It is not true that people are safe from hackers because they only target big companies for money and other purposes. Every person using debit or credit cards, doing online transactions, using the internet can get affected by cyber threats. You may lose money before even recognizing the situation. Simple mistakes from users open the entry for virus and malware coded by hackers.

1. Five Cyber threats to be
careful in 2018

2. It is not true that people are safe from hackers
because they only target big companies for money and
other purposes. Every person using debit or credit
cards, doing online transactions, using the internet can
get affected by cyber threats. You may lose money
before even recognizing the situation. Simple mistakes
from users open the entry for virus and malware coded
by hackers.
Gain knowledge of cyber threats and preventive
measures by reading this article to escape vicious
attacks.

3. A threat can be represented with lots of activities. But
a cyber threat means, “attacking PC’s and Laptops to
steal confidential information or to fail the system
completely” and is performed by hackers. Cyber
threats won’t stop with the above two mentioned
activities; those were just samples of exploitation.
Cyber threats include personal information
exploitation, stealing confidential data from companies,
stealing money from online payment systems, damaging
the reputation of companies by adding malicious
data/virus on their websites and many more. The data
breach, virus, malware, phishing, auth attacks and
application attack are some of the common routes used
by hackers.

4. 1.Using Artificial Intelligence
Machine learning and Artificial intelligence are
trending topics in this century. What exactly are
those? Task automation is possible with the help of AI.
Repetitive tasks which follow same behavior for
execution can use AI to reduce human’s time spent on
it.
AI can replicate behaviors with Machine learning
models. We give the data, and AI will learn accordingly
with its responses. You may have tried AI chat apps
and if not, give them a try. They are virtual chat bots
coded with default responses. Based on our chat, it

5. improves, and this resembles a basic workflow of
Machine learning.
Let’s see how hackers use the above technologies to
make phishing attacks on people.
● Messages will be sent to emails/mobiles as
“you have won a huge amount of money, kindly share
personal and bank details for crediting money.”

6. ● Few ignore it which is the safest route to block
hacker attacks.
● Some people want to know more information, and
they reply to those messages.
● This is where machine learning and AI comes to
play.

7. ● Convincing messages are sent to us with the help
of AI so that we believe it and provide our
personal information.
● Be aware of these kinds of phishing attacks.
2. In Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin comes in mind with the term cryptocurrency.
There are no governments or any institution that
makes them. Mining creates Bitcoin. Mining requires
computing power to generate Bitcoins.

8. Hackers are trying to get into our systems and use
computing power without the owner’s permission. The
bitcoins thus formed with mining can be used for
selling or other purposes.
Sometimes people may observe a decrease in the
performance of the computer/laptop. Reasons may
vary, but there are chances that hackers use your
computer to mine Bitcoins.
Hackers also found numerous ways to bypass antivirus
security measures to get into the system. Thus, it is
essential to keep your antivirus updated with latest
versions.

9. Related: AI and machine learning takes marketing to
next levels
3. Influencing Elections
Cyber threats are on every platform. The latest issue
of Facebook and Cambridge Analytica shocked the

10. world. In case you do not know about this, read on to
find if your data on Facebook is really secure or not.
Cambridge Analytica is a consulting firm. According to
reports, they influenced 2016 presidential elections by
collecting over 50 million user database from FB.
Programmers developed personality quiz apps with
which their likes/dislikes, interests, and many other
factors were known. They targeted people with positive
favor over trump on social media.
They also influenced people who are not in favor and
turned them to vote for Trump. Data scandal shocked
the world and FB admitted their mistake. Modifications
to privacy settings are done to protect users.

11. These types of cyber threats can single-handedly
change the outcome of elections. Governments along
with Social media combined to hold the responsibility
to protect the privacy of users and should take
effective steps and measures for prevention.
4. Ransomware
Ransomware attacks are straightforward. Hackers
hack into systems and lock the content with encryption.
The only way to unlock them is to use passwords
provided by hackers. They demand money for unlocking.
Encrypted data is tough to unlock.

12. Companies have no other options but to give away
money. These attacks are done for acquiring vast
amounts of money. Hackers won’t target small
companies as they can’t afford demands. Big companies
like Google, Yahoo, Facebook have skilled programmers
to defend against ransomware attacks.
So, hackers target companies that are doing well in the
market and in developing stage. All data is stored on
the cloud. Hackers enter the cloud and lock out the
data in servers. Data includes login credentials, client’s
data, company’s data, etc. “The WannaCry” Ransomware
attack is a warning that more cyber attacks happen in
future.

13. In U.K, most of the computers in hospitals are locked,
and a notice is displayed on the screen. No buttons
work, and if people try to be smart, the system will
shut down itself. The note includes the amount to pay
for unlocking the computers back. They reportedly
used three Bitcoin wallets for receiving money. In this
case, patients and hospitals data are necessary.
Hackers leave no other options than to pay the ransom.
5. Data Breach

14. Data breach by hackers is not new. They have been
doing this by stealing data to use credit cards,
shopping on victim’s money and many more. Hackers also
used data to create fake passports and used for their
needs.
Phishing is a common way to know about bank details.
Let’s imagine a situation where you searched for movie
download and clicked on flashing links. Few links open
and without the user notice virus downloads and enters
the system.
The virus will be in connection with Hackers via the
Internet. It can slow down your computer, lock the
system, steal data and send to hackers, etc. The virus

15. will record your activities over the internet. Fake
emails will be sent by hackers to change your
information from the websites you use. But the data
entered by users will go directly to hacker’s hands.
While shopping online, it is vital to observe the web
pages. If you find something odd, do not do
transactions. It’s because when you click on the payout,
a fake page resembling the payment page becomes
visible. The card information will be recorded and sent
to hackers by the virus. They will use the card details
to shop for items, use money and users will never be
able to know.
Final Words

16. Be aware of these threats. We must follow the quote
“Prevention is better than cure.” Ignore and avoid the
fake messages that come in emails and smartphones. It
is your hard-earned money and is your right to secure
it from getting into the hands of hackers.
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