Can Hackers Use The Cloud To Infect Your Device?

Millions and millions are working these days remotely, and all the credit goes to cloud computing without a doubt. Cloud computing is growing significantly in all business sectors. Businesses are now investing heaving in the domain of public cloud facilities.

But, the question here is,

How secure is cloud computing? Can the hackers get hold of it as well?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes! Hackers can get hold of your cloud storage and not only get misuse the data in the storage but also affect your device as well. Few of the high profiles cloud hacking cases have been reported in recent times that affected Autoclerk and Cloud Hopper immensely. So, it is on the rise, and it’s high time for businesses around the world to remain secure sound from such situations.

What Leads To Cloud Hack?

There are several ways hackers are not targeting to get hold of the cloud storage facility. As per the reports, in the case of Cloud Hopper, a series of sustained attacks were made by the hackers by different means against their clients and managed service providers.

They compromised email accounts with the use of phishing emails. As and when they go access their cloud service provider, they use the respective infrastructure to catch one target to another. They collected all the customers and other sensitive data from the storage and made the attack even bigger.

As and when the cloud is hacked, as stated above, you don’t only have data under threat. If the hackers have user credentials of the cloud facility, they can easily move around and have full control of the cloud environment. So, things can get worse in no time.

What Can Happen After Your Cloud Storage is Hacked?

Yes, the cloud can be acknowledged as a secure and sound facility to use, but the ease of use has made it difficult for one to administer, manage, and track. This can give rise to vulnerabilities significantly. If the cloud configurations get difficult to track, then it certainly gives rise to a lot of threats.

According to Cloud Security experts, if your cloud storage is filled with applications and tools, this means that more and more people are getting access to the respective facility. This can lead to access to the ones who can unlock the cloud security tools that include firewalls. So, it gives them all the freedom they need to steal confidential data and tarnish the image of the respective company.

In the last few years, Docker Hub and Instagram have reported such instances of security bypassing that have cost their cloud storage and eventually resulted in the form of a data breach. But, it is just not limited to the cloud, it can also hamper your device and cost you big time. If you are thinking about how to let’s dive in:

How Can Hackers Infect Your Device?

If you are thinking about how cloud hackers can also impact your device, then take a look at the below-mentioned pointers:

1. Spam Emails

Hackers are always trying to trick you in one or the other way to download files that are malicious in nature. As the hackers have complete control of your different functionalities, they can send you an email that can be either a delivery receipt, tax refund, or even an invoice. They make sure that the mail looks genuine so that you can click on the attachment without thinking twice. As and when you get the attachment downloaded to your system, you get the malware installed in your device that can literally cost you your data completely.

If the employees are trained about these types of emails, it becomes a lot easier to spot the same. It can have writing-related issues or even come from an email address that might be different. But, mostly, it appears to be legitimate with small differences. So, you need to be extra careful before clicking on any of the attachments that can harm your device significantly. If you are thinking about how to keep your device protected from the same, then follow the below-mentioned points:

• Do not open the mail if you are not aware of the person who has sent you the same.
• You must never ever click on the link until and unless you are certain about the same being genuine.
• You must not download or open any attachment if it’s from an unknown source.

2. Office Macros

As and when the cloud storage gets hacked, there is a high possibility that all the document stored there is infected. As and when one downloads a file from the cloud, it enhances the chances of getting the system affected in this process. If you download a Microsoft document and then open the same, you might see a warning stating that the file might not be secure. So, you must not allow the document to make any changes to your system.

If you click to enable the file to make the changes, the malware gets installed in your system, and this can do a lot of damage to your data. So, you need to be very careful when you download a file from the hacked cloud storage facility. You can keep the below-mentioned pointers in mind:

• Before downloading any file, make sure to check with the authorization,
• Always check who made the last edit,
• And as when you open the file, make sure to check with the warning as well. If there is any, delete the file right away.

3. Removable Drives

It has been seen that the malware can also be spread with the use of removable drives. If somebody has downloaded the files from the cloud and shared them with you through external hard drives or USB flash drives, then it can also hamper your system quite a lot. As and when you install the device on your system, the malware gets installed automatically and starts causing problems.

• You can avoid this type of issue following the below-mentioned steps:
• Do not use a USB device shared by a person not known to you.
• Make sure that the device is first scanned with the use of anti-virus software before being used.

Summary

So this shows how hackers can use the cloud and infect your system as well. You need to be very careful in taking any step. Whether it is downloading or opening attachments, you need to double-check with the source before taking any action. A minute’s caution can help your system remain safe and sound and curb the chances of bigger damage.

Author Bio:

Neha Singh is the co-founder of securium solutions which is one of the fastest-growing cybersecurity services and education providing companies in India. She has helped thousands of companies in protecting their businesses from cyber threats and has been adamant about raising the need for cybersecurity in these modern times. When she is not actively taking part in seminars and meetings she can be found reading peacefully in the mountains.