Cyber Crime In 2021: How Hackers Are Evolving

As technology constantly evolves, so does cyber crime develop to survive. Cybersecurity experts also have to continually work to keep up with these upcoming technologies to prevent the day-to-day hacking loopholes. This means that cyber criminals have to constantly develop sophisticated attacks to fit new trends while upgrading existing attacks to avoid detection.  
 
It's no doubt that the recent global pandemic has created a new playground for hackers. This is because most businesses digitized their companies and shifted to remote working.
 
The digital forensics experts at ITAcceleration have produced a statistical report showing a tremendous increase in hacking and data breach, mostly in workplaces with mobile and IoT devices. What cyber crime trends, patterns, and hacks can we watch out for in 2021 and beyond? 
 
Cryptojacking:   With the popularity of the antivirus amongst most computer owners, cyber criminals have had to get innovative once again. Cryptojacking involves the unauthorized use of someone's computer to steal cryptocurrency by installing software. Hackers do this by getting the user to click on malicious links, mostly sent via email or on an online ad.
 
Once the link is clicked, it immediately loads a crypto mining code that runs in the background and is very difficult to detect.
 
It's important to note that crypto mining and cryptocurrency are not illegal. However, cyber criminals make crypto mining dangerous by draining the computer's processing power without the owner's knowledge to mine for cryptocurrency into their digital wallet.
 
Phishing:  This cyber threat continues to be more sophisticated over the years, especially in this social media era. This style doesn't seem to be going anywhere soon. Phishing ideally involves tricking the user into providing account logins for bank accounts or other confidential information willingly. Phishing attacks are made mainly by email. The phishing emails mostly resemble a trusted source like a phone or internet service provider service. They also include official-looking graphics, email addresses, and fake websites to trick the user into sharing their details.
 
Ransomware:   In the history of cybersecurity, cyber crime would be incomplete without the examination of ransomware. Ransomware is another sophisticated type of effective malware that prevents user access to their data by encrypting critical databases and applications. The perpetrators go ahead and harass the victim by threatening to permanently delete their data or expose them to the public with embarrassing information. Newly recruited cyber criminals get paid per infected device or with a percentage of the extorted ransom. 
 
Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is also primarily available for people capable of buying digital currencies such as Bitcoin. When cyber criminals perform large-scale attacks, they facilitate their payment with a ransom in the form of Bitcoin. Unfortunately, the global pandemic has slowly pushed young impoverished IT professionals into performing these cyber crimes. The dark side of this is that it provides a stable livelihood source while virtually offering absolute impunity. 
 
Worse still, payment of these ransoms doesn't guarantee non-exposure on the Dark Web. Apart from these cyber criminals just encrypting the data, they may also steal it and delete backups, thereby imposing even more compelling incentives to pay.
 
Business Insiders:  Historically, insiders have always posed a business risk. Some insiders may knowingly harm the business, while others are just accidental negligent workers who disregard existing protocol. Due to the pandemic still looming at large, most workers have become stressed and distracted, thus breeding more of these negligent insiders.  Some of these negligent workers are mostly tired, under stress, or operating in an unfamiliar environment cannot make sober decisions. Studies conducted by a digital forensics investigator have shown that stressed workers cause at least 4 out of 10 data breaches.  
 
Eavesdropping Technique:   This is sometimes referred to as the man-in-the-middle. In this situation, a hacker can easily steal data by coming in between the user and the action being done, such as logging in to their email or completing a payment without the victim's knowledge. 
 
Edge Computing Loopholes:  Edge computing is becoming an attractive value proposition to most businesses due to the widespread adoption of remote work due to COVID 19. The idea of Edge Computing controls how data is collected and transmitted to an increased number of connected devices. Edge computing is transforming how data is processed and delivered from millions of devices around the world. 
 
Edge computing systems continue to draw interest due to IoT devices' growth (motor vehicles, thermostats) and new applications that require good computing power. The adoption of edge computing has expanded the attack surface for hackers as some of them even have entry points into the architecture. Therefore, businesses should be alert about the extended network connected to every device as this can pose grievous cybersecurity risks. 
 
Cyber crime not only poses a potential damage risk to your firm but also to your client's data. However, you can bypass these potential risks with proper training. 
 
About the Author:  Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer and her clients include IT Acceleration Inc.       
 
Image: Unsplash
 
You Might Also Read: 
 
Four Essential Questions To Ask A Cybersecurity Expert:
 
« Cyber Attacks Target SAP Applications
Making 2FA More Secure »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout

DigitalStakeout enables cyber security professionals to reduce cyber risk to their organization with proactive security solutions, providing immediate improvement in security posture and ROI.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Alvacomm

Alvacomm

Alvacomm offers holistic VIP cybersecurity services, providing comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Our solutions include risk assessment, threat detection, incident response.

FireEye

FireEye

FireEye delivers unmatched detection, protection and response technology through an extensible and flexible cloud-based XDR platform.

Certification Europe

Certification Europe

Certification Europe (now Amtivo Ireland) is an accredited certification body which provides ISO management system certification, including ISO 27001.

Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)

Australian Signals Directorate (ASD)

The Australian Signals Directorate is an intelligence agency in the Australian Government Department of Defence.

Adroit Technologies

Adroit Technologies

Adroit Technologies has been developing award winning real-time software for the industrial automation markets for over 25 years.

OnSystem Logic

OnSystem Logic

OnSystem Logic has developed a unique, patent-pending solution to solve the problem of the exploitation of flaws in application software as a technique for cyber attacks.

SEPPmail

SEPPmail

SEPPmail is a patented e-mail encryption solution to secure your electronic communication.

State e-Government Agency (SEGA) - Bulgaria

State e-Government Agency (SEGA) - Bulgaria

The State e-Government Agency (SEGA) is responsible for matters relating to electronic governance in Bulgaria.

CYDES

CYDES

CYDES is the first event in Malaysia to showcase advanced solutions and technologies to address cyber defence and cyber security challenges for the public and private sectors.

Aries Security

Aries Security

Aries Security provides a premiere cyber training range and skills assessment suite and develops content for all levels of ability.

NI Cyber Security Centre

NI Cyber Security Centre

NI Cyber Security Centre works to make Northern Ireland cyber safe, secure and resilient for its citizens and businesses.

Conseal Security

Conseal Security

Mobile app security testing done well. Conseal Security are specialists in mobile app penetration testing. Our expert-led security analysis quickly finds security vulnerabilities in your apps.

Association of Azerbaijani Cyber Security Organizations (AKTA)

Association of Azerbaijani Cyber Security Organizations (AKTA)

The Association of Azerbaijani Cyber Security Organizations (AKTA) is a non-commercial organization aimed at strengthening the country's cybersecurity system.

Methods

Methods

Methods is the leading digital transformation partner for the UK public sector. We care deeply about making our public services better and have been doing this for over 28 years.

NewsGuard Technologies

NewsGuard Technologies

NewsGuard provides transparent tools to counter misinformation for readers, brands, and democracies.

Cloudbrink

Cloudbrink

Cloudbrink is purpose-built to deliver the industry’s highest performance connectivity to remote and hybrid workers, anywhere in the world.

Canary Technology Solutions (Canary IT)

Canary Technology Solutions (Canary IT)

A Cloud, Cyber Security, Retail Solutions and Managed IT Services provider for over 25 years, we safeguard and revolutionise business through technology and foresight.