Most popular Cybersecurity coverage tends to focus on large-scale threats. Big businesses, banks, and governments are always under attack. But that kind of coverage understates the significance of digital threats to individuals.

With that in mind, here are the top four digital threats in 2012.

1. More Attacks Via Social Networking

The effectiveness of social engineering attacks is catalyzed by human predisposition. Even in the relatively remote realm of e-mail, social engineering attacks are convincing enough to trick a lot of people.

The environment of trust and familiarity intimated by social networking amplifies that threat.
In 2012, expect the threat of social engineering attacks through social networking sites to increase: Expect convincing attacks and expect more of them. These attacks are often an attempt to gather personal information necessary for financial exploitation, so beware of any strangers who spontaneously contact or friend you on any social networking site.

2. Greater Mobile Threat

Smartphones make easy targets. Apps are the easiest way for information thieves and spammers to get malware onto your smartphone. Fresh out of the box, most smartphones come loaded with third-party software and apps.
Though spyware attacks have been limited to the Android, expect 2012 to bring a greater diversity of malware attacks to all smartphones.
Subsequently, expect manufacturers and employers to implement greater smartphone security measures in response.

3. Increased Prevalence of RAM Scraping

Though RAM scraping is one of the oldest Cybersecurity compromises around, it’s only recently been used to seize personal information.
RAM scraping essentially targets the wealth of information left on a computer or server’s memory while a process is being performed. It can also be used to pick through encryption keys stored in your computer’s memory.

Before its recent surge in use, RAM scraping was relatively ineffective at harvesting information from servers. However, information thieves have optimized RAM scraping for attacks on personal systems.
This means that 2012 may bring more RAM scraping attacks on personal computers. This form of attack takes advantage of misconfigured browsers, so make sure you use a safe and properly-configured browser when you access sensitive information.

4. Wireless Security Breaches

Wi-Fi networks are staggeringly prevalent. Most coffee shops, restaurants, and government buildings seem to offer free, unsecured wireless Internet access. All this free wireless is great for easy data access, but it also provides an opportunity for malware to exploit a widened security gap.

A lot of wireless attacks already exist, from hardware exploitation to seizure of proprietary information. Expect an increase in these attacks in 2012.

If you regularly use unsecured wireless internet, you should start taking regular precautions. Avoid accessing personal or financial information on an unsecured connection. Properly configure your browser for optimal security.

Thanks to a rise is cybersecurity training degree programs, more and more people are joining the frontlines of internet safety, but they can’t do it all. Take the necessary steps to protect yourself!

Cybersecurity trends don’t just threaten digital compromise for corporations and government; sophisticated and effective attacks are more frequently aimed at personal systems. Know what’s coming and be prepared.

Learn IT, DO IT, Teach IT, Share IT, BE IT

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

 
Radio Security Journalist

© 2006 – 2012 CyberHood Watch® Blog

[Think IT Won't Happen To You? Top CyberSecurity Threats in 2012!]

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And so a lot of people have already been victimized by the so-called “Identity Theft.” However, not everyone knows about it or probably hasn’t heard about it especially those who live in the opposite sides of the world. When a person is well-rounded concerning the tricks and techniques behind these stealing activities, then they will be able to save themselves and those people they know who don’t have any familiarity about the issue.

Today, not only in the United States, people become more anxious when it comes to protecting their data, files, bank accounts and other information that stealers might be interested to. Most of the time, thieves are interested with the bank accounts because they may use it on purpose, more likely for a bad cause. They tend to steal a person’s information to open a new bank account and use it under that name, address, phone number and just about anything that is needed to open a new financial credit. And when this happens, the victim will be charged with unexplainable debts.

Usually, they use third party software to get it from the victim’s personal computer wherein it can have all the data that they are looking for. Another trick that these identity thieves play is by scavenging trash bins. It may seem awful but this is what the “low profile” thieves do. They tend to play as garbage collectors and see the trash if a person has left his or her bank statements in there or other personal information that was thrown. And when they have the data, they can now use it for their personal alarming motive which is to steal and abuse other’s people mistake and innocence. Lastly, another obvious technique is doing it “in person.”

These people are really mean and so people have to watch out for these bad people. They may just stand behind their target’s back and watch them key in their key in ATM machines or during financial transactions and when they got a good look at it, then there’s another successful victim of Identity theft.

As responsible (CyberCitizens) individuals, they have to put in their mind that Identity Theft is a crime. It’s a form of stealing and it’s against the law. When people become vigilant on how these stealers do their job then they can be safer and be protected on the threats these ruthless people’s action brings. In a way, they will also become more mindful and aware that anything can happen to them for the reason that these stealers have special talents and that is to embezzle a person’s delicate information.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner

Bill Wardell

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The CyberHood Watch partners, Dave and Bill, shared an experience with our community on Saturday, which was long overdue.

Certified 6th Degree Black Belt

Brett Lechtenberg is a sixth (6^th) degree black belt who instructs Tae Kwon Do at his Dojang in Sandy, Utah. Last Saturday, Brett invited Bill and me to address his leadership group about Internet safety.

We had anticipated the group, and as authorities for the safety of children, families, and businesses on the Internet, we were excited to share the wisdom we have gained over the years.

The time came and Bill and I were introduced to the leadership group. I should mention here that the majority of this group would literally be tomorrow’s leaders. Two-thirds were between the ages of six and thirteen.

What fun we had…these were the leaders of the Dojang. Bill and I sat down as everyone gathered around and sat on the mats, adult students as well. This was very different from presenting onstage in San Diego to a group of professional Internet marketers, who paid thousands to be there.

However, this group was the core of whom the CyberHood Watch partners represent and who we believe to become the solution in defending the integrity of the Internet. A key element to maintaining a safe and healthy Internet is empowering our children with the knowledge to recognize the tactics used to victimize them, and those they care about.

Bill and I engaged the kids and had them make suggestions of how they could be safe on the Internet. We were thoroughly pleased and surprised with their familiarity. They understood they should never give out their names, school names, phone numbers, addresses, etc. However, hearing them you might feel comfortable as believing they would be relatively safe on the Internet.   Unfortunately, they may be able to parrot the rules, but be assured they do not comprehend when they are being manipulated.

Want To Feel Safe - These Are The Ones

As we were talking, we discussed passwords. Everyone understood you never give out your password, and what might happen if you did. One little guy I was addressing had just given his answer explaining why you never give out passwords, and in the same breath exclaimed, quite proudly, that he had two passwords. Remember, he had just told me the importance of not telling anyone your password.

“Wow”, I said. “You have two passwords that is cool. So, what are your passwords?” Without hesitation, my little friend was prepared to tell me, before I cut him off and reassured him never to give out his password. “Don’t let anyone trick you into giving out your password”, I reminded him.

I would like to make a personal observation. It has been awhile since I have had the pleasure to gather with a large group of kids. My youngest being twenty-three, I have not been through the doors of too many elementary or junior high schools recently. However, what I observed, which I found uniquely comforting was the genuine respect shown towards one another. There was a real sense these kids were taught character-building skills. Therefore, assure any parents who have enrolled their child into Brett’s Dojang, your child is learning some great personal development skills in addition to Tae Kwon Do.

Certified 6th Degree Black Belt

To everyone in the leadership program, Bill and I would like to thank you for the warm welcome.

Afterwards, Bill and I met with Brett, who interviewed us for his personal mastery series. You can meet Brett here. Watch as he interviews both Bill and I for his TV series.

One additional thought before posting…Here is another side of Brett Lechtenberg you should know about: Break-A-Thon.

david c ballard