Online Security Threats to Watch Out for in 2017

Whether you know it or not, there is a constant battle going on with regard to internet security. For every new security measure that webmasters and developers use, it seems like it's only a matter of time before the hackers are able to neutralize the system and take the information they want.

As 2016 comes to a close, we take a look ahead to some of the online security challenges that we will be facing in 2017.

SMB's

According to a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, nearly 75% of all small to medium sized businesses had security breaches in 2016 and that number is expected to increase in 2017. The reason that SMB's (small and medium businesses) are such popular targets is that these sites often deal with money and store their client's personal information on their servers.

There are some measures that website owners can implement to help secure their webpage and keep their customer’s minds at ease. An https protocol at the beginning of the URL adds an extra layer of security by adding an encryption layer of SSL/TLS to protect the traffic. Real money casinos for example handle players' money, thus it's extremely important for them to use https.

Consumers should also make sure to read the privacy terms and conditions on a website before trusting it with privacy information. Make sure that the company states that they won't be sharing personal information with 3rd parties or selling it to the highest bidder.

Mobile Devices

As Apple and Android pay grew in popularity in 2016, the risks that personal payments can be compromised have increased. These systems use NFC and RFID technology and it’s only a matter of time before the hackers can detect and exploit a hole in the system and have the ability to access the funds.

How Can Consumers Protect Themselves     

While the risk of having your mobile payment apps hacked is real, it doesn't mean that you should avoid it completely. There are several steps that one can take to help prevent your private information from getting into the wrong hands.

The most important thing is only download your apps from trusted reliable sources, such as iTunes and Google Play, and make sure to update the apps with the latest version. The app developers can usually find the security hole and patch it up, but if you're running an older version of the app, it won’t have the security patch in place.

Whenever possible, avoid making mobile payments over an unsecured or public WiFi connection. Look into using or purchasing a VPN that will increase your privacy. And finally, don't forget to use your common sense, if something seems off, then it's best to either pay with a different method or try and make the payment at a later time.