Trend Micro 2016 Threat Predictions Forecast an Uptick in Online Extortion and Hacktivism

Sophisticated threat landscape reinforces need for regulatory requirements & cybersecurity officers

OTTAWA, Nov. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), a global leader in security software and solutions, has released its annual security predictions report, "The Fine Line: 2016 Security Predictions." Next year, continued growth in online extortion, hacktivism and mobile malware is expected, as well as a shift to an more offensive cybersecurity posture for government entities and corporations around the globe.

"We anticipate 2016 to be a very significant year for both sides of the cybercrime equation," said Raimund Genes, CTO, Trend Micro. "Governments and enterprises will begin to see the benefit of cybersecurity foresight, with changes in legislation and the increasing addition of cybersecurity officers within enterprises."

According to the report, 2016 will also mark a significant turning point for malvertising. A predicted 41 percent increase in on line ad blocking software means advertisers will seek to alter their approach to online ads, and cybercriminals will attempt to find other ways to obtain user information.

"Hackers consistently evolve to adapt to their surroundings, just as online ads are declining, we see ransomware is increasing," said Tom Kellermann, chief cybersecurity officer, Trend Micro. "Despite the growth in security investments and legislation, these changes will inevitably bring new, more sophisticated attack vectors."

Highlights from the 2016 predications report include:

1. 2016 will be the Year of Online Extortion.
2. At least one consumer-grade smart device failure will be lethal in 2016.
3. China will drive mobile malware growth to 20M by the end of 2016; globally, mobile payment methods will be attacked.
4. Data breaches will be used by hacktivists to systematically destroy their targets.
5. Despite the need for Data Protection Officers, less than 50% of organizations will have them by end of 2016.
6. Ad-blocking will shake up the advertising business model and kill malvertisements.
7. Cybercrime legislation will take a significant step towards becoming a truly global movement.

To learn more about Trend Micro's 2016 threat predictions, visit: http://www.trendmicro.com/ThreatPredictions 

About Trend Micro
Trend Micro Incorporated, a global leader in security software, strives to make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Built on 26 years of experience, our solutions for consumers, businesses and governments provide layered data security to protect information on mobile devices, endpoints, gateways, servers and the cloud. Trend Micro enables the smart protection of information, with innovative security technology that is simple to deploy and manage, and fits an evolving ecosystem. All of our solutions are powered by cloud-based global threat intelligence, the Trend Micro™ Smart Protection Network™ infrastructure, and are supported by more than 1,200 threat experts around the globe.  For more information, visit TrendMicro.com.

SOURCE Trend Micro Canada

Media Contact to speak with a Trend Micro threat expert: Claire M. Tallarico, 416 616 9940