Kaspersky Lab forecasts for the coming year 2014

As per a latest update, Kaspersky Lab’s experts have made their predictions about 2014. Not surprisingly, much of what they have seen in their crystal balls is connected to the fall-out from Edward Snowden’s revelations.

After the Snowden scandal of 2013, people are determined to keep their private life under wraps despite the attentions of intelligence agencies around the world.

 
In 2014, Kaspersky Lab’s experts expect cybercriminals to continue developing tools to steal cash – directly or indirectly. To plunder pockets directly, the fraudsters will further refine their tools designed to access the bank accounts of mobile device owners (mobile phishing, banking Trojans).  Mobile botnets will be bought and sold and will also be used to distribute malicious attachments on behalf of third parties. To support indirect thefts, it is likely that we will see more sophisticated versions of the Trojans which encrypt the data on mobile devices, preventing access to photos, contacts and correspondence until a decryption fee is handed over. Android-based smartphones will no doubt be the first to be targeted.

 
Alexander Gostev, Chief Security Expert, Global Research & Analysis Team said, “The Internet has begun to break up into national segments. Snowden’s revelations have intensified the demand for rules prohibiting the use of foreign services.”

He added, “The next step will most likely be attempts to limit foreign access to data inside a country. As this trend develops further it may lead at some point to the collapse of the current Internet, which will break into dozens of national networks. The shadowy Darknet then will be the only truly world-wide web.” 

 

In 2014 Kaspersky Lab’s experts expect considerable growth in the number of attacks targeting Bitcoin users’ wallets, Bitcoin pools and stock exchanges.