If past is prologue, 2011 is sure to be another big year for both users
and cybercriminals as we continue to battle our way toward a safer and
more secure Internet.
Last year showed that government, industry, and security experts worldwide are making a serious attempt to create a unified front against cybercriminals. But we also need to defend ourselves as users and as businesses, and there we still have a long way to go.
More than 2.5 million US households had to replace their computers after they were infected with viruses and spyware last year. Identity theft continues to rise because of how easily cyberthieves can steal it, sell it, and get away with it. And while smart phones are taking over many of the functions of a computer, few users have installed even basic mobile security. Meanwhile in the business world, many organizations are relying more on Web-based technologies but aren’t investing in stronger IT defenses.
How will we fare against cyberthieves and cyberthugs in 2011? If general carelessness continues to reign unabated, we’re in for another bumpy ride. Hackers are simple creatures, really. They will go where the money is and follow the path of least resistance to get there. If users continue not to take heed, it is easy to predict 2011’s top five greatest threats:
#5: The cloud
Another big year for cloud computing translates into a growing opportunity for hackers. In 2011, cloud computing will be embraced by more businesses and consumers alike. It is inevitable that hackers will turn their attention to data-rich warehouses bursting with information they can steal and profit from. And even if data is secure in how it’s stored, how can we be sure spying eyes aren’t watching as that data is transmitted?
#4: Applications
As long as bugs are found, as long as users don’t regularly update their apps, and as long as users continue to let rogue Trojan horse applications into their castle, applications will be a big thorn in the side of security, as we saw with the Adobe Reader, Flash, and various Facebook application attacks. (AVG’s own Roger Thompson wrote about this type of attack in 2010.)
#3: Social search
Don’t know what social search is? You’re not alone. Now that Google indexes Twitter and other user-generated content in real time as it occurs, there is no end to the havoc hackers can create with fake and hijacked accounts spewing misleading malicious links that appear in search streams.
#2: Small businesses
While a growing number of hackers are specifically targeting small businesses, 85 percent of small businesses do not see themselves in danger at all. This does not bode well for the Internet community at large as small business owners often do not have proper security policies and enforcement measures that can educate workers how to be safe online and not act in a way that the puts the company network at risk.
#1: Mobile devices
In 2011, tablet computers and smart phones will become a more important target for hackers. Mobile devices are constantly connected and substantially less protected than a personal computer as users shrug off mobile security solutions and carelessly broadcast financial, account and other personal data such as their exact location while on the go. That's why its important to have protect your Android smartphones with security software. If you haven't already check out AVG's anti virus for Android.
While 2011 may be another rough year for the good guys in our fight against cybercrime, I’m heartened that our 110 million-strong community of users continues to grow. Because with each new user that gets serious about online security, the Web gets a little bit safer and stronger as a whole.
I believe we can make the Internet a safer place. My advice to you in the meantime. Stay and get smarter about Internet security and pass it on.
