The biggest cyberthreats to be careful of in 2022

The biggest cyberthreats to be careful of in 2022 banner new

Table of Contents

According to research, a data breach could set your business back by more than $4 million in 2021, so you don’t want to be caught off-guard by cyberthreats. Here are some of the cyberthreats you need to prepare for this year.

Microservice attacks

Many of today’s complex apps are built from smaller apps or services called microservices. These microservices coordinate and communicate with one another to function as one large program or service. For instance, the Buy button on the Amazon website is a separate microservice, as is the site’s tax calculator feature.

There are multiple benefits to using microservices, which is why it’s emerging as a popular app development approach. For example, it simplifies app development and makes it possible for devs to isolate specific app components for repairs and upgrades, instead of taking apart the entire app.

Unfortunately, each microservice can become an attack surface, which means that any app developed using these smaller apps can have multiple vulnerabilities for cybercriminals to potentially exploit. You’ll need to identify and patch up all of these flaws if you want to protect your app and business data, using advanced measures like encryption and continuous monitoring.

Deepfake technology

Deepfake technology combines artificial intelligence and machine learning to create different types of sham but realistic audio and video content. An example is this series of videos that shows Tom Cruise doing and saying things the real actor never actually did or said. It’s fascinating, really, but the technology stops being all fun and games when cybercriminals enter the picture.

For one, crooks can create fake audio or video recordings of your executives instructing employees to wire money to a fake bank account. They can also create fraudulent content intended to destroy your reputation.

To combat this threat, train your staff to identify telltale signs of deepfaking. In videos, for instance, watch out for any abnormalities in the way a person moves their mouth when they speak. Or be on the lookout for words and phrases the real person wouldn’t normally say.

In cases that involve company funds, such as payment requests, contact the person supposedly making the request using real-time channels, such as voice or video calls, and verify if they did make the request. You can also limit the number of people in your company who can authorize wire transfers to simplify the verification process.

Supply chain attacks

In a supply chain attack, a threat actor targets a business and hits other parties that are linked to that business, such as customers, vendors, and other businesses in the same industry. For instance, a data breach on the law firm you do business with could expose some of your company’s contracts and intellectual properties.

A supply chain attack means that your business isn’t completely safe from data breaches even if you were to implement the best cybersecurity measures. Businesses need to work together to combat this threat by fortifying their respective cybersecurity infrastructures. Doing so will mitigate the risk of cyber incidents not just for companies, but also all the other parties connected to them.

Mobile malware

The coronavirus pandemic made mobile technologies even more important. They enable people to work remotely, shop using their mobile devices, and perform cashless transactions. Studies suggest that the number of mobile users will only grow over the years — a trend that cybercriminals will likely take advantage of by launching more mobile malware attacks.

Threat actors can use mobile malware to accomplish various nefarious goals, including locking away and stealing data, hijacking infected devices, and spying on users’ activities. To reduce the risk of malware infection, avoid visiting untrustworthy websites and install apps only from valid sources. Do not open emails from sources you don’t know as they can contain malware. Finally, make sure your device is installed with an antimalware application.

When it comes to cybersecurity, it always pays to be prepared. At Complete Technology, our experts can help you identify and address vulnerabilities in your infrastructure, as well as find the best solutions to address any cyberthreat. Learn how we can maximize your cyber defenses by contacting us today.