TECHNOLOGY
Persistent threats in 2022: What to look out for next year
Posted on Nov. 24, 8:07 p.m.
Kaspersky researchers presented their vision of the future for advanced persistent threats (APTs), outlining how the threat landscape will change in 2022. Politicization playing an increasing role in cyberspace, the return of low-level attacks, an inflow of new APT actors, and a growth of supply chain attacks are some of the predictions outlined by the researchers.
The changes in the world in 2021 have a direct effect on the development of sophisticated attacks in the coming year. Building on trends that the Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT) observed throughout 2021, the researchers have prepared a forecast to help the IT community prepare for the challenges ahead.
Private sector supporting an influx of new APT players
This year, the use of surveillance software developed by private vendors has come under the spotlight with Project Pegasus having reversed the perception of the likelihood of real-world zero-day attacks on iOS. We have also seen developers of advanced surveillance tools increasing their detection evasion and anti-analysis capabilities – as in the case of FinSpy – and using them in the wild – as was the case with the Slingshot framework.
The potential of commercial surveillance software – its access to large amounts of personal data and wider targets – makes it a lucrative business for those who supply it and an effective tool in the hands of threat actors. Therefore, Kaspersky experts believe that vendors of such software will diligently expand in cyberspace and provide their services to new advanced threat actors until governments begin to regulate its use.
Other targeted threat predictions for 2022 include:
- Mobile devices exposed to wide, sophisticated attacks. Mobile devices have always been a tidbit for attackers, with smartphones traveling along with their owners everywhere, and each potential target acting as a storage for a huge amount of valuable information. In 2021 we have seen more in-the-wild zero-day attacks on iOS than ever before. Unlike on a PC or Mac, where the user has the option of installing a security package, on iOS, such products are either curtailed or simply non-existent. This creates extraordinary opportunities for APTs.
- More supply-chain attacks. Kaspersky researchers paid particular attention to the frequency of cases in which cybercriminals exploited weaknesses in vendor security to compromise the company’s customers. Such attacks are particularly lucrative and valuable to attackers because they give access to a large number of potential targets. For this reason, supply chain attacks are expected to be on an upward trend into 2022.
- Continued exploitation of WFH. With remote work, cybercriminals will continue to use unprotected or unpatched employees’ home computers as a way to penetrate corporate networks. Social engineering to steal credentials and brute-force attacks on corporate services to gain access to weakly protected servers will continue.
- Increase in APT intrusions in the META region, especially in Africa. Geopolitical tensions in the region are increasing, which means cyber espionage is on the rise. Moreover, new defenses in the region are constantly improving and becoming more sophisticated. Taken together, these trends suggest that the main APT attacks in the META region will target Africa.
- Explosion of attacks against cloud security and outsourced services. Numerous businesses are incorporating cloud computing and software architectures based on microservices and running on third-party infrastructure, which is more susceptible to hacks. This makes more and more companies prime targets for sophisticated attacks in the coming year.
- The return of low-level attacks: bootkits are “hot” again. Owing to the increasing popularity of Secure Boot among desktop users, cybercriminals are forced to look for exploits or new vulnerabilities in this security mechanism to bypass its security system. Thus, growth in the number of bootkits is expected in 2022.
- States clarify their acceptable cyber-offense practices. There is a growing tendency for governments both to denounce cyber-attacks against them and at the same time conduct their own. Next year some countries will publish their taxonomy of cyber-offenses, distinguishing acceptable types of attack vectors.
“There are dozens of events happening every day that are changing the world of cyberspace. These changes are quite difficult to track, and even more difficult to foresee. Nevertheless, for several years now, based on the knowledge of our experts, we have been able to predict many future trends in the world of cybersecurity. We believe it is crucial to continue to track APT-related activities, evaluate the impact these targeted campaigns have, and share the insights we learn with the wider community. By sharing these predictions, we hope to help users to be better prepared for what the future holds for them in cyberspace,” says Ivan Kwiatkowski, senior security researcher at Kaspersky.
The APT predictions have been developed thanks to Kaspersky’s threat intelligence services used around the world. Read the full report on Securelist.
These predictions are a part of the Kaspersky Security Bulletin (KSB) – an annual predictions series and analytical articles on key changes in the world of cybersecurity. Click here to look at other KSB pieces.
To look back at what the Kaspersky experts expected to see in the advanced targeted threats landscape in 2020, please read our previous yearly report.
TECHNOLOGY
Take home a FREE TechLife Wireless Earbuds Neo when purchasing the realme C75 until May 25 only
6:18 p.m. May 12, 2025
Cool down this summer with realme’s exciting limited-time offer. The Squad can enjoy a FREE pair of TechLife Wireless Earbuds Neo, valued at P799, when purchasing the realme C75 in 8GB+128GB storage variant.
This fantastic deal is available only until May 25 at all realme physical stores nationwide.
This limited-time offer not only provides fans with a feature-rich smartphone but also includes a bonus accessory, adding even more value to their purchase. Designed with durability in mind, the realme C75 is ready to handle any season’s adventures, whether it’s long days outdoors, traveling, or enjoying spontaneous outings with friends. It’s the ideal companion for anyone looking to make the most of the summer.
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Content Creation
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For more news and announcements from realme, follow the brand’s official website and Facebook page.
TECHNOLOGY
Synology to showcase data management and protection solutions @ 39th Digital Transformation Summit Philippines
12:30 p.m. May 5, 2025
The Philippine economy has been experiencing sustained growth since 2024, driven by the growth of the industry and services sectors, as well as the fintech and digital services industries.
This prompts business heads to adopt a technology-first approach and intentionally invest in accelerating technology adoption, increasing the demand for data storage, management, and protection.
Synology, a global leader in network-attached storage (NAS) and data management solutions, sees an opportunity in this upward trajectory, with digital data management and modern backup solutions key to facilitating the robust digital transformation of Philippine businesses.
Building Resilient Digital Infrastructure
During the digital transformation journey, businesses are challenged to manage rapid data growth, rising cybersecurity threats, and increasing regulatory demands. Building resilient digital infrastructure requires no longer just storage but a solution that is cost-efficient to deploy, scalable for future growth, and adaptable to evolving performance demands to ensure operational continuity and long-term success, yet many organizations still struggle with integrating solutions from multiple vendors.
By offering an all-in-one solution with built-in data management and WORM protection, Synology addresses a core need in business digital transformation. The NAS solutions, ranging from desktop to rackmount with scalable expansion options, enable businesses to manage data from terabytes to petabytes while maintaining existing server operations. Built-in data management and productivity tools support streamlined collaboration, while WORM technology safeguards data against unauthorized edits or deletion.
Comprehensive Data Protection Against Ransomware
To further protect businesses against modern cyber threats like ransomware, the NAS also comes with applications protecting critical assets across PCs, Macs, physical servers, file servers, virtual machines, and SaaS platforms, with centralized management through a unified console without additional licensing costs, enabling comprehensive protection and enhancing operational efficiency.
A notable user case in ASEAN is Toyota Vietnam, which selected Synology for its backup efficiency, instant data protection, and scalable infrastructure. As a result, the company improved business resilience while reducing data backup costs by 75%. In the Philippines, Synology’s solutions have been adopted across various sectors, including hospitality, retail, education, government, and more.
Empowering PH Business for Digital Transformation
To further show its commitment to digitalization and prepare local businesses for a more secure and digitalized world of commerce, Synology will join the 39th Digital Transformation Summit Philippines on May 22 at Shangri-La Makati. Visit Synology and discover how data-driven solutions can future-proof your business.
To learn directly from Synology experts, request personalized implementation advice, and explore how Synology helps guide brands and business leaders in their digital transformation journey, contact Synology via https://sy.to/synologyconsultation.
TECHNOLOGY
Ready for AI-powered upgrade at work? Enjoy these smart features of vivo V50 Lite
2:04 p.m. May 4, 2025
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As digital natives, Gen Zs and millennials are more likely to work in global teams, collaborate across borders, or engage with international clients.
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Take home a FREE TechLife Wireless Earbuds Neo when purchasing the realme C75 until May 25 only
Rep. Atayde draws Iglesia Ni Cristo endorsement
Captured with Magic? Photos shot by renowned photographers using HONOR Magic7 Pro
