The worst cyberattacks of 2022 (so far)
As technology gets more sophisticated, so do cybercriminals, and the arms race between IT security and hackers continues to escalate. 2021 was a record-setting year for cyberattacks, with data breaches increasing by 68% over 2020. With a third of 2022 in the books, the rate of attacks doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of slowing down. While cybercriminals keep their foot on the gas pedal, the best defense against a costly intrusion is still a well-informed, well-prepared human being.
That’s why it’s vital to understand the risks and stay informed of the dangers of being defenseless against cyberattacks. Here are the worst cyberattacks of 2022 (so far) and the businesses that are learning that lesson the hard way:
January
- A cyberattack targeting the Ukrainian government, suspected to be Russian in origin, took down more than 70 government websites. The attack claimed to leak personal information and replaced text on the websites with the threat “be afraid and wait for the worst.”
- Hackers breached the International Committee of the Red Cross. The attackers stole data on 500,000 people and disrupted the organization’s services worldwide.
- An attack on a German firm caused Shell to reroute its oil supplies after its IT and supply chain systems were affected.
February
- Hackers infiltrated the networks of the UK Foreign Office, causing a “serious cyber incident,” the details of which remain confidential.
- Two groups backed by the North Korean government waged cyberattacks against numerous members of the media, financial, and software sectors. The group used phishing emails, fake job posts, and a security vulnerability in Google Chrome to spread its malware.
- Russia-affiliated hackers accessed multiple US defense contractors between January 2020 and February 2022. The group stole emails and sensitive data related to products and interactions with foreign governments.
March
- The FBI claims the North Korean government was responsible for stealing $600 million in an attack on a cryptocurrency exchange.
- A report in February discovered that the Chinese government had gained access to the networks of at least 6 U.S. state governments. The attack was made possible through a vulnerability known as “Log4j” as well as vulnerable web applications.
- A DDoS attack targeting a telecom company shut down the internet on the Marshall Islands for over a week.
Ignoring the threat is not an option
While the hacking of governments and multinational corporations make the headlines, small and medium-sized businesses are just as at risk for a cyberattack. In fact, 43% of attacks target small businesses and 60% of those that fall victim go out of business within 6 months.
It’s more important than ever to protect your small business against the ever-looming threat of cybercrime and data breaches. Schedule a free consultation with amshot today to learn how employee training and IT security can help save your business from facing a devastating attack. The best way to beat cybercrime is to make sure you’re never a victim of it in the first place.
