As 2013 comes to a close security vendors present forecasts for the year that is to come, with privacy concerns, mobile devices, cloud storage services and even smart devices topping the agenda.
According to Kaspersky Lab, Edward Snowden's revelations on the extend of state-sponsored cybersnooping will have far-reaching effects across the industry-- customers wanting more privacy will boost demand for VPN services, Tor-anonymisers and local encryption tools, and ISPs will add further user data protection measures such as encryption of all data transmitted between own servers.
Kaspersky also gives a "Neuromancer"-style prediction of companies employing cyber-mercenaries, organised hacker groups offering cyber-espionage services to the highest bidder. Meanwhile nations become increasingly paranoid over the use of foreign services, leading to an increasingly fractured internet.
Another security prediction relates to cloud storage providers-- one G Data echoes with concerns over data theft and the placing of malware camouflaged as PDF, image or text files within corporate cloud-based storage service accounts.
G Data also forecasts malware becoming harder to detect through the dynamic loading of malware into infected PCs via the cloud, as well as smart devices (including building automation systems and smart appliances) becoming a target to criminals.
"New fraud tactics will be developed for [the internet-of-things]." G Data warns. "The perpetrators will try to find security holes in the systems that they can exploit for attacks."
The FIFA World Cup might pose another target, with spam campaigns luring fans with the promise of match tickets, cheap flights and accommodation, and spectacular live streams.
