Like every beginning of the year, Bitdefender unveils its cybersecurity barometer. Connected objects, RaaS, BlackLotus, Flubot… The list of Web dangers 2023 really sends shivers down your spine. How to spot them and protect yourself effectively? Here is all you need to know.
Years pass and cybercriminals always find a way to exploit security flaws and human errors to steal the personal data of Internet users, or even ransom them. The year 2022 has seen its share of attacks and larceny which spared no one, from government services to the media, even including tech leaders such as Microsoft, Uber, nVidia or, most recently, LastPass (the famous password manager).
As you have understood, no one is safe from Web threats. In addition to having a good security solution, frequently updating high-tech devices and using strong passwords, it is also important to identify new practices and technological vulnerabilities that hackers will exploit in a near future. Once warned of the potential danger, you can then adopt an irreproachable behavior and the best tools to protect your devices as well as your home and/or business data.
Connected objects with questionable security
Bitdefender, the famous security solutions publisher, recently delivered its cybersecurity forecasts for this new year. The new playground for cybercriminals in 2023 would be the Internet of Things (IoT). The proliferation of objects and other connected accessories is a godsend for anyone wishing to take advantage of their lack of security and protection.
Faulty authentication, unprotected data, privacy issues… The flaws are numerous and not often taken into account by their users and, above all, the company that designs them. And even if Matterthe new home automation standard adopted by most market players, is beginning to become more democratic and to resolve these security and interoperability problems, it will not erase years of technological debt and, therefore, flaws potential security points with a single wave of a magic wand.
Ransomware in SaaS mode
More classic, but still just as effective, ransomware will remain the main danger for Windows PC users in 2023. The sets Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) for cybercriminals continue to multiplyallowing them to trigger personalized ransomware campaigns without having to possess specific technical knowledge or the infrastructure necessary for this kind of attack.
Slightly more sophisticated pirates would be adopting new techniques for circumventing entry points and anti-virus software. By coding their malware with exotic languages like Rust, Goland or Swiftthey hope to slip through the cracks of the antivirus net and reach a greater number of technical platforms and, therefore, users.
Finally, the last danger to make PC users shudder, these malicious bootloaders which come to replace that of the UEFI bios of their motherboard. Tools such as BlackLotusundetectable by some security solutions, are already for sale on the dark web.
The danger of texting
You don’t need to be Madame Irma either to say that mobile users won’t be spared. Deployment of malware via SMS will of course continue to wreak havocin particular via the Trojan horse FluBot.
Designed for smartphones Android, it intelligently broadcasts via text message to saved contacts in the phone’s address book not without having taken care to recover all the user’s banking information and passwords. Dreadful if you are not vigilant about the quality of the content of the SMS received or the personal context (missed delivery, savings on the energy bill, etc.).
Also, always be careful of fake applications, more or less well made, and downloadable from the Google Play Store and theApple App Store which allow cybercriminals to siphon off your personal data, your banking information or, even, to deceive you by charging you for non-existent services at unbeatable prices. Many followers of ChatGPT have also been at their expense at the start of the year.
No one is safe anymore
Beyond security breaches and our daily mistakes on the Internet, cybercriminals have more and more imagination to deceive our vigilance, whatever our level and our knowledge of digital technology. The wisest thing is toequip their devices and those of their loved ones with an effective and efficient security suitecompatible with the main platforms on the market.
This is exactly what Bitdefender offers with its reliable home security solution: Total Security. Compatible Windows, macOS, Android et iOSit protects all the devices in your household against phishing (phishing), spyware (spyware), information-stealing Trojans (trojans), ransomware (ransomware) and other known and future attacks.
The Bitdefender Total Security security suite. © Bitdefender
This real-time protection will protect you from the dangers of the Internet during your daily navigations whether you are on the Web, your mailbox or social networks. Your online defense also extends to your Android mobile devices, with fraud alert and email protection features. All, of course, instantly and without any slowdown of your computers, tablets and smartphones.
In addition to increased protection of your personal data and the confidentiality of your online exchanges (VPN, anti-advertising tracker, webcam protection, secure online transactions, etc.), Total Security includes parental controls welcome to filter inappropriate content from the web, monitor online activities and limit your children’s screen time.
With the annual protection of five devices (phone, computer, tablet, etc.), Bitdefender Total Security is currently displayed at €31.99 instead of the usual €84.99, i.e. a nice reduction of 62%. The opportunity to secure your personal data which, let’s remember, is priceless!
