Cyber attacks have been threatening the population for as long as the Internet has existed, but, with all these advances in technology, are we now in a better place to fight cyber crime? As our defenses strengthen, so do our attackers’ tactics. Here is what you need to know about identity-based cyber crime in today’s world.
How does cyber crime work?
Identity theft has become the predominant method of cyber crime. This means that scammers will buy user data or gather information on a person in order to steal something valuable. This might be money, data, or other personal information.
How is cyber crime evolving?
Cyber crime is evolving, and identity exploitation is becoming a serious issue. Using valid credentials, cyber attackers are able to steal identities and bypass security methods that traditionally kept us safe online. It is thought that this could be down to AI developments and new automated phishing, taking the place of malicious software, or malware.
So if the attacker doesn’t need software, then how can you stop these attacks? Are enhanced website security checks the answer? Will introducing website security checks put a stop to cyber crime altogether or just slow the attackers down?
How are companies countering these attacks?
As identity-based cyber crime continues to rise and outpace traditional security methods, companies are shifting towards regular or continuous identity verification to create more barriers, in place of one-time verification. But while this creates more doors for attackers to break through, it also interrupts workers’ workflow.
Furthermore, some businesses are limiting their employees’ access and revoking their rights when a task is complete. This prevents criminals from impersonating employees and gaining unrestricted access to all zones. Could this, in this moment, be the best way to lock the attackers out?
Of course, as we enter this new era of cyber crime, it is just as important to keep ourselves safe by using strong passwords, logging out of online accounts, using a VPN if connected to a public Wi-Fi, and regularly monitoring accounts and systems.