Cyber Security Predictions for 2017

The Internet threat landscape was booming last year for cybercriminals. We tend to re-portable on fifty four major events in 2016. And that’s not count the limited stuff. The threat landscape shifted slightly within the past year, and that we have seen some new trends. However, a number of the older ones square measure projecting around and still going robust.

New Threat Predictions for 2017

1. The IoT

The First Major Attack on IoT Devices​ 2016 was the jailbreak year for attacks on IoT devices. In October, the primary huge cyber attack involving IoT devices, such as​ ​webcams and DVRs, occurred. The ​Mirai Botnet was unleashed, and it took down half the internet within the u. s. ​for hours. Victimization what's referred to as a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, cybercriminals flooded one among the biggest server corporations within the world with huge amounts of traffic, bringing down the servers and websites hosted on them. It had been discovered that tens of millions of computers were causing knowledge to targeted websites, at the same time. Shortly when the U.S. attack, constant botnet attacked European country, disrupting services for over 900,000 web subscribers.

​This specific strain of malware isn't going anytime before long. The malware itself is believed to be widely distributed on the black market, and hackers square measure providing established botnet armies for rent. The massive surprise for users concerned during this attack was realizing that connected devices have default usernames and passwords. Owing to this reality, the attackers targeted bound devices that for which they had obtained the default usernames and passwords.

This threat is probably going to continue given the increasing quality of connected devices, however there square measure ways in which you'll shield yourself. IoT devices, notwithstanding however little they appear, square measure computers too! Do some analysis on your device to visualize if it's a default countersign. If it does, the manufacturer’s web site ought to have directions on a way to modification it.

A new security answer for IoT vulnerabilities ​
​Over the past year, here at Norton, we've been keeping a detailed eye on the net of things threat landscape. As a result, we're proud to announce the latest Norton Core router.

Unlike typical routers, Norton Core was designed to secure and shield connected homes. To supply robust wireless coverage, Norton Core includes a distinctive antenna array within a dome of interlocking faces, galvanized by defense and weather radars deployed within the extreme reaches of the world. Norton Core’s distinctive mathematical style encourages users to put it enter the open, as a part of their home décor, providing a powerful, open Wi-Fi signal.

2. The Apple Threat Landscape 

The Apple threat landscape was extraordinarily busy in 2016. We tend to re-portable on seven major stories in 2016. In 2015, we tend to saw quite few proof of ideas, however 2016 brought a lot of threats out into the wild. These square measure constant threats that square measure poignant Windows and robot devices.

Fake Apps Do Exist for iPhones
Cybercriminals sneaked pretend searching apps into the app store right before the vacation season. Whereas Apple includes a rigorous vetting method for his or her apps, these scammers got tough and updated the apps with malware when Apple approved them for the App Store.

Spyware Is Everyplace
In addition to pretend apps, 2016 saw the primary targeted spyware discharged within the wild for iOS. Researchers discovered that a extremely refined cyber undercover work cluster deployed a really rare, advanced type of spyware, which may break associate degree iPhone wide open. The spyware, referred to as Pegasus, is distributed by causing a link to a malicious web site via text message. The nice news: Apple has already pushed out the update to the vulnerability.

iOS Bugs square measure Ramping Up
Also on the iOS platform, there have been 3 major vulnerabilities to stay an eye fixed on. Researchers discovered the way to interrupt the secret writing employed by iMessage that might permit attackers to access and steal attachments like pictures, videos and documents that square measure being shared firmly with contacts.

The second vulnerability discovered involves the handling of PDF documents. Associate degree wrongdoer might send you a booby-trapped PDF that will then cause malicious code to run on your iPhone.

The third involves the fix of a three-year recent cookie stealing bug. Cookies square measure little files that contain varied sorts of knowledge that bear in mind a user, and square measure placed on your laptop or mobile device by websites you visit. This flaw will permit hackers to impersonate users and steal sensitive data by making a malicious public Wi-Fi network. The hackers then stay up for a compromised user to affix the network and airt them to a malicious web site designed to steal user credentials. From there, the hacker would be ready to open the embedded browser screen you'd see once connexion a public Wi-Fi network, load content into a user’s phone and execute it while not them knowing.

Mac Ransomware--It’s Happening!
In March of 2016 Apple customers were the targets of the primary Mac-focused ransomware campaign dead by cybercriminals. During this instance, it had been the primary time that cybercriminals used malware to execute real-life attacks.

In this specific case, users were downloading a program referred to as “Transmission for BitTorrent,” that is employed for peer-to-peer file sharing. Users downloaded a “bad” version of the installer for the package, that contained a malicious computer program, referred to as OSX.Keranger. A computer program is malicious package which will create mayhem with knowledge in several ways--such because the deletion, modification, copying, and stealing of data--as well as implant ransomware on the device. Like most ransomware, OSX.Keranger can inscribe a user’s files and demand a fee to unharness them.

Not simply Macs and iPhones any longer
2016 conjointly brought the primary major issue to Apple’s airdrome routers. Apple discovered vulnerabilities within the computer code of AirPorts that might permit attackers to execute commands on the affected devices and infiltrate home networks. If your airdrome is flashing yellow, go update your computer code now!

This simply goes to indicate that Apple merchandise do would like security package, currently over ever. You'll shield your macintosh against these threats and a lot of with Norton Security Premium.

3. Man in the Middle Attacks

2016 was conjointly a giant year for Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks. Associate degree MitM attack employs the employment of associate degree unsecured or poorly secured, sometimes public Wi-Fi router. The hacker scans the router victimization special code searching for bound weaknesses like default or poor countersign use. Once a vulnerability is discovered, the wrongdoer can then insert themself in between the users’ laptop and therefore the websites the user visits to intercept the messages being transmitted between the two.

A lot of those attacks happen on public Wi-Fi hotspots. Since most of those networks square measure unsecured, it’s simple pickings for cybercriminals. Additionally to unsecured hotspots, hackers also will discovered legitimate-looking Wi-Fi networks so as to lure unsuspecting users to attach and provides them full access to their device.

Norton WLAN Privacy could be a VPN that encrypts all the data sent and received by your mobile device whereas you’re on public Wi-Fi, creating your public affiliation non-public. Transfer Norton WLAN Privacy currently.

4. Android, Android, Android!

In 2016, we tend to reportable on six major robot events. The highest 3 threats we tend to saw concerned pretend apps, botnets, and, of course, ransomware.

Bad Apps
Hundreds of malicious applications showed upon the Google Play store in Oct, disguised as legitimate applications. These malicious apps were carrying malware referred to as Dresscode. Dresscode is intended to infiltrate networks and steal knowledge. It can even add infected devices to botnets, that perform denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks likewise as participate in spam email campaigns.

Android Botnets
Android smartphone users ought to remember of a dangerous new form of malware that spreads via spam SMS or MMS messages. The Mazar larva, because it is named, tricks the robot user into providing body access to the infected robot phone and might then erase any hold on knowledge. Though security analysis specialists believe this malware has many hidden capabilities that square measure still being discovered, they apprehend this malware can flip your smartphone into a part of a hacker botnet internet.

Mobile Ransomware
In 2016 there was lots of mobile ransomware rampant on the threat landscape. Most notably, there have been 2 that left devices fully vulnerable.

One variant of robot ransomware uses what's referred to as “clickjacking” ways to do and trick users into giving the malware device administrator rights. Clickjacking happens once attackers conceal hyperlinks below legitimate content, tricking the user into acting actions of that they're unaware. Users encounter these illegitimate links, forward that once they fill out a field, click on a link, or sort in their passwords they’re gaining access to what they see before of them.

Android.Lockdroid was noticed on March eleven, 2016, and disguised itself as a system update. What’s totally different regarding this specific strain is that when the ransomware detects that it’s put in on a tool during a bound country, it displays the ransom message therein country’s language. this is often the primary form of “chameleon” ransomware we’ve noticed. In general, Android.Lockdroid has to be manually downloaded by the user from adult sites to infect devices. It might conjointly mechanically arrive on the device once the user clicks on advertising links, that is thought as malvertising, a type of malicious advertising.

Taking advantage of quality security package like Norton Mobile Security, (link is external)is a crucial live that protects your device from malicious apps. With Norton Mobile Security, you'll use our app adviser to scan for “bad apps” before downloading them to your phone. Norton App adviser could be a special feature enclosed with Norton Mobile Security. It warns of privacy risks, intrusive behavior of apps, excessive battery evacuation and knowledge arrange usage. It conjointly options decision and SMS interference, anti-theft, contacts backup and protects your movable from malware.

5. Malicious Sites, Drive-by-Downloads and Malvertising

Malvertising could be a combined term for malicious advertising, and uses legitimate on-line advertising services to unfold malware. Malvertising needs inserting malware-infected advertisements on regular websites through authentic on-line advertising networks so as to infect a tool through the online browser. Malvertising will have an effect on ANY device--PC, Mac, Android, etc.

In March of 2016 many thought websites fell victim to a vast malvertising campaign. The contaminated ads in these websites directed thousands of unsuspecting users to a landing page hosting the ill-famed Angler Exploit Kit, a kit that stealthily installs crypto-ransomware.

Malicious Websites and Drive-by-Downloads
A drive-by-download could be a transfer that happens once a user visits a malicious web site that's hosting associate degree exploit kit. there's no interaction required on the user’s half aside from visiting the infected webpage. The exploit kit can explore for a vulnerability within the package of the browser and inject malware via the safety hole. Symantec known thousands of internet sites in 2016 that had been compromised with malicious code. Of the compromised websites, seventy five % were placed within the U.S.

Defensive package like Norton Security can stop better-known drive-by downloads and warn you after you try and visit a malicious web site.

If you're unsure regarding the credibleness of an internet site you'll conjointly use Norton Safe internet, a free on-line tool, which will facilitate establish risky websites as you browse the online.

6. Social Media Scams

In 2016, Facebook reportable that it had one.71 billion monthly active Facebook users. Twitter has 313 million monthly active users. With such a big amount of active users, standard social sites square measure a scammer's paradise. The motives square measure the same: scammers try and exploit these stories for any reasonably gain attainable.

Scammers can try and provoke you into clicking by posting sensational or emotional breaking news stories, generally capitalizing on a recent happening, or creating up a pretend, stunning article. After you click on the link, you get a notification that you just got to transfer a plug-in so as to look at the video. Click on that and you may be downloading spyware that may continue your device and collect personal data that might be used for fraud. Bear in mind to delete emails from unknown senders and don’t transfer unknown plug-ins.

7. Tax Scams and Identity Theft

It’s necessary to comprehend that tax documents contain a superfluity of in person acknowledgeable data regarding folks, like wage data, social insurance numbers, home addresses and place of employment. Once these documents square measure obtained, the criminals would have everything they have to perform tax refund fraud; effectively stealing tax refunds owed to others. As a result of these documents contain a superfluity of knowledge, they'll facilitate the scammers commit identity theft additionally to tax refund fraud.

Examples of phishing emails to air the lookout for:

Fake federal agency and TurboTax emails claiming the recipient’s tax refund is restricted or their account has been secured
Fake IRS-branded emails asking the recipient to update their tax filing data
Fake email claims expression a tax payment was subtracted and includes a “receipt”
Fake email from the federal agency seeking proof of identity documents as a result of “You square measure eligible to receive a refund”
W2 phishing emails targeting workers
Existing Trends returning for a lot of

8. Ransomware

Ransomware is here to remain. the primary better-known case of ransomware popped up in 2013, and hackers have barred on to the present manoeuvre, processing it over the years. In 2016 we tend to reportable on eight major ransomware campaigns, that affected everything: Macs, Windows computers, robot platforms and a lot of.

This year, we tend to saw some notably new types of ransomware, that simply goes to indicate that cybercriminals are attempting to “up their game” in extorting cash from you.

The most distinctive type of ransomware we tend to saw was the Jigsaw ransomware. this is often not your average ransomware. Like alternative ransomware, Jigsaw can inscribe your files and demand a ransom so as to retrieve your files; but, it conjointly comes with a counting timer. Throughout the primary twenty four hours it'll begin deleting some files each hour. On the second day, the ransomware can delete many files, on the third day it'll delete thousands--until the ransom is paid. In addition, if you are attempting to tamper with the ransomware or perhaps restart your laptop, it'll delete 1,000 files as a “punishment.”

Whatever happens in ANY case of ransomware, don't pay the ransom, and take care to stay regular backups to assist shield your knowledge just in case you become a victim of ransomware.

Need backup? Norton Security Premium offers you a simple thanks to facilitate defend against ransomware likewise as a convenient backup answer.

9. Software Vulnerabilities and Software Updates

Major package vulnerabilities continuing to be an enormous downside in 2016. Attackers heavily depend upon these vulnerabilities, because it is that the simplest way to sneak malware into a user’s device unperceived, with very little action on the user’s half.

We reportable on six major vulnerabilities in 2016- as well as associate degree Adobe patch for twenty five flaws, likewise as quite few alternative emergency patches from them likewise.

The best thanks to combat against these attacks is to perform any and every one package updates as before long as they're obtainable. Package updates can patch those security holes attackers exploit, add new options and improve bug fixes.

10.  2016 Was a Banner Year for Mega Data Breaches

​Unfortunately, data breaches square measure virtually as common as malware outbreaks. In 2016 there have been eight mega-breaches involving major corporations.
Most recently, in Dec, over one million Google accounts were broken via malicious robot apps. This attack was significantly nasty as a result of the sole thanks to fully take away this malware from associate degree infected device is to try and do a clean installation of the software. This is often an advanced method, however mobile carriers will perform the installation for users.

However, topping the list for the foremost accounts broken was Yahoo, with a thumping total of 1.5 billion users. Yahoo declared this year that that they had been the victim of 2 separate cyber attacks that occurred in 2014. The primary breach that was declared scarf data related to five hundred million accounts. The second breach, that is currently the biggest knowledge breach in history, scarf data from one billion accounts.

The second largest knowledge breach of 2016 was from FriendFinder Networks INC., that concerned a breach of over four hundred million accounts. 117 million LinkedIn user credentials were conjointly snagged in 2016, and Dropbox verified that sixty eight million credentials were conjointly taken last year.



Norton makes it simple to own proactive protection in situ with Norton Identity Protection Elite. Norton helps monitor everything on-line regarding you--from monetary accounts to social media and your credit report. Norton Identity Protection will even offer restoration services if you become a victim of fraud.