Encrypted web traffic has grown dramatically over the past year, and hackers are now hiding malware more deeply within files. Cyber-criminals are finding increasingly evasive ways to invade your perimeter, warns an IT security product company in an annual report.
Patrick Sweeney, vice president of Product Management and Marketing, Dell Security, said: “The threat vectors for malware distribution are almost unlimited, ranging from classic tactics like email spam to newer technologies including wearable cameras, electric cars, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. In today’s connected world, it’s vital to maintain 360 degrees of vigilance, from your own software and systems, to your employees’ training and access, to everyone who comes in contact with your network and data.”
Covered are four developing trends in cybercrime:
– The evolution of exploit kits to stay one step ahead of security systems
– A continued surge in SSL/TLS encryption that is giving cybercriminals more opportunities to conceal malware from firewalls
– The continued rise of Android malware; and
– A marked increase in the number of malware attacks.
Exploit kits only have power when companies do not update their software and systems, so the best way to defeat them is to follow security best practices, including keeping up with updates and patches, the IT firm advised. Curtis Hutcheson, general manager, Dell Security, said: “Many of the breaches in 2015 were successful because cybercriminals found and exploited a weak link in victims’ security programs due to disconnected or outdated point solutions that could not catch these anomalies in their ecosystem. Each successful attack provides an opportunity for security professionals to learn from others’ oversights, examine their own strategies and shore up the holes in their defense systems. At Dell Security, we believe the best way for customers to protect themselves is to inspect every packet on their network and validate every entitlement for access.”
The report also offers predictions on Flash zero-day virus decrease, Android Pay attacks, and Android Auto hacks. The Dell Security Annual Threat Report also identified several trends and predictions, discussed in further detail in the full report.
