You know that hacking has really made the mainstream when news outlets report that Russian hackers may or may not have affected the outcome of a presidential election. However influential the hacking may have been or the reason for it, there seems to be agreement that hacking did occur. Whether hackers attack a government agency, a corporation, or your home computer, the scope of cybercrime is increasing. There will probably be more calls for IT Support Omaha NE because of cyberattacks in 2017 than in prior years.
Attacking the Internet of Things (IoT)
Experts disagree on whether or not connected devices such as web cameras, smart refrigerators, or big-screen TVs are likely victims of ransomware attacks. Could a hacker lock up the screen of your TV until a ransom was paid? Yes, that could happen. How likely is it to happen? That’s where the disagreement lies.
• Some say that since consumer-level protection isn’t that high, these devices would be easy targets.
• Others say that since IoT devices are normally synced with a cloud or server, they can be easily wiped and replaced. Consumers wouldn’t be motivated to pay ransoms. Perhaps. A $100 router could be easily replaced, but would it be worth $200 to $300 to ransom your 75″ TV during the seventh game of the World Series? Likewise, few people would consider their $4,000 smart refrigerator to be disposable.
Manipulating Instead of Stealing Data
Outright data theft is bad enough. Millions of people have suffered from identity theft and stolen credit card numbers. Corporations suffered huge hits to their brands after hackers stole customer and proprietary data. No one knows how many websites have been hacked, with the damage ranging from annoying messages to catastrophic failures.
The new trend is data manipulation rather than data theft, attacking the integrity of the data. Whether this happens to a small business, a multinational corporation, or a government, people will question the validity of the data. The organization’s data security will be rightly questioned. The reputation of the organization will be blackened, and their ability to function will be jeopardized.
If you’ve been hacked, call the Geeks! In addition to computer repair, they also offer comprehensive IT Support Omaha NE. Many problems can be detected and eliminated before damage occurs with improved security and 24/7 network monitoring. Browse the website to learn more or locate the service nearest you.