Intel Security’s recently released McAfee Labs 2017 Threats Predictions Report examines current trends in cybercrime to make predictions about what the future will bring. The predictions cover ransomware, sophisticated hardware and firmware attacks, the use of machine learning to enhance social engineering attacks, and more.

So without any further ado, here are Intel Security’s top 10 security predictions for 2017.

Top 10 Threats Predictions for 2017

• 1. Ransomware attacks will decrease in volume and effectiveness in the second half of 2017.
• 2. Windows vulnerability exploits will continue to decline, while those targeting infrastructure software and virtualization software will increase.
• 3. Hardware and firmware will be increasingly targeted by sophisticated attackers.
• 4. Hackers using software running on laptops will attempt “dronejackings” for a variety of criminal or hacktivist purposes.
• 5. Mobile attacks will combine mobile device locks with credential theft, allowing cyber thieves to access such things as banks accounts and credit cards.
• 6. IoT malware will open backdoors into the connected home that could go undetected for years.
• 7. Machine learning will accelerate the proliferation of and increase the sophistication of social engineering attacks.
• 8. Fake ads and purchased “likes” will continue to proliferate and erode trust.
• 9. Ad wars will escalate and new techniques used by advertisers to deliver ads will be copied by attackers to boost malware delivery capabilities.
• 10. Hacktivists will play an important role in exposing privacy issues.

The report covers 4 extra predictions:

• Increased cooperation between law enforcement and industry will help takedown operations put a dent in cybercrime
• Threat intelligence sharing will make great developmental strides in 2017.
• Cyber espionage will become as common in the private sector and criminal underworld as it is among nation-states
• Physical and cybersecurity industry players will collaborate to harden products against digital threats

"To change the rules of the game between attackers and defenders, we need to neutralize our adversaries’ greatest advantages," said Vincent Weafer, vice president of Intel Security’s McAfee Labs. "As a new defensive technique is developed, its effectiveness increases until attackers are compelled to develop countermeasures to evade it. To overcome the designs of our adversaries, we need to go beyond understanding the threat landscape to changing the defender-attacker dynamics in six key areas: information asymmetry, making attacks more expensive, improving visibility, better identifying exploitation of legitimacy, improving protection for decentralized data, and detecting and protecting in agentless environments."

Check out Intel Security’s McAfee Labs 2017 Threats Predictions Report (PDF) for yourself.


In related news…

Intel Security recently published several cheerful videos that focus on why you shouldn’t forget about security during the holiday season. All the videos invite you to check out McAfee’s Island of Hackable Toys, a website that presents useful tips on how to stay safe and make your devices practically unhackable.




‘Tis the season for new mobile devices! Get the gift of mobile security for all of your devices with McAfee’s Island of Hackable Toys. Protect yourself against cyber scrooges and make your new digital devices practically unhackable.




Keep spirits bright, and new laptops & PCs safe, this holiday season with the McAfee Island of Hackable Toys. Get the tips you need to protect yourself against cyber scrooges and make your new digital devices practically unhackable.




Spirits aren’t the only thing soaring this holiday. Drones are flying off the shelves! Keep your new toy safe by visiting the Island of Hackable Toys for great tips on safe flying and protecting your drone against malware.




Getting a connected home for the holidays? Wrap all of your IoT and connected home devices in digital security with McAfee’s Island of Hackable Toys. Protect everything from connected fridges and thermostats, to streaming sticks and home security systems.


In further related news…

Earlier this year, Intel Security unveiled 2016’s top 10 most dangerous celebrities and top 10 most dangerous Bollywood celebrities. Cybercriminals use these celebrities to lure curios fans towards malicious websites that are home to viruses and malware.

"Consumers today remain fascinated with celebrity culture and go online to find the latest pop culture news," said Gary Davis, chief consumer security evangelist at Intel Security. "With this craving for real-time information, many search and click without considering potential security risks. Cybercriminals know this and take advantage of this behavior by attempting to lead them to unsafe sites loaded with malware. As a result, consumers need to understand what precautions to take to enable safe online experiences."