially has had major recent growth and is also a huge target for cryptojacking. Cybercriminals are capitalizing on this by creating malware specifically designed to find cryptocurrency.
Phishing
Phishing emails have maintained their popularity ever since email became a prominent communication tool. Phishing is when a cybercriminal sends an email pretending to be a reputable company to lure in users. Once the link is clicked on, the victim is prompted to give personal information.
It can be very difficult to spot a phishing email. The best way to prevent phishing attacks is to be very cautious about any unfamiliar email messages you receive.
Encrypted Communication Platforms
An end-to-end encryption is designed to keep communication anonymous between two points, meaning it’s not easy to trace. This type of encryption is used for messaging platforms such as WhatsApp.
Cybercriminals are attracted to these platforms because it’s more difficult for law enforcement to eavesdrop and decrypt messages. They can send malicious links and messages to users under someone else’s account with little trace.
Contact J&P PC Solutions Today for Your Cybersecurity Needs!
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We are dedicated to providing 24/7 solution-oriented, professional service to all of our clients. For your disaster recovery plans or other IT services, give us a call at (443)-588-5808 or contact us on our website!
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