Latest Cyber threats

What are the latest cyber threats that individuals and organizations need to guard against? Here are some of the most recent cyber threats that the U.K., U.S., and Australian governments have reported on :

 

•Dridex malware In December 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) charged the leader of an organized cyber-criminal group for their part in a global Dridex malware attack. This malicious campaign affected the public, government, infrastructure and business worldwide. Dridex is a financial trojan with a range of capabilities. Affecting victims since 2014, it infects computers though phishing emails or existing malware. Capable of stealing passwords, banking details and personal data which can be used in fraudulent transactions, it has caused massive financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions.

 

In response to the Dridex attacks, the U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre advises the public to “ensure devices are patched, anti-virus is turned on and up to date and files are backed up”.

 

•Romance scams In February 2020, the FBI warned U.S. citizens to be aware of confidence fraud that cybercriminals commit using dating sites, chat rooms and apps. Perpetrators take advantage of people seeking new partners, duping victims into giving away personal data.

 

The FBI reports that romance cyber threats affected 114 victims in New Mexico in 2019, with financial losses amounting to $1.6 million.

 

•Emotet malware In late 2019, The Australian Cyber Security Centre warned national organizations about a widespread global cyber threat from Emotet malware.

 

Emotet is a sophisticated trojan that can steal data and also load other malware. Emotet thrives on unsophisticated password: a reminder of the importance of creating a secure password to guard against cyber threats.

 

•Cryptojacking Cryptojacking uses your computer to secretly “mine” cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum. While not an immediate threat, it can slow down your devices significantly.

 

How it occurs:

Hackers use phishing emails or other methods to get you to click a link that then downloads the cryptojacking malware to your device.

 

Recent examples of cryptojacking:

In 2019, two members of the Romanian hacking group Bayrob Group were sentenced to 20 years in prison after their cryptojacking malware infected 400,000 computers [*]. In an even more bizarre case, it was recently discovered that Norton – a company that makes software designed to protect you from viruses — now installs cryptomining software on your device by default.