PITTSBURGH – Every year, new threats to technology security crop up, from viruses and remote hacking, to skimmers and Trojans. What should you be keeping an eye on in 2016? Here are the top three security threats.

Data breaches. This isn’t new but retailers should not become lax in this area. Major retailers will continue to see hackers going after payment information, but with the switch to EMV chip terminals and mobile payment systems, hackers will likely turn to easier pickings, such as medical data.

Ransomware. Again, not a new threat, but a serious one. Ransomware is a computer virus that locks your files and will unlock them when you pay a ransom. The FBI is even telling victims to shell out the money to get their files back. This type of threat can freeze files on a network, as well as individual computers, smartphones and tablets. The good news is that ransomware needs its victims to install the virus by clicking malevolent downloads or links. Also backing up files regularly is good practice for recovery after such an event.

Browser plug-ins. With many of us spending lots of time online in a Web browser, it’s no surprise that hackers are looking for ways to infect computers through this portal. This year, more attacks via browser plug-ins, such as Adobe Flash/Animate, are highly likely.

In December, the House Financial Services Committee approved a data security bill that NACS opposed because it would weaken data security while imposing exorbitant liability risks on convenience stores.