Page 53 - Cyber Warnings

These attacks were carried out by bot networks that relied on thousands of affected IoT devices
(IP cameras, routers, etc.). We can be certain that 2017 will see an increase in this kind of
attack, which is typically used to blackmail companies or to harm their business (by
blocking web access, online shopping, etc.).

Mobile Phones

The target is clear here as well — Android devices got the worst of it. Which makes sense,
given that Android has the greatest market share, and is the OS of the greatest number of
devices. Apple retains a modest percentage with iOS, and the rest of the alternatives are
negligible. Focusing on one single OS makes it easier for cybercriminals to fix a target with
maximal dissemination and profitability.

To complicate matters (or, if you’re a cybercriminal, simplify them), updates do not only depend
on the rollout of what Andoid can do, but also depends on each hardware manufacturer’s
decision of when and how to incorporate them (if at all). Given the amount of security issues
that crop up every month, this situation only puts users at greater risk.

Cyberwarfare

We are living through one of the most precarious moments in international relations of the last
several years — threats of commercial warfare, espionage, tariffs with the potential to polarize
the positions of the great powers. This can no doubt have huge — and serious —
consequences in the field of cybersecurity. Governments will want access to still more
information (at a time when encryption is becoming more popular), and intelligence agencies will
become still more interested in obtaining information that could benefit industry in their
countries.

A global situation of this kind could hamper data sharing initiatives — data that large companies
are already sharing in order to better protect themselves against cybercrime, setting standards
and international engagement protocols.

About the Author

Luis Corrons has been working in the security industry for more than 17
years, specifically in the antivirus field. He is the Technical Director at
PandaLabs, the malware research lab at Panda Security. Luis is a
WildList reporter and member of the Board of Directors at MUTE
(Malicious URLs Tracking and Exchange). He is also a top rated industry
speaker at events like Virus Bulletin, HackInTheBox, APWG, Security
BSides, etc. Luis also serves as liaison between Panda Security and law enforcement agencies,
and has helped in a number of cyber-criminal investigations.

53 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine December 2016 Edition
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