The state of cybersecurity is like a jungle these days, with recent global events coalescing into a melting pot of politically motivated hackers, a criminal underground, foreign scammers and domestic vulnerabilities. This article examines threat and cybersecurity trends from the perspective of select reports. Read the article for an overview of the environment with a look at most-targeted sectors, prevalent threats and impacts.
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What is the current state of online scams?
The state of online scams has worsened significantly, with Americans losing a record $6.9 billion to scams in 2021, nearly doubling from $3.5 billion in 2019. This increase is largely attributed to the shift towards online interactions for work, shopping, and dating during the pandemic.
How prevalent are ransomware attacks?
Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common, with 71% of surveyed security professionals reporting they had been victims in the past five years. Notably, 40% experienced an attack in the last year, and 65% of these victims also had their data stolen, highlighting the evolving tactics of cybercriminals.
What vulnerabilities are most concerning in cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity vulnerabilities have seen a significant rise, with zero-day vulnerabilities increasing from 25 cases in 2020 to 58 in 2021. Additionally, the number of known vulnerabilities exploited in the wild grew from 120 to 160 during the same period, indicating a growing challenge for organizations to maintain security.