This additional layer of security has become a popular choice for both businesses and customers seeking to secure their privacy. According to Statista, more than 24% of all internet users in 2023 utilized a VPN to protect their internet connection.
With such widespread use, one might wonder if VPNs are impervious to hacking. Are they susceptible to hacking? Can VPNs be used to steal user data instead of securing it?
VPNs, like any other software, can be hacked. No software is perfect, and VPNs, like all internet-based technologies, are vulnerable to various threats. That being said, a good VPN will be extremely difficult to crack, especially if it has a secure server infrastructure and application.
VPNs function by creating a secret connection via which your internet activity is encrypted and rendered unreadable. Your internet traffic is routed via a VPN server, which masks your IP address and gives you an extra degree of privacy online.
This encryption protects critical user data including your IP address, device location, browsing history, and online searches from your internet service provider, government agencies, and cybercriminals.
VPNs provide simple safety for your online activity by encrypting user data and routing it over a secure channel. However, this does not render them invincible.
There are a few vulnerabilities in VPNs that hackers can exploit or target. Let's look at a few of them:
One approach to hack VPNs is to break through the encryption. Hackers can employ cryptographic attacks to break poorly constructed encryption ciphers. However, breaking encryption requires a significant amount of effort, time, and resources.
Most current VPNs use the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES-256) encryption method. This encryption standard encrypts and decrypts data with 256-bit keys and is commonly regarded as the gold standard in encryption.
This is because AES-256 is nearly impregnable, taking millions to billions of years to brute force and crack even with today's technology. That is why many governments and banks employ AES-256 encryption to protect their data.
In any event, most modern VPN companies use AES-256 encryption, so there isn't anything to worry about.
Hackers can also attack older VPN tunneling standards. Tunneling protocols are simply a set of rules governing how your data is processed and transmitted via a certain network.
We wish to avoid utilizing old protocols like PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. These protocols are outdated and are regarded as medium to low security by modern standards.
PPTP, in example, is an older technology with documented weaknesses that unscrupulous actors can exploit. In contrast, L2TP/IPSec provides better security but slower performance than newer protocols.
Fortunately, more recent VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 offer an excellent balance of high-level security and speed.
Malicious actors can also steal user data via VPN leaks. VPN leaks occur when user data is "leaked" from the secure VPN tunnel as a result of a bug or vulnerability inside the software. The primary types of VPN leaks include the following:
DNS leaks occur when the VPN reveals your internet activity, such as DNS queries or browsing history, to the ISP DNS server despite being connected over an encrypted VPN connection.
IP leaks occur when your IP address is accidentally leaked or exposed to the internet, undermining the primary function of a VPN in disguising your true IP address and location.
WebRTC leaks are browser-based leaks in which websites gain unauthorized access to your actual IP address by bypassing the encrypted VPN connection.
Finally, hacking is possible when VPN providers access customer data without their authorization.
While many VPN services promise to have no-logs policies, indicating that they are not keeping user data, VPNs have been shown to store user information notwithstanding these rules.
Even after understanding the various ways VPNs can be exploited, utilizing a VPN is significantly more secure than not using one. VPNs enable you and your organization to mask your IP address with the touch of a button.
Hiding your IP address is critical because criminal actors can exploit it to send you invasive adverts, learn your location, and collect information about your personal identity. VPNs are one of the simplest and most accessible ways to accomplish this.
VPNs are also an excellent solution for larger enterprises to maintain the security of company data, especially if your company has distant employees who access company resources via the Internet.
This platform monitors web outages and provides insights into the extent of problems faced by companies. On April 3, 2024, more than 1.75 million user-reported issues were flagged worldwide for WhatsApp, with tens of thousands also reported for the App Store and Apple TV. Neither firm responded to inquiries about the cause of their outages.
The internet, like software, comprises multiple layers. Regulatory changes, consumer demands for seamless data access, and the integration of new features (such as AI chatbots) add layers and complexity. Unfortunately, more layers mean a higher risk of things going wrong. Companies are pushing for innovation, but it comes with the potential of breaking existing systems.
Various factors can cause internet services to fail, including typos in code, hardware faults, power outages, and cyberattacks. Severe weather conditions can also impact data centers housing powerful servers. Additionally, many companies have shifted from managing their infrastructure in-house to using cloud services. While this enables faster development, a single outage at the cloud service provider can affect multiple platforms and technologies.
Glitches in services provided by major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud have previously led to downtime for thousands of customers.
The internet's complexity, rapid innovation, and reliance on cloud services contribute to the increased occurrence of tech outages. As companies strive for progress, maintaining stability remains a challenge.
We crave seamless experiences. We want our apps to load instantly, our streaming services to buffer flawlessly, and our online orders to arrive yesterday. But progress is a hungry beast. It devours stability, chews on reliability, and spits out error messages. The quest for innovation pushes boundaries, but it also tests the limits of our digital infrastructure.
The software industry witnessed a pivotal moment with the introduction of Open AI's ChatGPT in November 2022, sparking a race dubbed the GenAI race. This event spurred SaaS vendors into a frenzy to enhance their tools with generative AI-driven productivity features.
GenAI tools serve a multitude of purposes, simplifying software development for developers, aiding sales teams in crafting emails, assisting marketers in creating low-cost unique content, and facilitating brainstorming sessions for teams and creatives.
Notable recent launches in the GenAI space include Microsoft 365 Copilot, GitHub Copilot, and Salesforce Einstein GPT, all of which are paid enhancements, indicating the eagerness of SaaS providers to capitalize on the GenAI trend. Google is also gearing up to launch its SGE (Search Generative Experience) platform, offering premium AI-generated summaries instead of conventional website listings.
The rapid integration of AI capabilities into SaaS applications suggests that it won't be long before AI becomes a standard feature in such tools.
However, alongside these advancements come new risks and challenges for users. The widespread adoption of GenAI applications in workplaces is raising concerns about exposure to cybersecurity threats.
GenAI operates by training models to generate data similar to the original based on user-provided information. This exposes organizations to risks such as IP leakage, exposure of sensitive customer data, and the potential for cybercriminals to use deepfakes for phishing scams and identity theft.
These concerns, coupled with the need to comply with regulations, have led to a backlash against GenAI applications, especially in industries handling confidential data. Some organizations have even banned the use of GenAI tools altogether.
Despite these bans, organizations struggle to control the use of GenAI applications effectively, as they often enter the workplace without proper oversight or approval.
In response to these challenges, the US government is urging organizations to implement better governance around AI usage. This includes appointing Chief AI Officers to oversee AI technologies and ensure responsible usage.
With the rise of GenAI applications, organizations need to reassess their security measures. Traditional perimeter protection strategies are proving inadequate against modern threats, which target vulnerabilities within organizations.
To regain control and mitigate risks associated with GenAI apps, organizations can adopt advanced zero-trust solutions like SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management). These solutions provide visibility into AI-enabled apps and assess their security posture to prevent, detect, and respond to threats effectively.
Within the dynamic sphere of digital technology, businesses are continually seeking innovative solutions to streamline operations and step up their security measures. One such innovation that has garnered widespread attention is facial biometrics, a cutting-edge technology encompassing face recognition and liveness detection. This technology, now available through platforms like Auth0 marketplace, is revolutionising digital processes and significantly enhancing security protocols.
What's Facial Biometrics?
Facial biometrics operates by analysing unique facial features to verify an individual's identity. Through face recognition, it compares facial characteristics from a provided image with stored templates for authentication purposes. Similarly, face liveness detection distinguishes live human faces from static images or videos, ensuring the authenticity of user interactions. This highlights the technology's versatility, applicable across various domains ranging from smartphone security to border control measures.
Streamlining Digital Processes
One of the key benefits of facial biometrics is its ability to streamline digital processes, starting with digital onboarding procedures. For instance, banks can expedite the verification process for new customers by comparing a selfie with their provided identification documents, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements such as Know Your Customer (KYC) norms. Moreover, facial biometrics eliminates the need for complex passwords, offering users a secure and user-friendly authentication method. This streamlined approach not only strengthens security but also improves the overall user experience.
A Step-Up In The Security Measures
Beyond simplifying processes, facial biometrics adds an additional layer of security to business operations. By verifying user identities at critical junctures, such as transaction confirmations, businesses can thwart unauthorised access attempts by fraudsters. This proactive stance against potential threats not only safeguards sensitive information but also mitigates financial risks associated with fraudulent activities.
Embracing the Future
As facial biometrics continues to gain momentum, businesses are presented with an array of opportunities to bolster security measures and upgrade user experiences. Organisations can not only mitigate risks but also explore new possibilities for growth in the digital age. With a focus on simplicity, security, and user-centric design, facial biometrics promises to redefine the future of digital authentication and identity verification.
All in all, facial biometrics represents an impactful milestone in the realm of digital security and user convenience. By embracing this technology, businesses can achieve a delicate balance between efficiency and security, staying ahead of unprecedented threats posed by AI bots and malicious actors. However, it is imperative to implement facial biometrics in a manner that prioritises user privacy and data protection. As businesses work out the digital transformation journey, platforms like Auth0 marketplace offer comprehensive solutions tailored to diverse needs, ensuring a seamless integration of facial biometrics into existing frameworks.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have made an exceptional breakthrough in combating the threat of unsettling Asian hornets by developing an artificial intelligence (AI) system. Named VespAI, this automated system boasts the capability to identify Asian hornets with exceptional accuracy, per the findings of the university’s recent study.
Dr. Thomas O'Shea-Wheller, from the Environment and Sustainability Institute from Exter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall, highlighted the system's user-friendly nature, emphasising its potential for widespread adoption, from governmental agencies to individual beekeepers. He described the aim as creating an affordable and adaptable solution to address the pressing issue of invasive species detection.
VespAI operates using a compact processor and remains inactive until its sensors detect an insect within the size range of an Asian hornet. Once triggered, the AI algorithm aanalyses aptured images to determine whether the insect is an Asian hornet (Vespa velutina) or a native European hornet (Vespa crabro). If an Asian hornet is identified, the system sends an image alert to the user for confirmation.
The development of VespAI is a response to a surge in Asian hornet sightings not only across the UK but also in mainland Europe. In 2023, record numbers of these invasive hornets were observed, posing a significant threat to honeybee populations and biodiversity. With just one hornet capable of consuming up to 50 bees per day, the urgency for effective surveillance and response strategies is paramount.
Dr. Peter Kennedy, the mastermind behind VespAI, emphasised the system's ability to mitigate misidentifications, which have been prevalent in previous reports. By providing accurate and automated surveillance, VespAI aims to improve the efficiency of response efforts while minimising environmental impact.
The effectiveness of VespAI was demonstrated through testing in Jersey, an area prone to Asian hornet incursions due to its proximity to mainland Europe. The system's high accuracy ensures that no Asian hornets are overlooked, while also preventing misidentification of other species.
The development of VespAI involved collaboration between biologists and data scientists from various departments within the University of Exeter. This interdisciplinary approach enabled the integration of biological expertise with cutting-edge AI technology, resulting in a versatile and robust solution.
The breakthrough AI system, dubbed VespAI, as detailed in their recent paper titled “VespAI: a deep learning-based system for the detection of invasive hornets,” published in the journal Communications Biology. This publication highlights the notable discovery made by the researchers in confronting the growing danger of invasive species. As we see it, this innovative AI system offers hope for protecting ecosystems and biodiversity from the threats posed by Asian hornets.
Enterprises are rapidly embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools, with transactions skyrocketing by almost 600% in less than a year, according to a recent report by Zscaler. The surge, from 521 million transactions in April 2023 to 3.1 billion monthly by January 2024, underscores a growing reliance on these technologies. However, heightened security concerns have led to a 577% increase in blocked AI/ML transactions, as organisations grapple with emerging cyber threats.
The report highlights the developing tactics of cyber attackers, who now exploit AI tools like Language Model-based Machine Learning (LLMs) to infiltrate organisations covertly. Adversarial AI, a form of AI designed to bypass traditional security measures, poses a particularly stealthy threat.
Concerns about data protection and privacy loom large as enterprises integrate AI/ML tools into their operations. Industries such as healthcare, finance, insurance, services, technology, and manufacturing are at risk, with manufacturing leading in AI traffic generation.
To mitigate risks, many Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) opt to block a record number of AI/ML transactions, although this approach is seen as a short-term solution. The most commonly blocked AI tools include ChatGPT and OpenAI, while domains like Bing.com and Drift.com are among the most frequently blocked.
However, blocking transactions alone may not suffice in the face of evolving cyber threats. Leading cybersecurity vendors are exploring novel approaches to threat detection, leveraging telemetry data and AI capabilities to identify and respond to potential risks more effectively.
CISOs and security teams face a daunting task in defending against AI-driven attacks, necessitating a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Balancing productivity and security is crucial, as evidenced by recent incidents like vishing and smishing attacks targeting high-profile executives.
Attackers increasingly leverage AI in ransomware attacks, automating various stages of the attack chain for faster and more targeted strikes. Generative AI, in particular, enables attackers to identify vulnerabilities and exploit them with greater efficiency, posing significant challenges to enterprise security.
Taking into account these advancements, enterprises must prioritise risk management and enhance their cybersecurity posture to combat the dynamic AI threat landscape. Educating board members and implementing robust security measures are essential in safeguarding against AI-driven cyberattacks.
As institutions deal with the complexities of AI adoption, ensuring data privacy, protecting intellectual property, and mitigating the risks associated with AI tools become paramount. By staying vigilant and adopting proactive security measures, enterprises can better defend against the growing threat posed by these cyberattacks.