"2016 Cyber Attacks Posing Significant Impact on Personal Lives"

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As we step into the digital age, the threat of cyber attacks becomes more prevalent than ever. The year 2016 saw a significant rise in cyber threats, targeting various sectors from politics to sports, transportation, and healthcare.

In the world of politics, candidates in the 2016 U.S. presidential election were reported to use more social networks than politicians of the past, including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, and Instagram. This increased online presence made them potential targets for hacking.

The fantasy sports industry, particularly sites like DraftKings and FanDuel, also found itself in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. With approximately 32 million participants spending an estimated $15 billion, these platforms presented lucrative targets for data theft or manipulation. In 2016, companies involved in these websites were likely targets of attacks due to the rising popularity and controversies around daily fantasy sports platforms.

One notable incident involved a DraftKings employee accidentally posting confidential data, leading to insider trading accusations. Another vulnerability was discovered in Yahoo's Fantasy Football mobile app in 2014, which could potentially allow attackers to change team lineups and post imposter comments.

The automobile industry was not immune to these threats either. In July 2015, software engineers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek demonstrated a zero-day vulnerability that allowed them to remotely control a Jeep Cherokee's dashboard, steering, brakes, and transmission. This demonstration highlighted the potential dangers of connected systems in vehicles.

Hackers are also likely to target major transport manufacturers, posing a threat to personal safety. An attacker has already made a drone hacking system available on GitHub, potentially for use in a large-scale cyber attack. Attackers may also target drones themselves to achieve remote control.

Healthcare and government organizations will be prime targets for drone attacks due to the type and value of information they hold. A major sporting event, such as the World Cup, Summer Olympics, or Super Bowl 50, is likely to be a cyber event in 2016. Nation states may tamper with Olympic timing machines or scores to gain an advantage, or hackers may manipulate scores to win large bets.

Despite these threats, automobile manufacturers are not being forthright about hacker and privacy threats due to connected systems. This lack of transparency could potentially leave consumers vulnerable to attacks.

In the face of these threats, it is crucial for individuals and organisations to prioritise cybersecurity measures to protect themselves and their data. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too will the tactics of cybercriminals. Staying vigilant and informed is key to navigating this ever-changing landscape.