Unmanaged Network Resources Rival Ransomware

Cybersecurity discussions in today’s increasingly connected world often emphasize software vulnerabilities, phishing schemes, and ransomware threats. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, ransomware damages are expected to cost the global economy $275 billion annually by 2031.

However, a more subtle—and equally dangerous—threat lurks beneath the surface: unmanaged digital infrastructure assets that many enterprises, universities, and public institutions unknowingly leave exposed.

One of the most overlooked assets is IPv4 address blocks—legacy allocations that, if left unmonitored and unnoticed by management systems, provide a hidden playground for cybercriminals to launch attacks, hide their activities, and erode trust in internet systems, writes Vencentas Grinius, in a Forbes article.

The IPv4 address space, which was initially distributed freely during the early days of the internet, has become increasingly scarce and valuable, notes Grinius, co-founder of London-based IPXO, a trusted IP leasing partner for businesses across 75+ industries. However, many institutions retain large blocks of addresses without active oversight, making them susceptible to hijacking and abuse.

Every organization with internet-facing infrastructure must reconsider its stewardship model. It’s no longer sufficient to secure servers and patch software—proactive management of network resources has become integral to the cybersecurity mandate.

The days of neglecting idle IP address blocks without repercussions are over. Cybercriminals are aware of this.

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