It is hard not to “admire” the work of some cybercriminals. If they weren’t using their skills for evil, their creativity, adaptability, and dedication would be praiseworthy. Last year was a banner year for hackers, who used both high-tech methods to overcome computer defense systems, as well as “old-fashioned” scams that people should have seen through.
In July 2020, Twitter accounts from corporations such as Apple and Uber, as well as notable people including Michael Bloomberg, Kanye West, Bill Gates, Joe Biden, Barack Obama, and Elon Musk all tweeted something to the effect of: “I am giving back to the community.
All Bitcoin sent to the address below will be sent back doubled! If you send $1,000, I will send back $2,000. Only doing this for 30 minutes.” The hackers who hijacked the accounts made a reported US$120,000 – not a bad payday for a pretty obvious scam attempt.
The problem with stories like this – and more recent ones such as ransomware attacks on major companies – is that only the big or flashy attempts make the news. This leaves many with a false sense of security as they assume they are not targets. Why should you worry about web safety? You don’t have millions in cryptocurrency or a trove of corporate secrets to steal. The reality is that hackers will take what they can get.
Predators pounce wherever there is an opening, which is why ‘everyday’ computer users are turning to safe browsing apps that scan in real-time, alert you to dangerous sites, and provide WiFi security. These apps use a combination of AI algorithms and a large community of users to flag suspicious sites. They also block pop-ups and ads which are now quite commonly used as sources to infect computers with one of the myriad versions of malware.
Interesting Engineering recently pointed out yet a new move in the evolution of malware. The blog reported that “Security firm Avast has released a new report indicating that cybercriminals are targeting gamers with ‘mining malware’ that is installed in free versions of games such as NBA 2K19, Grand Theft Auto V, Far Cry 5, The Sims 4, and Jurassic World Evolution.”
According to Avast, “[The malware] is distributed along with illegal, cracked copies of popular software and disables many popular antivirus programs as part of its anti-detection and anti-forensics tactics.” Avast believes those behind this scheme have, since at least June 2018, mined some US$2 million worth of cryptocurrency. The bug buries itself in your computer – and quietly – mines cryptocurrencies, with your processing power. Hmm… so that’s why the computer’s been so sluggish!
Running a safe browser when you go online is a smart way of avoiding falling prey to scams, cons, phishing, and attempts to plant all types of malware. Among the worst bugs that can be detected and avoided via safe browsing are ones that steal your identity. Data loss prevention – including personal data – is something we can no longer expect to be taken care of by firewalls or antiviral programs. The bad guys are well beyond those technologies and they are – of course – using artificial intelligence as well. Even blockchains, which were once considered by many to be “un-hackable,” are now targets.
In August 2021 – for example – hackers pulled off one of the biggest ever cryptocurrency steals… but then returned about a third of the stolen digital coins worth US$613 million. An individual who claims to be behind the cryptocurrency hack said they “did it for fun” and that they were “not that interested in the money.” You can choose to believe that claim or not but the attack does demonstrate that anyone or anything is vulnerable and nothing is “un-hackable.”
Running a safe browser app as you go about daily life online has moved from “a good idea” to “essential.” How many stories do we have to read about cyberattacks – big and small – before we start acting proactively?
An active offense is the whole point of a safe browser. The app scans ahead of you and stops, blocks and alerts before you fall prey to bugs, which can be as nasty as programs that steal your identity, which is then used to perhaps open a bank account or make purchases in your name… or as “mild” as a hacker using your processer to mine cryptocurrency.
Some of these bad guys are hard to figure out: like the hacker with the interesting habit of stealing book manuscripts before they’re released. This person has done this repeatedly with emails that look genuine. He/She/They aren’t using any special tech, just an email… and people keep falling for it! If the target, however, had been running a safe browser, such an email would have been flagged. It’s the wild, wild web out there, folks… and the best defense is a strong offense.
