Security breaches can show themselves in various forms as cyber criminals steadily become more sophisticated with their attacks on a national security and consumer level. There are even more opportunities for cyber attacks in 2013. Here, we detail 4 Internet Security Trends you can expect to see in 2013, as discussed in a recent article on CNET.com.
1. Privacy Threats
Smart devices are capturing the average consumer’s activities and contact data in addition to their location; this is seen by many to be a violation of privacy. Malware targeting mobile and Mac devices has resulted in data mining and breaches due to poorly written security codes that will continue to threaten the privacy of consumers in 2013. In the U.S., a million people were adversely affected by mobile malware in 2012.
2. Cyber Warfare
The foundation for the Internet being used as a international surveillance monitoring resource by the government will continue to develop in 2013 for military and espionage activities. “Olympic Games” is the secret inter-government project reported to be the root source of computer malware like Flame, Dugu and Stuxnet, and its variant, Gauss. According to CNET, Stuxnet is a highly sophisticated computer worm that has been identified as the first cyber super weapon. Since Stuxnet’s discovery, eighty-five percent of malware has attempted to capitalize on a specific weakness in these systems in the same way that Stuxnet has done in the past. There is a small batch of malware that can attack vulnerabilities in an operating system before a developer has time to discover and repair it, and is known as a “zero-days” attack.
3. Desktop threats
A commercial rootkit known as ZeroAccess is another serious threat that has spread like gangrene; almost being comparable to the damage done by Conficker that made headline news for several weeks. A Russian coder has developed and sold ZeroAccess to boot before Windows; once it is installed, it hides the attacker’s invasion and allows him or her to gain privileged access to the infected computer, and possibly other machines shared on the network. As a counterattack, Macs and Windows 8 have setup Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot security procedures to prevent rootkits from invading a PC. However, hackers may soon be able to form mutations of rootkits to reach their aims in the future. Other desktop concerns for Internet users to be wary of include Flashback Trojan and CSS sniffing attacks. The creator of Flashback Trojan has still evaded capture and is rumored to be working on other malware tactics to breach Mac security. Modern browsers such as Firefox or Chrome are extremely vulnerable to CSS sniffing attacks. If you download one of them, there is the possibility of being exposed to spyware through these popular desktop programs.
4. Cloud-based Cyber Attacks
For people relying heavily on cloud-based services to store, pictures, valuable documents or entertainment collections recent hacking of Apple cloud-based accounts raises concern about cloud storage.
In summary, new app stores and browser techniques have to be developed to combat computer worms, like Stuxnet, that will likely have to be replaced when undetected vulnerabilities are discovered. Devices directly connected to the Internet, such as smart DVD players and TVs will open up a new can of worms in 2013. The volume and method of medical and utility device hacks are expected to grow in impact. Still, if someone attempts to run a toll fraud application in the U.S. they will encounter more of an issue there than they would in China or Russia. With increased improvements in security, the majority of people will not be affected from this problem until the latter part of 2013.
For small business owners, taking precautions to protect information serves many valuable purposes. In addition to being necessary in complying with local and federal laws, securing private and personal data can also help to prevent theft or misuse of that information and keep private data or company secrets from falling into the hands of the competition. The following are the top 5 steps small businesses can take to ensure their data is protected.
Identity theft is a growing concern in our society. Identity thieves target personal information, such as Social Security numbers, passwords, or credit card details. They use the information to obtain credit or other benefits using the victim’s name.
Clinical trial studies are the heart of advancing medical science. The goal of any trial is to collect data that may lead to more effective drug therapies, diagnostics, treatment protocols and devices. In today’s techno-centric world, security is always going to be an valid concern. Responsibility for the safety of clinical trials falls on the sponsors and investigating group. Proper clinical trial management is the key to securing data for anyone taking part in a study. Following is a discussion of three ways leading medical research organizations are helping to ensure the security of all parties involved in their clinical trials through the use of sophisticated software.
Cryptography is a fascinating subject in both study and in practical application. It consists of many layers of complexity and intrigue that can challenge even the most clever of minds. By definition, cryptography is a branch of of knowledge that relates to the academic study of and real-world decryption of codes, ciphers and other types of language puzzles. Cryptography has a wide range of uses and applications and a career in the cryptographic arts can offer challenges that cannot be experienced in virtually any other career. Anyone interested in committing themselves to the study of cryptography should know a few basic facts about this intellectual pursuit.
Artificial Intelligence is the field of study concerned with the design and construction of intelligent systems. It is by this discipline that much of the future is paved, with some of the top scientists in the world rigorously working towards the creation of agents that can perceive their environment and make intelligent decisions based on acquired data. Every year, many of these scientists come together with the purpose of consulting each other and sharing the results of their research. The following are the top five Artificial Intelligence conferences taking place in 2013 all over the United States.