While still scary, ransomware and other forms of malware are starting to sound like old news. It seems like almost every month, a new, terrifying form of ransomware emerges, only to fall back into the shadows a few days later. While malware, ransomware, viruses, and phishing should still be taken seriously, don’t forget to keep your eyes and ears open for different types of security threats that may affect you at home or at work. Below are 6 scary security threats that you should be thinking about…but most likely aren’t.
Bluetooth
With Fitbits, car connections, and portable speakers, most people leave the Bluetooth connection on the phones permanently on without even thinking about it. One new scary Bluetooth security threat is BlueBorne, a vulnerability that could allow hackers to easily gather your personal information through smart home devices such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home.
Your Computer Monitor
Monitors and TVs are getting cooler and more advanced, however, they are also becoming another attack vector that can be exploited by hackers. It was recently discovered that security experts could hack into a popular Dell monitor and manipulate what you see on screen. Even more scary, hackers could use this vulnerability to make you think you are seeing things that you are not, such as fake bank account pages. Because this exploit involves your monitor, most antivirus software and other forms of cyber protection will have no way of detecting it.
Mobile Apps
A new threat known as Eavesdropper was discovered last month that affected hundreds of Android apps. This vulnerability exposes tons of personal data…including personal text messages and call records.
Pacemakers
Yes, even lifesaving equipment can be hacked and used against you. This one is super scary so we’ll move on…
Your MacBook Battery
How the heck do you hack a battery? Well, pretty simply it turns out. All laptop batteries contain microcontrollers that are designed to monitor voltage and keep your battery safe. While safety is key, this also can lead to hacking. One security researcher went as far as saying that with this vulnerability, you could essentially cause the battery to overheat or even explode, essentially turning your fancy MacBook into a bomb…yikes.
Your Car
Similar to Smart TVs and Monitors, the new tech in cars seems to be the way of the future, but it also gives attackers another target. In the most recent installment of the Fast and Furious franchise, there was a scene where cars were hacked and essentially turned into driving missiles. While this seems farfetched, this isn’t actually that impossible. A few years ago, hackers demonstrated that they could remotely hijack a Jeep over the internet, causing it to come to a complete stop mid-drive on a highway. Even scarier, the hackers could also disable the brakes or turn the steering wheel. While Chrysler recalled thousands of vehicles and spend millions fixing the issue, this still shows that this once seemingly implausible scenario is very real.
So….What Do We Do?
The point of these stories isn’t to give up hope, but rather to remember that as the world gets smarter, there are more security threats to think about. Remember to follow security best practices, like keeping your devices and apps updated, change your passwords often, and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity with your devices. So if your car starts driving away without you in it…give the dealership a ring and let them know.
