What Are The Top Cybersecurity Threats Of 2015? Find Out ...

Hackers who've long used malware to slip inside company computer networks are hunting down administrative and other privileged accounts, enabling them to go undetected for months, says a cybersecurity expert in a look ahead to the top threats of 2015.

"Two hundred days of unfettered, malicious activity is a lot of time where hackers can really steal vital information, establish back doors, come in and out as they wish," said Ehud Mokady, founder and CEO of CyberArk Software (NASDAQ:CYBR), a security firm that specializes in defeating cybercriminals who've made their way undetected into networks.

The Sony Pictures cyberattack has made network security 
an even higher priority for companies heading into 2015.
 That's good news for cybersecurity

Compromised privileged accounts are among the top threats facing enterprises in 2015, say not only Mokady but also experts at Palo Alto Networks, Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC), Intel (NASDAQ:INTC), FireEye and other cybersecurity vendors.

Most companies are unaware how many privileged accounts they have or that attackers can easily use them to set up additional users to blend into normal network traffic, security executives say.

Hackers Eye New Targets

New threats are popping up as new technologies emerge. Digital payment systems will provide fresh targets. Hackers will go after Internet of Things connected devices, from IP cameras with weak security controls to smart meters with basic encryption flaws.

FireEye (NASDAQ:FEYE) is investigating hackers who collect information from publicly traded companies. Attackers with extensive knowledge of industry nuances and financial practices are after insider information to get a clear advantage and "play the stock market," said Dan McWhorter, FireEye vice president of threat intelligence.

Long-used tactics such as phishing — tricking users into opening email attachments — and ransomware — forcing users to pay ransoms for virus fixes or decryption — will continue.

Retailers can expect continued attacks next year, including credit and debit card "skimmers" hidden at gas pumps or ATMs to gather card details and PINs. Hackers will go after smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.

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