When ransomware cripples a hospital, it’s not the building or equipment that suffers — it’s the patients who are denied.
Work in one of these 10 industries? Scammers are targeting you
Any Komando.com reader knows that antivirus software is essential for your computer, but that’s not the only device you should be protecting. Smartphone cyberattacks are becoming increasingly common. Tap or click here for tips on shielding your iPhone and Android from the countless threats out there.
Cyberattacks of all kinds are on the rise and show no signs of slowing down. Numerous industries are being targeted all over the world, with some being hit much harder than others.
Who’s the most vulnerable? What can you do to protect yourself? Read on for everything you need to know.
Here’s the scary situation
According to a report from Check Point Research, global cyberattacks were up 38% in 2022 compared to 2021. That number is even higher for the U.S. alone, at 57% higher. Hackers are becoming more sophisticated — and more evasive, by breaking up into smaller groups to avoid getting caught.
Threat actors are also launching phishing campaigns involving collaboration tools like Slack, Teams, OneDrive and Google Drive, which are seeing increased use due to people still working remotely.
The pandemic has contributed to the rise in cyberattacks in other ways, too. As educational institutions hastily shifted to virtual classrooms, they inadvertently created new doorways for hackers. On top of that, the students themselves used their own devices and connected to unsecured networks, exacerbating the problem.
When it comes to the healthcare industry, hospitals are seen as lacking in resources to protect against cyberattacks — especially the smaller institutions. Hospital records are a treasure trove of information. Health insurance, medical record numbers and Social Security numbers provide plenty of ammunition for ransomware attacks.
Here are the top 10 average numbers of weekly cyberattacks in 2022, with the percentage increase from 2021 in parentheses:
- Education/Research: 2,314 (+43%)
- Government/Military: 1,661 (+46%)
- Healthcare: 1,463 (+74%)
- Communications: 1,380 (+27%)
- Internet Service Provider/Managed Service Provider: 1,372 (+28%)
- Finance/Banking: 1,131 (+52%)
- Utilities: 1,101 (+48%)
- Insurance/Legal: 957 (+47%)
- Manufacturing: 950 (+36%)
- Leisure/Hospitality: 943 (+60%)
Security researchers are warning about the dangers of AI technology contributing to the rise of attacks, too. The chatbot ChatGPT is capable of writing code and phishing campaigns at a faster pace than humans alone. Tap or click here for more details on how this AI tool is being manipulated by hackers and scammers.
What you can do to protect yourself
Forget emails and texts - Ransomware hackers are calling and here's what they want
Online security measures are updated constantly, making it difficult for hackers to breach systems and steal information. But it doesn’t deter them for long, and they quickly shift towards other tactics.
Unfortunately, network infiltrations are still too common in the U.S., with government agencies, schools and large corporations the most lucrative targets.
Can't find your favorite candies to hand out on Halloween? Blame ransomware
Cybercriminals employ all sorts of strategies to ply their crooked trade. Ransomware attacks are just what they sound like. An attacker gains access to your files through your computer or network and locks them down. They demand payment — the ransom — in exchange for releasing your files.
Checklist: 7 essential online security steps you can't skip
Security threats are pretty much everywhere online these days. Data breaches, phishing scams, ransomware attacks and identity thieves are just a few things we need to watch for.
While some threats are out of our control, many can be prevented with just a little time and effort on our part — but that’s the problem. Not enough people take security as seriously as they should. Want to find out if your data has been part of a breach? Tap or click here for a tool that can show you.
Why ransomware attacks are exploding
Did you know anyone can buy a DIY ransomware kit and launch attacks? Listen now to this one-minute episode to find out how it all works.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The one surefire way to avoid ransomware attacks
The Colonial Pipeline is getting back up and working because they paid the hackers $5 million for a decrypting tool. But the entire fiasco could have been avoided. If you run a business, here’s what you can do to protect yourself.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Windows 10: Latest security patch fixes a zero-day vulnerability
Microsoft and other tech companies regularly release updates and security patches for their software. This not only ensures that you get the latest features but also keeps your devices protected.
Vulnerabilities in software can be exploited by hackers, leading to personal information being stolen. In severe cases, your device and all its files can be held for ransom. Tap or click here for the secret behind ransomware attacks that hackers don’t want you to know.
Ransomware attacks: You ain't seen nothin' yet
Ransomware cybercriminals aren’t only after the average person. They attack in big numbers. Why? They’re looking for a big payout from companies, schools and even hospitals.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FBI’s 'imminent' warning
The FBI is warning all American hospitals of imminent ransomware attacks. Imminent is the actual word used by the FBI. Here’s what it could mean for you.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ransomware attacks up 90 percent
Open/download audioYou won’t believe who’s to blame
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Watch out! Clever Amazon delivery scam spreading all over the country
When was the last time you had an item delivered to your doorstep by Amazon? If your answer is recently, please read on. There is a new, clever scam targeting Amazon customers and people all over the U.S. are falling for it. Don’t be one of the victims! I’ll tell you what to look for.