Over a 24-Hour Period...

In July, Florida Atlantic University researchers scrutinized more than five terabytes of internet data to come up with a snapshot of the cyber-threats Florida faced in a 24-hour period.

The takeaway: “Security remains an afterthought” when it comes to designing and manufacturing internet-connected computers and devices, says Elias Bou-Harb of FAU’s Cyber Threat Intelligence Lab FloridaSOAR (Security Operation and Response).

Their findings ...

27

Number of infected “internet of things” devices — webcams, home appliances, sound systems and TVs — in the medical and dental fields. Likewise, a similar number of devices belonging to religious organizations are infected each day.

73

Number of lodging site computers infected

55

Number of infected computers at schools and others in education

60

Cyber-crime victims per day in Florida

8,318

Number of infected “internet of things” devices in Florida. As internet-connected consumer devices have proliferated, so have schemes to take control of them. The most common device \ infected: Webcams. “Even baby monitors,” says FAU’s Bou-Harb. “You’re watching your baby, and he’s watching your baby.”

$303,069

Cyber-crime losses per day in Florida 15,100 Cyber-criminals exploited 15,110 hosts — any computer or machine — to carry out malicious activities.

584

Number of “denial-of-service” attacks (DDoS) against Florida targets. Denial-of-service attacks take place when a malicious actor uses scores of infected computers — a botnet — to bombard a website with so much traffic that legitimate users can’t get through. The top Florida DDoS targets: Internet service providers, data services, telecom and internet hosting services. But five retailers and five education organizations also were attacked in the 24- hour period. The top counties for DDoS targets were the state’s most populous, plus Volusia, Pasco and Brevard. The top cities for DDoS targets were Miami, Orlando and Boca Raton.

 

Read more in our February issue.

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