The world has already seen high volumes of cybersecurity threats and attacks in 2022. From Microsoft to Red Cross, thousands of big and small businesses have had their data compromised by malicious cybercriminals, and they’re not going to stop anytime soon.
Developing a mature cybersecurity system for your business is the only way to limit and prevent these pervasive attacks and ensure ongoing productivity.
Read on to find out which cybersecurity threats are most prevalent in 2022 and what you can do to prevent them from occurring.
- Third-party Exposure
If a cybercriminal can’t hack a well-protected security system on their own, they might try to gain access via a less protected third-party system. By targeting the middlemen, cyber attackers can sneak into larger systems using privileged third-party access.
For example, in 2021 hackers stole data from 214 million Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook accounts. They achieved this by breaching a third-party contractor called Socialarks that all three mega-platforms had employed—and given privileged data access to.
Prevention tactics: Employ skepticism and extreme caution when receiving alarming messages. Do not open suspicious links or downloadable documents and always keep your operating system up to date.
- PDF Scams
PDF scams are becoming increasingly common amongst small and medium-sized businesses. Similar to phishing, the primary goal of a PDF scammer is to get you to open a malware-infected PDF file.
They typically come as an email, often claiming an account statement is attached or a security policy needs to be updated. Once you open the PDF, it exposes your device to malware or ransomware that steals your private data.
Prevention tactics: Add employee training to your agenda and teach them to spot abnormal email addresses, identify generic headings (such as “Sir” or “Madam” instead of your company name), and install a secure virus protection program.
In 2022, prevention is better than cure. Staying informed about emerging cyber security threats is key to keeping your business afloat and your data safe.
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About the Author: Megan Hudson
