Remote or hybrid work is the new normal, which means cybercrime is shifting too. Here are five cybersecurity dangers you need to be aware of.
Today, working from home or in a hybrid work environment is the norm for many of us.
It’s definitely got its perks. For individuals, remote working offers better flexibility and lower commuting expenses. For organizations, studies show it results in higher morale and lower absenteeism.
But with these perks come new cybersecurity challenges.
So as we fully adapt to the new paradigm it’s normal to wonder:
- What new security challenges does remote working present?
- How are cybercriminals working to exploit remote working?
- What can we do to keep ourselves – and others – safe?
Here are five cybersecurity trends that people who work from home need to keep in mind, as well as how to protect yourself from them.
1. There’s a growth surge in malicious web extensions
Malicious web extensions are a growing threat, and they can cause serious damage to your devices. These extensions are often hidden from view and can be used to steal your personal information, hijack your browsing experience, or even install malware on your device.
What to do: To protect yourself from malicious web extensions, be sure to only install extensions from reputable sources, such as the Chrome Web Store. You should also regularly check your extensions for updates and remove any that you no longer use.
2. Multi-factor authentication compromises are rife
Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a great way to protect your accounts…but it’s not foolproof.
In recent years, there have been several cases of MFA being bypassed, and this trend is likely to continue.
One of the most common ways that MFA is bypassed is through sim-swapping. This is a technique where criminals steal your phone number and then use it to reset your MFA codes.
What to do: To protect yourself from sim-swapping, be sure to use a strong password for your phone carrier account and enable two-factor authentication for that account as well.
3. Criminals are deploying advanced phishing tactics
Phishing attacks are still one of the most common ways that cybercriminals target people.
However, phishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated. Plus, it’s becoming more difficult to tell the difference between a legitimate email and a phishing scam.
What to do: To protect yourself from phishing attacks, be sure to be suspicious of any emails that you receive that ask you to click on a link or open an attachment. You should also be on the lookout for emails that have poor grammar or spelling errors. If you’re not sure whether an email is legitimate, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and not click on any links or open any attachments.
4. SMBs are prime targets for data breaches
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are increasingly being targeted by cybercriminals. This is because SMBs often don’t have the resources to invest in the same level of cybersecurity as large companies.
What to do: If you own or work for an SMB, it’s important to take steps to protect your data from breaches. This includes:
- using strong passwords
- implementing two-factor authentication
- backing up your data regularly.
5. Steganography is on the rise
Steganography is the practice of hiding information in plain sight. This means that attackers can embed malicious code into seemingly innocent files, such as images or documents.
Once the malicious code is embedded, it can be activated and used to steal data or infect your device with malware.
What to do: To protect yourself from steganography attacks, be sure to scan all of your files for malware before opening them. You can also use a tool called a steganalyzer to detect hidden files.
Final thoughts: Cyber threats never stop evolving
As technology continues to evolve, so do the threats to our cybersecurity. That will never change.
It’s vital to stay up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity trends and take steps to protect yourself from these threats.
This blog gives you a few pointers for how to keep your data and devices safe from harm in today’s remote work world. If you found it useful, remember to share it with your friends or teammates. For more information or if you have any questions at all, just get in touch. We’re always happy to hear from you and always happy to help.