What Cybersecurity Threats do I Need To Be Aware of?
Cybersecurity is one of the most important and fastest growing fields in the world. Every day, businesses and individuals are targeted by cybercriminals looking to steal information, money, disrupt business operations and possibly destroy reputations. As a result, individuals and organizations must take steps to secure their systems and protect their data. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help people stay informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and how to protect against them.
Let’s start with the basic cybersecurity terminology you need to know:
- Ransomware : Malicious software that blocks access to files or systems until a ransom is paid.
- Insider Threats : Is carried out by an individual who has authorized access to an organization’s systems and data.
- Phishing and Social Engineering : Attempts to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.
- Mobile Security : Keep your device updated with the latest security patches and software updates.
- Cloud Security : Cloud security is the practice of protecting data and systems stored in the cloud.
RANSOMWARE
Ransomware is a type of malicious software that blocks access to files or systems until a ransom is paid. The term “ransomware” was coined in 2005, and it has become an increasingly popular and profitable form of cybercrime.
Ransomware is often delivered through personal or company email. For example, the attacker tricks the victim into opening an attachment or clicking on a link, which then infects their computer and potentially spreads to others on the same network if security measures are not in place. These emails will often appear to be legitimate communications from individuals within the company. Once the ransomware is installed, it will encrypt files on the system and demand a ransom payment in order to unlock them. The ransom payments can range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
Some steps to alleviating the damage of a ransomware attack:
- As ransomware is predominantly an issue caused by human error, staff training into how to spot these attacks is the best method of avoidance.
- Ensuring infected systems can be quarantined from a network is also vital to minimising the overall impact.
- Ensuring a regular backup of all data will ensure that you have other options than paying a large sum of money.
INSIDER THREATS
An individual with authorized access to an organization’s systems and data carries out a malicious act or incident, presenting an insider threat. These threats can come from current or former employees, contractors, or business partners.
Insider threats are a serious and growing security concern for organizations of all sizes. They can result in the loss of confidential data, damage to systems and networks, and even financial losses.
There are several steps organizations can take to help mitigate the risk of insider threats. These include implementing strong security controls, establishing clear policies and procedures, and training employees on how to identify and report a threat.
As soon as a team member’s employment ends, immediately cut off their access to all internal information.
PHISHING
Phishing is a type of social engineering attack that attempts to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Attackers can carry out phishing through email, phone calls, text messages, or instant messages. Phishing emails are often very convincing and may include attachments that appear to be legitimate but contain malicious software.
Phone phishing is the most common type of phishing attack. In a phone phishing attack, the scammer will call the victim and attempt to extract information by pretending to be from a legitimate organisation.
MOBILE SECURITY
The use of mobile devices for business has increased dramatically in the last few years. Simultaneously, users are accessing and storing an increasing amount of sensitive data on mobile devices.This makes the need for mobile security more important than ever.
There are a number of ways to protect your mobile device from malware and other security threats. The most important thing is to keep your device updated with the latest security patches and software updates. You should also install a good antivirus program, and make sure to use a strong password to protect your device.
When storing highly sensitive data on a mobile device, consider ensuring high-level encryption to lower the risk of data leaks in case of device loss or theft.
CLOUD SECURITY
Cloud security is the practice of protecting data and systems stored in the cloud. The cloud refers to a virtual space where users can store and access information or applications with an internet connection.
Businesses are increasingly moving their data and applications to the cloud for convenience and cost savings. However, this move to the cloud also introduces new security risks. It is essential for organisations to take steps to protect their data and systems in the cloud.
There are several steps that businesses can take to improve their cloud security. Ensure that all devices have up-to-date software and password protection. In addition, businesses should use strong passwords and change them regularly.
Encrypt all data sent to and from the cloud as another important step. This helps to ensure that the data is not accessible to unauthorised individuals. Businesses should also make sure that their cloud provider has adequate security measures in place. These measures should include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and anti-virus software.
Businesses should also create a disaster recovery plan in case of a security breach. This plan should include steps for restoring lost data and repairing damaged systems. Finally, businesses should keep track of all activity in the cloud and audit it regularly. This helps to identify any suspicious activity and allows businesses to take corrective action promptly.
Off-site or third-party backups are important for businesses to protect their cybersecurity. A recent study found that 43 percent of businesses that suffered a data breach in the past two years did not have an off-site backup solution. This is likely because many businesses underestimate the importance of off-site backups. They may think that their on-site backup solution is enough, but this is not always the case. On-site backups can be susceptible to malware and ransomware attacks, which can quickly destroy all of the data on your server. An off-site backup solution will help you protect your data.
Working from Home
There are many benefits to working from home, such as decreased stress levels and improved work-life balance. However, working from home also poses a greater risk of cybersecurity attacks.
According to a study on challenges of working from home, around 80% employees reported increase in cyberattacks since they shifted to work from home. This is because there are many ways for hackers to gain access to your computer when you’re working from home. For example, they can hack into your unsecured Wi-Fi network or phish for your personal information by sending you a fake email.
While working from home make sure to always follow these simple rules:
- Make sure your computer is up to date with all the latest security patches.
- Use a strong password and change it regularly.
- Install antivirus software and keep it up to date.
- Only open attachments or click links from people you know and trust.
- Avoid logging into your account from public computers or Wi-Fi networks.
- Backup your data regularly.
Cybersecurity has never been more important, and businesses need to be aware of the many threats that can harm their networks. Ransomware, insider threats, phishing, mobile security and cloud security are all major concerns, and it’s important to take steps to protect your data. Follow us on Instagram for more tips on keeping your business safe online, if you would like to learn more please follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram or get in contact with us at [email protected]
