Ransomware and social engineering are the top cyber threats

According to Europol’s annual report on organized internet crime, ransomware and social engineering – through the use of email – continue to be the main threats suffered by users of computer systems. Similarly, Europol notes that these crimes evolve rapidly and are increasingly difficult to detect and investigate.

Cybercriminals‘ preferred method, on the other hand, is to blackmail those who fall into their clutches, always fearful that they will publish their data. This is one of the most important conclusions of the latest Europol report (IOCTA).

 

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cybercrime has been relevant, as cybercriminals have introduced changes in their modus operandi, adapting to the circumstances and taking advantage of new weaknesses in the security barriers of users and companies.

The report notes that social engineering and phishing remain an effective threat and hackers use innovative methods. Phishing, online scams, and fake news have become an ideal strategy for cybercriminals.

Finally, a new trend detected by Europol is SIM swapping, allowing perpetrators to seize victims’ accounts. Through this modality, criminals fraudulently exchange or transfer victims’ SIM cards to a site in the possession of criminals to obtain the passwords of those affected.

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