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The year 2024 was marked by a series of significant events in the field of online piracy, reflecting both the ingenuity of cybercriminals and the growing cybersecurity challenges that businesses, governments and individuals face on a daily basis. From the theft of sensitive data to the use of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, these incidents have underlined the need to strengthen defenses and raise public awareness of digital threats.
One of the most alarming events of 2024 was the coordinated attack on several critical infrastructures in Europe and North America. In January, a group of hackers known as “ShadowWave” carried out a ransomware attack against several energy distribution networks. The consequences were considerable: power outages in densely populated urban areas, disruptions to public transport, and endangerment of patients in hospitals dependent on these infrastructures. Investigations revealed that the hackers had exploited a known but unpatched vulnerability in software used to manage these networks.
This attack highlighted the urgent need to protect critical infrastructures against increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks. In response, many governments have adopted enhanced cybersecurity strategies, such as the “Shield 2024” initiative in the European Union, aimed at modernizing systems and training professionals in the sector.
Theft of personal data was another recurring theme of 2024, with several major incidents. In March, a breach in the servers of a major cloud service provider exposed the sensitive information of over 250 million users worldwide. The data included e-mail addresses, hashed passwords, financial information and even copies of identity documents.
The hack was attributed to a group of Asia-based cybercriminals, who allegedly used social engineering techniques (including phishing) to deceive employees and gain unauthorized access to internal systems. This incident highlighted the weakness of multi-factor verification measures in some companies, and led to a wave of awareness campaigns on the need to adopt enhanced security practices.
The year 2024 also saw an increased use of deepfakes in criminal activities. Cybercriminals used falsified videos to defraud businesses and individuals, often with alarming success. In May, a British financial company fell victim to a massive fraud involving a voice deepfake. Fraudsters imitated the CEO’s voice to order a transfer of £10 million to an offshore bank account.
These incidents have raised questions about the ability of detection systems to identify falsified content. Several technology companies have developed increasingly sophisticated tools to counter this threat, but the cat-and-mouse game between cybercriminals and defenders continues.
The healthcare sector was particularly targeted in 2024, with attacks aimed at stealing medical data or disrupting essential services. In July, a major hospital in California was crippled by a ransomware attack, forcing staff to revert to paper-based procedures for treating patients.
The consequences of this attack were tragic, with delays in care costing lives. The hackers reportedly used malware designed specifically to target healthcare systems, exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities. As a result, regulators have stepped up security requirements for healthcare facilities, and additional funds have been allocated to protect these vital infrastructures.
2024 was also a year marked by an huge increase of hacktivist activity. Groups such as “Digital Resistance” claimed responsibility for attacks on companies and governments, often to protest against policies perceived as unfair. In August, for example, hacktivists hacked the websites of several multinationals accused of devastating environmental practices, replacing their homepages with messages of climate activism.
These actions have sparked debate about the boundary between digital activism and cybercrime. While some see these attacks as legitimate acts of protest, others point out that they often cause collateral damage and compromise data security.
Finally, 2024 saw the increased integration of artificial intelligence into computer attacks. Cybercriminals used AI algorithms to automate attacks, analyze potential targets and bypass security systems. At the same time, AI has also been a key tool for defenders, enabling early detection of threats and faster response to incidents.
However, the use of AI has also raised ethical concerns, particularly regarding the biases inherent in some systems and the possibility of escalating cyber conflicts. The experts called for international cooperation to regulate the use of AI in cybersecurity.
Cyber attacks have become more complex, targeted and costly, affecting millions of people and threatening the stability of economies and societies. Against this backdrop, it is essential that governments, businesses and citizens work together to create a safer digital environment. Strengthened defenses, threat awareness and technological innovation will be crucial to meeting tomorrow’s challenges. But beyond technology, it is also necessary to promote digital ethics and reflect on the societal implications of technological developments.
Join us at the beginning of February for our first 2025 theme; in the meantime, if you have a film, series, software or e-book to protect, don’t hesitate to call on our services by contacting one of our account managers; PDN has been a pioneer in cybersecurity and anti-piracy for over ten years, and we’re bound to have a solution to help you. Enjoy your reading, and see you soon!
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