Symantec, the US-based security software developer, has unveiled five most important security issues they expect to appear in 2013:

• politically motivated attacks are expected to become common place in 2013 as nation states, organisations and activists turn to the cyber sphere to show their strength
• a rise in ransom ware, which is a malicious software that disables the computer's functionality and demands a payment to restore it. In these cases, scare tactics are typically used, and cyber criminals are increasingly turning to ransom ware due to the deployment of better online payment methods to collect money from their victims.
• an increase in mobile adware. Madware, as it is also called, can sneak on to a user's device when they download an application and potentially expose location details and contact information to cyber criminals. The predicted rise comes after a staggering 210 percent increase in the most aggressive forms of madware over the past nine months
• monetisation of social media will bring new dangers. Symantec's experts believe cyber criminals will look to raid social networks for payment credentials and other sensitive data
• users' increasing reliance on mobility and cloud will increasingly be exploited by hackers. The rapid rise of Android malware in 2012 indicates a surge continuing in 2013. Unmanaged devices will increasingly enter and exit corporate networks while using their clouds, this will bring increased risk of breaches and targeted attacks on mobile device data.

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Mobile and cloud makes the corporate treasury department's work easier, but they also increase fraud and security risks. Corporate treasury departments need a Checklist of procedures for minimising fraud and security risks when using their mobile devices. Symantec also raise the question: which mobile platform - Android or Apple's IOS - is more secure?