The FBI said that cybercrime is the agency's No. 3 priority but it will likely rise to No. 1 in a few years.
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Robert White said that criminals always find new ways to exploit victims and businesses, which keeps the U.S. at risk.
"Given our connection to the Internet, and our infrastructure and everything being computerized, it also lends itself to possible cyber terrorism," White said.
White said that hackers have new twists on existing cyber scams. Phishing has now developed into "spear phishing," according to White.
"Let's say that I know you are interested in the new park downtown, so I might send you a phishing e-mail saying (to) check out these pictures of the new park and one of these has a malicious code so you'll click on it and now you are infected," White said.
Spear phishing makes it appear that an e-mail is coming from someone familiar, and sometimes people are tempted to click on it.
White recommends that users should store their data in an encrypted form, separate accounts on the system and make sure you have anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall protection.
Perhaps the most basic suggestion, White said, is to turn off the computer when it's not being used.
You can further protect your network by ensuring that you or your employees are not providing easy access to it. Check out how phish-prone your staff is by testing them with a FREE phishing security test.
The FBI is always looking for cyber-savvy individuals to work with them to make sure they stay one step ahead of hackers. Contact White at robert.whiteii@ic.fbi.gov for more information.
For the full story click here: FBI: Cyber Crime Will Soon Be Agency's Biggest Threat
Stu Sjouwerman
KnowBe4
FBI Supervisory Special Agent Robert White said that criminals always find new ways to exploit victims and businesses, which keeps the U.S. at risk.
"Given our connection to the Internet, and our infrastructure and everything being computerized, it also lends itself to possible cyber terrorism," White said.
White said that hackers have new twists on existing cyber scams. Phishing has now developed into "spear phishing," according to White.
"Let's say that I know you are interested in the new park downtown, so I might send you a phishing e-mail saying (to) check out these pictures of the new park and one of these has a malicious code so you'll click on it and now you are infected," White said.
Spear phishing makes it appear that an e-mail is coming from someone familiar, and sometimes people are tempted to click on it.
White recommends that users should store their data in an encrypted form, separate accounts on the system and make sure you have anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall protection.
Perhaps the most basic suggestion, White said, is to turn off the computer when it's not being used.
You can further protect your network by ensuring that you or your employees are not providing easy access to it. Check out how phish-prone your staff is by testing them with a FREE phishing security test.
The FBI is always looking for cyber-savvy individuals to work with them to make sure they stay one step ahead of hackers. Contact White at robert.whiteii@ic.fbi.gov for more information.
For the full story click here: FBI: Cyber Crime Will Soon Be Agency's Biggest Threat
Stu Sjouwerman
KnowBe4
