Mexico Among the Top Victims of Cyberattack in Latin America; Here's How You Can Stay Safe Online This 2023

By BERT HOOVER Dec 30 2022, 18:50 PM EST

The latest data shows that Mexico was one of the countries severely hit by cyberattacks in 2022.

According to the Mexican Cybersecurity Association (AMECI), an estimated 85 billion attempted cyberattacks in Mexico in the first half of 2022, a 40% rise over the corresponding time in 2021.

Global cybersecurity firm Fortinet reported that there are more Mexico cyberattacks recorded between January and June of this year than Brazil (31.5 billion) or Colombia (6.5 billion) (6.3 billion).

Fortinet found that many attackers employed complex and tailored methods like ransomware.

According to Fortinet, the largest rate of ransomware dissemination in the region was seen in Mexico, with over 18,000 detections, followed by Colombia (17,000), Costa Rica (14,000), Peru, Argentina, and Brazil.

Hackers have attacked companies, and government agencies at all levels in Mexico, said Mexico News Daily.

For instance, in March, the online marketplace Mercado Libre said that a cyberattack had exposed the personal information of 300,000 clients in Mexico and Latin America.

Since December 5, several sites belonging to Jalisco state institutions have been the target of cyberattacks.

Mexico Cyberattacks Affect Transporters

Due to a cyberattack in late October, the Mexican Ministry of Transportation (SICT) has suspended the issuance of permits, license plates, and driver's licenses until December 31. This could cause delays in the transport of refined products and other products.

Truck drivers told Argus that permits have been stalled since the attack on October 24 and that the delay was announced in the official gazette on November 1.

According to Mexico's freight chamber, this temporary measure could disrupt the sectoral supply of refined products in Mexico, which is still mainly supplied by tank trucks (Canacar).

Canacar reported that in September, trucks transported 111,000 b/d of gasoline and 71,000 b/d of diesel.

Cyberattack Protection Tips

Adopting these eight habits can improve your digital security and make you less susceptible to cyberattacks.

Think Before You Click

Be cautious when opening attachments in emails, even if they appear to have come from a trusted source. Stop and think before you enter a potentially dangerous online area. It is best not to respond to the email because the sender's identity may have been stolen.

Be Careful in Providing Private Information

If someone asks you for personal information, whether yours or someone else's, you should always check their credentials first, even if they seem familiar. Cons are devious in the ways they gather data to commit identity theft. Even if you feel secure, it is still a good idea to check your credit report and bank statements regularly.

Keep Your Passwords Safe

Do not tell anyone your passwords for anything. Always use multi-factor authentication (MFA) and make sure your passwords are long, complex, and utterly different from anyone else's.

Utilize a password manager.
Try to stick to a single password for all your online accounts.
Separate your work and personal lives by using radically different passwords.
Avoid letting programs and webpages remember your passwords.

Secure Your Stuff

Always be vigilant in securing your personal belongings when going out in public. If you have to leave, even for a second, make sure everything is locked up, or take it with you. In the workplace, it is crucial to lock your screen and door whenever you leave your desk. Bring along your mobile device and any other small essentials.

Update Your Devices, Apps, Browsers

Make sure updates are completely installed on your home devices by automating software updates and restarting them regularly. Take Advantage Of File-Backup Software. Keep copies of your data in a safe, offsite location and periodically verify that they are still usable in the event of a disaster. Keep a copy of your files in a safe place, like the cloud or an encrypted USB.

Do Not Save Sensitive Information

Cracking passwords can be aided by personally identifiable information, which hackers can use. If you no longer need certain pieces of data previously stored on your device, delete them immediately.