New Cyber Threats Expected in 2012

By Michelle Wirth

Atlanta, GA – New and increasingly sophisticated cyber threats are expected in 2012. That's according to a new report released today by the Georgia Tech Information Security Center and the Georgia Tech Research Institute.

The report cites several specific threats that experts and researchers believe will be more prevalent next year. One of the major threats is the expected increase of attacks against mobile web browsers. Mustaque Ahamad is the Director of the Georgia Tech Information Security Center. He says some applications downloaded onto smart phones and other mobile web devices could pose a significant threat.

"It's possible that it takes your contact information, your location, if you're doing mobile banking your financial institution credentials and things like that, so there are all kinds of possibilities."

Ahamad says mobile-web device users need to be aware of the risk before downloading applications.

"You just don't download any app onto to your phone. You have to do some due-diligence before you decide to run that."

The report also says attackers are expected to increasingly use techniques to make it more likely for internet users to click on malicious links when visiting search engines. Experts also believe botnets will capture private user information from social media platforms, and that information will be sold to businesses.The report was released at the annual Georgia Tech Cyber Security Summit.