Technology

Rise of Social Engineering Cyberthreats in 2024: Gen Digital Inc. (NASDAQ:GEN) Reports Disturbing Trends

Published May 14, 2024

In an increasingly digitized world, the realm of cybersecurity is facing novel challenges. The latest findings indicate a worrying escalation in social engineering-based cyberthreats. Avast, a prominent entity in digital security and privacy and subsidiary of Gen Digital Inc. GEN, has released a report revealing that almost 90% of current cyberthreats exploit human vulnerability to accomplish their nefarious goals. This information, disclosed at a recent press conference held in TEMPE, Arizona, and PRAGUE on May 14, 2024, underscores the sophisticated strategies criminals are deploying to circumvent technological protections.

Manipulating Minds: The New Cyber Battleground

These attacks, known as social engineering threats, focus on manipulating individuals rather than hacking systems. Techniques such as convincingly doctored videos, known as deepfakes, AI-generated audio, and the takeover of social media accounts are being leveraged to deceive and defraud unsuspecting victims. The startling advancement in artificial intelligence has made it increasingly difficult for people to discern real communications from counterfeit ones, creating an urgent need for enhanced security measures and public awareness.

Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG) In the Face of Evolving Threats

While these developments are concerning for the public at large, tech conglomerates like Alphabet Inc. GOOG are also on alert. Alphabet, the parent company of Google and various other subsidiaries, stands as the world's fourth-largest technology company by revenue and among the most valuable. The tech giant, headquartered in Mountain View, California, continues to develop robust security features for its array of products and services to safeguard against the emerging wave of cyber manipulation.

The responsibility of ensuring digital safety is shared among technology providers, cybersecurity firms, and users themselves. Education on the signs of social engineering and adoption of cutting-edge security protocols across platforms remain critical in mitigating the risks of these sophisticated cyber attacks.

cybersecurity, socialengineering, digitalthreats