This really isn’t an in-depth look at what these Internet beasts are; rather, it’s a detailed description of what might happen this new year. Internet security is a big deal, so pay attention, secure your numbers for your prepaid credit cards and private data, take note, and consider these very real, possible Internet threats:
The Creation of Malware
A company known as PandaLabs gathered the statistics of malware growth, and the numbers are staggering. Exponentially, the army of malware files will increase this year. And it won’t be pretty.
The Cyber War
Sounds pretty cool, something out of “Transformers,” but the reality is it’s not cool—regarding global news about terrorism from China in cyberspace attacking Google and other targets as well as a cyber-cell called “Stuxnet” responsible for uranium centrifuge control in nuclear plants.
Hacktivism
The more common term for it is “cyber-protests.” A precursor to that would be something like Napster, only that was much more up for debate on several levels. But when you’re dealing with piracy on the Internet, it’s still piracy. And cyber-protests, or hacktivism, will fuel that fire pretty intensely.
Social Engineering
Sadly, social sites out there are the perfect breeding ground for cyber-criminals and cyber-terrorism. Because for the most part, these sites are completely anonymous. A terrorist really doesn’t have to be a middle-aged Muslim who hates Christianity; online, that same terrorist could easily be a harmless 10-year-old girl. The perfect cover.
Windows 7
Sorry, Microsoft, but you have been targeted. Story of your life, obviously. But it has been speculated that it will take two more years for the operating system to experience heavy problems with all kinds of malware. The truth is any operating system out there is in jeopardy.
Now, folks, listen up: there are more threats out there. So many that this one article can’t list them all. So pay attention to everything you hear. It just might save your identity. Protect yourself.