Projection of Cybercrime in 2025

Projection of Cybercrime in 2025

As we have entered into 2025, and on the basis of analysis of cybercrime in 2024, I may say that the evolving digital world of cybercrime requires strict surveillance. In my last article of 2024, I have discussed “Top 10 Cybercrimes of 2024“. In that article I have highlighted significant trends that reshaped the digital world. Cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, and zero day attacks; all have been carried out during the year by cybercriminals. These attacks were not only freely carried out; but also exposed increasing sophisticated cybercrime methodologies. Today I will use my experience and vision to predict projection of cybercrime in 2025.

Lessons Learnt in 2024:

In 2024, the digital world encountered several types of cyberattacks. We can categorize them as under:

1. Ransomware: More than 70% of companies which were targeted by ransomware attacks had to pay huge amount of money as ransoms. Collective damage from ransomware attacks was more than $20 billion, which includes ransoms, legal suits, infrastructure and reputational damages.
2. Phishing: Because of A.I phishing techniques have been significantly enhanced. Compared to 2023, an increase of 25% has been recorded in A.I based phishing attacks in 2024.
3. Zero Day Attacks: Statistics show that there has been 15% rise of zero day attacks in exposing known vulnerabilities which were not patched by the companies. It has targeted both a newly established system and a well established system.
4. Cryptocurrency Scams: Fraudulent ponzy schemes in which payments were received in form of cryptocurrency have also been noticed to gain popularity among cybercriminals. As per recorded figures, it has caused losses of $14 billion to the victims.
5. IoT Attacks: Because of its loose security mechanism, Internet of Things (IoT) devices have become a soft target. As a result more than $1.5 billion loss has been recorded for IoT attacks.

Expected Techniques of Cybercrime in 2025:

1. AI-Driven Cyberattacks

The use of AI in cybercrime is day by day and it is expected to gain further utilization in 2025. Cybercriminals will use AI to automate phishing campaigns, create deepfake content, and exploit vulnerabilities much faster than a humanized attack.
To counter these threats, organizations will also have to adopt A.I based mechanisms which can counter these sophisticated attacks.

2. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS)

On the basis of cybercrime surge recorded in 2024, I can say that ransomware attack experts will continue to offer their services on the dark web. They will continue to target small and medium enterprises (SMEs). I am of this firm opinion, because SMEs normally have weaker security frameworks. On the basis of the trends in 2024, I anticipate 30% rise in ransomware attacks against SMEs by the end of 2025.

3. Quantum Computing Threats

Quantum computers are very powerful machines and can give solutions much faster than normal computers. Currently encryption is being used to secure online banking, private messages, and sensitive business data. Therefore, there is strong likelihood that cybercriminals use Quantum computers to break the encryption keys.

So far we consider our encryption methods like strong locks on a door. But with the use of quantum computers, these locks could be “unlock” very quickly. This is a big threat; because currently we consider encryption to be a secure form digital world. However with the use of quantum computers it can become vulnerable.

To counter this, experts have started working on post quantum cryptography which will provide versatile encryption techniques. Once it becomes mature, networks and data should be moved to these new quantum resistant security systems.

4. Cyberwarfare and State-Sponsored Attacks

After the introduction of 5^th Generation Warfare, cross border state-sponsored cyberattacks are expected to rise. In this new type of warfare critical infrastructure of the country are considered to be prime targets. SolarWind attack is a typical example in which hundreds of SolarWind users were sent malicious updates to gain access to their system. This type of technique may be replicated to carry out similar high profile attacks in 2025.

5. Deepfake Extortion and Misinformation

Deepfake is anticipated to be extensively used by cybercriminals to impersonate. It may be used for blackmailing, ponzy schemes, scams, and large scale misinformation campaigns. Enhanced AI detection tools and updated regulations can be used to mitigate the attempts.

Projection of Cybercrime in 2025

Predicted Growth in Cybercrime Categories (2023-2025)

Counter Measures:

1. Proactive Monitoring: Real time monitoring of network and use of sophisticated threat detection systems can play vital role to proactively identify any potential attack and mitigate risks of becoming a victim of any cyberattack.
2. No Trust Policy: Access control is the key to establish secure environment. Therefore, strict policies to control and monitor access to sensitive data may help to minimize the risk of becoming a victim to any cyberattacks.
3. Employee Training: Regular training of employees regarding latest threats can act as first line of defense against most popular cyberattacks like phishing and social engineering attacks.
4. Collaboration: Governments and private entities must collaborate to share latest threat and techniques being used by cybercriminals. All the stakeholders must collaborate and cooperate with each other so that international standards can be followed.

Conclusion

Based upon the trends noticed in 2024, there is a strong likelihood that cybercrimes are will escalate in 2025. Its complexity and impact is also expected to be lethal. Although advanced technologies offer smart solutions to proactively detect and identify modern cyberattacks; yet they also empower cybercriminals to carry out malicious activities. As I emphasized in my article on “Top 10 Cybercrimes of 2024“, that understanding previous incidents is crucial to be prepared for future.

Therefore, let’s collectively adopt latest and uptdated solutions to counter these threats and secure our digital world. To conclude projection of Cybercrime in 2025, I will say that in 2025 cybercrime will not only target systems; but, it will also exploit human trust and social weaknesses.