2022 In Retrospect: How Safe Were We?

In retrospect, 2022 was a very challenging year for cybersecurity in so many areas. At the beginning of the year, there was a crypto theft where hackers stole approximately $18 million worth of Bitcoin and $15 million worth of Ethereum, alongside other cryptocurrencies.

Afterward, there was a Red Cross data breach, a News Corp server breach, a Microsoft data breach, and a Cash App data breach, amongst others. It is apparent that cyberattacks and data breaches are still big businesses and will continue to be in the following years.

Cybersecurity will continue to be a major concern in 2023. Continuous technological changes imply a parallel shift in cybersecurity trends as news of hacks, ransomware, and data breach become the norm. Malicious threats and more creative and sophisticated cyber attacks will be a big topic for discussion in years to come.

There are many reasons why data breaches happen in the first place. Some of the primary and most common reasons for cyber attacks we have witnessed this year are:

1. Malware
2. Human error
3. Old vulnerabilities

Believe it or not, studies have shown that human error is the leading cause of over 90% of cyber security breaches, which only shows that people do not think about cybersecurity until it’s too late. This is why we all must make an effort to educate ourselves and our closest ones about the importance of cybersecurity and cyber hygiene.

To have good cyber hygiene, you need to have the right products and tools. Some of the essential tools to have are antivirus software, a firewall, password protection, and a VPN from reputable VPN providers such as Le VPN.

2022 Cybersecurity Trends That We Will Most Likely See in 2023

Cybersecurity is a highly fast-moving sector, as both security providers and cybercriminals are trying to outsmart each other. As a result, new trends and threats are constantly emerging. If we wish to prevent or at least minimize cyberattacks annually, we must get to know our enemy and what solution can prevent successful threats. Therefore, let us see what 2022 cybersecurity trends we will witness more of in 2023.

#1 The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things was once a distant reality, but not anymore. From fitness trackers and lamps to refrigerators and cards, the Internet Of Things is already part of our lives. While IoT devices do make our lives much more accessible and convenient, these devices open new doors and opportunities for cybercriminal activity.

Contrary to smartphones and computers, most IoT devices have fewer processing and storage capabilities, making it harder to employ necessary protection such as antivirus, firewalls, and other security applications.

Finally, despite the potential risks, it’s very unlikely that the IoT will stop expanding into homes and every other imaginable environment. The IoT is here to stay, so it is up to all of us to figure out how to make them more secure.

#2 The Rise Of AI

With the increase in cybercrime, there’s no doubt that the volume of cybersecurity threats is too much for humans to handle alone. As a result, AI was designed. If used well, AI can analyze many events to detect various types of cyber attacks, from phishing to ransomware and malware.

If there’s one thing that we learned in 2022, it’s that AI is fast evolving and becoming a must-have technology for all organizations and businesses that wish to improve their cybersecurity plan.

However, we must be careful; while AI presents a significant opportunity for more robust threat detection, criminals are also taking advantage of this technology to automate their attacks, so it’s pretty much a double-edged sword.

Finally, the practical applications of AI are still far from done. We expect security tools driven by AI to continue to grow in sophistication in the years to come.

#3 Ransomware Is Not Going Anywhere Anytime Soon

If there’s one thing that can be said with certainty, it’s that ransomware was one of the main cybersecurity trends in 2022 and, by the looks of things, will continue to be in the following year. Ransomware attacks do not discriminate and are used to target all types of organizations, from small to large ones.

Ransomware can be highly damaging to businesses as well as to individuals. The loss of files, data, financial loss, and loss of productivity all make businesses feel they have no other choice but to pay the ransom. It is estimated that ransomware generates over $20 billion in revenue for hackers annually, which only goes to show how effective it is to extort money from companies.

The best and only way to truly stop ransomware attacks is to be proactive and ensure that you have strong cybersecurity measures in place so that ransomware can not even infect your system in the first place. Prevention is and will always be better than cure.

#4 Cybersecurity Will Continue to Be a Huge Problem For Remote Workers

Remote work poses new cybersecurity risks and is one of the most talked about trends in cybersecurity in 2022, rightfully so. The existing blurred lines between personal and professional life only increase the risk that private data could fall into the wrong hands. Therefore, a critical cyber security trend for companies to focus on in the following years is the security challenges of working remotely.

One of the main advantages of working remotely is that one can do their work from anywhere in the world, and you’d be surprised to know how many people may opt for working from their local coffee shops and restaurants. Now, the problem occurs when an individual connects to an insecure wifi network.

The worst and most irresponsible thing you can do as a remote worker is to connect to a public unsecured WiFi. Instead, you should think about using your own mobile router.

At last, you can never be too cautious, so you might want to consider using a VPN from trustworthy providers such as Le VPN. Get Le VPN’s Christmas promo!