Fortinet, a US firm\u00a0specializing in network security appliances\u00a0has released its top 5 security predictions for 2014 which includes cyber criminals finding\u00a0new and nefarious ideas around how and when to rob people’s homes.<\/p>\n
Top 5 Security Predictions for 2014:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Android malware expands to Industrial Control Systems\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n As sales of mobile phones likely plateau in the coming years, Android developers are being tasked to find untapped markets for the Google operating system.<\/p>\n A few of these emerging markets include tablets, portable game consoles, wearable devices, home automation equipment and industrial control systems (ICS\/SCADA).<\/p>\n “Next year, we predict we\u2019ll see the first instances of malware on these new device types, specifically around embedded ICS\/SCADA systems,”\u00a0Fortinet said.<\/p>\n “We think cybercriminals will be attracted to platforms that go beyond common SMS fraud. This includes new home automation devices that have control over our electrical consumption, the temperature of our fridges, etc. and feature software with remote login control panels to show\/confirm who may be at home at a given time,” the security firm said.<\/p>\n This, it added, is bound to give cybercriminals new and nefarious ideas around how and when to rob someone\u2019s home.<\/p>\n 2. The Battle for the deep Web<\/strong><\/p>\n The FBI will also continue to make inroads into the Tor dark net and questionable file sharing services such as Mega Upload.<\/p>\n “Knowing the cat and mouse games black and white hats have been playing since the dawn of the first computer viruses, we predict the increased scrutiny of these \u201canonymous\u201d services will lead to new and, dare we say, improved versions that will be even harder to infiltrate, compromise and\/or take down,”\u00a0Fortinet said.<\/p>\n 3. Network security vendors forced to become more transparent<\/strong><\/p>\n In September, the Federal Trade Commission severely penalised a company that marketed video monitoring technology to consumers for suggesting in its literature that their product was \u201csecure\u201d when evidence clearly showed it was not.<\/p>\n This was the agency\u2019s first action against a marketer of an everyday product with interconnectivity to the Internet and other mobile devices, and the company was required to make a number of conciliatory measures.<\/p>\n “Next year, we predict we\u2019ll see this level of increased scrutiny and accountability at the network security vendor level,”\u00a0Fortinet said.<\/p>\n 4. Increase in attacks targeting Windows XP<\/strong><\/p>\n Microsoft will end support for Windows XP on April 8, 2014. “This means that newly discovered vulnerabilities will not be patched, leaving systems around the world vulnerable to attacks,”\u00a0Fortinet said.<\/p>\n According to NetMarketShare, as of September 2013, Windows XP is still used on 31.42% of PCs in the world. According to Gartner, by the time April 8 rolls around, it is estimated that more than 15% of mid- to large-sized enterprises will still have Windows XP running on at least 10 percent of their PCs.<\/p>\n “Next year, we predict hackers, already in possession of zero day exploits, will wait until the 8th in order to sell them to the highest bidder. Because of their expected high price tag, these zero days will likely be used to launch targeted attacks against high-value businesses and individuals rather than deployed by common cybercriminals in order to propagate mass infections,” the security\u00a0company\u00a0said.<\/p>\n 5. Biometrics for authentication will increase<\/strong><\/p>\n In 2013 Apple made a bold move when it announced its new iPhone 5s would integrate fingerprint authentication into the device.<\/p>\n It got people talking about the importance two-factor authentication in a world where the single factor password login is growing increasingly archaic. As a result of this renewed interest,\u00a0Fortinet predicts next year will see additional mobile companies including a second factor of authentication into their devices.<\/p>\n “We\u2019ll also see an increase in additional forms of authentication, such as tattoos and pills, iris scanning and facial recognition,”\u00a0Fortinet said.<\/p>\nMore on cyber security<\/h3>\n