Cybercrime in 2022

Cybercrime is big business thanks to technical advancement and interconnectivity creating more opportunities. This regular column will explore various aspects of cybercrime in an easy-to-understand manner to help everyone become more cyber safe.

COLUMN

As 2022 draws to a close it is right to reflect on some of the year’s cybercrime campaigns and see what we can learn from them.

At the start of the year Russia invaded Ukraine. As the conflict progressed there was a spike in cybercrime activity directed against both Ukraine and Russia. This showed changes in the geopolitical environment can produce a rise in cybercrime and wars can be fought both physically and in cyberspace.

Criminals exploit major events to trick people into downloading malware, paying faked invoices or entering their log-in credentials on phishing sites. With the COVID-19 pandemic still causing issues, scam emails using COVID-19 contact tracing, vaccinations and fake World Health Organisation information as bait were still doing the rounds.

Ransomware coupled with extortion attempts threatening the release of stolen data continue to destroy businesses. In May this year a 157-yearold liberal arts college in the USA closed its doors permanently after failing to bounce back from a December 2021 ransomware attack.

Ransomware is not abating, and a prime vector for it is email. It is therefore important for organisations to uplift their cybersecurity culture and help employees spot weaponised emails.

This year several big name companies found themselves victims of data thefts perpetrated by cyber intrusion or social engineering. Such thefts negatively affected those organisations, their customers and their supply chains. They highlight the need for organisations to be alert for cybercrime, keep their cybersecurity defences strong and encourage their employees to have a positive cybersecurity culture.

Cybercrime is profitable. It is big business. As technology develops the opportunity for cybercrime develops with it. Organisations and individuals alike must keep learning from cybercrime campaigns and use the knowledge gained to strengthen their cyber defences.

In Australia report cybercrime via www.cyber.gov.au/ acsc/report. In another country, report it to your local police or through the relevant cybercrime reporting mechanism.

Cybercrime is big business – learn from the past, and stay safe.

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