Upcoming and Emerging Cyber Threats: #StaySafeOnline

Dedication: Before discussing Emerging Cyber Threats, I can never forget my mentor Mr. Muhammad Khalid Qureshi, PSP (Retrd) (an upright and undisputed officer of Police Service of Pakistan) who has always played a vital role in developing my career and interpersonal skills. I owe him more than only a solute. Thanks to Almighty Allah.

Who am I?

I’m Nauman Ashraf Bodla, currently working as Deputy Director in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Pakistan. With extensive experience in the field (since year 2000), I have sharpened my skills in identifying, analyzing, and neutralizing cyber threats and earned a reputation for my commitment to cybercrimes investigations & digital forensics.

On top of all I have an honor to be declare as the first digital forensic expert of the country to present its expert opinions/testimonies in any court of law. I have also headed the first ever digital forensic lab of the country and have been trained and educated by world renowned agencies of the world.

My career in cybercrime investigations and digital forensics has been driven by a relentless pursuit of knowledge and a desire to stay ahead of the curve for which I have travelled round the globe to collect informative trainings and hands on experience of the field. During this career I have been a part of a number of Joint investigation Teams which had international interests.

In this blog, I aim to share my insights, experiences, and expertise to help individuals and organizations navigate the complexities of Emerging Cyber Threats, cyber security and protect themselves from evolving digital threats.

Emerging Cyber Threats

By evolution of technology, internet has become a battleground. Today’s cybercrime landscape is dynamic and ever-evolving threat.

This blog will help you to explore the latest threats of the digital world, and offering insights for individuals and organizations to reinforce their defenses against the threats listed below:

1. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) – Digital Extortion

Ransomware, is a form of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom for its release (FBR Pakistan attack etc). It has long been a nightmare for businesses and individuals; however, the emergence of RaaS has evolved digital extortion. These underground market places provide pre-built ransomware mechanism and support several services, thus making it easier for even the criminals to launch sophisticated attacks.

2. Exploitation of the Vulnerabilities

Modern economies rely upon complex interconnected computerized systems. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting vulnerabilities within these systems and compromising a seemingly less secure infrastructure to gain access to more valuable targets. For instance, an attacker might infiltrate a software development company and inject malicious code into a widely used program. This code could then be deployed to a vast array of unsuspecting users, granting the attacker access to sensitive data or control of their systems. This might sense illogical or superstitious but this is what actually is going on and a normal user of the system cannot identify it.

3. Deep-fakes and Social Engineering – Blurring the Lines of Reality

Deep-fakes are hyper-realistic videos which are being manipulated using A.I. These are becoming a potent tool in the cybercriminal’s arsenal. These fabricated videos are being used to impersonate executives, celebrities, politicians, head of the states and head of sensitive organizations for the purpose of misleading and discriminating false agenda.

4. Internet of Every-Thing (IoT) – A Flood of Vulnerable Devices

The Internet of Every-Thing (IoT) revolution refers to the rapid proliferation of internet-connected devices, which creates a vast attack surface for cybercriminals. Infiltrating poorly secured IoT devices like smart home appliances (like refrigerators, LEDs, ACs e.t.c), CCTV cameras, or even futuristic (yet tried) automated vehicles is a stepping stone for attackers to gain access to a private network.

5. Crypto currency Landscape – Mining for Profits

Crypto currency mining is the process of verifying transactions and generating new coins (coins are considered to be denomination of currency in this world), which requires significant computational power. Cybercriminals have devised a nefarious method, which is called crypto-jacking. It is used to exploit the resources of unsuspected victims who have nothing to do with the transaction and have no idea or knowledge of the crime being committed through them or their system. For Crypto-Jacking, a malicious code is embedded in websites or apps of such unsuspected victims for the purpose of hijacking a victim’s computer processing power. This processing power of the system is used to mine crypto currency for the attacker’s benefit.

This can only be identified by the user by a close observance of the system behavior, because this type of attack leads to slower performance of the system and increased heat generation because of excessive working and overload of the processors.

6. Insider / local Threats – A Persistent Challenge

Insider threats are the threats where individuals within an organization exploit their legitimate access to sensitive information for malicious purposes. They are actually a significant point of concern in this type of crime. These threats can be particularly difficult to detect and mitigate, because they often involve most trusted individuals who have legitimate access to sensitive systems and data.

7. Block Chain Technology Exploitations:

While emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and block chain offer significant benefit. At the same time these emerging technologies present new security challenges for cyber security experts. For example A.I. powered cyber attacks can be automated by making them more difficult to be detected and self mitigated.

Similarly, while talking about block chain technology which offers secure and transparent transactions, it is the anonymity and decentralization of the block chain technology that facilitates the cyber attackers to exploit its vulnerabilities for illicit activities.

Protecting Yourself from Emerging Cyber Threats:

While the threat landscape appears frightening, the individuals and organizations can take proactive steps to mitigate cybercrime risks by taking following measures:-

Software Updates: Regularly update operating systems, software, and firmware on all devices to known vulnerabilities.

Strong Passwords & Multi-Factor Authentication: Employ strong, unique passwords for each online account and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Beware of Phishing Attempts: Be cautious of unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media posts. Don’t click on suspicious links or attachments, and verify each sender before click.

Data Backups: Regularly back up data on a separate, secure and offline device in case of a cyber attack.

Cyber security Awareness Training: Educate all employees about common cyber threats (as mentioned above) and best practices for secure online behavior and response.

Invest in Security Solutions: Businesses and organizations should invest in robust security solutions like firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and endpoint security software (I won’t name any solutions but companies and organizations may decide on their own).

Conclusion – A Shared Responsibility to Counter Emerging Cyber Threats:

On basis of my experience, I can say that cybercrimes is a complex problem demanding a multi-pronged approach. Law enforcement agencies require advanced tools and international collaboration to effectively investigate and pursue cyber criminals. Individuals and organizations must also play their part by prioritizing cyber security and being vigilant. By staying informed about Emerging Cyber Threats and implementing robust security measures, we all can protect ourselves from evolving cybercrime threats.

As the landscape of cybercrime is constantly evolving and cybercriminals leveraging new technologies and tactics to bypass security measures, as a cybercrime investigator, I can say that, it is crucial to stay informed about the latest threats and trends regarding Emerging Cyber Threats, and to continually update your skills and knowledge to effectively combat these Emerging Cyber Threats.

Remember, staying informed and proactive is crucial in the fight against Emerging Cyber Threats.

Disclaimer: This blog post merely scratches the surface of the ever-changing threat landscape.

Contact me: official@naumanbodla.com