Know what are the top information security threats of 2016 and what are the possible ways we can follow to combat against these security threats.

1. Top
Information
Security Threats
of 2016 and
How You Can
Combat Them

2. A look at the newest threats posed to you on
the internet and how you can stay safe.
 It’s 2016 and the internet continues to evolve as more and more people and even some inanimate
objects come online.
 Think about it, you can buy refrigerators and vacuum cleaners that are linked into the internet
now. The internet of things, which sounds like a bad 90’s VHS, is very real and continues to grow
each and every day.

3.  And with the growth of the internet comes the growth of hacking and cybercrime. Since the advent
of the internet hackers have been hiding in the shadows looking to exploit weaknesses for their
own personal gain
 And despite massive gains on the information security front, cybercrime is always a half-step
ahead.
 That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest Information Security Threats facing us in
2016 along with some tips on how you can stay safe. Some are old. Some are new. But all of them
will be prevalent this year and without a little bit of knowledge and a lot of precaution, you could
find yourself being victimized by any one of them.

4. Retail Data Hacks
 Retail Data Hacks are nothing new. Every year hackers cause breaches to
major chains and large internet retailers in the hopes of stealing valuable
credit card data that can be sold on the black market or used for personal
gain.
 From the standpoint of these retailers, it’s important that
they encrypt everything and keep the most up-to-date security
implementations possible, but as a customer you can take steps to stay
safe too.
 Namely, you can request a pin and chip card from your bank to replace
your traditional debit card. These chip cards are much more secure than
their predecessors and can help prevent having your information stolen by
any malicious third parties.

5. Mobile Threats
 You use your mobile device for everything nowadays. From surfing the
internet to checking your bank accounts, mobile devices have become
ubiquitous in today’s society. Unfortunately, mobile devices are not
always the most secure. There are a number of ways you can stay safe
on your mobile device.
 For instance, make sure to activate encryption options on your phone.
Only download apps from trustworthy sources like the Apple store or
Google Play Store. Stay off of unsecure Wi-Fi networks. And most of all,
download an antivirus app to scan your phone regularly.

6. Phishing Attacks
 Phishing is a practice where hackers send you an email or a link in the hopes of
stealing personal information. One of the most common phishing tactics is the
infamous “Nigerian Prince” email, in which a hard-on-his-luck Nigerian Prince
offers you a large payment if you can just give him some personal information or
even a little bit of money to help him get back on his feet.
 Nowadays, phishing is much more sophisticated with hackers building entire fake
websites aimed at manipulating people into giving away precious personal
information like banking numbers or passwords. Unfortunately, there is no silver
bullet for phishing. You just have to be vigilant. Never open attachments from
unknown senders. Don’t provide personal details on sites that aren’t properly
authenticated and, when in doubt, don’t respond at all.

7. Identity Theft
 Identity Theft can be the result of any of the aforementioned items on this list.
You can lose your identity in a phishing attack, it can be stolen in a data
breach or someone could hack your phone. Either way, once your identity has
been stolen you really won’t care so much how it happened as how you can
fix the problem.
 There are lots of tips to help keep your identity safe. From physical tips like
always shredding documents with personal information on them, to cyber tips
like avoiding suspicious websites and never giving out personal information
over unencrypted channels, you can never be too careful.

8. Healthcare Data Hacks
 One of the most famous Healthcare data Hacks occurred in 2015 when
Anthem was hacked and over 78 million medical records were exposed.
If you think about it, the healthcare system is a great access point for
hackers because medical records contain tons of personal information,
everything from social security numbers and addresses to financial
records.
 Unfortunately, aside from monitoring the news there’s not a lot you can
do to protect yourself from this threat. The medical field is already
mandated to use SSL encryption and spends millions of dollars each
year on a comprehensive information security strategy. It’s just that
sometimes a breach happens.

9. Attacks on Banks
 This is another cyber threat that individuals may not be able to do a lot about.
Every year the Banking Industry is one of the premier targets of cyber criminals
and every year you hear about one or two successful hacking attempts.
 This isn’t to worry you though. Banks spend top dollar on security solutions like
SSL encryption, threat assessment, malware scanning and all range of other
information security products. And thankfully, if you’re in the US, your money is
insured by the FDIC.
 But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be vigilant and stay on top of your accounts
anyway—just to be on the safe side.

10. Additional Information Security Tips
As we’ve said, some of these threats are capable of being mitigated by you, personally. Others are
not in your control. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still take every precaution. Here are five
additional tips to help you stay safe in 2016.
 1. Use Strong Passwords
This one is pretty obvious but you’d be surprised how many people go with something easy to
remember (like, say, “password”) instead of something safe. Use passwords that include sequences of
numbers, letters and symbols. Your password shouldn’t be easy to guess.

11.  2. Don’t Open Suspicious Emails or Attachments
Duh! If you don’t know the sender or the file extension, chances are they’re not safe.
 3. Destroy Sensitive Documents
We already alluded to this, but if a document contains sensitive information you should probably shred it
before disposing of it.
 4. Use a VPN to Secure Your Internet Connection if You’re on Public Wi-Fi
Public Wi-Fi is notoriously unsafe. Hackers prey on the unsuspecting masses at places like airports and
coffee shops. Always use your VPN to add a layer of much-needed security when on a public Wi-Fi
network.

12.  5. Keep Your Antivirus Software Up to Date
Another obvious tip that many people don’t follow. Sure downloading new updates may be a pain. But
in the two minutes it takes you to do it, you’re keeping yourself safe.

13. For More Details on Information Security
Threats
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