Top 10 Perilous Malware and Cybersecurity Risks of 2023
In the ever-evolving digital landscape, cybersecurity remains a critical concern for individuals and organisations alike. As we look back at 2022, it's clear that the year was marked by a surge in advanced malware and security threats. Here are the top 10 threats that emerged or intensified during that period, offering valuable insights into the types of threats that cybercriminals have been exploiting.
1. **Advanced Ransomware**: Ransomware strains have continued to evolve, using more sophisticated encryption and extortion techniques to impact large organisations globally.
2. **Zero-Day Exploits**: Vulnerabilities unknown to vendors but exploited by attackers for remote code execution and system compromises were a significant concern in 2022. Notable zero-days were found in VMware, Microsoft, Fortinet, and F5 products.
3. **AI-Driven Malware**: Malware capable of mutating itself in real-time to evade detection and deepen system infiltration is a trend that started to emerge around 2022 and is growing.
4. **Supply Chain Attacks**: Compromising software or hardware vendors to infect multiple downstream customers has been a major vector, with concerns continuing to be highlighted throughout the year.
5. **Infostealers (e.g., Acreed malware)**: Malware designed to steal login credentials, banking data, and other sensitive information has seen new strains like Acreed emerge following other stealers' takedown.
6. **Phishing and Social Engineering**: Although longstanding threats, these tactics have been refined with AI and deepfake technology, starting in 2022.
7. **Cloud and API Exploitation**: With rising cloud adoption, attackers increasingly target cloud misconfigurations and APIs.
8. **Internet of Things (IoT) Attacks**: The growing numbers of IoT devices with poor security have been targeted by malware and botnets, a trend that became more prevalent around this time.
9. **Malicious Variants of Existing Tools (e.g., SuperCard NFC malware)**: Adapted tools for new attack vectors such as mobile NFC data theft appeared notably in 2022.
10. **Insider Threats and Unauthorized Access**: Leveraging stolen credentials or compromised accounts for lateral movement inside networks remained a critical vulnerability.
In addition, security advisories for 2022 frequently referenced exploitation of vulnerabilities in widely used enterprise software like VMware Tanzu, Atlassian, and Microsoft Windows, indicating attackers prioritized these targets.
Some notable malware variants from 2022 include Clop Ransomware, which targets Windows users, encrypts files, and demands a ransom for decryption. It also disables essential security applications such as Windows Defender. Fake Updates, which encrypts files and demands a ransom upon installation, is not easily detectable by many anti-Malware software.
Understanding the types of malware and their functions is crucial for protecting oneself from these advanced cybersecurity threats. Installing reliable anti-malware software, deleting junk files, and being vigilant about phishing and social engineering attempts are essential steps in protecting personal information and funds.
Sources: [1] Kaspersky (2022) Top Cybersecurity Threats of 2022. [Online] Available at: https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/definitions/top-cybersecurity-threats-of-2022 [2] Malwarebytes (2022) Malwarebytes Labs: 2022 Threat Report. [Online] Available at: https://blog.malwarebytes.com/threat-analysis/2022/05/malwarebytes-labs-2022-threat-report/ [3] Cybersecurity Dashboard (2022) Top 10 Cybersecurity Threats in 2022. [Online] Available at: https://cybersecuritydashboard.com/top-10-cybersecurity-threats-in-2022/
- In light of the increasing complexity of encryption techniques used in advanced ransomware like Clop, it's essential to stay updated on the latest trends in data-and-cloud-computing technology to better secure sensitive data against these threats.
- The surge in zero-day exploits during 2022, such as those found in VMware, Microsoft, Fortinet, and F5 products, underscores the need for diligent encyclopedia-style research on known vulnerabilities, as well as the importance of consistent software updates to protect against these attacks.
- As the sophistication of malware continues to grow, with AI-driven variants now capable of evading detection, an understanding of the latest cybersecurity strategies is crucial for ensuring the effective prevention of system infiltration through social engineering and phishing attacks.
