How 5G is Changing the Cybersecurity Landscape?

social engineering scams

The 5G Internet is a boon for individuals and business organizations. Thanks to its amazing speed, they can use it to conduct everyday activities on the internet in a short time. It may include video streaming and downloads, gaming, using VR/AR devices, making transactions, etc. Currently, there are approximately 2.1 billion active 5G users. Their numbers are likely to increase to 5.5 billion by 2029.

However, you must be careful because professional cybercriminals also exploit 5G to launch devastating cyberattacks. Let’s talk about some ways to deal with 5G cybersecurity risks. We will also discuss recovery steps you must take after a scam. 

Cybersecurity Risks Associated with 5G

A Sharp Increase in Attack Surface
Remember, 5G’s dynamic software-based systems have more routing points than 4 G. Mostly, they are unregulated. So, hackers can easily track the location and data of logged-in users and commit financial crimes. 

To fix this problem, you should purchase good quality 5G-supported devices. Also, look for all possible security issues before using them in everyday personal and business activities.

No IoT Security Standards
Currently, many IoT devices have either minimal or non-existent cybersecurity measures. Swindlers frequently use them as entry points to break into the company’s IT ecosystem and steal valuable data. So, we have lots of IoT devices that will automatically connect to the 5G internet. There will be a huge spike in man-in-the-middle attacks on unsecured 5G devices. IoT manufacturers and the government need to pay attention to the production of secure IoT devices and ensure compliance with internet security protocols. 

Complex Network Partitioning
Currently, 4G networks limit cyberattacks using network partition methods. Hardware eliminates the existence of a single point of failure. Suppose a cybercriminal attacks one node of the network; you can separate the rest of the networks to limit cyberattacks without controlling the code of the entire network. 

However, 5G uses short-range and small-cell physical antennas to broadcast the internet in a particular geographical area. Each antenna can work as a single point of control, which can be destroyed by botnets and denial of service attacks. 5G uses dynamic spectrum sharing. It is a telecommunication mechanism that breaks data loads into slices. Generally, each slice is transferred to the same bandwidth many times. It increases the cyber risk to a great extent.

Industries Widely Affected By 5G Cybersecurity Threats​

5g cybersecurity

Banks, healthcare, manufacturing, industrial IoT, self-driving cars, etc. 

Some 5G Cybersecurity Risk Statistics

Cybercriminals frequently use it to attack individuals and organizations and steal digital assets. Here are some examples:

  • Cyberattacks on 5G networks are expected to increase by 300% in the next 5 years.
  • Since 2021, DDoS attacks on 5G have increased by 200%.
  • More than 75% of all IoTs connected via 5G face more cyberattacks.
  • Data breaches via 5G have increased by 65%.
  • 5 G-driven ransomware attacks have increased by 150% in the last 2 years.
  • 40% of all telecom companies worldwide reported a significant increase in cyber threats because of 5 G.
  • 70% of cyberattacks on 5G networks take advantage of supply chain vulnerabilities.
  • 85% of all cybersecurity firms report a sharp increase in malware attacks.

How to Deal with 5G Cybersecurity Threats?

If you use a 5G network for personal or professional work, follow these recommendations to keep your data safe:

  • Always use updated IT infrastructure, such as the OS, software, and apps. It will automatically eliminate many cybersecurity challenges.
  • Don’t forget to use a VPN when you connect to 5 G. 
  • Use 2-factor authentication to protect all your e-accounts. It will prevent hackers from breaking into your e-accounts and keep your data safe. 
  • When using 5G for business needs, strictly follow cybersecurity standards mandated by the service provider and the government. 
  • From time to time, conduct security audits in your organization. It will help to discover hidden security loopholes. Fix them immediately before major cyberattacks happen. 
  • Control employee activities in your organization. Determine how much data they can access for everyday business activities. Always maintain the privacy of sensitive business details. 

What Should You Do If a Financial Scam Occurs?

If you experience a financial scam or any cyber threat while using 5G technology, contact us immediately at Crystal Recoup. We will help you with our fraud investigation and recovery services. We can investigate all types of online financial fraud using our expertise, tools, and technologies. This will enable you to possibly recover your stolen money and minimize losses.

Conclusion

There is a lot of buzz about 5G and cybersecurity. The fast implementation of 5G has led to a sharp increase in cyberattacks, data breaches, and theft of digital assets. Use these tips to protect your digital assets while using 5G for different online activities. Crystal Recoup investigates financial scams and helps you recover your lost digital assets. Do use our services for digital safety and funds recovery.

We are a leading financial fraud recovery firm. We are licensed & Regulated.

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