We live in an era of rising data security vulnerabilities. Hardly a month passes without news of another large-scale customer data breach or ransomware attack bringing some company to its knees. Staying aware of different cyberthreat categories is crucial these days for both individuals and organizations seeking to boost their security postures.
This guide provides an overview of 10 major information security threats worth keeping on your radar in 2023 based on capability, frequency and potential business impact.
Why Understanding Cyberthreats Matters
- Data breaches now cost affected businesses over $4 million on average
- Estimated global ransomware damage costs will hit $30 billion by 2023
- Average time taken to identify and contain a cyber attack is 287 days!
- Small businesses face a 60% chance of closing post a cyber incident
So whether you are an everyday internet user worried about identity theft or a decision maker responsible for enterprise data security, threat awareness is key to self-protection in today‘s volatile cyber climate.
Now let‘s get acquainted with 10 threats you must absolutely have on your radar before another year passes by!
Malware
| Type | Vector | Behavior | Motive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viruses | Email, Web, Removable Drives | Self-replicate, overwrite/encrypt files, consume resources | Cause damage |
| Worms | Networks, Software Vulnerabilities | Spread automatically, replicate endlessly | Disrupt systems, Deliver payloads |
| Trojans | Social Engineering, Downloads | Backdoor access, remote control | Steal data, spying |
| Ransomware | Phishing Links, Drive-By | Lock access to data | Extort money |
| Botnet Malware | Networks | Turn devices into bots, DDoS tools | Cybercrime backend |
* Daily average malware attacks blocked in 2022 - 805,802!
* Emotet botnet alone leads to $2.5M avg cost per incident
* Ryuk ransomware extracted over $150M in payments from 5 entitiesDefense Checklist
✅ Updated Antivirus Software
✅ Staff Security Training
✅ Backup Critical Data
✅ Endpoint Detection Tools
✅ Patch Management Frameworks
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