Many types of cyberthreats can cause massive amounts of damage, from stealing financial information to attacking critical systems, and some evade detection more easily than others. Hidden cyberthreats can bypass typical security measures, so traditional defenses may not be enough to prevent attacks.
Speed is of the essence when it comes to detecting and blocking a threat. Consider these hidden menaces that tend to fly under the radar of many people and businesses.
1. Shadow IT
Using hardware or software not managed by the company’s IT department to store or share data can allow hackers to strike. This includes using technology outside of IT’s control, such as working with unapproved applications or storing company data on personal clouds.
To prevent shadow IT, companies should enforce clear policies for employee devices and implement network discovery tools.
2. Insider Threats
Those with authorized access to company data can create security vulnerabilities. Clicking phishing links and leaving a work laptop unattended can have unintended consequences, but employees also have the potential to maliciously steal computer data. Signs of an ill-intentioned insider threat may include using someone else’s password to gain additional access or uploading and downloading large volumes of information.
Employees must use secure passwords for their devices and accounts, and management must be selective about authorizing access to confidential information.
3. Physical Security
Security measures must be taken to prevent physical threats to technology, such as stolen laptops or deliberate damage to hardware. The main components of physical security are monitoring access and implementing surveillance measures. These can include requiring keycards and biometrics for access, installing alarm systems and hiring security personnel.
Hardware must also be properly maintained to increase its lifespan, preventing the possibility of error or misuse, and it must be kept in a secure location to avoid tampering.
It is also important to keep your hardware up to date. Aging parts or technology can have weaknesses that cybercriminals can exploit, so it’s essential to be proactive about upkeep and maintenance.
4. Fileless Malware
Fileless malware is an invisible threat that’s difficult to detect because it operates directly within a computer’s memory rather than its hard drive. This gives an attacker control without leaving a file to trace. In 2025, these threats accounted for 40 percent of all breaches, becoming one of the stealthiest cyberthreats.
Preventive maintenance is the best way to avoid fileless malware. To block and detect the threat, consider installing advanced internet security software and regularly scanning technology for vulnerabilities.
5. Advanced Persistent Threat
An attacker might gain access but remain undetected for a significant period and will seek specific objectives, such as sabotage or espionage. Advanced persistent threats have targeted the telecommunications sector the most, with a 92 percent rise in detections from 2024 to 2025. Globally, these threats have increased by 45 percent, using a range of attacks, including vulnerability targeting, AI tools and social engineering.
Prevent hackers from gaining long-term access to your systems by monitoring them and determining where vulnerabilities could arise. Safeguard employee access with multifactor authentication and a secure web gateway.
Best Practices for Mitigating Hidden Cyberthreats
Don’t wait until a cyberattack occurs to take action. Layer defenses to create a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy. Preventive measures against hidden cyberthreats include:
- Implement clear rules for data access, saving and sharing.
- Complete security assessments and penetration testing routinely.
- Use secure networks, firewalls and advanced detection techniques, such as Endpoint Detection and Response and Extended Detection and Response.
- Give employees regular cybersecurity training and a way to report suspicious activity.
- Stay current with common and uncommon attack strategies used by cybercriminals.
Cyberthreats pose significant risks to company information. As scammers and hackers develop sneakier methods, from using stealthier phishing attempts to exploiting vulnerabilities in aging systems, proactive security measures must be taken to safeguard information and maintain a strong reputation.
Lou is the Senior Editor at Revolutionized, specializing in writing about Technology, Computing, and Robotics. Writing is his top passion in life, and he strives to share his knowledge however he can.