By now we all know the importance of staying safe online. Despite the internet’s many wonders, the harsh reality is that there are always criminals lurking in the shadows of the dark web. Regardless of whether it’s a business or an individual, the threats are there. According to Hiscox, small businesses in the UK face 65,000 hacking attempts each day. Further to that, Carbon Black found that 88% of British business suffer at least one attack every year. That figure is as high as 92% in Germany.
The good news though is that not all attacks are successful. Even though hackers and security experts are constantly engaged in a game of cat and mouse, the majority of us are safe online. In fact, almost all of the time we’re safe thanks to the hard work of security teams and reputable websites.
For example, casino gaming database like Vegas Slots Online demonstrates how an industry based on trust handles the security of its customers. Not only are modern slots such as Starburst tested and certified as fair, but they’re also based inside secure gaming platforms. Indeed, as noted by the site’s reviewers, online casinos are expected to use SSL encryption and reputable payment methods as standard.
Layers of Security Keep Us Safe Online
Then, once broaden out your search, features such as asking customers to verify their identity with photographic ID adds another layer of protection. Finally, mobile casinos now make use of Touch ID and Face ID logins. These added extras remove the need to input a password by replacing it with advanced biometrics technology. All of these pieces fit together into one puzzle that, overall, is extremely secure.
Why have we picked out online casinos as bastions of security? Simple: they’re sites where money is parament. Not only do users make deposits and withdrawals, but they also keep their money in these online accounts. As such, users want to know they’re receiving the best protection possible. The same goes for apps such as PayPal and Skrill. By their very nature, eWallets are designed to not only process online payments but store funds. Today, millions of people use PayPal as a secondary bank account.
Therefore, like all sites that handle and store money, certain security protocols are in place. For example, PayPal also uses SSL encryption and mobile users can swap passwords for fingerprints or facial recognition. Beyond that, two-factor authentication now comes as a default option. Users can choose to receive a unique code via SMS each time they want to log in. This forms another barrier against preventable attacks. Interestingly, two-factor authentication has evolved into multi-factor authentication (MFA) in recent years.
Cybersecurity Can and Must Get Smarter
This is listed as a top W-SE.com strategy to stop a new phishing technique known as vishing. Vishing is where criminals attempt to engineer a situation over the phone whereby someone gives up sensitive information. MFA can protect against vishing attacks because, even if you give the scammer one piece of information, they don’t have all of the security keys needed to access whatever account they’re targeting.
These tools, in combination with an understanding of the latest threats, are important. However, we also know that cybersecurity is constantly evolving. New threats are emerging all the time and they’re becoming more sophisticated. The measures that we see in place today will almost certainly be outdated or, more likely, only marginally effective in a decade. Without doubt, cybersecurity of the future is going to be guided by artificial intelligence (AI).
In fact, the game is already changing. As noted by IBM, AI is beginning to reshape the way companies perceive, identify and tackle threats online. What’s most interesting about the advent of AI-led cybersecurity is its ability to “cut through the noise”. Kevin Skapinetz, IBM Security vice president of strategy and design, believes AI is currently best used in an advisory role. AI security systems can analyse incoming threats, learn and, in time, make reasoned decisions.
In essence, these systems filter out false alerts, tackle non-serious issues and only present a company’s security team with the biggest threats. This frees up time and resources, thus making the system as a whole more efficient and secure. Eventually, humans may become redundant in this area. We’re not at that point yet but it could happen. What we do know, however, is that cybersecurity is getting smarter. The current systems are highly effective. But, as hackers get more sophisticated, so too is our ability to fight them and stay safe online.
